the_maids_ma

Using Color in Your Space

Fri, 24 Mar 2017 13:59:26 GMT

If you don’t have a lot of experience using color in decorating, you might not be sure exactly what will work best, but you don’t want to go too safe.

How can you juggle the two? Keep these tips in mind :

Be Inspired. Pick the colors you like and find ways to make them work in your space. Can you create a palette based on your favorite pair of earrings or favorite tie? Absolutely! Trends are good guides, but only if you love them, too.

There are Many Neutrals. It’s easy to jump straight to white or beige for neutrals in a home, but there are many more options. Look at different shades of browns like rich caramels and dark chocolates, or find sophisticated shades of gray to work into your space.

Make the whole room pop by using brightly colored, complementing accessories against neutral backdrops.

Pop in Unexpected Color. One of the most fun ways to use color is to pick a bright, fun color and put it where people least expect. Try painting an interior door, inside your coat closet, the interior of your cabinets, or the inside back of your bookshelf. It’s a surefire way to make that piece memorable!

The most important thing to remember about color is that you will be living with it, so don’t settle for what other people like or don’t like. Find a color you love and then build your palette off of that.

Also, there are many resources on how to decorate with certain colors! Check in books or online for ideas about blending and using colors to get the perfect look for your home.

Cleaning Mold off Baby Toys

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 09:20:20 GMT

Mold can turn toys that you bought for your child to enjoy into a health hazard.Steps to remove the mold from the toys should be taken immediately to keep the baby safe.These simple steps will help you remove mold from baby toys and ensure that it does not grow again.

Use a soft brush to rub off the mold from the toys.

This should be done outside to prevent mold being deposited in other places in your home. Be gentle so that you don’t damage the toys.

Soak the toys in a mixture of water and bleach.

You should you a mixture of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water to avoid it being to harsh. This will help to destroy mold that was not removed by the brush. Soak the toys for a few hours.

Rinse and dry the toys.

Remove the toys from the mixture of water and bleach and rinse them well. Then dry them using a dry soft cloth. Place the toys in an open place to ensure that they are really dry before taking them to their storage space.

Store them in a dry place.

Mold might start growing on the baby toys again if you place them in a moist place. Mold does not grow in dry places. Therefore, keep the toys in a clean dry place.

And if you live in the Boston area and are interested in hiring a maid service to assist you in your home, then do not hesitate to contact The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts, who would be happy to assist you.

The Best Cleaning and Dusting Methods for Home Facilities

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 09:07:12 GMT

Keeping furniture and electronics clean and dust free can make your home look spectacular, and creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. However, you will need to clean on a regular basis. You can follow the simple tips below to do this on your own, or you can hire the professionals atThe Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts, to assist you with your housekeeping needs. There is are a wide range of cleaning and dusting techniques you can use to keep you living area spotless, clean, and welcoming.

Use a Dry, Soft Lint-Free Microfiber Cloth

A microfiber cloth has a specialized surface that helps eliminate the use of chemical concoctions unless they are absolutely necessary. Microfiber clothes are essential for cleaning TV and computer screens, and are great for dusting in general. However, do not apply too much pressure, to ensure that you do not damage the monitor.

Only Use Correct Cleaners

Make sure that any cleaners you use are safe for the items you are using them on. For TV and computer screens, there are cleaners that are specifically designed to clean them without causing damage.When using any cleaning products, simply squirt some of it on your cleaning cloth (make sure it is microfiber for TV and computer screens), and wipe away dust and other grime.

How to Keep Bookshelves Neat and Dust Free

Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:54:19 GMT

To reduce the amount of dust and dirt that accumulates on books and shelving, bookshelf surfaces should dusted regularly. Organizing a cleaning project and the procedures for cleaning shelves will vary depending upon several factors.

These factors include:

the physical condition of the shelves
the amount and type of dust and grime to be removed
the scope of the cleaning to be undertaken – big or small shelving area

First, you need to decide whether you will be removing all the books to wipe down the shelves or not. If you have been regularly cleaning your shelves, you may be able to opt to only dust the parts that are exposed, not covered by the books. However, if it has been a while since you dusted them, you may want to remove the books so that you can thoroughly wipes the shelves. Use a soft microfiber cloth and a mild cleanser safe for wood to dust and clean shelves. Avoid feather dusters as they only redistribute the dust and are not useful for cleaning shelves or books. Shelves must be dried completely before re-shelving books.

These tips can help you keep your shelves clean and dust free. However, if you would like to leave this work in the hands of professionals, The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton Massachusetts, offer this service as well as a variety of other maid services .

Using Additional Shelves for More Storage Space

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 14:05:47 GMT

A home is a home, filled with your things—and the clutter that comes with them. However much you try, it is rather difficult keeping your home in tip-top condition all the time. You will find your cabinets filling up, drawers getting loaded, and closets carrying too many things.

The best way to overcome all this clutter is to think of innovative ideas for your shelves. Use your creativity to make more space so that all your housekeeping efforts keep your home looking great. The first thing to do is reorganize all your shelves so that they give you more space to store your belongings.

Purpose

The purpose of the shelf is very important in helping you decide what you want, and how much you want to expand your shelving units. Decide if you need shelves for storing your music and movies, for your kids’ activity coloring books and games, or other types of items.

Once you determine how much you need to store on shelves, you can decide if you need to expand with more shelving units. If you find you don’t have sufficient room for games, movies, and music on one shelf, it’s the best time to add another shelf for all of these things.

Organization

You can start organizing your things once you decide what you want in a shelving unit. You need not buy additional shelves all the time; if required, shelf systems can be compacted and restricted to fit more of your belongings.

This is because many shelf systems today have peg holes to use for self-adjustment purposes. You can thus place items on the shelves based on size, so that you have a shelf that snugly fits to the next one.

With the extra room you have, you can start adding shelves. Just go to the local hardware store to find out what they offer for shelf boards, and then cut them to the required size. If your existing shelf system is painted, just paint the new boards with a matching color.

On adding new shelves to the unit, and having pegs holding them up, you can now install a new shelf on the remaining space you have once all the new shelves are added to your existing shelf system.

Keep clutter at bay regardless of your schedule with a hand from The Maids, who will not only straighten the clutter, but also make sure your home is truly clean.

Getting Rid of Mold Problems on Baby Items

Tue, 07 Oct 2014 07:37:29 GMT

Mold can cause a lot of problems in a home. Mold can easily grow on your baby’s toys and other baby items, because they like playing in water or putting things in their mouths. This creates moisture on the surface of the items, which is just the right environment for mold. Mold can negatively affect your health, especially for those with breathing conditions, such as asthma. Here are some effective ways for you to deal with mold problems on your baby items:

1. Scrub toys with a gentle cleanser

If you find that your baby’s items have developed mold, the first step that you should take is to scrub the toys with a small scrub brush or old toothbrush using a gentle cleanser. If this does not remove the mold, move on to #2.

2. Soak in bleach solution

A bleach solution will easily kill mold, making sure that the toys are once again safe for your child to play with. Simply mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water, and allow the toys to soak overnight. After soaking the toys you should rinse them thoroughly and dry them.

3. Replace toys that you cannot clean

If after you soak the toys there is still mold you cannot remove, it may be best to replace them with new ones. While not the most cost effective solutions, it is the safest in the long run. A good idea from this point on would be to weekly soak the toys to disinfect them and prevent the growth of mold.

And while you are busy protecting your little ones, let The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts handle all your house cleaning needs.

Simple, Yet Effective Ways of keeping Your Baby Safe While at Home

Fri, 26 Sep 2014 07:28:20 GMT

Babies are little explorers and this makes them susceptible to many dangers at home. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to ensure that your baby does not become a victim of dangers we are capable of getting rid of. Here are some of the guidelines to ensure that the baby is safe at home:

Preventing Electrical Shot

Sockets and plugs should be covered well, as they pose a risk of shock if left uncovered.

Preventing Suffocation

At any time, never to leave objects such as plastic bags where babies can easily reach them. These pose a severe suffocation risk.

Sharp Objects

Any sharp object such as a razor blade, knives, letter openers, and nail cutters should be placed out of reach of babies. They should be put away to prevent them from being accessible.

Fires

Cigarettes, matches, lighters and any other thing that can cause fire should be out of reach at all times. Make sure that cigarette butts have been put out completely before disposal.

Furniture

Tables with low edges and which are exceptionally hard threaten baby’s faces, and should be arranged such that they do not cause injuries. You can also get edge covers for coffee tables, end tables, or dinner tables.

Your baby needs love and care for them to grow well. In case your baby is injured accidentally, rush them to the hospital because babies are very delicate. And if you would like a professional maid service to assist you with all your house cleaning needs while you tend to the needs of your little one, The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts would be happy to help!

How to Easily Clean Your Refrigerator

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 14:55:33 GMT

It is essential that you clean your appliances on a regular basis in order to maintain good health in your house as well as the proper function of your appliances. Your refrigerator can get dirty over time, due to much contact and regular use. In order to always ensure that your refrigerator is clean and free from dirt, learn easy ways to maintain it. Below are some tips on properly cleaning your refrigerator:

The Cleaning Process

Remove all the contents, setting aside the good items and disposing of the old food. Check all the expiration dates on your condiments to make sure they aren’t expired.
Remove drawers and any shelves if they are removable
Prepare some warm soapy water for washing the refrigerator.
Dip a rag in the mixer and wipe the interior parts of the refrigerator
Wash drawers and shelves in soapy water as well
After you are done, use a dry towel to wipe everything down
Replace drawers and shelves where they belong
Put all your good food items and condiments back in your refrigerator

And now you are all done with cleaning your refrigerator! However, if you would like assistance with your housekeeping , The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts would be happy to help.

Tips to Help Deal with Yellow Jackets in Your Home

Fri, 12 Sep 2014 14:38:35 GMT

Nothing can ruin a picnic worse than yellow jackets. They are very aggressive insects on the constant lookout for proteins or sugars to snack on. Unlike bees, they can use their stinger multiple times, which is why its sting is so painful. The following tips should help you handle a yellow jacket infestation in your home or garden:

Make sure any outdoor trashcans are properly sealed, as yellow jackets are always looking for foods containing sugar or protein. Properly sealed trashcans prevent yellow jackets from buzzing around your lawn or garden.
If you are having an outdoor picnic with your family, make sure your soft drinks and food is tightly sealed till you eat them.
If you have fruit trees, make it a point to regularly remove any fallen fruit

Check the outdoor areas of your home for yellow jacket nests. Once you identify the areas where these wasps exist, find out where they come from.
Decent lawn and garden stores sell traps for yellow jackets. Hang these traps around your outdoor areas to help control a yellow jacket infestation.
Despite all these measures, it is always better to hire a professional exterminator to help with your dealing with yellow jackets in your home. Exterminators have the necessary skills and tools to safely and effectively remove yellow jacket nests. However make sure you hire not only an experienced exterminator, but also a licensed one.
Once the exterminator gets rid of all the yellow jackets, it is important that you maintain your garden and lawn areas around your home pretty well. Remove all the dry leaves and fallen dead branches as it prevents yellow jackets from returning and building nests in your garden once again. Clean outdoors help prevent yellow jackets and all other types of insects from making an infestation.

The above tips should help you keep your home free of yellow jacket infestations. And if you need assistance with any of your housekeeping needs don’t hesitate to contact The Maids of Greater Boston, in Newton, Massachusetts

Three Ways to Get Rid Of Mold

Fri, 05 Sep 2014 14:30:30 GMT

There are many dangers that are associated with mold. Mold causes health problems and possibly death if left to run amuck. When items in your home are kept in humid conditions for a while without regular cleaning, molds will develop and it will can be very dangerous, not only for you but also to other members of your family. This makes it very essential to eliminate it. Here are some of the methods that can be used to eliminate molds in such areas:

1. You Can Make Use of Different Cleaning Solutions

There are some basic cleaning solutions that are known to completely eliminate mold growth. Some of the solutions you can apply include: a mixture of bleach and warm water, vinegar and warm water, or a borax solution. All of these are simple yet effectivemold removal options.

2. Keeping Mold at Bay

This involves trying as much as possible to eliminate the cause of molds. Try to store items in well ventilated areas, and if that is not possible then you should regularly look for and treat mold.

It can be overwhelming at times to think about all the time you spend cleaning and taking care of your home. And if you are looking for a professional maid service to assist you, do not hesitate to contact The Maids of Greater Boston in Newton, Massachusetts!

The Uses and Disadvantages of Chlorine Bleach

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 13:34:50 GMT

There are a variety of uses for chlorine bleach in your home. Chlorine bleach can be used to eliminate mildew and mold that may be growing on various surfaces; it is also used in disinfecting and cleaning many items. Chlorine bleach may be very handy to use around the home but it is also important to note that it can be a hazard, so it’s wise to use the bleach cautiously, especially in a home that has pets or children. The Maids usehousekeeping products that work as well as—or even better than—bleach but are friendly to the environment to give you the best results in a way that is completely safe for both you and your environment.

The Downside of Chlorine Bleach

There are many uses of chlorine bleach; however, it also has very some concerning aspects. One negative quality is that it quickly corrodes stainless steel, and can literally burn a hole through it. It is important therefore to ensure that the bleach is kept away from all stainless steel items.
Additionally, the bleach should not be kept separate from many cleaners that are used in the home such as acidic chemicals and ammonia because mixing them can lead to explosive reactions. It can also cause chemical reactions that may give off dangerous vapors or gases that may be harmful to anyone nearby.
Avoid splashing or spilling chlorine bleach in the process of using it since it usually causes colored fabrics to fade.
Finally, the strength and effectiveness of the bleach reduces over time. It will have lost at least 20% of its effectiveness after just six months.

Uses of the Bleach

As a main ingredient used in most cleaners today, bleach is generally considered as an all-purpose cleaner. It is used in sanitizing and cleaning the following;

House siding
Rubber mats
Floors around the home
Shower liners
Countertops
Trash cans
Toilets, showers, sinks and tubs
Children’s toys
Rags, white socks, towels as well as many other linens

When using bleach, don’t forget to consider how it should be diluted for the task at hand, and always use it with caution.

Renew the Beauty of Your Outdoor Furniture

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 13:26:30 GMT

If you have outdoor furniture, signs of wear and tear will appear over time. Many factors cause outdoor furniture to fade and wear, some of those being: daily use, adverse weather conditions, and scruffs and scratches. Regardless of how often you clean them or how careful you are, as the years passthe signs of use will show. So have some fun with your furniture and give it a facelift instead of replacing it. These simple tips will help you bring new life toyour outdoor furniture.

A New Coat of Paint

A new coat of paint allows you to bring back the colors you once loved that have become faded and worn. Sanding down damaged areas will remove small dings and chips in the paint, and allow for a smooth painting surface. And when you repaint the furniture it is a good idea to use paint that is designed for outdoor exposure.

A New Color Selection

A new color, colors, or pattern might bring totally new beauty and attitude to your outdoor furniture. There are paints for common outdoor furniture material such as vinyl, hard plastic, metal, or wood, just to name a few. There are several paint brands to choose from, just make sure that you select one that is designed to be used outdoors.

You will be amazed at how a fresh coat of paint can make such a huge difference, or what an entirely new color scheme can do for your outdoor space. This is a simple way to save on cost, and create a space you can enjoy with family and friends. And while you are busy bringing new life to your outdoor space, you can hire The Maids to handle your indoor cleaning.

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk!

Fri, 15 Aug 2014 10:19:30 GMT

The 5-mile Walk will take place at Boston’s DCR Hatch Shell along the beautiful Charles River Esplanade on Sunday, October 5th!

We are also excited to announce a special contest connected to the Making Strides of Boston walk. Walk Participants who register online at www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma and raise $300 by October 1st will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize of free house cleaning for a year!*

To start a walk team, please visit:

www.makingstrideswalk.org/bostonma .

To make a donation to The Maids walk team please visit:

http://main.acsevents.org/goto/themaidsnewengland

Thank you!

*For contest rules please email

bostonmastrides@cancer.org

Removal of Stickers and Their Residue from Various Surfaces

Fri, 08 Aug 2014 13:12:08 GMT

As long as the price stickers are where they belong – on the labeled products in your convenience store or other shopping malls, then they remain functional and useful. However, most stickers don’t stick there for long; they get to come off once they have been paid for after their brief shelf life. And heaven only knows where these stickers end up; they can easily become a nuisance on every surface in and around the home.The following are some of the ways to clean those stickers from various surfaces at home:

Glass Surfaces

Avoid scratching the glass to remove the sticker as this may damage the glass. Instead, apply vegetable or baby oil, allowing it to remain on the surface overnight; by morning it should peel off. Using nail polish and allowing it to soak for about 30 minutes should also do the trick.

Wooden Surfaces

Lay a cloth or paper towel that has been soaked in white vinegar over the sticker and allow it to soak into the sticker and residue for about five minutes. Peel off the sticker and once the wooden surface is clean, use wood polish to wipe the surface.

Plastic Surfaces

Heat up the portion around the sticker using a hair dryer, then peel off one side. Aim the hair dryer below the sticker as you hold up the loose side; this will allow the area to warm up and slowly release the sticker from the plastic surface. Ensure the surface doesn’t get hot enough to melt the plastic. Finish by washing the surface using a solution of dish soap then dry it.

Metallic Surfaces

Scrape off the adhesive as much of it as you can from the metallic surface then apply water-displacing spray on a cloth, but make sure not to use something abrasive that will scratch the metal . Continue rubbing the sticker with this spray, and then wash the surface using warm water mixed with dish soap. Rinse the area and dry it.

You can maintain all your surfaces and their nice appearance even after the stickers have been removed. There is always a suitable solution to deal with the unsightly blemishes on your surfaces. No need to be miserable about those annoying stickers anymore! And for all your other messes, The Maids can do your housekeeping for you.

Reasons Why You Should Consider Homemade Cleansers

Fri, 01 Aug 2014 12:57:23 GMT

For several years, many people have been using commercially made products for house cleaning different surfaces at home including the carpet, windows, furniture, and dishes, among several other things. Recently, there is an increasing trend where many families are turning to homemade cleansers, many of which have been used for decades. These products are eco-friendly compared to the ready-made ones on the market.

Environmentally Friendly

Most people assume that the commercially made cleaning products labeled “eco-friendly” or “natural” have no impact on the environment, but the small print on the labels often tells a different story. The safe, plant-based ingredients do not guarantee the non-existence of toxic chemicals added in these cleaning liquids.

If you are making your own products, you know what you are using, and you can choose natural ingredients and avoid artificial substances that cause harm to the environment. Making your homemade products is also easy with no equipment required. in most cases, one or two ingredients is what you need.

They Are Just As Effective

Homemade products are as effective—if not more effective—than the cleaning products you buy in the stores. These cleansers are easy to modify, so you can easily add a few other ingredients or add the used amounts if you feel the already-made agent is not as effective as you would expect. You also have the option of experimenting several formulas to come up with one that works best for your purpose.

They Are Less Expensive

One of the main considerations for people considering homemade products for cleaning is the amount of money put on them and how much they can save. Unlike commercial cleaning agents, using household substances to make effective cleansers can really help you save a lot of money, which you can use on other important needs. These household substances are inexpensive and can help keep your budget in check without compromising the cleanliness level.

Some cleaning services, like The Maids, focus on using environmentally-friendly cleaning products to make sure your home is both safe and clean.

Get Compacted and Save Space

Fri, 18 Jul 2014 12:43:46 GMT

If you are a housekeeper, you know just how busy you can be. There is no shadow of doubt about the amount of work you put in. However, there are certain things you can do to make it more efficient and reduce the amount of time that you require to remove all the clutter. Here is a sneak peek of some of these ways:

First, you need to have a better organization. The truth is that better organization is crucial towards efficient cleaning:

When you sort through your stuff, you will no longer inquire where they should go.
You won’t have to ask where your items will go because you will be able to tell in which category it belongs and go ahead and place it in that category.
After knowing exactly where to place your belongings, you will realize that you have saved your time for more crucial life needs

Place some items in a lost and found drawer.

For items that neither have a category nor a drawer or items you need to ask someone about, you can choose a designated lost and found drawer and place those types of things in it. Just in case someone fails to find what they are looking for, they can always re-visit the drawer to check if these items are there. This will not only be convenient to the person looking for a lost item, but also on the person doing the cleaning.

Putting away some seasonal clothes.

The truth is that some closets have limited space. Therefore, you want to ensure that you have taken all the winter clothes out of your closet during summer. Place them in plastic storage bags or stackable totes instead. This will ensure that all the summer clothes are accessible when you want to choose an outfit to wear without winter clothes getting in the way.

Place all the puzzles in a bag.

If you have family members who love puzzles, some pieces within your home may fall out and get lost. Try placing these pieces in a sandwich bag and subsequently place them in a small tote. You will create more space and be organized in the process.

Keeping your home organized and clean is a full-time job. If your schedule is making it difficult to find time to do anything else, get in touch with The Maids for a helping hand.

Give Your Garage Back To Your Car

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:09:35 GMT

Garages are primarily intended to be places to park your car. That is obvious, right? Then why are so many of your neighbors leaving their cars in the driveway overnight? The answer is obvious – there is no room because of all the random things stored in the garage. It is time to get organized. If you don’t have the time, The Maids of Greater Boston in Newton, MA can help and can also perform housekeeping services for your home. But if you have the time; go for it! So what is the first step of organizing a garage? That would be throwing out the junk.

Junk

Do you really need that rowing machine you purchased four years ago with the intention of rowing every night and losing 40 pounds? While you might "need" the machine, two inches of dust on the rowing seat suggests that it doesn’t get much use.

Not sure if an item is junk or something worth keeping? Go through every item in your garage and ask yourself two questions.

Have you used the item in the last year?
Is the item an antique or family heirloom?

If you can't say "yes" to either of these two questions, the item needs to go in the junk pile. Once you've gone through everything in the garage, you should have a much larger "junk" pile than you thought you’d have.

Treasures

Find it painful to throw away your stuff? Well, would you feel better if you were paid for doing so? One man's junk is another man's treasure. Spend a weekend day holding a garage sale. There are hordes of people who think shopping at garage sales is a great weekend event. Nothing beats someone paying you to haul away your junk.

Of course, not everything is going to sell. So what do you do with the left over items? Throw it in your trash cans. If there is simply too much stuff, you can find services online that will come to your home and haul it away for a reasonable fee.

Organized

Is your garage now organized? At this point, you should have plenty of room to store your items up against the wall leaving plenty of room for your car. Imagine that – actually parking your car in the garage!

Cleaning with at Home Made Products

Fri, 27 Jun 2014 13:55:20 GMT

Allergies and other respiratory issues make it hard for some people to use chemical cleaning products. At the same time, there are plenty cleaning items sold these days claim to be eco-friendly and free of harsh chemicals, when that isn’t always the case. The following are some cleaning solutions which you can make right in your kitchen using other common household products:

Wax for Floors

2 Tbsp. of olive oil
warm water
white vinegar

This wax will serve as an effective alternative for those who are bothered by the strong chemical smell of many common floor cleaners.

Furniture Polishing

1/4 cup of olive oil
20 drops of lemon oil
1/4 cup of white vinegar

The wood will absorb the oils and the lemon will cut away all the excess greases

Homemade Bleach

1/2 cup of baking soda
1/2 tsp of peroxide
1 tsp of dish soap

This solution can effectively scrub tiles and bathrooms with ease.

Microwave Cleaner

A few lemons cut into wedges
Bowl with small amount of water

Place lemon wedges inside of the bowl with a tad bit of water and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove the bowl and wipe your microwave out using a damp cloth.

Glass Cleaner

1 1/2 cup of water
lemon juice
1 cup of white vinegar.

This will work best on mirrors, and the lemon will give them a streak-free shine.

The main goal of good housekeeping should be to make your home fresh and clean, which will help keep your family healthy and happy.If you would like to hire someone to do your house cleaning, The Maids should be the ones you call!

Grocery Shopping Made Smart

Fri, 30 May 2014 09:59:25 GMT

When it comes to food in the household, it can be a costly expense. A lot of the expense is derived from your shopping methods and preferences. Impulse buying is always a challenge too. It can be hard to resist a really good buy. But will you use that good deal? Maybe you will and maybe you won’t. By preparing your shopping list, you can get exactly what you need and if you save enough money, you can use it to hire a housekeeping service to get more free time or spend it on a family fun day. Either way, it pays off.

Planning Your Meals

The first and most important step to saving money on grocery shopping involves meal preparation. Make a list of meals and then break it down into what you would need to make them. Once you have the list, you can shop knowing exactly what you need to get and the savings will be enjoyable. Without making a list for scheduled meals, you would go shopping blindly and end up with a huge expense. In fact, you would end up having many food items that sit around and expire because you didn’t prepare for its use.

Coupon Shopping

Coupons can add up, just like the spending of money. However, instead of deductions from your bank account, it becomes deductions from the total expense. Coupons are widely available from sources like newspapers, Sunday papers, coupon books, coupon mailers, manufacturer websites, retailers, and much more. Some stores offer double coupon discounts up to a certain price.

Competitive Shopping

Comparing prices from one retailer to the next can save money. In doing this, you will find the best deals and know where to get them. Just be sure that the savings don’t end up going to gas or it will not be worth it.

Many retailers accept competitor prices or sales. This is an opportunity to get area-wide sales at one retailer. However, you need to bring the ads or competitor prices with you because many stores require it to give you the discounted price.

Get Rid of Flies the Eco-Friendly Way

Sat, 24 May 2014 09:53:54 GMT

Are flies making merry in your home, while you suffer from the nuisance? Well, using house plants to get rid of flies in your home, would be a good, organic and eco-friendly way. No need of any pesticides, or expensive sprays. Just follow one of the tricks below and your home will be spic and span again.

Mint: Mint is a well-known fly-repellent and you can keep potted mint around the doorways, windows or any place where flies enter the house from. Another way to keep flies from sitting on food is to keep crushed mint leaves around the preparation area in the kitchen.
Basil: Basil has a strong smell which you might enjoy, but the flies detest. A bowl of crushed leaves must do the trick.
Castor: It not only repels flies, but also mosquitoes and wasps. So it’s a useful plant to have in your kitchen garden.
Lavender: Very useful in getting rid of flies. Keep fresh sprigs if available, otherwise dried variety must also be effective.
Potpourri of dried herbs and spices like eucalyptus , cloves and bay leaves, accentuated with essential oils can be filled into bags and hung in doorways to discourage fly entry into the house. Otherwise, keep them in stacks and put a couple of drops of the oil daily. This will scent up your home in addition to keeping flies away.
If you do not have potpourri and want immediate relief from flies , another idea is to use a tablespoon full of lavender oil, mix it with double the quantity of hot water and use a sponge piece to disseminate the aroma, due to which flies will escape from the place. The sponge is reusable; just add a little hot water every day.

These easy steps will help you in keeping flies at bay, while you enjoy a healthy, fly-free life.

Various Uses of Cabinet Handles

Fri, 23 May 2014 10:57:00 GMT

If you take a look around your house, you will find cabinet handles are everywhere. You have handles on kitchen cabinets, dressers, entertainment center doors, and on all the drawers. These cabinet handles do wear out with time; they can loosen or even break off. Broken cabinet handles can make house cleaning and daily house function frustrating.

It is possible to tighten loose handles, but if the cabinet handles have been scratched or stained, it will be better to just replace them instead of trying to repair them. Replacement will not only be cheaper, but will give you the opportunity to try something new.

Cabinet Handle Materials

Cabinet handles are made of a wide variety of materials. Since handles are required everywhere in houses and offices, different materials and styles have emerged to fit with the decor. Some of the common materials used for making cabinet handles are:

Brass
Nickel
Vinyl
Stainless steel
Plastic
Pine

The material and style of these handles depends on the place where these are going to be fitted. A stainless steel cabinet handle will look great on a dark dresser, whereas a chrome-colored handle will look amazing on a white colored dresser. There are a ton of options available to fit any style.

Uses of Cabinet Handles

There are many different uses for cabinet handles. These are required in kitchen cabinets and drawers, pantries, dressers, and many other small storage areas in your home. One such example is the entertainment center or the music collection drawer. Your kitchen is also full of such small kitchen cabinets and drawers, all of which require cabinet handles.

Alternative Uses

In addition to the standard uses for cabinet handles in various pieces of furniture, these can be used for decorative purposes also. You can attach these handles to a board and then that board can be mounted to the wall. In this way, the cabinet handle can be used for hanging pictures, hats, and various other things in the house.

You can also think of other creative uses of the cabinet handles. Try to mix and match different colors and styles in your kitchen and see how they look.

Want to keep the house organized and clean from the floor to the ceiling—and the cabinet handles, too? If you need a hand, The Maids MA serving Boston and the North Shore is ready to make your house shine.

Fluorescent Lamps Save A Lot of Money

Fri, 16 May 2014 10:50:39 GMT

Have you always wanted to reduce the amount of electricity you use? Well, now you can with the help of fluorescent lamps. These lamps can help you in reducing your electricity usage and, consequently, your electric bill by as much as two-thirds of your current bill. The fluorescent lamps are highly prevalent in the market due to the focus of government on increasing energy efficiency and the technical advances made by the manufacturers.

A standard incandescent bulb uses 50% more energy than a comparable fluorescent lamp. The energy-saving capacity of a fluorescent lamp can be gauged from the fact that a 12- to 13-watt fluorescent lamp will provide equivalent brightness of a 60-watt incandescent bulb.

As far as electricity consumption in the house is concerned, this can result in some big savings. Imagine bringing down your electricity bill by two-thirds by just changing the bulbs in the house. You can hire a housekeeping service with the money you’ll save and you can enjoy the free time doing the things you always wanted to do.

In fact, take your family to movies, to an amusement park, out for dinner, or just have fun time having pizza together in the house. You don't need to do much to save the money that will allow you to do these things more easily—just throw out all the incandescent bulbs in the house and replace them with the fluorescent lamps.

Due to increased demand of the fluorescent lamps, manufacturers have now made them available in many different forms. These lamps are available in circular form, spiral form, and candle lamp form. In addition to these different forms, fluorescent lamps are also available in many different types which include mini threaded sockets and bayonet sockets.

To start with, you can start replacing the standard bulbs and mini bulbs in the house used in ceiling lights, night lights, candles, and table lamp lights. Do not forget to get equivalent brightness fluorescent lamp.

To check whether you are getting the right fluorescent lamp to replace the incandescent bulb, look at the lumen comparison. Lumen is the unit of measurement of brightness and it provides a much better measure of comparison between an incandescent bulb and a fluorescent lamp than the number of watts.

Illuminate your beautiful home and get a hand keeping it clean with The Maids Boston & the North Shore!

How to Keep your Carpet Clean

Fri, 16 May 2014 06:57:37 GMT

Regular carpet cleaning should be done because its fibers have been designed in a way that can hide soil and also can reflect light. The ability of carpet fiber to hide soil is a common feature among most carpets however this is not the only agent affecting the cleanliness of the carpet. Soil is the common agent affecting the cleanliness of the carpet and if allowed to pile up then it can damage the fibers.

Cleaning a carpet extends its life and also improves its appearance.

One of the best methods to clean carpets is by the use of vacuum cleaning. This involves the use of a vacuum to remove dust from the carpet. It effectively removes soil particles and also reduces the dust generating from the filter and around the machine into a smaller fraction hence keeping your carpet in a good condition and also looking good. Vacuuming however does not remove the stubborn or embedded soil particles and therefore restorative cleaning must be done to control these stubborn stains.

In order to have a good control of your carpet condition then professional services should be done before the carpet get dirty or begin to show soil.

Cleaning methods varies depending on the type of fiber used to design a carpet. For synthetic fiber, cleaning agents are used especially for strain-resistant carpet and directions for dilution and application should be followed strictly for better results. For natural fibers, they require specialized cleaning and this depends on the carpet manufacturer’s recommendations for good performance.

Wool fibers should be cleaned with neutral detergents having a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. This is because wool is easily damaged by alkalis and bleaches. Carpet made of silk fiber should be cleaned using a drying process. This is because these fibers are damaged by a high pH (>9), high temperatures and sunlight. For better performance and appearance of a carpet then regular cleaning should be done.

Cabinets and More Space

Fri, 09 May 2014 10:46:04 GMT

In your day-to-day life, you make use of many different items in your home. Even if you are too busy in your daily schedule, you likely have to spare some time in the morning and evening and carry out every day housekeeping . This tends to take a lot of your time, but if you try to stay organized, it will be very easy for you to save time and achieve more in your home and work.

In a home, small items tend to make the house cluttered which, in return, end up making you slower when trying to carry out household chores because you are constantly moving objects around. The following are tips for helping your home stay organized and make cleaning very easy for you:

Cabinets and Their Various Uses

Cabinets are installed in many different places in a home. There are cabinets that can be installed in a kitchen, garage, porch, bathroom, and many other places you might not have even thought of. By making a habit of using cabinets, you will reduce clutter in your home and save time. Organized cabinets mean less clutter and fewer misplaced items.

Table-Style Cabinetry

Cabinets available in the living room are usually installed under tables and can neatly store items that are mostly used in the living room. When you keep items that are used in the living room in the cabinets, you will never have to search when you need them.

Entertainment Cabinets

To make your rooms look neater, you can make use of cabinets that are designed to keep your entertainment devices. For instance, you should keep game consoles and CDs cabinets made for them to keep them protected and organized.

Of course, there are other types of cabinets that you can use to keep your home organized, including utility cabinets and pantry or other food-storage cabinets.

Schedule too full for constant cleaning and maintaining organization? The Maids Boston & The North Shore are happy to help!

How to Reduce Allergens in the Home

Fri, 09 May 2014 07:01:46 GMT

Many of us suffer from a variety of allergies inside the home as well as outdoors. Although many people opt to treat their allergies with anti-histamines, there are a few ways to reduce them without medication.

Furniture- Opt for easy to clean furniture instead of upholstered and ensure that you clean bedding, blankets and curtains frequently. This will get rid of dust particles and dust mites that may be triggering your allergies.

Windows - If you suffer from hay-fever it may be an idea to close your windows during hot weather and use air conditioning instead. Regularly cleaning your windows will also keep the mold peoples that people react to down to a minimum.

Untidiness - Items collect dust, so it's a good idea to remove any unnecessary and unused possessions. Remove items that collect dust such as toys and books, and place them in plastic boxes.

Pets - A common allergy is pet fur or pet saliva. If you are unwilling to get rid of your pets there are things you can do to reduce the allergies triggered, such as frequently washing your pets bedding. If you decide to brush your pet to help with shedding, ensure that you wear a protective allergy mask.

Kitchen- Wash dishes daily to reduce mold growing on unclean plates, wipe down your fridge, get rid of out of date food and ensure that there are no leaks underneath your sink that could cause mold to grow.

Rubbish - Make sure that you put unwanted food and other rubbish in a decent, stable bin, and keep all crumbs off the floor to reduce mold and insect infestation.

Temperature - Keeping the home cool with low humidity will reduce the effects caused by allergies. Ensuring that the air circulates well within the home is also helpful, so keep doors open and conditioning on.

4 Surefire Ways of Dealing with Pet Hair Around the House

Fri, 02 May 2014 10:40:16 GMT

We all love pets in our homes, but what we don’t love is having pet hair strewn everywhere. From beds to sofas and couches to floors: wherever you look, all you see is pet hair. With this being the case, you have to ask: how do you get rid of pet hair so that your house looks nice and clean even with your adorable pet around?

Performing your housekeeping chores and staying ahead of your household duties can not only help you keep your house neat and clean, but it can also help give visitors a good impression of your home. Here are some effective ways to get rid of pet hair without making too many changes to your daily schedule.

Pet vacuums to the rescue: If you venture out into the market, you will notice that there are special pet vacuums designed to make the task of hair removal much easier, faster, and efficient. Such vacuums come well-equipped with different attachments, helping you pick up straying hair with ease and comfort.

Use air purifiers: If you are suffering from a perennial problem of hair shedding, then you can use air purifiers any day, any season. Not only do they get rid of harmful allergens, dust, and air debris, but they also help you get rid of pet hair, making them a must-have in every home with a pet.

Roll, roll all the way—pet rollers: Tired of spending too much time picking up pet hair? Well, many pet shops these days sell pet rollers which function well, especially when you have to pick up pet hair off clothes and furniture.

Furniture covers also work sometimes: Do you have any spare tablecloths, curtains or clothes which you think you will not use anytime soon? If so, then you can convert them into furniture covers so that you never have to worry about pet hair on your furniture. Leave them on your furniture for every day use, then remove the covers when you have company over—your furniture will look fresh, clean, and new without the hassle of cleaning the pet hair.

Of course, with your weekly schedule packed full, it can be hard to stay on top of the daily tasks, much less pet hair! The Maids Boston & the North Shore can offer a helping hand for keeping your house looking the way you want it to.

Get Rid Of Dust Mites the Natural Way

Fri, 02 May 2014 07:05:08 GMT

They might not be visible but just like all allergens dust mites can cause allergic reactions, including asthma and itching. These harmless microscopic organisms live off dead human skin cells, and they thrive well in warm temperatures – mostly in pillows and beddings. To simply determine whether you have dust mites present in your beddings, track your allergic symptoms.

If your allergies are severe during winter, chances are dust mites are present in your beddings and thriving rapidly. Dust mites are extremely common when ventilation is poor, and winter months are such great times of the year for their rapid breeding. To maintain great humidity of 30 to 50 percent during winter months, acquire a dehumidifier.

If necessary, have an expert do a thorough microscopic evaluation. This is the best and surest way to tell whether you have dust mites in your home. Pest-control service is well equipped not only to clean out dust mites, but also point out other concealed but serious allergens thriving in your home. Here are some of the natural ways that can simply and equally get rid of dust mites.

Keep your beddings clean. To prevent fanning the flames of allergies you must keep your fabrics and fibers clean and well aerated, because naturally dust mites feed on human skins cells that have been shed on beddings. So wash and hang all your comforters and blankets in the sun, as well as your pillow cases so as to destroy dust mites thriving therein.

Lower the temperatures in your home. This is the best way to create an unpleasant environment for the dust mites. Lower the temperatures in your home to a considerable 70 degrees, or better still, get a dehumidifier just to keep humidity at an all-time low. This will ensure your home is dust mite free. Remember to also do regular cleaning of your home – it greatly helps.

Cleaning Garlicky Hands

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 07:08:29 GMT

Garlic is probably one of the best spices out there in your pantry. Why not? It makes several dishes smell and taste flavorful! Yes, that smell is great in your dish but on your hands? I doubt if you like it as much. Garlic has a very potent smell. Many are obnoxious about chopping garlic because the smell likes to stick around on the hands even hours after, and soap just can’t get the smell off that much. Over the course of time though, I have discovered that cleaning garlicky hands is really not that tough. Here's a list of the best solutions to get rid of the pesky garlic smell on your hands.

All you have to do is rub your hands with something made of stainless steel (such as a spoon, knife, or even the edge of your sink) under cold water, as if it were soap. Many swear by this trick. It actually works both with garlic and onion smells because they can be neutralized with stainless steel. When you are finished your hands should lose most of that smell then you can wash them with real soap.

Another method is rubbing a few whole coffee beans or ground coffee on your hands. You will not only get that enjoyable coffee aroma but you get to give yourself a little spa treatment and exfoliate too!

Alternatively, a little lemon and salt can also do the trick. Simply rub your hands together with these and that garlicky smell will go away. Mmm...lemony fresh hands! Just be careful though if your hands are dry or you have any sort of preexisting cut — ouch!

Another trick you can try is pouring a small amount of mouthwash or squeezing toothpaste on one palm, then rubbing your hands together. Rinse with water afterwards and get that minty smell on your hands.

5 Tips for Cleaning Burnt Stainless Steel Pans

Fri, 11 Apr 2014 07:18:18 GMT

It is not a secret that in the market today, stainless steel among the resilient and most available materials. Because of this, it is used for various uses both at household uses and at industrial uses. At household uses, it may make pans which more often than not get burnt. Below are 5 Tips for Cleaning Burnt Stainless Steel Pans.

Use Limes and Salt

Here, a mixture of limes and salt is added to the burnt stainless steel pan. Then the mixture is allowed to sit for a few minutes (preferably 10 – 15 minute). Some more salt is then sprinkled and then scrubbed away. This gets amazing on how all the burnt- on materials lifts away.

Cola

Cola is really good in loosening any burnt- on materials. It is a super- acid. Some cola is poured into the pan then a gentle simmering follows. The burnt mess is then scraped off. Here, after the process is done, all you need to do is just relax and enjoy the rest of you cola with a well cleaned pan.

Cream of Tartar

Here, the pan is slathered with some gloppy mixture containing cream of tartar and water. This contains tartaric acid and potassium hydroxide. The pan is allowed to soak for only a night. In the morning, the pan is easy to clean off all the burnt mess.

Baking Soda

Here, the pan is simply simmered for a few minutes then allowed to cool. The pan is soaked overnight. Alternatively, a paste of the baking soda and some green dish soap is put into the burnt pan for a few hours. Then the pan is well washed. Incase anything remains, some more of the baking soda is sprinkled into the pan and then scrubbed away. Else, DIY aromatherapy cleanser can be used.

Oxygen- Based- Bleaches

This is an effective technique for any burnt messes on pans. The pan is soaked in a solution of oxygen bleach powder or liquid, hot water and green dish soap. The pan is then allowed to sit for a while then a “mad” scrubbing follows. These oxygen based bleaches include chemicals such as Seventh- Generation’s- Natural- Oxy- Stain Remover.

In conclusion, there are more tips of cleaning burnt stainless pans which include use of old wine, salt, vinegar and tomato sauce among others. Burnt stainless steel pans can easily be cleaned off following any of the above tips.

All Purpose Cleaners VS Multi-Purpose Cleaners

Fri, 04 Apr 2014 07:54:05 GMT

Many people may think that All-Purpose and Multi-Purpose cleaners are the same thing. However, they are not because there is one main difference between the two. Although. Someone might buy one cleaner over the other thinking that they are the same thing, they should definitely do their research first to get the best possible cleaning experience out of it.

All-Purpose Cleaner

The main different between the two is that they don't both clean every surface in your house. However, one might clean more surfaces than the other will. The All-Purpose Cleaner can actually be used to mop floors, clean counter-tops, stoves, refrigerators, and even coffee tables and end-tables.

Multi-Purpose Cleaners

Yes, the Multi-Purpose Cleaner can clean a lot of surfaces but it should not be used on certain surfaces such as glass. It could actually leave a streak. The best thing to use on glass is actual window cleaner or even vinegar and water which you can make from home.

Read the Directions

When buying one or the other, read the bottle first. Make sure to read the directions as well as the uses for it before using it on a surface. Doing this can save you not only a lot of time in the long run but money as well because one cleaner may be cheaper than the other.

All-Purpose VS Multi-Purpose: The Verdict

You will reach a verdict on what type to use on what type of surfaces once you read the uses of and the directions on the bottle. Do this before buying to save time and money. Also, just because one brand is more expensive than the other doesn't mean it works better than the other. Do your research first before you buy either type. Learning about both can make sure you don't waste any money or your precious time. Everyone knows how precious time really is, especially when you have a household to run.

Simple Steps to Quick Clutter Clearing

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 08:58:25 GMT

A clean and neatly arranged home creates a sweet and serene ambiance to everyone who enters it. A disorganized house full of clutter is a source of stress and shame to its owner as they will not be at ease to invite anyone into it for fear or ridicule. Anyway, no need to worry as these simple steps to quick clutter clearing will sort you. You do not need a decade to clear clutter from your house as it can be done in just a couple of minutes or hours by following the following steps.

1. Decide on a date and plan ahead of time. You should set a date and place it in your to-do list as it gives it the importance it deserves and prevents postponing. Get all the cleaning supplies you need in time and also bins, baskets and storage.

2. Get a bin , box or basket to place all your garbage and unwanted items. Starting to implement your plan is usually the hardest part. Scan all parts of your house starting from public places like the living room to public places like bathrooms and bedrooms. At this point, try to follow the following tips as they will make it easier to clear the clutter:

Separate dirty items from clean ones. Store the clean ones and place the dirty ones in strategic places to await cleaning.
Place everything in its rightful place. If an item does not belong to that room, place it in a big basket and do so for other items around the house. These will be dropped at their correct positions as you get to those rooms.
Determine what to throw, give away, donate or sell. Letting go is usually a big problem but would you rather have something you don't use fill up your room space and also add clutter?

3. Establish proper storage for items in your house. Keep your clothes inside a closet or wardrobe and useful papers in files and folders.

4. Sort everything that is remaining to find out what is useless and should be thrown or recycled. Useful items should be placed in their rightful positions.

5. Clean all parts of the room and house. Wipe and dust the furniture, decors, telephones, windows and mirrors. Later, vacuum, sweep or mop the floor not forgetting the corners.

6. You can now celebrate and reward yourself as you have achieved your ultimate goal; an organized and more peaceful environment for yourself from the simple steps to quick clutter clearing.

Aromatherapy for Your Home

Fri, 14 Mar 2014 09:01:15 GMT

The most advanced and effective way to scent a room is by using an aromatic diffuser. A diffuser is a small electrical unit that pumps unheated scent into the room. Generally, unheated scent is more pure compared to a heated one. There exist a variety of diffusers in the market depending upon capacity and style of use. The cost of buying also varies per brand and the directions for use are always given once you buy it.

An aromatic diffuser is easy to use and its portability enhances effectiveness. Normally, a few drops of essential oil are placed in a small glass container and a compressor that is connected with a piece of tubing is turned on. The pump produces a stream of air mixed with a fine mist of particles dispersed by the glass unit. The effectiveness of disinfecting and energizing the atmosphere at home is enhanced by increasing the surface area of the scent molecules. Another gain to the diffuser is that the vapor of essential oil can be directed into the nose. It can also be used in a sick room to clear airborne bacteria that may spread diseases.

Nevertheless, thick oils such as vanilla, sandalwood, benzoin or vetiver should be used in the diffuser since they don’t evaporate easily. However, these oils can be diluted with other thinner oils such as eucalyptus, citruses, and rosemary or mixed with products that contain methanol. Do not let the diffuser stay with oil in it without turning it on because the oils will ultimately oxidize and thicken. Sometimes it is good to be vigilant on expressed citrus oils because they contain a bit of residue that may clog your diffuser. To unclog it, simply soak the glass unit in alcohol, and depending on the model, unplug the opening with a pin or toothpick. Finally rinse the unit and let it air dry completely.

Smart Tips on How to Decongest Your Kitchen

Mon, 10 Mar 2014 15:22:30 GMT

The difference between a great kitchen and their counterparts is the manner in which various accessories are arranged. There is no limit on the number of organizational ideas that you can use to get your kitchen organized. Cleaning is another discussion, but tends to make the hugest difference in appeal next to organization. Both play a big role. If you need housekeeping services , The Maids of MA in Newton detail clean down to the hidden areas and cracks. Nevertheless, here are some smarts tips to help you de-congest your kitchen and help it along to reaching that good appeal.

Add aWire Tray in the Fridge

Virtually all refrigerators come with ready-made trays for placing food items and drinks. To derive maximum usability from your fridge, consider adding one or two wire trays. Be sure to leave ample space between containers to allow maximum circulation of air.

Use Tension Rods as Dividers

To save time when looking for a particular kitchen accessory such as chopping boards, consider using tension rods to divide and store cookie sheets and platters. Ensure that you strategically position them at intervals to effectively hold these items.

Add Hooks to Cabinet Doors

Leaving dish rags on the countertop can lead to growth of mold and mildew, not to mention house flies or other annoying insects. You can avoid this by adding hooks on kitchen cabinets for hanging the rags to air dry them after wiping utensils. If you have ample space, you can even hang a bucket for storing sponges and other kitchen cleaning agents.

Make a Chalkboard

To prepare foods easily, it is recommendable that you invest in a recipe book. Unfortunately, most of them are very expensive. Investing in a small chalkboard can help you save money. Here you can list down all groceries required, to-do lists, and even menus. Use dustless chalks to prevent accumulation of any dust on the floor.

Use Jars and Containers for Storage

No need to throw away empty jars and containers. Make a wise decision to use them for storing various food items such as flour. Be sure to label them to avoid any confusion.

Give your kitchen a whole new look by using these smart tips and you will be one step closer to an appealing kitchen.

The Uses of Vinegar in the Home

Fri, 07 Mar 2014 09:04:31 GMT

One of the best home cleaning products available is vinegar. This product does not only have hundreds of uses, but is also natural, affordable, and safe for use by family members, pets, and environments. Even though vinegar has a pungent, distinctive, and unpleasant smell, this smell disappears quickly. This and other properties of vinegar allow you to appreciate the benefits that are inherent in this magical liquid. To begin with, vinegar inhibits the growth of certain bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. It is also useful in fighting mold and mildew. When you combine the many uses of vinegar with its price and convenience, you definitely have an ultimate product for cleaning almost everything at your home.

Just to know the chemistry behind this cleaning product, vinegar is formed by the fermentation of ethanol using acetic acid bacteria. This process results into acetic acid, which combines with water to form vinegar. The process can take from hours to months depending on the desired quality of vinegar. Even though there are different types of vinegar, such as wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar, the old white vinegar is the most appropriate for your home cleaning. It is natural, inexpensive, durable and environment friendly. It is also non-toxic, biodegradable, edible, gentle on skin, and safe with children and pets.

Vinegar has several uses around the house. These include floors, walls, and windows among other places and things. Vinegar is used to clean windows with equal combination of water and vinegar. You can clean your coffeemaker by filling the water chamber with equal combination of vinegar and water. You can then turn on the brew cycle, but switch it off halfway through. Allow the vinegar solution to sit in the place for one hour. Turn the machine back to complete the cycle, and allow the coffeemaker sometimes with water only in the chamber. You can also clean the dishwasher by pouring half full cup of vinegar in the reservoir then run the cycle. Clean the floor by adding a quarter-full cup of vinegar into warm water, and then use a dry mop to scrub the floor. However, you should not try to use vinegar to clean marble or hardwood floor.

With equal combination of vinegar and water, you can clean glassware to achieve a spotless shine. It is also useful in cleaning shower heads and getting of mineral deposits. With equal combination of vinegar and water, you can clean tiles and counter tops. There are several uses of vinegar, which include pet’s urine stains, fridge, microwave, and many other things in the house.

Effective Ways to Get Rid of Gnats

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 09:10:08 GMT

Annoying insects are common in just about every part of the world. Mosquitoes, files and ants are found in huge numbers by almost every homeowner. However, only some insects are fairly as annoying as the creature known as the gnat. Gnats are tiny and very annoying flying insects, and although they are entirely harmless, it is horrible to see them hanging around your abode. Luckily, there are several ways to get rid of them easily.

Construct a home-based gnat trap. This is one of the easiest and inexpensive ways to get rid of gnats. Find a second-hand Mason jar and fill it with any type of vinegar. Gnats are really attracted to the aroma of vinegar. After you fill the jar, close the lid and make small holes with a screw or nail. Place the jar in a room where gnats usually live in, most likely your dining area or kitchen. You can create numerous of these jars to leave in many locations, if required.

By using a professional pest spray you can get rid of gnats. Several pests spray are available in hardware stores, and local shops intended to kill flying insects in all ways. Just spray the insecticide in the usual areas they dwell in, or onto the gnats themselves. This will kill all gnats and other pests immediately.

Pour olive oil or vegetable in your kitchen sink. This will seize any gnats that lie around the garbage disposal or the drain. The gnats will fly into the oil, but will be either incapable of liberating themselves from it, or just powerless to mate later because they are encrusted in the oil. You may have to reiterate this procedure frequently to get rid of all the gnats, but it is very efficient.

To kill any gnats together with their eggs and larvae, you can use ammonia in drains where they are living. Just pour a small amount of ammonia into the sink. This will successfully get rid of all traces of the gnats. Just ensure that the ammonia is diluted for several hours earlier than using the sink again because ammonia is poisonous to humans as well.

To get rid of gnats, you can also cope with gnat-infected plants. A few kinds of gnats are fascinated to the damp soil in home plants and leave their eggs in it. Numerous things are there to carry out to get rid of the gnats and save the plant. Firstly, you must stop watering the plant pending the top two inches of soil turn out to be dried out completely. This will cause the eggs and larvae of the gnat to dry and expire. Regrettably, the plant may start to appear a bit sad, but it will perk up quickly as soon as you start watering it again.

Getting Your Kids to Clean Up

Fri, 21 Feb 2014 09:13:41 GMT

Children are good at making messes and bad in cleaning them up. They live for one moment to the other. As soon as they are tired of one activity, they will run off to the next one. While you might find the chaos left by your daughter troubling, you will find her not bothered at all. After all, why should she waste time cleaning up where there is another game to be played? -After all mum will do it! However, there are some rules that you can use to make your kids responsible for their messes.

Set a good example. This should be the first step. Kids tend to be more sensitive and responsive to the things we do rather than what we say. If you take pride in a neat home, keep your things in order. Adapt a positive attitude towards keeping the house smart. When you start keeping your house tidy, they will begin seeing this as normal and will adapt to the behavior.

Allow your kids to have their private places. It may be a whole room, a shelf or a corner. When kids have their own space, they will want to take responsibility of it Let them have control over how the space looks and where things are kept.

Make it clear to your children what it means to keep a clean space. Let the children have a checklist of things to do such as making the bed, putting laundry in hamper, hanging up clothes, putting toys away, vacuuming the floor and anything else that you find essential. It pays to have a space where the kids can store the items. Therefore, provide kids with boxes and bins. Label and decide where everything goes.

Initially you can carry out chores together. Armchair supervision doesn’t work as well as when you show how it should be done. Keep your expectations reasonable and show them how it should be done. When you follow these tips, it will be possible to raise some responsible youngsters.

Why a Housekeeping Service May Be Right for You

Mon, 16 Dec 2013 09:19:42 GMT

Sometimes it is hard to keep up a clean and tidy household. With so many activities and demands with your time, house cleaning is usually the last thing to get done. Most of the time, you may end up in a rush to get the rooms clean and sometimes in that rush, things get over-looked. For many, housekeeping services are just the right answer. With several options and services available for your many needs; you can decide what works best for you. Here a just a few reasons why a housekeeping service may fit the bill just right.

You will have more time

The most obvious reason to hire a housekeeping service is the time you gain. It is perfect for any busy schedule and you can spend more time with family, attend events, or just get more time to yourself.

Your place will always be clean when you need it to be

With a contract, you are sure to always come home to a clean house. However, that depends on how often you set up the housekeeping service. In addition, the various housekeeping options available can get your house clean for any up-coming events you may be hosting.

Proper tools and the right cleaning supplies

Housekeeping services are loaded with professional equipment and cleaning materials. This enables them to give your home a deep and efficient cleaning. They may also be able to clean parts of your home that you may not be able to get yourself, whether it is because of time limitations or from incapability.

Reliable service and expertise

You can be rest assured that a professional cleaner will have the experience and "know-how" to get the job done. You can rely on their services to be well trained in the use of their equipment and that they will provide high quality work.

If you need a helping hand or just want extra time for yourself, consider hiring maid services. Whether it is a one-time need or a weekly/monthly cleaning, a housekeeping service will do the trick.

Ditch the Clutter: Why & How to Declutter Your Home

Sun, 01 Dec 2013 10:04:05 GMT

Clutter might make you cringe and sigh, or you might be sort of oblivious to it most of the time. However your reaction, clutter has been proven to have an affect on the way we live and the way we feel about our houses.

Too much clutter tends to make people feel overwhelmed and out-of-control, leading to frustration, apathy, and even depression. House cleaning can seem like a monumental chore when you are surrounded by things.

With a deep breath, a little bit of guidance, and some persistence, though; you can get through the mountain of clutter and come through on the other side!

Simple Tips for a Clutter Free House

The biggest problem when you’re starting on clutter is knowing where to start, but there is a secret: there’s no wrong place to start. Find a place and jump in, but work in very small areas at a time. Otherwise, you might end up with a spread out pile of clutter you’re too tired to clean up!

Once you start, here are the important things to remember:

1. Make a plan. Before you touch the first item, decide where things in your home are going to go from now on. Where will books be kept? Your clothes? Important papers? If you don’t know these things ahead of time, you might end up with a pile of clutter that moves from place to place.

2. Throw things away immediately. Don’t start a pile that you’re considering throwing away. Bring a trash can to the area with you, and the minute you find something to throw away, put it in the trash.

3. Get the donate box out the minute it’s full. It’s great to have a donate box, especially if you’re sorting clothes or toys, but if you don’t get rid of it immediately, you might be tempted to stick the box in the corner until you get around to it. Avoid the temptation! As soon as the donate box is full, take it to your car, and plan to drop it off the very next time you leave the house.

5. Follow the six month rule. If you come across something you haven’t seen in six months, you don’t need it. If you needed it, you would have looked for it until you found it or you would have already bought something to replace it.

Once your house is clutter-free, reward yourself! Let maids services come in and clean your house to make it look wonderful and stay healthy for you and your family.

It's Time For Organizational Upgrades

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 09:23:44 GMT

Organization is important and you try to keep things organized along with the housekeeping duties, nut there is always room for improvement if you want a more efficient household. It can be annoying to have to waste time searching for something you know you have and not having much luck. Many items get tossed around in various rooms, like tools, watches, batteries, remotes, toy pieces, office supplies, broken parts and pieces, etc. Some of the most common items are listed below.

ELECTRONIC ACCESSORIES

Electronic accessories end up everywhere in the home. You often ask where the remote went or where the video cables are. If you have game consoles, that also can have you skirmishing around looking for a game, a controller, a cable, or even an accessory related to the console. A cabinet or a large drawer on a table or fixture works great to keep all those items together when not in use.

KID TOYS

Kid toys usually contain many pieces and parts. When it comes to kids, you know how hard it is to keep everything together. It can be easy to miss something when picking up and sometimes, the items or pieces get transported to another room to sit. Things like Legos, Play-Doh, and toy kitchens for instance carry many smaller parts. Aside from the toy parts, broken or damaged parts often get kept. They get stashed somewhere until you either have time to fix them or you get the items you need to fix them. In many cases, they never get fixed. In fact, the broken pieces get mixed in with other things and cannot be found when needed. Regardless, toys can create a lot of clutter so working on better organization will help reduce the messes and lost items. The best method here is to use small totes and you can even use small containers for things like puzzles, which usually come in cardboard boxes and get mangled up. You can cut the image out of the damaged box that don’t stack well and paste it on the top of the small container. It will make things look better and make it easier for cleanup for both you and the kids.

Quiet Dust Magnet: Cleaning the Blinds

Sat, 02 Nov 2013 09:44:16 GMT

You might or might not realize it, but your window blinds are prone to collecting massive amounts of dust. It stays hidden between the blinds but causes allergy irritation and even discoloration just like dust anywhere else in your home.

Cleaning the blinds might seem like a tedious chore (okay, it sort of is), but if you know the right way to do it, it isn't quite so bad. Plus, once your blinds are clean, if you make a quick dusting part of your regular housekeeping, your blinds will stay cleaner all the time.

Blind Cleaning Methods

Method #1: The Vacuum. You can certainly vacuum your blinds, and this has the distinction of being useable on all types of blinds, although it's a little less effective on wood blinds sometimes.

An important thing to know, though: always vacuum side-to-side across the slats. It might seem less time consuming to do it vertically, but that could cause your blinds to stop closing properly. Broken blinds is definitely not the goal!

Method #2: Moist Dusting. This isn't as effective on fabric blinds, but others should be fine. Your best bet is a mixture of vinegar and water (you can go with pure vinegar, but test it on the material first for color fastness).

Dip a cloth in the vinegar and water mixture, then pass the cloth between the slats, cleaning each one. Make sure you check the cloth and clean off dust as you go.

Method #3: Dry Dusting. This is the best way to clean fabric blinds yourself. If your blinds are exceptionally dirty, your best bet is to take them to a dry cleaner, but if you're just trying to get dust off, this will work.

Your local hardware store likely sells rubber sponges, and this is what you will use to dust the fabric blinds. Remember to remove dust as you go!

Keep dust to a minimum throughout your house with frequent dusting and vacuuming, and if you need some help getting it all done, call in a maid service .

Distinguishing Between Curtain Fabrics and Materials

Thu, 31 Oct 2013 09:29:58 GMT

Fabric is one thing that exists and is used every single day in household living. When looking at a blanket, the fabric used to make it can have its own level of comfort and durability. On the other hand, curtains have fabrics that produce the level of durability and design it has. A fabric by definition is the results of spinning and weaving materials together. Items like select suitcases, blankets, car seats, winter jackets, etc. are all made from a fabric or in some cases, several fabrics. Your car seats started out as a material before getting combined to form a fabric. The fabric was then used to create the seats. With that explanation, all fabrics come from materials like cotton, polyester, wool, silk, and many others.

When it comes to shopping for curtains, it can be important to comprehend the differences between fabrics and materials because each material has its very own benefits and drawbacks. Each one can impact the overall fabric of the curtain. Having knowledge on each materials advantages and disadvantages gives you the power to determine what will be best for you. Do the advantages overpower the disadvantages to fit your preferences?

Materials really do play a significant role in fabrics. Every type of material used contributes to the overall look, strength, and lifespan of each and every single curtain manufactured. An increase in the strength of the curtain comes from materials like nylon and polyester. Design and looks can be visually increased in appeal with materials like silk and metallic.

When speaking of room curtains, quality is just as important as durability and appearance. This is important for those who prefer not to routinely replace those window curtains. A room can look magnificent with continued housekeeping efforts, but having the wrong curtain can really affect the overall look of the room.

House Cleaning Services Can Change Your Life

Wed, 30 Oct 2013 09:32:25 GMT

A home’s look and sanitization are important, which is why you dedicate as much time as possible to making it look great. Most of the time, cleaning is intermittent. This is based off occasional accidents, time slots in between activities and events, or even as much as possible in between anything. Nevertheless, details get pushed aside and completions are a rarity. By the time you get around to cleaning another part of the room, the other needs cleaned again. Time these days is so rare for most people, especially those who report to work, get involved in clubs, hang out with friends, and have pets or children. In this fast paced world we live in, time is limited.

Housekeeping services perform cleaning and sanitizing duties as their job. Therefore, they have plenty of time to focus on details that you would otherwise not get to achieve. In addition, they often have checklists to complete for each visit, which ensures nothing is left out. Because this is their actual daily job, they wouldn’t have the distractions that you would in trying to clean your home. Phone calls, text messages, kids, pets, visitors, maintenance issues, etc. can interfere with your cleaning efforts.

With the tight schedules and immense amount of house duties, you can easily become drained of energy. In fact, it can cause stress from not being able to take a break in the hustle and bustle of daily living. You also have the potential to feel overwhelmed when there is no break. Maids can take care of that so that you can actually relax in between activities and spend time getting your head back in place. In fact, you will recapture energy you would have otherwise used up, while also being able to spend time with the more important things in your life

Give Your Home Cleaning a Boost with New Interior Trim and Moulding

Fri, 18 Oct 2013 08:35:29 GMT

Home cleaning efforts do pay off, but they are really only as good as the fixtures and décor around them. Moulding is a common visual appeal deterrent. It can often be scuffed, scratches, chipped, or even faded. In a lot of cases, it can fall off too. If you envision this in your home, it may be the time to upgrade your interior moulding. Understanding the materials, types, finishes, and designs will help you find what is best for your rooms.

When it comes to materials, there are a lot. Oak, pine, poplar, cedar, composite, polyurethane, MDF (medium density fiber), polymer, etc. are widely available. Durability lies within oak, composite, vinyl, and some polymers. Painting is available with wood moulding and MDF trim too. Reliability is great with composite and polyurethane. Ease of cleaning is good with polyurethane, polymer, smooth MDF trim, and often vinyl.

Aside from materials, finishes are important. You want a finish that works well in your room’s environment. Options here include finished with paint or stain, unfinished for staining or painting, primed for painting, and laminated that is also considered finished. The laminated moulding usually has a paper coating that looks like wood.

Lastly, design is important. You can find many standard ones that have a flat design with a slight inward curve. Aside from that, you can find etched designs, routed designs, and engraved designs.

Focusing on these three elements will give you the ability to get the best match for your rooms with moulding and make your house cleaning efforts more beneficial.

Reducing Air Pollution Levels at Your Residence

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 08:40:14 GMT

A home that looks great is a comforting place that is healthy, right? Well...not exactly. It can look really clean and comforting, but can still be unhealthy. The air in the area is contaminated with pollutants and allergens ; maybe not life threatening, but still affective. It carries many contaminants and dust that can lead to sickness or allergies. You can't eliminate that, even with dedicated house cleaning . But you have the opportunity to control and reduce it.

When looking at a section in your home when the sun rays hit, what do you tend to see? Sure, household dust is normal, but what else in in there? That dust is invisible most of the time but you have to remember that you breathe that every day in your home. During seasons with closed windows, this air can have nowhere to go. The contaminants and allergens lead to more sickness and more allergic reactions all year, but even more when no ventilation extrudes them out of the house.

Air purifiers are a good route to go with any home and help reduce those contaminants in the air. Every single model has its own benefits and qualities like color, fan speed, filtration level, etc.

The higher priced models tend to perform better when it comes to filtration. Typically, you can find them in table models and floor models, but there are some plugin models too. However, they are not as effective.

Aside from that, during nice weather days you can use window fans to blow the contaminants outside. Unfortunately, this may be for a limited time. No matter, it can lower the level within your home for some time at least.

When it comes to air contaminants, your vacuum also plays a role. Cheaper vacuums tend to stir up the pollutants and irritants into the air, even though they may pick up dirt well. Some models use HEPA filtration, but a cheaper one may let a good amount of air escape before hitting the filter. Regardless, a HEPA vacuum can help but a better HEPA model will perform much better at cleaning the air.

The air in your home certainly does carry those irritants and pollutants. It always will. There is no way around that, but you can at least control it and make your home healthier.

Save Money with Your Home Lighting

Wed, 25 Sep 2013 08:42:32 GMT

Lighting up your home adds safety to the mix, but costs money to run. There is no way to avoid it unless you want complete darkness and no progress with house cleaning or home renovations either.

Every bulb uses watts to run. Housekeeping , home upgrades, garage work, reading a book, and many other tasks need light at night or life would come to a screeching halt. 60 watt bulbs use a lot of energy when on and this can really increase your electrical bill .

Excellent alternatives include fluorescent lighting and L.E.D. bulbs mainly because of the less demand for energy.

Purchasing fluorescent bulbs can be a wise decision, especially since they can save you around 60% over incandescent bulbs. It is much better to run 13 or 15 watts verses 60 watts.

Fluorescent lamps have light output performance that is measured in lumens, but most usually also show a watt comparison to make it easier for the customer. In addition, fluorescent lights are available in color tones like natural, daylight, warm white, cool white, bright white, etc.

L.E.D. bulbs help drop your electric use and the savings are reflected on your bill each and every single month! With the advantage of even lower energy use than fluorescent bulbs, these lamps are evolving into many different options and styles. Several different types of bulbs for different lighting applications exist.

Enhance Your Bathroom with New, Colorful Fixtures and Accessories

Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:52:58 GMT

In cases where a bathing room remodel is just what you want, why not make it your own. Irrespective of how you fix up the bathroom, color styles are important. You work so hard at housekeeping to create a comfortable home. Why not take the time to enhance your bathroom?

Bathroom sink choices are very unique, providing various styles, options, colors, and designs.

When you shop around, you should definitely identify sinks that catch your upcoming bathroom's style and provide a color or colors that mix in effectively together with your bathroom environment. You will appreciate that there are many selections, including pedestal sinks, wall surface-mount sinks, and cabinet sinks. Color options can vary from one to the next, but you can also look into special ordering to get what you truly want.

You want a bathroom you can love so be sure to take as much time as necessary.

The existing shower and/or bathtub you possess can still be in good condition. If that's the case, go a different route altogether and arrange your bathroom layout around it. If that doesn't suit your needs, consider adding a new tub/shower surround. If the need to actually replace the entire tub/shower is a necessity, shop for a color that will blend to your bathroom color plans.

Everything just depends on the circumstances.

Your Bathroom and Paint Colors

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 08:49:04 GMT

The shades of your bathroom space make the biggest difference, throughout comfortableness and design. In the end, you expect to take pleasure in waking up, bathing in the tub, enjoying visitors over, or perhaps getting ready for the day. An attractive bathroom creates many desires and can magnify your own character. You will amaze family and friends with your inspirational creativity. Housekeeping never ends, but this will make your bathroom shine like never before.

When it comes to paint colors, possibilities never end for use on your bathroom walls. You can explore the options of painting different colors on walls, painting the top halves and bottom halves different colors, or even painting just one color and adding artwork or colorful designs. Look Into style and design and discover the possibilities you dream about.

If opting for a single color followed by artwork, locate designs that represent your passions and persona, yet still also blend very well.

When going for the top and bottom color option, consider a color family and use different tones. You can also find two colors that work great together.

If desiring different colored walls, maybe consider using two colors where each color is on opposite walls.

Color options never seem to end when it comes to restroom walls. Mix up some colors in your head and see what you can come up with by using these ideas. You may like what you create, while also adding some fashion to the room. Let your personality run free and explore several options.

Spend Less while Helping To Make Your Yard-Livable Space Come Alive

Sun, 25 Aug 2013 12:14:19 GMT

Your back yard may look fantastic, but have you considered spicing it up a little bit more? With many cash-conserving, less expensive improvements, you could make your stylish masterpiece without having to spend a lot of money. You work so hard to have a welcoming home from all your house cleaning efforts. Why not make the exterior space your place of relaxation, as well as your escape.

In brief, your patio living area is only as good as the vicinity all around it. Walkways are ideal for areas like this with plenty of traffic. Choosing a step like this will help those regions remain aesthetically appealing.

Potted plants can accentuate edges, walkways, wall areas, as well as outdoor patio areas. This is an easy way to add color to your outside quarters. Flower pots add flare to any location and give you the chance to choose your styles, colors, and designs. Plant choices are immense and provide an opportunity to build your own colorful works of art. When you think about it, plants and pots provide a unique look to any area and allow for ever-changing options in design and color.

In addition to color advantages, they are excellent choices for disguising unappealing items or areas, such as wall outlets, drain pipes, and drain pipes.

Furniture Pieces can also add an exquisite effect to any space, but usually not if it is weathered, rusted, discolored, or washed out. Paint should bring your older furnishings back to life and save you money, while taking away the color fading, the discolorations, the deterioration, and plenty of other likely unappealing factors. Paints are available in various types and there is most likely several of them that will work for your furniture. Aside from that, replace your cushions and add some flair to your outdoor environment.

Get Rid Of Odors in Shower Towels

Sat, 17 Aug 2013 12:18:20 GMT

Once you've thrown a load of towels in the washing machine, you go to throw them in the dryer and discover that they have a smell to them. You're too busy with house cleaning to deal with smelly towels, right? You begin to think that your dryer will eliminate the odor, once the towels are dry. But suddenly, you discover that it didn't do the trick. Unfortunately, the dryer did not solve the problem and the odor is still there.

You may have attempted to wash them more than once before tossing in the dryer, but it didn't seem to eliminate the problem, right? No matter how many times you wash those towels, no matter what type they are ; the residues that get left behind build up. Every time they get washed, regardless of getting dried or not, the residue continues to build up. The buildup prevents water from penetrating deep inside the towels, which turns into missed areas that odors (bacteria) like to hide.

Don't toss your towels away because there is an actual way to renew them to almost new condition. Why waste all that money when you don’t have to?

This nifty tip begins with washing in hot water. Use a cup of vinegar as opposed to detergent or fabric softener. Only use vinegar given that laundry room soap or fabric softeners can conflict with the vinegar. When finished, do yet another round in hot water. Just as before, do not add any laundry detergent or fabric softener. For this round of hot water, add half a cup of baking soda. When the clothes washer is done, toss the rest room towels in the clothing dryer. Once the clothes dryer stops, you will get great smelling bath towels.

Take note that if problems still persist, the washing machine is most likely at fault. In that case, you will need some clothes washer freshening treatment. They are acquirable at most of the suppliers who offer automatic washers and frequently can be bought in tablet form. Stick to the freshener operating instructions completely, since this is not a regular wash cycle. Check your manufacturer's guidelines or instructions to ensure proper use. You can usually find instructions for your washer on the manufacturer's website.

Making Your Home Feel Like a Beach House

Wed, 31 Jul 2013 12:23:24 GMT

Summer is half over, but if you’re not ready to let go of that feeling just yet, get the housekeeping done, then consider adding some beach décor to your home. How can you do that without going overboard?

The trick is to add a beach feel to your standard elements and to dress them up with small, subtle pieces.

1. Colors. When it comes to paint colors and fabrics, look for colors that remind you of the beach: blues, greens, sandy tans, and white.

Balance them out with each other: if you use a bright color on the walls, use neutrals for your furniture and pop with accessories. Or switch it around: paint the walls white and add an accent wall and brightly colored furniture. As you choose colors, think fresh and light.

2. Fabrics. You will want to choose fabrics that let it light and are breezy and airy. When the sun shines through sheer curtains, the glow it will give your home will feel like you just came in from the beach.

Choose fabrics that are softer in color and, especially for curtains, light material, as well. The idea is to let in as much light as possible to give a feeling of freshness throughout.

3. Décor. This is where a thoughtful, light hand can achieve a lot. It’s tempting to just grab seashells and jars filled with sand and seagulls and fill the room with them, but avoid the temptation.

Instead, choose a few of those elements and add them alongside other items. Add a jar of sand with a candle next to a stack of books, for instance. Tie a rope around a vase and add some fresh flowers on a mantelpiece or end table. Adding beach-type elements subtly alongside other décor will give your home the beach feeling you want without feeling overbearing.

Enjoy the summer décor all year long by adding some beach flair to your design.

Before You Show Your Home

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 12:29:02 GMT

If you’re selling your house, your home will see a lot of potential buyers! Before they come in the door, there are some things you can do to help your house give just the right impression.

Start, of course, with a clean house. Visitors to your home want to see it in good condition so they can more easily imagine themselves living in it—if there’s not much time for cleaning on your schedule, hire a maid service to keep it looking welcoming.

Once the house is clean, try these four things that will help sell your house (and for the full list, check out Girl Loves Glam! ):

1. De-clutter. When you sell a house, what you really want to sell is space. The best way to do this is to de-clutter your space as much as possible. File papers away, remove odds and ends and big groups of knick knacks to give as much openness as possible.

If your house is full of furniture, you might want to put some of the pieces you don’t need to use right away into storage to show off more floor space. Also, don’t forget to hide any toys!

2. Open doors. Opening the doors gives visitors a good, open impression of the house. Additionally, it makes the full layout easily accessible to anyone considering whether or not to buy it. When they can walk through the house with no hindrance and no surprises, they will feel like they’ve seen the “big picture.”

3. Lights! It’s been shown that potential buyers walk away with a more positive impression of a house when it is well-lit, so before your house is shown to a buyer, turn on all the lights (even closets and bathrooms!) and open all of the curtains.

Light makes a house look fresher, cleaner, and more open, all great qualities for someone buying a house!

4. A Great Smell. Cleaning the house goes a long way in helping it smell great, but you can take extra steps by putting an open box of baking soda in the fridge and in drawers or closets.

You can also sprinkle baking soda onto your carpets, let them sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up to remove odors from your carpets. Leave a (unlit if you aren’t going to be home!) scented candle, diffuser, or plug-in if you want—something neutral, light, and clean-smelling is best, don’t go with anything overpowering.

These extra things can help make your house much more appealing to potential buyers!

Three Clever Decorating Projects for the 4th of July

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 12:42:09 GMT

It’s almost Independence Day, and in a beautiful sea of red, white, and blue, it can seem hard to come up with an original idea for decorating. However, there are some great ideas that can go a long way in making your party look decorative and creative, and they aren’t too difficult.

If you’re looking for a last minute idea, try one of these :

Easy Floral Centerpiece

This one is a piece of cake to throw together, and will make your tables look put together and elegant.

Put several cut white and red roses into a bowl or vase, then add two small American flags. Tie a red, white, or blue ribbon around the vase—and that’s all you need to do! The centerpieces will look like you spent a lot of time on them, but you don’t have to.

Bottle Cap Wreath

Looking for something a little more crafty? Try this. Spray paint bottle caps in red, white, and blue, then glue them to a Styrofoam wreath, available at your local craft supply store.

Add a ribbon to the top for hanging and suddenly you have a custom patriotic wreath you made with just a little bit of work.

Edible Decorations

This is a fun idea for any party—decorations that contain food!

Take two glass containers and add red, white, and blue candy to the bottom of them. Top them off with fruit kabobs or marshmallows on a stick ready to be roasted.

When the kabobs are gone, the guests will still have candy there to eat!

Clean This! A Few Things That Are Often Overlooked

Sun, 30 Jun 2013 12:34:58 GMT

There are a lot of things in your house that need some cleaning, but how often do you remember some of the stuff you don’t readily see? Maid services play a big role in keeping your house clean, but there are a few places you might want to hit between cleanings .

If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned one of these, now is the time!

House Plants. Yes, believe it or not, your house plants quickly and easily collect dust. Thankfully, there’s an incredibly easy way to fix this: carry your small plants to the bathtub and turn on the shower (on low). This will help wash of the dust and you can do several plants at once.

Not to mention that your plants will probably enjoy the “rain!”

Lamp Shades. They sit there on your lamps, unassuming and decorative, but they, too, collect massive amounts of dust. Take a lint roller to them to get dust and debris off quickly and easily.

While you’re at it, take a microfiber cloth and quickly wipe down the bulb and the base—that way, your lamp will be completely dust free.

The Doors. When people house clean, they often forget things like doors—you get so used to seeing them you forget that they are like any other surface in your house, and in fact, harbor quite a few germs on the door knob in addition to fingerprints on the door itself.

A quick dusting with a microfiber cloth is often all it takes to get the door looking great again!

Staying Clean Once You De-Clutter

Wed, 26 Jun 2013 12:46:56 GMT

Earlier this week, we looked at how to de-clutter your house and keep it more organized. Once that’s done, house cleaning is next, and there’s a few steps you can take to make it easier for yourself.

It starts with organizing what you have and then tackling the cleaning tasks that need to be done on a regular basis. Ready to get started?

A Place for Everything. Once you’ve gotten rid of your clutter, it’s time to make sure everything you have has its own home. Find sensible places to put the things you own and whenever you use an item, put it back where it belongs.

It’s a simple step that might take a little bit of practice to habitualize, but it will be worth it as, over time, your house stays neater and cleaner.

Tidy Daily. This step will save you a major amount of time and effort and make bigger cleaning ventures much, much easier. Once or twice a day, grab an empty laundry basket and walk from room to room. Whenever you see something out of place, throw it in the laundry basket.

When you’re done with every room, walk back through, putting things where they go.

Save Cleaning for the End. Wait to do your sweeping, mopping, dusting, and vacuuming until the very end. This ensures that you won’t be adding any mess to cleaned areas.

For the same reason, always work from the top, down. The last thing you want to do is drop crumbs from the counter you’re cleaning onto a freshly mopped floor!

It might take a bit of doing and re-doing to get into these habits, but once you do, you will enjoy a tidier house every day.

Keeping Things Organized at Home

Sat, 22 Jun 2013 12:55:17 GMT

Houses are unfortunately well-equipped to collect things, and more often than not, homeowners find they have many more things than space! This can lead to clutter and a messy house, so one of the ways to make your house cleaner is to get rid of the clutter.

Regular maid services help keep dust, dirt, and germs at bay, but there is more you can do if you’re starting to see clutter creeping into your space. If you aren’t sure where to start, try this:

Ask Questions

People often hold onto things without giving it much thought, so as you clean, take a look at your things and start asking yourself questions:

Why am I keeping this? Is it sentimental? Is it necessary?
Am I going to use this again in 6 months? A year?

When it comes to sentimental things, it might be a good idea to take a picture of it and start a scrapbook or gallery wall of precious things rather than keeping things you don’t use in boxes around the house—this way, you can display your memories for everyone!

Sell/Donate Frequently

One of the biggest culprits of clutter comes after a good decluttering, when you have boxes or bags of things you plan to donate or sell. It can be easy to say, “I’ll take care of those later,” and put them into a corner where they ultimately become more clutter.

Take care of this quickly by selling and donating the minute you get done cleaning, and then every few months after that.

The best way to do this is to create a “Give Away” box, and whenever you come across something you don’t need, put it in the box. As soon as the box is full, drop it off!

Shop Less & Use What You Have

Impulse buying is the enemy of a decluttered house. It’s so easy to justify buying something without thinking through exactly where it will go and how it will be used.

One way to handle this is to limit shopping by using things you already have. For instance, if you are changing the colors in your living room, maybe you can repaint or reupholster one of the chairs you already own to match.

You can also repurpose items: that shoe organizer you don’t use much that’s hanging on your closet door might be better suited for holding craft items at your desk. The bedside table might become an end table, or the vintage chest may become a coffee table or bench—it takes a little bit of imagination and effort, but you can come up with some amazing things!

How to Clean Cast Iron

Thu, 30 May 2013 13:08:31 GMT

If you own a cast iron skillet, you likely know that it can be both a cook’s greatest dream and house cleaner's worst nightmare if you don’t know how to clean it. From cornbread and pork to frittatas and steak, cast iron cooks a lot of things exceptionally well.

Unfortunately, the seasoning process means soap and soaking—the most common method for getting rid of stuck-on food—shouldn’t be used. How can you clean your skillet, then ?

The Magic Ingredient

The best thing you can use to clean cast iron is actually already sitting in your kitchen cabinet—salt. Here’s how you do it:

Step #1: Rinse the pan off as well as you can in hot, hot water. You can use a soft sponge to get off as much of the food particles and grease as possible.

Step #2: Create a paste of salt and water. Put this in your pan and scrub the pan with a soft sponge. The salt will act as an abrasive without scratching the pan or ruining the seasoning.

Step #3: Remove the salt. Using the sponge, pull all of the salt out of the pan and into the trash. The grease will go with it!

Step #4: Re-season. For an already seasoned cast iron skillet, this is easy: a clump of shortening on a paper towel rubbed around the inside of the pan is enough.

If Your Pan is Brand New

Seasoning a cast iron skillet is extremely important for keeping it in great condition for years to come, but it doesn’t take a lot of work—only a little time.

Get a large amount of shortening on your paper towel and rub all over the skillet, inside and out. Then, put it in the oven at 350 for and hour. Turn the oven off and don’t touch the pan again until it’s cool.

That’s all there is to it! Do you use cast iron? Do you love it or hate it?

Two Great Tasks You Might Not Have Thought To Do

Wed, 29 May 2013 14:08:58 GMT

The to-do lists you have laying around are likely incredibly long, and there's always something to add to the list! As spring cleaning comes around, you might find yourself adding sorting the closet and cleaning the pantry to your regular list.

When your list is long, a lot of things unfortunately slip through the cracks. The best way to avoid this is to get help where you can, like taking the laundry to a fluff and fold service and hiring a maid service .

The kinds of things that get lost on the list are those things you don't routinely do or think about. Here are a couple of those tasks that might have you asking, “When was the last time I did that?”

Mattress Care

Keeping a mattress feeling fresh and comfortable requires a little bit of care, but most homeowners rarely think about the condition of their mattress unless there's a problem with it. A little attention could make it much more comfortable!

Prevent those problems with these straightforward steps:

Flip the mattress. Flipping every 6 months keeps the wear on your mattress more even so your bed lasts much longer and stays more comfortable.
Sprinkle it with baking soda and let sit. Baking soda absorbs odor and moisture, often bringing germs and dirt with it. It needs to sit for an hour or two to draw moisture up through the mattress, though.
Vacuum the mattress. Using the upholstery attachment, vacuum the entire bed to get the baking soda, and accompanying germs out!

Light Fixtures

How often do you look up an dnotice how badly your light fixtures need cleaning? Probably not often enough to make it a priority, but light fixtures actually ttract a lot of dirt and small insects.

To clean globes and sconces: put them in the dishwasher or wash them by hand in the sink. It really is that easy!
To clean ceiling fans: use a pillow case slid over the fan blade and pull it back towards you, dropping the dust into the pillow case. Then just dump the pillow case and wash.
Th clean chandeliers: Your best bed is a microfiber cloth, some warm, slightly soapy water, and a little bit of time. Shine the crystals and rub the cloth over the metalwork. Do this with a towel on the floor to catch wayward dust.

While everyone's already in the midst of spring cleaning, these last few steps can make your house even cleaner!

How to Have a Clean, Beautiful Shower

Mon, 27 May 2013 13:13:11 GMT

Whether you shower in the morning to wake up or shower in the evening to relax, there’s nothing quite like stepping into a clean, fresh shower. However, no one likes to clean the bathroom!

Maid services do a great job cutting down the amount of bathroom cleaning you have to do, but to have the best shower, there will still be some to do. Use these tips to make your shower great all the time.

Dry out the shower. When you finish, take a towel and dry the walls, or turn your vent on and run it for a while to remove excess moisture. This will reduce soap scum build up and prevent mildew, two things you don’t want in your shower!

Use a sponge. Especially if you have a porcelain bathtub, you can actually ruin the finish if you use anything that will scour the tub. Instead, use a soft sponge or cloth. This way, you’ll get a great clean, a good buff, and protect your tub.

Clean from the top down. This is true anytime you clean: when you work from the top down, you prevent moving dirt to areas you’ve already cleaned. As you clean the shower, work from the highest point down, then rinse out the bathtub when you’re done.

Throw the shower curtain in the washing machine. Many shower curtains can be laundered like anything else, making cleaning it a lot easier and also making it possible to wash it more frequently. This will both reduce germs and make your bathroom look great all the time.

First-Time Decorators: Some Tips for Getting Started

Thu, 23 May 2013 13:24:45 GMT

If you’ve never decorated your space before but you’re ready to start, it can be intimidating. Patterns, colors, balance, structure—there are a lot of separate components to consider when decorating.

If you want to jump in and get started, these tips should help and make your space perfect for you !

Build Confidence: Start Small

When you’re first trying out decorating, starting in a bathroom can let you experiment with style and build confidence. Because the space is small and not a primary room in the house, it’s less risk and you can feel free to try new things.

What styles do you like? What colors? What patterns? Now is the time to take a close look at all of those things and try them in the bathroom!

Balance Your Colors

One of the mistakes new decorators often make is lacking balance in the color scheme. If you’re using an overly warm color, you’ll want to balance it with a cooler color. For instance, you can use red as an accent when you balance it with a cool color like white

If you’re really ready to play with color, find a color wheel that will show you colors that are complementary. That’s an easy way to color coordinate and balance when you aren’t sure how to use color.

Keep it Simple

If you know you want to start using colors but you aren’t quite ready to jump into matching yet, there’s a simple way to use color that will keep the room looking elegant: use one color in different shades and with neutrals..

For instance, if you want to try blue, paint the room a light shade, then accessorize with a darker shade and some white. The room will look pulled together and elegant, and you won’t have to worry about the colors not looking right.

Planning Your Spring Cleaning

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:29:46 GMT

Is it too early to start spring cleaning? Even if you aren't ready to start cleaning in the still-chilly weather, planning what you're going to do for your spring cleaning is not a bad idea. Planning for cleaning might seem silly, but planning is what makes maid services so effective.

The idea behind spring cleaning is to clean things that don't normally get cleaned during your everyday chores. When you think in those terms, which things are most important to you when you start your cleaning? Prioritizing ahead of time will make you feel victorious as you achieve each of your goals!

Ideas to Get You Started

If you aren't sure where to start with your list of priorities (like this one from Clean Mama), walk through your house, and try to see it with an extremely critical eye. Look at the areas you normally avoid. This will help give you an idea of where to start that's really going to matter to you.

Here are a few places to look as you inspect your house:

Dust on light fixtures, ceiling fans, the tops of bookshelves, the TV, or cabinets.
The carpet or condition of hard floors.
HVAC vents.
Doors and windows.
Baseboards & molding.
Sinks.
Light switches and outlets.

Quick Guide to Cleaning

If you just want to jump in and get started, that's great! In 5 minutes, you could be cleaning if you know which tools and techniques will serve you best.

A bottle of vinegar, a box of baking soda, and a microfiber cloth are going to be the best things for handling almost any mess. Dirty hard floors? Vinegar and water make a great floor wash that both breaks up dirt and disinfects.

A microfiber cloth with a bit of vinegar and water will take care of baseboards, molding, doors, and windows. Baking soda sprinkled down the drain becomes a cleaner and deodorizer when you pour vinegar over it.

Grab a vacuum for the carpet and furniture, and you're already halfway there—even if the temperatures don't yet feel spring-like, your house will!

Get Everyone Involved in Deep Cleaning The House

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:29:10 GMT

There's tidying, and then there's cleaning. Most of the time, kids don't have much of a problem cleaning (though they certainly might tell you otherwise!), but they turn on full resistance when you ask for their help manually cleaning.

It's spring cleaning time, and everyone in the house can get involved—the trick is to make it more interesting and less stressful.

If you're really behind, maid services will be your best bet to get caught up, but you can also try these tips to get the house clean:

Pick Your Job. This great idea from 365 Days of Cleaning for school-aged kids: write individual tasks on sticky notes, stick them to a door, the wall, or the refrigerator, and let each member of the family pick a they want to do.

Take Scheduled Breaks. This will help both you and your other family members. Knowing that there's a break time coming makes cleaning easier and less overwhelming. Time the breaks beforehand and let everyone know what to expect.

The best method is to set a timer. You can make cleaning and rest time as long as you want, but we suggest either 1 hour of clean/30 minutes of rest, 40/15, or 30/10. Break it up in a way that works for you and your family best.

Split Up. What ends up badly in horror movies does wonders for cleaning! Rather than all staying in the same room on the same task, split up the tasks. This will help each person focus only on their task as well as getting more of the house cleaner, faster.

Eventually everyone's probably going to have to do a task they don't like, but being able to choose means it's more likely you'll get to do several you don't mind doing!

Three Citrus Fruits That Can Clean Your House

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:41:08 GMT

The next time you go to the produce section of your local grocery store, you might be shopping less for your favorite salad and more for your house cleaning needs. There are a lot of benefits to using natural cleaners, and some of the toughest hitters aren't found in bottles—they're found in the fruit aisle!

Lemons, oranges, and grapefruits all have unique ways of helping you around the house. Grab some at the grocery store and try out these neat tricks:

Lemons

Hard water stains are notoriously difficult to tackle, but a couple of lemons can clean every hard water spot in your bathtub. Cut the lemon in half and use it as you would a sponge. No cleaner needed, the lemon itself cuts through the mineral deposits that cause the stain. It takes just a little scrub and barely any time at all!

Stains on copper come off easily with just two ingredients: salt and lemon. Cut the lemon in half, sprinkle some salt on it, and start gently scrubbing in circles. The stain will be gone in no time. In fact, lemons can be used on all sorts of stains, from food stains on your counter to oil stains on your clothes!

Grapefruit

Grapefruits are the one-stop bathroom cleaner. Take two or three grapefruits into the bathroom, cut them in half, salt them and clean the whole room:

Bathtub cleaner that cuts some of the toughest bathtub rings.
Shower cleaner that takes on soap scum and water stains.
Sink cleaner that tackles stuck-on toothpaste with ease.
Counter cleaner that removes stains or soap residue.

You'll never look at a grapefruit the same way again, especially when your bathroom smells like fresh citrus all day!

Oranges

Oranges are a common favorite fruit, but they're also great household helpers in their own right. Their biggest household help involves keeping creepy crawlies away:

Ants. It's one of the only proven, completely natural ant killers you can get, and it even works on highly resistant fire ants. It's the orange oil that does the killing, so you can either buy orange oil and mix it with water or puree orange peels with water to get an oil extract.

Pour the mixture into and over the ant bed, and say goodbye to your ant problem.

Moths. No one likes the smell of mothballs, but no one likes moths eating up their clothes, either! This solution solves both problems: take an orange and put studs of cloves into the peel. Hang it up in your closet or put it in your chest to keep your clothes moth-free.

Defining the Different Styles

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 13:45:34 GMT

When you're reading about interior design, there are a lot of words thrown around to describe different styles. You might have a broad idea of what one or another style looks like, but it's hard to nail down exactly what it is without putting some kind of definition on it.

Since many homeowners who worry about housekeeping also worry about decorating, it's a good idea to take a beginner look at what the different decorating styles actually are.

Contemporary Style is marked by clean lines, but not harsh. Furniture is usually focused on basic shapes and is lower to the ground, and color-wise, it tends to fall to solid neutrals and muted colors broken up by splashes of much bolder colors throughout the room. This might include an accent wall, accessories, or other decorative items spread throughout the space.

As you get more comfortable with the style, you can start using accent colors to tie in other rooms to make your entire home feel unified while still being distinct.

Country Style is both classic and rustic. It combines the familiar, homemade, quintessential country style with classic elements to make a chic but comfortable space. You'll often see whites complemented by florals and soft colors that are contrasted with bright red or pure black accessories.

Handmade and rustic looking items are extremely popular for country style homes, including both furniture like natural wood tables and chairs and accessories like pottery and baskets.

Modern Style is a step beyond contemporary, going more minimal and removing traditional decorating in favor of sleekness. You'll see mostly neutral colors and polished and chrome. Furniture and accessories are likely to make their statements based on the material from which they're made and the geometric and asymmetry of each piece.

What kind of style do you have? Which one of these do you think would appeal to you most?

Two Great Green Cleaning Ideas

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:52:36 GMT

There are so many great things to try when it comes to green cleaning. Everything from the materials to the solutions to the processes can be shifted. Microfiber cloths, for instance; can take the place of paper towels. As for solutions, vinegar is an old favorite, as is baking soda, but sometimes you need something to fulfill a specific house cleaning task.

These two ideas will give you great solutions that hit particular areas you might need help addressing when it comes to green cleaning!

High Gloss Shine

Not sure what you can use on the chrome, glass, or polished countertops in your home? The solution couldn't be easier! Combine vinegar and lemon juice—that's it. Then treat it like any other cleanser for a clean disinfect and high-powered shine.

Use this for your bathroom fixtures, chrome and other metal accents, and even mirrors. Anything that needs as much shine as it does cleaning will benefit from this mixture.

Polishing Furniture

Finding a homemade green-cleaning recipe for furniture polish may be difficult sometimes, but this will have you polishing your furniture in no time:

Combine two cups of olive oil and one lemon and use it as you would normal furniture polish. The oil seals the wood while the lemon both cuts through dirt and germs and leaves behind a great smell. Your wood will be cleaner, smell better, and also have the freshly polished shine you love.

Cleaning green doesn't have to be a chore, just start small: one project a week, then expand it a little at a time!

The Importance of Organization Systems

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:17:52 GMT

Without a little direction, a family (especially with children!) can quickly make a mess in the house. From toys and school projects to cooking and work papers, there are so many things coming into and out of your home, it can be hard to keep up with it all.

House cleaning systems take the clutter and create a flow for it in your house. Some examples include mail sorting and how laundry works in your house. If you want more systems for organization but need a few ideas to get some them in place, here are some suggestions:

Laundry

Believe it or not, laundry is one of the biggest cleaning systems you have in your house . Even if it's unintentional, you have a place (or places!) where dirty clothes start and a place where the clean clothes end up. Streamlining this system can make laundry day a much more pleasant experience!

Where does your family most often leave their clothes? If your children tend to throw their clothes on the floor in the bathroom, then that's where you should put a hamper. Help them get the hang of putting dirty clothes in the hamper. If you have older kids, you might want to get a separate hamper for each room.

Have a particular place for clothes before they're folded and set up a system for putting them away: will you put all the clothes away, or do family members need to come pick up their clothes? Delegating is a great way to speed up tasks!

Entryway

Setting up a place for your family to store things they need most when walking out the door will help with clutter going in and out. Give each person a basket or a drawer near the door to store keys, sunglasses, and gloves. You can also use this spot to sort mail: give each person their mail in their basket or keep a sorter to separate personal mail from urgent mail and bills.

Dishes

Dishes is probably the easiest system to set up, but might be the hardest to get everyone to comply! Whether you assign different people to wash dishes every night or encourage everyone to rinse of their plates and put them in the dishwasher after dinner, setting up a system to handle dirty dishes will keep your sink from overflowing and kitchen clean-up from being a disaster.

The important thing is to design systems that work for your family, so stick to what's best for you!

Some Great Decorating Ideas With Candles

Sat, 30 Mar 2013 14:58:35 GMT

Candles are a universal decoration and extremely popular. When there are so many people using candles, creative ideas start to turn up. Do you light a candle in its votive and leave it in your house? Do you use tall candlesticks?

When you're looking to do something different with your candles, try one of these cool ideas:

Colored Rice. Inspired by the spring season, one blogger created decorative candles by dying rice in different spring colors. It's an easy project:

Put a small amount of rice in a plastic zip bag.
Add a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol and a couple of drops of food coloring.
Shake and push the rice around until it's evenly coated, then put it out on a plate to dry.

There are a lot of ways to use this—candle beds like in this project are great, but you could also layer it or use it to coat the bottom of a tray and then place the candles on top!

Bundled Candles. Like the look of bigger, more elegant candles but not the cost? Here's a way to have an elegant looking candle for not very much at all!

Take 3 thin candles.
Tie them together with thick, sturdy ribbon.
Place in an appropriately-sized jar or holder.

You don't want to go with much more than 3 candles, otherwise your distinct flames will look more like a small torch!

Assorted Candleholders. You probably have a few different candle holders of assorted shapes and sizes. Have you ever thought of putting them altogether in one display?

Get the right candle for each holder, then put them all in the center of a table for a bold centerpiece. The asymmetry of the sizes and shapes will make it look creative and unique!

Neutral Walls: Like a Blank Canvas

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 09:26:45 GMT

If painting is on the schedule for a room in your house, don't rule out neutrals . More and more people are trying brighter, bolder colors on the wall, but even if you choose to go neutral, your room can still look dynamic and interesting: it's all about seeing your neutral walls as a blank canvas and playing off of them with textures, patterns, and strong decorating.

Here are a look at the popular neutral wall color choices and some ideas about decorating with them:

White tends to give off two feelings: tranquil or cold. To keep it tranquil, go with a light and airy feel in the room. Soft elements, natural details, a strong color used as an accent (green or blue for a calmer room, yellow or orange for a more lively room), and natural light will give it an open, light feeling. On the other hand, you can go for a little more modern edge by heavily accenting a dark color like black or gray to contrast with the white walls.

Gray can actually be an extremely elegant color for a room, and if you play other colors off of it, can look beautiful and welcoming. To go for a more luxurious look, play off the gray with white and add some shine: fabrics with sheen, subtle metallic details, and strong lighting will make the room look rich. For a softer room, introduce a blue, green, or light yellow to the room—but keep the strong lighting!

Brown can be used in any room with almost any combination of colors, it's that versatile. Keep the tones natural with rich chocolates, tans, and creams for a earthy feel, elevate it to a crisper room with white, or play off of its natural hue with bright orange, dark red, or sunshine yellow as accent colors.

Black is a dramatic color—there's no way to make it not dramatic, and that's okay! If you're ready to add in black, be careful not to make the whole room dark. Bounce off the black walls with white and black for a classic look, add some edge with silvers and reds, or soften it with lighter blues, greens, and purples. Either way, a black room is going to command attention

Quick Guide to Post-Remodel Clean-Up

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 09:32:17 GMT

Remodeling a room is a lot of fun: designing to creating to the finished product, it can be a rewarding process. Unfortunately, your remodeled room doesn't clean itself, so let's take a look at a few ideas for cleaning after your remodeling .

The biggest problem is dust and debris brought in, created, and stirred up during the remodeling. In a focused dusting beyond your normal house cleaning , work on the areas that need dusting the most, starting at the top of the room and working down:

Light Fixtures & Vents:

These are common hiding placed for dust and need some attention to get clean again. Wipe the vents down with a damp cloth or one spritzed with vinegar. Clean the light fixtures, including ceiling fans, and remember that you can put glass globes and sconces in the dishwasher.

Walls:

You shouldn't need to do too much, but like any other surface, remodeling debris could settle on the surface. Freshly painted walls should be carefully dry dusted, but otherwise, clean your walls as you normally would. Remember to dry to prevent water damage and mildew.

Vacuum:

When you get the vacuum, start with the furniture before moving on to the floor. Dust and dirt particles can get trapped in the fabric and cause allergies, or if there's moisture, mold. Make a couple of good passes over the floor to make sure you've gotten all of the dust that fell while you were cleaning.

When your room is remodeled and clean, you'll feel right at home. Can't wait to show off your newly remodeled room but don't have time to clean? Maid services have you covered.

The Art of an Area Rug

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:38:48 GMT

How do you feel about area rugs? Do you think of them as a design tool or do you only use an area rug at the door to catch dust and make house cleaning easier? Some professional decorators shared with HGTV their ideas for how to incorporate area rugs into room designs .

Below are some favorite tips from practical to artistic!

Buy for the Room & Your Life

When you decide to buy a new area rug for a room, there are an awful lot of things to consider: size, shape, color, and fabric. But there are two important things to keep in mind, as well:

You, your family, and your lifestyle.
The room in which you'll put the rug.

If you've got children or pets and this rug is going in the dining room, you probably want a sturdier rug, one with short, tight fibers and built-in stain resistance. If, on the other hand, you have older children and the rug is going in the living room, soft plush is a great choice.

Design Tips for Area Rugs

As you're choosing your rug, the options and ideas are a bit overwhelming. Who even knew that many people were designing rugs? Here are some tips for using a rug well in your design:

If the room is mostly neutral or light colors, go with something bold. A distinct pattern or color in a neutral room will create a focal point.
On the other hand, if a room is already bold, vibrant, or full of patterns, opt for something neutral to pull the room together and make it comfortable.
Leave a bit of a border around the outside to create a framing that makes the room feel cozy and pulled-together.
Don't be afraid to work in the opposite direction: find a rug you love and design your room around it!

The best thing you can do for any of your area rugs is keep them clean—on both sides! If your time is short, ask cleaning services for help.

Is House Cleaning Causing Arguments?

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:57:22 GMT

An online survey conducted by Just Eat recently discovered that splitting house cleaning chores ranked almost as high as money issues in reasons married couples argue —wow! Why all the fuss?

There are likely a couple of reasons, from stress over the house being clean to competition between the spouses, or even just different cleaning styles and expectations.

Just as interesting, “laziness” as it relates to house cleaning ranked behind only one other vice for reasons to avoid getting into a relationship with someone.

How to Prevent the Problem

Keep reading for a couple of great tips for dealing with being fair about cleaning:

· Discuss it at a time when you’re both calm. Trying to figure out who should be responsible for what when you’re both still angry is only going to lead to more stress and hurt feelings.

· Come up with a plan. Decide together how to break up the chores. Discuss your strengths and weaknesses—maybe you love to fold clothes, but your spouse prefers washing them. It’s okay to split up tasks to play to each others’ strengths.

· Stick to it! Avoid the temptation to do your spouse’s task. If they forget, gently remind them. And make sure you do your job before you worry about what they haven’t done yet!

· Hire a maid service . If it will save you discomfort, frustration, and arguments, invest in a service to help keep the house clean without undue stress on you or your relationship.

Who knew house cleaning was such an issue? Now it doesn’t have to be!

Why Didn’t I Think of That: New Uses for Old Things

Wed, 30 Jan 2013 09:50:18 GMT

Why Didn’t I Think of That: New Uses for Old Things

Have you ever seen something in a magazine or a friend’s house that seemed so simple and common sense, you were surprised it had never occurred to you before? That’s what this is all about. Take a look around your house—there are things sitting right in front of you that will solve little problems or serve wonderful functions in your house.

These are three favorites inspired by 50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things :

1. Chalk. In addition to being a favorite of teachers and kids, it’s also excellent at absorbing moisture. There are plenty of applications, but the two best are first, to keep silver from tarnishing, and second, to deodorize shoes.

The next time someone in your house takes off their smelly shoes, drop a couple of pieces of chalk in them. The chalk absorbs the moisture and the smell that comes with it. Unfortunately, there’s not much the chalk can do for stinky feet.

2. Tissue Boxes. If you have a plastic grocery bag collection being threatening to spill out of a drawer or closet, an empty tissue box works wonders. Just stuff the box with the plastic bags and then pull them out one at a time, just like you would a tissue!

3. Mousepad. If you have a padded mousepad (this doesn’t work with the plastic-coated versions), you can turn it into a trivet for your counters. No more hot pots on your delicate surfaces or hunting for pot holders or towels—just set your pot down on the padded mousepad.

A few brilliant ideas for reusing old items goes a long way in organization and cleanliness on a dime.

Five Decorating Mistakes

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 10:13:11 GMT

Do you enjoy taking the time to decorate your house? Maybe you plan out every detail, or just adjust your home’s look as the mood strikes. When the housekeeping is done and you’re ready to decorate, here are five decorating mistakes to keep in mind before you start:

Visible Clutter

Clutter catches your eye the moment you walk into someone else’s house, but you might be used to it in your own home. Try to look at your house as if you were a stranger visiting. What stands out? Where do you see clutter? Focus on those areas, and everything will look instantly better.

Dirt, dust, and a dirty carpet are also things guests seem to see, so find some local cleaning services to help you out. A clean house looks instantly better.

Using Things You Hate

If you have a design element you hate, don’t keep it because it’s popular or your friends enjoy it. It’s your house—you should be happy there with every aspect. If you hate something, get rid of it and replace it with something you do like.

Uncomfortable Chairs

No one wants to be stuck sitting in an uncomfortable chair, but sometimes people buy furniture without testing it. Take a minute in the store and have a seat—can you imagine sitting in it for a while? If not, look for something different.

Fear of Color

Bright colors can be intimidating, it’s true. You don’t want your house to look mismatched or garish—at the same time, don’t be afraid to experiment! You can check the internet for ideas or consult with a friend who has a good eye for color to find the right combination that works for you.

Ignoring the Entry

First impressions matter, even in your house. Take those few steps in the door as an opportunity to introduce your house. Pick a few items that reflect your style and how you want your guests to see your home.

For the full list of HGTV’s 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, click here !

How to Make Your Bedroom Look Cleaner in Seconds

Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:24:04 GMT

At the end of a long day, there’s nothing better than walking into a clean bedroom and sinking into a bed with clean, cool sheets waiting just for you. On the other hand, coming home to a cluttered room doesn’t only interfere with your relaxation, it can even cause stress.

Regular house cleaning has been proven to reduce stress levels, and that includes your bedroom. When you’re in a hurry, it seems much easier to pull the door closed and forget it exists for a while. Even if time is short, though; you can have a cleaner bedroom.

1. Make the bed. A made bed pulls a bedroom together. Talk about an instant transformation, making the bed in your bedroom does it. If you don’t do anything else before you walk out the door in the morning, do this step. Most maid services make the bed for you, too.

2. Declutter your bedside table and dresser. These are small surfaces and lend themselves well to a 15 second declutter. If you do this every day, it might be even less! Put things away in the baskets or drawers in which they belong and throw trash away—in no time, the surfaces in your room look nicer.

3. Put away your clothes. Whether it’s dirty clothes on the floor or clean clothes folded on top of the dresser, put them where they belong. Piles or stacks of clothes around a bedroom make it look cluttered, and it doesn’t take long to dump the dirty clothes in the hamper or put the clean clothes in a drawer.

4. Clean up your trash. Like making your bed, this is an instant makeover. If you have any trash in your room, throw it away. Trash is an instant indicator that tells someone a room is dirty. Even if it’s only your subconscious that notices it, it will affect your mood, so go ahead and throw it away.

In just a few minutes (and as you make it a daily habit, seconds) a day, you can come home to a cleaner bedroom.

Common Kitchen Cleaning Problems & How to Solve Them

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 10:18:56 GMT

Some house cleaning problems keep coming up because everyone has to deal with them at some point or another. When faced with that unmoving stain or sticky grease, it can seem like you’re doing it all wrong.

Getting cleaning services in your home can help put you on the right track, and here are three problems you’re likely to run across and what to do about them.

Greasy Microwave. You open the microwave and…ugh. If you’ve got food stains or grease sticking to the walls of your microwave, there’s a straightforward solution you’ll kick yourself for not thinking of sooner. Cut a lemon in half, put it in a bowl with water, and microwave it for 10 minutes. The lemon cuts through grease and the steam created by the boiling water loosens food particles. Remove the bowl when the timer goes off, then just wipe out the microwave with a cloth—it will be as good as new, and your whole kitchen will smell like fresh lemons.

Stuck-on Food. That casserole you made last night was delicious—the crust stuck to the bottom of your dish? Not so much. When hot water, soap, and sponges just aren’t doing the trick, skip scraping the bottom with a spatula. Instead, wet the bottom of the dish, sprinkle with baking soda, and let sit an hour or two (overnight for a really bad case). When you come back, the food will come off without much work. It’s dish washing magic!

Plastic Container Stains. The kids love to eat spaghetti leftovers, but they leave your plastic dishes looking a little rough and very orange. Removing a tomato stain from a plastic container is hard, but preventing one is extremely easy. Before you throw that pasta sauce or chili in a plastic container, spray it with cooking spray. It creates a barrier and the sauce comes out without staining your dish.

The more tips and tricks you can add to your house cleaning arsenal, the easier your house cleaning will be!

Great Last Minute Gifts

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:45:00 GMT

Now, right in the middle of the holiday season, is about the time last-minute gift buyers start looking for gifts. Are you a last-minute shopper or did the holidays sneak up on you this year? If you are racking your brain trying to find gift ideas for those hard-to-shop people in your life, here are three ideas to get you started.

Unique Gift Cards

Lots of people give gift cards to restaurants and stores, but people give gift cards for services less often, even though they are a great idea. Who doesn’t want maid services to do the housecleaning? And now, some utility companies even provide gift cards, letting you help someone with their electric or water bill—I bet there are quite a few people who would be happy to see that in their stocking!

Homemade Gifts

Even if you aren’t the craftiest person, the internet is full of easy crafts and gifts you can make yourself. From ornaments to snow globes to treats , you can find something that even the least crafty person can make for everyone on your list, and they will appreciate the time you took to make it!

Charitable Donation

If there’s a cause someone on your gift list cares about deeply, then a charitable donation in their honor may be the perfect gift. Some charities are set up to provide a card, certificate, or plaque for a gift in someone else’s name, but if that’s not available, make your own, announcing the amount given, which charity it was given to, and in whose name the donation was given. A gift that actually keeps giving is hard to beat.

The best thing you can do for your last-minute shopping is this: don’t panic! Take a deep breath, think it through, and you will find something wonderful for everyone on your list.

Are You Prepared for An Emergency?

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 10:51:26 GMT

The winter months have officially moved in, and with them may come deep snow, blizzards, and ice storms that can knock out power or trap you in your home for a few days. If this happens when you’re unprepared, it can be terrifying, but with just some preparation, you can feel confident that you are ready for any winter storm.

First thing’s first: a messy house in an emergency becomes a serious problem. Getting in and out of a messy house should you need to evacuate or if you need to be rescued can be a hassle and even dangerous. Keeping your house clean through regular housekeeping or maid services is just as important as any other emergency preparation step you take.

With a clean house, put together an emergency kit and keep it in an easy-to-reach location (and one that you will remember!). If you don’t know what should go in your emergency kit, read on for some ideas to get you started.

Basic Emergency Kit Staples

First Aid Kit (buy one or make one using this guide )
Non-perishable food
Bottled water
Emergency candles
Matches
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Blankets
Battery-operated radio
List of phone numbers of family, emergency services, and utility companies

It might take a little time to build up your emergency kit, and that’s okay. The sooner you start, though; the better. Don’t forget to check your flashlight and radio to find out what size batteries you need to keep stocked, and check them occasionally to make sure they work.

Being prepared for anything keeps you and your family safe no matter the situation, and knowing you have a plan in place is a big relief when the weather turns bad.