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Merry Maids North Sussex wins award for business excellence

Merry Maids North Sussex won the prestigious Best in Class award during this year’s ServiceMaster Spring Forward event.

Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean Contract Services businesses from across the UK rallied in Coventry this month for our Spring Forward event.

The day was packed with informative sessions from Team Academy on how owners and staff can utilise their natural superpowers to create an impact in their businesses.

The day was rounded off with a gala dinner and awards evening that saw franchise business owners from both brands awarded for their accomplishments over the last year.


Merry Maids of North Sussex – Best in Class

This included the team from Merry Maids North Sussex, who won the prestigious Best in Class awards as a recognition of their embracing of the latest technology adoptions to improve her business’ employee satisfaction, customer service and financial results too!

After winning these awards on the night, the business owner of Merry Maids North Sussex, Beccy Pope, said that it was “amazing” to win for the value they provide to customers and staff.

When asked what great customer service and satisfaction meant to her, Beccy said:

“It’s what keeps the orders coming in and keeps us booked! Alex [Team Leader] has a lovely rapport with everybody, trying to invest in what they like.”

Congratulations to the team at Merry Maids North Sussex for their hard work delivering excellence.

We wish them continued success in the years to come!


Want award-winning home cleaning?

If you’re in North Sussex and would benefit from professional home cleaning services from an award-winning business, contact the Merry Maids North Sussex team on 01293 613133 or find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how we can help you today.

How to get rid of window condensation

Expert help on getting rid of window condensation.

Have you found yourself waking up to windows covered in condensation?

Condensation can be a nightmare at this time of year.

For home renters and buyers alike, water collecting on your windows can be bad for your property.

Here’s an easy way to eliminate this pesky winter window pest from the experts of Merry Maids UK.


Causes and effects of window condensation

One study found 44% of British renters live in properties with no extractor fan in the bathroom, and 31% live in a property with no window in the bathroom – meaning humid air has nowhere to go after a hot shower.

The build-up of water from condensing air can lead to multiple household issues, such as black mould, dampness, and draughts.

Not only can these be bad for your home, but have a real negative impact on your health.


How to eliminate window condensation with Stosslüften

This quick and easy fix for window condensation comes from a German method called ‘Stosslüften’.

Stosslüften is an alternative to a more well-known method of condensation reduction, essentially to open the windows with condensation on.

However, this is often not cost or energy-effective as it can take almost all day for the condensation to evaporate.

Instead, the Stosslüften method suggests creating a draft throughout the house by opening windows all over your property for three minutes.

This will exchange the hot air inside for cold air outside, which holds less moisture.

It will also eliminate condensation quickly by ridding your house of the humidity that allows it to thrive.


How the professionals can help with condensation

Our cleaning experts can do various things to help keep your home in its best possible condition, including cleaning tiles and mirrors and deodorising in bathrooms and suites – a common place for condensation to wreak havoc.

If your house has developed mould due to condensation, you can call disaster restoration experts like ServiceMaster Restore to eliminate mould growths in your home.


Contact Us

To start saving time and energy on your cleaning, call in the experts at Merry Maids now by finding your nearest business or booking online today.

Why should I get my home professionally spring-cleaned?

The benefits of a professional spring-cleaning service.

We don’t know about you, but we’re ready for spring.

It’s when nature washes away the cold of winter and freshens up for a brighter year ahead.

The flowers start to bloom, and the temperatures begin to rise. What’s not to love?

Preparing for spring also means it’s time to start thinking about your spring cleaning.

It may not always be pleasant, but the practice of getting down and dirty to clear out the clutter and the cobwebs of the past year is a vital part of the springtime.

Though the adage often cited is ‘if you want a job done properly, do it yourself,’ we’re here to tell you there is another way.

In this blog post, our cleaning experts walk you through the benefits of hiring a professional cleaning service for your spring cleaning.


What’s involved in spring cleaning?

Spring cleans are a deeper and more comprehensive cleaning than a regular maintenance clean and are all about clearing out the house at a deeper level to prepare for the year ahead.

Regular cleaning keeps your home in top condition, while deep cleaning gives that extra oomph and sparkle to make your home truly SHINE.

Our expert deep and spring cleans are ideal when moving in or out of a property, preparing your home to sell, having the in-laws visiting, in the aftermath of building or renovation works or needing a complete freshen-up.

They can include:
  • Cleaning out kitchen cupboards
  • Vacuuming curtains
  • Cleaning inside windows
  • Cleaning inside and or defrosting fridges and freezers
  • Washing internal doors and window frames
  • Moving heavier furniture to clean behind (where possible)

How do the professionals spring clean your home?

Professional cleaning services like those at Merry Maids use experienced professionals trained to deliver excellent-value home cleaning with a tried and tested methodology and products to produce the best results.

On every visit, your Merry Maids team will dust, wash, sanitise and vacuum your home using our equipment and specially formulated products.

We operate a strict cleaning process that utilises coloured cloths for different areas of the home to avoid cross-contamination.

All our maids are trained in Health and Safety regulations and procedures* to use our products and equipment

*Practices may vary by area due to area-specific considerations.

How much does it cost to have my home professionally cleaned?

There is no standard pricing index used to determine domestic cleaning service fees.

Some businesses charge by the hour, while others will charge for the scope of the cleaning involved.

Either way, professional cleaning services will determine their prices based on the following factors:

  1. Size
  2. Layout and number of rooms
  3. Style of home
  4. Number of residents
  5. Factoring of children and pets
  6. Frequency of cleaning
  7. Location and travel distance from business location

To see the value of professional spring-cleaning services in your area, contact your nearest Merry Maids business for a free, no-obligation quotation.

Why pay when you can do it yourself, you ask.

We’ll tell you…


  1. Professional spring cleaning saves you time and effort

There’s no doubt about it… spring cleaning is a massive undertaking.

Especially if you’re already juggling family and childcare responsibilities, work, and the basics like socialisation and a good amount of rest.

Whatever your idea is of time well spent, we know it doesn’t involve doing the cleaning.

Entrusting your spring cleaning to professionals can save you hours of effort and give you time to focus on what matters most.


  1. The bespoke and professional touch

At Merry Maids, we love to clean. It’s what we do.

Over our 30 years of delivering home cleaning expertise, we have refined the experience had by our customers to a fine art.

We know that each home and each individual we clean for is unique.

So, we go above and beyond to ensure you get the clean you deserve, not just the clean you expect, and work with you to understand the specific needs of you and your home and work tirelessly to ensure that you’re more than happy with gleaming results – at a time that suits you.

Professional cleaning staff like ours are trained with the latest (and often exclusive) products, tools, and best practices to make every room in the house sparkle.


  1. Professional spring cleaning is good for your health

Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefit, a good spring cleaning is also good for your health!

According to Verywell Mind, a cluttered and dirty environment can be harmful to your mental health, as it has been scientifically linked to higher rates of stress, depression and anxiety, as well as decreased rates of focus.

In addition, studies have shown that having a clean home typically is the mark of healthier inhabitants.

Cleanliness in the home has even been found to be a better predictor of good health for the residents than the walkability of its neighbourhood!

Cleaning can also improve the air quality of your home.

This is extra vital in the spring as the winter often involves more time spent inside with less fresh air in the home – causing more dust on the property.

The equipment used by professional cleaners is designed to eliminate harmful dust in the home and can benefit your health and air quality.


  1. Professional support with additional health requirements

We know that people aren’t always able to clean for themselves.

Following our successful Forget Me Knot Challenge last year – where our businesses across the UK raised over £4000 for the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends in a matter of weeks – Merry Maids UK have this year become an official partner in aid of Alzheimer’s Society.

At Merry Maids, our staff understand the specific requirements of the over 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK and ensure their homes are clean, healthy places for them to live, maintained by friendly, local people who support them with any additional requirements that come with dementia and other conditions – even if that means being someone to make a cup of tea and have a chat with.


Why hire Merry Maids to spring clean your home?

Put the spring back in your cleaning with Merry Maids.

The springtime is for enjoying, not cleaning.

Get a cleaner, fresher home faster and reclaim your free time with the expert help of your local cleaning professionals.

Are you tired of spending your free time hunched over to clean cobwebbed corners rather than enjoying the sunshine?

Your springtime is sacred.

Booking your spring cleaning with your local professionals now could be the saving grace you’ve been waiting for.

At Merry Maids, we’ve been experts in home cleaning for over 30 years, providing professional and bespoke services as one-off, regular or deep cleans and taking the hassle out of your spring cleaning.

Naturally, you might not love cleaning, but we do. It’s what we do best!


Contact Us

To start saving time and energy on your spring cleaning, book your spring cleaning with the experts at Merry Maids now by finding your nearest business or booking online today.

At home DIY cleaning hacks

DIY cleaning hacks from the experts.

Stubborn stains, grimy appliances, and no solution in sight?

Here are some cleaning hacks you can do at home to get your house looking ship-shaped in no time.


Cleaning a Dirty Oven Door

Let’s face it… our ovens see a lot of traffic, especially with the holiday period just gone.

This can leave your oven door looking less than desirable due to grime building upon the glass.

Not only is this quite an eyesore, but it also might make it difficult to see what you’re cooking!

Luckily, there is an easy solution that only needs a little help from something you probably already have in your home: Dishwasher Tablets.

That’s right, the little pods that we use to clean our dishwashers can also come in handy elsewhere.

To do this trick, ensure that the glass in your oven door is removable.

You may not know the ins and outs of your oven’s design specification.

But often, you can easily remove the glass from your oven door.

Usually, if you lower your oven door, you can look for a clip at each top corner that will slide off quite easily if you press it firmly and slide it towards you with one finger – we also recommend wearing gloves whilst doing this hack.

Once you’re done with this, you can lift the entire glass panel of your oven door out and make it much easier to clean!

This is where the dishwasher tablets come in. You can use them directly on the glass and apply hot water.

You can now use them like an eraser and remove all that nasty dirt and grime.


Cleaning your Shower Head

Our shower heads get a lot of use and, as a result, develop a build-up of limescale and grime that can affect your shower’s hygiene and performance.

If your shower head is detachable, we have an odd yet cheap and effective solution for you: Cola.

Buy some cheap cola from your local supermarket and place your showerhead into a deep plastic bag.

Then, fill the bag with cola until the showerhead is completely submerged.

Seal the bag with a clip or string and hang it somewhere safe where it will be untouched.

Leave it for a few hours, and the acidic cola will gradually dissolve the limescale build-up!


Bicarb is a cleaner’s best friend

You might not think it, but the humble bicarbonate of soda has many uses within the home for keeping things clean.

You can make bicarb a part of your cleaning routine in several ways, including:

  • Remove tannin stains – You can use a DIY paste of bicarbonate of soda and water to get rid of tannin stains on teaspoons and the inside of your cups. Just be sure to rinse them thoroughly when done.
  • Absorbing food odours – Keeping a ramekin with powdered bicarbonate of soda in your fridge on top of your salad drawer can help to keep it fresh.
  • General Cleaning – You can clean countertops, sinks, microwaves, and cooking utensils. Like removing tannin stains, make a paste using water and bicarb, scrub, and rinse.
  • Remove Odours – Use it to deodorise carpets, pet beds, and upholstered furniture. Sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda onto a surface, leave it to sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum it up thoroughly. This also works on clothes. Fill the sink with cool water and 5-6 tablespoons of bicarb, and soak the offending garment for 30 minutes. Then wash again and dry off naturally.
  • Restore shine to sterling silver – Make up a paste of three parts bicarb to one part water, and apply it to silverware with a lint-free cloth, then rinse it off.

Is your time too tight for DIY cleaning?

If all this DIY seems like a lot of effort and you would prefer to leave your home cleaning to the professionals, find your nearest Merry Maids business today to book a cleaning or to learn more about our services.

Merry Maids of Croydon Celebrates 20th Anniversary

Twenty years of Merry Maids of Croydon.

The end of 2023 marked 20 years in business for Merry Maids of Croydon.
Business owner Debbie Walker, a recent BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards finalist, started her business in 2003 after a successful career working in corporate roles.
With a background in Strategic Account Management working with large numbers of suppliers, Debbie became well-versed in working to provide support within her community at the highest level.

This made her well-suited to deliver the exceptional services offered at Merry Maids UK,

providing premium domestic cleaning services, from spring cleaning to end-of-tenancy cleaning, with a smile, professionalism, high-quality training, expertise and safety assurances.


Our mission

At Merry Maids, we deliver a high-value exchange to our clients.

As part of a nationwide franchise organisation, we are locally owned and nationally renowned, providing the quality and assurances of a trusted brand with the knowledge and care of a local professional.

At Merry Maids of Croydon, two decades in operation means twenty years of unparalleled cleaning, community care, and happy customers.
“I started using Merry Maids after I fell over in my home and spent 8 days in hospital. I fractured my pelvis, hip and ankle. The ladies were very sympathetic and compassionate. I have 4 flights of stairs in my home.
They changed the beds, hoovered and made the bathrooms sparkle. I have enjoyed their services for 13 months and the only reason I’m leaving them is because I’m moving up to North Lincolnshire. I would recommend them to anyone [and] would consider them as friends.”

Anniversary Celebrations

To celebrate their anniversary, the team threw a celebration in the office in which all staff received a cupcake from Drizzleanddrips and a note thanking them for their hard work.
Their regular clients also received a thank you card, and clients with cleans on the anniversary received a cupcake!
Receiving a celebratory bunch of flowers from Merry Maids franchisor ServiceMaster, Debbie said:
“We are thrilled that we are commemorating an incredible 20 years of serving the Croydon community.”
“From day one, we’ve been dedicated to delivering exceptional cleaning services with a smile.”
“Our journey has been nothing short of remarkable, and we owe it all to our dedicated team, our loyal clients, and our community who have supported us throughout the years. We can not thank you enough for being a part of our journey.”

Charity Partnership

As part of their anniversary, the team partnered with Reedham Children’s Trust to collect donations from their customers for vulnerable people and families in Croydon.

Essential items like food and toiletries have been pouring from customers to help people in the local community during Christmastime and generated donations with a total value of £1161.89!

Jessica Ritchie from the Reedham Children’s Trust added:

“Once again Merry Maids of Croydon and their wonderful customers have been incredibly kind, donating over £1,100 worth of food to help vulnerable children and their families this Christmas and into the new year.

The cost-of-living crisis affects so many of us, but it is heartening to see that despite this challenge, everyone pulls together to help others in their time of need.

Thank you so very much.”


Get in touch

If you are local to the Croydon area and would benefit from 20 years of professional cleaning expertise, contact Debbie and the rest of the Croydon team today by calling 020 8663 3268.

If you would benefit from regular or one-off cleaning services from one of our teams across the UK, contact your local cleaning experts today by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or book online.

Merry Maids of Croydon donates over £1100 worth of items to food drive

Merry Maids of Croydon have completed another successful food drive in collaboration with the Reedham Children’s Trust.

This Christmas, the Merry Maids of Croydon team once again partnered with Reedham Children’s Trust to collect donations from their customers for vulnerable people and families in Croydon.

Essential items like food and toiletries have been pouring from customers to help people in the local community during Christmastime.

The drive, held for the second time following a successful effort last year that inspired the nationwide Forget Me Knot Challenge, has generated donations with a total value of £1161.89!


The Impact

The impact of this scale of donations cannot be overstated.

Last year, the food drive helped support over 100 families in Croydon to have the essentials over Christmas and into the new year.

Like this Mum of three who benefitted from a hamper provided by Merry Maids last year:

“With the cost of the living crisis, I was feeling depressed and turned to a friend for help in finding a charity that could support us. But to my amazement, we received a food hamper and vouchers, an incredible show of support I couldn’t believe. I am beyond grateful for this support, which has helped my children and me.”

This year, the team surpassed the donations from last year, which will go a long way to supporting the (approx.) 27,483 children living in poverty in Croydon.


Thank yous

The Croydon and Reedham Trust teams would like to extend a huge thank you to the people who dug deep to help.

Merry Maids of Croydon Director Debbie Walker, who was recently named a finalist in the BFA HSBC British Franchise Awards for her work in the local community, said:

For the second year running, we have been delighted to raise food donations for the Reedham Children’s Trust.

Our clients have been so generous in supporting this initiative and we hope this will make a difference to families in need in the Croydon area this Christmas.

I would like to thank our clients and staff for such a positive response!”

Jessica Ritchie from the Reedham Children’s Trust added:

“Once again Merry Maids of Croydon and their wonderful customers have been incredibly kind, donating over £1,100 worth of food to help vulnerable children and their families this Christmas and into the new year.

The cost-of-living crisis affects so many of us, but it is heartening to see that despite this challenge, everyone pulls together to help others in their time of need.

Thank you so very much.”


Get in touch

And if you are local to the Croydon area, get in touch with Debbie and the rest of the Croydon team today by calling 020 8663 3268.

If you would benefit from regular or one-off cleaning services from one of our teams across the UK, contact your local cleaning experts today by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or book online.

Care in the community: Charity Initiatives from Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington

How Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington support their community through charity engagement. 

Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington’s Office Supervisor, Jo, has been with the company for several years, beginning as a cleaner.

She uses her position to combine her passion for the community and background in care to support local and national charities.


Jo’s Background

Jo worked in care for eight years, running care homes and fundraising regularly through sponsored activities and events.

These have included mental health and dementia campaigns and a brain tumour charity.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Jo returned to Merry Maids, having worked with us as a cleaner before her time in care.

In joining Merry Maids, Jo joined a business that enables her to use her natural affinity for providing personalised care through professional and bespoke home cleaning services.


Recent Charity Work at Merry Maids

In April, Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington donated Easter eggs and chocolate to Dandelion Time, a local charity that supports children who have experienced hardship and traumatic events.

But that’s not all they’ve been up to.

Recently, Jo has been getting active and supporting charities close to her heart while at Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington.

“In February this year, I did 10,000 steps [daily] for Brain Tumour Research. And then I did 30 miles in September for dementia charities,” she says.

Her other recent activities have again supported the brain tumour and mental health charities.

Jo also completed a Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s Society, a charity that is close to all of our teams at Merry Maids UK and Jo, whose mother-in-law sadly suffered from the disease.

She estimates that she has raised £1500 from her recent efforts.


Upcoming Charity Work with Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington

Looking to the future, Jo has some ambitious charity plans for the new year.

Alongside more active fundraising for dementia and mental health charities, she is organising a charity initiative with her son to give out Christmas presents to local children in need.

Furthermore, Merry Maids Bromley will donate an afternoon tea to Southmore Court Assisted Living, one of their regular cleaning clients.

Jo says she is always looking to push her contributions and do more for the people in the local community:

“Me, myself, I want to do more volunteer work in the lines with dementia, like volunteer, maybe afternoon or a couple of hours here and there. I really like doing it,” she says.

“For my birthday, I’ve put something up for anyone to donate to Alzheimer’s instead of getting me giving me a present. And that’s what I’ll do for Christmas as well. We do cancer one, me and my friends. We don’t buy each other cards, but donate to Cancer Research.”


Want to see the value of a cleaner who cares?

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate home cleaning service from Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business today.

To schedule a visit from Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington, book online or call 01689 830000 for a free quote for our bespoke and professional home cleaning services.

From one-off deep cleans to regular visits and spring cleaning, we do the cleaning so you don’t have to.

Merry Maids of Croydon Food Drive 2023

Merry Maids of Croydon’s 2023 Food Drive to support the local community.

It’s not long until Christmas.

This means we’re entering what the team at Merry Maids of Croydon likes to call the season of giving back.

And they need their customer’s help.


2022 Food Drive

Last year, business owner Debbie Walker and her team ran a food bank drive with the Reedham Children’s Trust to support families with the cost-of-living crisis.

Families like Maya and her four young children relocated to Croydon after fleeing domestic violence.

Housed in emergency housing, they had only the clothes on their backs. Suddenly reliant on benefits, they struggled to pay for necessities like food.

With their customer’s support, they supplied enough donations to support over 100 families like Maya’s over Christmas.


2023 Food Drive

There are still roughly 27,483 children living in poverty in Croydon.

Disadvantaged by issues like domestic violence, poor mental health, special educational needs, and placement in care, up to 73% need free school meals as a primary source of sustenance.

This year, the team wants to do more.

They want to help our families at home and those further afield to have a happier Christmas.

They are running another drive and are asking their customers for support with small donations to make a huge difference for families going without essentials this Christmas.

Like this Mum of three who benefitted from a hamper provided by Merry Maids last year:

“With the cost of the living crisis, I was feeling depressed and turned to a friend for help in finding a charity that could support us. But to my amazement, we received a food hamper and vouchers, an incredible show of support I couldn’t believe. I am beyond grateful for this support, which has helped my children and me.”

From the 15th-30th of November, the team are collecting items for vulnerable families selected from six local schools and families in emergency accommodation across the UK.


Items to Donate

The Reedham Trust has relayed a list of needed items.

It currently includes:

  • Tinned Vegetables
  • Pasta Sauce/Pasta
  • Tinned Meals
  • UHT Milk
  • Rice/ Cereal
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap Bar
  • Shower Gel
  • Christmas treats
  • Items made with a kettle (not an oven). E.g. cuppa soup

A word from the team

Business owner Debbie Walker said:

“There can be no doubt that we are living in difficult and uncertain times. But we don’t have to face them alone. By working together, we can make a real difference and improve the lives of the people in our communities.

That’s why Merry Maids of Croydon are delighted to be partnering with Reedham Children’s Trust to support people in and around Croydon through a food bank drive.”

Jessica Ritchie, a representative of the Reedham Children’s Trust, says,

“We are delighted that Merry Maids of Croydon and their incredibly kind client base will, once again, be supporting our annual food appeal. Last year, customers donated 1,274 items of non-perishable food items, alongside essential toiletries. This supported hundreds of local families not only over Christmas but across the winter months, too. We are so grateful for their continued support this year.”


Learn the value of a cleaner that cares

If you are local to the Croydon area, contact Debbie and the rest of the Merry Maids of Croydon team today by calling 020 8663 3268.

If you would benefit from regular or one-off cleaning services from one of our teams across the UK, contact your local cleaning experts today by finding your nearest Merry Maids business or book online through our online shop.

Merry Maids Relaunches in Northampton under brand new ownership

(Re)introducing Merry Maids Northampton, bringing brand new and improved cleaning to Northampton and the surrounding areas like never before.

Merry Maids Northampton has reopened this week under the management of franchisor ServiceMaster Ltd.

We spoke to Office Manager Becky Gardner about the changes to the business and what customers, new and old, can expect from the new and improved Merry Maids Northampton.


Northampton, a history

Merry Maids Northampton has been operating for 18 years.

Previously under the ownership of Barbara and Martin Smart, the business faced hard times during the COVID-19 pandemic when it was forced to close as lockdowns threatened the retirement plans of its owners.

This year, the business has come under the management of Merry Maids’ franchisor, ServiceMaster Ltd.

Becky started as a part-time cleaner in 2011, “which worked wonders for me with the two young children,” she says.

“It was a perfect job. And I loved cleaning. I took pride in cleaning. It’s always been nice to go into a customer’s house and make it all nice.”

She became an Office Manager when Barbara and Martin retired and is being supported in the reopening by the ServiceMaster team, including Merry Maids Brand Leader Vikki Donnachie.

“One day, my old boss called me into the office and said she needed an Office Manager to take over the day-to-day role of going out, doing quotes, seeing off the girls, sorting out the bays and the folders.”

“Vikki has been amazing. She’s been there every step of the way. It’s been useful to have that support.”


Changes and Transformation

Under Becky and Vikki’s supervision, Merry Maids Northampton has transformed, moving from a small unit to a brand-new office unit alongside ServiceMaster’s Northampton-based contract cleaning franchise.

“At first, it was scary, but we’re fully operating from the new unit now. We absolutely love it. The girls are so happy!

We’ve just rolled with it. The girls have been amazing. We all get on really well. They’ve supported me, and I them.”


Aspirations and Assurances

Becky and Vikki have big plans for the business.

“I just want it to grow and get bigger and bigger,” says Becky.

“We’ve got loyal customers. I want to build from that to get more customers, get more staff in and build Merry Maids to as big as we possibly can.”

We’ve got the space now. We’ve got the unit, we’ve got the facilities, we’ve got it all now. It’s just growing and making it as best as we can make it. Which I’m excited about!”

Vikki adds:

“I’m delighted to reintroduce Merry Maids Northampton into the Merry Maids franchise network under the ownership of ServiceMaster. Becky and the team have embraced the transition brilliantly, so I’m very excited to see their growth in driving the business to new heights while delivering the trademark Merry Maids service to the community.”

To those loyal customers, Becky says:

“Thank you for continuing to let us clean your homes. We did lose a lot of customers through COVID, but we also have a lot of loyal customers who stayed with us, and getting their feedback from cleans is always lovely.”

To new customers, Merry Maids Northampton provides satisfaction, a spotless home, and time that would’ve otherwise been spent cleaning.

“Our goal is to make the customer happy, and their home is done exactly how they want it.”

“Hence, we come out to quote for the cleaning in the first place, so we can get an idea of what the customer wants to do in their home and then make sure that we follow the instructions and just make them happy.”

Speaking with experience as a cleaner, Becky adds:

“I love going into a customer’s home, and I prefer the ones that are a bit messy because once you’ve done it and then close that door, you just know when they open it, it’s going to be all nice and clean and won’t have to worry about anything. It’s all done. They can relax and enjoy their evening.”


See how Merry Maids Northampton can help you

If you are in Northampton or the surrounding areas and would benefit from a professional and bespoke home cleaning service carried out by trained and fully insured professionals, or if you would like to work for a cleaning business that provides a high standard of service as part of a friendly and professional team, call 0845 7626 828 today to see how we can help you today.

To benefit from Merry Maids services nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business or book online now.

Top tips on cleaning your fridge

Top tips on cleaning your fridge.

The humble refrigerator plays an often understated yet important role and gets a lot of use all year round.

This can make them a breeding ground for bacteria.

One study on the average frost-free home fridge found that salad drawers contained 7,850 bacteria units per colony-forming unit (cfu/cm2).

Therefore, it’s vital to know the proper way to clean your fridge.

Luckily, our cleaning experts have made a list of steps to help you out:


Preparing for the clean

Cleaning your fridge doesn’t require many speciality products.

Here are some things you will need to clean out your fridge:

  • Bin bags
  • Rubber or disposable gloves
  • A cooler box
  • A cleaning product
  • Sponges, old rags or kitchen roll
  • Microfibre cloths

Clear it out

The first thing to do when cleaning out your fridge is to ensure it’s empty.

This might be quite the undertaking if you’re stocking up for Christmas, so planning is essential.

Your fridge needs cleaning every 3-6 months, so choosing a time in between shops might be a good idea.

During the cleaning process, you’ll need to use cool bags as a substitute.

This is because products like meat and dairy need to be refrigerated to stop the rapid growth of bacteria that occurs at room temperature.


Wipe down shelves and drawers

Now that your fridge is empty and you can properly get to them, it’s time to clean out all of its shelves and drawers.

Many fridges have removable shelves, so you don’t hunch over inside of them to clean them.

If you have removable shelves, it might be a good call to check the manual if you’re unsure about taking them out or putting them back.

The good news is, once removed, you can wash them up in the sink with hot water and washing up liquid.

However, it’s probably best to leave them to warm up to room temperature if they’re made of glass, as they might crack or shatter when they come into contact with hot water.

Once this is done, you can move onto the drawers, which you may also be able to wash in the sink, depending on size.

For larger drawers like salad crisper drawers, the best thing to do is to give them a good wipe-down with hot water and dish soap.

Next, clean the areas around the shelves.

Food residue can build up in the joints between the shelves, so make sure you scrape all of this away.

Rinse the shelves and drawers with clean water to eliminate soap suds.

Allow them to dry naturally on the drainer or a tea towel, and move on to…


Cleaning the inside

To clean the inside, you can use diluted bleach, white vinegar or a commercial all-purpose cleaner.

Ensure you’re always wearing rubber gloves when cleaning with these products.

If you use any solution that uses water as a base or want to use water and soap, remember to only use cold water.

Hot water can raise the temperature of your fridge, meaning that it takes longer before you can return perishable foods to it.

When it comes to utensils, we recommend using a scouring pad or a sponge that has one attached, as these are excellent for removing any stuck-on food and spills from surfaces without scratching the area.

Perhaps surprisingly, a cotton bud or toothbrush can be great for removing old food.

They’re also great for fiddly and hard-to-reach places, like the drip hole at the back of the fridge.

This is a vital area inside, as it can become clogged and dirty.

Furthermore, as with the shelve joiners, be thorough when scrubbing the grooves where the shelves rest, as they can be hotspots for dirt.

When finished, you can dry the inside with paper towels or a dry and clean tea towel.


And the outside

Remember to give the outside of the fridge similar focus and attention by wiping down doors and handles.

For the exterior, we recommend using a microfiber cloth, as these are best at removing streaks and fingerprints on surfaces.


Put everything back

When you’ve finished cleaning, put the shelves, drawers, and door inserts back into their slots.

Check your condiments for mould, wipe them down to ensure any residue is removed, and place them back into the fridge.

Then, return everything else to its proper place.


Need a professional cleaner?

If this is too much work, leave it to the professionals.

For a deep clean, spring clean, tidy up, regular or one-off visit, our maids are here to take the hassle of cleaning your home off your hands.

Book now, or book your free, no-obligation quote by finding your nearest Merry Maids business today.

Dementia conscious trick-or-treating tips for Halloween

Top tips to celebrate Halloween safely and considerately as dementia friends.

Happy Halloween!

Whilst this holiday is fun for many, for some, it could be a nightmare come true.

Around 900,000 people in the UK are estimated to be living with dementia.

For these people, Halloween can be a scary time.

What may seem innocent and harmless to us, like a scary costume or group of trick-or-treaters, can feel threatening to people with dementia, as Halloween exists outside of their known daily routine.

At Merry Maids UK, we are certified Dementia Friends, as many of our businesses work with members of the public who suffer from the condition and work hard to ensure they are cared for properly and confidently as we clean their homes.

This year, we raised £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society as part of our Forget Me Knot Challenge.

Year-round, we work hard to keep our customers safe and cared for.

To help safeguard the vulnerable members of our community during Halloween, we’ve compiled some tips to help you trick-or-treat consciously and safely.

How trick or treating can affect those with dementia

Dementia is often disorientating, which can be scary enough in itself.

Now add scary masks, giant spiders, carved pumpkins, and cobweb decorations, and suddenly, the world is a very frightening place.

If you add unknown house visitors in costumes, regularly high levels of concern and fear can skyrocket.

How to trick or treat dementia-consciously

  • Try not to frighten vulnerable people and remain mindful of others whilst trick or treating.
  • Ensure children are supervised by an adult while trick-or-treating.
  • Do not trick-or-treat elderly members of the community – unless prearranged.
  • Ensure elderly relatives who live alone are accompanied by another adult during the evening.
  • Do not knock on doors with an anti-trick or treating sign. Homes that wish to be visited by trick-or-treaters put out decorations, lights, or pumpkins.

As an alternative, you could also forgo trick-or-treating and plan a spooktacular Halloween party to enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

Become a Dementia Friend

Being conscious of the vulnerable members of your community is vital all year round.

Particularly during holidays and events like Halloween, we should all take precautions where possible so everyone can stay safe and have fun.

To learn more about how to be a friend to the vulnerable members of your community living with dementia and turn information into action, join us in becoming a dementia friend today.

How Merry Maids helps those in need of specialist care

For people living with conditions that affect their physical and mental health, keeping up with day-to-day tasks like cleaning can be a real hardship.

For people with dementia, seeing a friendly and familiar face who helps out regularly can make a huge difference.

At Merry Maids, we work hard to support our customers with whatever they need.

Be it a deep cleaning, regular tidy-up, or just having someone to talk to.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, find your nearest Merry Maids business to book a clean online or call 0800 021 3072 today.

Forget Me Knot Challenge Champion: Mike Fargher from Merry Maids Sheffield

Why Mike Fargher from Merry Maids of Sheffield joined the Forget Me Knot Challenge and helped us raise over £4,000 for Dementia charities.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge was a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK ran, walked, or cycled the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

The challenge was a huge success, raising over £4,000 that will support Alzheimer’s Society to continue to aid those living with dementia in the UK (currently estimated to be over 900,000 people.)

Mike Fargher of Merry Maids in Sheffield and South Yorkshire racked up 1186 miles and raised over his £2,000 pledge target.

Goals and Dementia History

Mike’s Merry Maids business has had many encounters with dementia over the years.

“We have some long-term clients that did not have dementia when we started to clean for them but sadly now have it,” he says.

“We also take on new clients where they, and their families, wish to remain in their own homes and, with the support of ourselves and other outside agencies, can do so.”

“Sometimes a client wants to chat over a cup of tea, to tell you about their life, family and other interests. The Maids may have heard the same stories several times but will listen as if it was the first time they heard it.”

Mike got back into cycling during lockdown after purchasing an electric bike.

So, he knew, when faced with the Forget Me Knot Challenge, that this would be his way to meet it.

“I try to cycle 25-30 km at least twice during weekdays and have also recently purchased a road bike for use at the weekends,” he says.

He also knew the challenge would be perfect to incorporate into the cycling holiday he had been dreaming of.

Mike’s Mileage

The trip was a week’s cycling around seven islands off the coast near Split. From Brac to Stari, Grad, Orebic, Korcula, Mljet, Hvar, and Solta.

“The trip was fantastic,” he says.

Mike was part of a group of 15 cyclists from around the globe who completed a week of cycling under the guidance of a Croatian guide and a crew of five on a boat named the MV Leonardo.

Some (Literal) Highs

The days followed a routine to ensure mileage was met.

Mike says the seven days were filled with expansive views, “good food, weather and plenty of excellent cycling routes.”

After breakfast each day, the bikes would be unloaded off the boat at one end of an island, and the group would set off to complete between 20km and 55 km.

This included literal highs with “many challenging hill-climbs, with ascends as high as 800 meters.”

By lunchtime, the group would have completed the day’s route and would be met by their boat & crew at the other end of the island.

Then, bikes were loaded back onboard for lunch whilst the boat made its way to a port where the afternoons and evenings were spent exploring and relaxing after a hard day’s work.

This meant that in one week, the group completed around 280 km.

Final results

As part of Mike’s pledge, he also completed a further 720 km cycling over the summer (at £1 per kilometre).

Much of his donations were also made by family, friends and people he met on his cycling journeys.

A further £1,000 was raised from a Google review campaign, in which each new review added £25 to the funds.

A huge well done to Mike for all of his efforts and for making such a massive impact in fundraising to support those in need.

Learn more

To learn more about Merry Maids UK and our work with the Alzheimer’s Society, call 0800 021 3072.

If you’re in Sheffield and the South Yorkshire areas, call Mike and his team today on 0114 272 2655.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or visit our online shop today.

Merry Maids UK ‘Forget Me Knot Challenge’ Raises £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society

The Merry Maids UK Forget Me Knot Challenge has raised over £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends.

At Merry Maids UK, we are a nationwide cleaning franchise that has long had our heart in care and the community.

When, in 2014, a friend of the Croydon-based franchise, Debbie Walker, was researching a PhD thesis on dementia patients and told her about Dementia Friends, we began to work closely with the charity and have never looked back.

Our Merry Maids business owners provide care across the UK through compassionate and professional home cleaning services.

This often means they encounter members of the public living with dementia and struggling with the disease.

This year, we took our dedication to giving back a mammoth step further by undertaking the Forget Me Knot Challenge – which has raised over £4,000 for Alzheimer’s Society.

The Forget Me Knot Challenge

The Forget Me Knot Challenge – named in reference to the tying together of Merry Maids businesses and the small blue flower that has long been associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia – was a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK ran, walked, or cycled the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business.

The results

Cleaners, business owners, customers and head-office staff from across the UK put forward donations, helping raise over £4,000 – achieving more than double their initial £1000 donations and 2345 mileage targets.

Collectively, the Merry Maids franchise network has walked 4796.14 miles – the distance between London and Dallas, Texas!

Our stories

With over 900,000 people estimated to be living with dementia or Alzheimer’s in the UK today, it is likely that we all know or have known someone affected.

Each participant had their reasons for taking part.

Like Mike Fargher of Merry Maids in Sheffield and South Yorkshire, who racked up 1186 miles and generous donations by cycling and pledging £1 per mile.

“Our Merry Maids business has had many encounters with Dementia over the years,” says Mike.

“We have some long-term clients that did not have dementia when we started to clean for them but sadly now have it.  We also take on new clients where they, and their families, wish to remain in their own homes and, with the support of ourselves and other outside agencies, can do so.”

“Sometimes a client wants to chat over a cup of tea, to tell you about their life, family and other interests. The Maids may have heard the same stories several times but will listen as if it was the first time they heard it.”

Or the team in Fylde, Blackpool and Preston – including maids Angela and Bernie – who each has had multiple family members live with the disease.

“I’m doing the Forget Me Knot Challenge because I’ve been through dementia experiences three times so far, and I’m just about to go through my fourth with my dad,” Angela said back in July.

“It’s devastating. The person you once knew changes into somebody else.”

“They don’t die… straight away. It’s a long process. But they change. They’re unrecognisable as the person you once knew.”

“You have to be kind to one another. You have to talk. Don’t bottle things up, and listen. Listen to the person who is ill because they are just as confused as you are.”

“It’s important that we help them to feel as normal as possible for as long as possible. We must find ways of making this illness easier to live with, raise awareness and money to develop new medication to help slow this process.”

Learn more

To learn more about Merry Maids UK and our work with Alzheimer’s Society, call 0800 021 3072.

If you or someone you know would benefit from a professional and compassionate, regular or one-off, home cleaning service from the dementia friends at Merry Maids UK, find your nearest Merry Maids business or visit our online shop today.

Merry Maids Forget Me Knot Challenge: Angela from Fylde and Blackpool shares her story

Angela from Merry Maids in Fylde and Blackpool shares her family history with dementia.

At Merry Maids UK, our teams nationwide are undertaking The Forget Me Knot challenge.

This is a sponsored virtual relay in which staff and owners from Merry Maids businesses across the UK run, walk, or cycle the equivalent total mileage between each Merry Maids UK business, tying them together and raising funds for Dementia Friends/ Alzheimer’s Society: creating the Forget Me Knot.

Angela from Merry Maids Fylde, Blackpool and Preston has a long history with the disease, which has impacted both her parents and mother-in-law.

Alongside participating in the challenge, which will contribute towards bettering care and finding cures for Alzheimer’s, Angela shared her story with us.

Angela’s Story

In a touching video that you can watch in full on our YouTube channel, Angela opens up about her experience.

“I’m doing the Forget Me Knot challenge because I’ve been through dementia experiences three times so far, and I’m just about to go through my fourth with my dad,” she says.

The conditions that Angela and her family have faced have varied.

From Alzheimer’s to frontal temporal and vascular dementia, the experiences and maladies were “completely different” each time.

“It’s devastating,” she says. “The person you once knew changes into somebody else.”

“They don’t die… straight away. It’s a long process. But they change. They’re unrecognisable as the person you once knew.”

Why Supporting Alzheimer’s Society Matters

Angela describes the experience and how frightening it is, particularly in the early stages, where the family had little information about what was happening to their loved ones.

“You need to talk to people,” she says. “You need people to help you, so you haven’t got to be afraid to ask for help.”

Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends do just this.

They are there to support and inform members of the public about Alzheimer’s and its varying forms so that we can all be prepared should we encounter the disease.

Dementia Advisers from Alzheimer’s Society provide critical support to people throughout their experiences with dementia, allowing people living with the condition and their carers to access expert support.

Our support will also mean they can invest in ground-breaking research into better ways of treating and caring for people with dementia.

Dementia Friends, as a subset of Alzheimer’s Society, trains people and businesses like ours to interact with people with dementia.

At Merry Maids UK, we often serve members of the public living with dementia and ensure that through Dementia Friends, our staff are trained to provide care and support while cleaning their homes – as they often cannot do it for themselves.

Whether making them a cup of tea or being a friendly and recognisable face, there are many ways to be there for those who need it.

As Angela says:

“You have to be kind to one another. You have to talk. Don’t bottle things up, and listen.

“Listen to the person who is ill because they are just as confused as you are.”

“It’s really important that we help them to feel as normal as possible for as long as possible. We have to try and find some kind of way of making this illness easier to live with.”

How you can support us and Alzheimer’s Society

As Angela says:

“It’s very important that we raise awareness and help raise money to develop new medication to help slow this process. Because it really is devastating. It really is.”

The Merry Maids UK Forget Me Knot challenge will continue to run throughout the summer months – with our teams nationwide getting involved in the virtual relay.

You can support our teams by sponsoring us in this endeavour via donations to our JustGiving page.

All proceeds will be given to Alzheimer’s Society.

Or you can become a Dementia Friend today, either online or through a more comprehensive and in-person training session.

If you or a loved one knows someone who is struggling with dementia, see how we can help to give them a better quality of life for as long as possible by finding your nearest Merry Maids business today.

Merry Maids UK’s essential pre-holiday home cleaning and safety checklist

Come back from your holiday to a lovely, clean, and organised home.

The one thing worse than coming home after a perfect summer holiday is returning to a house full of mess.

So, before your leave for a well-deserved break, your home should be clean, organised and secure.

At Merry Maids UK, we’re experts in home cleaning – it’s what we do.

Following these steps from our experts before you leave means you can enjoy peace of mind knowing everything is in order while you’re away.

1.   Declutter and Organise

To start your pre-holiday cleaning schedule, declutter and organise your home. Clear sideboards, put away items that usually live in drawers or cupboards, and tidy up each room.

2.   Give the kitchen a deep clean

No matter your idea of a perfect homecoming, we know it doesn’t involve a stinky fridge.

Ensure you dispose of any perishable items, and give the surfaces a good wipe-down.

The first thing you do when you get home from a holiday isn’t the washing up, so pop the dishwasher on to ensure you have clean cutlery and dishes ready for your return.

Empty the general and recycling bins to prevent unpleasant odours and unwanted guests while you’re away.

3.   Clean and put away your washing

Make sure you do a load of washing before you head off to ensure you don’t come home to a pile of dirty laundry, as you’ll already have all your holiday clothes that need to be cleaned upon your return.

Put some clean sheets on the bed as well, as there’s nothing better than returning home from a late flight and getting into a bed with nice clean sheets!

4.   Dust and vacuum

Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelving, and blinds, to eliminate build-up.

Vacuum your whole house from top to bottom to remove dirt and debris, as you don’t want to be doing this upon your arrival.

5.   Bathroom Cleaning

Scrub a dub, dub the tub, the toilet and the shower, clean the sink, and any countertops and give the floor a clean.

Put out clean towels ready for use when you’re back.

6.   Secure your home

Check that all windows and doors are securely locked before leaving, and consider installing timers for lights or using smart home devices to create the illusion of someone being home.

Set your security alarm before leaving the house.

This will give you peace of mind while you’re on your holiday.

7.   Notify those you trust

Make sure you inform your trusted neighbours or friends about your holiday plans.

Provide them with your contact information if they haven’t already got it, and ask them to keep an eye on your home while you’re away.

8.   Save energy

Unplug non-essential appliances and electronics to reduce energy consumption and protect against power surges.

Make sure your TVs are turned off and not on standby as, according to Uswitch, switching off your TV when not in use will do more to reduce energy usage than anything else.

9.   Call in the cleaning experts

Our teams of maids can be trusted to keep your home clean while you’re away and give you that little bit of extra peace of mind knowing that your home is being checked on while you’re away.

Whether you need assistance with a one-off deep clean or regular cleaning, you can rely on your nearest Merry Maids business.

Call 0800 021 3072 to learn more, or book online in select locations.

5 Cleaning tips for hot weather

How to clean the house while staying cool.

With June set to be the hottest on record and the rest of the summer looking to follow suit, this weather can make cleaning tasks more challenging.

The Merry Maids team wanted to share some valuable cleaning tips to help you with chores while staying comfortable in the hot weather.

Plan Your Cleaning Schedule

Plan your cleaning tasks to avoid strenuous activity during peak heat.

Schedule your cleaning sessions in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler to make the process more bearable and prevent excessive exhaustion.

Open Windows for Natural Ventilation

Take advantage of cooler mornings and evenings by opening windows to let in the fresh air and create natural cross ventilation.

However, avoid opening your windows during the hottest part of the day to prevent hot air from entering.

Efficient airflow can help eliminate stuffiness and any odours lingering in your home.

Stay Hydrated and Take Breaks

Cleaning in the hot weather can be physically demanding.

So, it’s vital to stay hydrated. Keep a glass or bottle of water nearby and take regular breaks to cool down.

Use Lightweight Cleaning Tools

Use lightweight and ergonomic cleaning tools that won’t add any unnecessary strain. Use highly absorbent microfibre cloths to clean surfaces with less effort.

Use lightweight mops and vacuum cleaners.

These are easier to manoeuvre, allowing you to clean without feeling overwhelmed by the heat.

Merry Maids Can Clean for You

You may want to get the professionals in to do it instead, and that’s ok, as we know how overwhelming it can be to handle cleaning tasks on your own in warm weather.

Merry Maids UK offers fully bespoke cleaning solutions to fit your summer schedule.

So, you can enjoy your summer without worrying about cleaning, giving you more time to spend at family barbecues and going on your holidays!

Whether you need assistance with a one-off deep clean or regular cleaning, you can rely on your nearest Merry Maids business.

Call 0800 021 3072 to learn more, or book online in select locations today.

Celebrate World Productivity Day with a clean and organised home!

Celebrate World Productivity Day with Merry Maids UK’s top de-cluttering tips. 

At Merry Maids UK, we know a clean and organised home sets the stage for increased productivity and success.

In this blog post, celebrating World Productivity Day, we’ll explore the connection between tidy living spaces and enhanced productivity while showcasing how Merry Maids can help you achieve a harmonious balance between cleanliness and efficiency.

Creating a clutter-free zone

Clutter can be a major productivity killer, as it creates visual distractions and adds to any mental weight you may be carrying, making it hard to focus on the task at hand.

A clear mind for better productivity

A clean and tidy home helps clear your mind.

When your surroundings are free from dirt and mess, it reduces mental clutter and helps you concentrate more efficiently on your work and personal projects.

Time-saving efficiency

Cleaning takes up valuable time, especially when it comes to productivity.

By entrusting all your cleaning needs to Merry Maids, you can free up precious hours of the day better spent on more meaningful and productive activities.

A healthy environment to optimise performance

A clean home enhances productivity and helps with your mental well-being.

The dust, allergens and germs lingering in your home can adversely affect your health and energy levels, reducing productivity.

Every home is unique, and so are their cleaning needs.

Merry Maids UK offers fully bespoke cleaning solutions to fit your life and work schedule. Whether you need assistance with a one-off deep clean or regular cleaning, you can rely on your nearest Merry Maids business.

Call 0800 021 3072 to learn more or book online in select locations today.

World Environment Day | 10 Useful Home Energy-Saving Tips

Today is World Environment Day, so here are ten handy energy-saving tips to implement in your home.

In celebration of World Environment Day today, the day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment, here are our top 10 energy-saving tips to help you and the environment.

  1. Wash at 30°

Of course, you always need to check the care labels before loading up the washing machine.

But high temperatures aren’t always necessary and can waste energy, and considering the world we’re living in, we want to save every penny we can!

Washing at 30 degrees instead of a higher setting can save you up to £40 per year and still leave your clothes looking clean and smelling fresh.

  1. Avoid using your tumble dryer

Avoid using your tumble dryer; instead, hanging your clothes outside or on a rack inside could save you up to £70 a year.

If you need to use your tumble dryer, lower the temperature or use quick drying cycles to save money.

  1. Close your curtains at night

By closing your curtains and blinds around the house, you can help stop warm air from escaping through the windows and reduce heating costs, especially if you have radiators placed under your windows.

  1. Use energy-saving lightbulbs

Switching to energy-saving lightbulbs around your home can save you as much as £65 a year.

You can buy many different energy-saving light bulbs, and the Energy Saving Trust goes into more detail on how energy-saving lightbulbs work.

  1. Turn off the lights

We all forget to turn the lights off when leaving a room, but if you get into a habit of doing this, according to the Energy Saving Trust, you can save around £20 a year!

  1. Take shorter showers

Water is the most valuable resource on Earth, yet every day worldwide, it’s wasted by the bucket load.

Taking shorter showers can save you up to £95 per year, and the time to aim for is a maximum of 4 minutes.

The charity Water Aid has put together a playlist of songs on Spotify, each lasting 4 minutes.

So, by listening to one of these songs each time you shower, you can hit your time limit every shower you take.

  1. Switch off appliances on standby mode

Save up to £60 a year by switching your appliances off at the wall when not on.

The Energy Saving Trust has compiled a list of your home’s top five most-energy-hungry appliances.

  1. Don’t overfill the kettle

Us Brits love a good cuppa, but did you know that boiling the amount of water for the number of cups you need to fill can save you £36 per year?

You can also buy hot water dispensers that only boil enough for one cup each time, helping you save money.

  1. Keep your hob clean

The average cost of an electric hob cost around £44 per year.

However, burnt-on food or grease on the hob can absorb the heat when cooking, making it less efficient.

  1. Install a smart meter

As part of a government scheme, all energy suppliers can install smart meters at no extra cost, and they are great for keeping track of what you are spending.

Want a more efficient clean?

Look no further than Merry Maids UK for efficient and quality home cleaning.

Our domestic cleaning experts are no strangers to deep cleaning or regular cleaning at an exceptional standard.

So, whether you need someone to keep on top of things or make a messy home sparkle again, you can rely on your nearest Merry Maids business to handle it for you – so you can save your energy for the things that make you happy.

Merry Maids Bromley donating Easter eggs to Dandelion Time

Spreading Easter cheer and chocolate.

Over Easter, Richard Wall and his team at Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington partnered with Reed Employment to donate chocolate eggs to Dandelion Time.

Richard, who has previously engaged in other charity work, such as running the Cambridge Half Marathon to raise money for Dementia Friends, says he and his business are always looking for ways to help charities that do vital work, like Dandelion Time.

“We are always glad to support charities and help [wherever possible].”

Due to Richard’s first-hand experiences earlier in his career, supporting children’s mental health for him was a no-brainer.

Hence when Reed contacted him about Dandelion Time, Richard was more than happy to help.

Dandelion Time

Dandelion Time is a charity local to Richard’s area.

Their mission is to support children in Kent who have suffered traumatic experiences like neglect or domestic abuse.

According to Dandelion Time,

“Health, education and social care services face huge financial pressures and aren’t always the right solution for children with [mental health and trauma] issues: Dandelion Time fills this gap.”

Over the last 20 years, they have brought lasting change to over 1,000 families through their unique therapeutic approach focusing on the great outdoors.

At Dandelion Time, families take part in a ten-week programme.

During this time, they work with experts, nature, crafts and families to get the time and space they need to recover and be the children they deserve – without trauma and distress.

Donating Eggs

We all know that as much as the time off is much appreciated, the holidays are the best for children.

Especially when there’s plenty of chocolate to seek out and snack on.

That’s why, in partnership with Reed Employment, Richard and Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington donated Easter Eggs to Dandelion Time so the children in their care could share in the spirit and have some chocolate eggs this Easter.

A gesture which was gratefully received by the children and staff at Dandelion Time:

“Dandelion Time is committed to supporting Kent children and families who are in difficult circumstances and so are keen to brighten their day in any way we can.”

“The Easter donations of chocolate eggs were a lovely way to help them celebrate and we were all so grateful for the generous donations received from organisations such as Merry Maids, via Reed.”

– Dandelion Time Representative

Find out more

To find out more about Dandelion Time’s vital work please visit their website.

To schedule a visit from Richard and his team at Merry Maids Bromley and Orpington, book online or call 01689 830000 to receive a free, no-obligation quote on a range of bespoke and professional home cleaning services.

From one-off deep cleans to regular visits and spring cleaning, Richard and his team will do the cleaning so you don’t have to.

Or nationwide, find your nearest Merry Maids business to see how your local cleaning experts can help you today.

How to remove easter chocolate stains

It’s the Easter weekend, which means lots of chocolate!

As delicious and seasonal as it is at Easter, chocolate tends to melt all over your hands, and you don’t usually realise it’s melted until it’s on your clothes, furniture and carpets!

Chocolate soaks into the fabric a bit more slowly than other liquids, so cleaning it up as quickly as possible is vital in giving you the best chance to eliminate it.

At Merry Maids, we clean so you can relax and focus on your holidays.

That’s why we’re bringing you our top tips for removing chocolate stains.

How to remove chocolate stains from clothing

Besides its magical ability to make you feel better at any given moment, chocolate also has the amazing capability to get on clothing, especially when you’re wearing a white top!

To get rid of the stains:

  • Scrape off excess chocolate
  • Pretreat with a prewash stain remover
  • Put in the washing machine as normal
  • If the stain remains, wash again

How to remove chocolate stains from upholstery

Accidents happen. They are inevitable, and getting chocolate on your upholstery is a more common problem than you’d think!

Here’s how to remove chocolate stains from your upholstery:

  • Scrape off excess chocolate
  • Mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid with two cups of cool water
  • Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the above solution
  • Blot until the liquid is absorbed (Always blot the stain. If you rub it you’ll work the stain into the fabric more), repeat until the stain disappears
  • Sponge the area with cold water and blot dry.
  • If that doesn’t work, use a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent and blot until the solvent is absorbed, repeat until the stain disappears.

How to remove chocolate stains from carpet

With kids running around looking for (and scoffing) eggs, you’re bound to get chocolate everywhere not just on the carpet.

Here’s how to remove chocolate stains from your carpet:

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