Holiday Toy Drive

It is that time of year again!

ALL ITEMS WILL NEED TO BE COLLECTED BY 12/1/17 Maid OK is teaming up with a special partner this year who we have become super close with.  April and Jen have set aside their time to volunteer for Operation Christmas Train set Foundation several times a year.   Maid OK has donated time and cleanings to help with fundraising cost to make sure these underprivileged kids of all ages have a GREAT Christmas.  Now it's time for us to ask for your help!  On December 2nd, Jen and I will be delivering the toys to Operation Christmas Train Set Foundation.  We will also partake in wrapping the gifts that our customers have set aside for us to give as well as others that have given throughout the year.  This is not only helping the underprivileged children to have an amazing Christmas, it is making them feel loved and appreciated as well.  We are asking you to leave these items unwrapped, in a bag by the front door labeled Maid OK so the maids can grab them on their way out and bring them to the office.  If you have a big gift or lots of gifts, we ask that you drop these off at our office by December 1st.  Our address is 3750 W. Main Street Suite 7 E Norman, Ok 73072.   Operation Christmas Train Set is a  Public 501c3 Tax Deductible Charity so you will be able to write your gifts off.  Please email or call April to get the tax ID.  We appreciate all of our customers and the amount of support we get from you!  We would be so happy and honored to deliver these toys all from Maid OK December 2nd.  If you would like to help in gift wrapping, please email April at april@maidok.com for more information.   Here is a list of items that we will need: We will be giving away items to small age groups all the way to teens.  Please donate what you can.   Train sets electric, rolling, or battery Toys for girls ages 3 and up Toys for boys ages 3 and up Stuffed animals Toys infant through toddler Crayons and coloring books Reading books Trinkets and small fun toys School supplies Hats and gloves infant – teen Kids blankets Hotwheels and dolls Kids socks Wrapping paper and tape Gift bags or small boxes or shoe boxes Novelty items for kids Arts and craft supplies for kids Playdo Hobby and Educational items Kids DVDs Christmas candy canes. Again, we appreciate you for donating and helping these kids have a great Christmas!  If you would like to make a cash donation, we will buy the needed items on your behalf.

Air Ducts: They are not pretty

AIR DUCTS ARE NOT PRETTY

Have you ever taken the filter out of the return vent and used a flashlight and stuck your head up in there to look around?  They are nasty and dirty.  Dusty, smelly, rodent poop, you name it, it probably lives in there.  

If that is the case, this should not be in there!  They should be clean and no obstructions to block the airflow.  This is what is needed in order for your air to come out with a vengeance, especially in this hot Oklahoma weather. 

If you sit around in the morning with the blinds open and the sun shining in and you see little particles in the air, after you just dusted the day before, and you changed your air filters the week before, this could be some stopped up air ducts. 

Has your electric bill sky rocketed since you turned on your AC?  Dirty ducts could be the reason.  Here at Maid OK we offer the latest in technology in air duct cleaning.

We clean air ducts in homes, apartments, offices, post construction, we can do just about any air duct job.

BENEFITS OF HAVING YOUR AIR DUCTS CLEANED

Your air ducts are a crucial part of your air/heat system.  When the ducts are dirty, wet, or blocked by debri, your system will work extra hard to get the air flowing to the rooms needing cooled or heated.  

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned by Maid OK has some awesome benefits.  One, if you book your air duct cleaning of 10 or more openings, we will give you a free 2 man hour basic cleaning on us for after your duct cleaning. 

Two, the removal of allergens, dust, mold, and other substances in the ducts will make your air cleaner and help with allergies related to the above stated.  The amount of pollen in the state of Oklahoma is ridiculous, and running your air traps this allergy in the duct work.

THE PROCESS OF AIR DUCT CLEANING

Cleaning of the ducts is a fairly easy process, it does need to be done by professionals.  At Maid OK we have the manpower to do all air ducts of any size and amount.  

There are two different parts of the air system that we look at first.  The supply and return.  These will be cleaned thoroughly and sprayed with a mold prevention solution.  

The next step is  Maid OK takes all the registers from the ceilings, walls, and floors.  We wash these with Dynamite heavy duty degreaser as well as an antimicrobial solution from Benefect.  

Next our technician will clean the supply and return ducts.  This is done with our state of the art duct cleaning equipment and use negative pressure.  Once the technician is done with cleaning all vents out, he will then apply a few chemicals that will help prevent odors and airborne pathogens.  

It may sound simple but the procedure takes time to make sure all vents are good and clean.  Depending on where you live in Oklahoma, how often you use your system, and if allergies or asthma is a factor, the national air duct cleaners association recommends getting your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years.  

Prices vary on how many openings.  Call Maid OK today to book your air duct cleaning. 405-447-4964

Water Damage Repair and Restoration

Maid OK is your one stop shop for all your cleaning needs.  We are your go to for Carpet Cleaning, Tile and Grout, Upholstery Cleaning, Organizing & Clean Up, Air Duct Cleaning, Janitorial/Commercial After Hours Cleaning, Window Cleaning, and our newest addition is Fire and Water Restoration.

The Owners

Joe and Lisa D'Amico started cleaning houses by themselves back in 1996.  Lisa would be one hand deep cleaning a toilet and answering her huge cell phone with the other in order to book jobs.  They did this for about 5 years until they had too many customers and they could not do it by themselves.  

This was when Maid OK was born.  Since then Maid OK has grown from doing 5-6 houses in a day to accommodating up to 40 jobs a day. Every business has it's ups and downs and Maid OK is not any different. At one point, when the recession hit, we almost had to shut the doors, and now we are back to more customers and services than ever before.

The newest member to our water and fire restoration family is Thomas Reece.  He has been in this line of work going on 6 years.  His background is extensive and represents our brand well.  He is on call 24 hrs a day/7 days a week.

Inspection and Water Damage Process

You get home and your house is flooded.  How in the world did this happen?  You find out a pipe burst in the wall and the water is flowing out all over your living room.  First thing you do is turn the water off.  Next you need to call your hero's at Maid OK and we will rush out and start the inspection process.

Our technicians will come in and inspect the damage and take extensive notes to give to the insurance adjustor, our records, and for your own records.  This step is crucial in order to start the process of getting the water and belongings out of the house.  Our technicians are highly trained to get the house looking just like it did before the flood.

Removal of Belongings and Water Extraction

Our certified technicians will remove the items from the home or into another room to make sure these are not damaged.  If they do show signs of water damage at the time or our arrival, we will apply heavy duty cleaners to protect them from further damage.

Maid OK's skilled workers will then begin our innovative process to remove the water.  They will suction wall to wall all carpets, baseboards, and floors.  This requires state of the art equipment to maintain a moisture level that is satisfactory for our industry.  We remove all pathogens that could have invaded the home such as bacteria, insects, and mold.

Drying and Dehumidifying

There are some parts of the excavating process that is harder to remove than other areas.  Maid OK has state of the art equipment that consists of air circulation technology.  These help with both drying and keeping the humidity to a minimum.

Once areas are dried to Maid OK's standard, it is then sprayed with deodorizing chemicals and antimicrobial treatments to prevent the spread of odors and mold.

Restoration 

Depending on the damage the flood did in the home, Maid OK will get the home back to it's pre-flooded condition.  Sometimes all it needs is for the drywall to be replaced and a good coat of paint.

Sometimes it is a major overhaul.  Some rooms might need to be rebuilt and carpet replaced.  No matter how big or small, Maid OK is here for your flooding needs.

Organizing For the Big Move

Moving is hard work!  It takes a lot of time and effort for anyone involved.  We have asked a few experts to give us their advice on how to organize to get the move off with a win.

First you need to get a binder to help you stay organized to get organized.  The sooner you have it the better organized you will stay.  Write these categories to help stay focused.

CHECKLIST: Print this easy to follow checklist from Martha Stewart to help you stay on course. This guide was the easiest and simplest one I saw.

UTILITIES: In this section you will store all the bills and make sure that you call well in advance to schedule your new utilities and to turn the old house utilities off. Don't forget though to keep the utilities in the old house on until everything has been cleaned.  You will also keep track of any scheduling that needs to be done to the new/old house.

LOAN PAPERS: If you have them for the old house, you will want to store them here as well as the new papers for the new home.  Make sure you store them in a safe place after the move.

RECEIPTS: For the love of all sanity, make sure you keep these!  I would put the old house receipts in one pocket and the new ones in another pocket.  You can write these off on your taxes at the beginning of the year too.

BUILDER: All paperwork for the new house needs to be here. You need to make sure their contact names/numbers are readily available as well as contracts and warranties for the new home.

MOVERS: Have available the names/numbers of your moving company, truck rental, anything that relates to having your items moved from one house to the other.  At Maid OK we can help you pack your belongings.  We know it is hard work, but as long as you supply the packing boxes, wrap, and tape, we will be good to go.

INVENTORY LIST: If using paper is easier, here is your link to download an inventory check list.  If you are wanting to use your phone to store your inventory, there is an app called Allstate Digital Locker and it is a free app to help keep your belongings safe, all the time.

SCHEDULES: When it comes to this one, it seems like there is a schedule for EVERYTHING.  Well there is.  This will be your lifesaver for the next two months.

Have you ever had a garage sell and you used those cute, colorful, round stickers and you thought that was all you used them for, well they are not.  They are to keep your boxes organized correctly.

Google color coded moving legend, GENIUS!!  One color per person/room and put them where they belong.  You will need a stock paper to put the color of sticker and what/where the boxes belong so you do not get confused.

Make copies and hang them around the house so everyone knows what color to use while packing.  At the new house, put these on each door so the movers know where to place the boxes.  You can normally get these fabulous stickers at your local teaching store or any retailer.

Moving with unstable boxes means a greater risk for it to crumble.  Get moving boxes that are the same size for easier lifting and storing in the trailer/truck.  They also make hanging clothes boxes, these can be a bit more pricey, so shop around, but this will keep you from having to take them all off the hangers, pack in the boxes, and then put back on the hangers and then in the closet in the new home.

Tackle one room at a time and save the bathroom and kitchen for last.  You will use these items, especially the bathroom stuff the day of the move.  As long as you tackle one room at a time, you will not get overwhelmed and not loose your tools for moving.

ZIPLOCK bags will be your other BFF!!  Throw small items like kids things they make, jewelry, stuff you forgot to pack, pens, just the normal small stuff.  I promise, you will need them.

HUMAN/ANIMAL NEEDS
Do not forget to make arrangements for these special, lovable, little things.  Have an older friend watch the kids so your younger friends can help move.  Call a pet sitter to have your pet watched.  For less stress, have your animals stay all weekend.  Check for coupons to get a better deal.

ONCE THE HOME IS EMPTY
Call Maid OK to clean your home for the next tenant or owner.  Most landlords will give your deposit back as long as the house is cleaned to perfection.  We also can shampoo the carpets, clean the inside of the windows, clean all the air ducts, and even powerwashing.  Maid OK pretty much does it all.  Book your appointment now or call us for a quote.

Maid OK hopes your new home will bring you lots of happiness!  Memories from the last home will always be in your heart, but making new ones is always fun.

Why your home should be clean if you are selling your home.

Why you should have your home cleaned when it is on the market- Part 1

Here at Maid OK we are asked a lot if a customer's home would be sold faster if their house was cleaned when it is on the market.  Here are a few tasks you should do before you put it up for sale.

Hidden Spots

House hunters do not want to see all your "stuff" around the house.  They want to see the house itself and the condition that it is in.  People will open closets, drawers, cabinets, pantries, basically any door that the hunters can touch, they will open it.

Make the house bigger and brighter by getting the clutter out of the home.  This includes over sized sofas, too many chairs, book shelves, toys, pictures of your family, decorations, bathroom decor, and even coffee tables if you have too many.  Do this to every room to make the focus on the house, not on your stuff.  Go out and buy some boxes or containers to store these items in and keep them at bay til you get to your new home.

Storage units that will remain will need to be empty or at least well organized and cleaned so the potential buyer will be able to see how much space they will have for their items. If the storage unit is small and will be going with you to the new home, make sure that you have it locked and the buyer knows that it will be relocating with you, or if possible remove it ahead of time.

Essential Tasks

De-clutter your clothes out of the closets that you will not wear, bookshelves of all unnecessary clutter, and do not forget the garage.  If you need money for your new home, have a big garage sale!

Clean everything!!  That is where Maid OK comes in.  The house hunters will look at every nook and cranny and they will not turn a blind eye if something is out of place or not cleaned.  If the home has not been kept up, you might think about having the maids clean all the walls and then you touch them up with fresh paint.

Tile & Grout needs to look like new. If the tile & grout looks clean enough to eat off of, the buyer won't think twice about whether it is safe or not to run around barefoot in their new home. It will also assist in hiding the signs of pets if you have one that frequently has accidents.

Windows and carpets need to be perfect.  Who wants to walk into a home that they might potentially buy and the carpets have stains and it smells like dog.  Maid OK has a great package for all types of carpet that will rid of all these barriers, and the window cleaning package includes cleaning the windows inside and out including al
l the screens and tracks.

Anything that you would like to take to the new home that you do not want the potential customer to want during the buying process, you need to remove and pack away.  Potential buyers will try to get anything free for their new house.

Don't forget the outside.  If you have heard it once you have heard it twice, curb appeal!  Trim up the bushes, plant some pretty, colorful flowers, and make sure to mow the grass and edge.

 Make sure that you clean out those gutters and remove all debris and leaves. Power wash all outside concrete such as sidewalks, front and/or back patio, and the driveway. Don't forget about the siding along the house.

Now get your house on the market and check back in a few weeks to see what else we have for ya.

Cleaning For A Reason

Cleaning For A Reason

Cleaning For A Reason Week was established in 2009 to raise awareness about our organization that provides free house cleaning for women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Maid OK is honored to be working with Cleaning For A Reason by serving women with cancer. This nonprofit is very dear to our hearts.  

Since Maid OK has teamed up with them since December of 2015, we have helped 10 ladies with cleanings.  I personally have never met any of them, but I have gotten close to a few of them just talking to them over the phone.

Every time I talked to these ladies, they were and are always very appreciated with the help we are offering them.  I cannot imagine what these girls are going through, but I am happy that we can help them out in such a small way!

Sandra B.

One of the ladies that I talk with about every two weeks or so is named Sandra B.  Here is our stories: 

Sandra and I met through Facebook when I was giving away a free cleaning.  She commented on the post that she was a cancer patient and that she could really use our service.  

I try my hardest to engage with the comments on our Maid OK Facebook page, and I am glad I was able to with her.  I explained to her that if she was not the winner, Maid OK would love to help her out and I gave her my email address so we could correspond with each other privately.  

I sent her the link to sign up for Cleaning For a Reason and if she needed any help, I would help out any way possible.  She unfortunately did not win the drawing, but her and I built a relationship beyond Facebook.  

I have talked to her on the phone a few times, but she and I have a really good email relationship.  

What Sandra says about Maid OK

Here is what she had to say about Maid OK and about Cleaning For a Reason:

Maid OK has been a blessing to me!  I have been undergoing chemo for stage 4 colon cancer for about six months, and it really takes all the wind out of my sails.

The ladies at Maid OK have been coming once a month to clean, mop, sweep, dust, etc. and I have enjoyed them being in my home.  They are courteous, very friendly and do a wonderful job.

My house is so nice when they are finished.  For them to be a part of Cleaning For A Reason is such a huge hearted effort to assist people who need to concentrate on getting well and not on how clean the house is.   

For me, it means I can save my energy for the things that have become very important.  Thank you Maid OK for offering this service and for making my life easier.  And thank you to my ladies who come, they are the sweetest women, bless you all.  

Why We Do This

This is why we at Maid OK do what we do.  It is not just one person, it takes a village to make sure all this runs in a smooth motion.  

If you know anyone in need of this service, please have them reach out to Maid OK or Cleaning For A Reason.  There are several cleaning companies in the metro that also do this.  


  

Maid OK One Tip Tuesday