It’s that time of the year again, time to turn the clocks back.
Daylight Saving Time (sometimes called Daylight Savings Time) is set to begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday November 6, 2011. This means the daylight will begin earlier in the morning and the sun will set earlier in the evening.
Many people also take Daylight Savings Time as a reminder to change the batteries in the home’s smoke detectors.
The weather this morning is cooler and Fall is in the air. While i was thinking about getting my home ready for the Fall and Winter months I remembered a great home tip I came across while reading All You Magazine’s December 2010 issue .
“Change the blade direction on your ceiling fan in the colder months. (from counter-clockwise to clockwise) creates an updraft that recycles heat throughout the room.”
Source: Sara Sicotte budgetsavvydiva.com
I have lived in homes with wood heating my entire life and some how managed to miss this great advice. Most ceiling fans have a switch on them which you can use to change the directions of the fan’s spin. Don’t forget to clean your fan blades before reversing the direction, or you might have some unwelcome dust bunnies flung around the house.
It’s the time again, time for Spring Cleaning! Below is an article courtesy of Jefferson Livingston at Pillar to Post Inspection Services on how to handle Spring cleaning in 7 easy steps.Everyone knows spring cleaning sounds like a great idea. You say you’ll do it, then a few more weeks go by, then another month, and before we know it spring cleaning takes a back seat to everything else. By breaking spring cleaning down into manageable tasks that can be accomplished over a couple of weekends, you can get the whole job done without feeling like you’ve missed out on all the fun. It doesn’t have to feel like drudgery either – put on some music or listen to an audio book while you work. Here are 7 ways to make your home feel as fresh and clean as a spring breeze.
Tackle those windows. Okay, no one really likes this task, but what a difference it will make! Windows should be thoroughly cleaned inside and out – you’ll be amazed how your home will sparkle inside and out once the dust and dirt are gone. Considering hiring a professional window cleaning company, especially if you have a multilevel home. They’ll have the equipment and experience to do the job safely. If you have screens, now is the time to wash them and repair any holes or tears. If screens are completely removable, take them outside and wash with a scrub brush and mild detergent, then hose off and let dry in the sun.
Curtain call. Windows are easiest to clean when the curtains, shades, and blinds are removed. Use this opportunity to get drapes and curtains laundered or dry cleaned (check labels first), and give blinds, shades, and other treatments a good cleaning and dusting. Some vacuum cleaners have special attachments that will make cleaning blinds a breeze.
Get all the angles. Going from room to room, use a long-handled duster to make quick work of dusting ceilings, moldings, and corners. If you have ceiling fans, dust the tops and bottoms of the fan blades and around the motor housing (this is also a great time to replace light bulbs in fan fixtures).
Make a grand entrance. Clean porches, steps, and railings of accumulated dirt and grime and you’ll have a bright welcome every time you come home. Replace light bulbs in porch and outdoor fixtures. While you’re at it, add a colorful potted plant or two to welcome spring. Keep an eye out for any needed repairs and make a note to get to them in the weeks ahead.
Under cover. Gather your heavy winter bedspreads and comforters and have them cleaned, then store away until cooler weather comes. Vacuum mattresses and box springs and clean up those dust bunnies that have hibernated under the bed. Launder mattress covers, take lighter weight bedding from storage and air out for a day before using.
A better bath. A deep spring cleaning of fixtures, sinks, tubs, and toilets supplements the everyday surface cleaning that keeps things looking good. Work from top to bottom, ceiling to floor, and keep all of your cleaning products, scrubbing tools, etc. with you in a bucket so you’ll have everything you need at your side. Use an old toothbrush to reach into crevices to get things shipshape, and you won’t have to do it again anytime soon. Don’t forget to clean bathroom exhaust fans to keep them working their best.
Kitchen confidential. Wrap up your spring cleaning in the kitchen. After regular use during the colder weather, the stove and oven can likely use a deep cleaning. Clear countertops of clutter and wipe down small appliances and cabinets. Wash the walls and floor, and give the kitchen sink a thorough scrubbing. Now is also the perfect time to rid your refrigerator of old or expired items (check those door shelves lately?) and clean produce bins and shelves following manufacturer’s instructions. Then reward yourself with a vase of spring flowers and enjoy your sparkling home!Special thanks to Jefferson Livingsont with Pillar To Post Home Inspections for the helpful Spring article.
All your vegetables may be close to picked and gone, but do not forget about your vegetable garden just yet. Even the vegetable garden needs some cleaning up and care before the cold and weather of Winter. Below are tips for getting your garden in tip top shape for Winter’s weather.
Dig over the vegetable garden and pull any of the big roots.
Avoid the vegetables that can grow on for later harvesting.
Add a mound of soil to any perennial vegetables, like rhubarb. Rhubarb should be cut down without destroying the crown.
Rake it out for a flat surface.
The vegetable garden will still need another cultivation in the spring, but doing this now will make it a lot easier.
Also, don’t forget about your decorative items in your garden either! You might want to take a quick walk around your garden and make note of any decortive fixtures or fencing that may need a new coat of paint or sealing. By painting or resealing the items now you will help to extend their life by further protecting the from the harsh Winter weather.
The days of summer are in here and while it’s easy to just think about fun vacations and time at the lake, it’s important not to forget your house either. The summer is a great time to prepare your home for the harsh Winter weather or to inspect the saftey of things around the house without having to worry about the weather while you do it. Below are some outdoor tips to help you get ahead:
Think ahead to fall. Schedule furnace maintenance now and beat the seasonal rush. Many companies even offer discounts in the off season
Pest patrol: inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. Beware of fire ants in the South! If you see telltale mounds, treat with grits or borax. Keep borax away from children.
Keep tabs on decks, siding and trim. Will you need to perform touch-up work before winter? Order paint and be ready for the first cooler days of early autumn.
Control garbage can odor with a can clean-out. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, then spray with disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. Turn upside down to dry.
Inspect gutters, and clean out any leafy debris. Summer thunderstorms won’t faze you if your gutters are in good working order.
Make a safety inspection of children’s outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts and cover with plastic protectors.
The weather this morning is cooler and Fall is in the air. While i was thinking about getting my home ready for the Fall and Winter months I remembered a great home tip I came across while reading All You Magazine’s December 2010 issue .
It’s the time again, time for Spring Cleaning! Below is an article courtesy of Jefferson Livingston at Pillar to Post Inspection Services on how to handle Spring cleaning in 7 easy steps.Everyone knows spring cleaning sounds like a great idea. You say you’ll do it, then a few more weeks go by, then another month, and before we know it spring cleaning takes a back seat to everything else. By breaking spring cleaning down into manageable tasks that can be accomplished over a couple of weekends, you can get the whole job done without feeling like you’ve missed out on all the fun. It doesn’t have to feel like drudgery either – put on some music or listen to an audio book while you work. Here are 7 ways to make your home feel as fresh and clean as a spring breeze.
All your vegetables may be close to picked and gone, but do not forget about your vegetable garden just yet. Even the vegetable garden needs some cleaning up and care before the cold and weather of Winter. Below are tips for getting your garden in tip top shape for Winter’s weather.
The days of summer are in here and while it’s easy to just think about fun vacations and time at the lake, it’s important not to forget your house either. The summer is a great time to prepare your home for the harsh Winter weather or to inspect the saftey of things around the house without having to worry about the weather while you do it. Below are some outdoor tips to help you get ahead:
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