There is often instant gratification that comes out of household chores—a certain satisfaction when one broad sweep of the dust cloth reveals an expanse of polished wood, or a once-over with the vacuum unveils crumb-free carpet. But certain tasks are far more unpleasant, requiring more diligence, perseverance, and good old-fashioned elbow grease. Raise your hand [...]
If your family is like mine, we come and go with handfuls of items that get dropped right inside the door. It doesn’t take long for our inviting entryway to become a cluttered storage area. Those school projects, shoes, keys, mail, sunglasses, coats, purses, sports gear (you get the idea) can pile up fast. But [...]
It may be the most dreaded household chore in the world—cleaning out the refrigerator. In fact, some professional house cleaners state upfront that their service does NOT include the fridge. Why? Because somehow, in the rush of life, this major appliance that works around the clock for us ends up getting neglected in the worst [...]
When it comes to keeping my house clean, I am self-diagnosed Obsessive Compulsive. Household dust and dirt are my mortal enemies. Thus, I still remember the day, almost 10 years ago, while sitting at my glass kitchen table (a nightmare to keep clean, and free of streaks, and fingerprints), that I discovered Miracle Cloths. Reading [...]
Whether you’ve just inherited a lovely wardrobe that’s been in your family for decades or you just bought a brand-new coffee table you had custom made for your living room, knowing how to properly care for hardwood furniture is a must. Merely reading the labels on those quick, spray-and-wipe polish cans won’t tell you everything [...]
Summer is not the best season for allergy sufferers. Allergens are everywhere; there is no escaping the congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes that plague allergy sufferers. Outside allergens lurk in the mulch, leaf piles, gutters and anywhere that pollen and mold spores can be found, sending allergy sufferers indoors. Unfortunately there is a whole different [...]
Spring is here and along with it comes that dreaded ritual of “spring cleaning.” Oh there’s no denying that there are some perks, like finding that long-lost lip gloss you love hidden beneath the winter socks. (Don’t ask.) But for the most part, spring cleaning is just too much to bear. It’s not that we [...]
Close your eyes (figuratively, of course) and imagine yourself in a relaxing hot shower, unwinding and letting your cares flow down the drain as the warm water soothes and transforms you. Then open your eyes and see your shower door, riddled with stubborn soap scum. Daydream interrupted, right? Glass doors can hold sediment, deposits and [...]
I recently came across a Zen quote that said, “Sit quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” True, indeed. The grass is in, the flowers are blooming, and I think to myself: how great would it be if my exterior home-cleaning checklist followed the example of the grass and took care [...]
By RL Franklin Keep Hardwoods Gleaming Hardwood floors are a favorite floor covering for their durability, affordability and beauty. Laminate floors—a composite material compressed and hardened under high pressure—are a tough, durable and beautiful product that nearly duplicates the look, style, and warmth of hardwood. So what’s the secret to keeping these floors shiny and [...]
