January home tips

Home Handbook

Art and ideas: CearnalCo

Three appliances that need a good cleaning

Looking for a little more privacy at home?

Now’s a great time to get organized

Occasionally cleaning household appliances like stoves and refrigerators may seem obvious, but what about equipment that does the cleaning, like the dishwasher and washing machine?

Give these often overlooked appliances a deep clean with the following tips: Unclog the dishwasher – The cleaner the dishwasher, the cleaner your dishes will turn out after going through a wash cycle. Take a moment to clean the dishwasher’s filter, usually located on the inside bottom of the machine.

Empty it regularly to keep it working efficiently.

De-gunk your disposal – Use a natural abrasive combo of ice and salt to loosen grime from the blades.

Though it will be loud, run the disposal until the ice is gone. When finished, you can grind up a lemon or lime wedge to deodorize the drain.

Wash the washing machine – Avoid musty bedding and towels by sanitizing the machine and removing mildew buildup every few months. Run a hot wash cycle without a load and add one cup of bleach to the soap dispenser, or directly pour it into the machine.

While you may like your neighbors, you may not want to see and hear them every time you venture into your backyard. If more privacy interests you, consider these options: Fencing: Probably the most straightforward solution, fences have long been the go-to for homeowners seeking seclusion. Be sure to check city ordinances before installing one.

Hedges: Shrubs like boxwood and privet are commonly planted along property lines. Choose an evergreen variety for year-long privacy.

Screens: Stylish and effective, folding wood-panel screens add a nice visual element while blocking unwanted views.

Trellis: The lattice configurations on these simple wooden structures offer an element of privacy. They’re also a perfect host for climbing vines and plants if you’d like additional coverage.

Pergola: A pergola helps block views from second-story windows and balconies. It can be as simple or intricate as you’d like.

Drapes: Budget-friendly and chic, panels help screen off your patio and can be moved as desired.

The new year represents a clean slate and the chance to begin again. It’s also the ideal time to clear out unwanted items and organize your home for the year ahead. Try these ideas: Organizational Apps: Decluttering apps are plentiful, and they provide an effective way to complete the purging process. Some, like Snupps, let you digitize your belongings and organize them into simple categories or “shelves.” From there, you decide what to keep, sell or give away. You can also reach out to other users for organizational inspiration.

Room-by-Room Schedule: To systematically remove clutter over time, try monthly organization that’s broken down by room. For example, you can tackle the kitchen in January and give the home office a deep clean in February, etc.

Single Purge: Prefer to declutter your entire home all at once? Designate a few days or a weekend to devote to the process. The secret is to stay focused on one task at a time and avoid getting sidetracked. Work your way through each room one by one until you’ve cleared out all areas of your home.

Home tips 101 ...

Here are six ideas for the New Year that can help you enhance your home – and your experience there 38

ARLINGTON TODAY • January 2018 • arlingtontoday.com

Turn a bland wall into a stunning design

High-return updates to make your home better

Are you prepared for an emergency?

Just because a new home comes with fresh white walls doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. A statement wall can pull a design together, add personality, and make furniture and accessories pop. Here are some ideas to consider: Choose a Focal Point: Decide what aspect of the room you would like to draw attention to. Fireplaces, large furniture pieces and artwork are popular focal points. If your room doesn’t lend itself to having a statement wall, highlight existing features like a small office nook or an inset wall.

Pick a Bold Color/Pattern – Choose a bright color, interesting texture or striking pattern for your statement wall.

Pick up a color from the furniture or textiles already in the room or go with a contrasting color to stand out more.

Let the Furniture Help – Arrange pieces of furniture to draw attention. For example, two light-colored occasional chairs on opposite sides of a darkly painted wall attract the eye and create a focal point, particularly when they’re coupled with pops of color in pillows, lamps and art.

Add Accents – Finish off a room’s design by carefully placing accessories that highlight your statement wall. This is the perfect opportunity to integrate your personality into your home.

Show off your favorite artwork, family heirlooms or travel keepsakes.

Do you have a list of changes you’d like to make to your home this year?

Here are four upgrades ranging from curb appeal projects to large-scale expansions that can add high-yield returns.

Replacing doors and windows: Homeowners are often encouraged to consider projects that boost overall curb appeal. Swapping out a wooden front door for a steel model or replacing front-facing windows can pack more of an ROI punch than renovations made inside the home.

Constructing a deck: Create a beautiful transition from your back door to the outdoors by building a deck. The update turns into a major selling point that can recoup your initial investment when it’s time to move on.

Adding insulation: Of all the projects listed in Remodeling magazine’s 2017 Cost vs. Value Report, adding loose-fill insulation to your attic is the only one with returns that exceed 100 percent of the cost. It can also help reduce yearround heating and cooling costs.

Building a second-story addition: Even with a slight increase in construction costs, completing a significant two-story addition resulted in a substantial year-over-year increase in value from 2016 to 2017. Adding the extra space will likely catch the attention of buyers.

Emergency situations can happen without warning. By taking the time to prepare for a possible disaster now, you and your family will be equipped to handle a crisis.

Fire Escape Route and Meeting Spot It can take a mere five minutes for a fire to engulf your entire home. This is one reason having an escape plan is so important. Include at least two exit routes in your plan in case one is blocked, and designate a safe location for everyone in your household to meet.

Identifying a secondary location outside your neighborhood is good to have in the event it’s not safe to return.

List of Emergency Contacts Make laminated cards with a list of important phone numbers for each family member. This might include contact information for the local authorities and emergency services as well as your nearest relatives.

Home Safety Items Be prepared in case an emergency does occur by having these home safety items: Fire Extinguisher – Keep one on each floor, and check them annually.

First-Aid Kit – Store it in a central location that everyone knows.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Install detectors in each room and test them once a month.

Food and Water – Have a three-day supply of nonperishable foods and at least three gallons of water for each member of your household.

arlingtontoday.com • January 2018 • ARLINGTON TODAY

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