Home Maintenance Myths (and the Truths Behind Them)

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Home maintenance tips spread fast — and not all of them are true. From cleaning shortcuts to “expert” tricks passed around on social media, it’s easy to accidentally make more work for yourself (or even cause damage!) without realizing it. This month, we’re breaking down some of the most common home maintenance myths and sharing the real advice that actually helps.

“Vinegar cleans everything” — not quite

Vinegar is a cleaning superstar, but it definitely has limits. While it works wonders on glass, stainless steel, and mineral buildup, it should never be used on stone countertops like granite, marble, or quartz — the acidity can slowly wear away the finish.

A safer alternative?
For stone surfaces, stick to a gentle dish soap + warm water solution or a pH-neutral stone cleaner. They clean effectively without stripping the sealant. A soft microfiber cloth and mild soap go a long way in keeping the stone shiny and streak-free.

Ceiling fans: the summer/ winter mix-up

If you’ve never changed your ceiling fan direction, you’re definitely not alone — many people don’t realize it’s a built-in feature. Most ceiling fans have a small switch on the motor housing (usually on the side or underneath).

• In summer, set the fan to spin counterclockwise to push cool air down and create a breeze.
• In winter, flip it to clockwise so it pulls cool air up, circulating warm air gently without feeling drafty.

It’s a tiny adjustment with surprisingly big comfort and energy-saving benefits.

More soap ≠ cleaner clothes

It’s easy to think that extra detergent means extra cleaning power — but laundry doesn’t work that way. Too much soap can leave residue on fabrics, trap odors, and even make washers work harder. For better results, use the recommended amount (or even slightly less), run the occasional cleaning cycle, and avoid overloading the machine. Your clothes — and your washer — will thank you.

You can touch up paint without repainting the whole wall

It takes a bit of technique, but blending paint touch-ups is absolutely possible. The trick is to “feather” the edges by lightly spreading the paint outward instead of creating a hard patch. Using the same finish (matte, eggshell, etc.) also makes a huge difference. For small scratches or nail holes, a gentle, gradual blend can keep your wall looking fresh without pulling out full drop cloths and rollers.

The 10-minute monthly check

Preventative maintenance doesn’t need to be complicated — or time-consuming. A quick monthly once-over can catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs. Check under sinks for slow leaks, test smoke detectors, wipe furnace vents, vacuum behind appliances, look at your hot water tank for rust or drips, and make sure your dryer vent is clear. It’s a simple routine that helps your home stay safe, efficient, and in good working order year-round.

How often are you supposed to be cleaning that thing?

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How often are you really supposed to be washing your towels? Ever dusted behind those books? What does the top of your refrigerator look like? There are a lot of missed spots in our cleaning routines, and you might not be tackling that cleaning job as often as you should. Here are some spots in your home that you may not have touched for a while:

Your towels

You might think towels are self-cleaning because they technically touch soap and water every day—but no. Towels collect moisture, skin cells, and bacteria faster than you’d imagine, and they really should get tossed into the wash every 3–4 uses. If that number shocked you, don’t worry—you’re not alone.

The top of the fridge

If there’s one place in the kitchen almost guaranteed to be forgotten, it’s the top of the refrigerator. It’s basically a dust magnet with an invisible “please ignore me” sign on it. Give it a wipe every couple of weeks… or at least occasionally glance up there so it doesn’t feel so neglected.

Your shower curtain or liner 

The shower curtain is always around moisture, so it’s easy for mildew to make itself comfortable. Toss fabric curtains into the wash every month, and wipe or replace plastic liners regularly. Your bathroom will thank you. Your nose will too.

Reusable bags

Reusable bags are hardworking, loyal, and… often kind of gross. Between groceries, gym clothes, and occasional mystery crumbs, they need a wash every now and then. Fabric ones can usually go in the machine; plastic-based totes can be wiped down. Try to clean them every few uses so they don’t become mobile petri dishes.

Door handles and light switches

We touch them dozens of times a day but rarely think to clean them. A quick wipe with a gentle cleaner once a week will do the trick. It’s small, it’s fast, and it keeps things fresh—kind of like brushing your teeth, but for your house.

The Everyday Green Home

Creating a more eco-friendly home doesn’t have to mean swapping everything you own or buying a dozen speciality products. In fact, some of the easiest and most impactful changes come from the things you already use every day. This month, we’re focusing on simple, realistic habits that reduce waste, save money, and help your home feel just a little lighter on the planet. No pressure — just practical ideas to try at your own pace.

Look at what can be refilled instead of rebought

If you love the idea of cutting down on single-use plastics, using refillable containers is a great first step in your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. Basics like dish soap, hand soap, or pantry staples can go in refillable containers, and many grocery stores now offer refill options. Do a search for refillable grocery stores in your area, and you may be surprised at how many businesses exist to help cut back on plastic waste.

Choose sustainable textiles for everyday comfort

Natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool aren’t just better for the environment — they’re often more durable, breathable, and comfortable. Linen bedding gets softer with every wash, cotton towels last longer than synthetic blends, and wool blankets regulate temperature beautifully in spring’s unpredictable weather. Swapping items as they wear out (not all at once) is an easy way to build a home filled with long-lasting, planet-friendly fabrics.

Review your city’s guidelines for recycling

Even when we try our best, recycling can get confusing, and mistakes can be made. Some plastics may not be acceptable in a blue bin, such as non-packaging materials (i.e. toys or hangers), padded envelopes or metallic wrapping paper. Guidelines may vary from municipality to municipality, so if you want to make sure your efforts are making a difference, it’s worth the time to go to your city’s website and find their guide to recyclables. It keeps you from guessing what goes where and keeps your items out of a landfill.

Try indoor composting — it’s easier than you think

Composting doesn’t require a backyard, a huge garden, or a high tolerance for smells. Countertop composters, Bokashi bins, and small freezer containers are perfect for apartments or smaller homes. Many cities also offer green-bin pickup, meaning your food scraps never need to sit around. If odour worries you, try storing kitchen scraps in the freezer — it eliminates smells entirely and makes adding to your compost simple.

Adopt micro-habits that add up over time

Living a little greener often comes down to the smallest choices, not big lifestyle changes. Running more cold-water laundry loads, unplugging chargers when not in use, choosing cloth over paper towels, or keeping a reusable bag by the front door are all tiny changes with long-term impact. Pick one or two to start — the goal is to make greener living feel natural, not overwhelming.

How to Use Natural Products in Your Spring Cleaning

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It’s time to tackle those tough cleaning jobs in your home! From places rarely reached to those stubborn stains, you want a clean house, but you don’t want to be breathing in harsh chemicals to get it. Here are some natural cleaning tips to keep your home health and physical health in good shape.

Start with the basics you already have

You don’t need a cupboard full of speciality products to get a great clean—your kitchen likely already has what you need. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and even salt can tackle everyday jobs without the harshness of commercial cleaners. Whether you’re wiping down surfaces or dealing with a spot that needs a little extra elbow grease, these natural staples can handle more than you think.

Let baking soda do the heavy lifting

If you’re looking for a versatile cleaner that can scrub, neutralize, and freshen, baking soda is your MVP. Sprinkle it into sinks or tubs before scrubbing, use it to deodorize carpets before vacuuming, or mix it into a paste with water to brighten grimy grout. It’s gentle enough for most surfaces but tough enough for stubborn stains—making it a spring cleaning essential.

Use vinegar as your all-purpose go-to

​White vinegar is the ultimate natural cleaner thanks to its ability to cut through grease, dissolve mineral buildup, and leave surfaces sparkling. Use it to clean windows, refresh your washing machine, or wipe down kitchen appliances. If the smell is a bit strong for you, infuse it with citrus peels for a few days, and your cleaner will smell fresher without losing any power.

Harness the power of lemons

Lemons are more than just a pretty garnish—they’re natural disinfectants with a bright, clean scent. Their acidity helps break down soap scum and hard water stains, and the peels themselves can be rubbed directly onto cutting boards to freshen and deodorize. Use lemon juice on faucets, glass, and stainless steel for a streak-free shine that smells like spring.

Refresh fabrics without chemical sprays

Instead of conventional fabric fresheners, try a simple mix of water, baking soda, fabric softener, and a few drops of your favourite essential oil in a spray bottle. A light mist over furniture, curtains, and rugs can eliminate odors without coating your home in synthetics. Just remember to test a small patch of fabric first—natural doesn’t mean risk-free!

Reclaim Your Space

You might love your stuff, but you never want to be overwhelmed by your own belongings. At the same time, you don’t want your home to be cold and empty just to be minimalist – so what’s the solution? Here are some tips on creating breathing room to keep your space yours, while not letting piles of clutter take over.

Figure out what gets piled up on the most

It might be the chair piled up with clothes, the side table covered in mail, or the coffee table that doesn’t have space for coffee anymore. Look around your home for these common clutter zones and teach yourself to put things away instead of just putting them down.

Create intentional displays for sentimental items

You don’t have to put everything out of sight, especially if they have meaning to you! Shadow boxes are a great way to display odd bits and ends from trips, and a simple spice rack on a side table gives you a great way to display trinkets neatly.

Go digital!

Whether it’s kids’ artwork or important documents, shelves and drawers can be overwhelmed by papers piling up over the years. Take the time to digitize your loose files, it’ll save you from losing keepsakes to the wrong recycling pile. Plus, you don’t even need a scanner these days as most smartphone cameras are already primed to scan and save documents.

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Tackle the ‘necessary’ clutter

There are some things you can’t get around needing, like the cords behind a gaming set-up or products on a bathroom counter. In these cases, giving the items just a little bit of separation can make all the difference. If you have items on a counterspace, invest in a small tray or a small bin for floor items like cables.

Never leave a room empty handed

If your big cluttering hurdle is that there are things everywhere, don’t save the cleaning for one big day – life is busy, and who knows when that day will come! Instead, try to take one or two things with you every time you leave a room, and find the right place for them. A dish that needs to make its way back to the kitchen, a book that needs to go back on a shelf, this is the best way to get your space looking neater without waiting for that ‘big clean’ next spring.

New Year, New Colours of the Year

A time-honoured tradition for paint companies and tastemakers alike is naming the ‘Colour of the Year’ for the twelve months ahead. The good news is that they never seem to agree on one shade, so no matter how you want to refresh your space, you’re sure to find something that matches your vibe.

Pantone: Cloud Dancer

If your home needs a breath of fresh, calming air, Pantone’s pick of a light shade could bring calm into your space. Don’t be quick to write it off as boring, the brand describes the pick as a “scaffolding colour” which gives you a lot of options to play with pops of colour.

Benjamin Moore: Silhouette

A warm espresso shade with undercurrents of charcoal, this shade is warm, rich and inviting, great for living spaces that will keep you and your family cozy through the year ahead.

Behr: Hidden Gem

This jewel tone blends blue and green for something rich and perfect for sophisticated spaces. Use on the walls if you have a large space to cover, or stick to smaller contrast items such as kitchen cabinets or an accent wall if you don’t want to overwhelm your space.

Valspar: Warm Eucalyptus 

If your home could use a touch of grounded tranquility, Valspar’s Warm Eucalyptus brings exactly that. This soft, earthy green acts as a gentle backdrop that feels both restorative and modern. It’s subtle enough to calm a room, yet rich enough to make your décor feel intentional.

Glidden: Warm Mahogany

This deep brown with red undertones creates an inviting atmosphere that works especially well in reading nooks, dining rooms, or anywhere you want a sense of intimacy. Use it strategically as an accent wall or on smaller furniture pieces — it’s a colour that instantly elevates a room with timeless, comforting sophistication.

Easy Ways to Switch Up Your Seasonal Décor

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It’s that time of year when we go from the warm colours of fall to the spooky vibes of Halloween to the cozy feeling of Christmas, and if you like your home to reflect these changes, you might be overwhelmed with all the decorating! These tips will help you easily switch out key spots in your home to reflect the changing season while not overdoing it or giving you too much holiday fatigue.

Choose a spot in each room of your home that’s high visibility

If you want to make switching décor easier, it helps to focus on one big piece per room. Take the time to decide what in each room will reflect your current celebration. This could mean the couch cushions in your living room, the tablecloth on your dining table, or the piece of wall art in your hallway. By having this in mind ahead of time, it helps cut down on too many impulse purchases when all the décor hits store shelves.

Tablecloths are easy changes that make a big impact

The season for gathering around a big meal is here, and tablecloths are a great way to add a bit of festive punch to your dining room. Plus, they’re easy to swap out depending on the celebration, and you can find a wide range of textiles in every price range – that way the pumpkin carving can happen on a plastic covering while Thanksgiving dinner takes place on something a little higher quality.

Cushion covers are versatile and fun

Don’t be swayed by the decorative cushions that fill up your laundry room shelves – opt for covers instead! They’re easier to store and it’ll make switching out between holidays a breeze. Plus, you’ll be able to mix and match solid colors with more vibrant patterns to get the holiday mood that suits your space.

One frame is all you need

Whether you have an art print that reflects the season or family photos from the pumpkin patch and Santa’s village, one frame could be all you need to add a holiday touch to a highly visible wall. The trick is to match your art or photos to the one frame size, that way you can store everything behind your current selection, and you’re never searching for the next change up because it’s all in one place.

Go ahead, draw on the walls

This one is great for kids – if you have a wall that you don’t mind covering in chalk paint, it could be a great way to add some holiday cheer in the form of your very own family art! Let your kids go wild with chalk, it all comes off with just one swipe of a wet rag (just be sure to keep everything on the one wall!)

​Image Credit: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5

What to plant in October for a blooming spring garden

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Just because winter is on its way doesn’t mean you have to hang up your gardening tools for the year! Spend some time getting your garden spring ready so that a few months from now, your garden is in full bloom once more.

Shade trees to keep you cool in hot weather

Summer heat may already be a distant memory but you’ll be thankful for shade once the temperatures rise again! If you’ve been planning to plant trees in your garden, this time of year is perfect for young trees to have the time to take root and grow into the soil before the summer arrives. Remember to take the time to research what trees work best for your region!

Tulips to fill your garden with colour

Tulips are best planted when the overnight temperature is around 10 degrees, so October is the perfect time to start planting bulbs. Keep an eye on how much rain is expected because too much water will introduce rot to the bulbs, so if you’re having a wet fall, don’t bother manually watering as well. Just sit back and wait for a colourful spring!

Crocuses to push through the late winter 

If the last stretch of winter really gets you down, you’ll want to see signs of spring early and Crocuses are the perfect bloom to chase away the blues! They bloom between late winter and early spring, so plant them this month to see them in a few short months. They also get waterlogged easily, so let Mother Nature take care of the watering upkeep.

Hyacinths for the smell of spring

Beautiful and elegant, Hyacinths also offer up a strong fragrance that you’ll be able to enjoy if you like spending time in your garden. By planting them this month you’ll be giving them the 10 – 12 weeks they need to take root and blossom just in time for the spring season. Plus, their perennial nature means you’ll enjoy them for years to come.

Leafy Greens for fresh salads

If you think you’d like to try growing some fresh ingredients for your meals, October is a great month to plant spinach, kale and lettuce, all ready for spring and summer salads. You’ll be amazed at how fresh-from-the-garden ingredients elevate your dishes, and nothing tastes better than the rewards of your hard work!

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Hacks to Make Your Morning Routine Faster Than Ever

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It’s back-to-school season which means you’re back to wrangling everyone out the door in time for work and the school bus. But it doesn’t have to be a daily fight! With these easy life hacks, you’ll have your morning routine running smoothly in no time.

Have clothes ready the night before

Nothing holds up a morning like choosing what to wear! Encourage your kids to pick out their outfit the night before and have it out for easy changing in the mornings. Consider a designated hook where everything can hang so that it’s easy to grab in a rush.

Prep breakfast ahead of time 

If you like having a good breakfast in the mornings, take the time to meal prep at the start of the week. You could have jars of overnight oats or pre-built breakfast sandwiches ready to grab and reheat. This way if you decide to sleep in a little, you can still grab breakfast and take it with you out the door.

Agree on who gets to use the bathroom when

If you want to avoid the battle of the bathroom every morning, have a pre-determined schedule of when everyone gets their turn and have that schedule posted where it’s visible. If anyone needs extra help, try putting a small timer on your bathroom counter that you or your kids can set so that they know when they have to clear out.

Don’t let anyone set the snooze alarm

It can seem like a huge hurdle to give up on the snooze alarm, but studies show that waking up and hitting that button makes it more difficult to get out of bed, leading to chaos just a little while later. Encourage yourself and your kids to get up with their first alarm, and keep wake-up times consistent, you’ll be surprised to see that it does get easier to get out of bed.

Have set spaces for everyone’s stuff near the front door

Besides shoes and coats, you might find your entryway a mess of backpacks, musical instruments, sport equipment and everything else your busy family needs for the day. Cut down on the clutter by adding a cubby shelving unit, perfect for storing shoes and baskets where everyone can store what they need for each day.

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The Power of Steam Cleaning

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You may have thought about using steam to clean your carpets, but with the right tools, steam cleaning can be used all over your home. With the right tools, you can turn your cleaning routine into a breeze, with less chemicals in the mix. Read below for ways that steam cleaning can totally revolutionize how you think about your cleaning chores.

Take a steam cleaner to your stovetop

If scrubbing at grease stains isn’t your idea of a fun time, cut your kitchen cleaning time by using a steam cleaner with a nozzle attachment on your stovetop! It’s a lifesaver for stubborn food buildup and can easily take care of your stove and the backsplash which may have it’s fair share of spills and splatter.

Get your bathroom floors to sparkle

If you like a clean bathroom floor but struggle with hard to reach nooks and crevices around your toilet or tub, steam cleaners are easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Plus, they work wonders on tile and vinyl, so your bathroom floor will shine in no time!

Clean your oven without harsh chemicals

Scrubbing an oven can be time intensive and uncomfortable when inhaling the fumes of harsh cleaners. A stiff brush attachment on a steam cleaner works magic on build up and stains, leaving your oven as good as new, and you without an aching head.

Don’t forget the grouting 

You may have shining shower tiles, but how about the grout in between? With a steam cleaner, you can focus specifically on the small tracks between your tiles and make sure no detail in your bathroom is too small to take care of.

Take it to your windows

Windex isn’t the only solution for crystal clear windows! Steam cleaners leave glass sparkling, but the real use comes when you clean out the window seal, where dust and debris build quickly. A steam cleaner will have enough power to clear that away with no issue.

​Image Credit: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5