Next time a drain gets plugged up, here is the most effective way to use a plunger. First, be sure there is only enough water in the sink or tub to cover the bottom of the plunger. If it's the toilet  this is less of an issue. You might want to put petroleum jelly on the rim of the plunger for a better seal. Next, pump the plunger 15 to 20 times. This increases the pressure on the clog. Finally, if water starts to triggle down, get some boiling water and let it go down the drain and then start pumping again. Hopefully, that will do it. If not, try boiling water with baking soda and vinegar. More details next week.

This advice is from Good as New by Jeff Campbell, a book full of great tips

Here are the final three areas (first four listed above):

5. Baseboards
Baseboards are a part of the room that nearly every homeowner overlooks. Although they're usually white, many still allow them to eventually turn a murky grain from a buildup of dirt, dust, and debris. 
 
Take the time, at least once a month, and before you sweep, vacuum, or mop, go around with a damp cloth and clean these. It shouldn't take more than a wipe, but you should avoid coming into contact with  the walls themselves. 

6. Windows
Your windows matter! You should put in the work to ensure they look as good as they can. Vinegar diluted in water in a spray bottle and newspaper for drying are a good team for getting your windows up to speed. Be sure to wipe down the window frames as well.

7. Bedding
The average person doesn't replace or wash their bedding nearly as often as they should. Of course, you should wash your sheets twice a month at the least, but you should be washing your comforter or duvet at least once every other month. Skin cells, sweat, oil, and grime eventually build up on these surfaces, and cleaning them can ensure they last longer and look better while they do.

--Whether you're cleaning your home to sell or you're just getting your spring cleaning done: it's important to work in these portions of your home more than any other. This set will leave your property feeling and looking brand new!

Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the real estate industry. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.
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Going down the list:

Laundry Room

Laundry rooms may not be an obvious space that needs to be cleaned, but over time link dust gathers, gunk from stains and dirty clothes, dripped laundry detergent, dirty shoes, and more all add up into a space that needs to be scrubbed down. 
 
At least once every six months, it's a good idea to pull your washer and dryer away from the walls. being careful not to disconnect them, and sweep behind them to gather any extra debris. This will lower your home's risk of fires and will keep the space neat and clean.
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Exterior of Home

The exterior of your home needs to be cleaned too! Beyond classic lawn work, it's a good idea to take steps to research how to clean other parts of your home’s exterior. This could mean googling things like 'how to remove oil stains for driveways' or checking out tutorials for removing pollen from your fiber cement siding. 
 
Usually, a power washer can do the work for you on many jobs, the strong stream of water breaking loose and dirt or grime, but there are plenty of other options that can help get the exterior of your property as clean as the interior. 

Written by Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the real estate industry. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.

Here is another series of blog posts by guest blogger Andrea Erickson.

Our homes are our escapes from the rest of the world, giving us a wonderful space to get away and enjoy spending time with family and loved ones. But unfortunately, spending so much time in an area leads to endless grime and dirt that can be difficult to keep up with.

If you're scrubbing your home down and not sure where to start, pay attention to these areas:

1. Kitchen

Although we all love our kitchens, they're unfortunately the fastest room to get dirty and the most difficult to get completely clean. So when deep cleaning your home, special attention should be paid to areas in the kitchen like the space between your cabinets and appliances, underneath your cabinets, in corners, and on your walls themselves.

Be sure to disinfect as you go, doing more than just picking up visible debris. Start at one spot and make a circuit around the room. Work from the top to the bottom of the room, double-checking spots as you go so that you don't create more work for yourself! If you have a junk drawer, now's a good time to spring clean it and give it an organizational kick.

2. Bathrooms

Bathrooms are one of the dirtiest spaces for very obvious reasons. start Pay special attention to those areas that commonly don’t get attention: the floor tile behind the toilet, the area behind the sink faucet and handles, and the grout in the shower stall if you have that there.Your shower curtain should be washed every other month at the very least, and your bathroom rugs should be washed at least once a month.

Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the real estate industry. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.

Here are decluttering suggestions from a very creative website. Great ideas for making your fridge more content-manageable!
www.apartmenttherapy.com/decluttering-project-worth-it-37052556

With the warmer weather, one issue that starts showing up is flies in the house. Here is a great article on the problem of flies and how to get rid of them. It has lots of solutions to the problem. A one-stop resource!

howigetridof.com/how-are-flies-getting-in-my-house/

Here is the third in the series. 

Windows That Can Handle Washing
 
Everyone knows that the main reason a power bill goes up in the winter is that there's generally a weak point in your windows or doors. Leaky windows are something that invites insect life and moisture into your home and is usually old enough that they're difficult to keep clean.
 
If you're noticing your energy bills have skyrocketed, and there's no way you can keep up with the insect life or mold that's suddenly in your home: it's time to replace your windows. Find window replacement inserts that match your home's style, and you'll give your property a fresh look while also keeping it clean and energy-efficient.

Tiled Bathrooms with Less Grout

Tile and bathrooms go together perfectly, but grout is hard to clean. When tiling your bathroom, remember that you can have grout lines as small as 1/16". This allows the grout to reach all the way to the bottom but is also thin enough so that you don't have to worry about a lot of grout discoloration over time. Larger tiles with more delicate grout lines can make a bathroom feel more spacious while staying clean and good-looking.
 
Ensure that whatever tile you get is slip-resistant and safe for use in a bathroom to ensure nobody falls or is injured.

Siding That Can Be Pressure Washed

Pressure washing is the best-kept secret to any home's exterior and ensures that your home looks brand new for years on end. Steel siding can stand up well against a yearly pressure washing and also allows you to paint it whenever you want a completely new look. Not only does this type of siding protect your home from moisture, temperature fluctuations, and insect life, when you pressure wash it, steel siding looks fresh and untouched.
 
The average pressure washer is less than a hundred dollars to rent for a day and will give you a chance to clean your home's exterior just once a year after pollen season passes through the area.

Updates Are a Chance to Make a Property Less Work
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Although the main goal of any update is to ensure you can create a property with more value and visual appeal: it should also be to create a home that's more comfortable to live in. Save yourself a lot of time and work, and make a property that's easy to clean and easier to love living in.
 
Andrea Erickson is a contributor to Innovative Building Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the real estate industry. Andrea is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.

Here is the second in a series explaining how to think about remodeling projects in terms of the ease of regular cleaning after installation. Thanks to guest blogger, Andrea Erickson of Innovative Building Materials, innovativebuildingmaterials.com.
 
Sealed Wood Surfaces
 
Sealed wood surfaces are a great way to keep up a polished and natural look in your home. You can pick any color or type of wood you want, whatever stain inspires you, and then seal it in so it lasts as long as possible.
 
In the spaces where you want gorgeous wood, find the best interior wood stain and sealer you can afford, and invest in this. This awesome wood protector will keep your wood surfaces dirty and grime-free while also giving you the chance to enjoy the beautiful home interior of your dreams.

Garage Floors That Repel Stains

Most garage floors have stains due to a vehicle leaking or something spilling. Unfortunately, this ruins the pristine and gorgeous look they usually have. To fix this, you can either use a liquid and stain repellent paint, or you can seal your concrete, so it doesn't have any chance of absorbing anything that spills or drips.
 
This will make your garage look fresh and new for longer and will allow you to increase the number of ways you use your garage since you won't have to worry about your things getting dirty or stained while they're in there.

Becoming a senior introduces a person to a whole new set of concerns. Here is a fabulous listing for seniors that brings together resources in the important areas of health and housing. A great aid in planning.

www.senioradvice.com/home-healthcare/minnesota