If you want to make your home look better than ever, consider making cleaning your New Year’s resolution. Spend at least 10 minutes a day cleaning. Focus on a particular area or task each day. These efforts should be done in addition to your regular cleaning routine, not as a replacement for it. Make a point of starting with a small area and working your way up. Here are some other ideas from Amy from Hampers and Hiccups to consider:
Making Your Bed a Habit
If you are looking to improve your mental health and productivity, making your bed every morning is a must. Not only will your bed look great, but your whole room will look neat and tidy. A tidy room makes you feel good and can even improve your mood. Having a clean room will also increase your self-confidence. Making your bed every morning is a great start to the new year.
According to Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, people who make their beds regularly are more likely to sleep well. By making your bed daily, you will minimize wrinkles in your sheets and pillows. Also, your bed linens will stay cleaner for longer. According to a National Sleep Foundation poll, people who made their beds regularly reported better quality sleep.
Decluttering Your Closet
If you’re unsure about which cleaning resolution to choose, consider decluttering your closet. There are a few steps you can take to make this task go as smoothly as possible. First, call up a professional junk removal service. Many cities have donation and disposal centers for unwanted items, and charities often accept a variety of different types of items. You can also organize your items into baskets if you’d like.
Once you’ve decided to get rid of some of the things in your closet, you can organize the remaining items. Using the KonMari method, you can throw out clothes that you don’t wear anymore. Ask yourself questions such as does this item bring me joy? Does it fit me properly? You can also donate any shoe that needs to be cleaned or repaired.
Sort the clothes into three piles: Out-of-season clothing, damaged clothing, and donations. Then, decide which clothes you can donate. If you’re not sure how to organize the donation work yourself, you can always call 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to get help. This way, you can focus on other areas of your life. Once you’ve decluttered your closet, you can get started on cleaning your home.
Making Your Home Energy Efficient
The easiest way to protect the planet is to reduce the amount of energy your home uses. Around three-fifths of your home’s energy go to heating and cooling, which wastes a lot of energy and money. You can make this task easier by replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs that use less energy and last longer. Replace all of your light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. Also, make sure to turn off power strips when not in use to reduce your water and hydro bills. Turn off air conditioning and lower the heat when you are away from home, if possible.
If you have an older home, you should look into installing energy-efficient bulbs and heating systems. Many utilities will offer energy audits free of charge. You can also install a dishwasher and low-flow showerheads to save water. Installing energy-efficient appliances will help you save money on heating and cooling. If you don’t want to spend any money on new appliances, you can buy and install energy-efficient ones that will work well.
Make your goals realistic. If you have been allowing things to pile up for months, you shouldn’t set goals that are unrealistic for the year. Instead, set realistic goals and tackle one room at a time. You can even turn to blogs for tips and ideas on the best way to tackle each room. You’ll be glad you did. The next time you clean your home, remember to keep your energy-raising items in baskets.
Consider recycling and going green. Recycling is an excellent way to make a difference in the world. There are several ways to do this, including solar panels and hybrid cars. Using a recycling bin is also a great way to save money on energy bills. Also, consider installing energy-efficient appliances. These are just some of the many cleaning resolutions you should make this year. They can help you stay organized and relax and improve your home’s energy efficiency as well.
Make small changes to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Even small changes can make a huge difference in your home’s energy bill. Replace outdated appliances and switch to energy-efficient ones. The energy savings are sure to increase this year’s bottom line. Make the most of your newfound knowledge by making the right changes. These are some of the cleaning resolutions you should make this year and keep to them.
Cleaning Your Oven
While you may not want to spend time scrubbing your oven, you can use a simple baking soda paste to remove the gunk and grease. Mix one cup of baking soda with two to three tablespoons of water to form a paste. Then, scrub the inside of the oven using a non-scratch scour pad. Once you’re done, wipe off the baking soda residue with a clean cloth.
Before you start cleaning, make sure to remove everything from the oven, including the broiler pan, racks, grid, and cookware. Wipe the inside glass and doorframe of the oven using a damp cloth. It’s important to clean the doorframe edge about an inch inside, but avoid cleaning the slots in the doorframe. Wipe away loose crumbs and dirt that might have accumulated over time.
When cleaning the inside of your oven, always remember to check the oven’s fuse. It could be blown if you use it on a regular basis. You might need to follow manufacturer instructions. Checking your oven’s fuse and manual is vital to avoiding problems with your appliances. Clean it monthly or every few months, depending on how frequently you use it. Once you have cleaned it, you can start cooking.
A clean oven is a sign of expertise, says Chrissy Hogie, senior product marketing manager at KitchenAid. Experts recommend cleaning your oven every three months, but if you don’t use it regularly, you can go longer between cleanings. This will not only improve the appearance of your oven but also make it smell better. You’ll feel better after cleaning it.
While cleaning your oven is an easy task, it’s a good idea to consider running a cycle during the evening hours, especially if you live in a warm climate. Otherwise, you could end up blowing your oven’s fuse or overworking your air conditioner. Cleaning your oven is one of the cleaning resolutions you should make this year. Keep reading to find out why cleaning your oven is so important.
