Hosting for the #holidays? You’ll probably need to #tidy up before friends and family arrive. Better Homes & Gardens offers tips for a seven-day, comprehensive, preholiday deep-clean; targeted, one-hour spruce-ups; and emergency triage for holiday stains. If you only have an hour or two before your guests arrive, focus on the bathrooms they will use, as well as the entryway, living room and kitchen. “Carry a laundry basket throughout the house, picking up #clutter as you go. Once filled, put everything in its place or hide the basket.” Revisit the basket after the holidays to see what you might #donate to ClothingDonations.org.
Tag: clean-up
Clean Out Garden Beds While You Can
Now’s the time to clean out #garden beds if you want them to flourish and flower next spring. Pull out annuals and any other plants and shrubs that have died back. Cut the grass one last time, and make it short — shaggy lawns left under snowpack can develop brown patches, Cleveland.com says. Rake up the grass trimmings, dead leaves and other detritus and compost them if they are disease-free; burn or trash suspect material. Mulch flower beds to discourage the growth of weeds in the spring. Finally, clean and sharpen your garden tools — and then relax around the fire pit.
Road Trip Tips: Keeping the Car Clean
If you’re taking a road trip this summer, Real Simple has a few tips to keep your ride clean. First, start with a clean car; if you wash and vacuum it ahead of the trip, it will set expectations for passengers. Have plenty of cleansing wipes and small bags on hand for in-car cleanup. Set clear rules for rider behavior and perhaps what foodstuffs can be consumed en route, especially for kids. And finally, be sure to clear any trash from the car every time you stop for gas or a bathroom break. Making cleanup a constant can cut the stress!
Declutter Your Closets
To help your children stay organized and reduce clutter in their closets, provide a canvas bag for clothing they have outgrown. Instruct the child to use the bag. Otherwise, these items end up on the floor, or take up precious space. In no time, you’ll have items to donate.
Garage Clean-up Time!
Win the summer garage cleaning game. Is your garage cluttered with sports equipment that your kids have outgrown? Don’t let them take up precious space一donate them to us! Simply visit our website, schedule a donation pick-up time, and then put baseball bats, gloves, cleats, and other equipment in a box by the mailbox. We’ll swing by and pick them up for you so you aren’t late to your child’s game!