1. ‘None of This Homemade Crap’
   Don’t say, “I’ll give you a back rub with some mineral oil, or maybe some WD-40, and it will count as a ‘spa treatment.’ ” It doesn’t, it won’t and you shouldn’t do it. A spa treatment is something which takes place out of the home.

   3. ‘No Domestic Appliances’
   Not even things that have been on a pre-existing list, like a new vacuum cleaner or microwave. Valentine’s Day gifts must be frivolous, not functional.

   4. ‘Never Buy Something With a Past Expiration Date or Damaged Goods’
   Women will know that the damaged box did not get damaged between the store and your car but had been already “returned” merchandise because the zipper on the package was ripped open by someone’s beagle and chewed up.

   5. ‘Valentine’s Day Cards Expire in Their Own Way’
   Don’t buy cards with a character from a TV show that’s gone off the air. It’s not vintage, it’s simply a sign you are being cheap.

   6. ‘Don’t Re-Gift Something From Her Own House’

   7. ‘Clearly Abandoned Stuffed Toys Are Out’
   They are depressing and often have noticeable stains and it’s difficult to magically turn them into romantic items.

Clearly, some people don’t have a clue.  Give your special someone something they need – A CLEAN HOUSE!!!

Why choose a cleaning service rather than an individual maid?  There are quite a few differences between using home cleaning services and using an individual, or independent cleaner.  Oftentimes a maid service will cost a little more.  But that is for good reason!

With an individual cleaner, you are likely to get very personalized attention.  There may be a limit to the types of services and special requests a cleaning service will typically perform. However, there are some distinct disadvantages as well.  A cleaning service will take care of all the tax and social security payments that you would otherwise be responsible for.  Also, a cleaning service pays for workers’ compensation, which means that you are not liable if a cleaner is hurt in your home.  And, a cleaning service is most reliable; they always have someone to send on your regular cleaning day, even if someone calls out sick.

Someone you know and love would love to receive a free housecleaning service from No Time Cleaning Services. A house cleaning Gift Certificate is a truly original gift that speaks volumes about how much you care.  Gift certificates are sold in increments of $100.

The first thing to remember about house cleaning is that it is actually very personal.  Each of us has our own standards and styles of cleaning and it might take a little effort to find just the right person or company that matches your needs and specifications.

1.      First, ask around.  Check with your friends and neighbors to see if they have any recommendations.

2.      Make sure any company you consider is bonded and insured.  This protects you against damaged, stolen or broken items.  Ask if the company has a procedure in place to replace a lost or damaged item.

3.      Ask if the cleaning staff is employed by them or if they subcontract the work or use temporary employees.  Do they perform background checks on their employees?  Will you be paying the company or the cleaning person directly?

4.      Does the company carry workers’ compensation insurance to protect you against accidents?

5.      Always request and contact references of other homeowners who have used the company’s services.  Use a service that has repeat customers and a solid business history.

6.      Inquire if the company provides the cleaning supplies or if it is up to you to have cleaning supplies on hand.  Remember, the cost should be less if they are expecting you to provide the supplies.

7.      Another important question that many people forget to ask is if the same person will be cleaning your home each time.

8.      You should always be specific about what you expect.  Do you want the floors scrubbed every time or can they be done once a month?  Are windows included in the cleaning price or are they extra?  Do you have family members or animals with sensitivities to certain cleaning products?

9.      Make a detailed list and be sure to come to a clear understanding of what will be done on each visit.  If you share your expectations ahead of time, the chances are better that you will be happier with the end results.

A good cleaning service is worth the time it takes to find them.  Good Luck!!

Between all the shopping, wrapping, baking and merry making, you probably won’t have much time to do any major holiday cleaning. Here are some fast ways to get your house in shape before a party or before guests arrive.

INDOORS

• Vacuum common, high traffic areas.
• Dust anything at eye level and below.
• Mop the floors in central rooms.

OUTDOORS

• Shake out doormat.
• Sweep outside walkway.
• Check that light bulbs work.

BATHROOM

• Swish the toilet bowl with cleaner.
• Clean the mirror.
• Wipe down the sink.

KITCHEN

• Empty one shelf in your cabinets to use for essentials like sugar and extra coffee mugs.
• Make extra space by removing what you can from the countertops.
• Toss expired food from the fridge then wipe down the interior walls and shelves.
• Organize at least one shelf in the pantry where you can stash important items you’ll need.
• Clean your microwave by placing a cup of water and a tablespoon of lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl on high for one minute then wipe out loosened food splatters.
• Clean the stovetop and sink.
• Take out the garbage and empty the recycling bin.

To all my readers – have a safe and joyful holiday.

Those of us who are pet lovers are constantly receiving love and companionship from our pets, and so we tend to overlook the hair, dust, dander, odor and other issues that often come with having a pet as part of the family.

Clean the Carpets and Rugs– Use a small plastic garden rake on carpets before vacuuming to stop longer fur from wrapping around the roller.  This *raking* will reduce maintenance on your vacuum’s power head and roller bar because less long fur will wrap around it causing belt breakage.  At the door your pet uses, most often, keep old towels and teach them to wait to have their feet dried to remove morning dew, rain and even mud.  In the winter, consider keeping a small pail handy that can be filled with water to remove salt from their feet if they walk on salt treated roads and walks.

Clean the Windows–If your pet drools on your windowsills and/or leaves nose prints on windows, the glass on your storm door or sliding doors, be sure to clean these away, particularly in the rooms where your guests will spend most of their time.  As pet owners, we may find their nose prints endearing, but others might not see them as being so appetizing from across the buffet table.

Clean, Vacuum, and Roller Upholstered Furniture–If your pets are allowed on the furniture, make sure you have your furniture cleaned if there is an odor.  If you are combating fur build up on your upholstery, buy a squeegee with a rubber edge and *squeegee* your furniture.  The fur will literally roll off the material, auto upholstery too!  It even pulls ultra short fur that weaves into the fabric.  Vacuum the pet hair and dander with the soft brush attachment, and finish by using a sticky roller to remove the last bit of hair to avoid having your pet’s hair come off on your guests’ clothes when they get up from the sofa or chair.  A good idea is to provide your pet with a blanket or rug instead of the traditional pet bed to reduce odor buildup.  A blanket can be washed more frequently.

Engage a Home Cleaning Service–Having a cleaning service come in and clean your home before the party is a real treat and a fair exchange for all the extra work that hosting the gathering creates.  That first impression is crucial to the success of your party, and you want to be the only one that greets your guests at the door, rather than having an embarrassing pet odor beat you to it.

If you’re in Northeast Ohio, call my team at No Time Cleaning Services – “Big enough to offer all the services you need, but small enough to care.”

As we prepare for the upcoming holiday festivities, set aside a couple of hours one morning to work with your children and reduce some of the toy clutter around your house.  Here are some tricks for weeding out toys without tears:

1. Appeal to their giving nature. Kids are naturally empathetic, so when they realize that the toys they’ve outgrown can be given to less fortunate kids, they’re often more willing to part with them.  Give kids a box and let them sort toys on their own, then be sure to deliver the giveaways to the charity organization of your choice together.
2. Institute a one in/one out policy. Make this a family rule, and you might never need to do a major weeding again.  Whenever a new toy comes into the house, an old one has to go out to make room for it. All those shiny new presents take the sting out of this rule,
3. Make a “wait-and-see” box. Sometimes kids think they’re ready to get rid of a toy, but they worry that they might change their minds. That’s what the wait-and-see box is for. Kids put their toys inside, and if the toys aren’t missed for three months, the whole box goes to Goodwill — quietly and without re-examining the contents.

4.       Here are a few questions to help them decide:

• When did you play with this last?
• Why is this so important to you?
• Give them a choice between two things and ask them which one is their most favorite?

After the holidays -

1. Organize a toy swap. A toy swap is like a garage sale, only instead of money changing hands, toys are the currency. Kids can bring their old and unwanted toys to trade for new versions. Set a limit before you go on how many new toys can be brought into the house.
2. Have a garage sale. Teach your kids a lesson in economics by letting them host their own garage sale. They’ll lose some of the nostalgia for their old toys when they realize that there’s a payoff for parting with them. As a bonus, you might be able to get rid of some of your own clutter, too.

You might not always agree with what they want to keep but remember – your favorites don’t need to be their favorites!

Ben Franklin said, “Time is the stuff of which life is made.”  Time management = self-management.  Today, fewer people are doing more work.  More competition means more proposals, more sales calls, and more projects done by fewer people who are overwhelmed by all they are expected to do.  It’s time to learn to make better choices.

Start with these simple ideas to make your life a little easier:

1. Develop a set of short-term and long-term goals.  Keep in mind a balance of mind, body and spirit.
2. Analyze where you spend your time now.  Keep a log for 2 weeks.  Are you spending your time on the things that help you achieve your goals?
3. Plan your day and schedule your day – in writing.  Planning is deciding in advance what you’ll do with your day; scheduling is deciding when you will do it.  Writing it down gives a sense of urgency and commitment.
4. Make the most of your slow time, if it’s simply when you’re not at your peak performance or when you’re waiting for someone or something.  You can return phone calls, check email, and sort our mail.  Always have trade journals or reports to review handy when waiting for a doctor or an appointment.
5. Create and maintain a sense of urgency that others will notice.  Let them know that you are someone who is in control of your time and in control of your life.

Bottom line – you have time to do the things you choose to do.  If you say you don’t have time – it’s a lie!

Unless you live in the mountains, it’s time to clean your fireplace.  Candelabra placed strategically in your fireplace look wonderful throughout the warmer months, but don’t light the logs until the fireplace is clean!

• If you’re wondering if you can skip a cleaning and just burn a chimney sweeping log, experts say the log will break up creosote, but can’t replace a thorough cleaning.  Chimney sweeping logs are designed to offset creosote, but are expensive and have questionable results.  A much better idea is throwing an aluminum can into the fire periodically, as it is the burning metals that help to dry out creosote.
• To prevent lots of ash dust from spreading around the room when you clean out your fireplace, sprinkle damp tea leaves onto the ash first.
• If you have a slate hearth, you can make it a glossy showpiece by washing it every six weeks, letting it dry, and wiping it down with lemon oil.
• Wash brass fireplace tools in warm sudsy water.
• Clean sticky fireplace tools with a cloth moistened with kerosene.  Let tools completely dry before using again.

Having a cleaning service come in and clean your home at the start of winter is a real treat, especially if you expect guests.  Many services are reasonably priced, and having someone else clean will free up your time to be creative with decorations, activities, and food.

But beware, having a cleaning service take care of your home regularly can be habit forming!  No Time Cleaning Services fits your lifestyle and budget.  Go ahead and give us a try.  It’s a habit you won’t want to break!

The History Of The Jack-O-Lantern

The history of the Jack-O-Lantern goes back to Irish legend about a gentleman name Jack or “Stingy Jack”.  The way the story goes is that Jack met up with the devil in a bar.  Jack convinces the devil to turn him into a coin that Jack could use to pay for their drinks.  Once the devil does so, Jack decided to keep the money and put the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross so that the devil could not change back.  Eventually, Jack freed the devil, with the condition that he would not bother Jack for one year, and in the event of Jack’s death, he would not claim his soul.  The following year, Jack tricked the devil into climbing into a tree to pick a piece of fruit.  While the devil was in the tree, Jack carved a sign of the cross into the bark of the tree so that the devil could not come down until he promised Jack not to bother him for another 10 years.

As the legend goes, when Jack died, God would not allow such a fellow into heaven.  The devil too was upset with Jack and would not allow him into hell, but rather sent him off into the dark of night with only a burning coal to light his way.  Jack put the coal so that he would not burn his fingers, put the coal into a carved out turnip and has been roaming the earth ever since.

The Irish and other Europeans carved scary faces into potatoes, and turnips, and placed them in windows or on their doorsteps in order to scare away “Stingy Jack” and other evil spirits.  They brought this tradition to America, finding that pumpkins were better suited to carve the faces on.

Need a good fall cleaning?  Call No Time Cleaning Services.  No tricks – my crew will treat you right!

There has been a real nip in the air this last week.  And I noticed a dusting of leaves on the ground.  You know what’s coming!  Use these guidelines to clean and prepare the outside of your house for winter.  Then sit back with a cup of cocoa and enjoy the season.

• Wash your windows inside and especially outside. The summer can be just as harsh on windows as the winter.  Don’t wait until spring to give your whole house a brighter outlook by washing your windows.
• Before you store your patio furniture and children’s outdoor toys, wash them off and cover them in plastic or old bed sheets.
• Check the caulk, seals and weather stripping around all windows and doors and repair as needed.  Wipe down window wells and ledges.  Hose and wipe down exterior doors.
• Drain and store garden hoses.  If you have an in-ground sprinkler system, have it professionally blown out and winterized.
• Check gutters and downspouts and clear out debris, to avoid ice dams.
• Clean out your garage and hose out all the summer dirt and grime.

Some once-a-year cleaning projects should be done more often. Windows build up a lot of dirt and grime during the summer.  Washing windows inside and out in the spring and in the fall will brighten up your house.

A fall cleaning will make your weekly cleaning easier, as well as your spring cleaning next year.

Need help?  Call my crew at No Time Cleaning Services.  We’ll get your house ready in less time than it takes you to heat up that cocoa.