Serving the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort.

7 Ways to Stay Connected This Unique Thanksgiving Holiday

mryan
November 24, 2020
             

Your Thanksgiving celebration may look a lot different this year, but despite the CDC caution to not travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still stay connected to your family and friends and make it memorable.

If you’re feeling a little down this Thanksgiving because the uncertainties of the year have affected your traditional plans, choose one or more options from the list below to lift your spirits and give you hope for next year.

Here are seven ways to stay connected to your family and friends this year!

Get Together Over Zoom. Thanks to social distancing, we’ve all become quite familiar with Zoom and other video-meeting technologies. The good news is that Zoom is lifting the 40-minute meeting restriction on free accounts to help families and friends connect.

Make a Phone Call. If you’re not feeling tech savvy, there’s nothing like an old-fashioned phone call so you can at least hear familiar voices. Several of your loved ones can be connected over the phone too, but the downside, as opposed to Zoom, is that you can’t see their faces.

Reminisce and Brainstorm. Make it a point on your Zoom call or phone call to relive memories of Thanksgivings past and maybe discuss some ways you can make this year’s celebration look or feel (at least in some small way) like those of previous gatherings.

Prepare a Special Recipe. Remember or honor someone special at the dinner table by preparing their traditional recipe. Don’t worry if it’s not identical to your Mom’s or your favorite aunt’s. It’s the thought that counts, and regardless, it will make a memory.

Establish a New Tradition. If your gathering is smaller this year, focus on creating a new tradition. Even if you hope to get the entire family together in 2021, make it a point to carry this new tradition forward. It can be simple like a movie night, game night or special treat.

Write a Letter to Open Next Year. Gratitude may be an attitude hard to come by in 2020, but capture this feeling for the future. Put your thoughts down, your hopes, fears, things you’re thankful for, how this year has changed you, etc., and save it to read next year.

Plan Next Year’s Thanksgiving. Use this year’s unique circumstances to take a step back and evaluate your celebration. Maybe you have clarity about what you want to change or what you want to stay the same. With this in mind, plan next year’s holiday with renewed hope.

When the holidays are over, do you need help putting that sparkle back in your home? The professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service can help! We work hard to make homes on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort, as well as Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach clean, happy and healthy. Ask us about how high-touch sanitize service when you contact us today!

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How to Bring Fall Colors Into Your Home

mryan
October 12, 2020
           

Living on the Alabama Gulf Coast means we miss out on the dramatic fall transition of leaves changing color. But that doesn’t have to mean that we can’t experience the beautiful rich hues of the season altogether.

Even if the temperatures outside aren’t exactly fall-like, here are some simple ways to introduce a fall color change in your home!

Towels. Add a dish towel in your kitchen or a small hand towel in your bathroom in solids like oranges, yellows, reds and even deep greens or even similar colors with pumpkins and other seasonal-inspired designs. For an even bigger impact, change out your towel sets!

Sheets. Maybe it’s too soon to put flannel sheets on your bed, but again introducing a rich fall color could be enough to help you transition your mindset to a new season. If that subtle touch isn’t enough, you could add a fall-inspired bedspread to make a bolder statement.

Throws and Pillows. This is another way to amp up the fall vibe in your bedroom, but it’s a nice touch for your living room, especially if you don’t want to make major changes there. Think throw pillows and throws either in the colors of the season or those with seasonal designs.

Centerpieces and Other Decor. If smaller accent colors aren’t enough, but you’re not quite committed to bolder changes, use centerpieces and other decor to make your home feel like fall. This can include flowers, gourds, pumpkins and more!

Candles. Whether you choose small tealights, larger votives or pillars, candles are another simple way to add that elusive fall color. The bonus here is that you can also introduce the scents of the season, such as apple, pumpkin, cinnamon and sandalwood.

Food. Speaking of scents, cooking and baking is another great way to fill your home with the rich colors and delicious smells of fall. Plus, of course, you can eat it too! With so many options, you can be creative, but roasted vegetables, vibrant soups and yummy pies come to mind.

We’ll leave the decorating up to you, but you can leave the cleaning to us. The professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service create happy, healthy homes on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort, as well as Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Contact us today to book an appointment or get a fast, affordable quote!

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COVID-19 Update

Amanda
April 21, 2020

Cleaning is critical anytime, especially now. It is very important to keep your house clean as the global spread of the Covid-19 continues.

Sweet Home Cleaning Service is here to help keep you safe and healthy during this outbreak.

Our employees are healthy and not allowed to come to work if they feel sick or running a fever.

  • Our cleaning technicians will continue to wear disposable gloves, face mask and shoe covers.
  • They are cleaning and disinfecting all their cleaning tools each time before they go into a house and after
  • Cleaning towels and mops are washed with soap and hot water.
  • We request that you please call to the office to cancel or reschedule your appointment if you or a family member is sick or experiencing flu-like symptoms or have tested positive for the flu or Covid-19.
  • Our cleaning techs continue to use hand sanitizer prior to entering your homes and washing their hands when they finish cleaning your home.

Sweet Home Cleaning Service will continue to wipe down frequently touched surfaces in your home like (but not limited to):

  • Light switches
  • Doorknobs
  • Cabinet handles
  • Drawer handles
  • Toilet handles
  • Faucets
  • Sinks
  • Microwave handle and buttons
  • Coffe pot handle
  • Refrigerator door handle
  • Tv remotes

If you wish to cancel your appointment but still pay, we will donate your clean to someone of your choice who is working on the front lines to help keep us safe. If you don’t have anyone in mind, we have a list of front liners and we will draw a name. A special thanks to those who have already donated.

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How to Keep Your Linen Closet Fresh

mryan
March 5, 2020
     
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Organizing or re-organizing your linen closet is probably one of those tasks you want to do, but it’s really easy to put off. If you’re not careful, it can get cluttered easily by becoming the catch-all for things you don’t want to take the time to deal with. 

But giving your linen closet a much-needed refresh doesn’t have to be a chore. This step-by-step guide can give you the motivation to get started!

Assess What’s In Your Linen Closet

Start by emptying your linen closet completely, and take some time to clean and line the shelves. This will provide a protective barrier to prevent delicate linens from yellowing and even act as a bug deterrent. 

Plan for What You Want In Your Linen Closet

During this time, decide how many bath, hand and face towel sets you need and how many sheet sets per bed size in your home you need. (Two sheet sets per bed is recommended.) Besides towels and sheets, decide if you want to keep soap, candles, toiletries, blankets, etc. in your linen closet.

Pare Down What You Have In Your Linen Closet

Towels and sheets can quickly accumulate, especially when they are extras from once-complete sets. These can be donated to homeless shelters, animal shelters or thrift stores based on their condition. Choose what to keep, what to donate and what to toss. Find a place for items that don’t work with your new approach, and plan to revisit your linen closet to review its contents regularly to keep it clutter-free.

Design Your Linen Closet

When you’ve decided what you want to keep in your closet, think about the design. Some items, like sheets and towels, fold nicely to make neat stacks. But other items work better in baskets to provide an organized look. Choose baskets of similar size and color, then accent that with smaller items and baskets to create a cohesive look. Like items can be grouped together, such as candles and so. Hide items that don’t match your scheme in baskets.

Keep Linens In Your Linen Closet Fresh

Mustiness can be a problem if your linens aren’t rotated and washed regularly. Use sachets, linen sprays, fabric softener sheets, baking soda, cedar blocks or store your sheets and towels with your candles. Whatever you choose, stick with one scent. Place freshly laundered items on the bottom and pull what you use from the top so all items get equal attention.

If you need help keeping your home fresh and clean, contact us! The professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service create happy, healthy homes on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort, as well as Foley, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

 

 

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7 Easy Steps to Organize Your Pantry

mryan
February 1, 2020
   
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Your pantry is pretty close to command central in your kitchen, just as important if not more than your refrigerator. So that means it could probably use some TLC.

If you’ve got your sights set on organizing your home in 2020, don’t forget about your pantry! Follow these tips below to get it in tip-top shape, but plan revisit it at least once a month (or more) so it’s easier to maintain your hard work.

Clean Your Pantry

Remove everything from your pantry and give it a good cleaning. This is a great time to throw out expired items and take note of the staples you use regularly. Keep an eye on these items and remember to check them before you go to the grocery store so you don’t run low or run out.

Categorize Your Pantry

Divide your pantry into zones and keep like items together. For example, keep ingredients for lunch, dinner, baking, snacks and entertaining together. This allows you to save time searching for what you need, and it can help inform your shopping list and meal planning for the week.

Use Containers in Your Pantry

Storing items in clear containers can not only help keep them fresh, but it also allows you to take inventory at a glance. Using containers can also help you use every bit of space more efficiently, especially by storing the contents of odd-shaped packages and bags in them.

Label Containers in Your Pantry

Use a label maker or chalkboard labels so you can update the contents of each container, and don’t count on simply remembering what’s in each one. Labelling containers will not help you stay organized about what’s on hand, but also help you take note of what’s running low.

Add a Kid-Friendly Space to Your Pantry

Designate a bottom shelf or area just for your kids. This gives you an opportunity to let them help you put groceries away and provides a space where they can go to grab a quick snack. Both teach them self-sufficiency, so it’s a win-win!

Utilize Extra Space in Your Pantry

Think of all the extra space that you could maximize in your pantry and make good use of it! Get started by hanging organizers on your doors. They’re great for storing canned goods, spices, jars and more. Command hooks can help organize mitts, aprons and reusable shopping bags too.

Get Creative in Your Pantry!

Organizing your pantry doesn’t have to be expensive, so use it as a challenge to get creative. Just think, a shoe organizer can just as easily be hung over the door. A shower rack can organize produce. Sink caddies can hold packets. Even a chalkboard wall or space can help you keep track of your grocery shopping list.

Ready to keep your clean streak going? The professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service are here to help! Whether you need a one-time clean or regular maintenance, we proudly offer our 5-star service to many communities on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote!

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6 Tips to Declutter and Organize Your Home

mryan
January 3, 2020
         
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Getting your home decluttered and organized may be one of your goals in the new year. When you’re filled with the hope of a fresh start is a great time to tackle this project, but how? It’s easily overwhelming, frustrating and eventually you may feel it’s impossible.

Decluttering and organizing your home is a wonderful way to create more space, but you’ll also enjoy the benefits of less to clean, less to organize, less debt and, maybe best of all, less stress!

Set (attainable) goals. Break up the task of cleaning up your home into smaller, reasonable steps. Instead of tackling all your kitchen cabinets in one day, start with one or even one shelf based on the time you have available. The more successful you feel, the more motivation you’ll have to keep going.

Set deadlines. Accept the fact that you can’t declutter and organize the entire house in one day, but you can do a room (or at least a section) in a week, month, etc. When making goals, be honest with yourself about the time you can devote to the task. Set a timer and try to beat it as you’re working. It’s a great way to stay on track!

Collect like items. This might get a little messy, but it will help you see everything you have in one place. Dedicate some space for this because it’s important. With all of your pans, shoes, jackets, etc., in one place, the things you really love will stand out, and that will make it easy for you to keep, donate or sell.

Sort items. Establish a four-box (or bag) method, and label your boxes as “Keep,” “Donate,” “Store” or “Sell.” Once you know what you’re keeping or storing, you can purchase storage containers and organizers if needed. Get items you’re donating out as soon as possible, and a number of apps make it easier than ever to sell your clothes, furniture, etc.

Take before and after photos. Need more motivation to keep going? Try taking before and after photos so you can track your progress. Even if it’s a small step or victory, celebrate it! When you need a little boost, look back at your photos and get a glimpse into what you’re home could look like once you’re done.

Keep going. Once you’ve decluttered and organized your home, it’s important to remember you have to make time to keep it up. Don’t let clutter gather in closets, cabinets and drawers—those are the usual culprits because it’s out of sight. Check on these areas from time to time, and clean regularly so you can sit back, relax and enjoy the benefits of your hard work!

Need help cleaning your home? Call the professionals at Sweet Home Cleaning Service! Whether you need a one-time clean or regular maintenance, we proudly offer our 5-star service to many communities on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Contact us today for more information or to request a quote!

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How to Prepare Your Thanksgiving Meal, One Dish at a Time

mryan
November 20, 2019
   
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Feeling overwhelmed by your Thanksgiving meal prep? Depending on the size group you’re hosting and how many dishes you have to prepare, it’s easy to feel stressed out, anxious and already behind schedule. 

Let’s face it. That’s no way to spend your holiday when it’s really about focusing on all the friends, family and blessings for which you should be thankful. 

With our Thanksgiving meal prep guide, we can help! Follow this schedule, and you won’t have to manage anything but cooking the turkey and pulling together the final touches on the big day.

Of course, before you get going, make sure you’ve planned your menu and gone grocery shopping. Perhaps most importantly, give yourself plenty of time for the turkey to thaw. A good rule of thumb is allowing one day for every 4 pounds it weighs.

One Week Before

Cranberry Sauce – If you’re not a fan of canned, you can make cranberry sauce a week to two days before the big day. It lasts up to a week in the refrigerator, and it will thicken as it cools, giving it a little more texture. 

Pie Crust – Again, if you’re going with a from-scratch approach, you can prepare pie crusts up to a week before and freeze them until you start baking your desserts the day before.

Two Days Before

Casseroles – Save precious time by assembling the casseroles you plan to serve. Cover and refrigerate them when you’re done until they’re ready to cook on Thanksgiving day.  

Dressing (or Stuffing) – If served as a side, you can also put this together and refrigerate it. Streamline your cooking on Thanksgiving by putting it in the oven along with the turkey.

The Day Before

Desserts and Pies – Conserve your oven space and start preparing your sweets the day before. Refrigerate pies, such as custard and pumpkin, overnight. Anything that needs a quick reheat can be popped in the oven after the meal.

Mashed Potatoes – Peel and prep potatoes and sweet potatoes, place them in water and store in the fridge. 

Turkey – Season the turkey the night before so it’s ready to go in the oven first thing on Thanksgiving Day.

On Thanksgiving Day

Turkey – Start with the centerpiece of your meal first. Since you’ve seasoned it the night before, you can put it right in the oven. Some say take it out of the oven before it’s fully cooked so the heat can redistribute, leaving it juicy. It’s also recommended to slice the turkey, place it in the oven on broil to finish cooking and crisp the skin.

Gravy – Prepare while the turkey is in the oven. Boil bones and vegetables you plan to use early to help you stay on schedule.

Mashed Potatoes – Remove the potatoes from the fridge, boil and mash them on the stovetop while the turkey is cooking. 

Salads and Cold Sides – While the turkey and dressing are in the oven, chop and assemble salad ingredients or other cold sides. Use this time to chop herbs for garnishes and other dishes while you’ve got the cutting board out. 

Roasted Vegetables – With the more complicated dishes out of the way, finish up your meal prep by roasting vegetable sides, such as green beans or Brussels sprouts. Start this a couple of hours before you plan to serve dinner.

Dinner is served!

If you follow this schedule, you’ll be able to get dinner on the table with a minimal amount of stress.

 

Need help with the post-Thanksgiving cleaning? We can help with that too! We proudly offer 5-star service to customers in many communities on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Contact us today with your questions or to request a quote!

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Why You Should Hire a Professional Cleaning Service

mryan
September 30, 2019
 
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The importance of keeping your workplace clean goes well below wiping down the surface. For starters, think about how much time—up to 40 hours or more—you and your employees spend there. 

But more than creating a comfortable environment, a clean workplace contributes to so much more. That’s why it’s important to trust a professional cleaning service to take care of the large and small details, and that will pay big dividends for your business if you do.

Here are four important reasons to hire a professional cleaning service:

A Professional Cleaning Service Creates a Healthy Environment

Germs can spread rapidly in an office environment or public building, but keeping your workplace clean can dramatically reduce the spread of bacteria. High-traffic areas, such as bathrooms and break rooms, will not only be cleaned, but thoroughly sanitized to help prevent flu, colds and other illnesses from being passed around.

A Professional Cleaning Service Helps You Create a Positive Image

A dirty office won’t make a good first impression, but a clean office can go a long way in winning over customers. Even if your business isn’t open to the public, a tidy workplace can help boost employee morale, improve productivity and generate a sense of pride in showing up every day. It shows that details are important and that employees are valued.

A Professional Cleaning Service Can Lead to Increased Productivity

Provide your employees a clean space and they will be motivated to work—studies have proven it! According to the Center for Facilities Research, messy offices are linked to higher stress levels for employees, and that leads to less getting done. Clean offices mean less sickness, which means employees take fewer sick days so they can come to work and stay on track.

A Professional Cleaning Service Can Help You Manage Time Wisely

As a business owner or office leader, your time is taken up with many tasks and every minute is valuable. Save time by hiring a professional cleaning service—it’s worth it! You’ll get happier, more productive employees in a clean space that’s attractive to customers. It all adds up to an improved bottom line, which is a great return on your investment.

Leave your commercial cleaning duties to the experts at Sweet Home Cleaning Services! We offer 5-star service to customers on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including the communities of Fairhope, Point Clear, Montrose, Daphne and Spanish Fort. Contact us today to request a quote for your office!

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How to Develop a Cleaning Routine

mryan
August 25, 2019
             
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With the kids back in school, you’re probably having to settle into a new routine yourself. Though your schedule is busier these days as a result, you still have to manage grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and hopefully some downtime in there too. 

In order to do it all, set yourself up for success by developing a routine! Routines will help you create structure, save time, build good habits, break bad ones and get the most important tasks done. 

Before you begin, consider your work schedule and your standard of clean. Then prioritize the rooms that matter most, assess your available time and choose your cleaning approach. Decide whether you’d prefer to clean a little every day or clean full rooms on particular days. 

Remember, any new routine is going to take some adjusting to, so be flexible as you adapt. Also, enlist the help of your children and other family members so no one person has to carry the load.

Whichever approach you take, breaking your house cleaning down to small tasks you can reasonably accomplish will help you feel successful. And if you fall behind a day or two, make sure it’s still doable to catch up. 

Here’s a sample schedule of daily, weekly, monthly and even seasonal tasks. Many resources, such as templates, checklists and much more, are available online, so consult the internet as you develop and personalize your cleaning schedule.

Daily Cleaning Routine

Daily tasks should tackle messes and dirt that build up every day. These simple steps will help tidy your home without spending a lot of time on them. The reward is that you can rest easy after a long day.

Make Your Bed
Collect Dirty Clothes
Do Laundry When There’s Enough for a Load
Put Away Clean Clothes
Wipe Down Countertops, Especially After Preparing Meals
Load Your Dishwasher (or Hand Wash to Save Energy)
Wipe Out Sinks in Bathrooms and the Kitchen
Spend Time Picking Up Items and Putting Them Away
Vacuum High-Traffic Areas If Needed

Weekly Cleaning Routine

Schedule your bigger tasks by day during the week. That is if you want some down time on the weekends. If you save all the housework up for the weekend, you could easily feel overwhelmed. Be sure not to add too much more to days that are already set aside for things like grocery shopping or kids’ activities. 

Wipe Down Cupboards and Walls
Clean the Stovetop
Clean Out the Refrigerator
Take Out the Trash and Recycling
Clean Bathrooms
Vacuum Thoroughly
Wash the Bedding
Disinfect Handles, Doorknobs, Etc.
Toss Out Junk Mail, Old Papers, Etc.

Monthly Cleaning Routine

Tackle the bigger chores less often, but make a plan to do them regularly. You’ll feel like you have a handle on your cleaning, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed as these tasks seem to get bigger and bigger as more time passes.

Wash Windows
Declutter Your Home
Vacuum or Clean Furniture

Seasonal Cleaning Routine

Even bigger chores can be scheduled for every season, which will help you stay on top of tasks done once in a while. Incorporate these into your cleaning schedule so your house stays clean and organized, particularly among areas that tend to get neglected.

Winter 

Clean Behind Large Appliances and Furniture
Steam Clean Carpets

Spring

Clean Exterior Windows
Wash Large Bedding (Comforters, Blankets, etc.)

Summer

Organize Garage and Basement
Clean Walls and Make Necessary Touch-Ups

Fall

Deep Clean Large Appliances
Organize Personal Files

If you find that it’s difficult to maintain this schedule or if you need the trusted professionals to give you a break or a helping hand, let us know! We serve the communities on the Eastern Shore and South Baldwin County, and we can help you stay on track or free up some time to relax at home. Contact us for a quote today!

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