The Gift that Keeps on Giving

We here at Sparkle pride ourselves on our stability and our undying commitment to our customers. That's why giving a gift certificate from Sparkle is such a great idea! Sharing a local business with a friend/family member is the gift that keeps on giving, and every time they give us a call, they'll know it's all thanks to you! (Sparkle: 215-757-4014)

Home for the Holidays

The holidays are such a beautiful time of the year, and at Sparkle we think your home should match that beauty, and shine brighter than any tree ever could. Our cleaning service can be contacted at 215-757-4014, and our staff would be happy to help you with any holiday needs you might have around the home!

Family and the Holidays

Getting the home ready for the holidays can be a trying task on your own. Sparkle can help clean carpets, dust, clean the kitchen/living room, etc. so that your family can focus on all the things that they're thankful for, and we can focus on what we can do for you! (215-757-4014)

Holiday Party Season

Is your friend having a party this holiday season? Are they super stressed out about it? Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corp. can help! We can be reached at 215-757-4014 for our professional butler service, where we'll assist in preparation, serve, and clean, so your friend can slow down, and breathe easy once again.

November is over already?

We can't believe that it's the end of November already! 

Pressed for time, and need that perfect gift? A gift certificate from Sparkle Professional Cleaning is just what you need! It's super thoughtful, and all you need to do is make a call. No mall crowds for you! (215-757-4014)

Does your cleaning company support your values? Sparkle does!

Dependability. Assurance. Trust. 

These are just a few of the values that we at Sparkle emulate every single day. Sparkle understands that it's an honor to be welcomed into your home and business. If these values are as important to you, as they are to us, please give us a call at 215-757-4014, and we'll be happy to assist you!

What do you have to be thankful for?

What do you have to be thankful for? A clean home? A clear mind? None of the above? 

No worries, Sparkle can help! Please call us at 215-757-4014, and we'll help bring peace to your home once again. We offer one time cleanings, weekly cleanings, and monthly cleanings. We'll arrange our schedule to fit you in, because we understand how hectic things can get, and nothing makes us feel better than making sure our customers are happy.

Happy Clean your Refrigerator Day!

Happy Clean your Refrigerator Day! 

People are going to be in your refrigerator in the next coming weeks. Is it clean enough for your guests, or is there a science project growing in there? No worries! We can remove the science project, clean your carpets, upholstery, or your home simultaneously! The money saved can be spent on gifts instead! Call today and take advantage of our multi-service discounts! (215-757-4014)

Preschooler vs. Playdoh

Preschoolers, and other young children, love playdoh. It’s perfect for their tiny hands and imaginative hearts, and it’s safe and non-toxic, which means it’s perfect for parents too. Unfortunately, playdoh has the nasty habit of getting stuck where it shouldn’t. It ingrains itself into carpets under little feet, litters the kitchen table, and, always, always drys out right when your toddler is in melt down mode, and you thought it’d be your saving grace.

We here at Sparkle thought we'd do a little research for you, since tomorrow (9/16/16) is National Playdoh Day, and see what we could find out about this popular product that children love so much. We broke it down into two different scenarios, so no matter how playdoh comes up today, Sparkle has you covered! 

Scenario: Preschooler vs. Playdoh vs. Carpet otherwise known as "Total Disaster"

According to an official release by Hasbro, "To remove PLAY-DOH compound from carpet or fabrics, allow it to dry completely, and then loosen with a stiff brush. It may be necessary to vacuum clean or wash with gentle soap and cold water. You may need to repeat the process in order to completely remove the PLAY-DOH compound." 

Scenario: Playdoh all dried out? Tired of watching PAW Patrol for the hundredth time and have an hour you need to fill? No problem -- make your own Vegan Play Dough! 

It’s never too early to teach your child to be sustainable and to make their global footprint a little smaller. Vegan Mamma has a great recipe for Vegan Play Dough, which we're going to include here. If you'd like to see her blog, and other cool vegan recipes, definitely check her out!

PLAY DOUGH

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup salt
• 2 tsp cream of tartar
• 2 Tbsp veg oil (Vegan Mamma used canola oil)

"Combine the above ingredients and stir over medium heat until your dough starts to pull away from the sides of the pan. Remove and knead until it becomes elastic. Then divide the dough (if using multiple colors) and mix in the food coloring, or you could go more natural for the color and use things like beet juice, juice from frozen berries, etc." 

We love that you can avoid artificial coloring as well. Making natural choices when your children are young, can really benefit them in the long run. We are their first role models, after all! 

So, there you have it!  Playdoh is such an integral part of childhood, and we hope that these tips alleviate some of the natural stress that comes with raising children. Keep your head up guys -- we know that you're awesome parents, even if it doesn't always feel that way. We'll make it through, one day at a time!

Spring Training - Get Your ___ In Shape!

Spring Training – Get your ____  in Shape! Oh boy was I disheartened when I looked into my spring/summer wardrobe! Sadly I found things a little snug, how about you? Let’s get our butts outside and start a walking regimen! Are you in or not?

Spring Cleaning!

Spring Cleaning -- Your Checklist Matters!   So often we are rushed and overwhelmed by day to day tasks that we put things on the back burner.  I find that a master checklist for my spring chores helps to keep me on task and allows me to delegate to others for help. What works for you?

Road Hazard!

  

Were you aware that March was named for the Roman God ‘Mars?’ Feel like you’re driving on Mars these days? Winter sure has taken its toll on our roads! Drive according to road conditions, not the speed limit. We just had a major repair to the company car. Be aware of those pot holes that swallow tires whole! 

A Crappy Day

January 27th: Thomas Crapper Day Sounds like he invented the toilet right? Well, he is often incorrectly credited with inventing the toilet! Thomas Crapper was a plumber and the businessman who did, in fact, champion the modern wash closet and also invented the 'ballcock' — that floating ball in the body of your toilet. His apropos surname was just a coincidence; the word “crap” already existed in the English language at the time of his birth! Brings a whole new meaning to having a "crappy day!" And we all have them, just as we all have a porcelain throne!

Cold Weather Pet Hazards

1. Honk for safety's sake

When it's cold, cats love to sit under the engine or even under the hood of your warm vehicle's motor. Before turning on your ignition, look under your car, tap on the hood, or honk the horn to roust any sleeping kitties.

2. Put on a sweater

Dogs and cats are equipped with fur coats,but they vary in thickness and ability to keep them warm. Some animals may never develop an adequate winter coat and may require a winter sweater. Check your furry friend so they are not shivering! 

3. Be careful with chemicals

Cats and dogs like the sweet taste of antifreeze (ethylene glycol), so clean up spills promptly. "Even a teaspoon is potentially lethal," says R. J. Krapfl, DVM, an Omaha veterinarian and spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Be sure to wash pet's paws after walking outside along sidewalks and roadways, as most winter salt is damaging to their paws.

Live Christmas Tree Tips

The perfect Christmas tree adds just the right touch to your holiday. Here are some tips to help you choose your tree and make it last through the holidays

1. The tree should have a strong, fresh pine smell and nice deep color.

2. Bend a small branch to see if snaps, if it does the tree is dry and you should pick another tree out with bendable branches.

3. You should let the tree settle for a couple of days before you bring it into the house. Make a small cut across the trunk of the tree on a diagonal to help the tree absorb water and dissolve the sap. Then put it in a bucket of warm water. If you add a half  a cup of sugar or an aspirin or two to the water it will help keep the tree fresh.

4. When you're ready to bring it inside, make a fresh cut straight across the trunk, and     drill a hole as far as you can into the trunk. Stuff the hole with some absorbent     material like old pieces of cotton to help pull water up and into the tree.

5. If you find yourself with a bunch of pine pitch on your hands during all of this,     rub them with some vegetable oil. The mess will come right off!

Holiday Shopping Dates to Remember

As November slips away, many of us are wondering, how will we manage the shopping? Crazy schedules, ridiculous gift requests, limited resources and time....  What's a holiday consumer to do? Speaking from experience, it is important to utilize every vantage point when trying to accomplish these seasonal tasks. Take advantage of these established shopping dates: Black Friday, 11/29; Small Business Saturday, 11/30 and Cyber Monday, 12/2, to accomplish your tasks!

Some Cold Weather Tips

With the temperatures dropping into the freezing range it is important to remember these Cold Weather Tips to save you some 'cold cash' this season!

1. Dodge drafts! This is a simple fix, just place a Draft Snake in between your doors. They can be purchased, however it is just as easy to roll up a bath towel, secure it with rubber bands - voila, no more drafts!
2. Change Furnace Filters & schedule your heater for a tune-up to provide heater maximization.
3. Run Ceiling Fans on reverse to circulate the warm air more efficiently.
4. Winterize and Insulate your AC units, hot water heaters and water pipes.
5. Install a Programmable thermostat and remember to put on a sweater! The days of lounging in tee shirts are over - dress for the cold weather season!

"Did You Know?"

Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corp. offers handy "Did You Know?" tips every time we service a client? Here are a few for you to ponder!

• Vacuuming of baseboard heat fins allows for more efficient heating of your home and office.
• Wood furniture dries out when subjected to heat. This includes your indoor heater sources and the sun. Using lemon oil on your furniture can rejuvenate the wood.
• Icicles may look attractive hanging from your roof, but they're a sign of heat loss and pose a danger to those who walk under them! Have your attic/crawl space insulated to keep valuable heat inside your home and work place.

Watch for more "Did You Know?" tips on our Blog!

Less Stress this Holiday Season!

How many times during the holiday season do you feel like the missing piece in the puzzle? Probably more often than not. That's okay, you're not alone! Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corp. wants you to keep calm and try to do the following to stay in control this holiday season!  

1.) Plan holiday meal shopping lists early and take advantage of sale items to save a few dollars when you can.                     

2.) Shop early for gifts and use Gift Certificates when possible. Don't forget about Sparkle's Gift of Time holiday promotion to clean your space or provide Butler Services for your affair. Not mention our Gift Certificates make every recipient smile!

3.) Mail your packages, cards and buy stamps as soon as you can to avoid last minute long lines and the wasting of your valuable time.

4.) Plan a family and/or work place Act of Random Kindness week where everyone can experience a real sense of holiday giving by providing donations to your community through Toys for Tots and/or non-perishable food items. Sparkle is a collection site, Mon - Fri 7:30 to 4:30 until Dec. 12th!

5.) Enjoy your upcoming holidays with family, friends and colleagues! 

Sparkle Professional Cleaning: Holiday Toy & Food Drive

Sparkle Professional Cleaning: Holiday Toy & Food Drive