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Get Your Home Spring Fresh With My Checklist!

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:00:01 -0700

If you're in need of some guidance for getting your home clean and organized this Spring, look no further than my Spring checklist! From the entry to the kitchen to the bedroom, I've got you covered. You can download the PDF and use it to check off all of the essential cleaning and organizing tasks, room by room. Happy home cleaning!

How-To: Spring Clean Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:00:40 -0700

Have you started your Spring cleaning yet? If not, you can get inspired with my Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. I thought I'd expand on some of those tasks to help you get the most out of your Spring cleaning routine.

To see my tips for cleaning your entry, read more.

Dust ceiling, fans, vents, closets, and light fixtures with a feather duster. Make sure your feather duster is made from ostrich feathers, though!
Wipe front door, tabletops, and door hardware with a damp rag. You can make a furniture polish to really put a shine on any of your entry tables, benches, and chairs.
Dry clean drapery and any musty communal outerwear in your coat closet. Choose a dry cleaner that uses eco-friendly practices. You can download a list of eco-friendly dry cleaners at the EPA's website.
Spray windows, mirrors, and glass tabletops with glass cleaner. Vinegar and water works great for cleaning windows, or you can whip up a batch of eco-friendly glass cleaner, too.
Tidy accessories, landing strip, and coat closet. Use a critical eye when going through your accessories, and decide if things can go in other areas, or if you really need them at all.
Shake your welcome mats outdoors. If your welcome mat has worn out its welcome, replace it with a new one for Spring!
Sweep and mop, or vacuum and spot treat floors. For a super-fresh smell in your entry, try using lavender.

Cast Iron Doormat, Red - $89.00	Lavender Ribbon Wreath - $59.95
Wood Handled Ostrich Feather Duster - $9.99	Mrs. Meyer's Lavender Cleaning Supplies - $4.99
Cherry Blossom Doormat - $14.99	Ultimate Hardwood Floor Cleaning Kit - $72.00
Casabella Contour Spray Bottle & Microfiber Cloths - $12.99	Microfiber Multi Cleaning Cloths, Set of 4 - $18.00

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How-To: Spring Clean Your Bedroom

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:15:59 -0700

Have you started your Spring cleaning yet? If not, you can get inspired with my Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. I thought I'd expand on some of those tasks to help you get the most out of your Spring cleaning routine.

To see my tips for cleaning your bedroom, read more.

Dust ceiling, vents, fans, shelves, lamps, and corners with a feather duster. Make sure your feather duster is made from ostrich feathers, though! Feather dusters that aren't made from ostrich feathers won't pick up the dust.
Wipe down your tabletops, baseboards, windowsills, TV, and other gadgets with a microfiber cloth. You can make a furniture polish to really put a shine on everything.
Spray your mirror, windows, and glass frames with glass cleaner and wipe it off. Or, you can spray them with a vinegar and water solution and wipe them off with newspaper to really make them sparkle.
Dry clean your drapery, slipcovers, and any delicate bedding you have. You can download a list of eco-friendly dry cleaners at the EPA's website.
Wash your bedding, mattress pad, and bed skirt with a homemade eco-friendly detergent on a cool setting. If you've got stains to conquer, check out this bleach alternative.
Clean your floors by sweeping and mopping them or vacuuming them. Learn to make an herbal carpet cleaner, and if your rugs or carpets are stinky, make a rug deodorizer.
Tidy your books and accessories. Try a new way of organizing your books, like color coordinating them. When in doubt about arranging accessories or artwork, arrange in threes.
Flip your mattress horizontally and vertically to keep the wear even.

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How-To: Spring Clean Your Living Room

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 11:00:43 -0700

Have you started your Spring cleaning yet? If not, you can get inspired with my Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. I thought I'd expand on some of those tasks to help you get the most out of your Spring cleaning routine.

To see my tips for cleaning your living room, read more.

Dust ceiling, vents, fans, artwork, shelves, lamps, mantel, books, and cobwebs with a feather duster. Make sure your feather duster is made from ostrich feathers, though! Other feather dusters, that aren't made from ostrich feathers, won't pick up the dust.
Wipe tabletops, baseboards, and windowsills with a microfiber cloth. You can make a furniture polish to really put a shine on everything.
Dry clean slipcovers, drapery, and cushion covers. You can download a list of eco-friendly dry cleaners at the EPA's website.
Spray windows, glass tabletops, and frames with glass cleaner. Vinegar and water works great for cleaning windows, or you can whip up a batch of eco-friendly glass cleaner, too.
Tidy newspapers, books, magazines, and accessories. Try a new way of organizing your books, and color coordinate them. When in doubt about arranging accessories or artwork, arrange in threes.
Sweep and mop, or vacuum and spot treat floors. For a super-fresh smell on your living room rugs and carpets, try using lavender. Lift cushions of chairs and sofas and vacuum.

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12 Recipes For Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 06:15:19 -0700

Have you started your Spring cleaning yet? If not, you can get inspired with my Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Since I couldn't fit all of my cleaning tips onto one list, I'll have to give you my homemade recipes for eco-friendly cleaning solutions here. From the floors to the windows, you can clean your whole home with solutions you can make yourself, for the fraction of the price you'd spend on those toxic, store-bought cleaning products. To see my recipes, check out this slideshow!
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How-To: Spring Organize Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your entry, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your entry, read more.

Relocate unnecessary furniture cluttering the space, as well as Winter clothing and boots you won’t need until next season. Furniture is likely unnecessary if you don't use it, or if it makes it difficult to move through the entryway.
Donate multiples of jackets, equipment, and other clothing. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail. (Or, try turning it into art.) To prevent future junk mail, get your name removed from mailing lists.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. But before you put it in the garbage, make sure that it's really garbage. For instance, lightweight, worn-out jackets can be cut into pieces for cleaning rags.
Add cabinets, baskets, or cubbies for jackets and shoes, a blackboard or corkboard for leaving messages, and a mirror. Check out my ideas for new organizational furniture below!

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How-To: Clean Out Your Gutters

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:00:48 -0700

Hopefully, you've already begun your Spring cleaning and downloaded my Spring cleaning checklist. While you're at it, don't forget to give the exterior of your home a scrub down, in addition to the interior. One place that's always unkempt after a long Winter is your rain gutters. Luckily, getting them into tip-top shape is not so hard. You could hire a cleaning service, but that can cost you upwards of $100. So, to learn how to clean them yourself, read more.

First things first. You'll need a sturdy ladder to get up there. A step ladder is ideal if you have a tall one, but you can use an extension ladder as well. Have someone spot you while you're working.
Put on a pair of work gloves and goggles.
Cut open a trash bag and lay it, or a tarp, on the ground to catch debris.
Starting from the low end of the gutter where the outlet is, start scooping out the debris away from the outlet and tossing it onto your tarp. Work your way all the way to the other end of the gutter.
Attach a spray nozzle to your garden hose.
From that far end of the gutter, spray the length of the gutter, washing it toward the outlet. This will be muddy, so make sure you're dressed appropriately.
If the gutter remains dirty, you can use a stiff-bristled scrub brush to loosen the dirt. But be careful to keep your balance on the ladder.
If the water is trapped in the drainpipe, there may be debris caught in it. You can use a plumber's snake to pull it out from the bottom of the pipe.

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How-To: Spring Organize Your Bedroom

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 08:00:39 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your bedroom, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your living room, read more.

Relocate your computer station/laptop. Bedrooms should ideally be reserved for sleeping, relaxing, and getting romantic. If nothing else, invest in an under-the-bed storage container or basket that you can use to toss your laptop in and slide under the bed.
Donate any clothes and/or shoes you have not worn in the past year that are cluttering up your closet. Also add any extra bedding you do not use to that pile, as well as books you will never lend to friends or read again. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle papers and magazines that have spent too long sitting on your bedside table.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. If the objects are large, arrange a pick-up from your waste service, or take it to the dump, which will probably involve a fee.
Add shoe storage, closet storage, and under-bed storage. You might also try reorganizing your jewelry by making my earrings shutter. Check out my finds below.

Lt. Walnut Cut-out with Glass Armoire - $385.00	Degernes Bed Storage Box - $39.99
CLOSEOUT! Martha Stewart Collection "Closet Shop" Over-the-Door Hanging Shoe Pockets - $24.99	VÄnna Storage Unit - $249.00
Platinum elfa Easy Hang Shoe Rack - $8.99	Barn Wood & Chalkboard Bin - $38.00
John Louis Home Honey Maple Premier Closet Organizer - $359.99	10-Shelf Shoe Organizer - $15.00

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How-To: Spring Organize Your Living Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:00:26 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room, to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your living room, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your living room, read more.

Relocate Winter-related items such as fireplace tools and wool throws. Make sure to toss some cedar balls in with the wool throws, so they won't suffer from moth damage.
Donate old furniture and accents that are cluttering the space. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle magazines that have spent too long sitting on the coffee table.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. If the objects are large, arrange a pick-up from your waste service, or take it to the dump, which will probably involve a fee.
Add media storage for CDs and DVDs and baskets for storing items such as games. Consider digitizing your music collection to save space, and see my picks for storage below!

Dawson Storage Ottoman in Dela Gunmetal - $449.00	Sedona Magazine Basket - $34.95
Canvas Media Box - $34.00	Sawhorse Media Credenza -Small - $299.00
Windham 48" Corner Media Stand - $399.00	Wooden Magazine Rack - $100.00
Canvas Magazine Butler - $22.00	Black Riley Media Stand - $349.99

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Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 08:30:27 -0700

One Su Casa member has quite the bright and cheerful home.
Campell's is giving away free tomato seeds.
Learn how to Spring clean your entryway.
Tour this green home in Austin.
Mio is debuting a line of eco-friendly outdoor products for Target.
Here's how you can DIY an upcycled clothespin bag.
Check out my Q and A sesh with personal organizer Carrie Carlson.
Be sure to download my Spring cleaning checklist!

Barrel Stave Blackboard - $195.00	10 Degree Coat Rack - $49.95
Barrel Stave Coat Rack - $99.00	Barrelhead Mirror - $229.00
Ceres Console - $299.00	Flora Fabric Storage Boxes - $12.99
Wood Storage Box - $149.99	Village Black Armless Bench/Natural Cushion - $79.95
modernlink - Ryder Entryway Table - $3,450.00	Samantha Entryway Collection - Charlotte Blue - $299.00
OFFI - Perf Boxes Storage/Shelves - $299.00	Belhaven Corkboard - $149.00