Category: FAMILY

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CLEANING TIPS FAMILY ORGANIZATION TIPS

Back to School Cleaning Tips

Back to School Cleaning Tips 1024x1024 1
Back to School Cleaning Tips 1024x1024 1
Back to School Cleaning Tips 1024x1024 1
Back to School Cleaning Tips 4

Get your home ready for the upcoming school year with these simple back to school cleaning tips. If you have school-aged kids, you know that the shift from summer vacation to the school year impacts all your routines–especially your cleaning routines. Everyone’s schedules get a little more hectic, which leaves less time for cleaning. With just a little preparation, however, you can bring some order to the chaos and keep your home clean and organized throughout the school year. 

Get Rid of Too-Small and Rarely-Worn Clothes

Set yourself up for back to school cleaning success by minimizing clutter right from the start. Prioritize storage space for the clothes your kids can and will actually wear. Sit down with your kids and go through their closets and drawers to help them identify what fits and what doesn’t, as well as what they just don’t wear at all. 

Set Up an Entryway Station for Shoes, Coats, and Backpacks

Once school starts, Seattle weather inevitably turns rainy. Prepare for muddy boots, wet rain jackets, and haphazardly dropped backpacks by creating a designated space for all of those items right in your entryway. This will stop dirt and mud from being tracked through your home. It also protects your hardwood floors and extends their life. You can check all eighteen of our entryway organization tips here. 

Set Your Kids Up for Success with a Chore Chart

Back to school cleaning works best when the whole family is putting in the effort. Give your kids the best tools to contribute by setting up a chore chart with them before the school year begins, so they can get comfortable with the daily or weekly routine of cleaning chores. Check out this link for some cute chore chart ideas, with chore suggestions appropriate for all age groups.

Take Time to Relax

Don’t burn yourself out over the long school year. You don’t need to clean up immediately all the time. Let the dishes soak in warm soapy water in the sink after dinner while you and the family unwind with a favorite show or game. They’ll actually be easier to clean after a good soak, and you’ll have a built-in window of downtime every evening. 

Make Back to School Cleaning Fun 

Whether you’re cleaning with the kids or by yourself while the kids are at school, it’s important to keep cleaning as fun as possible. Cleaning is a necessary task, but we shouldn’t dread doing it! We recommend playing your favorite upbeat music and singing (and possibly dancing) along as you work. Another way to make cleaning more pleasant is to buy cleaning products with scents you really like–you’ll look forward to using them, and you’ll love relaxing in your home once the cleaning is done. 

Fun with chores 1024x1024 1
Cleaning with your kids teaches responsibility, but it can also be fun!

Get a Back to School Cleaning Reset for your home from Clean and Simple

If things got out of control over the summer, and you’re really not sure where to start with your back to school cleaning, let Clean and Simple Cleaning™ help! We offer customizable deep cleaning packages that will get your home clean and sparkling, and make it easier to maintain during the school year. Of course, we can help with maintenance cleaning, too, and save you even more time and peace of mind during the upcoming school year. 

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FAMILY NEWS

Words Of Wisdom for the Graduate

graduates
graduates

We have, once again, arrived at that time of year. When students across the country don their caps and gowns and arm themselves with a big grin as they march across the stage to receive their diplomas. Whether a student is finishing up middle, elementary, or high school, graduation is an important milestone in their learning journey.

Students want their graduation to be a special memorable occasion. We, from Clean and Simple Cleaning,  want to inspire and motivate them to reach their goals.  So, We have compiled a list of inspiring words of wisdom you can work into any speeches you may be giving this season, write in student yearbooks, or simply share with students as their final days in your class come to an end.

We hope this list of inspiring words of wisdom will come in handy when you’re struggling to think of just the right words to speak or jot down

It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default. ~J.K. Rowling

If your uniform isn’t dirty, you haven’t been in the game. ~Ben Bernanke

And now go, and make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes. Break rules. Leave the world more interesting for your being here. ~Neil Gaiman

For the most important decisions in your life, trust your intuition, and then work with everything you have, to prove it right. ~Tim Cook

It’s harder to build than destroy. To build is to engage and change. In jazz, we call progressing harmonies changes. Changes are like obstacles on a speed course. They demand your attention and require you to be present. They are coming…they are here….. and then they are gone. It’s how life comes. Each moment is a procession from the future into the past and the sweet spot is always the present. Live in that sweet spot. Be present. ~Wynton Marsalis

You cannot authentically live anyone’s life but your own. That is the deal life offers us. ~Gabrielle Giffords

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

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FAMILY NEWS

Prepare for the New Year

Stacie Amber 2018
Stacie Amber 2018

As we start celebrating the ending of one year and the start of another, there are three actions we can do to help make the new year the new beginning we desire.  Reflect, Repent and Renew are the 3 R’s that are recommended to prepare for the new year.

As a company, we do a version of this too.  It helps to look at our strengths and weaknesses and set goals and see how we best move towards them and the roadblocks that are in our way so we can determine how to remove them best.  We also celebrate our successes and the people who help make Clean and Simple Cleaning™ the company that it is.

Reflection is critical because it allows you to take a moment to sit back and see the positives and negatives of the past year.  The past is an indicator of the future, after all, so we need to consider and learn from our past.  Think about the major incidents of 2014 and ask yourself:

•What did I do to contribute to my successes and my failures?

•What will I most fondly remember about 2014?

•For what am I rightly proud?

I know it doesn’t sound like a fun thing, but repentance helps us see our shortcomings and take accountability for them.  Don’t be too hard on yourself but ask yourself these questions and try to answer honestly.

•What are the areas I need to improve?

•Who and what is truly important and worthy of my dedicated attention in 2015?

Taking time to renew and recharge yourself for the new year allows you to focus on the future.  Go into this New Year with hope and determination.  Ask these questions of the world:

•Who will be my inspiration this year?

•What new adventures are ahead?

•Where are the new lessons to learn?

•How will I be able to contribute in a significant manner?

When we Reflect, Repent and Renew than we can apparently look at where we have been and took steps to go where we want to go.  Prepare for the new year and make 2015 your best year yet.

Happy New Year!

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FAMILY HEALTHY LIVING

Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s Guide to School Lunches

back to school lunches
back to school lunches

The kids are all heading back to school next week. So, the preparation for the adjustment of schedules is in full force once again. Bedtimes are adopted once more. And we get to stock up on school supplies too. Moreover, we are, once more back, to making and preparing school lunches.

Making and preparing school lunches for my kids is always a challenge for me. I want to provide healthy, well-balanced meals, but also ones that they will eat. I also struggle at times making sure I have things ready and easy to pack. As the morning routine, at my house at least, can get a little tight on time. Furthermore, I have come across a few things that I love and help make lunch making an easier task to add back into my schedule. Here are my top 3 tips to school lunch making!

Get them Muffin

My kids get tired of the same lunch and don’t always eat sandwiches very well. So, I have found muffins to be an excellent alternative. My kids love pizza and corn dog muffins. I also do make them banana nut muffins and PBJ ones too. I can prepare them ahead of time, put them in their lunches frozen. By the time lunch comes around, they are ready to go.

Use Child-Friendly, Easy-to-Use Containers

Get them items that are easy to pack, in containers that are easy to pack in. I love my Lock n lock containers. They have dividers that can be situated differently to fit everything I want to pack for the day and eliminate all of the garbage waste that I would otherwise have.  The best thing about the boxes, it makes me see everything together which helps me to add variety and color. An entirely brown lunch is not a balanced and healthy lunch after all.

Go Get Bite  Size Varieties 

My youngest does not eat very fast. Moreover, both of my kids are social. They need the break in their day not only to eat but to talk to friends. So, of course, getting to recess as fast as possible is also a priority for them. Making food bite size means that it gets eaten at lunch and not thrown away. I make the muffins that I mentioned earlier mini size and pack multiples. Additionally, when I do make a sandwich, I use one piece of bread and roll it up and then cut into pieces. (We call them sushi sandwiches)

If you have other tips for lunches for the little ones, please add a comment below. Getting back into the school routine once more can be a challenge. Hopefully, these tips can make it a little easier to add school lunches back into the schedule.

As you are trying to scratch off all of the back to school to-dos from your list and you notice that your house is a little out of whack from a relaxed summer schedule, consider giving us a call. In September, we are offering 20% off all one time and extra cleanings as a back to school special.

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FAMILY NEWSLETTER

Graduation is Fast Approaching

graduates
graduates

Graduation season is fast approaching. Furthermore, in between all the senior activities and finalizing college plans is the realization that my baby boy is turning 18. Moreover, he is graduating high school and going off to college in the fall.

My son is simply a nice young man. When he was young, I can remember him putting his little sister on the floor. And then building his train track around her.

She was just a few months old, and he was three. He would just watch the trains go around, and she would just smile at him. He is patient with her still, and trust me she takes patience, she is  15 after all! She was so excited to be a freshman his senior year. She looks up to him, and he is the best big brother!

When he was ten, he got super angry with me because his baseball uniform was dirty. He pitched a rare fit about having a dirty uniform for his All Star game. I was thrown with his emotion over the matter and showed him how to operate the machines! It was a pivotal moment.  He has in fact done his own laundry since that day. I would say he is the master of our laundry room. Always making sure we have an adequate supply of detergent, fabric softener and clothing baskets! If I leave laundry in the machines, he makes sure it is properly dried and in a basket in my room!

It has just been the “three” of us for years and he just always amazes me with his kind gentle spirit. He fixes things, is helpful and hardworking, and has a giving heart!

My most recent memorable moment was seeing him at the finish line of my Ironman at Whistler this past summer. He dropped to his knees with tears in his eyes. My son was overwhelmed with emotion. He picked me up and held me so tight that I was a tear filled in awe of him, not because I just spent the last 14.5 hours completing an event. Just simply proud to have this young man on my side.

He gives me strength and brings joy to my heart. A heart that will ache during his absence but knowing he has made great choices and is now ready for his next adventure! I will continue to pray for his protection and bless him as he leaves for Gonzaga at the end of August. Moreover, I am sure he will be successful! I am sure his sister and I will miss him!

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CLEANING TIPS FAMILY In the Home

Holiday Hosting Tips

Clean and Simple Winter Cleaning 2
Clean and Simple Winter Cleaning 2

Tis the season for holiday parties!  Holiday parties (or any kind of party for that matter) should be about being together.  Are you hosting your annual holiday party this year? Then, you should not miss these easy holiday hosting tips to make your holiday party easier and stress-free!

Holiday Hosting Tips

  • Plan your menu around do-ahead recipes, store bought complimentary items and think of finger-foods!
    • It allows you to enjoy your time with your guests. Plus, it lets you not to spend all your time just preparing food. Furthermore, it also eliminates the need for utensils, meaning less cleanup.
  • Limit what beverages you serve.
    • If you are serving alcohol, find one easy-to-prepare cocktail and have it be the party’s signature drink. Then, have beer and wine available.
  • Manage the mood with lighting and music.
    • Use candles and tape light and dimmer switches so they cannot accidentally be bumped.  To be festive but not over the top, mix traditional holiday songs with your favorite tunes in a ratio of 3 to 10.
  • Thinking of the details of the logistics is genuinely helpful.
    • Rent a coat rack for your guest’s jackets (nicer than piling them on your bed). Also, have a large plastic container with warm, soapy water in the kitchen to soak dishes. Additionally, have color coded garbage bags for recycling, yard waste and garbage.  Furthermore, consider rearranging the furniture in your space strategically. It allows the flow and movement of guests and includes more seating if needed.
  • Let your guest know when it is time for the party to end.
    • You can let your guests know by lowering the music or blowing out some candles. You also can start the cleanup process.  Picking things up during the party will not only make the job easier later, but it just might get you some help. Consider having takeout boxes on hand to send extras home with your guests.
  • Don’t feel as if all of party clean up needs to happen that same night.
    • Get things picked up and all in one place.  It will be easier to tackle the mess if it is centralized in one place.  Spot check carpets and furniture for any stains which need attention right away.  Then go to bed and start fresh in the morning.

These holiday hosting tips will help alleviate the stress and allow you to enjoy your guests while still throwing a fruitful and festive party.

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FAMILY In the Home NEWS

Snohomish County Holiday Events

clean and simple cleaning services christmas image 04
clean and simple cleaning services christmas image 04

The holiday season is a magical time of the year. Moreover, there are so many fantastic opportunities to spend with your family celebrating the season.  Here is a snapshot of some Snohomish County holiday events that you and your family can participate.

Mukilteo-Historic Flight Foundation-Christmas Ships Fly Over
November 29 – December 23, 2013

Bring your friends and relatives to Historic Flight for a particular holiday adventure as we take off in our de Havilland Beaver to see the Seattle Christmas Ships from a bird’s eye view.The pre-flight briefing will feature hot chocolate and homemade cookies. $50 from each flight lands at the Forgotten Children’s Fund.

$600 per trip includes up to 4 passengers. For more information contact Visitor Services at 425-348-3200 or visitorservices@ historicflight.org

Mountlake Terrace-Tree Lighting Ceremony
December 6, 2013 6:30 PM – 12:00 AM

The Annual Mountlake Terrace Tree Lighting Ceremony features music, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus. Volunteers serve cocoa and cookies while children Carol.

Free to the public
Located at Evergreen Play Field

Everett-Providence Festival of the Trees Community Open House
December 7, 2013 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Providence Festival of Trees opens its doors to the community to view the beautifully decorated holiday trees and wreaths. Sip on refreshments and enjoy cookies while watching local community groups perform. Children can create festive holiday crafts and meet Santa.

Free to the public
Comcast Arena, Edward D. Hansen Conference.

Mill Creek Parade and Tree Lighting
December 7, 2013, from 3:30 pm – 7:00 pm

A fun, festive parade will head south on Main Street at 3:30 pm with Santa as the grand finale. The parade will wind down to the Mill Creek City Hall where the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will take place.  After lighting up the tree, Santa and his elves will head back up Main Street to the Park Place building where kids can have their pictures taken and tell Santa their secret wishes.  Holiday performers and live music found throughout the Town Center until 7 pm. It includes Dickens Carolers, free horse-drawn carriage rides, a kiddie train, face painting, photo opportunities with the Grinch, and more!

Free to the public
Main Street and Mill Creek City Hall

Snohomish-Live Holiday Music
December 8, 2013 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Enjoy free holiday music. Local musicians, Carolers, brass bands, guitar & singer combos, more!

Free to the public.
At Community Tree 1st Street  & Avenue B

Edmonds – Christmas Ship™ Festival 
Tuesday, December 10

Christmas ship with the choir, Choir of the Sound, with parade boat following the Christmas Ship.

Also, for more information and pricing visit their website at www.argosycruises.com

Everett-Star Wars Christmas time Holiday Food Drive
December 14, 2013 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

BobaKhan Toy Store’s Annual Star Wars Christmastime Holiday Food Drive Event with the renown Vader’s 501st Garrison Titan Group. Who will hear in professional costumes dedicating their time for this volunteer community charity day. Also, this event will be benefiting the V.O.A. (Volunteers of America Food Bank Everett, WA chapter). See & have your picture taken with Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Stormtroopers, Imperial Officers & much more! The Everett Reign women’s football team & cheerleaders will be stopping by too.

Free with donation of a non-perishable food item
2916 Hewitt Avenue, Everett, WA 98201-3822

Everett – Our Christmas Gift to you A Christmas Carol
December 15, 2013 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Condensed Kid Friendly Adaption of A Christmas Carol  Sponsored by Community Health of Snohomish County & Reunion Theater Group  

Admission: Pay what you can
Music Hall Theater in Everett Mall (Down the hallway from Macy’s)

Snohomish-Winter Solstice Candlelight Walk
December 21, 2013 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Stroll with friends, come a-caroling, or simply contemplate the beauty of the evening along the Riverfront Trail.

Free to the public
The location of the trail is the North bank of Snohomish River from Lincoln Avenue to the Avenue D Bridge, in the City of Snohomish.

Bothell-FUN WITH FROSTY AT COUNTRY VILLAGE 
December 21 – December 22, 2013 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Children will LOVE to meet Frosty the Snowman and enjoy a magic show, craft project and participate in fun & games.  Pony and train rides (weather permitting) are open for a nominal fee.

Free to the public
Country Village is located just two miles north of Bothell or one mile south of Canyon Park, on the Bothell-Everett Highway, or take exit #26 off I-405 and go south one mile.

Leave a comment with your favorite community events in the comment section below.  We’d love to see our list of community holiday events grow.

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CLEANING TIPS FAMILY In the Home

Moving Tips To Make Your Move Less of a Hassle

move in move out cleaning snohomish
move in move out cleaning snohomish

The process of moving is a lot of work and is stressful even though the result is usually one of excitement and fun.  Based on my experience, (I have moved six times in the past 12 years) here are my top 8 Moving Tips!  Some might seem like common sense, but in the midst of a house full of boxes and a mind full of to-dos, it’s easy to overlook them.

Helpful Moving Tips

  1. Make a Plan!  Start with move date and work backward on the calendar and set goals along the way.  The plan should include all things about the move such as packing, changing address, and scheduling of appointments.
  2. Sell or donate items you don’t want.  Whether it’s Ebay worthy or garage sale ready, it should be up for sale or donated to a charity two weeks before moving day.  After all, moving cash is easier than boxes.  Make sure to have a sorting area set up during packing for donations and salable items.
  3. Color Code Rooms.  Assign each room a color and then mark each box going to that room in the same color.  Duct tape is ideal for this!  It will eliminate people continually asking you where things go on move-in day.  Make sure to make signs, marking each room with its color.
  4. Take a photo of electronic wiring.  If you are a visual person especially take a picture to see how all the components are connected, so you can make sense of all the wires again.  It seems like we all have lots of items hooked up to our TVs these days.  A quick photo might save you hours later.
  5. Make sure to pack your toiletries to avoid spillage and breakage.  Place saran wrap over containers and then put lids back on your perfume, shampoos, and the like.  Also, add a cotton ball to your powder and other compacts to avoid your makeup from breaking.
  6. Pack an overnight bag containing all the essentials.  It is likely after a long day of moving; you aren’t going to want to unpack and try to find things.  If you have kids, have them pack a backpack with their ‘essentials,’ so you don’t end up searching for one exceptional stuffed animal.
  7. Complete packing before anyone comes to help you move.  It will allow your movers (professional or not) to be more efficient.  It will alleviate some stress for you and over all just make the day run more smoothly.
  8. Pre-Clean the House!  It is always easier to clean house before you move your stuff into it.  It’s wonderfully helpful to get a deep cleaning of the bathrooms and kitchen.

Of course, if you are still getting things organized and packed, call Clean & Simple Cleaning to help you with the last tip.  Our move out/ move in cleanings consist of deep cleaning the entire house including in and out of cabinetry and kitchen appliances.

We hope these Moving Tips have been helpful to you.  Please leave any other moving tips you might have picked up along the way in the comment section.

Want A Move-in Move-out Cleaning Estimate?

Call (425) 673-4733 or request a house cleaning estimate online today!

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FAMILY NEWS

Breast Cancer Survivor

clean and discinfect
clean and discinfect

Janet Swett, Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s office manager, is a breast cancer survivor.  As much as she does not like people describing her as ‘the one who had cancer,’ she is a strong advocator and believer in helping others beat this ugly disease.

Janet’s story is an inspiration. It is another reason why we at Clean and Simple Cleaning™ are so passionate about offering support to cancer patients. We also advocate the fight against this nasty disease.

Janet found out about her diagnosis at age 52. One year after she lost her Dad to lung cancer.  She freaked out after the diagnosis. However, quickly got serious and ready to fight.  Watching her Dad battle silently with cancer taught her to face the disease head on courageously, openly.  She did not want the cancer to claim her life or define it.  Being open about her diagnosis made it easier to handle. Moreover, it allowed others to lend her the support she needed.

Janet has a very active and fun-loving spirit which she determines to keep through her struggle.  No matter what she was feeling or when she lost her hair, she believed she was beautiful.  She got out of bed, put makeup on and kept living.  The support of her family, her friends, the team of doctors and her company at the time was amazing which made staying active a lot easier.

She contributes that support and positivity along with preventative health to her beating the disease.  Back in high school she had a benign lump and had been told to do self-breast exams every month.  She took the advice to heart and had done monthly self-breast exams ever since.  It in and of itself saved Janet’s life.

“Life is filled with too many blessings and fun times to mess around with your health,” warned Janet.

Her treatment followed the proper process with surgery followed by chemo and radiation.  As a result, she was said to be in remission in July 2006 and has been officially cancer free for seven years.  She feels relief, but the fear never completely goes away.

As a Cancer Survivor has expanded her compassion for others. Battling the disease, she has an intimate understanding of what the fight entails and how it makes you feel.  “I look at the people whom I know who are or who have battled and ask ‘How are you doing?’ and let them tell me what they are comfortable with.  They understand what I am asking and feel respected.”

Janet is always the first one to jump on board with all of the ways Clean and Simple Cleaning™ supports cancer patients.  “It is such a gift to help get our clients who are battling cancer scheduled for their cleanings.  They are always so thankful to have their homes professionally cleaned for themselves and their families.”

Janet Swett is a Breast Cancer Survivor, but more importantly, she is a loving Mother, dedicated Wife, gracious Friend, hard working Co-Worker and a Beautiful woman.

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BREAST CANCER AWARENESS FAMILY NEWS

Supporting the Fight Against Breast Cancer

AdobeStock 245206601 Large
AdobeStock 245206601 Large

This past weekend was the Seattle 3 Day Susan G Komen Walk to raise money for breast cancer.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ loves the sea of pink (not only because we could easily camouflage in with them) because of the hardcore dedication it represents to fight against this horrible disease.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ has been supporting breast cancer since the company was started in through programs, donations and sponsorships.  We will be highlighting the different organizations we have and continue to work with throughout October.  I personally was reminded why it is so crucial to keep supporting breast cancer by a friend who just walked 60 miles when asked to complete the following task…

Write down 8 names of women who are important to you.  Coming up with 8 women who are important is pretty easy. So, go ahead and write a second list of 8 names of women who have been blessings in your life.

You should now be looking at 16 names of beautiful women who have enriched your life and helped form who you are today.

Circle 2 names on your paper of women whom you are ready to watch battle breast cancer.

My pen didn’t move.  A tear fell from my eye.  I didn’t want to imagine.  I was terrified.

Terrified because the truth is…

1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in our lifetime.

We believe in the importance of taking care of those who are battling and supporting prevention so others don’t have to face the battle.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ is proud to help fight against cancer.

Check back with Clean and Simple Cleaning™ throughout the month of October. Find out more about how we support breast cancer including information about our 3rd annual Deanie Douglas Housecleaning Award.