Most people clean their kitchens on a regular basis to protect their families and huge financial investment—their dream homes.  Unfortunately, many cleaning methods actually exacerbate the situation because bacteria, debris and other elements are spread around the home.

Safeguard your dream home and your family by ceasing to make the following five cleaning mistakes.

1. Being deceived by a dirty dishwasher.  You trust your new dishwasher to clean all of your family’s dishes, utensils, pots and pans, etc., however this doesn’t mean that the dishwasher itself is clean.  The edges of dishwasher and refrigerator doors are usually a breeding ground for mildew, mold and fungus.  Often times, the bacteria is so small that it’s not even visible to the human eye, but it’s there.  To ensure that these appliances are clean, wipe down the seals on a monthly basis with a bleach-based cleaner.  If you notice a stinky order, place one eight-ounce cup of distilled white vinegar in the top rack of your empty dishwasher.  Next, run the dishwasher for a full, normal cycle to allow the vinegar’s acids to break-down debris and residue.  Finally, sprinkle a cup of baking soap around the top rack and run for one rinse cycle.

Last week, we shared the first four steps for creating a home office that works which are defining the space, and finding furniture, paint and a rug that both inspire and comfort you.  This week, we reveal the final four steps.

1. Lighten up.  It’s common to overlook one of the most important aspects of your home office, its lighting.  Choosing lighting that is both aesthetic and functional is absolutely necessary.  We recommend a desk or standing lamp in addition to overhead lighting so that you have sufficient light whether working during daylight or evening hours.  If your desk lamp is too dim during the evenings, it will be nearly impossible to stay focused, and maybe even awake!  Natural light is deemed best by all health experts, however look for artificial lighting you love for those unfavorable weather days and long, dreary nights.  Sufficient lighting is particularly important during Southeast Michigan winter months when people often feel lethargic and may even suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Now that the kids are back in school, you can tackle all of those previously postponed projects for your new construction dream home.  If you need to create your home office, follow these tips first to ensure you are set up for success.

1. Define the space. If you are using a dedicated room such as a den or an unused bedroom, it will be easy to separate your work and personal spaces.  If you plan to designate an area within your home that your family uses, such as a kitchen desk or a section of the playroom, it is critical to create boundaries.  Without differentiation between work and ‘play’ spaces, it will be impossible to eliminate distractions and focus on your daily tasks.

Some interior design experts caution that granite is on its way out, however others claim it’s still a solid choice because it is durable, attractive and becoming increasingly affordable.  Granite aside, here are the top five recommendations for countertops.

1. Soapstone– Unlike granite, soapstone does not require regular maintenance and sealing like granite because it is nonporous.  This makes it a great option for bathrooms because it is resistant to stains and acidic materials.  On the other hand, it is susceptible to deep indentations and scratches, so it is not the best option for kitchens where it may not withstand chopping and the banging of pots and pans.  Soapstone complements any design, from classic to contemporary.  It is a natural quarried stone available in light gray to green-black colors.  Over time, light gray soapstone weathers and darkens, often resulting in a patina-like finish.  Since soapstone is only available in relatively smaller slabs, its seams may be visible once installed if the countertop’s surface extends beyond seven feet.