Indoor air pollution

It is a fact that common household cleaning products contribute to indoor air pollution. Ammonia and bleach alone are harsh, but combining the two ingredients can be fatal. A lot of traditional cleaning products clean dirt and grease, but leave behind a layer of toxic chemicals. Breathing in or touching these chemicals can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation. Cleaning chemicals have also been linked to cancer. It is in everyone's best interest to switch to non toxic cleaning supplies.

We are proud to call ourselves a green cleaning service. We don't use harsh chemicals to clean our clients' homes. Most of the products we use are from Biokleen. Sometimes we include other non toxic brands like Seventh Generation, Method, and Ecover. Using non toxic cleaning products is the most responsible way to clean that benefits both us and our clients.

I realize that not everyone who reads this page will use our service, but I am hopeful that everyone will make the decision to switch to green/non toxic cleaning supplies.

If your current cleaning service does not provide green cleaning, buying your own cleaning supplies is a great option. Most services are happy to use products that a client provides.

Biokleen supplies are hard to find, but another brand we like is Method. Their cleaning supplies can be found at Target and Whole Foods. Method cleaning products cost about the same or even less than traditional toxic products. Seventh Generation can also be found at most Target stores. Jewel and Dominick's usually carry non toxic cleaning supplies, but they are usually in a different section, which makes them hard to find. Drugstore.com has the biggest selection of non toxic cleaning supplies including Biokleen, and they often have awesome discounts.

Other common household air pollutants are air fresheners. Most contain irritating ingredients. A good way to refresh the air in your home is to use 100% soy candles with pure essential oils. You can also burn essential oils in oil burners. AuraCacia is my favorite essential oil brand. They sell all kinds of essential oil products. One of my favorites are their electrical outlet oil warmers. They work just as well as Glade or AirWick, without the fumes. AuraCacia also sell amazing carrier oils that can be used for skincare. My favorite is Organic Jojoba oil. Their products can be found online or at Whole Foods.

Biokleen

After months of trying different green cleaners, I finally settled on a brand of cleaning products that we will stick to using in the client's homes. The brand is Biokleen. They are a great company with earth friendly products. Visit their web site to learn more.


Image taken from: http://www.gengreenlife.com/

Hi Everyone!

I hope that everyone's holidays were fun and happy!

I just wanted to write a quick update and apologize to anyone who has been trying to reach me via e-mail. It seems that google has closed my account. I have been told by a couple of customers that the e-mails were bouncing back. Please call (312) 725-4050 to reach me.

Happy New Year!!!

Contact Information

Hi everyone!

For general information, estimates, and new service request:

Call (312) 725-4050

Please welcome Agata

Please don't be surprised if you see a new face when the girls arrive to clean.
Agata is an experienced worker who has worked with us on a different team. Agata is doing a great job so far and is working side by side with Marta, who is a supervisor.


A little more about Agata:
Agata has been working as a cleaning professional for three years. She stopped recently to move to Champaign, IL, but quickly returned to Chicago. Agata travels between Chicago and Urbana-Champaign, where her boyfriend is attending college at the University of Illinois.

E-mail update

I've been getting complaints that my email address is no longer good. I emailed Google to straighten it out, but until then, please call (312) 725-4050
Apologies for not responding to comments, I didn't get notified of them through e-mail. Ah! E-mail is giving me a hard time lately!

Wishing everyone Happy Autumn!

Very humorous!

New schoolyear, new apartment, new clients!

Tuesday is the first day of school for my son, and I couldn't be happier. I love summer as much as anyone, but it will be so nice to have those six hours each day when my son is at school that I do not have to focus on being a mom. I can do my own school work, meet new clients, go to lunch, take my laundry to the dry cleaners! All things that I had either neglected or did at night during the summer. When my son is home with me, I can't just sit back and let him watch tv all day. I feel like a failing parent when he is not kept busy, and he often complains of not being entertained. Tuesday, September 8th (also my birthday), will be a good day!

Another exciting day will be October 1st, the day I will be moving into my new apartment. I am so happy and excited to have a bigger place, one with SIX CLOSETS. I will finally have a descent sized kitchen and a huge living room. All of the upgrades for exactly the same price I pay now. It took me a while, but I finally found a place I want to call home. I can't wait for October to come!!

I want to thank all of the new clients that hired us in the past few weeks. I am so grateful for having a growing business in these hard times. I can't begin to express how blessed I feel for being able to raise my son, go to school, and still run a business. Marta, Barbara, Ana, Kinga, and mom, thank you so much for all the great work. If it wasn't for this amazing team, I would not be able to go to school full time.

Thanks everyone!

Maggie

New clients, please click here.

First day of school!

Today was my first day of school. I am even more nervous today than I was before. I got to check out all of the assignments for the next week and it's a lot of reading and writing. I thought this would be simple and slow paced but it is SO NOT!

Work is going well. I went out to a job today. I promised myself to take this week off and focus on school, but I couldn't help it. I don't know if I'm a control freak or just cautious, but the idea of relying on someone to take care of business makes me uncomfortable. I trust all of the workers, but I like to stay in charge. Maybe it's because I grew this business all on my own, starting with just one client. It took years of effort and ridiculously low income to make it what it is today. It's a huge success in my book and I'd be heartbroken if it fell apart.

Kinga is doing well and I think she is here to stay. Marta seems pleased with the work Kinga does. I really hope Kinga gets comfortable and learns to take it easy, work doesn't have to be stressful. I always try to make sure that work is a place where we can all enjoy each others company and have fun as we're cleaning. It's pointless to stress out.

Barbara decided to decline my offer for a full time position, but she will continue to work with us part time. Barbara is a nanny to a sweet little 1 year old girl. She said she couldn't part with the little girl and I am completely understanding of that. The little girl is very blessed to have Barbara as her nanny. Barbara is a very sweet girl with a big heart.

I hope things continue to go well and we keep growing.

New clients, please click here.

Maggie

Kinga

Today was Kinga's first day with us. I have never been more impressed with a new employee. Even though Kinga is experienced, each client is new to her. I was expecting her to take things slow and familiarize herself with the homes. Nope, she knew what she was doing. As soon as we walked in, Kinga rolled up her sleeves and got to work. Not only was she focused and fast, she did a great job. The day went by quickly. Kinga is very polite and quite fun to work with. She kept the conversation going while we worked. I was not only happy with her attitude, but her work as well. Every room she cleaned was perfect. She pays a lot of attention to detail. I was not expecting much from her on the first day but she blew me away. I am so glad we found someone who does a great job and is so much fun to be around.

New clients please click here.

Maggie

School starts in a week!

As some of you may already know, I went back to school. It's been about eight years since the last time I stepped foot in a classroom so this will be quite an adventure.
I am scared and excited!

Some changes will come for sure, but no worries! Maggie's Cleaning is going strong, hiring more help, and hoping to keep growing.
Being a single mom and going back to school full time, I am counting on this business more than ever.

Some changes that will take place:

More workers. Even though we are growing, we will keep the quality high. Every new employee is accompanied by either my Mom, Marta, or myself.
I am begging Barbara to join our team full time so that we can avoid hiring someone totally new.

I will only go out to cleaning jobs for 2-3 hours per day. My main focus will be on scheduling, management and checking up on the girls. I trust the crew completely, but I still want to be on location to make sure everything is going smoothly.

Marta is taking on a new Supervisor position. She will be the person to talk to if you have any cleaning concerns while the girls are cleaning your home. I will still be available by phone and email at all times.

Thanks everyone! This is a very exciting time for all of us and we are grateful for having such amazing clients.

Maggie

Funny cleaning commercial

The busiest week ever

I feel blessed to have a strong business in this economy. This week I have scheduled more cleanings than any previous week since I started cleaning, five years ago. Five days, three girls, NINETEEN homes!

I need to thank my crew, we grew this business together.

Marta, thank you for being someone I can always count on. You are not only the best worker, but also my best friend. I feel lucky that I found you!!! You rock, sister!

Barbara, even though we only see each other occasionally, you are always fun to work with. I am excited when my mom gives you time off so that you can work with us. You are truly hilarious! Thanks for making us laugh. I really hope you will join us full time.

Ana, you helped me keep my sanity when Marta took a 5 week vacation. FIVE whole weeks!!! I don't know how I could have lived through those 5 weeks without you. Thanks for helping and you are always welcome to come back!

Anita, there are no words. You are simply awesome. Congratulations on the new baby boy! We can't wait for your return. Have a happy and relaxing maternity leave. See you soon!

Mom, thanks for teaching me how to care about my work and do a good job. I'm lucky to have someone who can guide me and be supportive. You are an amazing woman and you taught me how to be independent. Thanks for all the good advice, for lending a helping hand when I need one, and for being a really cool mom. And thanks for babysitting!!!! ;)


Maggie

General Information

A lot of people email and call to find out about my prices.
Here is a bit of info:

My minimum fee is $75
I charge per job, not per hour. There are no time limits, we work until the job is done.
There is always a fee for a first time cleaning. Sometimes it's $5, sometimes it's $20. It depends on the space.
As much as we love pets, homes with cats or dogs will tend to cost a little more to clean.

Please call me at (312) 725-4050 to find out how much it would cost to clean your place.

Please have the following info ready:
Location
Size of home (beds/baths/sqft)
How often you need the cleaning done?
What are your cleaning priorities?

Things to keep in mind:
We only take on small places, no larger than 1200 sq ft.
We prefer to fill our schedule with clients who want regular service (weekly/bi-weekly).
One time, move in/out, and occasional cleanings are only done if we have a cancellation. This type of work does not provide steady income and it is not where we focus our efforts.

We don't do:
dishes
laundry
organizing

We do:

Kitchen-
-cabinet doors
-stove top
-microwave inside and out
-appliances outside only
-counters
-sink/faucet
-window sills
-baseboards
-floor
-remove trash

Bathrooms-
-mirrors
-shower
-tub
-sink
-counter
-toilet
-floor
-remove trash

Bedrooms-
-make bed/change linens
-dust all furniture/electronics
-mirrors
-window sills
-baseboards
-vacuum/mop floor
-remove trash


All areas-
-dust all furniture/electronics
-dust/wash window sills
-dust/wash baseboards
-vacuum/mop floor
-remove trash
-mirrors
-ceiling fans
-wall hangings

We use earth friendly and non toxic cleaning supplies.
Once in a while we are forced to use harsh chemicals to clean, but usually only on a first visit if green supplies can't handle the job.

Please be ready for the cleaning appointment by tidying up before we arrive. Mess makes it hard for us to do a good job. Dishes are very time consuming and we prefer for them to be done before we arrive. Please put clean linens on the bed if you need them changed.

We love notes! Feel free to email/call/text/leave a note if there are any areas that need special attention.


Maggie