Category: ORGANIZATION TIPS

Categories
CLEANING TIPS In the Home ORGANIZATION TIPS

Four Focal Points in House Cleaning

Clean dining room

In between seasonal house cleanings, or during busy weeks it’s hard to keep up with all the house cleaning.

Many people believe house cleaning is an all day thing but house cleaning can be done quickly and efficiently if you’re following a schedule and do a little every day. This blog is about quick ways to tidy up your house every day, and the best ways to keep your house looking good no matter what the occasion.

  • When you don’t have time for a full house cleaning the best way to feel still safe is always to keep the dishes under control.

This point may seem obvious, but believe me, many people (including myself sometimes) do not follow this simple step. Have all your family rinse off their dishes and put them straight into the dishwasher. A simple 30 seconds of cleaning can save you  5 minutes of scrubbing once the food dried onto the plate. Doing the dishes can also serve as great family bonding if everyone contributes

  • Make your bed.

After coming home from a long day at work, there is nothing worse than walking into a messy room. Even if you only have a minute tidy up your blankets before you leave in the morning the difference it makes it unbelievable.

  • Always leave the shoes at the door.

This point may be inconvenient sometimes. However, you would not believe the difference it makes in keeping your house clean and HEALTHY! Your shoes bring in dirt and germs spreading them onto your carpet. By keeping your shoes out of the house your floors will stay looking great longer, and you’ll have to sweep and vacuum much less. Along with them looking cleaner, the germs will not be spread around your house potentially making you sick.

  • Clean your kitchen sink.

Your Kitchen sinks can get dirty fast. A simple way to avoid rigorous sink scrubbing is to wipe down your sink after every use. With a cleaning wipe, this can take less than 30 seconds! It keeps your sink more hygienic and always sparkling. A combination of lemon juice and salt can help shine your faucets if you don’t have a proper cleaner. Another great use for lemon peels is to put them down the garbage disposal, killing germs and deodorizing. Leaving your sink sparkling and your kitchen smelling fresh!

By continually doing these four steps, along with more in depth house cleaning when you have the time, your house will be looking better in no time. House cleaning does take time, but a few simple things can make all the difference!

Categories
CLEANING TIPS HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE In the Home ORGANIZATION TIPS

All the Office Cleaning Tips You Need to Know

Screen Shot 2022 08 26 at 4.47.34 PM 2 1200x800 2
Categories
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 6

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. 

Categories
ORGANIZATION TIPS

18 Entryway Organization Ideas

Get your home’s entryway ready for summer activities with these entryway organization ideas.


18 Entryway Organization Ideas

The entryway is one of the most important spaces in a home, but one we spend little effort organizing. A well-organized entryway is worth the effort, though. And now is the perfect time to make it happen. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve got some great entryway organization ideas to serve as your inspiration.

Summer is almost here. Back and forth from hikes, kids’ sporting events, bike rides, and beach trips. The entryway to your home quickly becomes a dumping ground for cast off shoes, baseball gloves, bags and backpacks. Your first emotion when walking through the door should be happiness to be home, not stress at the mess confronting you. Plus, as we move into the post-pandemic world, you’ll want your guests to be able to get a great first impression when they enter your home again. 

Get a jump start on the chaos by setting your home’s entryway up for success with these easy entryway organization ideas. 

  • A great starting place for entryway organization ideas, a credenza, console or long table in the entryway offers tons of storage space, while adding depth and warmth to the space. 
  • Provide a basket of slippers to guests so that they are encouraged to take off their shoes instead of tracking dirt through the house.
  • Benches create an additional surface for storage, as well as a place to sit while taking shoes on and off.
Entryway bench 1024x1024 1
An entryway bench is functional and can help create a welcoming and cozy space
  • Here’s a project for the DIY-ers. Turn a non-functional storage closet into a cute and functional storage nook.
  • Baskets are a must in any organized entryway. Use larger baskets placed on the floor for shoe storage. Smaller baskets hold sunglasses, keys, and hats (we have one by the front door for masks currently). The best thing about storage baskets is that they add to the décor rather than detracting from it, unlike some styles of plastic organizers.
  • An entryway organizing tip I use all the time is having a designated catch-all plate or bowl for keys, wallets, and other small items that tend to get lost.
entryway
Entryway with catch-all plates and bowls
  • A boot tray is a necessary entryway item in the PNW. Even in the summer the weather can get wet. A boot tray keeps all the mud and puddles in one place, rather than spread all over the floor. 
  • Use floating shelves to either increase storage space or for décor. If you have a bright entryway, consider a few live plants to bring some freshness into the space.
  • Utilize the space under cabinets or benches for storage by placing organizers under them, or even more baskets.
  • I love this entryway organization tip: Place hooks inside cabinet or console doors to create even more space. 
  • Double your hanging space inside your entryway closet with a closet rod extender.  
  • This might seem too obvious, but plenty of hooks on the walls are a great organizational idea. Give family and friends a place to hang their hats, coats, and other outdoor accessories, rather than draping them over chairs. Or dropping them on the ground. Wall hooks in the entryway are also more accessible than those tucked away in a closet–and therefore more likely to be used.
Entryway w more hooks
Entryway with hooks
  • Try lockers as organizational units. Lockers can create a fun vibe in an entryway space. These are especially great for families in which everyone needs to keep their equipment separate yet easily accessible. 
  • If you don’t want to invest in a set of lockers (or the aesthetics aren’t working for you), give each member of the family a sturdy metal or wooden bin. They can store sports equipment, work bags, and other supplies while they’re at home. Better yet if the bins can be tucked underneath a bench to minimize an appearance of clutter.
  • Digging the lockers idea but want something slightly different? You can convert inexpensive Ikea bookshelves into “lockers” and create highly effective individual spaces for your family to store their belongings. Great for people who love a bit of a project. 
  • Install wall-mounted spice racks in your entryway or entryway closet to hold mail or school notebooks.
  • Create a wall-mounted mail organizer with a few magazine holders. Some DIY involved, but very simple overall. 
  • Use a mirror to open up the space. If you have a small entryway, a large mirror creates the illusion of more light and space.
Entryway w mirror
A large mirror adds dimension and light to a space–almost as good as a window

After you’ve used these entryway organization tips to get a beautifully organized entryway, reach out to your team here at Clean & Simple the keep the space sparkling!

 

Categories
NEWS NEWSLETTER ORGANIZATION TIPS

Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s Employee of the Year 2014

new csc home page

Awarding Clean and Simple Cleaning™’s Employee of the Year is a favorite of mine. It is because I am proud and honored in my business to have an amazing group of employees. They, who are loyal, hard working and actually want the best for Clean and Simple Cleaning™ and our clients.

The Employee of the Year 2014 is Elvia Perez.  She has been working for Clean and Simple Cleaning™ since June 2011.  As unfair as it is, sometimes the best employees get the worst jobs. And that has been true for Elvia this year.  She is one of our top trainers and has trained steadily throughout the year.

Elvia is always willing to work early morning cleanings and manages to keep consistent high quality with long routes.

She not only gets her job done, but she also does it with a smile on her face. Not to mention, she is also well liked by her co-workers. Furthermore, she takes personal satisfaction and pride in pleasing our customers.  Congratulations, Elvia and thank you for your dedicated service. You truly deserve the title, Employee of the Year 2014.

At our year end company celebration, we also awarded our new hire of 2013; Mariana Arredondo who started with us in October.  In just a couple of months of employment, she has become a tremendous asset to our team with her positive attitude and high quality and detailed oriented cleaning skills.  Our December employee of the month award goes to April Allen. She, who after an almost her 10-year stay with the company has a great attitude and is constantly happy to offer a helping hand.

Good employees are what keeps any business running efficiently and on course. I realize that Clean and Simple Cleaning™ would not be the success it is today without my team. It is one of the many reasons why I always take time to appreciate my staff.  Clean and Simple Cleaning™ celebrates the wins of each month at our end of month celebrations. Additionally, we have regular team meetings and try to build up team work with several programs during the year.  As a result, we are even launching a get fit program this month.
Categories
In the Kitchen ORGANIZATION TIPS

Boost Kitchen Efficiency with 3 Pantry Organization Tips

organized pantry

Here are three Pantry Organization Tips to increase your efficiency in the kitchen.  Having an organized pantry will save you time and money since you will no longer waste time to search for items or waste money on buying duplicates of items.

Pantry Organization Tips

1. Remove everything from the shelves of your pantry, so you can easily start sorting the items and thoroughly wipe down all of the shelves including the corners.

2. Next, begin to sort by grouping like items together; such as baking supplies, kids lunch box items, etc…  Make sure to get rid of any items that are expired or suspicious looking. This will immediately free up some space in your pantry.

3. Place the grouped items into plastic trays or bins for easy access. Slide the bins/trays back into the pantry placing the most used items at eye level and in the front.  For some items, it might be easier to add shelves with different levels rather than trays or bins as it is easier to see all items when they are on tiered shelving.  Make sure to add labels to your bins. It to make it easier to keep liked items grouped and find the items quickly.

Another general guideline to increase efficiency in the kitchen is to add a shopping list pad of paper in the pantry, so you can quickly jot down those pantry staples you are running low on.  This will allow you to always have your pantry stocked with the desired items.

It doesn’t take too much time or energy to follow these pantry organization tips. However, in the long run, they will save you money and time making you more efficient and hopefully more at ease.

Categories
In the Home ORGANIZATION TIPS

Questions You Should Ask When Choosing a House Cleaning Service

DSC06143 rotated

Choosing a house-cleaning service is different from picking someone to mow your lawn or clean your gutters. It is more intimate than most business relationships because in many cases, house cleaners have the key to your house.  House cleaning services are responsible for caring for your belongings, dusting your family portraits and cleaning valuable heirlooms.  For those reasons, there are many items that one should consider when choosing a house cleaning service.

Here are six questions, you should consider when Choosing a House Cleaning Service.

1.  Is the company a member of the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI)?

Membership in this organization shows a dedication to the ethical standards of ARCSI. Also, it is a dedication to quality in the residential cleaning industry.

2.  Is the work guaranteed?

Ask about how a company checks quality and what happens if you are not satisfied with all or part of your cleaning.  The companies who are truly committed to quality will have a quality assurance process. Moreover, they will always be willing to come back and redo the cleaning to your satisfaction if you let them know within 24 hours of original cleaning.

3. Can I get references from other clients?

Any cleaning service can say whatever they want about their past jobs.  Make sure you can depend on the cleaning service by reading comments and reviews from their past and current customers.

4. Can I get an in-home, written estimate?

This one will allow you to get an outline of specific tasks of cleaner will perform. Additionally, it as well as help the cleaning service is evident on your expectations and familiar with your home.

5. What are the costs involved?

Obviously, the cost is always a deciding factor, but remember small cost is not always the best option.  The low cost might be due to their house cleaners not insured or bonded. It can also be because they are not able to replace an item if broken. Alternatively, it can be because the equipment and supplies used in your home could also be less expensive and less effective.  There could also be hidden costs or pressure to add services which also goes to the importance of #4.

6. Can I get proof  or documentation of background checks of the cleaning technicians who will work in my home?

The costly investment of background checks of workers is only made by cleaning service companies who are serious about protecting their clients and employees.  These cleaning companies are more likely to have higher caliber employees working in your home.

When deciding on house cleaning services, it is a good idea to compare cleaning services. However, be sure you are comparing similar services.  When comparing multiple written estimates, it is important to check if the frequency of cleanings, the inclusion of services, equipment, and supplies (are they provided by all companies?), and some cleaners per team is similar.

Choosing a house cleaning service is a major decision and a personal one.  Take the time to consider these items and find a good reliable company that will be providing you quality for years to come.

For more information about choosing a house cleaning service.

Please register to receive our free Consumer’s Guide to Home Cleaning Services by clicking on your service area from our service area page and filling out a short form, or you can leave your address as a comment below, and we will mail one out to you.

Categories
FAMILY In the Home ORGANIZATION TIPS

Weekly House Cleaning Checklist

Clean kitchen

House cleaning checklists are an effective way of making sure all of the house cleaning chores are taken care of.  With the busy schedules we all keep today, it is easy to skip a task, but a clean room promotes a healthy lifestyle, so it’s important to stay on top of it.

Two weeks ago, we posted our monthly cleaning checklist, this week we will focus on our weekly house cleaning tasks.  Make sure to leave a comment if there are other tasks you like to include in your weekly house cleaning as we are consistently reviewing our house cleaning checklists.  Next week we will be focusing on our seasonal house cleaning checklists.  

Weekly House Cleaning Checklist

Bathrooms:

  • Wipe all fixtures.
  • Change and launder bath mats and towels.

Bedrooms:

  • Change and launder sheets.

Kitchen:

  • Clean counters (remove items such as canisters, etc…)
  • Clean Toaster
  • Wipe Microwave
  • Wipe down exterior of all appliances
  • clear down cabinet doors
  • Sink

Throughout the House:

  • Empty all trash bins
  • dust furniture, shelves, and staircase banisters
  • Shake or vacuum area rugs
  • Vacuum
  • Mop hard surface floors (Clean & Simple cleaners clean floors on their hands and knees!)
  • Wipe Mirrors

Front Entry:

  • Sweep

Of course, if this house cleaning checklist is overwhelming or you would just rather be spending your time doing something else, contact us to set up a cleaning.  We schedule cleanings weekly, every two weeks, every three weeks, monthly as well as one-time cleanings.

Categories
NEWS ORGANIZATION TIPS

Quality Cleaning Services Start with Dedicated Employees

new csc home page

Quality cleaning services is, without a doubt, the fruit of having dedicated employees.

Quality cleaning services is an essential factor for a company to stay in business. And achieve it, you must first take care of your own workforce. As a company that looks after their employees, claims the reward of their employees’ loyalty, hard work, and dedication.

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ works hard to support and recognize our employees, so they continually are encouraged to improve. With 2012 coming to a close a month ago, we named our Employee of the Year. This cleaning technician has been with us for many years. Moreover, this employee has a unique story about becoming part of our crew. It was nearly two years ago when this quiet, shy woman responded to our ad for house cleaning.

I rarely see the people that come into the office to apply because my office is not in the front, and often I am working with my door closed.

This particular day I remember stepping out for something to drink. She was sitting in our waiting area filling out paperwork. I can remember our operations manager thanking her for taking the time to apply but she would not be hired because she did not have a driver’s license. Well, that did not stop Yusely. She went and studied and obtained her license. So then, a few months later, she returned to see if she could work for Clean and Simple Cleaning™. Yusely impressed us with her motivation to obtain the necessary requirements and decided to proceed with our hiring process.

Just a few short weeks after starting work with our company, she had only had her license a short while and she was in an accident . As a new driver, we expected her to be rattled, which she was. However, she somehow determined to overcome her driving fears came right back to work. This kind of determination continues to demonstrate outstanding employment and helps us provide quality cleaning services.

Yusely is the one always willing to go the extra mile, make sure she satisfied her customer and also sets a great example for her co workers.

This past year a course was suggested through our national association, ARCSI, for home cleaning technician certification. This was a new exam, which offered and administered by a third party. Designed to encourage cleaning companies, The Clean Trust test was to make sure their technicians obtained a certain level of competency in the home cleaning industry. They would learn and get tested on their knowledge of cleaning, restoration, inspection techniques and customer satisfaction. Yusely impressed me again when she came to me wanting to take the course. I had taken the course just a few months before with a group of businesses across the nation in Dallas, TX. It was not an easy test. We thought she might find it difficult.  As it is because English was not her primary language. She passed! Again, determined and showing leadership while providing outstanding quality cleaning services.

It is with great honor to have such a quality individual working for our company. She was hands down the best example of employee of the year for 2012.

Thank you to all of our clients who take the time to fill out online surveys and say wonderful things about the home cleaning technicians that care for your homes. Our industry is changing and trying to stay on the forefront of professionalism offering quality cleaning services and educated technicians that care for your family home.

Categories
ORGANIZATION TIPS

Green Cleaning Offers Exceptional Quality

Natural Cleansers for Porcelain and Tile

Clean and Simple Cleaning™ has been taking large strides to become a green cleaning company. When it comes to cleaning products, it is tough to balance the best possible clean and what’s best for the environment.

With our green cleaning products from Betco, we are providing the best possible clean with a product that is still environmentally responsible. Our four leading green cleaning products clean a large variety of surfaces safely, while still disinfecting. Some surfaces are also cleaned with a water/vinegar mixture to ensure the protection of the surface which is also safe for the environment.

Living in the Pacific North West, which is a leader in environmental awareness, it is even more important to use green cleaning products and procedures. Servicing Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mukilteo and all the surrounding cities. So, it means we are cleaning in areas that we live in as well. We are protecting the environment of our customers, and our own families.

Knowing that these harmful cleaners that other companies use on a daily basis are extremely damaging to the environment. So, you can only imagine the effects they can have on your body. Homes are enclosed spaces. So, by using chemicals to clean them only releases the chemicals in the air you breathe. It is why we made efforts to use green cleaning products. Not only are we taking steps to protect the environment we also are protecting you and your family.

We do still offer non-green cleaning products for people that specifically request it. Our number one goal is to satisfy the customer, and every customer has different preferences. However, the majority of customers are happy and love that our companies default products are green cleaning products. Clean and Simple Cleaning™ knows the importance of protecting our world for generations to come.