Christmas Tree Storage Solutions 2016
November 30, 2017
Christmas Tree Storage Solutions to Keep Your Tree in Pristine Shape All Year Round
Christmas Tree Storage Solutions for 2016 – just for you! As promised, here’s my second installment of Christmas organizing ideas – namely, Christmas tree storage. Artificial Christmas trees are great for a lot of reasons: they save trees, they don’t shed unsightly needles, you only have to buy one, as opposed to the yearly cost of real trees – and the list goes on. The one downfall of artificial trees is the issue of storage, however.
Fortunately, they usually fold up to make themselves more compact. Some even have multiple pieces, so you can disassemble, but if you have room for storage, why would you want to – especially when you can purchase upright Christmas tree storage bags?
While you may keep the original packaging, over time it gets ragged, shopworn, and dusty from repeatedly removing and replacing the trees. There are better Christmas tree storage solutions and we’ve got them! Whether you desire upright tree storage or a duffle bag style that you can tote around, we have artificial Christmas tree bags in a huge range of styles and sizes for every budget.
Christmas Tree Storage Solutions by Size
1. Greenskeeper Tree Storage Bag – 10-12 Foot
I always wanted a gigantic Christmas tree but alas, my small house can’t accommodate it. For those of you with cathedral ceilings, however, this Greenskeeper Christmas Tree Storage Bag is just for you. Designed for 10-12 foot trees, this super-heavy-duty bag has a sturdy, rectangular frame and padded straps for transporting. Heavy-duty wheels make it mobile and there’s extra room for storing other decorations – especially when storing a shorter tree.
2. Christmas Tree Storage Bag – Up to 10 Foot
Trees up to ten feet tall fit nicely in this bare-bones, zippered denier bag and it’s bargained-priced at under 30 dollars (we’re listing it below in the budget section as well). A mesh window lets you view the tree – just in case you forget where you put it next year ;-), although the bright red color also serves as a great reminder.
Christmas Tree Storage Solutions for Upright Storage
1. Upright Christmas Tree Storage Bag – Up to 7.5 Foot
If you have more vertical space available than shelf space, an upright Christmas Tree Storage Bag might be just the thing for you! Using your own tree stand, this tree storage bag ties around your tree via drawstring closures, making it super-easy to use. It’s made of durable polyester and colored bright red so you’re sure not to lose it ;-). Use it for trees up to 7.5 feet tall.
2. Upright Christmas Tree Storage Bag – 7-9 Foot
For 7- 9-foot Christmas tree storage, this heavy-duty storage bag comes with a dedicated dolly for easy moving. Made of heavy, polyester denier, this sturdy storage bag compresses the tree through it’s smart design, saving you the trouble of disassembly. Next Christmas you’ll be ready to go by simply rolling to it’s display location and undoing the fasteners.
Christmas Tree Storage Solutions for the Budget-Minded
1. Rolling Christmas Tree Storage Bag – 6-7.5 Foot
For the budget-minded, this no-frills carrying bag holds a medium-sized artificial Christmas tree from 6-7.5-feet tall and includes wheels for easy transporting. At under 25 dollars, you really can’t go wrong.
2. Rolling Christmas Tree Storage Bag – 6-9 Foot
A heavy-duty, PVC-reinforced design makes this budget bag a reliable way to store 6-9-foot trees and includes three wheels for easy mobility. At 36 dollars, it provides plenty of secure storage without breaking your bank.
Whether you have big or small tree storage needs, you’re sure to love our selection of duffle bag-style and standing Christmas tree storage solutions. Be sure to also read our Christmas ornament storage post for great ideas on keeping your precious ornaments protected year round. Also check out our holiday storage page at Organize-It for tons of ideas for storing all of your Christmas decor.
10 Tips for Extending the Life of Your Window Treatments
November 26, 2017
Window treatments deliver a terrific mix of fashion and function. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles and help complement the design of any room in your home. Plus, window treatments make it easy to manage light levels, temperature and privacy. And for many homeowners, window treatments have been shown to drive down energy costs as well.
It’s clear that blinds, shades and other window treatments work hard for your home. But without proper maintenance, window treatments can’t perform at their best. Knowing how to take care of your window treatments can help you extend their lifespan.
Here are 10 ways to prolong the life of your window treatments:
1. Sweep Away Dust
With a feather or microfiber duster or cloth, remove dust from faux wood blinds, roller shades and other window treatments. To guarantee the best-possible results when dusting, ensure the window treatments are fully extended and all slats are closed and face in the same direction. Dust lightly in the same direction as the slats; then, turn the slats approximately 90 degrees and dust once again. Finally, tilt the slats so that you can clean the other side.
2. Break Out the Vacuum
Heavy dust sometimes can be tough to remove with a traditional hand duster or cloth. Fortunately, a vacuum can help you remove heavy dust from window treatments. Use the small brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner over shades or blinds and work in the same direction as the slats. Ensure the vacuum suction is on the lowest setting to minimize the risk of twisting or warping.
3. Use a Dryer Sheet
Did you know that a dryer sheet may help you reduce the amount of time that you spend dusting and vacuuming your window treatments? Simply rub window slats with a dryer sheet after cleaning, and you may be able to prevent significant dust build-up.
4. Use Compressed Air
Compressed air may prove to be a fast and effective solution to remove dust from shades and blinds. Of course, you’ll want to keep a close eye on the amount of pressure use on your window treatments—too much pressure could damage them.
5. Perform Spot Cleaning
Spot cleaning with lukewarm water and a soft cloth or moist sponge can help you eliminate stains on shades and blinds. With wood blinds, water may damage their surface, so you should substitute water with lemon oil or a wood preservative for effective spot cleaning. Additionally, avoid abrasive cleaners or chemical solvents, as these products can cause surface damage or discoloration.
6. Bathe Your Blinds
Metal, painted and plastic blinds can be cleaned in the bathtub. Use a combination of water and a few drops of dish soap to remove debris, dust and grime. Next, towel dry each slat from front to back to avoid streaking.
7. Untangle Your Window Cords
Although tangled cords might not always affect the functionality of your blinds, they can be frustrating. Tangled cords can also detract from the overall appearance of your window treatments. If you manage your window treatment cords and hang them straight at all times, you can avoid the hassle of having to untangle them.
8. Keep the Cords Wrapped
Cord cleats are plastic or metal safety devices that allow you to wrap dangling window treatment cords. They are simple to install and enable you to keep cords tangle-free and safely out of reach of children and pets.
9. Whiten Your Window Cords
If your window treatment cords appear worn-down, try washing them with mild soap and water to give them a fresh appearance. Or, in some cases, white shoe polish can be used to cover up faded or stained window cords.
10. Clean Your Windows Carefully
Glass cleaner that is applied directly to a window may splatter on to window treatments and damage their appearance. Instead, spray glass cleaner on to a cloth and use the cloth to clean your windows.
The key to keeping your window treatments in top shape for years to come is making sure they’re clean and tidy. With these tips, your blinds and shades will continue to work hard, saving you energy, maintaining privacy, and adding to the style of your home.
Katie Laird is the Director of Social Marketing for Blinds.com and a passionate home decorator for her family with a love of all things Mid-Century Modern and blue. Discover the wide selection of window blinds on Blinds.com, as well as more tips on how to keep your treatments in great shape.
Organizing with Kitchen Vignettes
November 19, 2017
Organizing your kitchen is one thing. Making a personal statement with organization is another thing entirely.
A deluded prelude to kitchen vignettes
Austerity makes a kitchen counter simple to clean. For two years I kept my counter completely bare. It wasn’t because I embrace a minimalist aesthetic, because I don’t. I just found that relentless smatterings of crumbs were easier to clean without hindrances. But…
A kitchen vignette awakening
The austere look lacked humanity. And style. Plus the melamine counter top of my rental simply didn’t merit 100% of the attention. It simply could not do the style job on its own. It demanded a distraction from its underwhelm. An infusion of personality was the answer, in the form of kitchen vignettes.
Sparking a kitchen vignette
Combine any or all of these elements to spark your counter top vignette:
– cooking, eating, or seasoning implements corralled in some type of container, like a vase or tray
– objects in some type of natural material, like wood or marble
– something unexpected: a portrait, a table lamp, or anything you wouldn’t expect to find in a kitchen
– something living like plants or cut flowers, or convincing fakes
– something that reinforces, punches up, or disrupts your color scheme
– something that is uniquely you, and would never be found in a furniture/lifestyle catalog
– a textile that speaks to you, like linen napkins artfully folded and stacked in a basket, or kitschy vintage print tea towels
– something so tacky it makes you laugh
Kitchen vignette takeaway
Eschew austerity with style. There is no need to settle for mere practicality. Things can be both useful, beautiful, and imbued with the quintessential you.
Meaningful kitchen vignettes = utilitarian objects + materials with integrity + an unexpected element.
This guest post was contributed by the gifted Kelly Ellyn, a lifestyle blogger and singer-songwriter based in the Chicago area. Her mantra for making lifestyle decisions is, “How do you want to feel?” This guiding question steers us towards creating a home life that nurtures, soothes, and stimulates. It’s what humans need. Read more about Kelly’s lifestyle ideas at www.lilymoor.com.