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Home My WebLink AboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1978-05-18, Page 47Organise spring clearpup get it done fast Spring flowers, Spring showers, and Spring cleaning! The smell of Spring in the air inspires a new flurry of activity and a lot more in - and -out traffic, creating a di- lemma for the homemaker who wants to complete her spring cleaning ritual with the least amount of fuss and con- fusion. The secret: reduce the amount of cleaning that has to be done, and then devise ways to make the remaining tasks as effortless as possi- ble; in a nutshell, plan and organize! Leisure time Here are some suggestions to help you accomplish this seasonal task so you can get on with your leisure -time ac- tivities. Check your cleaning sup- ply closet to make sure you .are prepared for the job'. Throw away old, dried-up or unusable products that are taking up space. Make sure your cleaning equipment is in good working condition: any necessary repairs should be made before you begin the job. Then, map out a strategic "battle" plan listing what has to be cleaned, either on a room -to -room or an item -to item basis. It may be easier to do large jobs—like washing all thewindows— the same day to complete the entire job. Clear out clutter. When cleaning closets and drawers, throw away clothing, cosme- tics, trinkets, and any other items that you haven't used in a year and probably won't use again. Also, remember to dispose of old newspapers and magazines; besides tak- ing up valuable space they are dust collectors. If you have second thoughts about just throwing things away, have a garage sale instead, and turn discards into dol- lars. Touch-ups help Don't turn little jobs into big dies! Do touch-up clean- ing on a regular schedule td help avoid major clean-ups. Kids can help! Enlist the children's help in such jobs as dusting, gen- eral straightening up, folding laundry, and vacuuming, ac- cording to their ages and abilities. Planning is vital, so make a schedule listing the chores for each child, ex- plaining when and how they are to be done.. When every family member pitches in, it makes for greater efficiency and a homemaker whose spring cleaning is more quickly done! Outdoor furniture needs good clean-up Froin the moment winter's snow starts to melt and the trees begin to bud, many , people try to spend as much time as possible out-of- doors. Prepare for outdoor relax- ation, before you decide to •stretch out and enjoy the growing warmth of spring- time sun, by making stere your lawn and patio furniture is ready for another season of sunshine. Out of shape After a winter's "vaca- tion," outdoor furniture can really be out of shape. Check chairs and lounges for mis- sing, broken or loose slats and cross -weaves. Make all necessary repairs to avoid possible minor accidents or a week ofsore back muscles that can result from relaying on a too loosely woven chair. A .room for planting and just plain. relaxing • Houseplants are the grow- ing interest of home dec- orators everywhere, with in- ' door gardeners turning their houses and apartments into beautifully -decorated backdrops for every variety of foliage. Interior designer Emy Leeser (NHFL) has created a plan for a special "Gardens "n' Guests" room which allows indoor planters a place to practice their creativity in a pleasant atmo- sphere, with lots of room to spare! All that's needed to start your own "Gardens 'n' Guests' haven -is a room with a sunny window expo- sure—an extra bedroom, for example" or a not -so -used utility room. Start at. window The area in front of the window will be your starting place in terms of room de- sign. Here you'll have ample space to set up a work area for all your repotting, prun- ing and transplanting needs. The work table is easily con- structed from a piece of ply- wood and two metal horses. Paint the stands in the same color and you've got a great spot to pot! Wicker baskets under- neath the table will house all of your gardening essentials neatly and attractively. Ms. Leeser has cleverly designed a partition utilizing three panels painted white, tan and terra cotta, to set off another part of the room for guests and general congeniality. Paint the walls in "earth tones," then add bright post- ers and pictures—of your fa- vorite flora or some of na- ture's other delights. Place to chat A cozy table and chairs ar- rangement will provide the perfect spot for entertaining friends over coffee (or herbal tea!) during the day, and a comfortable..sbfa is condu- cive to easy evening chats, or an after -dusk doze. Keeping in harmony with the rest of the room, the floor is easily installed with tiles with do-it-yourselt Sure-Stik adhesive backing for simple installation. The pattern Ms. Leeser chose for the "Gardens 'n' Guests" room is a whimsical tile in white and brown that playfully shows off confetti -like con- figurations through its ,high - "GARDENS 'N' GUESTS"—This cheery room, created by interior designer Emy Leeser, responds to the burgeoning interest in houseplants to decorate homes and apartments by providing the home gar- dener with a place to plant, repot, and just get away from it all! The window area is set aside for serious gardening creativity, and a sofa and table setting are conducive to relaxing and conversing with friends. gloss surface. galore, the "Gardens 'n' Guests" room is a sunny idea for every home improvement huff, every home gardener, and everyone who wants a cheery spot to get away from it all! Look around—there's probably a sunny •window in vour home just waiting for this inspiration! Easy care finish The design adds a touch of gaiety, the colors are in keep- ing with the room's natural tones and down-to-earth feel- ing. From its bright, easy -to - care -for floor to its decora- tive decor to planting room • A MINI-LAUNDRY—for maximum efficiency in a minimum of space is this 54x27 -inch compact laundry center that's complete with General Electric's five - pound capacity portable pair, ample� sstorage and hang- ing space to make it totally practinl; and it's attrac- tive. CAMAD4 WITHOUT TREES, WOULD BE C N D ...INCOMPLETE! One job that definitely can't be ignored is a thorough cleaning of all chairs and lounges and picnic tables, too. After months of storage in your garage, basement or attic, your lawn furniture will probably be covered with a veneer of dust and soot. Easy scrub -down To quickly and easily get rid of the dirt and soil, clean washable furniture with a so - all -purpose cleaner and wa- ter. After the scrub down, rinse and wipe all metal parts with a dry, clean cloth. Also, be sure to check all metal surfaces for rust. Sand down any rust spots you may find with steel wool; then, „coat the sanded metal surface with a rust -preventive prepa- ration available at most hardware stores. If there are any movable parts or hinges givethem a squirt of oil to keep them moving smoothly. Page 7 For Your Spring Yard Improvements we have... *BOX PLANTS *TREES & SHRUBS *FLOWERING SHRUBS 'All Quality Stock...we have most popular varieties. *PATIO PLANTERS *LAWN SEED *FERTILIZERS *ALL THE YARD TOOLS YOU NEED Quality Merchandise at a Fair Price... BAKER'S FARM & GARDEN CENTRE ISAAC ST., CLINTON 482-9333 Tell us your dreams. Complete HOME RENOVATIONS INTERIOR & EXTERIOR COMMERCIAL FARM BUILDINGS ALUMINUM SIDING -SOFFIT EAVESTROUGH Free estimates & references given McIVOR & SALM CONSTRUCTION. 524-2062 GODERICH 887-6352 This is'your opportunity to SAVE During our STORE -WIDE INVENTORY SALE ALLSTOCK LAWN FURNITURE BI -ac -ketone Furniture 34 West Street, Just Off Th® Square, Goderlch