A clean home is a pleasure and helps to promote personal well-being. Maintaining a clean house also boosts design inspiration for interior living space. Whether you live in small apartment, or a large house – keeping your space clean is essential to maintaining an environment where you can feel happy and at peace. Below are some tips to help you clean more effectively at home.

1. Cleaning Supplies

When basic cleaning supplies are available, it becomes easier to keep your home clean. You need not go overboard with cleaning supplies. However, be sure to include dish-washing detergent, cleanser, vinegar, mops and scrub brushes. In most cases, these go a long way in achieving a spotlessly clean interior.

2. Create a Schedule

Develop a schedule that allows you to clean your home regularly. This helps to prevent a pile-up of chores. Spread out cleaning chores, with different tasks assigned to different days. It helps to make the cleaning less of a dreaded obligation compared to cramming all tasks into one or 2 days. By sticking to your cleaning schedule, you’ll find that cleaning becomes much easier and less time-consuming.

[Photo courtesy of cocoparisienne/pixabay.com]

3. Clean Regularly

Whatever the size of your home, certain parts require cleaning on a regular basis – every 2 days or at least weekly. This includes the kitchen, bathroom, living room and yard. It is best to develop a schedule for regular cleaning of these areas. This should also include cleaning the appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. Weekly cleaning of appliances such as the fridge and oven helps to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria. Weekly bathroom cleaning is vital in preventing the development of mold and mildew. Other areas such as the study room, garage and back yard may not require to be cleaned as often. A bi-weekly or monthly cleaning may work for you.

4. Delegate Tasks

Involving household members in cleaning chores is an excellent idea. By delegating specific tasks to everyone, it becomes easier to keep the home clean. Young children can learn how to put away things to create a neater environment. They can also wipe surfaces of chairs, tables and counters. Older children can take responsibility for cleaning their own rooms, do the laundry, wash the dishes, vacuum and empty the garbage. Other tasks such as cleaning floors, washing the bathroom, mowing the lawn and cleaning the yard can be done by adults.

5. De-clutter

Most homes easily get cluttered due to items being left all over the place. It is best to make household members aware that each person has a role to play in home organization.  If you have small kids, obtain large boxes for them where they can place their toys and items. Teach kids how to store their items in boxes once they’re done with playing. Older children and adults must also be involved in keeping personal effects and household items in their respective storage places. Even after items have been stored accordingly, there’s always a chance that you could be storing more stuff than you need at home. Set aside one day every month or so to de-clutter your home. You could organize a garage sale to dispose of stuff you don’t need, donate to charitable causes, while some stuff may find its way into the garbage.

Sources:

• House Cleaning London. (2011) HouseCleaning.org
• House Cleaning Tips. Retrieved February 13, 2012. Professor’s House.

[ Tagged In ] Best Home Renovation, Clean House, Cleaning, Cleaning the House, Cleaning Tips, House Cleaning, House Cleaning Tips, House Maintenance

Coming around to the decision to give your home a makeover is an easy one.

Of course, the reasons in the pro column are long and substantial. Who doesn’t want their home to look better? Give everything a refresh; change things around so that it all feels like new again? Perhaps your eye has been caught by a new decorating trend, and you can’t wait to try it out for yourself. Or perhaps you’re just the kind of person who tends to need a project.

You find yourself imagining the changed decor; the fresh paint; the new levels of comfort that you can explore. Then, with a screech of brakes, your mind remembers all the reasons you shouldn’t do it.

Sometimes, though, you just have to seize the moment and go for it. If there’s something you want to change about your home, then it’s time to banish the concerns to one side. I’m going to go through all of the usual objections and show why they’re not anything that should stand in your way. Just call me your home decor and renovation enabler!

“I can’t afford it.”

[Photo courtesy of PublicDomainPictures/pixabay.com]

Of course, this one is pretty difficult to argue on the surface of it. If you don’t have the money, then what can you do? You can’t magic it up from thin air and progress on developing a money tree is still limited, so you’ll just have to wait until you can afford it.

The best option in this scenario is to look at a way to change something up without breaking the bank. Rather than a full-scale kitchen remodel, for example, why not go for a facelift? You could change the cupboard doors rather than fitting entirely new cupboards.

The same philosophy applies throughout the house. Craving a new bed to snuggle down into? Maybe that’s outside the budget, but memory foam mattress toppers can give a boost of comfort without the same price tag. Does the carpet really need replacing, or will a deep clean and brush be enough to bring it back up to standard?

“I don’t have the time.”

[Photo courtesy of obpia30/pixabay.com]

Realistically, you probably don’t have the time for most things you do. We get it; life is busy, it’s stressful, and you’re struggling to do the basics. Why should you make your workload easier?

Because you don’t have the time! It’s that simple; the same thing arguing against the scenario is the thing that makes it a necessity. Unless you have a huge chunk of holiday time coming up that you know you can dedicate to DIY, where is it going to come from? You’re going to have to fit it in somewhere. There’s no time like the present, or so the old saying goes.

Putting something off to some fantastical period when you’re going to magically have “more time” isn’t going to work. You can break it down into chunks. Do a little as often as you possibly can to make it less draining.

“It’s a lot of disruption.”

Yes, of course, it is. You have to shop, make decisions, then implement them. Depending on the scale of your project, that might involve a builder being involved or transferring items into new furniture. It will be disruptive – but it’s always going to be. It’s the same as the point about time. Unless you can foresee sometime in the future when you will be able to do these things unencumbered, there’s no point holding back.

“It’s a lot of mess.”

[Photo courtesy of geralt/pixabay.com]

Even the most basic things do cause a mess, but so does life. I’m going to imagine your house tends to require cleaning anyway. So, given the potential end result, what’s the harm in a little extra?

“It’s not a good time.”

There’s a chance this is a legitimate concern and I don’t discount that. If you’re particularly busy, going through a stressful situation or have health concerns – you’re right. It’s probably not a good time and you should wait until it’s more something you can cope with. There’s also seasonal considerations; it’s little use deciding to renovate the garden in winter, for example.

[Photo courtesy of Unsplash/pixabay.com]

Only you can know if the problem is just where you’re at in your life – you know if this is a genuine reason or not. Often, this argument might be masking a concern about one of the above, so check your thinking to see if that’s the case. If it is, then see if there’s something you can do about progress. If not, and it really is a bad time, consider yourself un-enabled for now!

[ Tagged In ] Best Home Remodeling, Cheap Home Improvement, Cheap Home Improvement Ideas, DIY Home Improvement, Home Improvement Ideas, Home Improvement Tips, Home Remodelling, Home Repairs, Home Updates, House Improvement, House Maintenance, House Maintenance Guide, House Repairs, Maintenance Tips

Have you just bought your first house? Congratulations! Buying your very first home is a very exciting life milestone indeed! However, it isn’t all fun and games as it also comes with a lot of responsibility. Most new homeowners are completely new at owning their very own property. And they aren’t exactly sure about what goes into running a household. That’s why it is important that you try and fill some of the gaps in your knowledge as quickly as possible. And the best way to do that is to ask a lot of questions. Here are the best ones for you to ask.

[Photo courtesy of Pexels/pixabay.com]

Where Is The Water Shutoff Valve?

It is incredibly important that you know where the water shutoff valve is in your home. Knowing where this valve is can help you prevent a huge disaster. For example, if a plumbing job goes wrong or a pipe bursts, you may end up with a lot of water damage in your home. And this can be very expensive to repair. However, if you know where the shutoff valve is, you will be able to greatly reduce the amount of damage. So once you have agreed on the house sale, make sure that you ask where this very useful valve is!

[Photo courtesy of rgerber/pixabay.com]

Is The House Equipped With Security?

Sometimes, properties are sold with all their security system still in place. If the previous homeowner had installed a burglar alarm system, they will probably leave this in place for you. There could be other safety and security features in place. So be sure to ask the previous homeowners about everything that is in place. Don’t think your new home is going to come with adequate security systems and equipment? No problem; it will be easy for you to get some installed. You could get a security firm in to install everything for you. However, many homeowners are now turning to DIY installations. You can learn about diy home security systems online.

[Photo courtesy of ElasticComputeFarm/pixabay.com]

Can You Cut Down Trees In The Garden

Trees can be a godsend in many gardens as they encourage a wide variety of wildlife and birds to visit. They are also good from an environmental point of view because they release a lot of oxygen into the atmosphere. However, there are a few downsides to having large trees in your garden. Firstly, if they grow too big, they could end up getting dangerously close to overhead power cables. Their roots can also grow quite far under the ground and could end up damaging piping and underground electrical cables. Not only that, though, but tall trees can block sunlight from getting into your home. And this could make your rooms feel fairly dark and dingy. So can you cut down the trees in your garden? You will first need to check with your locality to find out. Most localities require people to get a permit before they cut down any trees. Once they agree to it, it is often safer to hire a tree surgeon who can do the job safely for you.

[Photo courtesy of Benni99/pixabay.com]

Is It Safe To Drill Into Walls?

When many people move into their home, they are incredibly excited to start decorating and put their personal stamp on the place. Most people want to hang pictures on their walls and mount wall hangings. To do this, you will normally need to drill into the walls so that you can put a nail or screw into the wall. However, do you know if you can drill into the walls? It all depends on what is in the walls. If there are lots of cables in there, it could be too dangerous to put anything on the wall. You could end up damaging the cabling, and you may even risk electrocuting yourself. Generally speaking, if you drill no more than an inch into the wall, you won’t have to worry about hitting these cables. You should make sure that you never drill above or below any wall sockets or light switches. There will be a lot of cables in these areas.

[Photo courtesy of blickpixel/pixabay.com]

Can I Deal With A Blocked Drain Or Toilet Myself?

Most of the time, yes! In fact, blocked drains are fairly easy to fix. One of the first things you should do is to pour some bleach down the drain followed by a kettle full of boiling water. This should dissolve and dislodged most substances that could be blocking the drain. If this doesn’t quite get rid of the clog, you could use a plunger to try and physically remove the block. You can also use this method to unclog your toilet. If things don’t seem to get any better, you may have to consider calling a plumber to come and fix things for you.

What’s 811 for?

Everyone knows about 911. But do you know about 811 as well? If you have bought a home with a large garden and plan on some big garden projects, you may need to know all about this three-digit phone number. It is important that you call 811 before you begin any outdoor projects that require a lot of digging. Each area has their very own 811 center staffed with people who know exactly what will be under the ground you plan to dig. If you let them know the exact area which you want to dig up, they will be able to tell you whether there are any possible dangers or obstructions. These could include water pipes or underwater springs.

[Photo courtesy of TanteTati/pixabay.com]

Do I Need To Keep All The Receipts Of Home Improvements?

This isn’t an absolute must, but it could come in very useful if you ever decide to sell your home. That’s because you can use the receipt of each piece of work you have had done to show just how much your home has increased in value. That’s not the only advantage. It could also help to decrease your taxable income if you are a freelancer or self-employed.

All the answers to these questions should help you run a household smoothly!

[ Tagged In ] Home Improvement Ideas, Home Improvement Tips, Home Repairs, House Maintenance, House Repairs, House Tips, Maintenance Tips

Owning your own home doesn’t come without its challenges. One of those is keeping on top of home maintenance. Sometimes it seems as though there’s a never ending to-do list of repairs. It’s not surprising then that we put off those niggling minor tasks that are so annoying.

1. Excess Moisture

Excess moisture presents itself as steamed-up windows, rotting wood, damp and mold. If the problem is severe you may even find that you feel clammy. In order to fix this, there are a few steps you can take.

[Photo courtesy of Brett_Hondow/pixabay.com]

Ventilate by installing fans and ventilation systems in problem areas. This is particularly important in the kitchen and bathroom. Open the windows to allow air in and moisture to escape. Don’t forget to do this after a long hot shower. Check that ventilation fans are working properly and are not clogged with dust.

Install a dehumidifier to collect excess moisture. There are lots of systems on the market, so ensure you choose wisely by reading reviews like dehumidifierweb.com.

2. Smelly Kitchen Sink

If you notice nasty odors emanating from the kitchen sink, it’s likely to be due to a buildup of food and grease. The first step is to fill your sink with hot water and detergent. Turn on the garbage disposal and let the water drain through. For minor problems, this will do the trick. If the problem persists run ice cubes and rock salt through the unit to clean the blades. Follow by a few lemon peels for freshness.

If you don’t have a garbage disposal unit, boiling water may be all that’s needed to clear the nasty smells. In fact, pouring boiling water down the sink regularly will help you avoid this problem from reoccurring. If boiling water isn’t enough, pour down a cup of baking powder following by two cups of vinegar. There’s usually no need for harsh chemicals. Household products are enough.

[Photo courtesy of condesign/pixabay.com]

3. Small Scratches On Wooden Furniture

If you’re sick of seeing scratches on your wooden furniture, there’s a simple way to restore it. All you need is a walnut. Yep! Just a simple walnut. Rub the nut over the scratch and watch as the oils darken the area. It works like magic with the minimum of fuss.

4. Smears On The Windows

Each time the sun streams through the windows, it reveals just how grimy they are. A simple solution to this is to add a little white vinegar to a spritzer and spray it over the glass. Remove with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaks. It also works on water stains on the outside of the glass. The smears and dirt will be gone in no time, and you can enjoy the sunshine. Check more tips at cooldehumidifier.com

5. Squeaky Door Hinges

That squeaking closet door is so annoying, especially when your partner is still sleeping. It can be resolved quickly and easily by a little WD40 on the hinges. It’s as quick and simple as that.

6. Stained Bathtub

If your bath is looking a bit dingy, apply this tried and tested formula. Make a paste with lemon juice and baking soda and apply to the affected areas. Leave for half an hour and then scrub away. The tub will look as good as new in no time.

Most problems have a quick and simple solution. Don’t let them get you down and don’t let them escalate. Stamp them out so you can enjoy your home again. 

[ Tagged In ] Decor Updates, DIY, DIY Maintenance, Home Improvement Tips, House Cleaning Tips, House Improvement, House Maintenance, House Maintenance Guide, Moist, Plumbing Issues

Owning your own property is its own reward. Your home is yours and you can do what you want with it. You don’t need to abide by the decoration rules of a landlord; it is full of its own touches and delights. It feels more like your home than any rented property ever could.

Despite all of the benefits, there is one downside to home ownership – you are totally responsible. If something goes wrong, there is no landlord to call to ask for help. Your insurance can cover some things, but most policies require you to at least make the effort when it comes to maintenance.

Maintenance is one of those thankless tasks. Rarely does it feel like you have made a difference; the whole point, of course, is to keep things running as they should as http://www.thepackratwifey.com/why-household-prevention-is-better-than-cure/ shows. It doesn’t feel like an exciting way to spend money, especially if you have design and decor ideas that are clamouring for investment.

Yet not only does poor maintenance damage your insurance policy, it damages your quality of life. If you’re living in a house that is not fit for purpose, it goes without saying that there are changes that need to be made.

There are so many areas of your home that need constant updating, improvement and quality checking. To try and exercise some kind of control over this most fluid of things, below, there’s an A-Z rundown of all those little tasks. Run through it at least once a year, or setup a calender like this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-set-up-an-annual-home-maintenance-calendar-176043 (or as advised; some things are seasonal). If you do that, then you can be sure that your home is always working as it should be.

A is for Antifreeze

[Photo courtesy of Dmcroof/wikipedia.org]

When winter rolls around, the last thing you need is your gutters freezing and water gathering. That’s no joke: it can lead to gutters collapsing, which is expensive to replace. Try and run antifreeze down your guttering at least once a week.

B is for Boiler

If your boiler is more that four years old, have it serviced annually. If it’s younger and under warranty, check the terms of the warranty. Some require annual services from the off to remain valid.

C is for Cavity Wall Insulation

If your home is not insulated, make it so as a priority. You are likely spending more than you have to on heating bills. If it is, get into the attic and check it annually to ensure there’s no damage.

D is for Drains

[Photo courtesy of CharlesHodgson/flickr.com]

Especially important in fall with the fallen leaves, clear drains out regularly.

E is for Energy Efficiency

Smart Meters can help maintain proper energy efficiency, but there are less hi-tech ways of doing it. Do you turn lights off when you leave a room? Turn off devices rather than putting them on stand-by? You should be, so think over your habits and make changes where necessary.

F is for Flooring

As floors age, they become more susceptible to heat variations. When it’s cold, they will contract, and the expand again when the weather warms up. This can cause cracks and weaken the whole flooring structure, so check every year that a bigger problem isn’t developing.

G is for Gas Central Heating

Along with the boiler servicing mentioned in “B”, there is another step to take to ensure your central heating is working as it should. Bleed radiators with the change of every season to keep them at the top of their game.

H is for Home Invaders

[Photo courtesy of Earth’sbuddy/wikipedia.org]

No, not aliens, though that would be far more entertaining. Move kitchen appliances and check the attic every few months to check for signs of invasive pests. If you see signs of such an invasion, act as quickly as possible to prevent the spread.

I is for Internal Holes

Terrorised by spiders every fall? Wondering how bugs keep getting inside? Mouse problems? The solution to keeping the wildlife outdoors is to check for any holes in walls. A mouse can fit through a hole of less than an inch in diameter, so be thorough.

J is for Jagged Cracks

Vertical wall cracks are usually due to use and stress, rather than structural problems. The ones you need to worry about are jagged, horizontal cracks. Call an engineer the moment you see anything fitting that description.

K is for Kitchen Sink and Waste Disposal

Even if you practice the best methods possible, every sink is prone to blocking. Run a dose of unblocker through the kitchen sink system every six months to prevent any such issues developing.

L is for Limescale

If you live in a hard or well water area, then you will likely suffer from limescale issues. Not only can this tarnish taps, but it can also render your washing machine unusable. You can find some ideas to combat it at https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/aug/23/how-to-remove-limescale

M is for Mildew and Mould

[Photo courtesy of Gil mo/wikipedia.org]

Mildew is the product of a house being too damp. Check corners and edges of window frames for any sign of small black spores. If identified, be ruthless with regards to cleaning. Tea tree oil works well.

N is for Nail Holes

This is only a particular worry if you are planning to sell the house soon! But from an appearance point of view, nail holes in the wall can be unsightly and leave the buyer feeling that they have to patch them up. Even if you’re out of the home by then it can leave residual bad feeling. Any time you remove a nail from a hole, patch it up. Then there’s no need to go around looking, should you ever sell up.

O is for Organisation

Some order to your home maintenance plan is essential. For one, basic reason, there is the fact that some jobs will get in the way of others. For example, would you paint a skirting board before sanding down the wall that is above it? No – that’s just asking for trouble. Order will save time, and extra work.

P is for Preparation

Before the season changes each time, check you have everything you need to survive it. For fall and winter, flooding and freezing are the major hazards. For spring and summer, access to water and sensible shaded areas to be in when outdoors are required.

Q is for Quotes

There will possibly be some jobs around the house that you find yourself struggling with. It’s worth having a go, but you also need to know the things you can’t do, such as http://www.nextavenue.org/home-repair-when-not-do-it-yourself/. If you decide you need to bring in help, get three quotes from different contractors. Don’t just listen to the prices – hear what they say about the job too. Anyone can quote a low price for something they won’t do properly.

R is for Roof

[Photo courtesy of DMahalko/wikipedia.org]

Your roof not only keeps your home dry, but it plays a part in the structural integrity of your home. If you have any leaks or see missing tiles, then bring in the professionals such as www.fergusonroofing.com/metal-roofing/ as soon as possible. It’s not an area to leave to chance.

S is for Smoke Detectors

Make sure they’re working, obviously. Test them by lighting a match underneath and see if they go off. Also, if any are emitting regular “chirp” noises, chances are that they’re on the way out. Replace the batteries once a year, even if they’re showing no sign of running down

T is for Trashcans

Yes, just screams glamor, doesn’t it? But it is essential to check the trash cans and dumpster every once in a while and clean them regularly, ideally with a jet washer. The reason? Well, they may get emptied on a regular basis, but particles cling on. Left to fester for too long, these will rot. Your garbage will become a haven for pests who may then decide to move to the house.

U is for Underneath

Everything above ground level is easy to keep an eye on, as you go through it every day and see it with a keen eye. But in the basement, unless there is a bedroom or living space down there, things can happen unnoticed. Check for water ingress, as this can affect the foundations.

V is for Vanities

One of the most popular bathroom improvements you can make, a vanity makes use of space in a room where there is usually so little. On the larger models, which are enclosed, do make sure you check for any issues in the pipes regularly. Leaks can lead to pooling of stagnant water, which is no-one’s friend.

W is for Windows

Cracks around the outside of a window, or even any minor gap between window and wall, can become a way in for water, and a starting point for mold. Ensure that yours are in order.

X is for eXtremes Of Temperature

We pick the materials that we do for housebuilding because they are durable and hard wearing. But depending on where you live, temperatures over the year can go from below freezing to over 100 Fahrenheit. Things contract when cold and expand when hot. This can cause damage, so look out for cracks outside after a cold snap.

Y is for Yellow

Some white gloss paint, within months of application, can turn yellow on wood. This is believed to be as a consequence of weaker solvents being used in the paint. It’s something to check for if you have recently painted door frames or window sills.

Z is for Zzzzzzzzzz

Okay, maybe a little bit of a cheat. But finally, it is most important to pay attention to the bedrooms and particularly where you lay your head to sleep. This is the most important place to check for nasties like mold. If they are allowed to make their way in, and get close to where you sleep, they can be inhaled and make you very ill. And as sleep is the only time you’re in the same spot for six to eight hours a day, you’re a captive audience. So be careful.

[ Tagged In ] Home Improvement, Home Improvement Tips, Home Maintenance, Home Maintenance Tips, House Improvement, House Maintenance, House Tips, Maintenance Guides, Maintenance Ideas, Maintenance Tricks

Acquiring a residential house in the modern society is one of the achievements that promote stability, given that the process may sometimes be challenging. It is, therefore, important for one to look for a house that can withstand adverse weather conditions as well as offer adequate security from extruders. During the summer season, it is most likely to experience heat, humidity and summer storms. The summer period enables one to carry out house inspections without interference. There are several aspects to consider, with regards to Summer Home Maintenance. They include,

The Roof

It is important to note that your roof should be inspected annually to check for any defects and assess the roofs ability to shelter you during the rainy seasons. These inspections ensure that you take care of minor roofing faults before they advance into major problems. The roof should always be cleaned to get rid of permanent damage caused by water.

Air Conditioning

This is a critical aspect that keeps you running smoothly, minimizing the summer electric bills. Proper air conditioning ensures Maximum functioning of the fan. Ensure that the coils are cleaned thoroughly and minimize potential fire hazards by eliminating faulty wiring in the house. Changing your air filters once a month, especially when using the unit every day will improve the efficiency of the equipment.

[Photo courtesy of tpsdave/pixabay.com]

Gutters

Clogging and the presence of additional leaks is a problem that can be eliminated by consistently cleaning the gutters. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year, meaning that the first cleaning activity should be carried out at early winter after most of the leaves have fallen and at early summer after seeds, blossoms and flowers are done.

Window

One of the simplest ways of ensuring that the hot summer heat remains outside is checking the Windows. You should routinely inspect the sealants ensuring that the inside and outside are suitably secured. Besides, you should check for any damages that may have been caused by certain weather conditions to maintain a safe and reliable house.

Pools

Quality pool maintenance activities involve levelling the water, balancing the chemicals, Pump inspection and cleaning the area around and inside the pool. This will enable you to have the facility ready for use during the summer season.

Always consider these tips when planning for your summer house maintenance, and you will not have to worry or run up and down whe

[ Tagged In ] House Maintenance, House Maintenance Tips, Maintenance Tips, Summer Home, Summer House, Summer House Maintenance Tips, Summer House Tips, Summer Tips