VOTED NEXTDOOR NEIGHBORHOOD FAVE 2025!

IT’S A DELIGHT TO BE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE “MOST LOVED BUSINESSES”

When Cleaning a House, Where Do I Start?

WHERE TO START? DECLUTTER!

The strategy seems simple enough but decluttering makes a huge impact on the cleanliness and appearance of a home. Once it is completed, the surfaces can be cleaned thoroughly. Start on the left side of the room and declutter as you move to the right side of the room.

1. Remove clutter from surfaces: (Counters, tables, desks).

2. Pick up items from the floor.  As items are picked up, put them away in their designated places, this saves extra steps later!

   a. At a minimum, place them in baskets in the proper room for sorting later.

3. Remove clothes and jackets from chair backs.

4. Minimize number of blankets on sofa. Fold them neatly.

5. Declutter one room entirely before moving to the next room. Avoid decluttering other areas as you put things away.

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DECLUTTER

〰️ DECLUTTER

A clean environment reduces stress. the first step is to declutter.

Fall Family Story Festival

Our staff had the best time creating an interactive festival booth to encourage child literacy. You may wonder how a “Toilet Toss” game will encourage reading? The prizes were books about cleaning! “Berenstain Bears and The Messy Room”, “JUST A MESS” by Mercer Mayer and “Curious George Cleans Up” by H.A. Rey were a few of the prize books. “Scoring a bowl” was harder than it looked!

VOLUNTEER

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VOLUNTEER 〰️

SCARY WINNER!

EMPLOYEE PUMPKIN CARVE OFF

CONGRATULATIONS EVELYN! The pumpkin carving contest winner.

We are excited by the “Baby Loading” announcement. Congratulations Kat.

"Tweens" love a clean room too!

A clean environment is important to the whole family. Sometimes we may think the adults are the only ones who appreciate a tidy space. After all, how often do parents say “Clean up your room?”

Proof Tweens Love a clean room.

Notes left by clients, from the youth to the elderly are a true treasure. CLEAN IS HAPPY!

We Agree: A clean environment reduces distress!→

you are ready for take off when things are tidy!

The Incredible Connection Between Regular Cleaning and Improved Mental Health and Wellbeing (3 Important Notes)

Many of us look at cleaning as such a chore. Let’s be honest, it’s not always the most fun job to take care of. So, when our mental health is in a bit of a slump, cleaning is often the last thing we want to be doing, and it is often forgotten about completely. Beds left unmade, clothes strewn across the floor, the list goes on with things we’ll avoid doing.

With that being said, there is reason to believe that regular cleaning can actually help improve overall wellbeing and mental health.

How does cleaning regularly help improve mood and overall mental health and wellbeing?

1.      Increase motivation

Often when people are feeling depressed or stressed, cleaning is something we tend to avoid doing. Mess can build up quickly and without you even noticing. Leaving this mess can increase feelings of depression and reduce motivation for other tasks and makes cleaning feel like an overwhelming mission when you’re ready to start tidying your home.

2.      Sense of accomplishment

Avoiding cleaning can also cause us to feel a lack of control in our own home, contributing to increased stress levels. Other stressors, such as those from work or relationships are often out of our hands, and so it is important to think of cleaning as something that you have control over. It’ll help you to feel as if you’ve accomplished a goal once you have finished cleaning and tidying up.

3.      Reduce depression and stress

Many people forget what a great feeling it is to be organised and entering a tidy environment can instantly improve your mood. Having a neat home is a proven way to alleviate feelings of depression and stress. Keeping your home organised also saves time on cleaning in the future, so it’s a much easier task to battle if you find yourself in a similar situation again.

So, next time you’re feeling a bit down, don’t put it off, pick up your cleaning supplies and start working on little bits at a time. You’ll soon start to see the light at the end of the tunnel – a tidy home equals a tidy mind! www.glassguard.com

Unicorns help with the cleaning magic.

~Unicorns do exist!

~Unicorns do exist!

Birthdays are meant to be celebrated.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS...

The Amazing Give Workday Edition raised $26,961

5th Annual Pet Purposed 🐾 Project

DONATION DRIVE

Join environments3 community outreach Pet Purposed Project to provide used repurposed linens, cleaning supplies and other donations to local pet and animal rescue coalitions. The Pet Purposed Project’s annual collection drive is March 28 through April 15th.

Pet Purposed Project will donate to Humane Society of North Central Florida who’s “mission is to eliminate the needless euthanasia of healthy and treatable pets” in our community.  It’s time to make room in those linen closets and drawers. Repurpose today!

WISHLIST:  Clean Linens and Blankets Repurposed for pets. Dawn Dish Soap, Simple Green, Bleach, Trash Bags, Dog/cat treats, Walk harnesses, Nyla Bones, Kongs Xtreme, Monetary Contribution. 

Please leave your Pet Purposed donation items for pickup March 28th- April 15th.

THE POWER OF GIVING BACK 2021

Volunteers aided in the 2021 Power of the Purse Brunch and Handbag Auction to raise over $35,000 to support the Peaceful Paths Economic Empowerment Programs. Thanks to e3 staff, the hundreds of Peaceful Paths staff, volunteers, donations and contributors to making our community a safer place.

LEGOs, Avatars and Your Home.

LEGOs

An Exercise in Raising Awareness of Your Home

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 This is not a typical Thursday morning meeting, today our team members build their own avatars with LEGOs.  Yes, I said LEGOs, the bulky multi colored rectangle shaped building blocks that have managed to work their way into our children’s toy boxes, robotics and now box office films.  The staff are provided with instructions to create a “work avatar” and a personal avatar with the provided LEGOs. “An avatar is a graphical representation of a person, alter ego or character in games or internet activities.” https://vhil.stanford.edu/mm/2013/lee-cbsn-mask-mind.pdf

A flurry of activity occurs as containers filled with various heads, mini hands, clothing options and accessories were vied for, shared and sorted through.  The volume in the room escalates with eruptions of jokes and laughter.  Creativity is alive. 

An active forum about personal style and preferences was created during this activity. Choosing physical attributes of the avatar such as hair color, glasses, or color palate of clothing and accessories are easy and obvious descions.  Arguably, the more subtle expression of “personality traits like agreeableness may be solidified by the selection of faces with wide open eyes or short hair which infers conscientiousness” according to literature, Avatar. 

Avatars in the making.

Each of the chosen LEGO blocks interlink in specific ways much like our cultural influences, religious background, physical limitations and education define our roles and relationships. These influences also predicate our needs and style in our homes.  The discusion progreses towards awareness of client’s expectations and preferenes, such as “blocking counter top items forward, closer to the counter edge facilitates a clients’s restricted reach due being wheel chair bound” states one employee.  Another team member gives the example, “Some religious house holds defer having the master bed made by others while others prohibit dusting shrines.”  Awareness and sensitivity to the signifcance of these preferences is paramount in professional residential service.

Colors, shapes, sizes and style play a factor in avatar creation and your home!

Much like selecting avatar colors, we gravitate towards certain color palates and styles for home decor.  Interior design styles range from Mid Century Modern to Eclectic Style.  It is important your service provider understands the style that appeals to you as a home owner so the set and staging is appropriate.

Your home is your santuary.  We expect others, especially cleaning professionals, to have a similar respect and appreciation of our environment as they work within the most personal space of our home. After all, attendance to personal style and preferences is the individual hallmark, appeal and essence of your home.

Personal style and preferences are the individual hallmark, appeal and essence of your home.

🐾 Donation ♻️ Delivery

environments3 clients and employees are heroes today!  Our clients donated pet food, toys, leashes and linens to The Humane Society NCF for local displaced animals.  Employees volunteered to assemble and contribute to the donations after we shared breakfast together.  In honor of “bring your kid to work day,” employees’ children also participated in the event.

Donations from environments3, clients and employees.

When people collaborate, repurpose ♻️, donate and volunteer the whole community wins.

We thank environments3 clients and employees for being amazing and their continued support.

Pet Purposed Project Donation Drive

Unfortunately, there are those animals who become: disadvantaged by abuse, lost or abandoned when their owners can no longer care for them. We are fortunate to have many local animal shelters and pet rescue organizations to aid in their time of need. 

environments3 community outreach, Pet Purposed Project  objective is to provide environments3 used repurposed linens, cleaning supplies and donations by our clients to local pet service coalitions.

Donations Collected April 8-25!

Pet Purposed Project  will collect and donate the following: 

• Clean linens and blankets repurposed for pets 

• Pet Food - Cat Food is greatest need!

• Pet Toys 

• Cat Litter 

• Cleaning Supplies 

• Leashes/Collar

• Monetary donation

Pet Purposed Project Donations are given to Alachua County Humane Society.

Tipping Point.

🎁 Graciousness & Tradition🎁

The days are shorter, the twinkle of lights illuminate cheery trim as the year wanes. The cold crisp mornings are warmed by fluffy layers, deliciously sweet, decorated cookies abound and we hum familiar choruses of holiday carols. ’Tis the season for giving as we reflect on our good tidings we’ve received all year and give back to those who have added to our lives. “Gratuity” evolves from the latin word “gratuitas, free, freely given”, a customary expectation as we tip with travel, at restaurants, and salons. Tipping is also richly wrapped with the holiday tradition of showing gratitude to those who regularly provide you with goods and expert services.

While end-of-year extras are expected in some professions, tipping isn’t about a sense of obligation. It’s about acknowledgement. “It shows those who provide you loyal service that you appreciate their efforts.” “Tipping is a form of gratitude shown during the holidays,” says Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert, author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life”. A Consumer Reports survey declares 60% of Americans tip service providers during the holidays.

“The Emily Post Institute essentially suggests “To simplify the process, just consider tipping service providers in key areas of your personal life,” says Daniel Post the grandson of the Maven of Etiquette, Emily Post. An easy consideration for the amount of gratuity suggested is; ‘up to the amount of one week’s pay or cost of service.’ Modifications may occur if tips are provided throughout the year for stellar service. Undoubtedly, each and every gift or gratuity adds sparkle to the holidays.

The sweet warm recognition of others, those adding ease and expertise to our lives, is the sharing spirit!

Who's Cleaning and Why?

Teamwork assures quality outcomes.

 Once we have given in to our desire and need for help with cleaning our home and hire a residential cleaning service, we expect professional service with consistent results. To some homeowners, employee compensation may seem inconsequential. After all, if a cleaning company pays less salary then those savings trickle down and are transferred to homeowner, "Right?”  Employees who are paid less look for ways to work less. Often underpayment leads to breaking equipment and client’s possessions due to carelessness and ‘the avoidance of high effort areas of cleaning.”  Life Maid Simple’s blog post points out, “More expensive companies pay their staff better, may have [other] benefits and use higher quality products in your home.” Studies show employee compensation and retention is a reflection of the type of cleaning service you and your home will receive. Join us as we examine one of the biggest investments a cleaning company can make; an investment in their employees and the return on that investment for the homeowner.  

It’s Tuesday evening at 7 P.M. after a long day at work and you are finally home but it’s not time to completely relax yet.  The cleaning company that your coworker recommended is scheduled to arrive in fifteen minutes for a free quote.  You wish you had been able to research the business prior to the meeting but the daily duties got in the way and the dust bunnies threaten a mutiny to take over your home. The cleaning person is punctual, they pull into the driveway and the car has the business name sleekly printed on the side. Introductions are made and you begin the walking tour of the house, discussing areas that are to be serviced, the estimated length of time in the home and frequency of the cleans; all the while Dale is taking careful notes. You finish your tour at the kitchen bar where Dale produces a price list of the services offered and the discussion turns to the possible dates for the first clean. 

 Overall, they seem knowledgeable about the surfaces of the home, answers most of the questions quickly until you ask about the employees.  Their body language slightly stiffens as they confide, “It’s hard to find good help.”  As an employer yourself, you recognize this is a common thread amongst many industries, so you follow up by asking, “Are your employees compensated fairly?”  Dale responds, “The employees are paid a living wage, above average in comparison to other cleaning businesses locally and they have the ability to advance in the company.”  This business review is proceeding well as you offer Dale a drink while you continue the conversation. 

It is common knowledge, you usually pay for what you get and “low-ball employers who pay bottom-tier wages get bottom-tier employees and then those employees do bottom-tier work.” Employee Retention.  A $15 per hour minimum wage like the movement in Seattle may not be financially feasible for many small businesses. $15 wage   But let’s face it: compensation embodies more than wages and insurance.  It’s about creating a work-life balance and a sustainable work force.  

 Now that you know Dale's employees are paid fairly, you inquire, “What other ways do your employees receive compensation?”   They share several employees qualify for health incentives and the business is small but has, "Worker’s Compensation Insurance although it is not required at this size it is important to us.”

 Many residents falsely believe their homeowner’s insurance will cover a worker if they are injured while in their home. Some policies may provide some coverage depending on the situation but typically a high deductible must be paid first. Ultimately, the cleaning company you hire carries a general liability policy that protects against damage to the homeowner and property. Additionally the business has “worker's compensation, which covers any injuries staff may sustain while on your property and pays for lost wages so they will not be tempted to sue you.”  10-things-your-cleaning-service-wont-tell.html 

 Dale's business health care plan is an added perk for the employees too. The cleaning companies that do not offer health care incentives have employees that are more likely to call off work or worse; they could potentially come into your home while they are contagious.  The lack of primary health care coverage causes further work dissatisfaction due to financial strain on an employee with costs of unpaid sick leave, out of pocket medication costs, urgent care bills and possible ER visits. 

 Work life balance is defined as “being fresh enough to give all you need to both at work and home, without jeopardizing one for the other.”  Balanced employees tend to be positive, energetic, motivated, committed, take pride in outcomes and have increased productivity.  These behaviors are transferred to you, as the customer, because the employee provides consistent service.  Essential to being a balanced employee is a manageable work load and time for recovery.  Employee recovery may be as simple as a shared work load by working in teams, facilitation of breaks, a modified work week and paid time off. work life balance 

 Dale continues speaking about the business’s employee structure, “We deploy three person teams for equitable work distribution, utilizing a systems approach, meaning each member has assigned areas and roles while detailing the home.”

 “Give preference to companies that use cleaning ‘teams’, in which two to four cleaners, including one supervisor, come to your home at the same time to divide tasks. Not only does that make your cleaning more time-efficient, but also, employees are less likely to steal or be careless under a supervisor's watchful eye.” 10-things-your-cleaning-service-wont-tell.html

Lastly, you ask Dale, “What type of training does your staff receive?”  Enthusiastically Dale shares information about the employee standardized training protocol with skills assessments, quizzes, video audits and continuing education. 

 “A commitment to training is seen by employees as an investment in their worth and a powerful incentive to stay at the company,” says Kevin Griffin, an IT advisor at Falco Enterprises and former CIO of GE Capital.  Structured training strengthens institutional knowledge, reinforces protocols and builds commitment. Josh Bersin, Industry Analyst shares, “The longer we stay with an organization the more productive we get - we learn the systems, we learn the products, and we learn how to work together.” Employee Retention

A systematic approach assures all areas are covered and encourages employee accountability.

You have decided to select Dale’s cleaning company based on the business model which invests in their employees and promotes work-life balance.  Employees who are well compensated, trained effectively and feel valued by their company demonstrate consistent, high quality work performance while cleaning your home. The investment in employees causes employees to be happy and ultimately makes customers happy. 

 You want well trained and skilled cleaners in your home to consistently protect and care for the home as you do; from the sentimental, cultivated artwork to the sunny outdoor kitchen or perfectly fluffed and tucked oasis of your bed. Clean is Happy!

 “… success is dependent upon tremendous attention to detail.”    Frederick Lenz

Bio Conscious

Today as we strive for awareness concerning our individual and families’ impact on the planet, our choices like recycling and the purchase of sustainable products influence positive change.  As Mahatma Gandhi said, “be the change you wish to see in the world".  The integration of this concept is applicable to the selection of a cleaning company as well.  A bio-conscious approach as a business is the consistent awareness, evolving integration and practice to decrease the environmental foot print by:

• The reduction of single use items such as paper towels.
• Repurpose items for additional use like linens. 
• Limiting exposure to chemicals; employees, clients and environment. 
• Incorporating alternative energy resources and utilize eco friendly vehicles.
• Reviewing scientific literature to improve over all outcomes and safety such as cross contamination prevention.

Bio-conscious businesses are inherently progressive in their approach to incrementally modify, adapt and integrate eco-friendly measures. Quality control measures are paramount in bio-conscious cleaning businesses, unlike green washing, “an effective marketing method by thousands of companies overreaching numerous industries, (including some in the green clean movement), which utilizes disinformation to present an environmentally responsible image.  The bio-conscious business also participates in their community, donating their services and supporting local initiatives.

Frequently, green or eco-friendly products or solutions are touted as safe or non-toxic cleaning agents without regard to their effectiveness in removal of all residues on surfaces.  The use of resources such as the EPA’s Safer Choices program products recommendation list ensure appropriate eco-friendly products. http:\\www.epa.gov Independent research of products furthers debunking of false advertising claims, myths and greenwashing of products.  Researcher Dr. Annie Pryor PHD is one independent source who completes such scientific experiments about cleaning practices and products.  http://dranniesexperiments.com  Regular review of research has the power to improve cleaning practice and safety.  For an individual homeowner to remain current on the latest changes to scientific information on the efficacy of cleaning products is cumbersome and a lack luster use of personal time.  A bio-conscious residential service has a vested interest in educating their staff in safe practices to better serve their clients and protect their employees from harmful exposure.  Hence, a bio-conscious cleaning company would supply their cleaning products that they have researched, understand and trust.  An example of a cleaning business that resonates with the bio-conscious ideology and concepts is Castle Keepers.  https:\\castle-keepers.com/blog/is-my-maid-service-really-green/

In addition to a bio conscious approach, a professional residential service would have the appropriate insurances to cover the cost of repairs or damages that may occur, much like the insurance you carry for your home.  The cleaning business also maintains workers compensation, healthcare benefits, a living wage and paid time off for their employees.  These insurances influence a manageable career within the housekeeping industry.  After all, employee retention is fundamental to an educated, sensitive staff able to provide reproducible results via a quality control verified and systems approach to making your environment the best!.

Pets & Pastries

Pets🐾 & Pastries

Your numerous and generous Pet🐾 Purposed Project donations were collected during a three week drive.  They were then sorted, bundled and packed over breakfast pastries by environments3 staff for delivery to The Alachua County Humane Society.  We were overjoyed our employee's children attended the function as we realize volunteerism begins early!

The tour of the facility revealed the numerous services offered to our Gainesville community such as: temporary pet shelter for Veterans being treated at the VA hospital, pet food donations to those in need, facilitation of Operation Cat Nip for spay and neuter, private home shelter for animals requiring more care and much more.

Kudos to The Alachua County Humane Society for being a "no kill" facility.

Thank you for your support of the Pet🐾 Purposed Project. Your donations directly impact our community, improve the lives of animals and facilitate those agencies providing aid.

Reclaim your time

Residential is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as “designed for people to live in.”  We recognize our homes are comprised of far more than brick and mortar; it is a culmination far greater in composition than its individual parts.  Most of us would agree, whether its a luxury apartment as a student at the University of Florida, a starter home complete with new baby nesting moms or a busy established Gainesville professional, our homes are the revitalizing epicenters of our lives. The individual design process involved in the creation of the perfect living environment is painstaking from the location, landscape, interior space, selected cabinetry, counter tops, flooring, paint palates and furnishings layered with personal touches, decorated with intention and appreciated in every minute you are there with one exception, when it is time to clean.  Our lifestyle with busy schedules can create a cycle where chores accumulate leading to maintenance neglect increasing further time requirements to clean and care for our biggest asset.  The lack of routine cleaning may cause damage to glass surfaces and fixture finishes etc. Professional residential cleaning services are sensitive to the maintenance of your personal environment, enhancing your families’ experience and allowing you to spend your valuable time on other personally fulfilling tasks. “If you’ve ever wondered if you should hire a cleaning service (https://money.usnews/money/blogs/my-money/2015/10/14/7-apartment-services-worth-splurging-on), the answer is almost a no-brainer. Of course you should.”

The Bureau of Labor statistics reports in 2015 “the average person over 15-years-old spends 66 minutes a day cleaning after meals, cleaning toilets and sinks, dusting fixtures, vacuuming, doing laundry.”  That is a total of 7.7 hours a week!  Of course, all of this daily house cleaning does not produce a 100% clean environment.  In fact, the deep cleaning such as base board scrubbing, dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures and cleaning blinds is not factored in.  These unsavory time consuming tasks are typically saved for a weekend.  Professional residential cleaning companies address these areas on a rotational basis because regular attention limits dirt and grime build up thus decreasing the amount of product required to treat the area. A cleaning company produces an entirely clean house, all at once for maximum personal benefit.

The best housekeeping staffs are educated and knowledgeable about the types of surfaces in your home along with their specialty treatments.  This knowledge is utilized to choose and apply the appropriate cleaning compounds coinciding with the manufacturer's recommendations.  Without the scientific understanding of the materials, the composition of cleaning solutions and causation of blemishes or stains, catastrophic damage could occur.

"HEY..."

 Tammy S. age 7

The cleaning/janitorial industry is one of the largest industries in the United States.  There are greater than seventy [70] cleaning services in Gainesville alone. The selection of a residential cleaning service is tantamount to choosing a healthcare or childcare provider.  Initially this may seem a bit of an exaggeration but you are inviting these providers into your home: they will have keys, consider nap times as they schedule service, help prep for parties, declutter your bathroom, straighten and level your original art work.  They many interact with your nanny, pets, children and/or spouse.  The residential service you choose must have integrity, instill trust, and provide reproducible precisioned results as a seamless contribution to your home and lifestyle.  Cleaning teams must also tend to design concepts with consideration for palates and visual hierarchy, personal style and the preferences embodying "the feel" of your home.  Thus, the best residential cleaning business would have an ethos that mirrors your own practices.