The Summer Slide Isn’t Just for Kids… Your House Feels It Too

Every year, right around mid-June, something quietly shifts inside Dallas homes. It starts small. A few extra dishes in the sink. Towels that somehow never make it back to where they belong. A sticky spot on the counter that nobody remembers creating. Nothing dramatic at first… until one day you look around and realize your house has fully entered summer chaos mode.

Everyone talks about the “summer slide” when it comes to kids with less structure, routines disappearing, brains going into vacation mode. But nobody really talks about the version happening inside your home. During the school year, life at least has some rails. There’s a rhythm to the day. People leave, people come back, meals happen at predictable times. Even if things aren’t perfect, there’s a system holding it all together. Then summer hits, and that system quietly disappears.

Now it’s a lot more “what time is it?” and a lot less “what’s the plan?” Breakfast somehow stretches into mid-afternoon, lunch is optional, and by 2pm you’re wondering why there are multiple plates scattered around like you hosted a brunch you don’t remember. With everyone home all day, your house goes from light usage to what can only be described as commercial-grade traffic overnight. More movement, more mess, more everything.

And then there’s the snacks. Summer doesn’t run on three meals a day. It runs on a constant stream of “I’m hungry” requests, usually five minutes after someone just ate. Kitchens turn into high-traffic zones where cabinets open and close like revolving doors, crumbs appear out of nowhere, and cups seem to multiply in ways that science hasn’t fully explained. At some point, your home stops running on electricity and starts running on Goldfish crackers and juice boxes. It’s a real thing, and if you have kids, you’re probably living it right now.

Vacations, which are supposed to be the relaxing part of summer, don’t exactly help the situation either. Before the trip, there’s the slow buildup, suitcases sitting out for days, piles of clothes forming with good intentions behind them, laundry that’s half done and half avoided. After the trip, everything hits at once. Everyone’s tired, the bags just sit there waiting to be unpacked, and the laundry somehow doubles overnight. There’s always that moment where you tell yourself you’ll deal with it tomorrow, and then tomorrow quietly becomes next week.

What really gets people isn’t one big mess. It’s the slow buildup of small ones. A little clutter here, a little dirt there, a few things left undone because, well, it’s summer. By late June, your house doesn’t necessarily feel dirty, but it does feel heavier. Slightly out of sync. And instead of summer feeling relaxing, it starts to feel like you’re managing your home as a second job.

The families who actually enjoy summer don’t try to outwork this. They don’t spend their evenings catching up or their weekends resetting the house. They remove the problem altogether. Because summer isn’t meant to be spent deep cleaning bathrooms late at night or staring down a pile of laundry that seems personally offended you haven’t touched it yet. It’s supposed to be lighter. Easier. A little more carefree.

Having recurring cleaning in place isn’t really about luxury, it’s about keeping your home from quietly slipping into chaos while everything else in life loosens up. It’s about walking into a space that still feels under control, even when the rest of your schedule isn’t.

By June 15th, most homes are already in it. The snack chaos, the disappearing routines, the slow creep of clutter. If that sounds familiar, you’re not behind. You’re just in summer. And there’s a pretty simple way to stay ahead of it.

Dallas Maids is here when you’re ready to take cleaning off your summer to-do list.

The post By June 15th, Every Dallas Home Turns Into a Snack-Fueled Disaster appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

(From people who have seen everything… and I mean everything.)

After years in the house cleaning business, I can tell you something most homeowners don’t realize: professional cleaners can tell a lot about a home within the first 30 seconds of walking in the door. We’re not judging, we’ve seen houses that look like model homes and houses that look like a raccoon lost a custody battle with a tornado. Everything in between is normal.

But there are certain things that profesional cleaners notice immediately. It’s like a sixth sense. Some people smell rain coming; cleaners smell trash day that was missed two days ago.

The first thing we notice is the smell. Not in a bad way, just in a diagnostic way. Every house has a smell. Clean houses usually smell like nothing, which is actually the goal. If a house smells strongly like air freshener, candles, or cleaning spray, that usually means someone panic-cleaned right before we got there. If it smells like dogs, cooking, or teenage boys, we just mentally add 20 minutes to the estimate and keep walking.

The next thing we notice is the floors. Floors tell the whole story of a house. If the floors are clean, the house usually isn’t too bad. If the floors are sticky, covered in dog hair, and sound like Velcro when you walk across them, we know we’re in for an adventure. In Texas, floors also tell us whether you have kids, dogs, or a backyard that is basically a dust farm nine months out of the year.

Then we notice the kitchen counters. Kitchen counters are like the command center of the house. If the counters are clear, the house is usually organized. If the counters are covered in mail, backpacks, Amazon boxes, keys, chargers, and a random screwdriver, we know this is a busy household and everyone is doing their best to survive the week.

Another thing cleaners notice immediately is ceiling fans. I don’t know why, but ceiling fans are the most ignored cleaning item in America, especially in Texas where ceiling fans run about 11 months a year. Cleaners can spot a dusty ceiling fan from across the room like a hawk spotting a mouse in a field.

We also immediately notice baseboards. Most homeowners never think about baseboards, but baseboards are like the white t-shirt of a house, they show everything. If the baseboards are clean, that house is usually very well maintained. If they’re dusty, we know it’s been a while since a deep clean, which is completely normal.

Then there’s something funny… we notice how people live, not just how they clean. We see the dog bed in the living room, kids’ drawings on the fridge, sports equipment by the door, shoes piled up, homework on the table, and blankets on the couch. You can tell if a house has toddlers, teenagers, dogs, cats, or a dad who refuses to throw away old cables “just in case.”

We also immediately notice bathrooms, specifically the shower glass and around the toilet base. These two areas tell us more about the cleaning history of a house than anything else. Shower glass gets hard water buildup slowly over time, and the base of the toilet is one of the most commonly missed spots in regular cleaning.

But here’s the most important thing professional cleaners notice when they walk into a home: We notice whether the house is loved and lived in, or just occupied. There’s a big difference. Some homes are messy but happy. Some homes are spotless but feel empty. Most homes are somewhere in the middle… busy, a little cluttered, a little dusty, but full of life.

And here’s something homeowners should know that might surprise you. Professional cleaners are not shocked by mess. We expect it. That’s literally why we’re there. We don’t walk into a messy house and think, “Wow, this is bad.” We walk in and think, “Okay, let’s get to work.” The only thing that ever surprises cleaners is when someone apologizes 14 times for their house being messy. We always want to say, “If your house was already perfect, we wouldn’t have a job.”

So if a professional cleaner walks into your house, here’s what they notice in the first minute:

• The smell
• The floors
• The kitchen counters
• The ceiling fans
• The baseboards
• The bathrooms
• The clutter level
• Pets
• Kids
• And how the home is used

But most of all, we notice that a home is a place where life happens, and life is messy sometimes. Especially in Texas, where between the dust, the dogs, the kids, the pollen, and the wind, keeping a house perfectly clean is basically a part-time job.

That’s why house cleaning services exist, not because people are lazy, but because people are busy living their lives, and sometimes it’s nice to come home to a clean house without spending your entire Saturday scrubbing a shower. And if you’ve ever panic-cleaned for cleaners before they arrive, don’t worry, we notice that too.

The post Things Cleaners Notice Immediately When They Enter a Home appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

This morning on my way to work, I stopped by Tim Hortons (fondly referred as Timmy’s up here in Canada) for a much-needed coffee where I had a little run-in with kindness. The car ahead of me wanted to turn left into the drive-thru lane, while I could’ve easily turned right and zipped ahead. Instead, I gave a smile and waved them in. They waved back, I felt like a decent human being and figured that was that.

But when I pulled up to the window, I learned they had paid for my coffee. A simple gesture, but wow, did it make my day. It felt like a tiny miracle in a paper cup.

It struck me that these little courtesies such as letting someone cut into line, holding a door, giving up a seat, don’t happen every day. And when they do, they’re enough to set your whole day on a brighter course. Because suddenly, you’re not just drinking coffee; you’re drinking kindness.

And here’s the funny thing: they were only repaying me for letting them in line. But their gesture left me thinking, this is going to be a good day. Sometimes that’s all it takes; the expectation that things will go well. Thoughts really do shape your perception.

That little lesson reminded me of a neighbor my wife and I often recall with great fondness: Janet. She had this uncanny ability to radiate positivity. You know the type, someone who just lights up a room by walking into it. One day, curiosity got the best of me, and I asked her, “Janet, how do you do it? How do you stay so positive?”

She looked at me as if I’d asked whether she was aware the sky is blue. She said she knew bad things happen. Of course she did. But she never let that dim her outlook. Even though that didn’t necessarily answer my question on how she does it, after some time I finally figured it out and realized her secret wasn’t complicated at all.

It was gratitude.

Janet always voiced what she was thankful for. Big or small. And when you consistently remind yourself of what’s good, your brain connects gratitude with happiness. The result? You don’t just feel happy, you share happiness. It seeps out of you and touches everyone around.

So thank you, Janet, for teaching me that the secret sauce of happiness is as simple as being grateful. Your attitude shaped not just your life, but ours too. I’ve happily shared this secret with my oldest daughter and, once she is capable of understanding, my youngest daughter, because it will brighten their lives. And what more could any parent want than for their children to be happy?

It feels especially fitting that the photo in this article comes from my daughter’s tahnik ceremony. In the front row, Janet sits on the left with her husband Bob behind her, while my wife and I are on the right, with me holding our baby. It’s a snapshot of joy, family, and friendship all in one frame.

During a tahnik, a respected elder rubs a softened date or honey on the baby’s palate and whispers blessings into their ear, giving them a sweet start in life both physically and spiritually. Much like Janet’s gift of gratitude, the tahnik reminds us that life is best begun, and best lived, with sweetness, blessings, and positivity. If we can carry that forward, whether through coffee kindness, gratitude, or whispered blessings, we can spread a little more happiness in the world.

And as for me? Well, I think it’s time I keep the chain going. Tomorrow, I’ll buy someone else’s Timmy’s. After all, happiness, like coffee, should be shared.

Gratefully yours,

Greg Shepard

~ Founder of Dallas Maids LLC, CEO of Oakville Maids Inc.

The post The Secret to Happiness, Courtesy of Timmy’s (and Janet) appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

At Dallas Maids we believe in more than just providing award-winning house cleaning services, we believe in supporting our community and standing up for what’s right. That’s why we were honored to contribute to the DFW Mothers Against College Antisemitism (DFW MACA) fundraiser by donating home cleaning services.

Standing with DFW MACA

DFW MACA was founded to protect and empower Jewish students facing rising antisemitism on college campuses. Their inaugural event, Apathy to Advocacy, raised $35,000 to launch a mobile education tour that will bring awareness and resources to students. This initiative is critical in ensuring Jewish students feel safe, supported, and proud of their identity.

The event highlighted the challenges Jewish students face, particularly at the University of North Texas (UNT), where antisemitic incidents have created an environment of fear and hostility. Co-founders Miriam Zivin, Geri Cohen, and Andrea Fasken (all mothers of students who have experienced discrimination firsthand) have taken action to foster a more inclusive and supportive campus atmosphere.

Why We Got Involved

Antisemitism has no place in our schools, workplaces, or communities. When we heard about the incredible work DFW MACA is doing, we knew we had to help. Our donation of house cleaning services was a small way to contribute to their cause, helping raise funds that will make a tangible impact on students’ lives.

As a business deeply rooted in the Dallas-Ft Worth area, we believe that standing against hate and discrimination is a responsibility we all share. Supporting organizations like DFW MACA helps ensure that students can focus on their education without fear or intimidation.

How You Can Help

If you’d like to stand with DFW MACA in their mission, consider getting involved:

• Donate to support their education initiatives.
• Attend events that promote awareness and advocacy.
• Speak out against antisemitism and discrimination in your community.

For more information on DFW MACA and how you can contribute, contact Miriam: miriamzivin@dfwmaca.com.

At Dallas Maids we are proud to support this vital cause and we encourage others in our community to do the same. Together we can help create a future where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered.

The post Dallas Maids Stands Against Antisemitism: Supporting DFW MACA’s Mission appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Dallas Maids employees and their families who are attending a four-year university are eligible for scholarships through the ISSA Foundation.

The ISSA Foundation offers scholarships for cleaning companies who are members of the ISSA and their employees along with their immediate family member. Applications will be accepted from January, 2024 to April, 2024. The average scholarship is $3,500.00 though some may be more and others less. To apply, visit https://issacharities.org/issa-scholars

Per ISSA Charities:

The donor-designated scholarship fund is a philanthropic investment from an ISSA member company in support of a named scholarship.  Awards for the scholarship may be granted to employees and immediate family members of the company who are full-time students pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in a fully accredited four-year college or university. The ideal candidate for this scholarship will have demonstrated need and merit.  Specific criteria can be established for the applicants by the designated fund donor.

ISSA Scholars will administer this program and award grants on behalf of donors to eligible students who meet certain criteria.

Scholarships candidates will need to provide the following materials for the application process. To be considered for an award, all required items must be submitted digitally. 

• Personal Information
• Essay (Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistance not allowed)
• Academic Activity and Leadership record
• Most recent official high school or college/university transcript. Printed copies from the Internet will not be accepted.
• Optional: official SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, or LSAT test scores. (You may send a copy of the original document received from the testing agency. These scores do not have to be submitted if they appear on your high school transcript, or if you are already in college.)
• Two evaluations from current or past professors or teaching assistants. If you are unable to obtain two educational evaluations, you may have the forms completed by an employer, supervisor, or coach.

Please note that ISSA Scholars awards cover the cost of books and tuition only. Other school related expenses such as room and board, materials, etc. are not covered under these awards.

The post Scholarships For Dallas Maids’ Families appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Hello and welcome back to Dallas Maids! We know that Easter has finally arrived, so let’s get your home clean to celebrate!

Like any other event, easter is always an opportunity for a fresh start. As you prepare for easter, it’s important to take some time to deep clean your home. A clean home looks and smells fresh and, most importantly, it also keeps you and your family healthy.

In this article, we’ll give you some tips to clean your home for easter. If you’re in a hurry, these will come in handy if you need to clean your home quickly and effectively.

Before we start, remember to check Dallas Maids of North Dallas if you need a professional cleaning service in the North Dallas area. We know many people like celebrating easter with many fun activities planned out.

You can count on us if you need extra help to get your home deep-cleaned and impress your guests!

Without further ado, let’s read some tips to clean your home for easter!

Plan Ahead Before You Clean Your Home for Easter

We always recommend planning ahead for any spring cleaning you want to do, even if it’s a short one.

Make a list of all the areas in your home that need some cleaning. This includes windows, floors, carpets, and walls. Create a schedule that allocates time for each task. This way, you won’t get overwhelmed or underestimate the time it takes.

We always recommend getting help from your family members or friends. Even kids can help! Just make sure you assign them age-appropriate tasks.

Declutter Your Home Before Easter

Declutter is one of the most important steps before cleaning. If you have the time, this can benefit you in the long run because you will have less stuff to clean.

If you didn’t declutter your home before spring, now is the perfect time!

As we were mentioning earlier, only do this if you have enough time. Try to assign a time block that is reasonable so you can leave most of your time for the actual cleaning.

Sort items into piles to donate, sell, or discard.

We all get attached to our belongings, and sometimes they are no longer useful or cherished items at all. Get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past six months, except for seasonal items and clothing.

You will be amazed at how much more airy and spacious your home will feel after decluttering.

Label the bags or boxes clearly and take them to the appropriate places as soon as possible.

Related: January Cleaning Checklist

Start With the Basics

Begin your cleaning by tackling the basic cleaning tasks. Dusting, vacuuming and mopping are the most common tasks.

Dust all surfaces (within reason). This includes shelves, countertops and furniture.

Use a damp microfiber cloth to start with. If you see the grain (for wood and stainless steel surfaces) always follow the direction of the grain.

Then, dry your surface with a clean, dry cloth. You might need a degreaser or concentrate cleaner for certain areas, especially around your kitchen or bathroom.

Use a Vacuum with Attachments

Vacuuming is one of the most important steps, and in order to save some time, a vacuum cleaner with attachments is a good choice.

A vacuum with attachments helps you clean hard-to-reach areas. Because it’s a special time, it’s a good time to clean corners, baseboards, and upholstery.

Related: What is The Best Way to Vacuum Your House?

Clean from Top to Bottom

If you start cleaning your floors first, and then your countertops and bookshelves, all the dust and food crumbs will fall to the floor naturally.

This is why you need to start cleaning from the top of each room, and work your way down as you go. Cleaning from top to bottom is helpful because you avoid cleaning the same areas multiple times.

Work In Sections

Divide each room into smaller sections and focus on one section at a time.

If you start cleaning here and there (which is quite common) you end up cleaning nothing!

This is why we were talking about cleaning with a schedule. It helps you stay organized and ensure you don’t miss any areas of your home.

Simplify Your Cleaning

If you want to clean your home quickly before easter, you must cut corners and simplify your cleaning.

This means using a universal cleaner for your surfaces. If you want to finish faster, you won’t be able to waste your time switching to different cleaning products.

There are some strategic areas that automatically make you feel like your home is cleaner. These places include window sills, drawers, bookcases and light fixtures.

Large surfaces such as floors are also a good telling sign that your home has been cleaned recently.

If you’re in a hurry, just make sure you sweep and mop all your floors. You will notice the change right away.

You can use all-purpose cleaners to avoid running around back and forth with different cleaning products.

Choose a Scent to Clean Your Home Before Easter

If your home is clean by now, you will probably notice it smells better. Especially if you have deodorized your carpet floors, for example.

However, keep in mind that you can extend this fragrance to make your home feel like it’s clean for longer!

There are many ways you can add a nice fragrance to your home.

Now that spring has officially started, start by opening your windows and letting fresh air circulate throughout your home.

You can use an essential oil diffuser or air freshener to add a pleasant scent to your home.

Place fresh flowers or plants in your living spaces. They will add some color and freshness, and what better time than spring to do this?

No matter what option you choose, always make sure to place it in a high-traffic room, such as your kitchen.

Decorate Your Home Before Easter

Last but not least, have some fun decorating! After your home has been cleaned thoroughly, it’s time to add some spark to your home!

You can add some easter-themed tablecloths and placemats. And, of course, baskets filled with candy!

You can place fresh flowers and herbs which are representative of easter, such as tulips and daffodils. You can place lavender and gardenia as well to give your home a pleasant scent.

Hire a professional

Last but not least, we always recommend hiring a professional if you don’t have time to clean your home for Easter.

Remember that our cleaning service specializes in house cleaning services in the Dallas area! This includes one-time cleaning for special events such as Easter, of course.

Conclusion

There you have it! Easter has arrived so you better grab your tools and start with cleaning!

Remember to check Dallas Maids of North Dallas and visit our blog! We’re constantly updating with more cleaning tips.

We hope you have a lot of fun this Easter!

The post How to Clean Your Home for Easter appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Let’s talk for a minute…

If you’re like me, that phrase sends chills up your spine. My immediate response is “what’s wrong?” or “what did I do?”

Don’t worry, no one’s in trouble. I have good news.

With the nostalgia of the holidays fresh on my mind, I’ve been reflecting on the last two years. I was talking to my friend from Florida the other day and she made a funny comment. She said, “We’ve all been through so much. The last three years have been a class on collective grief and loss. Ask someone what’s happened since the pandemic started and they’ll get a glossy look on their eyes.”

Funny right? We all survived. We made it through. But it’s all a haze. This experience we went through which we’ve collectively kind of muted from our memory. We know it happened. That cannot be forgotten. But the specifics feel hazy, nebulous, fuzzy. It’s a weird experience that unites us. We know it happened. It was recent, but the memory is hard to pin down.

Unless we work to dust if off. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reminded of so much I can be grateful for in my life. My wife, my kids. My business, my staff. You.

Candidly, we’re here because of our hard work AND your support. Covid hit and we were thrown against the ropes. So many of you paid for services that you didn’t receive. So many of you helped us stay afloat.

With things calming down, we’ve been able to move forward. We haven’t just stayed in business; we’ve grown. Your support in promoting us, in sharing with your neighbors, friends, and coworkers, has helped us not just survive but thrive.

With that in mind, this Thanksgiving, I want to say thank you and offer a small gift of appreciation. We are not raising prices anytime soon.

I belong to a group of business owners that meets regularly. In one of our recent gatherings, one owner remarked that raising prices now was kind of expected. Inflation, social unrest, general societal uncertainty. Everyone expects to pay more right now.

But we aren’t doing that. Why? First and foremost because it’s the right thing to do. We run an efficient business and your loyalty deserves a reprieve from all the higher prices these days. Above all other factors, it’s the right thing to do to hold our prices where they are. A recent congressional testimony revealed that 54% of higher prices is driven by corporate greed. Businesses just want to make more money. Well, some do. We could raise prices, but we aren’t going to. Why? Because that’s not right. That’s not who we are. And you don’t deserve to pay more just “because.”

Secondly, I want to encourage gratitude in our community. Did you know that positive online reviews lead to bonuses and extra accolades for our team? If you leave a positive Google review for your cleaning associate or team, it means something. We reward quality work. It’s not just “nice.” It means recognition here. We pay for performance. We acknowledge hard, quality work. And you can let us know when that happens.

I could go on and on. But I won’t. With Thanksgiving just days away, I want to extend a heartfelt Thank You. We’ve all been through a lot. You. Your family. Our community. And yet here we are, still moving forward. It hasn’t been easy or neat or clean or tidy. Life is messy. But here we are, plowing forward together. And while life is messy, we are grateful you let us make your home a little less so. From myself and the entire team, we wish you a very bright and happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Holidays and with deep gratitude,

Greg and the Dallas Maids Team

The post Let’s talk for a minute. appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Happy Holidays to all of our amazing customers!

~ The Dallas Maids Team

The post Happy Holidays! appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Here’s the deal. We have a couple of slow days and really want to help our cleaning artists stay busy doing what they love most – making your home sparkle! So we have this last minute gift just for you…

Order a deep clean for Tuesday 27th or Wednesday 28th and get a $50.00 Gift Card and a free Gift Basket.

Just call (469) 487-6669 or, if booking online, select “deep clean”, and leave a note under “Anything else the Cleaner should know?” mentioning this special or call . If you book a cleaning service quickly, you will be one of the 8 happy winners!

Gift basket will be left at home upon service completion and gift card emailed after payment is received.

Order now because this special is limited to the first 8 people that book a deep clean on 9/27 and 9/28 of 2022. We truly appreciate your continued support and look forward to making your home look as bright as a new pin!

Thank you for giving us a chance to serve you.

~ Dallas Maids happiness team

P.S. Rather have a deep clean this Monday, instead? Order a deep clean for this Monday, the 26th, and get a $75.00 Gift Card, minus the basket.

P.S.S. We’ve expanded our business hours to provide more convenient service for our amazing customers! We’ll be up until 10pm weekdays and from 9am to 1pm Saturday taking orders.

P.S.S.S. Don’t forget to check Dallas Maids cleaning blog! Besides physical peresents, there’s nothing more valuable than knowledge. We love sharing tips from 20 years of house cleaning experience. Our blog features DIY cleaning hacks, seasonal cleaning checklists, and of course, deals and discounts that you cannot miss! Stay connected with us for the latest updates and exclusive offers.

The post A Last Minute Gift for You appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Is this your only day off and you want to tackle your entire home in just 3 hours? Talk about a challenge! Don’t worry, let’s make sure you’ll be able to maximize your time and energy and come up with a much more presentable home space at the end of the day with this 3-hour weekly cleaning schedule.

Before starting, make sure you find a stopwatch to track the time for each room. All smartphones nowadays come with this feature. Make sure to customize this guide as you wish. Let’s get right to it! 

What Makes My Home Take Longer to Clean?

This is not an easy question to answer because it depends on multiple factors.

First of all, the actual square footage is important, for obvious reasons. The bigger the area, the longer you’ll spend cleaning, because not only the floor area is bigger, but also the walls and roof as well.

Another area that plays a huge role is the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Let’s think of this example: let’s say you have two 1200 sq ft apartments. They can have two completely different layout: a quiet, small Dallas town will not have the same demand as an upscale New York apartment.

The family that has been thought for the household during the design process also plays a key role here.

This means that, although they have the same square footage, you might have a 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom apartment or a 2 bed, 1 bathroom 1-story house. Adding more rooms and especially service areas (such as bathrooms) will increase the time that requires to clean everything.

Finally, your lifestyle is definitely the leading decisive factor here. Depending on how much time you spend at home, whether you have kids or pets, and how many activities you perform, the time that demands cleaning can be significantly higher.

Why Should You Clean Using a Schedule?

Life can be hectic, and sticking to a schedule, in general, is not easy. Your routine gets challenged all the time with inconveniences, traffic, and other unexpected events.  

But even if your day goes by smoothly, you still need some mental and physical energy to get started with cleaning. Your brain is already tired from organizing your day as it goes, which is why you should optimize all recurrent tasks as much as possible.

By creating a schedule, you’ll speed up the process because you can jump straight to it. Besides, you’ll be less likely to question or “skip” part of the cleaning routine since all chores have been added from the start, instead of adding them from scratch each time you need to clean. 

Whether you’re using your smartphone to keep track of your cleaning schedule or going old school by handwriting and/or printing, having a routine already set for you is going to make it easier, and you can adapt it as you go and add or remove as many tasks as you wish.

How Much Time Should It Take You to Clean Your Home?

Again, a very complex question. A three-bedroom, 2-bathroom home where two adults and two kids live, might take between 2 to 4 hours to be cleaned every week.

Consider all the previous factors: square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and your lifestyle. They will be able to increase or decrease this time. Every household is different and therefore, there’s no magic recipe for cleaning.

Also, keep this in mind: if all family members hop in and are old enough to help with cleaning the entire house, you’ll be able to do the same in much less time, or achieve much more during the same number of hours.

Why A 3-Hour Cleaning Schedule Might Work for You

This 3-hour schedule comes with just the right number of tasks to take care of all the essential rooms in your home, but without giving away an entire day or weekend.

A 3-hour period is just long enough to cover all important areas, but it can also be squeezed first thing in the morning so you can have the rest of the day free, or maybe right after dinner.

You can also split this into two or three blocks, but this is not ideal. Once you start cleaning, you’ll build momentum which will help you get things done faster. If you choose to split that, it will take you several times to get back on track.

Besides, you never know if any compromises arise during the day, and this means that you might not be able to complete your cleaning schedule. 

Of course, do what works for you, as long as you’re able to complete your cleaning routine.

Can I Incorporate Family Members into My Cleaning Schedule?

Of course you can! The more, the merrier.

Adding multiple family members (that are physically and mentally capable of performing cleaning tasks safely, of course!) will make this a more positive experience.

If you have kids, they will understand the importance of keeping a clean and tidy home, and will be more likely to help you more and more with cleaning as they grow.

Having other adult family members is great news too, because more grown-ups can take care simultaneously of “grown-up” tasks, such as handling cleaning gadgets or cleaning supplies.

Plus, it can become a tedious cleaning routine into a fun project! You can switch chores every week so that everyone gets to do a different one, which will help you keep tasks varied enough. 

Getting Ready for Your Cleaning

Now, once all tasks have been split, it’s time to gather your family members and all your cleaning supplies, gadgets, garbage bags and start with your cleaning schedule.

Because this cleaning involves different areas, you are going to need a broom, cleaning brushes, a duster, microfiber cloths and, possibly, a vacuum (keep reading to find out whether you will need it or not).

If you prefer more natural, DIY cleaning products, you should grab some vinegar, either cooking vinegar or cleaning vinegar will do the job. Multi-purpose cleaner and baking soda can be necessary for certain areas of your home as well.

Deodorizer and floor cleaner should be present as well. You can choose between scented or non-scented if you have allergies or just don’t like fragrance.

Buying cleaning products in bulk is always cheaper in the long run, so keep that in mind if you plan to create a consistent cleaning schedule.

All you cleaning agents should be tested first in a small, hidden area. Once you have all your cleaning gadgets, materials and supplies it’s time to get started!

Start Your Weekly Cleaning with Your Bathroom

Bathrooms should be the first place to start (along with the kitchen) because you will probably need to let sit cleaning solutions for a while. Whatever cleaning agent you choose, they’ll work more efficiently if they have at least 10 minutes to act on the surface.

Besides, this is beneficial for you in the long run because, considering that they have had time to act on their own, you’ll need less time and effort to rub and scrub, which will give you more energy to finish other tasks faster.

On top of that, if your bathroom doesn’t have windows, it will take longer to dry and that’s the perfect scenario for bacteria and mold to grow. Especially in places with high humidity, such as Dallas.

You can start with your toilet, by adding your favorite cleaning product and letting it sit. Make sure you scrub your bathroom floor, your shower (especially the corners!), and don’t forget your sink.

If you are super quick, you’ll finish in under 20 minutes. Let’s say you have 2 bathrooms so this will take you 40 minutes in total.

Next On the Cleaning Schedule: The Kitchen

This is probably the hardest room to tackle because there’s so much to do and little time for each task. Same as your bathroom: let cleaning solutions sit for a while on your appliances and countertops first. It’s a good idea to also stack and run your dishwasher at this point.

You probably won’t have the time to clean your entire fridge but at least make sure to wash your frequently used shelves and drawers (removing the food first, of course!) Dry them and put them back in place.

By now, your appliances, countertops, and other surfaces should be ready to go. Make sure you clean them using warm water to improve your results and wipe them using a clean, microfiber cloth.

This process will easily take 40 minutes so make sure to set your timer. At this point, you probably are a bit tired. You can take a quick break but try not to lose momentum! You might also set a timer for your resting time.

Don’t Forget to Put Your Living Room in the Cleaning Schedule

Alright, the worst is over! Now let’s get to the living room. If you don’t know where to start, stand on a point where you have a complete view of your living room. Assess the area and find out what’s making more “noise” in your living room, and tackle that first.

You will probably have cushions out of place and a messy coffee table. Get rid of the mess and remove the dust from all your surfaces using a microfiber cloth. You can also wipe your TV screen and other electronics.

Next on the Cleaning Schedule: Your Bedrooms

Now, we’re almost done! Bedrooms should be one of the easiest rooms to tackle within your cleaning schedule.

A reasonable goal involves changing the sheets, sweeping your bedroom floors, and removing dust from your headboard, dressers, and nightstands.

If you have stuff over your surfaces that don’t belong there, make sure you will put them away. Besides making your bed, this will create the biggest visual impact and will set apart a messy bedroom from a clean one.

Let’s say you have 3 bedrooms. Cleaning each one for 20 minutes will take away one hour in total!

Let’s Save The Floors for Last

Now that you’re done, let’s save floors for last. You want to do it this way so that any dust or dirt on top of surfaces that you cleaned previously, will fall on the floor and be ready to be cleaned.

Sweep them and, if possible, mop them. You can try a mix of vinegar, hot water, and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. If you have pets (especially dogs) you might want to add a floor deodorizer. Perhaps it won’t be necessary every week, but definitely once a month.

Always test your cleaning mix in a small, inconspicuous area, especially if you have different types of floors. Vinegar and deodorizers are fairly safe to use for almost every type of floor, but essential oils are a bit more tricky. They might stain certain types of flooring, at some of them are dangerous to use around dogs and cats.

Make sure you do some research first about that specific cleaning agent and its reaction to your environment.

If you are going to mop, make sure to start within the furthest room and work towards the room you’re planning on staying in after you’re done (for example, your living room).

If you’re fast you could get this done in less than 20 minutes in a small apartment.

When Do I Vacuum?

You might be thinking at this point (especially if you have carpet floors!): when do I vacuum?

The truth is, considering all the previous tasks, you might not have enough time to vacuum within a 3-hour schedule. Not only because of the time but also because of the effort that takes vacuuming on top of doing all your cleaning, especially if you’re doing this solo.

Vacuuming is recommended at least once a week, or twice a week if you have kids and/or pets. According to research, vacuuming offers additional benefits if performed daily. In this case, adjust vacuuming into your schedule as you see convenient.

Let’s say you are taking Sunday morning for your weekly cleaning. It might be a good idea to vacuum Sunday afternoon, and then again on Wednesday, for example.

The Downside of a Weekly Cleaning Marathon

Cleaning marathons are not always a good idea. Many people can find them exhausting. You may end up not wanting to do anything else for the day and avoid cleaning down the road.

There’s a possibility that they make you feel frustrated for letting your home get “this” messy. But maybe, because of your agenda, this might be the perfect solution for you.

It never hurts to try what works for your routine and lifestyle, and cleaning is not an exception. Always try to find a healthy balance between having a clean home, enjoying your time with friends, family or by yourself, and resting.

Conclusion

That’s it! 3 hours go by so fast when you’re busy and focused.

Even if you keep your home mostly clean & tidy, you will probably need to dedicate some time every week to keep things under control. Make sure you adapt this schedule as you wish, adding or removing other areas. You can also give it more or less time, after all every household is different so make sure this works for you.

What if you don’t make it every week? Remember you can always hire a cleaning service and let them take care of the heavy stuff.

How did this challenge work for you? Did it take you longer than 3 hours?

The post Short On Time? Try This Awesome 3-hour Weekly Cleaning Schedule appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.