Category: Healthy Soul

How Long Is Allergy Season, Really? Climate Shifts Are Prolonging the Pollen Problem

Posted on September 11, 2025 by maidbrigade - Cleaning Tips, Healthy Body, Healthy Home, Healthy Soul

If you’ve been sneezing long after the spring blossoms faded, you’re not imagining things. Allergy season used to have a beginning and an end: tree pollen in early spring, grass in summer, ragweed in fall. But today, the “season” seems endless. From March through October, itchy eyes, runny noses, and scratchy throats are sticking around longer than ever.

Why? Shifting climate patterns are giving pollen more staying power, and for allergy sufferers, that means more weeks of discomfort. Understanding why allergy seasons are changing can help you take smarter steps to make your home a place of relief, not another source of irritation.

Why Allergy Season Lasts Longer Now

Allergy season is no longer just a springtime inconvenience. According to a 2025 Climate Central report, allergy seasons in many U.S. cities are now several weeks longer than they were just a few decades ago. Here’s why:

Warmer temperatures extend the growing season. Plants stay active longer, releasing pollen well into fall.
Rising carbon dioxide levels fuel plants to produce more pollen overall.
Geographic shifts spread allergies to new areas, with northern U.S. cities now experiencing longer seasons.

The result? A bigger pollen problem nearly everywhere, affecting people who may not have struggled with allergies before.

How Climate Change Intensifies Environmental Allergies

Climate change doesn’t just lengthen the season. It makes it stronger, too. Higher pollen counts mean more exposure, and overlapping allergy seasons create double or triple the triggers. Tree pollen blends into grass season, which collides with ragweed. Instead of relief between cycles, allergy sufferers now experience back-to-back-to-back irritants.

For people with asthma or respiratory sensitivities, this extended exposure can be especially dangerous. The American Lung Association notes that worsening allergies can impact lung health and overall quality of life.

26% of adults and 19% of children experience seasonal allergies

Source: Climate Central

The Indoor Connection: Homes Matter More Than Ever

It’s natural to think that staying inside is the best way to escape pollen. But allergens don’t stop at your front door. Pollen particles hitch a ride on shoes, pets, clothing, and even hair. Once indoors, they settle into fabrics, carpets, furniture, and HVAC systems — places where they can linger for weeks.

That means even if your windows are closed, allergens may still be circulating in your home. For many families, the very place that should feel safe and refreshing can become another source of allergy symptoms.

PUREcleaning®: A Modern Solution for Allergen Removal

This is where Maid Brigade makes a difference. Our PUREcleaning® system is designed to remove allergens that build up in your home without exposing your family to harsh chemicals. Using electrolyzed water and non-toxic cleaning solutions, our team deep cleans both hard and soft surfaces while our advanced HEPA vacuum systems trap particles that ordinary vacuums leave behind.

We tidy up and actively create a healthier indoor environment by:

Lifting allergens out of carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
Neutralizing irritants on kitchen counters, floors, and other high-touch surfaces.
Refreshing the air with HEPA filtration that captures dust, dander, and pollen particles.

For families worn down by months of allergy symptoms, PUREcleaning® is more than a cleaning service. It’s a breath of fresh air.

Practical Tips for Allergen Removal at Home

While professional cleaning offers the deepest defense against allergens, simple habits can help, too. Here are a few ways to support a healthier home during the prolonged allergy season:

Vacuum frequently with a HEPA vacuum to reduce allergens in carpets and upholstery.
Wash bedding weekly in hot water to remove pollen and dust mites.
Change air filters often, especially during high-pollen months.
Leave shoes at the door to keep pollen from being tracked inside.
Wipe down hard surfaces regularly where dust and pollen can collect.

These steps, combined with Maid Brigade’s PUREcleaning®, can help reduce allergy triggers and make your home a sanctuary again.

Breathe Easier, Live Better

How long is allergy season? Longer than ever, but your family doesn’t have to suffer through itindoors. With the right approach, your home can be a safe, healthy retreat no matter what the climate brings.

At Maid Brigade, we care deeply about helping you breathe easier and live better. Our PUREcleaning® service goes beyond appearances, delivering a clean that makes your home truly healthier. Because when allergy season feels endless, your family deserves a haven that feels limitless in comfort.

Ready to experience relief? Schedule a cleaning with your local Maid Brigade today and let PUREcleaning® give you back the peace of mind and fresh air your family deserves.

Homework on the Screen, Germs on the Couch: What School Devices Really Bring Home

Posted on August 27, 2025 by maidbrigade - Healthy Body, Healthy Home, Healthy Soul

Imagine your kids at the end of another busy school day: backpacks dropped at the door, snack wrappers scattered around, and, of course, the glow and chatter of tablets and laptops. Screens represent the new era of homework and classroom connectivity, and as schools shift from paper assignments to more digital learning models, you have a new source of germs to worry about.

Lunch tables, classrooms, and buses are crawling with dust, grime, bacteria, and allergens that your kids will inevitably touch and bring home. And no matter how often or how well they wash their hands, their screens are keeping the score. It raises the question: How dirty is your phone screen?

Maid Brigade can’t sanitize your screens for you, but we can sanitize all the places those screens end up: couches, countertops, desks, and floors. We also believe that a healthy home is the foundation of a happy, fulfilling life, which is why we’re advocating for a new back to school cleaning routine featuring professional cleaners.

Seriously, How Dirty is Your Phone?

Did you know that your phone screen can be 10x dirtier than the average toilet seat? (Yikes!) It’s true! All touchscreens harbor bacteria, allergens, and viruses from buses, schools, cafeterias, and public restrooms. Your kids are using these devices everywhere, from their beds to the kitchen counters, and, chances are, they’re using your phone, too. Every time fingers move from a school desk to a device—and then that device rests on your couch, bed, or kitchen counter—germs get a free ride into your home environment.

Think your phone screen is clean? Think again: most phone screens are 10x dirtier than the average toilet

The Germ Trail: Where Devices Go, Germs Follow

Let’s take a walk through the average after-school routine:

Tablet on the couch: snack crumbs and screen time
Chromebook on the kitchen counter: bacteria next to dinner prep
Phone on the bed: allergens transferred to pillows and bedding

Now picture this same routine during cold and flu season. All those germs can pose a serious risk to your overall household health, but with regular cleanings of your shared spaces (especially soft surfaces like upholstery and carpet), you have a better chance of keeping germs at bay.

What Parents Can Do (Plus What Maid Brigade Does Best)

You can’t stop devices from coming home, but you can reduce the risk to your family’s health.

Simple at-home habits:

Clean devices regularly with an electronics-safe disinfectant wipe.
Encourage handwashing right after school and before meals.
Create a “tech zone” where devices are used, limiting their travel around the house.

Where Maid Brigade comes in:

We deep clean the surfaces that see the most device contact: couches, rugs, countertops, desks, and more.
Our non-toxic, high-tech cleaning methods remove dust, allergens, and bacteria without introducing harsh chemicals into your home.
We work around your family’s schedule, so cleaning day feels seamless and refreshing rather than disruptive.

The Safe and Healthy Home Promise

For us, cleaning is about protecting your family’s health and giving you peace of mind.

We know parents are juggling enough during the school year. Between homework, sports, and the everyday chaos of family life, you shouldn’t have to add “deep clean the couch” to your to-do list. That’s where we come in, with the care, reliability, and attention to detail that helps you enjoy your home without any added stress.

A Clean Start for the School Year

Your kids’ devices will always come home with them. The germs don’t have to stay.Start this school year with a home that’s as clean, healthy, and ready for learning as your child’s classroom. Schedule your cleaning today!

Why the Cleaning Industry is Growing Faster Than Ever

Posted on August 7, 2025 by maidbrigade - Healthy Home, Healthy Soul

Sure, cleaning is a chore (and not always a particularly fun one), but it’s also the foundation of a healthy, relaxing home environment that you can rest and recharge in. If dust is thick in the air and your countertops are perpetually grimy, “taking it easy” is anything but easy, and we can assume that you’re not inviting guests over for dinner.

Why not pass household cleaning over to the professionals? According to recent cleaning trends, more families than ever are turning to the cleaning services industry to keep their homes neat and organized. New lifestyle expectations, rising health concerns, and a growing appreciation of expert, trustworthy help are inspiring the shift. And at the forefront of this change? Top cleaning services like Maid Brigade, a company committed to cleaning with care, precision, and a purpose.

Why The Cleaning Industry is Booming

Busier Lives, Less Time

Between work deadlines, school pickups, errands, and self-care, the average American is running on fumes. Add in the mental load of managing a household, and it’s no wonder people are seeking outside support for everyday tasks.The time-consuming nature of cleaning makes it one of the first things people would rather hand off to someone else.

As more professionals work longer hours or balance hybrid schedules, the demand for consistent, high-quality help at home has skyrocketed. Rather than spending precious hours scrubbing bathrooms or vacuuming floors, people are choosing to buy back their time – and their peace of mind – with expert help. Cleaning isn’t a burden they want to bear alone anymore.

Health and Safety Are Non-Negotiable

We’re living in a post-pandemic world where cleanliness is directly tied to health and wellness. Indoor air quality, exposure to harsh chemicals, and allergen buildup have become serious concerns for families, especially those with children, pets, or compromised immune systems. That’s why more people are looking beyond surface-level clean to what we call “health-conscious clean.” They want results that not only shine, but also support long-term wellness.

That’s why Maid Brigade uses non-toxic, high-efficiency methods that eliminate bacteria, dust, and allergens without compromising your health or the health of our planet. We believe that a clean home should be a safe home, and every product we use has been carefully selected with that in mind. In fact, many of our customers first come to us because they’re looking for a cleaning service that doesn’t aggravate allergies, disrupt pets, or leave behind harsh chemical smells. They stay because they see and feel the difference we make.

Aging Populations Need Trusted Help

America’s population is aging. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be over the age of 65. That demographic shift is creating a higher demand for home services, including cleaning.

Older adults living on their own often struggle with mobility or stamina. Family members who act as caregivers are stretched thin. A trustworthy cleaning service like Maid Brigade offers both peace of mind and physical support, helping seniors maintain dignity, safety, and comfort in their homes.

From reducing fall risks through clutter-free floors to maintaining hygienic bathrooms and kitchens, professional cleaners can play an essential role in supporting aging-in-place.

The Rise of Expertise Over Gig Work

Gig-based cleaning apps may offer on-demand convenience, but they often lack the consistency, training, and accountability that homeowners value most. Many people are realizing that when it comes to someone entering your personal space and caring for your belongings, experience and trust matter more than speed or price.

Maid Brigade isn’t a revolving door of unknown faces. Our teams are thoroughly vetted, professionally trained, and backed by decades of experience. When we show up, we show that we care. Our cleaners learn your preferences, build a rhythm with your home, and earn your trust visit after visit.

Plus, our commitment to reliability means we’re there when we say we will be, with the right tools and a personalized plan to get the job done right. No surprises. No shortcuts.

People Want Homes They’re Proud Of

There’s something deeply personal about the state of your home. It’s a reflection of how you live, how you care for yourself, and how you show up for others. A clean space creates mental clarity, emotional ease, and the confidence to enjoy life more fully.

Professional cleaning is about creating a home that supports your life, your joy, and your ability to truly unwind.

We’ve heard from customers who finally felt confident hosting friends again after a Maid Brigade visit, or who cried happy tears walking into a freshly cleaned nursery. That’s the kind of emotional impact we strive to create: tidy spaces that double as transformative experiences.

Maid Brigade: Meeting Today’s Demand with Heart and Precision

As demand for cleaning services continues to rise, Maid Brigade continues to raise the bar with every appointment. We bring together the best of both worlds: cutting-edge tools and compassionate, personalized service.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Health-conscious, non-toxic cleaning products that protect your home and your loved ones
Trained professionals who care deeply about getting every detail right
Customized cleaning plans tailored to your lifestyle and preferences
Consistent, reliable service backed by decades of experience

In short: we clean, we care, and we bring the sparkle back to your home.

Why Now Is the Time to Make the Switch

The cleaning services industry is evolving, and families who embrace expert help are enjoying healthier homes, less stress, and more free time to focus on what truly matters.

If you’ve been thinking about outsourcing your cleaning, there’s never been a better moment to take that step. With Maid Brigade, you’ll gain a trusted partner who’s there to make your life easier, safer, and a little more joyful.

Let’s make cleaning day the best day. Book your first cleaning service today.

The 300-Hour Problem: Why Americans Spend So Much of Their Lives Cleaning

Posted on May 23, 2025 by maidbrigade - Cleaning Tips, Healthy Soul

It’s shocking, but true: The average American will spend 300-hours cleaning every year. That’s arguably enough time to learn a new language, master a new professional skill, or train for a major athletic event, but rather than spending those precious weeks building towards an exciting goal, you’re dusting, mopping, vacuuming, and worrying about whether or not your home is clean enough. What gives?

At Maid Brigade, we understand the importance of a regular cleaning schedule. We also understand how managing your cleaning schedule can be overwhelming, time-consuming, and misaligned with your dreams and priorities. Enter our professional cleaning services. Our teams can visit your home as often as every week, keeping cleaning tasks on track while you shift your focus to life’s more pressing demands.

Have you considered what your leisure time would look like if you didn’t have to clean? Well, we have! And we hope our latest blog can give you some inspiration. Explore all the ways professional cleaning can enrich your life and save you valuable time.

How Long Does It Take to Clean a House, Exactly?

For the average homeowner, it typically takes three to four hours to clean the entire house. Meanwhile, a professional cleaning team can tackle everything in half the time.
Take your life back by scheduling a whole-home cleaning service that resets the clock and takes cleaning totally off your plate. Keep reading for a closer look at what your time could look like if someone else was handling the various rooms in your home.

A woman pursuing other projects in her free time

Estimated Time to Clean Your Living Room: 30-60 Minutes

That’s 30-60 minutes you could spend catching up on the latest episode of your favorite TV show, getting the family together to play a board game, or enjoying a home workout class. Instead, you’re busy cleaning dog fur off the couch and ensuring every surface is sparkling and dust-free.

Hand this responsibility over to the professionals at Maid Brigade. We know your living room is likely the “heart” of your home, the place where everyone gathers to relax at the end of the day. That’s why we put so much energy and effort into cleaning it correctly. We also believe that the time you spend in this space should be calming and all yours, not determined by a stressful cleaning schedule you’re always scrambling to keep up with.

Estimated Time to Clean Your Bedroom: 20-60 Minutes

20-60 minutes is more than enough time to meditate, take a long, relaxing bath, or read 50 pages of that novel that’s been abandoned on your nightstand. Would you really rather spend those minutes fluffing pillows and chasing dust bunnies out from under the bed?

Leave all that to us. Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and we’re determined to keep it that way with cleaning solutions that tackle every single corner and crevice. You can breathe easy when your bedroom doesn’t need cleaning, and that’s exactly the kind of lifestyle we’re here to encourage. After all, you deserve the relaxation, fun, and mindfulness that will ultimately fuel a more present and connected life that you’re fully in charge of.

Estimated Time to Clean Your Bathroom: 20-45 Minutes

A quick, invigorating walk around the block or a fresh look at your latest creative project are great ways to spend 20-45 minutes. Scrubbing and sanitizing your bathroom? Not so much. And think about how that time stacks up when you have multiple bathrooms to clean. Suddenly, you’re looking at enough minutes (or hours) to learn a new language, practice an instrument, or hone some other life-enriching skill.

Entrust your toilets, showers, and tile floors to the experts at Maid Brigade. We know that a sparkling bathroom is more than just a welcoming sight. It’s also a welcome gap in your busy, hectic day.

Estimated Time to Clean Your Kitchen: 1-4 Hours

Just imagine what you could accomplish with that many hours: meal prep for the week ahead, putting together a scrumptious gourmet meal for your family, or perhaps taking a moment to call your friends. When you’re not busy scrubbing your countertops, cleaning the spaghetti sauce explosion in your microwave, or worrying about a ton of crumbs coating your floor, you’re free to explore a new world of food.
You focus on eating while Maid Brigade turns our attention to those crumbs and food stains. We sanitize your kitchen from top to bottom with non-toxic cleaning solutions. From your oven to your baseboards, we’re obsessed with leaving your space fresh and healthy so you can live your best life and eat all your meals in peace.

It’s More Than Just Cleaning. It’s Your Life!

Don’t let life pass you by. You can keep yourself busy with the whirlwind of your own chaotic cleaning schedule, or you can hand your troubles to the experts at Maid Brigade. We don’t just clean your home. We dream of seeing you succeed, and we like to imagine that scheduling a weekly, biweekly, or monthly cleaning can truly transform the way you spend your time and the way you live your life. What are you waiting for? Contact your local Maid Brigade to schedule your first service.

Rid Your Summer of the Ever-Present Stress, Anxiety, and Burdens of Life

Posted on June 28, 2023 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul, Seasonal

The flowers, the aroma, and the greeneries are calling! It’s the sights and sounds of summertime. Spending late nights outside, vacationing locally or abroad, attending summer parties, and having extended time with your family and friends. This is what summer is all about!

As summer is here before you, don’t let it slip by. Make the most out of your summer days doing what you love. We should always do our best to get all the treasures from the ones we have been given. Try not to let the stress and anxiety of everyday life get in the way of keeping your summer as a time filled with fun, quality time. Summertime adventures look different for everyone but making your summer one to remember is up to you!

Whether you prefer the longer summer days spending quality time together outdoors, or your preference is relaxing in your home while the A/C keeps you cool inside, this season should be a time of joy, laughter, and bliss. These are times of unparalleled simplicity yet unmatched sophistication. Such opportunities are few that we get. But whenever we can, we should certainly take all the measures available at our disposal to get back as much time as we can for ourselves to spend with our family and friends.

For much of the year, the cold, wet weather has us spending more time at home savoring the warmth inside. The moments of such awe-inspiring beauty, like visiting a bucket list attraction, or watching your child compete on the summer swim team, are the summer core memories many strive for each season. Spend as much time as you can having a carefree, joyous time in togetherness with the ones you love. The memories of stress-free summertime adventures live with us for years to come. This time is invaluable and we’re ready for it! Make the most out of life this summer and take in the beauty, worry free.

Hiring a Professional Cleaning Service

Posted on February 6, 2023 by oi_admin - Healthy Home, Healthy Soul

Having a clean home and living space is important but hiring a professional cleaning service can be quite daunting. There are many advantages to finding the right cleaning service near you, plus they offer many advantages over competitors.

We will look at some of the important factors to consider when making your selection.

The Benefits of a Professional House Cleaning Service

It is important to understand the advantages of a cleaning company that employs a team of full-time professionals who are insured, bonded, and certified.

When you find the right house cleaning service, you can expect a professional and reliable experience. Staff are trained and have the experience, equipment, and solutions to do the job safely and effectively. Owners monitor your satisfaction and assess their team members frequently. The best ones have a solid reputation built over many years of service in local markets.

Another advantage of working with a professional team is you don’t have to worry about missed cleanings. Vacations, illnesses, or vehicle troubles won’t impact you as they customer since they have other professionals with the same training to fill-in. Independent cleaners may not. Another advantage is that the trained teams work faster than a single individual and will be in and out of your home in less time.

Creating Room in Your Budget for a Professional Cleaning Service

While a professional cleaning service might appear a bit more expensive at first glance, there is more to the story. Apart from the advantages mentioned above, the reliability and professionalism will provide more value throughout your relationship.

There should be no hidden costs or surprise fees. Your quoted price for maid service should include everything from labor to house cleaning equipment to the cleaning solutions. This will allow you to properly budget.

How Frequently a Home Should Be Cleaned

Professional maid and cleaning services will give you an option of how often you want your home cleaned. You often have the option of “weekly”, “biweekly” (every two-weeks), and “monthly” (every four-weeks). Professional services have a standard of cleaning that they want to establish and maintain, so it will likely cost more for the first home cleaning. After that, you will have cleaning service in a specific day of week and at a consistent price to know and budget.

Weekly Cleaning Services

Weekly service is the most frequent cleaning that most professional cleaning services offer. This will keep your home’s condition in top share and your workload to a minimum. Now if only someone could do the laundry!

(Note: If you need daily service, then call your local Maid Brigade to discuss.)

Biweekly Cleaning Services

BiWeekly is the most popular cleaning frequency. It means every two-weeks and is a more budget-friendly option. Cleaning service every two weeks is priced slightly higher than weekly because it’s been longer since the team has been in your home to clean, but it’s still a high-value option.

Monthly Cleaning Services

Monthly cleaning service occurs every four-weeks vs the same date of each month. This is a distinction you need to know. Maid service every four-weeks is the most expensive cleaning frequency. Because of the time between cleanings, it will take the maids longer to complete their tasks. This means that the cost will be greater per service for clients.

Why Maid Brigade is the Best Choice for Professional Home Cleaning Services

Maid Brigade has been in the house cleaning business for over four decades with numerous locations across the U.S. and in Canada. We have dedicated teams of skilled and experienced cleaning professionals and have a great reputation for reliability, performance, safety, and innovation.

Our teams are fully insured, bonded, and certified.

PUREcleaning - Safe, Non-Toxic Cleaning Solutions

It is not enough for the home to simply be clean and tidy. It also needs to be disinfected. Unfortunately, the solutions used by many companies contain toxins that are left behind in your home after the service is complete. This is why Maid Brigade developed and uses the innovative PUREcleaning system.

It is a powerful, safe, and non-toxic method of effectively cleaning and disinfecting your home. This technology is exclusive to Maid Brigade and further proof of our commitment to you and your family.

Maid Brigade offers a range of flexible and customizable cleaning services. Contact your local Maid Brigade for a quote or more information.

5 Helpful Tips for Handling Parenting Stress During Coronavirus

Posted on August 6, 2020 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul

working from home — Working from home with kid. Happy daughter hugging mother. Young woman and cute child using laptop. Freelancer workplace in cozy kitchen. Female business, distance learning. Lifestyle family moment.

Seemingly overnight, life as we knew it changed with the pandemic. Where we were once shuttling the kids to school and afterschool activities while dashing off to work, we’re now home with the kids while working. There are projects to complete, deadlines to fulfill, and of course, Zoom conferences to connect to.

The majority of summer camps are closed, leaving parents to try to strike a balance between work and parenting through the coronavirus. Never fear though as these 5 tips will help you handle parenting stress through these pandemic days.

Create a solid routine

You might not be going into the office or dropping the kids off at various places, but set a schedule to stick to each day. Start with breakfast, then engage the kids in some form of activity. Depending on their ages, you can give them crafts or experiments to do without you so you can tackle some work while they’re occupied.

Get comfortable with flexibility

While routines will certainly help add some stability to your daily life, you have to be ready to shift gears at a moment’s notice. Even your older children will need reassurance from you and simply having you near will help them feel more secure.

For this reason, be prepared to put work tasks on hold for 20 to 30 minutes so you can spend some time with your kids. As you do, you’ll be better prepared to finish your tasks later with a fresh mind and the children will have peace of mind which makes for a more productive household.

Stop looking at all the news

Being informed is a good thing. It helps us make the right decisions to keep our families safe. However, there is such a thing as information overload. Constant scrolling through social media, opinionated arguments, and doomsday declarations about your state aren’t going to help you. Learn to tune it out and only seek out the facts while limiting that input to once per day.

Give yourself a breather

We all love our families but all this togetherness can make us feel trapped. Take time for yourself to fill your own cup so you can be more effective working and parenting. When you constantly feel like your gears are grinding, you’ll be going nowhere fast.

Outsource some of those tasks

Another thing you should try to remember is that you don’t have to do it all. You’re working, parenting, and trying to keep the household together all at once. It’s time to realize you don’t have to do all of that yourself. In fact, outsourcing some of the things you need to do might be the best option.

Maid Brigade can take that burden off by cleaning as advised by the CDC to keep your home disinfected and fresh while you’re working from home. With one less thing to worry about, you can free up more time to enjoy with the family and keep well!

Bright, Easy Holiday Entertaining

Posted on November 25, 2016 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul

easy-holiday-entertaining-mason-jar-lights

Let’s face it, sometimes the easiest way really is the best way!

Throughout this joyous season we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to make a beautiful, sparkling clean home for welcoming our families and guests. On top of cooking and gift preparations, decorating for the holidays can really be overwhelming. Here are some great ideas to lessen your stress and keep your panic level to a minimum so you can enjoy yourself all season long:

Plan it out. Think of what you want and plan it out. From meals, to décor, to beverages, to guests, plan it out. Once the entertaining plan is made, put it into action. On the invitation, give as much info as possible, such as formal or informal, who is welcomed (kids and extra guests), whether or not to bring a side dish, etc.

Make a list and check it twice. If you stay organized, your entertaining vision will come together. Make a “to do” list in sections such as “meals, decorations, etc.” Don’t be afraid to use others to help pick those last-minute items up.

Order your decorations online. Ease the stress of long lines and overcrowded stores by shopping online. From fresh greenery and winter red berries to candles and white lights, there are a variety of stores that offer free shipping and fast delivery right to your front door. While you’re at it, and if you have some spare time, gift shopping on the web is another convenient time saver!

Decorate with ease. A couple strands of strings lights, some fresh poinsettias, a live evergreen wreath or strip of garland, fresh fruits and berries, and a few candles can make any room look festive and beautiful for entertaining. When choosing your scheme, start by picking a color scheme. One or two hues is all you need.

Go rustic, it’s easier. Skip those white tablecloths and choose a rustic winter theme instead. Guests will love the relaxed, nostalgic feel and you will love the easy cleanup. Plain, fresh smelling greenery and a few candles is all you need.

Use essential oils for cleaning and for decorating. Dab a few cotton balls with peppermint, apple, or mint essential oils and stick them around your rooms. Add some pine cones or cinnamon sticks to your scheme for added fragrance.

Decorate with natural items. Use poinsettias as centerpieces on tables or on top of mantles.

Instead of purchasing a wreath or strip of garland, ask for scraps or broken evergreen branches and make your own instead.

What about fresh fruit? Use pears and add small labels on them for place setting.

Make a beautiful garland by twisting together one floral wire or kumquats and one floral wire of cranberries to make one big piece of garland.

A favorite centerpiece of mine is a bowl of sugared fruit. Just fill your bowl with sugar, add some colorful fruits, and place high up in the center of the table. Another idea for a centerpiece can be made by using wooden picks to secure flowers or fruit onto foam forms, and adding a ribbon. Or, decorate a pewter platter with ribbon-wrapped candles surrounded by pears, white cherries, and figs.

To decorate your entryway use scraps of fruit, flowers and branches to assemble a neat mixture for a beautiful urn.

Or, try these easy citrus spheres: Fasten kumquats to three or five-inch foam balls with wood picks. Hide the wire by adding a wide ribbon or bow. Hang the spheres on doors, staircase railings, or place on tables or mantles.

Buy a plain wreath from your local store and decorate it with pine cones, berries, and ribbon. Don't forget to add a sprig of mistletoe inside the doorway!

Give your rooms that soft peaceful holiday glow with candles. Add white candles to glass vases for a warm look.

Fill white paper lunch bags with sand or dirt, add a votive to the center of each bag, and light them up on a path on your sidewalk. Better yet, add small strands of lights to large mason jars and place all around your front porch.

Add some color and comfort. Focusing only on the rooms where guests will be, add a pop of color to the room by placing throws and pillows around the couches and chairs.

Spot clean. Don’t spend a ton of time cleaning when you can quickly spot clean. All you need are a few microfiber cloths for dusting, and a HEPA-filter vacuum for your floors.

Create entertaining "stations". The easiest way to host a large holiday gathering is with stations. Make sure each one is easy to see. Be sure to include a self-serve beverage station, a dessert station, and even a coat station. To keep your guests mingling, set up different stations in different areas of the party. When serving dinner, for smaller parties where guests will be seated and can help themselves, serve dishes in large platters on the tables. For larger parties, a buffet style comes in handy.

Set the mood with music. Celebrate the holidays by listening to your holiday music favorites. Spotify can help. Your local cable network can also help. Karaoke always comes in handy too!

Buy early. Stock up on wine ahead of time. Buy a few extra to have on hand for last minute gifts, too.

Cook simply. As far as food is concerned, not everything has to be homemade! Learn how to spice up store bought platters by adding oil, spices, chives, or even parsley flakes as toppings.

A “one-pot” dinner is never out of the question. Pasta and shrimp, chili and corn, chicken and rice, and many other dinners can be made in one big pot (or crock pot) for that matter. Don’t think you need to cook a three to five course meal all the time. Give yourself (and your post party cleaning crew) a break and cook a big meal in one pot!

Speaking of pots ~ if you never like pot luck dinners because the foods never went well together, have a themed pot luck dinner instead. Assign a “wine and cheese” theme or a “desserts only” theme to your potluck guests. This way you can cook the entire dinner yourself and leave the appetizers and desserts for the guests to make.

Don’t forget the kids. Having kids at your party? Then be sure to plan a “kid zone” in advance. Toys, movies, puzzles, decorating cookies, drawing, or singing. Be sure to have a variety of age appropriate activities for the kiddos.

And most of all....say yes! Say yes to help, no matter what it is, no matter who it is. The more help you receive, the less burden you have. After all, it’s your holiday too!

Here’s wishing you all and a very bright, healthy, and joyous holiday season!

The Bright Side of the Holidays

Posted on November 22, 2016 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul

Imagine a world where the holidays are about joy again. Where days are filled with magic. Imagine a world where the only thing we have to wrestle for is the last piece of pumpkin pie. And where the normal place to camp out is around a fire, not in a store parking lot.

Imagine a world where the holidays are all about people. Where "door busters" refer to our loved ones pouring through the front door. And the four-letter word that defines the season is L-O-V-E not S-A-L-E. What if the only reason to wake up at 3am was to spot a reindeer in the sky? And the only coupons we redeem are for “one more kiss.” Imagine a world where instead of rushing to buy, we rush to give thanks for what we already have.

Imagine a world where we celebrate THANKS GIVING like we used to.

Every year, on the first of November, bright and early in the morning, channel 890 on my local cable network begins their holiday music. As I make room for the Halloween candy in my kitchen, I find myself happily singing along to Christmas songs.

Maybe humming Christmas songs early in November makes most people cringe, but not me. To me, the days that fall between Halloween and Thanksgiving are filled with the holiday spirit the most. This is the only time where there is no pressure, and no stress, physically, mentally and financially to “get everything done” for the holidays. It's now when I feel those happy, warm, child-like memories of what the holidays used to be. My “cringing” period comes the day before Thanksgiving, when the newspaper is three times the usual size, filled with coupons and savings from Thanksgiving morning until Christmas Eve.

What saddens me about today’s holiday season is that society doesn’t allow us to enjoy Thanksgiving. Remember when all retail stores were closed on Thanksgiving? Even the supermarket? Somehow, we lost the old traditions of family, holiday, and thankfulness.

I recently went into a local appliance store and on the front door was a big note stating that the store will be closed on Thanksgiving, “because Thanksgiving is a day for the celebration of families, friends, and loved ones.” The note went on to say how the company respects the values of family and appreciates the hard work their employees do throughout the year, so they gave all 2,761 employees the day off.

I admit, at first I was so “taken back” by this message because I haven’t seen respect for employees like this is such a long time. Reading this message made me feel good, because for five seconds in my busy life, I felt like a kid during the holidays again, happy, warm, and excited to begin the traditions of family gathering, lots of laughs, lots of food, and tons of love.

As hard as I try to carry on those memorable family holiday traditions for my children, it just isn’t the same. Instead the holidays have turned into the “best money making times of the year” with round-the-clock sales and the crowds they create. Heck, even the coffee shops are open 24 hours, fueling shoppers into a buying frenzy. The “thing to do” these days on Thanksgiving is to eat a good meal quickly and plan your Thanksgiving/Black Friday shopping map.

Boy times have changed!

Put the “shopping” piece of the holidays to the side for a minute and focus now on the “hosting” side. This too has changed. The world seemed to have gotten so busy for us that we can’t even enjoy having people over anymore! It seems as if the planning piece of the holidays becomes stressful instead of fun. And once we allow our stress to take over, we begin to lose our values, and the benefits of gathering loved ones and friends over during these special times. Instead of looking forward to sharing our homes with our guests, we tend to focus on the preparation of the gathering instead of what matters the most ~ the people themselves, the holidays, the love and appreciation of the good in our lives, the special memories to be made, and most of all, the thanks ~ to all the people in our lives and the sacrifices they make that help our little world become a better place each and every day.

Let's put more value on what really matters ~ This season, bring back the holidays:

Stay home on Thanksgiving. Then, support businesses that stayed closed for the holiday so their workers could spend Thanksgiving with their families. And support small and especially local businesses whenever possible.

Be present and in-the-moment for your family and friends. Keep your thoughts on the conversation and the person at hand - try not to allow your mind to wander towards your long list of To-Do lists.

Remember that a well-chosen gift is far more precious than an expensive one. The same is true for items made by you or someone you know.

Don't underestimate the power of a simple meal to comfort, nourish and satiate. Fussy food can take away, rather than enhance, a holiday gathering especially if you, the host, are stressing over the meal.

Smile, even when you don't mean it. Smiles are contagious and, you never know who might need to "catch one" from you during this stressful time.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

6 Reasons a Clean Home Can Strengthen Relationships

Posted on August 30, 2016 by maidbrigade - Healthy Soul

Home is where our relationships grow. It's the backdrop to family dinners, heartfelt conversations, and shared moments of joy. But let’s face it: Suggestion: clutter and mess can add stress, which often affects how we interact with loved ones. A clean, organized home can help create a positive atmosphere, paving the way for better communication and deeper connections.

Here are six ways a clean home can help strengthen relationships, plus how Maid Brigade can help you maintain that perfect environment effortlessly with professional house cleaning services:

1. Reduces Stress and Conflict

A cluttered home often leads to a cluttered mind. When dishes pile up and toys are scattered across the floor, stress levels spike, and so do tensions between family members. A clean space eliminates the visual chaos, allowing everyone to feel more at ease. Imagine walking into a calm, organized living room instead of one that screams “to-do list.” It sets the stage for relaxed conversations instead of arguments about who’s going to clean up next.

Source

2. Encourages Quality Time

When you’re not preoccupied with cleaning, you have more time to focus on what matters — your relationships. A tidy home lets you fully enjoy family game nights, movie marathons, or even quiet evenings over a shared meal. By outsourcing the cleaning to professionals, you free up time to create memories rather than spending hours vacuuming and scrubbing.

3. Boosts Mood and Communication

A clean and organized environment promotes mental clarity, which can make communication smoother. Whether it’s discussing your day or tackling a big decision, removing the distractions of dirt and clutter allows meaningful conversations to flow. Clean surroundings put the focus on each other rather than what’s going on around you. Clean spaces also contribute to better mental health. A tidy home can elevate your mood, making you and your loved ones more approachable and open. When everyone feels good about their environment, it’s easier to spread positivity and show appreciation for one another.

4. Teaches Teamwork

Maintaining a clean home is a shared responsibility that can strengthen bonds. Working together to tidy up teaches teamwork and helps everyone feel like they’re contributing. But if time is tight or chores are unevenly distributed, a professional cleaning service like Maid Brigade can step in to take the load off your family.

5. Strengthens Romantic Connections

For couples, a clean home creates a more inviting space for intimacy and relaxation. A clutter-free bedroom, for example, can feel like a retreat rather than just another room on the to-clean list. Having professionals handle the heavy-duty cleaning ensures your home is always ready for a candle-lit dinner at home.

6. Promotes Health and Wellness

A clean home isn’t just about appearances. It’s about your physical health! Dust, allergens, and bacteria can negatively impact your family’s well-being. By maintaining a clean environment, you create a space where these irritants aren’t allowed to linger, giving everyone who lives in your home an opportunity to thrive. Take Maid Brigade’s PUREcleaning® system for example. We use electrolyzed water for non-toxic sanitation of every surface, ensuring your home is free from harmful chemicals and instead feels healthy and clean.

Let Maid Brigade Help You Focus on What Matters Most

At Maid Brigade, we understand that maintaining a clean home can be challenging, especially with busy schedules and endless responsibilities. Imagine walking into a home that’s not just clean but feels like a sanctuary — a place where your relationships can grow without the distraction and stress of constant clutter. Whether you need regular upkeep or a deep clean to reset your space, Maid Brigade delivers expert cleaning services tailored to your needs.

Ready to create the ideal home where your relationships can thrive? Contact your local Maid Brigade. We’ll take care of the cleaning while you focus on strengthening the connections that matter most.

7 Reasons to Be Grateful for a Clean and Organized Home

Posted on February 29, 2016 by maidbrigade - Healthy Soul

In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, there’s something profoundly soothing about coming home to a clean, organized space. Sure, it’s aesthetically pleasing, but it also impacts your mind, body, and soul. No matter what’s happening on the news, you’re safe and snug at home, enjoying the physical benefits of a clean environment as well as the sense of gratitude and peace it brings.

That’s why Maid Brigade believes in the transformative power of a clean home. In this blog, we highlight seven reasons to be thankful for a tidy, well-maintained home.

1. Mental Clarity

Thinking clearly starts with living cleanly. When your space is sanitary and clutter-free, your mind tends to be more free and open, making it easier to focus and stay productive. Imagine the mental freedom of walking into a serene, well-ordered home after a busy day. You can take a deep, relaxing breath and be thankful that your home is your sanctuary.

2. Stress Reduction

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed because of a messy home? You’re not alone. A dirty, disorganized space often adds to the mental load, creating stress and pressure as you try to figure out when and how you’re going to get everything clean. On the other hand, a clean and orderly space provides a calming effect, giving you one less thing to worry about in your already busy life and prompting a deep gratitude for your wonderful home.

3. Healthier Living

Breathing better, sleeping better, and feeling better are all side effects of a squeaky clean home. With dust, allergens, and germs out of the way, there’s a lot to be thankful for. You’re able to cook your favorite meals, cozy up on the couch for movie night, and invite guests over without worrying about anyone’s health and safety.

4. Happier Relationships

A harmonious home environment promotes quality time and reduces conflicts over household chores. Whether it’s your partner, your family, or your roommates, there’s no doubt that a clean space can play an important role in building better connections with the people you’re grateful to share a house with.

5. A Sense of Accomplishment

Walking into a clean home is a tangible reminder of control and achievement. Whether you’ve cleaned it yourself or relied on a service like Maid Brigade, the results inspire pride and gratitude for a space that supports your lifestyle.

6. Time for What Matters

Cleaning takes time — time that could be better spent with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, or simply relaxing. If you’re grateful for every minute you’re able to spend doing the things that matter, you’ll also be grateful for time saved by outsourcing your cleaning to Maid Brigade.

7. A Warm Welcome

There’s nothing like opening the door to a tidy home that feels inviting and comforting. This is the space you’ve created for yourself and your family, and as you walk inside, you’re reminded to be thankful that chaos, clutter, and unpleasant feelings aren’t waiting to greet you.

Maid Brigade is Grateful for Clients Like You

Speaking of gratitude, our cleaning teams are always thankful for the smiles we create and opportunities we unfold by helping our clients achieve the fresh home feeling they’re looking for. Our professional cleaning services go beyond surface-level tidying. We use advanced cleaning techniques and non-toxic products to ensure your home is both spotless and safe. Whether you need regular cleaning, a deep clean, or a post-renovation refresh, Maid Brigade delivers exceptional results you can trust.Your home should be a source of peace, not stress. Contact Maid Brigade today to schedule your cleaning service and experience the joy of a clean, organized home!

Make THIS the Year! One thing I am going to change…

Posted on January 6, 2016 by oi_admin - Healthy Soul

Happy 2016! By now, most people have either begun their new year’s resolutions, or at least thought about starting them. But according to StatisticsBrain.com only about 8% of new year's resolutions are achieved and of those, only 46% last 6 months or more.

I have to admit, I do keep a clean home, and I am great at cleaning clutter. But because my life has gotten so busy, I just don’t have the time or the energy to devote to deep cleaning anymore. I know how. But if I can figure out how to implement what I know, I might really succeed.

I've decided, that instead of dreading cleaning, to embrace the inevitability of it. It must be done. Therefore I'm going to lean in to it. Or rather, clean in. I'm going to find a way to make cleaning fun, yet scientific, so I can spend less time doing it and get more enjoyment out of the time I do spend on it.

And this is why I am really excited and confident of my cleaning goals:

Click on the image to download the Checklist.

Through their website, blogs, Facebook page and Twitter account, Maid Brigade will be sharing cleaning tips throughout the year, through an exciting new CLEAN IN series. These wonderful tips will help us all maintain a clean home year round so we can spend more time doing what makes us happy. 🙂

One of the big tips on achieving goals is to approach them as a series of smaller more manageable chunks. So instead of bombarding you with all these great cleaning tips in the first month of the new year, I'll start 2016 off with one task that I would like to incorporate into my life:

To wipe down the glass shower walls and door after every shower I take. Doing this one simple task would cut my bathroom cleaning time in half.

How? By spraying the walls and the door with a spray bottle filled with vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some tea tree essential oil. A squeegee is needed to wipe the walls and glass doors down, and a microfiber cloth is needed to clean the shower floor. Believe me, wiping the shower down after every use is not as easy as you may think. I attempted to do this exact chore every day two years ago and I failed. My mornings were busy and I just couldn’t fit this cleaning task into my daily schedule. This time, I realized the benefits of this daily task far outweigh the bad, so this year, I have decided to try it again, and succeed!

With what? I clean with vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and tea tree oil. Acidic cleaners are known to clean rust, water spots, and soap and mineral deposits. They also act as disinfectants because they change the pH of the environment, making it hard for most microorganism to survive. Acidic cleaners have a pH less than 7 (with 7 being the neutral value of water). Vinegar and lemon juice are great acidic cleaners.

Cleaning solutions with a pH greater than 7, like Borax and baking soda, are considered alkaline, and they help clean oily, dirty, fatty grime and grease.

Tea tree oil is a natural fungicide and antiseptic. Tea tree oil can kill most of the bacteria found in soap scum and help prevent future growth. If the scent of tea tree oil is not your favorite, try using grapefruit seed extract instead.

Hydrogen peroxide works wonders on mold and mildew. Four parts of Hydrogen peroxide to one part water will keep any shower mold and mildew free!

Soap scum is one of the main culprits lurking in my shower. It is that white build-up consisting of minerals from the water, dirt, bacteria, and sloughed-off skin that seems to form on the wall and glass door. Because I have hard tap water, the soap scum forms quicker. The best time to clean soap scum is right after taking a warm shower. The heat and steam help loosen the scum so it is easier to wipe off, which is why incorporating this cleaning task after my morning shower every day can ultimately reduce my cleaning time at the end of each week by half. No more scrubbing!!!

Incorporating easy cleaning tips into our busy lives is a great way to maintain a clean home in less time. I am looking forward to sharing more useful tips throughout this year so that you, too, can have a happier, cleaner 2016!