10 Domestic Habits We’ve All Mastered

When young adults live on their own for the first time there’s a lot to learn. How much laundry detergent do I use? How often should I wash my curtains? How do I setup utilities? By the time most people are thirty and have lived on their own for several years they have mastered many domestic skills! How many on this list have you mastered? Would you add anything to this list?

1. How to prep and paint walls
2. Keeping basic kitchen items stocked
3. Keeping your home tidy and neat enough in case guests pop in
4. Having a well-stocked cabinet of cleaning supplies
5. How to host a get together (with enough food and drink for guests)
6. How to setup utilities and manage bills
7. The right way to paint, stain or refinish furniture
8. How to make your décor match
9. Making food in multiple servings
10. How to use basic tools (a hammer, screwdriver, power drill etc.)
11. The proper way to iron a shirt
12. How to remove a stain from any material

Tips for Cleaning Your Dishwasher

It doesn’t take long for soap scum, leftover food and other debris to build up on the inside of your dishwasher. Chances are it doesn’t get cleaned as often as it should. Next time you’re cleaning your apartment or house make sure to add the dishwasher to your “to do” list and follow these tips.

1. Mark it on your calendar to clean your dishwasher once a month.
2. Check the drain first to make sure there is no food caught which would hurt your dishwasher’s cleaning efficiency.
3. Put white vinegar in a dishwasher safe cup and put it on the top rack. Run the dishwasher with a hot water cycle with the vinegar cup inside.
4. When the cycle is done, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run another quick hot water cycle. This will remove any discoloration.
5. Check the edges of the dishwasher where the door closes. Use a sponge to clean up any additional gunk or grime that remains.

10 Homemade Valentine Gift Ideas

You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your Valentine. Instead, try making something yourself! A DIY gift is guaranteed to be cherished much more than the typical flowers and chocolates! Try one of these great ideas this Sunday.

1. Make your own photo scrapbook or album
2. Bake a batch of heart-shaped cookies
3. Make a mix CD or playlist
4. Knit a blanket or a scarf to keep them warm
5. Cook a delicious 3 course meal
6. Serve your Valentine breakfast in bed
7. Write a poem
8. Draw a picture (this one is perfect for the kids to give mom or dad)
9. Make a homemade coupon book for your valentine to redeem house chores
10. Write a list of 100 reasons why they’re you’re Valentine