“Kick Dust Mites in Your House to the Curb With These Quick Tips” Homelight.com | Published on Jun 28, 2021 | 4-5 min read
If you’ve been experiencing allergic reactions on a year-round basis, you may have a dust mite allergy. Symptoms often peak during hot, humid summers when people spend more time indoors, as well as at night when people are lying in bed.
Signs you might have a dust mite allergy include:
Sneezing
Coughing
Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Watery eyes
Itchy eyes
Itchy throat
Itchy skin
Chest pain
To alleviate your symptoms, we’ll teach you what dust mites are, where they hide, and how to evict them.
Source: (Alexandre Boucher / Unsplash)
Examining dust mites
Know your enemy. Before you can get rid of dust mites, it’s helpful to know what you’re dealing with and where to find the little buggers.
What dust mites are
Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like arthropods that are only 1/4 to 1/3 millimeters long. Under a microscope, they look like tiny white spiders. The males can live a month or more, while females can live up to 90 days.
Dust mites feed on flakes of dead skin shed by people and animals. They thrive in houses since each person sheds up to 1.5 grams of dead skin cells per day. That’s enough to feed up to one million dust mites!
What dust mites aren’t
Dust mites are not parasites. Unlike bedbugs, they don’t bite or sting. Nor do they burrow into your body.
However, they can cause skin rashes and other allergic reactions like sneezing and postnasal drip. Those reactions are typically the result of inhaling dust mites’ skin and fecal matter.
Where dust mites live
Dust mites are found everywhere around the world, although they favor hot, humid climates. Because dust mites absorb moisture from the air rather than drinking it, they cannot survive in arid regions.
Hundreds of thousands of dust mites may be living in your house — specifically, in your carpet, upholstered furniture, bedding, mattress, and stuffed animals. Anywhere dead skin cells accumulate, there’s potential to find dust mites. And because they burrow into cloth fibers, they even tag along when you move and travel. So prevalent are they that nearly four out of five homes in the U.S. exhibit detectable levels of dust mite allergens.
Dust mite allergies and other complications
Researchers identified two types of dust mite allergens, using data from a 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of almost 7,000 U.S. homes. The presence of pets influenced the level of indoor allergens — as did type, age, and location, age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status of residents.
Some people are more susceptible to physical reactions to dust mites in the house. A study by NIEHS-funded scientists uncovered a mucus-regulating gene that causes the lungs to produce too much mucus as a defense against pollutants and allergens, which results in airway obstruction.
Chronic, continued exposure to dust mites in the home can severely impact the health of people who have asthma or a sensitivity to allergens and dust mites, which cause an immune system response known as allergic rhinitis. Mites are one of the biggest triggers for those who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Source: (Diana Parkhouse / Unsplash)
Dust mite allergy causes and solutions
Don’t take it personally; the presence of dust mites doesn’t reflect on your housekeeping. Even in the cleanest of homes, it’s impossible to eliminate dust mites.
However, you can significantly reduce the number of dust mites in your house by taking steps to remove them and prevent them from coming back.
Humidity is a key factor in determining whether a house has a high concentration of dust mites, but it’s not the only one. Older homes and homes with a musty smell tend to have more dust mites since these homes are often poorly ventilated and trap moisture indoors.
By the way, that musty “old house” smell comes from mVOCs — microbial volatile organic compounds emitted by decaying biological growths, mold, bacteria, and biofilm. Both mVOCs and dust mites thrive in damp environments, so it’s common for homes to have both issues.
Solution
Use a humidity monitor, also known as a hygrometer, to keep your home’s humidity level between 40% and 55%. If the humidity level is too high, you can reduce it by:
Adequate ventilation reduces humidity levels in your home by removing moist air from the building.
Cause: Gravity
Gravity may seem like an unlikely cause, but dust mite allergens don’t remain airborne because they attach to heavy particles in the air. Gravity then forces them to quickly settle to the ground, where they make their homes in fabrics, pillows, bedding, and upholstered furniture. That’s why most exposure occurs when homeowners are sleeping or disturb the dust during activities such as making the bed.
Solution
Reduce places where dust mites can hide by removing some furniture, swapping some upholstered seating pieces for seats with hard surfaces, and trading drapes and curtains for blinds.
Here are some tips to combat dust mites:
Replace carpeting with hardwood floors.
Mop floors often. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency filter or use a central vacuum system.
Dust with a damp cloth or a duster that traps dust instead of a feather duster that disperses dust.
Add a HEPA air purifier to capture dust mites before they have a chance to burrow into your fabrics. For just under $220, the Finn HEPA UV Air Purifier removes dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, and even light odors in small- to medium-size rooms.
Cause: Pets
Fluffy and Fido can suffer from dust mite allergies, too. They may also be contributors to the problem, thanks to those cushy pet beds and soft pet toys you generously buy for them. If you notice signs like excessive scratching or licking, eye rubbing, or difficulty breathing indoors, your favorite pooch or kitty could be suffering from a dust mite allergy.
Solution
Implement the same rigorous cleaning routine you established for the rest of the house and:
Wash their bedding and toys in hot water.
Use only synthetic materials for their bedding. Feathers, wool, and even cedar shavings can be a source of allergic dermatitis.
See your vet for severe cases of pet dust mite allergies.
Source: (HausPhotoMedia / Unsplash)
Prevent dust mites from returning
An ounce of prevention, as the old adage goes, is worth a pound of cure. Once you’ve cleaned your home, there are additional measures you can take to reduce the influx of future dust mites:
Dust regularly. Be sure to get all furniture crevices and tiny nooks and crannies.
Wash bedding weekly in hot water (130 degrees or hotter).
Keep the humidity below 50%.
Change your furnace filters regularly. Fresh filters also improve your furnace’s efficiency and potentially lower your energy bill.
Add an air filter to pull dust and other pollutants out of the air. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends a HEPA filter to remove “99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns.” Look for a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value of 11 or 12 and change it every three months.
Mitigating dust mite allergies is no easy task, but it’s worth the effort to reap the health benefits of a dust-mite-depopulated home. Whether or not you have a predisposition to react to dust mite allergens, you’ll sleep better at night knowing you have removed as many of those little pests as possible.
Valentine’s Day is a great day to show your appreciation for the one you love. Often, it’s through greeting cards, romantic dates, flowers, and gifts. But for some couples, the key to a loved one’s heart just might be in a few framed wedding photos around your home or a new fireplace for a cozy night. And better yet, your Valentine home improvement projects can be enjoyed for years rather than just a few moments or days. Start now on these home improvement projects to show you care for Valentine’s Day.
Add a couple rocking chairs to your porch: Whether you have space on your front porch or out back, make your outdoor areas more couple friendly with a pair of chairs you can enjoy together.
Update your lighting: Swap out harsh lighting for something softer and more flattering. Install dimmer switches to set the mood, update outdated fixtures with a new, more romantic design, and put in new bulbs with softer light.
Install a wine fridge: Love to share wine together? Enjoy an even better experience with a new wine fridge for your kitchen.
Hang an outdoor swing: Get ready for the spring and summer seasons with a cozy outdoor swing or hammock that you can enjoy together.
Frame your bathroom mirror: Update the look of your bathroom quickly — and remind your loved one of your hard work and caring in completing this projct every morning when they look in the mirror. Reveal your finished project with a love note on the mirror.
Organize kitchen cabinets: It hardly sounds romantic, but ask any harried home chef with messy cabinets, and they’ll tell you this gesture would win their hearts over. Invest in organizational tools such as divided storage, hangers, and even drawers for cabinets, and wow your loved one with kitchen storage they’ll enjoy using.
Build a piece of furniture: Nothing says love more than spending the time to create a quality handcrafted piece of furniture made with the recipient in mind. Build a bookshelf for a book lover, a jewelry hanger, or even a practical storage solution for your entryway.
Hang photos on your walls: Chances are, you have plenty of photos of you and your significant other together. But do you have them framed and hung in a place of honor? Show your loved one that you care and cherish your relationship by taking the time to print, frame, and hang photos of them or the both of you together on your walls at home. Need ideas? Look for photos from your wedding day, honeymoon, favorite vacation, or early days in your relationship to make them (and you) feel nostalgic.
Upgrade bath fixtures: Turn your master bathroom into a more romantic haven with updated fixtures. Add a new fixture for faucets and put in new fixtures in your shower and tub for a new, more inviting look. Then plan a big reveal with a bubble bath.
Plant a flower garden: Cut flowers are a nice gesture, but in the right climate, a garden of flowers that will last for weeks or months is a more enduring reminder of your love. Or, plant rose bushes for something more permanent. Plus, you can select flowers from your garden or rose bush for a home made bouquet.
Buy new bedding: Refresh your bedroom and make your bed more enticing with fresh, new sheets. Take it a step further with a new bedspread or even a new headboard.
Put in a fireplace: Nothing says cozy and romantic like a fireplace at home. But even if your home doesn’t already have one, it is possible to get one installed. Freestanding units can be purchased and enjoyed within moments, and local installers can add one to your home as well. Rather take it outside? An outdoor fire pit is romantic, too.
Carve out a ladies’ retreat or man cave: Have a space in your home that you’re not really using? Clear out the junk and make it a place for your loved one to enjoy instead. Add furniture and touches that you know they’ll enjoy, such as wall paint in their favorite color, or the perfect storage solution for their favorite collection.
Just fix it: Practically every couple has a project or two on their honey do list that gets overlooked. Think about the project that your loved one has been wanting to see done and make it happen.
Painting the interior of a house that’s about to hit the market is a project with a twist—the colors you choose will need to strike that magic on-the-market balance between a blank slate and an inviting home where buyers can imagine themselves living. Sound intimidating? Here’s the good news: A fresh coat of paint always helps. According to real estate pros, paint is one of the quickest, easiest ways to make a space feel move-in ready. Here’s how to get it right, along with a dozen foolproof colors to try.
Versatile neutrals
Neutrals are a real estate professional’s go-tos for a reason. They’re livable, flexible, and universal. “I usually advise my clients to keep their color palette close to neutrals,” says Nicole Vidor, a Realtor® in New York’s Hudson Valley. “The current style is minimal with clean lines—white or neutral walls and light flooring, often stripped to raw wood or pickled with a white, semi-transparent stain.” To achieve this light and airy look, try:
Pale Oak OC-20: A greige (gray/beige) that’s a warm alternative to pale gray
“More often than not I suggest white,” says Nicole. “Not only does it offer a clean, fresh feeling but it also allows the buyer to envision their own personal color palette.” With whites, it helps to choose a few different options and sample colors in your space to see what works.
“White takes in all of the surrounding color and light,” says Nicole. “A color that looked very white on the paint chart can look yellow on a wall depending on its base pigments, the lighting in the room, the exterior light source, and the floor color. All neutrals are very sensitive to their environments, inside and out.” That said, it’s hard to go wrong with one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular paint colors. A few to consider:
Swiss Coffee OC-45: Warm without yellow undertones—perfect for sophisticated spaces
White Dove OC-17: A bright white with just a bit of warmth to make rooms more inviting
Cool whites feel modern and work particularly well in urban environments. While buyers may not buy a home based on a paint color, if you choose something that stands out too much, they might decide not to buy it. “The majority of buyers are deeply affected by their first impression of a home,” explains Nicole. “More often than not, a bold color palette can deter a client from even considering a property.” Repaint any brightly-colored walls that might make a home feel dated.
Every house has a different context, and the color that helps one home sell might not work in another. This is especially true when it comes to exteriors, which depend on the surrounding houses. “You should choose a color that’s copacetic with your neighbors,” Nicole explains. “Dark gray—nearly black—has been in fashion for the last several years. In some places it looks extremely elegant, and in other situations it can feel foreboding.” For a few inviting color options, try:
Hale Navy HC-154: A dark, saturated shade that’s steeped in tradition
Consider quality
To make your property more desirable, invest in quality products. Agents often include branded appliance and paint names on listings to catch shoppers’ attention. “Brands can be very important,” says Nicole, “from refrigerators and stoves to windows and hardware.” Benjamin Moore paints are known for their timeless colors and long-lasting quality, and it often takes fewer cans to cover a room than other paint brands. You can even search for “Benjamin Moore” on real estate sites to find listings that mention paint brands in the property description. “Buyers are much more savvy now to stylish but cheap and shoddy products,” Nicole says. “The seller is better off investing a bit extra for quality.”
Bathrooms are one of those functional spaces we tend to gloss over in our decor plans—barely even noticing them until they’re messy or in need of a good scrub-down.
But the bathrooms (or shall we say washrooms, which sounds infinitely fancier) that took over Instagram this week are anything but neglected.
Instead, these five trending bathroom looks offer a sophisticated respite from the typical blah bath decor. So if you need a bit of visual inspiration to kick things up a notch (or three), check out these unconventional washroom looks you’ll immediately want to steal.
1. Black bathroom
If you want to create a chic scene in your washroom, try an all-black look like this one from @miltonandking.
“Black bathrooms are all about drama and moodiness,” says designer Doreen Amico-Sorell, of Sorell Interiors. “They are especially popular in a powder room, which is often treated like a little jewel box, able to be adorned any way you like.”
Soak in a tub and dream of dancing with an unforgettable statement chandelier like this disco-inspired one from @chelsgc.
“I’m in love with the disco ball chandelier,” says designer Maggie Clarke, of Maggie Clarke Interiors. “I just used one in a project to infuse femininity amongst other masculine and sharp-edged elements. In addition, this type of chandelier serves as a beautiful focal point for a bathroom.”
Get the look: Bring some fun 1970s energy into your bathroom with a cabaret chrome pendant.
3. Popsicle stick tile
This tile design is one of the best we’ve seen in a while. Pretty in pink and elegant in its own right, the popsicle stick tile from @chandeliers.and.champagne is one to consider for your next bathroom upgrade.
“This is such a fun way to add a pop of color and pattern in an otherwise utilitarian space,” says Clarke. “Bathrooms have a lot of cold elements such as floor tile, shower doors, and mirrors. Adding a curved shape creates beautiful balance. How fun would this be in a kids bathroom?”
Have a wallpaper you simply adore? Then why not try it out in every color—or at least in two shades to create a contrasting design like this one from @divinesavages.
“Contrast is such a beautiful way to add interest to a wall,” says Clarke. “Much like throw pillows, wallpapers don’t have to be ‘twins’—just make sure they’re ‘sisters.’ In other words, while contrasting wallpapers need to flow together—they don’t necessarily need to match perfectly.”
Concrete has been everywhere in design lately—from our patio furniture to entryway tables—and now the material is creating a brand-new look for our bathroom sinks, as seen in this post from @meiraustralia.
“Concrete, when used to create a sink, can really become that statement piece,” says Amico-Sorell. “So simple, yet available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The material is also versatile enough to pair well with modern or rustic decor.”
You can throw a legendary Super Bowl party—even when you’re only watching for the commercials. Here’s what to do!
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It seems that the best parties in the winter all revolve around football. Even if you don’t love sports, fear not. Throwing a Super Bowl party can be just as fun for the host as it is for sports fans. Stock up on tailgate snacks and slammin’ Super Bowl cocktails and let’s get going!
BRIANNA GRIEPENTROG/TASTE OF HOME
Bring on the Drinks
Football wouldn’t be a great American sport without a great American beverage. Before the party, snag a local beer from the cities of the teams competing or pick up one of our favorite cheap beer brands for your shindig. If they’re not into beer, pick a signature cocktail for each team based on their city, mascot or team colors. Mix up a pitcher of each drink ahead of time with a little splash of food coloring to match each team’s jerseys.
TASTE OF HOME
Do a Dip
Cheesy dips are a staple of any legendary tailgate, and a Super Bowl party is no different. Look for a few creative recipes and choose one that is cheesy, one that is meaty, one that is spicy and one that is vegan to appease all the different taste preferences of your group. Look to these dip recipes for inspiration.
To be the envy of all your friends (and the star of their Instagram stories) build yourself a snack stadium. Fill a few cardboard boxes or aluminum pans with all your favorite snacks (including some of these healthy Super Bowl recipes, for a well-balanced selection). Make a field out of a frosted cake and place it in the center. Learn how to build a snack stadium with our step-by-step guide.
VIA MERCURIALCREATIONS2/ETSY.COM
Set the Scene
Make your guests feel like they’re watching the game from the sidelines with plenty of creative decorations. From AstroTurf coasters to football drink stirrers to a festive concession stand sign, decorating for your party can be just as fun as the party itself. Decorate one half of the living room with one team’s colors, and the other half of the living room with the other team’s colors. Your guests can choose where they want to sit and cheer on their favorite team.
TASTE OF HOME
Wing It
The staple of any great sports viewing party is a tray of sticky, sweet and tangy chicken wings. Prepare a range of flavors from extra spicy to sweet and mild and have a few dipping sauces (like ranch or blue cheese dressing) on the side. Wings are the perfect finger food, but be sure to have plenty of cocktail napkins ready for these fall off the bone, finger-licking goods!
VIA AMAZON.COM
Show Your Spirit
Throw a competition to see who has the most (and most creative) team spirit in the group. Have a face painting kit at the ready with some colorful streamers and spray on hair dye. Challenge your friends to create the craziest costumes and have a makeshift catwalk for them to show off their team spirit.
TASTE OF HOME
Pick a Winning Dessert
What better way to wash down all those wings and beers than with sweet and decadent Super Bowl desserts! Help ease the pain for the losing team with a crowd-pleasing classic like caramel brownies or ice cream and cookie pie. Even if their team lost the game, we bet your guests will leave with a full belly and happy heart.
Laura is a New York-based freelance food writer with a degree in Culinary Arts from the Institute of Culinary Education and a degree in Journalism from Penn State. Her work has appeared in Taste of Home, Chowhound, the Culture Trip and Patch.
If you hate digging around crammed kitchen cupboards to find the right pot or pan come dinnertime, a hanging pot rack could change your life. Really.
Hanging pot racks are a major space-saver in a kitchen, freeing up cupboard room while also keeping your most-used items—your cookware—easily viewable and accessible. Just reach up, grab one, and you’re good to go!
Still, before you jump into the pot rack way of life, you should assess how much you like to cook and how often you actually do so. If your meal planning routine consists of spaghetti on Monday and then six days of takeout, you probably won’t get much use out of this kitchen feature.
You also need to allocate enough space—and the right spot—for a pot rack. Choose wrong, and it could be more of a headache than it’s worth.
So before you add to cart, here are some questions to ponder, as well as a rundown of the various pot rack styles available.
Most kitchens only sport a single window or two, so don’t block the only natural light you get by hanging your pot rack here. You’ll also want to avoid hanging a pot rack over the stovetop, because this is a recipe for all kinds of grime.
“It may seem convenient to put a pot rack over the stove, but doing so can cause grease to build up on your cookware,” says Andrea Correale of Elegant Affairs Caterers.
One of the best places for a pot rack is over a kitchen island. Or if you don’t have an island, hang the rack over the portion of the countertop where you prep food.
Height is another variable you’ll want to get right. Make sure that the pots are low enough to be within easy reach, and won’t require you to climb up on a chair every time you boil eggs.
Still, the rack should also be high enough not to cause head bonks or obstruct your view.
Pot racks aren’t just a way to save cupboard space, but are also an excellent opportunity to highlight your collection.
“Use a rack to show off your more stylish cookware in an elegant, creative way that matches the rest of your kitchen decor,” says Correale.
You could match a stainless-steel rack with your stainless fixtures or appliances, or install a rack made from copper piping to match tones in your cabinets.
That said, make sure the bottoms of your pots and pans are super clean, or you really shouldn’t hang them up, says Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing. No one wants to be faced with scratched or sticky pot bottoms every time they enter the kitchen.
Correale also warns “not to overload a pot rack, since laden racks can make a kitchen look crowded, and too many pots may be too heavy for the hooks to manage.”
If you never use that 12-inch egg poacher, why is it getting prime real estate on your rack? Save this hanging device for everyday pots and pans you constantly reach for, like the little guy that holds two fried eggs, the oatmeal pot, or your trusty cast-iron skillet. Occasional-use items should be stashed in the pantry (we’re looking at you, turkey roasting pan).
Pot rack styles to consider
Rectangular, circular, metal pipes, a wooden board with simple hooks, and more—all are worthy pot rack shapes and materials. Here are some different versions, as well as the pros and cons of each.
Brushed stainless steel
Twelve hooks and a lifetime guarantee!
(Bed, Bath & Beyond)
Not only can you dangle your cookware from this attractive, brushed stainless-steel rack, but you can place cookbooks and lids on the upper shelf ($120, Bed, Bath & Beyond).
Half-circle bronze rack
This pick also comes in polished copper or stainless steel
(Amazon)
An oil-rubbed bronze option from Cuisinart looks classy and professional, so you know it can handle your old skillets. And the six hooks slide around the semicircle, making it easy to grab the pan you need ($60, Amazon).
Wooden ceiling rack
Birch wood and steel combine to create a strong rack
(Wayfair)
An open-grid rack like this one offers lots of ways to display your pots, and the top shelf is available to hold those lesser-used pans. This product also comes with extra hooks, so you can sneak in a few more ($81, Wayfair).
Wall-mount rail
Order two of these so you can also display utensils.
(Wayfair)
Saving space—and money? This easy-to-mount wall rack has room for 10 pots and supports up to 25 pounds of weight ($24, Wayfair).
Or go for the classic Julia Child style: a pegboard. Child was famous for her large board, which featured the outlines of every pot she owned, so she knew where to hang them when not in use.
“A pegboard is an underutilized hanging tool, and it makes sense in smaller kitchens or ones with empty wall space,” says DeMorrow.
Standing pot rack
It’s convenient, but it does need assembling.
(Wayfair)
Not every pot rack needs to be suspended. There are versions, like this one, that sit on the floor against a wall or tuck into corners, too ($340, Wayfair). Correale favors the standing type, since, he says, “It’s easier to reach and clean and you can move it around the kitchen as you please.”
Free-standing pot racks also seem sturdier since they have little shelves for each item, which means you don’t have to worry so much about how heavy your pots are, she adds.
What is is about a deep clean that makes us feel like we really have our lives together?
I’m a firm believer in getting your new year off to a good start, which involves leaving all the clutter and mess back in 2021. Let’s explore the top things you need to declutter and organize before the midnight champagne toast, because 2022 is going to be YOUR year!
1. Your Files
It’s a good idea to keep all of your important documents and files in one place, both for organization and easy access in case of an emergency. Certain documents should live here forever — things like your birth certificate and passport. Others you can hold for some time, but toss after a few years like old apartment leases. Make sure to shred any documents with sensitive information like your social security or bank account numbers.
2. Your Refrigerator
Be honest: when was the last time you saw the very back of your fridge? Even if you do a weekly grocery shop, there are probably spills and forgotten condiments taking up space out of sight.
Begin by pulling everything out of your fridge and tossing anything that’s empty or past its expiration date. Next, wipe down the shelves and inside your drawers to get rid of old stuck-on food and funky smells. Replace all your food, and finish with an open box of baking soda or used coffee grounds to help absorb any odors.
I always purchase clean white towels and linens because you can toss them together for a bleach load to keep them clean and fresh. I realized I hadn’t actually purchased new bath towels since college (gross), so decided to splurge on some new ones. While my old towels were still fine, I couldn’t believe how dingy and worn-out they looked compared to my new, fluffy towels! Take a tour through your linen closet; if you can’t remember the last time you bought new sheets or hand towels, it’s probably time to invest in a fresh set. Consider donating any towels that are still in relatively good shape to your local animal shelter (they always need towels!) when you stock up on new ones.
4. Sneaky Areas of Your Home
You probably regularly sweep the floors and do your dishes, but when was the last time you gave your baseboards a good wipe-down? Giving the nooks and crannies of your home a good clean is good for your health and your sanity.
Some areas that could probably use a once-over include:
The only time I ever open my medicine cabinet is to grab floss or Advil. Chances are you have some expired medications on the high shelves that are taking up space. It’s important to dispose of old medication properly. The FDA recommends disposing properly of medication or dropping off any unused or expired medications at a take-back location, so check where the nearest one to you is located.
6. Kitchen Cupboards
Is there an unused ice cream maker sitting in the back of your cabinets that was gifted to you by a well-meaning aunt? Probably. Let’s face the music: you’re never going to use that waffle maker/baked potato cooker/panini press. Donate any appliances that still work and toss anything that’s broken/missing parts. This includes old cracked cups, Tupperware without lids, and grungy baking sheets.
Clean car, clean mind! (That’s the saying, right?) Your car is another black hole area where things disappear into a dark void, never to be seen again. A deep car clean isn’t something you can do on your commute to work, so make sure to carve out a little time to dive in.
Begin by opening all your car doors so you can peek under the front chairs and between the seats. There’s almost a 100 percent chance there’s at least one lip balm down there. Toss any garbage, and run any clothes/shoes/yoga mats you’ve left in there back into the house.
Many car washes and gas stations have vacuums you can use to suck up crumbs if you don’t have a cordless vacuum on hand. Don’t forget a quick sweep of the trunk! If you’re feeling really empowered, finish off with a car wash and new air freshener.
We’ve all been there—barely surviving the morning rush hour of making lunches, signing permission slips, and searching for matching socks. Then after a busy day at work and school comes the evening whirlwind of homework, dinner, and maybe a few minutes of downtime.
That leaves most of us with no time to keep our home tidy, much less clean.
But if your New Year’s resolution is to have a house that doesn’t send you into a shame spiral when friends drop by, read on for our dirty … er, clean dozen: simple, quick habits that will make it look like someone slaved over your house all day.
1. Keep cleaning supplies handy where you use them
Face it: There’s no way you’re going to trek downstairs to grab some cleaner to wipe off that toothpaste glob; you’re going to leave it there until it hardens into cement. That’s why Laura Smith, founder of All Star Cleaning Services, keeps a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner and a stack of cleaning cloths under all her sinks in the bathrooms and kitchen, so she can wipe up any little spot or spill she sees before it becomes a big mess that requires elbow grease—and time.
2. Clean the shower while you’re showering
You’re standing there rinsing your hair, so why not do a once-over of the shower walls? Smith finds one of the best products for keeping the shower clean is natural dish soap, because it is designed to fight grease—which, surprise, is mostly what’s in the soap scum lining your shower walls!
“Give the walls a quick once-over with soap and a sponge a couple of times a week, then use the showerhead to rinse, and continue on with your shower,” she says. And always wipe down those glass doors when you are finished to keep streaks at bay.
3. Clean as you cook
This is the best way to avoid a huge headache at the end of a meal, which you know you’re going to want to walk away and leave, says Janice Stewart of Castle Keepers House Cleaning. Even if you need to keep both eyes on the burners, at least fill your sink with soapy water and stick the pots, pans, utensils, and other cooking items in to soak while you eat.
4. Run the dishwasher at night
Yes, even if it’s not quite full. That’s so you can empty it first thing in the morning so it’s ready for action.
“Train your whole family to put dishes directly in the dishwasher, which keeps the sink clean and the counters clutter-free,” Smith says.
5. Embrace spot cleaning
Remember that it’s the whole chore that will wear you down, so deal only with what absolutely has to be taken care of that moment.
“One fingerprint on the door of the fridge is not a reason to clean the whole fridge,” Stewart says.
6. Keep surfaces clear
“Flat surfaces collect clutter like a paperclip to a magnet,” says Jessica Samson, spokesperson at The Maids.
They’re also what you see as you scan the room, so when you have clutter on flat surfaces it seems like it goes on forever.
“The more you can keep tables, floors, beds, and countertops clear, the cleaner and more spacious these areas feel,” she says.
The biggest clutter culprit is paper, so don’t let it pile up. Recycle unnecessary mail the minute it comes in, and create a filing system for the rest of it.
7. Clean out your refrigerator every week
Grab those sad celery stalks that you were so sure you were going to stir-fry and those takeout leftovers that never made it to the office, and trash them before they rot and leave a lingering order, advises Dawna Boone, owner of Valet Maids.
The best time to clean out the fridge is on trash day—off it goes—and ideally, right before you go food shopping to replenish it. You’ll be able to put away the groceries more easily—and you’ll be more liable to eat them if you can see them.
8. Never leave a room empty-handed
If you’re going upstairs, take something with you, whether it’s a stack of clean laundry or toilet paper refills. If you’re heading from the living room to the kitchen, grab that magazine that needs to be recycled and the water glass destined for your empty dishwasher.
9. Have a place for everything—and keep it there
Always put things back in their proper place after every use, says professional organizer PalomaBaillie.
“Dirty clothes go in the hamper—not on the floor—and clean clothes belong in your dresser and/or closet—not left in the laundry room or piled on the bed.”
Ditto for scissors, pens, and all those wayward objects that should have a designated spot in the junk drawer, as well as shoes, umbrellas, and coats that need dedicated hooks and bins to keep the entryway pristine.
10. Finish the day with a 10-minute tidying session
For those things that weren’t part of suggestions 8 and 9, make a nightly pickup part of your routine, advocates Devoreaux Walton, a lifestyle expert at The Modern Lady.
Set aside just 10 to 15 minutes every night—put on music if it makes the process more fun—and return everything to its spot, from toys to magazines. If you have a few minutes left over, run a cleaning cloth over counters or do a quick sweep, devoting five minutes to a different area every night.
11. Purge
This is more of a long-term solution, because less stuff means less to clean and organize. Use what Baillie calls her “three-bucket method,” where you keep buckets or bins handy to deal with items on an ongoing basis.
“Trash it if it’s worn out or broken; donate it if you no longer need it, but it’s otherwise usable; sell it if it’s in good condition,” she says.
If it’s hard to part with certain items, Samson recommends moving them at least temporarily to a box in the attic or a storage space. You’ll find it easier to keep up with laundry and closet organization when you have less stuff.
12. Buy a robotic vacuum cleaner
This might seem like cheating, but it’s really not.
“It is absolutely the best money you can spend if you want to keep a clean home but have pets or small children,” Smith says.
She recommends programming it to run daily while you are at work, or overnight—and then you can enjoy clean floors without lifting a finger.
Now that January is just around the corner, we present to you ten resolutions for your home this year, in the perfect spirit of new beginnings. They say home is where your heart is but a lovelier, better organized, and more comfortable place to live will surely work wonders.
CA REAL ESTATE GROUP powered by Keller Williams Realty
Christine Almarines @carealestategroup
Realtor DRE # 01412944
714-476-4637 | christine@carealestategroup.com
Michelle Kim @michellejeankim_homes
Realtor DRE # 01885912
714-253-7531 | michelle@carealestategroup.com
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It’s a Catch-22 homeowners are all too familiar with: Remodeling your outdated kitchen is almost certain to pay off big when you sell—but the actual makeover takes big bucks.
Is there any way to make a huge change without all the expense? Well, believe it or not, you can give your kitchen a face-lift without ripping out everything and starting from scratch. Yes, it all comes down to being creative with your cabinets—uppers, lowers, and everything in between.
Here’s some savvy advice from the pros who know, along with excellent cheap and simple cabinet updates you can start—and finish—this weekend.
You can’t go wrong with basic white in the kitchen. It channels a clean vibe that’s easy to live with, and makes resale a breeze when you’re ready to move.
But a little color is also lovely, especially cool blue hues and trendy pastels. A handy DIYer can fix up kitchen cabinets with a fresh color coat in a couple of days. (It’ll cost you only the paint and brushes—and your time.)
Marty Basher, a professional organizer with Modular Closets, votes for matte paint finishes over glossy, as the latter sheen can veer into garish territory.
“Choose muted colors in jewel and earth tones instead of overly bright ones for a more luxe feel,” he says.
Glass-front cabinets are all the rage—you might even have a set in your kitchen right now. But rather than style (and restyle) the plate stacks and glasses inside, let paint step in (again) to do the tough work of updating and beautifying your workaday cabinets.
“A fun pop of color on the backs of a few glass-front cabinets adds interest to the room and lightens up the look,” Henry says.
Just as bright paint can enliven your cereal bowl display, so too can a couple of pieces of wallpaper. Even better: Make it temporary paper, which you can remove anytime you need a change.
And don’t stop with cabinet backs—temporary wallpaper is a nifty surprise along your drawers’ outside edges. (Just pull the drawers open to reveal a pretty pattern.)
You know that gorgeous glow you spy on Instagram when you’re scrolling kitchen renovations? It comes from under-cabinet lighting. This smart upgrade brightens shadows that are invariably created by overhead pendants and can be installed by a pro for just a couple hundred bucks.
Want to go cheaper? You can get lights that plug in to existing sockets or grab some adhesive lights to press on in dark corners. Or just place a couple of small lamps you already own along counters under your cabinets.
A simple rack or drawer rearrangement can take advantage of unused kitchen cabinet space. If you’re a wine person, you can quickly create an X design with plain wood for stacking bottles on their sides.
You may not notice it at first, but molding is the unsung decor hero in every room. Simple pieces of crown molding, whether stacked, stepped, or the traditional variety, can be added to the tops of your cabinets for an upgrade that looks custom and expensive.
Karen Gray-Plaisted of Design Solutions KGP approves of crown molding on top of cabinets as it extends the design right the ceiling.
“Or reconfigure just a couple of upper cabinets to reach your ceiling like the ones around the sink or refrigerator area,” she says.
You might also try bottom molding, which is just what it sounds like: decorative pieces you attach to the edges or the base of lower cabinets or the kitchen island.
Adding these “feet” transforms lowers or an island, making them look like pieces of furniture.
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