Super Bowl Party Decorations
Our friends at Mr. Handyman have put together a great video on building some unique decorative touches for your Super Bowl party. Ideas include a Buffet Table decorated with astroturf to make it look like a Football Field Football, a Football Throw Game and many more Super Bowl Party Ideas. Click the links for detailed assembly instructions, or view the video below for examples of the completed projects.

Super Bowl Menu
According to Google searches for chicken wings hit their peak the week before the Super Bowl. Other popular searches include Chili, 7 Layer Dip, Nachos and Buffalo Chicken Dip. To make Super Bowl entertaining easy, consider making only one or two signature dishes yourself. Either buy or have your guests bring the rest, so you can spend time watching the game and commercials.

Make Clean-Up a Breeze
The day after the Super Bowl is a work day. And the game gets over late, so you’re not going to want to be up until midnight cleaning up the mess. Here are a few tips to keep the mess to a minimum and making quick work of clean-up duties.

• Use disposable plates and cups to cut down on dishes.
• Provide markers for guests to write his or her name on a cup as they arrive, so hopefully they will use just one instead of three or four. Markers or stickers are also fun for embellishing cups with team logos or player numbers.
• Make sure to have plenty of garbage cans and recycling bins throughout the house. If it is tough to find a garbage can, plates in cups are more likely to get stacked in all sorts of places.
• Did someone make a mess at the party? Here is our guide to removing stains and resources on all sorts of cleaning tips.
• If your guests really did a number on the house, give yourself a break. Molly Maid does offer cleaning services for after special events.

For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 800-MOLLY MAID now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team has bonded, insured, licensed, and uniformed housekeepers. Click here to request service in your area.

According to Wikipedia, “dust in homes, offices, and other human environments contains small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, minerals from outdoor soil, human skin cells, and many other materials which may be found in the local environment.”

Photo Credit: LifeSupercharger on Flickr

So what can you do to limit the amount of dust in your home? Here are our top 5 tips:

1. Upgrade your furnace filter. Installing an electrostatic-charged furnace filter, which attracts and (the most important part) captures dust particles, can greatly reduce the amount of dust floating in your home if you have forced air heating.
2. Rotate your bed and bedding. Your treasured bed can be a magnet for dust. One way to counter this is by changing your bed linens on a weekly basis and washing them in hot water. Furthermore, you should also flip and rotate your bed every season (four times per year) if you have a box-spring mattress. (Did you know Molly Maid will change your bed linens as part of our home cleaning services?)
3. Keep your closet floors clean. Along with your bed, your closet can also be a magnet for dust. Fabric, hair and skin particles all like to settle at the bottom of your closet. So if you keep a tidy closet (especially the floor), this will help you better manage the dust in your home.
4. Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum. Vacuum the carpet, your furniture, your closet floors (see tip 3). Basically anything that is carpeted or upholstered you should vacuum. (Did you know Molly Maid vacuums all upholstered furniture?)
5. Dust. It sounds so painfully obvious but dusting will help get rid of the dust in your home. You just have to do it the right way. Feather dusters don’t do the trick. You need to actually gather the dust and not just push it around. Use a microfiber cloth instead and you will see better results.
6. BONUS! Groom your pets. Regularly brushing your furry friends (in the yard or outside the home if possible) can help contain some of the dust, dander and hair your pets can leave behind.

Hopefully by following these tips you can help get rid of the dust floating in your home – helping you breathe easier.

Do you have a dusting tip? Please leave us your ideas in the comments section below. Discover more helpful cleaning tips from Molly Maid.

At the 52nd Annual IFA Convention in February, Molly Maid and the Ms. Molly Foundation has been selected as one of 5 or 6 companies that will be highlighted at their Franchising Gives Back event. Check out the banner that will be displayed throughout the convention. What an exciting honor to represent Ms. Molly among the franchise community!

5 DIY Cleaning Secrets

Molly Maid was featured on HybridHer.com, a home and lifestyle web site, to discuss holiday cleaning and these DIY cleaning secrets:

With the holidays fast approaching, we should be focused on family and friends—not stressing over cleaning the house to impress out-of-town guests.  It’s easy to remember to vacuum and dust; however, many people forget about the little things that your mother-in-law is looking out for.

“Do It Yourself” Quick-Tip #1: Cleaning silverware.
“Do It Yourself” Quick-Tip #2: Removing pesky stickers.
“Do It Yourself” Quick-Tip #3: Getting rid of water rings.
“Do It Yourself” Quick-Tip #4: Furniture footprints.
“Do It Yourself” Quick-Tip #5: Cleaning the shower curtain for guests.

Molly Maid of DFW Metro Northwest Shares Holiday Cleaning Tips

Katrina Keith, owner of Molly Maid of DFW Metro Northwest shared holiday cleaning tips on KDFW TV (Fox). Check out tips for cleaning your good silver as well as removing dents from carpet after moving furniture around.

Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock Gives Back to Dorcas House

Michael Silva-Nash, team member of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock, supports the Dorcas House and raises funds to help victims of domestic violence year round. He was featured on KTHV Channel 11 (CBS) showcasing the check presentation for $1,700.

For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid.

Call 800-MOLLY MAID now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed, and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.

Here at Molly Maid we are strong advocates for using professional cleaning services to free up time to do the things that make you happy. But frankly, that’s not in everyone’s budget right now, and we understand that. If you’ve got kids, give’em jobs. The five year old can put towels away, while the two year old dusts with a microfiber cloth. You can make cleaning a time to bond, and you can offer rewards for good work: small amounts of money, an extra trip to the park, or 30 more minutes of TV. We know that cleaning can be fun and rewarding at the same time.

Who knows, maybe your kids will actually enjoy it…or at least they’ll enjoy the rewards.

Visit Mollymaid.com for more cleaning tips and kids chore charts.

For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 800-MOLLY MAID now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.

]]> http://blog.mollymaid.com/2011/12/30/how-to-get-your-kids-to-clean-up/feed/ 0 mollymaidcorp http://blog.mollymaid.com/2011/11/30/molly-maid-in-the-news-november-2011/ http://blog.mollymaid.com/2011/11/30/molly-maid-in-the-news-november-2011/#comments Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:45:08 +0000 Molly Maid http://blog.mollymaid.com/?p=1191 ]]> Cleaning House for Holiday Guests

Leah Ingram, lifestyle expert at Life Goes Strong, posted an online slideshow of Molly Maid’s 5-day house cleaning checklist to get your home ready for holiday house guests.

Getting the House Cleaned and Organized for the Holidays

Tony Kirby, owner of Molly Maid of Midtown and Galleria appeared in an article for mysanantonio.com with these tips:

The real down-and-dirty work is best left until about five days before your event. Tony Kirby, a Molly Maid franchise owner, says you can get away with hitting only the areas where guests will congregate.

“Start in the areas that you don’t use as often, building up to the high-use areas,” Kirby says. “The day of the event, for example, you want to be doing the kitchen, since that’s where most people congregate.”

Kirby also advises working from the top down, so all the dirt ends up on the floor, then running the vacuum.

Know the Signs of Domestic Violence

Katie Burkey, owner of Molly Maid of Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, discussed the issue of domestic violence in a letter to the editor at TribToday.com. Here are some excerpts from her letter:

Victims of domestic violence cross all economic, social and racial boundaries. Also, since we talk to people in their homes every day and our employees and customers can all relate to someone who has dealt with domestic violence, it’s a cause near and dear to our hearts. This compassion continues to grow.

If someone suspects someone he or she knows is being abused, consider asking yourself these questions, courtesy of Women against Domestic Violence:

Have you seen evidence of injuries?

Have you accepted explanations for her black eyes, bruises or broken bones?

Do they miss work frequently?

Does partner show an unusual amount of control over his or her life?

Have you noticed changes in his or her children’s behavior?

Does partner embarrass or ridicule him or her in public?

Does one partner blame the other for the way he or she acts or the things he or she says?

Awareness of this important issue is the key to helping with prevention. We are hopeful that through the education of people in Mahoning and Trumbull counties about this very serious issue, others will be inspired to help and give back as well. Click for more information on the Ms. Molly Foundation.

For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 800-MOLLY MAID now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed, and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.

Warning: the contents of this cleaning tip will very likely save you 20 dollars next time you find one of your shower curtains dirtied and unusable.

You’ve tended to every detail getting the house ready to warmly welcome your new mother-in-law – known for her military-like attention to detail. Everything is set to go: fresh linens, towels and a sparkling clean bathroom. Confidence is high.

Alas, one last inspection reveals your shower curtain is showing some age, and a few water stains to boot! Crisis averted with this simple maneuver:

• Step 1: Take down your plastic shower curtain, liner and all, and toss everything in the washing machine.
• Step 2: Add large bath towel for scrubbing action, and detergent. Set on gentle.
• Step 3: Hang to dry or pop in the dryer for a few minutes to release excess water.

If only conversation with the mother-in-law was this easy!

For your home cleaning needs, call the professionals at Molly Maid. Call 800-MOLLY MAID now to connect directly with your local Molly Maid. Each maid services team comprises bonded, insured, licensed and uniformed housekeepers who are regularly supervised. Click here to request service in your area.

The Ms. Molly Foundation was established in 1996 with the hope of providing all abused women and children with a second chance at happiness. The Foundation strives to stop the cycle of violence and to restore feelings of safety in the homes of the abused victims. Domestic violence is a growing nationwide problem, and as millions of cases are reported annually, the majority still go unreported. If you are a friend or relative of a victim of domestic abuse, here is how you can help:

1. Listen to her. Give her your full attention. Let her know that you have heard what she has said.
2. Believe her. Believe what she is telling you. Recognize that telling you takes a great deal of strength and courage.
3. Understand what she is saying. Devote your efforts to understanding the thoughts, feelings, and experiences she has chosen to share with you.
4. Validate her feelings and strength. By telling you, she has just taken a major step in dealing with her pain and her struggle. It is extremely important for you to validate both the feelings she is expressing and the strength it took to share them with you. One example might be saying, “I’m so glad you told me.”
5. Help her devise a safety plan. It is essential to talk with her about her physical safety. An example of a way to begin this dialogue might be, “I’m concerned for your physical safety. Can we talk about how you might try to be safe?” Be careful not to blame or judge her.
6. Help her understand that the violence is not her fault. She may feel guilty about being battered for several reasons. Our culture reinforces the ideas that 1) women determine the success or failure of their relationships, 2) women are responsible for making men happy, 3) a woman can change a man’s behavior, and 4) women are to blame if their partners choose to batter them. NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE. Help erase her guilt by saying something like, “This is not your fault” or “You have done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment.”
7. Support her right to control her own life. Sometimes we think we know what is best for a friend. Don’t expect her to follow all of your advice. Remember that ultimately she must be the one to make decisions regarding her own life. An example of something you might say is, “I know this is a decision only you can make. Whatever you decide, remember that I’ll stand by you.”
8. Provide helpful resource information. Encourage her to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or find local support. Offer to be there when she calls. Place the initial call for her if she wishes.
9. Protect her right to confidentiality. Recognize her choice to disclose to you. Respect her right to tell whomever she chooses. It is not your place to inform others.
10. Be patient. If it takes a while, she will need your ongoing support. Listen to her. Notice small changes as well as big ones. Be proud that you are a caring friend.

Creative Ways to Care for Victims of Domestic Violence

To find out more and support the Ms. Molly Foundation, visit our website at www.mollymaid.com

Kristi Mailloux, President of Molly Maid, published an article discussing Domestic Violence and the Ms. Molly Foundation on the community wall of  www.AnnArbor.com.

She discussed the Ms. Molly Auction held on October 14. All of the proceeds from the auction supported local shelters LACASA <http://www.lacasa1.org/> , SAFE House Center of Ann Arbor <http://www.safehousecenter.org/>  and over 100 shelters across the country. She also included this helpful list of questions courtesy of Women against Domestic Violence:

• Have you seen evidence of injuries?
• Have you accepted her explanations for her black eyes, bruises or broken bones?
• Does she miss work frequently?
• Does her partner show an unusual amount of control over her life?
• Have you noticed changes in her or her children’s behavior?
• Does her partner embarrass or ridicule her in public?
• Does her partner blame her for the way he acts or the things he says?

Danessa Itaya, co-chair of the Ms. Molly board of directors was interviewed for an article in the October 2011 Metlife e-newsletter, Outlook on Benefits by Tom Starner, a freelance writer with Human Resource Executive.

“Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life…”
– President Jimmy Carter

Molly Maid franchise owners around the country get involved in National Domestic Violence Awareness Month in several ways including fund-raising events, collecting personal care items from customers, donating a portion of every cleaning, educating the public about signs of abuse and support for victims through public relations, marketing materials and social networks. Here’s a glimpse at some creative fundraising efforts going on this month:

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes

Recently, Jeff and Caren Endriss who own Molly Maid of the Treasure Coast in Stuart, FL., participated in Safespace’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event. Jeff wore women’s red stilettos for the one-mile walk, as did several men who totally reject any type of violence toward women.

SafeSpace is a 501^© non-profit United Way organization serving victims of domestic abuse in Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties, Florida. In addition to providing emergency shelter with two 24 bedroom facilities, SafeSpace provides outreach services to individuals who have not entered a shelter but whose lives are being affected by domestic violence.

Disco Magic 2011

Donna Reilly, owner of Molly Maid of Central Anne Arundel County in Arnold, MD., is a co-chair of this year’s Disco Magic event. Attendees will dress up on Oct. 21 in their best 1970’s garb as they bid on live and silent auction items with proceeds supporting programs for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.

Donna partners with the YWCA who provides the following support services:

• Arden House–Anne Arundel County’s only domestic violence safe shelter.
• Domestic violence & sexual assault hotlines.
• Counseling services.
• Legal representation and advocacy.
• Hospital accompaniment for sexual assault victims.
• Abuse Intervention Program focused on perpetrators of domestic violence both male and female.

Molly Maid Home Office Auction

Each year, the Home Office in Ann Arbor, Mich. hosts a live and silent auction as well as catered breakfasts, pink and purple dress up days, and casual attire days for sale leading up to the event. Employees donate everything from homemade lasagnas and cookie Fridays to executives’ Florida condo vacations and the office team can bid on the items. The Oct. 14 auction raised more than $15,000 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit SafeHouse Center and LACASA of Livingston County.

All October and year-long activities are appreciated and the funds truly make a difference in people’s lives. During the Home Office auction, Danessa Itaya, Co-chairwoman of the Ms. Molly Foundation shared how funds have been used by shelters including the following thank you letters:

“I love this place. It’s great and it is helping me get my life together. Thank God for places like this.” – Shelter resident.

“Cool, new underwear! Look, mom, I have underwear now!” -Boy, age 6, as he received a My Stuff Bag of personal items upon entering shelter.

In commenting about the youth support group: “I can be with kids who’ve been through what I’ve been through.”

To find out more and support the Ms. Molly Foundation, visit our website at www.mollymaid.com