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By Melissa Allison

No one has to tell Ellen Sims that Seattle rents aren’t affordable.

The massage therapist and nonprofit executive knows firsthand that for many people, it’s impossible to pay rent here and get ahead.

That’s why she extracted herself from the rent race a year ago, plunking $2,000 down on a recreational vehicle that now costs her a manageable $240 a month – plus roughly $300 in insurance, propane and gas, depending on the season and her travel plans.

‘I’m not stressed out, and that’s priceless’

“For living alone, I pay about a third to a fourth of what other people are paying, so it’s affording me the ability to pay off debt and save money at the same time, so that I can hopefully get to purchase some land,” Sims said.

She specializes in craniosacral therapy, runs a nonprofit that provides free health care to homeless and low-income people, and teaches wellness and mindfulness to University of Washington law students – all part of a broader aim (via her company, Divine Roots Wellness) to encourage the world to slow down and be well.

Sims notices how tense her clients are from working so much.

“We have an epidemic of stress that’s causing a lot of problems,” she said. “People are on edge, and when we allow ourselves time to relax, that’s when we digest and can sleep.”

She’s relieved that the RV has eased her money worries and made it possible for her to relax and spend time on projects she finds meaningful.

“I’m not constantly checking how much I have. I’m not stressed out, and that is literally priceless,” she said.

Sticker shock in an old blue-collar town

It’s not easy to be chill when the rent keeps rising. Seattle’s median rent climbed 7.2 percent in December 2015 over the previous December, to $1,931. It’s expected to hit $2,018 this year.

The ramifications are dire for a region that was historically blue-collar and not prone to the same sky-high housing prices as other coastal hubs.

This past year, Seattle and its surrounding county saw a major increase in homelessness. Even before five people were shot in “The Jungle,” a longtime homeless encampment, this winter, Seattle’s mayor issued a homeless-emergency order to create two safe-parking lots for people who live in vehicles.

Sims clearly isn’t the only Seattleite who’s taken up RV living in the face of skyrocketing rents.

All over the city, people are cobbling together nontraditional living situations that address their financial strain and, in the process, give them greater peace of mind.

‘A different set of conversations’

Reba Wirtel says she hardly remembers not “living in community,” with multiple roommates sharing the bills and often a particular lifestyle.

For the past few years, she has lived with her teenage daughter, Alli, in a rented home with a single mom, her daughter and, typically, three other roommates. They are among the 32 percent of working-age adults nationally who live with people to whom they are not married or partnered.

“Doubling up” has increased over the years and is particularly common in pricey markets.

The foundation of Wirtel’s community is nonviolent communication, a style that assumes good intent and that whatever is upsetting or not working can be handled with a conversation, or several.

“I’ve found that eliminates so much stress and confusion and chaos in my life,” Wirtel said.

The community shares the cooking, which means that “four nights a week, there are homemade meals being cooked, and I’m not part of that at all but get to come upstairs and have a delicious meal, and it’s incredible,” she said.

They also split the rent, which recently rose to $2,500 a month.

“Seattle housing is just so outrageous. If we were not living in community, I’d probably be having a different set of conversations with my husband, because I don’t think Alli and I could live,” said Wirtel, a longtime counselor/social worker who now runs the business side of Be-Possible.com.

For now, she doesn’t live with her husband, who’s busy running another intentional community – of artists. She lived there for a while, but she decided artists’ 24-7 hours were not ideal for raising Alli.

‘You’d never know you live with 30 people’

Her husband, Michael Craft, is committed for a while to managing a 25-bedroom artists’ enclave called InArtsNW, or “The In” for short.

Rents start at about $625 a month, and Craft says he’s “been preaching the goal of quitting your job and making money at your passion, because you’ll have much more time to follow your passion if you’re not giving 8-plus hours away to the corporatocracy.”

A few people were already making a living as artists when they arrived; for others, “it’s a process,” he said.

Craft is aware that The In is one of the least expensive places to live in Seattle and says there’s no shortage of people wanting a room there.

The home has two kitchens, 12 toilets, four or five showers and a couple of bathtubs.

“You’d never know you live with 30 people,” he said. “Everybody has a busy life and different schedules.”

Although the enclave used to host five musical shows a night – and got into some trouble for it – things are different now, and residents are not permitted to make noise in the middle of the night on weeknights, Craft said.

The community has been trying for a while to raise money for a down payment on the home, largely to stave off fears of a future sale to a developer.

Craft figures they need about $1 million, but they stopped active fundraising because “it was like trying to herd cats,” and the pot stands at just over $1,500.

That’s one pressure that Sims sidesteps by living in an RV.

“At one point,” she said, “I started looking at apartments again after being in here, and as I was looking, I just realized that it wasn’t worth it to me anymore.”

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Amid the typical New Year’s resolutions, getting organized is an oft-promised, seldom-achieved goal that plagues busy parents, office workers, college students and everyone in between. Clutter and a messy environment are proven causes of distraction and increased stress levels, both of which prohibit creativity and productivity. Despite our best efforts, staying organized is a big challenge when life gets hectic and tossing our belongings wherever they fall trumps storing them where they belong (assuming they have a designated home at all).

Those seeking a more streamlined lifestyle this year are likely influenced by the rise of the minimalist movement, the allure of tiny houses and the surprising popularity of such texts as Marie Kondo’s bestseller, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” These trends are not simply strategies for enhanced organization; they’re lifestyles that espouse a more intentional approach to living. Underlying the need to be organized, after all, is a desire for more control.

“Organizing is about making decisions,” says Alison Kero, owner of ACK Organizing in New York City, adding that it’s ultimately about wanting the best for yourself. Consider these steps toward a more organized and intentional life in 2016:

Toss or Donate

Decluttering is a natural first step in getting organized, but experts agree tossing things you don’t want isn’t just about making space for more stuff. “It’s more about becoming aware of what you’re choosing to bring into your life and making a decision to keep it or let it go based on what’s best for you and what you really like,” Kero says. Practically speaking, it’s best to group like items together before you start purging so you can easily identify duplicates and keep your favorites.

“Start by doing an initial sort,” says Sandra Schustack, owner of Clear Your Space East in Manhattan and New York Chapter Board Director for the National Association of Professional Organizers. “Only keep what you use and love; the rest is taking up precious space.”

The idea of your space being “precious” or valuable is key to keeping sentimentality from sabotaging this process. “If you don’t love it, need it, or use it, then it doesn’t deserve a place in your home,” says Janet Bernstein, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of The Organizing Professionals, LLC, in Philadelphia. “I keep my clients focused on this mantra as we’re decluttering,” she says. “It speeds up the process when you’re forced to categorize your possessions in this way.”

Experts also note that getting organized takes time, so don’t expect overnight results. Remove items room by room, starting with the area that bothers you most. That way, you can carry the sense of accomplishment you feel in tackling that room to others throughout your space.

Find a Home for Everything

Putting back items you’ve decided to keep is not as simple as tossing them into a storage container. In fact, rows of clear plastic bins with expertly-applied labels simply disguise chaos as order, and don’t provide for long-term organization.

“The reason so many people find it hard to stay organized is that they do it once, dismantle it when they need something stored at the bottom of the bin, and then don’t have the energy to put it all back together again,” says Holly Rollins, minimalist and blogger at HollyLaurel.com. Instead, determine the proper home for items based on when and where you need them, so access and storage are both intuitive and practical. Moreover, continue the “like with like” grouping strategy you employed during the decluttering process so you always know where to find (and store) batteries, light bulbs and even important documents.

Keep Functionality in Mind

Most experts agree storage containers are worthy investments, but purchasing these items before deciding how they’ll be used is a waste of money. “I see far too many potential clients purchase organizing products believing these items will solve their clutter woes,” Bernstein says. “What they don’t realize is they’re putting the cart before the horse.”

Placing all your cosmetics in a decorative box under your bathroom cabinet may be tidy, but it’s neither functional nor sustainable. Since you use these items frequently, they will likely end up strewn about drawers and countertops more often than tucked behind cabinet doors. Instead, organize your makeup by type within the top drawer of your vanity for easy access. “Get some shallow square and rectangular trays from the dollar store,” suggests Alison Warner, owner of Prepped to Organize, LLC, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. “Stick Velcro tabs on the bottom of each tray to adhere them to the drawer. No more rolling items every time you open the drawer!”

This strategy can be applied elsewhere in your home, including the “junk” drawer in your kitchen or the utility cabinet in your garage. The trick is to organize spaces well enough that replacing items once you’ve used them becomes habit.

Maintain Organization

It doesn’t matter how organized you become; the moment you start to accumulate more stuff, you’ll be surrounded by the very clutter you sought to eliminate in the first place. Before you buy anything new, remember the criterion you used during the decluttering phase. “Keep only what you use, what you love, and what you need,” Rollins says. “If you make and keep this promise to yourself, you’ll never have organization problems again.”

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Most of us make a daily effort to keep our kitchens and food preparation areas fairly clean and tidy. But if you think your kitchen is really clean, you may have to think again.

There are literally dozens of places in your kitchen that are rarely touched in those regular mop-ups, and these areas can detract from the overall appearance and function of one of your most-used rooms. The solution: a kitchen deep-clean.

Every kitchen could use an intense scrub every couple of months, but don’t let that daunt you. Follow this strategy, and your cleaning day will be as painless as it is productive.

1. Clean out your kitchen cabinets.

The kitchen typically is the focal point of most household activity, and therefore accumulates a number of items that don’t necessarily have any business being there. Grab a box or bag, and fill it up with any items – such as books, electronics, and mail – that belong elsewhere.

Once the obvious miscellany are removed, empty all the cupboards and drawers. As you remove dishes, glassware, cookware, and gadgets, separate out any pieces that are damaged or infrequently used into another pile for repair, donation, or trash.

Give your pantry’s contents a quick once-over, too. Throw away any items past their expiration date, and donate anything you won’t eat to the local food pantry.

Before you move your curated collection back in, wipe down all the cabinet interiors and shelves with soapy water. A diluted vinegar spray is ideal for pantry shelves, since its main ingredient is both non-toxic and anti-bacterial. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then line the shelves with paper for a more visually streamlined appearance.

Finally, fill up your cabinets, making sure the things you use the most – and those closest to expiring – are the easiest to reach.

2. Say goodbye to grime and grease.

Cooking inevitably leads to a sticky buildup of food particles and grease on your cabinets, walls, and countertops, so once you’ve dealt with the interiors, turn your attention to the exteriors.

— Wipe down all surfaces with a kitchen degreaser, then polish the wood and metal with an appropriate polish.

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3. Give your appliances some extra TLC.

The surfaces of your fridge, oven, and dishwasher tend to get completely covered in fingerprints, smudges, and germs over time. Start by cleaning their exteriors using the cleanser recommended by the manufacturer. Then target each appliance individually.

And don’t neglect small countertop appliances in your deep-clean:

–Toaster: Remove the crumb trap, brush away any food particles, and wipe down the exterior.

4. Finish with the floor.

While wiping down every last surface in your kitchen, you’ve likely knocked more than a few crumbs to the ground. That’s why it’s best to end your deep-clean with a good sweep or vacuum.

Grab your dust-busting instrument of choice, and zero in on the collection along baseboards and heating registers. Use a lightly damp mop and an appropriate cleanser for your flooring to wipe up.

Send soiled towels, oven mitts, rugs, and curtains through the wash and replace.

Return your cleaning supplies to their homes.

Then wash your hands of all the hard work in the fresh sink in your bright, shiny kitchen.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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Most of us make a daily effort to keep our kitchens and food preparation areas fairly clean and tidy. But if you think your kitchen is really clean, you may have to think again.

There are literally dozens of places in your kitchen that are rarely touched in those regular mop-ups, and these areas can detract from the overall appearance and function of one of your most-used rooms. The solution: a kitchen deep-clean.

Every kitchen could use an intense scrub every couple of months, but don’t let that daunt you. Follow this strategy, and your cleaning day will be as painless as it is productive.

1. Clean out your kitchen cabinets.

The kitchen typically is the focal point of most household activity, and therefore accumulates a number of items that don’t necessarily have any business being there. Grab a box or bag, and fill it up with any items – such as books, electronics, and mail – that belong elsewhere.

Once the obvious miscellany are removed, empty all the cupboards and drawers. As you remove dishes, glassware, cookware, and gadgets, separate out any pieces that are damaged or infrequently used into another pile for repair, donation, or trash.

Give your pantry’s contents a quick once-over, too. Throw away any items past their expiration date, and donate anything you won’t eat to the local food pantry.

Before you move your curated collection back in, wipe down all the cabinet interiors and shelves with soapy water. A diluted vinegar spray is ideal for pantry shelves, since its main ingredient is both non-toxic and anti-bacterial. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel, then line the shelves with paper for a more visually streamlined appearance.

Finally, fill up your cabinets, making sure the things you use the most – and those closest to expiring – are the easiest to reach.

2. Say goodbye to grime and grease.

Cooking inevitably leads to a sticky buildup of food particles and grease on your cabinets, walls, and countertops, so once you’ve dealt with the interiors, turn your attention to the exteriors.

— Wipe down all surfaces with a kitchen degreaser, then polish the wood and metal with an appropriate polish.

>

>

3. Give your appliances some extra TLC.

The surfaces of your fridge, oven, and dishwasher tend to get completely covered in fingerprints, smudges, and germs over time. Start by cleaning their exteriors using the cleanser recommended by the manufacturer. Then target each appliance individually.

And don’t neglect small countertop appliances in your deep-clean:

–Toaster: Remove the crumb trap, brush away any food particles, and wipe down the exterior.

4. Finish with the floor.

While wiping down every last surface in your kitchen, you’ve likely knocked more than a few crumbs to the ground. That’s why it’s best to end your deep-clean with a good sweep or vacuum.

Grab your dust-busting instrument of choice, and zero in on the collection along baseboards and heating registers. Use a lightly damp mop and an appropriate cleanser for your flooring to wipe up.

Send soiled towels, oven mitts, rugs, and curtains through the wash and replace.

Return your cleaning supplies to their homes.

Then wash your hands of all the hard work in the fresh sink in your bright, shiny kitchen.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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Unless you’re lucky enough to live in a grand older building, a loft, or one of the high-design modern luxury developments that are popping up everywhere, your apartment might best be described as a plain white box defined by a distinct lack of character. After all, apartment complexes are generally built to appeal to just about everyone.

That’s where decor comes in. But decorating that new apartment isn’t necessarily about what you like — it’s also about what won’t affect your security deposit. The following apartment decor ideas will help you bring personality to your pad without freaking out your landlord. (Just make sure to read the fine print of your lease or get the OK from said landlord before reaching for that paint roller.)

Repurpose a Craft Staple

Washi tape is all over Pinterest, and for good reason. The adhesive-backed paper strips are affordable and come in a rainbow of patterns and colors. Since it’s basically pretty masking tape, washi tape presents endless DIY options for renters. We love how Molly Madfis of the blog Almost Makes Perfect used washi tape to create a pattern on her plain white closet doors that’s reminiscent of architectural molding.

Can’t Paint? Go for Temporary Wall Coverings

“Look into removable wallpaper. The stuff has grown leaps and bounds in recent years — there are so many cute varieties on the market,” says designer Jacqueline Clark. “It’s a great way to personalize your space, without any permanency.” Chasing Paper is just one of the many companies offering an impressive range of motifs and solids that rival “real” wallpaper, with precut options backed with a low-tack adhesive that allows you to simply peel away panels once moving day rolls around.

Use Color Strategically

Whether you use removable wallpaper or can actually paint your apartment, a “statement wall” makes the task easy. By focusing the attention on one wall through color or pattern, you’ll create a visual illusion that makes a room seem longer or wider (depending on the dimensions of the wall you choose).

Hide Visual Clutter

Apartments never quite have enough outlets, which leads to a mass of wires, cables, and extension cords. However, this inconvenience presents an option to get creative. “When it comes to hiding wires, try your best to camouflage them into your existing decor,” says designer Kristin Jackson of Hunted Interior. “I like to use garden stools for hiding wires and routers to keep my desk area clean and stylish.”

Choose Dual-Purpose Pieces

Jennifer Koen, vice president of business development at the designer furniture consignment site Viyet, has noticed a demand for furniture that can serve more than one purpose. “Dual-purpose pieces such as ottomans with storage inside, small x-base benches that can be tucked under a console and pulled out for extra seating, pull-out sofas, and nesting tables for entertaining are always on trend,” she says. Koen also points to the trend of bar carts, which can add style and be of endless service. You can use the cart for entertaining, as a movable bookshelf, or as display space for small items and art. Use it by the door to bring a welcoming touch to your entry (no matter how tiny).

Accessorize with Storage

There’s only so much that can fit in an under-the-bed box. Baskets and decorative bins provide a spot to hide clutter while adding a little personality to your space. You can also pair them with open shelving or a storage piece, a la Liz Fourez of the blog Love Grows Wild. She used rustic bins to bring a vintage feel to the credenza.

Fix a Boring View with Window Decals

Peel-and-stick film ranges from privacy-boosting frosted effects to patterns reminiscent of stained glass. No matter what you choose, it’s one of the cheapest ways to add a little extra interest to a window.

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During the recession of 2008 and for a long time afterward, moving dropped off the map, especially for people who were retiring. For some years after the recession began, according to the Brookings Institution, both Florida and Nevada actually suffered outward migration statistically — not because so many people were moving out of these states, but because nobody was moving in.

For half a decade retirees stayed close to home. They couldn’t sell their houses, so they couldn’t move. Many people were forced to retire early, which meant their finances were even more stressed. Many baby boomers still had kids in school, so they didn’t want to move anyway.

Things have changed. Moving is back in style. In addition to new retirees, there is a backlog of people who retired a few years ago who now want to move out of big expensive states and into warmer, less expensive states.

The traditional retirement havens in Florida and Arizona still pull in many retirees. Last year, the Phoenix metropolitan area topped the list of cities gaining population among people 55 and older. Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville were in the top 10. But the Carolinas are also drawing their share of retirees, and a lot of retiring baby boomers are setting off for other spots such as Nashville, Tennessee, or Austin, the tech-savvy capital of Texas.

Here are the five main reasons retired people are now moving:

They Can Finally Sell Their Houses

The real estate market suffered a historic slump during the Great Recession, and it has been slow to make a comeback. But now both sales and prices have returned to more normal levels, meaning people in California and the Northeast — and even in the Midwest to a lesser degree — can finally sell their homes. Fewer people are underwater on their mortgages, which means they have more equity, while mortgage rates are still low and credit is easier to obtain.

Their Stock Portfolios Have Recovered

Baby boomers not only were frozen in place for half a decade, they also suffered huge losses in their savings and retirement nest eggs, which made them more cautious and less likely to pull up stakes and start a new life. Now that markets are back near historic highs, boomers are flush with more funds to use for down payments, moving costs and all the other expenses that go along with starting a new life.

California and the Northeast are Expensive

Although many states have slowed the rate of increase on real estate taxes — New York, for example, instituted a 2 percent cap — taxes are still high and going higher, even if at a slower pace. Retirees move to get away from high taxes. But there’s also the high cost of insurance, entertainment, heating and all the other necessities of living in the North.

It’s Cold

Global warming may have brought a marginal rise in temperatures worldwide, but that’s cold comfort for those who see the outside thermometer stuck at 20 degrees. The unusually cold and snowy winters of the past two years only add to the motivation of retirees to find a more comfortable lifestyle in a warmer climate. A desire for healthier lifestyles also prompts people to seek out a climate where they can hike and bike and play outdoor sports all year round.

They’re Taking ‘Retirement Jobs’

Many boomers are moving not to retire, but to take advantage of late-in-life job opportunities. They have been downsized from their full-time careers and are looking at jobs that are lower paying but also have lower pressure and are outside major metropolitan areas. Along with seeking low-powered jobs or part-time positions, they’re looking forward to gaining more leisure time and paying less “overhead” for their lifestyle.

The Countertrend

Despite the fact that more people are moving, the majority of retirees still age in place. So don’t feel left out if you want to stay in your old neighborhood and live near your children and grandchildren. And then there is the countertrend: While most retirees head south, there are some who turn north. Northern states from Maine to Washington are losing population among those age 55 and over. But four states –New Hampshire, Vermont, Idaho and Oregon — are appealing enough to actually be gaining population among people 55 and over.

Tom Sightings is the author of “You Only Retire Once” and blogs at Sightings at 60.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate

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During the recession of 2008 and for a long time afterward, moving dropped off the map, especially for people who were retiring. For some years after the recession began, according to the Brookings Institution, both Florida and Nevada actually suffered outward migration statistically — not because so many people were moving out of these states, but because nobody was moving in.

For half a decade retirees stayed close to home. They couldn’t sell their houses, so they couldn’t move. Many people were forced to retire early, which meant their finances were even more stressed. Many baby boomers still had kids in school, so they didn’t want to move anyway.

Things have changed. Moving is back in style. In addition to new retirees, there is a backlog of people who retired a few years ago who now want to move out of big expensive states and into warmer, less expensive states.

The traditional retirement havens in Florida and Arizona still pull in many retirees. Last year, the Phoenix metropolitan area topped the list of cities gaining population among people 55 and older. Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville were in the top 10. But the Carolinas are also drawing their share of retirees, and a lot of retiring baby boomers are setting off for other spots such as Nashville, Tennessee, or Austin, the tech-savvy capital of Texas.

Here are the five main reasons retired people are now moving:

They Can Finally Sell Their Houses

The real estate market suffered a historic slump during the Great Recession, and it has been slow to make a comeback. But now both sales and prices have returned to more normal levels, meaning people in California and the Northeast — and even in the Midwest to a lesser degree — can finally sell their homes. Fewer people are underwater on their mortgages, which means they have more equity, while mortgage rates are still low and credit is easier to obtain.

Their Stock Portfolios Have Recovered

Baby boomers not only were frozen in place for half a decade, they also suffered huge losses in their savings and retirement nest eggs, which made them more cautious and less likely to pull up stakes and start a new life. Now that markets are back near historic highs, boomers are flush with more funds to use for down payments, moving costs and all the other expenses that go along with starting a new life.

California and the Northeast are Expensive

Although many states have slowed the rate of increase on real estate taxes — New York, for example, instituted a 2 percent cap — taxes are still high and going higher, even if at a slower pace. Retirees move to get away from high taxes. But there’s also the high cost of insurance, entertainment, heating and all the other necessities of living in the North.

It’s Cold

Global warming may have brought a marginal rise in temperatures worldwide, but that’s cold comfort for those who see the outside thermometer stuck at 20 degrees. The unusually cold and snowy winters of the past two years only add to the motivation of retirees to find a more comfortable lifestyle in a warmer climate. A desire for healthier lifestyles also prompts people to seek out a climate where they can hike and bike and play outdoor sports all year round.

They’re Taking ‘Retirement Jobs’

Many boomers are moving not to retire, but to take advantage of late-in-life job opportunities. They have been downsized from their full-time careers and are looking at jobs that are lower paying but also have lower pressure and are outside major metropolitan areas. Along with seeking low-powered jobs or part-time positions, they’re looking forward to gaining more leisure time and paying less “overhead” for their lifestyle.

The Countertrend

Despite the fact that more people are moving, the majority of retirees still age in place. So don’t feel left out if you want to stay in your old neighborhood and live near your children and grandchildren. And then there is the countertrend: While most retirees head south, there are some who turn north. Northern states from Maine to Washington are losing population among those age 55 and over. But four states –New Hampshire, Vermont, Idaho and Oregon — are appealing enough to actually be gaining population among people 55 and over.

Tom Sightings is the author of “You Only Retire Once” and blogs at Sightings at 60.

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Even if you love a spotless house, there are much better ways to spend your time over the holiday season than cleaning. After all, there are gifts to be wrapped, wreaths to be made, and ornaments to be hung.

With that in mind, there’s no time like the present to make your space as sparkling and tidy as possible, especially if you’re thinking of listing your home for sale come spring. Follow these easy cleaning tips to wipe the slate clean this winter — you can think of it as the cold-weather version of spring cleaning.

1. Purge closets.

There’s no better time to do a full closet clean-out. You’ll not only free up space for guests to hang their coats but also make way for the gifts you’ll receive.

2. Flip cushions and mattresses.

Lift the cushions of the sofa to vacuum up dust bunnies and crumbs that tend to congregate there, then flip them. Same goes for beds — most experts recommend you turn and rotate mattresses every three to four months for the most even wear. While you’re rotating, you might as well wash the bed skirts or at least do a thorough lint-roll.

3. De-smudge walls and floors.

Before you start hanging garlands and ornaments, get walls and floors as pristine as possible with eraser cleaning pads. These small, spongelike blocks of melamine foam truly work like magic to lift spots and smudges from walls, bathroom tiles, and floors.

4. Scrub and sanitize appliances.

Start with the fridge, microwave, and stove, which will all get a lot of use when prepping big holiday dinners. Empty out the fridge and wipe down the shelves, drawers, and bins with ingredients you already have on hand — ideally, a mixture of warm water, a pinch of baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap – then dry thoroughly. Also remove and wash the drip pan found at the bottom of most fridges, where mildew often collects.

Use the same solution to wipe down the stove top and oven door, and remove, wash, and dry the burner pans while you’re at it. To tackle the microwave, we like the lemon-and-steam method.

5. Do a pantry audit.

While you’re in the kitchen, declutter your pantry. Throw out any expired spices, canned goods, and boxed foods. Apply the same rule you would to clothes in your closet: If you haven’t touched it in ages, toss it or donate it to a food bank. When you’re done, you’ll also have a good list of what you need to restock.

6. Clean furnaces and chimneys.

If your furnace is coated in dust, vacuum and brush the burner and blower blades. During winter, you’ll want to change the filter regularly. Most experts recommend doing so every four to six weeks to keep your home more energy efficient. A clean filter also keeps your indoor air cleaner and healthier. Likewise, a full sweep of chimneys and wood-burning fireplaces helps clear out soot and creosote, a residue that can build up and cause fires. In either case, if you feel unsure about DIY-ing, call in a pro.

7. Wipe the windows.

Before it gets frigid outside, give your windows a once-over with a solution of white vinegar and tap water. Pick a cloudy day so you’ll be able to see streaks more clearly as you work. Clean them again toward the end of winter; if you have a fireplace, your windows will have accumulated a thin film of soot by then.

8. Dust chandeliers, blinds, and ceiling fans.

Carefully dust chandeliers (including light bulbs) and blinds with the same vinegar-water mixture. If you have ceiling fans, use a pillowcase to dust the blades: Just slip an old case over the fan blade and pull it toward you, so dust collects inside the case. No mess!

9. Wash the teakettle.

If you keep warm with daily cups of Earl Grey, give your kettle a deep cleaning. Boil equal parts white vinegar and water inside the kettle to remove mineral deposits, take it off the heat, and let it soak for several hours. Rinse the interior thoroughly, then wash it by hand.

10. Add mats.

Winterize the area around your entryway to keep mud or snow from getting tracked inside all season long. Put a rough coir or rubber mat just outside the door for wiping off boots, and an extra-absorbent mat (look for propylene versions) inside to rein in extra moisture.

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Source:: AOL Real Estate