Ancient Houses

Biblical movies as well as biopics show us that the ancients lived in billowing tents or thatched cottages made of wood. As time and technology progressed, the thatched huts morphed into brick and stone cottages and castles. What no one sees is that the ashes from the cooking fireplaces as well as the fireplaces in each room had to be removed, the rushes on the floor (used primarily for sanitary reasons) had to be swept up, removed and replaced, and the stone floors scrubbed. In time, sanitary conditions improved in the form of chamber pots, which turned into outhouses and finally in-home bathrooms. Bathing chambers existed in which sunken stone “tubs” were filled with hot water for the sanitation of the lords and ladies. Kitchens consisted of stone sinks, wooden work tables and fireplaces big enough for a modern house to fit. All this had to be cleaned as well as belongings put away neatly.

Ancient Cleaning Tools

Since most ancient society was pastoral or agricultural, tree branches and corn husks made up brooms. Animal skins passed as window coverings as well as comforters on beds. Cloth woven by hand at first or on looms later on counted toward dusting and scrubbing cloths. Soap was made from animal fat combined with wood ash to provide the lye. Cleaning the stone floors, fireplaces, food preparation areas, clothing and bodies all used this primitive soap.

The Industrial Revolution spawned more than just machines. Chemicals used for agriculture and cleaning were invented, which led up to today’s modern cleaning tools. Aren’t you glad there are cleaning companies who use modern as well as green cleaning methods? Neither wooden brooms nor animal skins will be found cleaning high-end homes! We hope you enjoyed reading about treading in the footsteps of the ancients.

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Materials Needed

• liquid dishwashing soap
• distilled white vinegar
• baking soda
• ice
• salt
• lemon (or any other citrus fruit)

Tools Needed

• old rag
• paper towels
• toothbrush

Now let’s get down to business!

1. Rinse sink with warm water.
2. Sprinkle the baking soda all over the surface of sink. Rub in, working it into a paste. Rinse.
3. Soak paper towels in vinegar. Line sink with paper towels and let sit for 25 minutes. Remove towels.
4. Rinse sink with hot, soapy water.
5. For areas that are a little harder to get to, like the handles and faucet, use a toothbrush with warm water and soap. Once finished, rinse everything off a final time and dry with an old rag.

For Disposal System:

1. Place a half cup of baking soda into the disposal. Then pour in one cup of vinegar. Here’s the fun part: this mixture will bubble, pop, and fizz. Let sit for a couple of minutes.
2. Boil several cups of hot water. Once boiling, pour down the drain.
3. Put two to three cups of ice into the disposal. On top of the ice, pour a cup of salt. Run the disposal with cold water running out of the faucet, until the ice is gone. The salt loosens old food particles and grime from the inner parts of the disposal.
4. Cut your citrus fruit in half. Add to disposal, one at a time, with water running and disposal on. This step will ensure that the system is completely deodorized and will have the whole kitchen smelling fresh in no time!

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The Chore Chopper

The Chore Chopper is a fun way for kids to take responsibility for doing their own chores. Here is how it works; all you need are some bones and a monster. Simply draw the bones yourself or you can find some cute little bones online to print, then write down the chores on each bone and laminate them – this keeps them around longer.

Next, you draw a monster out of paper (make sure he has a big mouth). Using another piece of paper cut out a mouth that matches the monster mouth. Now, use glue to attach the edges of the mouth to the mouth on the monster – this makes a pocket out of his mouth. Now, every time the kids have to do chores you can give them a bone for each chore they accomplish and they can feed the monster (put the bones in his mouth).

Popsicle Sticks

Kids like to feel that they have at least a bit of control in their life. You can give them that sense of control while also getting them to accomplish all their chores with Popsicle sticks. All you have to do is write down the chores that need to be done on Popsicle sticks then put them in a jar or a cup. Now your children can draw for chores, if they do not feel like doing that chore at the moment they can put it back and draw another chore. The point is that all the chores need to be done but your child gets to choose when they do those chores they like least.

A Sticker Chart

Kids love stickers, utilize that knowledge and make a basic chore chart with spots for your kids to place stickers when they have finished their chores. Most kids get bored with only one chore chart method after a few weeks so try switching it up to keep chores fun and interesting.

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Busy Families

Today’s parents are stretched to the limit. Not only do both mom and dad usually work full-time; they also transport kids to school and weekend events, prepare meals, pay bills and a myriad of other tasks just to keep the family running smoothly.

Cleaning a messy house is the last item on their to-do list and is often left undone. Hiring a professional company to do the dirty work of housecleaning helps keep a busy family sane.

Young Professionals

Young professionals, whether single or married, are climbing the corporate ladder. Their dedication to work means long hours at the office. When they are not at work, they are usually out on the town. When they are home, the last thing that they want to do is clean it.

Hiring a professional cleaning service lets these stressed professionals keep a sparkling house while at the same time concentrating on their career and social life. It is the best of both worlds.

Baby Boomers

Let’s face it. Baby boomers are not as young as they once were. Most are now in their 60s and early 70s, a time when cleaning the house is not as easy as it used to be. Vacuuming, dusting and emptying trash take more time and cause more aches and pains.

Not only is cleaning more of a challenge now, it is not how baby boomers want to spend their retirement years. They would rather play tennis or travel the world. Hiring a professional cleaning service not only frees them from the chore of cleaning, it also gives them the time and freedom to pursue the hobbies that they love.

Hiring a trusted cleaning company that is licensed, bonded and insured has many benefits. Not only will your home shine; you will have more time to do the things that you enjoy.

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• Carpet manufacturers tell us carpets should be vacuumed as many times a week as there are people in the home.
• We know that regular dusting and polishing woodwork on cabinets and good furniture keeps it from drying out and maintains that wood beauty.
• Frequent dusting and/or washing blinds keeps them supple and prolongs life.
• Wiping and scrubbing sinks and showers with each use reduces mold, mildew as well as germs.
• Kitchen appliances require cleaning and upkeep almost daily to prevent trouble. Refrigerators accrue mold, ovens get spills, garbage disposals and dishwashers need attention at times.

• Floors tend to collect beach sand, yard dirt as well as everyday dust and grime. They need to be swept and mopped often. Those beautiful wood floors need a different kind of care than the tile floors.
• Do you have pets? We know they make their own messes, including all that hair they shed!

Cleaning and regular home maintenance not only preserves your treasured home, but keeps residents healthier and in better spirits. You’ve already invested a lot of money in your home, its furnishings and your possessions. It makes sense to take good care of them. You also want the best for your family. But in today’s busy world, who has time to follow all the recommendations of upkeep, let alone just keeping on top of things!

That’s where a reliable, professional cleaning service becomes essential. If you wanted the best in your home, then you want the best for your home. You want a company that is experienced, trustworthy and highly reliable. We know our stuff and use our own supplies and equipment. We can promise you the best care your house deserves!

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Whether you are a busy person who struggles to find time to clean your house, you hate certain cleaning tasks, or your home or office simply needs a deeper cleaning occasionally, sometimes people need the help of a professional cleaning service. If you are looking for a cleaning company, it is important to make sure they are going to provide prompt and reliable cleaning services. Here are three reasons why prompt and reliable services are so important:

No Waiting Around

Most people have waited around for hours for someone to show up to fix or install something in their home or office. Whether it is the plumber, the guy coming to hook-up your Internet, or someone else, you can quickly get impatient if the person or company does not show up when they said they would be there.

With a prompt and reliable cleaning service, such as Custom Cleaning of the Treasure Coast, there is no waiting around needed. We will give you the approximate time we will arrive, and if there are any delays, we will let you know as soon as possible.

No Reason to Check-up on the Job

When a company is not reliable, you may be tempted to head home early or leave during your lunch break to make sure the job is done and that it was done correctly. With a prompt and reliable cleaning service, there is no reason to worry if the job has been done or to check to make sure it was done correctly. You could even leave town for a few days and trust that you will come home to a clean house.

Consistency

Perhaps consistency is one of the most important qualities of a reliable cleaning company. Often, a less-reliable company will do a great job the first time or two. Then they will start to cut corners. With a reliable cleaning company, doing the best job every time is a top priority. You can depend upon your house being cleaned as well the hundredth time as it was cleaned the first time.

If you have considered hiring a cleaning company for your home or office, we encourage you to allow us to show you why we know you will love our prompt and reliable cleaning services.

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1. Your space gets cleaned despite obstacles. Even if you are an incredibly organized individual who follows a strict cleaning schedule, you can’t possibly anticipate all the unexpected obstacles that can crop up in the blink of an eye. Maybe a problem arises that requires a week’s worth of overtime hours–there goes that bathroom that needed to be cleaned. Or perhaps your child forgot to mention that she has a huge science project due in two days–that’s not going to leave much time for vacuuming or washing the floors. Just imagine the peace of mind that comes from not having to worry about housekeeping. A professional cleaning service will be there whenever they are scheduled, regardless of what life throws at you on any given day.

2. The job is always done right. As we mentioned before, cleaning is a tedious process. It requires attention to detail and patience in order to be done correctly. Cleaning that is not done properly can result in a build-up of dirt, grime, and germs. If you are rushing around to do everything else that needs to be done in life, you’re probably rushing through your cleaning. You’re probably not getting in every nook and cranny, and your home or office is suffering. A professional cleaning service has extensive expertise and knowledge–cleaning is our job, and our top priority is making sure that job is done well.

3. You’ll have more free time. More free time? You’ve always wanted to know what that feels like, right? A prompt and reliable cleaning service means you don’t have to make time for pesky housekeeping chores and you’ll have more time to enjoy life. Imagine an extra hour in your day to enjoy a movie with a friend, take the kids to the park, or just sit and read a book. Taking time to sit back and relax relieves stress and can make you more productive, having a positive effect on many aspects of your life!

A professional cleaning service takes away the stress of worrying about keeping a clean home or office. Life is busy and full of unexpected obstacles–a regularly scheduled cleaning service can give you peace of mind knowing that your space will always be clean and healthy regardless of what comes up. Please feel free to contact us to learn more about our professional cleaning services.

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Fabric Softener

Fabric softener is loaded with artificial scents that can irritate your skin and your sinuses. Instead of using fabric softener (or fabric softening sheets), just add about a cup of vinegar to the water during your washing machine’s rinse cycle. It will prevent static cling and leave your clothes feeling plush and soft.

Toiler Cleaner

Toilet cleaner is one of the harshest cleaning products of them all. Thankfully, there’s a simple substitute. Add a cup each of baking soda and vinegar to the toilet. Let the mixture foam up, removing grime and killing bacteria. Use a toilet brush to scrub the toilet, and then give it a flush.

Scouring Powder

Most scouring powders contain bleach. While they’re good at removing soap scum and stains in sinks, they’re harsh on you hands. Baking soda will do the same thing, and it’s completely safe to use. Mix some with a little water to make a paste, and then apply it to a rag and scrub away at your sink or tub.

Window Cleaner

Window cleaner is formulated with ammonia, which can irritate your airways and the airways of your pets and children. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and use it just as you would regular window cleaner. The results will be shiny and streak-free.

With all of the green and healthy cleaning products available today, why would you stick with harsh cleaners? If you’re looking for someone to clean your home professionally with green products, contact us today.

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Electronics- If you have electronics you’re probably never going to use again why not turn them in for cash? Websites like Amazon, Best Buy, or Gazelle will pay you for your old electronics. Amazon offers an Amazon gift card for your items and will take a wide range of products including books, electronics, music, and DVDs. Best Buy gives gift cards for everything from cellphones to video games. Gazelle offers cash, a gift card, or a check for your stuff.

Clothing: Selling your old clothes works best if you have name brand clothing (Such as H&M, Old Navy, or Ann Taylor) or designer labels (Such as Chanel).

Consignments shops are an easy way to get cash for clothes you don’t wear anymore. How does consignment work? You start by dropping your clothing off at the store. If the clothing sells you get money but the store takes a consignment fee (Which varies. Be sure to ask the store what their consignment fee is). However, you don’t have to worry about attracting customers. Consignment stores are usually high traffic places, so the chances of your clothing selling go up. If the clothing doesn’t sell within a certain time period (from 30 to 90 days), you simply take it back.

If a consignment shop isn’t your thing, there are websites where you can make money on your old clothes. ThredUP sells used women’s and children’s clothes. ThredUP will send you a bag to fill with clothing. The clothes should be in “like new” condition. Once they’ve accepted and then sold your old clothes, you’ll receive from 5% to 80% of the list price. Poshmark looks like Instagram but works like Ebay. You upload a photo and sell your dresses, makeup, handbag, or jewelry to the highest bidder.

Books: Books are wonderful, no denying it. However, what do you do when you’re done with “The Girl on the Train”? Are you going to re-read it? Probably not. Bookscouter allows you to compare prices between websites to get the most bang for your book. By entering the books ISBN number on the barcode of your book, the website will tell you the price of the book. Shipping them the book is free. Once Bookscouter receives the book, you’ll receive your payment. Amazon also has an app, the Amazon Seller App, that will scan your book’s barcode and let you know how much you can get for it as an Amazon trade-in.

Other Items: There are plenty of other things that can clutter up your house. From figurines to furniture there are websites that will help you get rid of almost anything. Ebay is the perfect website for selling your unwanted clutter. It’s free for most items. You can try to get a high bid or simply set a fixed price. Letgo is a similar website. Selling is free, and your items are listed by your town and state. This gives you the option to meet with a buyer instead of shipping the item. If you arrange to meet with someone, it’s best to meet in a public place. Letgo has several helpful safety tips regarding buying and selling on its website. Craigslist runs in a similar fashion, allowing you to meet with a person in your area to sell the things that would be too expensive or cumbersome to ship.

Then there’s always the old-fashioned way. Hosting a garage sale may be easier than using the internet if you have a large number of different items to get rid of. Use stickers to put prices on everything you plan to sell. Customers are often hesitant to ask about prices so having stickers will help sell more stuff. Set up tables and organize your items by category. All your jewelry together, all your electronics on one table, toys in one area, etc. Remember to have dollars bills, and coins for change. It’s a good idea to keep your money in a fanny pack or wallet. This way you won’t have to worry about leaving cash lying unattended, if you have to get up to help a customer.

Not only have you gotten rid of unwanted stuff clogging up your house but you’re a little richer too! Just remember not to replace the clutter you just gave away with more stuff. Ebay, Poshmark, and other websites may offer items at discounted prices but if you don’t need it, don’t buy it. Use the money you made on your clutter to treat yourself in another way. Go to a spa, take a vacation, or save it for a rainy day.

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Here are a few ideas of when to give gift certificates with some sample sentiments to write on a card to announce the gift:

Housewarming

Take some of the stress out of moving for a loved one. If they are planning on moving, give them a gift certificate to have the new place cleaned thoroughly before they move in or to have the old place cleaned so they don’t have to go back and worry about losing their deposit. Your card might say “Moving is stressful. I hope this will help make it a little easier.”

Illness

When someone is recovering from an illness at home, the last thing they need to worry about is what isn’t getting done around the house. You can ease their anxiety about this by temporarily giving them some help. If you can’t do it yourself, a gift certificate would make a caring gift. Your card might read “Get well soon. I hope you’ll consider this a ‘helping hand’ until you are up and about again!”

New Baby

No new parent sleeps after they bring home a new baby! As happy as they are, it is hard to attempt to keep up with housework with a new baby in the house. A gift certificate would make a memorable new baby gift. They can decide when to schedule a thorough house cleaning. The card might read “Congratulations on the precious new addition to your family! We hope this might give you more time to spend with your little one instead of cleaning. Enjoy!”

Grandparents

If you have an elderly relative who prides themselves on always having a neat and beautiful home but has trouble with certain chores, like cleaning windows, as they age, a gift certificate is a great gift. The card might say “We know you like to keep your home looking great so we thought you would like to have someone clean the windows for you for a change. Just relax and let them do the work. You deserve it!”

These are just a few ideas. It could be a ‘Thinking of You’ gift for a bereaved loved one, a holiday or birthday gift, or maybe a ‘Just Because’ gift. It is also a great idea for a group that wants to go in together for a gift to help a co-worker, friend, or relative.

A gift of cleaning is always a thoughtful and appreciated gift!

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