Maids Of Alexandria

Clean and Disinfect Against the Flu

2008-10-17T16:11:00.000-07:00

FLU

Each year five to 20 percent of the U.S. gets the flu (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
More than 20,000 people are hospitalized each year due to the virus (Center for Disease Control and Prevention)
Viruses can lives up to 48 hours on hard surfaces

Clean and Disinfect Against the Flu

Wash hands regularly in warm soapy water or use antibacterial sanitizer
Wear rubber gloves when cleaning to protect yourself from the virus
Spray disinfectant on a cloth, wipe toys, doorknobs, appliance handles, keyboards, remote controls, light switches and phones
Wash linens in hot water with soap
If someone has the flu, do not share towels or bedding until these items are thoroughly cleaned
Boil toothbrushes in water and vinegar for one minute, run through a dishwasher cycle or purchase new brushes
Use antibacterial wipes on your keyboard, phone and pens

Note

1. Cleaning for Health

Allergens
Asthma
Flu

2. Tips for reducing allergens and asthma triggers
3. Tips for cleaning and disinfecting against the flu

Reduce Allergens and Asthma Triggers

2008-10-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

Tips to Avoid Allergens And Asthma

Vacuum and dry-clean draperies or purchase machine-washable drapes
Wash stuffed animals and keep them off beds
Choose wood flooring vs. carpet
Wash bedding in hot water to kill dust mites, launder every one to two weeks
Dust regularly and replace cloths to prevent dust transfer
Vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum
Restrict pets to a few rooms
Thoroughly clean places where mold lives, such as drain pans under refrigerators, flowerpots, windowsills and shower curtains
Wash mold away with warm water, liquid detergent and five percent bleach
Wash bedding in hot water to kill dust mites, launder every one to two weeks
Clean and service air conditioning units to remove pollen and other allergens
Dust regularly and replace cloths to prevent transfer
Use microfiber cloths
Put dust spray directly on a cloth before wiping to prevent stirring dust back in the air
Wash bedding in hot water weekly
Use mats or area rugs in front of entryways to collect dirt and allergens brought in from the outside
Take off shoes at door to prevent spread of grass pollen and dust in the home
Restrict pets to a few rooms
Thoroughly clean places where mold lives, such as drain pans under refrigerators, flowerpots, windowsills, basements and shower curtains

Asthma And Its Side Effects

2008-10-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

More than 8 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with asthma (American Lung Association)
Three of every five people suffer from some kind of respiratory difficulty (American Lung Association)
People spend up to 90 percent of time indoors

Allergens And Its Side Effects

2008-10-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Indoor pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor levels (EPA)
Indoor pollutants can be more than 100 times higher than outdoor pollutants (EPA)
Dust mites are found in 90 percent of bedding (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Fight Mold Growth for a Healthy Home.

2008-10-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hang the "not welcome" sign with these tips:

Windowsills. Check the insides of windowsills for mold growth and wash with mild soap and water. Re-glaze windows for a better seal and make sure any drainage openings in the tracks are clean and not clogged.
Humidifiers and Vaporizers. Empty these appliances daily and clean every three days with a solution of vinegar and water. Vaporizers should be cleaned daily with the vinegar and water solution.
Air Conditioner. Air conditioners need to be serviced often to reduce mold growth. Clean the coils of the central unit every other month with mild soap and water, followed by a solution of heavily diluted vinegar and water, and replace the filter.
House Plants & Dried Floral Arrangements. Re-pot your houseplants with a sterilizing potting soil and don't over-water. Throw away dried floral arrangements with signs of mold growth.
Bathrooms. Clean those really tough areas in the bath and shower with a non-ammonia-based detergent and thoroughly dry. Keep a squeegee handy to quickly wipe down shower walls after each use to reduce the amount of standing water in your shower.
Kitchens. Clean under sinks where mold is present with denatured alcohol and one-cup water. Check plumbing under sink periodically to look for leaks.
Refrigerators. Wash the inside of refrigerators with a mild soap and water solution. If the refrigerator has a bad smell, add a teaspoon of lemon extract or a teaspoon of vanilla to the wash water.

Get Fido and Fluffy Ready for In-Home Service Workers

2008-10-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

Tips

Notify the service provider that you have a pet.
Tell your service provider the pet's name in the event that your pet should become disagreeable or disappear. Show your service provider where you keep the pet's leash and any treats as a means to lure a missing pet back home or out of hiding.
If there is an animal mess, clean it up before the service provider arrives. Animal excrement can lead to the spread of dangerous diseases if not handled properly.
If possible, relocate your pet. Put your pet in a kennel or in a clearly marked room that the service worker is not scheduled to enter. Leave a few favorite toys with your pet to keep it from getting restless.
If you are expecting a cleaning service, be sure to mention your pet's favorite hang-outs so special attention can be paid to removing excess pet dander from those areas.

Don't Lose Your Daughter's Love

2008-10-01T17:01:00.000-07:00

For best home services solutions Contact Us

Keep Your Kids Clean Throughout Their Messy Summer Fun!

2008-10-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Try these kid-friendly tips:

Chewing gum – Whether it's stuck on the bottom of your shoe or in a pocket, leave item in the freezer overnight and gently chip away. For stubborn gum, use a small amount of paint thinner.
Crayon on the walls – As ingenious as your child's art may be, the best way to remove it from walls is to rub the stain with a small amount of paint thinner and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Playdough in the carpet – Place a large amount of dry-cleaning solvent on a clean white towel. Leave the towel on the affected area for one minute, lift and gently rub the playdough away, moving towel in one direction.
Dirt and Dust – It's everywhere! Ask children to remove shoes before coming into the house to keep as many allergens outside as possible. Vacuum entryways often to remove allergy and asthma contaminants.
Fingerprints – Buff surfaces with a clean cloth dampened with a neutral disinfectant. This will not only remove fingerprints, but childhood germs as well.
Lipstick on your collar (or wall!) – Little girls love to play with make-up. Scrape excess wax away with a soft spatula. Pretreat clothing with a small amount of dishwashing liquid and rinse. Mix 1/3 part white vinegar to 2/3 part water to gently blot stain away or wipe surfaces clean.

Does Your Home Make You Sniffle? Use these house cleaning tips to cope with allergies

2008-09-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Thoroughly clean places where molds flourish, like drain pans under your refrigerator, old flowerpots and shower curtains.

§ Encase box springs, mattresses and pillows in allergy-proof covers to keep dust – and dust mites – away.
§ Clean and service air conditioning units to remove pollen and other allergens trapped during prior use.
§ Always wash bedding in hot water (at least 130 F) to kill dust mites and launder every one to two weeks.
§ Dust regularly. Wear a mask if you are allergic to dust and replace dusting cloths often to prevent dust transfer from one piece of furniture to the next.
§ Stay away from dustwands, brooms and feather dusters. These tools merely move dirt and dust around. Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly, preferably with a HEPA-filter vacuum, catching dust on baseboards, high ledges, upholstery and ceiling fans.
§ Restrict your pets' movement to as few rooms as possible, especially with regards to bedrooms. Frequently damp-wipe feeding areas and launder bedding often.

Be Prepared for Unexpected Guests!

2008-09-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

Use a laundry basket to pick up miscellaneous items and store in a bedroom closet.
Close all doors to bedrooms and other rooms not intended for guests.
Make room in the coat closet for guest's coats.
Place extra rolls of toilet paper in a decorative basket in the bathroom.
Wipe off fingerprints on appliances.
Remove any dishes from the sink or countertops.
Light dust the coffee table and other spots where guests will congregate.
Vacuum high traffic areas.
Take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy your company.

House Cleaning Tips

2008-09-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

House Cleaning Tips

The Maids Home Services has positioned itself as a leader and expert in home cleaning and maid services. If cleaning your home is too daunting of a task, consider the following cleaning tips as your ticket to a cleaner, healthier home

Mix a paste of baking soda and vinegar to remove stubborn toilet bowl rings.

Rub windows down with a cotton-swab of rubbing alcohol to remove old cleaning product residue and wash with a mixture of two tablespoons vinegar and one-quart water.

Polish wood with three parts olive oil and one part white vinegar.

Use multi-purpose baking soda for scouring or to remove scuff-marks from vinyl floors. Add a small square of aluminum foil, boiling water, and it makes a great silver bath!

About Us

2008-09-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Dear Homeowners,

I have owned and operated, The Maids serving Alexandria since 1987. I have a degree from Duke University in Business/Economics and went into the cleaning business sold on the idea that quality cleaning service was needed in the area. My prevailing business philosophy is to render quality service at a reasonable fee. This objective is achieved primarily through the hiring, training and retention of good people who are attuned to customer service and hard work. We now have over 600 regular customers.

Located at 4603 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria, the office staff of four and two Quality Control Field Managers operates twelve teams of four trained and professional cleaning personnel. Our Operations manager Judy McGhee started with us as a Team Leader and has been with The Maids for ten years. Jessica Singh and Vanessa Seals work closely with our customers to ensure their cleans are outstanding. Our two Quality Control Managers have eight years of experience with us and oversee the quality of our service and train our cleaning teams. Six of our twelve Team Leaders have over five years of experience. With minimal turnover, we can make good on our commitment to have the same team render exceptional service, whether you are a weekly, every-other-week or every-fourth-week customer.

Our employees have longevity because we care for our teams. They are documented, insured, bonded and uniformed. We provide a fair hourly pay, paid vacation, paid training, paid travel time and holidays, medical benefits and incentive bonuses. Our safe vehicles transport the teams comfortably to our homes.

Our franchisor, The Maids International, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska has developed and reined a 22-step Healthy Touch cleaning system exclusive to The Maids Home Services, which we follow judiciously. The cleaning solutions and equipment we use are state-of-the-art, environmentally preferable and very effective. Our backpack vacuum captures and removes dirt and contaminants down to 1/210th the diameter of a human hair. We use clean cloths and vacuum bags in each home so as to avoid cross-contamination. This means we provide a cleaner and healthier home environment.

We would like you to become a "Raving Fan," not just a satisfied customer. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. If we miss something, we will re-clean it within 24 hours free of charge.

Nobody Outcleans The Maids. Try Us! You’ll like what we do. Call today 877-720-0096.