1. Clear out the clutter
A new year is upon us. As we set personal goals for ourselves and our family do you ever take the time to set goals for your home??
One of the best and inexpensive ways to feel better about your home is to clear it of all its clutter.
Each year most of us acquire tons of items we do not need/use – without some yearly purging, cabinets and drawers get stuffed and it becomes hard to find the things we use and enjoy the most.
Take some time and go room-by-room clearing anything that you don’t use, wear or love and donate it or sell it on the many local sites that are available to us!! After all that clean out you will think twice about what you bring into the home!!
“The benefits of owning less are far greater than just a clean home. They also include focus, freedom, peace, and more passion for life”
2. A safe home is a beautiful home
Your home may be beautiful, but is it safe?
There are a few things that every homeowner should take the time to make sure they’re not living with a potential health hazard or fire risk.
Install a carbon monoxide detector on every bedroom floor in addition to fire detectors. If a chimney flue or furnace vent gets blocked or leaks, carbon monoxide could back up into your home and become fatal.
Watch out for dryer lint. cleaning the little trap inside the door is great but most people neglect to clean the vents and ducts behind the dryer. Lint may seem innocent, but it’s highly combustible.
Make sure your house can breathe. Many home bathrooms and attics aren’t vented to the outside (or the vents are covered over with shingles.) This makes you a prime candidate for mold.
3. Shrink home energy costs
Switch off the lights when you leave a room.
Turn off your air conditioner when you leave the house and turn your heat down when you leave during the day/sleep at night.
Install compact fluorescent bulbs and low-flow showerheads.
Try drying some of your clothes on the line and wait for the dishwasher or washing machine to be full before you run them.
Turn off your power strips and/or set your home computer to revert to sleep mode when not in use.
Water your yard less. Put in drought-tolerant landscaping if necessary.
Give composting a try – your garden will thank you!!