Home Organization Tips Archives - Page 4 of 5

Children’s Room Interior Design Tips

March 30, 2014adminBedrooms, Home Organization Tipsbedroom remodeling, decorating, DIY projects, home organization1 Comment

Design Tips For Your Children’s Room

There are many ways you can keep your kids room vibrant, well-organized and inspired. The following tips will give you some great ideas you can use to handle this in a more creative way:

• First of all, you should keep in mind that colors play a huge part in the overall ambiance of a room so; in this case, you might want to stick to the more soothing hues. You can work with colors such as lavender or soft, warm colors. These will help your kids sleep well and relax when they’re not running about the place.

• You can put up a sturdy piece of art or a favorite photo of you and your little ones and finding a cool frame at a garage sale or resale shop. You can take a photo of a favorite place you’ve been together, enlarging it and cutting it to smaller pieces you can frame and then hang up on the wall.

• You can also use chalkboard paint to create a giant blackboard where your kids may draw with chalkboard or some washable markers. You can see if you can buy some re-purposed school lockers to add to the corner or you could just go with a less school-oriented furniture piece.

• You can also create a nice reading corner for your kids complete with their own bookcase, a good light and some comfy seating.

• Buy some frames and use them to showcase the best art works of your child in their room. This will serve a dual purpose of function and decoration, as they will have a chance to feel your pride in their creations.

• You can use a number of organizers with multiple pockets to hang on a closet door. This will help your kids store their trinkets and smaller objects without having a huge number of them on display around the room or on the floor, ready to step on.

• You can help improve the storage closet by installing a mirror, light boxes and some magnetic boards. These will help with their projects or just having fun in general.

• Your kids will also need a nice and comfortable study space where they can deal with their homework in peace. This will greatly help with school in the long run.

• You can stock a number of cubbies with any supplies your kids may need at school or at home. These will allow them to access everything with ease, while at the same time keeping it simple and even mobile when needed, depending on what the cubby looks like. One with pull-out bins would be excellent for this situation.

• Try getting creative and make your own DIY storage solution. Whether its bins made of something you have at home or another way, it can be a fun project for you to enjoy with your kids.

For further tips visit: Chiswick cleaning services

5 Tips For Making Your Move a Smooth One

March 28, 2014adminHome Organization Tips, Tips for homebuyersDIY projects, home organization, MovingLeave a comment

New Home — Source: www.aspenrentalsmn.com

Buying a home is one of the most thrilling experiences in a person’s life. However, moving into it is another story entirely. Moving is stressful. There is no way around it. First you have to find boxes to pack your stuff in, then you have to pack everything you own into those boxes. Then you have to carry all those boxes and your incredibly heavy furniture out to the moving truck. Then you have to drive to your new home – that could take minutes or days! Then you have to carry all of that stuff back inside. After all that, you still have to unpack and organize your home. That’s a lot of work! Enough to make anyone want to run the other way, but you just bought a new home, and you are going to move into it. Don’t worry! It will be over sooner than you think. In the meantime, here are five things you can do that will help make moving a little less daunting.

1. Start Early

Usually we find ourselves scurrying around a day or two before a move putting things into boxes. This creates unnecessary stress, and it can mean that your things aren’t packed carefully. Start a couple weeks ahead of time and pack up everything you don’t absolutely need for the coming weeks. Take extra care packing china. Get storage closets packed up and make sure there is nothing lurking in the backs of drawers, under beds, or behind the couch. A week before your move you can pack up the kitchen dishes and most of your family’s clothing. You can live on paper plates and microwave dinners for a week, I promise. Sort out the clothes that you will need for the week and pack up everything else. This way the day before your move, there won’t be much left to put in boxes.

2. Label Everything

Label every box as soon as you finish packing it. Make sure the label clearly states what is in the box and which room you want it to go in. This way, no matter who takes the box out of the truck, they know which room to put it in. Make sure the labels are easily visible. It will save you tons of time sorting out which rooms the boxes go in later.

3. Enlist help

Call your dad, your sister, you best friend, and your neighbors over to help you out. Don’t feel bad about it. The more people who help, the faster and easier it will be. Just remember to help them out the next time they move.

4. Confirm your moving day schedule

If you are moving out of a rented place, make sure you know what time your final walk-through is. If possible, leave someone behind to go through with your landlord after all of your things are out. Also, it is a good idea to send someone ahead to the new house and have them make sure they can unlock the doors easily. If you are not getting the keys until you arrive, then double check the time for key pick up with your Realtor or previous owner. Send someone ahead for this if you can. Have this person open all the interior doors in the house. It will make dropping off boxes and arranging furniture so much easier.

5. Clean before you move–in

Home buying can be a dirty process. If at all possible, clean your new home before you start moving things into it. If you cannot physically get there to do it, try to arrange to have a maid-service come in and clean before your arrival. The last thing you want to do after a long day of moving is clean the bathroom, so you can take a shower. Plus, you don’t want to try to put things away in a dirty kitchen. It’s an extra step, but one you will be happy you took.

Managing That Mess of a Garage

February 13, 2014adminHome Improvement Tips, Home Organization TipsDIY projects, garages, home organization1 Comment

Ah, the garage: that all-purpose locker with seemingly less space for cars and more for old bikes, tools, boxes of junk and lawn chairs. If you can barely wade through your garage without navigating a sea of toys, garden tools and deflated basketballs, it’s time to organize the mess and get back on track!

Start Fresh

Your first step is to clear everything out of the garage and onto the driveway or lawn. As you do so, make a pile for items you want to keep, a pile for garbage, and a pile for donations. Once the garage is cleared of all junk, do any necessary cleaning such as sweeping and power washing if the floor is in bad condition with oil spills and the like.

Purchase cabinets, clear bins and racks for storage and place these along the walls. Consolidate like items on one rack or bin and clearly mark or label each bin for easy identification. HGTV says storing like items together can help you streamline your household routines.

Install decorative hooks near the doorway for hanging jackets and lay a waterproof mat on the floor for placing wet and dirty boots. If this all seems too overwhelming to you, hire a professional organizer to come into your garage and do this job for you. He or she will have experience organizing large and small rooms using as much usable space as possible.

Properly Store Hazardous Materials

Chemicals, paint and auto fluids can be dangerous in garages. Because so many people store things like pesticides and anti-freeze on floors or shelves in garages, curious children or pets can find them, sometimes with disastrous consequences. The DIY Network recommends storing hazardous substances in their original containers, placing them on high shelves or in locked cabinets. You may not think road salt and ice-melt can be a hazard, but if pets get into them, they can get very sick or even die.

Avoid storing your gas grill in the garage, as propane is combustible. If it leaks, it’s invisible, yet one simple spark — even from static electricity — could ignite it. To be safe, store your grill at least 10 feet away from the side of your home.

Clutter Solutions

Control the clutter in your garage by using all available space. Look beyond the four walls of your garage and create more levels by using durable shelving and plastic storage products. For heavy-duty objects, such as tools and equipment, install a durable shelving unit that’s easy to assemble yet can hold up to 50 pounds each. Buy some storage totes for toys and sporting equipment and install hooks that anchor into the drywall. These hooks can hold 30 pounds of weight, or 70 if screwed into a stud. Convenient track systems with adjustable hooks are ideal for hanging anything from hoses to bikes. By using all four walls in all ways possible, you can quadruple your space.

Tackling your messy garage isn’t just a one-time thing: you may need to de-clutter it on a regular basis. Keeping on top of the mess before it gets out of control is key.

This article was provided by Chase Roberts, home and garden expert and design consultant. If you’re interested in breathing new life into your garage and want to start with the door, Chase recommends you contact Houston Overhead Door for garage door service in Houston.

4 Steps to a Clutter and Pest Free Basement

December 23, 2013adminHome Organization Tipsbasement, health, home improvement, home organizationLeave a comment

A cluttered and disorganized basement can be a particularly frustrating prospect for any homeowner and there are a number of problem pests that are all too willing to take advantage of these unkempt conditions. Nevertheless, it is all too easy for rubbish to pile up and attract unwanted guests, but by using these four steps you can make your cluttered property clean and tidy once more…

Understand the Benefits of a Clutter-Free Space

The first step to salvation is understanding why your home’s condition is a problem. As we mentioned, one of the major issues found in many cluttered properties is pests which can turn a once happy home into an unhealthy place to live. Pests like rodents, cockroaches and insects carry disease and can cause respiratory problems and other health complaints if infested areas are left untreated. Decluttering and disinfecting these affected areas can dramatically reduce pest problems.

In addition to pests, there are other health effects of living in a cluttered home. Cluttered basements tend to put you and other family members at risk of falls, whilst the excessive clutter and heightened levels of dust and dust mites can exacerbate respiratory problems, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Decluttering your home will also reduce stress levels, creating a clear space for you to enjoy with friends and family members for years to come.

Focus on the End-Result

Letting go of years of clutter can be a particularly traumatic experience, especially if you are a compulsive hoarder. However, focusing on the end-result and what you can achieve in your new, decluttered basement will ensure you start off your clear out with extra vigor and full commitment. Remember that your home needs to be functional as well as risk and pest free for you to truly enjoy it. For many people, it helps to put pen to paper before starting the decluttering mission; this will enable you to acknowledge the challenge your basement or any other room within your home presents.

Decluttering just in time for Christmas is also highly recommended and will make light work of finding those decorations and other festive treats that become hidden under the remnants of last year.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Asking for help from a professional is always recommended if you are dealing with a particularly large mountain of mess within your home. Salvage experts can be a real help, whilst enlisting a qualified pest controller to handle any pest problems you may have head on is essential to getting your home back to a clutter and pest free condition.

A Few More Tips for Conquering the Clutter

When it comes to controlling your cluttered home, always start slow to ensure you handle every room as effectively as the next. Sticking to the mantra of throwing items out that you haven’t used in the last year is also advisable when curbing your hoarding obsession. Reserve a small box for items that you are really unsure about whether to throw out or not; revisit this in six months and if you still haven’t used this, let it go without any regrets at all!

This post was written by Brittany Thorley from Cheshire Demolition UK, one of the nation’s leading salvage and reclamation companies. They assist hundreds of homes every year in their decluttering mission!

Do you need help with your basement? If you live in the lower Westchester, NY region, we can help you get more organized by renovating your basement and adding walls to create new storage areas. Be sure to give us a call at 914-576-2572 to schedule your free in home estimate. – Gary B.

How To Clean Window Blinds

September 24, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Organization TipsDIY projects, home improvement1 Comment

Window blinds cleaning is a truly tricky subject as it’s an intricate process of removing dust and possible stains, spots and even grime, abhorrent in nature and with a molecular structure tough to remove from the almost unreachable places the polymer shades landscape presents. It is truly one of the greatest challenges to tackle in the cleanup field, but difficult, as it may be, the good news is that getting rid of the genuinely vile physical contaminants from your window covers is not impossible if you’re intimately familiar with the methods that have proven themselves as the most effective cleansing techniques ever conceived of by man. If you are facing this unpleasant state of affairs and you have remove the particles causing aesthetic distress to your window blinds, then you’ve come to the right place as I will share some unquestionably useful tips with you and enable you to handle this undoubtedly troubling situation with grace and finesse. Prepare for a spectacular performance of epic proportions.

Step 1: Gathering supplies

It is a universal albeit obvious and banal truth that every great journey begins with the first step and as you venture into a world of cleaning objects as delicate as your window blinds, you need to be well prepared and equipped in order to face the inevitable complications that will arise along the way. Keep in mind that this will be no walk in the park, especially if you’ve left the situation blow out of proportion by following its natural course, which is, of course, accumulating dust and dirt until your shades start screaming for help.

The supplies you will need are as follows: a cotton glove (it can be substituted with a microfiber cloth but sadly will not be nearly as effective due to access restraints; this is one of the few exclusionary situations where cotton is better than microfiber for cleaning), a vacuum cleaner with a soft duster brush attachment (this is a really useful contraption that will let you remove a large portion of the accumulated filth without compromising the integrity of your blinds), window cleaning product (or alternatively a solution of lemon juice or white vinegar and water in a 4 to 1 ratio), and last but definitely not least – paper towels.

Step 2: Preparing the field for cleaning

If you have any curtains, this is the time to either remove them for washing, or better yet if you’re not feeling in the mood for multitasking – tie them up so they obstruct the otherwise hard enough to reach locales of the individual slats. Once you’ve achieved this minor and fairly undertaking, you should prepare yourself for the next course of action you will have to take in order to reach your objective – the complete and utter cleanliness of your window blinds.

Shut the blinds down like you have something to hide, which I dare say is indeed the case if you haven’t tended to the needs of your polymeric window covers in more than two weeks, attach the extension I mentioned above to your vacuum cleaner, after which slowly and carefully try to remove as much of the accumulated dust as possible. Upon completing this action, reverse the blinds and repeat, then restore them to their original shut down position.

Now put on the glove and slowly wipe each and every individual slat with proper care and caution. Then reverse and repeat. While you are cleaning, try to detect stains or other aesthetic obstructions and use the window cleaner or water/vinegar (or lemon juice) mixture to remove them. Don’t spray the blinds directly – instead spray the glove. Apply caution! If you have wooden blinds, then by all means, skip this step. Finally, wipe them dry with the paper towel and your mission should have been a success if you’ve carefully followed my instructions.

Author Bio: July Minor loves to share her experience on topics about cleaning and home improvement. She works as a manager at http://www.topdomesticcleaners.co.uk/domestic-cleaner-south-east-london/ and thanks to that she has so much knowledge on cleaning topics.

We love sharing July’s articles! They’re always informative and written in an entertaining way!

Bathroom Cleaning Tips

September 13, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Organization TipsDIY projects, home organizationLeave a comment

You may not realize this yet, but people who come to your home, whether they are friends or relatives, will judge you based on everything they see. From the entry way and your living room, to the bathroom, all of the surroundings will make an impression, even if that person doesn’t want it to. It’s not going to happen because they are judgmental (although some of them might be) but because that’s how we naturally function – we notice aspects of places and situations and based on those observations we draw certain conclusions. It’s not a conscious process but that doesn’t make it any less relevant. My point is that if you want to leave a good impression on people who visit, you have to do your best to keep everything clean and tidy. Usually the bathroom causes the biggest troubles, so I will give you a few tips on how to clean it better.

Knowing is Half the Battle

In his magnum opus “The Art of War”, Sun Tzu states that in order to win every battle, you must both know thyself and thy enemy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that cleaning your bathroom is a battle. I’m saying it’s a perpetual and ongoing war and if you want to stand a chance, you must employ elaborate tactics and plan things accordingly. Before you act, you must plan. Before you plan, you must know. What is so important that you need to know? It is the fact that you can’t win this war. But you can win every battle by simply being persistent and smart about it. Let me elaborate. Your bathroom is one of the rooms in your home that will get the messiest the quickest. It’s small and used by many people on a daily basis. That’s why waiting for it to get nasty means you will have to spend that much more time and energy on cleaning it. However, since you already know that’s going to happen, you will be able to counteract it. What most people don’t see is that cleaning your bathroom (or any other room, for that matter) before it’s dirty is actually much more beneficial. The whole cleaning process will consist of a few wipes and tidying up a bit for no more than five to ten minutes. Try it. You will win every engagement in your own terms instead of letting your bathroom dictate the rules.

Supply the Troops

I wasn’t planning on using a war metaphor for this article but since it works so well, I think I will stick to it. In order to win battles, your troops (that’s you) need constant supplies. You need your cleaning equipment in a close proximity to the areas you are cleaning. How can you clean your bathroom in ten minutes (even when it’s not really dirty) if you have to run around the house gathering your supplies. You can’t! But you can easily achieve it if you place them near the places where they will be needed in time. This means you will always have backup and you won’t have to waste time with logistics. You will be surprised as to how many battles have been won just because of better supply lines.

Consider the Terrain

The Art of War — http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3607/4563839366_765653816a.jpg

Sun Tzu is one of the first people who consider the terrain as being an important aspect of warfare (at least as far as literary accounts are concerned). What is it about the bathroom you need to consider? First of all, as I said, it is one of the smallest premises in your home. This means that there should be no excessive objects held there. Anything that does not belong should be immediately removed. This will make cleaning it much easier later on.

If you employ these tactics on a daily basis, you will find how easy it is to maintain a clean bathroom and leave good impressions on people who visit you. Also, “The Art of War” is a great read so I would definitely recommend it.

Author Bio: July Minor is really passionate about blogging. She loves to write different topics for home improvement. She runs a small cleaning company http://www.carpetcleanerlondon.org.uk/south-east-london/se21-dulwich/ and she really enjoy that. In her spare time she loves to read and take long walks.

Interesting take on cleaning your bathroom!

How to Make Moving Painless

August 5, 2013adminHome Organization Tips, Uncategorizedhome organization, Moving3 Comments

Even when you are looking forward to your upcoming relocation, moving can be stressful. However, with the proper tools, planning and organization, you can reduce your stress level and transition into your new home without feeling as if your entire world has turned upside down. Below are a few tips to make your moving process less stressful.

Hire Movers or Plan Ahead to Rent a Truck

If you can afford movers, it will save you the stress of renting a truck and taking multiple trips back and forth. Even if you can’t hire movers to move all of your belongings, see what the rates are just for moving your bulky, heavy pieces like furniture and appliances. You typically have two choices when you hire movers: hire them to pack and move everything or hire them to move everything (or a few large pieces) once it is packed.

Even if you hire movers to pack and move everything, many people choose to pack their valuables and sensitive documents in a few boxes and move them themselves.

If you are renting a truck for your move, be sure to make your reservation at least two weeks in advance. Don’t forget to check if the rental company provides or rents out dollies and straps to move heavy boxes and appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators.

Stock up on Packing Supplies

If you are doing the packing and moving yourself, there are many things you can do to remain organized as you pack. It all begins with purchasing the packing supplies you need to set yourself up for success. Some basic packing supplies are permanent markers, color coding stickers, box tape, bubble wrap, wrapping papers or newspapers, protective wraps/pads for large furniture. You will also need boxes in multiple sizes, including small, medium, large, wardrobe boxes and boxes designed for electronics, stemware and dishes.

Create a System

There should be a method to the madness when you are packing! Although you maybe think you will remember what you packed in each box, it is likely that you won’t. To help stay organized, you can create a simple system for packing:

Create a Packing Spreadsheet

You can make a simple Excel or Word spreadsheet to organize your boxes. The goal of this spreadsheet is to number each box and write on your spreadsheet its general contents. You don’t need to list every item in the box, but you do need to be fairly specific. Instead of typing something like “living room,” type “living room vases.”

Color Code Each Room

So that you and the movers know what room each box should go in when you arrive, color code each box and put two colored stickers each box: one on the top and one next to the box number that correlates with your packing spreadsheet. For example, you might choose green for kitchen, blue for bathroom, yellow for living room and so on. Try not to mix rooms when packing, but if you must, color code the box with two colors of stickers so you will remember.

Record a Video or Snap a Picture

For details that may be hard to recall once you get to your new home, record a short video on your phone or snap a quick photo. This could help you remember, for example, how you arranged your family photos on the wall, the order in which your vases and trinkets are on your shelves or which cord goes to what for your electronic devices.

Moving can be stressful, but with a solid game plan and some organizational tools, you can maintain a level of organization. You can unpack without the element of surprise when opening your boxes in your new home!

This article was provided by Chase Roberts, home & garden expert and moving master.

25 Blogs With the Best Packing Tips for Your Cross Country Move

July 27, 2013adminHome Organization Tipshome improvement, home organization6 Comments

Is moving ever a pleasant experience? In most cases, the answer is usually “no.” It takes a lot of organization, a lot of stress and, usually, a lot of money to set up your household on the other side of town. When you’re moving cross country, the situation is significantly exacerbated. Everything is ten times more expensive and ten times more complicated, and it’s just a necessary consequence of living the dream. You’re moving for a reason, though, otherwise you’d stay exactly where you are. Keeping that in mind, here are 25 blogs that will help you get from point A to point B with minimal hassle.

Packing for the Move

Packing is not something that you do the day before you move. It’s something that requires almost military precision, planned months ahead of the move. If you only have a short amount of time to pack and move, well, you will just have to work with what you’ve got. Regardless, if you don’t pack with care and due attention, you can expect months of deconstructing nameless boxes with who-knows-what contained within. You might even end up with a colorful mosaic where your prized China plates used to live. These are the perils of mismanaged packing, but you can avoid them by reading these five blogs.

Tying up Loose Ends

In the process of moving, most people don’t pay enough attention to tying up loose ends. Your credit cards, magazine subscriptions and other services will haunt you like jilted lovers if you don’t bring those relationships to a satisfactory end. Some relationships will endure at your new home, however, it’s up to you to either sever or maintain those once-important connections. It may not seem important when you’re concentrating on packing up for the big move, but once you get the first quarterly bill through for late fees, you’ll feel the pinch. Learn how to say “it’s not you, it’s me,” and make a smooth transition into your new life.

On the Move and Transportation

So, now you’re ready to hit the road. You’ve packed all of your old life into boxes and said all your goodbyes. What’s next? Well, you need to facilitate a way to get to your new home. However, transporting your possessions and loved ones is only part of the challenge. You’re moving cross country, so it’s going to be a long trip. Whether you intend on flying out to your new destination or taking a road trip, you should consider how you’re going to entertain the troops. These five blogs will help you decide how to best deal with the logistics of the move and how to get there in one piece.

Unpacking Tips

You may feel like you’ve been here before – only in reverse. Don’t be fooled, though, unpacking is a distinctly different discipline than packing. You will immediately need certain items when you reach your new home; coffee and headache pills are two popular choices. Besides which, unpacking is you truly staking your claim on your new home, so enjoy it. In these five blogs you will find the best tips on how to ease into your new environment.

Settling into Your New Home

Now that you’ve unpacked, it’s time to announce yourself to the world. Okay, maybe not the entire world, but your new town or city, at least. Get to know the neighbors, explore your new surroundings and find out where all the happening places are, if that’s what you’re into. If you’re feeling a little out of your element in your new home, turn to these five blogs for some helpful guidance and advice.

Contributor:

Jeralyn Nelson is a recent contributor for “housesittingjobs.com“. You can check out her recent contribution at one of her recently published article “http://www.housesittingjobs.com/blog/25-blogs-with-the-best-packing-tips-for-your-cross-country-move/“.

Common Moving Mistakes

June 12, 2013adminHome Organization Tips, Uncategorizedhome improvement, home organization4 Comments

Nobody likes to move but with a little planning and preparation you can make your next move as painless as possible. Here are some tips to get organized.

Plan Ahead

If you’re moving during a busy time of year—half of all moves happen in late spring and summer—book your moving company or your truck ahead of time. College towns see huge activity in early May and late August. Call them at least three or four months ahead of time. Otherwise, you risk having to use the cheapest company or paying your friends down the street in pizza to help move your possessions.

Get an Estimate

A moving company should provide you with an estimate. The estimate is based on the size of your home, the furniture you’ll be moving, and how far you’re moving. Ask at least three companies for estimates, and ask plenty of questions to avoid hidden fees.

Protect Your Valuables

A lot of moving companies won’t handle expensive or potentially dangerous items such as jewelry, weapons, alcohol, or gas grills. Plus, you would probably rather transport your personal documents, family heirlooms, and priceless items yourself rather than abandoning them in the back of a moving van. Leave room in your car or your suitcase for these items and make sure they’re insured if at all possible.

Clean BEFORE You Pack

Purge your home of accumulated junk. Go through the closets, the kitchen cabinets, the bathrooms, and the entertainment center looking for duplicates, unused items, broken and irreparably damaged items, clothes that don’t fit or that you haven’t worn in a year, outgrown toys, and other unnecessary items. Then make a pitch pile to toss in the trash and a donate pile to take to a local charity. If your home needs an especially thorough cleaning, consider getting a dumpster. Donate the rest of the items to a secondhand store or shelter. As a bonus, these donations are tax-deductible.

Keep Records

If you’re moving for your job, the cost of your move is tax-deductible, but you must keep thorough records of mileage, storage, gas, truck rental, and insurance. Otherwise, you’re likely to be subject to an audit. If your business is paying to relocate you, they will also want to see thorough financial records.

Pack Smartly

Don’t plan to put an entire bookshelf’s worth of books in a single box unless you have hired a bodybuilder to help you move. Many moving companies sell boxes with recommended contents and weights. Use those as a guide. If you’re packing-challenged, buy pizza in exchange for the help and advice of a friend or family member who can help you get organized. Strategic packing will prevent broken belongings, sprained backs, and chaos during the unpacking process.

Don’t Forget the Plants

Whether you only have one or two small potted plants or a whole indoor greenhouse, make sure you’ve arranged for your plants to survive the move. The lighting and climate in a moving van isn’t exactly hospitable to most plants, so make sure you have a plan to help your plants reach your destination safely.

Don’t Forget the Pets

A cat, dog, or guinea pig can’t exactly live in the back of a moving truck for days either. If your pet isn’t used to traveling long distances in a car or an airplane, make sure you have a motion sickness medication or sedatives on hand, just in case. Keep your pet’s papers and registrations with you at all times, particularly if you’re planning to cross state lines.

This article was contributed by Chase Roberts, home & garden connoisseur who’s experienced his fair share of stressful moves.

Tips to keep your home clean and clutter free

April 11, 2013adminDIY Projects, Home Organization TipsDIY projects, home organization, springLeave a comment

After a long winter, spring is finally in sight. Before the season is in full bloom and outdoor chores pile up, take advantage of spring showers to tackle the indoors first with easy home cleaning and organizing projects. To get your home in tip-top shape, start by breaking down your to-do list room by room, so you can create an easily achievable goal that will leave your house looking fabulous and you feeling refreshed.

Restore beauty in the bath

The bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, but it can also be the one with the biggest mess. Vanities often become a magnet for clutter. Everything, from towels to toiletries, curling irons to cotton balls, can take over this space and make cleaning a nuisance. Start by reducing your items. Marry any of your multiple containers of the same product into one container. Then, recycle the empty containers to create more space.

Once your cleaning is complete, add drawer organizers, baskets and other accessories to neatly store all necessities. Then add towel bars, robe hooks and shelves as they are easy, inexpensive and decorative additions to help prevent items from ending up on the floor or countertop.

Clean and clever kitchens

Next, move to the kitchen, a favorite gathering place … and one of the dirtiest rooms in the house. Begin by sorting through cupboards to weed out any unused products, such as specialized appliances, expired pantry foods and containers with missing lids. If it’s broken or hasn’t been used in a year, it’s time to get rid of it. You’ll instantly achieve valuable cabinet storage – as well as eliminate objects that collect dust and bacteria.

Now, start from the top and give your kitchen a thorough cleaning – including tops of cabinets and appliances – and finish with a good scrubbing of the floors. Finally, focus on updating the germiest area of the kitchen – the sink. There are typically more than 500,000 bacteria per square inch in the sink drain alone, according to Health Magazine. And that doesn’t include regularly touched items, such as your sponge and faucet.

Refreshed laundry room

The laundry room, since it is often located near the frequently used garage entry, can become a catch-all for everything from cleaners to coats, and shoes to shop vacs. Free yourself of this clutter by organizing and giving everything its proper place. Items often get stashed on the horizontal surfaces – such as the floor or on top of the washer and dryer – so look to the vertical surfaces of the room to create new, more appropriate places.

Adding wall cabinets is an ideal place to add storage (and keep things neatly hidden). Wall hooks dedicated to each family member can neatly hold coats, scarves and bags. Installing shelves in the coat closet can provide additional room on top and below the garment bar. Over-the-door storage racks can house frequently used items, such as brooms or shoes.

With a few upgrades and organization to key rooms, your home will look its best and the new-found organization will energize your spirit just in time to enjoy the spring season.

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