CARING FOR YOUR PORCELAIN TUBS

Personally, I'm in love with claw-foot porcelain tubs.  I think they embody old world charm and can positively change the look of any bathroom.  Unfortunately, my bathtub is quite ordinary.  Either way, porcelain enameled tubs and sinks no matter the style require some care.  

TIP #1 -  Do not use abrasive cleansers to clean your tub.  Abrasive cleaners can dull and even scratch the shiny surface and the very smoothness of that surface is both what makes it shine and what makes it easy to clean.  

TIP #2 - After cleaning your porcelain tub or after every shower, use a microfiber towel to dry it.  Drying the tub produces the best appearance by getting rid of water marks and lingering soap scum.

Hope this helps.

UNEXPECTED HOUSE GUESTS

It happens to the best of us when we're on our way home from a busy day wondering what we're going to make for dinner the phone rings and after answering it we're suddenly in a panic to get home and perform a miracle.  Our foot seems to suddenly press on the gas peddle as we weave in and out of lanes because company is coming over!!  Dinner now is a distant memory.  We are now thinking about what to do with a messy house.

I've gone so far as to keep guests in the living room saying "sorry the toilet broke this morning." But that only worked once.  Here are a few things I've learned to do after panic has set in and I've reached home.

• Place all dirty dishes in the dishwasher or oven.  We're ordering out at this point.
• Wipe off all countertops and cabinets to be free of grease and finger prints.
• Clean the toilet bowl and seat.  Don't forget to flush.
• Use a microfiber towel and glass cleaner and wipe down any glass and/or mirrors.  People always look at themselves; especially, at someone else's house.
• Replace hand and bath towels with fresh ones.  Don't forget to change hand towels in the kitchen.  
• Try to pick up as much as possible and throw into a bedroom, close the door, and post a "DO NOT ENTER SIGN."
• Light many scented candles throughout your home.

One last tip:  don't forget to order dinner.  I hope this helps.  Good luck!!

TIPS ON DISPOSING CLEANING PRODUCTS

So, you're looking to dispose of cleaning products in a safe manner.  Don't want the neighbors to call you out for burying hazardous materials in your backyard?  Well, I'm here to help.  If you no longer need a cleaning product and want to help save your backyard (the environment) the first thing you want to do is read the label for suggested disposal instructions.  In an event that the label has worn off follow the following suggestions:

Pour down the drain.  If a product is water-soluble (meaning you can mix it with water) you can flush it down a toilet or pour it down the kitchen drain with running water.  Several water-soluble cleaning products are: liquid laundry detergents, chlorine bleach, liquid fabric softeners, multipurpose cleaners, glass cleaners, disinfectants, carpet cleaners and floor cleaners.

IMPORTANT:  DO NOT MIX TWO OR MORE CLEANING PRODUCTS!!!  We don't want to find your home on the five o'clock news.  Secondly, if you have a septic tank do not use this method of disposal.  Most septic systems are not capable of treating chemical waste.  

Place it in the trash or recycling bin.  If container is not empty please put in a plastic bag as to not contaminate other garbage.  Several products you may want to throw out are: scouring pads, aerosol cans, remoistened towelettes, and fabric softener sheets.  

Last but not least: Take to waste-disposal facility.  Some products are way to hazardous to dispose of any other way other than in a waste-disposal facility.  Such products include: flammable products, crystal drain openers, dry-cleaning fluid, and polishes & waxes that harden on surfaces.

Hope this helps!  Let me know if you have any questions or need additional information.

WHAT'S A GERM? A STORYBOOK TALE

I thought it was cool when a little kid walked by our office and asked us what a germ was?  In trying to explain what a germ was I ended up with more questions (from the little one) than I had answers.  He walked away totally disgusted, and I'm not sure if it was my explanation or the fact that we clean up germs from homes and offices that grossed him out.

In short, a germ is any potentially harmful microorganism that can cause disease.  Germs are really tiny and often times very sneaky in that they may lay on any surface unnoticed.  Three of the most common types of germs are bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  Germs can "attack" plants, animals, and people.  Therefore, it's really important to clean all of our surfaces well in order to avoid getting sick.  I had mentioned that washing his hands often and helping around the house with chores were good ways to avoid picking up any germs. That's were I lost him.  I sure hope I didn't scar him for life.  

RECIPROCATION - THE GOLDEN RULE

So, I’m going to take a moment and vent just a tiny bit.  It seems to me that not enough people believe in reciprocity especially when it comes to building relationships whether business or personal.  It’s happened to me, you help out a fellow business owner or friend promote their business and what do you get in return, a cursory “thank you.”  Well, I overheard a conversation recently about just that, someone doing something nice for someone else with nothing in return, and I wondered why reciprocity is not the norm.  Don’t get me wrong we should all do nice things for others without expecting anything in return, but when you’ve given all you can and reciprocity doesn’t exit, seriously, what’s that all about?  Don’t people believe in Karma?

I read in someone’s tweet that this world is erected upon the principle of reciprocity.  Neither a drop of kindness nor a speck of evil will remain unreciprocated.   Something to remember! Done venting. ;)

CONGRATULATIONS HEDY RATNER & CAROL DOUGAL

S. Carol Dougal & Lari I. Diaz

On September 15th, 2011 I had the honor of being one of five panelists for  a WBDC's 25th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Women's Conference Panel Discussion.  There were about 70 women who attended the "Launching Your Own Business: From Dream to Reality" discussion.  You couldn't be in the room without feeling high levels of positive energy that formed from all of the excitement.  

 

Lari I. Diaz & Meg Herman

For those of you who may not be familiar with the Women's Business Development Center (WBDC), it is a not-for-profit organization that assists women who are looking to start or grow a business by offering them counseling, education, encouragement and support.  I have been fortunate enough to have met many wonderful women who have come together over a Wisdom, Wine, & Cheese Introduction and Networking Event as well as the JumpStart Series whom I still am in contact with. One of the most inspiring women at WBDC is Ms. Meg Herman, Director of Entrepreneurial Services.  Ms. Herman continues to encourage me to do more, to be more, and to lead by example.  I owe her a huge THANK YOU for giving me support when I needed it most. 

It is no great surprise that there was more than 2000 people (mostly women) at the WBDC's 25th Anniversary Luncheon celebrating all the hard work and passion that both Ms. Hedy Ratner and Ms. Carol Dougal have put into this amazing organization.  Speakers congratulating Ms. Ratner and Ms. Dougal were many including Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Mayor Rahm Emmanual.  

Carol Dougal & Hedy Ratner

CONGRATULATIONS Ms. Hedy Ratner & Ms. Carol Dougal!!  The dedication you have placed in the Women's Business Development Center will never be duplicated or forgotten.  

7 TIPS IN CREATING A COMFORTABLE AND INVITING HOME

Have you ever walked into a home were you felt comfortable and at peace by your surroundings?  Definitely better than being in a home where it feels cold and unwelcoming. I ask because I’ve gone on a quest to find what makes a home comfortable, inviting, and relaxing.  I’m searching for the ultimate gathering place where friends and family feel an unmistakable connection to the home and the people that live there.

As the owner of a cleaning service, I have been invited inside many homes, and many of them are indeed comfortable.  Yet, there are but a few that as soon as you enter the front door you forget the outside world.  You believe that you are in a place of wellbeing, security, and belonging.  Where the sounds of the home are minimal and soothing.  Where every piece of furniture and color envelope you as part of them. It’s like being in a space where you feel not like a guest but part of the family. In a book by Richard Webster titled “101 Feng Shui Tips For Your Home,” the author gives us tips on using feng shui to create an environment that allows us to enjoy more harmony, balance, and success in our lives.  I picked out my 7 favorite tips to share with you in that you can too create a comfortable, inviting, and relaxing space in your home. 

1. Keep your home in the best possible condition.  Keep it clean!  The health of your home relates directly to you, your health, and the health of your family.
2. Avoid clutter.  Make a concentrated effort to discard anything that you are not using.
3. Make sure that your front door is as welcoming as possible.  You want people to be encouraged to visit, and by placing flowers on each side of your front entryway you encourage ch’i (the universal life force), and raise the spirits of your visitors.
4. Your kitchen should have an airy, spacious, and friendly feel no matter how small.  Keep it well stocked with food and you give the impression of abundance. 
5. Arrange furniture so that people can move freely around a room without feeling as if they are undertaking an obstacle course.
6. Place mirrors throughout your home.  There isn’t such a thing as too many mirrors just as long as they are kept clean.  Dust and dirt reduce the effectiveness. A mirror in your dining room symbolically doubles the amount of food on the table, and doubles feelings of well-being and enjoyment experienced in this room.
7. A family pet provides love and happiness ultimately creating harmony and contentment. 

It’s true that today we are more aware of the effects that our environment has upon us.  It, therefore, makes sense to incorporate feng shui in our home.  I for one want to keep my home as a place where I can go to relax, to be in harmony with my environment.  Here’s to my ongoing quest!

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - The New Pilot B2P

  

When my ingenious assistant, Liliana, gave me a gift – a Pilot B2P (Bottle 2 Pen) pen I was a bit glum wishing it were chocolates or a new Kate Spade bag.  A couple days later, I opened the package and started writing with my new B2P.  I love it!  It just glides on paper.  The stylish design had me looking at the packaging for information.  The B2P is the world’s first pen made of 89.9% recycled plastic water bottles.  The design looks like that of a water bottle even the label wrapping around the middle.  Since plastic is made from oil, using recycled plastic contributes to preserving our natural resources.   Totally winning me over as a now frequent buyer of the B2P.  On top of that, it is refillable using even less waste.  As for cost, I was surprised to see that they don’t cost any more than any other Pilot pen. For back to school or anytime during the year grab a stack in different colors.  You’ll not only find, as I did, that they not only write well you’re also helping our environment.  

Quote of The Day

What would you do today?... If you really weren't afraid?... If you weren't worried?... If you weren't unsure?... What would you do today if you knew you couldn't fail?.

I read this on a facebook site -  "People Who Inspire Us."  Check out his site, some of the quotes really tend to inspire you, and make you think.  

Do You Love To Clean? 3 Cleaning Tips That Will Change Your Mind

Cleaning is one of those chores you would love to hate.  You can get dirty and messy during the process but when it’s all done there’s always a huge sigh of relief and a sense of calm. Yes. I am talking about cleaning and it is true that when you walk into a room you just cleaned, sometimes there is no greater sense of tranquility and accomplishment.  Calm surrounds us all when we are in the presence of cleanliness.  We tend to spend more time in these surroundings so it is no wonder that more business is done in a clean office and more people join you for festivities in your home.  I mean, who wants to see cobwebs inconspicuously hiding in ceiling corners, ceiling fans showing bundles of dust on its panels, or finger prints on light switches and door knobs?  The following three tips can make cleaning easier and less time consuming at the end of a busy day. It all begins by clearing out clutter. 

Simple enough, but when we spend a large amount of our time in rooms like the kitchen or our office clutter always accumulates.  This makes cleaning a longer task than it has to. Our first tip is to keep areas clutter free.  For example, excessive paper clutter like mail, homework assignments, or phone messages, should not be on countertops, the dining room table or conference room. Scattered utensils, dishes, and open food containers should always be put away.  Consider removing clothing off exercise machines, toys on  sofas and loveseats, and magazines off of chairs and tables.  These small changes can make a considerable difference to a healthy environment. 

After the pick-up, we can get to the culprit of all cleaning culprits – dust. Cupid did not give us a love affair for these fine, dry particles.  Those who suffer from allergies attest to the difficulties of removing them from surfaces.   By using the proper tools like a treated dust cloth or a microfiber towel to remove dust from all surfaces in your home and office becomes easy and effortless.  Every other day make a point to remove dust from chairs, tables (dining room tables, end tables, coffee tables), and any other horizontal surfaces.   Don’t forget to shake out dust and allergens from the sofa and pillows.  No one likes to bounce on the sofa to have dust bounce right back at us. 

Once the dust is removed, damp wipe with appropriate cleaning liquid and a microfiber towel all horizontal surfaces.   Wiping surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth helps to eliminate germs and allergens not removed by dusting alone.  One last tidbit:  A fresh bundle of flowers makes a lasting impression on your mood and that of your company.  It’s a low cost way to relax and be in the comfort of your environment.  Keep a fresh, vibrant colorful bouquet in the most occupied room.  

What we're doing to help the environment!

What does "Green" really mean?  Going green is about embracing the principles of environmental responsibility by making different choices that lessen the negative impact on our environment.  

Several years ago, Sweeping Dimensions introduced its green cleaning program using products that reduce environmental impact and protects the health and safety of our staff and the clients we serve. Quick disclaimer: by implementing this program does not mean that we do not use a few traditional cleaning methods or that they create unsafe/unhealthy conditions.  We have simply taken additional steps towards reducing pollution while continuing to maintain and improve the healthiness, comfort and aesthetics of our clients' homes and businesses.

One of the most significant changes we adopted is the use of microfiber cloths and mops during our cleaning routine.  They are environmentally friendly for many reasons.  First, they are lightweight and can be washed in large quantities, greatly reducing water and energy consumption.  A big plus when the water  and electric bills comes in.  They also take up less physical space reducing both transport costs and storage space.  We have found that there are many other benefits to using microfiber.  They are:

• Microfiber cloths are hypoallergenic.  Great for those of us who suffer from allergies or asthma.
• Microfiber cloths are super absorbent.  They absorb over 7 times their weight in water.
• Microfiber cloths dry in 1/3 the time of ordinary cleaning towels.
• Microfiber cloths are over 4 times more effective than ordinary cleaning towels.  They clean almost any stain from any surface, are more plush & longer lasting than other cleaning products and contain more than 200,000 fibers per square inch.
• Microfiber cloths are completely lint free and non-abrasive.

In addition to microfiber, we have also incorporated liquid products as concentrates rather than as ready-to-use mixtures to our green cleaning program.  As a result, we use trigger bottles and pump sprayers - no need for propellants.  In a small way, we help reduce  packaging materials and their potential burden on the environment as well as fuel, vehicle emissions, and other impacts of transportation.

We believe that green cleaning benefits everyone especially those with special needs and sensitivities.  In cases were an individual has allergies or illness we address his/her specific needs and make appropriate changes to products, procedures, and scheduling as necessary.  

CHALLENGES ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULT – BUT NECESSARY

I have no doubt that many of you have faced some measure of what you thought were insurmountable challenges in the past year. You may have lost a job, a family member or a beloved pet. Maybe you had to overcome the trials and tribulations of health issues and medical payments. Early this year I too had a difficult challenge to overcome. I needed to make a decision that would ultimately change many of my personal and professional responsibilities and certainly the direction of my life. I had to choose whether I was going to continue the livelihood of our company by choosing to own it, or close it down.

Now there may be some who would think that that was not a difficult decision to make. One may ask, “Who wouldn’t want to be their own boss? Who wouldn’t want to take time off when they wanted to and tell people what to do?” Yeah, right! The reality is the amount of pressure that a business owner goes through especially during difficult economic times is considerable and that if you haven’t gone through them you would have no idea of the choices one has to make.

Sometimes, however, the most difficult challenges and decisions we face need to happen in order to move forward. So, you need to ask yourself “Do I want to move forward?” I chose to move forward and accepted my current position as owner. In the process, I have learned that the fears that engulfed me were overridden by my determination to be great at something, to be of value, to provide value and most importantly to prove that I could get it done.

As 2010 comes to a close and as we embark on another year, I’d like to share some of the things that helped me overcome my fears and face those challenges that came with the decisions I had to make all the while remembering what Walter Anderson, Editor of Parade magazine, said “Our lives improve only when we take chances – and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.”

Know yourself.

This was and continues to be one of my most difficult hurdles. I thought I knew myself pretty damn well. Naïve? Oh, most certainly. I know we will always face unexpected circumstances. For example, one such situation presented when there wasn’t enough work and I had to make a decision to pay everyone else but myself whereby my personal financial security was tested. The thing is, that somewhere deep, deep, deep down I knew that I have talent and believed in myself so much that all I needed to do was to become creative, go back to basics and work really hard. I began pushing myself to limitless possibilities. And today, I can honestly say that it was worth it and I’m glad I didn’t give up. In the words of Optimus Prime from the movie Transformers: “Fate rarely calls us at a moment of our choosing.”

Which brings me to my second revelation: A positive attitude goes a long way. This is difficult to achieve in the face of uncertainty, but you have to think that it will always get better-because it does. I have surrounded myself with people who don’t believe in the words “no” or “can’t”. They help push me in the direction I am meant to follow but most importantly keep me from losing my focus on the big picture. My advice is to find several people who believe in you as much as you believe in yourself and allow them to keep you on track. You may suffer a little humility if you’re not the kind of person who asks for help or advice often but believe that you’ll be a better more successful person because of it.

Finally, invest in others. One of my most coveted revelations is that when I help another person succeed, I too succeed. For me, it is more than a little strange how much truth there is in how the Law of Attraction really works. Even though I’d like to say that I’m great and help everyone out (I have some borderline narcissistic tendencies) I can’t say that. Our company was founded on the principle of providing employment and job training to men & women who are willing to work. In the course of my ownership, I have expanded that principle on a personal level to help people who are in business or looking to start a business. I truly enjoy being a business owner even amidst all of the challenges that arise throughout any given day. I want other business-minded professionals to live their passions and excel because it is tough and we need all the support we can get. Due to my interests and vision I have accepted the responsibilities of directing a Mastermind group as well as a position with SCORE. One of my favorite quotes worth remembering is from Robert Allen “Everything you want is just outside your comfort zone.” As the New Year looms close by I hope that you can incorporate any of my personal revelations into your life. I hope that you embrace next year with as much determination and willingness to succeed as I have, and look forward to continuing.

On behalf of myself and the entire Sweeping Dimensions family we wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!