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Winnow & Spruce Organizing

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Featured posts:

Featured
Are You Thinking of Moving?
October 21, 2022
Are You Thinking of Moving?
October 21, 2022

A few resources to help with your moving process: Article sourced from many professional organizers, schedule a Moving Plan appointment, Request a Moving Checklist and even download a recorded class.

Read more →
October 21, 2022
Media News
September 16, 2022
Media News
September 16, 2022

Winnow & Spruce Organizing is being discovered by more and more media outlets. All my interviews and podcasts this year are in one place; this blog post.

Read more →
September 16, 2022
Thoughtful storage solves problems
April 28, 2021
Thoughtful storage solves problems
April 28, 2021

This beautiful storage solution from Open Spaces solved 5 storage problems in my home.

Read more →
April 28, 2021
Are You Ready to Get Organized?  Join Winnow Today.
March 24, 2021
Are You Ready to Get Organized? Join Winnow Today.
March 24, 2021

Want to get your home organized but feel overwhelmed or lack motivation? Read about how an inspiring group of women is organizing their homes one space at a time within a kind, supportive Facebook group called Winnow Today. Join us!

Read more →
March 24, 2021
4 Quick Magic Fixes to Make Your Home A Happier Place to Live
August 14, 2019
4 Quick Magic Fixes to Make Your Home A Happier Place to Live
August 14, 2019

Take care of your home and it will take care of you. 4 quick fixes that work like magic to take care of the little things that bug us.

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August 14, 2019
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May 23, 2019
Even the Organizer Had to Get Organized
May 23, 2019
Read more →
May 23, 2019
7 Spring Organizing Tips to Get Ready for Summer!
April 24, 2019
7 Spring Organizing Tips to Get Ready for Summer!
April 24, 2019

By taking time to get organized now, you can maximize your fun later!

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April 24, 2019
Apps are Lifechangers
October 15, 2018
Apps are Lifechangers
October 15, 2018

Like most of us I use apps every day. In fact, I can't imagine life without them!  Apps make life easier and can be game changers for everyone - freeing up valuable brain space, giving us more time in our day and increasing our efficiency to just get more things done.

Read more →
October 15, 2018
Infuse your home with joy
September 17, 2018
Infuse your home with joy
September 17, 2018

What makes organizing for clients so much fun, is the progress that happens so quickly.  It amazes people how much can be accomplished in just 3 hours.  Especially when it's taken 10+ years to accumulate!

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September 17, 2018
A sermon, a broken heart and a Facebook ad that changed everything
September 11, 2018
A sermon, a broken heart and a Facebook ad that changed everything
September 11, 2018

What does a sermon, a broken heart and a Facebook ad all have in common?

About 6 months ago I was invited to attend a church service with a friend.  The key scripture shared was 

Nehemiah 1:4-6.

  The pastor invited us to ask ourselves....what breaks my heart?  I had trouble thinking of something concrete in that moment, so I diligently took notes instead. 

Read more →
September 11, 2018
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4 Quick Magic Fixes to Make Your Home A Happier Place to Live

August 14, 2019 in Kitchen, Organizer

As you may know, I moved AGAIN. 4th move in 2 years. Everyone says “Val you’re so good at moving!” Well that maybe true, but Val is very tired of moving too. I’m hoping these latest digs are a place to land for at least a couple of years.

Every apartment needs fixing, no matter how well or how poorly it has been maintained. I like things set up well initially as the little imperfections bug me to no end. Most people are “blind” to these things, but if you approach organizing with mindfulness, you may find that these things will start to bother you too.

I’m a firm believer, that if you take care of your home, it will take care of you.

First up, the toilet tank. This one was coated with mineral deposits. It wasn’t flushing all the way and I was playing detective to find out why.

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I drained the toilet 3 times and dumped vinegar down the bowl and down the tank, let it sit for hours and then flushed, hoping to dissolve the mineralization but to no avail. In the end I used this product and look what happened next!

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I poured in 1/2 cup of Iron Out into the tank and after 10 minutes all the mineralization and discoloration disappeared!

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In the end, it didn’t matter as the toilet had to ultimately be replaced, but it sure is nice to know this product exists and works so well! Best of all one can use in the dishwasher and the laundry so one’s clothes don’t turn orange.

 

Second was the walls. There was a young family living in this apartment before me, so there were scuffs, marks and grime on the walls from toddler height to the floor.

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This product saved the day and I felt like a superhero!

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No real scrubbing required. Just wet with water and wipe. Like magic, the marks disappeared! Why didn’t they have this product when I was a young mom with small children? Check out this After photo!

I left the mark at the bottom in this photo so you the reader can see that it is indeed the same wall.

I left the mark at the bottom in this photo so you the reader can see that it is indeed the same wall.

Third and finally, there was very sticky residue on the back of one of the bedroom doors. I have no idea how it got there! Any ideas?

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My tried and true favorite product, took it right off!

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The fourth fix is for an issue that sneaks up on most of us.

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HINT: Be sure and use the thin red straw to aim the lubricant right into the hinge of the door.

 

What is your favorite magic product that makes your home a happier place to live?

Tags: home repair, pantry
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email: valerie@winnowandspruceorganizing.com Based in Saint Paul, MN, serving the Twin Cities & Western Wisconsin
phone: (715) 410-9532