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Is a DIY Furnace Repair a Bad Idea?

November 14, 2018 by

Repair

If your furnace stops working properly, then you might find yourself wondering if you can handle your own repairs instead of calling an professional Longmont furnace repair company. For many people, DIY furnace repairs are not a good idea. These are some of the reasons why it’s often a bad idea for many homeowners.

Your HVAC System’s Warranty Could Be Affected

First of all, if your heating and air conditioning unit is still under warranty, you should think about this when thinking about repairing your unit yourself. For one thing, if you choose to make the repairs yourself rather than having them done by a professional, you might have to pay for the parts and other costs of the repair yourself rather than having them covered by the manufacturer. Additionally, the warranty might be voided if you do your own repairs rather than having them done by a certified professional, so you might have trouble getting the manufacturer to pay for future repairs if you have any problems.

It Might Compromise Your Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Another thing that can be affected if you handle your own furnace repair is your homeowners insurance coverage. Some homeowners insurance companies require you to have this type of work done by a professional. If something goes wrong because of your DIY furnace repair, your insurance company might deny your claim, leaving you to have to pay for any damage to your home yourself.

It Might Take a Lot Longer

If your furnace breaks down, then temperatures can drop in your home almost instantly. This is especially true when it’s really cold outside. This is not a time when you have a lot of time to waste. If you don’t really know what you are doing, though, it can take you a while to get to the bottom of the problems with your furnace and to then make the repairs. A professional, on the other hand, should be able to get your furnace up and running a lot more quickly.

It Can Be Dangerous

Lastly, you should consider the fact that doing your own furnace repairs can be quite dangerous. For one thing, you could be injured yourself while working with your furnace. Plus, if you don’t make the repairs properly, then there is the chance that your system itself could be dangerous and could pose a risk for your home and family after your repairs are done.

The safety of yourself and your family members should be your number one priority. Even if you are not worried about the other problems that can go along with handling your own furnace repair, you should think about safety. Hiring the right certified professional to help with DIY repairs can help you make sure that your unit is repaired safely so that it’s safe for you and your family to use.

Don’t be too tempted to handle your own furnace repair. Beyond basic things like changing out your air filters, it’s truly best to hire a professional to help you. Mentioned above are just a few of the reasons why it’s typically better to have your furnace repair done by a professional instead of doing it yourself. Once you find the right HVAC repair company, like Swan Heating & Air Conditioning, to help you, then you will always know who to call to help you with repairing your furnace.




How can Smartphones keep our Children Safe

November 10, 2018 by

child safety

That question and more are answered by the new MamaBear app from Grom Social Enterprises. Version 2.0 of the company’s award-winning all-in-one parenting mobile app that combines cutting-edge parent-child communications with online monitoring and travel tracking functionalities.

Available on iTunes and Google Play, MamaBear delivers powerful safety and awareness tools including:

  • The ability to know where your children are at all times by setting alerts for location activity
  • A Family News feed where members can communicate on a real-time basis
  • A system that monitors social media activity such as new connections, photos and interactions. As part of this feature, parents can also tag specific words or language in incoming or outgoing messages that can alert them to abuse
  • The ability to read and review all text message activity
  • Technology that advises when they are in a speeding vehicle

MamaBear was created by the same team that oversees the popular social media destination for children, Grom Social. Grom Social is one of the most trusted names in children’s online media. It was one of the first social media networks designed specifically for children and boasts millions of users. Their experienced team of professional educators and online safety experts collaborated to design this special app.

Try our MamaBear yourself with this exclusive free download!




Don’t Gamble With Your Family’s Life: Gambling Responsible Week Is Addressing Concerns In The UK and Ireland

November 2, 2018 by

Gambling

This week the gambling industry is coming together to promote responsible gambling in the UK Ireland. There are more than 11,000 gambling venues involved and more than 127,000 staff will discuss what it means to gamble responsibly and how moms and dads can ensure things are not going out of control.

‘This campaign has been strongly backed by the industry’ said John Pentin CEO of a leading UK Online Casinos aggregator site. ‘I was looking this morning, and the hashtag #RGWeek18 has already been seen more than 2.3 million in few hours. It is a really good initiative to show that the industry is working together to protect vulnerable people and do whatever it takes to avoid the misery that gambling addiction can cause to families.’

Since nowadays gambling is strongly linked with football sponsorship there have been lots of top football clubs that have joined the initiative. Only last week Premier League side Crystal Palace has recorded a #RGWeek18 video. Advertisements have also been showed during the televised match against Arsenal.

In the SkyBet Championship, Middlesbrough has also carried gamble responsibly messages on the LED screens and on the big screen in their televised clash against Derby County. West Ham United have also shown support for the campaign with players that wore Responsible Gambling Week training top just before playing in the Carabao Cup against Spurs. Welsh side Swansea City will also have the campaign logo in their shirts in their weekend clash against Rotherham.

This is the result of the English Football League request to all its 72 clubs for support in displaying responsible gambling messages across their media and social media.

Not only football has supported the Responsible Gambling Week but also the British Horse Racing Association. Messages to support the campaign will be shown in many meeting including at Ascot on November 3rd (that race is televised). All the runners will have the Responsible Gambling Week message and also animated videos will also show on big screen and members of staff will have the RGW badges.

The Responsible Gambling Week campaign is managed and run by the Industry Group for Responsible Gambling which has members in all the sector of the gambling industry: remote, online, bookmakers, casinos, bingo clubs and so on. The week will run from 1st to 7th November and for the first time it will also include Ireland where the campaign will be backed by around 800 bookies and also by the Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Greyhound Board.

The concept is ‘Let’s Talk About Responsible Gambling’ and in every venue and also online educational material will be made available to trigger conversations on how to gambling for fun and in a completely safe way.

Customers that will require more information will also be directed to the GambleAware website.

John Hagan, Chairman of the IGRG said: ‘We want to spark a national conversation about how to gamble responsibly. We want to have customers talking with operators positively and constructively. The fact that the whole industry has come together to make this campaign possible is a great sig.




6 Signs That Your Fridge Needs to Be Repaired

October 25, 2018 by

freezer

A fridge is a very important appliance in the kitchen – you can’t cook much without a fridge and so you need to keep an eye on it. Often, fridges can be easily repaired without having to be replaced and you should be able to know what signs to look out for in regard to a broken fridge. Here, we’ll talk you through six signs that your fridge needs to be repaired. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.

There’s A Buzzing Sound

When your fridge is running, do you hear a buzzing sound? This might be a sign that your fridge needs to be repaired as there is clearly something wrong with your compressor or the other components in the fridge. Don’t forget, it is normal for your fridge to make a small bit of noise but if you hear a lot of buzzing then you should call a repair company.

Your Energy Bills Are High

No one wants to be paying extremely high energy bills so if you are struggling with yours then you should check out your appliances. If your fridge is having to work extra hard each day, it is going to be using a lot more energy and so your bills will be higher. It might be that you don’t have a very efficient fridge, but you also might find that there is something deeper wrong with it.

Your Food Is Spoiled

Food that you keep in the fridge will only stay fresh for a certain amount of time but if your food is going off quicker than it should then there might be something wrong. No one wants to have to waste money on food that they are going to throw out so think about regassing a fridge or getting a professional to do it for you. Once you have your fridge repaired, you’ll be happy with the results.

There’s Condensation

Do you find that when you open your fridge there is a lot of condensation? This might be a sign that you need to call someone out to repair your fridge. Before you do, make sure to check the rubber seal and see if it has any mould on it. Don’t ignore this problem as it can get worse over time and cause your food to not be at the right temperature.

Your Motor Is Over-Heated

In your fridge, you’ll find that your motor can actually be warm while it is at work. Of course, if you find that your fridge is actually a lot warmer than it should be then you should think about getting it repaired. This problem is often a sign of something deeper that is wrong with your fridge so make sure not to ignore it and get it fixed as soon as possible.

The Freezer Is Icy

Many fridges come with a freezer and often this can have its own problems. Your freezer is supposed to be icy but if you find that there are big chunks of ice inside your freezer then you have a problem. Of course, you can defrost your freezer but if you are having to do this relatively often then you should think about getting your fridge and freezer repaired as soon as possible.

If you happen to see any of these signs when you look at your fridge, you should think about calling a repair company as soon as possible. Don’t try to perform tasks yourself unless you know exactly how they are supposed to be done.




Ways to Ensure Your House Is Noise Free and Healthy

October 19, 2018 by

Noice free house

A noise free home is a happy home. When you can relax in the peace and quiet of your own home, then it’s a much more comfortable and happier place to be.

In this post I will talk about the number of ways to ensure your house is noise free and healthy.

Insulation

One of the best ways to ensure your house is as noise free as possible is to ensure that it’s insulated. This includes ensuring your ceilings, walls and loft space are fully insulated.

There are a number of different ways you can add insulation to your home, just make sure you look out for the best and most cost-effective materials to use.

Not only will insulation keep your home nice and warm, but it will also help with noise reduction. Having insulation in your home has a number of benefits; it can reduce noise from outdoor sources as well as from other rooms in your home.

Keep doors closed

It may seem obvious, but many people forget to keep their doors closed in order to obtain a noise free house.

Thick, wooden doors are the best type of doors to ensure as little noise as possible carries through your home. However, regardless of the material of your doors, as long as you keep them closed as often as possible, you should be able to reduce noise.

Keeping your doors closed will also improve heat loss so your home will be much healthier and a happier place to live.

Invest in sound-proof materials

One of the best ways to ensure your house is noise free and healthy is to sound-proof everything; including your windows.

Sound-proofing will dramatically improve the noise levels in your house as it will prevent noise from the outside coming into your house and disturbing you.

Double glazing is one of the best ways to keep your house noise free as it makes a much bigger difference than having just single glazing. The thicker windows will also help to keep heat in your home, so it will be a much healthier place to live.

Other ways to keep your house noise free is to invest in sound-proof materials for your walls. If you have neighbours who play loud music right next to your walls, then it can be a huge disturbance.

Invest in sound-proof materials for your walls that are adjoined to the next house to seriously reduce the noise levels.

Use carpets and soft furnishings

Carpets are absorbent materials, so they will help to ‘absorb’ any loud noises coming from other rooms in your house, or from the outside world.

Soft furnishings can also play a large part in helping to keep your house noise free. Thick curtains and soft material sofas, cushions and throws can also help to reduce noise in your home.

These types of materials will ‘absorb’ the noise instead of making the noise seem louder.

Making sure your home is free from clutter will also make sure your home is a much healthier place to live. It will also mean that there are less items for sound to bounce off and make more noise.

There are a number of effective ways to ensure your house is noise free and healthy. Investing in the right insulation materials will help to significantly reduce noise and will also make sure your home is a warm and cosy place to live.

Sound-proof materials such as double glazing windows and soft furnishings are also incredibly effective at ensuring your house is noise free. As noise free home is definitely a healthy and happy one so it’s imperative to take the right steps to keep noise in your home to a minimum.




Tips to Help you Write a Great Instagram Bio

October 18, 2018 by

Instagram Bio

You have probably heard of the saying that first impressions count, especially when you are going to meet someone for the first time. Well, the same applies to social media, and particularly on Instagram. In the online world, it is very important that the perception others have of you is that you are an interesting person that is willing to pay attention to different things and learn from others.

The truth is that you do not have many instances of impressing future clients, especially on Instagram. Before a visitor looks at your feed and sees the content you have posted, they will look at your bio, so you need to make sure it looks as presentable as possible. When you are on the platform, the better your bio is, the more likely the visitor will click the ‘follow’ button and become a potential customer. If it is a poorly done one, they will simply leave your page and never come back.

With a limit of only 150 characters, what are the tips you can use to maximize your memorability and make your bio interesting? Read on for some of them.

Include the logo in your picture

Instagram is a purely visual platform, even more than other social media platforms (except for Pinterest). This means you need to ensure your picture looks perfect, as this is the first point of contact with your own brand. If you want to ensure consistency in your marketing efforts, make sure that the picture you choose as a profile picture is the same as with every other social media platform you are on.

If you lack a logo, you can make one easily, as there are apps and websites that allow you to generate a beautiful one.

Increase your name for the search queries

Insta search

For you to understand how Instagram promotes certain accounts to the top of the algorithm, it is important to know that it will take two searches into account – your username and your name. When a user will type in your business name, they will tend to type in the official one in the search bar.

For this reason, ensure that the name you select aligns closely or is the actual name of your business or brand. As for the username, you can be more creative with it, but keep it close to the name of your company.

Make sure the link in your bio counts

Instagram only provides you with one chance to put your link, and you cannot put it anywhere else. For this reason, treat it as the only chance to market your business website – put your website link. You cannot put many things about your business and what you do because of the limited number of characters, so make sure your effort is worthwhile. Your website will do the rest in giving your visitors a better insight.

If you do not have a website, make sure you make one – it is essential in the business world today. The good news is that you do not need to hire a website designer at expensive charges to get a good-looking website – there are many applications that allow you to build one.

Include your contact information

Contact Info

Before the introduction of business profiles on Instagram, you were mainly stuck with the personal profile types that do not allow you add extra information, aside from the bio and website. However, business profiles allow you to add contact information, which helps your followers and other Instagram users to find you, whether you are online or not.

Make sure to include all your contact, ranging from your business hours, location, email address and phone number. You can also include your personal email and phone number. The main advantage of a business profile is the inclusion of this information in the form of a CTA (Call to action) button, making it easy for your clients to reach you.

All words are important – use them to your advantage

content sharing

The essence of Instagram is sharing visual content, which speaks more words than what the written word would say. However, the bio i9s the only opportunity you get to spell out your intention through text – so make sure every word counts.

Because you have a maximum limit of 150 characters (almost 25 words or two sentences), you need to be wise in how you write it. Think of all the things you would like to say about your brand and what makes it interesting, since you are trying to sell your vision to the visitor who lands on your page.

In addition, use the intended voice of your brand to communicate – for instance, do you want to take a more casual tone, or is it a serious one? The voice you use will also determine the posts you put out – so make sure it is consistent with your brand image.

Make sure you answer the basic questions

In telling the visitorwhat makes your brand unique, there are questions you need to answer. They include what your business does best, what it generally does, why your audience should care, and what makes you stand out.

Optimize your content

Many brands are struggling to gain high engagement levels on their posts, and some are resorting to the method of using free Instagram video views – one time trials, as well as buying likes to increase their post engagement. However, you do not need to do this, especially when you understand how search engines work.

As long as your account ranks high in searches, it is possible people will see your content. But how do you achieve this through your bio? The answer is simple – keywords.

These are specific words or phrases you want your brand to be associated with, so utilize them wisely when writing your bio – it can make a big difference in promoting your visibility on the platform.

optimize content

 

Final thoughts

Writing a good Instagram bio takes patience and multiple drafts most of the time, but the better it is, the more people will be drawn to your account. Take it as the only opportunity you have to impress someone, and use it well.




Making Rainwater Safe for Dishwashing and Consumption

October 17, 2018 by

Rainwater dishwashing

When people say ‘rainfall,’ the first thing that comes to mind is the garden. No surprise there—the same rain that falls on the roofs of our homes is the very same rain that stimulates plant growth.

The thing is, rain can be useful or suitable beyond the task of growing plants. Unfortunately, there are many that believe that it can take a lot of time and effort to make rain useful or suitable for other tasks at home that require water, therefore making it an additional burden over their daily tasks.

There’s a good reason why many couldn’t help but think that way. It looks almost impossible to remove the particles of vehicle and factory emissions that drops of rain pick up as they descend to the earth’s surface.

Fortunately, there is a system that’s able to purify rainwater and keep it safe for consumption and in dishwashing. Known as the rainwater harvesting system, it has a number of components that need to be arranged a certain way, with the central component being the rainwater tank. More details on the components of this system of making rainwater clean and safe are highlighted below.

Rainwater Harvesting System Components

* The Catchment Area

This first part of the system is what we all recognise as the roof of the house, but the roof can only be called a catchment area if it is used as part of a rainwater harvesting system.

Most roofing materials nowadays are suitable for use in a rainwater harvesting system. But the most suitable of all materials is an unpainted metal roof. Metal roofs do not have microscopic contaminants that each raindrop can pick up, provided that they aren’t painted—paint contains toxic components which rain can pick up and carry all the way to the tank.

* The Drainage Area

This part of the rainwater harvesting system links the catchment area and rainwater tank together. It is usually composed of a number of food grade pipes, all of which lead to the rainwater tank.

* Meshes, Filters, First Flush Diverter, and Purification Systems

Meshes are what prevent the entry of debris visible to the eyes like dead leaves and insects. They can be found in many different areas of the system, most especially the drainage area and the rainwater tank.

Filters are what prevent the entry of contaminants and pollutants that aren’t immediately visible to the eyes like particles of dirt and animal droppings. A number of filters can be found in the drainage area.

The first flush diverter removes the first flow of rain that gets into the system after several days without rain. This first flow of rain that gets removed is often full of contaminants and dirt that have accumulated on the catchment area during the period without rain.

Purification systems are chemical and non-chemical water treatment solutions that neutralize contaminants and prevent harmful microscopic organisms from multiplying.

* Rainwater Storage Tank

As already mentioned above, this is the central component of a rainwater harvesting system as it stores all rainwater that has passed both the catchment and drainage systems.

To truly benefit from having one in your system, it’s important that you choose one that best fits your living situation and the amount of rain you could possibly get each year. There also are a number of factors to consider in locating your water tank at home to keep in mind.

* Pump

It can be said that the pump is another central component of the system. This is because it provides even distribution of all collected rainwater across all parts of the home that are connected to the rainwater harvesting system.




How to Clean a Diamond Ring at Home

October 16, 2018 by

diamong ringAlthough it holds the reputation of being the hardest natural substance on earth, a diamond can actually accumulate dirt and lose its sparkling appeal. The same can happen to your treasured diamond ring, whether it is an heirloom from your mother or a ring that marked your engagement to the partner. It is not only expensive. It has a sentimental value that makes it even more precious.

If you are thinking of cleaning your diamond ring, then you’ve come to the right place. Maintaining your jewelry, a diamond ring, in particular, is relatively easy. The important thing is that you know what you are doing. We have gathered some of the ways to help you clean your diamond ring at home.

When to Clean Your Ring

Diamond rings require regular maintenance. Many experts recommend cleaning it every couple of weeks, especially if you are doing household chores and other arduous activities like outdoor sports.

When you are cleaning your diamond ring regularly, it will keep its sparkle and eventually shorten the cleaning process in the long run. However, you need to keep in mind not to do it every day because too much cleaning can cause unnecessary wear and loosen the side stones.

Cleaning Your Ring Setting

Your ring’s setting only needs a simple cleaning solution, whether it is in gold, silver, or aluminum. What you need is a small bowl, warm water, and mild dishwashing soap. This is especially recommended for semi mounted engagement rings as they require careful attention and a gentle cleaning process. Depending on the gravity of accumulated dirt, you can soak your ring on the solution from 20 to 40 minutes. If there are residues from hairspray, lotion, or perfume, use a soft toothbrush to avoid accidental scratches on the metal. When the time is up, rinse the wedding ring under warm running water.

When it comes to silver and gold ring settings, using ammonia mixed in a cup of warm water can brighten them up. After, you can clean it with a soft cloth and leave it to dry.

Diamond spark

Restoring Your Diamond’s Sparkle

Any glass or jewelry with crystalline gemstone can benefit from a few drops of vodka. A glass of vodka is the perfect solution to restore the sparkle of your diamond ring. You can dunk it in the vodka and let it sit for a few minutes.

If you want to spruce up your diamond ring, then using a window cleaner solution can do the trick. All you need to do is to spray on the cleaner and use an old toothbrush to clean it up. Just make sure to be gentle.

How to Care for Your Ring

Cleaning your diamond ring on a regular basis is one thing. However, taking care of your ring is quite another. There are things that you should do and should not do to avoid damage to your ring or hasten its age.

One of them is to avoid thick lotions and creams that can build a residue on your ring, making it look and feel dirty. It can also lead to discoloration, especially in the case of white gold and platinum settings.

Another consideration is to take care not to knock your ring against hard objects because although diamonds are resilient, it can chip the band and loosen the setting. Make sure to take off your ring if you are going to do strenuous activities and put it in a safe place.

Care for ring

Why Your Diamond Ring Need Gentle Cleaning

Although known to be durable, a diamond ring cannot go through just any type of cleaning process using any old cleanser you can get your hands on. It requires gentle and careful handling since the coatings and other materials on your diamond ring can be washed away by harsh chemicals.

Vigorous scrubbings are also a no-no. Diamond rings can also be porous and soft. They are prone to damage so you should be careful not to expose them to strong exfoliants and cleansers.

Conclusion

Diamond rings are precious. Some of them are heirlooms and keepsakes that hold sentimental value to the owner. Others are cherished because they mark their engagements. It is only logical that if you own a diamond ring, or are planning to purchase one, you should be able to take care of it and keep it at its best condition, which means knowing how to clean it even from home.

Diamond rings are an investment, after all. Learn how to clean and care for it to prevent damage and keep its sparkle. Remember, taking care of your jewelry requires effort, commitment, and dedication. Make the job easier by doing it regularly.




5 Signs That Your Dishwasher Needs To Be Replaced

October 16, 2018 by

dishwasher

A dishwasher is a very important appliance in any kitchen as it can help families to get the dishes done a lot quicker and give them more time to focus on other things. Of course, dishwashers don’t always last forever and eventually, you will need to give in and get it repaired or replaced. To help you to understand when your dishwasher needs to be replaced, we have put together some signs for you. Keep reading if you’d like to find out more.

There Is Rust

No one wants any of their appliances to rust and if your dishwasher is showing signs of this then you’ll need to think about getting it replaced. A good way to look for rust is to give your floor underneath the dishwasher a clean. When you do this, you’ll find some flakes of dust and you’ll know that there is a problem. Usually, this means that water is leaking to a place that it shouldn’t be, and you should think about getting your dishwasher replaced.

The Latch Isn’t Working

Your dishwasher needs to be closed tightly for it to run so if your latch isn’t quite working properly then you’ll probably need to get it repaired. Hotpoint dishwashers usually can be repaired but if the latch has been warped by some sort of leakage, you might need to think about getting it replaced. The longer that you leave this problem, the longer you’ll be washing your own dishes and not allowing yourself to focus on other things.

It Is Not Energy Efficient

Energy efficiency is very important and if you want to be doing your part to save the planet then you should make sure that your dishwasher is running in the most efficient way. Dishwashers use a lot of water and energy when they run so unless you are running an energy efficient one, you won’t be reducing your carbon footprint. Make sure to take a look at the energy efficient options and see what you can find for your home.

Your Dishes Aren’t Hot

In order to wash your dishes and get rid of all of the germs, you’ll want to make sure that you are doing so with hot water. When your dishwasher is running, you can’t really feel the water to test if it is hot but if you touch the dishes when they are finished, you’ll find that they are still hot from the water. If your dishes are not coming out of the dishwasher hot, then you’ll find that there might be something wrong with the heating coil and you’ll need to get it fixed. If this can’t be fixed or you can’t afford to wait for it to be fixed, you should just go ahead and purchase a new dishwasher for your home.

It Doesn’t Drain

The final sign that you should look out for when it comes to your dishwasher involves it not draining properly. This will be obvious as there will usually be a pool of water at the bottom of your dishwasher when you open it. You can easily check to see if the drain is clogged by some food but if not then you might need to think about getting it replaced. Your plumber should be able to tell you if it is a more serious problem.

Make sure to look out for all of these signs if you want to make sure that you have a functioning dishwasher. If you do, you will be able to ignore the dishes and spend more time with your family.




How to Properly Declutter a Home

October 11, 2018 by

home

Decluttering a home is no easy task, especially if things have gotten out of control over the years and you don’t know where to start. Or, perhaps you want to help a family or friend declutter their home. If you’ve ever seen a show like “Hoarders,” you understand how quickly a badly organized home—coupled with a few bad habits—can get out of control.

In addition to having a clean home, there are plenty of other benefits to decluttering, too. For instance, 67% of people say they would save a half an hour each day if they were more organized. Furthermore, being unorganized can decrease productivity, happiness, and motivation.

Whether you’re decluttering your home to make your life easier, or are moving into a new home and want to sell your current one, there are many reasons why you’d want to clean up. Here’s how to declutter your home and get organized the right way:

Commit To a Routine

This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s one that’s often ignored. Chances are, you won’t be able to completely declutter and organize your home in one day. As you begin researching organization tips, stick to a routine. This means that whenever you change clothes, you’re putting them away properly and preventing yourself from making a mess as you simultaneously progress.

Do Your Research

The Internet is a great resource for finding creative ways to organize your mess. This is all the more true if you have a small space. For example, if you live in a small, cramped room, you might research the best organization tips for tiny spaces.

You’ll quickly find that there are plenty of creative, effective ways to maximize your space and keep everything flowing smoothly from one shelf to the next, and one closet to the next. You may have to invest in some products that boost organization, but think of these as a long-term investment towards a sound mind and clean home.

Try Different Strategies

Think of each room in your home as a project, and explore different methods that you manage this. There are then several strategies you can use to help you clean and organize each room. There’s the four box strategy, for example. With this method, you’ll arrive at each room with four boxes, each designated to: keep items, relocate items, give away items, and trash items. This not only motivates you to take action with each item in the room, but helps you stay somewhat organized.

Another option is the 12-12-12 Challenge, which encourages you to locate 12 items to trash, 12 to donate, and 12 items that can be returned to their proper place. The idea is to repeat this process each day, and slowly but surely, you’ll have much more space than you might imagine.

Use a Professional Service

Sometimes, it’s necessary to enlist some professional services to really get your home decluttered—especially if you don’t have anyone to help you. For instance, you might turn to a junk removal service to help you properly dispose of your garbage, particularly if there’s plenty to throw out and you want to save yourself a trip to the landfill.

You can also reach out for the help of a professional cleaning service who can deep clean your home after you’ve gotten rid of all the clutter. Lastly, you might want to consider investing in a storage vault if you have trouble parting with certain items but aren’t sure what to do with them just yet, or if you need those items but simply don’t have the space for them.

Work On Your Closet

Your closet can easily become one of the most crowded areas of the home. It’s important that you tackle this particular area, because it’s a spot that affects your day-to-day life pretty heavily. To do so, try Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment, a a closet decluttering method that she helped bring popular attention to. With this method, you’ll be able to easily understand which clothes you can get rid of.

Here’s how it works: turn all your clothes hangers in the opposite direction, and once you use a particular item of clothing, you can turn it to face the other direction. Over the next few months, it will be easier to notice when it’s time for certain clothes to be tossed aside.

Take It Slow

If you find that decluttering your home is a bit too overwhelming, understand that it’s okay to take your time. A full days-long overhaul isn’t the best method for everyone. Colleen Madison, the blogger behind 365 Less Things, was able to transform her life when she got rid of one thing per year (take a look at her before and after pictures for inspiration).

According to writer Leo Babauta, baby steps are of critical importance. In one blog post, he described the “5-Minute Method” which encouraged people to spend just five minutes each day decluttering their homes. He also listed 18 steps to help manage each of those five minutes. For example, one tip advised readers to take care of one counter at a time, decluttering it as they see fit. Rather than crowd kitchen counters with too many appliances and other items, take your time removing items you don’t use as much and keeping things clear.




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