Archive for the 'Home Improvement' Category
Nov
13
Winter weatherproofing: Preparing your home to stay safe and save energy
November 13, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – The heat will certainly be on this winter. With winter storms hitting many parts of the country early in the winter season, furnaces are plugging away, causing heating bills across the country to increase. According to the U.S. Department of En…
Nov
13
5 Ways to Impress Holiday Guests this Season
November 13, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – As the holidays approach, those who love to host know shopping isn’t the only stress factor. Between groceries, cleaning the house, meal preparation and shoveling the driveway, it’s always a race to the finish line. Follow these five steps to leave guests impressed by (and even envious of!) your skills as a host.
1. Highlight essential herbs with an indoor window garden
Herbs are easy to maintain and will happily grow next to a bright window, even when the snow falls. With an indoor herb garden, spruce up meals and cocktails by adding freshly cut mint, rosemary, lavender, thyme or sage (to name a few) without having to bundle up and head to the store. Not to mention, studies have proven indoor plants improve concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reduce stress levels and boost your mood – an added bonus during the holiday season.
2. Create a “game time” playbook to optimize time and temperature for every dish
Preparing a feast takes brain power. Get ahead of the game and create a plan before the guests arrive. Outline preheating temperatures, cooking times and necessary supplies. For last-minute dishes prepared while the guests are around, measure out the spices and ingredients beforehand for simple prep that is foolproof against measuring mishaps.
3. Swap out your faucet
To give your kitchen a quick and easy face-lift, add style and functionality with an upgraded faucet. Consider the Peerless Westchester™ Collection, which adds an element of elegance to any home without a hefty investment. Swapping out an old faucet for a new one will give the kitchen or bath a face-lift without taking up a lot of time or breaking the bank. With a number of finishes and options, a faucet swap is an easy way to impress friends and family alike.
4. Dress up your table
As a place of camaraderie and feasting, the dining table deserves special attention. Embellish the runner with fresh flowers, pine branches, candles and festive details. Use objects of varying heights and consider hanging flowers, ornaments or holiday-themed decorations from the light fixture above. Label each seat with a name card for a personalized touch to make guests feel special. This will also alleviate any stress on deciding where to sit.
5. Plan ahead with takeaway storage containers
With food in constant flow, leftovers are inevitable. Instead of forcing food on people as they run out the door, leave a lasting impression with your guests by having designated containers on-hand for guests, sending each person home with a sampler platter.
Nov
12
Slippery season: Mayo Clinic offers 10 tips for avoiding falls
November 12, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – With the winter season approaching, you may need to pay closer attention to watching your step. Even if you’re active, healthy and full of life, statistics show that you have a greater chance of taking a debilitating fall as you age. Mayo Clini…
Nov
12
5 cleaning tips to save your sanity during the holidays
November 12, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. You may have visions of elaborate holiday décor or an extravagant light display to impress your neighbors. As you prepare for the season of parties, guests and entertaining, don’t procrastinate. Prepare now so you can spend more time doing the things that bring you joy this season. Here are five quick ways to help you prepare:
1. Clear the clutter
When you’re busy, it’s easy to let papers, mail and magazines clutter almost every surface. Start a habit of going through your mail and papers once a week, recycling anything you don’t need. Invest in organization solutions that keep your house looking neat and tidy, such as under-the-bed storage containers to store books, shoes, toys or other bulky items that don’t seem to have a place.
2. Fix up the front entry
With guests coming and going all season long, your front entryway will get a lot more traffic. Pay attention to the details. Sweep the steps, rake stray leaves off the lawn and move shoes and coats into the mud room or closet. Then, have some fun with your décor, like hanging a new wreath or setting out a festive welcome mat.
3. Destroy dust and dirt
Family and guests will notice if your surfaces are dusty, so be sure to wipe them before they arrive. To help prevent dust from settling on your furniture, an air cleaner such as Swiffer Continuous Clean Air Cleaning System can help. Swiffer Continuous Clean vacuums dirt, dust and dander* from the air, so surfaces stay clean 2x longer. The triple layer filter will Trap+Lock away dirt, dust and dander* and operates in near silence, so you can spend more time with the people who matter most.
* Inanimate allergens from dust matter and pet dander
4. Create a quick clean-up kit
With a jam-packed to-do list and a house full of guests, there won’t be time to search for the right cleaning supplies when grandma spills her glass of wine or your kids accidentally drop a container of frosting. Put your go-to cleaning supplies in a colorful, handled basket so that when disaster strikes, you have all the right products in one place and the stains won’t have time to set in.
5. Stick to a bathroom checklist
Before your guests arrive, follow this speedy bathroom checklist: Wipe down the sink, clean the toilet and use glass cleaner to wash any mirrored surfaces. Remove any items cluttering the counter, like medicine bottles, toiletries or hair products. Be sure to replace the toilet paper and have fresh towels available.
When it comes to making your home ready for the holidays, a little up-front preparation goes a long way. Just follow these tips to spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the magic of the season.
Nov
12
Slippery season: Mayo Clinic offers 10 tips for avoiding falls
November 12, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – With the winter season approaching, you may need to pay closer attention to watching your step. Even if you’re active, healthy and full of life, statistics show that you have a greater chance of taking a debilitating fall as you age. Mayo Clini…
Nov
12
5 cleaning tips to save your sanity during the holidays
November 12, 2018 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Ready or not, the holidays are upon us. You may have visions of elaborate holiday décor or an extravagant light display to impress your neighbors. As you prepare for the season of parties, guests and entertaining, don’t procrastinate. Prepare now so you can spend more time doing the things that bring you joy this season. Here are five quick ways to help you prepare:
1. Clear the clutter
When you’re busy, it’s easy to let papers, mail and magazines clutter almost every surface. Start a habit of going through your mail and papers once a week, recycling anything you don’t need. Invest in organization solutions that keep your house looking neat and tidy, such as under-the-bed storage containers to store books, shoes, toys or other bulky items that don’t seem to have a place.
2. Fix up the front entry
With guests coming and going all season long, your front entryway will get a lot more traffic. Pay attention to the details. Sweep the steps, rake stray leaves off the lawn and move shoes and coats into the mud room or closet. Then, have some fun with your décor, like hanging a new wreath or setting out a festive welcome mat.
3. Destroy dust and dirt
Family and guests will notice if your surfaces are dusty, so be sure to wipe them before they arrive. To help prevent dust from settling on your furniture, an air cleaner such as Swiffer Continuous Clean Air Cleaning System can help. Swiffer Continuous Clean vacuums dirt, dust and dander* from the air, so surfaces stay clean 2x longer. The triple layer filter will Trap+Lock away dirt, dust and dander* and operates in near silence, so you can spend more time with the people who matter most.
* Inanimate allergens from dust matter and pet dander
4. Create a quick clean-up kit
With a jam-packed to-do list and a house full of guests, there won’t be time to search for the right cleaning supplies when grandma spills her glass of wine or your kids accidentally drop a container of frosting. Put your go-to cleaning supplies in a colorful, handled basket so that when disaster strikes, you have all the right products in one place and the stains won’t have time to set in.
5. Stick to a bathroom checklist
Before your guests arrive, follow this speedy bathroom checklist: Wipe down the sink, clean the toilet and use glass cleaner to wash any mirrored surfaces. Remove any items cluttering the counter, like medicine bottles, toiletries or hair products. Be sure to replace the toilet paper and have fresh towels available.
When it comes to making your home ready for the holidays, a little up-front preparation goes a long way. Just follow these tips to spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying the magic of the season.