What is a "homemaker" anymore, anyway? In most cases, you're not keeping house; rather, you're taking care of a little slice of an apartment. Maybe you've got a full bedroom and one-third of a kitchen table, if you're lucky. But, that doesn't mean there aren't useful, applicable tips for keeping your fraction of the American dream running like a well-oiled ship (or at least a ship-shape paddle boat).
We turned to Rachel Cohen, co-founder of the accessible-luxury home line Snowe, to get the 411 on housekeeping. Cohen's top tips — from simply cleaning a mug to (gasp!) actually making your bed — will guide you to domestic bliss.
Let us know in the comments: What's the best home advice you've ever gotten? And who gave it to you?
This month, we're asking you to toss out everything you thought you knew about spring cleaning and give every corner of your life a refresh. The inspiration for a happier, clutter-free you is right this way.
Create conversation clusters.
"Instead of pushing furniture to the edges of a room in hopes of making [the room] look large, group seating in conversation-friendly clusters. Find your room's center point and balance seating around it. If you're lucky, and your room is very large, create two central points and double up on spots to hang."
Photo: Heather Talbert.
Give your liquor a shelf life.
"Not that we expect you to have leftover booze, but...liquor will keep for a long time. Just be sure to stow spirits in a cool place, away from sunlight. If you have a lot left, drink it faster; additional air in the bottle will leach flavor from the liquor."
Photo: Julia Robbs.
Keep your mugs spick-and-span.
"Sadly, caffeine only perks us up for so long — and coffee stains sometimes last much, much longer. Even if you can’t take time to wash dishes before dashing out the door for work, give mugs a quick rinse to prevent blemishes from building up. Too late? Drop an alka-seltzer into your mug and let it sit, so your java can jive in a clean mug again."
Photo: Heather Talbert.
Invest in a (literally) brighter future.
"Bad lighting won't just ruin your Instagram photos; it'll ruin your home. Make sure each room in your home has multiple points of light. Choose lamps and sconces that are the right size for your space, and pick the right hue. Pink-tinged bulbs cast a slightly rosier glow and add extra oomph to your bedroom."
Photo: Julia Robbs.
Hack your kitchen sink.
"If your sink seems perfect for dropping dishes (why did your landlord make it so deep?), soften the blow. Before washing delicate items, line your sink with a towel, so a sudsy slip-up won’t mean the end of your stemware."
Photo: Michelle Drewes.
Wash your pillows — & watch your dryer habits.
"We assume you're washing your sheets every other week, but don’t forget your poor pillows. Toss them into the wash once every three to six months, making sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. When it comes to drying your sheets, stop while you’re ahead. Take sheets out of the dryer when they are just barely damp, and dress your bed. It’ll prevent wrinkles and damage caused by overdrying."
Photo: Winnie Au.
Organize with intent.
"Paper or plastic—how about neither? If you’re stashing linens in the long term, don’t put them in plastic containers or paper boxes as that can lead to yellowing. Instead stow them in the cloth bag that the set comes in, so fabrics can breathe."
Photo: CJ Isaac.
Give your linens new life.
"Drift into dreamland with a DIY sheet spray that makes use of the remnants of your last all-night shindig. Mix one part vodka to three parts water with a drop or two of essential oil, like lavender. Stow in a small spray bottle and spritz until you’re seeing fields in Provence as you snooze."
Photo: Julia Robbs.
Swap out your towels.
"We know you aren’t washing your towel after every shower. But to keep things clean, alternate between two towels — that way each has time to fully dry out before going back into business. Or, at the very least, let your bath sheets hit the shower every three or four days."
Photo: Gunnar Larson.
Welcome your visitors with essentials.
"When you have guests stay over, place a stack of clean towels on their nightstand (or coffee table, if they are sleeping on the couch). That way, even if they tuck in after you, they can still stumble through their bedtime rituals with ease."
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