We Give You Your Money's Worth!!

Today I was cleaning for a wonderful elderly couple, George and Phyllis. They are kind, intelligent and fun people. They are also perfect people for us to clean for.. Because of their advancing years, they are just not able to do all the things that they used to do. This includes lots of the details of keeping the house clean.

As I was cleaning today, George said to me; "Well Doug, once again you've done what we no longer can do. We are thankful for you." I felt good right away, knowing that what I do is helpful and needed. Not only does it put food on the table for us, it provides a lot of satisfaction, knowing that Tower Cleaning Services is helping people.


By the way, we love cleaning for the Elderly. They are a vast resource of knowledge, wisdom, history, culture and humor- to name just a few. I kid around by saying to folks on the way out sometimes that I try to give you your money's worth.. I do part work, part entertainment and part visitation. One way or another, you'll be happy! People invariably laugh when I say that.

What I also mean to say is that what I get in return is often much more than just a financial reward..

ps that's not George in the photo. That's another elderly fellow- my Dad. He's pretty cool too.

Cleaning Can Be Very Interesting! And Fun too!

So I have this great family that I clean for...Dad, Mom, and three little kids and a dog. I get to visit some and find out what's going on with them sometimes. My daughter plays with the kids there sometimes too. They were all watching The Brady Bunch on the big couch together recently.

Anyways, what is really interesting is that the Mother has just had her first book published!

It was released today! It's at Barnes and Noble and on Amazon and all that stuff. Her name is Emily Freeman, and the Title of her first book is Grace For The Good Girl. It's been exciting to see bits and pieces of the book coming together and going off to get edited and published and now on the shelves of the stores. Cool stuff- I clean for an Author now! And get this; she has already written another book! Go Emily!

Emily is doing a give away for her book at her blog today. Go check it out!

Satisfaction (truly) Guaranteed

I know I mentioned a few weeks ago how Tower Cleaning Services is totally different than other cleaners. Here is one way you know your house is going to be as clean as you want it to be: a 24 hour Cleaning Guarantee! Isn't that fabulous? This is what Doug says:

"We want you to be 100% satisfied

with each cleaning you receive from us.

If you are not absolutely delighted with the cleaning, we will re-service the area within 24 hours of notification for free. If you're still not happy for any reason, you don't pay!

Most cleaning companies wouldn't dare stand behind a guarantee like this. But we believe you shouldn't have to pay for services you are not completely happy with so we stand behind our work."

Just another way that Tower Cleaning Services is better than the average cleaning company!

Make sure you follow Doug's blog to get entered into the monthly drawing of a free house cleaning!

Tuesday's Tip - Getting Out BBQ Sauce Stains!

With grilling season being in full swing, I'm sure you've had some bouts with Barbecue Sauce! Here's a great way to get out those nasty stains from fabric, carpet, or upholstery.

Fabric

1. Working from the back of the stain, flush with cold water.

2. Pretreat with a liquid laundry detergent, tamp the stain, and let stand for several minutes.

3. Rinse well.

4. Sponge the stain with white vinegar, and then rinse well.

5. Repeat Steps 2 to 4 until you have removed as much stain as possible.

6. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover, and then launder with bleach that's safe for the fabric.

7. If the stain remains, rub with a liquid laundry detergent, and then soak in warm water for up to 30 minutes.

8. Launder.

Upholstery

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

Carpet

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of warm water.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.

5. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of ammonia (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia - the resulting fumes are hazardous) with 1/2 cup of warm water.

6. Sponge the stain with the ammonia solution.

7. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

8. Sponge with cold water and blot dry.

The Gift of Clean

People choose to use a cleaning service for lots of different reasons. Maybe they're elderly and just can't do the work any longer. Maybe they're working a lot, have messy kids, or maybe they just don't like to clean.

But they all have one thing in common; they all love to come home and have everything nice and clean. They can relax and focus on other things.

I recently received an email that said...

"Our house looked so beautiful when we came home. What a gift to come home to! Thanks so much for the great work you did on the rugs. They look like new!"

To give the gift of clean...that's what we love to do.

House Cleaning Is Hilarious! I Know..

Occasionally people ask me something like this; "HeyDoug!, What's the funniest thing you have ever seen when you have been in someone's home?" Or, people always want to hear about how many people clean their house before the cleaner comes to clean.. And lots of times they want to know, "What's the messiest house you ever cleaned?"

Yes, the House Cleaner sees a lot of stuff. But he doesn't go around and blab to everyone about people's messy homes. That would be- not so good.

I think the funniest thing I have seen yet though, has to be the bird who whistles the song to the Andy Griffith Show non-stop. No joke. The bird has it down pat. I think he does Jingle Bells too. Seriously.

Sometimes you see other funny stuff too. Kids probably are the funniest. I cleaned a home the other day and the three kids are all across the street playing for most of the time.. and then they all come busting back into the house. Big smudges of fingerprints on the outside door before they even get inside.. It takes about 5 minutes for the house to get kinda dirty again when they all come home. Mom gets a little mad. But not really. They are great kids. We all have fun together.

And yes, some people really do clean before I come. The level of cleaning varies.. Most people will pick stuff up off the floor before I come.. I appreciate that a lot. Then there's the lady who always cleans the night before I come "because she doesn't want me to see her messy house." Her husband and I laugh about it sometimes when she isn't there.

What's the messiest place I've had to clean? Well, the answer is yes. And it's not very hilarious, so let's not talk about that one. The House Cleaner's business is kinda like yours.. you have to take the bad with the good sometimes. It's life in the Big City..

The Grateful Cleaner

Being a House Cleaner is kinda like being a barber or a hairdresser.. Over time, many customers become friends and your lives spill over into each others.

Sometimes I am invited in to clean for special occasions. A Shower, a Party, an Anniversary.. lots of times it's for something really fun.

Only sometimes it's for something else. Family is coming to town for something profoundly sad. Someone has passed away.

Today was one of those days. One of my most wonderful customers passed away earlier this week and today I came again to clean and he was not there. His favorite chair was there.. His desk and all his other belongings were there- but not him. No more funny stories while we visit; no more having the Golf Channel on his big HD-TV, and no more of lots of other nice things that happen between customers and friends.

The House Cleaner job is not one that a lot of people might choose. Of course it has its ups and downs just like any other vocation. On the other hand, the House Cleaner often times experiences life with others in some unique and very special ways. I am grateful for that.