1. **Maintain Daily Routines**: Stick to simple daily routines such as making the bed, doing dishes, and tidying up common areas. This helps prevent clutter and keeps your home looking neat between professional cleanings.

2. **Spot Clean as Needed**: Address spills, stains, and messes promptly to prevent them from becoming harder to clean later. Keep cleaning supplies handy so you can quickly tackle any spills or messes as they occur.

3. **Focus on High-Traffic Areas**: Prioritize cleaning high-traffic areas such as entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms. These areas tend to accumulate dirt and grime more quickly and may need more frequent attention between professional cleanings.

4. **Regular Dusting**: Dust surfaces, furniture, and electronic devices regularly to prevent dust buildup. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to trap dust effectively without spreading it around.

5. **Vacuum and Sweep Floors**: Vacuum carpets and rugs and sweep hard floors regularly to keep them looking clean and free of debris. Pay extra attention to areas near entryways and under furniture where dirt tends to accumulate.

6. **Clean Surfaces and Appliances**: Wipe down countertops, tables, and appliances regularly to remove dust, crumbs, and spills. Use a mild cleaner or disinfectant spray to sanitize surfaces as needed.

7. **Freshen Up Fabrics**: Launder bed linens, towels, and curtains regularly to keep them fresh and clean. Vacuum upholstered furniture and use a fabric refresher to eliminate odors between cleanings.

8. **Manage Clutter**: Declutter regularly by sorting through items and donating or discarding things you no longer need or use. Keep surfaces clear of clutter to make cleaning easier and your home feel more spacious.

9. **Air Out Your Home**: Open windows and doors whenever possible to let in fresh air and improve ventilation. This helps reduce indoor air pollutants and refreshes your home between cleanings.

10. **Communicate with Your Cleaning Service**: If you have specific areas or tasks you’d like your professional cleaner to focus on during their next visit, communicate your preferences in advance. This ensures that your cleaning service meets your expectations and addresses any specific concerns you have.

By following these tips, you can keep your home looking clean and well-maintained until your next professional cleaning appointment. Consistency and regular maintenance are key to maintaining a tidy and comfortable living space.

“I am still learning about my home. If you can’t do it yourself, find good service people and treat them well.” — Terry (mom to our Human Resources Coordinator, Louisa)

Hiring just the right housekeeper can be life-altering for the busy family. Now this may seem to be a little over-the-top, but I am serious. Think about your life-whether single, a couple or a family-you have no time. No time to keep your home as organized or clean as you would like. No time to do the smaller tidying jobs that would make a huge difference.

Do you ever casually go about your day, popping into the kitchen for a little peanut butter toast and then the next thing you know you’re turning over the toaster oven because it’s been so long and you just can’t take the crumbs anymore?

At the risk of sounding like a cloyingly optimistic Peppy Patty (which I can assure you, I am not), I never really understood all the pervasive hate for Mondays. I get that easing yourself from the freedom of the weekend into the structure of the workweek is a bit of a shock to the system…