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There are a lot of cleaning people out there who don't speak English or don't speak it very well. Truth be told, cleaning skills really don't require much in the way of language skills. However, it is necessary to be able to communicate specific needs and wants of the client to the actual cleaning
staff from time to time.
I am aware that there are stickers out there indicating certain actions in several of the typical languages that tend to dominate the housecleaning industry (Polish, Spanish, etc.) but why stop with just a few languages when pictures can convey things across all language barriers?
My product does not solve ALL of these communication issues, but can at least help with making any cleaning supplies more easily recognizable to cleaning staff, with regard to their specific use. I would like to design a set of stickers, which will visually identify the purpose of various cleaners to cleaning people by labels using diagrams of what they clean. Cleaning services would like to have these on hand to train their staff to recognize the various symbols, and also give them to their clients for labeling of any specific products to be used by the service.
For example:
* For a glass and window cleaner (even if it's not blue or named "Windex"), the client would simply apply a sticker indicating a diagram of a window.
* A toilet cleaner would get a sticker sporting a diagram of a toilet.
* A tile, tub, and shower cleaner would display bathroom tiles and a tub/shower.
* Floor cleaner would get a picture of a floor.
* Wood polish or wood dusting stuff would get a picture of a wooden table.
The visual identifiers would come in handy especially for use with homemade cleaners (such as using a vinegar solution for window cleaning or stainless steel appliances) and with newer, less familiar looking product labels (such as some Earth-friendly products that may have photos of lush forests on their labels). The idea of having a single set of standardized diagrams that everyone gets used to seeing would help everyone stay on the same page, as well, resulting in fewer errors and less accidental damage.
What does this product clean - parsley?
http://www.drugstor...btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT
THIS is what I'm talking about. [XSarenkaX, Sep 13 2005]
Another example
http://www.drugstor...btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT
[XSarenkaX, Sep 13 2005]
Yet another
http://www.drugstor...btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT
[XSarenkaX, Sep 13 2005]
Lord help you if you can't read this one
http://www.drugstor...btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT
[XSarenkaX, Sep 13 2005]
Need I go on?
http://www.drugstor...btrx=BUY-PLST-0-CAT
[XSarenkaX, Sep 13 2005]
Environmental Warning Labels
Environmental_20Danger_20Warning_20Labels
For the literate (but clueless) who read disclaimers, labels, and marks generally. [reensure, Sep 14 2005]
[link]
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In my experience, cleaning products generally carry a picture of what it is that they're intended to clean. But then again, I'm not Polish. (Not even Floor Polish.) |
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Usually, but recently, a friend showed me an environmentally friendly bottle of cleaner that does not have anything remotely resembling what you should use it on - it had that lush greenery I mentioned on it. |
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//There are a lot of cleaning people out there who don't speak English or don't speak it very well. Truth be told, cleaning skills really don't require much in the way of language skills. However, it is necessary to be able to communicate specific needs and wants of the client to the actual cleaning staff from time to time.\\ |
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There is no actual disrespect here, I'll give you that. But please consider this: |
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People who can hold a cleaning job are usually experienced, good workers. The secret to holding down a job as a cleaner is to leave your workspace sparkling cean. Instructions by employers should be restricted to such things as: please do the bathroom (point at it if they don't know the word). Cleaners will often bring their own products, the ones they are used to. If they don't, buy what they suggest. |
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Another thing: When cleaning the shower door (usually some see-through plastic or glass shield) there is no better product than WC-eend (dutch name). It is designed for use on the toilet and works great there also. Products especially designed for cleaning shower walls do not do the job as good as WC-eend. professional cleaners know a lot of tips like this. |
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My point is: leave the cleaning to those who do it professionally. I am not an expert but I did do a lot of professional cleaning under the guidance of pro's. If your cleaner is not very good, get a better one, harsh but effective. Anybody doing a job can be expected to do it right or they don't deserve the paycheck. |
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[zeno], although I can appreciate your standing up for cleaning people everywhere, your comments are completely irrelevant to the idea I posted. |
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I have nothing against cleaning people. I've known plenty of them. I don't have one of my own, but know someone who does. Her cleaning person speaks little or no English, thus the idea I posted here. |
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I invite you to comment on my invention, rather than defend an industry of people against comments I have not made. |
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Hi, [XSarenkaX] I knew you have nothing against cleaning people from the way you wrote about them in your idea. Also I did not really defend anybody since they were obviously not under attack. I knew you meant no disrespect and I have stated as much. |
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I believe I did comment on the core of the invention, perhaps not clearly enough. |
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I don't think cleaning staff needs this because they A: Know what the products are for already. B: some cleaning products are used for things they were not designed to be used for but do a better job then the ones that were designed for it. C: Many cleaners have a distinct preference for certain products, they bring them or ask you to provide them. |
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I fully understand the problem when for instance your new cleaner is cleaning the sink with your deodorant. My point is that if such a thing occurs the cleaner is not good enough. Many experienced cleaners know what a product can do without being able to actually read the label and many products can be used for muliple tasks. |
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Your idea has some merit, I'll grant you that, just not enough for my quossant. |
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