Top 5 Spring Cleaning Tips

It's spring cleaning time!


Time to expose every corner, tackle every speck of dust, wash surfaces you haven't touched in months, and declutter your home, life and mind.

Easier said than done? You aren't alone. The good news is there are a few steps you can stick to that will help the chore become less burdensome, enjoyable even, freeing up space in your heart, home and mind to tackle those goals you've been meaning to get a jump start on.

Here are some things to remember:

STEP 1: CREATE AN ACTION PLAN AND STICK TO IT!
Rome wasn't built in a day, and thinking you can completely overhaul your home in one afternoon may be a tad bit ambitious. However, making lists of what you hope to accomplish and spreading it out over a long weekend can help you keep things under control and take breaks in between. Get the whole family on board and assign tasks to each member of the household. Remember, many hands makes light work.

STEP 2: HAVE SUPPLIES ON HAND!
Take a quick inventory of the cleaning supplies you have on hand, and what you'll need to pick up. There are plenty of green options for cleaning solutions on the market (and do-it-yourself solutions) that are safe for children and pets, and clean just as well as the toxic stuff. In addition to your cleaning products, consider purchasing plastic bins, closet organizers and other storage solutions for easy decluttering.

STEP 3:  DECLUTTER FIRST
Analyze each room of your home and think about the items you really 'need' versus the ones that are just there for 'memories' or because you've always thought it would come in handy at some point in the future. Items others would get better use out of should be donated, while the remaining items could perhaps be better organized. This is where the organizational supplies from Step 2 comes in handy. Extend the decluttering to your pantry. Retailers and restaurants follow the 'First in First Out' rule, meaning new groceries should always be stored at the back of the cupboard so the ones that expire first are used first.  This makes sense for cleaning house, and also helps with meal planning for a busy family as you'll have a better knowledge of your inventory of ingredients.

STEP 4:  WORK YOUR WAY DOWN
Start on the upper level of your home and work your way to the lower levels, leaving the basement to last. As you clean, you'll likely stir up dust and debris that will eventually re-settle, so to cover better ground and avoid messing up areas that have already been cleaned, work your way downwards. Start with bedroom closets and bathroom cupboards, then move on to principle rooms. Expect to spend a large portion of your cleaning schedule in the kitchen and home office.

STEP 5: FOCUS ON HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS & USE SHORT CUTS
Don't want to clean the entire carpet? Use a spot cleaner to touch up high-traffic areas only. Use multipurpose cleaners to limit the number of different bottles you're carting around from room to room, or implement tools that work double duty, such as clothes steamers to clean curtains and remove wrinkles without having to take the curtains off the windows. Clean smarter, not necessarily harder to achieve efficient results.

And the very best advice of all would be to not put it off. Before you know it, summer will be in full swing and it will be much easier to lean towards cottage getaways over chores any day!

Looking for more information about getting in the swing of spring cleaning, need downloadable checklists or other advice about homeownership? Don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help in any way we can!

Happy Cleaning!

- The Stuart Sinclair Team
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
info@thestuartsinclairteam.com 

Goodbye wood panelling and low ceilings... the evolution of the finished basement

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to optimize a home’s “footprint” is to extend its living space to the lower level. Finished basements may be nothing new, but they sure have come a long way. There was a time (not THAT long ago) that having comfortable living space on the lower level of a home was uncommon. And even when the trend started growing, it was often something that families saved up for over a few years and gave a lot of thought to before actually completing. Most of us remember the “finished” basements of our youth – wood (or fake wood) panelled walls, low ceilings, not-so-great lighting, and so on. They may have served their purpose for our pool tables or messy teenage bedrooms, but we never forgot that we were in the basement.

Today's finished lower levels have come a long way, to the point where they don't even feel like 'basements' at all. They’re simply extensions of the main living areas above, with higher ceilings, plenty of natural light and the same level of comfort as the rest of the home. When done right, basement renovations can add value to a home, freshen up the whole feel of the property, yield extra space for living and storage, or can even add opportunity for rental income into the mix.

As our readers know, we always love sharing details about new properties that hit the market in Caledon. This latest one we're marketing at the Stuart Sinclair Team is a real gem... excellent part of town, huge lot, great curb appeal, modern design, and YES!!!....a beautifully renovated basement!

86 Ellwood Drive West in Bolton is an absolutely lovely 3-bedroom home makes a lasting impression from the moment you lay eyes on it. It features plenty of natural light, hardwood flooring, beautifully updated bathrooms, plus a spacious kitchen with breakfast area for mornings on the run. The backyard is large and offers incredible privacy; an excellent space for relaxing or entertaining.

The lower level of the property, however, is the real showstopper! It has been immaculately finished with a bedroom, bathroom, gas fireplace, and lots of pot lights, meaning it doesn’t feel at all like you are in a basement. Complete with separate entrance, this space could make a perfect nanny or in-law suite, or would be great for family movie nights, kids sleepovers, or just as extra space when accommodating out-of-town guests. High ceilings, pot lights galore, and a streamlined modern design that helps it to blend beautifully as an extension to the rest of the home. To find out more about 86 Ellwood Drive West, click here.

If you or someone you know might be interested in this Bolton home and would like to arrange a showing, please don't hesitate to contact us. Even if you aren't thinking of selling or buying in the immediate future, we're always here to help when it comes to your homeownership needs. Do you have a finished basement that needs some work? Thinking of taking the plunge with an overhaul of an unfinished lower level? Need information on retrofitting a finished basement into a legal rental unit? Don't hesitate to contact us. We've got plenty of advice on all these topics and more, and we're happy to answer any questions you have.

All the best!

The Stuart Sinclair Team
www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com
info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

Caledon says goodbye to smoking in public spaces

Peel residents, Caledon included, can now breathe a deep breath of fresh air in light of a new by-law that came into effect just yesterday. The new Peel Outdoor Smoking By-law now makes it illegal to smoke within nine metres of any municipally-owned building or public area.

We all know that smoking is bad for our health, but the effects of second-hand smoke from tobacco products can be equally detrimental, especially for children whose lungs are immature, often leading to asthma, ear infections and bronchitis.

Now residents will be able to enjoy outdoor activities, community centres, libraries and playgrounds without having to worry about the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

This is one positive step towards a healthier and environmentally friendly Caledon, and something that residents (smokers and non-smokers alike) should be proud of.

In the past 10 years, the rate of smoking has declined with advanced awareness of the negative health impact as well as several other by-laws that have eliminated smoking in restaurants, covered patios, and other public places, and the hope is that this new legislation will also help Peel residents finally butt-out! It is estimated that approximately 15% of Peel residents are smokers.

The strain smoking puts on the healthcare system in our communities is also significant, with nearly 700 deaths and over 3000 smoking-related hospitalizations annually.

In addition to the bylaw’s aim of limiting residents’ exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke and relieving some of that strain, it also hopes to reduce litter and encourage smokers to kick the habit.

The by-law is being enforced in full effect with the potential for fines of up to $5000 for those who choose not to comply.

This is a fantastic step towards a healthier and more environmentally conscious Caledon. Here at the StuartSinclair Team, we are proud to be residents of this closely-knit, socially responsible and now smoke-free community!

All the best for a healthy week!

The Stuart Sinclair Team

http://www.TheStuartSinclairTeam.com

info@TheStuartSinclairTeam.com