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.
