Author Archives: HSE

Readying Your Home for Your Vacation

Planning a vacation can be fun for everyone—where to go, how long to stay, checking out the local attractions, booking exciting activities and excursions. For homeowners, however, the thought of leaving your home unattended for a week or even longer can be worrisome. Who will take care of your pet? Will your plants die without watering? What if something goes wrong—a pipe breaks, the power goes out, the alarm goes off, an intense storm hits?

Preparing for a smooth departure and taking steps ahead of time to deal with any unexpected developments that might arise while you’re away will go a long way toward easing your mind and making your getaway truly relaxing!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

Extra keys to the front door, back door, garage door
Timers for lights, inside and out
Padlock for gates for added security

SIX TIPS TO READY YOUR HOME:

Notify a neighbor or family member of the dates you will be away and provide them with emergency contact numbers. Either give them key(s) to your home before you go or leave them somewhere secure where they can access them. A garage door opener is another option, with the added bonus of easy access to garbage or recycling bins that might need to go out to the curb. Ask your neighbors to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity around your home.
Make arrangements to stop mail and newspaper delivery or have them picked up by a trusted friend or neighbor. (Nothing signals you’re away more than a pile of newspapers on your front stoop.) While they’re there, have them water plants as needed.
A great security measure is to set automatic timers for various lights inside your home that will turn on before dark and back off by morning. Timers and/or sensor lights for the outside of your home are highly recommended for extra security.
If you have pets, make arrangements for either a pet care facility, a pet sitting service, or a steady visiting neighbor or friend who can come and care for your pet as often as needed. If you plan on using a facility, call early to make a reservation since they fill up quickly during the summertime!
Turn off your water, inside and outside, to prevent dripping faucets, running toilets, or even worse, a flood in your home.
Call Home Services Enterprise to schedule a house cleaning while you’re away. We can organize and clean your home in your absence, taking care of things like disposing of any spoiled food in the fridge, so that you can return to a spotless and welcoming home!

To schedule a cleaning, call 301-674-9564 or visit: www.homeservicesenterprise.com

A Month-by-Month Guide to Organizing Your Home

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A house that is well organized and less cluttered feels calmer, looks better, and operates more efficiently than a home that goes neglected and disorganized, with clutter strewn about. Easier said than done, however, since the pace of life these days often keeps people too busy to attend to wish-list tasks and too exhausted to undertake them even when they have the time. Not only that, but it’s hard to know where to even start a significant cleanup project, so sometimes people just don’t begin at all.

But organizing a home doesn’t have to be so overwhelming and taxing. The trick is to start small and not try to tackle the whole thing in one fell swoop. Use this monthly checklist to break down large chores into smaller, more manageable increments completed throughout the year, and your house will be running like a fine-tuned machine in no time!

Monthly Checklist:

January: Pack up all your holiday decorations and return them to clearly marked boxes and bins as you clean and straighten common areas of your home as you go. Didn’t use that tree stand, tablecloth, or wreath the past few years? Make a donation pile of no-longer-used holiday items and drop them off at your nearest Goodwill the next time you’re running errands.
February: Now that all your holiday cooking and hosting is over, it’s a good time to clean out the pantry, dispose of expired and unused foodstuffs, and reorganize your kitchen shelves.
March: It’s almost tax time, making it the perfect opportunity to go through all your files and drawers of paperwork and bills, throwing out anything you no longer need.
April: This is the month of spring cleaning—a reenergizing and rejuvenating time of year to get home surfaces sparkling and home textiles aired out. But first, you have to restock all your cleaning supplies: make one trip to the store for kitchen, bathroom, dusting, vacuuming, and sanitizing supplies.
May: Now that the warmer weather is here, sort through your family’s winter clothes—in dressers, drawers, and closets—laundering what needs to be cleaned, storing what won’t be needed until winter, and donating items no longer worn.
June: It’s a great month to attend to the kitchen, so open the windows and turn on some tunes as you clean and organize kitchen cabinets and drawers and weed out any pans and cooking utensils you no longer use. You can even add a backsplash or paint an accent wall a new color to freshen things up!
July: The long days of summer offer the chance to take on the bathrooms while there’s daylight to spare. Go through cabinets and medicine closets, eliminating whatever’s not needed to make more space and then straightening up everything that’s staying. Set up accessories—like electric toothbrushes, hair styling tools, and cups and soap dispensers—in such a way to eliminate morning chaos as everyone gets ready for the day.
August: Before a new school year starts is a prime time to get the kids’ rooms in order: fold clothes, clean out closets, go through the toy chest and donate unused items, get the bookshelves back in order.
September: It’s time to put the summer things away and get the winter apparel back out again. Shop for school supplies, organize and label your kids’ school supplies and lunch boxes, maybe even map out a weekly meal calendar so you know what groceries to buy and prep for quick breakfasts, wholesome lunches, and ready-to-go snacks.
October: As fall sets in, get your family room ready for quality family time by organizing your movie and video game collection, tidying up the software and technology in the entertainment center, and dusting off the books and photos in the room.
November: In preparation for the holiday season, clean windows, draperies, and carpets so your house looks its best and is ready for company. Stock the guest bathroom if you’re expecting visitors.
December: With all your closets and cabinets in order, you’ll be ready to wrap all those holiday gifts you now have time to shop for, decorate your home, and get to all that cooking and baking!

Feel free to reorganize this checklist any way that works best for you—like starting in rooms that you use the most or with the chores you enjoy the most—and know that you can begin at any time. It’s never too late or the wrong time of the year to launch a home improvement initiative that will improve your quality of life!

Home Services Enterprise is happy to help with cleaning and organizing your home. Call 301-674-9564 or visit www.homeservicesenterprise.com.

Reducing Allergens in Your Home This Spring

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Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know to avoid the outdoors, with all its triggers and irritants, at particular times of the year. But did you know that staying indoors presents its own set of dangers? If you have pets, for example, animal dander is likely present in your home, which can set off sneezing and coughing, as can mold and mildew. House plants, draperies, bedding, carpets—these can all contain mold as well, along with dust mites that cause swelling and itching.

The first step in combating indoor allergens is to open your windows and doors to let the stale air out and the fresh air in. You’ll also want to use fans to keep the air circulating throughout your home.

There’s more you can do to prevent health issues and allergy flare-ups by reducing the allergens in your home:

Check the moisture in your home. Moisture is one of the main contributors to allergens because high moisture levels can lead to mildew in your home. The best way to keep the air clean and dry is by using air-conditioning and dehumidifiers. Also remember to regularly change the air filters in the furnace to purify the air and filter out allergens.
Clean curtains and carpets. Window coverings, carpeting, and all kinds of upholstery collect dust and allergens over time. Vacuuming regularly and having them professionally cleaned occasionally to remove dirt and dust will cut back on the allergens and keep your furniture and carpets smelling fresher. If the carpeting is the main source of your allergens, you may want to consider removing it entirely and replacing it with tile or wood floors.
Change cleaning solutions. Fumes and odors from over-the-counter cleaning products can often cause breathing problems for allergy sufferers. Green products, however, use natural and organic ingredients that don’t carry the same risk. Or make your own tried-and-true cleaning solution of vinegar, baking soda, and hot water. Going green with your cleaners will not only improve the air quality in your home, it will neutralize various allergens lurking in it.

Home Services Enterprise uses all green cleaning products to keep the air in your home fresh and the environment clean. Book a cleaning today: www.homeservicesenterprise.com | 301-674-9564

Spring Is in the Air: Tips to Freshen Your Home

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Home is where the heart is. But getting a breath of fresh air your home this time of year may not be as effortless as it sounds. Following the colder months of winter, when our doors are fastened tight and our windows are sealed shut, the air quality in our homes can feel stuffy and stagnant, making for a less comfortable (not to mention even a less healthy) living environment for you and your family. Compounding the stagnation of winter are the chemicals we inhale from our carpets, draperies, furniture, paints, fabrics, and other items in our homes that collect dust, dirt, and mildew.

Springtime, though—with its warm, sunny days that beckon us to let the sunshine in and bring the outdoors indoors—is the most opportune season to renew and re-energize the air inside your home. Follow these tips, and you’ll breathing easier in no time!

FOUR TIPS TO FRESHEN YOUR HOME:

Clean your vents: Dusting and cleaning out your vents will eliminate the dirt and debris that accumulates inside them and is then distributed in the air that circulates around your home. Cleaner vents will also reduce any allergy and asthma issues your family members may suffer from. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional duct cleaner to do the cleaning.
Dust and vacuum: Thoroughly dust all surfaces in your home, including windowsills, window treatments, baseboards, ceilings, and ceiling fans. Don’t forget to dust off any household plants and their leaves, which collect a buildup of dust and dirt. Take advantage of your vacuum’s brush attachments to allow you to access those hard-to-reach places where dust accumulates.
Clean bedding and blankets: Laundering and airing out bedding is another important step to take, especially for people with allergies and asthma. Sheets should be washed weekly, and blankets and pet bedding should be washed regularly as well.
Open the windows: Opening windows on all available sides of your home will let a breeze blow in to clear out the stagnant air. You can even leave the windows open all night (if your allergies can handle it) to awaken to crisper, fresher-smelling air throughout your home!

Home Services Enterprise can swoop in today to help bring the freshness of spring into your home. To schedule a cleaning, call us today at 301-674-9564 or visit our website: www.homeservicesenterprise.com.

Going Green in Your Home Office: Good Tips for the Environment

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If you work from a home-based office, then you’re already contributing to the environment by reducing your carbon footprint via telecommuting. Way to go! But did you know you can do even more to be eco-conscious, right from the comfort of your own desk? Regardless of how large or small your workspace, there are ways to make it more eco-friendly and productive.

“Going green” doesn’t have to be as difficult or intimidating as some people think; in fact, it’s quite easy and convenient. Not only that, but it will benefit your wallet as well, since a home office — outfitted with computers, technology, printers, chargers, adapters, and other electronics — typically uses more energy and resources than any other room in your house. These simple steps that anyone can take will help both you and your surroundings.

THREE WAYS TO GO GREEN:

Save on resources: Be conscious of how you use your office equipment, turning it off, shutting it down, putting it to sleep, unplugging it, or making use of screen savers whenever possible to conserve energy. This will preserve the life of your technology while also decreasing your energy bill.
Recycle: Adding another bin next to your trash can in your office will remind you to separate items that can be recycled, like batteries and printer cartridges, instead of just throwing them away. When we take measures to reuse, less is added to trash heaps and more is renewed and refurbished.
Cut down on your printing: Before sending something to your printer, ask yourself if a hard copy is absolutely necessary. It’s much more cost-effective and environmentally conscientious to reduce waste and save ink — and your paper supply and printer cartridges will last much longer to boot!

Start practicing these eco-friendly habits around your home today to create a cleaner environment for you and your family and to impact the future environment as well. Both you and your world will be better for it.

Home Services Enterprise is committed to protecting our environment by using ecologically responsible products to clean your home and office. To set up a cleaning, call 301-674-9564 or go to: www.homeservicesenterprise.com

Customize Your Cleaning with Our Special Services

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Everyone’s life is so busy these days, making finding the time to get to household chores more difficult and stressful than ever. How long is your to-do list every day? How are you supposed to regularly attend to cleaning and household tasks amid all your other obligations, like your work schedule, family responsibilities, school activities, and more?

Well, with Home Services Enterprise, you can pick and choose the services you need on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. We offer a menu of special services that allows you to customize your own cleaning list and concentrate on the areas of your home or office that require the most attention. This frees up your own time so you can relax and enjoy life more!

HSE’s special cleaning services include:

Windows: cleaning interior and exterior windows
Walls: washing and cleaning
De-cluttering: closets, kitchens, garages, children’s rooms, storage areas, offices, and supply areas
Organizing: home or office, kitchen cabinets, bathroom shelves and cabinets, mail, bill paying, and plant watering
Laundry: washing, folding, and ironing
Polishing: silver flatware, serving and decorative pieces
Exterior Cleaning: garage, decks and patios, outdoor furniture, and outdoor fixtures
Outside Work: gutters, cement, asphalt, brick, stone, landscaping, retaining walls, and walkways

With the convenience of a fully customized cleaning service tailored to your needs and your schedule, you can book appointments for your home or office starting in increments as little as one hour. What better way to quickly and affordably reduce your stress and make your life a little easier?

Call today to schedule an appointment: 301-674-9564.

Celebrate National Kitchen & Bath Month by Fixing Things Up!

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Many people tend to put off home renovations, specifically in their kitchen and bathrooms, due to the inconvenience – after all, these rooms have the heaviest traffic in your home! The month of October is traditionally the most popular month for home renovations and may very well be the best time to tackle those renovations you have been avoiding.

Most real estate experts agree that renovating your home, especially the kitchen and bath areas, will greatly increase the value of your home… especially for resale. Any enhancements that you make in your home will be an added convenience for you and your family to enjoy. And better yet, it will increase your home’s value at the same time!

Here are two good reasons to renovate and make improvements to your home now:

If you are staying in your home:
If you are a homeowner and you are planning on staying in your home long term, creating the ideal kitchen and bath situation is one of the advantages you and your family will be comfortable in and enjoy for many years to come. Whether it’s adding new cabinets or an island in the kitchen or an updated shower in the bath, any enhancements made will be worth the time and inconvenience, while adding value to your home.
If you are planning on moving:
If you are planning to move, updated kitchen and bathrooms are two things potential buyers are typically looking for. Whether its new appliances or up-to-date technology, any improvements will appeal to the new home buyer. Not only will you feel proud to show off your newly renovated features, but you will also most likely receive a return on investment with a top dollar sale for your home.

We at Home Services Enterprise can assist with any organizing and cleaning of your home, before, during and after any renovations. To schedule a visit, call us today: 301-674-9564.

Tips for Green Cleaning in Your Home & Office

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Many cleaning products can be found just about everywhere in our homes and offices: on furniture, clothing, floors, windows, doors, and basically every single surface we come into contact with. Waging a war on dirt and germs may actually be making things worse instead of better!

Most conventional cleaning products we use every day contain petroleum-based substances that can be harmful to both our health and our environment. Cleaning products are meant to kill germs, but they don’t necessarily have to be made from strong and toxic ingredients. There are many good options for using natural products and cleaning methods available to us.

Four Tips for Green Cleaning:

Begin using green cleaning products
As we are starting to realize the impact conventional cleaning products have on our health and the environment, more and more brands are now offering healthy and effective green cleaning products. It’s also easy to make your own: vinegar and baking soda mixed with water can also be used to clean almost anything.
Improve your indoor air quality
Keeping the windows open and airing out your rooms is one way to freshen up the air to remove any indoor toxins present, leaving the air you breathe healthier and fresher. This is especially important while you are cleaning your home or office.
Be careful not to overuse antibacterial cleaners
Antibacterial cleaners and overuse of them don’t necessarily make things any cleaner but do run the risk of breeding “super germs”, which are bacteria that can survive most cleaners. It has been proven that antibacterial soaps do not work any better than plain soap and water.

Employ a green cleaning service today. Hire a cleaning service that uses only green cleaning products and practices green cleaning methods to keep your home naturally clean and healthy.

Hire a Cleaning Service for More Free Time

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Do you often spend your Saturdays trying to catch up on housework, and not having the freedom to spend quality time with your family or get together with your friends? Whether you work full-time or part-time, have a large family or a small one, keeping a house clean and tidy is never an easy job for anyone. Most people tackle the biggest areas of concern in the house first, and may not have time to clean other areas, leaving much of the house messy all of the time. If you have been considering hiring a cleaning service, there are some factors to take into consideration which may help your decision.

FOUR POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A CLEANING SERVICE

Benefits of a Cleaning Service
Once you hire a regular cleaning service, you no longer have to worry about doing it yourself. You can finally relax in your home and enjoy your life. This will leave more free time for relaxing, exercising, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Cost of a Cleaning Service
A regular cleaning service can be as flexible as you need to fit into your family’s budget. Whether you get a monthly or weekly cleaning, you can decide how much you want your house maintained and schedule cleanings accordingly.

Productivity
Getting a regular cleaning service allows you to be more productive in your home. You will be more organized, and know where everything is. You won’t have to stop what you are doing to clean up or move things around every time you want to begin a task or project. This is especially true for people who are self-employed and work from home.

Inspiration
When your home is consistently clean it inspires you to keep it that way. A clean and tidy house gives you a feeling of order in your life and your environment.

Living in an untidy house can actually cause health problems including anxiety over lost items, as well as a buildup of dirt and dust which causes allergies, among other things. Having a clean and organized home eliminates stress in your life and contributes to a healthier household. To schedule a cleaning, give us a call today.

A Checklist to Get Ready for Summer Travel

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Getting your home ready for summer travel always tends to be a hectic time of year. We all look forward to getting away and relaxing at our favorite resorts and getaways with family and friends. But… preparing to leave town usually requires some organization and planning on your part. There are many details to be taken care of, including arrangements to be made for pets, plants, or any other living thing that requires attention while you are away.

SIX HELPFUL TIPS FOR PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR VACATION

Give the illusion that someone is home: Using timers for lighting outside and inside to turn on and off at different times during the day makes it appear as if someone is living there. Stop the newspaper and mail or have someone pick them up for you, so it is not piling up in the mailbox outside.

Turn off the water: It’s always a good idea to shut off the main water valve to your home and the washer/dryer water valve to be safe.

Unplug appliances & adjust the thermostat: Unplug computers, stereos, toaster oven, and the TV. Fires can start easily and summer is a time of thunderstorms and power outages. Don’t forget to adjust the thermostat to save on energy.

Set an alarm: If you have an alarm company, be sure to call them with the dates you will be away. Also, inform a neighbor that you are away. In the event that your alarm goes off, they can contact your alarm company.

Arrange for a pet sitter: Arranging for a pet sitter to stay at your home while you are away will be an added security. If this is not necessary, arrange for a neighbor to come in once a day to care for your pet, water the plants, and keep an eye on your residence.

Arrange for a cleaning service: Arranging for a cleaning service to come in to clean and tidy up your home and water your plants while you are gone so that your home will be fresh and tidy upon your return will make a perfect ending to a perfect vacation.

The key is to prepare ahead of time and your household will be running smoothly while you are enjoying your time away – and so you can enjoy your return. To schedule a cleaning, give us a call any time. 301-674-9564