No-Stress Christmas Recipes from a Housecleaning Service?

No-Stress Recipes from a Housecleaning Company!

Yes, although our business is housecleaning and home care services, we’re pretty handy in the kitchen, so we’re eager to share our top three easy and delicious recipes that will surely be the star of your Christmas. Have you prepared the ingredients for the delicacies you will enjoy for the family dinner? Don’t fret, we’re here to help!

With the pre-Christmas preparations and housecleaning all sorted out — and hopefully you used our guide, Howard’s Ultimate Christmas Cleaning Checklist to make your life easier — it’s time to focus on the main stage: Dinner!

Preparing Christmas Eve’s main course can be rewarding especially after the look on your loved ones faces after they take that first bite out of your scrumptious cooking.  Let’s face it, though cooking is very rewarding, not everyone can cook up a Michelin star meal. 

Before anything else…Do you need other house cleaning services?

We offer carpet cleaning, window cleaning and handyman services to all of Orange County and L.A. County.

Let’s get back to the blog…

The main course is often the source of many holiday chefs’ woes as this part can be very intimidating. Other parts of the meal such as the side dishes and other accompanying viands can be easily be prepared or purchased but nothing beats a lovingly prepared main course. 

Preparations can be very stressful. Do you really want to be stressed and tired by dinner time? Are you willing to forgo the bonding time with your family this Christmas? Luckily for you Howard’s has got you covered with three recipes that are not only delicious but are also very easy to prepare.   

Perfect Beef Tenderloin for Christmas Eve

Perfect Beef Tenderloin for Christmas Eve

Handling Time: 10 mins
Total cooking time: 50 mins

Things you would need:

1 (5- to 7-lb.) beef tenderloin, trimmed
3 tablespoons butter, softened
5 to 7 tsp. kosher salt
¾ teaspoon cracked black pepper

*Note* When seasoning roasts, 1 tsp. of kosher salt to 1-lb of meat. 5-lb serves around 12 guests.

Dip

1 Cup sour cream¼ Cup mayonnaise
¼ Horseradish
5 tsp. Worcestershire
A pinch of salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Tenderloin

  1. Make sure your oven is clean to avoid bad smells.
  2. Preheat oven to 425°F
  3. Place the tenderloin on a wire rack in pan. Start rubbing the butter all over the tenderloin.  Having the butter prepared at room temperature makes this step easier as it will spread faster.
  4. Season the tenderloin with salt and pepper. Cover it evenly.
  5. Roast at 425°F for 25-30 minutes.  You can also use a meat thermometer inserted to the thickest part of the meat to measure its internal temperature. Make sure that its internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium rare. 
  6. Once cooked, let the meat rest for about 15 minutes before slicing.  You can cover the meat loosely with aluminum foil to seal in the juices. 

Dip

  1. Start with the sour cream in a bowl.
  2. Mix in mayonnaise, horseradish, and Worcestershire.
  3. Add in a pinch of salt and pepper.
  4. Combine until color is even. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Get more about this recipe here.

All this cooking got your kitchen in a mess? Hey, we’ve got other home care services that can help you…

We offer maid service / housecleaning, sanitizing, and water damage repair.

Here are more of our favorite Christmas Dinner dishes…

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Golden Potatoes and Herb Dressing

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Golden Potatoes and Herb Dressing for Christmas Eve

Handling Time: 10 mins
Total cooking time: 50 mins

Things you would need:

1 ½ lbs. beef tenderloin, trimmed
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
12 ounces baby Yukon Gold potatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
1 cup frozen English peas, thawed
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Directions

Pork Tenderloin

  1. Start with preheating the oven to 400°F.
  2. Season the pork with 3/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Season evenly to get the maximum taste.
  3. Bring out your large overproof skillet and set it over a medium-high flame then add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
  4. Once the oil is hot, add the pork to skillet. Cook until the meat is well browned.  Flip once ever 4 minutes.  Cooking time should be around 8 mins.   
  5. Once browned, remove the meat and place it on a plate.  Keep the drippings in skillet and then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  6. After that, add in the potatoes and cook over medium-high heat. Cook until the potatoes start to brown.  This should take about 3 minutes.
  7. After cooking the potatoes, stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add in the meat then arrange the potatoes around pork.
  8. Place the skillet into the oven and cook for 12 minutes. After cooking, take the skillet out of the oven and add in the peas into skillet, arrange them around the potatoes and then return the skillet into the oven. Roast the meat until the meat thermometer inserted in thickest portion of tenderloin registers 145°F. This takes about 5 minutes.
  9. After cooking transfer the pork on a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes.  Transfer the potatoes and peas into a serving plate and reserve drippings in skillet.
  10.  After that, add vinegar, mustard, and remaining 1 table spoon oil to the skillet then whisk to combine.
  11. Cut the pork into 16 slices then arrange with the peas and potatoes on the plate. Top it with the mixture from skillet and finish the dish off with a sprinkle of minced parsley.

Get more about this recipe here.

Crispy Chicken Thighs with White Wine Butter Sauce and Vegetables

Crispy Chicken Thighs with White Wine Butter Sauce and Vegetables for Christmas Eve

Handling Time: 10 mins
Total cooking time: 50 mins

Things you would need:

6 bone-in skin on chicken thighs2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Chicken Thighs

  1. Start with preheating the oven to 450°F.
  2. Lightly grease a baking pan or dish, make sure to pick out a pan or dish that will fit all of the chicken.
  3. Place the chicken on the pan skin side up and drizzle the chicken with oil and use a food brush or something similar to coat the chicken skin with oil. This will ensure that we will get that crispy exterior.
  4. Time to make the rub.  Mix paprika, basil, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. After that, coat the chicken evenly with rub. 
  5. Roast the chicken for 35-40 minutes in the oven or until 165°F internal temperature is reached.  Like with out previous recipes, using a meat thermometer will allow you to reach that safe internal temp.
  6. Once internal temp has reached 165°F take out the pan and use a food brush to get some of the drippings and coat the chicken tops.  Place the pan inside the oven and use the boiler setting for 1 – 2 minutes to add crispiness.  Make sure to monitor the chicken to avoid burning.  

Get more about this recipe here.

We understand that cooking for the family is fun but not everyone can handle the Christmas cleanup that follows after.  Most of us would like to rest and spend time with our family.

Merry Christmas from Howard's House Cleaning Referral Service, Inc.

Howard’s will make sure that you will get all the time you need!

With our flagship Maid Service, you can rest assured that Christmas will be stress and worry free. We can handle all the pre- and post-Christmas cleaning for you! We can adjust to your needs and schedule requirements as we offer weekly, bi-weekly, 3+ times per week, occasional cleanings, move-in/out, or one-time cleanings.  You can also rest assured that you will have a home that is cleaner than ever before as we take pride in our work. 

Testimonies from our House Cleaning Clients

Candice and Matt from Fullerton have used our services for a while now. They’ve been regulars ever since last Christmas where we helped them make their home perfect for Christmas.  This is what Candice and Matt have to say about our service,

“Last Christmas was pretty standard.  I was able to cook and setup our dinner get-together nicely.  The following day was a little more problematic though as Matt and I had to rush over our friend’s house and I couldn’t just leave our home the way it was.  

“So, I decided to find a cleaning service before we left and luckily Howard’s was the first service I came across. I couldn’t be happier as working with Howard’s was quick and easy!  I simply gave them a call and they set us up with their cleaning service.  Howard’s really got us out of a pinch. Their cleaning crew is professional and they made my home and kitchen look fresh. I couldn’t recommend them enough. I would rate them 5 out of 5 stars.”   

We also refer more than housecleaning professionals. Call us for other home care needs too!

We offer stainless steel repair, stone care and wood care services.

Howard’s Spotlight

Aside from our flagship housecleaning Maid Services, Howard’s is a 1-STOP-SHOP for home care! Take a look at our Home repairs and restoration services. With our experience and handiness, we’re sure to tackle any home needs you may have.      

Home Repairs and Restoration Services

Home Repairs and Restoration Services

When something breaks, JUST CALL HOWARD’S

If something in your house breaks, we’ll fix it.  We can refer a quality handyman who can save you valuable time and money.  Instead of spending more time and money looking for and replacing broken fixtures and household items, why not give us a call to help. 

Here at Howard’s, we believe in a convenient 1-STOP-SHOP for your house care needs and most of all, we believe in doing things right!

Leave it to us to maintain your home and let it shine this Christmas.

We’re Your “1-STOP-SHOP” for Home Care

Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is now your “1-STOP-SHOP” family of house cleaning and home care service providers. To sum up, here are the following referral services we offer:

housecleaning and home care services for orange county and los angeles county

Do you want to know why we are the best housecleaning and home care referral service? See for yourself and book a cleaning appointment with us. Experience the best house cleaning referral agency!

From our family to yours, Howard’s wishes you a “Happy Holidays”, a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year! We look forward to being with you again in the year 2021.

Howard’s Ultimate Christmas Cleaning Checklist

We handle christmas cleaning in orange county and los angeles county.

Have you already planned your Christmas cleaning? Howard’s is waiting for your call!

Wait? What? It’s that time of the year again? Christmas trees, jingle bells and Christmas carols set the mood for festivities; it’s the Christmas Season!

We all know that Thanksgiving can be stressful but Christmas preparations can bring a whole new level of stress.  From gift buying, to grocery shopping, your energy levels will surely deplete while your home sits there waiting to be touched up.

Do you really want to be stressed and tired by Christmas? Are you willing to forgo the bonding time with your family? Howard’s home care one-stop-shop is here to help you out. 

Before anything else…Do you need other house cleaning services?

We offer maid service, sanitizing, and water damage repair.

Going back, it seems not too long ago it was the New Year and we were hopeful for what the new year would bring. Then the next moment was a global crisis that shook us to the very core. Nevertheless, Howard’s would like to thank each and every one of you for being a part of our family.  

Time sure does fly. There are only a few weeks to go before Christmas Day and stress is mounting as there are so many gifts to buy and food to prepare. Some might have thought of last year’s Christmas as a lesson in being disorganized, so vowed to never let it get to a point where they become stressed. But as with everything else, time will hamper our plans.    

Preparing to host visitors over the holiday season entails paying urgent attention to your home and all of its corners, crevices and commonly used areas. More often than not, a busy schedule will leave these overlooked. This is where the stress starts.

How do we go about reducing the Christmas cleaning stress? With a good schedule of course! A good schedule will not only ensure that the Christmas feast and all the gifts will be prepared but it also means your home will be clean and ready for all the guests! Scheduling chores can be daunting especially if you don’t know where to start. 

Luckily, Howard’s is here to help you prepare your house for the holiday season. We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide that’ll ready your home from top to bottom, leaving you with more time and less stress!

Three Weeks Before Christmas

The Living room and Common Places

While house cleaning in Irvine we clean lots of living rooms!

It’s a good idea to prepare the living room as this is where most guests will be spending time.  Before putting up that Christmas tree in all of its glittering glory, move all carpets and furniture away and start vacuuming the carpet, floors, and surfaces.  While you’re at it, vacuum or sweep around common places as well.

After this, designate a space for the tree and get to decorating. 

Also, it’s a good idea to dust off surfaces and if you have a fireplace, it’s a good time to clean it too. Preparing a disinfection station in common areas is also a good idea.

Speaking of carpets and floors, we have a service fit for that and more.

We offer carpet cleaning, window cleaning and handyman services to all of Orange County and L.A. County.

Let’s get back to our topic…

Two Weeks Before Christmas

The Kitchen, Cupboards, Utensils and Bathrooms

While house cleaning in Irvine we clean a lot of kitchens like this.

Just before everything gets hectic, prepare the kitchen, utensils, and cupboards in advance. For the kitchen, thoroughly clean the oven and stovetop exhaust range. The range is particularly important as this will help reduce food smells that can stick to surfaces.  

The fridge and cupboards also need to have their surfaces wiped down to prepare them for all the food storage.    

As for the utensils and china, it’s better to prepare the china and other utensils that you plan on using ahead of time to avoid the unnecessary cleaning rush that will result in broken pieces.  

Also, clean bathrooms that guests will be using. Pay extra attention to surfaces such as the floors, sink, toilet, and mirrors. If a guest is staying over, cleaning the shower and tub won’t hurt.  

In need of someone to clean up bathroom and kitchen surfaces? Don’t fret. Howard’s is here to the rescue.

We offer stainless steel repair, stone care and wood care services.

One Week Before Christmas

Guest Bedrooms, Living and Dining Room, Kitchen

While house cleaning in Irvine, we clean a lot of bedrooms like this one.

If you’ve got someone staying over, prepare the guest bedroom’s towels, sheets and blankets. Try to have fresh set ready and if not, wash, iron and roll them in advance. It won’t hurt to vacuum and dust the room’s surfaces as well. 

As for the living room, touch up on the surfaces and vacuum any loose pine needles around the tree and the carpets.  

For the dining room, prepare the table in advance and ready everything you want to set on the table. Having these prepared allows you to set up the Christmas day table with minimal time required. As for the kitchen, though not a cleaning tip, try to get what you need in advance. Lines will be longer this holiday season.  

While Christmas cleaning can stressful and time consuming, preparing your home in advance will certainly help you reduce stress, clear your mind and focus on your loved ones.     

We understand that not everyone can handle the holiday cleanup and luckily, Howard’s has got you covered. With our flagship Maid Service, you can rest assured that Christmas will be stress and worry free.

We can handle all the pre- and post-Christmas cleaning for you! We can adjust to your needs and schedule requirements as we offer weekly, bi-weekly, 3+ times per week, occasional cleanings, move-in/out, or one-time cleanings.  You can also rest assured that you will have a home that is cleaner than ever, as the professional house cleaners we refer take pride in our work. 

Proven and Tested by Clients

Donna and Dave are Irvine house cleaning clients for many years. We were able to help them a great deal last Christmas and this what Donna has to say about our service:

“Last Christmas season was hectic. I was working in retail and we were very busy with the Christmas rush. Though my husband was around, he had to work nights so cleaning was out of the question for him. So, I decided to find cleaners. Howard’s was the first service I came across and decided to hire them. I couldn’t be happier the result! Howard’s came to our rescue.  I simply gave them a call and they set us up with their cleaning service.  I was then able to focus on Christmas preparations and more importantly, I was stress-free and I was able to spend time more time with family and friends. I would rate them 5 out of 5 stars.”

Call us for Christmas cleaning.

Howard’s Spotlight – Window Cleaning Services

Aside from our flagship Maid Services, we also have Window Cleaning Services. We specialize in making your windows look clear and fresh.

We provide window cleaning services in Irvine.

Here at Howard’s, we believe that customers should get the best value for their money. Some jobs are best left to the professionals. 

Though window cleaning can sound easy, it requires the right expertise and products to ensure that your windows remain clean and serviceable. Not all windows are created equal as there are various types of window materials.

Professionals are needed to make sure that the proper cleaning and maintenance methods are used. Improper window maintenance will lead to scratches, etches, pitting and even worse, breakage.

Fortunately, we believe in cleaning things, not breaking them! Why not give us a call and do your home a favor. Leave it to us to maintain your home.

We’re Your “One-Stop Shop” for Cleaning and Home Care Needs

We are your one-stop-shop for Orange County and Los Angeles County home care services

Do you want to know why we are the best in Irvine? See for yourself and book a house cleaning appointment with us. Experience the best house cleaning referral agency in Orange County and L.A County.

House Cleaning – The Overworked Mom’s Thanksgiving Checklist

With Thanksgiving on the plate, you might be even busier with your family and of course, cooking preparations. Let’s face it, the main highlight of the day is the scrumptious food, aside from the lovely people around you!

Not only does Thanksgiving require hours of cooking but also requires tons of preparation time and cleaning time for your home as well.  If you’ve ever hosted a get-together, you’ll be very familiar with the exhaustion that comes after.

Luckily, Howard’s has some tips on how to manage your cleaning time and effort so that you won’t end up stressed and overworked.  We suggest that you plan ahead, tackle big to-do’s first, and focus on the places where you’ll be spending time the most. 

Here is the Thanksgiving checklist to prep your home for the celebration:

Prepare the China and Utensils

Wash or polish the tableware you’re planning on using. Do this ahead of time to avoid the unnecessary cleaning rush that will result in broken pieces. 

Thoroughly Vacuum and Sweep Surfaces 

Pay extra attention to couches or surfaces where guests may lounge! No one likes to get the sniffles.

Make sure the bathroom looks neat

Clean up the surfaces such as the floors, sink, toilet, and mirrors.  If a guest is staying over, cleaning the shower and tub won’t hurt.

Polish the oven and stovetop exhaust range

You’ll want to have a clean range to help reduce food smells that can stick to surfaces

Tidy up the kitchen countertops

Guests often find themselves inside the kitchen.

Throw away the trash

These will be full after all your cooking.

Prepare a disinfection station

It helps with the times! Place a hand-washing soap or a hand sanitizer.

While Thanksgiving can be a lot of work, spending time with the people you love is very rewarding. Cleaning ahead of time can reduce your workload and stress, leaving you more time with your loved ones. 

If you’re in a pinch, Howard’s has got you covered. With our flagship Maid Service, you can rest assured that this Thanksgiving will be stress and worry free. We can handle all the Thanksgiving cleaning for you! We can adjust to your needs and schedule requirements as we offer weekly, bi-weekly, 3+ times per week, occasional cleanings, move-in/out, or one-time cleanings. You can also rest assured that you will have a home that is cleaner than ever before as we take pride in our work. 

Jane and Frank from Irvine are our ever-loyal customers after we were able to help them during a Thanksgiving pinch.  This is what Jane had to say about our service, “Last Thanksgiving was almost a nightmare but luckily, Howard’s came to our rescue. Frank and I were busy with our jobs as we were trying to beat deadlines.  With all the preparations we had to do, we completely forgot about tidying up! We gave Howard’s a call and they set us up with their cleaning services.  We were able to focus on Thanksgiving preparations and more importantly, we were able to spend time with our family and friends stress free. I would rate them 5 out of 5 stars.”   

Howard’s Spotlight

Aside from our flagship Maid Services, we also have Stainless Steel “Scratch” Repair Services. We specialize in making your sink, kitchen tops, almost any stainless-steel fixture you may have look brand spanking new. 

Stainless Steel Scratch Repair Services

Here at Howard’s, we believe that customers should get the best value for their money. If you’ve spent a couple of grand on stainless fixtures and appliances, then it would be a waste to replace it outright!

Even though stainless-steel is a very durable material, there will always be a point where scuffs and marks can’t be avoided. 

Luckily for you, we believe in the saying, REPAIR IT… DON’T REPLACE IT. Why not give us a call and save some money!

Leave it to us to maintain to your home.

We’re Your “1-Stop-Shop” for all Your Cleaning and Home Care Needs

Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc. is now your “ONE-STOP SHOP” family of home care service providers. To sum up, here are the following referral services we offer:

Do you want to know why we are the best in Irvine, Newport Beach — and the rest of Orange County and L.A.? See for yourself and book a house cleaning appointment with us. Experience the best house cleaning referral agency in Orange County and L.A County.

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Enjoy our latest BLOG about “FOG” Sanitizing: https://www.howardshousecleaning.com/what-is-deep-fog-sanitizing/

What is Deep FOG Sanitizing?

deep fog sanitizing

If you’ve been following us for the last few months, you may have noticed we’ve been expanding our menu of services we refer to include all sorts of home care in addition to our signature Maid Service (see the full list below). Now we’ve added something new and truly amazing: Deep “FOG” Sanitizing & Antimicrobial Treatment!

The Ultimate Deep Cleaning

Your ENTIRE living space can be TOTALLY sanitized in LESS THAN 30 MINUTES. How? With Deep “FOG” Sanitizing!

This is a remarkable process where the cleaning professional uses a special “electro-static emitter” to put a sanitizing “fog” into the air that penetrates every part of your home or apartment.

Within just a few minutes of dwell time, EVERYTHING in your space will be completely sanitized. All surfaces, walls, carpets & floors, all surfaces, windows and sills… EVERYTHING.  It gets into every nook & cranny.

The whole process takes no more than 30 minutes.  It’s also 100% people and pet-safe, and with ZERO odor.  Best of all, it’s surprisingly affordable.

It’s like the ultimate “deep cleaning”!  Since it doesn’t remove dust, we recommend a maid cleaning first. And if you’re looking to completely sanitize your space — especially if you’re at risk for illness, or to clean-up after an illness — there is simply no betterconvenient & quick, or affordable solution.

We’re Your “One-Stop Shop” for Home Care

Our clients ALWAYS receive special deals and referrals from our “ONE-STOP SHOP” family of home care service providers, including:

  • Maid Service (our signature service) — weekly, bi-weekly, 3+ times per week, occasional cleanings, move-in/out, or one-time cleanings
  • Carpet & Upholstery Steam Cleaning
  • Window Cleaning
  • Handyman Services
  • Stainless Steel * Copper * Hard Water Restoration — don’t replace it, REPAIR IT!
  • Stone Care Specialist — knowledge and experience with the maintenance and care of all types of Stone Mediums
  • Wood Floor Specialist — experts with the care and maintenance of all types of Wood Floors and Finishes
  • NEW: Deep “FOG” Sanitizing & Antimicrobial Treatment — sanitize your ENTIRE living space in 30 minutes or less!

From Irvine to Glendale, Newport Beach to Long Beach, Mission Viejo to Pasadena and everywhere in between, we’ve got you covered with expert specialty home care specialists!

We only refer top-quality home-care professionals and maids (independent domestic workers) that are security-conscious, with wonderful personalities. They know how to get the job done right!

Halloween Cleanup

Glitter, Pumpkin Stains, and Candle Wax on Carpets

Once a year, ghosts, ghouls, banana men, and sexy witches knock on your door and bring out the Halloween spirit. As you open the door they joyfully say, “Trick or treat!“ as you hurriedly reward them with your prepared treats hoping that these would satisfy their devilish temper.  Most of the time treats work but sometimes, these aren’t enough to deter them from targeting you.  You wake up with all kinds of messes around your property and you panic. 

You’ve just entered… “The Halloween Cleanup Zone” (cue Twilight Zone music).  

Halloween Cleanup Tips

Howard’s believes that cleaning up after Halloween doesn’t have to be a terrifying ordeal. As Orange Country’s and L.A County’s best house cleaning agency, here are our tips for getting your home back to normal.  Disclaimer: we got these tips off the Internet, so your mileage may vary!

You’ve Got Eggs!

House got Egged on Halloween

So you awaken on November 1 from a peaceful sleep. No goblins or ghouls in your dreams! You stretch. You yawn. You put on a pot of coffee and start toasting your bagel. You crack a couple eggs in the pan. You’re officially awake now!

That’s when you notice something yellow streaking down your window… and the same thing on your other window… and…and… ACK! Your whole home is covered with eggs!! You’ve been “egged”!

If you’re facing an abundance of dried eggs all over your house, no need to panic. Don’t pour hot water over them as these would only make the situation worse. High temperatures will start cooking the eggs, congealing their proteins, making cleanup even more difficult. Instead, wet the area around the eggs and wait a couple of minutes. Then, use your hose’s water pressure to take as much off as you can. If the eggs are stubborn, mix a cup of non-bleach detergent, wet the area with the solution. Let the solution sit for a couple of minutes, and then start scrubbing using a soft-bristled brush. After scrubbing, hose the area with water and repeat if necessary.  

Your House as a Toilet Paper Zombie!

TP-ed on Halloween

Ah, the common Toilet Papering (“TP’ing”) prank…

Back when they used to make toilet paper that was strong and really worked, it was a nightmare to deal with — what made it “good toilet paper” is what made it really hard to clean up!

Nowadays, toilet paper is designed to disintegrate when it comes in contact with water. In fact, you may have noticed that some toilet paper brands start to disintegrate the minute you start <ahem>, um, <ahem> actually using it for it’s <ahem> intended purpose.

Well, if your home has been “Toilet Papered” you’ll have a much easier time cleaning it up if the perpetrators didn’t use the best, strongest brand! I can just picture the Product Development team at the toilet paper company “spit-balling” some new product ideas and coming up with this one: “Let’s make our toilet paper SUPER WEAK, because our customers will thank us when their house gets TP’d.

So, you can just wait for it to fix itself but you may want it gone as soon as possible. Use a power nozzle set to a direct spray to spray down your home or trees. Always remember to spray from the top, down. If you find the toilet paper isn’t disintegrating when in contact with water, then you’ll need to manually remove it. Sorry.     

Glitter, Pumpkin Stains, and Candle Wax on Carpets

With Halloween costumes and decorations all over the house, you’re bound to have some messes.  When it comes to glitter, a good old vacuum cleaner will do the job nicely.  For fabrics and other surfaces, a lint roller will come in handy, and If you don’t have one at home, painters tape or masking tape will do the job just fine.  

Pumpkin stains, though, are not so common. It only takes one careless move to make one pumpkin splatter everywhere.  If you managed to drop a pumpkin, use paper towels to pick up the splattered pulp but be careful not to rub it into carpet fibers.  As for the stains, pour a small amount of white vinegar and sprinkle baking soda over it, then let it sit for several hours and vacuum the area afterwards.  If the stain is still there, use a carpet cleaning formula and remember to follow its usage instructions.

Ever since the good old days of Bella Lugosi, Vincent Price and Elvira Mistress Of The Dark, the candelabra has been a Halloween MUST HAVE as part of the decorations. Ordinarily, filling your home with candlelight fills the mind with romantic thoughts — “Honey, can you make some chocolate-dipped strawberries while I get the bearskin rug out of the attic?” — but somehow, on Halloween, even romantic things can take a sinister turn. It gets especially sinister when your candles melt all over your couch and carpet!

As for candle wax on carpet, do not handle it when it’s hot, you can potentially burn yourself or make the situation worse by spreading it around. Instead, allow the candle wax to cool down and solidify. After that, use something like a dull knife to break apart the wax and sweep or vacuum the broken up pieces.

For cleaning candle wax on cloth surfaces like a tablecloth or couch, first try to break it up and manually remove as much as possible. Then place some clean newspaper over the wax spot and roll a hot clothes iron over the newspaper. The remaining wax will get absorbed by the newspaper and come right out of your cloth.    

Contact the Professionals

With all these tips, your Halloween cleanup will surely be a breeze.  But if you can’t take care of your Halloween cleanup right away or if you want to have a stress and worry-free cleaning experience, book a general house cleaning appointment with Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc. 

Camilla and Jacob from Garden Grove are our frequent customers.  Fortunately, last year’s Halloween wasn’t a prank horror-show for them, but we were still able to give them a hand.  They’ve got this to say, “We had so many things planned, from house decorations to the Halloween party, we were pretty wiped out.  Luckily, Howard’s had our backs. All we had to do was to give them a call and set up a general cleaning appointment… and the rest was smooth sailing.  I would rate them a 5 / 5 stars.”

You can schedule a general house cleaning appointments suited for your needs. Call us through our hotline at 949-215-9550 or visit our website. You can also connect with us on social media. When you need professional house cleaning, carpet cleaning and window cleaning, Howard’s is always at your service.

Autumn Food from L.A. and Orange County’s Best House Cleaning Agency

You’re probably thinking, “A blog post about food? What does L.A. and Orange County’s best house cleaning referral agency know about food?” Well, we know a few things: we like to eat it ALL DAY LONG, we clean up after it ALL THE TIME, and, sometimes, we come up with some yummy masterpieces in the kitchen! SOMETIMES.

Anyhoo… the season of autumn has finally arrived. The air is slightly cooler and the trees have changed to warm hues. Nighttime also arrives earlier now, making it cozier to stay at home with the family. Above all, autumn is the time to prep for the upcoming winter.

There are many ways to celebrate the new season and one way would have to be cooking! Howard’s believes that food is one way to give comfort especially in the coming colder nights. Not only that, you can bond with your family during this wondrous time. Plan a party in commemoration of autumn. Serve delicacies that represent the wonders of autumn. (And don’t worry about the cleanup — with Howard’s you have the best house cleaning ready to handle the job!)

Squash Soup

Squash Soup for Autumn from Howard's L.A. and Orange County's Best House Cleaning.

It would be perfect to make squash soup for the family since squash in bountiful this autumn. This is great with toasted garlic bread or garlic croutons. You can use any kind of squash from pumpkins to acorn squash to butternut squash.

Shepherd’s Pie with Sweet Potato Topping

Sweet Potato Shepherd's Pie for Autumn

Nothing says heart and comfort than your favorite shepherd’s pie. This recipe is given an autumn twist as it is topped with mashed sweet potato. It is family-pleasing and tasty recipe worth baking. Moreover, if you have your own twist in making Shepherd’s pie, you can bake one for your beloved family.

Autumn Caramel Apples

Caramel Apples for Autumn

This sweet treat is the usual dessert for autumn. Make your caramel apples more eye-catching by adding an extra layer of toppings such as a rich layer of white chocolate and sprinkle your favorite toppings. Who would not love to take a bite of that sweet juicy apple covered with gooey caramel, yummy chocolate and the crunch of cookie bits? It will bring out your sweet tooth.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte for Autumn

Home-brewed is always better compared to the commercialized version of your favorite pumpkin spice latte. In short, there’s no need to wait in line. All you got to do is have the right ingredients and you’re set! Make plenty of that creamy spiced drink for sharing. Cozy up in front of the fireplace and savor the cool nights with your family.

Autumn with The Best House Cleaning

Agnes and her three kids always anticipated the coming of autumn. She prepared ingredients of her children’s favorite autumn recipes. After the loss of her husband four years ago, her family moved to Yorba Linda and she raised them on her own.

“I had to be a full-time working mother for my kids. They are still little boys so they can’t help me out with the chores. My older son, Ricky, helps out with fixing up the beds of his siblings. A friend of mine, Loretta, who has been living in Yorba Linda for a long time suggested that I schedule weekly appointments with Howard’s. I visited their website one morning, got a free quote, and booked a house cleaning appointment with them.

Every start of autumn, I cook my kids’ favorite treats like squash soup and pecan pie. I have the time to spend with them now that I have a weekly house cleaning appointment with Howard’s. My life has become easier and I have more time with my kids — and I worry a lot less about the cleanup in the kitchen! Thank you, Howard’s.”

There is always more time to enjoy the new season when you book a house cleaning appointment with Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc. You can schedule house cleaning appointments suited for your needs. Call us through our hotline at 949 215 9550 or visit our website. You can also connect with us on our social media accounts. When you need professional house cleaning, carpet cleaning and window cleaning, Howard’s is always at your service!

End of Summer House Cleaning!

Lounge in the summer

Being that it’s officially the last day of Summer 2020, it’s time to say goodbye to Summer House Cleaning and say hello to Fall! Hopefully, you have used Howard’s to get your maid service in order, so you (a) haven’t had to do any of that deep “Summer Cleaning”, and (b) you haven’t had to RE-DO any of that deep “Summer Cleaning” (when you get top quality maids, you don’t ever have to re-do their work!).

Of course, we’re all here in Southern California, so doesn’t REALLY feel like the end of summer until, what, sometime in mid-November? Let’s call it the “SoCal Summer”! Anyway, most of us would like to get a few more things done before autumn. The feeling of dread starts kicking and you want to savor every minute of summer. There are plenty of activities that can be done whether you are at home or outside enjoying the nice summer heat.

Howard’s recommends the following activities that can help you relax and enjoy the rest of your “SoCal Summer” without shedding out any money. These can be done in the comforts of your humble abode. It is time to savor the last days of [what still feels like] summer!

Watch an entire television series or movies

Summer-Bingewatch

Binge-watching is a treat for homebodies. Online streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are lifesavers for most people. For example, Netflix has a number of new shows that launch around this time of year. (A couple personal favorites in the latest batch of Netflix shows are Umbrella Academy and Away!) Watch movies that depict the great things that can happen during summer. You can also catch up with that television series you have wanted to finish since the beginning of summer.

Read your favorite book

Read During the Summer

You can allot the last days of So Cal Summer in finishing that book you stopped reading. Delve into the pages of literature with a refreshing beverage in hand while seated in a comfy chair. The peace and quiet of your reading corner can be relaxing especially in the confines of your own home. It’s good for your brain, and good for the rest of your body.

Make a snack buffet

Snacks in the summer

Eating healthy is always important but it would be nice to spend the day to eat your favorite sweet and salty snacks. Set up a snack buffet of your favorite chocolate bar, cookies, candies, or your favorite chips. If you have fulfilled your appetite, you can set them aside. But do watch that sodium… it can add up fast! Try an alternative like “Mrs. Dash”, or a lower-sodium option like “Jane’s Crazy Mixed Up Salt”, which uses a combination of sea salt (naturally lower in sodium) and herbs for some great flavor.

If you’re a popcorn lover, there are some really healthy low-sodium bagged options out there, or of course, you could pull out the kettle and make your own — try popping it with olive oil for a unique tasty, healthier alternative to butter or vegetable oil!

Relax and chill this summer

It can be a bummer if work takes too much of our time. We always spend summer on vacation, but maybe you feel like extending it a little. Enjoy one day of just sleeping or lounging around. Just laze around the house and forget any schedules. Turn off your phone, TV and other electronics. Unplug your Alexa — she needs a break too. Even remove your watch. And by all means, leave the summer house cleaning to us!

Computers, phones, TV — all those distractions can be exhausting! Just try to spend a day doing NOTHING. Make it a day all for yourself. The lack of distractions will help you reset and be more productive when you head back to work. Of course, then you can jump right back into binge-watching on Netflix!

Summer House Cleaning Stories from Loyal Customers

Annie and Joe from Laguna Woods have always enjoyed the summer season. They make sure to carve out some time every day of summer to spend relaxing and lounging around. Most days of the year, they are busy with their hectic schedules at work. And they use Howard’s for their Summer House Cleaning needs!

“Joe and I love to spend time together especially during the summer season. I have planned a three-month vacation schedule of what we would do. Joe has booked house cleaning appointments with Howard’s in advance so we would not have to cancel any of our plans. We have been scheduling our weekly house cleaning appointments with Howard’s for two years now. Thanks for the best house cleaning services, Howard!”

Summer may be (officially) over but our professional house cleaning services are never-ending. Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service to provide the quality your home deserves. Howard’s can provide services fit for your needs. You can book a house cleaning appointment with us by calling us through our hotline at 949 215 9550 or visit our website. Enjoy the rest of the summer season!

Football-themed Activities

The new Football season is finally here and we’re all excited to root for our favorite team to win the championship. How well did your favorite team play this week? I don’t know about YOUR house, but ours was filled with family sporting their team jerseys and screaming at a TV screen. Good times!

It’s always a fun time with high spirits and anticipation, lots of snacks, and a good amount of post-game house cleaning. But don’t worry about cleaning-up after the game – just let Howard’s handle the clean-up efforts while you “train” for next week’s game. Jersey… check. Mouth guard… check. Helmet… check. Playbook cheat-sheet… check! Football… ah, where did I put that thing?

Bonding with family over football doesn’t have to start and end with the game itself. Here are some football-themed activities the family can do to get the party started – or keep it going — especially during commercial breaks.

Football Charades

Football Charades - Howard's House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc.

This game follows all the rules of charades, only it’s all about football. It will test out just how good your family can act out words related to football. Act out words like “touchdown”, “referee”, team names or even mascot names. You can even look up the official signals the referees use and start the charades.

Commercial Bingo

Football Bingo - Howard's House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc.

We all know how many commercials we’ll see throughout the game – maybe a couple hundred (or at least, it can seem like that). All those commercials can kill some of the energy of the game, but why not make watching commercials fun instead? You can get free printable bingo cards that have brand names and sponsors online. Get a marker or use treats like candies and see who gets to shout ‘BINGO!’ before the break ends.

Football Trivia

Football Trivia - Howard's House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc.

This game will really challenge the entire group, especially those who are not quite so up on their football “knowledge”. Prepare questionnaires about everything football-related (you might want to make it with multiple choices) and see who gets to become this season’s Football Trivia Master.

These activities will certainly fuel more fun and excitement during the halftime and commercial breaks. It will certainly bring your family and friends together.

Quality House Cleaning Experience with Howard’s

Jan and Kurt from Aliso Viejo have been loyal customers of Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency since 2016 and this is their football season house cleaning story with Howard’s.

“My husband likes to invite his friends to watch the game together. I always buy their favorite beer from the store and cook snacks for them. It’s all a good time, but cleaning-up after them is definitely NOT something I enjoy. My friend, Clarisse, recommended I book a post-game house cleaning appointment with Howard’s back in 2016. It was totally worth it! I finally got to enjoy some time with the girls while Kurt and friends watch the game, and I didn’t have to deal with cleaning up a disaster area later. Howard’s has been my go-to house cleaning referral agency ever since. I’ve made it a weekly event at our house during football season. Thank you, Howard!”

With everyone prepped up for the football season, Howard’s is here to help you out with the post-game cleanup. Just give us a call or visit our website and book a house cleaning appointment with us. Howard’s is also giving out a special discount in time for the start of the football season. Get $20* off when you book a house cleaning appointment with us. Let’s make a deal! Howard’s is always at your service.

Labor Day House Cleaning

We all know Mondays can be a drag. Luckily, tomorrow, September 7th, is Labor Day! We all know that Labor Day entails a long weekend. We would rather spend this time enjoying the company of our friends and family.  Labor Day also marks the end of summer. Thus, making it even more important to spend the day with our loved ones before busy schedules take over our lives.  

But why do we celebrate this day? What is its significance? 

What is Labor Day?

What is Labor Day - Howard's House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc.

Labor Day is an annual celebration of workers and their achievements that helped develop the working standards that we Americans know today. 

Labor Day comes off the back of America’s most dismal labor periods dated back to the height of the Industrial Revolution.  In this time period, twelve-hour, seven-day work weeks were ingrained in society for people to make ends meet. 

Child labor was also common during this time despite restrictions in some states. Children, as young as five years old, were worked hard in mills and factories. They had salaries only a fraction of adult wages.  Workers also faced very poor and unsafe working conditions. They had little access to fresh air and sanitary facilities.  

As businesses grew, so did its workforce and its representations. Labor unions started to rise in prominence.  As their prominence arose, so did their voice. Unions had began organizing strikes and rallies in protest of poor working conditions. They had compelled employers to renegotiate work hours and pay.  

Not all of these protests were peaceful though.  Some of these have turned violent and have caused several fatalities.  In the height of this movement, many have stopped working outright or were continually striking.  Congress had to ultimately step in to get the workforce back and running. It passed an act that made Labor Day a national holiday and president Grover Cleveland signed it into law on June 28th 1894.  

How do we celebrate it?

How do we celebrate Labor Day - Howard's House Cleaning Referral Agency Inc.

Many celebrate Labor Day through barbecues, trips, parades, fireworks and other gatherings. We don’t want you to miss out on all the fun with your friends and family.  Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service to provide you with the best house cleaning service in Orange County. 

Lucille and Dan from Laguna Woods have been long-time customers of our house cleaning service and we’ve helped them out many times before.  They’ve got this to say, “We really do try to take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend to spend time with kids and our friends.  Most of our time is spent at work and cleaning is usually an afterthought.  We usually do that cleaning in our free time but we don’t really like sacrificing the limited time we have with our family and friends.   Howard’s is such a blessing in our lives because all we have to do is give them a call and set a date, giving us all the time we want. Their cleaning is exceptional and their service is very professional.  I would rate them a 5 / 5 stars.”

Book a house cleaning appointment today and experience the best in Orange County and LA County. You can get $20* off in time for our Big Labor Day Cleaning! We can provide you the best deals and services you need to make your home clean and comfortable especially this Labor Day!

House Cleaning During COVID-19

Hiring a House Cleaner During COVID-19

COVID-19 has brought plenty of change especially for employees and entrepreneurs. In this new normal phase, most employees work remotely at home. Everyone’s at home due to the pandemic. Where does house cleaning during COVID fit within this picture?

Keeping your house clean is the first line of defense against disease and illness, and one of the most controllable factors in keeping you and your loved ones healthy!

However, you might not have the time or energy for house cleaning. In that case, hiring someone to do the house cleaning for you can be a huge relief. But is it safe to do that during COVID-19?

There is no definite answer as to when exactly is it safe to let someone inside the confines of your house. Factors differ in different areas and situations. In order to address this, here are the things to consider in making the decision.

Check state and local stay-at-home guidelines

Precautions During COVID-19

Know your area’s official recommendations and restrictions. Get updates if quarantine orders have been lifted. These orders may be implemented if COVID-19 cases arise.

The idea of a house cleaner in your home

Discuss with your family the idea of a house cleaning entering the home. It is always your priority to put you and your family’s safety first especially in the time of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the same time, keeping your home clean is the best protection against illness. Remember, even the more common maladies like the cold virus can make you more susceptible to something more serious like COVID-19. Homes that are not clean are known to have poor air quality — something that does not help your lungs stay healthy. Keeping your home clean and dust free is recognized as one of the best ways to prevent many illness, especially respiratory illnesses!

The health status of your family

Precautions During COVID-19

If you or someone in your family is at high-risk in contracting the coronavirus, you will want to discuss this with your house cleaners in advance so they can make the necessary preparations to ensure your safety. You may also talk with your physician regarding your plans to see if there are any additional recommendations they have for your safety.

It would be best to let your house cleaning agency know whether you or any of your loved ones have been sick in the past 48 hours to protect the cleaners they refer to your home from any risks of COVID-19.

When you schedule a house cleaning appointment with Howard’s, please let us know if you or any of your family members have been sick for the past ten days. You can also let us know of any specific personal needs. We will take note of them and inform the house cleaning professionals before they visit your home.

Our customer’s story

Maggie from Tustin shares her story of hiring Howard’s during the pandemic and how we take precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

“I started working from home since June and I cannot juggle work and home. My husband helps me out with the kids. With the rising cases of COVID-19, it makes me think about the safety of my family.

Howard’s is always my go-to house cleaning referral agency. His house cleaners are professionals and always know what I want when it comes to cleanliness. They follow the guidelines the health sector implemented. I know my family and I will be safe when they clean our house.

With the pandemic, I take extra safety precautions in making sure my family and Howard’s house cleaners will not be exposed to any health risks. Howard’s always accommodates my specific needs and that’s what I love about them.”

Your home should be the safest place for you and your loved ones. That’s why Howard’s is always ready to service our customers during the pandemic. You can schedule a house cleaning appointment with us by calling 949 215 9550 to learn more about our house cleaning referral agency and how we can help fight against COVID-19.

Get a call back!