Category: Brandpoint Home & Garden

2022-10-20T13:01:00

(BPT) – A recent survey conducted by Chamberlain Group found that 69% of homeowners worry about their package deliveries going missing during the holidays, adding to the stress they feel this time of year. Adding to the already hectic holiday season, the survey also found that 74% of homeowners take extra measures to ensure they are home when their packages arrive, including canceling plans/staying home from work to wait for the package. Following are four ways to protect your holiday packages without having to worry about reorganizing your day:

Get deliveries inside your garage — From getting neighbors to grab packages to exploding glitter bombs, homeowners are not short on ideas for how to keep porch pirates at bay. However, if you really want to get serious about protecting your packages, you’ll want a smart garage door opener. Smart garage door openers by LiftMaster and Chamberlain include myQ smart garage technology that works with some of the nation’s largest retailers, like Amazon Key and Walmart+ InHome, for a convenient, secure in-garage delivery experience. With in-garage delivery, you don’t have to worry about packages going missing or groceries being left out in the rain. Packages and groceries are securely delivered to the garage where they stay until you are free to get them, whether you’re home or away.

You might already have a myQ smart garage door opener and not know it. Look up at your opener to see if there is a myQ logo and a Wi-Fi logo, or if it says “powered by myQ” on your garage opener. Then download the myQ app and link to Amazon Key or Walmart+ InHome in app. If you don’t have one, you can easily add myQ to your existing garage door opener with a myQ Smart Garage Control device.

Request a signature — If you are ordering expensive items online, it’s smart to require a signature for delivery. Requesting a signature ensures that your online purchases are never left unattended. If you’re not at home, the mail carrier will typically leave a note with options for rescheduling the delivery or picking up the package in person.

Do the neighborly thing — Work with neighbors and friends to look after each other’s packages. If a neighbor is home when you are expecting a delivery, ask permission to have packages sent to their address or have them hold deliveries that come to your front door. Don’t forget to treat them to some holiday cookies as a thank-you.

Put your packages on hold if you’re traveling for the holidays — If you’re traveling this holiday season, check to see if your mail carrier or delivery service offers a temporary hold on eligible packages. Placing a hold on deliveries ensures the packages are kept in a secure location until you can retrieve them and can be a convenient way to ensure packages don’t pile up on the porch while you’re away. When you return from your travels, you can pick up your packages or have them delivered to your home depending on the service.

Give yourself the gift of peace of mind by trying out some of these package delivery tips and spend more time enjoying the moments that matter.

Chamberlain Group, Inc. commissioned a 10-minute, online quantitative survey among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18+ who own a house with a garage. The survey was fielded in July 2022.

2022-10-20T08:01:00

(BPT) – Changing leaves and dropping temperatures are tell-tale signs that it’s time to prepare your home for winter and the best time to prepare your home is now before the frigid weather arrives. Winterizing your home can help save on energy bills, keep you more comfortable and prevent damage caused by harsh winter elements.

From prepping the outdoors to indoors, here are five things you can do to get your home ready for winter.

Clear your gutters and roof. Gutters are essential in keeping your home dry as they divert rain and snow away from your roof, preventing water from infiltrating your home and causing damage. Removing dead leaves and debris from your gutters can help prevent potential ice dams, gutter detachment and overflows. While you’re up there, remove any debris or branches that may have collected on the roof and look for missing or damaged shingles that need to be replaced.

Seal around windows and doors. One of the most effective ways to save on heating bills is by sealing your doors and windows. Moisture and cold air can seep through the small openings and cracks of doors and windows, causing your home to feel drafty and chilly while increasing your energy bill. Stay warm and protect your home by replacing exterior caulk with a weatherproof sealant like Dynaflex Ultra Advanced Exterior Sealant. Backed by a lifetime guarantee to prevent mold and mildew growth, Dynaflex Ultra stays permanently flexible and is powered by DAP’s exclusive WeatherMax Technology™, for a waterproof, all-weather protection that won’t crack, crumble or discolor over time.

Inspect your siding. Siding acts as a shield for your home against harsh weather and water damage. Power-wash or scrub off any dirt, mold or residue from your siding to avoid attracting more dirt once the snow melts. After cleaning, inspect the exterior of your siding for any cracks. Cracks are often found between your trim and siding, and around plumbing pipes, vents and electrical outlets, allowing cold air and moisture to travel into your home. Seal the cracks with a durable and waterproof sealant such as AMP All Weather Window, Door and Siding Sealant. Designed with hybrid technology to be resilient and flexible, AMP can withstand extreme temperatures while protecting against mold and mildew as well as damage from harsh weather.

Insulate your attic. Once you’ve sealed your home, you want the warm air to stay in and not go up and out through your attic, so head up there to make sure it’s properly insulated. Add more insulation as needed and be sure to weatherstrip any windows, doors or openings that lead into the attic. An insulated attic can also prevent damage to your roof and reduce the chances of ice dams forming.

Change the direction of your ceiling fans. It’s common knowledge that hot air rises, but did you know you can use your ceiling fans to maximize airflow? Locate a small switch on the motor of your fan and flip it the opposite direction so your fan rotates clockwise. Setting your fan in a clockwise direction will help distribute warm air around the room and reduce heating costs.

For more tips and products to winterize your home, visit DAP.com.

2022-10-20T07:01:00

(BPT) – Life and style are very much connected. From the way an outfit comes together with the quality of the fabric and the cut of the garment, to the ingredients used in a delectable meal, to the pieces that form an alluring home design — these are the details that create a life of beauty, on one’s own terms.

Creative disciplines converge

One can often find similarities between fashion and home design, as the two creative worlds provide opportunities for experimenting with style and exploring self-expression. Just as the runway is an outlet to showcase designs from the classic to the avant-garde, the home is also a space to set and embrace design trends, express personal style and enhance the home’s unique features. In this way, curating and launching a collection is like creating an interior space. Choose a base color palette to run throughout the home and layer in patterns and textures for a connected theme and cohesive expression.

It’s all in the details

When designing a home, inspiration can come from anywhere. Select faucets with mixed metal finishes, concrete or mother-of-pearl handles to bring these stylistic elements to life. Think of detailed design choices, such as clear faucet material accents or sleek drawer pulls, as ways to embrace a unique style. Beauty does not need to be sacrificed for functionality. These elements do not take away from high-functioning, strong-performing pieces within the home, they enhance it — just as a statement accessory can bring an outfit together for a final look.

A life of beauty, on one’s own terms

Beauty and creativity cannot be confined to one space, style or narrative. The Brizo^® Modern Goddess empowers others to embrace self-expression and celebrate individuality, set free from expectations and convention.

“What I love about The Modern Goddess is that you can have choice. You can have individuality. There’s no judgment,” said Designer Tommy Zung when describing the design philosophy of the Brizo^® Modern Goddess. “One expresses themselves through the architecture and they live within it. To me, the most important architecture or design is when you feel something, and you feel something deeply.”

Evoke feeling into design to bring distinctive expression to life. Whether timeless or modern, minimalist or maximalist, the Brizo^® brand offers quality kitchen and bath products that can be paired with any style to create an exquisitely personalized space.

2022-10-25T13:25:22

(BPT) – “Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays,” crooned Perry Como in the iconic 1954 classic Christmas song of the same name. That stirring sentiment, for many, rings particularly true this year as we look forward to once again hosting celebrations at home with loved ones. If you’re planning to stay home for the holidays, now is the time to start thinking about how you can create a festive and joyful atmosphere for yourself and your guests.

Decorations, food and entertainment are all important aspects of the holiday season, but another impactful way you can create a homey holiday feel is through fragrance. “Our sense of smell is our strongest sense,” said Harry Slatkin, home fragrance expert and founder of Slatkin & Co. “It goes straight to your brain and can recall a memory and give you a sense of joy in an instant.”

As you return home for the holidays this year, Slatkin, dubbed the “Candle King” by The New York Times, offers these five home fragrance tips to create a festive and joyful holiday atmosphere with scented candles.

1. Scents to greet your guests

When your guests arrive, you’ll want to have a scented candle burning that makes them feel relaxed and uplifted as soon as they walk in. In your entryway, light an aromatic candle with notes of pine or fir balsam to greet guests with a fresh, woodsy fragrance.

Even if you don’t have a Christmas tree, a scented candle with notes of pine needles and juniper will have guests believing that you brought one home that day. You can also opt for other evergreen candles with notes of white birch and crisp winter air to capture the scents of a snowy winter day in the woods.

2. Scents to gather around

No matter where you start the evening, chances are everyone will eventually gather and end the night in your living room. To create a cheerful and festive atmosphere, choose a candle with bright, invigorating notes like Christmas Joy. This lively fragrance blends sparkling citrus notes with a variety of holiday spices, fresh cranberries and blue spruce that will remind you and guests of cherished holidays spent sipping mulled wine in front of the fireplace.

3. Scents for the cooking and dining areas

Choosing a scent for spaces where you will be cooking or eating can be tricky because you don’t want a candle fragrance to compete with the aroma of your holiday dishes. Likewise, burning a scented candle during dinner can interfere with the dining experience and take away the enjoyment of the meal and ambiance.

Instead, after the cooking is finished, burn a gourmand-scented candle in the kitchen with notes of buttercream and brown sugar that will have your guests’ mouths watering. Even if there is nothing cooking in the kitchen, the inviting fragrance will have them thinking you just took a tray of freshly baked sugar cookies out of the oven.

4. Scents for you

As a host, don’t get so caught up in the party planning that you forget to enjoy the holiday season. Take time to take care of yourself by relaxing alone at home in your favorite spot with an aromatherapy candle. A scented candle with soothing notes of geranium, frankincense and cedarwood can produce a sense of tranquility and calm to help you find a sense of inner peace during the busy holiday season.

5. Scents for the ones you love

Gift a sensory experience by buying scented candles for those near and dear to you. While the act of gifting scented candles may have served as a punchline on late-night TV in recent years, the $23 billion U.S. home fragrance market is no joke. Americans love scented candles. For a wide variety of choices, check out the Homeworx by Slatkin & Co. collection of 4-wick candles. Whether your loved ones prefer warm, comforting candles with notes of cinnamon, pumpkin and vanilla, gourmand and fruity scents or woodsy, winter-themed fragrances, you’re sure to find options to satisfy them all. Best of all, they’ll think of you every time they light their candles.

“There is no stronger connection between scent and feelings of peace and joy than during the holiday season,” said Slatkin. “It is a special time when we create and celebrate memories with family and friends, and scent is the common thread that ties them all together.”

Set the seasonal mood with scents that evoke warmth, relaxation and togetherness. Using these five home fragrance tips, you can create a holiday everyone is sure to remember.

2022-10-12T07:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to upgrades and functional design, a rental property is often a space that’s left on the backburner. Whether it’s prepping for new tenants or simply giving a space a quick face lift, these projects can sometimes become overwhelming. See below for easy installation ideas and simple tips to ensure you have a fully functional bathroom with a beautiful design aesthetic.

Bring purpose to the sink

It doesn’t matter if the goal is to upgrade a bathroom or if one is starting from scratch, assuring the sink space is multi-functional is a crucial step! Replacing a faucet could seem daunting, but the Peerless^® Precept^® Single-Handle Bath Faucet makes this process a breeze. What’s great about it is it saves both time and money as it comes with a Push Pop-Up Drain Assembly included! Unlike other drain assemblies that require multiple parts (and purchases), this user-friendly accessory works seamlessly with the faucet itself and comes with all necessary parts to easily install it.

By simply pushing down on its head, a sink can quickly be filled up with water for a variety of uses. One can create an at-home ice water face dip for the ultimate self-care regimen, an emergency stain soak, or even a bath for the little ones.

Establish a complementing look with a unified finish

A bathroom can easily feel cluttered when it has too many elements and colors. A simple way to forgo this overwhelming feeling is by implementing a uniform finish. Not only will one finish and style lend clarity to a bathroom design, but it will also help deliver that polished and flawless look. For instance, for a bath space that has a black finish, small adds like a black-rimmed mirror, dark-stained stool, or charcoal vase will provide the accents to the overall color scheme. The possibilities are endless!

Add more functionality

Rental property bathrooms oftentimes deliver the bare minimum by only providing a basic toilet, working faucet and a showerhead. For those looking to level up their rental shower experience without breaking the bank, an easy way in is by installing a multifunctional fixture beyond just a showerhead. The Peerless^® Precept^® Slide Bar with Hand Shower delivers just that. When added onto an existing showerhead, it can operate on its own or also at the same time, creating an instant at-home spa-like experience. Not to mention its pause feature reduces water to a trickle, giving space for shaving and lathering — ideal for any guest shower.

When thinking through ways to transform a rental investment property, being efficient, yet thoughtful is the way to go. Extensive restorations are a thing of the past when one can find easy-to-install and functional items that still deliver a beautiful design. From unifying the color scheme to implementing new fixtures, even the slightest updates can make the biggest difference.

2022-10-11T10:01:00

(BPT) – Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic, and for a good reason. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through widespread eviction moratoriums around the country.

There is, however, another side to the eviction crisis: Criminals actively trying to get into apartments for which they have no ability (nor intention) to pay for. Their modus operandi is to submit fake pay stubs and bank statements to convince landlords they have the means required to afford the rent.

One in eight paystubs or bank statements submitted to apartment owners are fake today. In fact, fraudsters submitted more than ten million fake financial documents last year. It is called application fraud, and experts estimate that this crime accounts for one in four of all evictions.

Snappt, a business with expertise in spotting fake financial documentation, has scanned several million pay stubs and bank statements. Based on a deep analysis of these documents, they have released their “Treacherous Twenty” list — the list of the top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate.

The Snappt Treacherous Twenty

The top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate

1) Atlanta – 17.9%
2) Houston – 16.2%
3) Dallas/Fort Worth – 13.2%
4) Charlotte – 11.7%
5) Phoenix – 11.2%
6) Los Angeles – 10.8%
7) Tampa/St. Petersburg – 10.4%
8) Miami – 10.0%
9) St. Louis – 9.5%
10) Minneapolis/St. Paul – 9.2%
11) Chicago – 8.9%
12) Orlando – 8.5%
13) Las Vegas – 8.2%
14) Detroit – 8.0%
15) Philadelphia – 7.9%
16) Southern California Inland Empire (Riverside, Ontario) – 7.9%
17) Sacramento – 7.4%
18) Washington, DC – 6.6%
19) New York/New Jersey – 6.1%
20) Denver – 6.0%

Note that the eviction rates — which are often driven by application fraud — ran as high as one in nine for our Treacherous Twenty. The average eviction rate was 4.83%, nearly double the national average of 2.6%. In Atlanta, property managers are seeing fake paystubs or bank statements every fifth or sixth applicant. Houston and Dallas were not far behind.

Drivers of application fraud

There are many drivers of application fraud, but rent increases and unemployment stick out. Many of the Treacherous Twenty show extreme movement along these drivers.

• Increasing rent. Higher rents make it more difficult to qualify. This in turn causes more people to turn to application fraud. We are seeing annual rent increases as high as 29.5% in our list (Tampa/St. Petersburg). In fact, nearly half showed double-digit rent increases in 2022.
• Unemployment. Unemployment makes it impossible to qualify for an apartment. This drives applicants to fraudulently alter bank statements and pay stubs. Unemployment rates were as high as 5.7% on our list, well above the national average of 3.8%. In fact, half of the metro areas on our list have unemployment rates at or above the national average.

A post-pandemic world

The pandemic was tough for everyone. While eviction moratoriums kept many renters safe, owners faced high losses. And, as application fraud soars, the risk to owners is getting even higher. Luckily, there are solutions (like Snappt) that help protect landlords.

2022-10-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – By Carter Oosterhouse, TV Host and Home Improvement Expert

Between fluctuating gas prices, the rise in green-minded individuals, and new electric vehicle (EV) introductions from major auto manufacturers, EV adoption is skyrocketing. In 2021 over 630,000 EVs were sold in the U.S. alone. In tandem, the recently passed $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act will drive future electric vehicle sales high as it makes clean technology such as EVs more affordable for Americans.

Purchasing an EV can be both exciting and perplexing, as the process of switching from a gas to electric is new to many consumers. Unlike storing a traditional vehicle, preparing the garage for an EV takes a bit more thought — especially when charging the vehicle at home. To prepare your garage for a new EV purchase, here’s a few tips to keep in mind:

Tip #1: Update the Electric Panel

Homes require a tremendous amount of power whether running the air conditioning or heater, catching up on a television show, leaving the lights on, or using the washing machine. Adding an at-home EV charger to the mix can certainly strain an outdated electric panel.

Homeowners should consider updating to a smart electric panel to address this additional load. The Square D™ Energy Center from Schneider Electric simplifies the process of adding an EV Charger to an electrical system and brings unprecedented resiliency and control over a home’s energy use. Acting as more than just a smart electric panel, this solution gives homeowners the ability to change power sources — from utility, to solar, battery, generator, etc. — conveniently through their smartphone to enhance energy resilience and help optimize energy costs.

Tip #2: Create a Climate-controlled Garage

The lithium-ion batteries that power EVs can be very sensitive to temperature fluctuation. Extreme temperatures can also cause damage to the battery and affect the vehicle’s overall performance.

Homeowners should consider updating insulation in the garage to help maintain the condition of the car’s battery and promote longevity of the vehicle. When creating a climate-controlled garage, a few insulation focal points should include the garage door, the ceiling, and around garage windows as those are some of the biggest air leakage spots.

Tip #3: Clean Out the Garage

Sometimes the garage becomes the junkyard of our homes with old items that may no longer be needed. In preparation for an electric vehicle, make space by clearing out old items collecting dust.

To reduce garage clutter, consider clearing floor space by installing pegboards for vertical organization systems, creating individual areas for different garage items, such as gardening supplies or home improvement tools, and removing items that shouldn’t be stored in the garage, like pet food or paper goods which can attract unwanted animals and bugs. Beyond that, a shiny new car always looks better in a clean, organized environment!

Tip #4: Upgrade Garage Security

Garage break-ins are quite common. In fact, a home burglary happens about every 25 seconds in the United States, according to the FBI Crime Data Report. To protect their EV investment, homeowners should consider upgrading their garage security to prevent burglary. Consider putting locks on windows and improving exterior lighting — a poorly lit driveway might entice a burglar to enter. Also, look into upgrading an outdated garage door opener to a modern model.

As EV adoption continues to climb, 27 million of these vehicles are anticipated to be on the road by 2023. Homeowners who plan to invest in an EV should look to create an EV-friendly garage environment to support the longevity of the vehicle. By putting more thought into preparing the garage for an EV, your investment stays protected while you increase your home’s value, and you can make a long-lasting positive contribution to the environment.

2022-10-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – Did you know you and your family might only have two minutes to escape from a fire in your home? Because fires can start and spread quickly, it’s important to take steps to prevent fires from starting, learn about fire safety in the home, and develop an escape plan.

For Fire Prevention Month, take time to bolster safety measures and help protect your loved ones from fire and other threats.

Here are a few tips to help improve fire safety around your home from The Home Depot.

2022-10-11T07:01:00

(BPT) – Take advantage of National Fire Prevention Month

Did you know you and your family might only have two minutes to escape from a fire in your home? Because fires can start and spread quickly, it’s important to take steps to prevent fires from starting, learn about fire safety in the home and develop an escape plan.

For Fire Prevention Month, take time to bolster safety measures and help protect your loved ones from fire and other threats.

Here are a few tips to help improve fire safety around your home from The Home Depot.

1. Install smoke alarms

You should install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including:

• Kitchen
• Every bedroom and outside all sleeping areas
• Living area
• Garage and/or workshop

If you don’t have smoke alarms, you need to cover more areas of your home or your alarms are more than 10 years old, one great option is the Kidde 10 Year Worry-Free Smoke Detector. This device operates on a 10-year, sealed, tamper-resistant lithium battery, using ionization sensor technology to alert you to invisible fire particles, even during power outages. An internal timer alerts you to replace the detector after 10 years. If you’re using a traditional battery-powered alarm, make sure you test it every month, replace batteries at least once a year and replace smoke alarm devices every 10 years.

2. Place fire extinguishers throughout the home

While escaping the house during a fire is vital, it is possible to stop very small fires, such as on your stovetop, from getting out of control. Put fire extinguishers on each level of your home, near fire-prone areas like kitchens, fireplaces, garages or workshops.

Consider a Kidde Full Home Fire Extinguisher with Hose, Easy Mount Bracket and Strap for use in a garage, workshop or shed. Lightweight and durable, this fire extinguisher’s flexible, extended hose makes it easy to aim, and the clear instruction label shows the steps to operate it safely. Replace fire extinguishers every 12 years or after use.

It’s important to remember that fire extinguishers are only one element of a complete fire survival plan. Use your extinguisher only to keep a small self-contained fire from growing, only when the room is not filled with smoke, or to create a safe pathway out of the home.

3. Develop and practice a home fire escape plan

To make sure your family is prepared for emergencies, it’s crucial to create a home fire escape plan for your household — which includes designating two exits from every room.

Once the plan is in place, practice your fire drill twice a year and review tips on how to prevent fires with family members. Your plan should designate a clear meeting place at a safe distance from your home.

4. Assign roles to each resident

Within the plan, each family member or resident of the home should be assigned responsibilities in the case of a fire. For example, one member could be responsible for ensuring all infants and small children are accounted for when evacuating, while another member could be tasked with directing any guests toward pre-approved exits. Once everyone is safely outside of the home, designate someone to ensure all parties remain outside of the home and another to call 911.

5. Protect your home and loved ones beyond fire risks

Once you’ve taken these steps to safeguard against fire hazards, you can also bolster protection from other risks, like carbon monoxide (CO). A great tool to help protect loved ones from multiple dangers is the combination Kidde SMART Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Indoor Air Quality Monitor. This all-in-one smart home safety device integrates smoke and CO detection with indoor air quality monitoring. A built-in air quality sensor measures levels of temperature, humidity and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) — harmful chemicals in the air that can impact health — plus mold risk notification, which alerts you when humidity levels are high enough to be conducive to mold growth, with recommended steps to remedy the situation.

Ready to protect your home?

In honor of National Fire Prevention Month, The Home Depot is offering up to 30% off on select fire safety equipment in select stores through October. The Home Depot offers buy online and pickup in-store for all the above products, along with secure storage locker pickup for fast and convenient shopping, giving you peace of mind as quickly as possible.

Visit HomeDepot.com/firesafetyevent to learn more.

2022-09-30T15:55:00

(BPT) – As autumn gets underway, leaves change colors, temperatures cool down and days get shorter. During this time of change, your home and wardrobe go through a transition as well. This is the time of year you get sweaters and jackets out of storage bins or the back of your closet, and blankets come out to warm up beds and provide comfy spots on your favorite pieces of furniture. Unfortunately, if you don’t take steps to freshen up your garments and fabrics, your home may end up feeling more stuffy than cozy, and create more sneezing than cuddling.

Here are tips to help refresh your home, so you can better enjoy everything the season has to offer.

1. Air out items that were in storage

From winter coats to blankets, any items that have been stored for several months are bound to smell musty. Take garments and other items out of storage well ahead of when you want to use them to wash them, if possible, then air them out — then assess what shape they’re in before using them.

2. Consider a steam closet to refresh garments, blankets and more

To refresh musty, wrinkled items from everyday clothes and your best suits to winter coats to hard-to-wash items like blankets, pillows and more, the LG Styler^® makes everyday laundry more streamlined and hassle-free. LG Styler uses TrueSteam technology to sanitize, deodorize and refresh your wardrobe and other items so everything’s ready to use or wear. You can quickly dry sweaters that need to be laid flat or refresh delicate textiles to avoid over-washing. Use LG’s Exclusive Moving Hangers to gently shake things off to refresh jackets, dresses and other items. You can even use it to sanitize bags, pillows and stuffed toys.

With no need for complicated hookups, the versatile LG Styler is easy to install not just in laundry rooms but any space: dressing rooms, closets, mudrooms or pantries. Wherever it fits in your home, the LG Styler makes freshening up items every day even more effortless.

Even better, LG ThinQ™ smart capabilities also give users the freedom to remotely turn the LG Styler on and off, select and start the cleaning cycle, check remaining cycle time, download additional cycles and get recommendations on the best cycle for particular pieces of clothing. The app also offers additional specialty cycle settings — even for sports equipment.

3. Be allergy conscious

It’s not recommended to air bedding, clothing and other items outdoors if someone in your household suffers from allergies or asthma, or you’ll just be bringing all that fall pollen indoors. That’s another advantage of using LG Styler to refresh and sanitize everything from bedding and pillows to clothing and stuffed animals, as it is certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) for reducing 99.9% of the allergens, germs and bacteria from multiple fabrics. Once you’ve refreshed your items, bring on the seasonal throw blankets and decorative pillows to create cozy spaces to hang out, read or play games during long autumn evenings.

4. Give floors a deep clean

Before the colder temperatures of winter set in, it’s a great time to do a deep clean of your home’s flooring, including having any large area rugs sent out for cleaning. If you don’t have the equipment to thoroughly clean any carpeted areas, you could consider hiring a cleaning service for a good fall cleaning.

One great option to help clean your floors is the LG CordZero™ All in One Auto Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum. It not only tackles tough jobs, but makes the job easier by charging, storing tools and automatically emptying the dust bin in one sleek docking station.

5. Shed a little light on the subject

As days get shorter, there are things you can do to make your home brighter and more cheerful. For example, have your fireplace cleaned and maintained so you can use it as a warm focal point, and upgrade a few lighting options — even your choice of bulb makes a difference — to keep darkness at bay. If you’re up for a project, consider repainting a dark room in a brighter color, or swap out heavy window treatments with lighter, more translucent options that let more natural light in, to help make the most of daylight hours.

With these tips, you can be sure everything will feel fresh and clean, from the clothes you wear to your bedding and all the decorative touches that make your home comfy and cozy.