The Experts at Home Made Simple - Home made simple: fresh ideas to make your own

Creating order out of the clutter and chaos of daily life is truly a rare gift. For the lucky few who have a natural knack for organizing, everything has its place (and everything is labeled, coordinated, and uncluttered). But for most of us its the little victories that really count and make our lives easier.

We know how important it is to have a comfortable, organized home without spending every moment making it that way. Thats why the pages in this chapter are brimming with fresh and easy ideas that fit into your home in ways that are manageable, empowering, and true to life.

Our lives and homes are filled with little challenges and puzzles that need to be solved. Hopefully, some of the organizing solutions weve discovered along the way will help inspire you to streamline your home and create harmony and happiness that is all your own.

Everyone knows the basics, but sometimes it is hard to tell (or remember) how often items in the home need to be cleaned. For your most-often-overlooked and baffling cleaning projects, here are step-by-step instructions on what to do and how.

Have you ever wondered when was the last time a certain item in your home was cleaned? Or even how often something needs a good scrubbing? Use the guide to keep track of all the whens and wheres of your cleaning routine. You can even fill in your own time reminders so you dont forget when a certain cleaning is due.

The best way to keep your blinds clean is to dust them about every month. Something so small can make a big difference over time. The less dust and dirt you let build up, the less often youll have to give them a deep clean. If you dust them regularly, youll need to wash your blinds only every two to four years. When it gets to be that time, follow these simple steps to get them squeaky clean again. All you need is an all-purpose cleaner, a bucket of warm water, a sponge, and a large bath towel.

Close and remove your blinds. To remove, simply pull up the tabs on each end and slide the blinds out. Lay them out in a flat, open area, such as your driveway, yard, or kitchen floor.

Lay the bath towel under your first set of blinds. Spray generously with the cleaner and let sit for several minutes.

With a damp sponge, wipe the slats in a horizontal motion until all the dust and dirt buildup is wiped clean. For heavier dirt, scrub the blinds gently with a soft-bristled brush, also in a motion parallel to the slats. Wipe with plain water. If you are cleaning your blinds outside, you can rinse the cleaner away with hose water and then shake excess water from the blinds. If you are inside, use a sponge and bucket of water. Note: For wooden blinds and fabric shades, do not use water or cleaner because dampness can warp the wood slats and stain the fabric material. Instead, wipe with a soft dust cloth or sweep with a vacuum cleaner brush attachment.

Reverse the slats and repeat.

Allow the blinds to dry for several hours before rehanging.