The Spackle & Sparkle Difference: Executive-Level Cleaning

Need something special done?

Just leave a note! That's what our service is all about: taking care of all the little things that continually need attention around the house. If we can, we will attend to it that very day. If the job is larger or requires special materials, we may have to wait a week to get to it, but we will fix it as soon as we can. That's the part of the job we love best!

What about the fridge/oven?

Your home is not clean if there is spilled chocolate syrup in the fridge and crusted-on sauce in the oven. We clean all appliance interiors on every visit. No hidden charges or add-on fees -- the Spackle & Sparkle difference!

Loose, moldy caulk?

One of our favorite fixes. Amazing the difference bright, clean caulk makes in a tub or shower! We replace brittle or compromised caulk for free for our Executive-level clients. For Platinum, we charge a minimal $50. The surface must be both clean and dry to accept new caulk, so we will need you to work with us. But our little secret is that we love to do easy upgrades to the house that make it pop and showcase our meticulous cleaning. :)

A make-ready cleaning team

A gorgeous carved bed -- a delight to dust

Caring for fine furniture

All the blinds, every time

Feeling overwhelmed by all the little repairs a house inevitably requires? Can't find your child's field trip permission form? Pencils, photographs, paperclips, and screwdrivers all thrown into the same kitchen junk drawer? Baseboards in need of fresh paint? Shoes buried somewhere in the master closet? Fret no more! Our executive-level cleaning, at a nominal additional fee relative to what you would pay elsewhere for an organizing service or handyman, includes a full hour per visit of organization and minor repair!

At the Executive level, which is our premier product, in addition to shiny-clean kitchens, baths, furniture, floors, and porches (see Our Services), you get all the following -- on a rotating basis, as the need arises, of course:

• Pantry organized
• Insides of cupboards and drawers organized and wiped down
• Books straightened and organized on shelving
• Shelf liner laid down in cupboards -- just provide the materials
• Pepper grinder and napkin holder filled
• Groceries put away
• Gifts wrapped -- just leave supplies out with a note

• Furniture scratches touched up
• Broken knick-knacks glued back together
• Minor upholstery and drapery repair

• All windows washed, inside and out, with screens, jambs, sills, and blinds (exterior to 10 feet only), once per year for weekly clients. Biweekly and monthly clients receive one annual cleaning of the windows in the main living area of the house at no charge. (Additional window cleanings available for an extra fee)

• Small holes and cracks in walls repaired
• Touch-up caulking around baseboards and doorframes
• Trim paint touched up
• Tubs re-caulked
• Hinges lubricated
• Thresholds adjusted
• Door frame chiseled out to adjust fit/close of door
• Loose wallpaper glued down
• Loose screws re-plugged to correct door sag
• Filters changed and light bulbs replaced
• Minor touch-ups to paint
• Broken knick knacks glued back together
• Broken cabinet crown repaired
• Cabinet pulls drilled and placed or replaced
• Cabinet hinges adjusted
• Broken drawers, hinges, etc. repaired
• Hardware mounted
• Blinds hung
• Shelving installed (materials fee, minor jobs only)
• Shelving raised or lowered
• Plant holders, pictures, curtains hung
• Fallen clothing rods in closets re-hung
• Garage door hinges and railings lubricated
• Minor furniture repair, as in broken legs or loose veneer (at your risk, no antique or heirloom work accepted)

You get the idea! If it requires only a hammer, drill, screwdriver, staple gun, chisel, paintbrush, putty knife, caulk gun, needle, or glue, we will be happy to fix it! If there is something you need done, just leave us a note, and we will get to it as soon as we can. For larger repairs, an advance email will assure we have all supplies on hand to complete the project.

Executive-level service is also available for families under pressure, such as those who are stressed trying to rear little ones while holding down two jobs or whose hubbies are deployed or who are going through a health crisis. We are able to waive our usual requirement of a tidy home and put the paid organizational time into picking up books and toys, hanging clothing, washing pots and pans, or whatever it is the family needs to have done. Please understand that this level of pickup is in lieu of, or alternating with, but not in addition to, long-term organization or repair. We can do an amazing amount of work in one hour, but we cannot generally undo the chaos of two entire weeks!

Concerned about that beautiful new travertine or distressed hardwood flooring?
We have spent months researching and testing the best products on the market for the care and maintenance of high-end surfaces. It costs more time and effort, but we go out of our way to ensure that every surface in your home is cared for with products that are safe and effective for every type of material. Be careful not to use grocery store products on limestone or marble. They contain demineralizers, and stone is composed of minerals. Over time, they will eat away at your expensive shower enclosure or bathroom vanity. We do recommend sealing your natural stone surfaces periodically, as regular use and care are hard on them. (If the surface darkens with the simple application of water, it is time.)

Who will be in my house when I am gone?
We will assign you either a team of two or an individual. (Initial cleanings are the exception: we get together a team or three or four because of the intense nature of the job.) Should your regularly-scheduled cleaning technician fall ill or be unavailable, we will try to place a substitute who has helped clean your home before and is familiar with its layout.

What is lurking under that strong pine scent?
Many companies, after first using harsh chemicals to clean the bathrooms, spray pine scent or "clean bathroom" scent around the house to give the illusion of a clean area. It is also common to routinely overspray carpets with "clean carpet smell", leaving chemicals lingering in the air and residue on the floor. At Spackle & Sparkle, our philosophy is that, as true health results in a natural glow, so does true "clean" smell intrinsically clean. We believe in the power of fresh water and simple, natural cleansers. If you want a special scent in your bathroom, we will let you find a candle or spray that smells good to you. :)

Preserve your valuable fine furniture!
It is common for cleaning companies to spread furniture polish all over the woodwork and furniture in your house, making it streaky/greasy, giving it a plasticky feel, and covering up the natural patina of the wood. At Spackle & Sparkle, where the owner is passionate about fine furniture, we will never use oil on wood. We clean it with only a barely damp microfiber glass cloth, and should the piece become dry or dull over time, we will coat it with a very thin and well-buffed layer of high-grade furniture wax. Be careful to whom you entrust your valuable furniture and custom moldings and doors! You want them to last you a lifetime.

Don't look sideways at that mirror!
Many maid services use glass cleaners to clean picture glass, mirrors, and windows. True cleaning professionals know better. It might look great from one angle or in full daylight, and simply awful at dusk. We do not apply any product to glass but simply clean it with a fine microfiber glass cloth. You will want one when you see the difference! No more streaks, lint, or haze!