Stains can be extremely frustrating, especially if it’s on something noticeable like the carpet or a favorite piece of clothing. Some items might be able to be saved by taking to a Boston dry cleaner, but let’s try to salvage them at home first. Read on for ways to remove stains around the house using easy to find ingredients. Baking SodaBaking soda is pretty much a superhero when it comes to stain removal. To make a stain-fighting paste, mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with a little bit of water at a time until it forms a thick paste. For carpet stains, rub the mixture on using an old toothbrush, let dry and then vacuum up. This is a great method for pet stains because it acts as an odor remover as well. For clothing, blankets and comforters, mix a bit of laundry detergent with the baking soda paste and pre-treat stains with a toothbrush or small nailbrush. Let sit for about 20 minutes before washing normally. You may need to repeat the process once or twice more for complete removal. Sometimes, big items are a bit too bulky to handle on our own. In that case, I always get a laundry delivery service in Boston to pickup the household items for cleaning. Lemon JuiceLemon juice is a great natural ingredient to use on armpit and sweat stains. Scrub stains with equal parts lemon juice and water and then wash normally. For ink stains, make a paste with lemon juice and cream of tartar and rub stain with a toothbrush, let sit for 20 minutes and then wash normally in cold water. Coconut OilCoconut oil is a great way to treat upholstery stains. Mix with a little baking soda and gently rub on the stain to loosen. Then treat with the desired method or cleaning products. Don’t use coconut oil on suede or leather furniture.
Try these simple methods with easy to find ingredients to treat your stained items. If all else fails, that’s what your nearby dry cleaners are for! The New Year is right around the corner, so it's time to unclutter your life. When was the last time you cleaned out your closet? Are there clothes that need washing, or even professional cleaning by a dry cleaner? Put them in a pile and if there are a lot of clothes that need cleaning, it is wise to use a laundry delivery service. It's a great idea to donate the clothes you no longer wear, but what about those pieces that aren't quite in shape to donate? Or the pieces you want to hold onto but aren't sure how to use them? Read on for some ideas on how to repurpose the clothes in your closet. A T-Shirt QuiltHave lots of old band or travel t-shirts sitting around? A t-shirt quilt is a super cute way to preserve your memories while repurposing those old shirts. If you're not the crafty type, don't worry. There are several different companies and services that do this sort of thing for you or, ask around for local artisans. Turn Long Sleeve Shirts into Wrap SkirtsMost dress shirts last 6 months to a year, whether you use a shirt laundry service or not. Cotton shirts lose their shape after a while, but there's no need to throw them out. By wearing the torso portion of the shirt and wrapping the sleeves around your waist into a bow in the front, you've got a comfortable wrap skirt you can wear over leggings or on its own. This works for solid colored shirts of course, but prints are even better! Turn Tees into CardigansHave some old tees that are a bit too tight but you'd love to hang on to them? Turn them into cardigans! This awesome hack lets you hold on to your favorite old tees while repurposing them into your current wardrobe. And you don't even need to know how to sew! Using a pair of scissors, simply cut a line straight down the middle of the tee. Then use hem tape, which you can find at any craft store, to straighten the cut edges. If I want to add buttons or fastens, I can simply ask the expert tailor at the Boston dry cleaner near me to do it for a small charge.
So time to go through your laundry piles and clean out that closet! After gathering up donations for your local organization or shelter, try some of these fun ideas to repurpose your clothes. When most of us think about taking clothes to our Boston dry cleaner, we think of our work casual wardrobe, suits, dresses and maybe some of our fancier attire like gowns, dresses and delicate materials. But there is actually more items that are safe to be dry cleaned than you realize. Read on for some surprising items that can be taken to the dry cleaners nearby. Designer Jeans We all have at least one pair of designer jeans that we splurged on because they just fit so amazing. To keep them fitting so amazing, did you know you can take them to the dry cleaners? Dry cleaning services include denim garments like jeans and jackets. Premium denim can lose it's shape and color in the laundry when you run them through the washer and dryer. So to get your money's worth, take those fancy jeans to the dry cleaners. Comforters Depending on what material your comforter is made of, you may be able to get away with washing it at home. If you have a down comforter, you should avoid taking it to the dry cleaners since the products used could damage it. However, most non-down comforters dry cleaned once a year. This is a great way to freshen up your bedding and have it look like new again. Don't forget that you can take advantage of a laundry drop off service in Boston for these bulky items. If you have a senior adult at home with in home living assistance, the home health aide can do this as well. Throw Pillows If you have throw pillows made of delicate materials like wool or silk, it's best to leave the cleaning to the professionals. Home washing machines can be too harsh for decorative pillows. I would take them to a dry cleaner near me to clean your throw pillows thoroughly while maintaining the shape of the material. Shoes and Sneakers Yes, you read that right. You can have your shoes and sneakers dry cleaned. Check with the dry cleaners nearby about your specific shoes, but most will take gyms shoes and dress shoes. Suede shoes, in particular, should always be professionally dry cleaned as opposed to washed at home. If you have an item at home that you're not sure is safe to be dry cleaned or not, don't be afraid to ask the dry cleaners. Condo prices have gone up again this year in downtown Boston, according to Boston Magazine. For example condos in the South End area cost nearly $1 million while in Back Bay they are over $1.2 million. As more and more businesses in the innovation economy move to Boston, mostly technology and life sciences companies, the demand for residential condo units go up. Most of these condo developments are in the high end category and concentrated in the Seaport District, Back Bay, West End and also across the river in Cambridge. South End is one of the most desirable places to live in the City of Boston. There you'll find interesting upscale specialty shops, coffee shops and restaurants, convenient services like dry cleaners, salons, and friendly community pharmacies. The brownstone lined streets are charming and relaxing with plenty of green public areas. It's also a stone's throw from major shopping centers in Copley where you can find major luxury brands. There is metered parking on major thoroughfares like Tremont Street and residential parking mostly in the side streets. Of course, it is also served by the T, which is Boston's mass transit system. If you want more floor space, you might want to move to the Boston suburbs instead. For example, in the city of Newton, there are many condos, old and new, as well. Newton is known as the Garden City with plenty of green spaces, parks as well as beautiful gardens in private houses. There are major shopping centers in Chestnut Hill with a variety of specialty shops, boutiques, restaurants, luxury brands as well as many medical offices, banks and schools. Parking is readily available in all the village centers (there are 13 villages in Newton). Finding a laundry and dry cleaner in Newton is easy, as is a local prescription pharmacy. Newton has many residential housing complexes for the elderly, including independent living, assisted living, nursing homes and other choices. There are also many home care agencies in Newton, offering in-home care services for elderly and disabled adults.
Boston is a great place to live and work. You'll love it! When you shop at your local pharmacy or drycleaner, you’re not only building relationships but also strengthening the fabric of your entire community. Local business owners know you, and you know them. When you see someone frequently at the coffee shop, dry cleaner, or hardware store, you build relationships with people who have similar needs and interests. Shopping at local businesses connects neighbors with each other. It’s social networking without the screen! You get better customer service when you shop local. When you fill a prescription at a community pharmacy you are likely to be served by the owner or a long-time employee who knows your medical history and medication needs. Many local pharmacies also offer specialties such as compounded medications. A local laundry service or dress shop knows your preferences so you get more personalized service. Local businesses are more likely to donate to community events, local non-profits, and sports teams. Studies have shown that they do so at over twice the rate of large chains. This kind of participation brings the community closer together. Did you know that each dollar you spend at a local independent business can bring as much as $3.50 into the local economy? Local businesses are customers of local ad agencies, insurance brokers, accountants, printers, lawyers and other services and often buy locally-made goods too. This creates opportunities for entrepreneurs to start more local businesses. Some studies have reported that local businesses employ more people directly per dollar of revenue than national chains thus creating higher-paying jobs for your neighbors. But it’s not just the jobs at the independent pharmacy, the laundry pickup service, or the boutique that get created. As the local economy strengthens, you’re helping create jobs for firefighters, police officers, teachers, and other public service employees as well! Author: The WSI Touch is a digital marketing agency serving small and medium-sized businesses in Boston, Massachusetts. Too busy even to pick up your prescription at the local pharmacy? Life gets busy when you add caring for an aging parent or loved one to your full time job, especially when you still have kids at home who need you. Effective time management is the key. Here are a few tips for saving time and getting the important things done.
We get older every year. That’s just a part of life. Staying active and healthy ensures that you’ll feel your best at any age. What can you do to age healthily? Here are a few tips for keeping yourself healthy and active. Get moving.We’ve all heard that exercise helps us live longer and feel better. The best way to work regular exercise into your schedule is to pick an activity that you enjoy so you’ll stick with it. A daily walk, a yoga class, or doing some gardening can all make a difference. You can add more movement to your ordinary routine by things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking in the farthest parking space. Eat smart.Small changes like choosing leaner proteins (chicken or fish) and whole grains, adding fruits and vegetables to each meal, and drinking water instead of sugary soda can make a big difference in how you feel. Make room for some "Me Time."Be sure to allocate some time for activities that nourish your spirit and help you get rid of stress. There’s more to life than errands and chores. Use a laundry service to free up some of that chore time for meditation, exercise, knitting, reading, or whatever refreshes you. Pay attention to your health.Don’t forget to schedule your annual checkup and screenings as recommended by your physician. Aging and stress can increase your need for some vitamins and minerals, so consider getting vitamins and supplements from your local pharmacy.
Life can get even busier when you add caring for aging parents or a disabled family member to your responsibilities. Consider hiring a homecare aide to help with your caregiving responsibilities if you need a respite in order to stay healthy yourself. Is your aging parent starting to need help with some of the everyday tasks at home? A change in functioning doesn't necessarily mean it’s time to move to assisted living or a nursing home. Sometimes all they need is a little help with chores or some extra support so they can continue to live in their home. Start by asking your loved one what they need help with, discuss your concerns with them, and coordinate with their primary care doctor. That way they’ll still feel like they’re in charge and you’ll get a good feel for what is really needed to keep them safe, comfortable, and happy.
Maybe a few modifications to the home, such as grab bars for the shower or a stair lift can make things safer for them and reduce the worry for you. Maybe you can stop by once a week to do yard work or household chores and prepare some meals for them. If they have difficulty with bathing or dressing, you could stop by once a day to help. However, don’t be afraid to get some extra care giving help. Here are some ideas:
For busy professionals living in cities like Boston, caring for an aging parent can be overwhelming. Don't sweat it out all by yourself. A little extra help here and there can make all the difference in your quality of life, as well as your parent's! |
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