#LifeHacks: 10 Things People With Clean Houses Always Do!

 

Have you ever watched a television show- and no matter what their house was sparkling clean? Their rooms are always tidy, their floors are always clean, and everything seems to always have a home. Do you ever wonder how do they do it? With the help of HGTV, here are some tips on how to get started. 

• They Make Their Bed – People who maintain the clean appearance of their home never leave the house without making the bed. For many, it's the first thing they do when they get up in the morning. We get it, it probably seems like a weird, pointless habit. After all, you're going to mess it up later anyway. But trust us- you'll be thankful that you did.

• They Never Wear Shoes in the House – Even when your shoes seem clean, they are still covered in dirt and bacteria. This means that when you wear them in the house or on the furniture, you're spreading those germs around your home. Plus, if you're dragging in specks of dirt, not only are you obviously spreading it on the floors, but ay tiny rocks or material stuck in your shoes can cause costly damage to your floors. 

• They Never Leave a Room Empty-Handed– If you grew up with parents that always reminded  you to take your dishes with you as you went? Guess what? They were right! Getting into the habit of putting items away as you leave a room leads to an effortlessly clean house.

• They Open Mail Everyday – Clean houses are definitely anti-clutter zones. This means that when clutter such as mail comes into the house, it gets sorted and opened immediately. The junk mail get recycled, and the important stuff gets dealt with. 

• They Clean as They Go– We've all been there. You spend time making a great meal, enjoy a fun night with friends and family, and then everyone leaves but the mess is still there. Clean people avoid this tragedy but cleaning as they go. Done with the pans and pot/ Give it a quick wash in the sink rather than tossing it on the "dirty" pile. A little effort can go a long way.

• They Set Time to Do a Quick Clean – If your day is seeming hectic, it could be something as simple as your surroundings being out of order. In these moments, people should stay calm, cool and collected. They simply set a timer and do a quick cleaning. The reset of the environment helps your space to feel relaxed and in order. 

• They Keep the Air Fresh – If you've ever walked into a friend's house and been blown away by how clean and fresh it smells, odds are that didn't just happen on purpose. Whether they diffuse essential oils, light a fragrant candle or simply open the window every once in a while to bring in fresh air indoors, keeping the air fresh isn't just an afterthought. 
• They Make Chores a Part of Their Lifestyle- Folding clothes while watching TV, doing a quick sweep while dinner is cooking or simply organizing the fridge when you reach for your next snack are all good habits to have that will keep your house constantly clean. If folding clothes seems like last thing you want to do, pair it with the first thing you want to do, and it really won't seem so bad. 

• They Put Things Away Immediately – No more jackets on the bed, shoes on the floor or keys on the counter. If you want a clean home, you have to get into the habit of always putting things away immediately. This so imperative. Your environment will never seem clean if whenever you finally put one thing away, there are two new things waiting to be put away. Make it easier for yourself by hanging up jackets, picking up shoes and cleaning up before you leave an area. 

• They Never Go to Bed With a Dirty Sink– This may be the biggest game changer. Your home could be unorganized, but if you have a clean sink and kitchen, everything will be okay. Dishes left overnight are a haven for bugs, mice and lingering odors. If you clean one thing each day, we suggest the kitchen sink.

Making this cleaning habits become rituals in your home and improve the quality of your experience living in your home. Additionally, if you live with family members or a roommate- you can encourage them to explore these ideas to lessen the tasks for each person! 

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#LifeHacks: Moving to Your First Apartment!

 

 With the new year brings new opportunities, goals, and adventures. A lot of people will become first time renters in 2021- yay! Before packing up your things, you should be aware that moving to a first apartment comes with a great deal of responsibilities. To get you started; we have complied a list of helpful apartment you should know when choosing your very first apartment to live in. Good luck and happy moving!

• Figure out your mail situation – Does your apartment building have a community mailbox center where you pick up your mail? Or does your individual apartment have its own mail slot in the door? Does a doorman store packages when you’re away? Or will you need to ask a neighbor to pick them up? You’ll also want to check to see if mail and packages are left outside your building. This will help when you are planning large deliveries to your home.

• Purchase new décor – Give your apartment a fresh look! Purchasing a new living room and bedroom set will give your new home  The new "home" smell will be surely to make you feel amazing.

• Change your address – When moving to your first apartment, remember to let your bank and post office know as soon as possible. Be sure to update credit card information with your new billing address. Also, don’t forget to let friends and family know you’ve moved. To ensure that you receive your mail, contact your post office and choose the date you wish to begin forwarding your mail.

• Tour the amenities – With a new apartment comes new amenities. Some apartments feature amenities that include gyms, playgrounds, computer areas etc. Touring these amenities before you move in will help you navigate where there are located and when they open/close. 

• Explore your neighborhood – Get out of the house and explore your new neighborhood! Walk, drive or bike around the area to get a good sense of where you are and what’s around you. Make a point to locate nearby grocery stores, parks, schools, museums, libraries, hardware stores, hospitals and pharmacies. Discover more about your neighborhood through your county's website or social media pages.

Please remember to enjoy this experience! Due to the global pandemic- the traditional move in process may be a little different. Continue to wear a mask social distance while moving in common spaces in your apartment building.

Apartment Resident #LifeHacks was created in 2018 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.