Stanley Steemer Giveaway

Now that spring has arrived and we are all in the mood to clean house, let's not forget our carpet! And our air ducts, our furniture, and many other sometimes overlooked areas. Stanley Steemer cleans all of these and offers other great services as well (including restoration services). We can't wait to use have them clean our carpet, which really needs a nice deep clean after so many years of use.

And guess what? We have a $100 giftcard to give to one lucky reader so you too can get some spring cleaning done!

Did you know that having a deep clean can help combat allergies? Allergens often get caught in carpet, upholstery, and other fibers. Stanley Steemer’s equipment and cleaning processes remove more than 98% of dry soil from floors, and with over 70 branches and 220 franchise locations in 48 states, Stanley Steemer services 95% of the country.

Do you live with a hoarder?

Have you ever watched the show Hoarders? Scary, isn't it? Sad too. This post is not meant to make light of those who have serious hoarding issues. My paternal grandfather was a hoarder, so I know the enormity of the issue, especially for those who have to clean up the mess. Turns out my husband's paternal grandfather was also a hoarder. It makes me wonder if it was something generational, maybe something also to do with the area they grew up in? Whatever the cause, it's a sad problem.

So of course in my home I have always been careful to not have too much, but always to have what is just right. It's the way I grew up, being taught from my parents to always let go of the things you are no longer using and no longer love. Send them along to charity so they can be used and loved by someone who really needs it. It's a great way to look at things, and I am glad that I learned to live that way.

In my 30 in 30 challenge I'm finding it to be hard to find enough to fill a bag! There are still areas to be tackled though, and I am sure I will reach my goal, but I am happy to say that for the most part we live a fairly clutter free lifestyle. If you want to read an excellent book on the subject pick up It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh. He is excellent at showing why it's important to let go, and gives wonderful tips on how to do it.

Hopefully none of you live with an actual hoarder, but what do you do if your partner keeps a lot more stuff than what you think is good? What about keeping more than your home can actually hold (it amazes me how many people pay money each month for storage units for things they probably never even think twice about)? Are you the one in your home that holds onto things? Or are you the one that is more prone to let things go?

30 Bags in 30 Days

Even though summer has only really started here, the days are getting shorter and fall is right around the corner. With that comes a need to declutter and dejunk our house. I've decided to give myself a challenge to get rid of 30 trash bags of stuff in 30 days, 1 bag per day.

Now, since I am already quiet a clutter buster, I hope that I am not overshooting with my goal of 30 bags, but I have a feeling that once I get going (especially if I can get hubby on board with letting go of some of his stuff) we will be able to meet the goal. My fingers are crossed that most of the bags will be headed towards our local charity and not the landfill.

If you would like to join the fun please do! Feel free to begin your 30 days anytime you feel inspired to do so, or at the start of August (or any other month) if that is easier. If you decide to join in I would love to know about it! Feel free to use the little graphic I made too!

Right Size Your Home for Summer

With summer fast approaching, spring cleaning is underway at our house. I really love this time of year when we can spruce up and clear out. So, of course I was thrilled to be able to share this article with you to help you in your spring cleaning adventures.

HOW TO RIGHT-SIZE YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER
Home Industries Expert, Gale Steves Offers Simple Pre-Summer Changes

“Before you head outdoors this summer,” Steves says, “take a good, long look at your house. You may be surprised to discover that things have been accumulating since you last cleared out or cleaned up.” She has all kinds of tips and helpful advice to help get our homes and ourselves ready for summer in plenty of time for our July 4th barbecues. Here are a few easy steps to take that are guaranteed to make a “right-sizing” difference:

• Make room in your coat closet – Review the contents of your coat closet for out of season jackets, coats, scarves, or even boots that were never put away for seasonal storage. This is a good opportunity to discard the worn-out or too small or repair those missing buttons.
• Get control of your picnic gear - Gather all those paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils onto one central shelf so that you can create an instant eating outdoors center. Include some trays or baskets if you will carry ingredients or meals out to the patio or deck.
• Evaluate your beach towels – Pull out large bath sheets that no longer work and recycle into backyard or beach towels. At the end of the summer, send them onto further use at the local Humane Society or animal shelter.
• Take a good look at your pantry – Rearrange cans or boxes of food supplies together that make quick warm-weather meals section. Canned soups that can be served cold or boxed mixes that make instant desserts. You want to be outside, not inside cooking over a hot stove.
• Look at your casual shoes - Assess your sneakers, sandals, and flip-flops held over from last year and throw away those that are showing wear and tear. This is a good chance to make room for new footwear and not still hold onto the old.
• Give your bedroom a summer makeover – Refresh your bedding with some new sheets and pillowcases. Get rid of those bed linens that have seen better days. Do not recycle them to your guest room, however.

For ten years Gale Steves served as editor-in-chief of Home magazine. Under her management, the publication attracted over four million readers nationwide, and established her as an authority on everything to do with the home. Steves’ approach to decorating and remodeling has inspired millions with ideas and real solutions for the home, earning her a reader-friendly reputation along the way.

In 2001, Steves formed Open House Productions, a home industries consulting company, to create an ongoing dialogue between consumers and retailers and manufacturers. It was in response to consumer queries about making their homes more livable that she developed the concept of Right-Sizing.

Get to know more about Gale Steves through her website, www.right-sizing.com and her SpaceSmarts blog. Also, be sure to check out her wonderful book Right-Sizing Your Home: How to Make Your House Fit Your Lifestyle for great tips on how to make the best use of your home.