Did you know that your home can sparkle this spring without using any chemicals? Choose from a wide array of eco friendly cleaners on the market or simply make your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice. Here are a few tips to help you become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning:

The Bathroom

Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs? Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby-pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.

The Kitchen

Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content which makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen. Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors. For troublesome stains, add a touch of baking soda to the mix. To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth. For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes. Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.

Windows

Let the sunshine in by washing away winter’s grime. Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water. Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution. Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine. If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.

Fabrics and Carpets

Have a stubborn fabric stain? Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel. Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, they’ll help eliminate odours from fabrics too!

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(January 6, 2010– Hamilton, Ontario) The Greater Hamilton-Burlington area resale market reported a total of 779 units sold in December, indicating an increase of 70 per cent over the same month last year, but only 18 per cent higher than December 2007. The total unit sales for 2009 are being reported at 5.8 per cent higher than 2008, while new units listed are 6.8 per cent lower for the year-to-date, according to Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) statistics released by the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB). “December 2009 was the best December RAHB has seen, rounding out the best fourth quarter in area history.” said Joe Ferrante, RAHB President. “December is traditionally the slowest month of the year, but that was not the case in 2009.” Residential properties sold during December totalled 733 which included 568 freehold properties and 165 condominiums. Commercial sales for December, including industrial, farm, vacant land and business, totalled 46 units. The average price of freehold residential properties sold in the month of December was $298,641, an increase of 13 per cent over the same month last year, and a decrease of 10.2 per cent over last month. The average price for all freehold residential properties sold in 2009 was 2.2 per cent higher than 2008. In the condominium market the average price of condominiums in December was $241,574, an increase of 26.3 per cent over December 2008, and an increase of 5.3 per cent over last month. The average price for all condominium properties sold in 2009 was 4 per cent higher than 2008. The average sale price reflects the dollar volume of residential sales divided by the number of total residential units sold. December’s total residential average sales price increased 14.6 per cent over the same month in 2008, and the average price for the year to date increased 2.6 per cent over 2008. The total number of units listed for sale during December was 826, which is 51 per cent more than were listed in the same period in 2008. “The Greater Hamilton-Burlington and the surrounding housing market performed reasonably well in 2009, outperforming most other markets in Ontario,” added Ferrante. “ Unit sales reflect “all property types” including residential, condominiums, commercial property, farmland and sale of businesses.

courtesy of

REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington

LOVELY 2 BEDROOM HOME LOCATED IN DESIRABLE AREA NEAR "TRENDY" DOWNTOWN. FEATURES PRIVATE BACKYARD WITH DECK OFF THE BACK. GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING. CLOSE TO MCMASTER UNIVERSITY. PERFECT STARTER.

Living room Main level 15 ft ,9 in x 11 ft ,10 in Master bedroom Main level 11 ft ,10 in x 9 ft ,10 in Bedroom Main level 9 ft ,10 in x 8 ft ,10 in Eat in kitchen Main level 11 ft ,10 in x 8 ft 4pc Bathroom Main level n/a Laundry room Main level 11 ft ,6 in x 6 ft ,5 in Other Main level 8 ft ,3 in x 7 ft ,11 in All information displayed is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. No warranties or representations are made of any kind.

Charlie Cannizzaro Sales Representative Royal LePage State Realty Brokerage toll free:1-877-574-7441 phone: 905-574-4600 fax: 905-574-4345 pager: 905-574-4600 www.CharlieCan.com CharlieCannizzaro@Royallepage.ca

OPEN CONCEPT 2 STOREY. FEATURES 9FT. CEILINGS ON MAIN FLOOR WITH COLUMNS, POT LIGHTS, HARDWOOD & CERAMIC FLOORING. DINING ROOM BOASTS A COFFERED CEILING AND CROWN MOULDING, LIVING ROOM WITH GAS FIREPLACE, EAT-IN KITCHEN WITH MAPLE CABINETS. THE SECOND FLOOR HAS 3 SPACIOUS BEDROOMS INCLUDING A LARGE MASTER BEDROOM WITH WALK-IN CLOSET AND BEAUTIFUL ENSUITE. THE EXTERIOR HAS A DECK WITH ATTACHED PERGOLA, PAVED DRIVE WITH CONCRETE EDGING, FRONT STEPS AND PERENNIAL GARDENS IN BOTH FRONT AND BACK.
(FRIDGE & STOVE NEGOTIABLE).

Rooms

Other Second level n/a
Master bedroom Second level 17 ft ,4 in x 14 ft ,8 in
Bedroom Second level 13 ft x 10 ft ,4 in
Bedroom Second level 14 ft x 10 ft ,4 in
4pc Ensuite bath Second level n/a
4pc Bathroom Second level n/a
Eat in kitchen Main level 17 ft ,6 in x 12 ft ,7 in
Living room/Fireplace Main level 16 ft ,3 in x 12 ft
Dining room Main level 13 ft ,6 in x 10 ft
2pc Bathroom Main level n/a
Foyer Main level n/a
Laundry room Main level n/a


All information displayed is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. No warranties or representations are made of any kind.