.: Clean Up :.
Dyson Absolute DC17 Animal @ Macy's
The best way to refresh any room is, of course, to clean it.
First you'll need to get rid of all dirt and dust that loves
to accumulate on every possible surface. This is the perfect
task for the Dyson
Absolute Animal, a bagless, upright vacuum that is especially
adept at sucking up dirt and destroying pet hair. It is a little
on the pricey side ($500), but this is something you really need
as opposed to that last pair of Manolos.
For dusting around knick-knacks on shelves and furniture surfaces,
it is best to use a microfiber cloth that will pick up and trap
every tiny dirt particle. The Starfiber
brand cloths have 30 times the cleaning power of an ordinary
dishrag or wet wipe. Plus, they can be washed and reused which
is more environmentally friendly than cleaning with a million
paper towels.
Once all of the dirt is out of your way, you should give everything
from your bathroom sink to your oven a good scrubbing and polishing.
Thanks to its high level of acidity, white
distilled vinegar can do everything from deodorizing bad
smells to clearing cloudy wine glasses and polishing glass and
copper. Check out all of these cool
tips for how you can use white vinegar as an eco-friendly
way to clean the house. And don't miss our guide devoted to eco-friendly
cleaning products.
Last but not least, freshen your fabric furnishings and window
treatments with a lovely anti-bacterial and odor removing spray
from The
Laundress. Not only will everything in your home be shiny
and sanitized, but the rooms will smell pretty too.
.: Organize :.
Chrome Roll-Out Cabinet Drawers @ The Container Store
Once you've rid the place of grime and grit, it's time to rearrange
a little bit to help maintain a clutter-free living space. We
have a few product suggestions that should make the process a
little easier.
If you hate rummaging through cabinets searching for something
that has been pushed way in the back, it might be time to invest
in a few pull-out
drawers. Made of durable chrome plated steel, these drawers
are easy to mount and will smoothly roll in and out of a kitchen,
bathroom, or laundry room cabinet.
A neat shower should be both clean and organized. Instead of
fumbling with shampoo bottles that keep slipping off the soap
shelf, try one of these shower
caddies from Umbra that hang down from the shower head,
up and out of your way. Each bottle will have its own place on
one of the flip down shelves and you can even hang your loofah
and shaving razor.
If you can't bear to part with one more article of clothing
but your closet is bursting at the sliding doors, you might need
to store part of your wardrobe. Take some of your summer dresses
and neatly lay them in an underbed
storage box. We particularly
enjoy these boxes because they are made of breathable canvas,
have a see-thru top and sturdy handles, and include cedar inserts
to repel moths and keep your clothing smelling fresh.
If your dresser top feels too cluttered with photo frames, candles,
or whatever collectibles you might have, there is a fun and chic
way to get them out of your way. 'Pod'
wall shelves are slim, sleek and -- when decorated properly
-- look like beautiful wall ornaments.
For more organizing tips check out our Get
Organized Guide.
.: Detoxify :.
One Dozen Gerbera Daisies Arranged in a Vase @ 1-800-Flowers
Believe it or not, toxins are everywhere inside your home. Detergents,
inks, plastics, rubber, varnishes, and even dry cleaning give
off pollutants that when enclosed in a small room can be pretty
unhealthy. Nothing a couple of air-filtering plants can't fix.
One of the favorite air-filterers is the Gerbera
Daisy, a vibrant flower that is especially good at absorbing
harmful chemicals. Unfortunately it is only a summer bloom
so for now you'll have to settle for a few well-arranged stems.
A glossy Chinese
Evergreen is great for those who lack a green thumb. They
tolerate a wide range of light, (as well as neglect), and are
relatively resistant to pests.
These plants have all been officially named air-filterers by
the NASA Clean Air Study. Other names on the list include English
Ivy, the Peace Lily, the Pop Mum, the Spider Plant, the Red-edged
Dracaena, the Bamboo Palm, and the ‘Mother-in-Law's Tongue.'
If you have allergies, you may prefer a more heavy-duty air
purifier like the IQAir
HealthPro. With a hyper-Hepa filter that absorbs pet dander,
viruses, pollen, dust mites, mold spores, odors, and bacteria,
you'll be breathing easier immediately.
Toxins are not solely airborne, so you might need something
to sanitize your water as well. A Jonathan
Beauty Water Shower Filter takes the chlorine and chemicals
out of your steaming shower water to get you extra clean while
you bathe.
.: Redecorate :.
Haute-Couture IV by Scherezade Garcia @ Art.com
By redecorate, we don't intend you to start tearing down wallpaper
and rearranging furniture in a feng shui attack, but you'd be
surprised how a few small changes here and there can really refresh
your décor.
Hanging some new pictures can add life to a room. Art.com has
many beautiful prints and fun vintage advertisements to choose
from. Add some color with this modern piece from Dominican-born
New York artist Scherezade
Garcia, or try a textured stretch
canvas, a finely woven wall tapestry, or some simple black-and-white
photography.
Updating your bedding can change the entire feel of your bedroom.
This color
block design from Macy's affordably luxe Hotel Collection
comes with an enviably high thread count and a fresh, modern
look.
Changing a simple lampshade is cheaper than buying a new lamp,
and it can give the room a completely different look. West Elm
carries a great selection of affordable modern furniture. Replace
your old table lamps with these sleek Capiz
Block models to shed some new light on your home decor.
Treat yourself to an architectural accent chair. At
Overstock.com,
this
Le
Corbusier-inspired leather chair and other furniture pieces
will ship for only 3 dollars.
Make these few small changes and before you know it you'll feel like you're
living in a brand new home.
Get Clean, Go Green
Cleaning your place is a chore, no doubt, but it can also be unhealthy. The
chemicals in our cleaning products might make the bathroom shine, but what
are they doing to your lungs? Anything on the surfaces in your home can get
into your skin. That's doesn't sound very clean.
Not to worry, our EcoClean
Guide is the place to go for cleaning
products and appliances that are not only better for you, but are also better
for the environment. From all-purpose
cleaners and paper-saving
cloths to floor solutions and a steam
cleaner guaranteed to destroy harmful bacteria, your house will be free of dust, dirt,
and toxins.
