Fast 5: Easy Gardening Tips

 

Not sure what type of Spring you’ve had in your neck of the woods but where we are, we’ve had more of a battle between Winter and Summer…one day it’s a high of 75 degrees, blue skys and gorgeous…the next day it is a high of 35 degrees, and we’re graced with yet another 4 inches of snow! Dare I say it (knocking on wood), I think we’ve finally reached a Spring that’s here to stay which means one thing – it’s time to move outdoors! And first up on the To-Do list…gardening. Check out our five tips to help get you on your way in the garden. Happy Gardening!

 

1. Keep dirt where it belongs - Before digging your hands in the dirt, turn to a bar of soap. Draw your fingernails across a bar of soap to effectively seal the undersides of your nails so dirt can’t collect beneath them. Then, once you’ve finished playing in the dirt for the day, use a nailbrush to remove the soap and your nails will be sparkling clean.

 

2. Add nutrients – Help soil retain water (and add valuable nutrients) by placing a few used teabags in the bottom of your planters.  The same goes for the next time you boil or steam vegetables. Instead of pouring the water down the drain, use it to water potted patio plants and you’ll be amazed at how the plants respond to the “vegetable soup.” More of a coffee drinker than tea? Use coffee grounds in place of fertilizer to feed your plants, especially nitrogen-loving ones like camellias, hydrangeas, and roses.

 

3. Pests - Say goodbye to garden pests with pie tins: place a few slices of cucumber in a small, aluminium pie tin to keep your garden free of pests all season long or use a pie tin full of beer to attract snails and slugs away from your plants. Another solution, sans pie tin, is cayenne and garlic used in a spray to deter leaf-munching pests. Or sprinkle cayenne on the ground to keep dogs, cats, and other mammals away from your plants. Re-apply both after rain.

 

4. Weeds – Mulch is one of your best friends when it comes to weed control! Spreading a layer 1-2 inches deep over your garden is one way to make gardening a breeze. Just about any kind of mulch will stop most weeds from growing and help your soil hold moisture when the weather’s hot and dry. Instead of using harsh chemicals, spray vinegar in the cracks of your walkway to get rid of weeds. Another natural remedy: cornmeal. Cornmeal prevents weed seeds from germinating when sprinkled on the soil but wait until after your seeds sprout to make sure the cornmeal doesn’t harm new plants.

 

5. Troubleshooting – Everything won’t always go perfect in the garden but there are ways to fix most problems. Over-watered your plants? Pour a little hydrogen peroxide on the roots. Healthy leaves but no blooms? Check recommended temperature and light range for plant.  If necessary, move to a lighter and/or warmer position. Use a journal to write down notes every week in order to save time and effort. Jot down notes every week as you garden, then refer back to them next year. (Much like you would do in the kitchen with a recipe.) Last but not least: reserve some time to enjoy your garden. Don’t always work on it.

 

I think I’ve fully caught the gardening bug now! What about you?

 

Tell us…When do you typically start your garden? What are your favorite flowers and vegetables to include?

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Fast 5: Moms…here’s to you!

 

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~ Elizabeth Stone

 

The job of a mother is non-stop, never ending, and usually done in conjunction with another job. Because moms spend all their time taking care of everyone else, we want to take care of them for a day! If we could make it to every one of your houses to treat you to breakfast in bed and clean the ENTIRE house, we would in a heartbeat. Since we can’t, we’ve come up with a pretty great alternative: a few of our favorite “Momisms” and A Mother’s Day Ticket Book. Use these tickets when you need a quiet moment, a foot rub, or someone else to dust for a day!

 

In honor of mothers everywhere, here are some of the best life lessons our moms have taught us:

 

1. You can do anything -

 

 

 

2. Learn, prepare, appreciate

 

 

3. Find the good -

 

 

4. Always be nice

 

 

5. Wise words

 

 

 

And our advice to mothers:

Remember the dishes and vacuuming can wait. Take time to celebrate your greatest accomplishment, being a mother. The chores will still be there when you get back! Oh, and print out a few of these Mother’s Day Ticket Books to use:

click for printable, full-size version.
(Click the image for full-size, printable version.)
  

Tell us…What’s the best advice your mom ever gave you?

 

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On the last day of the Spring Cleaning Spree, StainTalk gave to me…

 

... a $100 gift card! Today is the final day of StainTalk’s Spring Cleaning Spree – 24 Days of Prizes, Tips, & Fun and, if you remember, one lucky commenter from the last 23 days will randomly be selected to win a $100 gift card to any store they want.

Throughout the month of April, we’ve provided you with tricks, techniques, and hints to help check one thing after another off your Spring Cleaning to-do list. We shared checklists for every room in the house, offered some of our favorite tips, and asked for some of your favorites in return.  All-in-all, we’d consider this month to be a success! 

Here are some highlights from the past 24 days:

 

April 7th - What marks the start of Spring for you?

Cyndi: The first robin is always a sign that warmer weather is on the way!

Mindy: To me, spring begins when I can finally open the windows and get some fresh air inside. I also enjoy the sounds of the birds chirping while I do my spring cleaning.

 

April 16th – Share your most cherished recipe or moment in the kitchen.

Megan: My favorite kitchen moment is baking sugar cookies with my daughter.

Jodi: I was 5 years old, my Mom was really sick and it was my Dad’s b-day the next day. I knew we had to make him a cake but I had to do it alone – no box mix for me! – I found a recipe foe 5 Egg Cake and somehow made that for my Dad (Mom helped with the frosting). We ate it all (Dad took a bunch to work) ans it wasn’t until 40+ years later that I learned the cake was a flop but everyone ate it rather than waste all the eggs + the other ingredients! Great memory for me, even now! :-)

 

April 18th - Help us kick off National Cleaning for a Reason Week and support a worthy cause!

We want to say thank you to everyone who Commented, Liked, Shared, Retweeted, and Pinned for Cleaning for a Reason! We are happy to announce Carbona is donating $250 to this great organization.

 

April 19th – Finish the sentence: The best cleaning tip I ever heard was______________.

 Betty: To get the whole family involve, and make it into a game/competition.

Michelle: I always keep one room really organized and clean, this way if the others are not so clean I have a place to escape and feel comfortable instead of stressed on the mess, take it one room at a time!

 

April 26th - Have you held a garage sale before? What tips would you give someone who is holding their first one?

Lea: My tip is not to put a bunch of random items in a box that people have to dig through. It’s very difficult to find or sell anything that way.

Angie: Having a good location is key. If you live in an area that doesn’t get much traffic, see if you can hold the sale at a friends or family members house.

 

April 28th - How do you reward yourself after many hours spent Spring Cleaning?

Eve: A hot bath with Philosophy to ease away the pain, and I don’t only mean the brand of body wash.

Kyle: I visit my favorite ice cream shop and have a scoop.

 

From your favorite (and least favorite) things about Spring to cleaning challenges and your take on silly pictures, we really enjoyed hearing what keeps you going this time of year! Thank you StainTalkers for sharing your favorites, making us laugh, and inspiring us. Stay tuned, there are plenty more freebies to come in the future! Until then, Happy Cleaning!

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: Cleaning a mattress doesn’t have to be hard. Start by stripping the bed and pouring baking soda into a strainer and sprinkling the entire mattress. (The baking soda will eliminate odors by drawing out dirt and moisture) Let mattress sit for an hour and then, remake the bed with the clean mattress pad, sheets and bed skirt. When it’s time to wash the sheets again, strip the bed and vacuum up the baking soda, along with all of the dust and dirt that has accumulated in the meantime. (via: HuffPost Home)

 

Have you participated in StainTalk’s Spring Cleaning Spree – 24 Days of Prizes, Tips, and Fun? Keep checking your email, we’ll notify the winner today!

 

Tell us…What did you love best about the Spring Cleaning Spree? What do you hope to see more of next time around?

 

Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 23 Comments

Finish Spring Cleaning by steam cleaning your carpets!

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

 

Now that you’ve gone through and finished checklists for every room, it’s time for the final step: floors. We’ve got the perfect product to help you finish strong and you don’t need to be tackling disasters like this upside down spaghetti plate in order to see a difference!

Win Carbona’s 2 in 1 Oxy-Powered Steam Carpet Cleaner! It effectively cleans tough stains, soil, and bacteria, can be used in all popular steam machines, and is safe for use around children and pets. What can be better than that?

 

Here’s what customers are saying about Carbona’s 2 in 1 Oxy-Powered Steam Carpet Cleaner:

Are you a pet owner? We’ve got good news for you. The oxygen-powered formula also removes pet stains and eliminates (doesn’t just mask) odors, to discourage repeat accidents.

 
Daily Cleaning Tip: Place a dryer sheet in the bottom of trash bins to absorb smells.

 

Tell us to win…Do you own a carpet cleaner or do you rent as needed? How often do you clean/shampoo your carpets? Comment below and enter to win Carbona’s 2 in 1 Oxy-Powered Steam Carpet Cleaner. We will randomly select two lucky commenters to win*.

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 

 

Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 22 Comments

We need your help captioning this picture!

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

 

It’s that time again…time to caption a picture. We don’t know about you but these are definitely our favorite comments to read!

 

Without further adieu…meet our upside down friend and caption this picture:

 

via: Komikler

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: To make a zipper slide up and down more smoothly, rub a bar of soap over the teeth.

 

Tell us to win…What’s your best caption for this picture? Comment below and enter to win Carbona Color & Dirt Grabbers. We will randomly select three lucky commenters to win*.

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 
Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 14 Comments

Cleaning is hard work and you deserve a reward!

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

 

We think you deserve a reward…because Spring Cleaning is EXHAUSTING! We’ve thought of some ways you can reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve done whipping the house into shape and we want you to add some of your own rewards too!

 

 

 

Reward yourself with:

A trip to the movies
Lunch with friends
A manicure/pedicure (your hands might need it after all that scrubbing) 
A massage
An afternoon in your favorite room with a good book
A new article of clothing for your cleaned out closet
A night off from cooking at the restaurant of your choice
An afternoon lounging in the sun

 

Whatever you choose for you reward, make sure you treat yourself to something special. Knowing you have something exciting as the light at the end of the tunnel will give you the energy and motivation you need to finish Spring Cleaning (Why is the last little bit always the hardest?). Then, open the windows, let the fresh air in, and enjoy the warm Spring breeze! That is, if it’s not snowing on you like it was us the last few weeks.

 

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: Cover hairline cracks in walls until you’re ready to paint by rubbing chalk over them with a matching color.

 

Tell us to win…How do you reward yourself after many hours spent Spring Cleaning? We’re going to do our best to reward you! Comment below and enter to win a $5 Starbuck’s gift card. We will randomly select three commenters to win*.

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 
 
Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 40 Comments

Win Small Space Organizing by Kathryn Bechen

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

Who hasn’t dreamed (at least once) of living in one of the many great house seen in movies…remember the beach house from Something’s Gotta Give or the Sitka, Alaska house in The Proposal? How great were those houses? While most of us enjoy the expansive rooms and large houses we see in magazines and movies, let’s face it: they’re a far stretch from being more than a part of la-la land. Instead, we live in homes, condos, and apartments with just enough room for our families.

 

Kathryn Bechen understands small space dwellers because she is one of them – she knows the challenges and frustrations, as well as the glorious freedoms and blessings of living in a small space. In her book Small Space Organizing: A Room-to-Room Guide to Maximizing Your Space, Bechen provides insight on how to maximize living in minimum space, downsizing, small space wisdom, and how to master each room to get the most out of it.

 

“Small spaces give us the opportunity to live sincerely, forcing us to choose which of our possessions make our hearts sing.” ~ Kathryn Bechen

 

This is a book that takes you on a journey as you explore the nooks and crannies of all types of small homes and rooms and helps you get your rooms in just the right amount of order so you and your family don’t feel claustrophobic. As Laura Leist, CPO and founder of Eliminate Chaos and past president of the National Association of Professional Organizers, so perfectly states,

“Kathryn’s heartfelt book about real-life small space homes is packed with practical and stylish tips, ideas, and resources to help you take your home from drab to dazzling, no matter what size your space or budget. She wisely dispels the notion that small space living is restrictive, and instead artfully teaches us that organized small spaces enable us to enjoy life more”.

 

By the end of this practical guide, you’ll have preformed a room-by-room audit of each area of your home to make sure it functions to it’s best, make the most out of the storage you have and learn creative ways to add more, and learn how to arrange furniture in the most stylish way for your space. Whether you’re newly on your own or empty-nesters downsizing, this book is sure to teach you more than one new thing about maximizing space.

 

Out of the book:

 Kitchen Kudos

To get started organizing your little kitchen, remember to KISS: Keep It Super Simple!

 

Super Storage Solutions

Photo boxes come in all colors and patterns and are a great tool for stackable storage. I put office supplies in mine and label the front of each box with a label maker.

Use under-the-bed plastic storage bins to hold out-of-season clothes, toys, shoes, and hobby supplies.

Instead of purchasing a changing table, why not buy a desk that matches the other furniture and use it as a changing table? Cover it with a changing pad, of course, and later your child can use the desk for studying.

 

With a few tricks up your sleeve, small can be the new big!

 

Please note: Author Kathryn Bechen and book publisher are not affiliated with this promotion. Giveaway open only to residents of the United States.

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: Most homes – big or small — have lot of vertical space left unused, so add some shelves or storage options that take advantage of those high walls and keep the floors clear.

 

Tell us to win…Finish the sentence: I feel most organized when ___________. Comment below and enter to win your own copy of Kathryn Bechen’s book. We will randomly select one lucky commenter to win.*

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 

 

Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 15 Comments

Fast 5: Garage Sale Tips

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

You’ve done the hard work de-cluttering and organizing, now it’s time to get rid of all the extra stuff. What better way to do so then with a garage sale?

 

Garage sale, yard sale, tag sale…whatever you choose to refer to it as, the first step is to ask around and see if anyone else in your area wants to join you. Multi-family and community sales usually get more visits! What comes next?  We’ve put together a list of tips that will get you well on your way to preparing, promoting, and organizing a successful garage sale. Happy Selling!

 

 

1. Prepare - Have a tote or a designated area in the house where you collect items for sale year around. In the weeks leading up to the sale, scour closets and other storage areas. Your primary goal should be decluttering. If you have any high value items for sale you might consider putting those on eBay or Craigslist. Don’t sell junk and if something is broke or unrepairable, throw it out! It will diminish the value of your other items. Plan for extra time the night before your garage sale to organize items and put signs up – it takes longer than you think. Mark on a map where you put up signs so you don’t forget to take any down after the garage sale is over!

 

2. Promote- Advertise well! Find the best resource for ads in your community and run an ad 2-3 days before your garage sale. In many cases this will be Craigslist but your community might be different. Always include the date of the garage sale, your address, and when the garage sale starts and ends. It helps to list some of the items you have for sale and add a few pictures to your ad if you can. Make signs that clearly state yard or garage sale on them and include the date, address, and start and end time on the signs too. Hang the signs 2-3 days early and make sure to check the rules in your community for putting up signs. 

 

3. TimingStart and end time is a personal preference and you have to do what is right for you. There is a benefit to starting a little earlier than the usual 8 am start time – you’ll attract the power shoppers that want to go to multiple sales and that will start as early as 7AM. Holding a garage sale is exhausting and usually crowds are heavier in the morning and go down significantly after noon. You might decide on a five hour sale from seven to noon and donate the remaining items to a thrift store (remember the goal is to de-clutter). Whatever you decide is best for you, it’s important to have a tentative plan before people start showing up.

 

4. Organize - Keep related items together. It will help you sell more. Garage sales where books and clothes are all in one pile are a big turnoff because people don’t always want to pick through everything you have for a great find. Put some of your more interesting items closer to the street to lure people to stop and look at your other items. What’s one of the best lures? A big “Free” pile full of stuff you plan on donating that you don’t think anyone will buy. This is just enough temptation to get shoppers out of their car. Get tables to put smaller items on and keep those items close to you or someone collecting money. Small items are easy to grab and can be some of your higher priced items (think jewelry) and you’re bound to have at least one person stop by looking to see what they can snatch. Keep your space organized and fill empty spots after you sell a larger item.

 

5. Money, money- Make sure all items have price tags on them that are easy to read and don’t miss out on a sale because someone wants to pay you with a twenty dollar bill and you have no change. Stock up on ones, fives and tens to be able to break up bigger bills. Make sure to price your items to sell but remember no one is forcing you to give anything precious away for free. Anywhere between 15-40% of the original prices is a very general rule of thumb. Some items (electronics) depreciate faster than others (jewelry) and you might want to be more aggressive based on that.

  

Plan to have extra hands on deck the day of your garage sale. You might need a bathroom break or have 15 people swarming your place at the same time and a friend or family member can be a life saver. Check out this Yard Sale Checklist from Organized Home to make sure you don’t forget a planning step along the way.


Daily Cleaning Tip: Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens.

 

Tell us to win… Have you held a garage sale before? What tips would you give someone who is holding their first one? Comment below and enter to win a $5 Starbuck’s gift card. We will randomly select 2 lucky commenters to win*.

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 
 
Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 29 Comments

Show us your Spring cleaning progress!

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

 

We’ve provided you with a checklist for every room in your house…now it’s time to show us your hard work! Remember how we told you we’d be asking to see your before and after pictures as part of a post down the road? The time is here and this might just be the only time a big mess can win you a prize!

 

 

We promise you, that is the same room! See…you’ve got nothing to hide.

 

Haven’t gotten started Spring cleaning yet? Send us a picture of the mess you need to tackle! 

Forgot to snap a before picture? That’s okay – show us the results (a sparkling, organized, ready for Spring room)!

 

All you have to do is upload your pictures in the comments section, share them on our Facebook page, Tweet us, or shoot us an email! We’d love to see the progress you’ve made.

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: According to organizational expert Peter Walsh, there’s only one thing you need to remember when it comes to keeping spaces organized and clutter-free…keep flat surfaces clear. (Think dressers, side tables, counters, and floors.)

 

Show us to win…We want to see your progress – show us the fruits of your labor! Share a before, in progress, or after picture. We will randomly select 2 commenters who share to win Carbona CleanIt! Refrigerator & Microwave Wipes.*

 

If uploading:
Max file size is 2 MB
Supported image formats: jpg, jpeg, gif*, and png. (*animated gif images are not currently supported)

 

Or, simply email us your pictures here!

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 
 
Posted in Spring Cleaning Spree | 11 Comments

“Extra” Rooms Checklist and a chance to win…

Winners have been picked! Are you one of our Spring Cleaning Spree winners? Check here to see!

 

How’s the cleaning coming along in your house? At this point in April, most of the Spring cleaning should be in the final stages or finished. Unless you got a late start, in which case keep soldiering on!

In case you we’re too busy cleaning and missed out, we’ve shared Spring cleaning checklists for every room in the house! We started with a General Checklist for the entire house as it lists things that need to be cleaned in every room (light switches, blinds, fixtures, etc). This checklist is a great starting place and works well with our specific room checklists. There’s individual checklists for the Kitchen, the Bedroom(s), the Bathroom(s), and the Living Room, Family Room, and Dining Room. We’re wrapping up our Spring cleaning checklists with one final checklist for all the Extra rooms in the house. This list covers the entryway/mudroom, office, garage, and laundry room.

 

 

Take an extra second, as you clean, to snap before and after pictures of your Spring cleaning progress! We’ll be asking to see them as part of our post tomorrow and this might just be the only time a big mess can win you a prize!

 

Daily Cleaning Tip: Do you know what all the different fabric care symbols mean? The American Cleaning Institute put together a great guide to help you out:

 

Tell us to win…What’s the biggest challenge you face when it comes to Spring cleaning? Comment below and enter to win a 24 inch Norpro Lambswool Duster. We will randomly select one lucky commenter to win.*

 

*Make sure we can reach you if you win! If you’re not already logged in, you just need to type your name and email to comment. Your email doesn’t need to be visible with your comment. If we don’t have an email address for you, we have no way of notifying you if you win. 
Posted in Best of StainTalk, Spring Cleaning Spree | 14 Comments