Nine Reasons Why it is Important to Keep a Clean House

Today's post is a guest post from Stephanie from Training Keepers of the Home.

A clean home should be a priority for all homemakers. In Titus 2:5, women are called to be busy at home. One way to be busy is to maintain a clean home. It is not about perfection, but the heart of the home is the people who live there. Do all that you can with what the Lord has given you.

   

 As a homemaker, it is imperative that your home be clean and organized. However, why is it so important?* 

 *A chaotic house = chaotic life: The world is chaotic enough. Why should your home be crazy? Your home should be your sanctuary where your loved ones can find rest. Be the calm in this world. Let your home be a peaceful tranquil place for your family. Your home should be an oasis in the storm. A dirty, unkempt house is not calm nor very relaxing. It creates a feeling of being out of control. If you have no control of your house and the state of cleanliness, there is no control for your family. 

 *Sickness Control: An unclean house is a breeding ground for germs and viruses that can cause your family to become ill. Maintaining a regular cleaning of your house can dramatically decrease the amount of illness within the four walls of your house. 

 *Save Time: A clean and organized home is an efficient home. In an cluttered or unclean home, time is wasted when spent looking for lost items. Or if items are dirty, time is spent having to clean them up. 

 *Save Money: In an organized home you will not have to replace lost items because you will know exactly where they are. Also, in a clean home items tend to last longer because they are being properly maintained. 

 *Hospitality: If your house is clean, you’re more likely to be hospitable and invite others over. What is more inviting than a clean house, snacks, and great fellowship? 

 * Less Stress, Less Anxiety: It has been proven the clutter, chaos, and the level of cleanliness directly affects your mental state. Keeping your house clean and organized will help to eliminate unnecessary stress and anxiety 

 *Sleep Better: Your family will be able to sleep better because you’re happier in a clean room. Your mind is not being cluttered with anything but rest and a good nights sleep. A feeling of accomplishment will add to a restful nights sleep, too. 

 *Good Stewardship: The Lord has blessed you with a home, whether it be big or small. It is still a blessing. Providing your husband and children with a clean home is a way to demonstrate good stewardship in the Lord’s provisions. 

 *Creativity Abounds: By providing your home with a clean atmosphere and no clutter taking up precious space; your family will have the space to be creative. Creativity thrives in an organized environment.

HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CLEAN YOUR HOME IN 12 STEPS

1. Create a List of Zones

Every room in your home becomes a zone. For example, the bedroom, living room, and kitchen are each a separate zone. A large area, such as a garage or full basement may need to be broken up into two different zones. Write these zones down on a list.

2. Determine Your Cleaning Schedule

Let’s say that you have 12 zones, and plan on doing one zone daily; this would give you 12 days of cleaning. Now you need to determine the time each day that you will be cleaning. Do this when it best fits your schedule.

Be realistic about this and don’t overextend yourself, it is easy to get too gung-ho and think that you can tackle the entire house in one day. This will result in becoming burnt out and not completing your cleaning.

On your calendar and schedule include the following:

• Time of day to clean, ie : 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. spring cleaning in the Master Bedroom
• Days you will be cleaning
• How long per day you will be cleaning (how many hours a day)
• Starting and ending dates

3. Make it Visible

Post your zone list and cleaning schedule in a highly visible place so that it can be seen.

Hiding on the back of your child’s closet door probably won’t work well, but putting in the area where you eat breakfast certainly will.  

4. Prepare Yourself

The thought of cleaning is often overwhelming to many, let alone the thought of actually doing it. As a homemaker, it is our responsibility to ensure that our home remains a haven. In order to have it remain a haven, we must remain motivated to clean our homes. Dirty homes more often than not lead to a chaotic and stressful environment that breeds sickness and lack of sleep. In the long run, a dirty home costs more money and time for your time as well.  

5. Prepare the Cleaning Solvents and Gather the Necessary Tools,

*Stock up on the proper cleaning supplies such as a multipurpose cleaner, window cleaner, vinegar, and so on.

*Keep the solvents and tools close by and in a convenient location so that each day you can just grab them and go.

*Wear an apron with pockets. This has been the biggest time saver for me. Often when cleaning I will see the missing piece to puzzle or game, coins, or other random loss toys and I can just place them in my apron pockets until I am done. Then I can place them in their proper spot. The apron pockets also have ample room for holding tools, a small spray bottle, and a few cleaning rags.

Discover the biggest timewasters for homemakers

6. Don’t Waste Time, Instead Plan Your Route

You are only given so many hours in a day, thus it becomes imperative that you spend them wisely. Don’t fall into the time suck that many do by allowing distractions to cause you to lose your focus, and eventually your momentum, which results in nothing becoming accomplished.

*Instead of becoming distracted, devise your route as to how you will clean each zone.

*Work from top to bottom: Ceiling, lights, walls, fans, to the floor.

*Create your system: Dust, wipe, scrub, rinse, and in some cases dry off with a clean microfiber cloth.
 

7. Declutter

Before you begin cleaning in your designated zone for the day, declutter the zone.

*Pick up visible trash

*Have a trash bag handy to put trash into.

*Go through drawers, boxes, totes, under beds, shelves, and such. Every single major area should have a quick once over.

**This is not the time to go through clothing or file drawers, which is too time intensive for now, but that is covered more in detail in my seasonal chore chart.

If you looking for more tips on how to declutter click on the following links below: Cutting the ClutterHow to Keep a Clean Home

8. Organize

Titus 2:5 calls women to be ‘workers at home.’ We are to be ’employed’ at home. Because we are employed managing our homes, we must not sit idle. In Proverbs 31:27, it states that “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.”

By managing our homes we are bringing order to our homes. By bringing order, it is then that our homes become a place of tranquility and peace. Our children and husbands can relax and feel loved. How do we make our homes tranquil and peaceful?

By establishing routines and schedules our homes become organized and clean. An organized home is uncluttered.

Disorganization tends to breed chaos, which causes stress. Stress then can easily overwhelm us and in many cases almost causes a paralysis of sorts, which prevents us from even attempting to clean or organize our homes.

The central aspect of becoming organized is to put things back in their place.

**Everything should have a home**

Read below on how to become organized:

Stay Organized as a Homemaker

Biblical Homemaking and Organization

9. Pray

*Pray for each zone that you are cleaning it. Pray for peace and love to fill that space.

*Pray for the hearts of the ones that will fill up that room.

*Pray that the Holy Spirit becomes a discerning voice in their life.

*Pray for inspiration as you work along, pray for contentment in what you are doing. Not many may appreciate the hours that you spend on your hands and knees cleaning, but know that the Lord sees your hard work and dedication. You will be blessed.

10. Stay Motivated and Encouraged

It is easy to look at a large or even small house and easily become discouraged at the thought of starting a cleaning routine, let alone completing it. However, below are a few ways to stay motivated as you work along.

*Enlist the help of your children

*Keep the music on

*Open the windows to let that fresh air in

*Listen to an encouraging podcast or sermon as you are working

*Pray as you work along

*Promise yourself a reward when you are done for the day

*Take a picture of your progress as you work along. Compare before and after pictures.

*Realize that you are working for the glory of God and that there is a greater purpose in this.

*You are doing this because you love your family.

11. Visualize the End Product

*This tip is simple because you just have to imagine how clean and fresh your house will be when you are done.

*Having the spring cleaning schedule posted will allow you to see the end date and stay motivated as well.

12. Follow these Tips and Tricks for a Super Clean House

By now you have probably figured out that is not a get ‘er done cleaning list, instead, it focuses on more how to become better organized and prepared for cleaning. Cleaning your home involves your mind, body, and spirit. It can be a tough job, and I am not promising an easy-to-do list, but one that focuses on a good work ethic and logically preparing yourself to look ahead for your household.

"The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit."  Proverbs 14:8

Cleaning Tips and Tricks

*Use natural ingredients whenever possible

*Use multipurpose cleaners

*Eat a hearty and healthy meal prior, one that will sustain you for the task ahead

*Avoid distractions

*This is the time to go a little deeper than your normal daily, weekly, or monthly cleaning chores. For example, pull out the refrigerator and clean behind and underneath it, as well as the washer and dryer. Pull everything out of your cupboards and pantry and clean them thoroughly, too. Move your furniture and clean under them if you never include this in your regular cleaning routine.

*Don’t forget to clean your ceiling lights and fans. Using a ladder remove all the parts and pieces, and the ones that be cleaned immerse in hot soapy water. By the time you are nearing the end of cleaning that particular zone, the fixtures should be clean.

*To clean walls: First take a broom or duster and wipe in a downward motion. Then using a spray bottle of cleaner, spray along the top near the ceiling, and allow to sit for 3-5 minutes. By now the all you need to do wipe down with a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer-type broom.

*To clean mop boards or trim, use the same method, but instead you will be on your hands and knees.

*Wash the windows inside and out as well, this gives the finishing touch to each room.

*Wipe down all wood furniture and polish

*Thoroughly vacuum each cushion on a couch or chair and also inside the couch with the vacuum attachments, too.

*Clean cobwebs out of each corner and hard-to-reach areas with a long-tailed feather duster.

*Use a steam mop if you have access to one in areas with large amounts of tile to save time.

*Hang out blankets, rugs, and pillows for the day. Shake off the winter debris and dust, allowing them to freshen up in the sunshine.

*Clean air vents

*For more tips and inspiration, check out. Cleaning Tips and Helpful Hints

    

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It’s Time to Sew: Patchwork Projects for the Holidays

Today we have a guest contribution post from Sally.

Sewing is an activity that many homemakers find relaxing, healthy and even spiritual in nature. Whether you’re repairing a minor problem with some clothes or you’re focusing fully on a patchwork project to display on the walls of your home, the absorbing nature of the task can be a meditative experience.

It's written in the Letter to the Hebrews that we should "make every effort to live in peace with everyone", and that starts in the home. Not only is the task of sewing a natural way to wind down, framing your creation and placing it on the wall can help give your home a holy, peaceful ambience. There are plenty of ways that your sewing can be customised to fit the religious holiday seasons,

too. In this post, we’ll share some of our favourite ideas.

Lent and Easter

Peace and relaxation is important for any home. In the book of Samuel, David tells his men to meet others with the greeting "peace be to you, and peace be to your house".

For instance, relaxing and calming indoor fountains are a great feature to add to ensure a calm atmosphere, which is essential at any time of the year, but even more important during the holidays when spirituality is key. Easter time is the most important part of the year for many Christian families, and it’s common for homemakers to create Easter baskets and other special displays to create a spiritual atmosphere. But have you considered sewing some special patchworks to display around your home at Easter?

Depicting scenes from those books of the Bible which tell the many stories of Easter, such as the Gospel of Mark, is one option. And if you would like to have a mixture of religious and nature-based works, why not consider designing a quilt or patchwork which celebrates new life? Sites like Etsy are excellent resources for finding designs, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

Christmas

In honor of the story of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus Christ when he was born in Bethlehem, Christians have continued the tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas time.

Patchworks are the ideal gift for many people, as each one is truly unique. And while some family members may not be looking to display designs on their walls at home, there’s no reason why you can’t customise your sewing. If you’re making gifts for children or grandchildren, why not design a beautiful and modern patchwork quilt that they can add to their bed linen box?

If you’re part of a circle of homemakers, why not consider a patchwork exchange for Christmas? Under this system each person makes just one item, and then each person receives another one in return. That way, you can focus fully on just one gift while ensuring that each person receives a thoughtful present they will treasure for a long time to come.

As is written in the book of Luke, "whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'" No matter what time of year it is or what holiday you're celebrating, it is important to live out this principle by creating a calm atmosphere for you, your family and your guests. No matter what you plan to sew, patchwork is the perfect way to achieve this aim.

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3 Christmas Gift Ideas That You Can Make By Hand

Today we have a freelance contribution post by Sally.

Christmas is almost here, and it’s a time of giving, being with family, and remembering the reason why we’re celebrating this occasion—Jesus Christ. Sadly, too many people get caught up in the gift-buying frenzy and are forgetting why we acknowledge Christmas in the first place. While the Bible reminds us to be generous as it reminds us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), we should never forget the true meaning of this special holiday, that the Son of God, was born on Christmas day. As Christians, it is important to celebrate our Savior’s life and the way that He lived by giving meaningful gifts to family and friends, and what can be more meaningful than a present that was made by your own two hands? Here are 3 Christmas gift ideas that you can make by hand.

Quickbread mix in a bottle

It is tradition to give food as a gift to loved ones, and even some of the most notable people in the Bible have been known to give wine, bread, grain, or meat on special occasions. This Christmas, you can give a cake that you baked by yourself, or assemble quickbread mix in a bottle. Just layer 2 cups of flour, a cup of rolled oats, half a cup of sugar, some sugar, baking powder, baking soda, chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts in a bottle or a 1-quart mason jar. Add a label to the bottle for the recipe instructions so the recipient will know how to make the quickbread.

A hand sewn pencil case

This would make a good gift for children and teens. You can make a simple felt pencil case with a button closure or make a Japanese-style patchwork pouch. The latter, which takes a little more time and effort, can also work as a makeup bag which would make a great gift for women. All you need is some fabric squares, ecru cotton lace, and some grosgrain ribbon to make the pouch.

Personalized mugs

This is a gift that you can make with your children to give to grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Get a few white ceramic mugs and some Sharpie markers in different colors. Let your kids draw or write messages on the mugs. Place the mugs in the oven for 30 minutes at 350°F. Leave the mugs inside until the oven cools completely to prevent cracks.

Giving a gift that we made with our own hands this Christmas reminds us of the true meaning of the holiday as we create things for the ones we love. As we give, let us not forget to celebrate Jesus Christ, who is the reason for this holiday season.

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Why Having A Hobby Is Vital For Christian Women

Today we have a lovely freelance contribution post by Sally.

In today’s modern times, many people spend far too much time immersed in technology, and everywhere you look, there’s someone texting or talking on the phone or making social media updates. We’ve become so reliant on our gadgets that we’ve forgotten about having a practical hobby such as sewing, painting, or crafting. Using our hands to create something that’s useful or beautiful is another way to live according to the Bible’s teachings. As the Bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9:10, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” As Solomon says here, whatever we choose to do in this earth, we’ve got to give it our best effort, whether it applies to our work, caring for our children, or engaging in a hobby. Here’s why having a hobby is vital for Christian women.

It gives us the opportunity to glorify God with our hands

If you don’t have something that you’re currently interested in, finding ways to enjoy a new hobby is a good thing to do as being creative gives us the opportunity to glorify God with our hands. Whether it’s hand embroidering lettering and texts like Bible verses or painting a still life of a bowl of fruit, making something good with our hands every now and then enriches our lives. Moreover, we are reminded that God gave us the gift of artistry and imagination and that these gifts should be put to good use in accordance with His will. Try cross stitching or embroidery, or making clothes or pillowcases by hand or sewing machine.

It enables us to make use of our spare time in a way that pleases our Creator

A woman who makes use of her time wisely is one who chooses to live in a Godly way. As we are reminded in Proverbs 31: 10-31, “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands…She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness…” Instead of watching TV or gossiping with the neighbors, a hobby like quilting or woodworking enables us to make use of our spare time in a way that pleases God, as not only are we rejuvenated by our interests, but the things we make can be useful in our home. Start small and try making a birdhouse or a child’s study table, or make a patchwork quilt by hand.

It allows us to enjoy the pleasures of life in a Christian way

God wants us to be happy and to enjoy life while living the Christian way. As it says in Ecclesiastes 3:12, “I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.” Having a hobby allows us to have a good life as rest and recreation are important to have a more enjoyable life.

Having a hobby is vital for Christian women as it makes life a little fuller and gives us another way to glorify our Maker. However, we should take care not to let our hobbies overtake our lives in such a way that we neglect the important things in life. There is a time for everything, so make ample time for recreation but don’t forget to have time for what matters most—work, our loved ones, and God.

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3 Sewing Projects To Keep Your Family Warm This Winter

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Today we have a freelance contribution post by Sally.  Thank you, Sally, for this helpful post!

Homemakers know that being prepared for the winter is the key to a comfortable home when the chill sets in. In Proverbs 30:25, we are reminded that “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food for the summer.” Preparing our homes and ourselves for the winter is always viewed as a practical project, but for the Christian homemaker, getting ready for the cold months ahead can also add to the overall charm of the home. One of the best ways to make sure that everyone stays warm this winter is to take on sewing projects that will keep everyone in your family warm and cozy on snowy days. Here are 3 sewing projects to keep your family warm this winter.

Add leather sleeves to a basic wool jacket

The people in Biblical times often wore wool, linen, animal skins, and leather garments. In fact, the prophet Elijah wore a leather belt as part of his humble attire as we are reminded in 2 Kings 1:8, “They replied, ‘He had a garment of hair and had a leather belt around his waist.’ The king said, ‘That was Elijah the Tishbite.’” This project won’t only keep your family warm, but it also recalls this particular time. You’ll need goatskin hides and a basic wool jacket, and since you’re working with leather, you’ll need to use a sewing machine. Simply sever the sleeves of the jacket, then lay the sleeves down on the hides and trace them before cutting the leather sleeves out with a Stanley knife. Pull the leather through the jacket and sew in place.

DIY draft blocker

In Biblical times, kings would have summer and winter houses so they could enjoy the warm weather in the former and keep warm in the latter as depicted in Jeremiah 36:22. The verse reads, “Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, with a fire burning in the brazier before him.” While most of us only have one house to shelter our family from the elements, we can certainly find a way to make it more pleasant when the bitter cold arrives. To keep your home warm, sew a DIY draft blocker. Sew a piece of fabric to create a long tube, taking care to leave one end open. Fill it with wadding, cotton, or bits of fabric scraps before sewing it shut. Place draft blockers under your doors and windows to prevent the cold air from entering your home.

DIY hand warmers

We use our hands to work, comfort our children, and we lift them up in praise of our Lord. Keep your hands warm this winter with DIY hand warmers. Sew two pieces of fabric together, leaving one end open. Fill with uncooked rice and sew it closed. To use, heat in the microwave for about 5 minutes before handing them over to your family members.

Try any of these simple sewing projects to keep your family warm and cozy this winter.

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How to Use Sewing to Express Your Faith

Today we have a freelance contribution post by Sally.

Have you been looking for a way to express your faith? Do you struggle to focus on prayer and reflection? Many of us already appreciate the importance of having those special quiet times to think about our faith, share our prayers with God and take the time to contemplate the world around us. It is always important to have those times where we are able to consider things in that way, as this is the only way that we are ever going to be able to develop ourselves as Christians. However, many people struggle to simply sit and reflect, and for this reason it is always good to have something to occupy our hands, however idly it may be, while we are thinking. That’s where sewing can become a great addition to these quiet, reflective moments.

Sewing can center your soul
Sewing is much more than just the individual makes and projects we complete. There are many benefits of sewing, from even just helping to calm ourselves down during periods of worry and anxiety. If you struggle to empty your mind and focus on thinking about your faith and prayer, sewing can also become a gift at these times. But we also mustn’t forget that the skill of sewing, is yet another example of the talents God has given us. To be able to make some beautiful items with our hands, or simply by using a humble sewing machine, we are thanking God for the gift of sewing that He has blessed us with. And furthermore, the joy that our sewing can give other people, by the things we’ve created, is another way of spreading His love.

Spread your Christian message
There are so many ways to combine the Christian faith with the gift of sewing. From learning to sew letters to make a display of your favorite quotes from the bible, to sewing figures you could create a depiction of your favorite bible scene. This would give you a great chance to get involved in church life, as your talents would make great gifts, prizes at church fayres, and decorations for around the church.

No matter how new you are to sewing, there is no doubt that it can influence your beliefs and enhance them in a great way. This means that if you haven’t already tried it as a hobby you certainly should, as you will find that it can have a great influence not only on your state of mind, but also on your understanding and acceptance of your faithful beliefs.

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Easy Ways of Turning Your Bathroom into Heaven on Earth

Today we have a guest post by Catherine.

Unfortunately and unfairly, bathrooms are often neglected when it comes to interior design. People usually don’t spend a lot of time there, so they don’t see it as a place that needs to be specially decorated. However, there are tricks you can use to transform your bathroom from dull and drab to bold and beautiful. Take a look!

Mirror, mirror, on the wall

A bathroom is practically unthinkable without mirrors. They not only help you look flawless in the morning, but they also do wonders for your decor, especially if you choose a unique frame or shape. They’re great for small spaces because they have the ability to make them look bigger and more luxurious. And if you choose a full-wall mirror, you can even achieve that spa retreat experience.

 
Bring in the plants

Turning your home into an urban jungle is getting more and more popular and for a good reason. Plants not only provide you with some clean and fresh air but also bring some serious style to any space. Today, greenery can be found in just about every room in the house, including the bathroom. They will make your bathroom always feel fresh and stylish, and contribute to a super relaxing and peaceful atmosphere (just like in heaven). You can go as small or big as you want, from tiny hanging cacti to big and bold Monsteras and bamboo trees.

Bathroom fixtures and furniture

In order for your bathroom to be practical and comfy, it has to have appropriate elements, and the bathtub is probably the most important. If you want to be able to enjoy your heavenly bathroom, then you should consider investing in one of those luxury and comfortable baths that will offer you a one-of-a-kind spa experience. You also need some cabinets to make your space clean and clutter-free. Another beautiful trend right now is putting upholstered designer chairs and tables in the bathroom. Although it’s not the most common sight, it can turn a room that usually feels cold and impersonal into a real sanctuary. This creates a cute little hybrid between a bathroom and a dressing room, perfect for pampering and getting ready for work or going out.

Smart storage space

As mentioned above, a clutter-free bathroom equals a comfortable and beautiful bathroom, so you’ll definitely need enough storage space for all your products and trinkets. Vanities and cabinets are a well-known solution for this problem, but there are also super practical wicker baskets and different decorative chests and boxes. If you have problems storing your beautiful towels, consider getting a storage tower. It can store all of your linen and bathroom necessities while bringing visual interest to a neutral space. All of these smart storage solutions serve a double duty: they keep the bathroom tidy while making it look classy and stylish.

Play with fabrics and textures

When you think of comfort and luxury, you can’t help it but picture something soft and fluffy. Fill up your bathroom with inviting cotton towels, and don’t forget a nice soft floor mat. You can also mask those ugly nylon shower curtains with some colorful canvas or luxurious silk or satin. They will instantly drape your bathroom with glamor and style, turning any space into a lush retreat. But, because these materials are not water resistant, make sure you have sturdy curtain liners that will keep the fabric looking great. Another great way to introduce fabric and texture into your bathroom is wicker and fabric storage boxes. All of these elements will turn your bathroom into a welcoming, luxurious and comfy space.



As you can see, your bathroom doesn’t have to be just functional. It can also be a beautiful and intimate space where you can relax and unwind. All you need to do is be smart with fixtures, get some cute furniture and soon you’ll have a real heavenly retreat.

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Pair Age With Wisdom

Today we have a freelance contribution post by Sally.  She has some tips for those who are getting older.

For the majority of us, home is the place where we feel safest and happiest, particularly as we get older. The prospect of having to leave our home behind in order to live in a safer, cared-for environment, can be heart-breaking. Job 32:7 ponders the notion that with age, comes wisdom, "I thought age should speak, And increased years should teach wisdom”, but we don’t always grow wiser with age.

The wise among us accept that we aren’t as nimble as we used to be and that, even though our own homes are where we want to be, we must make a number of adjustments to protect us from falls and other accidents that can result in hospital care. In the same way, we must allow our relatives to help with these changes, particularly if we choose to live with loved ones as we get older. Wisdom teaches us that the adjustments they want to make to our environment are simply designed to keep us safe and well.

Furniture and Rugs
Whether ageing gracefully in the comfort of your own home or being cared for by relatives, it is your duty to make the necessary adjustments to ensure your home environment is safe and secure. As we get older, rugs become a notorious hazard. We are more prone to tripping over the edges or kinks that develop in the middle. The wise decision is to remove rugs from all rooms and offer them to friends or family, or indeed, just as the Psalm 112:5-9, “It is well with the man who is gracious and lends”, donate them to a local charity.

It’s important to redesign the layout of the furniture in our homes as we get older too. Moving items against the wall, or to a different position where they won’t be blocking our way - inhibiting us from moving around with ease - is one of the best ways of securing our home environments and protecting ourselves or our loved ones from possible accidents.

Lighting
John 12:35-37 reminds us, “Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.” As we get older, our eyes see less than they once did, which means it’s time to brighten up all rooms with the appropriate lighting. It’s a good idea to avoid lighting fixtures with hazardous cables that we might trip over, with the really astute among us investing in light switches that are easy to reach or that can be turned on and off by clapping your hands or by recognizing the sound of your voice.

Lower Level Cabinets
If you have to stand on something or overstretch to reach what you have stored in your cabinets, then it’s wise to lower those cabinets to a more suitable and secure level. Have fun investigating the different options available and the various ways in which you can store everything you need in a home designed to accommodate your ageing lifestyle. Proverbs 17:22 teaches us, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones,” so take the opportunity to see these adjustments as positive changes and rejoice in the happy times yet to come in your home; free and safe to move around as you please.

Bathrooms
In Proverbs 14:16-26, we are reminded that, “The wise are cautious and avoid danger.” Wisdom teaches us that the most dangerous room in the house for ageing home-owners, or ageing relatives who choose to live with loved ones, is the bathroom. Wet floor surfaces are slippery, baths are difficult to get in and out of and the bending required to use toilets can turn even the simplest of tasks into potential risks. Investing in a range of handrails in a variety of positions around the bathroom is a really quick and fairly cheap way of making this room far less precarious.

Extra Help
As is the case in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it will be given to you,” the wisest among us realize that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of our acquired knowledge and an indication of our inner strength, being able to admit that we can’t do everything for ourselves anymore. A home cleaning service will prevent accidents from occurring due to dusty floors or to the accumulation of unsanitary environments. Medical alert systems can make a real difference too, providing much needed medical attention in record time and giving family members the peace and tranquility they need when their ageing relatives live at home and alone.

Whatever your reasons for wanting to remain in your home, it would be foolish to ignore your ageing body and to put yourself at unnecessary risk. Remember, pair age with wisdom and put those wise thoughts into wise action.


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Christian Living and Good Housekeeping

Guest post by Sally

For each one of us, home is the place where we feel comfortable and secure. Women, as the traditional homemakers, work hard to provide an environment that is loving and pleasant. Proverbs 31:27 indicates the role of a woman: “She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” As keeper of the home, you offer a safe sanctuary for loved ones and visitors. It is up to you as the wife to nurture a home that serves as a refuge for your husband, children, family members and friends.

Keep Your Homes Neat

The bible makes several references to keeping your homes neat. Luke 11:25 states, “When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 say, “But all things should be done decently and in order.” A house that is neat is pleasant to live in and will provide its residents with calm, peace and relaxation.

Clean Living Spaces

As a homemaker, keeping your abode tidy is not the only important thing to do. It is also essential to clean living spaces. Matthew 12:44 sums it up, "I will return to my house from which I came. And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order.”

Note that cleaning a home properly means that you do not expose your loved ones to harmful and toxic substances that can affect their health. There are many deadly chemicals released in the air by household cleaning products. You might want to think of natural ways to disinfect and sanitize homes without the use of chemical-based cleaning products. Homemade remedies are easy to prepare, inexpensive, effective and safe. The Bible does not want us to use poisonous things. Psalm 104:14 attests to this, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.”

Organize Your House

Not only does a home need to be neat and clean, it has also to be well-organized. It is easy to find things in a house if it is well-arranged. Habakkuk 2:2 summarizes it, “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” Organizing things reduces stress, saves you time and money, increases productivity and enhances the beauty of homes.

As a great homemaker, you can transform your dwelling into a lovely and cozy place where you can raise a happy and healthy family. In so doing, your calling as the light of the home is explained perfectly in Proverbs 31:10-31: “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.”

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5 Inexpensive Home Refurbishment Projects You Should Try

Guest Post by Ella

Home refurbishment doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. There are some things that can be done for a budget or low price to make some improvements on one's home. A person doesn't have to have a major income or fat budget to do some fixing up with their home. They just need to focus on doing some home improvements that they can afford and go on from there. There are home improvements that don't have to be all about the price tag. They can still be pretty nice upgrades in their own way to one's home.

What are 5 inexpensive home refurbishment projects you should try out? They are:

1. Painting a room or more than one room - Painting is something that always add not only new colour, but is also able to add a new look to any room that it is done in. Painting is one of the cheapest of all home refurbishment projects to tackle. Buying paint can also be a bargain, if a person shops around, and tries to get paint when it goes on sale or has a discount on it. In addition to that, if you work carefully, you don’t need to bother with builders clearance services afterwards.

2. Reface or refinish kitchen cabinets - Another project that doesn't cost a great deal is to make your kitchen cabinets look new and different, all with a little clearance service. This is something that can be done by doing a reface or refinish on them. What refacing of cabinets involves is making sure to leave the actual cabinet boxes in place. The only thing that is replaced are the cabinet doors. Wooden kitchen cabinets can be stripped of their old paint, varnished, and then applying new paint to them.

3. Upgrading some appliances - Another inexpensive in cost home refurbishment project is to upgrade some appliances in your home. These appliances can be in your kitchen or elsewhere in your home. Start off the upgrading process by purchasing just one energy efficient and Energy Star appliance. It doesn't matter if it is a microwave oven, food processor, stove, or anything else. You can sell the old one as part of some junk removal project to make money and gradually work towards your goal to replace all the others.




4.Tiling the bathroom - Tiling a small or moderate sized bathroom is another inexpensive home refurbishment project that can be done. The home owner can search and find discounted tiles to install themselves within the bathroom. The only consideration is that this is rather messy project and will likely require builders waste removal afterwards.

Flower up the entranceway to your home - Another awesome and beautifying type of inexpensive home refurbishment project is to add some attractive planters, nice lighting fixtures for the exterior, a hardwood bench or swing, and to line the walkways with a colourful border of perennial flowers or plants. Consider garden clearance to remove clutter and put the focus on your beautiful features.

Article granted by Ella A. on behalf of: wasteremovalbarnes.co.uk

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Practical Tips for Maintaining Your Garden with a Minimal Budget

Guest Post by Ella

If you really want to have a nice and stunning gardening space without putting excessive efforts into it, then you will need to work on doing more than simply making your curb appeal matter again. Maintenance will be one extremely important part of the job, so you will need to work on doing this on a regular basis. This should take some organizing but in the long run you will need to be aware of the smaller details of the job as well. You can find some really good landscaping companies out there that will give you a way to do this professionally without any damage. What kind of approach would be necessary is up to you, but you won’t have to deal with garden maintenance and lawn care alone.

Working together with a landscaping company should give you an edge you can use if you want to tie things together with greater success. You can do a lot of good that way since you won’t have to possess gardening tools or the knowledge to use them at all. Having a good lawnmower of your own can let you work on lawn care, not to mention with a string trimmer you will have a lot better chances to deal with the finer details of the job. You may not have the time to deal with this, but on the other hand you can work with a reliable landscaping company to make the efforts less of a problem.



If you have stopped your attempts at using complex designs for your landscaping work, then you will have to look toward ways you can use the more simple solutions in a creative way. Landscaping should make your place look even better, but the projects you want to work on will need to be maintained just as much as any other things out there. Look toward small projects you can use to implement into your daily routines and ideas. Gazebos, additional plant spaces around your garden and more will be a good addition. A company would let you see new ways and ideas you can handle this in a more creative way.

Once figure this out you will you should focus on trimming, mowing and more when you work on the gardening areas. Assuming you have the time to work on this you should make it happen on a monthly basis. It should be one simple solution to work on this every so often, as it will allow you to pull things off quite safely and without having to worry about your garden growing out of control when you’re not looking.

To make sure you have done your research into landscaping and gardening you will need to look at multiple companies on the market that offer the services you need. Look for the more specialized type of gardening services if you need them, just make sure you choose a company that has been on the market long enough to make things matter.

Read more gardening related tips on: Gardeners Hillingdon Ltd.

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6 Household Items You Did Not Know You Could Reuse

Guest Post by Ella

Do you have a junk collection that you are planning to throw away? Don't do it just yet. What may seem like an item worthy only for rubbish removal may be reused. There are many household items that you own that have the potential to made into something new, so do not be so fast with that junk removal plan. Hold off the junk disposal for now and first think about what you can use and what you cannot. Use your imagination above everything else – as Einstein said, all imagination is but a future invention.

That old basket that you have sitting around could be a recycling box. It would look nicer than an old plastic container too. It may even be used in the garage to store outdoor toys or garden tools.

Do you have broken dishes? Don't throw them out for waste removal. You could make a pretty craft or a new tabletop with the broken pieces. The mosaic look would be unique and creative!
 

Old toothbrushes can be used to clean those hard to reach places, such as the corners and edges of a bathtub or under a facet.

A vintage suitcase can be reused to make a coffee table or stack a few of them in the corner for decoration. They could be used for storage there too.

Empty tissue boxes can be reused to store plastic bags or to store random items in your desk drawer. They would also make a great trash can for in the car.

Old glass jars and containers can be reused to store craft supplies, buttons, candy, cotton balls, homemade salad dressing or another recipe. They look nice too. The possibilities are endless here. You can store almost anything in glass containers.

There are many other things in your home you can reuse too. Just look around at what you have and see what you can come up with. Don't just throw it out because you think it's already served its purpose. Before you toss something out with the rubbish, research repurposing ideas to see what it could be. It will save you money too.

The imagination can be a powerful force in such events and you should use it and apply it to get the best results. You want to use all the items that would otherwise go for rubbish removal, or at least do some proper waste recycling. The main point is to make sure everything is in use and that nothing will go to the landfill. There it will only pollute and harm the environment – and nobody wants that. So apply the imagination and help the planet while helping yourself.

More helpful and practical tips find at: wasteremovalislington.co.uk


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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spot Cleaning Tips for Carpets

Guest post by Ella

Before you decide you can’t deal with this and you call in a cleaning company to take care of a mess with professional level carpet cleaning, you should first consider the fact that you can handle this alone. The following examples will explain what you can do to make your carpet cleaning easier and safer for the environment as well:

Vinegar

Using vinegar for spot treatment and cleaning for your carpets is one of the most flexible ways you can do this. You can use it by rubbing it on the surface of the stains with a bit of salt added or dissolved into the mix. You can also mix it with borax for an equally good solution. Mix it with cornstarch and you have an excellent, non staining compound that gets the dirt between the fibers of your carpets and helps remove stains. If you need to you can let it stay out for about a day or so before you rub the stain off and vacuum the remains. If you have managed to spill paint, then you will need to use a mix of laundry detergent, water and vinegar to get rid of the paint before it manages to set in and dry off. Rinse it with cold water when you’re done cleaning and you will have no trouble at all, depending on the type of paint of course.

Using shaving cream

Spilling juice or other sugary drinks on your carpets can be a serious issue, especially due to the fact it will make a nasty, sticky mess you need to wash away before it sinks in and becomes worse. There are ways you can solve this and all with a pretty unexpected substance – shaving cream. Just blot the stain right away and follow that up with shaving cream on top of the water. Once you are done with this you will need to allow it to dry off, wiping it with a soft damp cloth.

Making use of cornstarch

To make cleaning easier for ink spots, you will need to make use of cornstarch and milk to make a fine paste. Use that and apply it to the ink stain to lift it. The mix needs to dry off and it will be on the carpet for a few hours and then brush and vacuum the location to free it up. Do that and your carpet cleaning will be much easier to handle overall.

Utilizing salt

You should never panic if you spill red wine on a light carpet. Even though this may look like a strange decision, the truth is you can use it without any issues at all. Clean the spot with cold water and a sponge by blotting it then sprinkle some salt on it and let it stay for about ten minutes. Once that is dry you can vacuum it. If you have greasy food stains on the carpet then you should use salt and rubbing alcohol to get rid of them. Simply rub the mix into the grease stain and that will eliminate it after a while.

Read more cleaning tips at: cleaners-docklands.com

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Please note, I only endorse products that are in alignment with Blessed Homemaking's ideals and I believe would be of value to my readers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------