The Forgotten Zones
Junk Mail Overload
Most days when you get the mail out of your mailbox, it is full of sales advertisements, coupons, catalogs, and credit card offers. Good ole “JUNK MAIL!” For most, this is a big issue, and part of the main reason they have so much paper clutter in their home.
Listed below are a few resources for you to look into in order to help ease the burden of receiving so much “JUNK MAIL” in your physical mailbox and e-mail inbox. I do advise that you do your research to make sure the company/item you are using to opt-out of a variety of things is legitimate and that their site is secure if you are sending your request online.
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/
DMAchoice.org: https://dmachoice.thedma.org/static/about_dma.php
https://www.ims-dm.com/cgi/optoutemps.php
Spectrum: https://www.spectrum.com/policies/your-privacy-rights-opt-out.html
https://www.ecocycle.org/junkmail
DISCLAIMER: In no way is Hook Cleaning & Organization Services receiving endorsements of any kind from any of the above-mentioned resources.
Unsolved Mystery?
It’s laundry day. You have the laundry sorted, you have all your supplies, you are ready to get this task started and completed. Laundry is done, You sit down and fold all the laundry to put things away and realize half of the socks are missing! You know you started with matching pairs so you look inside the washing machine–nothing. You look inside the dryer–nothing. You look around both machines and can’t find the missing socks. You give up looking and continue to finish the laundry. On your next laundry session, you have the same issue.
This seems to be a never-ending issue. So, how do you make it stop? MESH BAG! Yes, you read that correctly. They come in varying sizes and most are labeled for use with delicates. Be sure to use a zippered mesh bag and not one with a drawstring.
The best way to utilize the mesh bag is to make sure each person has a bag for their socks to be used on laundry day. This works really well for infants, kids, and the no-show style socks. Washing the socks inside of the mesh bag is a guaranteed way to make sure all the socks that go in the washer and dryer come out when the laundry is complete.
An item as simple as a mesh bag can help you eliminate the stress and headache of trying to find those missing socks and eliminate having to constantly buy socks to replace the ones you lost! Give it a try and let us know how it works for you!
Who Goes First
This is the age-old question that can vary from person to person, place to place, and expert to expert. Do you vacuum first then dust or do you dust first and then vacuum.
At the end of the day it is easier to dust from top to bottom and then vacuum; if you are doing them both during a routine cleaning session. Sometimes you may dust on one day and then vacuum another day. In the perfect world and perfect scenario, it is recommended that you dust first and then vacuum. However, my suggestion is to do what works best for you, your home, and your schedule.
The most common issue with vacuuming first is the reappearance of dust/dirt on the items you recently dusted. The best way to avoid this issue from happening should you vacuum before you dust is to perform PROPER MAINTENANCE on your vacuum cleaner. YES, maintenance. This is one of the major appliances that gets neglected the most as far as maintenance is concerned. Most vacuums are used until they no longer work which typically happens from uncleaned filters and canister which leads to loss of suction and more stress on the motor. It is important and I always recommend to clients to clean the filters and canister of their vacuum to get the longest life out of it and to avoid the reappearance of dust/dirt onto your furniture and floors. This can be done by following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly maintain your vacuum or central vacuum system.
Overall, effective vacuuming can only work if maintenance is done on a regular basis. So regardless if you dust first then vacuum or vacuum first then dust, the end result will be the same with a poorly maintained vacuum. As stated above, do what works best for your home and schedule.
Martin Luther King, Jr.-Service to Others
As I sit back and reflect over the last 10 years, I have realized that our country is so divided. It is a sad moment to see such division but I do believe we can bounce back from this ugly division and become a better country. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with others fought to ensure we all had equal treatment under the laws of this country.
As we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. day on January 18, 2021, I present a challenge to you! Take the time to think about and find a cause that you believe in and are passionate about, find a local organization that supports your cause, and volunteer for them. Yes, I said volunteer while we are going through this global pandemic. Volunteer opportunities are still possible and a lot of communities desperately needed at this time. The organization I volunteer for is Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM). We are able to still provide services to survivors of sexual assault and trauma via the 24-hour hotline and via the network of hospitals through their switchboard operators for those in the hospital setting. Many organizations have made the necessary adjustments to still help those in need by switching to online support opportunities but many still need hands-on-deck in person.
By volunteering for the organizations of your choice, this small act can and will have a huge impact on the communities they serve and are needed now more than ever with our ever-changing landscape from the Coronavirus pandemic. So again, I challenge you to take this time to consider volunteering and help those who are a part of a cause you believe in. By making this simple gesture, you can grow and learn as a person and help bring us one step closer to becoming a less divided country again.
