By Maid Sailors Cleaning Company • General Information 0 Comments

Your Comprehensive Guide to Hiring a Cleaning Lady

These days, more New Yorkers are turning to professional cleaning services to keep their homes neat and tidy. Have you been thinking about hiring a cleaning lady? If so, then you may be wondering where to begin. With so many cleaning services scattered throughout your neighborhood, you want to figure out which is best for your specific cleaning needs, budget, and schedule.

Benefits of Hiring a Cleaning Lady

If you’re still not 100% sold on the idea of spending your hard-earned money on a cleaning lady, now is a good time to revisit some of the key benefits.

Free Up Valuable Time

Often times, people are hesitant to hire a cleaning service because of the cost. However, it’s also important to consider the value of your time! How many hours do you spend cleaning your living space each week? If you could free up that time, what would you do with it? When you really start to consider the true value of your free time, it becomes easier to justify the costs associated with hiring a cleaning lady.

Entertain With Confidence

If you’ve ever hesitated to invite a friend or loved one to your home because you were embarrassed by its cleanliness (or lack thereof), then it’s probably time to hire a cleaning service. This is especially true around the holiday season and other times of year where you may be planning to host parties or gatherings. By having your place professionally cleaned before guests arrive, you can entertain with confidence.

Cut Down on Sick Time

A cleaner home is a healthier home. With regular dusting and sanitation of surfaces, you can get rid of unwanted germs and bacteria throughout your living space. As a result, you may find that you get sick less often or that you can even breathe easier without dust and allergens floating around your indoor air.

Questions to Ask When Hiring a Cleaning Lady

Now that you better understand why so many people use professional cleaning services these days, it’s time to begin your search for your ideal cleaning lady. As you begin narrowing down cleaners in your area, consider setting up an interview (whether in-person or over-the-phone) to ask some important questions that will help you reach your decision.

What Services Do You Offer?

Not all cleaning professionals offer the exact same services, so if you have something specific in mind, make sure that this is offered. For example, if you live in an apartment building but want the outsides of your windows cleaned, this is a service you may have a hard time finding a maid for. Instead, you may be better off hiring an additional worker to clean your windows separately. Or, if you are looking for someone who can do an office cleaning, you may want to find a maid service who can handle that.

Some of the more common cleaning services offered by maids include general house cleaning, deep-cleaning, and move-in/move-out cleanings. Some not so common offerings, such as nude maids are offered by a select few companies.

What Days/Hours Are You Available?

Your schedule is probably busy enough as it is. The last thing you need is to have to re-arrange your schedule to work around that of your house cleaners. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to find out what your cleaning lady’s availability is like. Many maids work Monday-Friday, though some may also work weekends.

If scheduling is a concern, you may also be able to find a cleaning lady who will come to your home while you’re at work or handling other obligations. However, not all cleaning ladies are comfortable with working while you’re not there—so this can vary,

Will You Bring All Your Own Supplies?

Cleaning supplies can be costly, so finding a cleaning professional who brings her own products and other supplies can save you a lot of hassle and money. Most cleaning ladies will probably offer to use their own supplies at no additional charge. Some may even offer green-cleaning services, though you may end up paying extra.

If you want your cleaner to use a specific product in your home, make sure she will accommodate that request as well. In most cases, all you have to do is leave out the cleaner you wish to use and most maids will oblige.

In addition to cleaning products (such as window cleaner and disinfectant spray), you’ll also want to make sure that your maid will provide her own vacuums, mops, and other equipment if you don’t have your own. In some cases, you may need to give a heads-up to your cleaning lady ahead of time so she can bring the necessary equipment to your job.

What is Your Pricing Structure?

Price is a common concern when it comes to hiring a cleaning lady. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should automatically choose the cleaner who can offer you the cheapest rates. In general, you get what you pay for—so your goal should be to find the best value for a quality cleaning job.

Some cleaning ladies will charge by-the-hour, whereas others may charge a flat fee for your job. In addition to finding out how much your cleaning job will cost ahead of time, you’ll also want to inquire as to whether a deposit is required and what forms of payment are accepted. Don’t hesitate to ask about tipping policies as well. In general, if you’re hiring an independent contractor as your cleaning lady, you aren’t expected to tip. If you’re booking through a cleaning company, however, you may want to find out whether a gratuity is included with your price.

Do You Carry Liability Insurance?

Choosing a cleaning lady who carries liability insurance is an absolute must. While unlikely, there are many things that could potentially go wrong during a cleaning job. Your cleaning lady could accidentally damage something in your home, or she could be injured in a fall down the stairs. Either way, a liability insurance policy provides both you and your cleaning professional with extra protection so that you’re not held financially or legally liable in these kinds of scenarios.

Any reputable cleaning professional should be able to provide you with proof of liability insurance, so don’t hire until you’re sure.

Will You Submit to a Background Check?

Whether you’ll be present while your house cleaner is working or not, having a cleaning lady who has been extensively background checked is also a must. Any reputable cleaning company will require that all their cleaners pass a background check before being hired. If you’re hiring through a cleaning company, make sure that this is the case. If you’re hiring an independent cleaner, don’t be afraid to ask her to submit to a background check. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know that you can trust the person you are inviting into your home.

Do You Have a List of References?

Some cleaners may have a list of references to provide for people whose homes they have cleaned in the past. This can be a great way to reach out to past (or current) clients get a better feel for the type of work they received from your prospective cleaner. Even if your cleaner doesn’t advertise a list of references, it never hurts to ask.

If you’re hiring through a larger cleaning company, you may also be able to find some reviews online. Third-party reviews are a great way to find out more about what others have had to say about your cleaner’s quality of work, demeanor, and more.

Looking for the Best Cleaning Service?

If you’re still having trouble finding the best cleaning lady for your needs in your neighborhood, have you checked out Maid Sailors? We take pride in offering a 100% satisfaction guarantee with every cleaning service booked. We’re also competitively priced and offer a wide range of cleaning services to meet your needs, including recurring cleaning services at a discounted rate.

All of our cleaners are bonded, insured, and fully vetted for your peace of mind. Contact us today at (212) 299-5170 to schedule your first cleaning appointment or book online. We look forward to helping you end your search for the best cleaning lady!

By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company 6 Comments

How To Get Your Cleaning Business Bonded

Running a cleaning business entails taking care of a myriad of tasks – and accounting for an equally large amount of risks, such as employee theft and all the negative consequences that it may bring.

Surety bonds for cleaning businesses are not obligatory. However, they are often a preferred way to address the problems that ensue from a potential theft of your customers’ possessions committed by your staff.

The janitorial bonds are a type of business services bonds (fidelity bonds) which protect your clients against losses due to your staff stealing their property and money. They don’t safeguard your company but instead project a positive image of your business as trustworthy. Customers of cleaning services often prefer to hire a janitorial service or a maid with bonding in place.

Here is why it makes sense to get janitorial service bonds, how much you will have to pay, and how to go about the process.

Why surety bonds for cleaning businesses?

Business services bonds are a common choice for handling problems related to customers’ property and finances which are accessed by employees of service providing companies. A number of different businesses obtain such bonds, including cleaning, repairs, security, and moving services, among others.

In the case of cleaning businesses, bonding is not obligatory for local or state licensing. However, it is gradually turning into the norm, as both private and business customers looking for housekeepers, maids, and janitorial services with a surety bond in place. Being bonded is a strong sign for your clients that it is safe to use your services, as they would be protected in case your employees commit on-the-job theft. This gives them peace of mind and is certainly a perk you can advertise your business with.

The surety bond works as a safety instrument in the interest of the customer. If they have suffered losses due to your staff’s illegal actions, they can file a bond claim and seek fair compensation. Janitorial bonds, however, do not protect against damages caused by your employees, which is covered by insurance policies.

The bonding costs

How much you will have to pay for your janitorial service bonds depends on a number of factors. They include the following:

  • the number of employees who work in your business
  • the bond amount which you want to obtain (i.e. $10,000, $20,000 or even $100,000)
  • specificities set by the state in which you operate

The choice of the bond amount depends on the type of cleaning business you are running. For residential services, lower amounts are often acceptable. However, commercial cleaning services would typically entail higher bond amounts.

The bond premium that you will end up covering is a fraction of the bond amount you want to get. It is paid on a yearly basis.

How to obtain your bonding

In order to get your cleaning business bonded, you have to apply with a surety provider, which can often be done online. It may need to assess your overall company finances and profile to determine your bond premium.

Typically, however, janitorial bonds do not entail a credit check of the business owner. Thus, you may be able to get bonded by filing your information online and paying the respective bond premium for the number of employees you hire, the bond amount, and the state in which you’re located. You will usually then receive your surety bond by email, as well as a hard copy.

Do you have further questions about the way surety bonds for cleaning businesses work and how to obtain them? Please share them in the comments below.

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Company • General Information 91 Comments

Hiring a Nude Maid Service

If you need a little help in keeping your home clean, you’re not alone. These days, it’s not difficult to find professional home cleaning services no matter where you live. However, one unique and relatively new business model that is beginning to emerge in the home cleaning industry is that of nude maid services.

While it may sound silly at first, nude maid services have really picked up in popularity across the country. Whether this is something you’re interested in yourself or you’re thinking about booking a nude cleaning service for a partner/spouse, there are some things you should know before moving forward.

What is a Nude Maid Service?

A nude maid service is more-or-less what the term implies! Rather than having a fully dressed maid come to your home and handle your cleaning tasks, a nude maid service offers topless and even fully nude cleaners for your viewing pleasure. Often times, these maids can handle all your “routine” cleaning services (such as sweeping, dusting, and vacuuming) in addition to other light household tasks, such as preparing meals or even bringing you a beverage. You can also, check out how to hire an ethnic maid service here.

It’s important to understand what a nude maid service is not, however. These are not escort services, and any reputable nude maid business will have a strict terms of service agreement that you will be required to sign before your appointment. This agreement will outline the terms of the work to be completed and may explicitly prohibit any lewd acts, propositions, or even picture-taking of your maid during the appointment.

Ultimately, a nude maid service is designed to serve two purposes. One is to take care of your basic house cleaning tasks so you don’t have to handle them yourself. The other is to provide you with an enjoyable view while these cleaning tasks are tended to. Nothing more, nothing less! You may also be wondering, “How do I find nude house cleaning services near me?”. The answer is simple! You can reach out to a couple of professional cleaners in the area and ask if they offer it, or rely on search engines like google! Just search “nude maid services near me” and a few should pop up.

Why Hire a Nude Maid Service?

There are a few reasons some people choose to hire a nude maid service over a traditional house cleaning service.

Enjoy a Clean House…With a View

Having somebody else come in and clean your home for you is nice, but what if you could enjoy the added benefit of watching an attractive maid your home as well? A nude maid service provides you the opportunity to sit back, relax, and take in the view all while your home is cleaned thoroughly.

Be the Envy of Your Friends

Whether you end up purchasing a nude maid service as a one-time treat for yourself or on a recurring basis, having a nude maid come in and clean your home will make you the envy of all your friends. Who wouldn’t be jealous of a person who not only hires someone else to clean their house, but to do so in the nude?

Treat Your Partner or Spouse

Many nude house cleaning services offer special promotions around Valentine’s Day and other holidays, which can provide a fun opportunity for you to treat your partner or spouse to a nude cleaning service for the first time. Many couples have found that these services can help renew the “spark” in their relationship. Of course, this is something you’ll want to talk over with your partner (it’s not something you should surprise him or her with!)—but many partners and spouses are appreciative of such a fun and unique gift idea.

Potential Drawbacks to Hiring a Nude Maid Service

As you can probably imagine, there are some inherent drawbacks to hiring a nude maid service as well.

May Not Be Spouse-Approved

If you have a partner or spouse, you’ll need to run the idea of hiring a nude maid service past him or her before booking your appointment. While some partners are supportive of bringing in a nude maid service (and may even enjoy the view themselves!), others may not be as open to the idea. You don’t want to create any permanent rifts in your relationship by hiring a nude cleaning service without your partner’s approval—so be sure to keep this in mind and find a way to approach the subject tactfully, keeping in mind that not all partners may be thrilled with the idea of bringing a nude worker into your shared home.

Not Appropriate for Households With Kids

If you have children, you’ll also need to make sure they’re removed from the home during your nude maid appointment. This can create scheduling conflicts with those who already lead busy lives, which could negate part of the convenience of hiring a house cleaning service in the first place.

Might Get the Neighbors Talking

Not all nude cleaning companies are discrete with their services. If your maid shows up in a vehicle that clearly advertises nude cleaning services, you can pretty much guarantee that your neighbors will notice—and they will start gossiping. People will make a lot of unfair assumptions about people who hire nude cleaning services, so be sure to consider how your reputation may be affected by something like this.

If gossiping neighbors are something you’re worried about, consider looking for a nude maid service that will show up in an unmarked or otherwise discrete vehicle. This could give you some added peace of mind and help you avoid the judgment of your neighborhood.

May Be Seen as Objectifying

When you’re paying somebody to perform a service nude in your home, it’s easy to see how this can be viewed as objectifying to the worker. Consider whether this is something you’ll be able to live with, or if your conscience will make you feel guilty about it.

More Costly Than Traditional Maid Services

Not surprisingly, nude maid services often cost significantly more than traditional house cleaning services or office cleaning services. Most companies charge by the hour for nude cleaning, and many companies also have a minimum number of hours that you need to book as well. If you’re on a tight budget for house cleaning, this may not be a practical option for you unless you can find a discount or other special promotion.

Keep in mind that some nude cleaning businesses do offer discounts for first-time customers, so this could help you get a better idea of whether the extra cost would be worth it down the road.

Things to Consider When Hiring a Nude Maid Service

If you’re leaning towards trying out a nude maid service for yourself, there are some things you’ll want to consider before you book.

Level of Nudity

First of all, find out what level of nudity is offered by the company if this is important to you. Some companies advertise themselves as offering “nude” maids, but what they actually offer are maids dressed in lingerie. If actual nudity is what you’re looking for, take time to find a fully nude maid or topless maid service in your area.

Pricing and Services Offered

Cost is another important factor for most people booking a nude house cleaning service. Find out what kind of pricing is available; most companies charge per-hour and may require a two-hour (or more) minimum for your appointment. Others may have package options available for a flat fee. Either way, be sure to find out what you’ll be paying (don’t forget to add a tip!) and what type of deposit is required, if any.

And of course, know what you’re paying for. While part of the cost of a nude cleaning service is the view, you’re still paying for your house to be cleaned. Find out exactly what cleaning services will be included with your fee. Some companies only offer light cleaning and dusting, whereas others may include deep cleaning and even cooking services.

Terms of Service and Policies

Nude cleaning businesses tend to have strict policies and terms of service to protect their employees. Be sure to read through the terms of service before booking your appointment so you understand what’s allowed versus what’s not allowed during your service. For example, many companies have very strict terms against physical contact with maids at any time. Most companies prohibit you from taking photos or videos of your maid as well.

Confidentiality Agreement

When providing your contact information to any new company, there’s always a concern about privacy and how your information will be used. Find out whether your nude cleaning company offers any type of confidentiality agreement. This will give you added peace of mind in knowing that your information won’t be shared with any third parties. Some companies will even have a generic company name appear on your credit card statement for added privacy.

Are Photos Available?

Many nude cleaning companies have a handful of maids from which to choose. Check the company’s website to see if they have photos available of their individual maids, and if you can request a specific maid for your appointment. Otherwise, you’ll likely be assigned the first available maid who is free during your requested appointment time.

Keep in mind that even if you are able to request a specific maid based on photos, there is no guarantee that the maid will be available during your appointment slot. If this is the case, the company may contact you to provide you with the maid’s schedule so you can change your appointment time as desired. Otherwise, you will be offered the opportunity to choose a different maid.

Cancelation and Rescheduling Policies

If you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason, make sure you’re aware of the company’s policies for this. Many Airbnb cleaning services and nude cleaning businesses understand that schedules can change and things can come up at the last minute. In most cases, you should be able to receive your deposit back or avoid further cancellation fees as long as you cancel within 24 hours of your scheduled appointment.

All companies can vary in this regard, however, so it’s best to read the terms of service carefully so you’ll know what to expect if you need to cancel or schedule for any reason.

The Bottom Line on Nude Maid Services

With plenty of pros, cons, and things to consider when it comes to nude maid services, you may still be wondering whether this is truly right for you. Ultimately, only you (and perhaps your spouse) can reach that decision. Should you decide to move forward with hiring a nude cleaning service, be sure to keep these key considerations in mind to find the service that’s right for your needs.

And of course, if you decide to stick with a traditional cleaning service in NYC, our professional team at Maid Sailors is always here for you.

By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company 29 Comments

How To Find The Best House Cleaning Prices

If you are looking to have your home cleaned by a professional company, one of the primary factors in your search will be the price of their services. While price is important, it is secondary to getting the right cleaning company for your needs. It does little good to pay a company that does not do good work or lacks other important requirements when better services are available. In finding the best house cleaning prices, you must first make sure that the company you hire can do the job right.

How Cleaning Companies Work

A house cleaning company will have trained personnel who bring the equipment, supplies, and their experience in cleaning houses to your home. Most charge package prices for regularly scheduled cleaning, such as once per week, once per month, and so forth. Plus, they offer deep cleaning services for spring cleaning and a one-time cleaning when you move out or into a home or when you host a party or event.

The prices, for the most part, is posted so you can make comparisons, but before you do that, there are other factors to consider.

How to Find The Right Cleaning Company

The first step should be to consider the recommendations of trusted friends and family that use a professional cleaning service. This offers a good place to start, but keep in mind that getting recommendations is the first step. You still need to do your own research in finding the right company.

Licensed & Insured:

All professional cleaning companies in the states must be properly licensed and have insurance in case of an accident before considering them. Licensing means that they are properly qualified and recognized by the government to do the work. A company without proper licensing should never be considered. Being insured means that if they cause an accident in your home, their insurance will cover the damages. Otherwise, you might be left holding the bill.

Reviews & Recommendations:

In addition to friends and family, you will want to look over the reviews and recommendations from others that have used their services, especially from independent review sites. While even the best cleaning companies will have a few negative reviews, you should look for a pattern in terms of how well they clean, are they on time, do they respond quickly, and so forth. This will help you make the best-informed decision about which company to choose for your needs.

Prices:

Last, but not least is the price they charge for their cleaning services. Once you have narrowed down the selection to a few companies, you can then choose the one which offers the best price. Your goal is to select the best company that offers the lowest house cleaning prices that fit your budget. Look for package prices that include a variety of services, so you know which ones will work best for your needs.

The good news is that it does not take long to find the right cleaning company that can do an excellent job for your home while staying within budget.

By Maid Sailors Boston • Cleaning Company • Cleaning Tips • General Information 30 Comments

The Ultimate Guide To Moving Day In Boston

Each year, the city of Boston finds itself swept up in a maelstrom of madness, confusion, and frustration. The pandemonium brought in its wake leads to fits of despair from those caught up in its clutches. Is it a parade? One of those big street festivals that take up space everywhere? No, nothing so peaceful. My friends, we’re referring to the local horror show known as Moving Day in Boston.

How did such a thing come to be? Why does the city continue suffering through the effects of Moving Day every single year? Is there no one who can free the city from the grips of this insanity? If you’re one of the chosen, well, many destined to be impacted by the storm, you can mitigate some of the effects by following this handy guide to Moving Day in Boston.

What Is Moving Day In Boston?

Moving Day in Boston refers to a period, starting around September 1st when the leases on many apartments and other rentals expire. You also have an influx of students coming in after Labor Day and looking to move into a new place to live for the next semester or two around that same period. So you have thousands of people trying to navigate the narrow winding streets of Boston in huge moving trucks.

Can Something Be Done About Boston Moving Day?

Why not just shift the dates, maybe stagger them in a more year-round fashion? They managed to accomplish similar to this in Montreal, Canada. They had their version of Moving Day on May 1st for many years which caused many of the same headaches currently experienced in Boston. Shifting the date to July 1st, which falls on a national holiday in Canada, made things much more manageable.

There are a few reasons why no one’s tried something like this in Boston. The massive number of new and returning students is one of the biggest reasons why it’s not practical to shift the dates to a different period. The current dates align best for families to take time off to bring their kids and set them up for college life.

Apartment owners benefit by having spaces available during the influx of students. So there’s no incentive for them to shift lease dates to something that’s potentially less lucrative. It seems that the current version of Moving Day is here to stay, along with the myriad of problems it brings.

Why Local Residents Dread Boston Moving Day

Did we mention a large number of moving trucks driving around? Getting around Boston traffic on an average day can be challenging. Throwing in lots of large, bulky vehicles driven by unsure drivers looking in vain for parking slots makes getting around nearly impossible. Moving Day also brings people dumping their trash and unwanted furniture along the city streets making the dog-friendly city unattractive. Going to your local bakery can feel like being forced to navigate an unauthorized obstacle course.

How You Can Make It Better

We won’t pretend this guide will solve all your Moving Day-related issues. Accept that your life will be terrible to a certain extent for that period. What we can do is offer advice on making it less awful and possibly getting through it without turning on the friends who did end up showing up to help you throughout the day. Those who aren’t moving will also find ways to get through this period with less frustration.

Preparing For Boston Moving Day – Movers

Accomplishing specific tasks ahead of time can make Moving Day easier to manage. The worst thing you can do is wait until the last minute to prepare. Doing that guarantees being hit with the full force of the worst Moving Day has to offer. Spare yourself a little pain and try doing these things at least a few weeks before your move-in date.

Make Sure You Have Enough Cash

Make sure you have money available to pay any fees or moving costs. You’ll need to pay for the rental of your truck, or else risk losing out on your reservation. If you’re hiring a moving company, they’ll expect to be paid as well. Don’t forget to tip your movers as it is tough work and exhausting. Try budgeting out more than you think you’ll need to spend for that day. Doing so helps you avoid getting caught short at a critical moment during the move.

Hire a Truck (And Movers) Ahead of Time

The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get a truck to assist in your move. Getting a head start allows you to compare quotes from different companies and pick the best one, not just the best of what’s left. If you are booking early, check to see if the company’s contract guarantees your truck will be available on Moving Day.

Don’t count on showing up at a truck rental company the day of without a booking and getting the size van you need. Whatever’s left — IF there’s anything left — will likely not be large enough to handle all your things. That means extra trips you’ll have to make attempting to navigate Boston traffic on moving day. Your things could also end up being pretty banged up from being crammed into too small of a space.

If you do end up with no truck, your next best option is looking for a one-way rental from a different area. You can move your things, and then drop the truck off at the nearest rental location for that company.

Organize Your Things

One of the best things you can do is have your items packed, organized and ready before moving day. That means putting everything into properly labeled boxes with the right packing material inside. Remember, even the best movers can occasionally stumble as they’re taking your things up a flight of stairs.

If you’re going to rely on friends to help you move, it’s a good idea to put enough padding inside boxes to protect anything delicate. Make sure you put a label on indicating “Fragile” to prevent it from being handled roughly. Having your things ready to go allows your movers (or friends) to load items inside of moving trucks at a faster pace.

Apply For A Street Occupancy Permit

Finding a parking spot for a regular-sized car in Boston is difficult on a normal day. Imagine trying to find one on Moving Day for your truck along with everyone else. One way to avoid the madness is paying for a reserved parking spot near where you’re moving.

It’s going to cost you at least $100.00, but you’ll have a spot waiting for you and avoid accumulating parking tickets. Think of the gas you’ll save not having to drive around the block multiple times as you wait for a spot to open.

You can apply for a permit no sooner than one month before your moving date. Some areas of Boston require you to apply in person, so check to see what the requirements are for the part of town where you’ll be living.

Make Plans To Get Rid of Your Old Stuff

If you’re moving to a different apartment that you’re sprucing up with nicer things, you need to plan out what’s going to happen to your old items. You can schedule a pickup of items like an old couch through the city of Boston’s public works. That’s better than leaving your old things out on the curb, much to the disgust of current residents.

Pay For A Cleaning Company

The last thing you’re going to want to once you arrive at your new apartment is clean from top to bottom. Sure, you can HOPE that the apartment owner made an effort to tidy up, but it’s not going to be the deep clean you want for the place you’ll be residing in for the next year. Do you think you’ll feel like cleaning up a mop after dealing with the chaos of Moving Day?

Spare yourself and spring for a Boston cleaning company like Maid Sailors to come in and clean for you. It only takes 60 seconds to make a booking online. They bring cleaning supplies, are bonded and insured, and only hire certified professional cleaners. You can get some much-needed rest at the end of the day and leave the dirt and grime to the professionals.

The chaos of your move might not leave you in the frame of mind to clean the space you’re leaving behind. Hiring a cleaning service for that task leaves one less thing on your plate.

Preparing For Boston Moving Day – Non-Movers

The impact of Moving Day isn’t limited to the movers. Non-movers staying put still have to deal with the fallout. Here are a few ways you can make things a little more manageable during this period.

Get Your Car Out Of There

You’re going to have a lot of drivers navigating the streets of Boston or Cambridge in a large vehicle they may not fully know how to operate. Why leave your car there as the potential collateral damage of their “learning curve?” Find a place you can safely leave your vehicle until the madness ends.

Know What Areas To Avoid

Many popular Boston neighborhoods become an absolute nightmare to move around in during Moving Day. Renthop, an apartment hunting site, collects data centered around the most densely populated Boston areas during this period. You can use them to figure out how to navigate around the city and avoid the worst of the chaos.

Settling In

One good thing about Moving Day in Boston is that it eventually comes to an end. You’re moved in, and hopefully fully immersed in your Boston apartment and used to the normal flow of traffic when getting around the city. We hope our guide made managing the day a little easier.

If you decided to spring for a Boston cleaning company earlier, you might miss the feeling of having to do absolutely nothing to get such a clean apartment. Why not continue enjoying one of the few things about Boston Moving Day by scheduling regular cleanings? You can call Maid Sailors at (212) 299-5170 or visit their site online to find packages that fit your apartment and budget. Enjoy your space and the peace of knowing that Moving Day is officially over. Until next year.

By Maid Sailors Cleaning Company • Cleaning Tips • Do It Yourself • Home Improvement • New York City • NYC • Tips and Tricks 28 Comments

How To Sell, Donate Or Junk Furniture In NYC

One of the worst parts of living in NYC is moving. You can’t bring your furniture on the subway, a cab will never stop, and getting a moving truck near your front door is almost impossible. That’s why many New Yorkers simply buy cheap furniture and get rid of it when they have to move. But what exactly are you supposed to do with it?

Leaving Old Furniture On The Curb

Unlike in most neighborhoods, you can’t just leave your furniture on the curb for someone to take in New York City. To begin with, it’s illegal for someone to take items left on the curb. Anything you leave out becomes city property, and no one is allowed to touch it even if you leave up a sign saying it’s free.

You also can’t just leave your furniture out for trash collection. Bulk items require a special appointment for pickup. They’re free to schedule if you can get an appointment, but getting the right time can be difficult if you don’t want to be without furniture before your moveout date.

In addition, your landlord might have something to say about you leaving furniture out. They can set rules on how you bring furniture out of the building and where you can leave it. In many cases, they’ll simply ban leaving things out on the curb. Since they’re the property owner, it’s within their rights to do so unless you managed to have furniture disposal included in your lease.

Donating Used Furniture

New York City has a wide range of donation options available. This includes big names like Goodwill and The Salvation Army, local churches and charities, and other specialized non-profits.

If you don’t already have an organization in mind, you can check out donateNYC for a complete list of organizations that accept donations in the city. Some will come to you, while others won’t help you much because they require you to bring your furniture to them. More on that later.

Selling Used Furniture

You can also sell your used furniture on websites like Craigslist and Facebook, in traditional classified ads, to consignment shops, or directly to other people. The trouble here isn’t so much where to list your furniture but how hard it will be to actually sell.

Most consignment shops and other middlemen won’t come to you unless you have something very valuable. Even then, the pickup costs will reduce what you receive for your furniture.

If you go the private route, you could find a steady stream of lowballers, flakes, and just plain crazy people before you find a reasonable buyer. Remember, these are the same people you ride the subway with.

In most cases, you’ll be disappointed with how much you got for your furniture especially when you add up the hours it took to sell it all.

Why Is No One Willing to Pay for Used Furniture?

Remember how you took the ferry down to Ikea or just had everything mailed to you off of Amazon, Overstock, Walmart, or Wayfair? Everyone else had the same idea.

Assemble-it-yourself disposable furniture that comes in a nice little box right to your door is one of the most popular furniture buying options for renters precisely because of how cheap and easy it is. For just a few dollars more than buying used, you get brand new items with delivery included. There’s no hassle of dealing with strangers, trying to lug the furniture back to your apartment, or hoping someone’s Ikea handiwork doesn’t fall apart in the process. This type of furniture is so cheap now that it has almost no resale value.

Trying to get rid of furniture that’s a little higher end — maybe something you got from a relative? Nobody wants that, either. Traditional furniture, that’s heavier, more difficult to move, old, and brown, is out. Disposable furniture is in. Sure, some people might want your old, brown furniture but the demand is far less than the supply created by aging generations downsizing and finding out their kids don’t want their stuff. Unless your furniture is a truly high-quality antique or a top of the market piece, you’ll be lucky if you can get even pennies on its original purchase price.

Why Don’t Charities Want Your Furniture?

Charities don’t want your old furniture, either. In many cases, donations are sold through thrift shops to the same people that you’d be trying to sell to. If your furniture doesn’t sell, the charity has to spend time and money disposing of it. They also have to make enough money to cover the costs of picking it up from you — which is why many charities are now very picky about what furniture they’ll pick up for free.

For charities that directly use the furniture, they usually have better options than hoping someone’s old Ikea furniture doesn’t fall apart. This includes bulk buying new, cheap furniture or working with large estate sellers.

Simply put, charities are trying to further their own mission not provide you with a free way to dispose of your stuff. Many furniture donations would end up losing their money, so donations to charity don’t work out.

The Bed Bug Scare

Bed bugs are also another big reason why no one wants used furniture anymore. They can be almost impossible to detect within a cushion or pillow, but getting just a few into your home can mean almost literally burning it and all of your clothes and furniture to the ground. This makes it much harder to get rid of soft furniture, like sofas, and hard furniture, like wood tables, already falls into the rule of no one wants old, brown furniture.

The Risk of Damage When Selling Furniture
Whether you sell, donate, or give away your furniture, there’s the risk of damage to your apartment or the building’s common areas when someone comes to move it. Even if you didn’t directly cause the damage yourself, you’re still on the hook for it as the person who let them into your building.

When you’re dealing with a reputable furniture reseller, junk removal company, or charity, they should have insurance to cover potential damage. You should ask to see proof of insurance, and your building may require you to give management a certificate of insurance before any move or any move out cleaning.

If you’re dealing with an individual you met online, you may not have enough contact information to get them to pay up for any damage. Even if you do, it could take a small claims court case before you can get them to pay up.

If you do choose to roll the dice and hope nothing happens, you could still end up with a nosy super who is worried about damage trying to put a stop to your move — or ratting you out to management if there’s an “illegal” moving fee in your lease.

How to Stay Safe When Selling Furniture

If you do decide to sell your furniture, here are a few tips that can keep you safe.

  1. Try to deal with people you know — coworkers, friends of friends, etc. If you sell to strangers, use a third-party app that verifies the identities of people who sign up. Even if you don’t have their personal information, the police can retrieve it from the app if needed.
  2. Using a marketplace that has payment processing, like PayPal or an escrow system, can help alleviate concerns over handling large amounts of cash or getting a bad check.
  3. Never meet a stranger alone except in a public place such as a well-trafficked street or lobby. Don’t meet in a quiet side street, a lobby with everyone gone for the day, or your own apartment.
  4. Have the right number of people to lift the furniture plus at least one extra to hold doors. Don’t hurt yourself trying to lift too much.
  5. If the person taking your furniture is coming to you, have a helper so you can bring the furniture down to their truck rather than them coming up to your apartment. If they need to come up to your apartment, let your doorman or a neighbor know what’s going on ahead of time so they can keep an eye on things and check in on you if you don’t swing by to tell them everything went smoothly.
  6. If you’re dealing with a business or charity and aren’t sure if they’re legitimate, you can call 3-1-1 for assistance. You can also call 3-1-1 if you feel you’ve been ripped off or overcharged.
  7. When possible, schedule furniture removal after you’ve moved your valuables to your new home. This reduces the risk of theft during the move or if you meet with someone who decides to burglarize you.

Get Help Cleaning Out Your Apartment

If you need help getting furniture out of your apartment or just getting a final clean to make sure you get your full security deposit back, Maid Sailors is here to help. We provide a full range of home cleaning services by bonded and insured cleaning professionals. Call, text, or chat now for a quote.

By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company • Do It Yourself 17 Comments

Airbnb – Hire a Cleaner or DIY?

The ultimate question for Airbnb rental host around the globe. Should you hire a cleaning service or clean your Airbnb yourself? Forget about managing bookings, connecting with guests, and marketing – caring for an Airbnb rental is a full-time job all on its own.

When it comes to caring for your rental, you have one of two options. You can clean the vacation rental yourself or you can hire someone to do it for you. Of course, there are some obvious differences so today we are going to talk about them.

Do The Cleaning Yourself

Cleaning your Airbnb by yourself is a way for you to ensure that everything is done perfectly to your liking. As perfect as perfect can get anyways. It’s a way for you to take control of the situation which also helps you take control over your overall guest experience.

It also helps you save money. By cleaning your rental by yourself you don’t have to dip into your earrings in order to provide a good customer experience. The more you clean, the more you save. Now, that’s a motto to live by. But just because you clean your rental doesn’t mean you should skip out on occasional deep cleanings from a cleaning company.

So although you may clean on a regular basis it’s crucial that you allow a cleaning service to come in monthly or bi-monthly to do a deep cleaning on your rental space.  

Hire a Cleaning Service

Hiring a cleaning service allows you to devote more time to focus on your rental business. With this option you are able to automate your cleanings weekly, daily, monthly, or after each guest departs. Automated cleaning services provide you with an easy to use online platform so that you can schedule cleanings, read and leave notes for your cleaner, check inventory, and more.

Aside from automated services, hiring a cleaning company provides you with the freedom to focus on other priorities. While they’re taking care of your rental, you can be running errands, paying bills, or enjoying that free time you never get. This option is best for people looking to delegate some of their daily and weekly chores. It’s also super convenient for those who simply don’t have the time.

You can also save money by hiring a cleaning service. Now you’re probably thinking, you said I could save money by not hiring a cleaning service. And you would be right, I did say that. You can save money both ways. If you run a busy rental service on Airbnb hiring a company that has all the cleaning supplies and inventory will save you from having to stock up on those things a la carte.

Overview

So as you can see caring for your rental has options. The question is, what’s the best option for you? Would you prefer to clean it yourself or hire a professional?
By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company • General Information 4 Comments

4 Important Components of a Cleaning Product Label

When’s the last time you actually read a cleaning product label? Did you know it was important to read the label on chemicals that you use? Today we’re going to take a look at 4 of the most important sections on the label.

Caution

Most, if not all labels on cleaning products have a caution section. This section could be under the warning or it could be a section all to itself. Either way, you want to know what the possible cautions are in regards to the chemicals that you’re using.

Why is this section is important?
If you have any health conditions or complications it’s important to know the possible effects a cleaning chemical can have. Some chemicals should only be used in a well-ventilated area because they can cause respiratory issues or allergies. If you aren’t sure whether a certain product has potential caution check this section of the label.

Directions/Instructions

Every good label has directions. But while most cleaning products are self-explanatory the directions on the label often provide you with a more detailed description of how to use that product. Many directions or instructions will tell you what kind of surfaces you can or can’t when using the product, how long the process should take, and anything else you should know about the product you’re using.

Why is this section is important?
Although all of these sections are important components of the product label, the directions are the second most important. Directions provide you with a method that helps you get the most effective result for the product you’re using.  

Ingredients

The ingredient section of the label can get a little tricky. Most of the ingredients found on a label will be listed using their actual name versus the common name we’ve provided the ingredient with. And this can be confusing for consumers.

Why is this section is important?
Though we use cleaning chemicals avidly in our daily lives, chemicals can be dangerous.  And mixing chemicals can be even more dangerous. Every label, as required by law, has ingredients on it. If for some reason you cannot find the ingredient list on the label you can search for the product on the MDSD (Material Safety Data Sheet) website.

Aside from the dangers of mixing chemicals, they can cause an array of health complications if you use a chemical without knowing what’s inside. You may be allergic to or have an allergic reaction to a certain ingredient. Or the ingredient could cause severe damage to the skin. That’s why it’s always important for you to know what’s inside the products you’re using.

Storage

Storage is one of the least common sections you’ll find on a cleaning product label. But the section does exist. This section of the label tells you how and where to store your product as well as why it’s recommended that you store it that way.

Why is this section is important?
Almost all of the cleaning products on the market say keep out of reach from children . And while that’s an important component to storage it’s not the only important aspect of this section. If the product you’re using is a dry chemical and the label says it should be stored in a dry area chances are that’s due to a chemical reaction that will happen if the chemical is stored improperly.
By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company • General Information 0 Comments

Consider Cleaning Services to Give Yourself a Break

You probably pay quite a bit of money for your posh New York City pad. And who has time for all that cleaning when you are busy pursuing your career and paying the bills? Deposits are steep in NYC, and whether you are looking at cleaning to get your deposit back or routine apartment cleaning on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis, there is an easier way to get the job done. NYC apartment cleaning services can handle requests from private renters or owners. They can also handle commercial cleaning requests for large-scale projects.

We know that allowing someone into your apartment or a cleaning crew into several apartments requires a certain level of trust. When you hire a cleaning service, who knows what people are going to be coming out to do the cleaning. This is something you need to be thinking about when interviewing apartment cleaning services to decide which one to use.

Screening Process

What is the screening process they use? Do they perform background checks on all employees? Are you going to be able to meet with the cleaner prior? If this is a job that will be done on a regular basis, you are also going to want to know if it will be the same people doing the cleaning every time. These are all things to take into consideration when looking for a cleaning service.

With larger companies, you might not be guaranteed that the same people would be sent out for the job every time you need the cleaning done. Developing a schedule for the cleaning company would help make this possible. But it’s ultimately going to be up to how the NYC apartment cleaning services company operates as to whether or not you’ll get the same cleaning professionals every time. Make a request.

Choosing A Cleaning

After doing your research and finding the right company to hire then you can pick a cleaning that is suitable for you. Typically there are several options to choose from. Depending on the company you choose to work with, they should be able to customize a cleaning package to fit your needs.

Move-Out Cleaning

Move out cleaning requires a particular type of checklist that all professional apartment cleaners should be familiar with. Call it spring cleaning if you will because everything must be spotless in order to get the deposit back.  Each company will have their own approach. So it is up to you to communicate exactly what needs to be done.

Regular Cleaning

Every apartment is set up differently. And each individual has their own personal wants and needs. What do you use to clean the floors? Do you need all of your individual nicknacks dusted? Not only do you want to state your demands, but you also want to know which of the services you prefer are going to cost you extra. Some companies will charge extra for certain cleaning services while others will have them included in their price quotes.

Are you going to be responsible for keeping cleaning supplies on hand? While this may seem like a hassle and an extra expense you do not want, people often want things cleaned a particular way. The cleaning company is going to have all the cleaning supplies, but they can use cleaning supplies you provide.

Maybe you do not like the idea of any of your furniture being cleaned using any polish. Maybe you want your floors cleaned with a certain floor care solution. Consider the scope of the cleaning job they are going to provide. And consider what parts of your apartment you demand to be cleaned a certain way. If the cleaning company is not willing to comply, there is another out there that will.

As an apartment or condominium owner, you are going to want to keep certain cleaning products on you. For example a magic eraser around for walls, doors, and baseboards. Knowing what your house cleaner is using to clean with helps give you peace of mind when allowing them into your home. You know they’re there to do a job and with the right products you know they’ll do it right.

Pet Cleaning

Are there any pets in your apartment? Not only do you need to disclose this information for safety and security reasons, but also for your cleaners sake. Some people do not like pets, are scared of them, or they could even be allergic. Whether or not you have any types of pets needs to be fully disclosed when talking about an NYC apartment cleaning service about a contract. 

Things To Consider

Some people like to be home when a cleaning service is there and some people do not. When hiring a cleaning company or nude maid service it’s important to note that you will not always have a concrete time of arrival. There will be a ‘window of time’ provided on most occasions. This can, of course, keep you in your apartment waiting. And that’s why it’s important to establish trust with the cleaning service you hire. If you have to step out for a little bit, you can do so with ease knowing that you’re coming home to a clean apartment. And that all of your belongings are still there.

When unfamiliar with the cleaning companies available in New York City start by asking around and googling reviews. People in your apartment complex might have used a cleaning service before, or perhaps your landlord has a good referral waiting for you. And yelp is always a good place to look for reviews for any company.
By Guest Contributor Cleaning Company • Tips and Tricks 0 Comments

How to Get The Best Possible Result from The Dry Cleaners

Clothing can be a big financial investment. Especially if you have a family. That’s why it’s important to get the most out of your clothing by taking good care of them. One good practice in taking care of your clothing is to know what type of fabric your garments are made of. Knowing this will help you to decipher the difference between washing your clothes at home and taking them to the dry cleaners.

Now all of your clothes will need to be taken to the dry cleaners. Typically the more expensive the fabric the more chance it has of needing dry cleaned. But most of your clothes can be thrown in the washing machine.

The cost of dry cleaning can add up quickly. So it’s crucial that you get the best service possible. But how do you get the best dry cleaning service possible? By following the tips below to help you get the most for your money.

Find A Credible Dry Cleaner

If you come across a local dry cleaner that’s family-owned and operated be sure to check out their reviews. Not all family-owned and operated dry cleaners know what they’re doing. In fact, most of them have no real dry cleaning experience whatsoever. Of course, some of them do. But for your benefit, it’s best to find a chain of dry cleaners with good customer reviews to take your clothes to.

Don’t Wait

As soon as you come across a stain on your clothing that needs to be taken to the dry cleaners, take it to the dry cleaners. You don’t want to wait. Waiting to take your clothes in will give the stain more time to set into the fabric making it harder to lift.

Don’t drive around with the clothing in your backseat for a few days until you have time to take them in either. The sunlight and heat inside a closed car can push stains further into the fabric, weaken the fabric fibers, cause odor, and allow your clothes to begin fading. Apply the same principal to leaving them in a clothes basket in your laundry room. Don’t wait to take them in.

Point Out All Stains

Overall dry cleaning is a process that uses chemicals to remove general grim and odor from certain fabrics. What may work for one stain and fabric may not work on another. It’s crucial that you point out all of the stains on the garment when you arrive.

Don’t just assume that they will find the stains and know exactly what caused the stain. If your dry cleaner doesn’t know what caused the stain they may not know what to use to take it out. So giving them a heads-up will help them to do a better job and help you to receive a better service. 

Keep Everything Together

A lot of expensive clothing or garments with buttons and zippers come with an extra set of embellishments. They do this in case a button falls off or the color starts to fade and tarnish. Then you have a backup.

Most of the time these extra decorative pieces come in a small bag and get throw in one of your drawers. Before taking the piece of clothing to your dry cleaner go in that drawer and dig out that extra piece. Some dry cleaners will remove buttons or decorative pieces that are delicate and about to break off. Take them with you in case they are able to swap them out for you. 

Check Your Garments Before Leaving

Even if you just got off work and you are in a hurry to get home you should always check your clothing before leaving the store. This way you are checking them in front of your dry cleaner to ensure the stains are actually gone. If the stain is still there, ask them to try again. They will usually do so without any hassle.

Think about it the same way you would when you go to order food. You always want to check your food when you get it to make sure it’s what you paid for. You wouldn’t eat something you didn’t order right? The same goes for a service that is provided to you.