LIST Birmingham - January 2023

Upgrade Your Home Office 3 Tips to Spice Up Your Workspace

WHAT’S THAT SMELL? How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal

While the garbage disposal is convenient and simplifies kitchen cleaning, it can release foul odors. Sometimes, you’ll be able to notice this smell instantly, but usually, it will creep up on you over a few days. But why does your garbage disposal start to stink? And is cleaning it an easy task? Why do garbage disposals smell? Over time, your garbage disposal releases odors if bits of food still haven’t gone through the grinding process and are stuck in the appliance. Your garbage disposal is great at breaking down the food you put in, but the food particles can sometimes accumulate and cause mildew and mold. How do you clean your garbage disposal? It’s best to clean your garbage disposal once a week or every two weeks to ensure foul smells don’t occur. While this may seem tedious, the process is simple and can take less than 10 minutes to complete. You can use several methods to clean this appliance. • Ice doesn’t only get rid of that nasty smell, but it will also sharpen the blades of your garbage disposal. Fill your disposal with ice cubes, and then turn it on. Let the blades shred all the ice until you can’t hear it anymore. Hopefully, the odor will be gone. But if not, here are some additional methods. • White vinegar and baking soda used together is another strategy you can try. You first want to turn on your garbage disposal and pour 1 cup of dry baking soda down the drain. Then, flush the baking soda with a cup of white vinegar. This is one of the best methods to remove rank smells from your sink.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2019 to 2021, the number of people working from home tripled from about 9 million to 27.6 million. Remote work is expected to increase because of the benefits workers can get from it. For example, they have flexible schedules, spend less money on commuting, and can have more time with their children. While remote work has many benefits, some people find it challenging to remain productive and motivated in their home office. Here are three tips to upgrade your office space so you can boost creativity and productivity. Upgrading Your Lighting Lighting plays a vital role when it comes to productivity. Natural sunlight is the best illumination for stimulating motivation. PLOS One conducted a study that found sunlight positively affected mental health, improved mood, lowered anxiety, and boosted productivity. However, if you don’t get a lot of sun in your home office, you can invest in several kinds of lights to enhance your workspace. Some examples include color-changing accent lights, light therapy lamps, string lights, and stained-glass bulbs. Adding Some Greenery If your home office is feeling a bit bland, plants not only introduce color into your room but also improve air quality and increase motivation. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, several houseplants take little maintenance to keep alive. Look into snake plants, aloe vera, nerve plants, and peace lilies. To find the perfect houseplant, go to your local home improvement store to check out plant selections in the garden center. Decluttering Your Workspace If your home office isn’t organized, it can affect your motivation exponentially. Working in a cluttered area can be distracting and stressful. So, inspect your workspace and see what you need to keep and what can be removed. Invest in containers and drawer dividers to organize supplies and tools. Remote work doesn’t seem to be going anywhere any time soon, and it looks like more of us will spend more time in our home offices. So, ensure you have a comfortable workspace to complete all your necessary tasks. Do you work from home? What are some of your strategies to remain motivated? We would love to hear from you!

• Another strategy you can use is to cut a lemon, lime,

or orange into small pieces and run it through the garbage disposal. The fruit helps wash away any bad smells and replaces them with a pleasant citrusy scent.

While these remedies will help you remove odors, the best strategy is prevention. Avoid grinding vegetables and starchy foods, as they can easily clog your disposal. You can also grind eggshells and fruits frequently to remove any lingering debris from the blades. With some preventive measures and household items, your disposal will smell fresh and clean in no time!

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