Spring is in the air, and that means we are outside spending time entertaining family and friends in our yards. This is also when we start to notice all the build up and debris that has settled on our homes and furniture over the winter season. Getting ready for outdoor entertainment can be a daunting task. The yard clean up, scrubbing the furniture and cleaning out the grill. It's time to take out the power washer and get to work. It is so satisfying to clean your dirt and debris away. Struggle with time? Hiring a professional power washer can be so rewarding for so many reasons. Not only will it save you time but here are a list of things that power washing can bring to you.

1. Maintains Property Value
Most homes appreciate in value over time. However, when your property and home become damaged or rundown they will decrease in value. Getting not only the exterior of your home, but your walkways and decks regularly power washed you will be ensuring that your home will maintain or even increase in value.

2. Increase Curb Appeal.
A dirty building will look worn down and dingy. When you allow dirt and grime to build up it will have a much worse appearance. Not only will this be an eye sore for you and your guests, but if you are thinking of selling your home, this appearance can shut down a buyers confidence in the maintenance of the interior of the home. the-power-of-curb-appeal.html

3. Pest control.
Cobwebs and spiderwebs invite pests to come into the home. Leaving the pest pheromones' on the outside of your home gives them a reason to come back.  Maintaining a routine power wash on your exterior will wash away pest droppings that could stain or discolor some siding and other home surfaces. Also when we wash the cobwebs away it makes it harder for pests to climb on and damage homes, especially those with wood siding. An article on www.pestinsider.com stated that when pressure wash jobs were used in between pest treatments, they found there was less spider webs on the home, and they had no wasps nests either. 

4. Improves health.
Pressure washing removes algae and mildew build up which can lead to negative health impacts when regularly exposed. Allergens like these can cause adverse reactions like having trouble breathing, and other diseases. Removing grime from your front deck or steps can also prevent slipping and falling when these surfaces get wet. Think of power washing as a disinfectant of your exterior. 

5. Primes Surfaces.
When starting a project like repainting your home, removing any grime from the siding will help ensure the new paint will adhere properly. Power washing before a paint job will extend the life of your paint up to 5 years. 

6. Saves time.
Power washing is more thorough and effective than other ways of washing your home, such as hand-scrubbing. Washing your home with a power washer takes significantly less time than scrubbing it by hand. Using a pressure washer increases your cleaning capabilities and gets the job done faster. Used by both homeowners and professional cleaning companies, power washing is the ultimate time saver for small or big projects.

7. Reduces likelihood of repairs.
Debris and build up can make it hard to see damage that has happened to your building. Removing the debris can help catch the damage before it has become unmanageable. Bird droppings are also very acidic and can cause damage to your home and business. Removing the droppings before it has caused any damage will decrease the chance of structural damage. 

8. Removes Vandalism.
Pressure washing can remove paint from concrete, metal, wood, and other exterior surfaces around your home. Because of the high-pressure levels, it can be very efficient and can drastically cut the time to complete this task. When it comes to vandalism you do need to be aware of the surface that it is on. If your pressure is too high you can risk damaging your structure. If you have concerns or questions about removing graffiti you can always call a professional power washer.  www.refinedviews.com

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TRUST IN REFINED VIEWS.
Not only is power washing effective, time saving, and satisfying, it is also a money saver. Time is money. Not only does a pressure washer use less money on a minute-by-minute basis, but it requires fewer minutes to clean, which saves even more money. 

It's important to have your home and business looking its ultimate best, but among appearances pressure washing also protects your property from damage, keeps your family and loved ones safe and saves you time.

Power washing is a necessity. Let the experts at refined views take care of you. We are certain you will be please and surprised with the results.



Refined Views

People say that the way your home looks inside can be a reflection on what you feel inside. When we are feeling overwhelmed in our minds, it can overflow into our everyday lives. Mental health is something we have been taking more seriously in the last few years and its finally getting the attention it deserves. 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in their life.  The connection with cleaning and mental health is something very intriguing. Who would think that cleaning can actually help manipulate your perceived anxiety.
 First we need to understand what mess and clutter does to your brain and mental state. 

Clutter can lead to depression and anxiety. When we visually see clutter, we can start to feel overwhelmed. A study in the "personality and social psychology bulletin" states that women who described their living spaces as cluttered or full of unfinished projects were more likely to be fatigued and depressed. Women's homes that were clean and tidy described their homes as restful and restorative. 
When your home is cluttered, it can raise your levels of cortisol. What is Cortisol?
Cortisol is a hormone naturally released from your adrenal glands with many essential functions for your health. One of the many roles that cortisol has is regulating your stress levels. When your cortisol levels are high, it actually starts shutting down other systems, and only using those that are essential in a high stress situation. Think of clutter as small micro doses of stress. When we walk into our homes we do not want to have any extra stressors. 
Clutter is "visual noise." Visual noise is any random visual stimulant. Just like your ears send electrical signals to your brain when sound is present, your eyes constantly send electrical signals to your brain when visual stimuli is present. The more physical clutter that surrounds us, the more visual noise we experience. When visual noise is present it can be more difficult to make decisions. You have an increased likelihood of procrastination and prevents your brain from focusing properly. Clutter can feel like unfinished business and lack of completeness. Since clutter is overwhelming, what can we do to begin so called "clearing the clutter."?

 Cleaning can act as a meditation. When we start moving it can be calming, soothing and very peaceful. Becoming more mindful when you clean can also help you relax. "Mindfulness" is about conscious awareness. When you are doing the dishes, really focus on doing the dishes. Feel the warm water on your skin, the sound of the scrubbing of the sponge, visually see the grease and grime disappear before your eyes. Being completely present in the moment can make the experience of cleaning much more enjoyable. 
An article in www.goodhousekeeping.com states that 70% of Americans say tidying their homes gives them a sense of accomplishment. 61% say they feel distressed, 54% say they experience relaxation. After cleaning you may feel that everything is once again exiting and NEW. You will have a feeling of peace wash over you. When you declutter your physical space, you declutter your mind. A recent article on recovery.org states that ,"those with cleaner houses reported greater levels of health compared to those with more cluttered homes." So not only will you feel better mentally, you will also be protecting your health physically and hygienically.
Cleaning promotes a sense of control and a calming effect by the engagement of cognitive capacity in a repetitive activity. We can manipulate our anxiety by cleaning. If you have high anxiety, it can be helpful to use cleaning as a coping mechanism. Studies have shown that having habits that are repetitive and redundant can help ease anxiety.  
​Cleaning your bedroom can also promote better sleep. When your room is cluttered, once again this will bring extra stress. When we wake up in the morning and the first thing we see is clutter, how do you think it will be affecting your day and mood? 
Finally if we start to develop healthy cleaning habits we will see an increase in:
-happiness
-productivity
-heightened focus
-decreased stress
-better sleep quality

If we are stressed and feeling a lot of anxiety inside of our minds, a good place to start the healing process, is to start cleaning up our environment around us.
​ Start small. 
Make a list of every room and closet that needs to be taken care of. Make a plan for the week, or months ahead. Look back to our blog on a cleaning schedule. benefits-of-a-weekly-cleaning-schedule.html
Take your time. 
You may look at your list and become overwhelmed. Focus on one spot and get moving. Do not move from this spot until you are complete. Make it a goal to complete a task start to finish.
Practice Mindfulness.
Stay completely present when you are cleaning. Any sensations that may come up when you see or smell something, let them surface and be completely aware of how you feel. No feeling or emotion is bad, just temporary.

With Love,
Refined Views

When we think of curb appeal we immediately think of a maintained landscape, beautiful flowers and shrubs, and a unique front door. While these things can and will create a beautiful exterior , have you ever thought why people work so hard to maintain the exterior of their homes?
Did you know that curb appeal can increase the perceived value of your home by 5-11%? 
When selling your home, having good curb appeal can help sell your home faster. It is important for a buyer to form a positive opinion of your home. Seeing that the exterior is maintained and taken care of gives people the impression that the interior will be just as nice. 
Even if you are not trying to sell your home, but you want to spruce up the outside, there are quick and easy things you can do to increase the look of your home, without breaking the bank. 
With a little love and attention, you can get your home to look amazing and give yourself a little more pride as you walk through your front door. Here are a few easy things you can do to get your home looking fresh and clean.

1. Power wash your exterior.
When spring comes around power washing should be one of the first thing on your list. Washing off the dirt and grime that has been collecting all winter will instantly give your home a facelift. Not only will it give your siding new life, it will also give it longevity. Longevity for your home? Yes!! When you clean your siding and furniture by removing grime and mildew, they will actually last longer. Less replacements, Less cost for you. While you're at it, power wash your walkway, patio, and outdoor furniture too. Make sure to check if the material can handle the power first though. If you are not sure if your siding or furniture can be power washed, call the professionals. Professional power washing can be a huge hack in uplifting your exterior. Call www.refinedviews.com  for an estimate today.

2. Clear the clutter.
Take a walk around your yard. Clean up any garbage, and debris that's hanging around. Take down any decorations that are leftover from previous holidays or seasons. These kind of things are eye sores and can create stress in your mind. Use this time to listen to some good music and get in the zone. Not only will you be cleaning up your yard, but you will be cleaning up your mental mess as well. Figure out what you actually need to have in your space and give everything  a home. Kids toys and outdoor games should have a special place dedicated to just that. Organize your yard just like you would organize inside the home. It will make your life so much easier.
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3. Window boxes and planters.
This is a fast and easy way to make your home look more inviting and appealing. Adding window boxes under your window sills can add a special look to your home, giving it more character and personality. You can buy them almost anywhere and they are fairly simple to install. If your feeling extra handy you can DIY some window boxes yourself. Here is a link to make some custom cedar boxes from Pinterest. pin.it/2ZQv8PY.
Don't have a green thumb? Add succulents to your window box instead. Succulents are low maintenance and pretty durable, so if you neglect to water them they wont be so touchy.

4. Hardware and Paint.
Sprucing up your front door with a fresh coat of paint or stain is a great way to give a nice pop to your home. Whether you want to go with something bold for the front like a deep blue, or keeping it simple with a nice hard wood, make sure it goes with the scheme of your home. You don't want the colors to clash together. Adding pops of color to your shutters and/or mailbox can be fun and exiting for your home as well. You can also upgrade the hardware on your front door. Update the hardware to stay with the flow of your home and any accents that you might have elsewhere on the exterior. 

5. Outside Décor and lighting.
This is where you can add your own personal touch. Adding a sign for the number of your home adds some character and personalization. You can even add some outdoor art, like metal signs to hang on the siding and/or welcome signs that go with the flower pots. These are extra touches that go along way. Making it your own, bringing life and beauty to your front porch. 
Is it time for a new light fixture outside? Upgrading your light fixtures to match your hardware or scheme of the home will tie the house together. It's a great way to bring some..new light.. to your home. 

6. Window cleaning.
Cleaning your windows regularly is a must. A clean window really shows that you care about the value of your home. Window cleaning doesn't just look good, but it helps with air quality in your home and increases the life span of your windows. Maintaining your windows regularly will save you money in window repairs and replacements. It makes your home more efficient by allowing sunlight to enter in and heat your home with natural sunlight. Walking up to your shiny windows will give you instant satisfaction. If time is not on your side, call the professionals. Here at Refined we take pride in our window cleaning. We value your windows just as much as you do and make sure to not harm the glass. Not only do we take care of the glass itself, but also the trim around it. If you are looking for an estimate on window cleaning look no further. Call today.
www.refinedviews.com/contact-651581.html

-7. Maintained Landscape.
This might be the most expensive part of your curb appeal journey. A well maintained yard and landscape is the best way to upgrade your curb appeal and the value of your home. Hiring a professional landscaper is ideal because they know all the ins and outs of your yard, but its not out of the question to do it yourself. Trimming your bushes and hedges regularly will make a big impact on the look of your home. You should be replacing mulch and/or rock annually. Gravel rock is fairly inexpensive and easy to maintain. Mowing your grass and fixing dead grass spots is important too. Getting your yard to flow with beautiful green lush grass, there is nothing better. Live in a place where the grass gets really dry? Try painting your grass. This is eco-friendly and non-toxic and it makes your home stand out from the rest. Here is a link for more information on painting your yard. www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/how-paint-grass-green-winter/

There are so many ways to spruce up your home and make it more appealing to you and your neighbors. Use the Power of curb appeal to make you stand out from the crowd and influence others to maintain their homes. I hope this article was helpful and you can start your curb appeal journey today!

​Take care,
Refined Views

Lets face it, in today's world we live busier lives than ever before. 9-5 jobs are becoming extinct. It seems that we all have more packed schedules and endless distractions. From commuting to work, getting the kids to after school activities, online meetings, grocery shopping, walking the dog, and trying to fit some "me time" in your schedule, where does this leave room for cleaning?

Having a clean home has a major impact on your mental health and wellbeing. As much as cleaning may feel tedious or time consuming, there are ways to tackle the chores in a more efficient way. 

I am going to go through some of the key benefits for creating a weekly cleaning schedule. This not only will create time for other tasks, but will help your mind be at ease, knowing that its possible to get it all done without spending an entire day cleaning your home.

Whether you are someone who enjoys a to-do list and is very organized, or someone who lags in routine and organization, this article will help you to begin your cleaning journey. Without further ado, here are some key benefits to a weekly cleaning schedule:

1. Cleans up your mental load and reduces stress. 

Day in and day out we have a lot on our minds. From office work, to getting Tommy to his baseball practice, the thought of laundry overflowing, or the fans collecting dust, should not be a reason why we aren't sleeping at night. We have so many other important things to be thinking about. It's not that the tasks are so hard, it's that we already have so many other things to worry about.
Once we have a cleaning routine created, this will lift those mental thoughts. For example; Knowing the bathroom is cleaned on Wednesday's will ease you mind on Sunday night when you are meal prepping for the week. It is about putting things in place so we have less clutter in our head. Knowing we have a plan for cleaning our home, reduces the stress that comes along with it.

2. Makes it easier to maintain your home.

Thinking about cleaning your entire home in one session, can be time consuming. It also can feel overwhelming and stressful.
Breaking the cleaning up into rooms or tasks, makes your home easier to clean. Instead of blocking a huge chunk of your time to clean the entire home, you can set shorter periods of time to do smaller and manageable tasks. For example; Monday- 1 dark load, dust and vacuum. The beauty of creating a schedule is it's customizable to your schedule. Giving yourself a task everyday apposed to all at once, is more manageable and maintainable. 

​Photo by Estée Janssens on Unsplash

3. Helps us to prioritize our homes needs.

Taking a few minutes to look over your schedule weekly will help you prioritize what cleaning tasks need to be tackled. If you know you're having guests over on the weekend, you can set time to organize, declutter, and sanitize the main areas of your home. If you know you have a packed schedule for the week, put down the top priorities like bathroom, kitchen, and surface cleaning. It's all about making this work for you! This also works for seasonal cleanings. Write a checklist of what needs to be tackled during each season. Then you can prioritize by importance and spread them out.
For example; spring cleaning: window cleaning, put away winter clothes, turn on water. etc.

4.Keeps our homes and families healthy and happy. 

Setting a cleaning schedule can be rewarding not only for you, but your family too. You can get your family involved in the cleaning, by making a chore chart for your kids and/or partner. Now the load isn't completely on you. Reward your kids with weekly allowance or praise. 
Use chores as a teaching of the importance of good hygiene. Creating a routine can be such honor.  Every task you check off your list will bring you and your family an immediate sense of accomplishment. You will feel less stressed, have more time for you and your family, and your home will stay neater and cleaner. What is not to love about that!

Where do I begin?
Start by looking over your schedule. Where do you have time slots in your day that you can dedicate to cleaning. This can be increments of as little as 5 minutes. 
Then make a list of tasks and the time that will take you to accomplish them. Don't cut yourself short by cleaning the whole bathroom in a time frame of 10 minutes! This will only cause you more stress!
Prioritize tasks that need to be done more than once a week. For example; Laundry, dishes, surface cleaning, vacuuming, and making the bed.
Now write down the tasks that need to be done once a week:
For example: dusting, glass cleaning, deep clean bathroom,

Last write down tasks that need to be done once a month:
Example; kitchen pantry, refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher.

 Now put you your tasks into your schedule. Here is an example of my weekly cleaning chart that I use at home with 2 adults, 2 kids and a dog:

Monday:
AM- 1 load dark laundry, make beds, empty dishwasher
task-dust and vacuum
PM-put away clothes, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces

Tuesday:
AM- 1 load dark laundry, make beds, empty dishwasher
task-disinfect all counters and handles
PM- put away clothes, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces

Wednesday:
AM-1 load towels, make beds, empty dishwasher
task- deep clean bathroom
PM- fold towels, load dishwasher, wipe surface

Thursday:
AM- 1 load kids sheets and pillowcases, make my bed, empty dishwasher
task- clean glass surfaces and mirrors
PM-make kids beds, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces

Friday: 
AM- 1 load throw blankets or dog bed and blanket(rotate weekly), make beds, empty dishwasher
task- vacuum/mop
PM-fold blankets or dog blanket, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces

Saturday:
AM- 1 load my sheets and pillowcases, empty dishwasher, make kids beds
task- deep clean kitchen (microwave, stove, sink, cabinet surfaces) 1-2 monthly cleaning tasks.
PM- make bed, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces.

Sunday:
AM- 1 load darks, empty dishwasher, make beds
task- none
PM-put clothes away, load dishwasher, wipe surfaces.

Hang your cleaning schedule where you can see it daily. Check it off as your day goes on. Get creative and have fun while doing this. I promise you will reap the benefits as it becomes part of your daily routine. 

When all else fails, Hire the professionals! Here at Refined Views we offer interior cleaning to fit your schedule and needs. Whether it is a deep clean monthly or a weekly maintenance, we are here to help! 

Happy Cleaning!!

Hello from all of us at Refined Views. Just wanted to start this post by thanking all of our clients, friends and family for your constant support. That being said, we have decided to start blogging!!
Here we are going to share content on cleaning, how to guides, interviews with our team, tricks of the trade and so much more. I hope you enjoy our posts and feel free to comment on anything from questions about the article to feedback on posts. Here at Refined we continue to grow by learning from experience in the field and feedback from clients. Sit back, relax and enjoy the view.