June Newsletter 2024
Still Green Clean Certified
Along with celebrating our nation’s independence in a week or so, Denver Concierge also celebrates another year of certified green cleaning.
Our certification goes back nearly 20 years, as we were the very first cleaning company in Colorado to attain this level of certification.
Our staff is very well versed in all elements of environmentally friendly cleaning, and we only use earth-friendly products. Our very own Queen Bee talks more about this later on, so we won’t say anything more, other than we are proud and honored to lead the way in Denver on this front.
Speaking of Denver, it’s a good time to wish you all a very happy Independence Day.
Lots of things going on here and across the Front Range, we thought we would get you started on the right foot!
This year, July 4 falls on a Thursday, and all government institutions, banks, etc. will be closed. Hmmm, smells like a four-day weekend to us, but we will let you tangle with that one.
We will be closed on the 4th to commemorate this holiday.
From concerts, the arts, sports, and fireworks, we have lots to do here.
Mile High on the Cheap put out a nice list of fireworks shows, parades and the like for your review here. Finally, Eventbrite put their spin on things to do across the Front Range as well.
We wish you the best for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day, no matter what you decide to do.
As always, thank you for supporting our independent small business!!!! We love doing what we do; without you, it wouldn’t be possible.
Happy 4th!!!!
How Many Cigarettes in a Bottle of Wine?
As an avid reader, you probably have surmised that we enjoy a glass of wine or two now and then.
We don’t smoke cigarettes though, so the headline that we found and shared above caught our eye for sure.
The lead part of the piece we found on Medium reads: “In 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) released a bluntly but succinctly titled report called “No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health.”
“In the report, the WHO stated, “Alcohol is a toxic, psychoactive, and dependence-producing substance and has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer decades ago-this is the highest risk group, which also includes asbestos, radiation, and tobacco.”
That was an eye-opening start. We went on to learn that while tobacco is responsible for 8% of cancer deaths each year, alcohol is second, with 6%. We did not know this.
The takeaway was hard for us to swallow (see what we did there?). No amount of alcohol is considered safe. The Lancet published an article late last year which echoes the WHO report.
The answer to the question posed? One bottle of wine has the same carcinogenic risk as 5 cigarettes for men, and 10 for women.
Like many other pleasures humans enjoy, this one does not come without risk.
We cannot promise that we won’t drink wine anymore, but information like this gives us reason to consider reducing our intake for sure.
The complete article on Medium can be found here.
Warm Weather Pest Prevention
By Guest Writer Tammy Pitts Lawnstarter.com
Summer is here and as the temperature rises in the Denver area, so does the risk of pest infestations. Mosquitoes, ants, spiders, fruit flies, and other pests are more active in the warmer months, but you don’t have to let them ruin your summer fun.
Spring cleaning and organizing your home will not only give you a sparkling place to relax in, but it also makes your home less attractive to unwanted pests. Take action now to keep bugs out of your home with these smart cleaning tips.
Keep Your Kitchen Spotless
Source
Your kitchen is a prime target for insects and rodents because of the food and water sources.
● To keep pests out of your kitchen, clean the space daily. Immediately clean up crumbs and spills –– bugs are attracted to the smallest food particles. So, wipe down counters with a disinfectant, and sweep and mop your floors regularly.
● Store food properly using airtight containers for cereal, sugar, and other items. Refrigerate all perishable foods. Don’t even leave pet food in bowls overnight. Once your animal has finished their meal, scrub their bowls with hot water and soap before you retire for the evening.
● Empty the trash. Don’t let it pile up in a garbage bag or bin in your kitchen. Immediately take all trash outdoors to the proper bins. Keep in mind, trash bins are a magnet for pests and animals like raccoons. Be sure to use cans with tight-fitting lids and make sure all garbage bags are tightly knotted closed before you put the bag into the bin. Consider pressure washing the trash bin at least once a week as trash cans and bins can get stinky, and the odor attracts buzzing flies.
● Clean dishes promptly. Don’t let dirty dishes pile up in your sink. If waiting to run the dishwasher, make sure the door is shut fully, and rinse sticky gunk from the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.
Organize all Clutter
Source
While you’re cleaning your kitchen, don’t forget about the other rooms in your home. Vacuum all furniture and floors regularly. The closets in the bedroom should be organized with clothing items in neat piles or put away.
● Organize your storage by utilizing plastic bins with lids that snap close versus cardboard boxes which can attract pests.
● Get rid of paper piles –– paper attracts cockroaches and silverfish, among other bugs. Recycle old newspapers, magazines, and cardboard boxes on a regular basis.
● Keep all desks, drawers, and shelves free of clutter and unnecessary items.
Eliminate Standing Water
Pests like mosquitoes only need about a tablespoon of water to lay their eggs in. To minimize standing water in and around your home:
● Repair any leaks. Fix leaky faucets, pipes, or appliances. Even a small drip from a leaky garden hose can attract mosquitoes.
● Remove standing water from your dog or cat’s water bowls daily. Change their water frequently and clean the bowls to prevent bugs from using your pet bowl as a water source.
● Check for clogged gutters and make sure any downspouts are clean and directing water away from your home. Remove any containers that could collect rainwater.
● Check your pipes. Leaking pipes can provide the perfect water source for pests. When cleaning your bathrooms and basement, watch out for any areas below pipes that have moisture.
● Flip chairs, benches, toys, and anything else that holds water after a rainstorm.
Mosquitoes are not just a nuisance –– they carry diseases –– so you want to protect yourself and your pets from them. Consider installing a mosquito misting system to eliminate them for good around your property.
Seal Entry Points
Pests, like spiders, ants and rodents, can enter your home or office through the smallest cracks. You can keep them out by sealing all cracks and gaps with caulk or weatherstripping around windows and doors. Add door sweeps to all exterior doors to close any gaps at the bottom of the door.
Keep up with Lawn Maintenance
Cleaning the outside of your home is just as important as the inside when prepping for warmer weather. Hauling away all the trash and debris around your backyard, patio, deck, and porch is an efficient way to eliminate bugs.
And yard maintenance is a must-do! Remove all wood piles, as stacks of wood attract all sorts of pests.
● Trim bushes and trees –– overgrown bushes and trees provide the coverage pests need to not only thrive, but make their way inside your home, especially if the trees and bushes brush against your home or hang over your roof.
● Get rid of weeds.
● Cut overgrown grass. Summer lawn care tips for Denver include raise the mower blade on cool-season lawns (like Kentucky bluegrass) to 3” while continuing regular mowing.
By actively maintaining your outdoor spaces and taking preventative measures inside your home, you can reduce the number of pests invading your home or bugging you while you’re out in your yard relaxing on warm spring and summer nights.
But even with diligent cleaning, it can be quite the challenge to keep unwanted bugs from getting in. And that’s where we come in! Denver Concierge can help you maintain a clean home. We offer both a long-term maid service, or one-time cleanings. Give us a call today.
Tammy has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, social media strategy, marketing, and brand management. She resides in Michigan with her family which includes her two sons and their Goldendoodle, Max. In her free time, she loves to read and travel.
Best Run Cities in the US
We look at lots of lists and rankings of our fair city.
Used to be, Denver was at the top of nearly every list we looked at, whether it was quality of life, fitness, education, you name it, we were there.
Not anymore it seems. Wallethub did a very comprehensive survey of the “Best Run Cities in the US”, and we wanted to share that here.
From Cassandra Happe, the lead analyst on the study, ” “The best-run cities in America use their budgets most effectively to provide high-quality financial security, education, health, safety and transportation to their residents.”
“Many of the top cities also have a very low amount of outstanding government debt per capita, which can prevent financial troubles in the future.”
Using the following six metrics, the study ranked 148 cities in the U.S.:
- Financial Stability
- Education
- Health
- Safety
- Economy
- Infrastructure/Pollution
The winner? See the charming photo above for a shot of Nampa, Idaho.
While we are super happy for Nampa, we kept scrolling down for Colorado cities.
At 46, Colorado Springs. Not bad. Aurora comes in at 69.
Coming in at 141 out of 148? Denver, Colorado. Ouch.
We were able to sneak past the likes of Tacoma, Cleveland, Flint, MI, New York, Oakland, Gulfport, and the “winner” of dead last, San Francisco.
We did, however get beat by Detroit, who sneaked in at 140.
We certainly realize what a challenge it must be to run a city of Denver’s size and scope.
That said, it would appear we have a long way to go to recapture our former glory.
The complete and very interesting study can be found here.
Erroneous IRS Letters
This may come as a surprise to some of you, but the IRS recently screwed up.
From the recent bulletin from Consumer Reports, “If you received a notice of a “balance due” from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and you’re sure you paid everything you owe, you can probably breathe a little easier.”
“Consumer Affairs has learned from the tax agency that an unknown number of taxpayers received the notice because of a system “glitch” and if they made all their payments on time, they owe nothing.”
So, if you received a notice but have already paid your tax in full, there is no immediate action required.
From the IRS directly, “The IRS is aware that some taxpayers are receiving CP14 (Balance Due, No Math Error) notices indicating a balance due even though payments were made with their 2023 tax return.”
The good news is that if you paid on time, these notices can be disregarded, although it’s a solid idea to check your bank statements to ensure the payment has cleared.
If you didn’t pay on time, the IRS issued a stark warning, reminding taxpayers that “Under tax laws, the agency pointed out that missed tax payments could mean 8 percent interest on what’s owed that compounds daily. Meanwhile, there will also be a 5 percent penalty per month on unexplained late filing of taxes and the late payment would cost 0.5 percent, which top out at 25 percent.”
“The IRS also reminded people that paying what they can as soon as possible will limit penalty and interest charges, which can grow quickly under the tax laws,” the tax agency said in a statement on its website on Monday.”
Those are close to loan shark rates, so we hope you all got your taxes paid on time.
Monthly Award Winners
Our monthly award winners for May were Josefina Quinonez, Cecilia Reyes, Maria Zapata, Nimia Espinoza, and Haydee Espinoza.
In the Team Leader ranks, it was Natalia Olivas and Laura Varela.
We are so proud of our winners, and of all the folks that are in and out of your homes each week.
We are also very appreciative to be a part of your lives and your homes. You provide the platform for our teams to perform, and for that we are grateful.
Please join me in congratulating our best performers for the month of May.
Queen Bee Corner
by Angela
We care about our earth.
Denver Concierge was the first Colorado cleaning firm to be certified by the Green Clean Institute going back over 17 years ago!
As much as we love saying yes to our client requests there are times when we must say an emphatic but polite “no”.
We have been asked to use bleach or products containing bleach. That is a “no”.
Ammonia? “No”.
Caustic sprays designed to clean inside ovens? Also a “no”.
Aerosol products for dusting furniture? Hope you guessed “no”.
Why all the “no’s” you may wonder, especially from a company that prides itself in saying “yes”?
Simply, we bring only our green-certified products. They are few and they are simple. They are non-injurious to humans, animals, or the environment.
If accidentally spilled, they will not harm furniture, carpets, floors, or house plants.
The high standard of cleanliness we have maintained over the years in our clients’ homes is proof that the earth-friendly concept can prevail over a blatant disregard for the health of our planet and its inhabitants.
As always, many, many thanks to our hard-working ladies. They make it happen. Muchas Gracias!
Bee