The Story of Clean House
Clean House began with two minutes. I've been cleaning for about 4 decades, and about 4 years professionally. I had the opportunity to work for a licensed professional cleaning company and learned all the best professional methods and techniques from the owner. Inspired by the company's success and high regard in the community, as well as its growth from humble beginnings, I continued to practice and develop the methods taught to me, utilizing them in my own home as well as in other jobs I found myself in. I began studying Taiji eight years ago and have been practicing it ever since. This led to improved health and increased energy level, and an interest in Chinese culture and philosophy which opened my studies to include Feng Shui, which I incorporated into my cleaning methods.
These studies addressed all that was dysfunctional in my life. I always appreciated the cleanliness, orderliness, and serenity that permeates Asian culture and society, and I wanted more of that in my life. After a lifetime of stress, anxiety, clutter, messiness, disorganization, and poor eating and sleeping habits, I knew I needed a change. But where could I begin? My plate was full of responsibilities, my household run over by chaos and disorder. How could I possibly begin to change all that led to where I was? How could I move my own personal mountain?
One day while practicing Taiji, I received a personal revelation: two minutes. Like a download straight from heaven, a clear command, I simply understood, "two minutes". In that moment, I realized that a lot can happen in two minutes. Crippled by paralyzing negative thoughts such as, "I have no time", "I have no energy", "I have too much to do, and not enough time to do it in", all that was being asked of me in that moment was two minutes. Two minutes to meditate, two minutes to learn another Taiji move, two minutes to organize this drawer, vacuum that portion of the floor, rearrange one part of the closet. Whatever doesn't get done, just let it go, tomorrow is another day. Two minutes to fold the laundry, sweep one floor, read from a self development book, or even do just one thing. I realized that everyone everywhere has at least two minutes.
Cleaning your home will take approximately two hours with the right tools, methods, and mindset. To this day, I still utilize and teach the two minute concept in my process and achieve dazzling results!
This download became a personal practice and path for me in my busy life. When I thought I didn't have time, my two minutes frequently became four, then six, then eight. Sometimes I would want to give up, but I realized that even getting up again, only took two minutes. Two minutes therefore became a gateway into another world for me, so that I could enter into a state of flow and accomplish things I couldn't before. There are many roads and many avenues into the world of flow. Each person's journey is different. Share in the comments your thoughts and experiences with flow. Perhaps you have methods even better than mine? Have a blessed day!
What is "Feng Shui"?
Feng Shui has its earliest roots in ancient Chinese architecture that can be detected as far back as 5,000 B.C. The Chinese were among the first civilizations to study Astronomy. Archeologists have noted the orientation of ancient Chinese cities and gravesites to be aligned on a north/south axis in order to maximize natural sunlight into the buildings, temples, palaces, homes, farms, and gardens. The rules of feng shui were first written down in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-246 BC). These methods later grew into a Taoist philosophy and art form that included fluid dynamics similar to those found in nature to maximize the health and wellbeing of the inhabitants of the home, building, or city.
Feng Shui went through many changes and developments and has several different schools of thought. As a feng shui hobbyist, my life has been enriched by learning about the traditions and meaning of feng shui principles.
Feng Shui translates as "wind" and "water" and takes much of its principles and concepts from the "I Ching" or book of changes from the Zhou dynasty. The 8 trigrams of the Bagua represent aspects of nature which were frequently used as analogies to impart wisdom and practical guidance for many situations and circumstances of one's life. Generally speaking, the primary concept of Feng Shui involves the balance of opposites, and the free, fluid flow and clear passage of energy and resources. Simply put, the health and vitality of both the body and the home depends upon the free passage and circulation of "Qi" or the universal life energy. In modern times, this can best be understood as the necessity for free passage of wind (air circulation), water (plumbing), light (electricity and natural light), and the movement of the home's inhabitants. The home should be free of clutter and debris which creates darkness, dampness, stagnation and disease. It should have free passage for natural light as well as good air circulation for healthy breathing and to clear the air of dust, disease, odor, and lung contaminants. As such, good house keeping is a fundamental component of the art of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui also incorporates the use of décor, location, placement, and color selection to visually represent the inhabitants' goals and values for their life, as well as to maximize the performance and functionality of each space for the inhabitant to achieve their goals and live a good and healthy life. By creating a peaceful and serene environment, the health and vitality of the inhabitants are improved and many physical and mental ailments of life can be improved or eradicated by the adjustment of one's environment.
Here in the west, I was never taught how to live cleanly and never understood the effects of the environment on my wellbeing. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and benefit from the principles of feng shui and share them with you to improve and enrich your life also. (Please note: I do not currently carry an official feng shui license or degree, but have gathered information and knowledge through my own personal research. Having a license would entitle me to charge a much higher rate for my services, therefore the services I offer are to teach basic skills and techniques to those wanting a taste. For a more in depth feng shui consultation, please reach out for recommendations on licensed consultants.)
What is the "Clean House Method"?
From the moment of entering your space, every cleaning begins with a short pause for reflection and gratitude, to bless the home or space and its inhabitants and to gather strength for the task ahead.
Next, each space is cleaned methodically from the entrance, around each perimeter, ending with the floors until each room and its surfaces are left sparkling and spotless from the moment you walk in the door.
All applicable surfaces will be steam cleaned with pure distilled water, effectively killing all bacteria, mold, mildew, and microbes so they do not grow back. Next pure, nontoxic cleansing sanitizers made from fresh ingredients will be applied, and every surface wiped clean and dry, professional hands deftly clearing out built up scum and dirt from every nook and cranny of your home or office space.
Finally, all furniture will be cleaned and polished with pure, non-toxic natural cleansers and oils (see the "Ingredients" page for a list of ingredients) all hard floors swept and mopped, and all carpets vacuumed, leaving no footprints for a clean presentation.
Clean House is committed to use only safe, nontoxic ingredients inspired from nature and uses no vinegar, single use wipes, or toxic cleaning products. Instead we use natural brushes and scrubbers, the best high quality cotton cloths, and soft, lint free cloths intended for babies. These are freshly laundered after each use and prepared for the next clean. Cloths that have become too soiled are retired and replaced with new ones. Cloths are retired about once each six to eight months.
Problematic areas will be steam cleaned and extra attention given as needed.
Clean House believes each space is unique and requires careful thought and consideration to the specific needs and requirements of each space. Clean House is committed to quality and smart, efficient methods that enable thoroughness and speed at the same time.
The Clean House method acts as a natural process like wind or water where the home or office space receives the same thorough and methodical care each time. This consistent method will reveal more and more places that need to be addressed and each time the space will become cleaner. With consistency and familiarity the space will become easier to clean and easier to maintain. While entropy does a good job of creating chaos, it cannot keep up with consistent cleaning!
We are looking forward to serving you for many years to come, and it is an honor doing business with you. Thank you. Bless your home, bless your family, bless your business, bless your life!