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A Clean Home Is Just A Few Clicks Away

Our homes are our main space for everything right now so it's more important than ever to keep things tidy. However, it's totally understandable if your household has gotten a bit out of order, or even just downright messy - we're human it happens. And while some are ready to tackle the mess head-on, others aren't - again that's completely normal.

Thankfully, there is a home cleaning app you can turn to Handy. Handy lets you book weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleanings - whatever works for you. The cleaning Pros available to book through their platform are local professionals that have been vetted and background checked, plus you can check each Pro's ratings and reviews before booking. They've got it all covered, all you need to do is set up a cleaning.

Check out how easy it is to book through the Handy app:

Select the cleaning service icon, enter your location, and then just tell them how large your space is.

Book cleanings 7 days a week from 7 AM to 11 PM. Sometimes you can even book as soon as the next day or schedule in advance as much as you need.

Choose between weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleanings and check out the full prices for everything upfront before booking. Plus, save when you plan ahead and sign up for 6 or 12 months.

Select any extras you'd like and treat your home to a deep clean. Request your Pro based on ratings and reviews. Then simply put your home address and phone number in.

Enter your payment information, any additional instructions for your Pro and you're all set! From the Handy app, you can control your bookings, skip or cancel cleanings anytime, and make any other changes to your plan or Pros.

Scheduling professional home cleanings is stress-free and super easy with the Handy app. Convenience is king and Handy is the best way to get your home in order with a trusted and safe service.

Handy has rolled out the Handy Safety Standard to help promote the health and safety of the customers and professionals who use their platform:


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How I'm Getting My Home In Order In 2021

New Year, Same Me; super messy and always looking for a way to fix it. It seems like no matter which cleaning guru I listen to, I can never keep my space clean and functioning. Tidying is always the last thing I want to do even though I really enjoy the results of a clean home that feels like me!

Since I'm still working from home, I decided I had no excuse not to make my space nicer and, so I made a checklist. It's just 4 things, but these are the things I know I have the capacity to do. It mostly depends on me, but I'm also getting a little outsourced assistance from Handy.

Here's my 2021 home maintenance checklist:

1. Get A Cleaning Plan

We don't have a weekly cleaning schedule or anything like that, we just tend to clean when things get unlivable. I don't want to do that anymore because it's super stressful, so we're signing up for Handy. They have weekly, biweekly, and monthly cleaning plans, where one of the background-vetted Pros available through their platform comes and cleans your home. You can stick with the same Pro every time, or just request whoever fits into your schedule.

There's super flexible scheduling, with appointments 7 days a week from 7am-11pm, sometimes bookings are even available for the next day. And it's surprisingly affordable! Also, all Pros are required to wear face masks during bookings and complete mandatory daily health check-ups in the app, which are clearly highlighted on their site,

2. Make A Proper Workspace

So, I am thankful that I have my own desk at home for work. However, that area was a MESS last March...and it still is. We never throw a piece of paper away, so everything is grouped in piles, and there's the odd tool or plastic thingamajig that goes to something we can't remember or may have tossed out.

Now that I can focus less on cleaning, I can use that time for tidying.

3. Declutter

Also, we don't have a ton of room for working out. There's space in the family room, close to the coffee table where we keep random things we need to get rid of at some point.

I'm finally finding the time to take a huge bag to the thrift store, so I'll actually have room to work out. This way, I won't dread it as much, and can hopefully make room to do the Youtube vids I've been wanting to do.

4. Redecorate

Nothing too wild, but we've always liked color, and never painted our white walls. We want to do some light greens and yellows that will really brighten everything up - and now we finally have the time! Also, we're getting a plant. I've accidentally killed succulents before, but hey, new year, new plant.

My family's imperfect and that's what makes us, us. But, I will admit that I want a cleaner, more livable space. By completing the dreaded tasks we've been putting off, finally tackling the fun tasks, and supporting our home with a weekly cleaning plan from Handy, I'm confident it'll be an excellent 2021.

Update: Handy is offering a limited time discount for our readers! Follow this link to get a special offer on your first-time cleaning plan.

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My Secret To Bouncing Back From The Post-Holiday Mess

The holidays were just us this year - me and Charles. No relatives, no neighbors, no guests, no one. So then how did the house turn into a world-class mess?

Here's how: when folks come over, I'm forced to clean. No visitors, no cleaning. Over the past months and months and months with the two of us stuck inside, I've done my best to keep things tidy. But as this dusty and disorganized year drew to a close, I was getting by with a lick and a promise - tossing clutter in closets just to clear the rooms. Dust bunnies romped through the hallways. The top of the stove looked like an explosion in a spaghetti house. I was absolutely overwhelmed.

So, I made a decision - we're getting a cleaning plan. We're scrubbing this house from top to bottom and keeping our house sparkling clean from here on out.

So I googled "most reliable name in housecleaning" and up popped Handy, an app you can use to book a professional cleaner. They connect you to cleaning professionals in your area. You can sign up for monthly, bi-weekly, or weekly plans, and scheduling is super flexible with booking availability 7 days a week from 7am-11pm. Plus, the app even lets you track a cleaning while it's in progress.

With the Handy app, you can leave special instructions and even add on extra services such as laundry, cleaning interior windows, inside fridges and stoves, and even deep cleanings!

This all sounded amazing but then I thought, who's doing the laundry and the cleaning? Are Handy's cleaners reliable?

Then I learned Handy does a background check and vets each of the Cleaning Pros booked through their app. You can also read reviews and see a Pro's rating before you book. And with a Handy plan, you can even request the same Pro if there's someone you really like. A pro booked through Handy can become a steady and welcome part of the household routine.

And this being the era we live in, I was pleased and relieved to learn that Handy prioritizes the health and safety of the professionals and customers who use their platform by implementing the Handy Safety Standard. Not only are Pros required to wear face coverings during bookings, but they must also complete daily in-app checkups to confirm they are in good health before they claim a booking.

Handy also shares the CDC's health and safety guidelines and best practices to all customers and professionals and even provides guidance on the use of EPA-approved cleaning products.

This all made me feel more confident about trying Handy, but I was still a tad sticker-shy - how much would all this cost?

I was thrilled to see that Handy's cleaning prices are truly affordable for us. And I especially appreciate how transparent they are. They give you a fixed, upfront price before you book so there's no negotiating and you don't have to deal with cash. They make the whole process as clear, open, and worry-free as possible. And it looks super easy to set up an appointment and you can even reschedule if things change.

So, to start the New Year off right, I'm signing up for a cleaning plan with Handy. Since none of us is going anywhere anytime soon, I'm thinking a deep-deep-deep cleaning and a weekly plan would be a good start. Toys and books and laundry and papers and pizza boxes pile up mighty quickly these days.

I'm just glad we don't have any pets - dust bunnies don't count! But I bet Handy could handle that if we needed them to.

With Handy to rescue, I'm looking forward to a clean start for 2021.

Update: Handy is offering a limited time discount for our readers! Follow this link today to get a special offer on your first time cleaning plan.

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Here's Why I'm Calling On Handy This Holiday Season

Over the last few months, I've gotten so lazy when it comes to housework. I used to always be on top of it, but lately, it's taken a back seat. Partially because I was just so overwhelmed with everything that's going on, and partially because I haven't been having any visitors over.

I was so delighted to hear my brother and his girlfriend wanted to come home for the holidays, so I instantly offered up my spare room. Then I remembered my spare bedroom has become a dumping ground for all of my clutter.

Once I thought about all the cleaning and tidying that my house needs, I almost began to dread their visit. Getting it back into shape isn't a one-man job. I needed to get help! Plus, while my brother is here, I'm going to be busy cooking the whole time. My pumpkin pie is a family tradition!

After deciding to look into getting a cleaning professional, I remembered my friend mentioning she got one recently, so I called her to ask. She told me she uses a site called Handy to book her cleaning services. She said it's super convenient, you can sign up for a Handy cleaning plan on your own schedule, and sometimes you can even book a cleaning Pro as soon as the next day.

I was still unsure of whether or not a cleaning service was the right thing to do. I don't know how I feel about letting someone new into my home at the moment. But I can't lie, having someone regularly come over to help me stay on top of the housework sounded like a dream, so I decided to check out their site anyway.

On the Handy site, I read that they use ID verification technology and a background screening that vets all cleaning professionals booked through Handy. They also have the Handy Safety Standard, which includes a number of steps to help foster a safe environment for the customers and cleaning professionals who use Handy.

Some of these steps include all professionals being provided face coverings that they may wear to bookings and professionals completing daily in-app check-ups confirming that they are not experiencing any symptoms before they may claim bookings. In addition, Handy is providing the CDC's health and safety guidelines to professionals as well as guidance on using EPA-approved cleaning products.

As well as these steps, if any issues arise during a booking, Handy has a 24/7 customer service team that will answer your questions or concerns at any hour of the day. Not to mention, they have the Handy Happiness Guarantee which means if you aren't happy with the service you received they will work to make it right.

After reading all of this, I felt a lot better about using Handy. So after some consideration, I've decided to sign up for a Handy plan. Booking through the Handy site is great because you can view ratings and read reviews from previous Handy customers, and then request the cleaner who's best for you. Or, if you don't want to choose, Handy can connect you with an available Pro who is ready to take on your job. You can even give your cleaning Pro instructions beforehand, so they know what areas of your home to focus on.

I'm happy that the bedrooms and living areas in my house are going to be taken care of, and you can also book extra services like inside the fridge, cabinet, and oven; interior window washing; and laundry, which I can add to my plan later.

Since I discovered Handy, a weight has been lifted. Knowing that the Pros will be helping me get my house back into shape has taken so much pressure off. Handys cleaning plan allows you to have someone come on whatever schedule works for you, and I'm looking forward to using Handy for a long time.

The holidays are always stressful, and this year they're going to be a little bit different than other years. But thanks to my Handy cleaning plan, I have one less thing to worry about this holiday season.

Update: Handy's Black Friday sale is happening now! For a limited time follow this link to get a special offer on a cleaning plan!

Valid only for new customers who book and pay through the Handy platform. Offer expires 12/1/2020. Customer must sign up for a minimum term cleaning plan that will be charged on a recurring basis. Early plan cancellation will result in a $99 fee. Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. Price excludes Handy's Trust & Support fee and is only valid for the first 3 hours booked; additional services and time are extra. Offer cannot be applied retroactively or combined with other offer(s). Visit handy.com/terms for full terms.

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What To Do About Messy Roommates

The Solution That Makes Everyone Happy

When I moved in with my college friends Melissa and Jessica, I was super excited.

At first, everything was great. Jessica would sometimes cook for me, Melissa lets us borrow her cute clothes, and I always pick up their favorite snacks when I'm in the store.

But soon the mess started to build up and we began to butt heads, especially now that everyone works from home. Jessica leaves her towels on the bathroom floor and Melissa never washes the dishes after making food. I'll even admit, I have a habit of leaving my stuff all around the apartment.

We started a chore wheel to divide the cleaning fairly (and stop us from killing each other). It was working for a while, but we're all so busy with our jobs that some chores didn't get done.

One evening, Jessica called a meeting for us all. She complained about the dishes in the sink and I complained about the dust on the shelf. We all came to realize that we were all as messy as each other, but too busy adjusting to working from home to give the apartment the clean it really needs.

We were brainstorming solutions when Melissa said she remembered her previous neighbor using Handy to book cleanings for her home. Jessica and I weren't too enthused. The sound of a deep clean of the whole apartment did sound great, but I was worried about the cost.

Plus, Jessica was worried about the quality of the cleaning service. I mean, would they be vetted professionals? How had the company handled the pandemic? Melissa insisted we check out the Handy site.

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We read that Handy does background checks on all the cleaning pros booked through their platform to make sure they are experienced and reliable. We also liked that we could read reviews and request the Pro we wanted to work with. They also provided a lot of information on the Handy Safety Standard they've implemented to maintain the health and safety of the customers and professionals who use their platform. Not only do they require Pros to confirm they are symptom free before they can claim jobs, they've also provided Pros with face coverings to wear during bookings. This made us all feel more comfortable with the idea.

We also found the prices to be super affordable, especially when split 3 ways! This wasn't going to be a major splurge.

Handy offers weekly, biweekly, or monthly cleaning plans. We decided that the monthly would be best for us to start with. The fact that you can manage everything online or through the Handy app is super convenient.

Plus you can add extras, like laundry, inside the fridge, inside the oven, windows. We might use this in the future since our fridge can get pretty disgusting! Also, if we needed to reschedule a cleaning, we could just go on our phones and move the day or time of the cleaning super easily.

We never expected to be able to afford a cleaning service, but we are planning to sign up for a monthly cleaning plan with Handy and we're all really looking forward to having a clean and tidy home.

With Handy's guarantee for happiness and safety, we're feeling confident that this will be a great way for us to take some stress and pressure off ourselves.

Update: The folks at Handy are extending a Special offer to our readers. For a limited time follow this link to get a special offer on a cleaning plan!

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How Handy Can Help You Keep Your House Clean

So, you tell me - is 4pm too early to break out the wine? This place is a zoo. My kids are pretty much homeschooling themselves. I set up my WFH office on the kitchen table so I don't have to listen to them no-schooling in their bedrooms. And on top of that I'm supposed to cook dinner, keep the place clean and organized, and be the best mom ever?

Every weekend, I vow that the kids and I'll get motivated enough to clean the kitchen, bathrooms, and common areas. Kiara's bedroom is a sea of clothes. Don't talk to me about Carl's room - absolute nightmare.

This was running through my mind when one of my mom-friends called and asked what was going on. So I just blurted it out - my house is a wreck, can I come live with you guys?

We laughed and she suggested I look into Handy, which she uses to book home cleaning services and highly recommends. So I pulled up their page on my phone. Handy's website is simple to navigate, informative, with a 24/7 customer service team if I have any questions. They'll connect me with a local, 1st rate cleaning Professional who can clean my house weekly, bi-weekly or monthly depending how often I need a cleaner to come.

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Limited Time Offer, For Our Readers:
Get Your First Home Cleaning For Just $19

I felt confident booking through Handy knowing the Pros on the platform are vetted and I could read reviews to request the Pro I wanted to work with. They put each Pro through background check screenings that use credential verification technology to ensure Handy's the most reliable way to book a cleaning in the biz.

Plus, if I ever need to move a scheduled appointment, Handy's app makes it super-easy to tweak my calendar, or specify particular cleaning directions.

I wanted to see how much this would cost, so I used Handy's app to view Pros in my area. I entered the number of rooms, bathrooms, and asked for a deep clean. I tossed in extras like inside the fridge, inside the oven, even laundry and their upfront rates and pricing seem really affordable.

Besides, if I'm ever dissatisfied with the quality of a service, Handy's Happiness Guarantee ensures that they'll work to make it right.

But what really calmed my fears about scheduling a cleaning during the outbreak, is that I can cancel or reschedule bookings if I feel sick, or if I'm concerned about my kids or the Handy Pro's wellbeing. Wow. This is such good news. I'm going to book a cleaning for early next week.

Then I immediately started strategizing about how my family could stay at a safe distance while our Cleaning Pro puts my house in order. We could garden. Or the kids could garden, while I sip a well-deserved glass of wine on our gazebo and thoroughly unwind.

We'll see how it goes, but I'm thinking with Handy, it'll be a slam dunk.

Update: Handy's Black Friday sale is happening now! For a limited time follow this link to get a special offer on a cleaning plan!

Get Your First Home Cleaning For Just $19

Valid only for new customers who book and pay through the Handy platform. Offer expires 12/1/2020. Customer must sign up for a minimum term cleaning plan that will be charged on a recurring basis. Early plan cancellation will result in a $99 fee. Bookings can be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance. Price excludes Handy's Trust & Support fee and is only valid for the first 3 hours booked; additional services and time are extra. Offer cannot be applied retroactively or combined with other offer(s). Visit handy.com/terms for full terms.

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