Tag: spring clean-up

The First Day of Spring Means Cleaning

Posted on by Jordank

Ah, spring! It’s the season of new beginnings, when the gloomy grays of winter surrender to sunnier weather, warm temperatures and new growth. The flowers are starting to bloom, the birds are chirping and the grass is turning green again. What’s not to like?

As you emerge from your wintry cocoon, you might notice that your home has also suffered from the winter doldrums. Things might look a little bit dingier and a little bit more cluttered than they were just a few months ago. That’s not your imagination.

Your home was shut against the cold, and as a result, it kept the dirt and clutter in. But as the season of renewal begins, you can also refresh your home in preparation for the warm months that lie just ahead. And to do a thorough job, you need a plan, Vogue says.

Start by decluttering. The holidays likely helped you bring a lot of new junk into the home; you don’t need it all, and after you weed through what you want to keep, trash or donate to ClothingDonations.org, you’ll be able to see what needs a good scrubdown.

Next, gather your supplies. You’ll need your favorite all-purpose cleaner, rubber gloves, glass cleaner, a sponge, a duster, and rags or paper towels. Put these in a carry-all so that you can transport them easily from room to room.

One by one, start at the top of each room. Dust the ceilings, picture frames, wall hangings, books and shelves. Get into spaces that rarely get cleaned — behind the toilet, under the bed and under the sink.

Finally, do the floors. Pick up and wash throw rugs and send the finer area rugs out for a professional cleaning. Sweep and mop hardwood and tile floors, and vacuum all drapes, carpeting and upholstered furniture.

Don’t forget the refrigerator. Toss expired foods, unused condiments and leaky containers. Wipe the appliance’s interior clean and any jars you plan to keep, wash the shelves and drawers, and finally, replace what you’re keeping.

When you’re done, celebrate your accomplishment by bringing the spring indoors. Display a bouquet of fresh flowers or bring a new plant into your space. There’s no better way to start the season.

Make Sure to Thank a Veteran This Week!

Posted on by Jordank

Memorial Day is symbolic for many reasons. For many people, it signifies the start of summer. It represents the beginning of camping season and time spent around the pool and the grill. Memorial Day makes us excited for the warm, sunny days of a brand new summer, waiting with vacations and adventures.

But, the most important reason for Memorial Day 一 actually, the only reason we even have Memorial Day 一 is to honor those in the United States Armed Forces who have lost their lives serving our country. It’s an important reminder to all of us to take the time to truly be thankful for the freedoms and safety we have due to the brave men and women who fight for our country.

Wondering what you can do to give back to veterans in your community? We’re glad you asked!

Any and all of the donations you make to us go toward funding and supporting the programs we provide to veterans. We accept:

  • Clothing items (sweaters, coats, shoes and more)
  • Kitchenware (storage containers, cooking utensils, pots and pans)
  • Accessories (jewelry and scarves)
  • Entertainment/media items (DVDs, CDs and board games)

Making a donation to us is easy and stress-free! Simply put your gently used items in a bag or box marked clearly with the words “for donation.” Then, visit our website to schedule a donation pickup time. Set your bag or box outside by your mailbox, and we’ll come by to pick it up for you. It’s that easy!

Another way to honor our veterans is to simply say, “Thank you.” It doesn’t seem like much, but acknowledging how much you appreciate their service will mean more than you know. Also, while some veterans don’t want to talk about their time serving, some do. Ask them about being in the armed forces, and if they offer up information, be sure to listen.

We hope you had a great Memorial Day this year and enjoyed your time with family and friends. But we also hope you took the time to give thanks to the people who allow you to celebrate.

Garage Transformation

Posted on by Jordank

When it comes to home organizing, people tend to forget about their garage. When your garage is organized and clutter-free, it’s easier to find gardening tools, sports equipment and other needed items. Invest in shelving units to make sure that everything in your garage has a place. It’ll make your life easier and less stressful!

Make Room for New Mother’s Day Gifts

Posted on by Jordank

Mother’s Day is behind us now, but we hope that all of the mothers out there had a great day celebrating the special work they do every day in raising their kids. We especially want to extend happy Mother’s Day wishes to all of the military moms who are serving overseas and weren’t able to be with their children — and to the moms who are raising their children while their husbands serve.

If you’re a mom with young children, you probably received homemade gifts that your children made while at school. Whether it’s an art project, handmade card, or other thoughtful, adorable gift, you’ll want to show it off for the next few weeks. Looking around your home, though, you might realize that you don’t have the surface space to properly show your gift off.

It might be time for you to tackle some spring cleaning, or take inventory of your home decor. Do you have picture frames that are better at collecting dust than preserving memories? Is that painting above your mantel carrying sentimental value, or is it a placeholder? Go through the rooms in your home where you have knick-knacks, paintings, lamps and other home decor items that may no longer be needed or wanted.

If they’re covered in dust or you’ve actually forgotten that they’re there, it’s probably time to get rid of them. Don’t think they’ll sell in your annual garage sale? Donate them to us! Along with  clothes and kitchenware, we can collect decor donations. All you have to do is visit our website, schedule a donation pickup time, and place your items in a bag or box marked “for donation.” We’ll take care of the rest while to admire your Mother’s Day gifts! Your donation helps fund our veterans programs, so donate today!

(And don’t worry dads—your day is coming up soon!)