A Clean House Is The Best Gift You Can Give

The holidays are here and boy, did they sneak up fast. Thanksgiving has come and gone and by now you may have started lugging out those Christmas decorations. Stringing the lights, decking the halls and putting the star on the tree are fun traditions but come with the price of time and sweat equity.

We know, things can be crazy this time of year. It’s no wonder that with the festivities of the holidays also comes stress, lack of sleep and a messy home (because who has time for cleaning?). Add in a few dozen trips for shopping and gift wrapping supplies and you’re ready for a nap (or even a vacation).

We are here to help! We have the perfect gift for those hard-to-buy for family members and your overwhelmed friends. Or, if you’ve been slacking on the self-care lately, the perfect present to treat yourself. 

Why add to the clutter when you can gift a clean house this year without lifting a finger. Give us a call and let us do the work while you reap the reward. Check out our Deals and Promos page and give us a call at 530.415.2505 to purchase a gift certificate or two. We’d love to make your home sparkle before, or after, the holidays.  

Happy giving!

Happy Holiday Gift and Pie!

What says the holidays better than pie? Here’s one of our go-to recipes: Double-Chocolate Holiday Pie recipe that we snagged from Taste of Home. Dark chocolate chips, white chocolate pudding, almonds and cranberries come together to make an irresistible treat!

Double-Chocolate Holiday Pie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 Ready Crust, 2 Extra Servings graham cracker crust (9 ounces)

2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup slivered almonds, divided

1 cup cold 2% milk

1 package (3.3 ounces) instant white chocolate pudding mix

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon almond extract

1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce

1/4 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions:

• Place chocolate chips and milk in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 30-60 seconds or until chocolate is melted; stir until smooth. Spread into crust; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons almonds.

• In a large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes; set aside. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cream; let stand for 1 minute. Heat over low heat, stirring until gelatin is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat.

• In a large bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add sugar and extract; beat until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in gelatin mixture. Fold into pudding. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.

• Place cranberry sauce in a food processor; cover and process until blended. Stir in orange zest. Spoon over top; sprinkle with remaining almonds. Refrigerate leftovers.

Thanksgiving Cleaning Prep List

Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a week of pulling your hair out to impress your relatives. Of course the food is front and center but the real details are done before you even cook the turkey. We want to give you a helpful guide to make the behind the scenes of the holiday go smoothly.

Step One: Assess the Damage

• Do a walkthrough of your home, critique every inch as if you are your in-laws visiting unexpectedly, but also remember guests don’t typically go in your bedroom or closets, so those aren’t priority.

• Make a list of everything that needs to be done so you don’t have to feel like you forgot something later on. Remember to look high and low. Do you need to replace a light bulb in the bathroom? Scrub that scuff mark off the baseboards by the front door? Put it on the list!

Step Two: Check Your Cleaning Supplies

• Make sure you have everything you’ll need to do your cleaning.

• Check those bottles of cleaner too; you don’t want to be running to the store in the middle of cleaning the counters because you forgot to throw away the empty one.

• Put everything in one area for easy access and less searching around.

Step Three: Prepare the Kitchen

• The 24 hours prior to your guests arriving will be spent in the kitchen, it’s important to make sure you make that as stress-free as possible so we have to clean.

• Make sure all the cookware you’ll be using is clean and ready to be used.

• Wipe down the cabinets, the refrigerator, the microwave, and the countertops.

• Give the special holiday dishes and flatware a good scrub.

• Clean out your refrigerator. You’ll need room for leftovers.

• Don’t forget the oven! Wipe down the door, clean the stovetop, and pay special attention to the inside; we want the turkey to cook without smoking out the house with burnt spillage from last night’s lasagna. 

Step Four: Laundry Day

• If you’ll be hosting for any out-of-town guests, you’ll need to do some laundry if they are staying with you.

• Wash the bedding in your guest room.

• Since you’re already in the laundry room, make sure to wash any linen you’ll need for the dinner (I.e. cloth napkins, tablecloths) and hand towels for the kitchen and bathroom.

• While you wait for the spin cycle, dust and vacuum the guest room.

Step Five: The Last Minute Details

• It’s time to focus on the areas your guests will be visiting.

• Dust the window blinds, light fixtures, fan blades, and get rid of any lingering cobwebs.

• Pull those extra chairs from the garage and give them a good wipe down.

• Clean off the table and lay the tablecloth.

• Fluff your couch pillows.

• Vacuum and shampoo the carpet.

• Bathrooms don’t have to be a gross place, clean the toilet, wipe the counters, clean the mirrors, and sweep and mop the floor.

• Stock up on the bathroom essentials; toilet paper, facial tissues, and hand soap.

• Finally, make sure everything is checked off your list and you can get cooking and hosting a fantastic dinner.

Visitors Cleaning Checklist

One of the greatest feelings in life is having someone tell you how nice your house looks. There is no shame in having pride in your home so we made you a checklist to make sure your visitors enjoy every minute of their stay.

• Write down the date your guests arrive so you know your cleaning deadline.

• If you’ve been neglecting your honey-do list, now is the time to tick off those chores.

• Make any repairs that need to be made such as fixing the leaky faucet.

• Dust all light fixtures, fan blades, window blinds, and shelves.

• Clean/ wipe down baseboards.

• Steam clean. Couches, carpets, drapes, etc.

• Replace any light bulbs that have burned out, inside and outside.

• Declutter. Put away small appliances, get rid of those old magazines you’ve been hanging onto, clean off your table and coffee table, etc.

• Windex the windows and mirrors.

• Dust and wipe down the table and chairs.

• Dust and wipe down the kitchen cabinets, oven, stove (don’t forget the knobs!), microwave, refrigerator, and countertops.

• Clean out the refrigerator.

• Clean out the microwave.

• Take out any trash.

• Sweep and mop the kitchen floor.

• Do laundry. Clean any bedding or linens your guests may need.

• Wipe down bathroom counters.

• Clean any hard water or grime from bathtub/shower.

• Restock on toiletries; toilet paper, facial tissue, hand soap, etc.

• Sweep and mop bathroom floor.

• Dust guest room.

• Vacuum guest room.

• Vacuum living room.

• Spot clean/finishing touches; wipe any marks off walls, doors, clean knobs, sweep entry way, driveway, and walk way.

• Welcome guests.