Summer’s here, time to get chore-ganized. Getting your house in order lets you spend more time time enjoying family and friends – not to mention the quiet times at home. Take things a step further by tapping into your senses, particularly the sense of smell, to also boost the mood throughout your home.
Jordan Reid of Ramshackle Glam (author, blogger and lifestyle expert) has some tips to get the most out of your home in the laundry room and beyond.
Everything has its place. Cut down the clutter and create plenty of open room for sorting and folding. Put all of your laundry-related items on shelves within reaching distance of the washer and dryer. A mounted ironing board is perfect for smaller spaces you can keep it out of the way, yet easily accessible. With clutter-free surfaces, you’ll have plenty of room for an odor neutralizer or light deodorizer to chase away the unsavory smells of dirt and grime-laden clothes inevitable in the summer.
Give your laundry a boost. Infuse your clothes with long-lasting scents that linger in folded laundry for weeks. New Snuggle Scent Boosters, available in Lavender Joy and Blue Iris Bliss, are easy to use. Just toss one of the single pacs in the washer before adding laundry and add detergent like you normally would, with no mess, measuring or spills.
Get chore-ganized. Before heading off to bed, take a few minutes to do basic prep work for the next day: slicing fruit for breakfast, portioning out sandwich meat for lunch, laying out clothes for the next day. Finish up by swiping counters with a fresh fruit-scented cleaning spray for a clean slate in the morning. Taking care of a few chores the night before provides a few extra minutes to spend with the kids or relaxing over coffee before the start of a new day.
Elevating the ambiance at home. Create a relaxing environment with lamps, dimmer switches and candles. Choose light bulbs that mimic natural light (you can buy them at any hardware store). The flickering light of a scented candle can add a touch of ambiance and soothing light. Also consider hanging a pretty fixture in the center of the room and additional smaller lights around the periphery to create a wash of warm, beautiful light and eliminate any dark, shadowy spots.
What are your favorite tips to make your home more inviting and relaxing?