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Tuesday, January 15th, 2019
Cabinets, drawers, and shelves are your new best friends. Featured here is the Hooker Furniture Home Office Storia Low Bookcase 1609-10420-MWD.
Seeing and getting used to piles of bills, magazines and papers is a glaring sign that you no longer see these as clutter. But not being bothered by such sight could hold you back from being the person that you ought to be or living the life that you’ve originally envisioned.
Many professional organizers can attest that decluttering does not just provide visual changes but also many other great benefits. First off, seeing that your place is clean is tantamount to relieving stress. Eventually, being stress-free, you end up with improved relationships and better moods.
Don’t be overwhelmed by clutter anymore. Here are five reasons that clutter has been holding you back –
You No Longer Entertain
If your home had been the hub of entertainment for your family and friends and you’ve noticed that you’re no longer inviting them because of the mess or disorganized rooms, then, bingo, clutter has taken root in your home.
This is an obvious result that you’ve abandoned entertaining people because of the shoved clutter and boxes in the basement (these were placed there, to begin with, because you were hosting an event then and, eventually, you did not bother to clean them up anymore).
Free yourself from clutter and be social once again.
You Don’t Feel Comfy
Feeling that you’re ill at ease right in your own home is tragic. So instead of getting used to the stacks of bills and magazines or leaving piles of unfolded laundry in a corner, you’ve got to man up and face it.
Declutter and you’ll feel more at home.
You Feel Ill Most of the Time
That overflow of clothes in the hamper might already be home to mold (yup, go and check now). Or is it the nightstand that’s filled with so many unwanted items that you no longer feel relaxed in your bedroom.
Whatever the reason, dust could accumulate because of this pile of unwanted stuff so remove them especially when you or a family member has allergies. As you do so, you will notice that your health will improve because of reduced stress and relieved breathing.
Your Routine’s Been Disrupted
Do you already feel stressed just looking for a thing to wear when going to work? Many people admit to being overwhelmed by the idea of organizing their own closets and looking through the piles of their belongings. If this is already the case with you, then you might want to consider looking for closet organizers.
Closet organizers are professionals who have many methods of packing and organizing your stuff. There are also a lot of benefits that come with the hiring of these professionals.
First, if you cannot organize your own closet and the very thought of sorting through your stuff makes you woozy, then let these experts help you.
Second, if you think that you have hoarding tendencies or that you feel challenged by the very thought of organizing the closet, then allow the professional organizers to do the job for you. These are highly trained people – some even have psychology degrees – which can deal with such behaviors.
As you free-fall and allow them to help you, then the benefits are enhanced productivity and a feeling of tranquility.
The Clutter Had Become a Money Pit
Clutter could be a reason for food to go bad or for cosmetic items to go to waste, even medicines to become not useful. As you add up the money that was used to buy these things, then you’d realize the amount wasted.
Declutter and take charge of your life. Don’t allow the dry goods to be stored anywhere else but a cabinet.
Less clutter will mean that you’re ready to save some money.
Tags: decluttering, decluttering project, DIY decluttering, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance | Comments Off on 5 Leading Reasons That Clutter Impedes Your Success
Monday, January 14th, 2019
Stanley Furniture Bedroom Upholstered Bed Queen 007-23-52: Regularly clean the bedroom to enjoy a relaxing night’s sleep each and every time.
Do you still see junk mail and bills piling up on the kitchen counter? Let’s not begin to describe the strewn clothes in bedrooms and the kids’ toys left on the floor. Hey, no rush but it’s going to be February soon so why not start decluttering now?
You probably already know that clutter could lead to stress and anxiety. Each task that should have been easy would become a lot more complicated all because there is mess that’s competing for your attention. The opposite of this, of course, brings about tranquility.
The link between a homeowner’s mind and his living space is, more often than not, circular. This means that when a person is feeling depressed or anxious, he could end up not cleaning up. And where there’s clutter, there will also always be anxiety. Until this cycle is broken, a house will never become a home.
If you want to take on the decluttering project, then you’ll have to divide your house by zone. Here are areas that you need to focus on –
Laundry Room Cleanup
No one wants to spend time inside this room but you have to when you’re…well, running out of clothes to wear.
In this room, you need to sort the cleaning products and set up an uncomplicated makeover. For no more than $100, you can already freshen up the laundry room.
Begin by storing stuff inside baskets. These baskets should, preferably, fit inside the shelves. Next, make sure that all the laundry essentials are well within your reach. Store the stronger liquids such as the softener and the detergent in clear dispensers. This will help you keep tab on how much cleaning agents you still have.
You can also paint the laundry room with a more soothing color such as eggshell white, pastels or this year’s Pantone Color – Living Coral.
The Pantry Cleanse
Cleaning up the pantry becomes even more necessary if you have limited space to cram your foodstuff in. Your goal is not just to overhaul this part of the kitchen but more of bringing order in that area.
Don’t forget to label stuff in your pantry. Labeling will help you maintain a system that puts everything in its proper place. If you can’t do this, you can hire someone like the character of Drew Barrymore in the movie Blended (her character is a closet organizer). If, however, you like to do it yourself, then you can buy organizing and cleanup tools to start.
Use canisters and baskets. These will help you store fresh food longer.
Disinfect the Bathroom
It could get tricky to clean up this room. First, it is filled with many different products especially when each family member has a different set of toiletries.
Remove the beauty and health products that you no longer use (or worse, are already empty). Check the storage area under the bathroom sink and clean up the drawers, shelves, and vanity.
It shouldn’t take a day to clean this room (you can do this in two hours tops).
Clean the Bedroom
If you want to enjoy quality sleep, then be ready to clean the bedrooms. Scientific studies show that anxiety and depression could result from the lack of good sleep. These conditions could even get worse (think of heart diseases and diabetes).
Begin your cleanup here by giving away the clothes that you no longer want. Don’t let that bursting closet bother you any longer. Add more drawers or shelves if necessary.
The stuff that you only use on certain seasons should be stored. Fold and file into drawers and shelves.
Tags: decluttering, home cleanup, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Out with the Old, In with the New: Declutter These Zones in Your Home
Sunday, January 6th, 2019
The Wesley Allen Bedroom Laurel Complete Bed will look great in a vintage home. But before you bring in this lovely piece of furniture or any furnishing for that matter, make sure that your home is free from toxic and hazardous substances.
‘Recently purchased an old home? No surprise there because a lot of people are drawn to such because of these structures’ charm. While these houses are such a beauty to behold, there are also dangers there that you might not have initially considered.
That Long-banned Lead Paint
If you bought a home that was built before 1978, then it is probable that it’s been painted with lead paint. This was the year when the federal government finally banned the use of lead-based paints because they were found to be life threatening.
Paint, even when lead-based, when in good condition less likely to be dangerous but come the moment when it is sanded, scraped or even chipped, then it becomes hazardous.
Lead dust is dangerous because it can be inhaled and it can even mix with the soil outdoors where you typically garden or where your kids play. Have your home tested for lead-based paint if you’re not sure that you’re putting your family at risk. A simple inspection will be able to show whether there’s lead-based paint or none.
Lead Plumbing
Lead isn’t just found in paint. This can also be found in pipes. This is highly dangerous because the substance could easily mix with your family’s drinking water. Your health could be endangered due to poisoning.
The surefire way to know if you have lead pipes is to have them tested. You can have experts take a look or you can use a kit from any home improvement shop. This inspection becomes doubly crucial if you see that your plumbing is non-plastic and if it was installed prior to 1986.
Ways that you can reduce the health risks once it’s been established that your pipes are made of lead include –
Asbestos
Asbestos is a kind of mineral fiber that’s been used a lot during the 20th century. More homes were filled with this fiber in World War II. It was used extensively in construction and roofing as it was an effective insulator and fireproof material.
Asbestos was also used in wall compounds, caulking, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, ducts, pipes, boilers, and furnaces. Even the ceilings were sprayed on with asbestos treatments which looked as a decorative overlay.
Asbestos was also an effective sound blocker.
So if asbestos had these many uses, why was it banned in the late ‘70s? The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission banned any further use of this material due to environmental concerns. Disturbing this material in any manner will release the fibers into the air. When breathed in, the fibers could remain trapped in your lungs leading to inflammation and eventual scarring.
Diseases such as mesothelioma and other forms of cancer have also been linked to asbestos exposure.
An abatement professional will be able to help you confirm if there is still asbestos in your home. Never take samples of materials on your own as this can disrupt the fibers. Your local state agency will also be able to help you with the inspection and removal of this material.
Old, Outdated Wiring
The CPSC stated that approximately 46,000 fires, each year, start because of faulty electrical systems. The sad news is that most of these could have been prevented had there been a thorough routine inspection.
Take note that homes built 40-100 years ago had not been inspected since they were constructed. If you experience dimming or flickering lights, power outages, sizzling sounds, hot outlets, burnt smells, shrinking TV picture, and even smoke, then what you’re seeing or hearing are warning signs already.
If you can’t even remember having your electrical system inspected, then it’s time to hire a certified electrician ASAP.
Tags: home inspection, home maintenance, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, older homes
Posted in Home Buying, Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on What Dangers Hide in Older Homes?
Saturday, January 5th, 2019
Rachael Ray Home by Legacy Classic Furniture Bedroom Panel Bed with Brass Finish Wood Accents and Storage Footboard, Queen 5/0 8100-4125K is a bed which doubles as a storage unit.
Have you noticed lately that you have more than one of everything? If you see a stack of magazines that haven’t been read for a while or a pile of papers that remain untouched for many months (and, yeah, they are kept together with old bills), then it’s time to admit that clutter is slowly taking over.
Visual appeal should not be the lone reason why you should begin your New Year with a decluttering project. More than this, decluttering could also relieve stress, make you feel more peaceful, while it can also improve your personal relationships.
It’s Time to Socialize
Yes, it’s the New Year so forget about your worries on your hosting embarrassments. Don’t wait for many more months before you begin welcoming and entertaining guests once more. And don’t even think of abandoning the idea of welcoming guests in your home because it’s never healthy.
If you’re also thinking that hosting a party is as easy as shoving all your clutter in the basement, then pretty soon, you’ll notice that the molehill has become Mount Everest.
It’s time to face the problem and begin rummaging through your stuff. As you free up space, you will soon notice that you’re starting to feel the confidence to let in some guests once more.
It’s Time to Relax
Clutter does have a tendency to hold you back. In fact, many people admit to feeling uneasy inside a messy home. They also feel that they are not able to relax when their eyes rest upon stacks of papers or baskets of dirty laundry. After all, who could recline and enjoy a book when there are hordes of work to be done?
If you really want to truly relax, then you should put your belongings right where they should be properly stored and those that you have not used for the longest time, well, you know the drill – it’s time to let go.
As you declutter, you will soon free up some space which will make your home more relaxing. You will also be able to lie down and say that you’ve done your job.
It’s Time to Put Wellness First
Just imagine having piles of clothes strewn all over the floor or having a hamper overflowing. Do you see yourself living like this for years and years?
Relive your anxiety by getting rid of these things. These unwanted things have the power to make you feel that you’re always on the edge. Some could even be so powerful that they can keep you up at night.
And the more nights that you’re kept awake by the thoughts of cleaning up or having a pile of unwanted stuff within the room, the less sleep that you’re going to get. And with fewer hours spent on resting and rejuvenating, the more that your health will surely suffer.
Let tonight be the last night that you’ll wake up to a cluttered home. Clean up the dust that have accumulated and store all your disorganized stuff. Don’t let the dust collect until family members begin suffering from asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
The benefits of a cleanup are improved breathing, reduced stress, and thus, improved sleep.
It’s Time to be Punctual
Having no sense of organization could lead to stressful times when you look for something and couldn’t find it. Clutter has the power to slow you down especially when you’re prepping for work.
This coming weekend put your work clothes on and start tackling this problem. Worry no more and begin cleaning up. There are many benefits to this weekend project so better gather your cleaning materials soon.
Tags: decluttering, decluttering project, McCreery's, McCreery's Home Furnishings, New Year decluttering
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Clutter: It’s Time to Let Go
Friday, January 4th, 2019
The Wesley Allen Bar and Game Room Everton Counter Stools: The minimalist nature of this dining set makes it imperative to maintain a clean space.
The start of the New Year is often seen as an opportunity to begin anew. If you’re also planning on taking advantage of this fresh start, then you need to tackle a few things that should have been a part of your past. The non-essentials or clutter should have been purged even before the New Year had set in.
Redefine Your Path
Try to remember why you need to declutter in the first place. Would you like to be able to find things more easily? Would you like to experience peace around your home? Or would you like to welcome a lot of guests this year that you would want your place to be close to godliness.
Plan to Declutter
Probably the biggest obstacles when it comes to decluttering are not knowing where to begin and which pieces need to go. Perhaps you already have a huge pile of unused or rarely used stuff, so it could get disheartening to gaze upon. And, mind you, the longer they remain in their storage boxes, the more that it gets difficult to bring them out.
Since this is so, you should have a workable strategy for cleaning up unwanted pieces. Don’t complicate your approach. In fact, the simpler it is, the likelier that you’d be able to do it, so go ahead and find the items that you can still donate or sell.
Biggest Pieces Leave First
Getting rid of the biggest pieces of furniture will surely create instant space. This freed up space can even be used as an area to gather the clutter. So before you even get to throw baby clothes and toys, find the bulkiest items first such as furniture, sports equipment or even strollers.
Don’t Shop…For Now
Since you’re aiming to have more space in your house, it is best to not shop for now. Complete the purging first before you even begin to acquire new items. If you’re overly tempted to shop, then just create a wish list for now. Save this list and bring it out only when the decluttering project is done.
Your Personal Clutter First
You will soon notice that your spouse or child even accumulated more clutter than you. But before you begin battling their clutter, begin by cleaning yours first. Just as they say when you’re about to fly, you should put the oxygen mask on you first. You can only help others if you’re already okay.
Now that that’s settled, how would you like to begin? Would you like to do it with baby steps or would you like to do it all at once? You know yourself best and there are no rules that are set in stone when it comes to cleanups.
No Pressure
While you said yes to decluttering in just one go, you should not pressure yourself to finish at once. If it really isn’t realistic to do everything at once, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Your sanity is more important than finishing the task on schedule and there are many more things in life than this cleanup.
Always go back to the very purpose of this declutter which is to celebrate in a New Year with a cleaner space.
Which Do You Love?
You are the owner of all the stuff in your home. Whether you have signed up to become a minimalist or not, the amount of stuff that you get to keep in the end still depends on which ones you would want to keep.
The simple rule is this – if you’re struggling to justify keeping a certain piece, then it is time to let it go.
Tags: declutter, decluttering, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, New Year cleanup
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Purging the New Year Clutter
Saturday, December 22nd, 2018
There are just a few homes that do not have clothes moths. If you have not yet experienced having to worry about clothes moths, then you’re quite lucky. These critters have destroyed many clothing and textiles in many homes. They ruin garments to the point that they are no longer usable. For these reasons, you have to make sure that your home is free from such pests.
The usual clothes moth species is the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the casemaking clothes moth(Tinea pellionella). The adult species for both types come with golden wings and measure about .25”.
The webbing species come with a reddish hair tuft. The casemaking species are easy to spot because of their wings’ dark spots. Both are capable of fluttering their wings.
Clothes moths do not just go to any type of textile. They are often attracted to clothes that have been soiled with urine, food or sweat. Since this is so, cleanliness is believed to be the number one deterrence for their occurrence. But even the neat freaks can still get clothes moths especially those who have moved to a new home that hasn’t been cleaned by its previous owners.
One of the best ways to deter these ravaging insects is to be able to spot the telltale signs that an infestation is already happening. You also need to fight off an infestation the moment you discover that you have it in your home.
To be able to fight off these pests, you have to know what they love to eat. It is the female moth that typically eats the cloth fibers such as cashmere, silk, fur, wool or angora. These are materials that often have keratin.
Picture this – a female moth makes a deposit of fertilized eggs (roughly 50 to 1,000 eggs per deposit) into a single piece of clothing. There are also moths that feed on feather and leathers so they can possibly be found the couch and the pillows, too.
Here’s a tip – moths do not eat synthetic materials so that spandex of yours is totally safe.
Be sure to have your clothes treated the moment they are affected. They can be washed in either freezing or hot water.You can also take them to the dry cleaners. If you’re not sure if the moth has laid eggs throughout the contents of your closet, then it is best to have everything washed and treated.
Freezing the items also works. To do this, you can put them inside plastic bags, seal them, make sure to squeeze out the air, and then freeze the bagged items for a few days.
When you’re ready to use your clothes once more, take them out, and allow them to return to the normal temperature. If you want to repeat the process to make sure that the pests are dead, then you can do so.
For bigger pieces such as carpets and couches, you can already call a pest control firm.
If you choose to do this method, then make sure that you vacuum every nook of your closet. Female moths and their larvae love the dark crevices and corners of your wardrobe.
After vacuuming, be sure to remove the bag right away then discard because this definitely contains larvae and eggs. You can also use a carpet steamer if you want to deep clean your clothes. To be on the safe side, you might want to have your items dry-cleaned also.
After you have done the preventive measures, you can inspect your wardrobe and chests at least once each year.
Tags: getting rid of clothes moth, McCreery's Furnishings
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | No Comments »
Friday, December 21st, 2018
Going through your family mementos and even some of your childhood toys is not just a tiresome task but also something that can be emotionally taxing. But with more and more people already signing up to become minimalists and after knowing what the benefits of this lifestyle brings, don’t you think it’s about time to rethink your stored stuff?
If you have decided to embrace minimalism, then you need the right method to begin. When you’re about to go through some tear-inducing family treasures, then you do need to honestly classify which ones are just being kept for their sentimental value and which ones are being saved for future use.
There are correct questions to ask so that you’ll know whether one thing should still be kept or if it can be given away. And there are also factors to consider when getting rid of sentimental clutter.
There are objects that bring to mind a certain person or a time when you were with him or her. These might also remind you of places that you’ve visited. These are the objects that could easily conjure a story in your mind because they have meanings.
Such objects with back-stories could be something beautiful as a watch, locket or any piece of jewelry. These could also be damaged items such as a rusty typewriter or an old textbook.
Between these objects, it is obvious which ones you should endeavor to keep.
There are certain stuff that have the potential to become more valuable the more years that they are kept. Such things as childhood photographs, diaries and even love letters are reminders of different points in one’s life. These are the types of things that are often preserved by people for their sentimental value (but for a good reason). These are the things that you won’t mind taking up space in your home.
There are also author-wannabes who might want to keep their manuscripts for future use.
There is no doubt that your sentimental pieces bring you joy. Your grandmother’s chinaware is the type of collection that definitely brings back a lot of good memories, so, instead of keeping this inside the china cabinet for many years, why not bring them out and use them?
Bringing out your treasures for daily use is a good way to keep remembering the reasons why you kept them in the first place. And a wise counsel says that you need to use the good china now that you’re still living and breathing.
Are you intentionally keeping some sentimental clutter? If so, then you have to find out why. This may be because you would end up being devastated when these pieces are lost or if they’re ever thrown away.
Instead of keeping your book collections in the garage and having them left boxed there for so many years, why not bring them out and display them on a shelf? You can even organize weekly book reading with your kids so you can introduce the classics that you so loved.
Know which pieces are irreplaceable and find out how to store them or use them daily in a proper manner.
Who knows, you may have unconsciously kept double of everything. If you have backed up your videos and photos, then you’re doing great so far. And for those pieces that cannot be backed up, then you should know how to store them. Find out if you would want to have these pieces forever with you.
If you have an unexplainable attachment to some things, then you might also want to consider speaking to an expert about the causes of hoarding and how to avoid them.
Tags: McCreery's
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101 | Comments Off on Sentimental Clutter (And How to Get Rid of Them)
Monday, December 3rd, 2018
A place for everything and everything in its place: Featured here is theMaitland-Smith Accessories Coat Rack:Umbrella Stand 8118-13.
It’s December! How time flies. If you’re dwelling in the coldest states, then you’re definitely prepping for snow while also getting ready for the string of social gatherings ahead. December, after all, is the busiest month of the year.
But what are the things that you need to include on your December to-do list?
Shut Off and Disconnect
You have to disconnect the hoses and shut off the water source for all of your outdoor plumbing. This is especially true if it snows heavily where you live.
Be sure to carefully drain and roll the garden hoses before you store them in the shed, only to be brought out in spring.
Check the Trees
Heavy snow can cause an awful amount of buildup that can easily break tree limbs. Be sure to brush off all snow off the tree limbs after every heavy snowfall. Use a broom with extension to do this task.
If you’re too late in saving a tree limb, then that’s fine, just be sure to remove the limb as soon as the weather permits.
Make Space
Winter is the season for coats, hats, boots, mittens, and scarves so there has to be a dedicated spot for these. These winter pieces seem to multiply as the season progresses so setting up the coat rack or a hat stand would go a long way in helping you keep your home decluttered throughout the season.
The main entrance is the best spot for these supplies so be sure to set up a dedicated closet in that zone. Make room for even more layers of winter clothing and stuff.
Put Up the Holiday Décor
It’s time to bring out those Christmas lights and check if they are still working. Replace the non-working ones and hang only those that you deem safe. Exterior wreaths and lights must use only a safe outdoor outlet.
Do ample research if you plan on using living Christmas tree. Be sure to buy early because nurseries will not hold trees that are not paid for and ready to be taken home.
Make sure to put the tree in a transition zone and to limit the size of Christmas bulbs that you would use. After the Christmas holidays, you can move the tree outdoors and have it planted for next year’s use.
Make It Simple
A lot of people tend to feel overwhelmed by the parties and whatnot during the holidays when, in fact, it should just be simple. Just focus on what truly matter such as your family and the joy that you feel when you hold the activities that you have scheduled.
Preparing in advance will also help you in avoiding stress. It also won’t hurt to delegate some of the responsibilities to other family members.
Practice Dealing with Winter Storms
Are your snow shovels in their greatest condition? Check also the window scrapers, gloves, and other weather supplies. Make sure that all of these are accessible and near the door.
And even if it does not snow heavily where you live, it pays to have ample stock of food in the pantry. There must also be enough supplies of flashlight batteries, candles, and bottled water.
Refresh the Guest Rooms
The holidays are the perfect excuse for most people to show unannounced so don’t be caught unaware. Prep the guest rooms now by making the beds and replacing any lighting fixtures that need to be fixed.
Just like a hotel, you should ascertain that your guests would receive the best kind of accommodation. If you can, add the following as supplies and amenities –
Vacuum and dust these rooms now and then so that you will always be prepared to welcome a guest into your home.
Tags: holiday to-do list, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, to-do list for the holidays
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Winter Season | Comments Off on It’s December and Here’s Your Checklist
Monday, November 26th, 2018
Fine Furniture Design Dining Room Marlborough Dining Table: Be sure to clean the surface of your dining table thoroughly especially when it is made of wood such as this one.
Thanksgiving is not so much a celebration with food but the gathering of people and being thankful for everyone’s blessings. But, yes, food will always be a part of this occasion. There’s the proverbial turkey and the garnishing and side dishes. So you’re done with the celebration, what’s next?
Have you noticed how there seems to be no shortage of blogs and information with regard to Thanksgiving preparations but there are only a few articles when it comes to the cleanup?
Yup, the cleanup. This is that inevitable activity that must happen the day after the celebration. Cleaning is not as chic as basting the turkey or cooking the side dishes, nevertheless, it is an important task.
What’s amazing about the world now is that there are now a lot of disposable items that you can use so you can cut your cleaning time in half (or even more). As soon as you dispose of these items, you can always go back to your normal daily routine.
So what are the tips that can make your day-after-Thanksgiving-cleanup more fun?
Forget Not the Lining
Baked-on turkey parts and dressing can give you a tough time so if you want to be spared from cleaning such, it is best that you line the pots and pans with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
If you can, you can also use disposable pans so that you can just throw them away once the cooking’s done. If you’re using a coil stove to cook, then be sure to protect the coils from the drips that come from the pots.
Containers on the Ready
Of course you’ll have a lot of leftovers. This is where reusable containers come in handy. Buy them in all sorts of sizes so that you can store the side items as well as the leftover turkey. Store them in the fridge and you can move on. Just be sure to mark each container so that you’ll know which food went in which container.
Disposables Only Please
Utensils and paper plates have gotten more stylish the past few years. They no longer look like the type that you would use on a picnic. Today, you can serve your Thanksgiving dinner with the most stylish yet disposable plates and utensils.
These premium disposables will make your cleanup a whole lot easier the following day.
Always Cover the Table
Whether you held a formal Thanksgiving dinner or a casual one, it always helps if you place a table cover. At the barest minimum, you should use placemats so that your table remains clean and protected from damage, stains, and spills.
Bring Out the Paper Towels and Cleaners
You may have been used to dishcloths in cleaning up but it would be a whole lot easier if you used paper towels this time. Just this one day, use the disposable paper towels along with the spray cleaners to wipe down countertop surfaces.
Rinse First
Now this is as simple as it could get. If you used your best china for this celebration, then you’re probably facing a heap of them in the sink now.
You can rinse your dishes first prior to putting them in the dishwasher. This way, the gunk is softened before the actual wash.
You may also want to check on some of the latest enzyme-based dishwashing detergents. These make washing the dishes a lot more bearable and easy.
And after washing, roll them back to the china cabinet with your stylish dish cart.
Take Out the Trash (Sorry, No Other Way)
There’s no easier way here. You will have to pick up that trash bag and put all the disposables, bones, and other trash there.
It’s just days after Thanksgiving. Be of good cheer!
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, post-Thanksgiving cleanup, Thanksgiving cleanup
Posted in Home Maintenance, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Day After: Making Thanksgiving Cleanup Fun
Monday, November 19th, 2018
Slate, up-close.
Slate is known as a metamorphic rock with the finest grain and metamorphic rocks are formed when there is a change in the form of rocks. The process is known as metamorphism.
Slate eventually forms as the layers repetitively form or when the metamorphic rocks foliate. Here, the low-grade mudstone or shale undergoes metamorphosis. The formed material is then widely used in many flooring and roofing projects.
Slate is famous for being a good electrical insulator and in being fireproof. This is why it’s widely used on roofing as it can protect your home from frost damage. It has a water absorption level of just 0.4%. Other uses include blackboards, tabletops, billiard tables, and even commemorative tablets.
Where Slate Comes From
There are two ways to quarry slate. First, from a slate quarry and the other one is a slate mine tunnel. This industry is focused on extraction as well as processing for flooring and roofing.
There are many cities all over the world that has slate mines including Wales, Cornwall, and many cities in Spain. Other places include New York, Vermont, and Pennsylvania.
Slate was initially quarried in North America in 1734. This was along the borders of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The very first commercialized slate quarry was later opened in Peach Bottom Township, PA two years after. At the moment, slate quarries are actively operating in various regions in NY, VT, and PA.
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Slate Roofing Now
If after the cold winter and wet spring you realize that it’s time to update your roofing, then you might want to look into durable materials for your would-be project. Picking a durable material like slate would mean the success of your roofing project.
Slate is a high-end material that may ask for you to spend more but this is one expense that you definitely won’t regret. Slate can last long this is why it is a preferred roofing material by many homeowners. Any material that stands the rigors of time and different weathers should be on your priority list.
Slate costs anywhere from $15 to $30 for every square inch installed. These amounts cost about five times more than your usual roofing materials. But the slate roof can last for 150 years or even more. Now you see why it costs more.
Slate also comes in various natural colors, sizes, and thickness. It can also be customized according to the pattern that you require. You can even mix different earthy hues of slate.
Here’s something interesting about slate – its color depends hugely where it was quarried. The hues could be anywhere from green to dark gray to purple.
Slate is known to withstand the worst weather conditions. This is why it is preferred by a lot of homes all across the United States especially those that experience a variety of climates.
Slate is also fireproof. The wood decking that is usually installed underneath the slate roofing may not be fireproof but fire is often transferred from one roof to the next so the slate roof is definitely one of the last to go.
Temperature fluctuations do not affect slate so mold and fungus will never be a problem with this kind of roofing material. Just be careful with the maintenance because slate is known for shedding a tile or two from time to time.
Visually inspect your slate roof after a heavy snow. If you see any broken, cracked, missing or loose pieces, then be sure to have those replaced straightaway.
‘Still worried about the cost? Its cost may be one of its biggest disadvantages but the only way it would be wrong to have it in your home is when an amateur installs it. If you want to be ascertained of the 150 years of durability, then have it installed by experts.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, roofing choices, slate, slate roofing
Posted in Architectural Elements, Home Maintenance | Comments Off on Fireproofing the Roof with Slate
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