HOME CHECKLIST
No time to clean?
Life can be very hectic (especially with kids), but you can do a lot in a little time, according to the experts from the Maids Home Services.
In 30 seconds, you can:
• Prevent soap scum buildup in your shower with a few quick squirts of daily shower spray.
• Swipe the bathroom counter with a disinfectant wipe.
• Shake out entryway rugs to rid them of excess dirt and minimize tracking it throughout your home.
In two minutes, you can:
• Gather stray clutter into a laundry basket.
• Sweep high-traffic areas, such as the entryway or bathroom floor.
• Spritz the bathroom mirror with glass cleaner and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.
• Make your bed.
Got a whole five minutes? You can:
• Start a load of laundry.
• Wash the bathroom floor.
• Wipe down kitchen countertops.
• Sort through mail and recycle the junk.
All those extra minutes really add up to a clean house. For more tips, click on www.maids.com.
GARDEN CHECKLIST
• Pick up after your fruit trees. Clean up debris and dropped fruit; this cuts down on insects and prevents the spread of brown rot.
• After cleanup, feed fruit trees, including citrus trees, with slow-release fertilizer for better production next year.
• Continue mulching to conserve soil moisture and cut down on weeds.
• To prolong bloom into fall, feed begonias, fuchsias, annuals and container plants. Always water before fertilizing.
• Fertilize fall-blooming perennials, too. Chrysanthemums can be fed until the buds start to open.
• Indoors, start seedlings for fall vegetable planting including cabbage, broccoli, kale and lettuce.
• Sow seeds of perennials in pots for fall planting including yarrow, coneflower and salvia.
• In the garden, direct seed beets, carrots, leaf lettuce and turnips. Plant potatoes.
– Debbie Arrington
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