Homeaglow’s $19 house cleaning service traps customers in hard-to-cancel subscriptions, watchdog group says

Many consumers complained the one-time $19 cleaning came with an automatic enrollment in a six-month cleaning subscription, called ForeverClean. The subscription’s monthly fees were $49 to $59. But Homeaglow’s independent contractors also charge their own cleaning fees on top of Homeaglow’s fees, with prices varied by job.

Some consumers who tried to cancel were told they’d owe hefty early termination fees, in some cases $150 to $210.

Truth in Advertising has sent letters to the FTC and attorneys general in 12 states, including Illinois, and the District of Columbia asking them to investigate.

The nonprofit organization says the automatic subscription model, which it contends is not clearly disclosed, violates state consumer protection laws and the federal Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act of 2010, which protects consumers against so-called “negative option” marketing that employs automatic subscriptions without clear disclosures of the terms.

The setup is “especially egregious” and “deceptive,” says Laura Smith, legal director for Truth in Advertising.

Homeaglow agreed to pay $30,000 to settle a lawsuit filed last year by Pennsylvania, and it promised to clearly and conspicuously disclose its membership terms on its websites.

More at source: WBEZ Chicago

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Murder, suicide and fatal workplace accidents leave emotional and psychological scars for colleagues who have to continue working in offices that became crime scenes.

Those scenes often involve blood, body fluids and other biohazards that have to be cleaned up before a home or workplace can function again.

Casper’s John Sleep, co-owner and general manager of the SERVPRO franchise, said his company gets a dozen or so calls a year, often from police victim’s services units, asking if his team can clean up a crime scene.

More at the source: Cobwoy State Daily

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Alabama high school undergoing deep cleaning after student diagnosed with tuberculosiS

Jasper City Schools officials are responding to a tuberculosis case that was identified at Jasper High School on Friday.

School will continue as normal with “deep cleaning and sanitizing,” and officials announced in a recent release that they are following public health protocol to ensure the safety of students and staff.

More at the source: AL.com

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Rubenstein Law Secures Over $2 Million Verdict in Slip and Fall Case Against Miami International Mall and Nationwide Janitorial Service

The plaintiff slipped on a partially eaten hot dog while walking through the mall, suffering injuries that required knee and back surgeries. Her medical expenses totaled $277,000.

Prior to trial, the highest settlement offer from the defendants was $75,000. The jury's award of more than $2 Million not only compensates the client for her injuries but also entitles the firm to attorney's fees and costs as the prevailing party under Florida's Proposal for Settlement statute.

"This verdict reinforces the responsibility property owners and maintenance companies have to ensure public spaces are safe," said Senior Partner, Anthony Soto. "Our Litigators fought tirelessly to secure justice for our client, and we are proud of the outcome.

More at source: PRN Newswire

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Gen Z's cleaning habits may reflect growing up in a world shaped by COVID-19 - study

Gen Z's cleaning habits may reflect growing up in a world shaped by COVID-19, according to a recent study conducted by Ecovacs, a home service robotics company.

The study suggests that stereotypes of young people as disorganized and lazy may no longer be accurate.  

Broadly, the report covers daily routines, common challenges, and unorthodox behaviors, broken down by gender, generation, and socioeconomic status. Ecovacs surveyed 1,000 US citizens. 

More At The Source: Jerusalem Post

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Why Businesses Are Turning To Green Cleaning Solutions

Across offices, retail spaces, and hospitality venues, businesses are making a smart shift: embracing green cleaning solutions.

With growing awareness about environmental health, indoor air quality, and sustainable practices, companies are increasingly replacing harsh chemicals with eco-friendly alternatives.

In today’s world, clean doesn’t just mean “tidy” — it means sanitized, safe, and healthy. Many traditional cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger allergies, asthma, or irritation. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can be harmful for employees and customers alike.

Green cleaning products, on the other hand, are typically non-toxic, biodegradable, and free from harsh residues. By switching to these options, businesses create a safer indoor environment, which can lead to fewer sick days, better employee morale, and improved productivity.

More at the source: Harlem World Magazine

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Staples Business Launches First “Everyday Champions” Contest to Celebrate Janitorial and Facility Professionals

Behind every spotless floor, safe hallway and smoothly running business, there’s a champion. Today, Staples Business announces the launch of Everyday Champions, a national contest honoring the janitorial, sanitation and facility professionals who keep our workplaces running, often without recognition.

More info here at Staples

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Canadian wildfires are impacting air quality in US: See map

States across the U.S. are feeling the impact of the Canadian wildfires as air quality takes a hit from the smoke, according to a government website that tracks air quality in the United States.

As of Monday, Aug. 4, there are 59 uncontrolled wildfires and 108 controlled wildfires across Canada, the country's National Wildland Fire Situation Report said on its website. To date this year, there have been 3,582 fires.

The smoke floating over the border shared between America and Canada is now impacting air quality in states as far south as Texas, AirNow's data shows. The EPA has declared the air quality in states near the Canadian border as "unhealthy or "unhealthy for sensitive groups."

More at source: USA Today

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Attorney General Bonta Announces Nearly $2 Million Settlement with Janitorial Franchising Companies Barring Use of Franchising to Misclassify Workers

OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced a nearly $2 million settlement with CleanNet USA, Inc. and its four California Area Operators resolving an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, which found that some of CleanNet’s janitorial franchisees were misclassified as independent contractors under CleanNet’s franchising model in violation of state law. CleanNet USA is a nationwide company that provides janitorial franchising and commercial cleaning services under the “CleanNet” brand name and grants franchising rights to its California Area Operators, who sell CleanNet unit franchises to individuals and entities in California and enter into franchise contracts with these unit franchisees. After the payment of an initial franchise fee, CleanNet assigns cleaning services contracts to unit franchisees, who then provide cleaning services for CleanNet’s customers. As a result of CleanNet’s unlawful misclassification of certain individual franchisees who personally performed cleaning work, these workers were denied the protections of California’s employment laws, such as the right to minimum and overtime wages, regular meal and rest periods, reimbursement of business expenses, and accurate and itemized wage statements, and were further subjected to unlawful deductions from their wages. Under the settlement, CleanNet will pay $1,700,000 in restitution and $150,000 in civil penalties and comply with injunctive terms requiring it to cease its misclassification of certain cleaners, notify all former and current workers of the settlement, and undergo monitoring for three years, among other terms. 

“Too often, franchising is used by predatory businesses to misclassify vulnerable workers and avoid paying a fair wage and other employee benefits,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I hope this settlement sends a strong message to others in the janitorial or other sectors who might consider skirting the law to save a quick buck. My office is watching, and we won’t hesitate to enforce our employment laws.”

Misclassification of workers occurs when an employer improperly classifies their employees as independent contractors so that they do not have to pay payroll taxes, minimum wage or overtime, or comply with other wage and hour law requirements such as providing meal periods and rest breaks. “Employees,” unlike “independent contractors,” are entitled to a wide range of rights, benefits, and protections under California law, including workers’ compensation coverage if injured on the job, the right to family leave, unemployment insurance, the legal right to organize or join a union, and protection against employer retaliation. As courts across the country have found, the use of a franchising business model does not shield companies who use these models to misclassify their workers from liability.

More at source: State of California Department of Justice

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How to Use Hypochlorous Acid, the Gentle Cleaner That Works on Almost Any SurfacE

• Hypochlorous acid is a gentle cleaning solution that's safe to use in homes with children and pets.
• It can be used to clean kitchen countertops, throw pillows, and much more.
• It's a much safer solution than many traditional cleaners, which often contain harsh chemicals.

Bleach is out, and a gentler alternative is now taking over on TikTok. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl), once used mostly in hospitals and dermatology offices, is now having a moment as one of the safest, most effective ways to clean your home. Best of all, it doesn't contain any harsh chemicals, and it won't leave behind any lingering odors.

So how can you use this eco-conscious solution in your kitchen or bathroom? Here, we asked professional cleaners for their insight on this miracle worker.

More at source: Martha Stewart

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