Category Archives: Home, Car, Yard, and Pets

5 Realistic Resolutions to Make This Your Home’s Cleanest Year Ever

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Every one of us wants to live in a clean, sparkling home. But most of us hate doing all the work that comes with keeping homes neat and tidy. If you are someone who hates cleaning and dreads the overwhelming feeling when it comes time to tidy up, there is a good chance you are approaching the issue wrong.

With a few simple tweaks in your daily, weekly, and monthly habits, you can have a bright, clean home without needing to waste eight hours in one day.

Here are five realistic resolutions to make this your home’s cleanest year ever.

1. Plan a daily, weekly, monthly system to keep your home clean.

The main problem for most people is that they fail to do small tasks each day and then end up with an overwhelming job in front of them. This year, you are not going to be one of those people. Instead, you are going to devise a daily, weekly, and monthly plan to keep your home clean.

This plan is going to be unique to your home and your lifestyle. You can come up with a good plan by dividing all the work with the other people who live in the house. In fact, many roommates find it beneficial to set a weekly time when all members know they have to clean (2 hours on a Sunday morning).

Having everyone do it together means it will get done in no time and you can all reward yourself with brunch after!

2.  Commit to tidying up for 15 minutes every evening.

On a daily basis, resolve to tidy up for 15 minutes before getting to bed. You will be amazed at how productive those 15 minutes can be!

Each evening, wipe down your bathroom surfaces. You will thank yourself when you walk into a sparkling bathroom each morning!

Additionally, always clean the kitchen after cooking, hang up your clothes when you change, and put things away after you have used them.

Getting in the habit of doing these small tasks will help keep your house clean overall because you won’t want to start messing it up when it is already tidy.

3. Live by the “one-in-one-out” rule.

This year, to truly have a clean and organized home, make a promise to yourself that you will live by the “one-in-one-out” rule. This rule states that for every new item you bring into your home, you also have to remove something similar.

So, if you buy a new pair of boots, you need to remove a pair from your wardrobe. If you buy a new candle, book, pillow, etc., you must donate one of your old candles, books, or pillows (see #4).

Not only will this make you take a step back and think a bit deeper about impulse purchases (are there really any boots you want to get rid of?). But, if you do decide to buy something new, you know that no more space is going to be taken up.

4. Have a donation box readily accessible.

Unless you are a through and through minimalist, there is a good chance that you have some clutter around your home that you would like to do something with. Decluttering is one of the most overwhelming parts of organizing a house (it takes a little bit more than 15 minutes). But, if you break it down into monthly tasks (see #1), then you can focus on a specific area of the house each month.

If you focus on a specific area each month and live by the “one-in-one-out” rule, then in a couple of months you will have a completely de-cluttered space.

An additional resolution to make this year is to have a donation box readily available. That way, when you come across something in a drawer, or a cupboard, or in the back of your closet that you don’t like, toss it into the donation box. When the box is full, you can donate it to your local charity shop.

5. Buy cleaning products with fragrances you want to smell.

Last but not least, a simple resolution everyone can all get behind! Only purchase cleaning products that come with scents you actually enjoy smelling. After all, you are much more likely to clean regularly with something that produces a smell you enjoy!

Do you think you can commit to one or all of these resolutions this year? Or do you have your own cleaning resolutions? Let us know in the comments below!

AUTHOR BIO

 Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.

Interior Design Tips: How to Make Your Home Welcoming and Cozy

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Regardless of whether you are trying to make your guests feel welcome, or you wish to create space where you can curl up after a busy day, interior design is the key. Find out what you need to change and where you need to look for comfort and coziness.

First things first – start with the entrance

With an inviting entrance, you will set the mood for those coming to your home. An entryway clear of clutter and debris is a good start. Colorful door with a stylish knob, a handle, and a knocker will make a good start. Some of the most widespread colors, apart from natural wood color, are blue, green, and red. Floral wreath, flower planters, seasonal garden décor, or fun welcoming signs are a nice addition.

Meet expectations for your hallway

A nice entrance will raise the bar and set high expectations for the hallway. Even though it is often overlooked, the hallway deserves some of your attention. Carefully select the furniture, minding the size of the room. Narrow tall furniture is the best choice for smaller spaces. Perhaps shoe cabinets have some advantage over shoe racks as they look tidier. If you have a staircase in the hallway, utilize the space underneath it. Add a comfortable sitting area, an armchair or a bench. Accentuate one of the walls with a mural, colorful wallpaper, or selection of your family photos and paintings.

Select the right materials

Once you are in the house, your first impression is created by the materials, namely what walls and floors are made of. Wood is your best choice for creating a warm atmosphere. It is also favored by the current trends. Speaking of trends and warmth, all-natural materials are an excellent choice. Try using leather, fur, wool, and cotton. Choose soft fabrics for the upholstery and fluffy throws to make straight lines smooth.

Pay attention to the layout

The furniture in your home should be arranged in such manner to allow enough space for maneuvering. If your home is small, leave only essential pieces and create minimalistic space, rather than using every inch of it. Focus on curves and soft edges. If you prefer modern furniture with strict lines, use rugs, throws, cushions, and mats to soften them. While there should be traffic space, you still need to keep your furniture close enough to encourage conversation and the sense of togetherness.

Set up the lighting

Each time of the day requires specific lighting. Stay energized throughout the day by allowing as much natural light as possible. In addition to your windows, you can add light tubes, roof windows, and skylights. Use window treatments to change the color of the light coming in and make it look warm even on a gloomy day. Light orange curtains can create this effect for you. Nightfall calls for mood lights. Several lamps, candles, or a fire space can do wonders.

Don’t paint it black

Without a doubt, warm color pallets are the right choice for a snug home. This does not mean that you should paint your entire home yellow and orange. In fact, professionals from ASAP Sydney Painters will tell you to choose warm neutrals such as beige, light peach, light brown etc. You can use different hues of the neutral color of your choice throughout the entire house. Make it more exciting with accent colors used on certain architectural, as well as decorative pieces.

Little things that matter

Paying attention to detail will make all the difference. First of all, make sure you keep your home tidy and clutter-free. Indoor plants filter the air and evoke serenity. Add greenery and floral patterns to your home. Be careful with florals as they can get too much and be tacky. Perhaps, adding dried flowers and some pine cones can do the trick. Personalize space and use quirky accents and centerpieces. We will again emphasize the importance of using cushions, throws, and blankets on coziness.

Make sure that if you use these tips, you also incorporate yourself into them. Don’t follow design trends blindly but ask yourself how you feel about them. Essentially, you and the members of your family, are the ones creating the atmosphere in your home. No interior designer can change the effect you have on your home.

Enter the World of Coziness: Còsagach, Scottish Trend You Will Love

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Scotland is the land of gorgeous landscapes, rich history, and interesting culture. Although people usually connect it to rainy hills and soccer, there are more amazing things we have coming from Scotland. One of them is certainly the Scottish interior design concept – Còsagach (pronounced “kos-ah-gogh”).

In 2018, VisitScotland presented Còsagach as a rival to hygge, a Danish lifestyle and interior design trend. In Scottish Gaelic, còsagach means cozy and sheltered. As a tourism body, VisitScotland intends to use Còsagach as one of the key points of their strategy to present their country to visitors and the world.

“It’s no secret that Scotland can have, at times, rather harsh and ferocious weather. In the winter when the storms rage and the waves crash against the rocks, there is nothing more satisfying than being curled up in front of the fire, book and hot toddy in hand, listening to the weather outside,” says the Trend 2018 report by the VisitScotland.

If you were a fan of hygge, then you should certainly try Còsagach. They are similar but not the same so you will also bring some novelty and freshness to your home. Here are some features of Còsagach that you can easily include in your interior décor.

 

  • Cosy by the fireplace

A fireplace is something that will warm you up during the cold days and nights. Today, you can install gas fireplaces and still have a beautiful living room area to cozy up. Even a faux fireplace will work if you don’t need the extra heat. Make sure to place some decorative blankets on the floor and arrange old books above on the mantel.

This is an excellent place to sit down and have a glass of wine or cup of tea with your friends while chatting about things. Especially during the rainy and snowy days, but also during the sunny ones. Also, having a fireplace will surely earn you some extra points with admirers of the newest trends.

 

  • Add rustic textures

When we think about Scotland, we rarely imagine houses, but rather castles on top of a hill with waves of a restless sea crashing against the rocks below. So, in order to bring out the castle in your home, you have to use rustic textures. Of course, this doesn’t mean that your 21st century home will turn into an old castle, but only that you will incorporate richness of details.

Wool throws and knit pillows are perfect to add to the decorative details and are also very welcoming to snuggling in. On the other hand, plaid flannel pillows and chunky cable knit blankets are also an excellent choice to include Còsagach in your home. In the end, it’s all the matter of your personal taste and choice what Còsagach items to include in the décor.

 

  • Wood and stone in your home

The last year was all about natural materials, and if you choose Còsagach, then you’ll be adding wood and stone to the décor. You can create a stone wall or use wooden beams for the ceiling. Nicely lacquered floors of dark wood will add character to your home and make it look warmer.

There are many solutions for adding stone elements in your home. It can be just a few details like the home bar made out of differently shaped rocks with the matte wood countertop. This kind of setting would be perfect for having Scottish whiskey with your friends while watching a game.

 

  • Paint it the Còsagach style

Colour will accentuate Còsagach and is the easiest way for you to implement this style into your interior design. If you ask contractors and local painters about the importance of color, they will all agree that it can do not only a lot but sometimes everything to set the mood in the home.

When it comes to Còsagach, the colors you choose will help you create your own Scottish home and make way for other decorative elements to fit in. Warm brown and pastel green will go together perfectly, especially if you decide to have a fireplace. Darker shades of green, grey, and burgundy may seem like a bolder move, but they will actually gorgeously complement lighter furniture and well-lit spaces.  

Whenever we think about redecorating, we tend to go for more safe designs. But Còsagach is one of those that will furnish your home with quality materials and still create a friendly and welcoming environment. With so many different variants of materials on the market, you can even get your own Scottish castle for a reasonable amount of money. And without actually moving to Scotland.     

 

Safety Of Dogs Paws – Tics

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Please always be very careful and check your dogs or cats paws if they venture out when they come back in. The paws can literally be covered in tics. How painful does this puppy’s paws look?

Repurpose Parmesan Cheese Containers

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    1. Fill your clean, empty Parmesan cheese container with baking soda, then sprinkle this kitchen staple into your damp sink, stovetop, or refrigerator shelves to get them spic-and-span.
    2. You can also use a Parmesan cheese container to sprinkle baking soda over your cat’s litter box to absorb odors. The same technique works with your carpets as well; just sprinkle baking soda over dry carpets in the evening and vacuum them in the morning.
    3. Use Parmesan cheese containers to mix and store glitter and confetti that you or your kids can sprinkle over greeting cards, scrapbook pages, and other craft projects.
    4. Does someone in your house like cinnamon-sugar on their morning toast or oatmeal? Avoid the spilled-sugar-on-the-kitchen-floor nightmare by combining in a Parmesan cheese container two cups of white sugar with three to four tablespoons of cinnamon, then sprinkling over your food.
    5. Sugar comes in a plastic bag that’s difficult to store and awkward to use. But keeping it in a Parmesan cheese container makes cooking or baking with sugar convenient and mess-free. This is a particularly handy way to sprinkle powdered sugar over your favorite foods.
    6. Keep a Parmesan cheese container filled with baking soda in your shower. Once or a twice a month, sprinkle some baking soda onto damp hair, massage, and rinse to remove shampoo and product build up (especially before perming or coloring). While you wash your hair, the baking soda will also be softening your skin and cleaning soap residue from the bath tub.
    7. Use a Parmesan cheese container to sprinkle grass seed, weed killer, fertilizer, and red-ant killer in small locations in your yard. Be sure to clearly label the various contents of each container.
    8. A Parmesan cheese container decorated with ribbons or bows is a creative way to give friends and family edible gifts like small cookies or candies.
    9. Use a Parmesan cheese container in the garage to hold nails, screws, and bolts.
    10. Don’t store your kids’ Cheerios or Goldfish crackers in plastic bags, put them in a Parmesan cheese container. The container’s pour spout and secure lid reduce the amount of spilling, so it’s great for long-distance car rides.
    11. Fill a Parmesan cheese container with sidewalk salt to easily de-ice your sidewalks.
    12. Have your kids decorate a Parmesan cheese container and use it as their savings jar; half of the lid fits dollar bills and large coins.
    13. Give Parmesan cheese containers to your kids to play with in the bathtub or sandbox.
    14. Mix and store your own shake ‘n bake bread or crumb coating in a Parmesan cheese container.
    15. Have a playful cat or dog at home? Put a ball inside a Parmesan cheese container and watch your pet chase it around for hours.
    16. If you regularly use cotton balls for makeup removal, you know the large plastic bags they’re packaged in are both bulky and unsightly. Fill a Parmesan cheese container with cotton balls so you can keep them at-hand on the counter or easily pack them when traveling.
    17. Fill a Parmesan cheese container with powdered laundry detergent so you don’t have to heave your economy-sized box of detergent to the laundromat with you. Just make sure you remember to bring the measuring cup along with you!