Looking for Ideas on How to Have a Clean Enough Home This Summer? Start Here!

Posted on July 20, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

It’s summer, the kids are home from school, and it’s hot. No one really wants to be stuck inside getting hotter by doing cleaning. No we’re not suggesting that you let everything slide during those months we just think that maybe it might be best to only focus on the things that need to maintain being clean. In order to help you out we found this article with some areas to focus on in your cleaning. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

Here are a few suggestions to keep your house running smoothly enough this summer.

Floors are foundational. When in doubt, sweep. I can handle a certain amount of disarray, but it feels like all the wheels are coming off when there are grit, sand and dog fur underfoot. We moved into our new house in the dog days of summer and had to wait until the cooling temperatures of mid-September to have our lawn seeded. This meant my kids and the dog were tracking in bright orange clay and sand all day long, and I almost lost my mind.

I try to sweep daily. In the summer especially, whenever I’m starting to feel twitchy, I know it’s time to break out a broom or the Swiffer and attack the floors. It’s my bottom line in every sense.

Put away the extras. Did you just return from the beach? Are your bags and baskets dumped by the door? Got back from vacation a week ago and you’re still living out of your suitcases?

This is the line of demarcation between the Naturally Organized and those of us who are decidedly not. The Naturally Organized, no matter how exhausted, will summon the strength to put everything away, right away, because it will drive them mad to leave it.

It’s usually a stick in the eye for those of who live with them. We just want to collapse and relax, but when your vacation has thrown up all over your house, that’s the last thing to do. It’s time to hit it. Call all the kids and have everyone pitch in. Gather all the dirty clothes and take them to the laundry room; put away all the clean clothes and toiletries and return the suitcases to storage. That last one will almost kill you ??? I know ??? but doing it will feel great.

Trip to the beach? Hang any wet towels and suits and put away the toys and leftover snacks. If you brought a cooler, be sure to empty it! We Not Naturally Organized folks love to forget that.

It really takes only a few minutes, and none of it requires thinking, just a bit of running around.

Create a sacred space. My home is open concept. When you walk in the front door, there is a small entry that ushers you into the main room: an 8-foot farm table straight ahead, kitchen to the left and living room to the right.

Our kitchen is basically a galley with a large island replacing the second wall. The island is the first horizontal surface you find coming in from the mudroom, and I knew it would be ground zero for all the crap our family drags in.

Thanks to respectful requests, outright threats and repeated confiscations, the island is usually clear. The end of our table, just adjacent, is another story, but we’re on a journey, right?

Pick a space and fight to keep it clean and free of clutter.

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Looking for information on speed cleaning? Checkout this article about speed cleaning that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/13002787/list/a-fine-mess-how-to-have-a-clean-enough-home-over-summer-break

Are You a Homeowner? Learn How to Fix Common Things in The House That Break Here!

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Regardless of how old your home is things break and need to be repaired or replaced. Some things are so simple that anyone can do them. We found this article with 12 different repair guides to help you fix common things in your house they break or need some help in some way. We hope it helps!

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From the article:

No house is perfect, but you don’t have to put up with those annoying home repairs that need fixing. These 12 projects will get you started on improving your home and hide any evidence of an accident occurring.

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Curious what tools you should have as a homeowner? Checkout this article about tools needed by homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.visualistan.com/2017/06/12-things-to-fix-around-the-house-before-they-get-worse.html

Wanting to Plan Some Summer Parties? Learn How to Make Them Easygoing Here!

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Summer is all about getting together with friends trying to beat the heat. Now we can’t help with the heat but we can help with the get togethers. If you love having parties or would love to host them in the future then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with ideas on how to make them more easygoing. We hope they help make the most out of your parties with less stress!

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From the article:

Summertime calls for a distinctly unfussy approach to entertaining, and thankfully so ??? because who wants to sweat over planning a summer soiree? Make things easier on yourself by hosting outdoors instead of in, getting guests to pitch in and embracing low-key, budget-friendly decor. From DIY flowers and quick extra tables to a beachy outdoor bar, these 20 ideas will make your party planning easier.

Whip up an extra table with sawhorses.

Short on outdoor dining space? Hunt down a few sawhorses and top them with a length of board as big as you want your table to be. You can paint the board, cover it with a cloth or butcher paper, or leave it as is.

Boost ambience with lanterns and signs.

Flank the entrance to your party area with a pair of big lanterns and lean a sign nearby ??? it can announce the menu or simply say, ???Welcome!???

Give guests a healthy option with fresh flavored waters.

Fill a big drink dispenser with ice water, flavored with fresh ingredients for a healthy thirst quencher on hot days. Try lemon, lime or orange slices; fresh mint leaves; cucumber rounds; or berries.

Create activity zones to keep large parties moving.

Setting up several distinct areas can help a large gathering feel more manageable, as your guests will naturally be drawn into smaller groups. For instance, you could set up a dining table, a fire pit circle, a porch lounge and an outdoor bar.

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Looking for grilling setup ideas? Checkout this article about grilling setup ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/27317567/list/20-ideas-for-easygoing-summer-parties

Looking to Do Some Home Remodeling but Don’t Have a Lot of Money to Spend? Start Here!

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Dreaming about what you’d like to do to your home can be a lot of fun. Unless what you want is a huge overall that costs a lot of money then it can be discouraging knowing you don’t have that kind of money to spend. In order to help you alleviate some of the stress your home can cause we found this article with some home remodeling ideas you can do without spending a lot of money. We hope you find some ideas that you love!

From the article:

101 practical home remodeling ideas that can be completed on a budget. These home remodeling projects are a mix of inexpensive ideas and do-it-yourself projects, perfect for the average homeowner.

Sick of remodeling ideas that are only possible for the rich?

The 101 home remodeling ideas in this list will help you make your home more comfortable, valuable, and functional. Most important of all, they are affordable, and almost all of them can be done without hiring an expensive contractor.

While not all these projects may be appropriate for your home, you should be able to find at least 5 to 10 to do over the next couple of months in your free time.

Even if they???re small projects, they will quickly add up and help you transform your home.

Upgrade to a Beadboard Ceiling

It???s a shame when beautiful decor is ruined by a hideous popcorn ceiling. One elegant solution is to install a beadboard ceiling.

The project appears deceptively simple. You???ll need to get beadboard from any local hardware store (easy), but then you need to measure it out correctly and cut it so that it fits your ceiling. While this is fairly easy for the experience DIY-er, it can be tricky lining things up right.

Remember, measure twice, cut once.

Bead board is relatively cheap, but you still don???t want to be ruining slabs by making the wrong cuts.

Replace Old Flooring with Vinyl Tiles

How much do you think the floor in the above picture cost?

In reality, only $50 and a few hours of time. If you have that ugly old laminate flooring (you know what I???m talking about), it???s time to replace it.

Look how easy this type of tiling is to put down: http://www.frugalfamilytimes.com/2012/07/how-to-install-peel-and-stick-vinyl.html

Once you dig up your old, nasty laminate, all you need to do is put down peel and stick down the vinyl tile.

While you could put down marble or ceramic tiling, it???s much more expensive and difficult.

Make Your Tile Look Like New With Grout Renew

If you???ve had tile in your bathroom for a while, you???ve likely noticed that the grout (the white stuff between tiles) has faded, which is both kind of gross and ugly.

You???ve probably tried many types of cleaning solutions involving baking soda and vinegar, but none have really worked. The best product by far costs about $10 from Home Depot, and it???s called grout renew.

Here???s a side-by-side comparison of tile with old grout and with the product on it:

Add Paneling to Your Wall

If you have a large exposed wall, and short trimming along the bottom, adding panels can add a great texture and look to a room.

You can find thin panels at a hardware store (the above panels were from Lowes) for $12-15 apiece. The project should take about 20 hours and cost around $250.

Tall Foyer? Build an Extra Platform for More Space

This is an ingenious way to free up some extra space, perfect for a small nook or play area for children.

This project will take at least a few weekends, and cost anywhere from $300-1000 depending on the layout of your home and the quality of materials you decide on. Still not bad compared to what a contractor would charge.

If you have no experience building a floor safe enough for holding weight, it would be a really good idea to have a contractor come in and at least inspect your new surface. Possibly before you???re even done so you can make changes if needed.

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Looking for decor ideas on a budget? Checkout this article about decor ideas on a budget that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.homestratosphere.com/smart-home-remodeling-ideas-on-a-budget/

Plan on Doing a Lot of Grilling This Summer? Learn How to Improve Your Setup Here!

Posted on July 6, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Grilling is a staple in most people’s homes in the summer, sometimes all year long. In order to help you out we found this article on how to improve your grilling setup. We hope you get ideas that help you out!

From the article:

Grills by themselves aren???t much to look at. They???re basically large, hulking pieces of stainless steel that stick out like sore thumbs in our backyards. So we???re always trying to slip covers over them or wheel them around to the side of the house. It doesn???t have to be this way ??? designers are coming up with clever ways to make grills actually something that you want to put front and center. As you fire up your grill for the weekend, consider some of these smoking ideas for an update.

Let there be light. Did you know that improper lighting accounts for 52 tons of burned meat every year? OK, I made that up, but proper lighting is key for any grilling station, and not just so you can see what you???re cooking.

Give it shade. Just as lighting helps facilitate good grilling at night, shade can make a world of difference on hot days.

A gas fire pit can be instantly converted to a large grill with two grates. Imagine how a setup like this would change the vibe at your next barbecue.

Have a seat. A lot of the grilling process is just sitting around and waiting for things to cook. For that an inviting lounge area nearby is a must.

Cushioned furniture like the kind seen here would do the job nicely, but it???s the swing chairs that would really keep you on the edge of your seat.

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Looking for summer home maintenance tips? Checkout this article about summer home maintenance tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/31252587/list/8-ways-to-improve-your-grill-setup

Curious What Tools You Should Have As a Homeowner? Find Out Here!

Posted on July 3, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Knowing what tools you should own when you are a homeowner might be challenging. Some things are easy to know that you’ll need. Whereas other things probably wouldn’t occur to you. To help you out we found this article with 50 different tools you should consider owning. We hope it helps!

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If you need Condo association dryer vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

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Looking for more tool ideas? Checkout this article about home improvement tool deas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.infogrades.com/home-pets-infographics/must-have-home-improvement-tools/

Looking for Fun and Different Backyard Projects? Try Some of These!

Posted on June 29, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

With summer most people spend more time outside but if you’re backyard leaves something to be desired then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article with fun and different backyard projects to consider. We hope you find some you love!

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From the article:

The garden isn???t all about curb appeal, or home values, or good design. It???s also about the people you love enjoying their time there. These fun and funky backyard projects will add a little bit of whimsy, a touch of humor, or just some plain old backyard fun! DIY your way to a garden everyone wants to be in!

Grown ups need to have fun too! Everyone can use this DIY bowling lane on a warm day. This tutorial is from ???Handmade by Ashley??? via ???Remodelaholic???. Be sure to check out this page, they have several other backyard game projects that look amazing.

We have no idea where this photo came from that is making the rounds on Pinterest, but it???s freakin??? genius! Wrapping your volleyball (or ping pong, or whatever!) net with LED string lights!

Last, we have this cool tutorial for a canopy of string lights from ???Gray House Studio???. This can???t be anything but fun on a warm summers night!

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Looking for more backyard fun ideas? Checkout this article about backyard fun ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://ideasatthehouse.blogspot.com/2016/02/fun-funky-backyard-projects.html

Have Dirty Air Vents? Learn How to Get Them Clean Here!

Posted on June 26, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Air vents are something that every home has and in most houses they are dirty. This can be because of a variety of reasons. If yours are dirty because you aren’t sure how to clean them then you’ve come to the right place. We found this article for you describes the best way to clean them. We hope you agree!

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If you need Lafayette vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

I am sure we all are pretty okay at keeping out houses clean, right? The floors get mopped or vacuumed pretty regularly, clutter is picked up and surfaces are dusted. But have you considered your air vents? You know, those spots on the floor where all your warm air comes out to keep your house comfortable? As you can imagine, those can get pretty nasty. But with just a few minutes and some basic supplies, those vents can be clean and sanitized. Let???s get started!

1- Turn off your furnace. You don???t want it turning on while the vents are off!

2-Remove all floor, ceiling and return air vents. You might need a screwdriver for the return vents.

3-Put them all in the bathtub in warm water. Add a few drops of dish soap to the water and let the bubbles build up. The dish soap will help cut in grease and grime that has built up on the vents. Let the vents soak for about 10 minutes.

4-Using a scrub brush, give each vent a good washing. Be sure to scrub both sides. If you are like me, your daughter puts stickers on her air vent, so I had to scrub those off.

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Looking for speed cleaning tips? Checkout this article about speed cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.organizedmom.net/clean-air-vents/

Looking for Kitchen Hacks? Save Time and Money With These Hacks!

Posted on June 22, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

The kitchen is one of the few places in the home that everyone uses on a daily basis. It is a place that some people love to be and others not so much. Regardless there are always ways to make the kitchen easier to master. In order to help you out we found this article with several different kitchen hacks. We hope you find some that will help you in your kitchen!

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If you need Lafayette condos dryer vent cleaner services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

It seems that the kitchen is one of the rooms that moms end up spending the most time in. We are always cooking, packing lunches, baking, and cleaning up. Plus the dishwasher always seems to be full or dishes need to be put away! So, I love it whenever I can find an easy way to save some time or money in the kitchen.

Using easy kitchen hacks can make life so much smoother. Check out these amazing kitchen hacks to save time and money.

Use Scissors to Cut up Food
My husband bought me some food scissors for Christmas and I love them! It is so easy to use scissors instead of a knife and cutting board on so many foods. I use it to cut up lettuce, string beans, deveining shrimp, bacon, slicing pizza, cutting up herbs and so much more!

Shred Chicken In a Mixer
I used to hate shredding chicken. In fact, I would try to avoid making meals that involved a lot of shredded chicken. Then I learned that you can shred chicken in a mixer in about 30 seconds. I love to make large batches and freeze all the shredded chicken for later uses.

Use Cooking Spray on Measuring Cups
Before you measure out sticky ingredients like peanut butter spray your measuring cups with a little bit of cooking spray. The peanut butter will just come right out. You can use this trick on measuring spoons too for things like honey or sriracha.

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Looking for bathroom hacks? Checkout this article about bathroom hacks that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.frugallyblonde.com/2017/05/amazing-kitchen-hacks-to-save-time-and-money/

Have a Messy Craft Room? Learn How to Get it Organized Here!

Posted on June 19, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having a dedicated craft room or corner is a blessing. Keeping it organized is very challenging though. In order to help you out we found this article with 19 different organization ideas. We hope you find some that work for you!

From the article:

We???ve all been there: you get all excited to start a DIY project and you know you have some of the supplies, but rifling through boxes and bins is exhausting and frustrating. By the time you find what you need, you are feeling defeated and don???t have time to finish your project. That???s where these craft room organization tips come in! Organize your sewing, knitting, and DIY supplies so they are super easy to find and motivate you to actually start on all those DIY projects you have pinned.

Craft Room Closet Organization
This is a must-read post for anyone who wants to organize their craft room and is in need of serious inspiration. I love all the labeled matching bins. In fact, I just saw bins like this at my local Dollar Tree, so make sure to check yours!

Craft room organizing hack for wrapping paper
This hack is genius and one that would definitely come in handy in our house. Put your favorite wrapping papers (that can be switched out for each season) on this easy cup hook & dowel contraption for easy access. Plus, no more dented corners or wrinkled wrapping.

Buy or build a wine rack for the perfect yarn storage hack.
Similar to above with the wooden cubbies, a wooden wine rack can also be hacked for yarn storage. I love how organizing your yarn by color turns it into a wall art piece too!

Embroidery Floss Organization Hack
Similarly, check out this brilliant hack to keep your embroidery floss organized and tangle free using clothespins!

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Looking for garage organization ideas? Checkout this article about garage organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://shetriedwhat.com/craft-room-organization-hacks/