Toddlers Always Wanting to Help Around the House? Learn Ways They Can Help Out Here!

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Toddlers are curious creatures. They love to make our lives crazy and be incredibly loving and helpful. Sometimes it can be hard to come up with ideas on how best to have them help around the house. In order to help you out we found this article with 11 different chore ideas. We hope they help!

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From the article:

It is sometimes easy to underestimate the abilities of our children, especially when they are toddlers. It is easy to just do everything for them. I get that. Letting them do stuff themselves is definitely the hard way but it is not the best way to raise responsible and independent people. Getting your toddler involved in chores can be an important step in developing responsible and independent behaviour. It???s also a good way to help your child build positive self-esteem knowing they have not only contributed to the family and household, but that you also trust them to do a good job. That???s why I???ve come with a few chores your toddler can do all by themselves.

Keep in mind that your toddler is not an adult. Do not expect perfection and remember to praise and encourage your child as they are working rather than waiting for them to finish.

Pick Up Toys
Your toddler is definitely capable of picking up their own toys each day. Because your toddler is the one making the mess, it???s important that they are also the ones to pick up those toys, making picking up toys a great chore to start your toddler with. This will help your toddler become more organized and you???ll love not stepping on Legos on your way to the bathroom.

Wash Produce
Sit your toddler at the sink and have them rinse off your produce as you prep your meals. This is a fun way to keep them occupied while you cook.

Wipe Door Handles
Your toddler is the perfect height for this fun chore! If this chore is on your toddler???s to-do list, then hand them a Clorox wipe and let them run around wiping all of the door knobs off. Not only will your child be responsible for a weekly chore, they???ll also be ridding your home of a lot of germs. It???s a win-win for any mom.

Make their Bed
Don???t forget to add your child???s bed to the chore list. This is a great daily chore that you can assign to your toddler. Simply have your toddler make their own bed before leaving the bedroom. To do this, your toddler will need to straighten the pillows and pull the blanket up over the pillows. Not only is this a good chore to teach your child responsibility, it???s also a great habit to learn.

Wash Dirty Dishes
Your toddler will love this job between the bubbles and the water. Get them to wash up and dry any non-breakable dishes such as plastic cups, spoons, pots etc..

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Looking for a better way to store your kid’s toys? Checkout this article about toy storage that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.frugalmomeh.com/2015/04/5-chores-toddlers-can-do.html

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!

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

Ever Wonder What House Cleaners Wish You’d Know? Find Out Here!

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

People who clean houses for a living have a unique perspective on homes. Not only do they know how to clean, they know how to clean well, and what products work best for different stains and areas of the home. In order to help glean some of their knowledge we found this article with 7 different things that house cleaners wished customers and potential customers would know. We hope it helps you and your home out!

From the article:

Hate cleaning your house? No one could blame you: There???s precious little fun in scrubbing toilets. Or wiping down grime-streaked windows to the point where your elbows are sore for weeks. And you probably cringe when you think about your living room???s floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves, whose upper levels haven???t seen a dust rag since Tony Soprano faded abruptly to black.

Enter the humble housecleaner???here to save you from yourself! You can hand over your most hated tasks and wash your hands of cleaning.

But if you???re hiring a housecleaner to do the hard work, don???t make the job even harder. Following these insider tips from cleaning experts will not only help ensure your status as a decent human being, they can also help you save some cash.

Hate cleaning your house? No one could blame you: There???s precious little fun in scrubbing toilets. Or wiping down grime-streaked windows to the point where your elbows are sore for weeks. And you probably cringe when you think about your living room???s floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves, whose upper levels haven???t seen a dust rag since Tony Soprano faded abruptly to black.

Enter the humble housecleaner???here to save you from yourself! You can hand over your most hated tasks and wash your hands of cleaning.

But if you???re hiring a housecleaner to do the hard work, don???t make the job even harder. Following these insider tips from cleaning experts will not only help ensure your status as a decent human being, they can also help you save some cash.

Here are seven tips for keeping your cleaning from turning into a dust-up.

Precleaning will save you money
If you???re anything like us, you probably do a little precleaning for your housecleaner. And then, if you???re like us, you wonder how much of that is truly necessary???after all, that???s what the housecleaner is there for, right?

Here???s the deal: You should do whatever you can to help them help you. No, you don???t need to bust out the Clorox, the Shark vacuum, and the Miracle Mop, but you should tackle those dirty dishes, throw out the takeout containers, and pick up that pile of clothes. If you don???t, you may find that your wallet???s been cleaned out, too.

???Picking up clutter does make our job a lot easier,??? says Megan Sentner, the manager at Greenapple Cleaning in Ottawa, Ontario. ???That being said, we have no problem picking up clutter as long as the clients understand that it takes more time and costs more.???

Think it all comes out in the wash? Let us do the math for you: If your housecleaner charges you $30 per hour (the average rate) to clean, then a half-hour spent decluttering will cost you an extra $15???or $390 for a year???s worth of twice-a-month cleanings. Instead, straighten up the night before and save that cash for something else.

Allot the proper amount of cleaning time
Don???t feel ashamed if your house is in dire straits. Life happens. Work picks up, a kid or two comes along, and suddenly you have no time for more than the bare minimum. Cleaners (probably) won???t judge you???but you should expect the job to take a bit longer.

Be honest with your housecleaners about the home???s current state so they can allocate enough time on their schedule.

Use an insured cleaning service
Housecleaners can???t avoid touching your most valuable belongings???Grandma???s heirloom teapot needs dusting, too. But sometimes accidents happen.

The best way to ensure the safety of your precious possessions is by selecting an insured cleaning service. It???ll have provisions in place to quickly rectify the situation.

???If we made a mistake and caused damage, it???s our responsibility,??? Sentner says.

Bu it???s your responsibility to make sure things are in line and prepared for your housecleaner???s visit. That includes removing any truly priceless valuables???and making sure your home (however dirty) is a welcoming environment.

You???re not entirely off the hook
Hiring a housecleaning service doesn???t mean you can skip all of the cleaning. Well, sure: You probably can, if you???re willing to pay for the service to do the basics every time it comes by. But if you want to cut costs, make sure you try to keep up your home???s appearance in between cleanings.

???Minor maintenance can be the difference between us cleaning for three or five hours every two weeks,??? Sentner says.

Simple DIY tasks include wiping down the front of the cabinets after cooking, squeegeeing the shower, and sweeping the kitchen floor. Integrating them into your day-to-day routine can save you a few bucks on your bill.

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Looking for more 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://www.realtor.com/advice/home-improvement/housecleaner-wishes-you-knew/

Looking to Organize Your Home This Year? Learn 100 Things to Toss Here!

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Having an organized home is easy said than done. In order to help you out we found this article with 100 different things to get rid of in order to declutter. We hope it helps you have a more organized home!

From the article:

Not only will a big purge make you and your family feel more organized, but it can also be great for the mind. Physical clutter can cause stress and leave you less focused. Plus, with fewer things taking up space in your home, you???ll have more room to display the things that bring you joy. In other words, it’s time to Marie Kondo your home.

Whether you take it slowly over the course of a few weeks or plan to tackle it in one weekend, commit to the decluttering project and aim to keep it up throughout the year. As you know, things easily pile up around the house but the more on top of it you stay, the easier it is to maintain.

Below, see our list of 100 things you can toss or donate right now from your home ??? the majority of which you probably won???t even miss.

Bedroom closet
– Clothes you don???t wear anymore
– Clothes that don???t fit
– Uncomfortable shoes
– Old formal dresses you???ll never wear again
– Wire hangers
– Socks missing their match
– Gloves missing their match
– Ratty or stained scarves
– Broken purses
– Extra canvas bags (Have enough for groceries and get rid of the rest.)
– Hats you never wear

Kid???s room
– Dried-out markers and art supplies
– Broken crayons
– Broken toys
– Clothes they???ve grown out of
– Toys they don???t play with anymore
– Furniture they???re too big for now
– Extra artwork

Garage
-Broken, rusted or duplicate tools
– Sports equipment that no longer gets used
– Deflated sports balls
– That old refrigerator that doesn???t work anymore
– Things you???re saving for a future garage sale that???s never going to happen
– Old potting soil you no longer need
– Extra paint for a color that???s no longer in your house
– Unfinished DIY projects that will never get completed
– Extra home improvement supplies that you???ll never need
– The picnic basket you haven???t used in years
– Boxes for appliances or gadgets you???re saving just in case
– The folding card table that???s scratched or broken

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Looking for more 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://www.today.com/home/100-things-toss-home-t106544

Looking for Home Office Ideas? Take a Look at These!

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Home offices are necessary in every home in some capacity or another even if it’s just a place to put bills and files. Regardless of how much space you have available or how much you need you’ve come to the right place. We hope this article helps you best utilize the space you have and need!

From the article:

Under the stairs.
This cozy office nook by architect Hugh Jefferson Randolph was created using space stolen from an often wasted spot. As more folks opt to downsize these days, creating an office from an area like this is preferable to adding an entire room dedicated to work.

Making the most of a bump-out or bay.
These nooks are just the right size to nestle in a desk. This bump-out is part of a living room, and interior designer Jennifer Walters wanted to maintain an open, ???non-office-y??? feel under the windows. Using a desk with a glass top and polished metal legs keeps the work space from feeling cluttered or clunky. The wireless printer and fax are hidden in baskets.

Roost Interior Design
In the kitchen. The kitchen is still a popular spot for keeping the home organized, as well as a place to plan menus and charge personal devices. In this colorful kitchen, walnut shelves in the office corner hold cookbooks and art.

Out in the open.
If your office is the command center of your home, tucking it in between rooms makes a lot of sense. It???s easy to pop right over and pay a bill, shoot off an email or keep a schedule organized.

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Looking for more home office ideas? Checkout this article about home office ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/57850115/list/the-20-most-popular-home-office-photos-of-2015

Did You Make a New Year’s Resolution to Keep Your House Clean This Year? Find Out How to Keep it Here!

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Jeremy Leake

Keeping a clean house is a really nice goal. Sometimes easier to achieve than others for sure. In order to help you out we found this article with easy ways to keep you home clean all year long. We hope it helps!

From the article:

When You Walk in the Door . . .
Put everything that comes into your house away immediately. (And, yes, the recycling bin is a viable option for that junk mail.) Keep your on-the-go items???coat, bag, keys, et cetera???in one place. And if you have a second story, always take something that needs to go up every time you walk upstairs.

Your Bedroom, From Morning Till Night
Make your bed every day. No matter what. Do it as soon as you get up, and feel free to ditch your top sheet if that makes life easier. When you get home, immediately hang up items that will be reworn. And keep your closet decluttered. The best way to do this? Give pieces away frequently!

The Dreaded Kitchen
There???s a difference between having a neat house???i.e., everything is straightened???and having a clean house???as in, there aren???t gobs of sticky, anonymous food lingering from days ago. The kitchen, rivaled only by the bathroom, is ground zero for cleanliness. So how best to combat the situation? Make a habit of cleaning as much as possible while you cook, and always do all the dishes after each meal. Clean out (and dry!) your sink at the end of every day. If you have a dishwasher, run it at night and unload the clean dishes before it is time to pop in the next morning???s cereal bowls.

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Looking for ways to clean common things in your home? Checkout this article about home cleaning tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.vogue.com/13518247/how-to-keep-your-house-clean-new-years-resolution/

Looking for Better Ways to Store Your Kid’s Toys? Get Ideas Here!

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Kids are notorious for not putting their toys away where they belong. In order to help you and them out we found this article with toy storage ideas. We hope it helps!

From the article:

These clever containers will corral four common, constantly underfoot sources of kiddie clutter.

Low-Effort Lego Drop
A lightweight, lidless vessel makes it easy for little ones to grab and go???and dump their stash of blocks back in when they???re done building.

Matchbox Carport
This mountable hardwood ???parking lot??? has a dozen slotted shelves and a clear acrylic door to keep mini cars in place. Hang it low on the wall in a kid???s room or a playroom.

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Looking for playroom storage ideas? Checkout this article about playroom storage ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/toy-storage-solutions

Does Your Job Require You to Sit All Day? Learn How to Reverse the Health Risks Here!

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Depending upon the type of job that you have it requires you to sit for long periods of time. Most people are aware of the health risks of sitting for long periods of time but most people don’t know how to reverse the health risks. In order to help you out we found this article on how to reverse the health risks. We hope it helps!

From the article:

A new study offers some reassuring news for anyone stuck at a desk from 9 to 5.

Sitting for eight hours a day doesn???t seem to raise your risk for dying early, according to a new analysis of previous studies???but only if you get at least an hour of exercise daily.

The results, published this week in the Lancet, may be reassuring for people stuck behind a desk all day, say health experts, but it should also serve as an important reminder: If you have to sit for long periods, your daily workout is vital to your well-being.

The connection between sitting and dying has been studied extensively, and has inspired many scary headlines in the media. And while this research didn???t actually look at any new data, it did combine information from 16 previous studies in a way than hadn???t been done before.

Using this data, researchers were able to directly compare death rates over a certain period of time between people with different levels of sitting time and physical activity. ???Examining the joint effects of these two behaviors is important,??? they wrote, ???because most people engage in both behaviors every day.???

After crunching the numbers, the international team of researchers found that a sedentary lifestyle was indeed associated with an increased risk of death over the next decade. But the more people were active when they weren???t sitting, the more their risk went down. And for people who got the most daily exercise???at least 60 to 75 minutes of moderate physical activity???the increased risk disappeared completely.

In fact, those who sat for at least eight hours a day but were also in the highest exercise group actually had a lower risk of dying than those who sat for four hours or less but who reported the lowest amount of daily exercise (about five minutes a day).

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Looking to promote healthy family habits? Checkout this article about healthy family habits that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.realsimple.com/health/sitting-exercise-hour

Looking for Ways to Make Your Home Your Dream Home? Try These Ideas!

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Everyone wants to be in their dream home. Most people aren’t there. Few in fact ever achieve the dream. In order to help you out we found this article with 24 different ideas on how to turn your existing home into your dream home. We hope it helps!

From the article:

We???ve all got some daydream ideas about what our home should look like. Some of us want a clever modern design, while others want a more traditional home style. But when it comes down to it, we all want a combination of comfort and functionality. No matter what your tastes are, I???ve compiled a list from our sister site DIY Ready???s home improvement ideas to help you achieve that American Dream Home Improvement. You might find a piece you???ve been thinking about or maybe this list will ignite your creativity and inspire you to come up with, or even create, something new. Have fun!

DIY Kitchen Ideas For Organized Culinary Creations
Organize your kitchen to have a combination of comfort and functionality.

Incredible DIY Bathroom Makeover Ideas

Awesome DIY Projects For Your Game Room
Fill your game room with quality entertainment that provides the joy of creating something functional and cool.

DIY Outdoor Fireplace Ideas to Combat the Winter Chill
Fireplaces won???t only combat winter chill, they will also give some character to your outdoor space.

DIY Organization Ideas for Your Laundry Room
Though it may not be a dream to do laundry, don???t forget your laundry room is also a part of your house. Home improvement ideas range to the small corners of your dream home! Organize this space and work with ease.

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Looking to create your dream backyard? Checkout this article about dream backyard that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://pioneersettler.com/american-dream-home-improvement-ideas/

Looking to Organize Your Home? Checkout These Ideas!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Jeremy Leake

Having an organized home is something that most people strive for. In order to help you out we found this article with some organization tips. We hope they help you have a more organized home!

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If you need Hammond 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:

Trying to figure out how to organize your house?

Do you feel like no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to get organized?

Or once you do get some organizing done, everything becomes a mess the next day?

Never fear, the professional organizer is here!

Below you’ll find the answer to all of those questions. Here are the top 5 home organization tips a professional organizer (that’s me!) uses to keep her own house tidy. Let’s get happy, let’s get motivated, let’s get organized!

Everything – absolutely everything – needs a home.
Even the stuff you don’t know what to do with needs a home.

For example, if you’ve got a pile of random small parts and you have no idea what these pieces belong to, then put them in a bin labeled “Small Random Parts” AND put the bin in a part of the house that makes sense to you. If you end up figuring out that something is missing a piece, then you’ll know just where to look.

If they are small toy pieces then perhaps it belongs in your kid’s room or the play room. If they look like pieces to furniture or to the house in some way, perhaps the bin belongs in the garage with the tools and hardware.

Apply this to everything you own. If you’re having trouble figuring out where to house items, start by identifying which room they get used in. Then containerize them and label the container.

Put stuff away daily.
Even if it’s just in the right room, it’s important to return items to their “homes” on a regular basis. This is why it’s so critical to give everything you own an official place to live; it makes putting stuff away so ridiculously easy and quick.

I’ve integrated this practice into my morning routine, so that every day begins with a clean, fresh start. If I’m working from home that day, then the clutter-free environment is much more conducive to being productive. If I’m out for the day, coming home to a tidy house feels so awesome and relaxing.

Now it’s important to say, you don’t need to be running from one end of the house to the other or up and down the stairs until you’re breaking a sweat. You can, for example, simply put things on the stairs that need to be brought up the next time someone passes them.

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Looking to create the perfect mudroom? Then checkout this article with mudroom organization ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Read about all the tips here: http://www.the-organizing-boutique.com/how-to-organize-your-house.html