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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Cleaning Services

Frequently Asked Questions

No two cleaning jobs are ever the same. We all have different situations and circumstances. We understand that - and have been in the business long enough to know what to expect: especially the unexpected. Here are some frequently asked questions about our cleaning specialists, home conditions, hoarders and much more. If you have your own cleaning questions, please call Jean Marie at (631) 830-2899.

Are you licensed and insured?

We are required to obtain and maintain a general contractor's license in NY state plus we need a license to clean offices and homes in Nassau County and Suffolk County.  We also carry full liability insurance as well as workers' compensation insurance

Do you provide the cleaning supplies or do I ?

We provide and will bring all of the cleaning supplies. We ask that if you prefer a specific cleaning product for your specific reason that you provide it and leave it out for us to use. But otherwise we come prepared with everything we would need to clean your home or office. Or both!

How much do you charge?

Recurring cleanings are based at a flat rate per house which is determined at the time of the first in-home estimate. We will provide clients with separate prices for different frequencies. All initial or specialty cleanings are charged at an hourly rate. 

Are your cleaners screened?

Yes. All Shore To Shore Cleaning team members are screened as part of the initial hiring process and are completely trustworthy. 

Do we/ I have to be home when you clean?

No, you do not. I always suggest the homeowner be around for at least the first cleaning to meet some of the team members so we can begin building a strong working relationship and rapport with one another. But, no, you do not need to be there while we work our magic.

Can We/I Or Should I Be Home?

Yes. Of course. But we do just ask that you work with us by working around us and try to stay in the other areas of the home from where we are working at that moment so we can focus on performing the impeccable cleaning services the Long island community has grown to love and expect from Shore To Shore.

I have dogs, is that OK?

WE LOVE YOUR ANIMALS!!!! So much so, our teams will most likely remember your dog Buster'sname before they remember your name, and often refer to home by the pet's name and not the client's. When the owner comes for the estimate you can direct her on where to find any treats for the cats/dog/birds/other to give to them. We can even let your dogs out to use the 'bathroom' or just run around and play while we are making your house look beautiful again. 

Do I Need To Prepare For You To Come?

Yes! We will not pick up your stuff and then clean. So here are some simple steps to follow prior to us arriving at your house to do our cleaning services.

  • Make your home accessible. A key that is accessible to the cleaning person(s) is usually the best method. A fee will be charged if we are unable to access your home. (See House Cleaning Service Cancellation procedures.)

  • Temporarily urn off your alarm system. If you choose to leave the alarm on and have the service armed when we arrive, we can not be held responsible for false alarms or misuse of the alarm system.

  • Have your home packed up and ready to be cleaned to avoid additional charges.

  • Have your valuables put away to avoid accidents. Limited liability protection for valuable antiques or non-replaceable items.

  • Customer has 30 days to request or report damaged or broken items for replacement or repair. After 30 days, the customer assumes liability.

  • Let us know how we are doing. We firmly believe that healthy communication is the key to a strong working relationship.

  • We love feedback, so please provide it. We love knowing that are clients are satisfied and if they arent - then we always maintain an open mind for constructive criticism on ways we can improve our home cleaning services.
How Often Do Our Offices Get Cleaned?

Regular office cleaning refers to the frequency of standard cleaning practices our staff members undertake daily, weekly or monthly. These include things like clearing desks of garbage, wiping down desks and tables, dusting surfaces and vacuuming floors. All of these regular cleaning tasks aim to make the work environment tidier and more appealing. They’re thta things that we love to do that add to maintaining the cleanliness of the office.

If we were to put a number on how often regular cleaning should take place, it would depend on the given task. For instance, garbage should be taken out once a week or more if the bins fill up quickly. Desks should be tidied at least once a week, if not every day. In general, all of these smaller tasks should take place on a frequent basis.

The average commercial or business office should be deep cleaned about twice a year, or at least once - if the budget doesn’t allow any more than that.

What If I Have A Large Office To Clean?

Obviosuly not every office is the same size. And other factors will determine the ideal office (or home) cleaning schedule. First, we will consider size. Larger offices, both in terms of square footage and human use and occupation, will generally need more frequent cleaning than smaller ones. But size isn’t the only factor. The features of an office also play a role. In particular, if an office has a lot of carpeting, it should use more commercial office cleaning than a workplace with less carpeting (or no carpeting). Germs, dirt and dust more readily stick to carpeting than hardwood or tiled flooring. The amount of activity will also determine office cleaning frequency. An office bustling with a lot of constant motion of team members, customers and customers will get dirtier quicker, and therefore need cleaning on a more regular basis.

Office Cleaning for COVID

Business owners and managers are pivotal in keeping patrons, guests, patients and visitors safe from COVID-19 and its variants. They're responsible for the health and safety of their employees, customers, clients and communities, following regularly updated cleaning protocols recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Whether you’re a large retail store, a small dentist’s office, an industrial workspace or a veterinarian clinic, having an expert like Shore To Shore in commercial cleaning services with Coronavirus cleaning know-how is important. 

Are You A Commercial Cleaner Near Me?

Yes! We are based in Suffolk County, NY - so if you are somewhere in Nassau County or Suffolk County, then - yes - we are near you. And chances are - we have a crew in your neck of the woods everyday, so please do not think you are too far for us to travel. besides being excellent cleaners, we are excellent schedulers, planners and organizers - so we have no doubt we can fit you in!

Do You Know How To Clean An Office?

Shore To Shore knows how important it is to keep our offices, houses and rooms clean. The same ethos applies to commercial properties and spaces. That’s why people hire commercial cleaning services like us. We are not shy to admit that we are really good at what we do! We know that a proper cleaning is essential to maintain a safe and healthy work environment. If the workplace isn't neat and clean, it will become a hotbed for germs and pose a great health risk to all the employees working in that location. And if the commercial space is frequented by customers or clients, it is even more important to maintain a clean environment for their safety as well.

We also know that a clean, commercial property reflects the values of the business. Using our professional commercial cleaning services can help you create a great impression in the minds of potential customers, investors, clients or just visitors.

Do You Clean Really Big Houses?

Most certainly! Shore To Shore knows how important it is to keep busy houses and their many rooms clean. We are more than happy to clean the whole house, not just one room. We will start by clearing any clutter, dust and vacuum, then we will clean the mirrors and glass. We always disinfect countertops and surface areas in all kitchens and baths. We do focus on tubs, sinks and toilets. And then of course - it is sweep, sweep, sweep (and then we mop)! 

Do You Offer Professional Commercial Cleaning Services?

Yes! We do! Our goal is to always keep your commercial building in a neat, clean and orderly condition. Our main focus is to deliver impeccable, consistent quality cleaning services.
We have been in business since 2014 because we offer complete cleaning services at competitive cost. We clean:

  • Office Buildings
  • Office Suites
  • Commercial Buildings
  • Schools and Colleges
  • Laboratories
  • Day Care Centers
  • Residential Buildings
  • Industrial / Manufacturing Facilities
  • Restaurants
  • Animal Clinics
  • Churches
  • Retail Stores
  • Medical / Dental Offices
  • Fitness Centers
  • Club Halls
  • Banks and Financial Institutions
  • Car Dealerships
  • And whatever else gets dirty! 
What Do You Professional Cleaners Do?

A typical cleaning service includes uncluttering/straightening up, dusting, washing and vacuuming floors, wiping down surfaces in the bathrooms and kitchen, emptying trash cans, scrubbing aapliances, sinks and toilets, washing dishes and cleaning out difficult to reach areas like under beds. House cleaning is a tall order for most people. When you're at home with kids or busy at work, cleaning's usually the last thing you want to do when you get home. You also may not know what products to use or not to use for certain surfaces or hard to clean spots. Every cleaning company or service provider has different areas of expertise, specialties, rules and limitations. We ask that you discuss your priorities during your booking with us and be clear about what your expectations are. A house cleaning service might seem like a luxury, but having pros augment your own cleaning is a worthwhile time/money investment. You'll avoid hours of tedious work and free up time for more important things.

What Cleaners Don't Do

Professional housecleaners won't clean - or 'do' these items - for a variety of reasons - including our safety and yours. We don't:

  • take care of your pets or kids
  • grocery shop
  • remove impossible stains from rugs/surfaces
  • handle biohazardous materials
  • clean antiques and specialty items like limited edition books
  • enter bug infested homes
  • clean really high and hard-to-reach areas
  • clean bodily fluids
  • treat/handle large/unsafe amounts of mold
  • and yardwork.
How Do We Clean Office Buildings?

Cleaning office buildings in Suffolk County can make it visually appealing and increase the productivity of the employees working in them by allowing them to traverse an area that is free of clutter. Depending on a few factors (such as the size of the office building and working schedules), you may decide to have our expert crews clean the office daily or maintain a weekly cleaning schedule. Certain cleaning procedures can be done on a monthly basis or even on a semi-annual basis. Note that these are just ultra basic guidelines and you can modify the cleaning schedule according to your needs.

What Is A Good Cleaning Checklist?

Aside from your daily cleaning routine (washing the dishes, straightening your counters, sweeping the floors, taking out the garbage etc) you should set aside one weekend every two to three months to do a 'deep clean' of your house. But go into your deep-cleaning with a plan. Start by cleaning the room you’re least excited about. For a lot of people, this means the bathroom. Work your way (room by room) until you end with the room you’re most excited to clean ( usually the living room - because it’s typically the easiest). It will also help if you choose products that get you excited to clean. When deep cleaning your house, use this list for a roundup of must-have cleaning products:

  • Vacuum with attachments
  • Broom, mop and bucket
  • Sponges, rags and paper towels
  • Dishwashing soap and all-purpose cleaner
  • Baking soda and white vinegar
  • Toilet brush, grout and tile cleaner
  • Windex, dusters and laundry detergent.
If cleaning a whole room seems daunting, start slowly by cleaning off surfaces from around the entire house and tackling each task individually. There is no “best” method of deep cleaning your house. Build a game plan that keeps you motivated to clean, not one that is daunting and prevents you from starting.

Room-by-Room Cleaning Checklist

Break your cleaning checklist into rooms. Your cleaning checklist won’t look the same as your neighbor’s because you likely have different layouts, furniture, fixtures, and so on. Go around your house, room by room, and create a cleaning list to keep your cleaning structured. Your house cleaning guide, broken down by rooms, may look like this:

The Kitchen: Kitchens are one of the busiest rooms in your home. It’s where you cook dinners, grab a late-night snack, and potentially where you eat your meals. Because kitchens are the hub for activities and food preparation, they’re one of the most important areas to keep clean. To deep clean your kitchen, complete the following tasks:

  • Empty old food from the fridge
  • Wipe the drawers inside the fridge
  • Empty your trash
  • Clean out the pantry
  • Clean the outside of the fridge
  • Dust the top of the fridge
  • Wipe the stovetop and burners
  • Wipe the interior and exterior of your microwave
  • Clean  your oven
  • Do yourdishes
  • Wipe off walls, cabinets and baseboards
  • Launder your dishrags and decorative cloths
  • Clean countertops
  • Sweep or vacuum floors
  • Mop all floors.

Finish your kitchen cleaning routine by squeezing fresh lemon juice into your sink’s drain. Drains capture leftover foods, emitting odors that you don’t want in your kitchen. Lemons kill bacteria and neutralize trapped odors, making for a perfect finish before moving to the next room.

Bathrooms:

  • Wipe down the mirror.
  • Clean the vanity.
  • Clean your bathtub or shower floor.
  • Empty your bathroom trash.
  • Organize the products on your counter.
  • Clean any makeup brushes.
  • Scrub the bathroom grout.
  • Wipe off the showerhead.
  • Clean the toilet.
  • Clean sink and shower hardware.
  • Wipe down walls and baseboards.
  • Sweep floors.
  • Mop floors.
  • Replace shower curtain liners.

Living Room: 

  • Dust and clean your decor
  • Dust your lampshades
  • Dust your electronics
  • Sanitize your remote controls
  • Vacuum your floors
  • Dust and polish your furniture
  • Launder your blankets and pillows
  • Vacuum the sofa and living chairs
  • Launder your curtains
  • Dust your curtain rods
  • Dust your blinds
  • Wipe down your windows
  • Clean your window sills
  • Clean your ceiling fans
  • Mop floors or shampoo carpet.

When you’re done, celebrate your deep-cleaning victory by lighting your favorite candle.

Bedrooms:

  • Launder your bedding
  • Flip your mattress
  • Pick up and launder your laundry
  • Sort through your clothes
  • Dust your furniture
  • Donate your unwanted clothing
  • Clean your windows
  • Launder your curtains
  • Dust your curtain rods
  • Dust your blinds
  • Wipe down your floorboards
  • Vacuum your floors
  • Mop floors and or shampoo your carpet.

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My name is Jean-Marie Pfeifer and I am the owner of Shore to Shore Cleaning. I started cleaning as a little girl, I remember going to family functions and disappearing into my cousins room to clean while all the other kids played or watched tv

In high school I picked up a summer job cleaning houses over on Fire Island... read more


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