Cleaning • Cleaning • Summer • 15 July 2022

The Essential Summer Cleaning Checklist

by Denise Benoit

There’s nothing better than starting off summer, or any season for that matter, with a decluttered and clean home!

Whether you’re in need of a big purge or want to elevate your regular decluttering routine, it is a good idea to kick off your summer with a clean slate.

Before you start checking off cleaning tasks from your list, try to clear out the clutter. Any items that are broken, no longer in use, or you have duplicates of, should be removed from your home, as it’s much easier to clean a space when there is less junk in it. Think how much faster it is to vacuum when there are no items on the floor—the same applies to cleaning a clutter free home. If you need help getting rid of your unwanted items, just call 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and they can make cleaning for the summer a breeze!

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Room by room summer cleaning checklist

Once you’ve removed the clutter in your home it’s time to start cleaning! To help you tackle your summer cleaning project, follow our room by room checklist to help you stay on track and avoid missing any important areas.

Your kitchen gets a lot of use so it’s important to really deep clean. First, empty and wipe-down your drawers, cabinets, and pantry. Make sure to put things back in an orderly way, categorizing items is a great way to do this! Wash backsplash, cabinet doors, and drawer fronts, including handles/knobs. Scrub the kitchen sink and shine faucets and any silverware you have.

Next, move on to your appliances. Clean the microwave and dishwasher, and descale the coffee maker and kettle. Wipe under and behind the fridge and stove, cleaning the oven and stove top, including drip bowls under the elements if you have them. Empty out your fridge and wipe the shelves, drawers, and sides, and throw out any food that is expired. Lastly, don’t forget to give your small appliances some love, wipe them all down and empty the toaster crumb tray. If you find you need a little extra help in your kitchen, checkout our kitchen organization checklist.

Your laundry room is where you bring all your clothes to be cleaned, but do you ever clean that space? Not only does cleaning your washer and dryer help them run more efficiently, but it’s also safer as dryer fires are unlikely to occur in clean machines. As you clean out the inside of the washing machine and dryer, don’t forget to empty the dryer vent and clean the soap and fabric softener dispensers too!

After the appliances are clean, wipe behind and underneath them. Don’t forget to organize all laundry soap, cleaning products, and any other items in the space. Keeping items organized can help you keep clutter from creeping back in!

Due to all the products stored in bathrooms, the space tends to accumulate a lot of clutter. Start cleaning your bathroom by emptying and cleaning cabinets and drawers, discarding any products you no longer use. Get rid of expired medications, but make sure you check how to responsibly dispose of them in your area. As you put back the products you still use, try to do so in an orderly fashion.

After you’ve purged your unused products, move on to cleaning the sink, toilet, and bathtub or shower. As you’re cleaning the shower, don’t forget to clean the showerhead, wash the bathmat, and replace the shower curtain liner if necessary. Lastly, wipe down the faucets and mirrors with a streak free cleaner to make the bathroom shine. If bathroom clutter keeps coming back even after cleaning, check out these four bathroom organization ideas to keep the space tidy.

The living room is a place for relaxation, but it’s harder to unwind when the space is cluttered. Cleaning your living room not only gives the space a facelift but it can create a more welcoming and stress-free environment. The largest item in most living rooms is the furniture, so that should be a focus area. Not only should you vacuum behind and under your furniture, but you should also remove the cushions and vacuum the furniture itself, getting in all the nooks and crannies. If your furniture is leather, make sure to condition it so it lasts longer.

If you have rugs or carpet in your living space, give them a deep clean yourself or call a professional carpet cleaning company to help you out. As you’re cleaning, don’t forget about the tech! Wipe down all TV and computer screens and disinfect all remote controls. Next, make sure all of your items are organized and have a designated storage area. Organize magazines and books in a basket or on a shelf, recycling or donating the ones you no longer need. An easy way to instantly make the space look cleaner is by organizing children’s toys and video games in opaque storage baskets. Lastly, if you have pets make sure to clean their bed and toys.

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, so you want to make it an inviting place. First, get rid of the clutter that tends to accumulate in the form of extra clothes. Empty and wipe down dresser drawers and closet shelves. Before you put any clothing back, purge any damaged, unused, or outgrown items and if they’re in good condition, donate them. Store any out of season coats and shoes to clear up additional space.

After you’ve organized your closet, move on to your bedding and wash all blankets, sheets, and pillow cases. Make your sleep even better and freshen up your mattress by vacuuming and rotating it. Remember that mattresses have a recommended life-cycle of 7-10 years, so if you find that any mattresses are quite worn down while cleaning, it may be time to look for a replacement. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? is happy to help with your mattress removal when it’s time to say goodbye!

While each room in your house has different cleaning needs, there are some cleaning tasks that should be completed throughout your entire home. To freshen up your home’s appearance and eliminate allergens, wash and vacuum floors and dust all furniture, decor, light fixtures, fans, and vents. Wash windows and window frames to let the sunshine through and improve your home’s curb appeal. Wash baseboards and doors to remove all scuffing and if there is any damage, make drywall repairs and touch up paint. Lastly, remove anything that doesn’t have a dedicated place. If it’s just taking up space, call 1-800-GOT-JUNK? to remove the clutter and save your sunny days for enjoying your newly cleaned home.

To help you declutter your home, print out 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s cleaning checklist to take with you as you go from room to room, ensuring that no areas have been missed!

After you’ve cleaned your home, you may find that you’ve uncovered even more unwanted items! If that’s the case, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?’s friendly, uniformed Truck Team Members are happy to bring summertime into your home. At 1-800-GOT-JUNK? they make junk removal easy, all you have to do is point!

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MONTHLY FEATURES

DIY PROJECT

Reusable Produce Bags

Keep your home tidy and culture-free by eliminating the need for plastic bags. Check out this eco-friendly reusable produce bags project that’s simple, quick and will save you money.

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RECIPE

Baked Chicken Fajitas

This baked chicken fajitas recipe is sure to be a family favourite. It’s loaded with flavour, is freezer-friendly, and can be ready in 30 minutes – what’s not to love?

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Image Credits: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5, Image 6

Denise Benoit | Sales Representative

Century 21 Heritage House Ltd.
519-771-9011
denisebenoit2@gmail.com
denisebenoit.com

“I love what I do!”

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. © 2020 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership © 2020 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership

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Organization • 15 June 2022

Create and Maintain a Functional, Organized Closet

by Denise Benoit

If your closet is overflowing with clothing and accessories, then it’s time to arrange your space so that it is functional and organized. Whether your closet is small or a spacious walk-in, this organizational guide will help you create and maintain a coordinated closet that will save you time and help eliminate stress.

The first step to getting an organized closet is to get rid of unused items. Take the time to sort through all your clothing, bags, jewelry, and other accessories and donate the items you no longer use. Depending on your closet size this may seem like an unbearable task, but if you declutter by section, it will help break up the job, making it effortless. Next, temporally remove all the items from your closet, then clean the entire closet. Starting with a blank canvas will help you better visualize your space and make organizing a breeze.

Now that your closet is decluttered and clean it’s time to start organizing! Sort all your closet pieces into categories (shirts, pants, sweaters, etc.) so that you can measure how much space each category will take. Then come up with a plan of where each category will live in your space, keep in mind the size, preferred storage method, and frequency of use when planning. Remember, successful closet organization depends on your personal style, so there is no right or wrong way to arrange.

Once your plan is set, start hanging up your pieces. To help save time on your busy mornings, colour-code your wardrobe so you can quickly scan through your items. If you are tight on space, be sure to choose space-saving hangers and try double hanging less-used items. Don’t know if a piece should be hung or folded? Here’s the best way to store all your clothes.

After you have organized and sorted all your clothing, make sure that the closet is functional. Use dividers to separate clothing categories and to help keep your folded clothing upright. Repurpose magazine holders to store purses and clutches. And add baskets to store loose or eyesore items.

You can even make your closet even more functional with task lighting. These lights will improve the visibility of your items, plus it elevates your closet with an elegant look.

One of the biggest problems when it comes to organizing a closet is a limited amount of space. Maximize your area by:

Placing a dresser below your hanging items. The once wasted space now brings additional storage for folded clothing or items you want out of sight.
Use the back of the closet door for a shoe rack.
Don’t forget about your vertical space! Walls are often passed over but can make for great storage spaces. Add hooks to hang jackets, scarfs, hats, and more. Display wall mounts are perfect for hanging jewelry and accessories like sunglasses.

If you are still limited on space, place a clothing rack in your room to display favourite pieces, frequently used items, or upcoming outfits. Finally, don’t forget to use additional storage spaces in your home for out-of-season items.

Now that you created an organized and functional closet, you must maintain the order. Set aside 5 minutes each day to do a quick clean of the space to preserve its form. Additionally, try reorganizing seasonally, this includes swapping out seasonal clothing and removing any unused items. To help make this quarterly process smooth, add a donation bin to your closet so when you find something that doesn’t fit, or you don’t like anymore, you can place it in the bin to readily remove when it comes time to declutter.

Finally, consider turning your hangers backwards to mark frequently worn clothing. This will help you see which clothes you rarely wear so you can donate.

MONTHLY FEATURES

DIY PROJECT

Chalkboard Wall

Keep your whole family organized with this easy DIY chalkboard wall.

Get DIY Project Here

RECIPE

Cauliflower Tacos with Yum Yum Sauce

Looking for a creative way to use vegetables in your meals? Try these crispy cauliflower tacos the whole family will love!

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Image Credits: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

Lifestyle • Organization • 15 May 2022

How To Create A Hobby-Space In Your Home – Big And Small!

by Denise Benoit

Denise Benoit

CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. Brokerage

‌(519) 771-9011‌

Hobbies are a great way to relax, hone your skills, and unwind after a long day. Having a dedicated space in your home for your hobby can keep supplies organized and give you a place to enjoy your favourite pastime. Whether it’s a whole room or just a corner, here’s how you can carve out some space for your hobbies.

Do you use each room in your home every day? Take a moment to consider whether a storage room can be cleared out if it’s full of junk, or if a corner is being occupied by a side table that could be a small desk instead. Maybe consider changing up one of the larger rooms if it’s not used often – do you often use your dining room, or eat in the kitchen?

If you have a lot of tools and not a lot of space to store them, consider using a pegboard to keep them up and on the walls. You’ll be able to see where everything is, and if you have smaller odds and ends, mason jars will allow you to keep them together and even show them off as unique decorations.

Artists of all kinds can find themselves collecting supplies that end up all over the place, so keep things together using a wheeled storage cart. These are great if you don’t have a big desk and want to maximize the surface area to create your work. Storage carts can sit next to your work area and hold your supplies at the ready.

If you’re a reader, a crafter, a gamer, or any kind of hobbyist that sits down a lot, make sure you’re comfortable! Look for a cushion that offers good back support, or a throw blanket to curl up under. Ask yourself if your hobby would be easier if your chair has arms, or better off without.

Show off your skills! Make a piece of art or create a sign for your hobby space to show off your passion. If you’re not crafty, consider a related piece of artwork or a print, or maybe an old tool you have lying around that can be displayed. These can serve as little pieces of inspiration when you want to settle into your space and unwind.

MONTHLY FEATURES

DIY PROJECT

Modern Spring Wreath

Celebrate the sunnier weather with a vibrant wreath! This simple DIY project is fun, elegant, and will give you a great décor piece for your door.

Get DIY Project Here

RECIPE

Best Buffalo Chickpea Salad

Take some Buffalo Chicken and turn it into a hearty salad. For an extra homemade touch, make the ranch dressing from scratch!

Get Recipe Here

Image Credits: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4 , Image 5

Denise Benoit | Sales Representative

Century 21 Heritage House Ltd.
519-771-9011
denisebenoit2@gmail.com
denisebenoit.com

“I love what I do!”

Independently Owned and Operated. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. © 2020 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership © 2020 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership