Quad Cities Business News

Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, & Dewey/Humboldt

You are here: Home / Archives for Maid to Order

Maid to Order

Enjoying a Happy Summer

By Leave a Comment

Our theme this month at Prescott Maid to Order is, “Enjoy every day this summer and leave the cleaning to us.” As the weather turns warmer and we come into vacation season, I automatically feel happier. People are out and about, enjoying our beautiful area. It is a time when kids are out of school, family often comes to visit or you take that much-anticipated vacation.

Here at our company, we encourage our friends and community to enjoy the season and let the professionals take some of the tasks that they normally do off their list and lift a weight off their shoulders. We encourage our employees to be happy and we strive to make our clients happy as well.

I recently came across this list whose author I am not aware of, but is worth passing along:

Ten Things Happy People Don’t Do:

They don’t worry a lot about what other people think.

They don’t waste time doing things they dislike.

They don’t try to manipulate or change other people.

They don’t get stuck in the past.

They don’t obsess over what might happen in the future.

They don’t strive to achieve absolute perfection.

They don’t forget to be thankful.

They don’t value material possessions over experiences.

They don’t seek fulfillment in the wrong places.

They don’t stay in a negative situation long.

Why would I include this list in an article about cleaning? Because many people I run into feel guilty if they do something for themselves or accept help. They may worry about what other people think if they seek help. They get stuck (like in No. 4 on the list), not knowing where to start on a project or a move.

It sometimes seems overwhelming when there is a life change like the passing of a loved one, a divorce or a house sale. A recent client called when her aunt had passed away and it was now her responsibility to get the house ready to sell. This was almost more than she was able to comprehend completing because of the condition that the house was in. After an initial day of cleaning and professional carpet cleaning, she tearfully thanked us for taking some of this huge task off her plate. What a great feeling to provide a service that contributed to someone’s happiness today!

We hope your summer is filled with good days and happy times. QCBN

By Lucy Leyva

Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Recalling the Way Mom Used to Clean

By Leave a Comment

In this Mother’s Day month, our thoughts are turned to our own moms and grandmothers. I think about how things were in their day. How did mom do things differently from what we do today? How did grandma do things differently from mom?

Just for fun, I wanted to take a look way back at how “clean” was viewed and accomplished through the different eras. In the Victorian era, the luxury of a regular bath was reserved for the upper class. Family members would share the same bath water and so, as it got used over and over, by the time it got to the last family member, the baby, it was murky, so murky you could possibly lose someone in it. Thus came the birth of the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.”

In 1400, the Chinese invented toilet paper; thank you, China. The first electric powered vacuum cleaner was invented in 1901, and not widely used until later than that. Today, we have central vacuums, Rumbas, amazing cleaning products and polishes that make things sterile and shiny. Thankfully, most of us are able to shower or bathe regularly without having to share the water.

Do we think about all the conveniences we have now to help us with keeping clean and keeping our homes clean? I know that I am thankful that I don’t have to take the rug out to the laundry line and beat it to death. One thing I can remember was a great aunt who would wrap each clean folded towel in wax paper and carefully place it in the linen closet along with the other individually wrapped clean towels and linens.  On that same note, does anyone remember the plastic couch covers in the ‘60s? It was a terrible invention in my eyes, but nonetheless, the standard of clean in those days.

Before commercially produced cleaning sponges were invented, they would actually use sponge from the sea. Wood ash, pork fat and also lye were used to make soap. Some natural resources used then for cleaning are still popular today, such as vinegar and lemon.

The one common denominator from then to now is good old elbow grease.  Cleaning is hard work – it was then and still is now – but the reward is great and makes us feel good.

I guess, regardless of how they did it through the years, the fact is: they did it. Our great grandmothers, grandmothers and moms worked tirelessly to keep things clean and in order. I think about my own mother and how hard she worked all her life. I thank her and all of the other moms this Mother’s Day for all they do for us.

From everyone here at Prescott Maid to Order, thank you to all of the moms who came before us and all the moms here today. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day! QCBN

By Lucy Leyva

Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Spring Cleaning for a Healthy Home 

By Leave a Comment

With all of the snow and cold weather ending, we are ready for nice weather. Our homes have been closed up, air recirculating, fireplaces burning and heaters running almost non–stop. The air that we have been breathing hasn’t been the healthiest. Dust and allergens lurk in hidden areas. As we start to open up for spring, it’s time to clean things up. 

A deep spring clean on the interior of the house will make your home feel beautiful, it will look well cared for and will contribute to healthy living. The ceiling fans, vents, light fixtures, fireplaces, baseboards, raised panel doors, pot shelves, cabinet fronts and many more areas collect dust and grease over the months. Your general vacuuming and dusting just doesn’t get all of those areas. Many people are sensitive to the dust that collects in these areas and sometimes do not even realize the effect it can have on their health. Mold and bacteria can grow in areas that are difficult to reach such as high window sills, corners, ceilings and shower door frames. 

In the kitchen, there is a danger of cross contamination when unwashed plates with food left on them are piled in the sink or discarded food piles up in the trash can. Dirty ovens can create smoke that is released into the air when the door is opened. Mold and bacteria can form in washing machines, fridge doors and seals, dish washers and other appliances that can then be transferred to foods and utensils 

The winter has played havoc on our windows. As the rain runs down the glass and the snow piles up on the outside sills, dirt and debris collect in the tracks and frames. This makes it difficult for the windows to open, close and seal correctly. Besides wanting your windows to be sparkling clean so you can enjoy the beautiful outdoors, it is important that they are working properly. Check the weatherstripping and seals for cracks and breaks and repair or replace. Spring is a good time to check all the screens for holes and tears that might let insects or pests in. Keeping your windows and screens in good working order will help to keep unwanted dust, dirt, allergens and pests out of your home. 

Curtains, bed skirts, valances and comforters are all places where allergen producing dust mites, mold and pet dander linger, exposing your family to and increasing the possibility of asthma and other related symptoms. 

A dirty bathroom is the culprit of an array of possible threats. Bacteria and parasites that collect in “unchecked” areas of the bathroom can lead to E. coli and Staph infections. A good scrubbing and disinfecting of the areas around the toilet, shower corners and frames, all handles and fixtures and medicine cabinet where you store such things as toothbrushes and medicine, will help to alleviate these threats. 

A clean home will reduce illnesses and accidents from falls. It has also been studied that a clean home reduces stress, and we all need less stress. Have a beautiful, happy and healthy spring! QCBN 

By Lucy Leyva 

Lucy Leyva is the owner of Prescott Maid to Order LLC. 

Making Your Home Beautifully Clean for Spring

By Leave a Comment

While taking a walk in February on the trails at Watson Lake, I looked all around at the dark, cloudy skies and the barren, cold trees. As I looked a little closer, there was a hint of green on the very tips of the Cottonwoods. Could it be? I examined the trees up close and sure enough, there they were, little green sprouts on the tips of the branches. Well, now, it is March and the first day of spring this year is March 20. As do many people, I absolutely love spring. Everything is so fresh and beautiful. Things start to bloom and the overall feeling is that of energy and renewal.

As we move into this new phase of the year, we can look a little closer to home, explore the possibilities of rectifying any negative effect that the winter has had on our home, prepare for the upcoming warmer weather and plan projects to improve our homes and yards.

The last several months have brought in dust and dirt from wet roads, wind and rain. Your home has most likely been closed up for a while, without a lot of fresh air. Heaters and fireplaces have been running. It’s time to clean things up and start fresh.

If you have a fireplace, it is a good time to get it checked out and cleaned by a professional. The same applies to the duct work in your house that circulates the air from your heater and air conditioning unit. There are several companies in the area that can check out the ductwork and make sure it is clean and nothing has come loose during the winter months. Another money-saving idea is to have the ductwork sealed after it is cleaned so that it is energy efficient. This is also a good time to have your air conditioning unit checked out. If you wait until the hottest month (usually June) and something goes wrong, you may have to wait in line for someone to come fix it.

Consider power washing any drainage areas in your yard, around your house and clearing out the gutters of debris. Power washing can also clean your driveways and walkways much better than just sweeping or rinsing down with a hose. It is also a necessary step in preparing for any painting fixes or projects you may have on the outside of your house. It will strip away the dirt and loose, peeling paint so that your new paint will look beautiful and last longer.

My favorite thing to have done once spring comes is to have all of my windows professionally cleaned, including all the screens and tracks. It feels so good to have all of that dirt and buildup cleaned away so that I can clearly see the gorgeous weather and views that our area offers. Having crystal clean and clear windows makes the whole house feel newer, cleaner and fresher.

Have carpets, rugs, upholstery and tile cleaned. There’s been a lot of traffic trampled all over your floors. There have been holiday parties, food spills, wet boots, dog paws, sweet but muddy kids and who knows what else going in and out of the house, bringing in all the dirt and grime onto your floors and furniture. Having the carpets and upholstery cleaned will also help to extract any unwanted odors that have been lurking.

Enjoy your spring and make your home beautifully clean. QCBN

By Lucy Leyva

Lucy Leyva is the proud owner of MTO Janitorial LLC, and Prescott Maid to Order LLC, both local cleaning companies based out of Prescott Valley, serving Northern Arizona since 2005. For any cleaning inquiry, please contact us at 928-772-0004 and/or visit our website at mtojanitorial.com.

Spreading the Love in Business 

By Leave a Comment

February is all about love. We give gifts to our one and only and seem to have the spirit of cupid all around us. How in business can we love our clients, our employees, our colleagues, our community and even our competition? I think that business owners or professionals have to look at their business from a personal perspective and give it personality, understand its purpose and realize that anyone that the business touches deserves a certain amount of attention, respect and, yes, even love. 

As business professionals, we need to love our community. Feeling like a part of a larger entity like our community gives us an identity and pride in being involved in what is happening around us and the people we serve and come in contact with daily. Our community is what keeps our businesses flourishing and give us purpose. As we take part in community events and causes, we can grow our love for the area and for the people. How can you not love Prescott, Prescott Valley and the surrounding areas? We are blessed with so much here. 

Becoming involved in networking groups, chambers, industry events and organizations helps us to grow mutual respect and admiration for others that are also striving to be the best at what they do. They, too, are working toward the same goal as we are, to serve their customers and provide great products or services to their clients and customers. As we learn more about them, we can develop long lasting relationships professionally and personally. We can create a large circle of individuals that we can count as friends, neighbors and business partners. 

Within each company large or small, there are the people who make it happen, from management to each and every employee. Their importance and value to your success is paramount. Realizing each person’s value is essential in acquiring and keeping loyal hardworking individuals to help you succeed in your professional goals. The people you hire should not be viewed as a means to an end, but more the heart and soul of your business. Love your coworkers and employees. We strive to make sure our employees feel valued because they are valued and we appreciate each one. 

A business or company shows love to its customers by being there when the customer needs them, by providing a good value and a quality product of service. By providing stellar customer service and by having people in your business who really do care about each customer, you are able to convey that love and respect to your clientele. Going the extra mile and doing more than expected should be the norm, not the exception.  

This month, the month of love, show your love and respect for your community, your family, your employees and coworkers and, of course, your customers. At Prescott Maid to Order, we love our clients. Have a great Valentine’s Day! Spread the love. QCBN 

By Lucy Leyva 

Lucy Leyva is the owner and CEO of Prescott Maid to Order.