Search Results for: blog cleaning your outdoor living space

Will Outdoor Improvements Increase The Value Of Your Home?

Now that the weather is finally warm and sunny here in the North Country, many homeowners are getting geared up for summer home improvement projects. Things like decks, pools, patios, gazebos, and ponds can make spending time at home on nice summer days a lot of fun. From a financial standpoint, however, only some of these outdoor upgrades add to your home’s resale value. First, the good news. Decks are a great investment. I’m tickled to hear this because as soon as the snow melted, my husband went out in the yard to continue working on the large wrap-around deck … Continue reading →

Tips for Outdoor Clean-Up

Hear ye! Hear ye! Now that Easter is over, if you still have Christmas lights up on your home, it’s time to take them down. And while you are out there you might consider sprucing up your home’s exterior. Spring cleaning lists should include chores that need to done to the outside of your home as well as the inside. Start with these basics: Siding: If your siding needs deep cleaning, then rent a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime that have built-up over time. Just remember to start at the top of your house and work your way … Continue reading →

Cleaning Your Outdoor Living Space

Patios and decks are no longer considered as such. Rather, these days they are referred to as “outdoor living spaces.” In some cases the term is warranted, especially if your patio is rocking a $25,000 built-in fire pit and a full kitchen complete with mini fridge, gas grill and marble countertops. Regardless of whether your outdoor entertaining space is filled with fancy furniture or simple white plastic patio chairs, it needs to be cleaned from time to time. With the busy summer months just a few weeks away, now is the time to clean and disinfect. While it may be … Continue reading →

Spring Clean Your Seats

I grew up in Hawaii where locals don triple socks and double pants when the mercury dips below 65 degrees. So, imagine my surprise when I moved to Wisconsin and found that people here sport shorts when temps rise into the 40s. Yesterday the shorts were out in full force, but white skin wasn’t the only thing shining in my neighborhood… so were the white plastic deck chairs. We have a few of these affordable chairs that we haul out every spring to add to our outdoor living space. However, right now they are far from shiny. Fortunately, there are … Continue reading →

Prepping Your Home for the Holidays

Tis the season to give your home a good cleaning, just in time for all those holiday guests who will be dropping in to partake in various festivities. Besides dusting, vacuuming and disinfecting bathrooms, bedrooms, the living area and the kitchen, pay special attention to the fireplace. When was the last time you cleaned your fireplace’s brick work? The task can be easily overlooked during the warm summer months when most entertaining takes place outdoors, but during the winter when the family regularly gathers around the fireplace, it’s a good idea to get the hearth in tip-top shape. For tough … Continue reading →

Cleaning Canvas

A major part of fall cleaning involves outdoor living spaces. Deck and patio furniture need to be cleaned before they are stored for the winter. In a previous blog I provided tips on how to clean patio furniture cushions and today I am covering canvas. Canvas covers a ton of outdoor furniture, from awnings to seat cushions. Fortunately, the durable material is fairly easy to clean. Some popular canvas cleaners can be purchased at discount retailers or patio furniture supply shops. Look for Tectron Foaming Nylon and Canvas Cleaner, Meguiar’s Canvas Cleaner or Starbrite Canvas Cleaner. The specially formulated products … Continue reading →

Frugal Living Month in Review: July 2008

July went by so quickly for us! There were so many fun and frugal activities and events for us to explore, from a science camp to free movies and sand sculpting. I hope your July was equally fun and frugal. Summer is a busy time, I know. Did you miss any frugal articles last month? If so, here is an opportunity to catch up on what you missed. There are new ways to save money on food, clothing, kids, gas and more. Feel free to leave a comment on any frugal post. I read all of the comments myself, no … Continue reading →

Personalizing Your Outdoor Living Space

Do you have an outdoor porch or patio space that you love to enjoy in the spring, summer and fall? What does it look like? This outdoor space often functions as another room of your home, but is it rather plain and generic? Why not personalize it with your own sense of style and make it a welcoming and comfortable space? Here are some ideas. One of the great assets of our current home, is the large screened porch in the back. On that porch, we can enjoy fragrant spring breezes, cool off in the summer and enjoy fall’s bounty … Continue reading →

Are You Ready to Work on Your Yard?

I know I’m ready! It seems like every weekend so far, I have found an excuse not to do it. Some of them were pretty good excuses too. There were some issues with weather, and then mud from all the rain we’ve had, but it’s starting to be milder now. I hope it stays this way. It was sunny and in the sixties yesterday. Despite some wind, it was a beautiful day. It’s still early this morning, but it already looks like it’s going to a nice day. If it stays like this through the weekend, I will definitely be … Continue reading →

When a Cold is Not a Cold

Spring fever is spiking in our home.  The last few weeks have been beset with sniffles, sneezes, sore throats and some serious sinus issues. For a long time I thought the aforementioned symptoms were related to the common cold, but a recent trip to the doctor proved otherwise.  The next time you are tempted to self diagnose your child’s runny nose and congestion, consider the other conditions he could be suffering from: Allergies:  Frequent sneezing and itchy, watery eyes, especially during the spring months can be a sign of allergies.  March and April are notorious for having high pollen and … Continue reading →