Safety

Cleaning For A Reason Week Begins Today!

by Jennifer | No Comments Wednesday, April 18, 2012

As we have mentioned before, we work with the organization called Cleaning For A Reason that provides free house cleanings for women with cancer who are undergoing treatments. We are very passionate about this, because having a clean home while dealing with cancer is so important, but can be almost impossible to manage with so much to handle already.

Starting today, in conjunction with the Mayor of Plano Phil Dyer, we are thrilled to announce that this Cleaning For A Reason Week. For more information, Go Here To Our Press Release!

How To Clean Your Oven With Baking Soda

by Jennifer | No Comments Thursday, March 8, 2012

I found this great video on youtube.com that I had to share! It gives a step-by-step on effectively cleaning your oven with baking soda and water. No chemicals, no self-cleaning cycle, nothing dangerous. If you have read some of our previous blogs, you know that we are big fans of cleaning with simple, green ingredients. And this is about as simple as it gets!

10 Ways To Improve The Air Quality In Your Home

by Jennifer | No Comments Monday, February 13, 2012

It is a common fact that the air inside your home is more likely dirtier than the air outside. This is true no matter where you live, even if it’s a big crowded city. We spend a great deal of our time indoors, and if the air quality is left unattended, it can lead to health problems involving the heart, lungs, and allergies. Follow all of these guidelines, and you will be doing yourself and everyone in your home a big favor.

1. Keep Your Air Filters Clean

We have talked about this several times, keeping your air filters up to date is one of the best things you can do for your home. It helps keep your energy bill down, and a clean filter will keep many allergens from floating around in the air you breathe. You should replace your filters at least every 3 months.

2. Limit Burning Candles

Candles are a beautiful addition to any home, and it is perfectly acceptable to light one every once in a while for the great smell and relaxing ambiance, but you don’t want to burn them regularly. They release toxins in the air, some of which have been linked to cancer. Click Here For More Detailed Information.  Having said that, beeswax and soy candles are an exception in that they release no harmful chemicals, and are safe for regular use.

3. Minimizing Mold and Mildew

Mold and mildew are two very nasty culprits, and should be erradicated as much as possible. The EPA has a great deal of material about the dangers, Listed Here. If you have mold in your home, find the source of moisture (whether it be a leak in the roof, plumbing, or elsewhere) and fix the problem, then clean the mold with a strong disinfectant. On a smaller scale, it is most commonly found in the shower along the grout. Regular cleaning and proper ventillation of the bathroom should keep it away.

4. Air Purifiers

An air purifier is a great way to help keep the air in your home allergen-free. Be sure and read the directions carefully, so you know proper care of the purifier to keep it in top condition.

5. Avoid Manufactured Air Fresheners

Aerosol air freshners do give the home an instant pick me up, but aerosol is bad for the environment, and the chemicals that are used to create that great smell can be harmful, especially if used regularly. Instead, try keeping small bowls throughout your home with water in them, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. You will need to add more oil every couple of days to maintain the smell, and clean the bowls out once a week.

6. Open The Windows On A Nice Day

If the weather permits, open your windows. Even if you live in a city, that added air flow will add an instant freshness to your home. And as a bonus, saves you money on your energy bill!

7. Use Green Cleaning Products

There are so many alternatives to harmful chemical cleaning products nowadays, it is so easy to avoid them altogether. Refer to any of our blogs listed under Cleaning Products for a great way to get your green cleaning started!

8. Do Not Smoke Indoors

We cannot stress enough that smoking indoors is very harmful to yourself and others. Second hand smoke affects everyone who is around it long enough. Not to mention, it gives your home a distinct odor that many find unpleasant.

9. Don’t Give Dust Mites A Great Place To Live

Dust mites and their waste are a potentially very harmful allergen. We have talked about the dangers before, In Our Blog About Dust Mites And Their Link To Asthma we have everything you need to know to keep those little buggers out of your home, and what to do if you have them.

10). Use Houseplants To Clean The Air Indoors

Houseplants are great for improving the quality of air in your home. The absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, and they also absorb other chemicals such as formaldehyde. They add a liveliness to your home, and most common plants are very easy to care for. Here Is A List Of The 25 Best Indoor Plants.

For more great tips on improving the quality of air in your home, check out this article on thedailygreen.com on How To Purify The Air In Your Home.

 

4 Ways To Avoid and Control Pet Obesity

by Jennifer | No Comments Tuesday, February 7, 2012

You’ve seen a multitude of information on the dangers of adult and child obesity, but pet obesity is a growing problem as well, featured here on CNN. Owners find that they have less and less time to care for their pets, and their health can decline. Now, I’m not at all saying anybody does it on purpose, or even to a large extent, but even the smallest changes can take a toll as life gets more and more hectic and demanding. Whether you have a cat, dog, or something more unique, the more time and effort you can give your furry (or not!) friend, the better for everyone. After all, they are a part of your already loving family!

1)Exercise

Commit a certain amount of time every day to playing with your pet. They need to stay active just as much as you do, and especially if they are alone most of the day can become lazy and lethargic. Some things to try are laser pointers, toys, (although, we all know some animals will always go for the rolled up ball of foil first!) or taking a walk if they can be leashed. For more information on playing with your pet, Check Out This Site From Petplace.com

2) Attention

If a pet feels neglected by you, it will be unhappy and its health will quickly follow suit, just like it would with humans. Spend as much time with your pet as possible, to show them they are loved and wanted.

3) Balanced Nutrition

Of course you want the best for your pet, but it can be hard to afford the absolute best. Consult your veterinarian to discuss the best diet for your budget, they can often point you in the right direction and tell you what you need to look for, as well as how much they should be eating and how often.

4) Regular Checkups

You should be taking your pet for a wellness checkup once a year, and immediately if there are any odd symptoms or behavior. If your pet is gaining weight and you honestly cannot figure out why, there could be a thyroid problem, or a number of other issues your vet can check for and help find a solution so that your pet can be in the best possible shape. And don’t be afraid to call with any questions, they are here to help! Need a veterinarian? This Database Will Help You Find One Close To You!

Top 10 Things A Maid Service Guarantees That Independant Cleaners Can’t

by Jennifer | No Comments Friday, January 27, 2012

Having someone clean your home is a wonderful thing to do for yourself and your family. But the hard part is, who do you hire? Your neighbor’s housekeeper that she found through another friend, or a service with great online reviews? Fact of the matter is, and individual can almost always offer a greatly reduced price, but the important question is how are they able to offer this reduced price?  To help you make an informed decision, here are just a few of many reasons why it is worth it to hire a service.

10) Legitimacy

When you hire a reputable service, you are going with a business that pays into all required, county, state and federal tax agencies. This means that you don’t have to worry about providing 1099 forms for your individual housekeeper and the IRS won’t come knocking on your door to collect for things you didn’t know you were supposed to pay.

9) Quality Assurance

Nobody is perfect. It is important to know that everyone makes mistakes from time to time. But when you use a service, you know that you have full support with your cleaning needs, and any issues will be addressed and fixed to your satisfaction.

8) Consistency

The great thing about using a service, is that they have a staff that is familiar with your home and with your needs, so if your usual cleaner is sick or can’t come in for some reason, there will be someone to help out. This way, you always know that someone will be there to clean your home on the date you request, so that say for instance you have a cleaning scheduled the day of a party at your home, you won’t be left with a whole house to clean on top of everything else you need to do.

7) Communication

However, life does happen sometimes and things do need to change. Maybe your cleaner needs to come in the afternoon instead of morning? Or maybe they are at your home and have a question about where the dog treats are for your furry friend. Someone will promptly contact you with anything that needs to be communicated between you and your cleaner, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that you have all possible information.

6) Extensive And Constantly Updated Training

Each person hired into a service undergo thorough training to ensure they are providing the same quality service as everyone else. And as information in the industry is updated, training is refreshed as needed. This means that your cleaner knows exactly how to handle every surface in your home, and since everyone is trained the same, you know that if someone different comes to your home you will receive the same service.

5) Professionalism

With a service comes the great feeling of being a star! Your business is important, and you will be treated with the respect you deserve. It’s like having a VIP pass, the service is there to meet your needs, and will maintain a level of professionalism that will make you feel great about having them in your home.

4) Access To Information About The Business

Any reputable service will have a website with extensive information about their service and anything you need to know about them. And with that website and location comes access to reviews from other people about the business, which can be very helpful in making your decision. And if you’re not sure about something, simply call and ask! Someone should be available to answer any questions you have.

3) Bonded and Insured

Before you let anyone into your home to clean, you want to make sure they are bonded. This means that if anything gets broken or stolen from your home, that you are covered. We have had many clients switch to our service because their previous cleaner stole a great deal from them and disappeared, leaving them short of whatever was taken. A service does not anticipate theft, however it is taken very seriously and every precaution is taken to ensure that you, the client, are not responsible for anything that happens.

2) Background Checks

This is also an important thing to make sure of before letting anyone in to clean your home. You want to have the peace of mind of knowing that you can trust whomever you let into your home, whether you are there or not. If you talk to anyone about cleaning your home and they do not run background checks, hang up the phone and move on.

1) The Bragging Rights!

If anything, you will have the right to say “my service…” and see how your friends’ eyes light up! In reality, you chose a maid service because of the safety and security for you and your family, along with the peace of mind of knowing that your home is in good quality hands. But they don’t have to know that!