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 →

According to NBC News, the death toll for the tornadoes that ravaged seven states earlier this week now stands at 340 people. However, authorities say that number is expected to rise, as members of the National Guard dig through untouched piles of debris in hard hit Alabama. The televised scenes of devastation are horrific and it makes me feel guilty about complaining about the mile-long list of outdoor spring cleaning that I have yet to complete. At least my home is still standing. I’m pretty sure the tornado survivors would be more than happy to spend their Saturday cleaning out … Continue reading →

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 →

A huge part of spring cleaning is sprucing up the exterior of your home. The spring thaw typically reveals a litany of projects that need to be taken care of before summer starts. At the top of the list for most homeowners is patio clean-up. Once the snow melts you will be able to see how much time you will have to put into cleaning up your patio. If your patio weathered the harsh winter well, then clean-up will be minimal. Usually you will have to sweep up a few spots using a stiff bristle broom, but that’s about it. … Continue reading →

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Watching TLC’s “Hoarders” makes me want to purge nearly everything from my home. And I don’t have a heck of a lot to begin with. Sorting clutter is part of many homeowners’ spring cleaning rituals, but when you have a mountain of “stuff” to sort; it’s not always easy to get the job done. This is especially true if you are planning to tackle the abyss of items in your garage. For most people the garage is the catch-all for everything that doesn’t fit inside the home. It doesn’t take much … Continue reading →