15 Super-Quick Spring Cleaning Projects

Hello Friends,

1.       Tidy up coffee table: Recycle old catalogs and magazines, put away items that belong elsewhere and wipe down the surface. Pare accessories to a small stack of books and a pretty vase for flowers.

2.       Sanitize remotes: Gather up all the remote controls in the house and use sanitizing wipes to clean each one, paying special attention to the areas around the buttons.

3.       Clean one set of windows: Focus your energy on the windows you notice right away – for instance, the set that flanks the front door or those in your living room.

4.       Dust bookshelves: Using an electrostatic dusting want, swipe the spines of books, shelf fronts and any gaps on bookshelves. Remember to dust the tops of bookcases too.

5.       Clean screens: Using disposable wipes designed for use on computer and TV screens, gently wipe away dust and grime from the surface of each screen in the house. Don’t forget tablets and smart phones.

6.       Neaten and dust beside table. Get rid of the old water glasses, stray hair ties and other un-needed stuff. Wipe the table surface and lamp base with a damp microfiber cloth and replace just the essentials.

7.       Deep-clean kitchen sink. Start by sprinkling baking soda and lemon juice down the drain; let the mixture sit while you attend to the rest of the cleaning. Clean the sink and faucet using a sponge with mild dish soap and warm water, paying special attention to the area around the drain and the crevices around the faucet.

8.       Clean microwave: Heat about a cup of water with half a lemon in a microwave-safe container on high for two to three minutes. Let it sit for about five minutes, then carefully remove the hot water and the turntable. Wipe down all surfaces with a soft cloth or sponge.

9.       Shine stainless steel: Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe away dust and grime from stainless steel surfaces in the kitchen. For stubborn spots, apply a drop of gentle dish soap with a damp cloth, then wipe clean with a fresh, damp microfiber cloth. Rub surfaces with a soft, dry cloth to finish.

10.    Wipe down sticky bottles: Wipe down sticky, greasy bottles in the pantry using a microfiber cloth dampened with very warm water. For honey that has solidified on the outside of a bottle (or on the pantry shelf), lay a warm, damp rag across the area for a few minutes to soften then wipe.

11.    Soak shower head: Remove mineral deposits from the shower head with a vinegar soak: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure the bag over the shower head with a rubber band. Let the shower head soak, fully submerged in the vinegar, for about 30 minutes Remove the bag and turn on the shower to rinse.

12.    Declutter medicine cabinet: Going shelf by shelf, toss expired and unloved products, wipe up any spills and put back the products that are left. If you have old medications to get rid of, check with a local pharmacist to find out how to dispose of these items safely.

13.    Run cleaning cycle on washing machine: If your washer doesn’t have a cleaning cycle, select the hottest wash cycle available. Also select an added rinse cycle if your machine offers that option. Add the calendar of your choice to the bleach dispenser and start the machine. If you couldn’t add an extra rinse cycle, run the rinse cycle again manually.

14.    Sweep porch: Using a stiff broom reserved for outdoors, sweep up dust and leaves. Don’t forget to lift the doormat and get behind planters.

15.    Remove porch cobwebs: Using a long-handled dusting tool, remove cobwebs and grime from the porch ceiling and walls, around the windows and list fixtures and above the door frame.

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd.

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500

10 Reasons to Bring Back the Rec Room

10 Reasons to Bring Back the Rec Room

Hello Friends,

1.       A rec room is perfect for parties. Love to entertain? Pool, ping-pong and foosball make excellent icebreakers. Keep the mood lively with oversize signage on the wall, a colorful rug and quirky accessories.

2.       A rec room is a vacation house bonus. Having a room dedicated to fun is a huge plus for any vacation home — or any house that needs a little extra boost in the entertainment department. It’s where you’ll find everyone congregating after a day at the beach or when the rain is coming down.

3.       A rec room can be elegant. Ink-blue walls, Tom Dixon pendant lights and velvet upholstery? So long, avocado-green shag carpeting — the rec rooms of today can be as elegant as you like.

4.       A rec room can be fun for the whole family. Cards, board games, table tennis or (if you choose to add one) a TV to watch the game — in a rec room, there’s something for everyone. To make the most of the space, select furnishings that are soft and portable, so you can rearrange things to suit the activity.

5.       A rec room can be unexpected. If you have a large kitchen table and your family rarely uses the formal dining room, why not transform the dining room into something else? With a crystal chandelier, antique chairs, and framed nautical charts and silhouette art on the walls, this rec room feels almost formal — but so much more fun than a stuffy dining room.

6.       A rec room provides cheap entertainment. You can keep boredom at bay without always resorting to pricey outings and activities when you have built-in entertainment at home. A cheerful, colorful rec room stocked with snacks and a variety of games can keep everyone busy for hours.

7.       A rec room can be fresh and modern. Who says ping-pong tables have to be drab? To boost the style quotient, you could have a table made (like the gorgeous custom version shown here) or even spruce up a plain ping-pong table with a DIY paint job.

8.       A rec room can be simple. If you have a spare room and want to set it up in a flash, it’s possible to put together a rec room with all the essentials over a weekend, without spending a fortune. Search Craigslist or garage sales for a pool table, ping-pong table, foosball table or shuffleboard set on the cheap, and pick up a big map to provide wall decor. Scour your home for spare chairs and tables, and invite some friends over — you’ve got yourself a rec room.

9.        A rec room can be part-time. Don’t have a whole room to spare? No worries, there are still plenty of ways to squeeze some rec room fun into your existing layout. You could add a table tennis net to the dining table, stock your cabinets with board games or even hang up a dart board — just be sure to protect your wall with a corkboard behind the bull’s-eye, or use a magnetic dart set.

10.     A rec room can be whatever you want it to be. A cozy library of floor-to-ceiling books with a classic billiards table in the middle? Sure! It’s your rec room, to furnish as you see fit.

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd. 

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500

12 Ways to Keep Your Home Fresh and Organized

12 Ways to Keep Your Home Fresh and Organized

Hello Friends,

1.       Rotate your mattress. Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort).

2.       Pack up a bag of old sheets and towels to donate. If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. 

3.       Clean entryway floors. If winters are cold where you are, road salt and melting snow can mean entryway floors take a beating. Pick up clutter and give the floors a good mopping. 

4.       Keep sidewalks and entryways free of ice and snow (even while you’re away). Ice and snow can make walkways dangerous for visitors. Aim to shovel snow promptly, and sprinkle gravel, straw or wood chips to provide traction. Frequent, light shoveling is better than letting the snow build up. 

5.       Cook to stock up your freezer. A few hours of cooking on a weekend can produce major dividends if you focus your efforts on big-batch suppers that can be frozen and reheated later. 

6.       Organize bookshelves. Pull out volumes that you didn’t enjoy or are finished with and sell or donate them, leaving a bit of extra room on each shelf for new titles. And if you get distracted by beloved old books you had forgotten about, just roll with it. 

7.       Refresh your movie-watching zone. Winter is a good time to catch up on movies you missed in the theater or to binge-watch your favorite shows. So why not make your movie-watching zone as comfy and cozy as possible? Start by vacuuming the floors and upholstery (using a vacuum attachment) and by clearing away clutter. Next, assess your collection of movies and games, donating extras to charity.

8.       Boost warmth. Stay toasty and save on energy bills by blocking drafty doors with door sweeps or door snakes and warming up with rugs, throws and duvets. For even more energy savings, shut doors to unused rooms, move furniture away from heating vents and close the chimney flue when it’s not in use.

9.       Check bathrooms for moisture, mildew and mold. It can be hard to give bathrooms enough ventilation when the house is closed up tight for winter. Unfortunately, that buildup of moisture can lead to mildew or even harmful mold. Give the bathroom a thorough cleaning, paying special attention to grout, the ceiling and any other areas showing signs of excess moisture.

10.    Clean the dryer vent (and check for blockages outside). Having the buildup of lint cleaned from your dryer vent at least once a year is essential to keeping your dryer working efficiently and preventing a potential dryer fire. In winter, snow can block the exterior vent, so take a walk outside your home to inspect the vent and remove snow or debris if needed.

11.    Start planning for a spring or summer home sale. If you’re considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start the process now. Set a timetable, interview potential real estate agents and make a list of projects that need to get done to help your home show well.

12.    Indulge in weekly fresh flowers. With Valentine’s Day happening this month, the markets will be filled with fresh flowers at good prices. Treat your home to a bouquet of fresh-cut blooms once a week to add a little cheer — spring may still be a ways off, but that doesn’t mean your dining table can’t look like a garden in bloom!

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd. 

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500

10 Common Decorating Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Decorating Master Class: 10 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Hello Friends,

1.      Your Dark Walls Need a Lift

      If you’ve been tempted by their elegance and drama but they’re making your room feel a little            closed-in, here’s how to dump the dungeon feeling. Good lighting is essential to reveal the tones          in saturated dark's. Multiple light allows you to control the light direction. Combine up lights and        down lights and don’t let the ceiling disappear into gloom. 

2.      Your Shelves Are Bursting at the Seams

      Putting every ornament you own on open shelves often leads to a distracting mishmash of                    nondescript items. Avoid highly patterned or textured backgrounds since they can be confusing            to the eye. 

3.      Your Sofa Is Pale and Interesting but Totally Impractical

       You somehow forgot that a dog, a cat, two toddlers, sticky fingers, raspberry cordial and pet hair          just don’t go with light sofas. Have the fabric professionally cleaned and treated. Be aware that            no stain proofing is infallible and that its effectiveness depends on the fabric.

4.    Your Vignettes Look Like Bargain Tables

        Vignettes like this are a lovely way to show off treasures and create character. 

        Start with an anchor piece and build from it. Asymmetry avoids a stiff, formal look.

5.    Your Family Room Doesn’t Feel Friendly

       Put seating close enough to encourage conversation rather than back against the walls.
6.    You Can’t Get the Hang of Hanging Art

 If art is a defining feature in your home, calling upon the services of a professional hanger is    a   good investment. A Common mistake is hanging art too high.

7.   Your White Kitchen is Practical but Lacks Warmth

  Appliances come in a rainbow of colors and styles, and cookware is designed to be seen. Don’t      hide all of this away in cupboards: Hang great-looking saucepans from wall hooks, leave a stack    of pretty dishes out on display or set a bowl full of fruits or veggies on the counter.

8.    Your Focal Points Are All Over the Place

   If you prefer to work with what you already have, decide what the focal feature will be and then     arrange existing furniture to direct attention toward it.

9.     You can’t Control Your Pillow Habit

   If you can’t sit on a sofa or lie on a bed without putting pillows on the floor, they lose their             purpose. Try to restrict pillows to two at each end of a sofa, one (or none) on an armchair and         three on a bed.

10.  You Haven’t Changed Anything in Years

Change bedding and pillows and move houseplants, chairs, lamps and rugs around. Re-position furniture for a fresh perspective – it’s cheap as well as fun! 

https://goo.gl/zYypBV

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd. 

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500

How To Remove Wallpaper in 7 Easy Steps

How To Remove Wallpaper in 7 Easy Steps

Hello Friends,

Step 1. Tape It:

Before you set about removing wallpaper, it's important to protect the other surfaces in the room from the water and soap you'll employ to remove the wallpaper. Lay a drop cloth across the floor to protect the finish.

Step 2. Peel It:

In some cases, your old wallpaper might already be starting to pull free of the walls. You can start the process by trying to remove the wallpaper by hand without water. Using a taping knife, find the edge and try to scrape it off.

Step 3. Wet It:

Eventually, you'll run out of paper you can peel by hand or with the knife. When that happens, you'll need to spray the wall. Spray the paper with warm water to help separate it from the wall. Any generic spray bottle will do, but a vacuum sprayer might speed up the process. In tough cases, a steamer will be your best bet. 

Step 4. Scrape It:

After letting the water soak in for a few minutes, you can start to scrape off the paper. Use the same taping knife, gently strip the wallpaper, either left-to-right or up-and-down, depending on what feels easiest. If you're still having trouble, you might need to spray the wall several times.

Step 5. Wash Out:

Once all the paper is gone, it is time to wash the wall so you can remove any excess primer or paste. Use a dampened a sponge with water and going over the wall several times.

Step 6. Smooth It:

Even tiny specks of paste can derail your next wall treatment. When you paint the wall, the paint will eventually flake and crackle. Wallpaper that’s applied over it will bubble or fail to stick properly.

Step 7. Refresh It:

Once you've done all the hard work of removing your faded wallpaper, you finally get to enjoy your reward: picking out a gorgeous new wallpaper.

ERA Skyline Real Estate

3376 Harrison Blvd. 

Ogden, UT 84403

(801)627-6500