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.

Weekend Summer House Cleaning

It’s the weekend again! You’ve spent the entire week working and you’ve decided that when the weekend comes, you’ll do something fun. Somehow that doesn’t happen. You look around the house and it is a total mess. You would allot the entire day to make your house look spick and span, but going to the beach sure sounds more fun.

There is no need to worry about cancelling that weekend plan of yours. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Howard’s. We are always at your service to do the house cleaning while you splash the cool waters.

One of our dear clients, Darlene from Huntington Beach, shares her story of how Howard’s saved her plans from being postponed.

“My family and I always schedule a family get-together every weekend. Stan and I work every day while the kids are in school so there’s barely any time for us to bond as a family. As a mom, I can’t even squeeze in the time to do a full house cleaning. I found out about Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency while browsing Instagram. After my first schedule with them, I immediately had their number on my speed dial so I can book a weekly house cleaning schedule with them. I just adore Howard’s excellent and professional cleaning services. They are the best!”

You can also experience the best house cleaning referral agency in Orange County. We always prioritize excellence and quality first. Schedule a house cleaning appointment with us today. Call us at 949 215 9550 or visit our website at howardshousecleaning.com to get a quote.

Activities To Do During Summer (Besides Cleaning Your House)

Some of us are taking a precaution against going outside to avoid getting infecting with COVID-19. There are families that prefer to stay at home and still enjoy the summer with family. Of course, that means things can get messy, but that’s where our services come into play for cleaning your house!

So Howard’s has come up with a few activities you can enjoy at home during the summer season. And don’t worry about making a mess. Have fun — and then call us for the cleanup! 

Picnic in your backyard. Despite the precaution of not going out of the house, you can still can go out of your garden or backyard to get some sunshine. It is also a good place to have a picnic with family. Make your favorite snacks and finger foods, set a red checkered blanket on the grass, and enjoy the beautiful view of nature in your humble garden. 

Go Stargazing. When the sun has set and the heavenly bodies of the night sky have appeared, settle somewhere peaceful and quiet and lie down to look up at the constellations of the stars. 

Want to know more about what’s up there? Want to look extra smart and be the first to point out the Big Dipper? Check out this cool online guide from The Backyard Gnome here. There are a couple apps you can also use on your Android or Apple phone that make it really easy and fun to explore the galaxy from your backyard!

Eat popsicles and ice cream cones. One way to beat the scorching heat of summer is to cool down with homemade popsicles and ice cream. Pick the flavor of the day and start making! your treat! The kids and the kids at heart will love it. It’s really easy to make tasty popsicles, and making delicious ice cream isn’t too hard if you have the right kitchen equipment — Food & Wine magazine recently put out a list of the best ice cream makers for your kitchen. 

Samantha from Huntington Beach has been our loyal house cleaning customer for over a year. She and her family always head to Huntington Beach to get tan and splash in the cool waters.

“My husband and our three kids always enjoy summer by heading to the beach. I would watch the kids swim in the cool waters and build sand castles. But ever since the pandemic broke out, I told them that we had to stay home to keep safe. 

“I made plans of doing fun activities while at home to enjoy summer. We make homemade ice cream together and build pillow forts. In the back of my mind, I’m thinking about the mess we might leave afterwards, but I am confident with my forever house cleaners, Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency. 

Howard always has the best professional house cleaners that keep my house sparkling clean. I just give them a call and book a house cleaning appointment. Last year, I availed of their big summer cleaning discount. I am always thankful of Howard!”

Enjoy the heat of summer even indoors while we take care of your house cleaning. Dial Howard’s today at 949 215 9550.

(100) Days of Summer

Finally, Summer is here! How are you going to spend 100, well technically 93, days of summer? I’m sure you’ve got tons of plans and ideas. How about house cleaning? I know you don’t want to spend the entire day cleaning all the while you could be out with friends or family.

When you need some house cleaning done, you can rely on Howard’s to do that for you. No need to cancel any plans you’ve been looking forward the entire week.

Timothy from Fullerton has shared his experience with Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency.

I’m a single dad who resides in Dana Point with my son, Jackson.  I am at work for almost the entire week so I leave my son at my sister’s house, which is a block away.

During Saturdays and Sundays, I always make sure to spend time with Jackson. Now that it is summer, I got tons of plans to do with my kid.

My sister reprimands me about how messy our house can be. What can I say? I’m a guy who works most of the time and all I want is to take a rest the minute I get home. She suggested that I book a house cleaning schedule with Howard’s especially now that they’re giving a big summer cleaning discount. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. Now, I don’t have to think about spending my days off cleaning the house. I could just spend it with Jackson while the professionals do the cleaning for me. Thanks Howard!

Spend your days off with your loved ones this summer while we take care of your house cleaning. Dial Howard’s today at 949 215 9550 or visit our website at howardshousecleaning.com.

Dad’s Big Day

Father’s Day is celebrated in order to honor fathers — to celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society.

What would be a perfect way to celebrate the hardworking and loving fathers and grandfathers? What would be a good way to honor their strength as protectors and providers?

Through house cleaning of course!

Give the man of the hour the gift of serenity through cleaning. Though dads and husbands are usually not the house-makers today, some are and they deserve a break… they need to relax. They need not hassle themselves in cleaning the entire house for this day or any other.

As one of our clients Shirley L. from Newport Beach said, “Howard’s House Cleaning has got my husband covered this Father’s Day. I’m currently working at home and he does the housework. I called Howard’s and set up the schedule and my husband couldn’t be happier as I told him to relax!”

Also Howard’s has got your back any time. We offer weekly and bi-weekly cleaning schedules we make sure to accommodate your schedule. As you come home after relaxing and building memories with your dad or husband, you will be greeted by a refreshed and cleansed home.

Now isn’t it time you scheduled a house cleaning appointment with us?

The Importance of Hand Washing

Hand Washing

Did you know that one way to keep yourself safe from getting sick is to wash your hands? Yes, it’s as easy as that aside from eating healthy and drinking your vitamins. There a lot of diseases that have spread all because of the fact that people didn’t wash their hands properly.

Proper hand washing before handling anything is a good way to kill harmful viruses and bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hand washing can prevent 1 in 3 cases of diarrhea and 1 in 5 cases of respiratory infections such as a cold or the flu. You should also keep in mind that touching your eyes, nose, mouth and face and other parts of your body and even household surfaces should be avoided when you are unsure of the cleanliness of your hands.

The Discovery of Hand Washing Importance

A Hungarian physician, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, discovered the medical benefits of proper handwashing. On the 20th of March 1847, Dr. Semmelweis introduced the washing of hands with chlorinated lime solutions for interns who had done autopsies. During his tenure at Vienna General Hospital in the mid 19th century, there was an unknown and poor disease called “childbed fever”. Thus, it led to high mortality rates in maternity wards across Europe.

Hand Washing

He discovered through a thorough investigation that the doctors themselves were the cause. For instance, a doctor who went through autopsies of cadavers would later attend a mother in labor. Think about where the hands of the doctor had come from!

Semmelweis later ordered something that most doctors did not agree with: Proper handwashing after every patient examinations. After that, there was a reduction of new mothers getting the childbed fever. Thanks, Dr. Semmelweis!

Proper Hand Washing Prevents Spread of Infectious Disease

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing education reduces the spread of numerous diseases.

Hand Washing

The number of people who get sick with diarrhea reduced by 23-40%. Diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems reduced by 58%. Respiratory illnesses in the general population reduced by 16-21%. Absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren reduced by 29-57%

Through proper handwashing, we can prevent the following:

Hand washing

First of all, touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with dirty hands is a big no-no. These are the places where germs can get it and we are never even aware of it.

Hand Washing

Also, dirt can get into the food that you eat. If you don’t wash your hands before preparing, you might get sick in the stomach.

Aside from that, you can also get germs from handrails, tabletops, and other objects or surfaces. This is through transmission from someone who did not wash their hands.

Lastly, we also need to think of how to clean our homes. That’s where we can help you out. We have the best referral and professional cleaners. They always practice proper handwashing and proper hygiene too.

If you aren’t confident with yourself or you just want the best for your family, another answer is to hire the professionals Howard’s House Cleaning Agency can refer. The professional cleaners we refer are trained to have the best-in-class cleaning practices that prioritize your health and safety. With their expertise, you will rest easy knowing that your house is not just clean but THOROUGHLY CLEAN!

We spoke with Lucy S., one of our recurring customers from Fullerton, about her experience with the professionals we referred — and she had this to say: “After witnessing how Howard’s [referred maids] clean, I’m really impressed. They truly are professionals. They didn’t just clean the obvious stuff but they also made sure that the common areas where me and my kids usually touch are cleaned and disinfected. I would recommend them to anyone who wants a thorough cleaning.”

So there you have it. There is such a big impact just by washing your hands properly. With that, get those hands soaping, scrubbing, and a thorough washing! Always remember to keep safe and stay healthy!

A cleaner home… is a healthier home.
Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service.
Call Howard today!

The Best House Cleaning Referral Agency
Referring PROFESSIONAL maids is our business… EXCELLENCE!

P.S. We can make your house just as spotless as the White House.

*** CALL TODAY: 949-215-9550

Contact us for referrals to the very best house cleaners in Orange County.

Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service to provide you the excellence that you are looking for when it comes to cleaning your beautiful homes.

PSA from Howard of HHCRA

maids

PSA from Howard of HHCRA

As you know, the maids (Independent Domestic Workers) referred by Howard’s are the best in the business. They are experts in cleaning and sanitizing. That’s one problem resolved.

Next; some of our clients require the maids to wear a mask. This is nothing new. The client’s supply them. We are also recommending that the clients use some sort of aerosol sanitizing spray periodically, or as needed. Again, the clients typically already have one of their choosing.

Finally; the maids are aware of the health issues, and are paying attention to everyone’s benefit.

Just a quick note. I’m sure you’ve been bombarded with all kinds of information about the Corona Virus on the television and internet… Also; remember it’s Flu & Cold season. So, drink a lot of liquid, and keep nourished. Here are some common-sense ideas…

Practice Good Hygiene

1) Wash your hands frequently

maids

We never know where our hands have been so make sure to wash your hands. Pick a 20-second part from your favorite song and sing it while you do.

2) Avoid touching your face, nose & eyes

maids

As much as possible, don’t touch your face even when it feels itchy. You can use a clean handkerchief or tissue paper to wipe your face.

3) Cover coughs & sneezes

maids

Listen, it is always important to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. It is also proper decorum and avoids spreading droplets.

4) Disinfect surfaces regularly

maids

We never long how long it will last on the surface so make sure to disinfect your furniture and fixtures.

5) Limit handshaking

Human to human contact may be a way to spread unwanted diseases or viruses. Make sure to avoid touching someone else.

6) Maintain Social Distancing

Maintain a distance of one meter away from another person. It may be hard especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to hug or be hugged.

Meeting & Travel Precautions

1) Stay home if you are sick

It’s better to be safe than sorry as they always say. If you are sick and don’t want someone else to catch it, please stay at home and isolate yourself so you can recover fast.

2) Consider postponing travel plans

Why travel during the global crisis? Big discounts aren’t really worth it if you are going to be sick just by traveling. How about a stay-cation instead.

3) Avoid large gatherings

We never know who we get in contact with crowds. Avoid them for now.

4) Conduct video conference meetings

With the power of technology today, we can still see each other but through our screens. If it is an important topic to be talked about, you can schedule a group message or video conference.

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. TIME TO GET SAFE:

The maids referred by Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency, Inc. are literally the best in the business. They are experts at cleaning and sanitizing. If you need help, call us … (949) 215-9550. ALWAYS… AT YOUR SERVICE!

Kindest Regards, Howard

Ways To Attain Good Hygiene

Good Hygiene

Ways To Attain Good Hygiene

Good Hygiene, and ways on how to attain it. Do you remember when you were young? Your parents always told you to clean up before eating? Take a bath every day? Nowadays,  with what’s going on right now, I think we should take those reminders seriously.

Let us take a calming moment and remind ourselves of what we can personally do in order to maintain good hygiene that can have good benefits for our immune system and prevent diseases and viral infections.

Wash your hands more often

Good Hygiene

We can never tell or remember what we’ve touched using our hands. With that, it’s always better if we wash regularly. You can also use isopropyl alcohol or alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel. Isopropyl alcohol that have 70% solution are better than 40% when it comes to disinfecting. These are handy when water and soap are not available.

Bathe Regularly

Good Hygiene

Always take a bath! Scrub your body with soap or body wash. Doing such helps in removing dead skin cells. This also helps in getting rid of the germs and dirt that have clung to you for the rest of the day. Aside from that, it leaves you feeling refreshed. You can also use a shower cap if you don’t feel like washing your hair every day.

Brush Your Teeth

Good Hygiene

In order to attain good dental health, you have to brush your teeth twice a day or every after a meal. This is important as it prevents gum diseases that may lead to complications. You can also use mouthwash when you aren’t carrying a toothbrush around. Flossing is also important as it takes out the nook and crannies that brushing cannot reach.

Trim Fingernails and Toenails

Good Hygiene

Do you notice every time you look at your fingernails and see dirt underneath them? Where did that come from? Did I scrape something dirty? Yikes! Aside from maintaining the cleanliness of your nails, it also prevents hangnails and other damages.

Wear Deodorant

Good Hygiene

One thing to remember is that you need to smell fresh and clean. This is where using a deodorant comes in. Also, if you sweat profusely and want to control that sweating, you can also use an antiperspirant. Use natural and aluminum-free deodorants.

Clean Your Hair

While taking a bath, make sure to massage your hair. Doctors recommend that you wash your hair twice or thrice a week but that all depends on your hair quality.

Now that we know how to maintain our personal hygiene, we also need to think of how to clean up our surroundings. This is also specifies our own homes. If you want hassle-free cleaning and sanitizing, you can schedule a regular appointment with Howard’s House Cleaning and Referral Agency.

We refer professional house cleaners that can provide quality cleaning and sanitizing services. They can disinfect your house from dirt and other viral infections. There is no need to fear for as long as you maintain cleanliness and discipline.

A cleaner home… is a healthier home.
Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service.
Call Howard today!

The Best House Cleaning Referral Agency

Referring PROFESSIONAL maids is our business… EXCELLENCE!

P.S.  We can make your house just as spotless as the White House.

*** CALL TODAY:  949-215-9550

Contact us for referrals to the very best house cleaners in Orange County.

Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service to provide you the excellence that you are looking for when it comes to cleaning your beautiful homes.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

First of all, we would like to dedicate this entry to the powerful women in our lives. It may be too late for the post but we still want to give appreciation. We all have known great women in our lives, be it our grandmothers, granddaughters, mothers, aunts, daughters, or wives. They have brought such inspirations in our lives and therefore they deserve to have a day dedicated to them.

Women

International Women’s Day is celebrated to honor the women who have achieved milestones and those who have made big changes that impacted society. It is also one way of celebrating the women in your life.

Now, what would be a perfect way to give back to the hardworking wife of yours? What would be a good way to honor her and her strength in being a homemaker? Here is one way for you to give back: Start scheduling your house cleaning!

Give your wife the gift of cleaning. She won’t need to hassle herself in cleaning the entire house. Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency has got that covered for you. We offer weekly and bi-weekly cleaning schedules. We also make sure it accommodates your chosen time.

All-day Pamper Treatment

Women

You could also take her out on a pampering trip to the salon or the spa. You could also set up a surprise her with a romantic dinner reservation somewhere fancy. While you are both away to spend some quality time together, our professional cleaners can make your home spotless and refreshed.

Drive Back to Memory Lane

Women

Aside from giving her a pamper trip, you could also go out on a road trip. Reminisce the days when you were young and go back to the place you first met. While you are enjoying a trip down memory lane, our cleaners have dusted the furnishings and fixtures. We have also sanitized your home with our eco-friendly and chemical-free house cleaning agents.

How about that? When you get home after spending quality time, you will come home to a dust-free and refreshed home. The special someone in your life deserves all that. Happy International Women’s Day!

A cleaner home… is a healthier home.
Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service.
Call Howard today!

The Best House Cleaning Referral Agency

Referring PROFESSIONAL maids is our business… EXCELLENCE!

P.S.  We can make your house just as spotless as the White House.

*** CALL TODAY:  949-215-9550

Contact us for referrals to the very best house cleaners in Orange County.

Howard’s House Cleaning Referral Agency is always at your service to provide you the excellence that you are looking for when it comes to cleaning your beautiful homes.

Get a call back!