April 28, 2021 Issue, Page 14 of 16

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14 April 28, 2021 5 Tips to Spring Clean Your Home Inside and Out FAMILY FEATURES S pring cleaning isn’t just about purging dirt and grime. It’s also the perfect opportunity to take inventory of items around your home. As you tackle this season’s cleaning, look for ways to improve your overall living space, from getting rid of things you no longer need to adding items that can work harder for you. Consider these five ways to tackle your home inside and out this spring. Make organizing easier. As you clean each space, look for easy ways to reduce unsightly messes and improve organization. If your entry­ way always becomes a jumbled pile of shoes and coats, consider adding a storage bench and hooks to bring some order to the area. If the kids’ toys always accumulate in the living room, add a storage chest or large baskets to store them when not in use. If tools and equipment make the garage unusable, install shelving units to keep everything in place. Eliminate the excess. Spring cleaning is also an opportunity to declutter and make way for something new, either by donating or selling unused things. Whether it’s last season’s fashion and accessories or unused tech and fitness gear, that item you never used – or haven’t used in a while – may be exactly what someone else is looking for. Online platforms can make the process easy and be a way to earn extra cash or help fund other home upgrades. Look for marketplaces that help you maximize your return; eBay, for example, is giving sellers 200 free listings every month, meaning you only pay after your items sell. Reimagine your living space. If one area is becoming too crowded or doesn’t serve your family’s needs, consider items you can Photos courtesy of Getty Images repurpose for another part of the home. For example, move an unused chair in your living room into a bedroom to create a reading nook. Keep your focus on function as you make Shop Smarter changes that accommodate your lifestyle. Make smart additions. Once you’ve cleared Considering refurbished products for your shopping list can expand your options your space, and sold things you no longer need, and make it easier to purchase top­of­the­line brands without going over budget. From tech and small kitchen appliances to outdoor power equipment, you can you can convert that extra cash into reliable home discover a breadth of items often in like­new condition. appliances and tech. For example, purchase or upgrade items like vacuums, lawn mowers, power Shop for Multi-Purpose Items: When upgrading your arsenal of gadgets, tools washers, drills and more to help take your spring and small appliances, look for items that can serve multiple purposes. For example, cleaning to the next level. You can make your many vacuums can transform into steamers or include mop attachments and some money go further by choosing certified refurbished pressure cookers can also be used as air fryers. products; some marketplaces like eBay offer inven­ Feel Confident in Your Purchase: Sometimes upgrading means investing in a tory that has been professionally inspected by the premium product you can count on to last longer than entry­level models. With manufacturer, or a manufacturer­approved vendor, eBay’s Certified Refurbished program, you can find popular, professionally inspected to look, feel and work like new. name brands at up to 50% off, all of which are backed by industry­leading two­year Commit to revisiting regularly. It’s easy to warranties for peace of mind. let clutter and disorganization slide when you Keep Sustainability in Mind: Keeping functionality in mind and buying like­new get busy with life’s demands. Once your spring items not only saves you money now and in the future but can also help protect the cleaning and reorganizing is complete, commit to planet by extending the life of products and reducing unnecessary waste. reassessing your home on a monthly or quarterly Learn more about buying refurbished at eBay.com/CertifiedRefurbishedHub. basis so you can make small adjustments along the way, rather than face a major project every year. Lawn watering and fertilizing techniques A lush, green lawn is a sight to any better and actually can Water do so in early evening so that the behold. Many variables are in- damage the turf. Several small The right watering schedule and water can dry before nightfall and volved in growing and maintain- applications of fertilizer during techniques can help a lawn thrive. will not contribute to disease. ing grass, and water and fertilizer the lawn’s most active growing Scotts® says adjusting for climate Scotts® says to water an estab- are among the most important period may be helpful, advises and nature can help grass to lished lawn until the top six to components. the home improvement resource grow strongly. A lawn that has a eight inches of soil is wet. Most Knowing how much water and Tools Around the House. An an- grayish cast or appears dull green lawns need one to 1.5 inches of fertilizer to apply and when to nual application (late spring for is telling an owner that it needs water per week from rain or a apply it can make a big difference warm-season grass or fall for cool- water. Another test is to step on hose to soak the soil that deeply. in the appearance and health of season grass) may be all that’s the lawn. If footprints disappear a lawn. That’s because a well-fed needed. quickly, the grass blades have Newly established lawns may and watered lawn will develop a Certain fertilizers need to be ap- enough moisture to spring back. require more water to keep the better root system, which makes plied and watered in. Others may Water the lawn in the morning soil moist but not soggy. the lawn less vulnerable to stress- be combined with weed-control before 10 a.m. when it’s cooler Visit a lawn care center for more ors like drought, mowing, foot products and must be set on top and the winds tend to be calm so information on watering the type traffic, and heat, according to the of damp grass. Read packaging to that the water can soak in. For of lawn for your area or visit www. Scotts® company. determine the right application. those who must water at night, scotts.com for additional tips. Fertilize There is no magic formula govern- ing when to fertilize a lawn. The type of grass and how well-estab- lished a lawn is must be consid- Choose grass that suits your ered. Experts suggest having the soil tested to determine its pH levels and if any nutrients are climate and region lacking. A fertilizing schedule can then be developed after testing. Lush lawns feel great underfoot, may be needed. That’s particularly homeowners who desire a low Keep in mind that overfeeding add curb appeal to a home and so in the “transition zone” of maintenance lawn. It has a coarse a lawn will not make it grow are the crowning touches on the United States, according to texture and is best in areas of low complete landscapes. Lowes. The transition zone runs foot traffic. Establishing a vibrant lawn from roughly Delaware to North Cool-season grasses requires research, including Carolina on the east coast and • Fescue: Fescue comes in many determining which type of turf central California to Arizona on is the best fit for a property. The the west coast. However, lawns in varieties and is good in areas with lawn experts at Pennington say the transition zone typically fare mild winters and warm summers. that homeowners can set up their best with cool-season grasses, It has high drought-resistance lawns for success by choosing indicates Lowes. and can endure medium foot turfgrasses that thrive in their Here’s a closer look at various traffic. region. types of grasses, courtesy of Pen- • Kentucky bluegrass: Finely According to the Home Depot, nington, Lowes and The Home textured with a deep, evergreen the two main types of grass for Depot. color, this grass thrives in grow- turf are warm-season grass and Warm-season grasses ing conditions marked by good cool-season grass. Warm-season • Bahia: This is a tough turfgrass grasses grow best in hot weather. especially suited for heat and soil, regular sunlight and routine Wrenches, sockets, K & T Air Compressor Accessories, zip ties and more! Most will go dormant and turn humidity. It has a rougher texture watering. brown in cool temperatures. than other grasses. • Perennial ryegrass: This flour- Structual Steel • Welding Supplies • Specialty Gases • Trailer Parts • Fabrication ishes in full sun, but tolerates Warm-season grasses should be • Bermuda: This produces a very planted in late spring for the best drought-tolerant lawn and is light shade. It forms a lush, finely Check out our new showroom! chances of thriving. Cool-season great for high-traffic areas. It textured, deep green lawn. Dur- grasses are better for northern requires a lot of sunlight to grow. ing periods of drought, it will climates, where the mercury will • Buffalo: This grass is low mainte- need additional watering or go eventually drop. They are char- nance and tough. It has low water dormant. acterized by rapid growth in the needs and a fine texture. Full sun Homeowners can increase their spring and fall. Some may turn exposure will produce a vibrant brown during periods of high lawn. chances of establishing beautiful 918 N. Van Buren (580) 225-6554 • www.janningwelding summer heat. • Centipede: Popular throughout lawns by selecting the right type In certain instances, a mix of the southern United States, this of grasses for their climate and 918 N. Van Buren (580) 225-6554 • www.janningwelding.com warm- and cool-season grasses slow-growing grass is ideal for landscape.