Two Penn State juniors recently realized that all they needed to get by was a little help from their friends.

Personal apathy and lack of time to devote to cleaning their apartments gave Ben Marcusfield (junior-mechanical engineering) and Nick Palazzo (junior-economics) the idea for a new business in town -- The Nittany Maids cleaning service.

With the help of their four close friends working as the maids, the duo has started their own company.

"At home, cleaning was something that I never had to think about because I always had my mom around to clean for me when I was busy with school work or studying," Palazzo said. "But once I got to college, I realized that without my mom, I just didn't have enough time to get all of my cleaning done."

Palazzo said Nittany Maids provide services, including mopping, vacuuming, surface cleaning and dish washing. The maids also clean bathroom sinks, counters, toilets and tubs. In addition, they generally straighten up and organize the living area.

Chris Roberts (junior-science) had his one-bedroom apartment cleaned by Nittany Maids and said he was very happy with the service.

"They did such a fantastic job that I can't wait to have them come again," Roberts said. "I can't believe that for the price of two cases of Natty Light [$30] I can get my whole apartment cleaned in a little under an hour -- it's so perfect."

Originally, Palazzo said the entrepreneurs had considered charging clients by the hour.

"That was no good, though, because people weren't sure how much cleaning would get done in an hour, so they were hesitant to try our services, but now we've worked out a better plan for pricing," he said.

Palazzo and Marcusfield decided that charging by the job was a better idea than charging by the hour, and they now have established prices per cleaning.

"We charge $20 to clean a dorm room, $30 to clean a one-bedroom apartment and $40 to clean a two-bedroom apartment," Marcusfield said. "For other apartment sizes, town homes or frat houses, we can give pricing upon request."

Trieste Lockwood (sophomore-geography and integrative arts), one of the Nittany Maids, said she feels this is a great opportunity to support fellow students and get chores done at the same time.

"I think this business is really going to catch on, and I love working for Nittany Maids because I get to clean with my friends ... it's fun and doesn't even seem like work," Lockwood said.

Another Nittany Maid, Stephanie Kantor (sophomore-art education) is also enjoying her new job.

"I could always use some extra cash, but I don't really want a serious job," Kantor said. "This job is very flexible, and I get to help out friends at the same time."