London Local Services https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk Tue, 20 Apr 2021 21:15:01 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=102 8 Ways to Keep Your Bedroom Clean Once & for All! https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/ways-to-keep-your-bedroom-clean-once-for-all/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/ways-to-keep-your-bedroom-clean-once-for-all/#respond Wed, 10 Apr 2019 12:23:08 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3615 Continue reading ]]> deep-carpet-cleaningWe are all busy people. We use this lack of time as the perfect excuse to neglect the hygiene of our house, particularly the bedroom.

Why is bedroom the easiest target of neglect? We usually keep the guests in our living area.

In our stressful lives, our bedrooms usually are our safe havens. It is the place where we can rest, relax and recharge.

Cleaning your bedroom can seem difficult. This is why most of us keep putting it off until next week. The more time that passes, the harder it becomes to clean.

So pick up your cleaning tools, here we have 8 ways for you to keep your bedroom clean for good.

No More Procrastination

If you neglect cleaning your bedroom, it becomes difficult and time-consuming later on.

Go easy on yourself, don’t procrastinate. Schedule your bedroom cleaning for the weekend. Do it every week & it won’t even take half an hour to clean.

Best time to clean?

Saturday or Sunday mornings after breakfast. What better time to get active than after a good weekend sleep in and a hearty breakfast?

  • Get to the dusting first and organize the out of place belongings.
  • Handle the bed and end it with floor cleaning.
  • Avoid cluttering the room with dirty laundry by keeping a basket inside your room.
  • Don’t waste time obsessing over one thing.
  • Stay on schedule.

Opt for Less Furnishings

Less is more when it comes to furniture in the bedroom. Your bed will take up a lot of the room anyway.

  • Reduce the furnishing in your room. The less you keep, the larger your room would look. Having too many things inside your bedroom can feel suffocating.
  • Think over your belongings. Do you really need a chest inside your bedroom if you already have a closet?
    Don’t put a desk in there if you already have a study.
  • If you can spare a small adjacent room, turn that into your closet. The Hygge concept is worth the read. This would help immensely to keep your bedroom organized.

Remember, less furniture means lesser things to clean – Best for Mums!

Floors, Walls, Windows!

Taking care of your floor is easy if you have a tile or marble floor. Weekly sweeping and mopping do the trick nicely. Make sure you clean under your bed too!

If you have carpet flooring, remove it if possible. Carpet needs to be vacuumed twice a week and making time for that is difficult.

Dust walls every month to avoid cobwebs. They are one of the key causes of allergies.

Wash the curtains twice a year, but it’s better to wash them every 4 months. You can dust your windows once every month. Give them a thorough clean every 6 months.

Using linen spray is a good idea. It keeps your sheets and curtains smelling fresh.

Stop With All The Hoarding

Most of us have a tendency to hoard. It’s a very human problem. We get attached to things and feel like everything is important. Even if we never used them but keep stuffing the interior.

It’s important to stop hoarding if you want to keep your bedroom clean.

This emotional attachment to inanimate objects needs to end.

Be real with what you really need. You will never use that hat you bought 3 years ago at the beach. The skateboard from your teen years needs to go.

You will free up so much space if you would only let go of useless nostalgia. You will free up so much space if you would only let go of useless nostalgia and remove your waste for good.

Find Clever Solutions For Out Of Place Things

Our bedrooms are filled with things that you need but don’t have a place to keep. Get creative and find solutions to such problems.

For example, investing in a nice holder for your umbrellas, hiking poles, mats, etc.

A trunk also can keep your many bags out of sight. You can even turn it into a sitting place with some cushions.

Same goes for smaller objects like makeup and shades. Invest in attractive boxes that will not only keep your knick knacks but will decorate your room.

Cleaning Out Your Closet

My aunt always says that investing in clothing for short-lived bliss is a complete waste of money. At the expense of our fashion, do I dare say that it is kind of true?

It is really worth the expenditure? Plus we always have the hardest time to throw away clothes.

Ask yourself before buying an item of clothing, do you really need it?

Throw out clothes that have gone through a lot of wear and tear. Donate the clothes you never wear to charitable organizations.

Best way to stay trendy and declutter your closet is to throw out old clothing when you buy new ones.

Treat Your Bed Nicely

A bed is a vital part of your bedroom. Keeping it tidy is important for having a good night of sleep.

You must change your bed sheets and pillow covers once every week.

Every good mattress needs proper care. Vacuum the mattress once a month. Get it professionally cleaned every year.

If you have a box spring, you must vacuum that every two months. It is also good to put the box spring and mattress out in the sun every once in a while.

Wash the pillows every 6 months. Dust or vacuum the headboards and the sides every week.

A Breathable Bedroom

Your bedroom shouldn’t feel stuffy.

  • Make sure your room get proper ventilation.
  • Open up the windows and air the room every day.
  • If you live in a dry environment, be kind to your sinuses and buy a humidifier.

Try making your own air freshener using distilled water, rubbing alcohol and any essential oils. Opt for orange or citrus essential oil if you have a pet odor problem.

Breathing inside your bedroom should be easy and fresh.

Conclusion

Keeping your bedroom clean is all about persistence. You don’t have to clean obsessively, just make sure you do it regularly.

Clean your bedroom weekly and turn it into your refreshing zen area.

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How to Reduce the Organic Waste in Your Home https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/how-to-reduce-the-organic-waste-in-your-home/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/how-to-reduce-the-organic-waste-in-your-home/#respond Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:31:47 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3591 Continue reading ]]> Household Organic Rubbish is a Disaster

organic waste

You all have it in your home, if you don’t, it’s just temporary. After the next family meeting or holiday, you will be once again amazed at the amount of food waste that you can possibly generate. Some of it will form because of the food that you won’t be able to fully consume, another part will be the leftovers that you consider as inedible. No matter the source of the refuse, you will need to acquire the skills to deal with organic junk.

Do Not Buy More Than You Need

We know the sale in the supermarket is tempting and marketers will use any forms of indirect persuasion to make you buy good you don’t really need just to keep the economy up, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill your fridge with supplies as if the apocalypse is coming and you’ll have to rely on what’s inside for the next decade. Doing so usually ends up with kilograms of food being wasted and thrown in the bin because of the expiry date that has already passed and companies that do rubbish removal Tooting Broadway clear that garbage..

 

To always have the food supplies you need and love to eat but don’t want to spend money on something that will be disposed before even unpackaged focus on consistency instead of quantity. Visit your local grocery every day and buy small amounts of nutriment that will be just enough until the next day when you’ll repeat this. Turning such actions into a habit is your best option.

 

Use Your Refrigerator Like a Pro to Reduce The Waste

clean-oven

The amount of time for which your food supplies will remain of high quality is mostly a matter of how you store them. Being the primary electronic device in your home, the refrigerator is responsible for this on first place so you have to know what its full potential is. Use plastic boxes to separate your food. That way you won’t mix the fragrances which will result in more pleasant consumption when the time for that comes.

 

Don’t take out milk-based products from their containers. One of the purpose of packaging design is to store the thing inside efficiently. Putting your yoghurt in a bowl and then placing it inside your fridge is not the greatest idea.

 

Don’t wash any vegetables and fruits before you begin to store them. This will create conditions for faster decay, which produces methane – a poisonous substance the rest of your food must not, at any cost, be exposed to.
Use leakproof containers to store the leftovers inside. You can afterwards feed your dog with them, if that won’t hurt it or make a compost out of it which will serve you well to develop your garden to suit your lifestyle perfectly.

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Rubbish Collection Services: A Way to Clear Up London https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/rubbish-collection-services-a-way-to-clear-up-london/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/rubbish-collection-services-a-way-to-clear-up-london/#respond Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:15:43 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3578 Continue reading ]]> United Kingdom is a country with constant economic growth and London is the most busy place in the whole country. Most residents and commercial clients seek rubbish collection solutions in skips which cause stress, that could be easily avoided. Hiring a skip requires a permit for it and there are parking and
congestion fees, which vary depending on the area.

This may be one of the reasons why waste collection services in London are starting to grow and operate with more and more households or business owners. Their services are easy to book, more affordable than hiring a skip, all skip hire disadvantages are waste collection companies’ benefits. If the carrier is a respectful one, a responsible disposal of the waste has to be absolutely guaranteed and easy to prove.

The process of rubbish clearance is simple as a kids’ play. You connect with the waste disposal firm, explain them with details what kind of junk has to be cleared and then schedule a visit for a pick-up. Many of the companies in London offer next day waste disposal and some even a same-day one. Scheduling a visit is easy when there is no council involved, as these companies often are available and operate 7 days a week, even on Bank Holidays.

The practice of the UK’s waste collection firms is not to leave you a container to fill it by yourself, but to transport the junk for you after they have first loaded it in their van or garbage truck.

Of course, sometimes the job is bigger for the average transportation vehicle. When this information is provided on time, companies have the time to react and prepare a special vehicle or send a selected team for the current job. All waste collectors are trained to handle all types of waste and the problems that waste can cause. Their job is to take the accumulated rubbish, load it quickly, leaving your home premises clean and saving you any stress.

Fly-tipping is forbidden in the UK, but it is still a growing problem in the recent years. Using the services of rubbish collection company in London ensures your waste won’t be fly-tipped somewhere. All waste carriers are licensed from the Environmental Agency to operate and dispose of waste, and if caught fly-tipping, that license will be taken and company shut down.
There are some items that need special attention when dealing with them – fluorescent tubes lights and fridges, for example, have to be disposed of according to the government regulation in the current area. Companies invest in their waste collectors, giving them trainings to operate and dispose of any type of junk.

As you may have already noticed, rubbish removal services really are a great way to avoid hiring a skip and the stress related to it. One more benefit of the services over skip hire, is that they are not restricted for certain type of waste. Waste collection companies will take large household objects, refurbishment waste, garden waste and will clear up, before leaving, it is part of their service.

If you have a garden you know it can cause a waste problem when season changes. Green waste collection is part of carrier’s services and they can collect sheds, soil, plants and more.
Collecting and disposing of garden waste can be tricky in London, because most of the residential properties do not have an entrance directly to it, but the rubbish collection specialists have to use the main entrance without leaving any signs that they had been there.

Not only households and domestic clients in London can use the services of a licensed rubbish collection company like Fantastic Waste Removal, but commercial clients and business can too. Offices, shops or other properties in the commercial sector can receive a visit from the carrier. They can take almost everything, from furniture like desks and filing cabinets to electronic appliances and such.

In the capital of UK, the most busy part of the whole country, it was always a hassling experience to get rid of your household or commercial waste. Council’s requirements, skip permits, parking fees and etc made it even a worse and more expensive experience.

We constantly hear on the news of new polluted places, maybe this raised the awareness and now more Londoners find the issue of what happens with their waste as a highly-important one.
Waste collection services in London are a growing business, created with one purpose – to solve all these problems and ensure a healthier living for UK’s citizens.

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Less Waste Means Less Stress https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/less-waste-means-less-stress/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/less-waste-means-less-stress/#respond Thu, 01 Oct 2015 12:37:24 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3574 Continue reading ]]> The age-old question that everyone asks before adding an item to their list of possessions used to be, “Do I need this?” The current day approach to that very specific question has become more of a statement like, “Everyone has this… I want it too!

Have you seen the queue to buy the latest iPhone?

There are a number of things you need in life, simply to sustain your existence: Food, water, shelter, clothing and, depending on where you live, a form of transportation.

Each version of those necessities can exist on a number of levels, based on your personality, or the perception you are trying to project onto others.

For example, everyone needs to eat. What does that mean to you? Does that mean you pack a lunch that includes sustenance that will provide you with the energy to get through the day successfully? Or does that mean you go to a restaurant each day and overindulge in a meal that is full of fat, sodium, and preservatives?

Your body certainly does not need the extra food to enhance its production and based on the portions served at restaurants these days, you are probably overeating, which may make you LESS productive upon returning to the office.

The body’s need is to survive, and that need is provided through nutrients. Your want may be the extra salty, delicious-to-a-fault portions, which will not only hinder your ability to function properly but can also cost a significant amount of money to achieve. Not to mention the possible disadvantages to your health, thanks to the fat, sodium and size of the meal.

In the same vein, the body needs water to survive. It does not need soda, alcohol, or juices to maintain its level of dexterity; it simply needs water.

Depending on where you live, sagely drinking water as a form of hydration can be free, right from the tap of your home or office. Or at most, it can include the expense of a water filter and reusable/refillable receptacle to drink it from.

This one form of hydration is all your body actually needs to survive. Anything else can be lumped into the “want” category. When you opt to consume things you want, it affects your health, budget and possibly your ability to make sound decisions, or display proper judgment. That is not to say that all beverages that are not water are bad, or hazardous to your health. They are just unnecessary for you to sustain life.

Houses, cars, and possessions can all be divided into these two categories as well. The minimalist approach can be assigned to each of the classifications as well, with a simple analysis of your home and lifestyle.

When thinking about the home you need, evaluate how many people you are housing, and how much room each will need to sustain life.

If you are a single person, you certainly do not need 6 000 square foot home, or even one that has more than one bedroom to clean. Purchasing or leasing something so extraordinarily large in comparison to the number of people who will be using it is the exact opposite approach to minimalism.

Vehicles can be evaluated in the very same way.

Decide how many people will be using the vehicle simultaneously. If you have four kids, you will need something bigger than a two-seater to ensure their safety during transport.

Minimalism does not always mean less. However, you do not have to purchase anything that costs more than an existing model, simply because it has power windows or Bluetooth technology. When you are thinking minimalistic, you simply need a vehicle that will provide safe transportation for you and your passengers for an extended period of time. Everything else is a want, not a need, and will cost more money than is necessary to achieve the same goal.

Possessions are the first thing that can be ruled out when you are developing a minimalist approach.

With all of the available gadgets including phones, tablets, and televisions, you could potentially save yourself an exorbitant amount of money by passing on the purchase of anything you do not physically need. If you are a student, a computer would be a necessity. That computer, however, would only need to function as a word processor, research aide, and communicative tool. It would not need to cost more simply because of its brand name.

As for the items you already have at home, evaluate whether or not they are useful for you. If the pile of useless things is too big, you may need professional rubbish collection services to get rid of it. London has many qualified providers of rubbish removal services you can trust taking care of your junk.

That same logical thinking can be extended to all of your possessions. Determining which items you actually need to survive or function according to your livelihood, will save you a lot of time, space and more importantly, money.

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Declutter Your Home and Life https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/declutter-your-home-and-your-live/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/declutter-your-home-and-your-live/#respond Sat, 15 Aug 2015 10:02:18 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3566 Continue reading ]]> Most people’s lives are chaotic. They are filled with work, errands, and chores that must be done. The more demanding tasks you have on your regular agenda, means the less likely you will want to spend your rare free moments cleaning and organizing your house.

declutter-your-home

Photo: flickr.com

Unfortunately, the more you put off sorting through the miscellaneous piles that have accumulated throughout your home, the longer it will take to do it, and the less motivated you will be to start on it. Keeping an area organized, clean, and clutter-free is not that difficult, but if you are starting with a cluttered mess, it may feel overwhelming or even impossible. Don’t worry, it can and will be done!

Your home is your castle. It is a representation of you and it should be something you are proud to show off. Many people who allow clutter to flood their lives will stop inviting company over and even isolate themselves from the rest of the world. They are embarrassed by the mess, so they try to hide the neglect of their home from the people who mean the most of them. The emotional and social struggles that come with hoarding can quickly take over your life which is why cleaning the bedroom here and there is a healthy thing to do.

Fortunately, things can be easily changed and improved. Simply by making a commitment to living a clutter-free life and spending 15 minutes a day cleaning your home, you can transform it back into the castle you deserve.
I know cleaning and organizing the clutter in your home doesn’t sound like a fun way to spend your time, but trust me, the reward will be worth the effort. Not only will you have a nicer looking home, but it will simplify your daily tasks and save you significant time in the long run. However, if you don’t want to waste your time in house clearing, call some of the rubbish clearance London companies to come in and clear your home for you. They will collect everything worthless from your premise, and will dispose of it according to the local rubbish removal regulations.

Decluttering Saves Time and Money

Being organized will end up saving you a lot of time, since it will be much easier to find the things that you use the most. Everything in your home should have a designated place where it belongs. If everything is your home is put back in its rightful spot, you won’t waste time searching for things.

You will also save money, since you won’t end up buying something that you already own. I know this happens because I have done it many times myself. For example, every time I bought wrapping paper, I would pick up a roll of Scotch tape. I never put the old roll back in the same spot, so I was never sure if I had any leftover when it came time to wrap another gift. When I finally decluttered my home, I came across six open rolls of tape.

I also found many exciting hidden treasures during my decluttering effort. My grandfather has passed away several years before I gave my home an overhaul and I collected several items from his home as keepsakes. I has his photo albums, which I kept for sentimental reasons, but there were other items from his home that proved to be quite valuable.

I found one of his old vases that I ended up selling online to a collector for £350, as well as a painting that sold for £220. There was also a shelf my grandpa had built that I now use to organize my books and a small leather storage ottoman that is now in my living room.

During my decluttering, I also discovered that I still had a small collection of vinyl records. I ended up selling all of them for £250 at my first post-declutter yard sale. In fact, I sold a lot of excess items at my yard sale and made over £1000 that day, but those records brought in the most money. It truly is amazing how much money you can find in your home, if you take the time to look for it.

That is the real trick behind a successful decluttering effort. It is about deciding what gives your life or home value and what is worth more to you if it is sold or given away. There are things in your home that may have a high retail value, but if you are not actively using it, does it really provide your life with any value?

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Tips for Maintaining Your Central Heating System https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/tips-for-maintaining-your-central-heating-system/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/tips-for-maintaining-your-central-heating-system/#respond Wed, 24 Sep 2014 10:25:01 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3559 Continue reading ]]> As many of you will be aware, London is a hard water area. While this may mean little more to you than the lime scale that builds up in your kettle, it can cause other problems too – and central heating systems are particularly susceptible. Power flushing is a modern technique used to remove sludge and other deposits that have built up in the radiators. These foreign bodies then travel through to other parts of a central heating system and can cause considerable damage.

Central Heating System MaintenanceWhen radiators begin to rust internally the iron oxide that is produced develops into what is commonly known as ‘sludge’. Power flushing can help to remove this foully named substance and once the sludge had been removed then the whole system will work more efficiently. There are a number of problems that can occur with a central heating system that may indicate that power flushing is needed.

Problems with radiators

Cold spots on radiators are among one of the first signs noticed that may indicate that there might be a problem with the central heating system.

These cold spots may suggest that the water is not travelling all the way through the radiator, and blocked pipes are likely to be the main cause of this.

If these cold spots are at the base of the radiator this could be the point where sludge has accumulated. If when bleeding the radiators the water appears muddy, this suggests that there is corrosion somewhere in the system.

The build-up of sludge will begin in the radiators and this is the reason that problems are usually noticed here first.

No hot water

If your pipes become too blocked then this may lead to hot water being unable to reach the taps. If the hot water is on but the water remains cold then this is a sign that power flushing may be needed. No hot water can be a major cause of inconvenience to a household, especially one with young children, as it prevents many daily tasks from being carried out such as bathing and washing up.

Power flushing usually takes no more than a day to complete which ensures that households are not without hot water for too long.

Problems with the boiler

If a person notices that their boiler is sounding louder when working or it is making banging noises, then this could be a sign that sludge or limescale has begun to accumulate in the boiler. If it is the pump in the boiler that becomes blocked then this can lead to poor circulation of water which will cause problems elsewhere throughout the system. If you don’t know how to cover boiler pipes, you should learn.The boiler is probably the most important part of the central heating system in terms of keeping everything working and therefore any problems with it should be treated as soon as possible. Power flushing treats all aspects of the central heating system, including the boiler.

Power flushing is not just a process that is used to improve the efficiency of an old central heating system. While it is an effective solution to all the problems discussed above, it can also prevent these problems occurring if it is carried out on a new system. As part of the power flushing process, a solution is added to the water in the central heating system after it has been cleaned. This solution inhibits the corrosion process and therefore reduces the rate at which sludge will be produced.

Power flushing can increase the overall efficiency of the central heating system which means that less energy is needed to power the system. In some cases, this can reduce fuel bills by as much as 50% which makes it a very cost-effective solution to central heating problems.

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Top 5 Tips on Adding Value to YOUR Home https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/top-5-tips-on-adding-value-to-your-home/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/top-5-tips-on-adding-value-to-your-home/#respond Wed, 04 Jun 2014 10:27:23 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3554 Continue reading ]]> In this current climate, many homeowners are concluding that it’s better to stay put rather than move. This is because house prices are very high and many people don’t want to take on extra debt to upgrade.

However, adding features to your own property can be, in many ways, a better deal. This is because you can take your time when spending money and hopefully increase the value of your property along the way. We asked a leading estate agent in Notting Hill for their top tips when it comes to adding value to your home and here are their answers:

1. Extensions

There are many ways you can extend your home. For example, basement conversions, despite being the most expensive form of extension (and widely covered by the London press as they are proving popular in Prime London), can still add value to your home. However, you would need to do a proper cost/benefit analysis in order to get your money’s worth. It is also very important to examine the structure of your property, so you will need to hire specialists and while renovations are underway, you’ll need to move out for a few months and this can be enormously disruptive. Another, perhaps easier option is to add a loft extension – an easier way to get an extra bedroom and bathroom. It’s not particularly disruptive, as the work can be done on the exterior of the house. It’s also easier to add value to your home – you can often double the value of what you spend but make sure you do your figures.

As well as this, you could build a conservatory, but again, this needs planning to ensure it doesn’t simply look like something just placed on the back. Try to make sure the conservatory matches your property and isn’t a completely different style. Apparently a conservatory can add some seven percent to the value, while a full-blown extension adds 11 percent, according to figures.

2. Paint your home

This is very simple but effective. If you’re looking to sell your property, you need to attract people to the property from the get-go. Creating a minimalist effect is one way of making a property look spacious and clean. This can be done well by painting walls white. You could also clean and paint the front of the house and make sure the windows are clean so that the house stands out in your neighbourhood.

3. The kitchen and the bathroom

Yes, it really is true. Selling your home DOES often mean having a large, attractive kitchen and clean, glistening bathroom. Why not take a step back and think as to whether you would buy your own property based on these two rooms. Many families are attracted to properties that have large kitchens as if they have children they want space to cook for them. As well as this, kitchens have now become the showpiece of the home. People cook, work, watch television and entertain in kitchens. Make sure workplaces are clean and that there is easy access between the fridge, cooker and sink. It’s also a good idea to ensure the kitchen looks modern and updated with the latest mod cons. Impressions count!

The same goes for the bathroom. Keep things simple and minimalist – chrome towel rails, toilet roll holders and silver mirrors. Don’t try anything fancy with the bathroom if it’s small – if it’s larger you could afford to experiment a bit more, with claw-footed bath tubs, creative tiling and flamboyant mirrors.

4. Get planning permission

Even if you’re not looking to extend, you can simply make money by getting planning permission to do so. A survey costs about £1,500 or so, but your property will also be put into a higher league, as buyers will feel happier to put offers on your property if they know that the local authority has agreed to an extension.

5. Change the front door and windows

If a buyer comes to your home, what would be their first impression? Is your property smart? Does it have a nice door and windows, or does the exterior look attractive or cheap and nasty? Is it secure? These are all things to consider, especially if you live in an expensive city like London or Chicago in the U.S. Have a look at other doors in your neighbourhood to get an idea of what may suit your home. If your windows don’t match your house, try changing them to suit the age and style of the property, but don’t do anything just for the sake of it.

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What Does Your Office Desk Say about You https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/what-does-your-office-desk-say-about-you/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/what-does-your-office-desk-say-about-you/#respond Sun, 20 Apr 2014 12:50:30 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3551 Continue reading ]]> Take a look at your office desk. Is it covered with piles of unread documents? Are there any photos of your family members? Have you put any toy or funny sundries to bring you good luck or to inspire you?

The way you organize (or don’t organize) the items on your desk can say surprisingly many things about you. In the office you arrange your space in a certain way, which expresses your point of view, your goals and values.

Any manager at a company, can understand a lot about his or her employees by the look of their desks and will be able to motivate them better. Here you can a find a list of the things you should pay attention to, in order to realize what kind of person you are.

Organized Desk

The organized desk shows that you are a reliable person with timely and adequate reactions. You do the given work tasks with precision and you complete them in time. You are able to skilfully plan your working process and deal well with time management and deadlines. If you have a desktop calendar and it shows the right date and month, then this means that you are a person who is conscientiously doing his job.

Messy Desk

On the other hand, having a messy desk is not a bad thing at all. Usually creative people work well in such setting. This is the reason why creative individuals are often prematurely judged to be unproductive and lazy.

When people enter a messy office, their most common thought is that the people working hardly make any decisions and agree on something. But this is a stereotype, which is not true at all.

Strange Items on the Desk

In case you have unusual objects on your desk, this will mean that you are a creative person and you are open to new experiences. You enjoy the unknown. You love life. You are awake.

By “strange items” I mean mostly small, original pieces of art, placed near the monitor, which main purpose is to inspire and motivate you.

Innovative companies, such as advertising agencies and technological firms, try to attract creative employees and they encourage them to show their character through the decoration of their personal office space. For example, the American company Etsy has a prize of 100 dollars for every employee, who decorates his or her workplace. Nowadays, in Etsy’s offices can be seen all kinds of strange items, which are not related to the business or to each other – robots, plush octopus, old typewriters and different artworks.

Hanged Posters

Hanged posters or postcards with inspiring slogans mean that you are neurotic. People who like this type of office decoration are usually a little bit more nervous than the others. If you are one of them, don’t worry. Neurotic people often make successful projects and are really good in their job. The phrases, you surround yourself with, show your values and the desire to be understood by your co-workers. Inspiring slogans are thought to be a psychological way of keeping everyone emotionally together.

Open Spaces

Open spaces show that you are an extroverted person. People, who enjoy working while their door is open, have really comfortable office chairs and a bowl of candies on their desks. They are really hospitable, social and communicative. They want to send a message to the others, that they are always easy to reach and talk to. This is the reason why in most cases they are surrounded by many people.

The cleanliness and tidiness of your desk and your whole office can really say a lot of things to the other employees, to outsiders and clients. Therefore, you should set a certain order in your items and schedule a regular office cleaning services.

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Office Party for Valentine’s Day https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/office-party-for-valentines-day/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/office-party-for-valentines-day/#respond Mon, 10 Feb 2014 11:41:22 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3544 Continue reading ]]> Valentine’s day is not widely celebrated in companies, but this is a great chance for your firm to stand out and be unique. Plus, in these cold days your co-workers need something to warm their hearts. So why not celebrate Valentine’s day in your office? Here are some ideas, that you may find inspirational:

Red-themed Office Party

As you know the two basic colours, which represent Valentine’s day, are red and pink. But let’s admit it – if the decoration is all pink, your workplace will look like Barbie’s office, won’t it? And there are many people who are not big fans of pink, so better stick with red. It’s a more passionate colour and it will motivate your colleagues for the party.
You can hang heart garlands around the office to make it look more festive. Here you can find different ideas for Valentines decoration and maybe you’ll like some of them for your office.
Another great suggestion is to blow red balloons and you can even make a contest. Whoever blows the most balloons, receives a prize – 10 cupcakes for example. Everybody will be eager to compete for this sweet surprise.
Don’t forget to prepare food for the others as well, not just for the winner. Cookies, red cupcakes, conversation hearts, chocolates with strawberry filling, red velvet cake and whatever else comes into your mind. Red napkins and plastic plates will also contribute to the Valentine’s atmosphere.

“Remember the School Years” Party

Do you remember how you used to make valentine cards in elementary school? It was fun, wasn’t it? A lot of grown-ups forget what it felt like to be a kid, but some still keep the little child inside them. Bring these children out by organizing a crafts party – make valentines cards, garlands, collages, decorate cupcakes just like you used to do in school.

Anti-love Party

If you and your colleagues are not big fans of Valentine’s day, then you can completely ignore the already mentioned ideas and make a party, that you always wanted to do before, but couldn’t find a proper occasion for. Ask your colleagues what they want to do on the 14th of February and then see what’s the most common suggestion.

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No More Soy Sauce Stains https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/no-more-soy-sauce-stains/ https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/no-more-soy-sauce-stains/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2013 12:25:20 +0000 https://www.londonlocalservices.co.uk/?p=3547 Continue reading ]]> Last week my boyfriend and I decided to make sushi at home, because we find it much less expensive to do it at home instead of going to a specialized restaurant. Plus, it’s fun to cook together and explore the cuisine of a different culture. I think that one may gain a lot of valuable information while trying to prepare a meal on his or her own.

So, it didn’t take us plenty of time to create the sushi rolls. They turned out pretty good and we were both very proud of ourselves. Of course, we were eager to taste them and this is when the horror began – I accidentally spilt soy sauce on the white tablecloth. Instantly, I felt the mini heart attack. My boyfriend reacted more adequately than me and tried to absorb the sauce with paper towel, but unfortunately there was a stain left on the tablecloth.

When my shock faded away, I started thinking clearly again and decided to put myself together. A stain from soy sauce is not the end of the world, right? I called a friend of mine who is an expert in all kind of flat cleaning tasks. If you are a clean freak like me, you shouldn’t panic, because there is a way to get rid of this type of stain. So here is how to clean soy sauce stains:

You will need:

  • Clean cloth
  • Cold water
  • Liquid laundry detergent
  • Vinegar/lemon juice or bleach

Instructions:

  1. First, try to absorb the soy sauce with a clean cloth or paper towel, like my boyfriend did.
  2. Then run the stain under cold water. There are two important things that should be mentioned here:
    • Use only cold water, because hot water will set the stain to the fabric and it will be much harder to remove.
    • Run the cold water on the back of the stain to stop the sauce from spreading.
  3. Start rubbing the liquid laundry detergent gently into the stain, using your fingers. Leave it like this for several minutes so the detergent can do its job.
  4. If the stained fabric is white or colour-fast, you can try to save it with another technique. Apply vinegar, lemon juice or mild bleach on the stain using a cloth or a sponge. Rub it until the soy sauce stain comes off and then rinse with water.
  5. If the stain is very stubborn, you should repeat the same steps until there is no trace of it. You can see that by checking the fabric at direct sun light to see if the stain is completely gone.

And this is how I dealt with my soy sauce crisis. Hope that you will also find these tips useful.

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