Dads Share the Dirt on Cleaning in Merry Maids Survey, Just in Time for #FathersDay

Merry Maids
Published: June 13th, 2017

Experts share great DIY #FathersDay gift ideas to clean the mess, reduce Dad’s stress.

June 13, 2017 // Franchising.com // Memphis, Tenn. - Every June, dads across the country unwrap the usual suspects for Father’s Day gifts: neckties, grilling utensils and car accessories. While they’re all useful, are they really a perfect fit for Dad? What if you could give him something that would help him relax and have more time for the things he really enjoys?

While the gift of clean may not have been on your gift-giving radar, it’s definitely at the top of the list for dads across America. According to a new survey from Merry Maids, one of the nation’s largest home cleaning providers and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, 83 percent of dads report feeling stressed when their homes are messy, and more than half (57 percent) will avoid having people over if their house isn’t clean.

“Some people might be surprised to learn that dads get stressed out by a messy home, but we aren’t,” said Debra Johnson, Merry Maids home cleaning expert. “This year, instead of spending money on the usual gifts for Dad, we’re offering a great DIY gift idea: the gift of clean.”

Want to make this year’s Father’s Day one of the best yet? Here are some ideas Johnson says can make a big impact without spending big bucks.

• Offer to Organize
  More than half (56 percent) of dads surveyed revealed they don’t bother cleaning rooms others won’t see. If his garage is filled with your old things, clean it out so he can create a workspace; if your childhood bedroom is the catchall room, clean it out and give him a space for a “man cave.” If you’re feeling extra generous, surprise him with a gift card to his favorite hardware or big box appliance store to properly make over his newfound spaces.
• Clean His Car
  Having a clean car is just as liberating as having a clean home, so take time to pay Dad back for the days of carpooling by getting it cleaned. The same rules apply to cleaning a car as they do to cleaning a home. Dust before you vacuum, steam clean the rugs, and wash the windows using a microfiber cloth and equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water. To personalize it, hang an air freshener that he’ll enjoy – from a sweet smelling vanilla to a smoky bacon-scent, there are lots of options!
• Do the “Dad” Chores
  Nearly half (48 percent) of dads say they are responsible for cleaning the home. This year, give him the day off by doing the work for him, whether it’s taking out the trash, mowing the lawn or cleaning behind major appliances. Have the kids create a coupon book of things they’ll do for dad throughout the year or buy him a Merry Maids gift card and let the experts clean his home from top to bottom.
• Refresh His Spaces
  Some dads have a favorite chair, a favorite room or a space that’s entirely theirs. This Father’s Day, find a way to deep clean that space. Steam the carpets, dust the furniture or buy an organizer for things like tools, remotes, ties or other such items that will make Dad’s space feel brand new.
• Call the Pros
  Forty-two percent of dads say they feel judged by friends if their house isn’t clean. Help Dad feel worry-free about the cleanliness of his home by calling in the experts to ensure his house is spotlessly clean on Father’s Day, or year-round through a regular cleaning from a local Merry Maids.

To purchase a gift card or find the nearest Merry Maids location, visit MerryMaids.com. Merry Maids can customize a cleaning plan for your home, ensuring a consistent, reliable and thorough cleaning every time.

About Merry Maids

Merry Maids is the largest home cleaning franchise network in the United States. Merry Maids provides services in 48 states and the District of Columbia through approximately 370 company-owned locations and franchised outlets. The company also provides home cleaning services in Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom and has licensing arrangements whereby licensees provide these services in Hong Kong, Japan, South America, South Korea, Southeast Asia and Australia. Through its company-owned and franchise locations, Merry Maids employs more than 8,000 home cleaning professionals who service homes on four continents, including more than 200,000 homes in North America every month. Merry Maids is a business unit of ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SERV), a leading provider of essential residential and commercial services. Go to www.merrymaids.com for more information about Merry Maids or follow us at twitter.com/MerryMaids and facebook.com/MerryMaids.

About ServiceMaster

ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner’s dilemma. Every day, we visit more than 75,000 homes and businesses through our extensive service network of expert professionals. Technology powers our trusted experts to engage with customers so they can order, buy and receive services when, where and how they want them. Our well-recognized brands includes American Home Shield (home warranties), AmeriSpec (home inspections), Furniture Medic (furniture repair), Merry Maids (residential cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (janitorial and residential floor cleaning), ServiceMaster Restore (disaster restoration) and Terminix (termite and pest control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster, linkedin.com/ServiceMaster, twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or servicemaster.com.

About the Survey

The 2017 Merry Maids Cleaning Survey presents the findings of an online survey conducted by Toluna from April 18-20, 2017 among a sample of 2,126 Americans 18 years of age and older. The margin of error for a sample of this size is ± 2 percent at a 95 percent level of confidence. Some number may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.

Contacts:

Alison Bishop
901 597 8978
alison.bishop@servicemaster.com

Katy Cirrone
617 939 8395
kcirrone@conecomm.com

SOURCE Merry Maids