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Budget-Friendly Ways to Decorate Your Home at M5250

May 3, 2016 by

While you can’t make permanent renovations in a rental, there are a number of ways to add your own personality to the space in a truly budget-friendly way. Here are just a few ideas for decorating your home at M5250 — even if you’re on a budget!

  • Spraypaint large, wall-sized canvases (or a series of two or three) from the local art supply store in bright, bold shades. This is an easy way to add a pop of color to your walls that mimics the effects of a new paint job, and it makes it affordable to create your own simple artwork.
  • Mix and match furniture from the local resale store to create a kitschy, cool effect that looks straight out of a design magazine. This is also a great way to save a good bit of money on big ticket items, such as sofas and lounge chairs.
  • Bring in elements of the outdoors to create a warm, natural look throughout the home. Fill vases with stark branches, add seashells to small bowls, or fill a large jar with pinecones for seasonal dwcor.
  • Create your own headboard by simply covering a flat, wooden board the size of your bed with a high quality fabric. Leave the top open and stuff it with pillow filling, and then add tufted details or nailheads along the outer edges.

32 Budget-Friendly Home Decorating Ideas [Country Living]
Budget Decorating [HGTV]
20 Low-Cost Decorating Ideas [Real Simple]
20 Thrifty, Frugal & Inexpensive Decorating Ideas [Apartment Therapy]

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5 Unexpected Household Uses for Mayonnaise

April 5, 2016 by

Even if mayonnaise isn’t your favorite sandwich topper, you can’t deny that these unique uses for the condiment are downright brilliant! Try one of these new uses for mayonnaise in your home, your car, or even the shower.

  1. Fix cracks in wood furniture by simply dabbing mayonnaise all over the top, and then using a clean rag to wipe the entire surface. The mayo will stay inside of the crack, and after a few days, its oils will swell the wood and help close the cracked part.
  2. Create a DIY deep hair conditioner by applying mayo all over your head. Concentrate on the drier parts at the ends and work your way up to the roots, and then leave it on for at least five minutes. When you rinse, you’ll be left with smooth, soft locks.
  3. Remove the frustrating residue left behind by stickers and other adhesives. Simply rub the spot with mayo and a smooth, dry towel.
  4. Clean up crayon marks from walls and wood floors by rubbing mayonnaise on the affected area and letting it soak in for a few minutes. Wipe it away with a damp towel and you’ll wipe away the crayon as well.
  5. Get gum out of your (or your kids’) hair by rubbing the gum with mayonnaise. Once it’s worked in, simply slide the gum down the strands.

10 Unexpected Home Uses for Mayonnaise [Wise Bread]
9 Surprising Uses for Mayonnaise [Rachel Ray Everyday]
11 Home and Beauty Uses for Mayonnaise [Reader’s Digest]

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Chemical-Free Ways to Clean Your Oven at M5250

March 1, 2016 by

You’re always on the hunt for chemical-free ways to clean your home, but when it comes to really heavy duty cleaning in areas like the oven, it may seem almost impossible. Luckily, it is possible to clean your oven without using chemicals—it just takes a bit of ingenuity and a few smart tips from the pros.

  1. Take out the oven racks and let them soak in a tub of hot water.
  2. Make a paste of ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and just enough warm water to create a thick consistency.
  3. Using a durable sponge, scrub the paste into the stained parts in your oven. Concentrate on areas that see a lot of spills and drips, such as the bottoms and around the racks.
  4. Let the past sit on the stains for an hour or two, depending on their severity.
  5. Using the same sponge rinsed out with clean water, wipe away the paste and give it a second good scrub. You may also want to use a finer grade steel wool for difficult stains.
  6. For extra cleaning power, spray the entire oven with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
  7. Before replacing the oven racks, scrub them using simple steel wool and an all-natural dishwasher detergent to break down grease.

How To Clean an Oven Without Harsh Chemicals [Apartment Therapy]
Natural Oven Cleaning Recipe [Wellness Mama]
How To Clean an Oven With Baking Soda & Vinegar [The Kitchn]

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How to Speed Through Household Cleaning Tasks

January 5, 2016 by

Whether you’re pressed for time before dinner guests arrive or simply overwhelmed with the amount of items on your to-do list, just about everyone could use some help when it comes to cleaning. Here are a few smart ways to help you speed through household cleaning tasks.

  • Work in a circle. Instead of attacking things in each room at random, make a plan to work in a circle. In the kitchen, that might mean wiping down the refrigerator and tossing out expired foods, giving the stove a good scrub, wiping down counter and tabletops, then loading the dishwasher last.
  • Start with the worst first. If you dread cleaning the bathroom or tidying up the bedroom, start with that room first. By getting the hardest part out of the way when you have the most energy, you’ll speed through the rest of your chores.
  • Take inventory while cleaning. If you notice that something doesn’t need to be cleaned, such as the already-spotless windows, then eliminate it from the list to save time. Unless it’s something requiring sanitization, like the toilet, there’s no shame in leaving it be.
  • Do a final sweep. Once you’re done with the major cleaning tasks, give your home a final sweep, putting everything in its right place and creating an organized look.

Speed Cleaning [The Inspired Room]
30 Quick and Easy Cleaning Tips [Woman’s Day]
9 Tips For Speed Cleaning [About Home]
Clean Your Home in Less than 20 Minutes [SheKnows]

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How to Keep Your Apartment’s Entryway Neat and Clutter-Free

June 2, 2015 by

Instead of dropping your bag, shoes, jacket, and keys on the floor in front of your door, use these tips for creating a neat and clutter-free entryway.

  • Add hooks. Invest in some sturdy, attractive hooks and install them just to one side of your door. Larger ones can accommodate jackets and coats, while smaller ones are perfect for hanging a scarf or purse.
  • Add seating. Many people like to add seating where guests can sit to take off their shoes. Consider a compact bench with storage underneath to maximize your space.
  • Place a basket near the door. To avoid clutter around the doorway, add a small basket or decorative tray where you can toss your keys, mail, and other small items.
  • Consider the lighting. Do you often come home to a dark apartment at night? If so, you might also want to add a standing lamp to light the way when you enter the door.
  • Finish with a doormat. A doormat is essential for wiping muddy feet and keeping guests from tracking dirt through your home. Choose one in a bright color or with a witty greeting.

Maintain an Efficient, Orderly Entryway [Better Homes & Gardens]
Makeshift Mudroom: Tips to Keep Your Entryway Clear [Storage Pros]
11 Super-Organized Entryways to Clear the Way for Guests [Porch]

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Knife Techniques and Tips Every Home Cook Should Master

May 5, 2015 by

Kitchen knives are a necessity for just about any type of cooking, but they can also be quite dangerous if used incorrectly. By learning the proper knife techniques, you can master the art of chopping, dicing, and slicing without risking injury.

  1. Start with a clean knife. Although you may think that cuts are the only dangers caused my knives, bacteria is also incredibly hazardous to your health. Be sure to clean your knife with hot water and dishwashing soap before using.
  2. Keep knives sharp. In order to guarantee fast, accurate cuts with minimal effort, you'll need to keep your knives sharp. You can do this by using a sharpening stone or by taking your knives to the store where you purchased them for sharpening.
  3. Learn to chop. Chopping involves roughly cutting a food item into pieces, and it is likely the most common cutting technique. To properly chop something, grip the knife securely and place either the knife's tip or the corner closest to your hand firmly against the cutting board. Use your wrist as a fulcrum to pull the rest of the knife up and down, keeping that end against the cutting board the whole time.
  4. Research other techniques. Dicing involves cutting into small, uniform pieces, while a chiffonade is how you properly cut herbs. You should also practice peeling things like apples or potatoes with a sharp knife.

Knife Skills: Different Types of Cuts [The Culinary Cook]
Top 10 Knife Skills [How Stuff Works]
Perfect Your Knife Skills With This Chef's Guide to Knives [Lifehacker]

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How to Create a Home “Command Center”

February 3, 2015 by

There are likely days when it maintaining your—or your family's—day-to-day schedule can prove to be a daunting task. Why not consider creating a central home command center? You can rely on this single location to keeping things running smoothly in your abode. Here's how to do it:

  1. Choose the perfect space. Whether you pick an unused wall in the kitchen or a small nook in the living room, just about any centrally located space in your home will do.
  2. Post a bulletin board. This is essential for displaying notes, recording missed phone calls, or posting bills with near-approaching due dates.
  3. Add a calendar. Keep everyone’s sports schedules and work trips on file with a large calendar in your command center. Encourage your family members to write their upcoming appointments on the calendar so that there’s no missed communication as the date approaches.
  4. Take advantage of shelves. Whether you have a full bookcase or a simple hanging shelf, shelves are important for storing file folders, medical records, and bins for spare keys and other essentials.
  5. Cut the clutter. To avoid clutter in your command center, weed out the junk mail, magazines, smelly gym bags, and other unimportant items.

Do you have tips for staying organized? Please share them!

How to Organize the Family Command Center [Real Simple]
Family Command Center [Pinterest]
Done in a Day: Family Command Center [Southern Living]

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4 Tips for Speed Cleaning the Bathroom

September 3, 2014 by

Let's face it: Cleaning the bathroom is a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it! These simple tips will help you to speed clean your bathroom quickly and effectively, even if you only have a few minutes.

  1. Invest in the right tools. Things like sponges and buckets are much more trouble than they’re worth when it comes to speed cleaning the bathroom. Stock up on pre-soaked cleaning wipes to clean surfaces, and then toss them out when you’re done. Microfiber cloths clean glass mirrors without forming streaks, and a sturdy toilet brush is always a great investment.
  2. Start with the toilet. The toilet is likely the dirtiest thing in your bathroom, so tackle it first. Pour one cup of bleach inside, brush the sides with a toilet brush, and then let it sit while you move on to the next task. At the conclusion of your cleaning routine, flush the bleach down the toilet and you’re good to go!
  3. Clean surfaces. Using a separate cleansing wipe, wipe your sink, faucets, and bathtub or shower. Separate wipes help to avoid cross-contamination between surfaces.
  4. Tidy up. If you don’t have time to wash all of your damp bath towels, simply straighten them on their racks. Be sure to replace the hand towel, however, as this is used much more frequently.

Speed Cleaning: Tips to De-Scum Your Bathroom [Good Housekeeping]
How to Speed Clean Your Bathroom [CNN]
Simplify the Season: Speed Clean Your Bathroom [Clean Mama]
Speed Cleaning Tips from Professional Cleaners [Organized Home]

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Grow Your Own Indoor Herb Garden With These 3 Tips

July 8, 2014 by

Nothing can add flavor to a dish quite like fresh herbs, but constantly buying them from the market can become costly. One budget-friendly alternative is to grow your own herbs at home. It's relatively easy to do, even for those of us not exactly blessed with green thumbs! Here are a few pointers for growing an indoor herb garden:

1) Start with the right herbs.
Mint, chives, thyme, rosemary, and oregano are the best herbs for beginners. Not only are they easy to care for, they're diversified enough to add something unique to a range of dishes. If your garden will be perched upon a windowsill, then opt for herbs in four-inch pots.

2) Find a sunny spot.
Herbs need at least six hours of bright sunlight per day, which is why many herb gardeners choose a windowsill to host their garden. If your herbs become "leggy," a term that describes herbs with long stems and few leaves, then your plant needs more light. Be sure to rotate your plants every so often to expose all parts of the herb to sunlight.

3) Don't over-water.
Establishing a watering schedule will require a little bit of trial and error. One fool-proof way to see if your herbs need water is to stick your finger about 1 1/2 inches into the soil. If the soil feels damp, then your plant isn't in need of a drink just yet.

Tips on Starting an Indoor Herb Garden [Style Me Pretty Living]
Grow Herbs Indoors This Winter [Better Homes and Gardens]
How to Grow Your Own Indoor Culinary Herb Garden [Simple Bites]
Tips for Growing Herbs Indoors [The Herb Gardener]

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5 Feng Shui Decorating Tips for Beginners

June 3, 2014 by

If your home feels disorganized, cluttered, and just plain off, it could be your feng shui. Feng shui is an ancient Asian art of home organization that promotes good energy in your life, and it might help you feel more in tune with your home as well. Here are a few of the most basic feng shui decorating tips.

  1. Eliminate clutter throughout the household. Feng shui teaches people to eliminate unnecessary clutter that adds negative energy to a home. Toss out things that you don’t use, and even limit the amount of furniture to keep rooms open and airy.
  2. Balance your bedroom. If you add a lamp on one side of the bed, add one on the other side as well. Bedrooms should be equal and balance to promote a feeling of peace and calm.
  3. Face the desk toward the door in a home office. Doors are often thought of as portals for positive energy, so this adjustment encourages success in your career.
  4. Sharp, angular furniture is bad. People who practice feng shui should own furniture with rounded edges or completely circular shapes, because they promote flow and unity in your home.
  5. Add some plants. Greenery in the home has a calming influence, and it promotes a peaceful energy. Plants are also a natural way to clean the air.

Feng Shui Decorating Tips [Real Simple]
10 Feng Shui Rules You Should Follow [ChicTip.com]
10 Easy Feng Shui Rules You Should Follow [Kris Carr]
Feng Shui 101 for Your Living Space [Wonder How To]

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