How to Safely Clean and Sanitize Your Electronics How to Safely Clean and Sanitize Your Electronics

You won’t find “clean electronics” on most cleaning checklists and even the best maid services usually don’t include devices like laptops and smartphones. Electronics are magnets for dust, dirt and grimy fingerprints and they can be difficult to clean. From smudges and buildup to bacteria and germs, electronics endure a daily barrage of dirt and contaminants that can make us sick. Just think about your smartphone. You use it while you’re eating, at work, in the car and, yes, even in the bathroom. That’s a lot of opportunities for germs and bacteria to transfer from your hands to your smartphone (and vice versa!). That germ-infested phone then comes in contact with your face, ears, nose and sometimes even your lips—the most common infection gateways. Those bacteria and germs on your hands also end up on your laptop, gaming system and desktop keyboards and just keep rotating from hands to devices and back to hands and so on. It’s a cycle of spreading pathogens that can cause strep throat, ear infections, stomach flu and even pneumonia. Research shows that smartphones carry more germs than toilet seats—up to 10 times more bacteria! Before you go into panic mode and start spraying disinfectant on all your electronics, keep reading to find out how to safely clean and sanitize your phone, laptop and other electronic devices. IMPORTANT!

• Check the manufacturer’s manual before you clean your electronics.
• Don’t spray cleaner or water directly onto electronics.
• Disconnect electronics from power sources or remove the batteries before cleaning them.

How to Clean a Phone or Tablet When cleaning your phone or tablet, you have to be cautious since it probably has a fingerprint-resistant coating that could be damaged. Tempered-glass screen protectors likely have the same coating too. Remove the case and wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth and move on to your device. The safest way to clean these electronics is to wipe them gently with a damp microfiber cloth. Use cotton swabs to get into crevices and the edges of the screen and buttons. If your device has a screen protector that doesn’t have a coating, use an isopropyl-alcohol-and-water mixture with a microfiber cloth. Pour one part alcohol and one part water into a spray bottle and then spray your cloth with the solution and wipe down the phone to get rid of dirt and germs. Keep this solution handy because you’ll be using it for most of your other electronics. How to Clean a Laptop Because your laptop is mobile, it has plenty of opportunity to pick up dust and germs. Turn your laptop upside down and gently shake out the keyboard to get rid of crumbs. Grab a can of compressed air and blast the keyboard, inputs and crevices. Unplug the laptop and remove the battery. Lightly dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth and wipe down all the surfaces. To clean the LCD screen, use a damp microfiber cloth to remove dust and smudges. For touch screens, use water or eyeglass cleaner applied to a microfiber cloth. Finish up by wiping down the keyboard with your alcohol-and-water solution. How to Clean a Desktop PC For your desktop monitor screen, follow the same procedure you used for your laptop screen. Use water and a microfiber cloth to wipe down the back of the monitor and the bezel around the screen. Wipe down your computer tower and wipe off the dust on your desk while you’re at it to get your home office area clean. Shake your keyboard out over a trash can and use compressed air to get rid of the debris around and under the keys. Wipe down the keys and the rest of the keyboard and use a cotton swab to get grime out of crevices. Finish by wiping down the keyboard with a cloth and your alcohol and water solution. For your mouse, wipe it down with a damp cloth and use cotton swabs to get into crevices. Complete the job by wiping down the mouse with your sanitizing solution. How to Safely Clean a Flat-Screen TV  While it’s tempting to grab your glass cleaner for this job, know that glass cleaners can be corrosive. Many television screens have anti-reflective coatings that are sensitive to the chemicals in most cleaners. Skip the harsh chemicals and use a microfiber cloth dampened with water to wipe down the screen and then the bezel and base. If you have any electronics like DVD players or streaming devices, wipe these down too. Just like smartphones, remote controls can harbor germs and contain buildup from sticky, dirty hands. Remove the batteries from the remote and shake loose any debris. Blast the buttons with compressed air and get the gunk around the buttons and in crevices with a cotton swab. Wipe down all surfaces with your alcohol and water solution. How to Clean Bluetooth and Smart Devices Smart appliances and Bluetooth speakers collect dust and germs like all other high-tough items. Unplug devices or take the batteries out before you clean them. For devices with screens, wipe down the screen with a damp microfiber cloth. Fabric-covered parts, plastic and other surfaces can be cleaned with the same cloth. For grooves and crevices, compressed air and cotton swabs should get out any debris. Finish up by wiping down everything except the screen with your sanitizer solution. How to Clean a Game Console and Controllers Game consoles, and especially controllers, can get grimy, greasy and dirty from hours of gaming and snacking. Unplug the console and disconnect the controllers before you start cleaning. Spray the cutouts and inputs with compressed air and dust everything with a soft bristle brush. Wipe down all surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth and use cotton swabs to get into crevices. For controllers, dampen a cloth with your alcohol and water solution. Wipe down the controller and cord thoroughly. Use a cotton swab with the same sanitizing solution and get into the grooves and all around the buttons. Make sure everything is dry before you reconnect the controllers and plug in your console. How to Clean Fitness Trackers and Smartwatches Your fitness tracker and smartwatch are subjected to sweat and the bacteria from your hands. Use a microfiber cloth dampened with water to wipe off the screen and casing. You can get into any crevices with a small soft-bristled brush and use your sanitizing solution for buttons. It’s best to remove really dirty bands if they need a thorough cleaning. Nylon bands are prone to absorbing sweat, so use a dab of dish detergent and a damp cloth to wipe them down frequently. For silicone bands, wipe them down with a small amount of rubbing alcohol to remove dirt and germs. Metal bands should be wiped with a dry, lint-free cloth. If the metal is especially dirty, use a damp cloth and dry thoroughly. Leather bands can be wiped down with water and a microfiber cloth followed by a leather conditioner. How to Clean Headphones and Earphones Your headphones and earphones can be handled as frequently as a smartphone, so in addition to germs and bacteria, you’re dealing with sweat and earwax. Disconnect your headphones or earphones before cleaning them. For earphones with removable tips, take the tips off and clean them with soap and water and rinse thoroughly. Use a water-dampened microfiber cloth to wipe down the rest of the earphones and the cord. Make sure the tips are dry before putting them back on the earphones. For headphones, a microfiber cloth and water will get rid of any buildup. Wipe down the surfaces of the headphones and the cord. For crevices and grooves, a small soft-bristled brush will get the dust out. Bluetooth headphones or earphones should only be cleaned with a dry cloth to prevent damage to the electronics inside. Now that you know how to clean and sanitize your electronics, make keeping them that way a routine task. Your electronic devices will be shiny and clean and using them will be a healthier experience. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

More Places where Germs and Virus can hide in your home by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

While the question of whether wood or plastic is a cleaner surface for a cutting board is more about food-borne pathogens than about flu virus, it’s worth noting that germs of any kind can live on either one. And food poisoning is as much an issue these days as the flu. So which is safer? The Food Safety Laboratory at the University of California at Davis is leaning toward wood. Plastic cutting boards can go right in the dishwasher, a virtue that’s won favor among many germ slayers. But if you are washing by hand, a knife-scarred plastic cutting board holds onto bacteria, and wooden cutting boards do not. Robert Donofrio, Director of the microbiology laboratories at NSF, says to be safe, have one board for veggies and another for meat. Plastic boards must be washed in a dishwasher. Wooden boards should be made of hard, closely-grained woods, such as maple. Bacteria and viruses can live about twenty minutes on your sleeve or couch cushion. But they can live a couple of days on the countertop, or other hard, non-porous, surfaces…unless that surface is copper. The EPA has approved copper and copper alloys, such as bronze and brass, as a bacteria killer, and ongoing research suggests it has anti-viral properties, as well. These days it’s not hard to find copper sinks for the bathroom or kitchen, or even doorknobs and switch plates in the trendy metal. Or go vintage and pull out that classic brass hardware for your home. Some scientists believe an increase in humidity can make it harder for viruses to thrive and multiply, and using a humidifier can help create this inhospitable environment for the flu. But be careful; humidifiers can breed bacteria. Individual units must be cleaned regularly, and a whole house system serviced yearly—preferably when it’s deactivated in the warmer months, says Barney Burroughs, President of Building Wellness Consultancy and former president of The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. Air purification can make a small amount of difference installing viruses, according to Burroughs, though few strategies offer complete protection. While bacteria, pollen, and allergens are airborne risks, viruses mostly spread by touch. However, ultraviolet air purification systems do keep mold and fungi, both of which can aggravate the flu, from developing in your heating and cooling system. The most benefit you can get from technology comes from air cleaners. Modern filters mostly catch larger particles such as bacteria, pollen, mold spores, but any virus traveling on a larger host can get caught by the filter. “It’s not a see all, fix all. It will reduce, but not eliminate exposure,” says Burroughs. There’s one caveat, though: The system must be working 24/7 to be effective. “It only works if the fan is blowing,” says Burroughs. When properly used, a system like Honeywell’s Electronic Air cleaner captures 99 percent of the larger particles, and some of the smaller particles, too. And that’s one good way to keep the flu virus from spreading in your home. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Watch Out for Germy Hot Spots in your Home by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

The sink, the telephone, children’s toys, and doorknobs are popular landing sites for virus and bacteria. If someone is sick at home, disinfect daily, especially the remote control and the phone. Charles Gerba, microbiologist and author of The Germ Freak’s Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu, says remote controls and countertops can be the germiest locale in the whole house. “What’s the first thing you do after you call in sick? Pick up the remote control,” he says. “Sixty percent of them contain influenza virus in the home of a sick person.” In fact, Gerba says, remote controls are the germiest thing in hotel and hospital rooms. And since a virus like influenza spreads through touching something a sick person has also touched, or an object that’s been sneezed on, cleaning off the places your hand usually goes is most important. According to Gerba, the home office is another place to watch out for germs. “Desktops have 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat,” he says. Gerba says to disinfect your desktop weekly, along with the rest of the house. This could reduce your exposure to colds and flu by as much as 50 percent. Your kitchen sponge should be replaced every couple of weeks. If that runs counter to your frugal ways, you can microwave it for one minute or run it in the dishwasher to eliminate germs. Beware of dust rags, dishrags, mops and other cleaning tools. Unless sanitized between uses, they only spread around the germs you are trying to kill. “It’s a free ride for the virus,” says Gerba. Some of the cleanest houses he’s tested had the highest germ counts. And get this: a few untidy bachelor pads tested very low for germs, which he attributes to lazy housekeeping. “They don’t move anything around, everything is in the sink or the garbage.” But you don’t have to descend into bachelor habits to defeat contagion. Gerba advises heavy reliance on paper towels. If you don’t want to stockpile disposable towels, wash and dry cleaning tools at high temperatures so your house is clean and germ-free. There’s a lot of goods that tout themselves as “anti-bacterial” on the label, from floor tile and paint, to hand cleanser and magic markers. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of 500 products that disinfect hard, non-porous, surfaces against flu. It includes common household cleaners such as Pin Sol, Clorox, and Lysol. Look for the word “disinfect” or “sanitize” on the label; that means the EPA has tested and approved its germ killing power. Some alternatives such as lemon juice, tea tree oil, oregano oil, or lavender oil have properties that kill microbes. But according to University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba, these natural alternatives often work more slowly, impact a smaller spectrum of microorganisms, and kill fewer of them than products that have passed muster with the EPA. Modern technology can help do the disinfecting for you through powerful cleaning. If you’re already shopping for appliances, take a look at the list of household appliances cited by the NSF (formerly the National Sanitations Foundation). The group has certified dozens of germ-fighting appliances, including dryers, dishwashers, and washing machines. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

How Often You Should Replace Everything in your Bathroom by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Here is a handy list of how often it is recommended you replace common bathroom items:   Mascara: Change every 3 months, or after you have an eye infection Eye liner, liquid: Can last up to a year, or replace after you have an eye infection Eye liner, potted: Can last up to 18 months, use a clean spatula to scoop a small amount onto a separate palate for use Eye and brow pencils: Can last up from one to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance), sharpen before each use to avoid eye infections Eye shadow, liquid: Can last for a year Eye shadow, powder: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Lipstick: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Lip gloss: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Lip pencils: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Lip balm: Can last up to 5 years Blush, cream: Can last for one year Blush, powder: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Bronzer: Can last up from two to three years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Foundation, moisturizing: Can last for 18 months Foundation, oil-free: Can last for a year Concealer, stick: Can last for two years Concealer, powder: Can last for two years Concealer, liquid: Can last one to two years, depending on the quality (test it for performance) Face powder: Can last for two years Perfume: Can last for up to two years, store in a cool and dark place Nail polish: Can last up from one to two years, depending on the quality (test it for performance). If you shake the bottle and the formula won’t mix up, the polish is garbage. Nail polish remover: does not expire Cleanser: Can last for two years Moisturizer: Can last for 2 years (if in a pump) or one year (if in a jar), if product contains SPF, check for expiration date on package Face cream: 6 – 12 months (6-9 months for products in a jar) Eye cream: 6 – 12 months (6-9 months for products in a jar) once opened Sunscreen: One year, this is federally regulated Anti-acne products: Products containing Benzoyl peroxide will only be effective for 3 months, other products can last up to a year however products with retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C break down quicker. Anti-aging products: 6 months to a year, again, depending on ingredients (products with retinol, glycolic acid and vitamin C break down quicker) Shampoo: Can last for one to two years if the bottle is opened, or up to three years if unopened Conditioner: Can last for one to two years if the bottle is opened, or up to three years if unopened Hair styling products: Can last for one to five years, products containing alcohol tend to last longer Deodorant: Can last for three years Anti-perspirant: Can last for three years, check package for expiration date Shaving cream: Can last for two years Toothpaste: Can last two years, always check the expiration date, since the product contains fluoride Mouthwash: Can last for three years, bottle should contain an expiration date Soap, bar: Can last for three years Soap, liquid: Can last for 3 years Body wash: Can last for 3 years Body lotion: Can last for 3 years Rubbing alcohol: Can last three to five years Tooth whitening strips: Package will contain expiration date Body bleach cream: Can last for six months if opened, and up to two years unopened Depilatory cream: Can last for six months if opened, and up to two years unopened Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

More Easy Ways to Declutter your Bathroom by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Even in small bathrooms there’s space for organization; you just have to know where to look. Over the toilet bath furniture is a great place to put extra toilet paper, toiletries and even towels. If you don’t keep the toilet seat down, opt for a unit with cabinets or closed shelving. You can find attractive shelving at major home stores, usually for less than $100. If you have a lot of counter space, and don’t mind leaving things out in the open, invest in some stylish apothecary jars to hold necessities. Cotton swabs, soap and bath salts look great in clear glass containers. These are especially handy when guests use your bathroom because they can help themselves without snooping in your cabinets. Drawers in the bathroom tend to be catchalls for lots of different containers, most of which badly organize their contents. An expandable cosmetic drawer organizer fits in a shallow drawer and takes the place of bulky cosmetic bags. Different size compartments will organize lipstick, blush and eye shadow so you never have to root around to find what you’re looking for. As you organize your makeup, be sure to throw away anything that smells or is expired. Old makeup contains bacteria that can irritate your skin. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Organize Your Bathroom by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Easy Ways to Hide Your Ugly Cords (Without Hiring an Electrician)by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Nothing disrupts a beautifully styled room quite like a jumbled tangle of cords around the outlet. Those bulky, unsightly plugs immediately draw the eye, distracting from your otherwise polished room. Luckily, we’ve found the solution to chaotic cords (and you’re going to want one for every outlet in your house). Let us introduce you to the Sleek Socket, an electrical outlet cover and extension cord combo that instantly streamlines the look of plugs. And the best part: You don’t need an electrician to install it. Available on Amazon for less than $25, the Sleek Socket combines a wall-hugging cover with a 3-outlet power strip in one simple, do-it-yourself fix (with no tools required). To install it, attach the cover to the outlet’s top spot like a typical plug and run the cord against the wall, using the included double-sided adhesive strips to secure it in place. Place the power strip in an out-of-sight spot, plug in your appliances and devices, and you’re done! Cluttered cords and plugs are no more, and the low-profile cover blends right into the wall. This cord management system can also help save space by allowing you to move furniture flush against the wall. The pencil-thin design (which is slimmer than most baseboards) means you no longer have to leave a gap between the back of the sofa and the wall to accommodate the plug-in for your floor lamp. Additionally, the Sleek Socket makes a great safety solution to help baby-proof a room or eliminate tripping hazards. The socket works on 3-prong, vertical duplex outlets, and it’s available in two cover sizes and two cord lengths. The standard-size cover is compatible with outlet covers measuring 2-3/4 inches wide by 4-1/2 inches long, and the oversized version fits covers up to 3-3/8 inches wide by 5-1/16 inches long. The 3-foot cord length costs $23.95, and the 9-foot one costs $24.95. Order a few and forget cord clutter for good. While changing an electrical outlet can cost hundreds of dollars, the Sleek Socket offers a budget-friendly, hassle-free alternative. Avery Michaels of Holland Avenue Home used the outlet cover to avoid costly electrical work in her kitchen. “Moving the electrical outlets around my coffee bar to hide the cords would’ve been more trouble than it was worth because it was mainly an aesthetic problem,” Avery says. “I wanted an aesthetic solution without the hassle of changing perfectly functional outlets.” The Sleek Socket, which she installed by herself in about two minutes, achieves that streamlined look she wanted while keeping all her coffee machines plugged in. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Decluttering a Kid’s Room — And Keeping It That Way by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

If there’s one room you wish you could lock up and never look at again, it’s probably your kid’s room. (Or maybe your basement, or your laundry room…OK, there are a lot of rooms.) But thanks to toys, books, clothes, and crafts,  children’s rooms can feel especially disastrous — especially since a certain little guy or gal never seems to be keen on keeping it tidy.

Is all hope lost? Absolutely not.

Professional organizing coach Maeve Richmond allowed us to be a fly on the wall as she helped entrepreneur and mom Dawn Nadeau organize her 7-year-old daughter Abigail’s room (and the rest of her home, actually). As you’ll see below, Richmond is quite the force, helping Nadeau take the room from cluttered to clean in just a few hours. Obviously, we had to grill her on her tips afterward — and we bet you’ve never tried these strategies before:

1. Involve your kids from the beginning. 

“It’s very important to work with them, and not around them,” says Richmond, who chatted with Nadeau’s daughter before they cleared and re-organized her room. “Kids as young as 3 years old really want to participate, and they’re really excited to be involved.” You might think your kid would get too bored or frustrated talking about bedroom storage — but consider it from their point of view: You’re just gabbing about their toys and paying them lots of attention!

Plus, if kids are involved in organizing, they’ll feel ownership over the project and more inclined to keep things tidy — or at the very least, they’ll know where everything should go.

2. Have kids give you a tour of the room before you start decluttering.

“I start not by asking kids to choose what should stay or go, but by giving them a chance to look around and show me what’s there,” says Richmond. “Then I get a sense of their language and tone, which can illuminate things that are important to them.”

“I mirror back people’s language to them while organizing with them — for instance, let’s say a kid calls a piece of clothing his ‘favorite sweater.’ I’ll call it that, too, because it says I recognize that it’s meaningful to them, and proves that I’m on their side.”

Building that trust is important when asking kids to part with items (and now you’ll be able to tell more clearly what things they clearly don’t care about.)

4. Give your kid permission to let go of stuff they really don’t want.

“Volume can be very overwhelming for children,” says Richmond. “But most kids don’t know that it’s OK to say no to stuff they don’t want. I like to try to set up situations in which we’re donating items to charity — it continues the idea of using positive language when it comes to decluttering. We’re giving the item a new home, not just getting rid of it.”

5. Start from the bottom up – literally.

“With little ones especially, it’s just nice to start on the ground — that’s where they are!” says Richmond. Her “bottom up” strategy takes the process down to kids’ level and keeps them grounded in the task. Plus, if they can see where their items’ new homes are, they’ll make a habit of placing them there.

6. Reinforce their routine with cubbies.

“I love cubbies as an organizing tool for kids because it recreates what they’re experiencing at school,” says Richmond. “And you can place them in the entryway or their room, creating a ‘drop zone’ area they’ll naturally maintain. With a cubby they can drop their stuff, and not even have to think about it.”

7. Count to 10.

Here’s an easy fact to remember: Games are fun! So when things get messy (as they always do), make cleaning up feel like play. “Have kids count backward and pick up ten items to put back in their homes at the end of the day,” says Richmond. “It makes the task less onerous, and encourages you talk out loud about where items go, which can reinforce the habit for both of you and your kids — I use this strategy on adults, too, and it totally works. I even do it, too!”

8. Define boundaries with decor.

“Whenever I am working in a child’s room, I always like to bring tables away from walls,” says Richmond. “Parents don’t tend to do this, as it seems like wasted space. But pulling the table away from the wall allows kids to move more freely and fully around it, and welcome friends.”

“I also like to add a rug under the table, though,” she continues. “It visually anchors the room — and their stuff — but creates a mini room within the room. Kids’ rooms tend to just be one big space, which is why they tend to get super busy.” By creating this distinct boundary, it’s easier to identify and honor the activities (like, say, glitter crafts) that should only take place in certain spots.

9. Lead by example.

You were probably waiting for this one right? “Leading by example is huge,” says Richmond. “Kids mirror what their parents are doing. Sometimes you need to look at yourself and really see if your kids are modeling your behavior.” Even something as small as putting away your keys can be a mini-lesson in action.

Not as tidy as you’d prefer to be? Good thing Richmond gave us her secrets for how adults can change their lives and finally get organized, too.

Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

When Should you Replace the Household Items by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

To keep you, your home and our planet health, we recommend the following: Toss Sunscreen After every summer, or with the expiration date. The protective chemicals in sunscreen break down over time, reducing the ability of the product to block out damaging rays from the sun. If you can’t find an expiration date on your bottles, throw them out after pool season has ended. Toss Opened Old Paint after 2-5 Years.  Once the can is opened, the components in paint start to separate and break down. After a few years, this can make the paint difficult to mix, even with the most vigorous stirring. To repaint a room, take the color formula specifications to your local paint, hardware, or big box store and have them mix up a new can of paint to match. When disposing of old paint, be sure to note the type of paint before deciding what to do with it. Oil- and alkyd-base paints are considered hazardous waste and typically need to be taken to a local hazardous waste drop-off site. You can dispose of old latex paint by throwing it in the trash, but you’ll need to dry it out completely first by using a paint hardener, cat litter, or shredded newspaper. Toss Vitamins after 2 years, or with the expiration date. Like most food items, vitamins degrade in quality over time. Check the packaging for an expiration date. If the vitamins are unused by then (or you can’t find a date), replace them with new ones. To safely dispose of old vitamins and other medications, the FDA recommends dropping them off at a drug take-back location near you. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.

Three Household Items You Should Have Tossed Long Ago by Joe Szabo, Scottsdale Real Estate Team

Not everything is meant to last forever, and throwing away or recycling past-their-prime items will help declutter your home. Free up storage space for the things you actually use by checking the expiration date on these household items and ditching as needed. Toss Dish Sponges after a month. Between washing dishes, scrubbing sinks, and wiping down countertops, sponges can come in contact with a lot of bacteria. To avoid spreading germs around your kitchen, it’s important to replace your sponge about once a month. In between changes, be sure to clean your kitchen sponges regularly using a method, such as vinegar, bleach, or high heat, that eliminates bacteria. If your sponge starts to look dirty or smell bad even after it’s been disinfected, you should swap it for a new one immediately. Toss storage containers every few years, immediately for disposable packaging.  Plastic containers, especially those that are meant to be disposable, were not meant to be used forever. Plastic breaks down over time, which can cause chemicals to leach into your food. Check for signs of wear after each use, and toss any containers that appear discolored, warped, or cracked. You should also get rid of any containers that are missing a lid or have an unusual smell. Always dispose of single-use food packagings, such as yogurt containers or margarine tubs, immediately after you’re finished with the product. Before you toss plastic containers in the garbage, check to see if it’s recyclable by looking for the stamped number inside the triangular recycling logo, usually found on the bottom of containers and bottles. Most recycling centers take plastic Nos. 1 and 2—which include many beverage bottles, milk jugs, peanut butter jars, and other containers—but it’s best to check with your community’s program to verify which types of plastic they can accept. Toss Pillows Every Few Years The material inside pillows breaks down with daily use, and all the dust, oil, and debris from your face can transfer to the pillow’s surface and interior space. Dust mites also accumulate, which can be troublesome to people suffering from asthma or allergies. To get rid of your old pillows, consider donating them (after a good washing) to a local homeless shelter or animal shelter to be repurposed as bedding. However, because not all shelters will accept used pillows, it’s best to call ahead before bringing in your donation. Please note that this Scottsdale Real Estate Blog is for informational purposes and not intended to take the place of a licensed Scottsdale Real Estate Agent. The Szabo Group offers first-class real estate services to clients in the Scottsdale Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area in the buying and selling of Luxury homes in Arizona. Award-winning Realtors and Re/MAX top producers and best real estate agent for Luxury Homes in Scottsdale, The Szabo group delivers experience, knowledge, dedication and proven results. Contact Joe Szabo at 480.688.2020, info@ScottsdaleRealEstateTeam.com or visit www.scottsdalerealestateteam.com to find out more about Scottsdale Homes for Sale and Estates for Sale in Scottsdale and to search the Scottsdale MLS for Scottsdale Home Listings.