Blog posts of '2018' 'September'

Before holiday parties and friendsgiving events begin, ask yourself, “When is the last time I really cleaned my kitchen?” Still thinking? Then it may be time to put in a little elbow grease and perform a deep clean on one of the most used rooms in your home. Before you have family and friends over to enjoy a tasty meal you should be able to get some peace of mind and clean everything from your fridge to your trash cans!

Tackle the fridge

That’s right! Start your cleaning day with a bang and handle the big stuff first. Grab a trash bag and dump out all of your old food and leftovers. Next, take everything else out and set things aside. If you have removable shelves, take them out and give them a good wipe down with a disinfecting cleaning solution. Make sure your shelves are dry before putting them back in. Place useable food back where they belong. Don’t forget to clean the drawers and shelving that lie within your refrigerator door as well.

Natural all purpose cleaner recipe

• 2 cups water
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp. dish soap
• 1 tsp. baking soda

In a large empty spray bottle, combine your water, white vinegar, gentle dish soap, and baking soda. Shake well to mix before use.

Clear sink gunk

Next, take on sink gunk with some cleaner, a sponge, and a small brush or old toothbrush. Before you start cleaning, put some water in a pot and let it boil on the stove. It might sound strange but it will come in handy towards the end. Next, use a tough acting sink scrub to coat your entire sink. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. After cleaning your entire sink, try to get a little extra in the drain portion of your sink and scrub that area with a small brush. Continue this method if your brush continues to come out dirty. When your water is boiling, take it off of the stove and carefully start pouring it down the drain. This should clear out anything that may be left leaving your sink sparkling.

Natural sink scrub recipe

• 3 tbsp. castile soap
• 1 cup baking soda
• Lemon juice

In a small bowl, mix your castile soap and baking soda. Add lemon juice until a thick paste forms. Mix well before using.

Oven scrub & stove

Moving on to some of your larger home appliances, you can use the same recipe for your natural sink scrub to clean your oven and stove. Begin by making your paste and set it aside. If you happen to be using a non-electric stovetop, you will want to remove the grills off of each burner before you begin cleaning. You should also take out the racks within your oven. Place your grills and racks in the sink for now while you coat the inside of your oven and stove top in cleaning paste. Let the paste sit before wiping clean. For a true deep clean, let the paste within your oven sit overnight. If you don’t have that kind of time, try letting it sit for 2 hours. While you are waiting, you can use this time to scrub your grills and racks with either the paste or a multipurpose cleaner. Set them aside to dry when cleaned. Use a rag and a bottle of undiluted distilled white vinegar to wipe the paste clean from your appliances. Place the grills back on your stovetop and clean racks back in your oven. You can now enjoy your newly cleaned kitchen appliances!

Final touches

Reuse your all purpose cleaner from earlier to clear out smaller kitchen appliances such as the microwave, toaster oven, and toaster. Apply the solution generously and wipe away stuck on food and grease. Wipe down your countertops, sweep, and mop as best you can. Don’t forget the corners and baseboards! For the final touch, place some freshly cut lemon slices down the drain of your sink and use the garbage disposal to disperse the juice and clean the blades.

For many people the idea of a country-inspired dining room design brings fond ideas of home cooked meals, family, and a feeling of “the good old days”. Perfect for the home that would like the focus to be around comfort rather than a minimalistic structured design, here are some rustic dining room ideas that are sure to bring the family together in style.

Natural elements

Rustic looks are often inspired by nature. Although some might think the term “rustic” means bland or simple, it can not only be far from it, but also can display a beauty that directly reflects things one would find in in the great outdoors.

To get a start on your rustic dining space, it’s best to begin with the base of your dining set. One of the most classic and practical materials used for a dining room table is wood. Since ancient times, wood has been a popular material to use in a number of pieces of furniture from bed frames and chairs to tables and accent pieces. Wood is sturdy, reliable, and fairly easy to clean, so it only makes sense to buy a quality wood dining table and chairs to match that will last for years to come.

On top of finding hardwood items that blend in with your home look, try to incorporate weathered pieces into your design. For example, you can place a large distressed mirror on the wall to add more light into the room as well as follow a rustic design. Or you can add a roughly finished dish cabinet in your dining area to go along with a rustic theme. Anything that looks as though it has aged gracefully can add a sense of sophisticated style to your dining situation.

Coordinating décor

Your rustic look will come down to the final details. Rustic touches can come in the form of a few things including:

.Color — When you are searching for a color palette for a rustic look, turn to shades of rich clay, natural green, brick red, brown, muted grey, and soft or denim blues. You can use these shades to pop against weathered or solid wood pieces throughout the room.

.Metal Accessories — Think of brushed metal pieces including lighting fixtures or pendant lights, cutlery, and dish sets. Stick to a palette of antique silver, rose gold, or classic gold to best complete your dining details.

.Plants & Flowers — Choose fresh stems of whatever is in season to set the mood for the meal.Try a varied bundle of wildflowers for your Sunday brunch, or select a few sprigs of lavender with some garden roses for a romantic night in. You can expand your plant selection to succulents and fragrant herbs for more options, but be careful of putting certain plants within the reach of children and pets.

.Art — Rustic art can be found in portraits and paintings that resemble mountains, oceans, forests, and tons of other outdoor displays. Animals can be another great focal point for your art piece as well. Whether it’s in the form of a sculpture or framed piece, you can’t truly go wrong.

.Small Objects — Stuck on accessories? This is the perfect time to find your favorite knick knacks and place them where you see fit. If you hate the idea of loose items hanging around, find ones that also serve a purpose. For example, a woven branch basket can hold an array of fresh fruit. You can also use two heavy pieces of agate to make a beautiful napkin holder.