The short, cold days of winter require us to spend a lot of time indoors. While dusting off your warm clothes may be all the preparation you need, it is important to consider your home. Many people get the urge to clean their homes during spring. However, spring is a good time to get outdoors and enjoy the weather. If you want to keep your home as neat as a pin, use these winter housecleaning tips.

House Cleaning: Simple Ways to Save time this Winter

Image via: Houzz

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Dust Surfaces

Winter’s warm, dry air makes homes get very dusty. Keep the dust at a manageable level by dusting all of your home’s surfaces. Don’t overlook areas like the tops of books, tops of window moldings, and ceiling fan blades. These collect dust easily but are often overlooked. Dust your lighting fixtures as well because they can make your indoors look dingy when they collect dust. Also get your home’s air ducts cleaned by an expert. This reduces the amount of dust, allergens, and germs floating around and can also help your furnace to run more efficiently.

Clean Your Carpet and Floors Thoroughly

Trapped moisture can make a floor messy and also cause accidental falls. Moisture collects in between carpet fibers and seeps into hardwood floors. Combat this by steam cleaning your carpet and thoroughly scrubbing the floors. Allocate a spot for snowy shoes and boots. If you have none, put out some cookie sheets with raised edges. These help keep the mess off the floors.

Image via: Girard312

Clean Windows

Use a window cleaner to clean all the windows in your home. Windows are more exposed to the cold air and get covered with condensed water in rooms with heaters. Clean them on a cool or cloudy day and not on a warm day. They dry faster on warm days and cause streaks.

House cleaning – Wash Drapes and Curtains

After you’re done with the windows, tackle the drapes and curtains. These can trap fungus and bacteria during winter and get a bad smell. Wash them according to instructions or use a brush attachment to clean them.

Image via: Jackie Jane

After you’re done with the windows, tackle the drapes and curtains. These can trap fungus and bacteria during winter and get a bad smell. Wash them according to instructions or use a brush attachment to clean them.

Staying on top of chores will help you to keep your home in a pristine condition. Use these winter housecleaning tips for a sparkling and energy-efficient abode. We would love to hear your House Cleaning tips for the winter.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

A sumptuous family dinner would best greet the spring season. It’s a great way to celebrate and have some quality time with the whole family. To make the most of the celebration, you have to ensure that everything is well-organized especially your table settings. This will set the mood of your spring celebration.

Image via: Hey Day Bozeman

Creating a perfect spring tablescape can be challenging. But with the right combination of ideas, accessories and materials, you’re on your way to a perfect setting. But you have to consider some time for planning. This will ensure that you already know your desired outcome even before acquiring your utensils and materials.

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Look into these ideas on how to create a perfect spring tablescape:

Let your glass accessories shine

Glass accessories like bowls, vases and wine glasses are effective accessories to lighten up the table. It prevents your table from having a heavy appearance. Glass accessories also create a balance of all the colors present in the table. In fact, it deflects nice and shiny glitters in your table.

Complement your colors

One thing that people see are the colors you have in your table. Colors don’t just boost appetite but give a decent look in your tablescape. It is best if you have a color theme that will be dominant in your setting. With color theme, you can neutralize the whole setting and make it look fabulous and stunning. Also, make sure to select colors that will complement the occasion. For spring, colors like blue, green, red, orange and blue are among the favorites.

Image via: Splendid Sass

Choose the right linens

Linens play a vital role in your tablescape. They are widely spread throughout your table. Having the right linens provides an attractive look at the whole setting. It is the quickest way to make your table setting look exactly what you wanted. Linens come in different styles that can match your theme.

With these wonderful ideas, you can be sure that you greet spring with a welcoming spring table.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/creating-the-perfect-spring-tablescape/feed/ 0 46424 https://stagetecture.com/diy-saturday-100-how-to-maintain-your-ac-system-video/ https://stagetecture.com/diy-saturday-100-how-to-maintain-your-ac-system-video/#respond Sat, 19 May 2012 10:13:41 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=26711 Guest Blogger #528, Entry #1190, May 19, 2012

Happy 100th DIY Saturday! For 100 Saturday’s Stagetecture has been bringing you useful home projects for decor, home maintenance, renovations, holiday ideas and fun recipes! Thank you Stagetecture readers for helping us reach 100 Saturday’s.

Image via: Meredith

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Stagetecture launched its You Tube Channel a few months ago. Watch all of the videos you need to get the right materials, directions, pros and cons and information from experts and other homeowners BEFORE you start on your DIY project.

Today’s DIY Saturday is all about getting your air conditioning running correctly and maintaining it before the weather gets to unbearably hot. Watch a video on how to DIY your A/C system and then go through a A/C checklist from my guest blogger.

You Tube – Do it Yourself Air Conditioning Repair

Guest Blogger – Air Conditioning Maintenance Checklist

Your air conditioner should run like a well-oiled machine, and that can only happen if you properly maintain your A/C system. Many HVAC professionals will have an air conditioning inspection checklist that they use when performing maintenance and system checks of A/C systems.

This checklist ensures that crucial parts of the air conditioner are looked over carefully and serviced for the best operation of the system. Such a list also ensures that your A/C system is up to building codes. Some of the points on this air conditioning maintenance checklist you can use yourself for self-service of your system.

Circuits

Check that the electrical cables servicing the air conditioning system are properly sealed in conduit or raceways to protect the wires from vermin and weather exposure. These conduits cannot be laid under the house on the ground to avoid excessive moisture exposure.

Filters

Air conditioners need filters to trap dirt and prevent it from being blown through the air ducts. This is probably the most common factor that the average homeowner will have to regularly address. Fortunately changing filters out is easy and inexpensive depending on what kind of air conditioning system you have in your home.

A clogged filter impedes the air conditioner’s performance. Generally, you should change your filter monthly, especially if you have anyone at home with allergies.

Image via: Desire to Inspire

Condensate Drainage

Air conditioners produce condensation, and this must be effectively drained away from the system. The drain pipe should be at least 3/4-inch wide and have slope of 1/8-inch for every foot of distance. The drain lines need to be clear and clean. Some recommend pouring a small amount of diluted bleach through the condensation line monthly to keep it clear of mold and build up. If a pump is used for removing condensation, the pump needs to be checked for proper operation.

Whether you need your air conditioner inspected to pass building codes or if you need it checked for regular maintenance, a professional HVAC technician can help you with your system. Checklists for A/C maintenance to keep your system running smoothly while adhering to codes.

Having an air conditioning expert check your system ensures that you have a professional on hand who can immediately fix any problems found. Unfortunately, this cannot happen if you check your system alone. For help with your air conditioning system’s maintenance or an inspection, call an experienced air conditioning company.

Metro Express Services is Texas based air conditioning and heating company. They offer various HVAC services to metro Arlington.

For more DIY Saturday’s on Stagetecture, click here.

Watch Stagetecture’s You Tube Channel for more DIY ideas

Happy Halloween Stagetecture readers! We’ve finally gotten to the day that kids and adults enjoy having fun and dressing up to go Trick-or-Treating.  If you are still looking for last minute costume ideas, look at yesterday’s post.

Today I have a simple list for Halloween Safety from the CDC – Center for Disease Control & Prevention.

	Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.
	Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.
	Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.
	Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.
	Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.
	Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.
	Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.
	Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.
	Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.
	Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.
	Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.
	Enter homes only if you’re with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.
	Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?

• Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters, such as individual packs of raisins, trail mix, or pretzels. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.
• Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.
• Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.
• Keep candle-lit jack-o’-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.
• Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone!

For more Halloween ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

A few days ago I had a blog post on 12 ways to unclutter your life, from an O

magazine article. One of the 12 areas is your closet. Closets are a catch-all for everything.  Don’t have time to hang up your shirt? Throw it in the closet. Can’t find the other shoe? Throw it in the closet. My boss is coming to dinner!… yeah, you get the point. How about thinking about the one place people don’t look.

Simplified Bee has a wonderful article on spring cleaning your closet. Learn how storing, giving, and organization can lead you to a closet that you’d love to show your boss!

Remember, take your time and donate! One of the biggest misconceptions about organizing is that you have to keep everything.  The majority of items in the back of your closet, you will never wear, or you may wear 3-4 years from now… maybe.  Why not use that space to fill with clothes you do wear, and allow space for future growth?

To read the rest of the article visit Simplified Bee.

The cold weather was justified for the holidays.. but now your utility bill is showing signs that your house needs to get winterized, and fast! Preparing your home for the winter will help keep your family warmer, and your wallet fuller. You can spend a few dollars to seal windows or you can replace old windows. You decide on what your house needs this season.

*Openings: Windows and doors are the main culprit of lost heat, and leaking cool air. Try these  tips to help seal out

the cold.

Windows: Check the weather stripping around the window. Check if caulking is peeling on the inside and on the exterior. Place your hand around edges to feel if air is seeping in.  Consider using do-it-yourself plastic sealing kits, which use adhesive backing to secure to window frame, and a simple hair dryer to keep plastic tight. If you have single pane windows, consider replacing windows one by one.

Doors: Like windows, install weather stripping around doors. For exterior doors install door sweeps, to trap air from coming underneath the door. For drafty interior doorways, consider fabric or foam draft stoppers below the door. Not using your three guest rooms? Shut the door and the vents that supply those rooms. This will push more air to those rooms that you do occupy!

*Exterior: Clean gutters and remove debris on a regular basis. Leaves, tree limbs, and pine needles can clog gutters, and won’t allow water to drain properly from your roof. This in turn can lead to ice dams in freezing temperatures.

*Water Heater: If your water heater is set at the same temperature as the summer, turn it down. It requires more energy for the water heater to heat the water in the winter. Is your water heater in the garage? Consider buying a pre-cut insulation jacket, this will help maintain the temperature in the heater.

*Ceiling Fans: Reverse fan blade direction from the summer time. Warm air will be pushed down from the ceiling, instead of pulled away from the room.  This tip doesn’t cost you a thing, and can keep you from turning up the thermostat!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.