Central vacuum systems are becoming more and more popular by the day. Soon a central vacuum in a home will be as common as a dish washer or garbage disposal. Central vacuum systems save time, energy and are proven to improve indoor air quality. That’s just the start of it. There are probably many people who believe central vacuum systems are expensive or to hard to install and this couldn’t be any further from the truth. Central vacs can easily be installed and most people do it themselves. A central vac installation consist of mainly plumbing pipe and fittings and can be installed in a pre-existing home or a new construction. All-in-one packages that include everything needed from the vacuum unit and accessories to the needed installation materials can be bought for $999 - $1,800 or so. This is very reasonable for an important home appliance.

Central vacuum systems can last over 25 years if properly maintained and will improve your indoor air quality along the way. Being that a central vacuum is the only vacuuming system that removes 100% of contacted dirt away from the living area, central vacs have proven to be a “must have” for homes with allergry or asthma sufferers. Outside of the obvious health benefits a central vacuum brings, it will also save you time and energy when cleaning. These vacuuming systems also provide up to three times more power than portable vacuums. These are just a few of the many benefits that come along with owning a central vacuum.

So if your looking to build a home, or want to upgrade your current home, look into a central vacuum system. There is helpful information all over the net including videos and “how to” articles that can help guide you through.

For most of us, our cars are extensions of our homes. We can use a few home organization tips to organize our cars as well. People today have so many places to go and errands to run that sometimes we feel like we live in our cars. They become cluttered and dirty. It would be so nice to get in our cars and see neat floorboards and seats, and also have the things that we need right where we can find them. Clutter in a car is not only aggravating but it can be a safety hazard. In an accident, those things can become flying objects. For convenience and safety, our cars need to be organized.

Children require a lot to take a car ride. There are toys and snacks for small children. For older kids, there are books, games, ball gear, dance gear and many other things. Running errands adds to the number of things stuffed into our cars. Try these home (car) organization tips:

*For babies or toddlers, keeping one or two soft toys in your car is very convenient. Using soft toys prevents them from injuring your child during a sudden stop or accident. You can place these in a small drawstring bag and keep them in your car.

*Use the pockets on the backs of the seats for books or magazines for older kids. You can also purchase net or mesh pockets that fit on the back of the seats to store more toys and games for your kids. There are also other organizers that you can purchase to help sort your kids’ things. Just remember to only keep those things that you really need or that can get cluttered too.

* If you don’t have extra storage compartments in the console of your car, use a small plastic container with a lid to store tissues, antibacterial wipes or hand wash, pens, gloves, sunglasses and other necessities.

*You want your glove box to be kept clean for manuals, owner registrations, and insurance information.

*Keep a small pack of trash bags in the plastic container and use it every time you get out of the car to put empty cans, bottles or dropped snacks. Keep a small trash can in your garage so that you can quickly throw it away. This way you won’t be tempted to leave it.

*If you recycle, have small bins in the garage so that you can quickly sort the trash that comes from your car. It will only take a couple of minutes.

Hopefully, these few home organization tips can help you take back your car. Remember to remove those hard or pointy objects to keep you and your kids safe. We spend a lot of time in our cars. It only makes sense to organize them like we would our homes.

Keep on top of your ‘Stuff’

Too many possessions can be the death of a person. It is imperative to continuously ‘move on’ items that are not used or are broken beyond repair.

Do regular ‘Culls’

The average home needs to do 2-3 clear outs per year to maintain a semi-clutter free space for you and/or your family.

Get the Family on Board

If you have a partner and kids it’s only fair that it is a team effort to have a happy, well functioning household. Setting a good example is imperative here and also taking into account different personality types plays a big part too. If you have a child who couldn’t find his own teeth to brush if they weren’t attached to his head then allowing some leeway for his room to not have to be perfectly sorted everyday. Pick your battles!!

‘One in one out’ Rule

A good general idea to stick to is whenever you buy a new item for the house, you need to pass on a similar older item. This can apply to clothing; toys; books; old tools; jewellery; kitchen appliances etc.

Be patient

It takes approximately 21 days to create a new habit, so give yourself time to get used to any new routine that you implement to improve your household organization.

Everything in its place, everything has a place

It’s surprising how out of place things look when you create a home for everything. It’s so much easier to keep on top of cleaning and tidying your home when you have this underlying rule to live by. Similar to the saying “A penny saved is a penny earned now” is - “A minute spent now is a hour saved later” - seriously!

Keep it simple

Consciously create more control over where you are heading and what you let into your life and therefore your home. By this I mean for example, if particular family and friends have a draining effect on you then consider minimizing the amount of time you spend with them. We can only help others so much and many don’t want to be helped anyway. You need to learn to put yourself first and not see this as a selfish thing to do - you can learn to do it in a healthy, positive way.

Act Locally think Globally

None of us can plead ignorance when it comes to the effect we are having on the planet anymore. So when buying anything for the home don’t only think about whether you need or really want it but also consider the effect of your consumerism to the wider world. It may make you think twice and collectively this can make a big difference. And ultimately create a happier home life through your thoughtful actions.

“Organize your life” to create space and time for you and those you love. Ensure you have the balance in management of yourself, Family, Home, Work, and Finance in your daily routine.

Typically, the kitchen is the number one place in any house that uses the most stainless steel. Many people use stainless steel kitchen appliances such as stoves, microwaves, refrigerators and dish washer machines. In addition to all of these appliances, homeowners tend to match other accessories in the kitchen to the appliances. These accessories can range anywhere from faucets and kitchen sinks to cabinet hardware and lighting fixtures. By matching all of these kitchen accessories and appliances you add an eye appealing and consistent look to the kitchen. Once you install of these appliances, however, that does not mean that your work is done. Stainless steel requires maintenance in order to keep the appliances and fixtures looking vibrant and new.

It is a very durable metal therefore it can last a long time as long as it is taken care of a cleaned properly. In order to keep these appliances looking the way you want them to look it is important to makes sure that you polish and clean each piece. There are numerous ways to go about cleaning and polishing stainless steel, but there are a few things to keep in mind first. It is important to use a soft cloth in order to clean and polish each appliance. By using an abrasive cloth or brush you can scratch the surface of the appliance. In addition make sure that the cleaners you are using do not contain chlorine because it can damage the finish.

One way to polish and clean stainless steel is by using water. This method can be used on stains that are not too severe and if the steel is only moderately dull. Warm water can do the same trick as other cleaning products on small spots but without the cost. To use water to clean, simply take a wet washcloth and clean the surface. Once the spot is removed, make sure to dry it using a dry, soft cloth so that there are no remaining watermarks.

In addition to water, you can use other common household products that you already have lying around your kitchen. Many household products have dual purposes, so while you may use some items as ingredients to your favorite dish, it may also help in the cleaning process as well. One of these items is white or cider vinegar. To use vinegar, moisten a washcloth with the vinegar and gently wipe appliance. This can help polish as well as remove heat stains. Make sure you also dry the appliance once you are finished to prevent watermarks. In addition to vinegar, you can also use baking soda. Combine water and baking soda to make a thin paste. Use a towel to apply the thin paste to the appliance and gently rub to polish or remove the stain. Once you are done, rinse the appliance with water and then remove the watermarks by drying completely.

There are also numerous specialty cleaners and glass cleaners that can be used to polish stainless steel. However, these home remedies can work just as well, if not better than expensive cleaners. By cleaning and polishing your appliances on a consistent basis, you will keep your appliances looking as new as the day you installed them.

Cleaning house was fun when I was young mother. Our house was spic and span. Everything was in its proper place unless it was being used. If the kids finished playing with a toy or game, I insisted they put it back where it belonged before taking out another one. When they were too young to help, I did it for them. Once per week, I pulled out the heavy artillery and attacked closets, cabinets, pantries, and porches. Some might call my weekly drill equivalent to spring cleaning. I had a to-do list for daily chores. My house would not only pass the white glove test, I wore the glove! I may have went overboard-okay, it was a form of OCD, but I truly enjoyed it back then. These days, I have to admit my house is not nearly as neat and orderly since the kids are grown and have houses of their own. It took a lot of time and energy to keep up the routine. So, how did I become so obsessed with cleaning, and how did I get over it?

My mom worked a full-time job, and since church took up most of the day on Sunday, Saturday was the only day she had to get everything done. The house had to be cleaned, the groceries had to be bought, and Sunday dinner needed to be started. Mom made a game of doing housework when my brother and I were young. She would list all the household jobs on small strips of paper. There would be things written on each piece such as “dust the furniture, change your bed sheets, take out the trash, do a load of laundry, or sweep the back porch.” Then, she would put the slips of paper in an avocado green melmac (plastic) bowl and we would draw one chore slip at a time and do whatever task was written on it. When we finished one job, we drew another slip and continued working until we got the whole house clean. I’m not admitting to how many times I put back the slip of paper with “clean the toilet” written on it. That is, until my younger brother caught me. Then, Mom would take us somewhere or play a board game or do something we wanted to do. We were always happy to help out because it meant spending time with her. I tried this housecleaning game with my own kids, but they didn’t buy into it.

When my children were young, I tried using star charts giving them simple tasks that would earn them an allowance. They always wanted to be paid, but they wanted way more than minimum wage! Both my kids were very messy as teenagers and kept their rooms in horrible shape no matter how much I fussed, begged, threatened, or rewarded. Funny thing is my daughter is now a terrific housekeeper! Shocks me, but now that she has her own home, her place looks much better than mine. And, she works a full-time job outside the home.

I still enjoy having a clean house; I just don’t enjoy the work it requires. Besides, it doesn’t stay done when I do make the effort. Not more than an hour later, there is another dish to wash, more trash to take out, or something left out of place. I still try to straight things up everyday just so the work doesn’t pile up and create a mountain to be dealt with on the weekend. But, working full time, even though I work from home, doesn’t allow me the time to be as fastidious as I once was. Nor, do I want to be that stressed out.

I’ve relaxed quite a bit now that I’m older and have grandkids. The things I once thought were extremely important have taken a back seat to more pressing matters such as coloring, watching cartoons, and taking nature walks with the little wonders. I don’t know if it is my age, my reordered priorities, or if I’ve become lazy, but life sure is a lot more enjoyable since I relaxed my house cleaning standards. Maybe, I’ve not only gotten older, but also wiser.