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Know how it spreads There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. Everyone Should hands wash icon Wash your hands often Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. people arrows icon Avoid close contact Avoid close contact with people who are sick Put distance between yourself and other people. Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus. Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick. head side mask icon Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance. The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected. Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing. box tissue icon Cover coughs and sneezes If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. cleaning icon Clean and disinfect Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work. Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

To clean your home is to free it from dirt, pollutants and other elements. Not only that, but cleaning can also translate into organization and proper storage of your possessions and eliminate your home’s clutter. Either way you look at it, cleaning is an important task and, although not the most fun, it can be simplified with a few tips, tricks and a little knowhow.

Roll With It

When storing clothes, roll them instead of folding. This not only prevents fold lines, but also results in your clothing taking up less space. What does this mean for you? Quite simply, you can maximize your storage space and still keep your clothes free of creases.

Stain Removal

If you want to remove stains from countertops, appliances, flooring or other surfaces, consider using baking soda or a vinegar/water combination. Either one of these is less harsh than typical cleaning products and still provides a quick fix for most of your stain removal needs. You may also consider anti-bacterial liquid soap and water for cleaning some surfaces. It’s important to note that you should never submerge any electrical appliance into water. Instead, spot clean it with a cloth.

Categorize & Organize

Before starting to clean, create categories for your clutter. By separating your items by intent, such as keep, donate and discard, you will be able to move through your cleanup quickly and efficiently.

Getting Rid Of Dust

When you clean, you are likely to stir up a little dust here and there. Regardless of how much or how often you clean, dust is a part of life and it’s bound to find its way into a few corners. If you want to reduce the presence of dust in your home, try using a portable air cleaner in the room where you are cleaning.

Cut It Out

Instead of simply tossing out your old bills or credit card offers, shred them with a cross-cut or confetti-cut paper shredder. This will prevent any unscrupulous crook from sifting through your garbage and discovering personal financial information. If you don’t own a paper shredder and don’t have the extra money in your budget to purchase one, simply use a pair of scissors and cut anything with your name, address, social security number or banking information into small unreadable pieces.

Plastic Please . . .

Cleaning leads to tossing those unwanted items away, which means you may have a need for a lot of garbage bags. You can use the plastic bags from your local grocer to line your small wastebaskets. The handles make them easy to retrieve, tie and discard. The next time you are asked if you want paper or plastic, say plastic please.

When you are planning to sell your home, a bathroom remodel may be one of the best places to increase your home’s value. Depending on the existing condition as well as the style and age of your home, here are a few things to consider before tearing out that sink!

Does The Bathroom Age The House?

It could be a black toilet or avocado tiles, but if your answer to this is yes, then a bathroom remodel can really make a difference. Prospective buyers will look at this space as a liability rather than a feature, and this can decrease the value of your home. It may also scare away buyers who are looking for a home that is in move-in condition. The trick is to keep the remodel modern, but timeless. The white toilet will likely always be in style, and tiles made of natural or neutral materials will keep the space fresh.

Do The Features Match The Price?

Depending on the location of your home and the value of the property itself, it is important to match the features of the bathroom to the rest of the home in order to get the most value out of a remodel. Large homes with big price tags benefit from the bells and whistles of a master suite with a whirlpool tub, but you will likely not get your money back for this kind of remodel in a smaller home that attracts first-time buyers or those looking to down-size.

Does The Design Match The Home?

While you may love the look of the minimalist bathroom, if you own a colonial home in a historic neighborhood, making this decision could cost you in the long term. While you can get creative in designing a new space, keeping the style of the bathroom remodel in the same overall style of the house will make potential buyers more likely to appreciate the investment you have put into the property.

Ultimately whenever making a decision to remodel a room in your home, the change has to work for you and your family. Though you may not get back the investment of installing that overflow hydrotherapy tub, if it is what you want then go for it! Balancing these tips with your personal taste and needs can make any remodel a more pleasant experience.