Tomorrow, remember the #Vietnam #veterans in your life and community with a special visit, message, card or meal on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. But remember, you don’t have to wait for March 29 to honor and support #Vietnam #veterans. Every #donation made to ClothingDonations.org is resold to fund valuable veterans programs. That means that even as you improve your life and space by #decluttering, you can ensure that those who served have access to health care, food, housing, camaraderie and more. Fill a few boxes or bags with your unwanted #stuff and #schedule a #pickup today!
Tag: donations
Have a Virtual Vietnam War Veterans Day
If you can’t find a National Vietnam War Veterans Day event in your area, you can recognize the nation’s #veterans virtually. Download a frame for your profile picture on Facebook to show that you’ve served or support those who did. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to watch the wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Take a virtual tour of the Pentagon’s Vietnam War exhibit. Or send a #Vietnam veteran you know a message of thanks and goodwill. The nation’s veterans appreciate your recognition! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Celebrate National Vietnam War Veterans Day
This may be final year of Vietnam War 50th Year Commemoration observances, but National Vietnam War #Veterans Day will continue to be observed every year on March 29. It’s an opportunity to thank and honor the nation’s #Vietnam #veterans and their families for their #service and #sacrifice, as well as recognize the contributions of the armed forces, support organizations and American citizens during the war; highlight the technology, scientific and medical advances made in that time; and recognize the contributions of the nation’s international allies. Attend an event this weekend! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Start Your Spring-Cleaning Engines!
Thursday, March 20, marks the beginning of #spring. The Organizing Blog’s favorite season, spring gives people everywhere a great incentive to #clean and #organize their homes.
#Spring #cleaning is a time-honored tradition. Over a long winter shut tight against the cold, homes tend to gather dirt and grime. It’s time to throw the windows open and sweep, mop and wipe away that buildup.
Four out of five American households engage in spring cleaning at least once a year, according to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), and nearly as many — 78% — spend an average of six days spring-cleaning their homes.
ACI’s survey notes that Americans don’t like to clean hard-to-reach places that attract considerable dust and grime, such as vents. Most would rather clean their own homes than do their own taxes, however, and often concentrate on windows, floors and toilets. Still, it can be tough to get started.
The first step is to get rid of #clutter — clothing that doesn’t fit, old paperwork, broken knickknacks and other stuff that’s just taking up space. Put these items into the trash, storage or a #donation bag; cleaning will proceed more quickly with them out of the way. And as always, contact ClothingDonations.org for any lightly used castoffs you’d like to get rid of for good.
Next, make sure you have the equipment and supplies necessary to do a thorough cleaning, including gloves, cleansers, sponges, rags, and a good broom, vacuum cleaner and mop. A new broom sweeps clean!
Create a checklist of to-dos in order to make what might seem like a monumental task more approachable, The Spruce says. “Walk through your house and take note of the things that need to be done and tackle those first,” says Clean Mama Becky Rapinchuk.
Having an immediate impact on your home environment may make you want to tackle more tasks, so continue down that list. You might not get to everything in a week or month, but you’ll see progress toward a #cleaner, #healthier home — and that can get you energized to do more. Start your spring-cleaning engines!
#SpringCleaning
How Pet Parents Keep Their Homes Clean
#Pet parents know how hard it is to keep a home clean when #dogs and #cats are invited to cohabitate. While some can be relied upon to accomplish the simplest grooming tasks needed to stay clean themselves, our animal companions just don’t have the same cleanliness standards for the #home environment.
Let things go, and your home can quickly become beset with tracked-in dirt, shed hair, litter and other debris such as shredded toys. It takes a lot to stay on top of such #messes, but doing so can make everyone — #pets included — happier and heathier.
Hair is the first concern. The same thing that makes animals adorable comes loose constantly and sticks to clothing and furniture. Keep a lint roller or latex gloves handy remove it from upholstered surfaces, and be ready to sweep and vacuum frequently.
Robot vacuum cleaners are a good option for maintenance, says Kaleidoscope Living, but don’t think for a minute that they can eliminate all sweeping, vacuuming and mopping. They can cut down on these chores, however, as well as access hard-to-reach areas.
You can head off the accumulation of stray pet hair at the source by observing a good grooming schedule. Bathe and brush your pets regularly or take them to a groomer to help them shed that hair in a more manageable way.
Pets also tend to bring dirt in from the outdoors. Pet parents would be wise to keep towels at all entrances to wipe feet and coats before pets climb on the furniture or track in mud. Use washable rugs as another line of defense, MasterClass says; keep them at the door, under pets’ bowls and under litterboxes to catch debris and moisture.
Pets — like children — have occasional accidents. Have a stain and odor remover product available to clean up those messes and freshen the area. Or try what Architectural Digest calls the best pet stain-removing product for rugs and carpets: shaving cream.
You can find some items you’ll need to keep your house clean — throw rugs and used towels, for example — at the #thrift stores supplied by generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org. And in the face of the worst messes, remember that having an animal companion is a long-term commitment that rewards your attention and work many times over.