care & maintenance
Cleaning
Rental agencies and owners can be very careful with the cleaning of their places when people arrive AND leave. Be aware that your security deposit can be taken if the apartment is not clean enough when you leave it. Below are a few companies that have been recommended to us. In France ask the Mairie for a list of enterprises working in your town.
Cleaning companies: France
Cleaning companies: Switzerland
Rental agencies and owners can be very careful with the cleaning of their places when people arrive AND leave. Be aware that your security deposit can be taken if the apartment is not clean enough when you leave it. Below are a few companies that have been recommended to us. In France ask the Mairie for a list of enterprises working in your town.
Cleaning companies: France
- AD Nettoyage, 135 r Berges du Lion - bât C1, Ornex, Cell: +33 626 20 52 66
- France Net, 19 chemin Emboussoir, Gex Tel/Fax: +33 450 41 50 51
- Gex Nettoyage, 14 rue de l'horloge, Gex +33 450 99 05 46 Cell : +33 677 89 70 70 Email
- Majord'Home,13 chemin du Levant, Ferney-Volaire +33 450 28 03 32 Cell: +33 617 33 12 63 Email
- Top Services, 36 rue Velle, Segny, +33 450 41 73 79 Cell: +33 686 40 42 70
- Alexia at ATLAS recommends an inexpensive cleaning lady in Ferney - Tel : +33 632 30 78 95
Cleaning companies: Switzerland
- Fabe Nettoyage Geneva
- Gil Yanez, rue Daubin 27, Geneva, +41 22 345 08 92
- Manu SA, rue Voltaire 29, Geneva, +41 22 345 90 12
- MacMenage Family Services Concierge - house cleaners - nanny - at your service!
- Ricardo Rodriguez, rue de Lyon 8, Geneva, +41 22 345 02 37
- Check yellow page listings (pages jaunes)
Laundry
Having a washer and dryer is really handy, especially if you have kids or lots of visitors. If you don't want to buy machines, see our list of laudromats in the Pays de Gex.
Before you buy a dryer, look for an exhaust duc in your house/apartment. If there isn't one, you will need to buy a condensation dryer – they collect condensation in a container which has to be emptied into the sink or garden.
Here is an explanation of all of those laundry and dry cleaning symbols.
This site has a Temperature Conversion Table for those not used to centigrade.
Hard Water
Water in this region is full of limestone (calc), so “Vinegar is Your Friend”. You can decalc with it, or buy tablets at the supermarkets to decalcify your washer and dishwasher, and liquid decalc products for your coffee pot and other electric devices. For coffee pots and small electric devices you can also try using white vinegar.
Ironing
If you don’t have a dryer you’ll be doing a lot of ironing. They have irons that are connected to water containers – for steam.
Having a washer and dryer is really handy, especially if you have kids or lots of visitors. If you don't want to buy machines, see our list of laudromats in the Pays de Gex.
Before you buy a dryer, look for an exhaust duc in your house/apartment. If there isn't one, you will need to buy a condensation dryer – they collect condensation in a container which has to be emptied into the sink or garden.
Here is an explanation of all of those laundry and dry cleaning symbols.
This site has a Temperature Conversion Table for those not used to centigrade.
Hard Water
Water in this region is full of limestone (calc), so “Vinegar is Your Friend”. You can decalc with it, or buy tablets at the supermarkets to decalcify your washer and dishwasher, and liquid decalc products for your coffee pot and other electric devices. For coffee pots and small electric devices you can also try using white vinegar.
Ironing
If you don’t have a dryer you’ll be doing a lot of ironing. They have irons that are connected to water containers – for steam.
Repairs & Maintenance
Appliances
For repairs, instructions & questions Google the manufacturer’s name. On most sites you can find downloadable instruction manuals in English.
The companies below speak English except where noted. We've had good results, and hope you do too.
Computer HELP
Appliances
For repairs, instructions & questions Google the manufacturer’s name. On most sites you can find downloadable instruction manuals in English.
The companies below speak English except where noted. We've had good results, and hope you do too.
Computer HELP
- AngloInfo has a list for the Geneva area
- Computer Assistance Service - Installation of computers, ADSL lines, networks, training, consulting and sales.
78 rue des Frênes, Segny - +33 621 30 26 90 - Email - The PC Doctor: PC and Mac troubleshooting for home or office. LAN, ADSL, WiFi setup and security. Websites, programming, databases. PC cleanup, virus and spyware removal. Covering Geneva and Pays de Gex.
30, Rue Gustav Eiffel, Technoparc, 01630 St-Genis-Pouilly. Tel: +33 676 90 62 47 / +41 22 534 98 64 - Gex Formation - Installation, networks, training and more in French & English
- Jean-Pierre Nouvelle, Challex: +33 450 56 32 99. Cost : approx. 40 euro
- BC Ramonage: 44 rue Horloge, Gex - 09 53 07 80 74 / 06 84 16 65 54
- Le Grenier de Pépé: 411 zone artisanale Aiglette Nord, Gex - 04 50 20 12 41
- SCDM (Sanitaire Chauffage Dépannage Maintenance): 57 rue Mont Blanc, Gex - 06 14 81 60 21
- Glen - +41 79 729 15 88 - Email
- Handyman Services. Works in Geneva Tel: ++41 76 269 64 17
- Davin Haines. Painting, decorating, tiling, fixtures & fittings, flatpack assembly, and more in the Geneva area and Pays de Gex. When he says he is going to be there, he is! Reasonable hourly and flat rates. Contact: [email protected] - Tel: +33 6 82 33 56 39
- Expat Renovations - English speaking renovation company servicing clients in the Swiss Cantons of Geneva and Vaud carries out all types of renovation work, from complete renovations of old farmhouses villas and apartments to building new extensions, garages and internal remodelling of existing living spaces.
- Graham - can be contacted by Email
- Michel Tordjman – Cell: +41 79 409 12 10 - speaks French and a little English
- Paul Gilpin, Tel: +44 7983940771 (UK) does custom cabinet work, including kitchens and bathrooms, plumbing, and more.
- Winsor (speaks Spanish and French) Tel: +33 630 60 34 33
- Phill Edwards +33 689 13 09 60
- 1'STAL, M. Thaci - Tel: +33 450 41 70 25 Cell: +33 625 10 14 19
- Phill Edwards +33 689 13 09 60
Recycling
There are recycling bins in each commune, at most grocery stores, and at the Déchetteries (dump).
This site shows what items can be recycled. There is no place to recycle plastic bags, so to be environmentally friendly, reuse them as much as possible and buy a few reusable shopping bags.
Larger items like furniture and appliances, big cardboard boxes, and gardening waste need to be taken (by you) to the déchetterie. They also process used motor oil, paint cans, and other toxic waste.
Locations & Opening hours can be found on the commune website. They are closed on holidays.
There are recycling bins in each commune, at most grocery stores, and at the Déchetteries (dump).
This site shows what items can be recycled. There is no place to recycle plastic bags, so to be environmentally friendly, reuse them as much as possible and buy a few reusable shopping bags.
Larger items like furniture and appliances, big cardboard boxes, and gardening waste need to be taken (by you) to the déchetterie. They also process used motor oil, paint cans, and other toxic waste.
Locations & Opening hours can be found on the commune website. They are closed on holidays.
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