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Home Management

Helpful information about the care and keeping of your home.

Uncover Usable Space for Your Kitchen

November 2018 Interview – the Smead Keeping You Organized podcast

Join us as we discuss everything from storage to cutting boards.

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Hoarding disorder – A complex issue that deserves more understanding, compassion and awareness

November 2017 Interview – the Smead Keeping You Organized podcast

Learn what some of the hallmarks of hoarding disorder are and how to approach a hoarding situation from a positive, beneficial standpoint.

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Toxicity in the Home – WGXC Radio

Fight indoor air pollution and keep toxins to a minimum for a healthier home.

 

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but there are toxins lurking in and around our homes. Unlike our ancestors who had mostly organic possessions that were made from wood, cotton, wool or even animal skins, our modern homes contain lots of plastics, PVCs, chemicals, mold, mildew, VOCs and the list goes on. We can have some control over what we are exposed to and I’d like to start with one of the easiest ways to eliminate our exposure to indoor air pollution.

Take a walk down the cleaning product and laundry detergent aisle in any store, and if you take a deep breath, you’ll probably notice a variety of smells. Unfortunately, a lot of those cleaners have toxic ingredients Read more

Aging in Place – WGXC Radio

More and more, people are staying in their homes as long as possible as they age. Here are some tips to do so safely.

Thanks to many innovations, technology and medical advancements, seniors are able to live in the residence of their choice for as long as they are able as they age. In the early part of the 20th century, people lived and died in their homes because they were often times sharing their home with or lived very close to family members who took of them as they aged. Times changed Read more

Fall preparations for your home

The nights have become chilly, people have closed their pools for the season and before you know it, we’ll be in the grips of Father Winter soon enough. It’s time to put summer to bed and be sure that your home is ready for what’s ahead. My number one priority is what I call “hassle avoidance” so any proactive measures I can take to be ready for the change of seasons is one step further away from having a crisis when it’s bitter cold and the snow is deep. Here are some tips to help you batten down the hatches:

  • First thing is first, is your furnace clean and ready for the heating season? Do you need to order heating fuel, arrange to have the heating ducts or chimney cleaned? Call for servicing before the busy season hits. Wood stove owners are cutting or receiving wood and stacking away. Be mindful about stacking wood directly against your home, it’s an invitation for rodents and insects like termites to nest and is also a fire hazard.

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Mold and Mildew

After too many years cessation, I’ve finally finished painting my home office. Due to a number of reasons, it was one of those deals where we moved furniture away from a part of the room, painted, moved them back and moved onward. Guess what I found on the back side of a bureau and a secretary? Mildew! This isn’t the first time this has happened despite my best efforts to control the humidity in my home, leaving space between the walls and furniture and having good air circulation. I’m not alone, chances are there might be mold or mildew in your home too.

As a professional organizer, I’ve been in hundreds of homes and Read more

Kids and household chores

We all know how important it is to teach children life skills but why are so many young adults heading off to college and the world at large unable to do simple household chores? I can think of one thing right off the bat, it’s often times easier to just do it yourself! Perhaps, but that doesn’t help transfer useful knowledge to those who need it most, the next generation.

I’m guilty of it, no doubt. I’m pretty sure it was a tactic that my daughter Read more