Ever feel overwhelmed by the numerous cleaning products you see on the market?  It’s enough to put off spring cleaning for another year!  But before you throw in the towel, here are some quick and easy cleaning tips from the pros.  Innkeepers share with us how to cut time and money with non-fancy products you probably already have lying around your house.

Lighten Up – Bright whites aren’t limited to mega-white teeth.  Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Country Inn in Lake Wales, Florida recommends using denture cleaners to remove tea and coffee stains on cups and mugs.  Fill a ceramic cup with warm water and dissolve one cleaning tablet.  Empty cup and repeat if necessary. 

Soft & Smooth – Wrinkled sheets can make bed time less than appealing.  Avoid static cling with a natural fabric softener: white vinegar and baking soda.  Just make sure not to use vinegar on silks, acetates or rayon.

1. Add ½ cup white vinegar to the wash cycle.  The vinegar prevents lint from clinging to linens and eliminates chemicals from newly manufactured linens. 
2. Add ¼ cup baking soda to the wash cycle.  The baking soda lifts dirt for extra clean sheets.
3. Add ¼ cup white vinegar to the last rinse cycle.  This dissolves alkali in soaps and detergents and prevents yellowing.  It attacks mold, mildew and reduces static cling.

Passing Through – Give the plumber a break and make the push to clear clogged drains on your own.  Prevent hair and debris build-up by treating your drain monthly with this home remedy.  Mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of vinegar.  Pour the mixture down the drain and let it sit for 5 minutes.  Rinse with hot water.

Hint: To prevent soap build-up as well as hard water and odor in the dishwasher, run a cycle with 1 cup of vinegar every month. 

You can find more spring cleaning tips and tricks from Mary White’s new book, Running a Bed & Breakfast for Dummies. 

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Would you believe that bulls and cows live underwater as well? Holy cows - they’re not. The bulls and cows we’re talking about apply to whales. Male whales are called bulls and female whales are known as cows. These giant marine mammals are often feared and depicted as serious predators such as in Moby-Dick and in the late 70s horror film, Orca. But, contrary to popular stereotypes, a whale’s diet mostly involves plankton and large fish. If you’ve never experienced the wonder and majesty of whales, it’s not too late to go on a whale watching excursion. At Whale Watch Inn by the Sea, a bed and breakfast in Gualala, California, whales are only a window shot away. The common room, also known as the “Whale Watch Room,” provides a spectacular view overlooking the Pacific Ocean from all angles. Guests who want a close up shot of gray, blue or killer whales can also take a nearby boat excursion and request a picnic basket or a snack basket for the trip.

Whale’s Rendezvous Bed & Breakfast in Depoe Bay, OR

If you’re looking for a beach front view of whales, look no further than Captain’s Inn at Moss Landing, a bed and breakfast in Moss Landing, California. This B&B is located one block away from the local beach, providing a natural setting for whale watching. The inn can direct guests to nearby boat rides to scope out gray or killer whales. Guests can also continue their wild life adventure with the “Elkhorn Slough Safari.” The inn provides a discounted rate for a guided boat tour where seals, sea otters and wild birds abound. Visit our California bed and breakfast page to find more whale watching options. Or use our advanced search tool box and select whale watching under activities to find a whale watching adventure at a B&B near you.

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It’s hard to believe but less than 40 years ago, there were no laws in the U.S. to enforce clean air, water, endangered species or the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. All that changed when U.S. Senator, Gaylord Nelson proposed a national Earth Day. On April 22, 1970 Denis Hayes coordinated the first national rally with 20 million participants that protested oil spills, air pollution, toxic dumps, wildlife preservation, etc. Since then, Earth Day has evolved. It is now a global awareness movement.  Everyone can do their part to help the environment, from recycling to enjoying an eco-friendly vacation.

If you want a guilt-free trip that involves limited use of gas, stop by Graycote Inn, a bed and breakfast in Bar Harbor, Maine. It’s the first Bar Harbor lodging to have been recognized as a green inn from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The inn minimizes water and energy use through water conservation fixtures, energy-efficient lighting, furnaces and air-conditioning units. In honor of Earth Day, the inn is offering a “Green Getaway” special, where the inn will donate a percentage of the room’s cost to Friends of Acadia, a public support group of Acadia National Park or Allied Whale, a research group that sustains marine mammals.

Green has no limit at Chez Sven Bed & Breakfast in Wellfeet, Massachusetts. This B&B has long promoted eco-tourism, welcoming guests to their chemical-free establishment by using only certified green products, such as organic cotton bed linens, rejecting chemical fertilizers in favor of compost, using its own well and septic system, high-efficiency energy systems, recycling all plastic and paper and providing organic food, using fruits and vegetables from their own garden to make a homemade breakfast.

To find an eco-friendly bed and breakfast, closer to you, select “Going Green Specials,” under our specials page.

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Just because Mardi Gras is over, doesn’t mean the party has to stop. New Orleans will be in full swing on April 17-19 with its annual French Quarter Festival. The free outdoor music celebration, famously known as, “The World’s Largest Block Party” will feature diverse music from local musicians ranging from jazz, gospel, R&B, blues, Cajun, rap/hip hop, classical, rock, bossa nova and more. Sink your teeth into alligator and crawfish and walk back to Hotel St. Pierre in New Orleans, Louisiana. Located four blocks from the festival and only a few steps away from Bourbon Street, this hotel was also a frequent hang out for playwright, Tennessee Williams who lived right across the street. Reserve the French Quarter Jazz or Jacuzzi suites and get jazz-spired before heading back out to the festival and make your way to the “Louis-Louis Pavilion Stage,” where you can hear a tribute to Louis Armstrong.

Guests who want to familiarize themselves with the local music scene before attending the festival can request the “music tour” special from Block-Keller House in New Orleans, Louisiana. Guests can rock out to a CD of their choice or ask innkeepers to select a mix. The package also includes chilled bottle of wine or champagne, a music resource guide to local clubs and tickets to the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Guests also have the option to custom tailor all packages.

Visit our New Orleans bed and breakfast page to find more B&Bs near the French Quarter.

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Whoever said procrastination gets you no where?  Tax day may be looming dangerously close, but last minute filers don’t have to worry about a thing.  Just pack an overnight bag and head to The Deer Creek Inn in Nevada City, California and request the “Tax and Relax,” special.  Ken, the innkeeper is also a licensed CPA.  He’ll work on filing an extension, while you work on your tan.  Take a walk through hundred-year old cedars and maple trees, sample some of the best wines from Nevada County and watch a local theater production at the Foothill Theater.  By the time you return, Ken will have all your taxes in order and you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that your stay may even be tax deductible.

If you find tax season to be too taxing, clear your mind at The Mason Cottage in Cape May, New Jersey and don’t forget to ask for the “Tax Day Break.”  Guests can receive a discounted rate for a summer stay by booking a room by April 15.  Or if you can’t wait for a tax day refund, find relief at Inn at Riverbend in Pearisburg, Virginia.  Guests checking in on Tax Day will receive a $100 refund for two nights stay.

To find other tax-relief specials and discounts, use our keyword search box and find a B&B near you.

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If you heard Mary White’s live radio broadcast on Martha Stewart’s “Living Today,” you know that running a B&B requires a) passion, b) dedication and c) business savvy skills. But hard work doesn’t mean no play. Innkeepers find joy and satisfaction and make sure all their guests take home a personal and unique experience. Here are some of the B&Bs that Mary shared with host Mario Bosquez on air today.

For lovebirds, couples can take a sweet horseback ride or a quiet canoe ride on Kings River and take lunch on the go at Peabody House Inn and Historic Cottages in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. But, if you prefer indoors to outdoors, try the Adobe Grand Villas Boutique Bed & Breakfast Resort in Sedona, Arizona. Couples can request a private spa session that includes a hot stone massage and foot reflexology treatment or an aroma body massage with facial. The special also includes an enticing five-course meal prepared by a personal chef.

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Thrill seekers can head to America’s Rocky Mountain Lodge & Cabins in Cascade, Colorado and sign up for whitewater rafting expedition down Bighorn Sheep/Parkdale Run or take on a more advanced course down the Royal Gorge. If you’d rather use a little leg power, sign up for the “Pikes Peak by Bike,” a challenging mountain bike course 20 miles down Pikes Peak.

Unfortunately, the brief interview left little time for Mary to mention other B&B spots such as: Inn at Ellis River in Jackson, New Hampshire where guests can sign up for a Moose safari; Whispering Pines Bed & Breakfast in Dellroy, Ohio, for nature enthusiasts who want easy access to boat rides, biking, hiking and horseback riding; Sylvan Dale Ranch Guest House in Loveland, Colorado for an out of the ordinary experience that includes: hay ride, birding and cattle work; Meadowlake Ranch in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a real cowboy experience; Pilgrim’s Inn in Deer Isle, Maine for a breathtaking panoramic view of Acadia National Park.

Remember, there are over 3,000 wonderful B&Bs waiting to be discovered by you. Use our keyword search box to find the B&B that’s right for you.

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We know you love staying at a B&B, but admit it - Haven’t you ever wondered what it would be like to own and operate one yourself? Well, here’s your chance to find out if you have what it takes to run a successful bed and breakfast. Mary White, President and Founder of BnBFinder.com will be on Martha Stewart’s live radio program, “Living Today,” on Friday, April 10. Hosted by Mario Bosquez, Mary will discuss her new book, Running a Bed and Breakfast for Dummies and cover all the basic essentials such as day-to-day innkeeping, creating a business plan, time-saving cleaning tips and scrumptious recipes from innkeepers. Mary will also direct listeners to some of the best B&Bs that are perfect for lovers, thrill-seekers and couples ready to say their I do’s.

You can tune in and listen live at 3:30 pm (EST) on Sirius 112. You can also order a copy of Running a Bed and Breakfast for Dummies and post your questions and comments about the book on Mary’s blog.

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Did you know that in Japan, friends and family plan a picnic Hanami (flower viewing) party during spring? In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to leave work or reserve a picnic spot early in the morning to view Japan’s unofficial flower, sakura or better known to us as the cherry blossom. The cherry blossom tree has a short blooming period, typically lasting only up to 14 days. But you don’t have rush to Japan to witness these blooming beauties. You can plan your own Hanami in Washington D.C., and partake in The National Cherry Blossom Festival. The annual festival will run until April 12^th, and visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy special events including walking tours, art show, photo workshops and boat rides. At Embassy Circle Guest House in Washington D.C., guests can receive a special cherry blossom discount on a two-night stay and wake up to the smell of fresh baked pastries, organic yogurt and the inn’s signature fruit salad. And for guests that need directions to the festival in a language other than English, the B&B staff can point the way in Spanish, French, Arabic and Tagalog.

Die-hard cherry blossom devotees don’t have to camp out for the best views of the gorgeous trees. Visitors can simply check in at Swann House in Washington D.C. This inn is only a 10 minute metro ride away from the festival and located near a local park that is lined with cherry blossom trees of its own. Guests can enjoy a breathtaking window view of the trees and when evening falls, order in hot cocoa for two or champagne with gourmet cheese, nuts and fruit.

To find more B&Bs near cherry blossom trees, click on the Washington D.C. Bed & Breakfast page.

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Instead of a quick coffee break, why not sit down and enjoy a proper cup of tea? Afternoon tea used to be a fashionable, daily ritual in the UK that typically involved a pot of tea and a light meal in the late afternoon. Although this social pastime hasn’t picked up much steam in the US, it’s still a lovely tradition worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. Tea is a celebratory event at Nagle Warren Mansion Bed & Breakfast in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Whether you decide to have tea for one or tea for twenty, the B&B staff is dressed smartly in period costumes and ready to serve seasonal favorites such as maple scones, pecan tarts, apricot pecan bread, bourbon brownies and the B&B’s tea of choice, Earl Grey. Private groups such as baby showers and bridal parties can enjoy the magic of tea time every Friday and Saturday with a specialized menu of their own ranging from scones with clotted cream and preserves, cream puffs, bee hive honey cake and finger sandwiches. B&B guests have the advantage of bypassing reservations and enjoying complimentary tea and snacks any day of the week.

Power’s Mansion Inn in Auburn, California

You can find more tea-riffic B&B options at other Wyoming Bed & Breakfasts and California Bed & Breakfasts. Or use our keyword search box to find a B&B near you.

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