While spring cleaning might not be a highly anticipated event, you have to admit that there is nothing better than the knowledge that your home is squeaky clean. Or is it? To really clean your home, we’ve put together a list of things that you probably don’t think about cleaning but should. How many are already on your to-do list?
Large Appliances
Just because we use detergent and water to wash our clothes, doesn’t mean these hard-working machines are clean. They are just as prone to mold as anything else. Once a month, run an empty load with just hot water and bleach. Dishwashers are another large appliance we don’t think about. Hard water deposits, soap scum and other build-ups can cling onto the racks, and food can clog the drains. Scrub these places thoroughly, then run a cycle on hot with white vinegar to clean and disinfect.
Small Appliances
Warm, moist environments are breeding grounds for germs. Sound like your coffee maker? Every once in awhile, brew up a pot consisting of half vinegar and half water. Brew plain water to clear out the last of the vinegar. Toasters aren’t much better. The crumbs that fall to the bottom of the toaster can start to burn and even catch on fire. Don’t just dump them out. Clean it with soapy water and a toothbrush to keep it in tip-top shape.
Electronic Devices
We use our computers, cell phones, remotes and tablets on a daily basis but how often do we think about cleaning them? Bacteria and viruses can survive for days on these devices. Most can be cleaned with disinfecting cloths. For keyboards, use compressed air to get all the crumbs out. Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to get between the keys.
Around the House
We dust, we vacuum and we wash but do we clean doorknobs, light switches and toothbrush holders? They are all breeding grounds for germs. Don’t forget to wipe them down with disinfecting cloths when you clean. Reusable grocery bags should hit the washing machine regularly.
Bedrooms and Baths
We change sheets and blankets regularly but when was the last time you washed your pillows and mattress. Dust mites, a major trigger of allergies and asthma, and their droppings accumulate by the millions in your pillow, as can multiple kinds of fungus. Wash them in hot water on the gentle cycle. Periodically vacuum your mattress and spot clean any stains that may appear. Wash bathmats and cloth shower curtains to prevent mold. Use baking soda and vinegar to wipe down plastic curtains.
Wondering what else could use a deep clean? Check out these articles in Family Handyman and The Active Times.
With the kids home from school for the foreseeable future, keeping them busy while you adjust to working and schooling at home is a necessity — multi-tasking a must. Your best bet? Going “stir crazy” in the kitchen teaching your kids to cook while simultaneously getting dinner on the table.
Cooking is a great family activity that also teaches kids math and science (not to mention a life skill they will need when they grow up).
The first things your kids will need are proper tools. They can use what you have, but small hands do better with smaller cooking implements. Amazon is a great resource offering everything from kid-safe cooking knives to a Master Chef Junior Cooking Essentials Kit. Walmart has adorable aprons and chef hats to get everyone in the mood for fun.
Not every parent is a master chef. If microwaving and take out is your go-to, why not learn to cook together? ChopChop Cooking Club is a great app that offers age-appropriate recipes that will help your kids master their cooking skills. They progress in difficulty as your child gets more experienced in the kitchen. Kids can earn badges and once they have earned enough, they are entered into drawings for great prizes.
Fit for a Feat Chef School offers free videos that focus on preparing kid-tested recipes and cooking techniques. Kids also learn food and kitchen safety, how to turn food into art, and much more.
Once you’re ready, it’s time to find the perfect recipes and what better place to look than the home of Chopped Junior, the Food Network. Among the many recipes kids can make with minimal help from a sous chef, you’ll find Sloppy Joe Sliders, Crunchy Breakfast Tacos, Pizza Skewers and an Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie. You’ll also find helpful tips on getting kids involved in one of their favorite activities – baking.
Now that you have the resources, how do you go about getting kids in the kitchen without going crazy, yourself? Use these tips brought to you by Julie Negrin, a nutritionist and kids’ cooking teacher.
Yep, no matter how you slice it, getting kids into the kitchen is good for you and your family!
Anglia Homes embraces buyers’ wants and needs. Wants that might include a game room the entire family can enjoy or the need for a flex room that can be turned into the ultimate nursery — all of it priced to fit your budget.
Boasting a management team with more than 100 years combined experience, the Houston-based builder strives to provide homebuyers with the best locations, designs, quality, affordability and value.
In Balmoral, that means eight gorgeous designs. Priced from the low $200s, the one- and two-story homes include studies/flex space, spacious family rooms with an optional fireplace, open-concept kitchens and dining areas, secluded downstairs master suites, utility rooms with convenient garage access and upstairs game rooms.
Every living space boasts elegant features such as granite countertops, oversized kitchen cabinets, arched doorways, Whirlpool® black-on-black appliances, ceiling fans and more. All of it is standard.
More importantly, Anglia wants to help families create life-long memories in a home they have helped design. They want homes that grow as families grow. In short, they want happy homebuyers to become happy homeowners.
The builder’s message is simple “Look for Yourself.” Visit the Anglia Homes model home and speak with a sales professional. We think you’ll agree that Anglia has exactly what you are looking for.
Homeownership on a smaller scale doesn’t mean sacrificing the features you want most because if you purchase a Lennar home in Balmoral, Everything’s Included®.
Lennar builds the charming new Bungalow Collection in Balmoral. Priced from the $240,000s, the homes include welcoming front porches, gourmet kitchens, beautiful master suites and generous storage space. They also offer many of the features other builders consider upgrades — standard!
One of America’s leading homebuilders since 1954, Lennar has simplified the home buying experience by including the most desired connectivity, efficiency and luxury features in their homes.
In Balmoral, that means you get granite countertops, 2-inch faux wood blinds on the windows, climate-controlled closets in the master suite and a stainless-steel appliance package that includes the refrigerator.
Smart home packages are also on buyers’ must-have lists these days. Many builders offer smart home packages as an option, but Lennar delivers $7,500 in home automation and connectivity features as standard. Buyers receive smart products including an Amazon Echo Dot, Schlage EncodeTM Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Honeywell Lyric RoundTM Wi-Fi Thermostat and a Ring® Pro Video Doorbell. Not sure how to integrate all of your devices? Don’t worry — Lennar has contracted with Amazon to have a service representative come out and activate it all.
Lennar offers six home designs in Balmoral priced from the $240,000s. Visit the Lennar model home to find out how you can make your homeowner dreams come true, then explore our everything’s included community. In addition to our spectacular crystal clear lagoon, you’ll see our gorgeous Amenity Village with an infinity-edge pool, splash pad, fitness center, playground and Hammock’s Row.
Looking for some beach-themed fun in the sun in Houston? Well, it’s pretty much always sunny but it’s not always beachy — except here in Balmoral where you and the family are invited to dive into our Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out Beach Party from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7.
This don’t-miss party will take place on the shores of our spectacular crystal clear lagoon, 15808 Crystal Terrace Drive. For $10 per person, you can enjoy an entire day of sand, sun and water fun including water volleyball, bounce houses, lawn games, putt-putt golf, swimming and splashing. Don’t forget to enter our sandcastle-building contest. We want to see your creations!
For an extra fee, challenge yourself and others on the Witbit inflatable water obstacle course, try out all manner of non-motorized watercraft and capture the memories in our photo booth. We’ll also have glitter tattoos, food and adult beverages available for purchase.
Come out and celebrate Spring Break the Balmoral way! Don’t forget your sunscreen!