• Christmas tree – The box your artificial tree came in seems like the most logical storage box, but repacking your tree in that box will seem like an impossible task. You’ll have to smash and bend all the branches in order to squeeze the tree back inside it. Also, the cardboard box can deteriorate if subjected to moisture and could also be prone to insect infestation. Instead of using the Christmas tree box, try a Christmas tree bag or a commercially available plastic Christmas tree storage box.
• Christmas lights – Get rid of the tangled mess of light strands you deal with every year. Dispose of any strands of lights that no longer work properly. Then, roll each good strand of lights into a ball and place each ball in a separate plastic bag or empty coffee can. Another option is to wrap each strand of lights around an empty wrapping paper roll or a sturdy piece of cardboard. Then place all of the bags, cans or wrapping paper rolls together in a plastic storage container to prevent moisture damage.
• Decorations that you’ll have to reassemble next year – Before taking down decorations that you had to assemble, take pictures of them the way you set them up so you can remember how to do it next year. Then take everything down in the reverse order of the way you set it all up.
• Christmas candles – Wrap each candle in an old sock, tissue paper or a plastic shopping bag to prevent scratching. Be sure to store away from heat sources such as an attic where heat could melt the candles.
• Holiday wreaths – Most department and home stores sell Christmas wreath storage boxes of various sizes. However, boot boxes often work well for small and medium-sized wreaths. Just remember, whatever you use to store your wreaths must be able to maintain the shape of the wreath until next year.
• Christmas ornaments – Many ornaments come in individual boxes that work well for repacking and storage until next year. Try using other small boxes for homemade ornaments or wrap them in tissue paper and store in a larger box. For small ornaments, use an egg carton.
• Holiday linens – Store each Christmas linen in an individual Zip Lock bag if possible, and then put all of them in a plastic storage container together to prevent moisture damage. Or you might consider dedicating the top shelf of your linen closet to holiday linens, towels, blankets, pillows etc. Place a few dryer sheets in between your items to keep them smelling fresh until next year.
• Label the storage boxes – Tape a detailed list of what is inside each box to the outside of the box so you can quickly determine what is inside when it is time to decorate next year. Clearly number the boxes so you know how many you have (for example, Box 2 of 9). Use the number order to identify which boxes should be unpacked first next winter. Box 1 should be prominently labeled and contain all the things you’ll need at the beginning of the holiday season like your advent calendar and the holiday greeting cards that you’ll be sending to family and friends if you bought them on clearance this year.

With a little planning and effort, you can organize and store your holiday decorations in an efficient manner that will be easy to find and display next year.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: Christmas, holiday decorations, holiday storage, holiday tips, storage tips, tips

Nobody loves to do laundry, but we all have to do it. The House Plan Shop recommends these six laundering tips for your next load saving you time and money. We’ve even include a few tips to help keep laundry chores a little more earth-friendly.

1.    Clip coupons – It is easy to find discounts on laundry detergent, stain removers and dryer sheets in the weekly coupon circulars. Check out the website of your favorite detergent company for online coupons.

2.    Stop over-laundering – Your clothes only need to be cleaned when they look, feel or smell dirty. Get double use out of your clothes before you wash them. Air out barely worn garments on a hanger and then return them to your closet for another wear. Homeowners across Brooklyn, New York would do anything and everything to keep their property in pristine condition. Unfortunately, a lot of people do not have access to a H&A Power Washing Brooklyn Service | Brooklyn Pressure Wash & Window Cleaning and this makes things much more difficult.

3.    Measure detergent – Most laundry detergent companies have begun using highly-concentrated formulas for regular and high-efficiency detergents so you may need less detergent than you are used to using. Read the label and carefully measure the detergent for your next load of clothes. Not only does using too much detergent per load waste money, but all the extra detergent leaves a residue on your clothes and washing machine.

4.    Use cold water – When it comes to energy use, most of the energy consumed in laundering is used to heat the water. Many leading detergent companies now produce a cold water formula that does not require the use of hot or warm water for washing. Heavily soiled items as well as bedding and clothing used when sick often require hot or warm water for washing, but they can always be rinsed in cold water. Are you looking for a great washing machines bargain? Then check out today’s top deals below. Or to read our guide and tips on buying washing machines, please click here.

5.    Select a shorter wash cycle – Slightly soiled garments will only require a short wash cycle to get them clean. This uses less energy and water resulting in lower utility bills.

6.    Do not over-dry – Consider air-drying dark colored clothes. This keeps them looking vibrant, preserves elasticity in stretchy clothes and cuts energy costs. When you use the dryer, use automated settings. Today’s machines have sensors that eliminate over-drying, which can cause garments to shrink and cloth fibers to become brittle.

From clipping coupons to washing in cold water and air drying your laundry, these helpful laundering tips are sure to help save time, money and energy. If you believe that your washer and dryer are not performing make sure you get a washer and dryer repair.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: energy efficiency, laundry tips, money saving tips, tips

If you are in the process of building a new home, chances are, you are thinking about how you plan to decorate the interior. Here is a quick decorating tip for you. If you’d like to unify two adjoining rooms, like the living and dining rooms for example, do it with color. Using the same color in different ways within each room will tie them together. They will be cohesive spaces, yet still very distinct. Consider this example:

Choose a neutral color for the dining room walls such as Sherwin Williams’ Kilim Beige. Carry this color scheme through the room using another shade of beige for the upholstery of the dining room chairs and perhaps an area rug. In the adjoining living room, select a completely different color for the walls such as Sherwin Williams’ Baize Green or Surprise Amber. Then, accent the living room walls with draperies of beige similar to the wall color in the dining room. Add a few other beige accents in the living room like window shades or throw pillows on the couch. Finally, finish off both rooms with dark wood furniture further uniting both spaces.

From more information about interior decorating, visit The House Plan Shop’s resource page.

This article brought to you by The HousePlanShop, LLC, the home of the best selling house plans from the best designers!

Tags: color, Home Decorating, interior decorating, tips