Maid Matrimony: Choosing the Right Cleaning Company {for you}

House cleaning is likely the most invasive home service you will ever have.  We know all your dirty secrets (pun intended).  I liken this to marriage, because it is imperative you choose wisely.  For one, you may end up signing a service contract.  Second, most people find it very hard to divorce their cleaners after having them for awhile.  Here is a list of tips so hopefully you won't have to!

1. Make a list of non-negotiables and things you must have cleaned each visit.  Knowing what is important to you is the best start.
2. Ask for referrals.  Most people do not want to “clean and tell” (I’m hilarious), but everyone gets their house cleaned.  And if they aren’t, they wish they were.  So don’t feel bad.  If your best friend gets her house cleaned {and she is happy with her service}, start by checking that company out.  And by checking them out I do not mean hiring them.  I mean researching their company.  What works for her may not work for you.
3. If you don’t have any referrals —> YELP!  Replace your best friend with Yelp.  Take advantage of it.  READ A LOT OF REVIEWS.  Good and bad.  Take the bad with a grain of salt.  Those could be clients that would never be pleased even if their house was sparkling from top to bottom or outlier situations (unfortunately, bad things happen to good companies).  If there are way more good than bad, than you are probably looking at a good company.  If you see a company with a lot of good reviews all within days of each other, this company is probably buying good reviews. Keep that in mind.  In five years of business we have about 20 reviews but have cleaned hundreds of Yelper’s homes.
4. Make sure they service your area.  I know this sounds so much like common sense.  But I get at least one appointment made per month through online booking for someone that doesn’t even live in DC, MD, or VA.  So make sure they service your area (and if there are any traveling fees associated with servicing your area).
5. Check out their website.  It is not likely you will find pricing there (because it is a competitive industry), but you will most likely find a list of services they offer.  If they don’t have a website, beware.  Most legit companies will have at least a minimalistic website.
6. Email - You can call, but this is why I say email:  It is better to have everything in writing.  To be honest, Swept Away gets so many calls a day that I can’t remember every discussion I’ve had anymore.  There was a point in time where I could remember the date, exact time, and word for word conversation I had with someone.  Now that we get more business than we can handle, my brain has officially maxed out.  However, when I make a promise in writing - it is pretty hard to forget that.  This works to your benefit because everything you said you wanted done is right there and can be easily proved that it was not done (if that were to happen). 
7. Details - Try to be as specific as possible with the company you are going to work with.  Neither party likes surprises when it comes to ensuring expectations are all in line.  You don’t want to feel taken advantage of and your company doesn’t want complaints about things they didn’t do (that they normally wouldn’t do).  If you want your fridge cleaned - make sure it is something they can do or will do (usually at an additional cost).  If you want your closet vacuumed in vertical lines - make sure they know this.  It is better to be specific (to the point of being anal) and get the company that can make these things happen than feeling like you spent $200 on a bad job (that may not have really been bad, you just had different expectations).  If you have certain cleaning products you do or do not want used - make this known NOW.  You don’t want to come home to a bathroom full of bleach if you only wanted water and vinegar.
8. Make sure they accept the payment you prefer.  If you’re wanting to charge this to your AMEX to build your points, don’t wait until they get there to ensure they take credit cards.  If this is a non-negotiable - make sure you know in advance.  And, make sure they are within your budget.  Nothing is worse than falling in love with something you can't have.  AND, make sure that you understand their rates and how they are charging you.  Some companies charge you by the hour and they will stop after a certain amount of time unless you pay more (usually the big franchises do this).  Make sure you understand if this is a flat rate or an hourly rate.
9. Make sure they are insured and/or bonded.  Insurance is for damages and bonding is for theft.  I’m proud to say I’ve never had to use either, but I still carry them just in case.  Any responsible company would.  And you want a responsible company.
10. Be realistic!  Expect a clean home, but don’t set your expectations so high no one can meet!

Good luck.  Don’t fret if your first few calls, cleanings don’t go as well as hoped - there are plenty of fish in the sea :)

Spring Cleaning: It is NOT too late (and it is not just for Spring)!

Since June 21, 2015 marks the first official day of summer (regardless of these temps that may be saying otherwise)...it is not too late to do your spring cleaning!

Before I provide you with my favorite checklist by Martha Stewart, here are some things you should keep in mind:

1. Make a realistic schedule.  The list is lengthy and can overwhelm you if you think you want to do it all in one day.  You will likely need several days to get this done.  If you can't realistically see yourself completing all these tasks, it may be good to hire a company.  This may be costly (but will be so worth it when you have it done all in one day by someone else), save up!

2. Make a list of all the supplies you will need and try to get them all at once.  Having to go back and forth to buy cleaning supplies will wear you out and make the process feel much longer.

3. Tailor Martha's list to your own home.  Even if you are going to hire a company to do this, having a list of the things you want done will make sure you know what you are getting and minuses the possibility of price surprises.  

4. While it may seem daunting, try to do this every 3 or 4 months (I try to do mine with every season change).  It will keep your home fresh from the lack of build up.

Here you go:

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2007Q2/la_0407_spring_cleaning.pdf

Friday Fixer: Homemade Stain Remover aka Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is one of my best kept miracle secrets to removing any type of stain.  Recently, I hosted a dinner party in my home and spilled an ENTIRE GLASS OF RED WINE on my dining room bench made of cream colored fabric.  While all of my guests pretty much stopped breathing and staring at me for my reaction (knowing what a spaz I can be), I knew exactly what to do :)  Grab a towel and my Peroxide.  Can you tell where I spilled? :)

Unfortunately, I don't have a recipe for this.  I just kind of eyeball it.  This seems like a good website to follow: http://moderndaymoms.com/homemade-miracle-cleaner/

Product Spotlight: Vacuums

In this business, you test {a lot} of supplies, products, equipment, you name it - I've bought it/rented it/borrowed it.  One of the most essential items you can have in your cleaning arsenal is a good vacuum.  I currently own a total of 6 vacuums.  While I won't tell you about the ones I hate (and never use), I will tell you about the tried and trues that I would recommend.

What: Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuum Cleaner  
Where to Buy: Sears 
Price: $349.99 (but usually on sale for much less) + warranty + bags
Grade: A
I own two Kenmore Progressive Canister Vacuums. 




{Side note - Kenmore makes other Canister vacuums that are a little less expensive.  While I don't own those, I trust Kenmore and have heard good things about the others.  The downside is you can usually only take to Sears for repairs opposed to your run of the mill vacuum repair store.  BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY.  I don't even keep these vacuums once my warranty is up because of the cost of repair.}

What: Bissell Powerforce Bagged Vacuum with Febreze, 1398
Where to Buy: Walmart
Price: $39.99 + cost of bags
Grade: B (But for the price, A+)

If you are looking for a budget friendly, no frills option - this is it.  RUN to Walmart and find this vacuum (running to your computer to buy it online will also work).  While I tend to be one of those people that says you get what you pay for - not the case here.

Back in 2011, I was taking one of rather expensive vacuums to the repair shop (shop details will be below) for probably the 10th time.  Much to my dismay, I was informed that it would probably be two weeks before they had time to fix it.  While Swept Away was not nearly as busy as it is now, it was too busy to have my only vacuum at the time not working for two weeks.  The shop owner told me to go to Walmart and get the Bissell to hold me over while I waited for this vacuum to get fixed.  Long story short, I've never used the repaired vacuum again.  It is lightweight (good for going up and down steps) and it works very good.  Honestly, if the cleaners had not asked me to switch to a canister vacuum, we would still use this as the main vac versus the backup vac.

The Bissell comes with a detachable hose (necessity), but it does not have any of the other perks you will get with Kenmore.  However, keep in mind that your vacuum does not have to survive thousands of appointments each year and you may not truly need all of the various options a Kenmore offers.

Where I go for all repairs and supplies: 
American Vacuum Cleaner Company 
11212 Georgia Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902
(301) 933-6662


I don't recommend buying vacuum bags at Sears.  They are much more expensive (something like $9.99) than American Vacuum ($4.99) and I cannot tell you how many times they didn't even have them in stock.  As of now, he doesn't repair the Kenmore vacs, so getting the warranty is key!