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Happy Thanksgiving!

November 22, 2023 by Dallas Maids

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank you for giving us a chance to be a part of your story

Hello!

We’ve finally reached that time of year that many of us find the most enjoyable. Not only is the food good and time with family and friends joyous, but most weeks involve some kind of shortened day at work, party, or type of unexpected laughter.

As you celebrate today, we want you to know we are honored that you have let us become a part of your story. As I shared earlier this year, the older I get the more I realize how short and brief life is. As I’ve contemplated that in my own life and in how I run Dallas Maids, I’ve gained anew appreciation of how interconnected our stories are.

We get to be an indirect part of that family dinner you’ll never forget where Dad finally shared that crazy story from high school. We get to quietly be a part of a peaceful night at home, reading a good book or watching a favorite sitcom. Because of your trust, we find ourselves welcomed, however minimally, into the fullness of your life. By inviting us into your home to clean, we get to be there quietly when you have that extra five minutes to enjoy that cup of coffee or talk with that old friend for just a little longer.

And as many of you know, you are a huge part of our story. Beyond your business, many of you were there when we desperately needed help at the onset of the pandemic. Your generosity and selflessness kept us going. Our story continued because of you. Now, several years later, we get to be there as your story unfolds. Dishes and clutter squared away, you have time to just be present with yourself and those you hold dear. We love being able to play that small part in your life and in your story.

Whether you’re going out, staying in, or doing something totally out-of-the-box today, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. As the holiday season officially kicks off, we are grateful to be welcomed into your homes and more importantly, your stories.

Gratefully,

~ Dallas Maids family

P.S. Want to know a little bit more about our team and their stories? Check out some of these fun facts about our team below!


Edith

Edith likes an atmosphere of harmony and positive energy, tackling the plethora of daily challenges using balanced judgement with an optimistic disposition. She is a lady that brings good vibrations to the Dallas Maids’ office while delivering amazing customer service for our absolutely amazing customers.

Turkey or Tofurky?:

Tofurky all the way!

Favorite Cleaning Hack:

I wouldn’t consider it a hack but a mantra, “do not put it aside, put it away”. It helps me keep things organized and less cluttered during the holidays.

Dream Superpower for Cleaning:

~I would love to have a superpower like Dr. Seuss’ Cat In The Hat, and turn a whole house upside down and back to being perfect in 5 seconds.

Cleaning Pet Peeve:

I find the kitchen sink hard to ignore. Cooking a feast for my family can get hard if I do not clean pots and pans in between.

Thanksgiving Wishes for our Customers:

As Thanksgiving approaches, we would like to express our gratitude for your continued trust and support. This year has been challenging for all of us, but your loyalty has been a constant source of motivation for our team.

We are deeply thankful for your business and the opportunity to serve you. We hope that this holiday season is filled with warmth, happiness, and cherished moments with your loved ones.

On behalf of our entire team, we wish you a happy Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season. Thank you for choosing us as your cleaning service provider.


Mary

Mary is instrumental in ensuring we maintain award-winning customer service by monitoring staff/customer interactions so nothing falls through the cracks. Ever had a maid service miss a to-do item or even an entire cleaning appointment? Yeah. That doesn’t happen here.

Most Rewarding Part of the Job:

The most rewarding part of our job with Dallas Maids is making our customers happy by delivering the most amazing customer service experience and seeing happy faces (through their feedback) after a good look at their clean home.

Dream Superpower for Cleaning:

I want a super speedy cleaning powers! Cleaning the whole house in 5 mins would be crazy but wonderful!

Hobbies Outside of Dallas Maids:

My favorite thing to do when I’m not working or cleaning my home is to spend lots and lots of time with my family and that includes watching child-friendly movies with my toddler.

Favorite Fall Activity:

Me and my family usually wear Christmas shirts from the 1st of December up to the 25th (Christmas day!). It’s a little tradition we’ve made since giving birth to my son.

Thanksgiving Wishes for our Customers:

Wish them all a wonderful holidays! Well wishes for good health and more blessings to come! 


Monse is optimistic with a positive sense of humor. Her natural tendency to befriend customers is a coveted personality trait here because it aligns with our view customers are more than just a number; they are our friends, the reason why we are here.

Most Rewarding Part of the Job:

Seeing the customers love our girls just as much as we do. When they value and appreciate their hard work… just makes me heart melt.

Favorite Thanksgiving Dish:

DEVILED EGGGGGGGSSSSS FOR DAYSSSSSS

Creative Leftovers Recipe:

Turkey Fluatas, which is shredded turkey rolled into atortilla deep fried.. Chef kiss

Hobbies Outside of Dallas Maids:

I love to crochet, watch football and basketball.

Thanksgiving Wishes for our Customers:

May you make amazing memories with the people and fur people they love! 


Nelly

Nelly radiates welcoming energy while wearing a warm smile. Her dedication to detail and perfection has propelled her to a supervisory position where she helps our housekeepers excel in-field.

Turkey or Tofurky?:

Turkey all the way! 🦃

Most Rewarding Part of the Job:

Super happy and blessed to work with amazing people!

Favorite Thanksgiving Dish:

Roasted Ham made by my god mother. Always juicy and delicious.

Oddest Thing Found While Cleaning:

Cool Item in boys room that I found was a pencil coat hanger! Loved!

Hobbies Outside of Dallas Maids:

I love spending time with my 3 boys!!!

Thanksgiving Wishes for our Customers:

Wishing all our customers happy holidays!!


Norma

Norma was originally hired as a customer service rep, however her role has since grown. She does it all: Customer service, manages talent, payroll, etc. She works virtually from Mexico, allowing her to provide customer services by working during U.S. holidays while other companies are closed.

Oddest Thing Found While Cleaning:

I remember when i started working for Dallas Maids, they showed me a pic of a 20+ year old block of cheese in a freezer.

Favorite Dallas Maids Memory:

My first reunion with all the ladies

Secret talent:

Painting and graphic design

Favorite fall activity:

Lay in and watch 90s movies or movies I’ve watched more than 5 times

Thanksgiving Wishes for our Customers:

More than wishing a ton of reasons to be thankful for, I wish our customers having even a bigger number of loved ones to share those reasons with. 

House Cleaning Tips Before Thanksgiving

November 22, 2023 by Dallas Maids

House cleaning tips before Thanksgiving - Article Cover - Dallas Maids

Hello and welcome back to Dallas Maids! Today we’re giving you some tips on how to clean your home before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is so exciting and it’s so close! The scent of pumpkin pie and family gatherings are right around the corner.

However, we’re only one day apart from Thanksgiving and our homes are usually a mess. That’s why many of our customers book a deep cleaning or a standard cleaning service.

However, at Dallas Maids, we love sharing what we know from house cleaning. That’s why we came up with some house cleaning tips for Thanksgiving in case you want to do it on your own. We want your guests to leave saying: “Thanks for the sparkling memories!”


Crafting a House Cleaning Calendar for Thanksgiving


First things first. Let’s whip up a schedule that is quick, easy and split your cleaning tasks into bite-sized portions. With this strategy, you will conquer the cleaning chaos without a sweat.

Here’s our recommendation: because you have very little time, pick two or three areas in your home that your guests will enjoy the most. Then, pick three tasks for each one of these areas and focus on them.


Start By Decluttering


Decluttering and transforming your space is the first step, just declutter everything you find out of place. Your guests will feel more at home when your home isn’t filled with random items everywhere.

You can set a 30-minute timer to declutter as much as you can and then move on to continue your cleaning checklist.

Related: The Connection Between a Clean Home and Mental Health


Navigating Through the Most Important Spots


Zoom in on the spots where your guests usually leave their marks: the dining area, the living room and the kitchen (and the backyard probably too).

Roll up your sleeves to get these areas spotless:

Kitchen

  • Empty your fridge and make space for your Thanksgiving dishes.
  • Deep clean your oven and your stovetop! Especially if you’re going to cook tomorrow.
  • If possible, quickly wipe your countertops and cabinets and put away unnecessary items.

Dining Area

  • The dining area is a very special place for Thanksgiving. Dust and polish any furniture, especially if you have wooden furniture.
  • If you have time, iron out the linens. (Spritz some water beforehand).
  • Make sure there’s room for everyone and add some fun Thanksgiving décor!

Related: Step by Step to a Clean Kitchen

Living Room

  • Make sure you vacuum your floors and your furniture. If you have pets, this is even more important. Depending on the type of fabric, you can spritz some water with a few drops of essential oil. This will absorb odors and give you a slight nice fragrance.
  • Clean out your fireplace and make some room for your guests! Add some freshly washed throw blankets.
  • Pro tip: clean ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds and windowsills. This is the telling sign that your home hasn’t been cleaned in a while.

Related: How to Deep Clean Your Living Room

Guest Bedroom

  • If you have guests staying over, it’s important to keep your guest bedroom clean.
  • Make your bed and fluff pillows. Open up a window and let some fresh air before your guests come over!
  • Here’s a trick: clean your windows and your light fixtures to ensure your guests have plenty of light.
  • Bring them a basket of toiletries and extra blankets. Leave some space in your closet to help your guests feel at home with their belongings.

Dallas Maids’ Thanksgiving House Cleaning Checklist


Here’s a simple, compact version of this house cleaning for Thanksgiving checklist! Feel free to print it out and keep it at hand or send it to your friends.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Checklist - Dallas Maids

Conclusion


That’s all! We hope this little Thanksgiving cleaning checklist helps you with your home.

Again, make sure to check our cleaning service in Dallas or Frisco in case you need an emergency cleaning.

We wish you a very happy Thanksgiving and we can’t wait to return with more cleaning tips!

Scholarships For Dallas Maids’ Families

November 10, 2023 by Dallas Maids

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

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

Per ISSA Charities:

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

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

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

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

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

20 Years of Gratitude

October 13, 2023 by admin

(Email sent to customers on October, 12th 2023)

Hello Dallas Maid’s friends and family,

I want to start this email by saying it doesn’t have a coupon or discount code or a sales pitch. I just want to share a personal moment with each of you that is genuine, honest, and grateful. If you rolled your eyes when you saw another email, I get it. I hope you’ll offer me just a minute to speak with you and express gratitude and wonder as we enter this time of year.

A couple of weekends ago I was a little floored when I found myself dressing for my 30th high school reunion. I can’t be 49 – that’s not real, is it? Despite double checking the mirror a few times along with my calendar and watch, I am. If there was any doubt, seeing friends from way back when really brought home some unexpected emotions.

As I sat with classmates, friends, old girlfriends, old rivals, and that kid that always got that one math problem right, I was stunned by the passing of time. I sat there taking stock of the past thirty years. I started Dallas Maids 20 years ago, right around my first 10-year reunion.

How could it be that in the blink of an eye, so much had happened. I made the decision to hire an office staff, worked to build a team of stellar employees, and bust our collective tail to carve out our place in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Can that really have all started 20 years ago?

And I can’t dare to forget each of you, our customers. You’ve welcomed us into your home to help make it a haven again. A place where chores aren’t even on the backburner. They’re stored in the attic next to that old high school yearbook. No longer a concern because home feels like home again. I just can’t put into words how humbled I am to have had your support. Twenty years ago, I started Dallas Maids. It was a dream and a hope. Fast forward twenty years to having a team of 28 cleaners and staff and a group of customers that have given us the privilege to serve them.

Has it really been twenty years?

Yes. It has. Twenty amazing years made up of days scrabbling to book cleaners, customers surprising us with cookies or a fresh pot of coffee, a pandemic, five national elections, four summer Olympics, babies born. Twenty years of laughing at funny little things that tickle our funny bone unexpectedly. Twenty years of working with our team and you to come up with creative solutions to challenges. Twenty years of friendship and business.

As I’ve reflected since my 30-year reunion, my mind has kept wandering back to a quote from Stig H. Johansson.

“All those days that came and went, little did I know that they were life. All those days that came and went – I didn’t realize those were life.”

As Halloween approaches and I get ready to take my two daughters trick-or-treating, these thoughts and feelings have struck a chord with me. They have reminded me that life isn’t something that happens tomorrow. Life happens moment-by-moment. Life is waking up five minutes late for a meeting. Life is forgetting to call the pharmacy, again. Life is cuddles with my kids. Life is the coffee pot overflowing. Life is making customers smile by doing what we do. Life is pausing to listen when a friend, family member or even customer shares about their hard day.

Life is this thing in front of me. Even as I type this right now. Having learned the lesson that have been laid on my heart at my 30-year reunion, I am committing to live this thing called life. Committing to be present. To not be distracted by my cell phone so dang much. To not sweat the small stuff. To listen more intently when complements come our way and genuinely receive them. To respond with empathy and ownership when things go sideways from time to time.

To laugh. To genuinely laugh not just with my body or face, but from the core of my very being. To smile in wonder and amazement at this brief gift of time I’ve been given in my life.

Thank you for being a part of my life these past 20 years. Thank you for letting our company be part of yours for however long we’ve been connected. Thank you for putting up with my wordy ramblings and attempts at simply putting into words my gratitude for being alive at the same time with you. Gratitude that of all the possible pathways life could have taken you and I, synchronicity saw fit to have them intersect here and now. For that I will be grateful, for the next 30 years and beyond.

With gratitude and awe,

Raymond

Founder of Dallas Maids Selected for the ISSA Residential Cleaning Council

September 28, 2023 by admin

ISSA, 100 Years of Advancing Clean and Driving Innovation

The founder of Dallas Maids, LLC, has been selected to ISSA Residential Cleaning Council. The Association of Residential Cleaning Services, International (ARCSI) a division of ISSA, was established to assist residential cleaning service owners and professionals in starting, promoting, building and expanding their businesses. ARCSI is committed to providing valuable information to ensure the growth and development of our members’ businesses. Mr. Shepard looks forward to contributing his knowledge and helping fellow business owners succeed.

Press release:


ISSA appoints six new members to the 2023-2024 ISSA Residential Cleaning Council, which represents the residential segment of ISSA’s membership

September 22, 2023 (press release) –

ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members to the 2023-24 ISSA Residential Cleaning Council, which represents the residential segment of the ISSA’s membership.

The newly selected members of the ISSA Residential Cleaning Council include:

  • Stacey, A Beautiful Day Cleaning, Rogers, Ark.
  • Libby, Organize It SWFL, Lehigh Acres, Fla.
  • Beth, Cornerstone Cleaning, Fallston, Md.
  • Raymond, Dallas Maids, Dallas, Texas
  • Lee, Two Maids of Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, Va.
  • Dominique, C&C Cleaning Services, Kokomo, Ind.

They join the continuing ISSA Residential Cleaning Council members Jill Barclay of Goldstar Cleaning Services, Fernie, British Columbia, Canada; Jeannie Henderson of Jeannie Cleaning, Portage, Mich.; and Bruce Vance of Town & Country Services, Pittsboro, N.C.

Henderson will continue to serve as chair of the ISSA Residential Cleaning Council. In addition, Vicki Brown of Harmony Clean Inc., Doylestown, Pa., and Pete Glavas of Maid Brigade of Alexandria, Alexendria, Va., have been selected as members of ISSA Residential’s Emeritus Council.

“This is going to be a great year for ISSA Residential as we welcome our six new council members,” said Henderson. “There is much that we can accomplish with all the energy and expertise in our new larger group. Our ISSA Residential Cleaning Council has set our sights on growing our community and helping our members to get even more value from their ISSA membership as they connect, innovate, and grow their businesses.”

Source: https://www.industryintel.com/tissue-and-hygiene/news/issa-appoints-six-new-members-to-the-2023-2024-issa-residential-cleaning-council-which-represents-the-residential-segment-of-issa-s-membership-159675259800

How to Safely Store and Handle Cleaning Products

September 9, 2023 by Dallas Maids

How to Safely Store and Handle Cleaning Products - Dallas Maids of Frisco

Hello! We’re back with another article! Today, we’ll discuss how to safely store and handle cleaning products.

We all know how important it is to use cleaning products in our home. They help us keep our household hygienic and comfortable.

Besides knowing how to use them, it’s also important to store and handle cleaning products safely. If you have kids or pets, this is even more important.

In this article, we will give you some tips to safely store and handle all your cleaning products. You will save time, avoid accidents and preserve their effectiveness for a long time.

Before we start, remember that Dallas Maids of Frisco offers a professional cleaning service in the Frisco area. Our cleaning service will help you keep your home spotless and you will never have to worry about a dirty home again!

Without further ado, let’s start with our cleaning tips!


When in Doubt, Read the Labels


Always read the label on the cleaning product to understand its proper use and, of course, how to store them and discard them. Follow the directions carefully and, when in doubt, always call the company first.

The labels will tell you what the product is for, how to use it, what not to do, and the safety measures.

The instructions are there to help you! It’s ok to read them as many times as you need to properly understand what you need to do and, most importantly, ensure you won’t get run any risk in the process.

Sometimes, labels will fall off. In that case, always have at hand a permanent marker, sticky notes and some scotch tape. As soon as you notice the label is going to fall off, copy the name, ingredients and expiry date and stick that post-it into the bottle.


Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach


As we all know, we have to keep cleaning products out of reach of children and pets. Here are some options:

If you have absolutely no storage and you are into DIY projects, you can install a small shelf using floating shelves (which are around $5 a piece). They are also super easy to install! Make sure you have a small edge to prevent them from falling.

If you like buying gallon-sized cleaning products, these probably won’t work for you because they might be too weak. Instead, you might want to use upper kitchen cabinets.

Related: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning

store and handle cleaning products - Dallas Maids of Frisco

Do Not Mix Cleaning Products


As far as handling your cleaning products, make sure you are careful with transporting them. You can use a cleaning caddy or a small utility cart to transport them safely.

When it’s time for the actual cleaning, the most important thing to keep in mind is to avoid mixing cleaning products.

Many cleaning products are perfectly safe to use by themselves. However, they can produce explosive reactions or toxic fumes if mixed with other chemicals.

For example, even though vinegar is quite safe to use on many surfaces, you should never mix it with bleach, as it produces chlorine gas. This can irritate your lungs and eyes and cause breathing difficulties.

Even mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide will create something called peracetic acid. This chemical reaction can be dangerous to your skin, eyes and respiratory system.

If you want to read more about the potentially dangerous cleaning products in your home, check this guide from Emily’s Maids.


Separate Incompatible Cleaning Products


As we were mentioning earlier, commercial cleaning products are not meant to be mixed together. When you are going to store cleaning products, you need to separate incompatible products to avoid mixing them by accident.

For example, bleach is a product that does not get along with other common cleaning products (white vinegar, ammonia, rubbing alcohol). These products can create toxic fumes, and you never know when they are going to spill or get mixed by mistake.

You can use your bathroom and your kitchen sink as two separate areas to store your cleaning products.

Related: 6 Features to Look for In Green Cleaning Products


Store Cleaning Products in a Cool, Dry Place


If you live in Frisco, you will have noticed by now that you have big temperature and moisture changes throughout the year.

Temperature and moisture changes can weaken the effectiveness of a cleaning product, and extreme heat conditions can even make them useless.

This is because some products need to be stable in order for their properties to stay active. This is especially true for items such as soaps, which need to be in a solid state in order to work.

Therefore, try to make sure that your cleaning products pantry is as cool and dry as possible.

Cleaning products can also emit fumes that spread to other areas of your home through your HVAC vents. Avoid storing them in areas like basements, garages, or near furnaces or water heaters.

If you don’t have a cleaning pantry or available cabinets in your kitchen or bathroom, you can get yourself a 3-tier utility cart.

This will be perfect to store all your cleaning products while keeping them separate according to the type of product. Utility carts are compact and designed to fit everywhere!

A small cleaning caddy works just as nicely, especially for smaller bottles and cleaning items.

Using a cleaning caddy to handle and store cleaning products - Dallas Maids of Frisco

Wear Protective Gear and Proper Safety Measures


Even if they are mostly harmless, it’s always good to use the proper safety measures.

First of all, ventilate the area by opening up a window or a door. It’s not safe to stay in a closed space when using abrasive cleaners like bleach. Turn on fans, if you have them.

It’s important to let fresh air circulate and disperse any fumes that may be building up in the room.

Next, you have protective gear, which is usually safety gloves, masks, and goggles. You should also wear aprons or long sleeves to avoid spilling products on your arms or hands.

Related: We Still Wear Masks

Using safety measures to store and handle cleaning products

Conclusion


There it is! Our guide to safely storing and handling cleaning products. Speaking about handling cleaning products, there’s no one better to do that than cleaning professionals.

Remember to check Dallas Maids of Frisco if you need maid services in the Frisco area. You can forget worrying about your bleach spilling all over your cabinets or breathing toxic fumes from oven cleaners. Don’t stress! We’ll handle your mess.

Follow our blog for more cleaning tips!

How To Retire A Millionaire

August 11, 2023 by Dallas Maids

Meet Bob

Bob is my dad’s cousin. He lives in Brownsville, Texas in a humble house, furnished with furniture from the early 80s – original from when he moved in. The house, itself, has never been updated since then either. Bob owns a beach house on South Padre Island. I have fond memories of fun, family vacations staying at Bob’s beach house since the 80’s. And if you visit today, stepping in the house is like traveling back in time to the late 70’s because Bob has not made a single update. Bob shops at Walmart, wears modest clothes, rarely eats out, and just does not like to spend money. He calls it the “frugal gene” on that side of my family. But we all know he is just dirt cheap.

And that is why he is filthy rich.

He does not spend money.

Many years ago I recall riding in the backseat of the car with him in the passenger seat as my dad drove. Peaking over Bob’s shoulder, I inadvertently glimpse a piece of paper he was studying. It was just for a moment before he quickly pushed it deep into his front pants pocket, but I recall seeing the summary at the top. It was the monthly profit he took home from one of the apartment properties he owns.

I was stunned.

He made more in a month than I in a year.


The Self-Made Millionaires Do Not Spend

Since Bob did not spend money while young, he had been able to save money to invest in his construction business. The building industry goes through cycles, rotating between boom and bust. During dry times which lasted for years, he did not make a cent. Being frugal helped Bob survive the times of zero income.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon had used the same old table for his desk years after Amazon became a billion-dollar company. His frugal mindset was essential for bootstrapping his startup to success.

Same with the famous billionaire investor Warren Buffet who is renowned for his cheapness. In his book, The Snowball, he portrays an overly frugal life, still living in the same modest house (like Bob) he bought years ago. For years he wore the same, ill-fitting suit to Berkshire-Hathaway’s annual shareholder meetings.

Warren Buffet said he did not like spending because he knew the future value of the dollar. So, if a new suit cost him $100, and he knew he could turn that $100 into $10,000 by investing it in the stock market, then he did not see himself spending $100 for a suit – he saw that suit costing him $10,000!

Self-made millionaires have this frugal mindset.

So, for yourself, do not spend more than you have. Do not rack up credit card debt or buy a nice car – both are detrimental for future wealth! Yes, you may see me, the owner, driving nice car now. Though, it was not always like that. Talk to the ladies that have been here for 8 or more years. They will tell you about the old, beat-up Lexas I drove which I bought for around $7000. Before that I had an old, ugly green Lexas with hail damage when I had bought it for $4000 – ask Delfina.

When younger, while my friends were buying nice cars, my cars were humbler. Why pay that money in a depreciating asset when I could add it in my retirement fund and let it grow? Indeed, if had not been frugal, I would not have had the money to make Dallas Maids a success through those first few, tough years when I was losing buckets of money keeping it afloat.


How to Retire a Comfortably

The average stock market return is about 10% per year for nearly the last century. What does this mean? It means your money doubles about every 7 years if you buy large, well-established companies that you can be confident will still be here 40, 60, or 80 years from now.  I will tell you how to pick the right stocks later. What you need to know now is that your money doubles every 7 years. This is called the miracle of compound interest. This is how you can retire comfortably.

How comfortably?

Let’s do the math.

The average age for our Dallas Maids’ staff is 35, give or take a few years. So, let us say you are 35 and start investing in stocks through a Roth IRA (IRA stands for Individual Retirement Account), depositing $6,500 a year, the maximum allowed by a Roth IRA, for only 10 years.

Ok. Ok. You may be thinking “$6,500?! How can I save that much. I have kids to put through school, groceries to buy, lights to keep on”. Bear with me for a minute and let’s do some quick math…

Most of the cleaning staff at Dallas Maids make an average of $25 in tips per work day. So if you save only your tips for retirement, that is $25 times 5 days a week, times 52 weeks a year:

$6,500 a year.

Now on to more math.

Using the calculator at thecalculatorsite.com/finance/calculators/compoundinterestcalculator.php we find you will have $117,059.33 after 10 years:

$117,059.33 after 10 years of socking away $6500 in your Roth IRA. Not bad. But it gets much better.

Using the same calculator above, let us see what happens when you stop adding $6500 annually and just let compound interest do its thing for 22 more years until the retirement age of 67:

$1,046,875.03

Nice!

I know some of you are paying for your children’s higher education and that makes me profoundly proud of you! It is my hope you pass this info down to your kids so their financial future is more secure, too. After all, once their studies are complete they will have a chance to get a high paying job making it even more easy to save and invest for their retirement.

So, please pass this information on to them. Especially since your kids have a chance to invest early. This means they will make more money since most of the wealth is created during the latter years of compounding. For example, if your kid does the exact same thing at the age of 25 instead of 35, then they have an additional 10 years for a total of 42 years instead of 32 years:

$2,833,934.14 – nearly 3 times the amount!

That is the miracle of compound interest. That is how to retire comfortably.

Now, let us look at some more modest numbers for your Roth IRA. Most of you can save $270 a month. That would be $3,240 a year. If you deposited $3,240 annually until retirement, you would have:

$718,137.69

Now, if you deposited $270 monthly instead of $3,240 annually, you would retire with:

$751,984.01

Those more frequent deposits made you an additional $33,846.32. Not bad.

And if you stopped depositing money after 10 years instead of saving until retirement:

$494,627.05

As you can see, the more you can invest earlier, allowing compound interest to work its magic, you will have more later. And if you can $250 per paycheck for 10 years, that equals the $6500.00 a year you need to retire with $1,046,875.03.


How to Make It Last in Retirement

Now, how long with a million dollars last?

Let us do some more math using the calculator mutualofomaha.com/calculator/how-long-will-my-money-last

If you withdraw $65,000.00 a year and increase the amount by 3% to keep up with inflation, then you should have enough money for 31 years, or until you reach the age of 98.

What if you live past 98? Lowering the starting amount to $60,000.00 should last you just past the golden age of 105.


How to Pick Stocks

Let us rewind a bit and talk about how to pick the right stocks. First, you will need a platform to easily set up a Roth IRA and buy stocks. I use eTrade.com for my Roth IRA. Its free to set up, free to buy stocks, and easy to use. You can click on https://refer.etrade.net/0wwccm to set up yours. Now, on to how to pick your stocks.

1) Buy What You Know

Before I began investing in stocks, I armed myself with knowledge reading books on how to invest. Some of the best advice I have ever read was in the book, “You Have More Than You Think” by David & Tom Gardner of The Motley Fool https://www.amazon.com/Motley-Fool-Foolish-Personal-Finance/dp/0743201744 and it was this: Buy what you know.

Look around in your bathroom. You may find some Johnson & Johnson products. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is a good stock. What phone is in your purse? iPhone? Android? Both Apple (APPL) and Google (GOOGL) are amazing stocks to own. Where do you buy your clothes? Ross? Ross (ROST) is yet another great stock that has done well long-term. Just look at this:

All the products and services you use every day tend to come from large, well-establish companies that will most likely still be around in 40 or 60 years while growing at a steady rate.

2) Copy the Big boys

Warren Buffet. Ray Dalio. George Soros. These are some of the big-name investors whose portfolios I occasionally peek at. They have done the research. They have billions of dollars invested. They make good stock picks – their livelihood depends upon it! So, copy the big boys.

In 2010 I notice many of these big boys were betting on clean energy. After doing some research for myself, I saw they were right; clean energy will be more prevalent as oil disappears. Oil is a finite resource we know is running out. But I did not buy clean energy stocks. Rather, I thought to myself, “What industries would benefit from the demise of oil and the advent of clean energy?”

Electric vehicles!

And that is what led me to buy Tesla Motors (TSLA) in 2011 at a stock-adjusted price of $1.60.  As of this writing, it is at 161.43 – that’s 150x returns in 12 years!

So, watch what the big boys are doing to make good stock decisions.

3) Diversify

Finally, whatever stocks you pick, make sure they are spread across different industries. You have heard of the old saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Same with your investments. This is called diversification and it protects you by managing risk. If one stock’s industry experiences a crippling downturn, your stocks in other industries will better survive. So, avoid buying too many stocks in the same industry.


Bitcoin

I recently read Ray Dalio’s book, Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail. https://www.amazon.com/Changing-World-Order-Nations-Succeed/dp/1982160276 You can view his summary of the book in a video posted further down in this article. In his book, he predicts an economic calamity caused by where the United States is in an economic cycle he uncovered by studying history. He expects the stock market to crash along with intense political division and chaos that may very well foster a violent revolution in America. It does not bode well for us. Armageddon aside, he recommends buying gold and bitcoin along with other real assets such as real estate. Both keep their value in face of economic downturns and are untouchable y the government. I suggest buying bitcoin.

Cathie Wood is the founder, CEO and CIO of Ark Invest says it best: “Bitcoin is the first global private, meaning no government oversight, digital rules-based monetary system.” She means this is money not isolated to any one nation. The world can and is using it. No country can control it. There will only be 21 million Bitcoin. So, no government can print more of it, saving us from the devaluation of currency (The U.S. dollar has lost 95% of its value since its inception). Bitcoin has the potential, and probably will replace the dollar as the world’s reserve currency one day. Bitcoin is a new asset class. An investment like this does not come around often, if ever in a lifetime.

Add invaluable diversification to your investments.

Buy some Bitcoin now!

Ten years ago, I knew Tesla (TSLA) was going to disrupt the automotive industry. I felt strongly in its future potential and a prime stock to invest. Fortunately, I was right. Now I feel the same of bitcoin. Even more so. Remember my advice; Buy What You Know. So, before you buy, learn about Bitcoin. Educate yourself on its potential, then invest.

I will conclude this bit about bitcoin with a question:

Will bitcoin replace the dollar as the next reserve currency?

I don’t know with 100% certainty. No one does. Though I suspect the chances are higher than most realize. Two of the world’s most successful investors, Ray Dalio, co-chief investment officer of the world’s largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates and Charlie Munger, vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, have spelled doom for the U.S. dollar due to the massive amount of money being printed and debt being accrued by the United State government. I will leave you Ray Dalio’s in-depth and enlightening video:


May This Help Secure Your Future

I hope you found this information useful. It is my sincere hope you begin saving for yourself and teach your kids a little about investing. They have an amazing opportunity because they have a chance to invest early, allowing compound interest to safeguard their financial future. And I especially hope you take advantage of Bitcoin’s disruption of the financial system. It has the potential to make you filthy rich like Bob.

The Connection Between a Clean Home and Mental Health

August 9, 2023 by Dallas Maids

The Connection Between a Clean Home and Mental Health

Hello! We’re back with more cleaning tips! In this article, we’ll let you know everything research has shown about the connection between a clean home and mental health.

This is one of our favorite topics because we believe that cleaning is so much more than having your home look nicer.

The state of our home environment has a deep impact on our mental health. We all know that a messy space makes our brain feel ‘crowded’, especially if we are already stressed out or going through a hard time.

The same goes the other way around: a clean, tidy home is a good symptom of our lives being somewhat organized and on the right path.

Before we start, remember to check Dallas Maids if you need a professional cleaning service in the Dallas area.


Not Having a Clean Home Will Affect Your Mental Health


A cluttered home leads to a cluttered mind. Or is it the other way around?

When we live surrounded by mess and chaos everywhere, it’s difficult to focus and stay consistent with work. You have probably noticed that, whenever you see clutter around your home, your stress and anxiety increases.

Research has shown that women who describe their homes using the words ‘cluttered’ or ‘messy’ have higher levels of stress, when compared to those who describe their homes using words such as ‘restful’ or ‘restorative’.

Other studies have shown that people working around messy environments tend to make more errors. Therefore, a messy home impacts on your productivity as well. This is particularly important if you work from home and, as we all know, working from home increased a lot since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, we all know that a messy home is a constant source of arguing between family members.

We’ve all heard complaints in our homes about cleaning. There’s a saying that goes like “A housekeeper is cheaper than a divorce” and there’s a reason why!

“The dishes are still dirty”, “no one vacuumed the floors”, or “when are you going to clean the bathroom?” probably sound familiar to you. If you don’t fix these small issues, you can have serious marital and/or family problems.

As you can see, a clean home (or lack of) has a significant impact on mental health.

If you think about it, most (if not all) people you know who are truly happy and proud of their homes, are usually organized and tidy around their household.

This doesn’t mean your home has to be immaculate all the time. You just need to take the right steps to keep your home at least somewhat tidy and clean.


How Can We Keep a Clean Home (And Good Mental Health)?


This is the heart of the problem! Now that you know all the different ways a clean home will impact on your mental health, we’re going to discuss how to get to this point.

Cleaning is certainly a daunting task at first. It’s a repetitive set of tasks and a house is too big to do them all at once. Besides the physical demand, you have to choose your cleaning tasks and work your way around your home. And that is overwhelming sometimes!

So, what can we do to create a clean and organized living space? Here are some tips for you to try:


Declutter regularly:


Decluttering is, to some degree, the essential part of a clean home. According to research, between five million and 14 million people in the U.S. are compulsive hoarders. That’s half the entire population in Texas!

And that’s only actual compulsive hoarders, now imagine how many people with low to mid hoarding tendencies are.

This is why it’s important to declutter our home regularly and get rid of things we don’t want or need anymore.

Decluttering clothes for easter - Dallas Maids of North Dalas

Create a Cleaning Schedule


As we were mentioning earlier, there are a lot of cleaning tasks that you should do in a year. However, they are way too many for you to do at once, and some of them are more urgent than others.

This is why you need to come up with your own cleaning schedule/routine for cleaning your home. A schedule helps you keep your home clean and organized in a consistent way.

It never hurts to clean your home without planning beforehand. It’s certainly better than not cleaning at all! However, if you do it with a plan, it will be easier to keep your home tidy on a regular basis and not just once in a while.

This is one of the most direct links between a clean home and your mental health. And it’s especially important if you have several members in your household (roommates, family).

If you know exactly who should be doing what cleaning task today, you remove a lot of the mental burden of cleaning.

Planning a Cleaning Schedule

Related: January Cleaning Checklist


Organizing Is Important for Your Mental Health Too. Develop a System for It


Besides a cleaning system, you need to have an organizing system.

Knowing exactly where every item in your home should be makes your organizing and cleaning faster. Also, finding that object is much easier afterward.

It’s always a good idea to come up with an organizing system shortly after you’ve decluttered. All your items will be fresh in your mind.

With the momentum you created from decluttering, it will be easier to organize them.


Make Cleaning Fun!


Cleaning doesn’t necessarily have to be boring or a dread task. In many ways, it’s like exercise: it’s tiresome but with a little creativity, you could turn it into something fun!

Put on your favorite music or podcast. Create a challenge with goals and give yourself a reward if you’ve accomplished what you had in mind.

It’s important to give ourselves a pat on the back when we’re doing things right.

Cleaning with your family members

Related: 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning


Get Help If You Need To. And Even if You Don’t Need To!


We all know sometimes we’re at a point in our lives where cleaning is the last thing in our priority list. And that’s ok!

If you’re busy with work, family, or whatever ‘lemons’ life is giving you at the moment, then you should consider hiring a house cleaning service and/or a professional organizer.

There are dozens of maid services in the Dallas area (or wherever you are currently!). By removing cleaning from the equation, you will have much more time during the week to focus on what’s really important for you at the moment.

You don’t even need to be overwhelmed or unavailable. Maybe you do have the time and energy to clean, but you actively decide to leave that in the hands of professionals. And that’s perfectly acceptable!

We all pay someone else to fix problems for us. Every day when we go to the coffee shop, we’re leaving that task in the hands of someone else. It’s exactly the same with cleaning!

Related: How to Hire House Cleaning Professionals


Conclusion


That’s it! We hope this article helped you understand that there is a strong connection between a clean home and mental health.

Remember: a clean home doesn’t have to be a perfect home. You can have a few items out of place or a kitchen cabinet can be messy.

Many times by doing excessive cleaning and organizing, we are actually creating unhealthy habits that bring more problems instead of solutions.

The goal is to create a space that feels comfortable and works for you in the long term.

As always, we invite you to visit Dallas Maids if you need help from a professional cleaning service.

We’ll be back with more cleaning tips!

DIY Natural Air Fresheners for Your Home

July 9, 2023 by Dallas Maids

DIY Natural Air Fresheners for Your Home - Article Cover - Dallas Maids

Hello! Welcome back to another cleaning article! Today we want to talk about DIY natural air fresheners for your home.

First of all, we all love a house with a nice fragrance. It has the power of making us feel better right away! It improves our mood and we automatically think that a house that smells good must be clean and tidy as well, even if it isn’t.

Many people enjoy using commercial air fresheners. And we can’t blame them: they smell nice and they are easy to use and affordable. However, you might find that they’re not as safe as you think and that their effect is not long-lasting.

There are many DIY natural air fresheners you can use at home. In this article, we will talk about some of them and give you ideas for you to try your own combinations.

As always, feel free to check our main page if you need a cleaning service in Dallas. We promise you, your home will smell amazing after our cleaning service!


DIY Natural Air Freshener #1: Essential Oils


The first DIY natural air freshener e can suggest are essential oils.

Many essential oils that come from plants or fruits are particularly nice to smell. Some great examples are lavender, peppermint and eucalyptus. Tea tree oil, for example, also have natural antibacterial properties.

Essential oils can be used in many ways. You can add a few drops directly into a water bottle, along with other cleaning agents (e.g. white vinegar or all-purpose soap). This works great for many surfaces such as floors and countertops.

Our fellas from Emily’s Maids created a two-part blog section with the cleaning benefits of using essential oils. Check Part I and Part II if you want to read more about essential oils!

If you have pets, make sure you do some research first and check with your vet if it is safe to use essential oils around your household. Dogs and cats (among other pets) can react negatively to some essential oils, so keep that in mind before buying them or trying any DIY natural air freshener.

Last but not least, keep in mind that some surfaces do not react well with essential oils. They are concentrated, acidic liquids that can cause stains or color fading, especially on sensitive surfaces such as granite or hardwood. Always test in a small, hidden area first.

Related: 7 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Home

Essential Oil Diffuser - Dallas Maids

DIY Natural Air Freshener #2: Lemon and Baking Soda


Lemon and baking soda are two powerful air fresheners.

baking soda is great at absorbing odors and removing them from the environment.

If you want to try this mix, start by cutting a lemon in half. Sprinkle baking soda on the cut side.

Place the two lemon halves in a bowl or plate and leave them in the room for several hours. You can add a few drops of lemon essential oil as well.

If you want to turn this into a spray, just add two cups of warm water and turn the lemon into lemon juice.

Related: Magic Powders: Baking Soda and It’s Endless Purposes

Lemon and Baking Soda for Cleaning - Dallas Maids

Beeswax Can Be a Great Air Freshener


Beeswax candles are great natural air fresheners as well. This is because they release negative ions. They help neutralize pollutants and allergens in the air.

However, make sure you choose candles made with natural beeswax and essential oils. Synthetic beeswax mimic the properties of natural beeswax but it’s just not the same.

Even if you don’t have candles, you can create your own DIY beeswax air freshener.

You can start by melting beeswax and soy wax combined, or just beeswax. Pour 1 cup soy wax, 1/2 cup beeswax, 1 tablespoon essential oils and a double boiler. You can throw some dried herbs as well.

Place the soywax and beeswax in your double boiler (medium heat) until you melt the wax.

Remove from the heat and allow the wax to cool off. Add the essential oils and herbs and stir.

Pour into a silicone mold and let cool. Remove them slowly once they have completely cooled down. There you have it!

You can quickly modify this mix and create a candle instead. Replace soy wax with 1/2 cup of coconut oil because it will burn slower.

Just add a candle wick and a bamboo skewer to hold in place. You are going to need small jason jars instead of a silicone mold as well.

Related: How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Your Home


Use Plants as Air Fresheners


We have always known that plants are great air purifiers. The snake plant, the spider plant and the bamboo palm are some examples.

Besides removing carbon dioxide and giving out oxygen instead, they also remove other toxins. Remember that the air is filled with dust and microorganisms that can cause allergic reactions or give you a cold, for example.

Some plants such as lavender and gardenias also bright a pleasant fragrance to your home.

Place your plants in areas where air circulates poorly, such as corners or laundry rooms. If you live Dallas, you already know air quality is not the best, so you might want to place plants near windows to absorb pollutants.

You can use essential oils on your plants too! Just add a few drops of essential oils to water and spritz the solution onto the leaves of your plants. Some of them can stop fungi from growing in your plants and they will release a pleasant fragrance too.

Of course, remember to bring indoor plants into your home if you have the time and energy to take care of them!

If you love cooking, you can create a herb garden! Herbs like rosemary, lavender, thyme, and mint smell great and can be used for cooking or baking.

And they are also natural air fresheners! It’s a win-win scenario.

Related: 7 Steps to a Clean Smelling House


Homemade Potpourri is One of Our Favorites Air Fresheners


One of the most well-known recipes to create a DIY natural air freshener is to make a homemade potpourri.

You just need to combine dried herbs and flowers. As we were mentioning earlier, plants are great natural air fresheners. And you can use dried flowers and herbs to create a homemade potpourri!

Popular options include lavender, rose petals and cinnamon sticks. You can use dried-out orange peels or drops of essential oils as well. Place them in a bowl or jar and near a well-ventilated area in your home.

Homemade Potpourri - Dallas Maids

Conclusion


Air fresheners help you keep your home smelling wonderful. We hope these DIY natural air fresheners work for you and, as always, you can create your very own mixes! Just as long as it works for you, it will be ok.

Remember that your home needs to be cleaned first if you want your favorite fragrances to stay in the air more time and not get mixed with the smell of your carpet floors or your furniture.

As always, visit Dallas Maids if you need a cleaning service to help you deep clean your home and bring a new vibe into your household.

We’ll be back soon with more cleaning tips!

4th of July House Cleaning Tips

July 2, 2023 by Dallas Maids

4th of July House Cleaning Tips - Article Cover - Dallas Maids

Hi and welcome back to Dallas Maids! The 4th of July is right around the corner, so let’s read some house cleaning tips to make your home look nice and shiny!

The Fourth of July is a great chance to invite your friends and family and celebrate this day.

And we all love to receive guests with a clean, tidy home. So you have two options: first, you can hire our cleaning and maid service in Dallas.

Or, you can take this into your own hands and try to clean your home in just 2 days!


Preparing Your Home for the 4th of July Celebration


The most important step before cleaning your house for the 4th of July is to start early. We usually suggest our customers to clean one week prior to important events.

However, there’s only one day left until the 4th of July, so let’s try to adapt our schedule to this short timeframe.

The next step would be to delegate tasks. Other family members can help you! Just assign tasks based on their age, energy, and time availability. You will finish faster and you won’t be as exhausted afterward.

Last but not least, remember to take breaks. It’s about working smarter, not harder. This is because you need to recharge batteries while you’re cleaning and it also helps you keep motivated.

If possible, set a checklist with tasks for each household member to keep everyone on the same page.

Here are some areas that require your attention before the 4th of July: your kitchen, your bathroom, your patio or backyard and your living room.

Vacuuming furniture from your living room

How to Clean Your Kitchen Before the 4th of July


The kitchen is the heart of the home. Now, how can we clean our kitchen faster and more efficiently?

First of all, grab your cleaning supplies. Try to get all-purpose degreasers and cleaners, as well as several microfiber cloths.

You want supplies that you can use safely on many different surfaces, in order to scrub, rinse, and wipe dry.

If you don’t have any all-purpose cleaner at home, try mixing equal parts of white vinegar and water and pour it into a spray bottle.

The first appliance to clean should be your fridge. You must be planning on preparing some delicious meals for the 4th of July, so you need to make some room!

If you have enough time, take out your fridge shelves and drawers and quickly clean them using hot, soapy water. If not, just spray your vinegar and water mix and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Next, clean your countertops. If you have natural stone countertops, it’s best to use warm water with a few drops of mild dish soap. If you have laminate countertops, you can use your vinegar and water mix.

Related: Vinegar, A Very Versatile Cleaner


Next On the Cleaning List: Your Bathroom


Your bathroom is a must-have cleaning area. Start by cleaning your bathtub or shower and your toilet with a bathroom cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar.

If you’re running short on time, try to clean at least your toilet and your sink.

To clean your toilet, add 1/2 cup of vinegar and let sit for an hour. Brush and flush, and that’s it!

If possible, add 1/2 cup of borax beforehand and let sit overnight to remove stains.

If you want to check a more thorough cleaning checklist for your bathroom, you can visit the Bathroom Cleaning List from our friends at Emily’s Maids.

Cleaning Bathroom Sink

Get Your Living Room Clean and Tidy Before the 4th of July


Your living room is (most likely) the place where your guests will hang out.

To tidy and clean your living room, start by dusting and vacuuming your furniture. Dust your TV stand, your coffee table and any side tables.

If possible, vacuum bookshelves, plants, or any other additional pieces.

Arrange books, magazines and other items neatly. Remove any unnecessary clutter as well.

Here’s a pro tip: stand in the corner of your living room and “scan” until you notice elements out of place. Put them where they belong and start again until it looks neat.

If you have the time, clean windows and mirrors as well. This will enhance natural light and your room will feel brighter and also bigger.

Related: Short On Time? Try This Nice 3-Hour Weekly Cleaning Schedule


How to Clean Your Clean Backyard


Last but not least, if you’re planning on entertaining your guests in your backyard or patio, make sure you give it a good rundown.

We are in the middle of the summer right now in Dallas. This makes it perfect for you to clean your deck and outdoor furniture, because they will dry quickly and snow or humidity won’t become an issue.

First, wipe down tables, chairs and cushions with a damp cloth. You can use hot, soapy water created with a mild soap solution.

Remove any fallen leaves, debris or branches from your backyard. If possible, sweep and clean your patios and decks with a hose or pressure washer.

If you are using any of these tools, remember not to point the washer directly toward the floor to avoid water streaks or damaging any coating.


Remember to Vacuum Your Floors Before the 4th of July!


We are leaving floors for last. This is because all the dust and grime from other elements (countertops, furniture, walls) will end up on your floors, and you don’t want to clean them twice.

Depending on the type, you might need to vacuum and then mop.

This task could easily take you one to two hours, so make sure you leave enough time to successfully vacuum and/or mop your floors.

Related: Cleaning Carpet Floors? It’s Easy If You Do It Smart

Sweeping and Mopping Floors - Dallas Maids

Conclusion


That’s it! Our house cleaning tips for this 4th of July. We’re sure they will get you out of a hurry!

Remember to visit Dallas Maids if you need to book a cleaning service to help you out before this date.

Once again, we wish you a happy 4th of July. Let’s celebrate this special time with our friends and family.

Check our blog as well for more cleaning tips!