Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

Holiday Stress Management Tips

’Tis the season of joy, laughter, family, friends and tons of holiday stress! With so much to do it’s easy to lose the spirit of the holidays. Make this a stress free holiday season with five minutes and a few simple strategies.

When we’re stressed our breathing becomes shallow, and increases anxiety. Taking a few deep, long breaths is a quick way to reduce holiday stress by making us feel instantly calmer.

Exercise gets rid of negative emotions and releases endorphins, the body’s natural feel good chemical. To take advantage of this great stress buster just do a few jumping jacks or take a walk with a friend.

Music is a great mood enhancer, and can help take your mind off your ever growing to do list. No matter what you’re doing, putting on your favorite music and sing your way to a stress free holiday.

DIY Holiday Gift Baskets

Gifts are always nicer when they come from the heart. Giving a personalized present to your loved ones doesn’t have to be a hassle with home made gift baskets.

Start by thinking about each particular person’s favorite things. For coffee or tea lovers, add a few different fair trade coffee/tea varieties. Top it off with a new mug filled with home made cookies.

Do you have a friend who loves to cook? Fill his/her basket with some gourmet salts, exotic spices, or a new apron. Throw in a cook book, or make a recipe book out of a pretty journal, or a beautiful box with index cards.

Spoil someone with a gift basket of organic soy candles, bath beads, potpourri and a nice lotion or new bathrobe.

Pick out a few baskets from a flea market or craft store. If the baskets are too big it will look empty, so pay attention to size. Wrap the baskets in shrink wrap, tying the top closed with a ribbon, and heat with a blow dryer.

Viola, the perfect present!

Quick House Cleaning Strategies

Having a few friends over? With these simple strategies you can finish your house cleaning quickly, and even have some fun.

Start off by keeping all your supplies close at hand. Fill a box or bucket with all your cleaning supplies, and bring it with you to cut down on unnecessary trips and distractions. Keep a damp rag in one pocket and a dry one in another for convenient touch ups.

Cold weather, busy days and fattening holiday meals make it hard to manage your weight. House cleaning is a great way to get in some old fashioned aerobic exercise while checking things off the to do list. Start by setting the mood with some fast paced music. Keep your heart rate up by dancing while dusting, and move fast. Keeping up a fast pace while you’re cleaning will not only burn calories but will save time as well.

Finally, get some incentive other than a clean house. Go and get a manicure when you’re finished, that way you don’t have to worry about ruining your nails, and you’ll give yourself a much needed break after all that hard work.

Green Holiday Ideas

We found a few green holiday tips to make it easy for you to go green this holiday season.

Start off your green holiday by replacing your old holiday lights with new, energy saving LED lights. Not only will it refresh your holiday decorations, but you’ll use up to 90% less energy! That translates to some serious savings on your energy bills.

Save paper by sending holiday e-cards this year, or you can order postcards with family photos. Be creative with your wrapping paper by using the Sunday comics or magazine pages. Double up on your gifts this year by wrapping your gifts in cute, reusable shopping bags.

By following our simple green holiday tips it’s easy to save the world, and our wallets.

Watch out for Water Damage

The East Coast has recently seen some of the worst blizzards in years, with snow falling so fast on New York’s streets that daily life, for a while, almost ground to a standstill.  But not being able to get around town isn’t the only problem our clients are facing – bitterly cold temperatures have meant that an increasing number of water pipes are freezing over.  As a result, they’re cracking, but the damage isn’t often noticeable until they begin to thaw.

When large amounts of water flood out of the pipe, they’re going to look for the “path of least resistance” which is often your own front door area!  And if that water freezes again, you’re looking at an ice problem, which means getting to your sidewalk won’t be just tricky but downright dangerous.

Leaks from pipes can also flood basements, cause roof damage and soak your carpets and, before you know it, you’ll have a mold or mildew problem on your hand, which isn’t just unpleasant but a health hazard.

Flat Rate Carpet has experienced technicians at the ready, armed with the most up-to-date drying equipment, designed to deal with all kinds of water damage.  Dealing with the problem yourself is tough, so take the load off your mind and give us a call.  We’ll be with you in no time, and are ready to deal with any kind of emergency!