Mini Mops House Cleaning

Family Owned and Operated Service You can Trust since 1975

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(559) 264-6677
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YUM! Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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Strawberry Pretzel Salad from Mini Mops House Cleaning

Ingredients:
2 c. crushed pretzels
¾ c. butter, melted
1 c. + 3 T. white sugar, divided
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 (8 oz.) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (3 oz.) packages strawberry Jell-O®
1 (24 oz.) container frozen sliced strawberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 T. sugar. Press mixture into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Bake 8-10 minutes, until set. Cool on rack. 
3. Mix cream cheese and 1 c. sugar together in large mixing bowl until creamy. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture onto cooled pretzel crust.
4. Dissolve Jell-O® in 2 c. boiling water. Stir in still-frozen strawberries and allow to set briefly. When mixture is about the consistency of egg whites, pour over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set.

 

We’d love to know what you think of this recipe! Tell us your thoughts in a comment below!

April Showers … 7 Helpful Shower Tips

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In 1557, Thomas Tusser compiled “A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.” In it, he wrote, “Sweet April showers, do spring May flowers.” His saying evolved over time into the springtime rhyme we all know — “April showers bring May flowers.”

In honor of Tusser and his “sweet April showers,” we’d like to share some tips that will keep your showers sweet. Here they are:

Squeegee to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning1. Squeegee the glass doors.

Everybody, every time. It really does make a big difference in keeping the glass cleaner longer.

Liquid soap in shower to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning2. Replace bar soap with liquid soap.

Liquid soap leaves less residue (on your body AND your shower), so you’ll have less soap buildup to remove when cleaning.

Thumbs Up for bathroom exhaust fan to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning

3. Use the bathroom exhaust fan.

And keep it running for at least 10 minutes after you’ve finished showering. This will allow all the moisture in the air to be removed.

Wash or replace shower curtains regularly to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning

4. Wash or replace plastic and vinyl shower curtains.

Shower curtains accumulate soap buildup, and they also can become moldy if not allowed to dry between uses. So you need to wash or replace them regularly. Some shower curtains can be washed in a washing machine (check yours). Otherwise, replace once or twice a year.

Shower with running water to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning5. Soak showerheads in vinegar.

The vinegar will help remove mineral buildup from hard water. If you can easily remove the showerhead, do so and soak it in a bowl of vinegar. If you can’t remove it, fill a plastic bag with vinegar and tie it around the shower head. Let it soak for at least a few hours or overnight.

Shower head to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning

6. Consider replacing an old showerhead with a new, low-flow model.

The EPA says an average family could save 2,900 gallons of water per year by installing WaterSense® showerheads. That’s important in drought years like this one! We suggest you call our friends at Bob’s Plumbing (559-260-1220) if you have questions or need help with replacing plumbing fixtures.

repair missing grout in shower to illustrate shower tips by Mini Mops House Cleaning7. Repair missing caulk or grout.

Gaps in the caulk or grout can lead to structural damage and expensive repairs. Fix them now!

This list of shower tips clearly is not exhaustive. If you have another tip you’d like to share, please tell us in a comment below!

Optimistic, and Proud Of It!

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Spring flower to illustrate the Mini Mops House Cleaning blog about optimism

“An optimist is the human personification of spring.”
― Susan J. Bissonette

Most of us are optimistic when we begin something new, especially if that something new is of our own choosing …

We’re optimistic when we begin a new relationship, start a new business, buy a new house, go on vacation …

So why does that optimism fade over time? Why do some people become jaded, while others retain their optimism?

I believe it comes down to being a matter of choice.

 

You see where this is going, right?

I was feeling a little down and discouraged about turning 65 last month. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself that I physically couldn’t do the things I was able to do a few short years ago.

Then my son Ron threw me a surprise birthday party. He gathered together family and friends who are important to me, and they all surprised me with a celebration. I played football in the front yard with my grandsons. I ate jalapeño poppers and cake. I had fun.

That day reminded me that life is about the choices we make.

It also showed me I still have a lot to be optimistic about. Yes, I’m starting a new phase of my life. Yes, there are changes ahead.

Yes, I choose to be optimistic about all that the future holds.

Suzette Peterson is the “semi-retired” owner of Mini Mops, Inc. She founded the company in 1975 and is looking forward to a bit of a break.

 

‘Tis the Season … For Spring Cleaning!

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Spring Cleaning Checklist from Mini Mops House Cleaning

Spring is here! And along with the beautiful weather, flowers, and fun holidays, spring also means it’s time for spring cleaning.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the notion of spring cleaning (or if you know someone else who is), remember that we’re here to help! You don’t have to tackle this chore all at once, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Here are some suggestions for getting your spring cleaning done AND keeping your serenity intact:

1. Make a list of all that needs to be done. Some examples are (this list is by no means complete, but it will give you an idea):

  • Wash the woodwork (door frames, baseboards, windowsills).
  • Move the furniture and clean the floors (and walls) under and behind everything.
  • Vacuum the drapes and valances.
  • Clean the exhaust fans in your bathrooms and your HVAC (heater/air conditioning) vents.
  • Wash whatever’s washable — blankets, pillows, throw rugs, bath mats.
  • Clean the decorative items up on high shelves and ledges.

2. Prioritize the tasks on your list. Put the most important things at the top of the list, so you can focus on getting those done first.

3. Determine what you need help with and what you can realistically do yourself. Ask yourself … is it worth your time as well as the toll on your body to do your spring cleaning tasks yourself, or is it better to outsource and delegate those tasks to someone else?

4. Assign tasks either to yourself or others. Break your master list into separate lists for each of your helpers. This keeps everyone focused on their own part of the big picture.

5. Start with just one thing if you have to, but get started. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and spring cleaning begins with a single task. Remember to call us if you need our help!

Spring Cleaning for Your Appliances

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Don’t forget your appliances when you’re in “Spring Cleaning” mode … taking proper care of them will make them last longer and perform better.Mini Mops House Cleaning - green check mark

Here’s a quick checklist of tasks:

√ Run the filters of your stove hood (usually a metal mesh) through the dishwasher to clean them

√ Clean the inside of the fridge — walls, shelves, drawers … the works — with a mixture of 1 c. white vinegar and 1 c. warm water

√ Clean the inside of the oven

√ Clean your dishwasher by running a cycle with just 1 c. white vinegar poured into the empty machine

√ Clean under the burners of your stove (if you have that type, usually electric)

√ Vacuum and clean the coils of your refrigerator

√ Wash your dryer’s lint filter — actually WASH it with a little soap and warm water

√ Wipe the inside of your washer, especially around the wash tub of a top-loader

√ Clean the motor compartment of your vacuum (or take it in for service)

Did we forget an important appliance maintenance/spring cleaning task? Let us know about it in a comment below!