From the Floors Up

Spring Cleaning Checklist

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Structured schedules are great for holding us accountable and help us complete our daily chores. For instance, perhaps, you do laundry on Sundays or wash your dishes at the end of the day. These daily or weekly habits allow us to live in a clean and well-kept house. However, some things need to be done less frequently than others. Some deep-cleaning projects can be done just once a year. These are easy to forget about because we do not do them week by week. Yet, with spring around the corner, this is an excellent time to knock out some annual spring cleaning. Let’s get started!

Flip Your Mattress

Many mattress manufacturers suggest that you flip your mattress once a year. Since we spend an average of 8 hours each night lying in bed out of 24 hours in a day, this means we lay in our beds 1/3 of our lives. The mattress, therefore, begins to form to our body and sink where we consistently lay. To prevent this, it is good to flip your mattress. This task will help prevent your body from creating a form in the mattress over time.

Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are your home’s main defense against water damage on the outside. Our roofs and gutter systems help navigate water to a drain where it will prevent flooding and water damage. However, outdoor conditions can lead to gutters get cluttered, and your gutters will begin to collect debris and leaves over time. To keep your gutters functioning at their best, remember to clean them out this spring.

Steam Clean Carpet

Vacuuming your carpet once a week or as necessary is a great way to help suck up debris and dirt. This dirt can build up and break down your carpet fibers over time. It is recommended by many carpet manufacturers to steam clean your carpet once every year. This process can help remove any deep stains or dirt mucked into your carpet fibers. Plus, it will give your flooring a much longer life!

Clean Your Pantry

Our pantries store many snacks and food supplies. Over time, we can forget about certain foods. By cleaning your pantry once a year, you can help prevent the build-up of expired foods. Just make sure to check the dates on all your canned and bagged food. Throw away anything expired. This habit can also make you more familiar with the dates that are upcoming. Perhaps, you have a pasta sauce expiring in the next two months. If so, it is a great opportunity to make pasta this evening.

Wipe Down Your Windows

This task is the exact same as cleaning your inside windows. However, this task gets put on the back burner too often because outdoor windows are harder to reach and take more effort. This spring is the perfect time to deep clean your outdoor windows. After your outdoor windows are done, wipe down your inside windows. During this process is the ideal time to wash your drapes or curtains as well!

Clean Out Your Fireplace

With winter just ending, our fireplaces can become quite dirty. Accumulating ashes and wood, these can be ignored for some time. This spring, get out your shop vac and clean out for fireplace. You will love the fact that you did! You can also use your fireplace during the spring by setting up some decorative candles inside. This look will give the same aesthetic of fire with a fraction of the warmth!

Annual cleaning can be easy to forget, if not reminded. Use this checklist to help hold yourself accountable. Remember that these projects can take a little bit of time, so set aside a weekend.

Tips for The Most Effective Spring Cleaning

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With winter drawing to a close, spring is on the horizon. The dreary, monochromatic grey skies are retreating as the spring air begins to brew up again filling our days. As days grow longer as nights become shorter, emerald blades emerge back from the earth’s depths while bushes are ignited once again with crimson roses and sunny open-mouth daffodils. The bitter snowcapped ground melts and the once reminisced melodies of our feathery friends return to the air. Yet, this transition leaves our yards in shambles. A collection of broken timber, mucky, turfed terrain, and an unkempt patio is no way to celebrate. It is time to reinvest time in your exterior and curb appeal and have your home beautiful again in time for spring.

Front Entrance

Consider your front entrance your gateway to your castle. The path to your fortress of solitude. Ask yourself what makes your entrance? Your front door, the pathway, a courtyard, or perhaps steps to a porch? Remove any winter debris. Depending on where you live, you may need to consider sanding and staining your patio as a spring project. If you have seasonal decor, bring it back out to prepare for spring. Take down any winter door hangers or welcoming mats that are for the cold season. You can spruce up your curb appeal again by painting your door or simply putting a seating area on your porch for entertaining.

Back Patios and Decks

Our back patios and decks may not add to our curb appeal, but they are vital retreats for outdoor spring nights with family and friends. Bring out your patio furniture and decor pieces to liven up the outdoor space. Easy additions can include an outdoor kitchen and grill, fire pit, or even fun games like bocce. Investing time and money in your back patio this spring is a great way to incorporate all the aspects your home has to offer.

Lawn & Bed Maintenance

Nothing says spring like a well-kept lawn and some beautiful flower beds. Make sure your yard has no winter damage or missing grass patches. You will want these to be fixed as soon as possible to allow the lawn to look good during the next couple months. Remove any remaining leaves, twigs, or timber from your lawn, and decide what kind of flower beds are tailored to your desired home. Mulch, gravel, even wood chips can all create a distinct look and work with certain plant life better than others. Build harmony around your house with complementary flowers, bushes, and trees to give your home a more complete, balanced look.

The time is now! Be proactive in creating your spring atmosphere before spring reaches us. Spending a couple of hours on the weekends can make a world of difference. Eliminate the damage and remainders of winter and enforce the majesty of spring. For more tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe!

Easter Egg Crafts: How to Hollow Out An Egg

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There are a many Easter egg craft ideas online this time of year. Many involve using a hollowed-out egg. However, very few of these crafts explain how to hollow out the egg itself.

Cake eggs are a popular idea. This craft involves hollowing out an egg, filling it with cake batter and baking. 

Another Easter egg craft is creating cement eggs. This craft also requires hollowing out a real egg and then filling it with cement. Decorating the cement egg (after you have chipped away the eggshell) completes the activity.

How To:

To hollow out an egg, you will need a sewing needle and access to a sink. First use the needle to gently poke a hole in the top (or more pointed end) of the egg. Then turn over and poke another hole into the bottom of the egg. This time gently rotate the needle (while inside the egg). You want to make a larger hole on the bottom. This hole should be no larger than a quarter of an inch wide.

Next, blow into the top of the egg while standing over the sink. The egg white followed by the egg yolk will gently slide out of the bottom. After all the egg white and yolk are removed, run warm water inside the egg. Rinse out the egg several times to make sure the yolk is gone and allow it to dry completely. Now you should have a hollowed out eggshell completely intact.

Now you are free to craft. Just keep in mind the eggshells will be very delicate and are to be used for decorating only. Make a decorative basket filled with colorful eggs and use as a center piece on your dining room table, or hide throughout your home for delighted children to find! 

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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