decluttering

At times you get lazy, and the house looks like a mess. But, you need to get up from your couch and start doing the dishes sooner or later. If you had superpowers, you could clean the house in one go. Sadly for us mortals, we are not born with any supernatural abilities. Therefore, one must spend time cleaning, cooking, doing the dishes, and more. All these chores can take a lot of valuable time. This time could be better utilized if you could do the work faster. Worry no more! Continue reading this article to learn practical tips to clean the house faster and better.

Compartmentalize

How do you eat a whole turkey? The answer is one bite at a time. When you have a huge task at hand, it becomes daunting. You start procrastinating and push the actual work further and further away. But, not starting the work itself can lead to anxiety and tension. Therefore, you are still thinking of the unclean rooms and the piled-up dishes at the sink; you cannot enjoy leisure. So, instead of avoiding or delaying the process, just dig into it and start the work.

Divide your work into sections and focus on one section at a time. You can start with one room, finish cleaning the room and then move to another room in the house. Or a better plan might be to divide your work according to specific tasks. For example, you can gather the clothes that need washing from all the room. Then you start dusting the rooms. Separate tasks such as washing, dusting, cleaning, and more.
You cannot take on a huge project and expect to finish the same in a short period. Do not expect to clean the whole house in one day; it is absurd. Instead, divide the workload into days. You may also distribute the work among your children and spouse. Make sure everyone completes their job, and voilà! Your job is done.

Hire Help

There are different reasons for hiring help to do domestic work. Some people are on a deadline as they expect guests soon. So, they want the house to look good before the guests arrive. Some people are not physically fit to do the work all by themselves. And then again, there are people who believe (and rightfully so) that their time may be better utilized in doing other work. Whatever the reason is, you will find help available.

Some work like cleaning the Air Conditioning needs an expert handyman. It is not physically possible for you to clean the ventilation system of the whole house. One may look for nearby expert cleaners to come over and do the work for them. For example, if you live in Arizona, you may browse Arizona air cleaners to get help.
Hiring help will allow you to receive expert service while saving your valuable time. Make a list of chores you want to be done and communicate your wants and needs to the cleaners. If there is a tough spot you want them to clean, make sure you tell them. The cleaners are always willing to work more for extra hourly pay and a generous tip.

Real Estate

6 Ways to Increase the Value of Your Home

April 20, 2022

Chloe Taylor

Nothing can give you more fulfillment than having your own home. It makes you feel proud and relieved to have the house of your dreams where you can live a joyous life with your loved ones. Taking care of your house by renovating or remodeling it increases its resale value and helps you maintain it in good shape. Although, the value of your property depends on different factors, including the home’s location. But making upgrades over time is also essential to uplift the value of your home. Improving the overall appeal of your home often can help you to get desired selling price in the future if you want to sell it.

When it comes to improving the worth of your house, you have to pay attention to different areas. It would be best to consider different factors, from upgrading rooms’ paint to installing security cameras.

Without further ado, let’s find out how you can increase the value of your home.

Install Pedestal System

There are plenty of options available to enhance the value of your home, and installing a pedestal system is one of them. It is a system adjusted on varying heights by using the integrated concrete foot to balance the uneven surfaces for paving purposes.

You have to do proper research in your city or state to find the quality service providers for pedestal system installation. For example, if you currently reside in Auburn, California, you may consider taking the services of pedestal system auburn ca. It will save time and effort by consulting the service providers nearest to your current location.

Installing a pedestal system gives you different benefits. It improves the drainage as there is a gap between pavers installed on pedestals. Also, the pedestal system ensures the surface leveling of the floors. If all your outdoor areas are leveled, it can boost your home’s value. Therefore, installing a pedestal system is crucial.

Install Security Cameras

The finest way to elevate the value of your house is to strengthen its security by installing security cameras. You can install Wi-Fi-enabled CCTV cameras to monitor your home 24/7. It gives peace of mind to homeowners by allowing them to easily keep an eye on their surroundings.

Wi-Fi-controlled home security cameras help in surveillance through smartphones. You need to install the relevant mobile application and scan it through your home security camera system. It helps you to observe your home from any part of the world. With such a solid security system, buyers will be willing to pay you the desired price without much argument.

Clean and Declutter your Home

According to a statistical study, decluttering your home can increase its resale value by over $4,000. It would be best to understand that buyers prefer clean and clutter-free homes. If you are not in a rush to sell your home, you may declutter your house by keeping the unnecessary stuff in a storage unit.

Cleaning and decluttering may sound easy, but it takes time and effort. You have to start from the minor areas of your home, such as closets and cabinets, to ensure that everything is well-organized and cleaned. You may also have to clean out your drawers to ensure that you are not keeping anything you do not need.

Install Electric Gates

Electric gates give your home a refined look and ensure safety by protecting it from trespassers and intruders. A high-tech entry system is integrated into gates that also works as a foolproof security system. It also allows you to integrate a code lock with a fingerprint, incorporated number plate, or facial recognition. Manual gates do not provide you with such privilege, so you should consider having electric gates that increase your home value big time. It is always good to strengthen the safety and security of your home to avoid unforeseen circumstances and happenings.

Enhance your Home Look with Fresh Paint

As a homeowner, you should know that paint works like magic that can improve the worth of your home. It would be best to upgrade your home’s interior and exterior with fresh paint. It will give your home an updated look that is surely a treat to watch.

When you are about to begin repainting your home, you must first analyze the rooms with odd color schemes. For example, if the bedroom of your 11-year-old daughter has a hot pink color, then it could be the right place to start. When choosing the paint color, you have to stick with something basic such as shades of off-white or cream color. Please keep it simple while repainting the home, as you will save your hard-earned money and uplift the overall feel of the house.

Install Smart Gadgets

In today’s technological era, you can upgrade your home by installing different smart gadgets. It not only increases your home’s worth but also helps you to save energy and cost. For instance, installing smart and programmable thermostats lets you control your HVAC systems. It adjusts the temperature automatically even when you are not at home, which helps to reduce energy costs. You can choose gadgets as per your needs to give your home a futuristic look and increase its worth.

Conclusion

Investing in your home is the best investment that you could ever make. It improves your home’s feel and overall look and boosts its market value. It would help if you understood that needs of every home are different, so you have to assess your home and take steps accordingly. Some homes might need a repaint, while some need decluttering. Think hard before upgrading to your home, as it might not come cheap.

Hope this article is of great help and gives you a gist of things you can choose or do to upgrade the value of your home in an easy and hassle-free manner. The upgradation should not be overwhelming for you; rather, it should be seamless and soothing. Happy Reading.

Cleaning

Are You Tripping Over The Clutter In Your Home? Here’s What You Can Do

August 5, 2020

Chloe Taylor

Cluttering is a significant issue in our lives, and we ought to try everything to curb or curtail it, but it doesn’t seem an easy job. Every day, we plan to declutter our home and make it pleasant and aesthetic to look at, but it keeps getting worse. Every time we run an exclusive drive to clean it all up and bring things in order, we face an uphill task. It is not that we do not succeed at all, but the problem continues to recur. Perhaps, it is due to the reason that we need to develop a deep understanding of the issue.

The first step towards resolving the issue is to understand that it is not a problem but a mindset. We tend to think that we are not hoarding any things in our home while we are. Secondly, we delay it to a considerable extent, which only multiplies it. By the time we realize that it is a mess, it is often too late. Having this comprehension will allow us to deal with the issue realistically and practically.

Once we figure out why clutter is accumulating in our home, it’s time to move to the second phase of the solution. It is imperative to understand that whatever we do, we cannot remove it on a prolonged basis. If there is garbage that we are tripping over it, we need to get rid of it. There is no alternative than to call a professional service to do that.

Luckily, every state facilitates and encourages this process. For instance, in Pennsylvania alone, there are some 45 landfills to dispose of municipal waste. If you live in the state’s largest city, you may call junk removal Philadelphia for the cleanup. Let’s now look at the next phase of the process, which is related to keeping it clean daily through various measures.

Taking Complete Control

The first and foremost that everyone experiencing clutter wants is regaining control over their home. As a homeowner, we must know what sort of confusion we are generating and how we can start to manage it. We should remember that we should never opt for a delaying tactic ever. As soon as we produce waste, we should put it in its designated place. There should at least be three boxes for hazardous items, disposables, and reusable, respectively. It is essential to eradicate the habit of tossing the trash away randomly or habitually to make this happen.

Giving or Donating

The second prominent method to dispose of regularly is to learn to give it away or donate it to the needy. The fact is that clutter disposal is persistent because we rarely attach a sense of purpose to it. If we can think about recycling positively, to benefit someone, things will be more comfortable. When we start doing it, stuff like old clothes, cutlery, or interior items may no longer rest in our home. However, doing so requires that we carry out a regular inspection of what’s wearing out and what isn’t. Another way we can do that is to give away old items as soon as we shop for new ones. This approach will help negate the accumulation in the first place.

Getting Rid of Smaller Items

Another smart way to make sure we do not accumulate garbage or unused items is to get rid of all the smaller things. It cannot happen unless we develop a habit of doing so on the spot. For instance, if your work relates to generating a lot of paper trash, you may buy the equipment. Every time you produce it, dispose of immediately using the trash machine. The good part is that this isn’t just beneficial for the decluttering drive, but also to conserve trees. A seemingly small gesture can help play a role in saving the climate.

Adopt an Organized Method

One of the mistakes decluttering aspirants make is they confuse storage with the organization. In doing so, they end up piling up garbage or unwanted items. So, if you have been cluttering, you should start undoing it soon. However, it’s essential to organize items through proper distribution, as detailed earlier. The second important aspect is to maintain a schedule to take the clutter to task spontaneously.

Final Word

Garbage and clutter accumulation is a massive and worrying issue, and it should be dealt with accordingly. The key is to dispose of, distribute the items as and when they emerge, so it never piles up and multiplies. Remaining organized and adhering to a maintenance schedule is the secret to a clean, charming home. However, if you are experiencing a massive clutter already, don’t delay calling a professional service. That’s the only way to deal with the problem immediately.

12 Surprising Ways Clutter is Ruining Your Life

July 10, 2017

Our homes are our refuges. They’re providers of respite from external stress and chaos. Home is where we retreat after a long day, to sit back and watch our favorite series or cook a healthy dinner. In an age when we’re constantly plugged in, it’s crucial to have a physical space in which to breathe and mentally unwind.

Attaining peace of mind is difficult, though, when our would-be havens are actually anything but. This is also an era of accumulation, after all, where impulse buys are available at the tap of a button.

As a result, clutter has an unfortunate tendency to conquer our homes and transform our surroundings. Dwellings morph from sources of relief to causes of anxiety. It’s difficult to cook a nourishing meal when the fridge is crammed with wilting veggies. And you can’t exactly recline on the sofa when it’s covered with last week’s laundry.

Sounds familiar?

Maybe it’s a fear of letting go that’s preventing you from donating unworn items in your closet. Or perhaps you’ve accrued a morning blindness to a collection of chipped mugs in the cabinet. Either way, piles of stuff can quickly convert to clutter, preventing you from attaining total tranquility.
Not convinced that stack of tissues is standing between you and mental clarity?

Have a look at this intriguing infographic from full-service storage company MakeSpace (here’s their website). It details the hazards of over-accumulation, which range from safety threats to relationship stressors.

Cleaning

Golden Rules of a Clutter Free Life

March 1, 2016

Do you sometimes feel like you are drowning in garbage? Or that you cannot simply rid your home from all the unnecessary things? I, for once, had an issue with hoarding all kinds of things that were only piling up and making a huge mess in my home. My hobby gear like airsoft guns, camping supplies and kids toys took so much space. After I have decided that it is truly time to make some changes in my life, I realized that the first step towards a clean mind is a clean house. If you too have an issue with a cluttered and messy house, I recommend taking a peak at these miraculous rules for a clutter free life:

Do Not Put Off Until Tomorrow…

…what you can do today, right? Train yourself to be a responsible adult and do not procrastinate when it comes to cleaning and putting things away. No matter how tired you are, make sure not to hold off your duties until the next day, as this can quite simply turn in a regular routine.

The Best Memories Are Kept…

…inside your head and not inside your home. I had quite a trouble with grasping this idea, until I realized I cannot hoard every little object someone has given me. As hard as it was, I decided to make a photo shoot of all my precious belongings and memories and I keep those photographs in one photo album, that takes just a small amount of space in my bedroom.

Categorization Is The Key

If there is one rule you should follow thoroughly then it is this one. The key to a successful organization is categorizing everything. Group things according to relevance, priority, similarities or whatever suits you and do not forget to mark them. See-through containers and labellers saved my life!

Keep It Functional

This rule is based on one simple question: “Do I need this?” Sometimes it becomes quite hard to part with certain items, but in order to live a clutter free life, it is important to think in a practical and functional way. So before you decide whether you should keep it or not, ask yourself does it really serve any purpose to you.

Use Your Storage Wisely

There should always be a specific space in your house reserved for storage. Of course, make sure to make the most of this space. There is no point of having a storage facility that will not be functional. So keep in mind that even your storage space needs to be organized and tidy.

Minimalism Is In

One thing that helped me a lot when I started organizing my life was all the modern and contemporary designs that were becoming quite popular in the world. So I decided to try this new minimalistic trend, so I asked the local rubbish removal experts for some advice of ridding my house from all the unnecessary trash and clutter. And you know what? It works like a charm!

Go Digital

Another great thing about this internet era is that it can help you a lot when it comes to storing files, documents and all other important paperwork. Before, there were papers scattered all over the place. And now, I simply rely on the good old digital storage to keep my files organized for me.

Be Charitable

In the end, it is important to ask yourself if perhaps there is someone out there who needs those things more than you. Be charitable; do not hesitate to do a good deed and help someone who needs it.

So these are my magical rules of leading a clutter free life. They worked for me, so I surely hope they will help you organize your life as well.

Cleaning

Cleaning Up After the Holidays

December 29, 2015

We spend joyful time with our family and friends during holidays, but that seasonal shine can disappear quickly when we face with the consequences: house cleaning after guests leave, after removing decorations and all other traces of holidays. Restoring everything to its original state and taking your home back can be a difficult task, but we have a few smart tips that will help you.

Christmas tree

Carefully remove the tree, if it is not a natural, place it in its packaging. Nothing says Christmas is over like an empty corner where your Christmas tree used to be; so fill that place with a lamp or a plant. Wrap New Year’s lights around the empty paper towel tube, in order to prevent them to get tangled. Wrap the cord around the tube, and put the plug inside it. If you threw away original boxes for your Christmas tree ornaments, you can put them in used cardboard boxes. Place layers of soft paper or some other material between ornaments to avoid damage.

Carpet or furniture stains

Check your carpets and furniture, there might be stains on them. The longer they stay, the harder it will be to remove them. If you notice stains, apply a mixture of warm water and a mild dishwashing liquid on them. Cover the stain with a paper towel and continue to spray that mixture and pat with paper on the stain until it is removed. Rinse the spot with clean water, wipe it again and let it dry.

Odors

Unpleasant odors are necessity after holidays. If you are a smoker or you had guests who smoke, you know how unpleasant odor cigarettes can leave. If your house smells like an ashtray, you need to do something about that. One way to remove the odors is to pour vinegar in a small bowl and place it in a less visible place, because vinegar has the power to absorb odors.

Sometimes odors are coming from the drain of the sink. When this happens, put the baking soda down the drain, and pour alcohol vinegar over it. This mixture will make foam. Leave it to react for ten minutes and pour boiling water into the drain to rinse any accumulated dirt.

Fingerprints on stainless steel

Home Appliances made of stainless steel shine nicely, but this material is an excellent surface for fingertips and other visible marks. To quickly clean the stains and fingertips from your stainless steel fridge or sink, use the olive oil. Apply small amount of olive oil on the clean rug and go over the fingertips and other marks, you will be surprised. It is a Christmas miracle!

Play the music

House cleaning can be tedious. You will be surprised how much faster cleaning goes if you are in a good mood. Play your favorite music (preferably one that has an energetic fast pace) and get to work.

Let your children help you

Kids of all ages can help with household chores. You should make a list and share all duties from picking up the toys to a garbage disposal.

When you remove all traces of holidays from your home, reward the whole family with a dinner (in a restaurant of course, cause you don’t need more cleaning) or go to the movies, it’s completely ap to you.

Home Improvement

Gettting All that Storage Space You Need

November 3, 2015

Lillian Connors

Regardless of how many closets or boxes you have, regardless if you have a storage unit or not and regardless of the size of the home you live in, you never seem to have enough space. This is something that bothers many people out there but this raises a question that has a simple answer. It is not about the space you have, it is how you use it and it is not about the room, it is about organization.

Sometimes, a thorough cleanup is a solution, but sometimes you simply cannot throw something away for sentimental reasons or for hope that you will use it again. By organizing yourself properly and by utilizing your home, you can ensure that you always have a spot to lay down your favorite things that you unfortunately no longer use.

Using the top shelf

Convenience is mother of laziness and laziness creates problems. Top shelves are a great addition for your home and their storing value is great indeed, however some people still find them inconvenient. Everything is about perception actually, it is easiest for us to store things in places we can easily reach and to most people and top shelves seem too high up. If this is also true in your case just add a step stools to the mix. Apart from being extremely practical, top shelves can also be a great aesthetic addition to your bedroom.

Reversing the space

This idea is almost as innovative as it is daring. Just think about it: how much room do you actually need for your office? The answer to this question is simple as well, your office are your computer and your mobile device since this is where most of your business takes place. Why not create an office in your closet and free the space in your room. In this manner, you can successfully utilize your living space and have enough room for everything.

Space bags to the rescue

There are some things that you hope to use again but you do not need right now. In this case, it would be best to vacuum-seal them in a space bag. This way, you will not only preserve them for when you need them again but also save a lot of room storing-wise. By packing them like this, you will be able to store them anywhere you want since they will require only a portion of space that they usually take.

Under the bed

In order to solve your storage problems, no solution should be off limits. You need to utilize every bit of space that you have in your home and this means even the places you never thought of before. For example, items in the aforementioned vacuum bags can easily be stored under the bed. The same goes for bags or even some accessories with wheels like rolling carts.

Organizing, organizing, organizing

As we already mentioned at the beginning, it is not about what you have but how you use it. There is a great probability that you already have enough storage space but don’t know how to use it most efficiently. Investing in some hangers, adding wall hooks on an empty spaces and corralling items according to a pattern are just some of the tips for organizing your closet. It is always better to have an unlimited imagination than to have an unlimited space.

If it seems as if you cannot fit everything into a box, it is perhaps time to start thinking out of it. The possibilities are endless, all you have to do is find them. This way, you will not only solve your storage space problems but also have some fun along the way. A world is your oyster so let your closet become your playground, a place where you can express your creativity and ingenuity.

Interior Décor

Declutter And Harmonize

April 16, 2015