Do You Use These Cleaning Items Correctly?

If you watched the show Friends, you probably remember what a clean freak Monica Gellar is. She knows which stains club soda would remove, she has 11 categories of towels and owns car cleaning products even though she does not own a car. However, the vast majority of us are not that cleaning savvy; we’re lucky if we even find the time or motivation to clean. Here are some cleaning products that you probably own and use, but may not be using correctly. Article courtesy of House Beautiful.

Photo courtesy Brittney Bush Bollay

1.Vinegar: Using vinegar on hardwood floors, natural tiles, and granite countertops can damage the finish causing them to appear dull.

2.Soap/detergent:  Using soaps and detergents can be harsh and damage rugs and leather—it can also leave behind residue.

3.Bleach: The chlorine in bleach is aggressive, perfect for cleaning the bathroom but extremely damaging to stainless steel appliances and cookware. Beware—mixing bleach with other bathroom cleaners can create a toxic gas!

4.Ammonia: A common go-to for its stain fighting power, ammonia can be quite damaging and should never be used to clean upholstery—it can leave upholstered furniture discolored.

5.Steel Wool: Because of its strength, steel wool is great for getting off dried-on gunk and grime, but it's equally as damaging when used on surfaces softer than it, like stainless steel appliances and cast iron cookware.

6.Hot Water: Cleaning metals like brass and silver with hot water can remove the tarnish but can cause the surface to discolor again quickly. It leaves nothing to protect the raw metal. To keep this from happening a polish should be used.

7.Straw Broom: A household staple, this type of broom could be causing more damage than good. A straw broom should never be used when sweeping tile—the straw will cause tiny scratches. Instead, use a dust mop or vacuum.

This article originally appeared on Elle Decor.  

There's No Place Like Home

Photo courtesy Laura D'Alessandro

Picture this: You get home from a long day at work, smell something delicious cooking and kick off your shoes to settle in for a relaxing evening. If you have recently moved into an apartment, but have yet to create that warm, cozy, feels-like-home atmosphere, we (with a little help from House Beautiful) are here to help. Disclaimer: This article may make you want to curl up with a good book and be unproductive for a bit.

1. The people – and other creatures – you share it with

Your kids are in the backyard playing fetch with the dog and your husband’s tinkering with something in the kitchen. Meanwhile, the cat’s napping on your keyboard, again. Everyone going about their business gives your home the unmistakable buzz of life. And that’s just as it should be.

2. All the noise

A house full of creatures, furry and human, doesn’t come without its fair share of racket. Your kid's practicing the same three chords over and over (and over) and the TV’s blaring from the other room. Pots clanging, dogs barking, doors banging, kids shouting, and even the occasional arguing. The sounds of togetherness aren’t always soothing, but your house can feel empty without them.

3. ... And lack thereof

Then sometimes, there’s peaceful, blissful silence. Everyone’s asleep or absorbed in his or her own activities. Even better, you’re home alone. Come in and shut the door against the din of your bustling town. Now take a deep sigh. Ahh. That’s better.

4. The rituals you create

From standing Saturday movie nights complete with popcorn to your annual Independence Day bash, the traditions you keep with family and friends create fond memories — and get everyone looking forward to making more.

5. The smells of good food cooking

For many folks, a house isn’t a home until it’s been cooked in. From the wafting aroma of slow-cooking stew to the mouthwatering smells of baking cookies, every meal you stir up in your home is nourishment for both body and soul.

6. The dings, scratches, and flaws

No, you’ll never be able to get the wine stains out of your linen table cloth, nor will you ever get around to buffing those rings out of the coffee table. And that’s okay, because a perfect house is just staged, after all. It’s an empty showroom where no one actually lives. You work hard. You play hard. Be proud of all the evidence.

7. The endless to-do list

Speaking of imperfections, your house always seems to be one or two projects away from being complete. Once you get that light fixture changed out and that bathroom renovated, you’ll finally be able to relax, right? Keep dreaming. As long as you’re interested in making your mark on something, those project ideas will keep coming. And that’s a good thing.

8. And the constant mess

No, you probably won’t be able to walk across the living room floor without stepping on a Lego or little plastic dinosaur. And, yes, your kids are guaranteed to muddy your newly mopped floors within moments. Getting the house in order is a Sisyphean task, but, hey, we all need dreams.

9. Comfy corners

It may be that reading chair you’ve moved into every place you’ve lived since college, or your memory foam mattress with the plush covers you splurged on. No matter how clean and modern your style, every home needs at least one or two cozy spaces where you can just lounge and let loose.

10. The collections you've built

This is the rug you picked up in Peru, and hanging there on the wall is the painting you bought on your honeymoon. Whether it’s your old record collection or the vintage plates you've found at flea markets, all the stuff that proudly adorns your home tells the story of who you are and where you’ve been.

11. And the family heirlooms

That story can stretch far into the past, too. Whether it’s your grandmother’s quilt draped over the foot of your bed, your parents’ wedding china, or your great aunt’s Chippendale dresser now standing in your bedroom, these objects root your home in the past while you make new stories in the present.

12. Never having to wear real clothes

The moment you walk through your door, you make like Mr. Rogers and change into comfier attire. There’s no place for shapewear, pointy shoes, and constricting waistlines in your home. Yoga pants, forever!

13. Above all, it's about the memories you make

This is where you were standing when you found out you were pregnant with your first child. Here are the marks on the wall measuring your children’s growth. And it was at this dinner table that you celebrated your last big promotion. Every cocktail party, Christmas Eve, or simple Sunday afternoon leaves its impression, making your house a repository for every experience of a life well lived.

Increase Your Productivity TODAY!

We all have those days where we just don’t feel like working or going to the gym, let alone getting out of bed. For those times when you need a little extra motivation, keep these tips from The Young Professional Times in mind.

Photo courtesy David Wall

1. Define 3 outcomes you want to get out of this week. Not to-dos; outcomes. 

The rule of 3 is one of my favorite productivity rituals, and its power lies in its simplicity. Define three outcomes you want to make happen this week. Not things you have to do–actual results you want to get done. This will get you thinking about what you want to get out of the week. Don’t create more than three outcomes. A good tip: ask yourself, if today were Friday, what three things do you want to have accomplished?

2. Define 3 outcomes for every day this week. 

Many of these will contribute to your three weekly outcomes, but they don’t have to. It helps to define these outcomes at the beginning of the week, particularly if you can predict your schedule of ahead of time. Again, keep it to only three outcomes every day.

3. Say ‘no’ to three things. 

Here’s a challenge for you: this week say ‘no’ to three commitments that might zap you of your energy, time, or motivation. One of the easiest ways to get more time, energy, and motivation is to say no to to bullshit commitments that weigh you down.

4. Find one activity that gives you more energy, and schedule doing it. 

This one seems almost too obvious to put on the list, but no one takes the time to do it. Are there certain people that provide you a ton of energy and motivation after you talk to them? Schedule a lunch with them. Are there certain things you do that give you a ton of energy, like hitting the gym before work, meditating, or spending time with your kids? Schedule time for that too.

5. Work on Pomodoro time. 

The Pomodoro Technique is a simple time management technique that breaks your time down into chunks. For 25 minutes you turn off all possible distractions, and then work on only one thing for that time. After your first “pomodoro”, you take a five-minute break, then wash, rinse, and repeat two more times. After that, you work for another 25 minutes and take a 15-minute (or longer) break. This technique reduces the ugly, ambiguous tasks on your to-do list down into something you do in a series of easy-to-manage, 25-minute chunks of time.

6. Take more breaks. 

It might sound counterintuitive, but taking more breaks is one of my favorite ways to become more productive. Breaks prevent you from becoming fatigued and tired, and they help you slow down, step back from your work, reflect, and come up with better ideas.

7. Drink 16oz of water every morning, right after you wake up. 

One of my favorite habits is drinking 16oz (.5L) of water after I wake up. Water hydrates you after you wake up (you just went 8 hours without drinking a single drop), gives you more energy, fires up your metabolism, helps you focus, and will even help you eat less. Flavor it if you have to, but drink water every morning.

8. Capture all of the open loops you have floating around in your head. 

I recently interviewed David Allen, the originator of the GTD productivity system, and he continually stressed the importance of emptying your head of all of the open loops you have floating around in it. Take out a notepad, and begin to empty your head of all of your to-dos, things you’re waiting on, and other ideas, commitments, or open loops that are weighing you down. Once you get them out of your head, you’ll be free to think about bigger and better things.

9. Do 60 seconds of intense exercise, right now. 
The more you think about this one, the less likely you are to do it. Right now, sit up and do a minute of jumping jacks, push ups, lunges, or simply walk up and down a nearby staircase. You can do pretty much anything for 60 seconds.

Decorating Your First Off-Campus Residence

Photo courtesy Posh Surfside

Whether you’re a recent college graduate or moving into your first off-campus apartment, transitioning from decorating a crammed-for-space dorm room to a sophisticated space for a young professional can be a challenging first-time experience. Here are some must-haves from House Beautiful to make your first space a reflection of you (although you may want to consult your landlord on the first tip…).

1. Paint!

"Most rental properties threaten to keep your security deposit if you leave even a trace that you once lived there, but we say ask for forgiveness, not permission," says Amber Lewis of Amber Interiors. After all, paint can immediately transform a space. Don't be afraid to go bold with a deep, rich hue, which will make the space feel cozy and will immediately elevate the entire room." 

2. Get proper curtains

"Nothing made me feel more grown up than my first curtains and roman shades that weren't made of paper or plastic," says Young Huh of Young Huh Interior Design. "Fabric curtains immediately add luxurious structure and color to a room."

3. Start neutral; mix in splashes of color

"This easy combination is somehow always in fashion," explains Dee Elms of Terrat Elms Interior Design. "It will look collected and high-end, even if you are buying mainly mass-market pieces."

4. Add area rugs

"They're artwork for the floor!" says Lewis. "Rooms that have many layers feel more sophisticated than those that are one-dimensional. Area rugs are a great way to help define different areas within a space as well as add a pop of color, pattern and texture."

5. Try DIY architecture

"If you live in a white box with little architectural merit, try painting some in yourself," says Huh. “We painted in black lines that moved through a room to create interest."

6. Go bold in small spaces

"Putting wallpaper up in the bathroom is a small project with a lot of bang," says Elms. "With so many self-adhesive options available, this shouldn't be a problem for renters."

7. Replace the lighting

"Replacing builder-grade light fixtures is a quick transformation that's super high impact. You can really change the look and feel of a space with a few new pendants, a chandelier, or a sconce."

8. Cover it up

Can't afford new furniture and dealing with pieces that look rather dated? Slipcover chairs in something that's entirely your style to change up the look.

9. Invest in your sleep

"You work hard during the day, and your bedroom should be a retreat suited for total relaxation," advises Lewis. "Investing in good linens and a nice mattress makes all the difference in the world."