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8 in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A pr il 12 ,2 01 8 | A d verto ria l Tricks to make cleaning faster and easier Get a jump on your spring-cleaning with some tips that'll leave every corner in your home spotless in no time. M a k e it p a rt o f your routine If you wait to clean and tidy up once a week, a month or even a season, you're set­ ting yourself up for a long, heavy chore. Instead, try incorporating easy tasks like wiping the kitchen counters, straightening out the living room and freshening up your bed with linen spray into your daily schedule and you'll have a much easier and quicker time of it when you deep clean. Choose app liances th a t ta c k le d irty w o rk You may already have a self-cleaning oven or laundry machine, but that self-cleaning magic is more valuable than ever when you can have it in the bathroom. The new Vor- Max Plus self-cleaning toilet from American Standard is a huge time-saver that cleans and freshens your toilet every time you flush. S e t tidying up on au top ilo t It's a lot easier to clean when you have a system that keeps your house clean. Keep your mud room area in top shape by encour­ aging everyone to sort their coats, shoes and mitts as soon as they set foot in the door with designated hangers and pretty storage boxes. Eliminate unattractive packaging and clut­ ter in the bathroom and kitchen with mason jars and decorative canisters for your toilet­ ries and dried goods. H ave item s w o rk double duty Get creative and think outside the box to find things that can do some of the cleaning for you. For example, your dishwasher can do much more than just clean your plates, pots and pans. Load it up with plastic toys, light fixtures and toothbrush holders and have it run while you work on everything else. Using dryer sheets to prevent musty odours in clothing storage boxes, linen clos­ ets and shoes means you won't have to do extra cleaning or laundry just to get rid of un­ wanted smells. Add s o m e inspiration Sometimes tasks feel like they take forev­ er simply because they're dull and repetitive. Time flies by when you're entertained, so listen to a podcast or stream re-runs of your favourite show in the background for clean­ ing that seem s speedier. You can also use the time more efficiently by multitasking and squeezing in a workout while you clean. Make every step count with a fitness track­ er and throw in a few exercises like pushups or squats every time you switch rooms and easily meet your daily physical activity goals. (NC) Know how much deposit you should pay for renovations Whether you're remodelling your entire kitchen or adding in a new deck for summer, you want to make sure your project is done well and by the appropriate professional. Some contractors will charge an advance payment or deposit for their work, but how much is reasonable? For small projects that will be completed quickly, professional contractors may not re­ quire a deposit or pre-payment at all. Their contract or work order may simply specify payment in full on completion of the work. If they do ask for a deposit, it should not exceed 10 to 15 per cent of the estimated total cost of the job. For larger projects and those where the work will take place over weeks or months rather than days, a similar 10 or 15 per cent deposit is normal. For these projects, the contract will likely lay out a payment sched­ ule that links installments with specific con­ struction milestones. For example, if an addi­ tion is being built, a progress payment might be linked to successful completion of the structural inspection. It's important that payments correspond with work milestones so you know you are paying for work that has been completed. There are exceptions to the 10 to 15 per cent deposit rule. If your project requires cus­ tom materials or products -- items the con­ tractor cannot return if you change your mind -- it is reasonable for them to ask that you pay for these things when they are ordered. This could involve custom countertops or re­ placement windows that are not stock sizes but would be custom-made for your home. These special order items and the payments required should be identified as such in your contract. Looking for a professional contractor who does business the right way? The Canadian Home Builders' Association offers free infor­ mation on how to hire a contractor the smart and safe way. Find more information at www. getitinwriting.ca. (NC) TOP 1% IN CANADA FORROYAL LEPAGE SHEILA BARRY & LINDA ZYLIK S A L E S R E P R E S E N T A T IV E B R O K ER u . l e r a g e R E A L T Y P L U S I U I OMlf. 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