How to Clean and Organize Your Home

Keeping your house clean and tidy can be overwhelming and challenging at times. That is why taking things step by step can help you maintain your house and keep it organized. These are some tips and tricks that will help you out. 

Start by Making the Bed

The simplest way to get into the cleaning zone is to start by doing an easy task first. Once you wake up, try to turn making your bed into a number one priority. Firstly, this will get you to get out of bed and start the day productively from the moment you wake up. Also, it will motivate you to keep going. 

To make this task as easy as possible, try to simplify your bedding. For instance you can cut out the top sheets and just use a duvet and a cover. If that’s the part you’re not willing to cut off, then you can try minimizing the number of pillows on your bed. Having to move around way too many pillows will end up turning your task of making the bed into a complete nightmare. 

Declutter

The next thing you can do is to declutter your house. Keeping things tidy and organized is also about being smart about how you use the storage space around you. You can start by putting away the things that are in the way. Take care of the trash lying around and the move on to the things that are misplaced and things that weren’t put back into the place they belong. 

Another great trick for decluttering is to go through you wardrobe and get rid of the clothes you are no longer wearing. You can donate the clothes to charity or gift it to someone who wants them. This is a great way to make some room for new clothes and make your wardrobe look more organized. 

Do One Load of Laundry per Day

We all know how fast the laundry can pile up and then you end up having to take a whole day off just to wash all of the clothes. On top of that, if you have kids, it takes even less time for the laundry to pile up.

So, to avoid ending stuck in a mess and a pile full of clothes in the bathroom, you can do one load of laundry per day. Try to take it step by step. One day you can wash the underwear. Then on the second day, you can take care of the black clothes. After that, you can wash the colored clothes and then lastly you can take care of the bedding. This is just one example of how you can spread this task into multiple smaller tasks. 

Do a 15 Minute Nightly Clean-up

Try to develop a new habit of doing a quick 15-minute clean-up every night. You can get the whole family to help you out. Once you start doing these quick clean-ups, you’ll realize that it’s not so much of a tough job after all. 

The goal is to stick to some of the top priority cleaning tasks. Don’t overdo it. Just take 15 minutes to do some light cleaning. For example, the kids can declutter their toys in the rooms. You can wash the dishes and put away the trash, and your partner can put away the laundry that was washed that day. This way, you are ensuring that the house is clean at all times and you don’t end up with a pile of dirt, mess, clothes and dishes lying around at the end of each week. 

Keep your Basic Cleaning Supplies Close to Where You Use Them

This trick can save you a lot of time and it is especially useful for the above mentioned 15-minute nightly clean-ups. If you want to efficiently and quickly finish a cleaning task, try keeping some of the basic cleaning supplies where you can easily access them. This means keeping the supplies next to the space you are going to use them in. So for example, the cleaning supplies for the bathroom can go to a small drawer in the bathroom. The kitchen cleaning supplies can be under the kitchen sink. 

Deep Clean your Carpets

Maintaining the carpets in the house is not an easy job. However, every once in a while you have to make yourself get over with this task. Carpets can soak up a lot of dirt, fine dust, and even germs that you can transfer with your shoes. On top of that, the kids can also spill food and crumbs all over the floor that you don’t even notice if it gets stuck in the carpet. So, deep cleaning the carpet at least once in a couple of months can be useful. You can also look for professional house cleaning services to help you with more complex tasks. They can always help you get the job done efficiently and professionally. Soon, you’ll see how a cleaned carpet can change the appearance of the entire room. 

Clean as You Go

Lastly, this one goes without saying but it can help a lot of people who struggle with staying organized clean their home. When you are cleaning the house, try to clean as you go. For example, you can start from the bedroom and then once you are completely finished with that room move on to your kids’ bedroom, then living room, then kitchen, and so on. Start in one direction and do things in that order. You will be less likely to forget something and get distracted by other cleaning tasks. This is a habit that can be developed and practiced over time. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you want to keep your house clean at all times, separate bigger tasks into smaller ones, follow an order, do little by little every day, start with easier tasks, and keep the supplies in the place where they are easily accessed for when you need them. 

5 Kitchen Renovations You Should Try

In most homes, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. When making delicious meals, the mood starts with the surroundings. Although the floor plan determines the functionality of a kitchen, it has to be warm, inviting, and personalized for full appreciation. With that said, let’s go over five kitchen renovations you should try.

Bold Cabinet Designs

Cabinet designs play a big part when house hunting by making a huge statement in any kitchen. The types of kitchen cabinets determine the aesthetic appeal of the whole area. Regardless if you prefer upper or lower cabinets, go for bolder color designs if the kitchen is large. Wood cabinet designs vary, and all that is needed is your imagination.

Kitchen Island

More homes are built incorporating a kitchen island as a means to open up smaller spaces. Although slabs and countertops come in handy, kitchen islands give the home a different class, which the two cannot. Kitchen islands are considered high functioning, and walls to the kitchen are removed for open space, overlooking the dining or living room for inclusivity. 

Unique Shelves and Storage

Shelving is more than planks of wood drilled into the wall. Newer interior designs offer innovative kitchen shelving ideas that liven up the kitchen. Hanging storage is essential in both small and large kitchens. The best part is that the customization of shelves for storage opens countertop space, which is always needed.

New Backsplash

It’s recommended to paint your kitchen when renovating. However, changing the backsplash is unique. With countless backsplash designs available online, choose one that fits with the family style. It’s advisable to choose a tile backsplash in the kitchen as it is easy to clean and will not retain moisture, as would wooden panels.

Go Stainless Steel

You’ll never need to replace your stainless-steel appliances if you adequately take care of them. Most of them are durable and can withstand extreme cold and hot temperatures, and they can give a beautiful look. As they are sleek looking, they give a gorgeous appeal for everyone’s view. The best part is that it’s easy cleaning them, as they only need a simple wipe down.

Kitchen customization goals include having a warm and cozy feeling when cooking in the kitchen. However, be aware that too much personalization can be detrimental to the final sale price if you will be moving soon.

Mistakes To Avoid When Doing the Laundry

Doing the laundry is one of the most mundane household chores that everyone must perform. It’s understandable why so many people empty the hamper into the washing machine and try to wash everything they own in one load. While this method might save some time, it’ll also likely damage your clothes and ineffectively clean them. Learning the mistakes to avoid when doing the laundry will keep your linens in pristine condition.

Follow Detergent Recommendations

With the invention of pods, it feels like throwing one pod in the washing machine is sufficient. Unfortunately, the odds are that your laundry loads need much more detergent than you’re using. More oversized loads may require you to use extra pods or fill one more cup of liquid detergent to clean everything efficiently. If you don’t use the correct amount of detergent, your clothes will not be as clean. This is why reading the detergent instructions is vital to attain the best wash.

Only Use Hot Water for Specific Situations

It’s easy to assume mixing soap with hot water is the ideal way to clean your laundry. However, using hot water on certain types of fabrics causes more harm than good. Any item predominantly made with cotton needs cold water, or else it may shrink or develop fiber damage. Take note of this to keep clothing and bedding looking new. The best uses for hot water when washing items is to disinfect things, remove germs, and get rid of deep stains. Otherwise, using cold water is the way to go, especially since it takes up less energy.

Properly Separate Your Items

When you separate your laundry, you often think of sorting the darks and the whites. While that’s one tip you should follow, it’s also critical to sort things by the material. It’s an excellent strategy to do all delicate items, towels, or bedding separately rather than mix everything. Doing this allows you to choose the most appropriate water temperature and detergent.

Perform Damage Control

Typically, most people care what the outside of their clothing looks like more than the inside, so it’s probable they throw their items in without turning them inside out. Unfortunately, failing to do this leaves things like dead skin cells and sweat in your garments. The inside-out technique also protects your clothes from rubbing against things like zippers or buttons. These parts can hurt other clothing articles that are in the wash with them.

Use Enhancements

Incorporating fabric softener and dryer sheets into the routine is like adding whipped cream on hot chocolate; it just makes everything better. Not only do fabric softeners make everything feel soft and cozy, but they also prevent potential damage to the fabric. On the other hand, dryer sheets help keep the static electricity down during the dry winter months.

Knowing the mistakes to avoid when doing the laundry will aid you in making your laundry smell and feel great while simultaneously improving its durability for years to come.

4 Shortcuts for a Smoother Home Renovation

Renovating a home can be an overwhelming experience, especially for first-timers. If you’re one of the many people looking to give their property a facelift, there are four shortcuts you can use to ensure a smooth renovation. Below are a few renovation tips to maximize efficiency.

1. Rent a Dumpster

When it comes to removing large amounts of unwanted material from your home, utilizing a dumpster rental service can be an excellent option to make your project more manageable. Everything from furniture to building materials can fit into a dumpster that can be driven away, making disposal a breeze. Take some time to decide what size dumpster would suit your particular project best.

2. Finalize as Much as Possible

By the time you hire a contractor, it’s good to have at least most of your plans finalized. Sure, you may make minor changes throughout the project. However, constantly changing your mind will cost you both time and resources. This is a major setback, especially if you have lots of projects within your home.

If it helps, hire a professional to assist you with aesthetic choices. They can produce a variety of options for you to make your final selections.

3. Create a Reasonable Timeline

Of course, you don’t want to rush through your home renovations. Conversely, you don’t want to be inconvenienced on never-ending projects. Think about it, you may have to relocate during the demolition and rebuilding process. Whether you live alone or have a large family, you may have trouble finding lodging during this process.

Not only can relocating be tricky, but it can also be expensive. If you are already working with a modest budget, you want to give contractors a reasonable deadline so you can enjoy your new place in a timely fashion.

4. Check the Progress

Whether you decide to live on-site or find temporary housing, it’s a good idea to check on the project’s progress. Now, this doesn’t mean becoming a nuisance to the contractors. For instance, if you have a four-week deadline, maybe visit the site once a week and gradually increase towards the end for the final touches. This allows you to make modifications along the way.

Renovations are either a fun experience or a nightmare depending on how you prepare for them. By following the steps above, you can ensure the process goes smoothly, despite the hiccups you’re bound to deal with along the way. Also, do not be afraid to seek professional design help if you are new to home renovations.