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GETALLCLEAN.COM 503-ALL-CLEAN
SEPTEMBER 2018
People-Focused From the Start The Growth of All-Clean! SoftWash
When my dad, Jim, founded All-Clean! in 1978, he didn’t just want to be the best window washer in the Portland metro area; he wanted to know and help families. He was always a natural at customer service because he never had to fake it. When you genuinely care about the people you serve, your enthusiasm is entirely natural. I remember watching the way my dad’s customers would greet him. He was more of an old friend than a service provider. I had plenty of experience watching my dad because I grew up in the business. In fact, I was home-schooled through high school so that I could spend time working alongside him. For a lot of kids, washing windows sounds like a punishment, but it never felt that way to me. In addition to being able to graduate early, I had more real-world experience than most 18-year-olds. I learned firsthand the value of a job well done and the importance of caring for your customers. In 2011, after 33 years in business, my dad was diagnosed with heart disease. The doctors immediately ruled out any chance for him to do physically demanding work again, which devastated him. The next year, I bought the business. Part of me wanted to make sure my dad had a fulfilling retirement, but I also just wanted to return to the profession where I got my start. “Our mission is to be the most people-focused exterior cleaning company in the United States. My dad is the most people-focused person I know, and I wanted to carry on that legacy.” In the following years, my goal was to take his values and expand them on the widest possible scale. It never crossed my dad’s mind that his approach was unique in our industry. When I came up with our mission statement, I did it with his values in mind. Our mission is to be the most people-focused exterior cleaning company in the United States. My dad is the most people-focused person I know, and I wanted to carry on that legacy. You may have noticed that our mission statement says “exterior cleaning” rather than “window washing.” That’s because we’ve grown to offer a full suite of exterior cleaning services. A lot of those added services came as a result of conversations with clients. They often asked me when we’d add roof cleaning, gutters, and other cleaning services to our business.
Perhaps our biggest lightbulb moment came when we discovered SoftWashing. It was instantly appealing to us. Here was a way to clean organic material off of a roof or exterior using biodegradable ingredients without damaging a house. We knew our customers could benefit from this revolutionary cleaning method, so we began to offer it right away, making us the first company to introduce SoftWashing to our area. These days, it’s probably our flagship service. After all, it’s right there in the name. Seeing how the company has grown over the years lets me know that we’re on the right track. Last year, we were honored to receive the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) award for Small Business of the Year in Oregon. The credit for that recognition really belongs to our incredible customers and team, whom we refer to as “internal customers.” Outside of work, my greatest joy is spending time with my family. My wife, Tirzah; daughter, Jaidyn; and son, Ethan, are the most wonderful people I know. I’m also a huge music fan. I was classically trained in piano, but I also make electronic music. If that seems like a bizarre combination to you, I promise to explain in a later issue. My wife and kids are all musically and artistically inclined too, so we play together whenever we have the chance. When the winter arrives, however, we’re just as likely to be skiing Mt. Hood as jamming at home.
I am so excited to share this newsletter with you over the coming months. Thank you for helping to make us the company we are today.
-Brandon Vaughn
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Prepare Your Garden Autumn Steps for a Better Spring Garden
With fall just ahead, it’s a good time to think about your spring garden. For a beautiful garden next year, begin preparing this fall. Here are a few ways to get a head start!
over your bulbs after they’ve been planted. This keeps rodents from digging them up and allows the plants to grow through the gaps in the wire.
PLANTING BULBS
KEEP YOUR GARDEN TIDY
If you want beautiful flowers in April, you should start planting bulbs now. Many flower bulbs need to be in the ground before winter settles in; this helps activate the bulbs’ biochemical process that allows them to bloom. Getting the bulbs into the ground before it freezes allows their roots to grow deep enough to protect them from the biting winter weather. Among the flower bulbs you should plant soon are tulips, daffodils, irises, and hyacinths.
Once you’ve harvested your best fruits and vegetables, go back through and harvest the rest, even if you don’t plan to eat them. Make sure your garden is clear of old vegetables, fallen leaves, and weeds. Leaving decaying plants in or on top of the ground can spread diseases into the soil and attract unwanted pests to your garden.
CHICKEN WIRE
HEALTHY SOIL
nutrients. Pick up a kit to test the pH levels of your soil. Most gardens thrive in soil with a pH of 6.5. Add compost to your soil supply now to give it time to break down during the winter months.
After you’ve planted your bulbs, there’s a risk that uninvited guests will dig them up. There are a few ways you can ensure that your bulbs remain undisturbed throughout the fall. One way is to place chicken wire
Pulling up weeds and all of your vegetables can help keep the earth free from rotting plants, but there are other steps you can take to ensure that your soil stays full of
Meet Dayn Heynsten SoftWash Tech and World Traveler
Dayn Heynsten has been a SoftWash tech with All- Clean! for over 4 1/2 years. During that time, he’s come to appreciate the standard of quality that we’re known for. “Everything about the company is high-tier,” says Dayn, “From the quality of services we offer to the way we interact with customers, we strive to be the best. That attitude is reflected in the way the company treats its employees. I’m very proud to be a member of the team.”
to know the people we serve is a huge part of what we do. We’re being invited onto their properties and want to be good guests.”
When Dayn takes time off from work, you won’t find him in the area, as he’s an avid traveler. “Traveling is what I like to spend my money on,” he says. “I love being able to explore new cultures and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences.” Earlier this year, Dayn spent three months in Uganda and has also visited cities throughout Europe. What’s next on his itinerary? “Man, I’d love to visit the Mediterranean: Sicily, Greece, Malta. Those places have always fascinated me.” Dayn is also a musician. “Guitar and piano are my main instruments,” he says, “but I also enjoy playing drums. It’s really cool that Brandon and his family are also into music — his wife, Tirzah, is an incredible singer — because we have the chance to play together every once in a while.” The next time you see Dayn on a job, be sure to ask him about his travel plans and what albums he’s currently listening to. We’re honored to have Dayn as a member of the All-Clean! SoftWash team.
Dayn loves his job because it allows him to interact with people from all over the Portland metro area. “I love the variety,” he notes. “We get to meet all types of people and work on all kinds of houses. Getting
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Fall Season Brings Leaves ... and Moss
Roof moss, “the scourge of the Northwest,” can be a formidable enemy. Every year, despite the brushing and pounds of Moss-Off applied, the moss returns, seemingly stronger than ever. According to a maintenance bulletin from Asphalt Roofing Manufacturer’s Association (ARMA), “Moss can be detrimental to asphalt shingle performance. [It] can cause lateral water movement resulting in moisture damage to the roof deck or may even cause leaks.” So why is moss so prolific in the Northwest? About 40 years ago, roofing manufacturers began adding limestone filler, which is a cheaper alternative to ceramic, to roofing shingles. Unfortunately, limestone is also great food for moss and algae. A steady diet combined with Oregon’s constant rain is the ideal breeding ground for these organisms. THE BIGGER PROBLEM Roof manufacturers know that the moss plant’s root systems can cause significant granule loss, leading to premature roof failure. Manufacturers will actually void the warranty on roofs that have been neglected.
short-term solution to a long-term problem and can take years off the life of your roof.
So the question remains, how can one effectively treat this moss without voiding the warranty?
recipe title To completely remove the moss the first time through, ARMA recommends a “SoftWashing” treatment. If treated and killed properly, roof moss will weather off the roof naturally, typically within six months, without any need for brushing, scraping, or rinsing. This method is the gentlest way to remove moss with no roof damage, guaranteed. Proper roof maintenance and cleaning can prolong the lifespan of a roof by double. Roof replacement is one of the most expensive maintenance items a property will encounter, so it pays to be proactive. WINNING THE BATTLE First off, one needs to think of moss like a pest, not as a dirty stain that can be scrubbed or blasted away. Interestingly enough, Oregon, like many states, requires companies who treat moss on roofs to be licensed with the State Pesticide Division. One common method used and recognized as a pesticide for roof moss is zinc or copper sulfate. While this method is excellent for maintenance, it doesn’t stop moss that’s already growing.
To make matters worse, most of the methods used to remove moss in the Northwest also void the roof warranty.
Brushing, scraping, pressure washing, and even a “low-pressure” rinse of the moss can void roof warranties as a result of granule loss. It’s a
Inside-Out Grilled Cheese Want to take your grilled cheese game to the next level? This recipe calls for
Sudoku
cheese both inside and outside the sandwich, adding a crispy crunch to the grilled cheese experience. It’s a quick, delicious weekday dinner option the whole family will love.
INGREDIENTS • 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano- Reggiano)
I
• 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves
DIRECTIONS 1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast-iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve. REQUEST A FREE QUOTE • 503-ALL-CLEAN 3
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
ALL-CLEAN SOFTWASH 15717 SW 74th Ave. Suite #400
Tigard, OR, 97224 GetAllClean.com
Inside This Issue GROWING UP IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS PAGE 1
GET A HEAD START ON NEXT SPRING’S GARDEN SPOTLIGHT ON DAYN HEYNSTEN PAGE 2
THE SCOURGE OF THE NORTHWEST
INSIDE-OUT GRILLED HAM AND CHEESE PAGE 3
3 TIPS TO HELP ORGANIZE YOUR CRAZY LIFE PAGE 4
Need a Personal Assistant to Manage Your Kids’ Crazy Schedules?
Try These 3 Tips Instead School has started. Youth sports are in full swing. Work is crazy. Food has become more about necessity than enjoyment. All of this can only mean one thing: Fall has begun. The crazy schedules this time of
family’s schedule so you never miss a beat. And apps like Mealime and MealBoard give you the ability to whip up food that is cost-effective and delicious.
year can make it tough for parents to keep their heads on straight; making it through the insanity sometimes feels more like survival than life. But there are tactics you can employ to turn the tide and find more time for yourself. TAG TEAM There’s no reason to try to do everything on your own. The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” exists because managing the stressors of life requires help. A great place to start is by establishing car pools with a parent group you trust. You can alternate drivers weekly, which provides the opportunity for you to focus your attention on other priorities — or if you’re lucky, have some freedom.
TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK While you’re busy trying to rally the troops at soccer practice, the scene at home resembles a horror movie. Laundry is piling up, food is spoiling in the fridge, and the dust bunnies around the house now have names. Housecleaning is a part-time job in its own right. The only way to stay on top of duties around the house is to work together. A chore chart with clear responsibilities is a great place to start. Whether you have one child or eight, everyone is capable of pitching in.
You can have all the organizational abilities in the world, but the best way to manage life’s madness isn’t by directing day-to-day tasks; it’s by managing stress. Instead of using these tools to control life, look at them as a way to free up time so you can decompress and enjoy the things you love.
THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB Technology makes organization easier and more accessible than ever. By using a tool like a shared calendar, you can coordinate the entire
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