Save time, money and energy this spring with simple cleaning tips to get your home organized. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. (Family Handyman may earn a commission from your purchases via the links below.)
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Sliding Pegboard Storage System
Colder, less productive months are a great time to organize all of your tools so that you know where they are when you actually need to use them on outdoor projects. This organizer takes workshop storage to a whole new level, employing both sides of seven pieces of pegboard, all housed inside a compact box.
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Clean Your Grout
Cleaning the grout between the tile in your home is a great project you can definitely tackle before the official start of spring cleaning. Make a note to save your worn-out electric toothbrush heads, because they’re great for cleaning the grout between your shower tiles. Just apply a little bit of dish detergent to the head of the brush. This technique works especially well on corners.
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Behind-the-Door Storage
The space behind a door is a storage spot that’s often overlooked. To take advantage of this neglected space, build a set of shallow shelves and mount it to the wall.
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Clean Vinyl Flooring
Sheet vinyl “resilient” flooring is so easy to clean that it may never require anything beyond damp mopping with a cleaner intended for vinyl floors. But if your floor has marks or stains that still won’t come off, you can use stronger stuff.
Isopropyl alcohol, sold as a disinfectant at drug stores, is a mild solvent. It’s the best cleaner for heel marks and works on other tough stains too.
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Clean the Dishwasher Filter
When your dishwasher no longer gets your dishes clean, a food-filled filter is most often to blame. If it’s clogged, water can’t make it to the spray arms to clean the dishes in the top rack. The fix takes two minutes. Simply pull out the lower rack and remove the filter cover inside the dishwasher. (Check your owner’s manual if you can’t spot the filter.) Then use a wet/dry shop vacuum to clean clean off the screen. While you’re there, slide the nearby float switch up and down. If the cover sticks, jiggle it up and down and clean it with water.
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F
Clean the Clothes Dryer Filter
A common cause of poor drying is a clogged lint filter. The filter may look clean, but it may actually be covered by a nearly invisible film caused by dryer sheets. This film reduces airflow and forces the thermostat to shut off the heat before your clothes are dry. Test your filter by pouring water into it. If the filter holds water, it’s past time to clean it. Scrub the filter in hot water with a little laundry detergent and a stiff kitchen brush.
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Attach a Towel Bar to the Laundry Sink
Get those messy rags out of the sink and onto a towel bar so they can actually dry and make your laundry room organized. Shop for an easy mounting towel bar that you can shorten if you like. We cut the bar with a hacksaw so it would fit nicely on the side of the sink. While you’re at the hardware store, buy stainless steel mounting bolts, washers and acorn nuts to mount the bar. We used 7/8-in. No. 8-24 bolts.
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Dust Your Blinds
Dusting mini blinds is a pain. It’s difficult to thoroughly wipe both sides of the slats without bending them in the process. A pair of kitchen tongs makes it a lot easier. First, cut a rag (microfiber works best) in half. Then, use twist ties or rubber bands to secure the rags around the ends of the tongs. You can close the tongs around each slat and wipe away the dust.
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Create a Grab & Go Cord Rack
This project takes just one hour and provides a simple way to hang up a variety of things, such as extension cords, rope or air hoses. Most importantly, it keeps them up and out of the way.
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Organize Your Dish Drawers
These drawer inserts come complete with movable pegs, allowing you to customize the arrangement to fit your dishes. By keeping your dishes at a convenient-to-reach height, they are easier to get at and put away.
Drywall repairs are something that every homeowner has to tackle at some point. But DIYing it doesn’t have to be messy or painstaking. Check out Realtor.com’s 2-minute step-by-step video!
As housing and living costs remain unaffordable for many living in Los Angeles, new data shows plenty of residents are migrating to more affordable locales.
A new SmartAsset study shows the migration trend to more affordable cities has created a series of “boomtowns” across America.
These cities saw the largest increase in population, income and available housing over a five-year period from 2016-2021.
Three Southern California cities, in particular saw the largest growth — Menifee, Chino and Victorville.
Menifee
Located in Riverside County, the population in Menifee has increased by 20.21% to around 106,400 residents between 2016-2021. Workers in the city experienced an increase of over 42% in incomes. Housing availability has also boomed, rising by almost 20% over five years.
Residents enjoy the sparse suburban feel with plenty of local parks and outdoor activities. Menifee’s residents are mostly comprised of families and retired folks, according to Niche. Average home prices are $572,051, according to Zillow.
Chino
Chino ranked highest for its five-year housing and income growth among the winner’s list. The number of housing units increased by almost 30% while the median household income increased by around 42% to $97,473. Chino’s population is just under 93,000.
Located in San Bernardino County, locals say the Chino is a suburban town with easy access to dining, entertainment and plenty of outdoor parks. Its residents are a mix of families and young professionals. The median home price is $715,682 according to Zillow.
Victorville
The population in this San Bernardino County has grown by 11% over the past five years while housing units have increased by 15%. Local businesses have also increased by 12%, according to the study.
Locals say Victorville is a great place to raise a family, boasting low crime rates, great schools and affordable housing. The median home price is $415,547, according to Zillow. Its residents are a mix of young families and retirees.
Here are the Top Boomtowns in America in 2022 according to SmartAsset:
Nampa, Idaho
Meridian, Idaho
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
New Braunfels, Texas
Fort Myers, Florida
Conroe, Texas
Menifee, California
Pasco, Washington
Lewisville, Texas
Chino, California
Port St. Lucie, Florida
Rancho Cordova, California
Victorville, California (Tie)
Riverview, Florida (Tie)
Homestead, Florida
To narrow down the final list, researchers analyzed data for 500 of the largest cities using seven metrics:
Five-year population change
Average yearly GDP growth
Five-year growth in number of businesses
Five-year change in number of housing units
September 2022 unemployment rate
One-year change in unemployment rate
Five-year change in household income
Thinking of moving to a “boomtown”? Experts say timing is important to reap the most benefits.
“Moving to a boomtown at its earliest stages can be a great opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors, as there’s still plenty of room for growth,” said Edith Reads, senior editor at TradingPlatforms.“ And for those who are looking for a job, there are usually plenty of opportunities available in rapidly growing cities. However, if a city has already reached its peak, it may be too late to get in on the action. In this case, it may be wiser to wait until the city’s growth slows down before making the move. This way, you can avoid getting caught in the midst of a housing or job crunch.”
à la Minute (Orange) – made with nitrogen Afters Ice Cream (Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Tustin, Chino Hills & Long Beach) – home of the famous Milky Bun
Between the parade of cyclones that pummeled California and the record-breaking frigid temperatures in the northeastern United States, the weather this winter has challenged many homeowners. And we’re betting there’s a good chance your lawn has seen better days.
Thankfully, spring is around the corner. And while it’s not time for your lawn mower to come out of hibernation just yet, now is a great time to make a plan to revive your lawn.
In addition to the following lawn maintenance tasks you can tackle right now, there are also a few preliminary steps you can take to nurse your grass back to its former green self. Consider this your lawn fix-it game plan.
Mitigate snow mold
Snow mold can destroy your lawn. (Getty Images)
Long periods of snow cover make snow mold ripe to develop and spread. The areas most likely affected are where snow piled or accumulated for extended periods of time.
These are some signs you have snow mold:
Straw-colored circular patches ranging in size from a few inches to several feet across
Grass patches that are matted down and crusty
Grass patches with a grayish-white or whitish-pink appearance
To combat the mold, gently rake the grass to loosen it up and allow the soil to dry.
Rake and remove thatch
Raking helps dethatch your lawn. (Getty Images)
Excessive thatch is a major indicator that your lawn is struggling, says Greg Crouse, product marketing manager at Leaf Home.
“Thatch is layers of dead grass and roots that tangle together along the ground’s surface,” says Crouse. “When there are massive amounts of thatch, the soil and roots below are often cut off from the air, water, and nutrients they need to flourish.”
Thick thatch can also make an ideal home for snow mold to develop.
If you notice a half-inch of thatch or more on your lawn, rake it so that the soil below can get the air it needs.
Raking will also clear your lawn of debris that may damage your lawn mower blade when you first mow, says Craig Elworthy, founder of natural lawn care company Lawnbright. And it can stimulate new grass growth when soils begin to warm from longer daylight hours.
In cold season zones of the U.S., dethatching is best done when the snow melts and air temperatures begin to rise. In warm season and transition zones, start in February before your lawn becomes active again.
Consider aerating the soil
Lawn aerating shoes can be used to improve the quality of grass growth. (Getty Images)
Winter frost can wreak havoc on your lawn’s soil. You might need to aerate it to ensure it consumes all the water, air, and nutrients it needs to thrive.
“If you stick a screwdriver into the ground and it does not go in easily, your soil is compacted and will require an aeration,” says Elworthy.
Use aeration sandals or boots with tiny spikes on the bottom, or use a manual or electric appliance to puncture the surface.
Lower the lawn mower blades on the first run
Once it’s time to break out your lawnmower, experts recommend using a lower blade setting for a closer cut on the first run of the season.
“This will remove dead grass blades, help to improve air circulation, and stimulate new grass growth,” says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.
For the cool season zone, this means mowing (after cleaning up the debris on the lawn) in March or April, after all the snow has melted. For the warm season and transition zones, mow the lawn when grass begins growing again, which is usually around March.
Fertilize at the right time
Experts say the best way to enhance your lawn after a long winter is to apply granular or water-soluble fertilizer. (Getty Images)
Lawns can take their sweet time to start growing again, and the exact date they shake off dormancy depends on your climate. Applying fertilizer while your lawn is still dormant or partly dormant won’t do much good and wastes money, Elworthy says.
The best way to enhance your lawn after a long winter is to apply granular or water-soluble fertilizer.
“Organic fertilizer should be used for a lawn in need of thicker and more natural-looking grass, because it helps stimulate the soil to better absorb nutrients,” says Crouse.
Granular fertilizers are usually in time-release formulas, while water-soluble fertilizer helps lawns that have trouble absorbing the proper amounts of water needed.
If you know the type of fertilizer your lawn needs, stock up now. Or buy a soil testing kit and use the recommendations to buy the correct fertilizer.
This infographic shows that the spring housing market could be a sweet spot for sellers. Main points:
The biggest challenge in the housing market is how few houses there are for sale compared to the number of people who want to buy.
The number of homes for sale is up from last year but below pre-pandemic numbers, and that means we’re still in a sellers’ market.
The housing market needs more homes for sale to meet the demand of today’s buyers. If you’ve thought about selling, now’s the time to connect with a local expert.
💭 DM us @carealestategroup and let’s chat about the best options for you!
💡 For more home maintenance tips, real estate advice, and fun family ideas, follow us at @carealestategroup — we are more than just real estate!
Winter is an exciting time to visit Southern California for its alpine region. The resorts here offer a unique ski experience and are local to those who live in the Southern California cities. Our local experts have picked the top 5 ski resorts for you.
Top-notch terrain parks make it a hit with freestyle skiers and snowboarders
Highlights
Home to Southern California’s only Superpipe!
Take on the 2 mi Geronimo trail for a double black diamond leg burner
The lift pass covers you to ski at nearby Snow Summit too
Not the best mountain for traditional downhill skiers or families
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 16 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 117 miles (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Bear Mountain
If you want to ride park, Bear Mountain is the place. There’s not a lot of steep terrain but the entire mountain is a terrain park and snowboarder-heavy. It’s also home to the only halfpipes and highest lift-served peak in Southern California. The only downside is that Bear Mountain’s terrain is not the best choice for traditional downhill skiers or families. Nevertheless, you can ski nearby Snow Summit on the same pass. It is also nearby Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City which offer an array of lodging, restaurants, and nightlife. The town of Big Bear Lake has a friendly alpine feel, with plenty of places to kick back for some low-key après ski relaxation.
A family-friendly resort with plenty of cruisey blue runs, plus regular night skiing too
Highlights
Laidback terrain perfect for honing your skills
Extensive snowmaking operation keeps trails open
Excellent mountaintop eateries
Only 10% of trails are suitable for beginners
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 08 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 60 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 119 miles (2.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Snow Summit
Located in the heart of San Bernardino National Forest, Snow Summit is a short, scenic drive from the cities in Southern California. The resort is extremely family-friendly and known as a groomer cruiser heaven. There’s a dedicated beginner’s area and the terrain is best suited for intermediates. Unlike its sister resort Bear Mountain, Snow Summit is more popular amongst skiers and less focused on terrain parks. Its extensive snowmaking allows for some of the most consistent snow in Southern California and its night skiing isn’t too bad either.
Offering three distinct ski areas for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers
Highlights
Variety of terrain caters well for groups of mixed ability skiers
Plenty of accommodation options in nearby Wrightwood
Kids will love the tubing and sledding at Yeti’s Snow Parks
Lacks really steep trails for expert skiers
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 12 2022
Closing Date: Apr 16 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 42 miles (45 minute drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 96 miles (1.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Mountain High
Less than 2 hours drive from Los Angeles, Mountain High is one of the most visited resorts in South California. It is the ideal resort for groups of mixed abilities with three unique ski areas. North Resort for beginners, East Resort for intermediates, and West Resort for more advanced terrain. There’s also snow play activities for kids and stunning views of the Mojave Desert. The small mountain is often compared to Bear Mountain, however is less focused on terrain parks and is much more suitable for beginners and families. The only thing that might disappoint skiers here are the variable conditions due to lower snowmaking capacity.
Huge size, long seasons, and all the amenities you’d expect from a high-end resort.
Highlights
One of the longest seasons in the US
Large area and terrain for all ability levels
Tons of snow
Far from major cities
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 05 2022
Closing Date: May 29 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Mammoth Yosemite Airport – 14 miles (25 minute drive)
Reno-Tahoe Intl. Airport – 171 miles (3.5 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 318 miles (5.5 hour drive)
Why Ski Mammoth Mountain
Mammoth Mountain is one of California’s biggest ski areas and has one of the longest seasons in North America. The modern resort is great for families of all ability levels as well as non-skiers who can enjoy a range of activities including tubing, snowmobiling, scenic gondola rides and snowcat tours. Other than the fact that holidays and powder weekends can bring a rush of crowds, Mammoth offers everything you could possibly want including a wide array of lodging and dining choices both at the base of the mountain as well as at Mammoth Lakes.
Family-friendly with a dedicated beginner slopes and lifts
Highlights
Quiet slopes are great for learning
Family-friendly resort
Night skiing on weekends
Limited dining options on the slopes
22/23 Ski Season:
Opening Date: Nov 23 2022
Closing Date: Apr 09 2023* (Estimated close date based on historical data)
Closest airports
Ontario Intl. Airport – 47 miles (1 hour drive)
Los Angeles Intl. Airport – 100 miles (2 hour drive)
Why Ski Snow Valley
Snow Valley in the San Bernardino National Forest, is a small family-friendly resort with a good mix of terrain. Since there is no lodging nearby, the resort doesn’t see many crowds and makes for a great day trip if you’re coming from Los Angeles. It’s perfect for those who want to level up on quieter slopes. Conditions also tend to vary as it has a lower elevation than nearby Bear Mountain and Snow Summit. Nevertheless, this laid-back resort is great for those looking for a quick ski fix and even offers night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Most Profitable Small Businesses
Stock prices and mergers often take center stage in business news reports, while small businesses are treated more like the ensemble cast. But maybe it should be the other way around. Small businesses account for a staggering 99.9% of American companies, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.
And when they say small, they mean small. The majority of small businesses have one owner and no staff, and many have fewer than 20 employees. Still, nearly half of all jobs come from small businesses. In the past 25 years, small businesses have accounted for more than two-thirds of U.S. jobs.
With so much focus on tech giants and mega-corporations, sometimes the more subtle trends and new ideas coming from small businesses aren’t as apparent. Meaningful analysis of the U.S. economy should examine what’s happening in businesses of all sizes.
During 2022, the most profitable small businesses showed many entrepreneurs using their skills and interests to help other companies grow. Others focused on providing value by making everyday life more convenient or pleasant. Both online and in-person services have displayed solid growth and earning potential.
According to NerdWallet.com, these were last year’s most profitable types of small businesses.
Food trucks
Car wash services
Auto repair
Personal trainers
Newborn and post-pregnancy services
Enrichment activities for children
Mobile apps and entertainment for children
Shared accessories and attire
Shared home improvement equipment
Vacation rentals
Electronics repair
Academics courses
Language courses
Business or marketing courses
Personal wellness
Courses in hobbies or interests
Bookkeeping and accounting
Consulting
IT support
Graphic design
Social media management
Marketing copywriter
Virtual assistant services
Raising Money-Smart Kids
“Money doesn’t grow on trees!” Parents have said this to their children for generations, but the key is to back it up with information that shows how money does grow. Experts say teaching children the value of saving money is crucial to future financial stability. Saving also helps develop other good habits like discipline, goal setting, planning, and delayed gratification.
Start with a simple piggy bank (or any type of container) that enables young savers to see how coins and dollars add up in real time.
Check out money-saving apps that use graphics and gamification to teach kids about earning and saving money.
Establish guidelines for how much children should save from earned income and monetary gifts.
Encourage saving by creating opportunities to earn money doing household chores.
Educate children on comparison shopping, saving and using credit wisely.
Overall, it’s wise to discuss age-appropriate money matters with your family to foster healthy, lifelong relationships with household finances.
How To Get Compensated for Flight Issues
Do airlines have to compensate you if they delay or cancel your flight? Are you entitled to hotel or meal vouchers? Answers can vary, so be sure you understand your rights before you fly.
Find out what to do if your luggage is lost or you get bumped because of overbooking, mechanical problems or weather delays. You can find up-to-date information on the Department of Transportation’s new Airline Customer Service Dashboard at Transportation.gov.
Consider buying your tickets with a credit card that covers flight cancellations and service interruptions. Be aware of airline policies before purchasing tickets so you know what to expect in the event of a problem.
Pro Tip: Invest in a luggage tag with GPS tracking.
Tips To Lower Your Monthly Bills
Finding ways to reduce expenses isn’t always easy. But with some planning and creativity, you may discover surprising ways to revise your budget and lower your monthly costs. Try tracking your spending for several weeks, then prioritize needs and wants. Use this information and these tips to save on major expenditures.
Mortgage
If your mortgage payment is too high, think about moving to a more affordable home. You can also explore additional options, such as raising the deductible on your homeowner’s insurance policy or bundling your home and auto insurance.
Utilities
Ask your cable, internet and cellphone providers for their best promotions. Research other utility options and switch to low-cost alternatives whenever available.
Transportation
If it’s practical, consider using public transportation. Refinance or trade in your car for a less expensive model. Look for a better deal on car insurance, and be sure to request all available discounts.
Food
Shop weekly grocery promotions, and buy only as much produce as you can use before it spoils. Cook at home more often and prepare enough food to save for leftovers.
Entertainment
Audit your streaming, subscriptions and other memberships for redundancies or little-used entertainment services.
4 Ways To Be More Productive on Your Phone
Instead of scrolling through social media when you have time to kill, why not get something done? Try these tips and tricks to boost your productivity no matter what kind of smartphone you have.
Put thoughts, ideas and drawings in a simple journal or notes app. Keeping all stray bits of information in one place is a productivity game-changer.
Dictate thoughts, ideas and reminders using your phone’s built-in microphone.
Purge, consolidate and organize things such as notes, emails, contacts, apps, texts, files, and photos. You may be surprised by how much unnecessary data you’ve accumulated.
Add shortcuts for frequent tasks on your home screen so they’re easily accessible.
Many of today’s homeowners bought or refinanced their homes during the pandemic when mortgage rates were at history-making lows. Since rates doubled in 2022, some of those homeowners put their plans to move on hold, not wanting to lose the low mortgage rate they have on their current house. And while today’s rates have started coming down from last year’s peak, they’re still higher than they were a couple of years ago.
Today, 93% of outstanding mortgages have a rate at or below 6%. That means a strong majority of homeowners with mortgages have a rate below what they’d get if they moved right now. But if you’re a homeowner in that position, remember that mortgage rates aren’t the only thing to consider when making a move. Your mortgage rate is important, but there are plenty of reasons you may still need or want to move. RealTrends explains:
“Sellers who don’t have to move won’t be moving. The most common sellers will be: Homeowners downsizing . . . people moving to get more space, [households] looking for better schools…etc.”
Top Reasons
So, if you’re on the fence about selling your house, consider the other reasons homeowners are choosing to make a move. A recent report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) breaks down why homeowners have decided to sell over the past year:
As the visual shows, the most commonly cited reasons for selling were the desire to move closer to loved ones, followed by moving due to retirement, and their neighborhood becoming less desirable. Additionally, the need for more space factored in, as did a change in household structure.
If you also find yourself wanting a change in location or needing space your current house just can’t provide, it may be time to sell.
What you want and need in a home can be reason enough to move. To find out what’s right for you, work with a trusted real estate professional who will offer advice and expert guidance throughout the process. They’ll be able to lay out all your options – giving you what you need to make a confident decision.
Bottom Line
When deciding whether or not to move, you have a lot to consider. There are plenty of non-financial reasons to factor in. Connect with a local real estate professional who can help you weigh the benefits of selling your house.
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