Home maintenance is no walk in the park. It takes a lot of time and dedication to make sure everything is clean and in working order, and it can feel like the second you take a break away from it, things get chaotic. 

It’s often difficult to even know where to start, especially when things have gotten a little out of hand. In this article, you’ll learn about 10 key areas you should focus on to get organized!

1. Start by Decluttering

No matter how much of a mess your home actually is, remedying the problem starts with decluttering. 

Clutter doesn’t refer to cleaning exactly, but the general accumulation of ‘stuff’ that you’ll find in room corners, on surfaces, and crammed into drawers. Every home accumulates clutter in some form, and it’s very easy for a neatly stacked pile to turn into a problematic overflow. 

Start room by room, separating the items in each room into those you want to keep, sell or donate, or simply throw away. Be systematic in your approach, and you’ll have the place cleared up in no time. 

2. Organizing Storage Spaces

It’s very difficult to clean if you still have stuff everywhere despite decluttering. Even when it’s stuff you want to keep, it’s essential to organize properly, opting for only a modest number of items out on display. 

Of course, that stuff has to go somewhere, so at this point, you’ll want to organize your drawers and cabinets. Having decluttered them already, you should now be able to prioritize shifting items from the living space into these hidden spaces. There are many great videos on YouTube, so pick a method that resonates with you the most.  

3. Windows and Mirrors

A great place to start the cleaning process is your windows and mirrors. You’d be surprised how much smudged or dirty glass can detract from the look of your home, as it has a significant impact on the way the light reflects throughout. 

Mirrors are nice and easy: you’ll want to use a streak-free glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth (don’t use tissue as you’ll leave a lint residue). Windows can be a little trickier depending on the style of your house, but you’ll be using the same cleaner for the inside. On the outside, it’s advisable to hire a professional window cleaner once every now and then. 

4. High-Touch Surfaces

When you start your major clean, high-touch surfaces should be a priority, as these are the areas that pick up the most germs. Think door handles, light switches, and faucet handles: take extra care to disinfect these surfaces properly with an antibacterial spray and a clean cloth. 

If your home has older features that are a bit more delicate, make sure you don’t use a cleaner that’s too harsh. A simple soap and water mixture is often best in these cases.

5. Maintaining Your Air Conditioning System

Another key element to be aware of is your air conditioning unit. Your air con isn’t something to simply be installed and left alone. It requires continuous maintenance to ensure that it’s operating efficiently and not wasting money, and functioning cleanly and hygienically. 

Remember to replace the filters at the appropriate intervals, and regularly clear the outdoor components of any accumulated dirt and debris. If your system isn’t working quite how it should, always reach out to the professionals: local air conditioning repair services can save you a lot of money in the long run, so don’t put it off.

6. Controlling Dust

Dust is the primary enemy of any household, and while you’ll never eliminate it completely, there’s plenty you can do to keep it at bay.

One of the best ways to clean away dust is with a damp cloth on a pole attachment: given that the stuff collects everywhere, you’ll need something with a longer reach to get the tops of doors, shelving, and window casings. 

It can also be beneficial to equip your vacuum with a HEPA filter, as these can greatly reduce the amount of dust circulating in the air (this is especially important if you or someone you live with has allergies). 

7. Tackling the Bathroom

The bathroom is naturally a priority when it comes to home maintenance. Since it’s a high-footfall area that comes into contact with water at every point, it’s easy for dirt and bacteria to settle here, making it extra important that you keep on top of things. 

Your toilet, shower, sink, and bath should be thoroughly cleaned at least once a week. Bleach is usually the best option for killing bacteria permanently, and while you don’t necessarily need to use it in anything other than the toilet, diluting it with some water can work well for your other fixtures. 

Don’t forget about the shower door, either. This may need cleaning more than once a week given how easy it is for the glass to gather scum, and the same goes for tiles, too. 

8. Taking on the Kitchen

The kitchen is another high-traffic area that deserves special attention. It’s easy for food residue to build up and harbor bacteria, and while you’ll only need to do a proper clean once a week, it’s a good idea to give surfaces a wipe down with food-safe antibacterial spray more regularly than that. 

Areas where food is directly prepared, such as cutting boards, should be cleaned daily, and don’t forget to replace sponges and wash clothes frequently, as these are prime items for bacteria to build up. 

Every now and then, you’ll also want to take the time to take everything out of the fridge and give the shelves and interior walls a deep clean. However careful you are not to spill anything, food residue will inevitably collect here over time. 

9. Cleaning Your Floors

When doing a thorough clean, it’s a good idea to do the floors last. As you go throughout the house, cleaning other areas, you’ll likely be kicking up dust and dirt, and you don’t want to clean them first and then have to go back over them again. Treat them as the finishing touch. 

In terms of how to clean them, it all depends on what sort of floor you have. Your carpets will likely benefit from a wet wash and shampoo – you can hire a cleaner from your local supermarket or hardware store. Wooden, laminate, or tiled floors can usually be cleaned with a damp mop and basic detergent. For special types of wood and laminate, make sure you follow any manufacturer's instructions. 

10. Staying Consistent

Staying consistent with your maintenance habits is one of the most important elements of all; a thorough clean means nothing if you just allow everything to regress. The main idea with a deep clean is that it means you don’t have to do it again anytime soon, only needing to lightly maintain for the following several weeks. 

It can be a good idea to buy a dry-erase board and create a simple schedule, noting down which days you’ll clean each area. Breaking things up like this makes cleaning a much less laborious task. 

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, you’re now a little clearer on how to properly maintain your home when things feel too much. Breaking things up into manageable chunks is always the way forward. While it’s easy for things to get out of hand, staying organized and knowing which areas to prioritize can help you manage mess without the headache. 

 

When you’re thinking about putting your house on the market, you probably start seeing it in a completely different light. After all, a house that’s up for sale is no longer your private space. Suddenly, you may start seeing it through the critical eyes of a potential viewer. 

This is great in some ways, as it encourages you to really think about how to paint your property in the best light. Unfortunately, there’s also a pretty high risk that your newly critical home outlook could drive you towards some improvements that just aren’t cost-effective in the long run. 

This panicked attempt at improvements is only natural, but how can you possibly know which of your efforts is worthwhile? It’s not easy, but we're with what we like to call the ‘Deal or No Deal’ of pre-sale preparations. 

Just like the show, being careful about when you say ‘deal’ is going to help you get the best bang for your home-buying buck. In this article, we’ll consider just a few of the improvement ‘boxes’ you might open during your journey, and whether you should say ‘deal’ or ‘no deal’ in each instance. 

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# 1 - Essential Repairs: Deal

If your house needs essential repair work, then you’ll definitely want to deal with things before you even come close to putting your home on the market. Even if viewers overlook issues like obvious leaks or structural problems during a viewing, it’ll all come out at the survey stage. And that could lead to a lost sale when you’ve already set your heart on your own new property. 

There is a wide range of repairs that could fall into this category, but the main ones include – 

• Structural repairs: The high costs of structural work might be off-putting before a move,  but this is an issue that few homeowners would want to invest in. Seeking professional solutions like foundation repairs and wall reinforcements will make your house far more appealing.

• External repairs: The outside of your house is what will most often attract buyer attention, so you’ll want to tackle external repairs like broken guttering or siding repair. External issues like damaged roofing can also lead to internal leaks and damp, highlighting the importance of contacting a roof replacement company long before any buyers look around your home. 

• Window repairs/replacement: Outdated or inefficient windows are something every buyer will notice. The sooner you seek the help of a professional double glazing installation company, the sooner you can sell. 

# 2 - Complete Redecoration: No Deal

It’s easy to start doubting your decorative choices when you’re thinking about selling, especially if it’s been a few years since you reapplied that last coat of paint. But, in most instances, it simply isn’t worth doing a big redecoration job before a move. After all, most buyers will redecorate once they move anyway, so spending large sums of money and effort here will rarely work out. 

Of course, that’s not to say you shouldn’t do anything at all on the decoration front. If you have leftover tins of paint, patching up scuffed or marked spots can definitely make your rooms feel fresher and more welcoming. Equally, if you have a particular room in need of some attention, you might sell it quicker from giving it a quick new coat. 

Other than that, resist those urges and just leave things as they are. The chances are that buyers won’t even factor decor into their considerations. 

# 3 - Furniture Replacements: No Deal

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Okay, so you’ve realized it might not be best to redecorate your entire place before selling, but what about buying some shiny new furniture to make the place look good? Again, we urge you to simply sit back and make do with the furniture you have. As with decoration, potential buyers simply don’t think about your furniture before putting in an offer. That stuff won’t be there once they move in, so why would they? Even if you convince yourself those new pieces are an investment for your future home, there’s every chance they’ll end up going to waste when you buy a property that doesn’t suit or fit them. 

All of that said, the way you stage your rooms during viewings most definitely does matter. While buyers probably won’t look at your furniture itself, they will take note of things like the size of the room, the natural light, the general flow, all of which you can enhance without spending a cent by simply moving your existing pieces into a better position. 

# 4 - Small Fixes: Deal

We’ve already spoken about major home repairs that need attention before a move, but what about the smaller home maintenance tasks that crop up when you live in a property for an extended period? We’re talking about leaky faucets and limescale around your shower head, or even things like mold on your kitchen sink sealant. 

Let’s be honest, these small tasks aren’t going to make a huge difference to the overall appeal of your property, nor will they add even a small amount of value. BUT, they do help to create a generally better impression of a well-maintained property. More to the point, they’re so affordable and easy to address that it just doesn’t make sense to leave them as they are. 

# 5 - Complete Renovations: No Deal

We all have a dream for our properties. If money were no issue and the work wouldn’t disrupt our lives, we would likely all opt for a fresh bathroom or kitchen renovation. Perhaps you even intended to embark on this project when you moved in. But then life got in the way, and here you are, considering a move without ever having changed even the slightest thing about your bathroom. 

But then, you’re prepping for your move, and you come across all of these articles talking about how something as simple as a bathroom renovation could add up to 20% to your property value. Not only that, but you’re looking at other homes in the area, and seeing far more modernized bathrooms than the one you’re intending to sell. Panic sets in, and you start to wonder – would it be worth just jumping in with a renovation before you put your house on the market?

It’s a natural thought process, but let us stop things there by telling you that, in almost every instance, complete renovation work simply isn’t worth it for the sake of a sale. For one thing, value-added costs rarely add up to money directly back in your pocket, especially if you’re working with mortgage brokers and other moving fees. What’s more, renovations are never cut and dry. You’ll likely run over time and budget, both of which are going to harm rather than help your move. 

# 6 - Deep Cleaning: Deal

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Even if a property has great bones, buyers are unlikely to bite if they’re faced with messy sides and dusty floors during a viewing. Hence why a deep clean is always worth your while. Admittedly, potential buyers probably aren’t going to look inside your cupboards, so you could leave cleaning these hidden areas until you’re packing away your belongings to move. But, if anything is set to be on display during a viewing, try to keep it sparkling clean and as attractive as possible. 

Prepping your home for sale is never easy, but you can ease the process a little by understanding exactly which steps you should take, and which improvements are probably best avoided. 

 

Staying healthy both in body and mind can be a great way to look after yourself, particularly when life gets stressful or fills up with activities that take away from taking care of yourself first and foremost.

We should all be prioritizing our own health and well-being nowadays, even if it’s the small efforts that make a big difference to our sense of self. From eating healthier to making sleep a priority, here are some helpful self-care practices for a healthy mind and body.

Make sleep a priority

Sleep should always be a priority in your life because it’s the thing you need to stay energized and healthy. Most people will know what a lack of sleep can feel like and do to your body, which is why you want to try and prioritize your sleep wherever possible.

Even if it’s taking a few afternoon naps here and there, sleep can really help to boost your energy levels as well as your mental health.

If you struggle to sleep, there are several things you could do, whether that be to try out CBDistillery sleep gummies to playing white noise, or investing in blackout blinds.

Do something for yourself every day

Doing something for yourself every day can certainly make a big difference to your health and wellbeing. It’s often the case that any self-care for oneself gets pushed far down the list for other priorities that aren’t you’re own.

Try to do something every day, whether that’s a chapter of a book in bed before sleeping, to taking yourself out for a sports class or social occasion. Try to make it a part of your routine as well as something that fits in with your day-to-day life.

Focus on staying positive

Staying positive can often be harder than it looks, and it’s something that can make a real difference to your wellbeing.

If you’re finding some negative thoughts creeping in, then consider ways in which you could quash those negative thoughts and enjoy some positive thinking instead. The more positive you can be in your outlook on life, the happier you’ll find yourself too.

Connect regularly with friends and family

Connecting with friends and family on a regular basis is definitely something that can help your well-being. Sometimes, just being around the people we love can be a great way to take our minds off something plaguing our thoughts or have an uplifting experience after a tough day.

Try to find some time every week to connect regularly with friends and family offline or even online if from afar.

Do exercises you enjoy

Exercise should be fun to do, and so you’ll want to look at exercises that you can enjoy and that you look forward to doing. There’s nothing worse than trying to do exercise that puts you in a bad mood. If you’re someone who doesn’t like exercising, maybe you just haven’t found the right sport yet.

These tips are a great way to help practice self-care for a healthy mind and body.

 

That special time we have on a family vacation is not just about a break from the daily grind, but it's the perfect opportunity to deepen our relationships in every single way, as well as create cherished memories and strengthen the bonds that we may very well have been losing due to that thing they call life commitments.

Sometimes we need a break from being a parent because of everything that goes on, and in today's fast-paced world, where work, school, and technology pull us in so many different directions, that sense of connection is all but lost, ironically enough. Therefore, we should focus on the connections that matter, and when we have a family getaway, making that conscious decision to connect with our kids can be refreshing and transforming so much, but what does it really take to make the most of this precious time? 

We could be going on vacations for our own needs, whether it's to unwind or to take a break from the monotony, but we always need to remember that this is the opportunity for cultivating so much more that we can take back home with us. Let's show you a few ways to build an unbreakable bond with your children:

Creating and Maintaining Family Traditions

Family traditions may have gone by the wayside for many people, but rituals that we can establish on vacation can be a great way to bring families closer.

It doesn't have to be anything extravagant; it can be the simple things. Keeping a travel journal, having an unlikely chat over the day’s highlights, or even just playing games can help everybody look forward to something and create a sense of continuity, particularly across different trips.

This is why something like downtime can be the perfect opportunity to do those little things. Whether you're waiting for a flight, unwinding in your hotel room, or just powering down after a busy day, you could play games like I Spy, charades, or even a digital round of Spider Solitaire on your tablets to bring everyone together.

A game like Spider Solitaire can be turned into a family challenge where you can see who finishes a round the fastest, or you can work together to solve the trickiest hands. These little moments of shared fun and friendly competition can be an afterthought. However, on future vacations, it could be a very beloved part of your family's travel routine.

Embrace Flexibility and Playfulness

We can often think that we have to fill our itineraries to the brim. In fact, one of the most meaningful gifts you can give your children is you, in other words, your undivided attention and willingness to let go of who you are for a while.

Saying yes to spontaneous adventures, even if it's things that you wouldn't normally do, can create the best memories. When we step outside of our comfort zone and let our inner child come out to play, our children will appreciate us all the more!

It's important for them to see another side of you, someone who isn't worried about bills or idly scrolling on social media. Ultimately, when the kids have grown up and moved away, they're not going to remember the fact that you had money worries. They're going to remember these little things!

And of course, flexibility is critical. If your kids just want to watch the stars or have ice cream for breakfast, why shouldn't we do these things? Vacations are the perfect opportunity to bend the rules a little or just throw them out the window;  it starts with you being open to new experiences and going with the flow. This means your children will feel more connected to you, and they will relax as well. Everybody benefits.

Try New Experiences Together

There is something magical about the first experience you have with your kids, whether it's a new food, exploring new sites, or learning to swim. These shared experiences are going to reinforce the bond between the two of you and create wonderful memories, so rather than sticking to familiar routines, seek out the novelty and newness, because everybody is then experiencing something together for the very first time. For example, if you've never hiked, research a beginner-friendly route and work together to tackle it as a team. These adventures don't just spark curiosity and excitement, but they also provide plenty of opportunities for you all to work together!

This is critical because letting our children take the lead on certain things is going to make them far more involved in every single way. And this is something you can take back home with you. Because, let's face it, sometimes as a parent, it's easy to just do everything for our kids, as it's the path of least resistance. But instead, perhaps use your vacation time to test the waters?

Prioritize Quality Time

Yes, we like to get caught up in snapping photos, but likewise, we check emails and scroll through social media even when we're on vacation and supposed to be unwinding. We have to remember that even the mere presence of a phone can cause distractions! 

The most meaningful connections happen when we are present with each other, so we should set aside specific times to unplug from devices and focus on being together, no matter how small that window is. Whether it's during meals, exploring, or just relaxing in your hotel room, we can also use travel time as an opportunity to chat and connect, particularly during long car rides or flights. You may be very surprised at what everybody comes up with when they're relaxed and away from their daily grind.

Making Time for One-on-One Time

This is very important if you have more than one child. It can be challenging to give our kids our undivided attention, but this is where vacations are the perfect opportunity to plan individual dates or outings with each child. It could be as simple as going for a walk, sharing a treat together, or exploring something new, like a museum. 

One-on-one time is vital because it makes each child feel special, and it strengthens your unique relationship with them. Don't worry about what it is you should be doing, it's far more about that focused attention and genuine interest in your child's thoughts and feelings. If you carve out time for individual connections, you're going to deepen your bond and create memories that last for a long, long time after the end of the vacation.

Focus on Shared Goals and Teamwork 

A great vacation starts before you've even packed your bags. Before your trip, discuss what you all hope to get out of the vacation. Everybody wants to do something different. And yes, while you may want to relax and your children want to run around for a week, when you all understand what your expectations are, everybody can work together and feel far more united. 

This is why we need to look for those opportunities to collaborate. This could be tasks like navigating public transport, or things you can do back in the accommodation like cooking a meal, and, of course, there's so much more. Teamwork is going to build trust, communication, and a sense of accomplishment that you can all take back home with you.

Slow It Down and Savor the Moments

We've already talked about that temptation to pack your itinerary to the brim with activities, but sometimes the most meaningful moments happen when you go slower than you're used to. So leave room in your schedule for the spontaneous! Spontaneity doesn't mean having to climb up a mountain just because you all feel like it. They can be things like lazy mornings or even quiet evenings watching the sunset- these are just as important. 

We should all remember to savor those little moments and notice the little things. Whether it's the taste of a new dish, the sound of the waves crashing against rocks, or the vibrant colors that come with a bustling city market, it's all a great way to help appreciate the beauty of the present moment. The present moment is something we are very rarely in, and we all know it's because of those distractions modern life brings.

Capture and Celebrate Memories

Yes, we don't want to be glued to our phones taking photos, particularly if we end up seeing an email. So maybe think of other ways to document these memories. Perhaps everyone could take turns being the family photographer. This lets your kids capture their favorite moments through their own perceptions of what's important.

Travel is an opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. We should remember that whatever we want to get out of it ourselves, our children will also have different goals, and we should all remember to be open and curious. Building a better bond is not just something that we can do in a luxury resort or in a far-flung destination, it's something far simpler.

It's about being present, playful, and perceptive when it comes to new experiences. On your next family getaway, think about those little things that make connecting your top priority.

 

It can feel like a never ending battle to get on top of household chores. No matter what you do, there is always going to need to be done, and no matter how many times you finish doing one job by the time you circle back, it's time to do it again. 

The good news is that with a little creativity and some clever thinking, you can make these boring household chores a whole lot easier and even more fun. Let's take a look at eight ways to lighten your chore load and keep your house clean with minimal effort.

 

1. Lean into technology. One of the best ways to make your household chores easier is by embracing the technology that could help you. You don't even need to break a sweat half the time, because you can use a robot lawnmower and even a robotic vacuum to help you. Setting up the robot mower to do the garden while you're having the robot vacuum work inside the house to help is a great way to slow down your workload. These robots come with sensors and GPS navigation which means it can mow your lawns and vacuum your carpets without any additional input from you. So the gadgets are going to free up your time, leaving you to focus on more challenging things to do.

2. Declutter the house. It's much easier to get through cleaning your house when the clutter is all gone. A clutter free house is not only more visually appealing, but it's so much easier to maintain when you don't have every surface covered in things. All of those things need a home, so take 10 minutes every day to tidy up the small areas and keep things organised. That clutter pile will be kept from building up again, so consider getting baskets, bins or drawer organisers to keep everything in their places.

3. Use multitasking products. When you're looking at your cleaning cupboard, why not make your life easier by choosing products that do double duty? There are plenty of all-in-one cleaners that can tackle multiple surfaces, think countertops and floors and mirrors, with a single spray. You can even find vacuums with attachments for different tasks, such as carpet or hardwood and upholstery. If you use products that are designed to work in multiple areas, you're going to save yourself a lot of time and money.

4. Create a cleaning schedule. Sometimes, the household chores feel insurmountable because you're trying to climb a mountain of never ending tasks. The key is to break them down into manageable pieces. With a cleaning schedule that allows you to tackle a little bit every day, you won't feel overwhelmed and you'll always be on top of your house. You don't want to be faced with a huge pile of chores every weekend, so keep a cleaning schedule to keep track of everything.

5. Don't do it alone. If you're the only one doing all the chores, it's always going to feel like too much. If you've got teenagers and even small children in the house, you need to recruit everybody to help. They all lived there, which means that they could all chip in to help you to keep it clean. Tasks and chores can be age appropriately assigned, and you can make it a group effort. Turn on a timer, turn up the music, and make it feel like a game.

6. Use cleaning hacks. Sometimes, it's all about the simplest solutions. Lint rollers to quickly pick up pet hair from furniture upholstery is just as good a hack as baking soda is a miracle worker when it comes to scrubbing tough stains. Using as many natural cleaners like lemons and vinegar, you'll be able to tackle the windows, the counters and even the microwave. There are so many household things you probably already have on hand that can help you to keep your home clean and reduce the time and the effort it takes for every chore.

7. Make laundry day simple. Laundry is a time consuming task, but with a little bit of help you can make it easier. First, divide the laundry as you go and keep separate hampers for darks, lights, and delegates. You don't have to spend time sorting later if it's already pre sorted before it gets to the washer. Second, fold clothes while you're listening to a podcast or watching TV and the process will be more enjoyable.

8. Get a cleaner. Lastly, if you're serious about making your household chores easier, past the effort to somebody else and outsource. If you have the budget, hire a cleaner once a week to come in and do a thorough clean for you so that all you have to do is keep on top of it until cleaning day.