It used to drive me crazy.  My family and I would pull into the garage, enter the house and the trashing would commence.  Coats were thrown over stools, piled on counters or draped over the back of the couch, backpacks toss on the floor, mail on the kitchen counter and groceries, packages, etc. etc., etc. hurled wherever there was a free space.  My house was trashed just by our walking in the door.  It became patently obvious that the Otis family needed a Landing Strip.

Truthfully, I didn’t know it was called that at the time but I realized early on I needed a way to keep my family organized and my save my house from disaster.  It has evolved over the years but I believe I now have it down pat beginning with a doormat.  We can wipe our feet or take off shoes and boots before walking into the kitchen.

We now have hooks right inside the door where we can hang coats and a bench with storage baskets where we can store boots, gloves and hats.  I have a little table where we immediately sort the mail.  I’ve learned that a recycling bin under the table means we can toss all the junk mail before we get too far past the door.  I also have hung a mirror over the table so we can make a final check of our appearance on our way in and out the door. 

All backpack and bags have to be emptied immediately and hung up on hooks provided for that purpose.  We even have a special hook for the dog leash.  The table holds a bowl where we put the car keys; this also makes it easier to find them when we are leaving the house.  I have also placed a small bowl so my husband and son can empty their pockets of change.

Groceries, homework, lunch bags and magazines are all put away next.  We have (finally) installed a recharge station where we can plug in our phones, i-pads or any other electronic devices we carry with us. We make it a rule to plug in our phones in the station before bed so they are always in one place in the morning and fully charged for the day.

Getting everyone to follow the rules is not always easy.  However, once the routine is down, and there is a place for everything, it’s much easier for us to keep the house presentable and it makes getting to work and school the next morning so much more efficient.  Does your home need a landing strip?

Give me a call or text me if you have any questions at 402-670-8775 or email me at Marie.Otis@cbshome.com.

 Many of us have been saddled with a small closet in our lifetime; some of us maybe more than one.  After mentally shouting at whoever designed such a thing it is probably more productive to visualize how to get the most out of the tiny space.  Don’t fret.  Here are some great ideas.

First, pare down.  You must get rid of every stained, pilled and stretched out item of clothing.  It’s also a good idea to get rid of clothes you haven’t worn for some time.  Make it fun.  Ask a friend to share a glass of wine and tell you what to keep and what to give away.  The local charities will thank you for those bags of clothing and shoes. (Plus it’s tax deductible. Check with your tax consultant for the rules.)

Here’s an important tip.  Take EVERYTHING out of the closet.  Sort out everything that is out of season. Use storage bins and store out of season clothes, shoes, etc. under the bed, in the attic or in a storage space.  If you use a storage space make certain the containers keep out dirt, moisture and varmints (bugs/rodents).

Now that the closet is empty take the opportunity to paint the walls and clean the floor.  Get out your tape measure and measure the space.  Analyze what you’re going to keep and begin to visualize what sort of organizing system you need.  If the closet is tall perhaps you can double the space on one side by hanging two bars instead of one.  Find a spot to hang long items such as dresses and coats.  If you have folding or sliding doors then replace them with hinged doors.  That way you can hang over the door pocket storage units which, by the way, can be used for more just shoes.  Use them for accessories.

There are numerous closet organization systems for sale.  If one fits your measurements and your budgets, then by all means, get it.  You can create one yourself with the use of wooden and wire shelving.  Make certain you install adjustable shelves so you can change as your needs change.   Create storage for shoes and sweaters by using open cubes.  Utilize wall space with hooks to hang belts, scarves, etc. 

Here’s another tip: organize your clothes by color.  Obviously this will not give you more space but it will give your closet a streamlined look that will make it seem more spacious.  Here’s the best tip of all.  Now that you’ve spent all the time and money to maximize your closet space make a solemn vow to keep it organized.  Doing a bit each time you enter is a lot easier than doing it all again in a few months.

The calendar has turned to November; the month during which we transition from fall into winter.

With less sunlight, colder temperatures, and shorter days ahead for Elkhorn , it’s an opportune time to cross those last-minute maintenance items off your homeowner to-do list.

Practicing preventive care — both inside and outside your home — can save thousands of dollars in repairs come later this winter. What follows is a brief checklist to get you started.

For outside the home :

• Inspect exterior lights and outlets. Be sure that none of the outlets are cracked or broken, or have exposed wires.
• Clean gutters and clear all blockages. If leaves are falling, redo after leaves are off all trees.
• Inspect and test outdoor railings and stairs.
• Have problem trees trimmed, including those that may damage your home in a storm.
• Protect outdoor water faucets from freezing. Consider using foam cups, sold at hardware stores.

For inside the home :

• Change batteries in all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, whether they’re “dead” or not. 
• Vacuum refrigerator condenser coils, plus the front bottom grill. Empty and clean the drip pan.
• Inspect wood stoves and fireplace inserts. Hire a certified chimney sweeper to clean the chimney, if needed.
• Insulate bare water pipes running through your home to prevent freezing and to limit condensation on cold-water lines.
• Inspect automatic garage door opener. Lubricate chains according to manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure bolts and screws are properly tightened and secured.

As a constant series of chores, home maintenance is a four-season job and one which should not be taken lightly. The tasks of each season are unique and November’s jobs are mostly preparatory in advance of colder weather.

If your routine maintenance uncovers larger issues including a faulty HVAC unit, or a leaking faucet, for example, seek professional help to make the repair. 

HouseLogic.com provided this great article with all the tips you will need for “Drought-Proof Lawns and Landscaping.”

• Consider Low-Water Use Plants:  Cut your water usage by replacing current landscaping with drought-proof plants.  There are several to choose from and tips from various websites about planting.
• Audit and Add Water Saving Tools:  An irrigation system audit tells you whether your system needs repairs or adjustments.
• Give Grass Some TLC: With cooler weather and more moisture in the fall, growth and green color will return.  Consider aeration this time of year.
• Revisit Your Watering Plan:  Water early in the morning when temperatures are cooler.

Read the entire article about  Fall Tips to Drought-Proof Your Lawns and Landscaping or you give visit HouseLogic.com’s website for other tips.

Do your fall plans include looking for a new home?  If you are planning on buying or selling contact your CBSHOME Agent.  If you need an agent, feel free to contact our Relocation Department.

Enjoy the Fabulous Fall Weather!

Within Papillion homes, the kitchen is often the most “used” room in the house. It’s a meeting place for meals, for conversation, and for family. Unfortunately, that makes it a meeting place for bacteria, as well.

Along with bathrooms, kitchens are the most bacteria-heavy rooms in a home. Kitchens require a good, daily cleaning. This 4-minute interview on NBC’s The Today Show shows you how to do it.

Using ordinary household cleansers and some elbow grease, you’ll learn :

1. Why sponges should be out of your kitchen and why loofahs should be in
2. How to catch and trap fruit flies that spread germs and disease
3. How to clean and disinfect porous cutting boards

You’ll also get tips on removing stubborn stains from the bottom side of a frying pan.

The video is loaded with good advice and is worth a watch if only to learn a single sanitizing tip.

For example, did you know that you shouldn’t soak wooden bowls or boards in water because the water causes the wood to separate, leaving it “open” to kitchen-borne bacteria? Or that, because of new soap-types, today’s dishwashers should be regularly disinfected?  

Keep your kitchen free from bacteria is a constant battle but, using the tips from the video above, you’ll give yourself a fighting chance. 

Typically found at the tip of indoor water faucets, water aerators split a single water stream into droplets, slowing the overall water flow and reducing the degree of “splashing”.

Homes in Papillion with aerated faucets use up to 50% less water than homes without. However, aerated faucets can lose their effectiveness over time if they’re not cleaned at least periodically.

This is because aerators can collect and trap particles including minerals deposits and grit, depending on the make-up of your home’s water supply.

The good news is that cleaning your faucet aerator is a do-it-yourself job that requires no technical plumbing skills, and takes less than 5 minutes to complete. 

Here’s how to clean your home’s water aerators.

First, close or cover the drain of your sink. This will prevent pieces or parts from getting lost. Then, unscrew the aerator from the tip of your faucet. You may be able to turn the aerator with your fingers. If you cannot, and need to use pliers, wrap the faucet with a towel to prevent damage to the faucet from the pliers.

Also, don’t squeeze harder than necessary — you may bend the aerator casing.

Next, on a small towel, separate the parts of the aerator and lay them flat.

Then, using your finger, poke the mesh filter out from the aerator, being careful not to bend it. Use tap water to rinse sediment from the filter or, in extreme build-up cases, place the filter in a small cup of vinegar, soak it for an hour, then clean it with a small brush.

At this point, your aerator is clean. Replace the parts as you found them, and twist the water aerator back onto the faucet tip. If you use pliers for this step, remember to protect your faucet’s finish with a towel.

There is no specific rule for how often an aerator should be cleaned. In some areas, it’s twice yearly. In other areas, it’s every 5 years. If you’ve never cleaned your water aerators, though, make today your first time.

Do you clean your refrigerator regularly, or only after you’ve run out of space? If your answer is the latter, your refrigerator may be harboring dangerous bacteria that can make you, your family, and your house guests ill.

Refrigerators should be cleaned monthly, inside and out, ideally. The process involves removing all foods, cleaning all shelves, and wiping down drawers. Spoiled food is removed and old containers reclaimed.

The process takes 20 minutes. Here’s how to do it.

First, prepare your cleaning stations, including filling a sink with soapy water, and having drying towels handy. Complete this step before you start to remove food from the refrigerator. This limits the amount of time that food has available to reach room temperature.

Next, remove all food from the appliance. Throw out old food past its expiration, and leftovers which have been in containers for more than a few days. Check dairy products for expiration dates — especially cheeses and creams. Toss fruits and vegetables that have spoiled. Wipe down condiment jars and bottles with a damp towel.

Next, with the refrigerator empty, remove all shelves and drawers and wash them in the water-filled sink. Scrub to remove any caked-on foods and spills. Rinse off the soapy water and dry the part on your drying towels.

Then, while the shelves and drawers are drying, using a mixture of baking soda and water, wipe down the interior surfaces of your appliance. The mixture should be roughly 2 tablespoons of baking soda for every 1 gallon of water. Wipe the mixture off with a clean towel.

Lastly, move the shelves and drawers back into the refrigerator and replace all of the food that’s “good”.

Refrigerators can be a dirty place. We rarely wash our hands before handling food in a refrigerator and that can contribute to a bacteria-heavy environment. A good cleaning, though, can keep our foods — and our home — healthy.

Clean your refrigerator regularly.

It’s April in Omaha and warmer weather is coming. It’s Spring Cleaning season. Do you have a checklist?

In some households, spring cleaning is an annual ritual, taking anywhere from a full day to an entire week to complete. Room-by-room, foot-by-foot, dust, dirt and grime are replaced with cleanliness and shine.

No matter in which way to you choose to tackle your chores, though, the people at Real Simple have you covered. The magazine’s website provides a thorough, detailed walk-through of the most common spring cleaning tasks. It also offers a “shortcut” series.

For example, the section of cleaning area rugs and rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting is a chore Real Simple lists as lasting “a morning”. The shortcut version, however, is noted to take just 10 minutes.

Some of the other areas covered in the Real Simple spring cleaning guide include :

• Windows (4-6 hours long version; 15 minutes each “shortcut” version)
• Curtains (30 minutes per panel long version; 10 minutes per panel “shortcut” version)
• Upholstery (25 minutes per piece of furniture long version; 5 minutes per piece of furniture “shortcut” version)

You’ll need tools for your spring cleaning tasks including special cleansers, sponges, rags and vacuums. In some cases, you may want to rent equipment from a local hardware store. For example, deep-cleaning an area rug with a steam cleaner may be more time-effective than scrubbing it clean by hand.

Then, after completing the above chores, remember to flip your mattresses, change your air filters, and test your smoke alarm batteries.

Keep track of what you’ve done, and what’s left to do, with this classic, 3-page Spring Cleaning Checklist from Martha Stewart.

Tile is among the most versatile home surfacing materials. It can be as functional and good-looking on your home’s walls as it can be on counter tops, adding a polished look to your kitchen or bathrooms.

Tile is also easy-to-clean — so long as it’s well-maintained.

Proper tile cleaning is more than just a daily wipe-down. Cleaning tile requires a periodic resealing of the tiles themselves, as well as a re-grout for when the existing grout cracks, or stains.

Replacing grout is a job that’s low on skill but large on elbow grease. You can hire it out to a handyperson in Omaha , or you can handle it in-home. If you choose to replace your own grout, here are the steps you’ll want to follow.

First, you’ll need some tools :

• Hammer and screwdriver
• Grout scraper
• Putty knife
• Damp sponge
• Dry cloths
• Grout
• Grout sealer

Start by using your screwdriver to loosen bits of the damaged and/or dirty grout. Tap the screwdriver with the hammer gently to avoid scratching your tile. Once you’ve loosened the grout, use the grout scraper to remove the remnants. 

Next, pour new grout into the crevices between the tiles and smooth it into place using the putty knife. The motion is similar to that of buttering a slice of bread. Scrape up the excess grout as you work. Continue spreading the grout until you’ve finished a several-foot section.

Before the grout has dried, use a damp sponge to wipe the tiles clean and neaten the grout lines. You can also use your finger to smooth and remove excess grout from between the tiles.

Repeat the grouting and cleaning process until all of the grout has been replaced. Allow the grout to dry for the length of time recommended by the manufacturer.

Next, using the dry cloths, buff the tiles, using a forceful, circular motion to remove any remaining grout residue.

Then, as a final step, for long-lasting protection, seal the grout using a commercial grout sealer from a hardware store.

Keeping grout in good condition does more than just make your kitchen or bathrooms look great — it protects the surfaces beneath the tile, too. Re-grouting tile is a basic home improvement task that can pay for itself many times over.

As the Papillion weather turns warmer and the days grow longer, it’s time to pack away your winter clothes to make room for spring and summer things — just make sure to store your cold-weather clothes properly.

They’ll look better, wear longer, and will be ready to go when winter rolls around again next year.

Here’s what to do.

First, you’ll want to launder your winter clothes before you pack them up — even if they were never worn and/or don’t appear to be soiled. Clothes can sometimes have spots or stains that aren’t readily visible. Use unscented detergents, and skip fabric softeners and other additives that could attract insects.

Take items that can’t be washed to the dry cleaner.

Next, you’ll put your clothes into storage containers. Ideally, use bags or boxes that won’t degrade and will seal out dirt, dust, insects and moisture.

Fold clothing neatly before adding it to the container and pack “loosely”, allowing air can circulate. Tuck a lavender or cedar sachet into each container to help repel bugs. Both lavender and cedar are safer for use than mothballs and they smell much better.

For bulky items such as coats, use padded hangers and cover the clothing with heavy plastic wardrobe bags. If you don’t have padded hangers and don’t want to buy them, drape wood hangers with folded towels to fill in the shoulders of your coats without stretching them.

Keep the storage boxes and hangers in a dry place, away from sunlight. Sunlight can fade your fabrics.

Then, make sure to clean your closets thoroughly before filling them with the next season’s clothes. Dust the shelves and ceiling, wipe bars and flat surfaces, and give the floor a good vacuum.

Your closet will be clean and fresh and ready for the new season.