½ owner of Maid brigade is Darlene Cross, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.  Darlene Cross is also the author of “A New Normal” Learning to Live with Greif and Loss and yes she is my mother.  Darlene’s book can be purchased on her website at www.Darlenecross.com

Since we opened we have said “a clean house is like therapy.”   To come home to a freshly spotlessly cleaned home, after a long hard day is more valuable than people often recognize.  We are all so busy and can lose sight of how valuable our time really is, and how we can use in the wisest manner possible.

 Maid Brigades job and mission is to make YOUR life simpler and your home more enjoyable.   SO, your time can be spent better with your family making dinner, doing homework, talking about your days, running baths, etc etc….ALL of this  in a clean organized home, makes it that much more enjoyable.    

Call 798-6205 for summer discounts and please mention our blog

Brandon Cross

Brandoncross@cox.net

Green Cleaning for Your  Health & Your Pets!

What every pet owner should know about cleaning products…

Dear Mom and Dad,   My favorite thing in the whole world is spending time with you! But every time you clean, our house turns into an unsafe place for me. The cleaning products have chemicals in them that make the air smell bad…and make the floors taste even worse! I spend my time inside on the ground (and off the couch) and sometimes it’s hard for me to breathe…that’s why I whine to go outside! I’m also a lot smaller so the chemicals affect me more than the other people in our house. Isn’t there a safer way to clean the house? One that protects all of the people you love?                                            Love,                                          Your Pet!     Download our Green Guide to Pet Safety!  Maid Brigade www.maidbrigade.com 800-466-6243

Spring weather is quickly approaching and that means spring cleaning. Spring cleaning can seem like an overwhelming task, but here are a few tips to get you started and make the job more manageable. Start with de-cluttering: The less you have the less there is to clean so go through those cabinets, closets and files. Set aside all items to be dontated so you only have to make one trip.   Focus on the “extras”: There are areas of your home that don’t get regular cleaning attention. Focus on the “extras” like: washing windows and baseboards, dusting frames and furniture, laundering bedding, and sweeping out garages or carports.   Clean safely: Household cleaning products often contain ingredients which can be harmful to humans and pets. Since deep spring cleaning requires you to spend a concentrated period of time with many chemicals, it is safest to choose the mildest options under the kitchen sink. Of course the safest cleaning solutions are those made from natural products like vinegar, lemon juice and baking Hire help: Everyone could use a little extra cleaning help every once in a while, especially when it comes to spring cleaning. Leave the deep cleaning to the experts so you can take advantage of more daylight hours!

]]> http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/190/feed/ 0 http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/186/ http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/186/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:28:26 +0000 Brandon http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/?p=186 Spring Promos

One time Spring Clean: (minimum 2 hours)

• %10 off the total of your clean….
• Free Fridge or Oven clean with a Spring Clean
• Free patio Detail with any Spring Cleaning

Establish regular service promo:

• $100 off new initial with Annual Contract. (weekly or Biweekly….we can do monthly but the savings is less
• $50 off,,,,$10 off first 5 cleans
• Free Fridge and Free Patio detail on your new initial clean

Last Options is $125 customizer……

2 maids 4 hours cleans whatever they can in that time and its dictated by that client’s needs. 

$99 special

2 maids 1.5 hours….

House must be less than 2500 ft2 and the client must pick “wet” or “Dry” Package.

Wet- Bathrooms, kitchens floors swept and mopped

Dry- hi lo dusting, details Dusting of furniture and knick knacks.  Floors swept and Mopped

Mention our blog and receive $15 off your cleaning! ]]> http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/tasks/feed/ 0 http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/september/ http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/september/#comments Fri, 02 Sep 2011 19:41:08 +0000 Brandon http://www.maidbrigadelasvegas.com/?p=180 Maid Brigade is Green Clean Certified because green maid services are better for your health, better for our maids and better for our environment. We are the first and only cleaning service to implement a certification program for house cleaning so you know you are getting cleaning services that are safe and still truly clean.

CALL NOW FOR THE $125 SPECIAL

Indoor allergies impact the lives of millions each year and have the potential to cause chronic health problems ranging from allergies, upper respiratory issues and asthma. However, these allergies can easily be managed by reducing the level of airborne allergens in the home.

Dust consists of microscopic particles found in both indoor and outdoor environments. Typically, house dust allergies are triggered by common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, cockroach waste, pet dander and mold. Symptoms of a house dust allergy include sneezing, runny, itchy or watery eyes, nasal congestion and a runny nose.

Vacuum Cleaners. Cleaning the surfaces in the home may not be enough to remove allergens and prevent their recirculation back into the indoor air. An essential tool for household cleaning is a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) vacuum. HEPA filters are designed to trap small particles such as allergens and prevent their recirculation – while traditional vacuums put allergens back into the indoor air triggering house dust allergies.

• Regular weekly or twice weekly vacuuming with a HEPA filtered vacuum.
• Professional cleaning every six months to a year to remove trapped allergens, mold and other particles able to re-circulate into the air.
• Removal of carpeting may be recommended for those with moderate to severe allergies.

House Dust and Dust Mite. Bedding, comforters, curtains, towels and other soft surfaces trap dust mites. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, dust mites are the most common trigger of allergies and asthma. Several steps can be taken to reduce the level of dust mites as an allergen trigger in the home.

• Vacuuming soft surfaces to remove dust once or twice weekly.
• Washing bedding, comforters, towels and curtains in hot water reaching at least   130 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use of allergen proof covers or hypoallergenic pillows and mattresses.

Helpful Household Tips. Use HEPA filtration air purifiers and systems to remove airborne allergens and reduce symptoms caused by house dust allergies.

• Use a dust mask while cleaning if needed. This will limit the exposure to airborne allergens in the home, and decrease allergy symptoms.
• Clean up after meals. Open food not only attracts bugs and mice, but cockroach waste in particular can trigger a house dust allergy.
• Dry all surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen after use, and check for leaks in the plumbing that can result in mold growth.
• Use natural homemade green cleaning solutions to clean your home.
• Basements, vents and crawl spaces can hide and trap allergens and household dust, pushing them into clean areas of the home. These areas should be cleaned on a regular basis because they easily hide areas with high moisture and humidity, promoting mold growth and circulation of spores in the home.

Indoor Allergy Relief is Possible. Even for severe allergy sufferers, finding relief from indoor allergens is possible. Scheduling an appointment with a physician to diagnose allergy symptoms and determining proper allergy treatment is only the first step. Homeowners need to take proactive steps to reduce home dust allergies and improve indoor air quality.

Today is Earth Day!

Why not take time out to reflect about the beauty of this planet we call home during this day.  Ask yourself this question, “Am I making a difference to enhance, protect and invest in the quality of life for future generations of this planet we named Earth?” If not, then begin this week by applying actions to a few green ideas and investments to this Planet.

Here are some helpful tips to get you started:

Save water by decreasing your shower time , or take a bath, which uses less water than a shower.

Get in the habit of brushing your teeth with the water off, and encourage your children to do so, as well.

Recycle junk mail, cell phones, paper products, plastic bags, and more.

Switch from paper and plastic bags to reusable bags and totes.

Forget the electric or gas dryer, and hang dry your clothing.

Opt for direct deposit, online banking, and paperless statements to reduce your paper usage.

Try your hand at composting (planting scraps from fruits, veggies, and coffee grounds outside), which will help create better soil and less landfill waste.

Don’t purchase disposable water bottles, but rather use recyclable (and refillable) beverage containers that you can fill with filtered water.

Unplug all of your appliances when you leave the house to save energy (and prevent a fire hazard).

If possible, take public transportation or walk.

Don’t use plastic storage containers, and try not to heat food within a plastic container in the microwave.

Keep one set of dishes at the office, (a cup, utensils, bowl, and plate). This will prevent you from reaching for disposable utensils, cups, and plates.

Save stained or ill-fitting clothing to use for dusting and cleaning.

Use rechargeable batteries.

Donate used items.

Purchase used items from thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, and more.

Rent movies and borrow books, instead of purchasing.

If you are in the market for a new car, purchase a hybrid model.

Select products made of recyclable materials.

Buy groceries in bulk, as it reduces packaging and the number of trips you take to the grocer.

If possible, buy items that use less packaging.

Purchase locally produced food at farmer’s markets and even road-side stands.

Purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, instead of jarred, canned, or frozen.

Purchase organic foods, as they don’t contain pesticides and harmful chemicals, in addition to organic cotton.

Follow the celebrity trend and use cloth diapers, as opposed to disposable diapers, which cause landfill waste.

Select soy or beeswax candles, instead of paraffin candles.

Use healthy and environmentally friendly cosmetics, such as mineral-based cosmetics and natural bath products.

One of the things I disliked about cleaning the kitchen and the bathroom is having to use strong, toxic chemicals and cleaners to get the job done.  But no more harsh chemicals for me!  Green cleaning is the way to go!  It not only healthier for my family, but for also for the environment.  Chhosing to make my own natural cleaning products from ingredients I have at home also saves me money.

Try these green cleaning tips:

Club Soda is a great cleaner for stainless steel sinks. Pour some on a cloth and wipe.  The club soda will remove stains created by food and soap scum.

Vinegar is mildly acidic so it works very well to clean grease, soap scum, mineral deposits, mildew and coffee stains.  Vinegar is also a great glass cleaner.  Use with old newspaper to get that spotless clean on glass doors and windows.

Toothpaste is a great cleaner for chrome because it removes rust and mineral build up. Use only plain toothpaste with no added whiteners or tarter control agents. Old toothbrushes with toothpaste on them work great when trying to get around shower heads and drains.

Lemon juice has antibacterial qualities as well as a fresh and invigorating smell. Lemons can be used to clean soap scum and hard water deposits and are also great to clean and shine copper and brass. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, sinks and stains on counters.  Mixing 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice makes a great furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.
Don’t forget to recycle your lemon peels and orange peels by putting them down your garbage disposal.  It freshens the drain much better than the very expensive gel tablets sold for the same purpose.

Baking soda can be used in place of abrasive cleansers. It also works as a great deodorizer and not just in the refrigerator and freezer - Try a box in the bathroom and the closets!

What can you do to reduce these allergies?  A thorough green spring cleaning!  It can actually reduce symptoms, especially if you are allergic to things that thrive in an unclean house, like dust mites, mold and animal dander.

To rid your home of allergens for good, first know what you are allergic to so you are better prepared to tackle cleaning tasks that stir them up.

To get rid of dust mites that might be lurking in your bed sheets, wash your bed linens in 130 degree water weekly.  The hot water will kill the mites.  Remember to wash the decorative pillows and stuffed animals in hot water every 1-2 weeks.

Try not to dust with cotton cloths because they can spread particles around on surfaces which sends them back into the air.  Use microfiber cloths instead.  They trap dust and remove dust mite allergen that accumulates on hard surfaces.

Buy a vacuum cleaner with a hard-shell container or a bag vacuum with a HEPA filter.  HEPA filters prevent smaller particles from blowing back out.

To remove bathroom mold, use a solution of borax and water.

Spring cleaning a house from top to bottom is a big job.  If you are not up to the task of cleaning because of your allergies, hire someone to do your spring cleaning.  Maid Brigade house cleaning services can clean your house in a couple of hours!