MEMPHIS, TN--(Marketwired - March 19, 2015) - After a long winter, many find themselves counting down the days until spring, which brings budding flowers, warmer temperatures and fresh air. However, the season also brings with it a task that families everywhere often dread: spring cleaning. Thankfully, with spring's official start tomorrow, Merry Maids, the nation's leading home cleaning company and part of the ServiceMaster (
"Spring cleaning can be overwhelming for parents because it's the time of year when no couch cushion should be left unturned, yet everyone wants to be outside enjoying the great weather. The good news is you can turn spring cleaning into an all-family activity that can help you conquer the projects more efficiently and allow you to enjoy quality time together," says Debra Johnson, home cleaning expert for Merry Maids. "By getting creative with your cleaning strategies, closets will be cleared, floors will be dusted and clutter will be gone before you know it, leaving more time to get outside and enjoy the start of a new season."
Johnson shares her expert tips to help parents get "sneaky" when it comes to spring cleaning and keep everyone smiling along the way:
Host a Fashion Show
Go through the closets and play dress up with the kids. Put away the "show stopping" outfits and make piles of those items that no longer fit to donate or discard. Before you know it, the bedroom closets are cleaned out, organized and ready for a fresh, spring start, helping to make your family's everyday routines a little bit easier.
Be Comfortable with Bribes
If your significant other requires some convincing to help with spring cleaning, spark his or her interest by giving a gift, such as a new tool to use around the house. A power washer is not only an efficient way to clean patios and vinyl siding, but will help get moms and dads excited about seasonal cleaning projects so that families can start enjoying the outdoor space.
Go Skating Over Dust
It's been a long winter, and dust has most certainly collected on the beautiful hardwood floors. Move furniture or rugs off of the hardwood surfaces in your living room or dining room -- safety first! When the kids get home, help them fashion a pair of "skates" by wrapping their feet in microfiber cloths and have them slide around the floor to see who can collect the most dust. Keep a trash bag handy to collect all of the dust so it doesn't end up back on the floor. Once the dust has been picked up, vacuuming and washing the floors should be a breeze. The kids will think it's an indoor skating day, and parents can cross one item off their spring cleaning checklist.
Celebrate Christmas in Springtime
Christmas is always a favorite time of year, so why not get into the giving spirit in spring. Go through the den or playroom as a family and pull out old toys or games that are no longer being used so you can give them away to a local charity or donation center. Everyone can feel good about helping kids and families in need, and parents can rest assured that the playroom is a little bit cleaner. You will also rediscover games and toys that may have been hiding. Enjoy some quality family time playing one of those favorite games and celebrate a job well done... but don't forget to put it back into the right place when the game is over.
Institute a Finders Keepers Rule
To get the little ones' help with cleaning under couch cushions or beds, institute a "finders keepers" rule, letting them know that any money found while cleaning is theirs for the taking. Hide coins in the places that need the most attention, and provide each child with a jar to collect their spring cleaning savings in for an ice cream or new toy. After the space is cleared of loose change, it will be easier to vacuum any remaining dirt or dust before replacing the cushions and making the bed.
Spring cleaning your home is a big "to-do" that must be checked off before you can really start enjoying the warm weather outside. To get a head start on seasonal chores, your local Merry Maids team is ready to "spring" into action and create customized cleaning plans for every homes' needs to ensure a consistent, reliable and thorough cleaning process every time. To find the nearest Merry Maids location, visit merrymaids.com. Stay up-to-date on the latest Merry Maids news and tips by visiting the company's Facebook page or following Merry Maids on Twitter.
About Merry Maids
Merry Maids is the largest home cleaning franchise network in the United States. Merry Maids provides services in 48 states and the District of Columbia through approximately 450 company-owned locations and franchised outlets. The company also provides home cleaning services in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom and has licensing arrangements whereby licensees provide these services in Hong Kong, Japan, South America, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. Through its company-owned and franchise locations, Merry Maids employs more than 8,000 home cleaning professionals that service homes on four continents, including more than 200,000 homes in North America every month. Merry Maids is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (
About ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (
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