Audrey Harder

Spring has  finally sprung and it is time to get the fresh air inside and out with the old man winter.

With no need to go to the gym! 

I have10 steps that I like to do to get the work done fast.

1.  Open up the windows and crank up the music. 

2.  I like to  start at the far end of the house and work my way to the door.  Whatever I can not find a place for gets put at the door.

3.  I will dust with a microfiber cloth.  Especially great around T.V's, and other electronic components.

4. I do the windows next.  Using a combination of water and house hold vinegar in a spray bottle.  Using newspaper to wipe the windows reduces streaks.

5. Get the vacuum cleaner and suck it up!   Don't forget to aim your vacuum up and get the corners of  the walls and ceiling.  There's always a spider web or two hiding.

6. I like to have two mops (both with squeeze triggers) with two buckets of  hot water.  One mop and bucket for the walls, the other for the floor.  Then it's on to the next room.

7. Bathrooms are the smallest room in the house, but often takes the longest.  I like to take my shower curtain down and send it through the washing machine.  For  cleaners in the bathroom again I use vinegar and water for the mirrors, taps.  For the tub surround I like to use Method bath tub cleaner, mmmm smells great.  For the toilet bowl it's good old fashioned Pine Sol

8. Once the house it done, and there is a pile of stuff at the front door, I go through that.  If it is in good shape and still usable, I will take it to my local second hand store, M.C.C. in Carmen, Maniotba.

9. Then it's the outside of the house.  I will hose off the siding using the garden hose and an extension car wash brush. and scrub the siding clean.

10. Finally the outside of the windows.  More water and vinegar.

You will stand back with pride and the fresh smell of spring has been welcomed into you home,

Have a fantastic summer, you deserve it!

A combination of Christmas outings, winter vacations and short days can make your home a target for thieves.

I should know it happened to me a few years ago and it was three days before Christmas.

We were out in Winkler at Christmas concert when I got the news.

Luckily I had friends that were arriving at my place to stay the night & they had keys.

The snow on the floor hadn't melted yet, we figure my guests spooked them.  It was along drive back to Winnipeg to assess the damage.

Here are five simple things you can do,so this doesn't happen to you:

1. Don't advertise or boast on social media about your upcoming party,or travel plans & do not post photos while on your vacation.  You  maybe excited about your party or vacation, be aware of those looking for opportunity.

2.  If your leaving the house during the day, coming home at night, leave a light in different rooms, it will look like some one is home. 

3.  Invest in light timers.  They are reasonably priced & easy to use.  Very handy for extended time away from home, whether it is for a weekend or several days.  Again, use them in different rooms of the house, and set them to turn off and on at various times, just as if someone was home.  Use them on your T.V. as well.

4..If you can leave a vehicle in the driveway.  If you have two vehicles leave one outside, again giving the perception of someone is home.

5. If you are going to be away for an extended time, get a friend, family member or neighbor to keep an eye on you home.  Pick up any mail that has come, go into the house and make sure nothing has happened (busted pipe, leaking hot water tank).  Also, if it has snowed while you were away, seeing tracks up and down the drive will make it look as if someone is there.

I hope this helps and gives you  a few more tools to help you keep your home safe over the holidays.

If you can think of anymore, email them to me.

Have a very Happy Holiday Season.