Warming Up to Spring Cleaning

Here in The Lowcountry, Spring is definitely in the air and so is the pollen! Our Live Oaks are shedding their leaves as the new leaves begin to grow. The warm sun makes being outside, cleaning up, a pleasure.

My Beautiful Live Oak - Complete with Resurrection Fern and Spanish Moss

The RYOBI 40V Jet Fan Blower features Gas-Like Power™ without the hassle of gas and oil helps me to keep my deck and driveway clear of leaves and pollen. A gift from my hubby two springs ago ... and I LOVE IT!

The early blossoms, that have started to appear around my neighborhood, remind me to begin my Spring Cleaning inside, just as nature is taking care of the outside. Start by de cluttering all your public rooms, donate, gift or consign unwanted items.  Pack away your warmer colored decorative items, such as cushions and throws and switch to your spring/summer colors.  Vacuum your upholstery, getting under all the cushions.  Deep clean carpets or have them cleaned, to freshen them up.  After a winter spent curled up on the couch reading, watching movies and probably snacking, a spring clean may be just what your living room needs!

If you have children or pets you might want to invest in a carpet cleaner.  They are easy to use for accidents and spills and great for semi annual carpet cleaning. When you consider the cost of hiring a professional to clean for you or renting a device to do it yourself, having your own machine is a sound investment in the long term.  I use a Hoover Spinscrub 50 -  It removes common spills and stains, using its multiple rotating brush system to achieve a deep and thorough clean. It also has an attachment for cleaning stairs.  Dual tanks allow the Hoover SpinScrub carpet washer to keep the cleaning solution and dirty water separate.

Top Tips for What Needs Organizing in September

Fall is approaching

So, the kids are back in school, the holiday makers have left town and we are adjusting to our new schedules. It's time to put away summer. Pass through your home and remove all of summers clutter to its rightful home or out the door! Switch out your summery decor of throws, cushions and floral arrangements for warmer fall tones. We can't stop the changes in the seasons but we can embrace them!

It's never too early

Dare I mention that it's 107 days until Christmas? To get a head start, shop for your holiday cards now. You will be rewarded with early bird savings on return address printing and even free shipping, for ordering before the end of this month. Take note that square cards often require more postage. While you are waiting for them to arrive, draft a newsletter/update to send out, to family and friends, with your cards. Address and stamp your cards as soon as they arrive. 

Shake off the sand

Continuing with the end of summer clean up, it's time to sweep out the garage and store your cleaned summer furniture and beach toys, chairs and umbrellas. Throw out any broken items.  To compensate for this sad but inevitable demise of the season, set your fire place with logs ready for the first chill! I feel like this post needs a wine pairing!

Temperature changes

Has the temperature dropped yet? Time to change your summer bedding for your warm and toasty winter weight duvet or comforter. Send your summer one off to the cleaners or launder it yourself, if you can.  Here's how http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-wash-a-down-comforter-105347

Looking froward to next month

The first week of next month is "Get Organized Week". Up to a challenge? Take a notepad and pen around your home and inspect every drawer, closet, cupboard, nook and cranny. Make a list of every area you would like to see organized and prioritize the list in order of importance.