It’s Almost Spring… Time To Spruce Things Up A Little!

It’s been a long, weird winter in Louisville, so we’ve decided to spruce things up by getting some spring cleaning done.  (Did you ever notice how spring cleaning puts a smile on your face?  Maybe it’s because we know that summer is right around the corner.)

Anyway, here are a few helpful tips on cleaning your home up for Spring.

1.     Safety first! Change the batteries in ALL of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  And make sure the unit is free of dust.

2.     Light fixtures can be full of dust. Take a minute or two to clean easily accessible light fixtures, lamps and ceiling fixtures. Don’t be surprised if everything looks a bit brighter when you’re finished!

3.     Take your area rugs outside for a good shake down and maybe a few hours of airing out. Your wall-to-wall carpeting could probably use a good cleaning too, so break out the steam cleaner! It may help with those seasonal allergies, too.

4.     While you’re in cleaning mode, wash down your walls. Dust and dirt sticks to vertical surfaces, too. The easiest way to clean your walls is with a good soft sponge and warm, mild, soapy water. On flat painted walls, try using a dry microfiber cloth. It will work well on removing dust.

5.     Your windows and blinds could probably use a good scrubbing, too. Take down your heavy curtains/drapes and send them to the cleaner. Let the sun shine in!

6.     What about your furniture? During the winter months, it collects dust, dirt, body oils, and germs. (And if you have a pet, it has also collected pet hair and dander.) Time to haul out the vacuum cleaner. You can steam clean furniture as well. Just make sure you test an unobtrusive spot to make sure that the detergent from the steam cleaner doesn’t fade the color or ruin your upholstery.

7.     Head for the kitchen! When was the last time you gave your fridge a good scrub down? Go ahead and throw out those leftovers that you’ll never actually use. Check out your condiments. Bet you have a few that have expired. Now that your fridge looks like it has been raided by a horde of teenage boys, get cleaning. A magic eraser or a sponge and hot soapy water will get the stuck-on grime. Clean the outside too. And don’t forget a fresh box of baking soda to help absorb any odors that may be lingering.

8.     While you’re in the kitchen, give the stove, cabinets, walls and counters a going over with a grease-cutting cleaner. You’ll be amazed at how nice they feel when they aren’t sticky anymore!

9.     Embrace your OCD tendencies! Organize that closet that doesn’t close, or those shelves that have been making you twitch. Throw out, donate or repurpose as much as possible.

10. Don’t forget the outside chores! If you don’t have them, add extensions to your gutter downspouts to keep water flowing away from your foundation. Clean out the gutters in case there is debris leftover from fall. Blow out the air conditioning condenser with a leaf blower to clean the filter. Call your sprinkler installer to get your system set up for warm Louisville weather.

 

Time to get organized! Tips for Seasonal Storage.

The changing of the seasons from warmer to cooler weather usually inspires us to start cleaning things up, stowing them away for winter. This year, go from fall to winter smoothly with these tips.  

·       Change of seasons is the perfect opportunity to get organized. Time to sort through your shelves, drawers and closets, and purge anything you haven’t used recently. That means clothing, books, shoes, accessories, decorative items – everything!  Get rid of anything not used in the past 12 months.

·       Getting organized usually comes down to one basic concept – a place for everything, and everything in its place.  If you create a dedicated area for things – and use it all the time – your stuff will stay organized.

·       De-clutter kitchen drawers periodically to keep from accumulating outdated flyers, menus, magazines and newspapers. This will open them up so you can store more day-to-day items that you need to quickly reach.

·       Don’t forget to de-clutter files, too. Many household financial documents and papers may be available online through the provider’s website. If that is the case, discard old financial statements or bills that you can access electronically. Invest in a paper shredder for these documents to protect your identity and accounts.

·       Buy budget friendly containers that slide under furniture (sofas or beds) for off-season blankets, bedding, clothing, etc.

·       Don’t waste space! Move rarely accessed or out of season items onto higher shelves or into the attic or shed.

·       Do you have enough storage space? Or the right kind of storage space? Built-in cabinetry is a possible solution. If you’re considering built-in cabinetry, think of the space it will go in. And how you want to use it.  Consider open shelves, closed drawers, and space for bins or baskets!

·       Before reconfiguring a closet, think of how you use it. Do you have items that are longer – coats, dresses, trousers? Make sure you create a space that’s long enough to accommodate them. Do you fold and stack shirts & sweaters? Then you’ll need plenty of open shelving. Don’t forget to include a system for corralling belts, scarves, socks, purses and jewelry.

·       If you are looking to replace old, worn-out furniture in your home, consider buying pieces that also can serve as storage. Consider a coffee table that has drawers or an ottoman that can open up and double as storage space.

The bottom line? Efficient use of space and thorough organization are the keys to flawless seasonal storage.

Elite Homes builds beautiful garden home communities perfect for baby boomers 55+ - featuring, single-family, low-maintenance homes, in a relaxing and convenient locations around Louisville.