Sunday, June 9, 2013

         


Are you ready for us?

“For the home owners who have never used a house cleaning service or
had a maid service at some point. There is a difference
in what we do and here is why.” Kim Koda President/Owner

There are several things you need to do prior to your cleaning. We clean and disinfect every surface that is available to us. If we spend our time picking up personal items and clearing counters, the benefit of our visit will be lost.

1. Bedrooms and Playrooms
All toys, books, clothing and shoes must be picked up prior to your appointment.
We will not remove or clean human or animal waste. If your carpets are in need of cleaning or are unsanitary, we reserve the right to refuse the use of our vacuums on them
2. Kitchens
All food items (cereal boxes, cans etc) must be removed from all counters prior to your appointment. If you have dirty dishes in the sink, we will load them into a dishwasher that is ready for them.
3. Bathrooms
All personal items (shampoo bottles, razors, soap etc) need to be contained for easy removal in order to access counters, toilets, bath tub, showers and shelves. Towels will be placed in hampers or laundry room.
4. Living rooms, Den, Dining room
 All personal items left out (books, magazines, glasses, toys etc) will be placed in laundry basket that you will supply. The more items you leave around, the more time it will take to clean your home.
5. Office space
We do not move any of your work in or around your office space. We will clean key boards and computers only if they are turned off.  


Let us do the dirty work ~ Naturally!


Thursday, May 30, 2013

I Creep, do you?

My Confession!

In my ongoing quest to be the best cleaning company in Richmond, I have a confession to make. I do not come up with all the customer pleasing methods such as being on time, courteous behavior from myself and my staff, thorough and consistent every visit, hiring only the most polite and well groomed staff on my own. I am a very moral and fair person and so, I have to give credit where credit is due.  I confess; I have read and will continue to read customer complaints about my competitors. The bad reviews on other cleaning companies are my classroom. The proof is in the pudding as we say. Of course I do realize I will have some complaints from some folks that are never happy unless they are critiquing someone. However, if we do happen to get negative feedback, I welcome the advice and love to listen and learn what not to ever do again! My customer’s suggestions or complaints fire me up to be even better than the best! Please do take the time to write about your bad experiences with other cleaning companies (please, no names) and of course leave your feedback on Domestic Touch as well here on my blog. Also, if you are pleased with our work, shout it out, we love braggers!

 

Till next time, have a healthy, happy and clean day!

Kim

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Promotional Gift!


Be a part of our first of many promotions!

I have had many requests to purchase my cleaning solution for the ‘in between’ cleaning times on counters and bathrooms. I am not set up (yet) to sell my product but, I will give it away to the first 10 people to book an appointment for a non-promotional cleaning (Living Social coupon, gift certificate or discount excluded)! You will receive a free 24oz bottle of my homemade cleaning solution. You may choose between Jasmine or Lemon. Retail value is $16.00.

Comment with name and location in this blog and email me your address, telephone number and dates you would like for your cleaning to qualify.
Watch for our monthly promotions every 15th of the month!
Have a clean and healthy Day!
Kim

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

A place for everything?


“The trouble with, "A place for everything and everything in its place" is that there's always more everything than places.”

― Robert Brault

 If you find that there is always more everything than places, then, it’s time to get to work. With the change of the seasons I always sense a desire to throw out the old to make room for the new.  I have found the most efficient way to start a deep spring cleaning is to make hard decisions…and three piles.

1. Keep

2. Give away

3. Toss

 Ask yourself the following questions about items that are in the way of your vacuum cleaner; Have I used it worn it or admired it over the last year? Has it been replaced by a newer model? Is it in disrepair? Could someone less fortunate use it?

 Once you have your 3 piles, take them off to their final resting place ASAP. Whether it is the local good will, the garage for the sale or an area waiting for pick up, out of site is the surest way to keep your commitments. The longer this stuff is within your reach, the greater the chance your ‘keep’ pile will grow!

Living a natural and healthy lifestyle is an investment in your future.

 Reducing clutter and eliminating chemicals from your life will extend and enrich your life as well as those around you and help to create a stress free life. Do it for you and do it for all who we share this earth with.

 Go to http://www.charitynavigator.org/ to decide where you will donate your unwanted or un-needed items. There are some organizations that will come to you for your unwanted items, big or small.

Plan a garage sale with your neighbors or family. Not only can you make some extra cash, you are helping out people in your community who cannot afford the everyday items that we take for granted.



Call us at Domestic Touch. We are the experts on deep cleaning, naturally and will put the final touch on your de-cluttering project! Scheduling weekly, biweekly or monthly cleaning days will help motivate you to stay organized.

Wishing you all a healthy and happy spring!

Kim Koda
President/Owner
Domestic Touch
804 303 9570

 

Friday, May 3, 2013

What is your definition of clean?

Mothers Day is next week. We have Gift Certificates!

Look for our deal on Living Social this month!
 
Clean can be a very subjective declaration. To some folks, clean means lack of clutter and to others, no visible dirt. To me, clean means spotless everywhere that can be seen or not. When I clean, I move everything that is not bolted down, wipe all sides, under the item and over it and then return it to the original place. Many of my customers only want this type of cleaning every 3-6 months and that is fine. Every other week we will do a surface cleaning which is basically all most people do in their homes. Domestic Touch home cleaners are trained to do the best job they can within the constraints of the clients time request using nothing but the natural products I hand mix and have researched to be most effective in cleaning and disinfecting. A first cleaning may take twice the amount of time a surface cleaning would but the investment really pays off. If you take care of your home and maintain deep cleanliness, it will always feel new and retain resale value.

The most obvious advantage of scheduling a cleaning every week or other week or every month, is to keep your household motivated to organize their personal items so that your common areas will always be ready to receive guests at a moments notice.         

I am happy to share my research and knowledge I have gained over the past several years with others. Knowing there are options to toxic substances used to clean and disinfect your home is invaluable to your family’s heath. Baby and pets can now crawl on your floors and not get toxic residue in their little bodies. Because you choose to use natural products to clean your home, you are most assuredly guarding your family against the effects of hazardous household chemicals. This is certainly worth scrubbing a little harder. Whether we clean your home or you switch to natural cleaners and do it yourself, the outcome is the same. We are invested and passionate about helping you maintain your health. Let us do the dirty work, naturally.

Wishing you and yours a clean and happy day!

Kim  
 
 

 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

It's your choice...who will you choose?

It’s time to start asking serious questions about what is really in all these miracle, anti scrubbing, disinfecting, germ killing, bug ridding, long lasting household products.

Yesterday, I talked about how fed up I was with corporate America. Today, we will look inside of these companies products. We need to understand just why they want 'robots' in the office or in their factories. They clearly want workers that don't dare ask questions for fear of being demoted, ridiculed, chastised or fired for lack of production because they asked WTH! Most all of these people shut up and put up for the paycheck that may or may just barely support their families. We buy the products because of  what I call advertisement brainwashing. Listed below are some of the many great sites sending this potentially life saving message.

 It’s your choice; the fat cats or you and your loved ones. Who will you choose?
Go Green with us!
Let Domestic Touch do the dirty work...NATURALLY!
 
 
 
 
 Natural cleaning alternatives

  • Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
  • Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
  • Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
  • Tea Tree Oil is another disinfectant that is an essential oil. It has been shown to fight not just bacteria but various fungi and viruses, too. Tea tree oil is commonly used on bacterial and fungal health conditions such as acne, blisters, warts and insect bites.
  • White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
  • Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
  • Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body. See http://drclark.ch/g)
  • Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
  • Citrus oils - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains.

  • Monday, April 29, 2013

    Happy ending!


    Once upon a time, I got sick and tired of working in a world where I was not able or allowed to fully use my talents. Now that I think about it, using your talents in corporate America is a big no-no, unless you are on the top rung and even they need  to conform. We must comform...NOT! As a bottom rung corporate worker for some years, I guess I forgot just what my talents were.  We all have God given talents, you know?

    It all started by mistake. On the way back from visiting my fiancĂ©, Kip in Raleigh for a week, I had all the radio stations keyed in to my favorite music. As I got closer to Richmond, I didn’t feel like reprogramming so, I put in a Mary Chapin Carpenter CD. Later that week on my way home from shopping, I got tired of Mary and switched back to the radio. The radio was set to what is a Christian music station here, 90.5 Positive Per. The music was sweet, slightly familiar and very clear so, I kept it on.

    When the music was over, a man started to speak about end times. Revelations…this is when I said “oh, a Christian station, I could use some encouraging words.”  I left it on and took the long way home.

    Six months prior I was laid off from a job that I felt was so cathartic, rewarding and encouraging. I worked for a company that was dedicated to ‘rescuing’ high school drop outs from many states. I was working remotely for a  rep in Michigan, making her appointments by pre-selling our innovative program to school superintendents, principals, guidance counselors and basically anyone in the public school system that would listen to my plea. Yes, my ‘plea’, you see, I was a drop out myself years ago. I got my GED at 36 and went on to college.  I went back to school to study horticulture technology several years ago. I was just about 6 credits from my degree when I got a call from my friend who worked for this startup company and wanted me to apply for a position as well. I finished my semester and went right to work for them. I also organized and coordinated trade shows and conventions which to me was a fun and creative way to escape the slamming phones and dead ends of cold calling.

    The man on the Christian radio spoke with such grace and eloquence that I hung on his every word. The story he told was about our judgment day and what God wants and expects from all of us. God is not going to stand in judgment of our good or bad life here on earth, he said. “We all make our choices to be in heaven or hell right here on earth. Nope, God is going to have us stand before him asking a very simple question. Did you use your talents I gave you or did you waste them?” Whoa! Use my talents? Waste my talents? I never had a choice really…I was a single mother for so many years; I got use to towing the line for other companies that would pay me a steady wage.  That was the very moment that Domestic Touch was born! I recall going home to Kip and telling him the story and what I had planned. I called my son and told him as well. I was so excited, for days I think I told everyone and continue still!

    Kip is the one that put the whole thing in prospective for me, creating my website with the help of his daughter, Breanna and financial plan. It was Kip that suggested the idea to hire the best workers possible and simply manage the company using my talents! I have been eating and living a natural and fairly organic lifestyle for many years now. So, naturally I have created my own natural products for cleaning and disinfecting my own home. I have worked hard for many start ups and am no stranger to the many details that come with marketing, advertising, hiring, managing and branding one.

    My ‘revelation’ has now turned into a reality. Domestic Touch uses all natural ingredients for cleaning and disinfecting homes. I have a crew of contractors that have been meticulously chosen, screened for criminal backgrounds and trained to clean using the natural way. We are licensed, registered, bonded, insured and reliable. Many of the people that will clean your home with Domestic Touch are professionals who are tired of using chemicals. They all have their stories about chemical burns on their hands and even in their nostrils! Frightening and unnecessary health hazards are easily avoided when you put thought to living and cleaning naturally.

    Go green with us! Call Domestic touch at 804 303 9570 for a free estimate. Whether you want a deep cleaning every few months or a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly surface cleaning; we do it…Naturally!

     

    Sunday, April 28, 2013

    There are some things we just won’t try like, crossing the street without looking both ways or walking alone down a dark alley at three a.m.? 
      

    So why use hazardous, toxic, and even carcinogenic chemicals to ‘clean’ your home when we all know they can cause cancer, allergies and worse?
    Why, because we have all become commercially brainwashed by the ‘cleaning’ products that claim there is no need to scrub or scour…really? One squeeze or spray gets rid of all the dirt, grease and bacteria…really?
    As a Horticulture technology major, I understand all there is to know about the chemicals we live with on a daily basis. Oh, about those long stemmed roses we all swoon over? 1/4 of the chemicals used to fight pesticides on these beauties are listed as extremely and or "highly" toxic by the World Health Organization. So what happens when we use products that contain rose hips that are not organic? Or how about the ingredients in Lysol? The active ingredient in many of the Lysol products is benzalkonium chloride. This ingredient is highly toxic to fish, very highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates, moderately toxic to birds, and slightly toxic ("safe") to mammals.
    I am sure by now you are all shaking your heads because, “who would eat roses or drink Lysol? That’s right but, where do you think the water from your floor washing bucket ends up? The roses? How many children, dogs and cats in your household are walking on those floors, touching those faucets, walls and appliances before putting their feet or hands in their mouths?
    God has given us all talents and He wants us to use those talents he gave us.
    I will tell you one thing, I AM using my talents! I am also sharing them with you!
    Domestic Touch uses all natural biodegradable products
    to clean and disinfect your entire home.
    No mops and pails are needed
    We use a steam cleaner that is safe
    for all types of flooring, wood
    tile, laminate, linoleum, cork, bamboo
    Call us at 804 303 9570, visit our website at www.domestictouch.comfor more information or email us at kim@domestictouch.comto schedule your first home cleaning estimate. All NAPW members will get a 15% discount on the first cleaning. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
    Respectfully,
    Kim Koda, President
    Domestic Touch
    My name is Kim Koda My professional title is President at Domestic Touch, which specializes in House cleaning with natural products. My hobbies and interests include Gardening, beach, hiking, kayaking, spending time with my dogs and my family.
    I am very excited to be launching my company, Domestic Touch this month! Please visit my website at www.domestictouch.com.
    Never buy another cleaning product and protect yourself, your guests, children, and pets from harmful and toxic cleaning chemicals! We supply everything that is needed to make your home sparkle and shine!

    Domestic Touch uses all natural biodegradable products
    to clean and disinfect your entire home.
    No mops and pails are needed
    we use a steam cleaner that is safe
    for all types of flooring, wood
    tile, laminate, linoleum, cork, bamboo