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    Sara and Michael Aragon with Mariposa Cleaning Services. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Cleaning up after (military) service

Michael and Sara Aragon own and operate a local business, Mariposa Cleaning Services. They are a young business, and like all of us, are coping with this current situation. Making sure the right chemical for cleaning that is needed is one major concern along with keeping the employees and clients safe.

“As a business owner and ex-military officer I look at courses of action, the risk, mitigation and what are your plans if anything should happen,” Michael said. “We’ve expanded the use of disinfectants, researching what recommendations to use from the WHO (World Health Organization) and the CDC that kill the virus or lessens its effect,” Michael said. He continued.

“All products are anti-bacterial, which we used before the current crisis. We did not have to adjust a lot.” The founding of the business was because of the lack of local cleaning services.

“We needed a service to clean the house occasionally... We like the convenience of booking online. We’d book and no one would show up… we’d ask realtors, at Ace, friends, it didn’t seem that there was a way…without a lot of time spent,” Sara said.

Michael was an army lieutenant, last stationed at Camp Mabry. He worked his way through the ranks as an enlisted Infantry private to U.S. Army officer.

In his 12 years of service he has had “combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, but also tours in Africa and other small tours across the world.” In 2003 he was put into the Wounded Warrior program and released by the medical board.

He and Sara met at a club in Austin. Michael’s best line was “I work for the government.” They kept bumping into each other and finally sat down and talked. At the time she was living and working in Austin. Between them, they have three children, including twin sophomore boys at Wimberley High School and one that lives in Washington State.

Sara researched the area on where to move and Wimberley was chosen. Michael had owned small businesses and both were in favor of owning one for themselves. They decided on a cleaning business, built a website and the business grew.

“As an elementary school librarian in Buda, 35 minutes away, it was stressful… not being able to do either role (librarian and cleaner) to its full capacity. What was the most opportune way to grow?” Sara said. They launched the website in summer 2018 and had their first booking in August. After 18 months they have 200 clients.

They do lots of cleaning vacation rentals, but also clean individual houses and businesses, hoping to grow with the area.

“A local business in the community, we always try to do our best, we see everyone at church in the community. We take pride in what we’re doing. The research is there, and we’re trying to find better products, what ever it takes to move forward,” Michael said.

“Do we clean or not because of quarantine is the debate in some people’s minds. Everything we do is the best possible practice today, with the safety of our staff and clients in mind,” Sara said.

For more information on residential, commercial, vacation rental cleaning or to schedule a appointment see Mariposa Cleaning Services website at www.mariposacleaning.net

Wimberley View

P.O. Box 49
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone: 512-847-2202
Fax: 512-847-9054