Damage free organizing ideas for the abode: Command the best – National interior decorating | Examiner.com

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cleaning, command produnts, organizing, organizing solutions

Command and organized, neat, and tidy abode. Damage free organizing!

Damage free organizing ideas for the abode: Command the best – National interior decorating | Examiner.com.

Unique Mother’s Day gift inspiration for Mom and her abode – National interior decorating | Examiner.com

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budget savvy decor, cleaning, Decor, Decorating, Design, design inspiration, diy decor projects, Do it yourself decor, gift buying, Home, mothers day, mothers day gifts, organization, organizing, sales & deals, wall art

Fun Mother’s Day gift ideas for Mom

Google Art Project

Unique Mother’s Day gift inspiration for Mom and her abode – National interior decorating | Examiner.com.

Spring into a clean and organized abode

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cleaning, Home, Home Improvement, home planning, Interior Design, organizing, spring cleaning

Spring is fast approaching and with it comes the cleaning frenzy. It is the time of year to get the abode organized and cleaned out from the months of hibernation. Get spring ready for the lovely days ahead when we would rather spend time relaxing in the sun than stuck inside cleaning.

Stay ahead of keeping the abode welcoming and in order without disrupting precious time.

• Start each day by sweeping and wiping down the bare floors. This will keep the dirt from getting out of control.

• Keep a broom and wet jet type mop handy to quickly clean the floor as people come and go. This will keep you ahead of the cleaning tasks.

• Have a neat space for people to remove and keep shoes as they enter the house. Have slippers available to offer visitors.
  

  provide a welcome center to hang jackets and take off shoes

• Everyone should make their bed upon waking. Even if the rest of the room is a bit messy, the clean bed will avert the guests’ eyes.

• Towels should be neatly hung. Check that your guest towels are clean, folded, and ready.
  

  be guest ready

• After bathing quickly spray and clean bathroom surfaces. You can keep the bath cleaner in the tub or shower for quick use.

• Make sure the kitchen sink is clear and clean after every meal.

• Have the kids take care of washing their own dishware and learn to clean up after their own visitors.

• Tables and countertops should be kept clear of debris. Clear off newspapers and junk mail as you read them. Do not let these items accumulate.

• Have a container for recyclables to be dropped in as they are used.

Keep your desk papers organized so your desk and surfaces stay tidy.

desk areas should be kept neat and in order

• Keep important papers neatly stacked in letter trays or use pretty baskets or boxes. Make a tray for each member of the household. These should be sorted through weekly so that the unnecessary items can be discarded and important items can be taken care of and filed away.

Dust as you go.

• Every day dust a different surface. It will keep your dusting time down to a minimum and you will not resent doing it.
• Have everyone in the household have their own designated surfaces to dust.

At least one day should be devoted to heavier cleaning like vacuuming and washing floors. Make sure that everyone takes turns doing these chores.

If you would like, make a check list that everyone can check off as each task is completed.

With some simple planning and doing you will not even realize that you are spending any time cleaning. Relax soaking in the sunshine and smelling the flowers of the spring season. Enjoy the fun days that come with the warmer weather and never be afraid to dance!

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Polishing the abode to a lovely shine

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cleaning, Decor, Decorating, design inspiration, diy decor projects, eco-friendly decorating, Home Improvement, Interior Design, polishing silver, silver polish

With the visitors coming for holiday dining it is now the moment to take out the finest décor and tableware. With the beautiful china comes the tarnished silver.

Along with preparing the festive meal and cleaning the abode this is the also the time that people find themselves hustling to polish the silver tableware, platters, and candlesticks. What impresses guests more than perfectly polished silver sparkling so that they may see their reflections?

tricks to polishing the silver

Good Houskeeping has taken the guess-work out of finding the best silver polish

• Weiman Royal Sterling Silver Polish won their “best in Show”.
• The Twinkle Silver Polish Kit is the “Runner Up”.
• For “Convenience” their pick is Connoisseurs Silver Wipes.

There are some eco-friendly alternatives that you already have in the abode waiting for you to use to polish your silver.

• A great silver polish is old-fashioned tooth paste.
  

  a candlestick polished with toothpaste

1. Use water to wet the Silver.
2. Use your finger to apply a small amount of toothpaste on the silver, rubbing the toothpaste into the silver while keeping it damp.
3. Keep rubbing until toothpaste looks almost black, then let sit for about 2 minutes.
4. Wash off the toothpaste.
5. You may need to repeat the steps for very tarnished silver.
6. Use a soft cloth to dry the silver, rubbing until it shines.

You will now have beautiful sparkling silver.

• Take out the baking soda and polish the silver.

Method One

1. Make a paste of baking soda and water.
2. Rub the paste into the silver.
3. To remove tarnish sprinkle baking soda directly onto a damp cloth and rub it on the silverware until tarnish is gone.
4. Rinse and polish with a soft cloth.

Method Two This technique works well for intricate filigree pieces.

1. Line the bottom of a sauce pan with a sheet of aluminum foil.
2. Put water into the saucepan or pot with equal amounts of salt and baking soda. The amount of salt and baking soda depends on your saucepan or pot size.  Use approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of each.
3. Bring the water to a boil.
4. Place the silver items into the boiling water so that they are touching each other and resting on the foil. Make sure that the water covers them.
5. The tarnish will vanish.
6. Boil for 2-3 minutes. For heavily tarnished items, leave them in for 5 minutes.
7. Remove the silver when it is clean.
8. Rinse the silver with water and dry with a soft cloth.

Keep Your Silver Shining

beautiful silver deserves to shine

• Wash each piece and be sure it’s thoroughly dry before storing.  Dampness, air and sunlight are silver’s worst enemies.

• Store flatware in an airtight drawer, chest, or in preventive bags.

• Keep larger pieces like trays, candlesticks and serving dishes, in flannel cases or wrap them in acid-free tissue paper first, then in a plastic bag that closes.

• Never wrap silver in plastic food wrap, foil, newspaper or bind flatware with rubber bands.  These can damage the silver’s finish.

Polish the silver to the beat of your favorite holiday song. Enjoy the friends, family and the delicious food. Go with the flow and never be afraid to dance!

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