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5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

Please note, this post is sponsored by Diamond Bloggers. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you.

 

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

With the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping just around the corner ongoing debates over online sales tax, and related statutory rules and rate changes, remain more divided than ever. With annual vaulted sales projecting higher than normal turnarounds for small businesses this fall, and constant debate circling the Wayfair Act passage of 2018, making being versed in proper tax compliance important to nearly every savvy businessperson’s action list all sales tax holidays long. But sometimes understanding how to implement safeguards and systems, monitor ever-changing statutory laws, and finding easy and efficient ways to remit the right taxes can be tricky for even the most compliance-minded business person.

Making having an easy-to-follow starting point key for addressing sales and use tax compliance. With this in mind, here are five tips to identify steps your business can take to address your particular challenges this season with your small businesses at home:

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

Determine taxes by analyzing changes to nexus rules

Nexus means connection. The term nexus when used in tax law to describe a situation in which a business has a tax presence in a particular state or states. A connection between a taxing jurisdiction, like a state, and an entity like a business that must collect or pay the tax.

While most businesses have some concept of nexus—what connects businesses, both online and in brick-and-mortar retail, per each individual taxing jurisdiction, as to what is required for sales tax collection and remittance, this complex system can leave many unaware of dramatic changes to nexus proposals happening this season. As there are numerous developments on the federal level,  focusing on current state proposals that that are currently underway is key. These rules change significantly over time and have the most direct impact on online retailers and at-home small businesses.

To stay compliant, review where you currently have nexus and identify applicable rule changes. Most important in light of recent Wayfair sales tax case changes. Which can be found from looking online on your state’s tax office page. As well as making sure your business is registered in states where it’s required and determining whether your business might have unknowingly created nexus in a jurisdiction. Particularly is you employ or utilize traveling salespeople, contract labor, leasing real or personal property in a state, participate in trade shows, or other nexus-creating activities. Making sure to avoid practices that put you at risk for audit including having out-of-date rates and rules and failing to recognize new tax laws and rates.

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

Never ignore consumer tax

Consumer tax is defined as a tax on the use of a tangible personal property (TPP) not otherwise subject to sales tax. Generally speaking, a purchaser owes consumer tax and sales tax compliance on items purchased on which they paid no sales tax or less tax than the applicable sales tax rate. Unlike sales tax, the remittance responsibility lies with the buyer, by way of either the business or individual. In some cases, as in most small businesses and online businesses, the purchaser would be a business, such as a developer or a distributor, who regularly buys goods, mostly online, to use, or consume as TPP.  Including remitted taxes for businesses as they withdraw goods from inventory for its own use, particularly if the sales taxes were not originally paid at the time of purchase. It is the responsibility of all properly run business to self-assess their owned TTP, and if and when necessary, including changes to Wayfair tax policy, when you remit to your state what has been accrued on your next tax return.

This can be done by maintaining a written use tax policy leger spreadsheets, filing exemption certificates, when needed, for more complicated multip-purchase and shipped orders, creating an audit trail for certificates of ongoing purchases spanning multiple seasons, keeping accurate records of service exemption rules in each jurisdiction in which you do business, and creating quick-to-be-accessed, printable, nonexpired exemption certificate summary reports. 

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

Know how to remit sales on tax returns

Even companies that ensure every possible step to diligently track and update changes in sales and use tax rules, sometimes inadvertently fail to remit their accused taxes correctly. Which is why knowing which form to use, where to file, and what to include in your returns, paramount each tax season at home.

This can be most easily done by review whether your filing schedule has changed as relates to your business revenue, at least ninety days prior to remitting for your annual or quarterly taxes each year. This can help you determine if new ore implemented e-filing laws will affect your business in each current season. This also will help businesses to avoid filing errors that increase your risk of audit. Including failure to prepay or establish payment plans, remit late payments, or payment to incorrect jurisdictions or states. 

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

Affiliate Sales

Some online retailers sell directly through affiliates. This style of marketing involves the selling company to advertise and sell goods provided by another company. Some states have adopted laws that require online marketers to collect and remit sales tax on products purchased from affiliates based in states where the law is in force, regardless of where the selling company exists or where the products are sold. Similar legislation in other states may follow, so always be sure to keep abreast of sales tax laws for online concerns in your state.

Get help when needed

No matter how versed you are with sales tax law, even the savviest of businesses might need help. Including Wayfair nexus. A site designed to help businesses better understand sales tax nexus and sales tax laws. As well as enabling small business owners better understand other tax-centric topics including, various sales tax software, sales tax filing, sales tax regulations, sales tax act, in a post-Wayfair Act world.

Resources to help you understand the ins and outs of sales tax nexus and sales tax laws. Including other tax-centric topics including, various sales tax software, sales tax filing, sales tax regulations, sales tax act, and specific Wayfair act procedures for overall Wayfair sales tax nexus laws compliance. Helping thousands of business owners stay focused on their core businesses by providing automated end-to-end compliance service information best related to your current business needs.  

Staying sales tax savvy is paramount for your small business at home this season. Are you ready to take on sales tax compliance this holiday season at home? Leave your thoughts below. 

5 Sales Tax Compliance Tips For Fall

7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Guests this Fall

This is a sponsored post in Diamond Bloggers. All opinions are mine.

It’s almost that time of year again. Time to open our homes to entertaining and hosting family and friends this upcoming holiday season. While it can seem daunting to be able to accommodate guests in our homes, it can be done easily and on a budget. Check out these 7 tips for preparing your home for houseguests this fall.

7 ways to prepare your home for houseguests this fall:

1) Declutter and clean. First things first: give your home a good clean before your guests arrive. This includes clearing away as many of your personal belongings as possible from the areas your guests will be using, such as the bedrooms and bathrooms. Empty a drawer in the bedroom, make space in the guest closet, and leave space for your guest’s coats in a front closet. Make sure there’s space in a wardrobe or under the bed for guests to store their empty suitcases. This step is crucial before guests arrive but can be done days or weeks in advance of their arrival!

2) Always be prepared. When it comes to hosting guests in your home, being prepared is key. You’ll want to be as much done before your guests arrive to allow yourself time for doing what matters most when it comes to houseguests, the hosting! Preparing a shopping list, taking an inventory of guest essentials (towels, linens, and a laundry basket for dirty clothing), and planning your tablescapes and decor can be planned out weeks in advance. 

black pencil on white card beside brown knit textile

3) Stock your home. Before your guests arrive, take the time to see if your guests will require any special foods or require specific foods to cater to food allergies while in your home. Then stock up on anything they might need – even if it’s something you don’t like. I like to go the extra mile and stock my home with holiday-themed teas, coffee, snacks, sodas, and breakfast items, including fresh fruit, they might enjoy. I then add them to my kitchen’s coffee bar, along with a framed printable letting them know they can help themselves to anything they might want. And for nightcaps, I like to add an assortment of beers, ails, sparkling waters, and ciders to my office mini-fridge. Some of my favorite brews include seasonal varieties from Melvin Brewing. This gives my guests a space to use nightly as a business hub, correspondence center, and place to unwind together. 

4) Give your guests plenty of information. One of the best ways you can prepare your home for guests is to give your guests the skinny on home your home works. Provide your guests with a bedside binder containing laminated sheets on all the information they might require during their stay is key. You’ll want to provide information on local pharmacies, doctors, vet clinics, local leash laws (should they be bringing their fuzzy family with them), and dry cleaners in your area.

Guests may also enjoy the information on local attractions, self-guided tours, coffee shops, and restaurants your guests want to visit or utilize during their trip. If your guests don’t have their own transportation while staying with you, provide them a $20.00 reloadable transit card, transit map, and number to your local taxi cab company.

Last but not least, share with your guests your personal schedule. Note your shower times, kid’s school schedules, policy for wearing shoes in your home, meal routines and, if you are working, what time you leave and expect you home each day. Don’t forget to let guests know what day a cleaner, pool service, or gardener comes to your home either. The last thing you want is a guest to be caught off-guard while alone in your home!

person wearing gray sock standing on stairs

5) Make them feel at home. For guests in your home longer than a few days, give your guests their own set of keys so they can come and go as they please. They’ll feel more at home if they don’t have to ring the doorbell every time they come in. Don’t forget to give them the code for any alarms you might have, show them how to work them, and mention where you hide spare keys in case of an emergency. You’ll also want to provide your guests with electricians, plumbers, security, your full mailing address (in case they need to quickly purchase something on Amazon), and other functionary information such as wi-fi passwords and codes for central air systems, as needed.

6) Give your guests a personal space. Giving your guests a small sitting room, use of an office during their stay, or an enclosed porch will give them a better sense of autonomy while in your home. 

7) Take a walkthrough. As a concierge is a key to a hotel, as are you to your guests while they are staying in your home. To ensure your guests have the best stay possible, you’ll need to perform a walkthrough of your home. Pretend you’re a visitor in your own home and spend a night in the guest room. Note your surroundings. Is the room too hot, too cold, how many beds or cots will your guests and their children need, and most importantly, are those beds comfortable?

That’s it, folks! Preparedness is key. Especially when it comes to hosting friends and family this coming fall. Friends, I hope these 7 tips will better help you prepare for guests in your own home this fall. Your house guests will appreciate you taking the time to make them comfortable in your home. Now I have to ask, do you have tips for preparing for houseguests each holiday season? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Better your morning this fall with the Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker

Please note, I received this product for free from Moms Meet. Compensation for this post was provided. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

Coffee. It’s never far from my mind when I wake up each morning. My mornings do not literally start until I’ve had my first cup of coffee. It helps me wake up and gives me the energy to kickstart my morning routine each weekday. My favorite pick-me-up before beginning work each day. Doubly so when cold weather sets in each fall season.  I’ve even been known to drink three or four cups on mornings when work deadlines come due.  Because there’s something truly gratifying about working from home, in my pajamas, while enjoying a nice hot cup of decaf coffee! 

Over the last few years, I’ve been on a mission to embrace simple living and minimalism at home. Especially when it comes to items that sit out on my kitchen counters. So when it came time to upgrade my at-home coffee station I knew I wanted something practical, easy to clean, and takes up as little space as possible in my kitchen. Which is why I went with the new Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker. This coffee maker features a great design, including both a carafe and single-serve option all in one.

It’s the perfect solution for my different coffee needs at home. I can utilize the carafe to make a large pot of coffee for guests and single serve k-cups for my morning coffee fix each day. 

What I love best about the Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker is how easy it is to use. Which you can see below:

Single Cup Directions: To make a single cup, fill the 60 oz. single reservoir to the max fill line. Place your mug on the drip tray and insert a K-Cup® pod in the K-Cup® pod holder. Press the OZ button, then select your brew size. Brew and enjoy!

Carafe Directions: To make a carafe, fill the 60 oz. single reservoir to the max fill line. Insert a 12-cup flat bottom paper filter into the filter basket and add the desired amount of ground coffee. It is recommended to use one tablespoon of ground coffee per cup. Place the carafe on the heating plate, press the CUPS button and select brew size. Brew and enjoy!

It’s also worth noting that the Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Make comes with a 12-cup glass carafe along with a heating plate to help keep your coffee warm between servings. It also features an auto-off feature for both your brewer and heating plate, contains a unique 60 oz. single reservoir that is shared between single-serve and carafe brewing and makes refilling easy–saving you time and simplifying your morning routine. And for busy working stiffs, the K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker is travel mug friendly and can brew multiple sizes, including an 8-, 10-, or 12-cup carafe and an 8, 10, or 12 oz cup. Giving you the perfect brew each and every cup. 

Friends, consider gifting a Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker this holiday season for all your loved ones! They are perfect to use at home, the office, church functions, school lounges, group gatherings, and the like. The Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker is available to purchase for $99.00 exclusively at Walmart in the kitchen appliances and coffee maker aisles. To buy online, click here or visit the link here. Now I want to ask, would you make the switch to the Keurig® K-Duo Essentials™ Coffee Maker this season? And what are your favorite K-Cup flavors? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

 

9 Foods That Help Fight Fall Allergies

Hello again, savvy savers! Looking out of my kitchen windows I can currently see that the leaves of my beautiful Maple and Pecan trees are starting to fall. The hot, humid days of summer are giving way to crisp, cool, throw-an-extra-blanket-on-the-bed nights days (unless you live in Mississippi where we have a true Indian Summer and humidity may again rear its ugly head). And this change could not come soon enough for me! I love Fall, the sights, the smells, the food, the holidays,

I love Fall, the sights, the smells, the food, the holidays, and my favorite, anything pumpkin spice flavored! Mind you, there is one exception to my list of fall favorites, my seasonal fall allergies. Now if you’re anything like me, this time of year your ragweed and allergy may have you running indoors, preventing you from seeing and experiencing all that is great this time of year.

If you feel like your allergies are starting sooner this year, don’t feel alone, because they are.

Ultimately, climate change, and the resulting higher temperatures fluctuation, paired with global increases in carbon dioxide levels, allow pollen-producing plants to live longer and to produce more and more mega-potent pollen. And this year, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology announced that the season will extend through November, rather than ending at the end of September as it normally does.

But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer for 4 more weeks. For lately I have started on a new natural allergy-fighting path and have found that there in fact foods you eat (and again should not eat) can help stifle your sniffling, watery eyes, and general malaise.

Moreover, there are foods that are not only helpful in fighting seasonal allergies, but these same organic options can also help to build up your immune system too! And what’s better than finding out that all those delicious, seasonal food options, currently available now from your farmers’ market and super-centers can help you live a better quality of life. Nothing is better than that my friends. Nothing!

Which makes this time of year the best time to hit the market for these nine fabulous, frugal, fresh finds! But before you head out to your local markets, consider the following 9 seasonal food options when it comes to fighting fall allergies in your own home.

9 Foods that help fight seasonal fall allergies

BROCCOLI:  This dinner staple serves two purposes in fighting your allergy symptoms. It’s high in allergy-relieving Vitamin C, and it’s a member of the crucifer family, plants that have been shown to clear out blocked-up sinuses. Researchers from Johns Hopkins have found about 500 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C a day can ease allergy symptoms and just 1 cup of raw broccoli packs about 80 milligrams of the immune-boosting good stuff!

KALE: This superfood contains another awesome form of vitamin A which is thought to improve allergy symptoms. A number of studies have shown that people with low vitamin A stores are more likely to have asthma and allergy problems. And as savvy savers, why often see savings app deals on Kale weekly, making this an affordable, natural option this season.

COLLARD GREENS: In full disclosure, I must admit that I love collard greens! As a southerner, it’s a staple in our home, especially in the fall, and of course, for New Year’s Day meals! However, if your nose is being hijacked by hay fever, serving collard greens weekly can help!. Their phytochemical content eases allergy issues. The darker the leaves, the higher the carotenoid content. A twice-weekly serving of these affordable greens can truly help!

ONIONS AND GARLIC: Onions and garlic are packed with quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine, and helps quell inflammation in your system, which helps stem the side effects associated with allergic inflammation, such as stuffy noses and watery eyes. Consider couponing to score free frozen onions and garlic, awesome for quick stir-fry meals, and sandwiches this fall!

PUMPKINS: This visually appealing fall staple, is rich in allergy-fighting carotenoids, the form of vitamin A, which helps the body to better ward off allergies. There are hundreds of ways to consume this festive beauty, including coffees, bread, soups, stews, pies, and much more!

CARROTS: This carotenoid powerhouse contains lots of healthy beta-carotene, to help ward off your ragweed drudgery. Consider throwing carrot sticks in for lunches, or trying glazed carrots with dinners.

CELERY: Celery is full of vitamin C, making it an affordable allergy tool. But did you also know that celery can also help high blood pressure and chronic pain? Consumed raw or cooked, you will benefit from this veggie, without losing access to its nutrients. And don’t ignore the leaves; chop those up for use in soups and stews to get their vitamin C content, as well!

STINGING NETTLE: This affordable herb helps stifle the inflammation, as contains histamine, the chemical your body produces during an allergic reaction, so by taking this herb, you can help your body acquire tolerance to seasonal allergies.

CRANBERRIES: This seasonal beauty is a powerful tool in terms of antioxidant fighting. This fruit can be your new go-to to fight free radicals. A bonus? Cranberries, to its role in the synthesis of collagen, can help keep you looking younger too! Savvy savers know, this coming season will many BOGO deals for fresh, dried, and frozen cranberries.

Friends, these are my 9 go-to foods to help fight my allergy and sinus issues at home each fall season. I hope these tips can help you naturally fight your fall seasonal allergies too! and if you have any tips for using food to fight allergies in your own home, I’d love to hear about them below as well!

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13 Zero-Waste Ways To Prepare Your Home For Fall

Disclosure: This post contains my personal affiliate links. All opinions are mine alone.

 

With the kiddos back in school and the autumnal equinox only one month away, now is a good time to start preparing your home for fall. By spreading these necessary home tasks over the next few weeks, you’ll ensure your home is ready for cooler weather when it happens. And more importantly, you can plan how to do these tasks in as zero-waste a way as possible.

With that in mind, here are 13 Zero-Waste Steps you can take to Prepare Your Home For Fall:

 

Declutter

Organized Linen Closet Shelves Post Kon-Mari

Before you haul out your best throws, blankets, and fashionable fall finds you should always start by making sure everything that you already have out is in its rightful place.

This is where decluttering comes into play. Clearing clutter from your home makes deep cleaning easier and will give you cleaner surfaces for fall decorating, baking, entertaining, and the like. Remember my minimalist mantra at home: Evaluate, donate, and everything will be great!

Start High

Whenever I start a seasonal clean I make sure to tackle all the big, hard-to-reach surfaces in this order: ceiling, ceiling trim, ceiling light fixtures, walls, chair rails, and lastly, the baseboards. This will allow any falling dust and allergens to be cleaned as you go, without the need to re-duct surfaces later on.

Tackle Your Light Sources

Next, tackle your light sources. Including windows, lamps, sconces, and outdoor lighting. It’s not that bad, and the payoff is huge. Start by vacuuming the sills and tracks. Then spritz the window with cleaner from top to bottom. Let the cleaner sit for a minute to disinfect your glass surfaces. Instead of opting for paper towels, try a reusable cloth or a squeegee to wipe your windows down.

You won’t believe the mold, dust, and allergens that get stuck to your glass surfaces. Contaminants that could remain trapped in your homes until spring!

Pro Tip: Remove light fixture covers, including domes, mason jars, and pendulent lights and run them through the china, crystal, or delicate cycle on the dishwasher to get sparkling clean fixtures.

Seal Up Your Windows

Save yourself the aggravation of removing your blinds and shades this fall. Opt to vacuum your window covering instead of using your brush attachment. And instead of laundering and ironing curtains, just fluff them in the dryer for a few minutes or shake outside, sprinkly your drapes with witch hazel, and let them sun bleach on a clothesline. Once dry, just hang them back up! Including your shower curtains too! Finally, make sure to seal any potential air leaks you may have, indoors or out.

Don’t forget to seal your windows to prevent drafts. Due to preventable drafts, money would literally fly out the windows as heat costs escalate each cold-weather season and you would be left with drafty windows on cold winter nights. To do this, just grab a tube of color-matched interior or exterior caulk seal around your home’s inner and outer windows.  Just remember to caulk your windows on a day that’s above 50 degrees so the caulk flows easily!

Refresh Your Floors

Start this process by moving each room larger furniture out from its natural, usable home. Then vacuum under each piece. If you have hardwood floors, clean them with a microfiber mop head and an all-natural, zero-waste cleaner, such as my Zero-Waste Floor Cleaning Recipe. I use my homemade cleaner along with my Pure Cane Home Microfiber Mop with Telescopic Handle. I love microfiber mops for tile and hardwood floors as they allow me to clean dirt and grime while maintaining a natural shine to my floors at home.

If you have carpets, disinfect your floors with a mixture of 3 cups baking soda to 30 each of clove and orange drops essential oils. Add your blend to a mason jar, making sure to shake well. Apply to carpets before going to bed and wake to sanitized carpets. To finish up, just vacuum floors as you normally would! Remember, everything your vacuum picks up can be composted!

Stow Your Mower

Once you’re finished mowing your lawn for the year, it’s time to give your mower a good clean. Wipe down your mower and if you’re not familiar with fuel stabilizer, get to know it.

If your mower sits for months with gas in its tank, the gas will slowly deteriorate, which can damage internal engine parts. Fuel stabilizer prevents gas from degrading, so be sure to add stabilizer to your gasoline tank. Finally, run your mower for 5 minutes to make sure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor.

Be sure to also check your mowers spark plugs. Finally, ensure your mower’s bottom deck is free of grass and debris before retiring your unit for winter!

Address Your Water Sources

Start by removing garden hoses from outdoor faucets. Leaving hoses attached can cause water to back up in the faucets and in the plumbing pipes just inside your exterior walls. If freezing temps hit, that water could freeze, expand, and crack the faucet or pipes.

Make this an early fall priority so a sudden cold snap doesn’t cause your home unnecessary property damage. Next, turn off any shutoff valves on water supply lines that lead to exterior faucets. That way, you’ll guard against minor leaks that may enter the faucet.

Drain and store your hoses, smaller outdoor fountains, and solar fountains for winter in a shed or garage. Finally, drain your irrigation system. And, of course, if you have a pool, now is the time to winterize it for the season.

De-Gunk Your Gutters

Clogged rain gutters can cause expensive repairs. After the leaves have fallen later this fall, clean your gutters to remove leaves, twigs, and gunk. Make sure your home’s gutters aren’t sagging and trapping water. Making sure to tighten gutter hangers and downspout brackets.

Replace any worn or damaged gutters and downspouts before the start of winter. Remember to clean off and recycle those replaceable parts, where applicable!

Check Your Heat Sources

Before the chill of winter sets in, be sure to your heating system checked. Change your furnace filter. If your HVAC includes a built-in humidifier, give that filter a change too! Give your fireplace a once over. Also, make sure to check your home’s heaters to make sure they are properly working.

Finally, weatherize your patio gas heaters, chimineas, and fire pits to make sure they are working well for the upcoming cooler months ahead.

Prune Your Perennial Plants

Late fall is the best time to prune plants and trees. Your goal is to keep limbs and branches at least 3 feet from your house so moisture won’t drip onto roofing and siding. This can also help prevent damage from winter ice storms. This is also the time when you can turn under gardens, flower beds, and plant spring bulbs too!

Make sure to compost any trimmings and turn your leftover leaves into zero-waste mulch. The perfect way to winterize your flower beds before winter!

Create A Seasonal Capsule Wardrobe

The end of the summer season is a great time to pull out your cool-weather duds. But before you return everything to your closet, take the time to declutter your closets at home. Look for pieces that can be donated.

Take the time to mend pieces that may need addressing. Launder pieces that are going into storage and refresh clothing that needs to be used within the next season ahead. Make note of gaps in your wardrobe and replace these pieces with slower fashion that is organic and sustainably made.

Each season I create for myself a functional 33-piece minimalist capsule wardrobe. A wardrobe where each piece makes me feel like a million bucks each time I have them on! To see my past capsules, click here.

Clean Your Compost Bins

Before the start of Autumn is a great time to make sure that both your indoor and outdoor compost bins are in working order for the colder months ahead. This is particularly important for your countertop compost bins.

While flies and insects getting into your produce may not be as big an issue each winter, having a secure, sealed bin to collect cold and flu-related items, the influx of tea, coffee, and beverage items, and a place to put the larger scraps from fall produce, including pumpkins, butternut squash, and spaghetti squash is a must!

I have recently switched to the Cooler Kitchen Oversized 1.3 Gallon Kitchen Compost Bin with EZ-No Lock Lid. I love that this compact is easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe, and fits in well with my minimalist kitchen at home. I also appreciate that it came with two thick activated-charcoal filters to trap and absorb odors and the bins carbon steel that will not rust, stain, or retain odors like plastic or stainless steel bins.

The best part? The Cooler Kitchen came with a 45-day Money Back Guarantee, for savvy savers like myself. This bin is as zero-waste and practical as it is beautiful in design. A must-have for zero-wasters and plant-based eaters at home this fall season. To find out more about this bin, click here.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

Finalize Your Indoor Cleaning

You’ll want to finish up your indoor cleaning with a few seasonal must-dos. Start by sanitizing your cabinet handles and doorknobs. This is also a great time to vacuum refrigerator coils, clean out your oven before fall family feasts, and flip and rotate all your mattresses at home. You’ll also want to wash your bed pillows, vacuum any pet beds, and change out your bathroom shower curtain liners if needed.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

This is also a great time of year to properly rid your home of caustic chemicals and to replenish your home with a stock of awesome DIY Fall-Scented Cleaners! A few of my favorites include:

Fall-Scented Air Freshener:

  • 2 Cups Warm Water
  • 2 Tablespoons Witch hazel
  • 30 Drops Cinnamon Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Clove Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Anise Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.

Fall-Scented All-Purpose Cleaner:

  • 2 Cups of Warm Water
  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 30 Drops Fir Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.

Cold & Flu Disinfectant Spray:

  • 1 Cup Rubbing Alcohol
  • 1 Cup White Vinegar
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 30 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
  • 30 Drops Rosemary Essential Oil
  • 10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
  • 10 Drops Orange Essential Oil
  • Mix together in a spray bottle for use.
  • Please note, vinegar should not be used to clean granite countertops.
  • For cleaning cutting boards, peroxide is a better disinfectant choice to use.
     

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

It’s also a great time to invest in good zero-waste cleaning cloths. I’m a firm believer in using the right tool for the right job. This is especially true for fall cleaning. You should always invest in good cleaning cloths to clean, polish, and sanitize your home. You will also need a few to get started.

  • Bar towels: Great for drying dishes without lint.
  • Drying mats: Used to air dry non-dishwashable items.
  • Shammy towels: Used to clean electronics without scratching.
  • Microfiber towels: Used to clean heavy spills, countertops, general cleaning, and more.

5 Tips For Zero-Waste Cleaning at Home

My favorite microfiber towels for fall cleaning? e-cloth. Because with e-cloth you can clean many surfaces in your home with just good old tap water! My favorite thing about e-cloths? They are also reasonably priced. My 8-piece home cleaning kit cost under $40.00. This is nearly a 1/4 of my annual cost for paper towels just a few short years ago!

This is such a small cost for what you get, making e-cloth my go-to zero-waste cleaning cloth brand at home. If you’d like to learn more about the e-cloth 8-Piece Home Cleaning Set, click here.

So, friends, those are my 13 Zero-Waste Steps To Preparing Your Home For Fall. I hope they will challenge you to rethink the way you clean your home. Also, be sure to download a copy of my fall cleaning pdf below. You’re just a click away from zero-waste cleaning success this fall!

Now I have to ask, do you already use any of these tips at home or do you have zero-waste cleaning tips you’d like to share as well? I’d love to hear about them below!

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Parenting Pitfalls You Should Avoid

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Parenting for the first time in your life will always be a massive challenge for you and your partner. The moment that your child comes into the world will change your life forever and it will make you see your life from a whole new perspective. When it comes to parenting mistakes, there are a lot of easy ones you can make and they might be only the smallest things, which is why we want to share some of the major pitfalls with you today and allow you to avoid these with your own child. Here are some of the top mistakes you need to avoid.

Fussing over everything  

The most primal instinct you likely have as a parent is to protect your child at all costs. It is something which is ingrained in you from the moment you look into your child’s eyes for the first time and it is something which will dictate many of your decisions. When your baby coughs or sneezes your first reaction will likely be to fuss and call a doctor and this can be understandable. However, this is not necessary and it can actually waste your time as well as the doctors. Once you have had your child for a while you’ll get to know them and their body. You’ll soon understand just what is wrong with them at any given time. Just go with the flow and don’t stress over every little thing! 

Not letting them cry  

Honestly, crying is healthy. As a parent, you might think that it is your job to comfort your child as they cry and this can sometimes be the case. However, you also need to know that babies cry… a lot. They will cry for almost anything and sometimes the best thing you can do for them and yourself is to let them cry it out. Babies will sometimes cry for no reason and letting them calm themselves down will actually help them develop and reduce the amount of crying they do. 

Waking baby up to feed  

It is said in every baby manual you see that you should have a clear feeding routine and that your baby needs feeding often. However, never wake them up to feed if they are asleep. Particularly if you are breastfeeding it can become uncomfortable for you to hold milk in, and it is tempting to wake your baby up to feed, but this is never a good idea. Babies need sleep, and the more they get the happier they will be.

Neglected oral care  

We all know that babies don’t have teeth. Because of this, it can be all too easy to forget about maintaining their gums and mouth on the whole. It is important for you to clean gums with a cloth or gauze after feeding and this will prevent infection. Once the teeth do start to come in, didn’t feed your baby milk just before bed as this can increase the risk of cavities, and always keep the mouth clean! 

Not planning for the future  Babies grow a lot quicker than you may realize, and as a result, it is important for you to plan for the future and buy Baby Boys Clothes which are the right size as well as bigger than your baby. The last thing you want is to be at a loose end with your clothing!

Fall Zone Cleaning List: Everything You Should Be Cleaning This Season!

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Fall Zone Cleaning List

 

With Autumn just around the corner, it’s time to conquer those end of season deep-cleaning chores that help you and your family enjoy a clean and comfortable home this winter.

Personally, I love seasonal cleaning- it helps me prepare for the upcoming holiday season in a non-chaotic, orderly, and somewhat fun manner. And what better way to usher in the upcoming fall season than a clean, orderly home?

With this in mind, I want to share with you all how I break down my own season chores as part of my Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist. A list to help you get your home in its healthiest shape before the winter season ahead. Here’s how to get started:

Fall Zone Cleaning List

Patio

  • Clean and store patio furniture, umbrellas, kid’s summer toys.
  • If you own a pool: Drain the pool, if applicable. Close it up for the year.

Winterizing Maintenance

  • Check caulk around windows and doors.
  • Inspect external doors and garage doors for gaps which can cause drafts.
  • Wash exterior windows.
  • Check outdoor trim and touch-up paint as needed.
  • Install insulating covers on exterior spigots.
  • Check outdoor trim and touch-up paint as needed.
  • Clean out outdoor lighting. Replace bulbs as needed.
  • Check gutters and downspouts.
  • Have chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned if necessary.
  • Check chimneys for cracks and replenish lava stones accordingly.
  • Check fire pits for rust or damage. Make sure winterized cover is available.
  • Clean out birdhouses and feeders. Then purchase new feed accordingly.
  • Stock-up on fire starters, kindling, and chopped wood.

Shed & Garage

  • Inspect external doors and garage doors for gaps which can cause drafts.
  • Wash exterior windows.
  • Drain and store all garden hoses.
  • Store flower pots; plastic pots will need to be cleaned, emptied, bleached, and air-dried.
  • Terracotta pots should be sun-sanitized, stacked, and stored on their sides.
  • Sew grass seeds, as needed.
  • Service snow blower, power washers, lawnmowers, and leaf mulchers.

Fall Zone Cleaning List

Windows

  • Wash all windows with glass cleaner and wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
  • A handy tip? Clean windows on a cloudy day so you can better see any streaks left while cleaning.

Vacuuming

  • Vacuum all canvas, cotton, upholstery, and fabric blinds with a low setting and a brush attachment.
  • Vacuum and spot clean upholstered furniture and cushions.
  • Vacuum baseboards and corners well.
  • Clean out and vacuum vents.

Dusting

  • Vinyl shades can be wiped down with a dampened microfiber cloth.
  • Dust, wash, rinse, and dry painted or wood-paneled walls.
  • Clean ceiling-mounted light fixtures.
  • Dust your electronics. Start with your CPUs, handheld devices, and phones. Make sure to clean and wipe down the keyboard, and dust off the monitor with a microfiber cloth.

Surfaces

  • Wipe down the kitchen cupboards.
  • Dust off the refrigerator condenser coil.
  • Look at your wooden floors. Fill scratches.
  • Wash down walls with a mild astringent or cleaner, and dry with a dust mop.

Decluttering

  • Spruce up your computer. Defrag and recycle all unused files.
  • Straighten up your closets.
  • Create a capsule wardrobe.
  • Clear kitchen counters of all appliances not used within the last week. Donate as needed.
  • Organize kitchen cabinets, paying particular attention to baking supplies, pans, and equipment.
  • Straighten-up the linen closet. Air out and declutter blankets, down comforters, and flannel sheets.

Seasonal maintenance

  • Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
  • Replace the furnace filter.
  • Turn mattresses to equalize wear.
  • Launder or clean all bedding: mattress pads, pillows, duvets, blankets, comforters.
  • Clean all humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and diffusers.
  • Drain sediment from hot water heaters.
  • Thoroughly clean pet items including litter boxes, fountains, dishes, crates, and crate pads.

Allergy-Preventing Chores

  • Clean blades of ceiling fans.
  • Sort and clean any extra zones such as linen closets, utility closets, and office spaces.
  • Be sure to use bathroom fans and clean up any standing water immediately.
  • Scrub any visible mold from surfaces with detergent and water, and completely dry.
  • Keep your home humidity levels at or around sixty percent.
  • Remove pet allergens by vacuuming frequently and washing upholstery, including your pet’s bed.
  • Stock-up on essential oils that help fight allergies including sweet orange oil and tea tree oil.

Fall Zone Cleaning List

Each fall season I like to stock my home with rich spices, fresh produce, including sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and cranberries, along with comfort classics like evening tea and ginger root. But before I can take to the streets, I take time to properly storing stockpile items, including:

Canned goods

Canned goods cannot be allowed to freeze. When canned goods freeze, they stand the chance of cans bulging, which can cause the seam and lid failure, which can cause food-borne illnesses, not to mention to fail, changes in product texture, flavor, nutrient factors, and product color. Most canned goods are packed in a solution of salt or sugar, which lowers their freezing point, but canned goods should not be stored below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Before temperatures freeze, this season, move canned food indoors.

Soft Drinks, Cooking Oils, and Cleaners

Freezing can have adverse effects on liquids such as soda, cooking oil, soap or detergent. Basements are a great place to store these goods. Frozen detergents and cooking oils can be brought back to room temperature by placing them in trash bags, at room temperature, and then storing accordingly.

Dried Foods

Foods that are dehydrated or freeze-dried will actually last longer in the cold since there is no water in them to freeze or can be frozen in deep freezes. I like to use my food saver’s canning jar attachment to suck out the air and help preserve my food for the entire winter season ahead. Foods like flour and seeds are stored in the deep freezer in mason jars.

Produce

Some products such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and apples will actually keep longer stored in bins in cooler climates or sheds. If you use this method, be sure to check produce weekly, and with any sign of aging, the produce should be composed immediately. This is especially true for potatoes, which can emit deadly gasses if left to rot for several months.

Fall Zone Cleaning List

Keep in mind, deep cleaning your home from top to bottom will essentially take several days. Do not attempt to clean your entire home in a day, or a weekend for that matter. Take a week, break off chores into chunks, utilize your family for aid and resource, and give yourself the grace of time and consideration of your everyday life when completing this expansive list. You can get a head start by changing your air filters every three months and using filters with a MERV rating of 11 or 12.

My biggest tip? Be sure to vacuum regularly to get rid of dust mites. Use a cyclonic vacuum, one which spins dust and dirt away from the floor, or a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. And as always, be sure to wash bedding and stuffed animals weekly.

Moreover, consider this when devising a fall cleaning schedule:

  • Are you the kind of person who wants to do a little every day?
  • Would you rather tackle it all at once so that you don’t have to think about it for the rest of the week?
  •  Do you work full time or are you home during the day?
  • Do you have young children at home whose chores can be incorporated into this system?

As there is no one “right way” to keep house, and so no universal cleaning schedule that will fit every household’s needs. It’s just about being mindful that for the next few months ahead is the long-term goals, so by adding a few small, obtainable cleaning goals each day is the way to go! This is a challenge to make your home as healthy as it is steadfast this coming season.

Friends, do you have any tried and true methods for cleaning around your home this time of year! I’d love to hear about them below!

Fall Zone Cleaning List

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