Category

Cleaning

How To Make Your Home Always Look Clean

January 20, 2022
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

There is no limit to how far an average person can go in taking care of their house. It is so much more than just four walls and a roof. It’s a place of comfort and where we take refuge when the world around us begins to become too much to handle. 

However, Maintaining the house can be a challenge for a working individual. A long day at work leaves little time for cleaning. If you’re someone who is looking for simple yet effective tips for keeping the house clean throughout the year, read on.

A neat and clean house contributes to one’s health and happiness. Those who live in a messy house are more likely to suffer from physical and mental illnesses. So, it’s time to tidy up! 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-wooden-floor-48889/

Clear the mess and make space

Cleaning becomes ten times harder when a house hangs from the rafters with excess paraphernalia. Personal belongings scattered throughout the home can cause significant impediments to the cleaning process and make things considerably harder to tackle. Think about it; the more stuff there is, the more you will have to clean.

Other than that, having a packed house generally creates a sense of disorder and gives off a very messy vibe. So take a look around and if you think you have too many belongings in too small a space, consider opting for self-storage. 

If you live somewhere in Indiana, the Brownsburg storage units might be your best option as they will be closer to home. Storage units keep your belongings in clean, safe, and secure locations to keep them in the same condition when you retrieve them. 

Designate chores

If you have a family or live in a flat with roommates, it would be best to assign chores to each individual so that everyone picks up their fair share of work. It is unreasonable to assume that one or two people in the house are responsible for the cleanliness and upkeep. Though that may be the case in several households, it’s time to bring a change.

Consider assigning duties to each member: one person can mop the floors, another can do the dusting, while someone else takes care of the dishes. This way, you break the tasks down into digestible doses and ensure that everyone plays their part in the entire process.

It’s simply unrealistic to clean the house every weekend. The sheer workload can make it hard to get everything done in one day, and even if you do, this is not the way you should go about things.

Close the windows

Everyone likes a good bit of fresh air, but make sure you don’t have the windows open for too long. Thirty minutes to an hour is sufficient time for you to keep the windows open. Any more than that, and you are asking for an influx of dust and insects.

You may be tempted to open the windows when there is a nice breeze, but that’s when most dust enters the house. If you want to leave them open for longer, consider buying a screen or mesh to prevent insects and dust from entering. Though they are porous and have little holes, they can act as major game-changers to prevent dust from entering the house.

Invest in robotic floor cleaner

Automated floor cleaners like the world-famous Roomba are a great way to keep the floors spick and span all the time. The best thing with the Roomba is that you technically don’t have to use it every day. Set it to work every other day, and you still have clean floors to come home to!

Other than that, these devices have sensors that prevent them from getting stuck or falling down the stairs. These cute little machines are taking over the cleaning process and making things easier for working individuals worldwide. As soon as they’re done cleaning, they tuck themselves back into place and turn off.

Clean vents and AC filters

You may want to consider thinking outside the box if you notice that you have dust all over the house despite cleaning it fairly often. The fan may be spreading more dust than you realize. 

If you own an AC, you should clean the filter every two weeks to prevent too much dust from building up. The more dust on the filter, the more likely it will spread throughout the room. Vents are no different. If you have a central air conditioning system in a building, consider talking to the maintenance people to clean the ducts.

The quicker you get down to something like this, the better it will be for everyone in the house.

Use liquid cleaners

One of the most common mistakes is not wetting the surface when dusting. A dry cloth will simply lift the dust for the moment and will allow it to settle back within a few minutes or hours. Doing this defeats the purpose of dusting and can cause breathing issues for the average individual and lead to somewhat severe allergies.

If you don’t want to use water, consider using furniture polish or other cleaning solutions. Not only will the moisture take the dust away, but it will help shine and polish the surface. Not to mention that it will stay cleaner longer and take longer for the dust to settle back down.

https://unsplash.com/photos/YUgbVPf6bJs

Add a plant or two

The more plants you have in your environment, the less dry the air will be, and therefore, less dust will exist in the air. Plants create moisture and help promote a clean and safe atmosphere for the inhabitants to breathe.

Moreover, the plants all ensure a cleaner living space. Therefore, you might notice less haze in the air and less dust on the average surface space.

The only potential issue might be splatters of mud when watering them. Other than that, plants help maintain cleanliness in the air, and you will notice having to dust less often than usual. 

Conclusion

There we have it—some of the most common ways to make your house look clean all the time. From decluttering to cleaning your air supply, we have been through several options that you may want to consider to keep the house clean.

A clean house leads to a healthy body and healthy mind, so make sure you jump at these tips and get down to clean the place as soon as possible. 

Continue Reading

Got A Clogged Drain at Home? Here Are 5 Easy Ways to Fix It

November 15, 2021
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

An effective drainage system is crucial in any household, irrespective of the frequency of waste removal. Whether it’s your kitchen line or bathroom drains, for smooth and easy operations, you need to make sure your drain lines don’t get clogged. Having a solid drainage system also helps with future plumbing flexibility and lower maintenance costs in general. 

To avoid sewer system issues on a larger scale, we need to ensure that our immediate drains are not clogged. However, they do, pretty easily as well. Instead of letting it out of hand, take quick steps to make it manageable in no time. Here are five simple ways to help you tackle a clogged drain issue.

Get Immediate Help

A drain crisis never happens at a convenient time. You never know when you will turn that flush handle to eliminate waste and be greeted by overflowing sewer water. Or when your kitchen sink will start overflowing, leaving you with a pool of water around your feet. What did you do, and what went wrong? A crisis like this requires immediate help and it`s one of the 5 signs you need to call a plumber. It is always a good idea to keep the contact information of plumbers handy. However, if you cannot get immediate plumbing assistance in your neighborhood, look up online services on the internet. Household and plumbing services are often based in different states, but their professionals are readily available throughout the country.

For instance, you can get emergency plumbing Irvine Ca assistance anywhere in the country by simply visiting their website and requesting help. Once the company sends their professionals for help, save their number for future use. 

DIY hacks are the cheaper alternative

DIY hacks are homemade techniques to unclog drains. You will find a list of these hacks all over the internet that will make your drain functional in no time. 

The baking soda, salt, and vinegar/hot water hack is the most common one. Simply pour a mixture of half a cup of baking soda, a teaspoon of salt and a whole cup of vinegar or hot water altogether on top of the drain. Let it sit atop the gunk for some time. It usually takes about 8 hours for the concoction to break down and sift the matter into small, more manageable bits. Afterward, you can use a hose or pipe to wash away the gunk. However, make sure the water pressure is high enough. 

Drain lids or filters go a long way

Drain lids come in all shapes and sizes and are also cheaply available in a wide range of materials (plastic, metal, rubber). It’s ideal for all types of needs, including kitchens and bathrooms. The tops or sides of all drain lids have minor gaps and openings that easily let water and other liquids pass through. Further, these gaps prevent solid waste, such as bones and tea bags in a kitchen, from entering the drain and clogging it. 

One of the best things about these containers is that they are easy to clean. All you need to do is lift the side tabs and unscrew the lid. Dispose of the waste in a garbage can, wash the lid and screw it back on. 

Use the traditional drain chemicals and plungers

You can choose from various drain openers and chemicals readily available on the market to suit your drain opening needs. However, make sure that the cleaner should be drain-friendly. Check for the cleaners with a low to mild harshness so that they won’t cause any further harm. 

Mild alkali-based drain openers are recommended for ease of use, as they decompose the matter as they sit atop it. Conversely, if a very harsh method is used, it may corrode the plastic piping underneath, requiring it to be replaced at a great expense. 

A plunger is another tool that is readily available in almost all restrooms and kitchens. This tool works by generating air pressure over the drain. If the suction cups around it repeatedly retract, they create a sort of vacuum. As a result, the back pressure from the water pushes gunk and waste upwards and out of the drain.

Install a P-Trap

Another branch of modern plumbing is the P-Trap or a specific piping order. The piping looks like a P facing downwards, which traps the water and any waste left inside. It is also helpful for catching any valuables that may have fallen into the drain. Using water pressure, the P-Trap creates a thorough flow that goes directly to the sewage line. Usually, the P trap is wide enough to get rid of all the clogging with water pressure. However, if this is not the case, a professional can clean it out.

Tips to prevent future drain clogging

Preventing future drain clogs is the best method to avoid them in the future. There are numerous ways to accomplish this. It is best to dispose of bulk waste separately, cover drains with drain covers, and periodically check pipes for damage, and, if needed, change to a larger size. Additionally, the homeowner should keep an eye out for any suspicious smells that indicate a clogged drain.

Continue Reading

Ways To Clean Your House After A Storm

September 22, 2021
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

When there’s a storm, the last thing you want to do is spend time cleaning up your house. Some people might think that it is a waste of time to clean up after a storm, but the truth remains: housework will help you feel more relaxed and less stressed. Most homeowners fear the aftermath of a storm much more than the destruction itself. You see, the roof, exterior walls, and other structures serve as a protective shield during a storm. But once the storm subsides, it’s crucial to assess the damages and take measures to prevent the shields from deteriorating. Minizming water damages are the first and foremost priority, followed by debris removal and electrical safety procedures.

Keep reading to learn more about cleaning your house after a storm.

Minimizing & Preventing Water Damages

Fierce storms and heavy rains set the stage for flooding, and you must do everything in your power to prevent a flood. Water gushing through your property will likely destroy everything in its wake, creating fire hazards and structural damages. It would help if you focused on preventing water from entering the home. If that’s not an option, you need to dry everything out to prevent moisture from seeping into the structure.

Drying out a property isn’t as easy as it sounds. If the water level is higher than any of the electrical outlets, vacate the property immediately. If the water reaches the main breaker or any outlets, it can create fire hazards. You don’t want to wade right into a pond of electrified water, risking your life and belongings. It’s wise to consult professionals for water damage restoration, as drying out electrified water demands a specialized skillset.

Professionals will bring in designated equipment and tools to prevent flooding and dry out your living spaces. They will provide thorough cleanup and eliminate water from all the nooks and crannies you cannot access. This step is crucial because the water can seep deep into the structure while you’re busy cleaning out the basement.

Preventing Mold Growth

Water damage and moisture build-up set the stage for mold growth, making your property increasingly vulnerable and hazardous. How can you avoid this nightmare of a situation? First off, you need to take all your belongings and fixtures outside and dry them out. A thorough cleanup is crucial to rid your home of the contaminated, debris-ridden floodwaters.

Once the house is water-free, you need to dry out the structures, belongings, and fixtures. Most homeowners tend to fixate on the walls, basement, and attic while preventing mold. It would help if you took measures to avoid mold growth in the furniture, wooden fixtures, and hardwood flooring.

Debris Removal

It’s heartbreaking what a violent storm can do to your beautiful backyard or lovely front lawn. Avid gardeners find the debris removal process extremely overwhelming and hurtful. But it’s necessary to clean out the property and ensure all components and home systems work efficiently. For instance, gutters clogged with debris and leaves can cause many inconveniences and water retention.

Removing damaged trees isn’t as simple as it sounds; in fact, it can prove quite dangerous if done wrong. So, be sure to clear out all the fallen trees, broken branches, scattered leaves, and other debris littering your property. We advise hiring professionals to clear out the damaged trees, especially ones mingling with electric wires.

Clean Up

You can clean up the house and scrub the floors after removing stray branches, fallen trees, and debris. It’s easier to clean the property after you’ve cleared out most of the mess. It’s crucial to dry out the floors with a vacuum cleaner, especially with hardwood floorboards. Wipe away all the dust particles and debris from each surface in your home.

Assess the Damages

Once you’ve cleared out the debris and dried out your property, it’s time for a thorough damage assessment. Your insurance provider will need images and a detailed inspection to provide financial coverage for a renovation.

You can start by assessing the damages in the most vulnerable areas, the roof, attic, and basement. Be sure to inspect the interior and exterior walls for signs of dampness and moisture retention. If the damage is unprecedented, let the professionals handle it without delay and take pictures of the affected areas.

Capturing photographs is crucial to substantiate your claims with evidence. It would help if you compiled a checklist of all the damages and repairs, prioritizing areas that need immediate attention.

Wrapping Up

Cleaning up after a storm isn’t easy, but it is of the utmost significance. You see, delaying the cleaning and drying out processes can cause unprecedented and aggravated damages. Homeowners need to act fast and decisively. We advise hiring professionals in cases of flooding and severe water damages. You see, it doesn’t take long for electric mishaps and disasters to ensue when water enters a property.

Continue Reading

5 Reasons you Need to Clean Your Property Before Renting It

September 15, 2021
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

Deep cleaning your property not only helps it look cleaner and more attractive to potential tenants but also clears up the bacteria that may be lingering around to improve air quality. If you’re a landlord looking for someone new to move into their rental home quickly without any additional hassle or time spent on long-term cleanings yourself, deep cleansing is worth considering! Cleaning between tenants is a hassle for landlords, but there are many benefits. From staying in compliance with legal obligations to maintaining healthy living conditions; it’s always worth the effort.

Creates a Healthy Living Environment

Mold, dampness and poor air quality can make tenants feel ill. Tenants who claim to have health issues because of the home you are renting them could be expensive for a landlord like yourself. Deep cleaning is one way that such problems might be prevented or remedied in the event they do occur – evidence from deep cleanings shows landlords take their responsibilities seriously and may help if someone does file a complaint about living conditions with your rental unit.

Raises the Bar for Future Renters

When your past renters left home after doing a thorough job called ‘The Deep Clean’ did they also give your property that sparkling appearance? A rigorous scrub down from top to bottom makes for an awesome return on investment in many cases. If this sounds like something you want or in case you need extra clarification on the property contract, then contact your property management company right away.

Deep cleaning your property before a new tenant moves in is an excellent way to set the tone for how you expect them to treat it. By starting fresh, they are more likely to respect the house and keep it clean over time!

Avoids Bigger Problems

You might not be able to see it, but bacteria are thriving in the darkest corners of your home. Anti-bacterial wipes may help you clean up surfaces for a while, but they won’t get rid of all those pesky germs and nasty bugs hiding out under appliances, on your gym equipment, or inside cluttered closets. Catching these before they turn into bigger problems like mold can save you big money on structural repairs down the road!

Keeps Things in Order

Photos of fixtures and fittings are a necessity for any professional deep clean. Trying to remember the locations where everything was stored before can be tough, so take pictures as part of your inventory to prevent spurious claims by tenants about what they left behind. This way you can know everything about your place and stuff, and in case something goes missing you will notice. Moreover, it will be easier to bring things back to order after the deep cleaning process. You wouldn’t want to forget where your aqua water filter was placed before you started cleaning the house and later misplace it after you’re done.

Increases the Value of your Property

Deep cleaning between tenants is the key to protecting your property, both in value and quality. The process of deep cleaning should be a part of any good landlord’s maintenance schedule as it helps protect against dirt deposition from new residents moving into an old home or apartment space without first getting rid of their grime. While you can do this work yourself with some elbow grease, many landlords find that they often don’t have enough time for such big projects themselves so hiring professionals will save them much-needed time while still providing excellent service standards!

Final word

The rules of the landlord and tenant’s responsibility for cleaning are typically laid out in a contract. A typical rule is that tenants clean before they vacate, but landlords have to check if the property is properly cleaned before new tenants can move in. As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure that you have everything ready for the new tenant. This means arranging furniture or appliances around and cleaning up during this brief period between tenancy periods.

Continue Reading

5 Time Savers for Household Tasks

August 28, 2020
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

Are you always on the go and not have time to clean or do some chores? Unfortunately, some don’t have a house helper to tidy, vacuum, or do laundry. That’s why some hate household chores, especially on days when they are in a rush. They can’t be bothered with a simple household task, and they go home to a great pile of housework. Household chores are tedious and never-ending tasks that eat up most of our time, and time is gold. It is something we cannot buy. So, we have to maximize our efficiency in doing household tasks to save time for more exciting life activities and rest. Make the most of your time. Check our time savers for household tasks!

Do Weekly Groceries and Create a Weekly Meal Plan

The household task is not all about cleaning. You have to prepare food on the table, too! To make things easier for you, create a weekly meal plan. The meal plan will guide you in which items are already in your fridge or cupboards, and what to buy. Creating a shopping list before you go to the groceries will help you know which aisle to go and item to pick. Also, it helps you not waste time buying unnecessary items. If you really have no time to go to the supermarket, you can do grocery shopping online and have the items delivered to your home. By that, you don’t have to drive to the store, scour through the aisles, and unpack the groceries at home. The weekly meal plan will also save valuable time from thinking of which meal to cook for each day.

Save Time When Cleaning and Dusting

Cleaning and dusting is the most lengthy task on household chores, especially if you have a large house. Now, how could you save time? Set 15-minutes on your time to clean and dust your home. Cleaning, dusting, and decluttering day by day could save you time when the general cleaning day comes. If you have a two-story home, it saves more time if you start on the second floor and clean your way down. As you clean and dust, gravity’s power will make bits of dirt and dust fall to the floor. So, to avoid doing it again, have a pattern that could help you clean efficiently. Not going to lie, there are corners of our house that we do not like– they are too difficult to reach! In this case, you need to use a vacuum cleaner to suck dust and crumbs. Before you start vacuuming, make sure to pick up all loose items on the floor and move some furniture to make it quick and easy for you. Lastly, have each of the family members to help out when cleaning and dusting. It is best to be hand-in-hand in cleaning, especially in this pandemic. We have to protect our family from Covid-19. Also, teach them how to develop a good habit of clean as you go (CLAYGO). It will genuinely make cleaning easier if you do not have to follow crumbs of mess.

Spend Less Time Doing Laundry

We always have dirty laundry and, each day it piles up, it never gets empty. To spend less time doing laundry, sort all your clothes every time in the basket. It would be best to provide each family member at least three separate laundry baskets to sort their clothes by color. Do you do your laundry a couple of times each week? Americans do an average of 8 to 10 loads of laundry each week. It is best to choose one day a week to do the laundry to save time and laundry detergent. It will save you time in doing multiple cycles in the laundry, folding, and putting away. Also, you can make your homemade laundry detergent for frugal tips.

But, if you want to save a lot of your valuable time, use dry cleaning and laundry service. We are now in modern times. It is easy to appoint a schedule for laundry services by contacting them through their phone or website.

Invest in High-Quality Dishwasher

Washing the dishes by hand takes up a large portion of your time. If you are a busy person, investing in a high-quality dishwasher could be worth the time and water you will save. Buying a dishwasher will help you clean pots, pans, and dishes neatly half the time you do dishwashing by hand.

Keep Organized

Some think that the real challenge is organizing. Little did they know it is the most efficient way on how you could save time. Place things in a designated place where you could quickly put them back after using them. You do not have to re-organize your home in just a snap. Do it small and regularly. You wouldn’t notice that you have already organized your home. Try out these time savers for household tasks, and you will surely be amazed at how time-efficient you can be. Spend less time on housework and more on the things you love and with your loved ones!

Continue Reading

Are You Tripping Over The Clutter In Your Home? Here’s What You Can Do

August 5, 2020
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

Cluttering is a significant issue in our lives, and we ought to try everything to curb or curtail it, but it doesn’t seem an easy job. Every day, we plan to declutter our home and make it pleasant and aesthetic to look at, but it keeps getting worse. Every time we run an exclusive drive to clean it all up and bring things in order, we face an uphill task. It is not that we do not succeed at all, but the problem continues to recur. Perhaps, it is due to the reason that we need to develop a deep understanding of the issue.

The first step towards resolving the issue is to understand that it is not a problem but a mindset. We tend to think that we are not hoarding any things in our home while we are. Secondly, we delay it to a considerable extent, which only multiplies it. By the time we realize that it is a mess, it is often too late. Having this comprehension will allow us to deal with the issue realistically and practically.

Once we figure out why clutter is accumulating in our home, it’s time to move to the second phase of the solution. It is imperative to understand that whatever we do, we cannot remove it on a prolonged basis. If there is garbage that we are tripping over it, we need to get rid of it. There is no alternative than to call a professional service to do that.

Luckily, every state facilitates and encourages this process. For instance, in Pennsylvania alone, there are some 45 landfills to dispose of municipal waste. If you live in the state’s largest city, you may call junk removal Philadelphia for the cleanup. Let’s now look at the next phase of the process, which is related to keeping it clean daily through various measures.

Taking Complete Control

The first and foremost that everyone experiencing clutter wants is regaining control over their home. As a homeowner, we must know what sort of confusion we are generating and how we can start to manage it. We should remember that we should never opt for a delaying tactic ever. As soon as we produce waste, we should put it in its designated place. There should at least be three boxes for hazardous items, disposables, and reusable, respectively. It is essential to eradicate the habit of tossing the trash away randomly or habitually to make this happen.

Giving or Donating

The second prominent method to dispose of regularly is to learn to give it away or donate it to the needy. The fact is that clutter disposal is persistent because we rarely attach a sense of purpose to it. If we can think about recycling positively, to benefit someone, things will be more comfortable. When we start doing it, stuff like old clothes, cutlery, or interior items may no longer rest in our home. However, doing so requires that we carry out a regular inspection of what’s wearing out and what isn’t. Another way we can do that is to give away old items as soon as we shop for new ones. This approach will help negate the accumulation in the first place.

Getting Rid of Smaller Items

Another smart way to make sure we do not accumulate garbage or unused items is to get rid of all the smaller things. It cannot happen unless we develop a habit of doing so on the spot. For instance, if your work relates to generating a lot of paper trash, you may buy the equipment. Every time you produce it, dispose of immediately using the trash machine. The good part is that this isn’t just beneficial for the decluttering drive, but also to conserve trees. A seemingly small gesture can help play a role in saving the climate.

Adopt an Organized Method

One of the mistakes decluttering aspirants make is they confuse storage with the organization. In doing so, they end up piling up garbage or unwanted items. So, if you have been cluttering, you should start undoing it soon. However, it’s essential to organize items through proper distribution, as detailed earlier. The second important aspect is to maintain a schedule to take the clutter to task spontaneously.

Final Word

Garbage and clutter accumulation is a massive and worrying issue, and it should be dealt with accordingly. The key is to dispose of, distribute the items as and when they emerge, so it never piles up and multiplies. Remaining organized and adhering to a maintenance schedule is the secret to a clean, charming home. However, if you are experiencing a massive clutter already, don’t delay calling a professional service. That’s the only way to deal with the problem immediately.

Continue Reading

How to Clean Your Home and Disinfect it Against Covid-19

July 24, 2020
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

With the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus, the entire world is in upheaval. Some are afraid for their health, some for their loved ones stuck in foreign countries. While some for losing their jobs. Whatever so, it is a time of great confusion. This pandemic has stopped human life. Workplaces and schools are temporarily closed with the fear of letting the disease spread expansively. Flights get halted, and countries have closed down traveling to prevent the disease from becoming a global crisis.

Amid all this uncertainty, the anxiety multiplies by the need to keep everything clean and germ-free. The virus is on the spread, and since there is no vaccine for it yet, prevention is the best way to stop it.

Evidence suggests that the virus can sustain itself for hours to days on certain surfaces. That means it is critical that during the pandemic, we keep disinfecting and sanitizing ourselves and our living spaces.

First things first, CDC recommends that it is essential to clean surfaces around your house at least once in the day. Even though COVID-19 is more likely to spread through human interaction, it is still wise to rule out potential risks. Cleaning means to remove dirt and contaminants, whereas disinfecting means eliminating pathogens. CDC advises us to do both to ensure maximum protection from diseases.

Therefore, we need to disinfect all our home surfaces thoroughly to ensure no germs continue to thrive in the environment. We’ve listed a few ways in the following paragraphs to clean and disinfect the house to protect you and your loved ones from COVID-19.

Mop The Floors and Dust The Carpets

Hot water is known to kill germs and bacteria. To keep your house clean from microbes, you should make sure you wipe the floors daily. Use a mopping disinfectant by mixing it in warm water and mopping the floor with it.

On the contrary, if your house has a carpeted floor, you will have to dust and vacuum these. Carpeted floors sometimes become a hub of germs and bacteria. They should be cleaned and washed to avoid excessive dirt buildup. Additionally, if you live in areas with dry, arid, and dusty climate, such as Spokane, Cheney, or even Hayden, cleaning your carpets becomes necessary. However, it may sound a difficult task to do alone, which is why seeking expert carpet cleaning services in Spokane Valley may be the perfect choice for you.

Disinfect The High-Touch Surfaces

High-touch surfaces include doorknobs, switches, kitchen counters, bathroom faucets, etc. Any surface that is continually in use is a high-touch surface. It is most likely to get infected. Since the first things that a person touches when entering the house are the knobs and the lights, it makes sense to disinfect them regularly.

You can keep a disinfectant spray bottle in the house and spray it whenever someone is coming from the outside touches it. You should bear this in mind that there may be other surfaces in your home that may be high-touch. Just notice the most used spaces and keep them clean and disinfected.

Laundry Your Clothes

If you are going out even in this pandemic, you need to make sure that you wash your clothes immediately once you enter the home. It is because your dresses come in direct contact with numerous surfaces, and you never know which place is contaminated.

Washing your clothes in the machine can work okay in killing the germs. Just use your regular washing detergent and dry them out in the sun. It is a scientifically proven fact that sun rays help in killing diseases and germs. You can also wash your clothes in hot water if you want to be sure that they are entirely germ-free.

Moreover, you should also disinfect the surfaces that the clothes would come in contact with while drying, such as the clothing line, etc. You can clean these areas the natural way.

Clean Then Disinfect

Cleaning and disinfecting are separate, as explained before. For effective disinfection, you need first to clean all the surfaces of dirt and filth. After that, you can follow with spraying your disinfecting spray and wipe everything as usual.

Don’t Forget The Devices

Researchers from the University of Arizona have found that mobile phones carry ten times more bacteria than toilet seats. It is because we take our phones everywhere, and even though we wash our hands often, there is no way to clean our phones. However, under this situation of the pandemic, you should continuously disinfect your phone as well.

That does not mean you start washing your phone. You can keep a pack of alcohol wipes and wipe the surface of your phone at least twice a day.

Conclusion

Prevention is better than cure, and for a disease where the treatment is still not found, prevention is the only way to be safe. To counter COVID-19, maintaining a high level of personal and home hygiene is necessary. Keeping your house clean and disinfecting it at least once a day is imperative. If you are not going out and are avoiding any social contact, deep cleaning your house once a week will also be fine. However, the bottom line is still the same, and your house should say germ-free! Stay home, stay safe.

Continue Reading

What Are The Risks Associated With Poor Indoor Air Quality?

April 6, 2020
Chloe Taylor
0 Comments

Air quality is something that it’s easy to overlook. When you live in the same house for years on end, air quality can steadily decline, and you may not even realize it until you’re coughing and sneezing like you’ve got some perpetual cold. Even if that isn’t the case, there are collateral negative effects of poor air quality in your home.

Following we’ll briefly cover three negative impacts that come from poor indoor air quality. Working with professionals to rectify such issues is absolutely integral for more than just your safety.

Direct Health Impacts

Certainly, the first and most obvious negative impact of poor indoor air quality pertains to the health of those exposed to it. Particulates can spread disease, and they can induce allergic reactions which otherwise may not occur. While it’s also true that long-term exposure to poor air quality can initiate some level of adaptation, this isn’t going to be a positive thing.

Think of it this way: you can learn to walk without both feet, but the prosthetic is surely less desirable than a good foot. Similarly, you can live in a space where the air is terrible, but it’s going to make life difficult. This is especially true for young children in development, and the elderly. The lungs need clear, pure, clean air for best functionality and overall health.

A Reduction In Property Value, And Integrity

Poor air quality will actually impact your property’s value because it will impact structural integrity over time. A clogged up HVAC system will accumulate dust and break down, and parasites become attracted to the dust. Insects go after the parasites, vermin go after the insects, and a bit of an ecosystem can develop in the walls of your home.

Poor air will lead to other problems that continue to propound over time, steadily destroying your property’s value. If the air makes people sick, they won’t want to buy it. Bad smells can also sour an otherwise likely sale.

Of course, this will depend on the specific type of poor air you’re contending with. Sometimes it’s poor owing to vast amounts of particulate matter floating about, sometimes you’re dealing with a chemical issue. Certain fumes can be corrosive.

Increased Maintenance Needs Owing To Dust Accumulation

If there’s poor air quality owing to circulation loss, there will be an accumulation of particulate matter that is steady. Dust can come to cover everything. The worse the air quality is, the more likely it is that this phenomenon will develop. If you treat the problem rather than the cause, you’ll spend unnecessary time performing maintenance that isn’t strictly necessary.

It’s necessary to keep things clean, but there are other steps that represent less work in the fullness of time which may be a better option. Think of it this way: if you get headaches because you’re dehydrated, it’s better to drink a bottle of water than take a bunch of painkillers. Likewise, with air circulation issues, figure out the source of the problem.

Avoiding Common Mistakes And Keeping Your Air At Its Cleanest

To fix a home or other property that’s suffering from poor indoor air quality, there are associated best practices. Sometimes the issue comes from outdoor pollutants entering a property owing to an opening somewhere that needs to be fortified. Sometimes you just need to service your HVAC system. Sometimes home materials are the issue.

Remember the health issues associated with asbestos? Well, sometimes home is made of things that break down over time and eventually make people sick. What this means is you want to court professional assistance as you go about seeking solutions to air issues of this type—you also need to know what you may be doing wrong so you can avoid such action.

Here’s a great resource to help you identify and avoid indoor air quality mistakes by IsoldMyHouse.com. It’s absolutely fundamental to be proactive in air quality management, and that means starting off with the right habits.

If you have been doing things poorly or improperly, now is a great time to change things up. Cleaning your air has many benefits, including increased health, increased property value, and a reduction in necessary maintenance. Accordingly, know what mistakes to avoid, and the proper preventative action.

Continue Reading

5 Easy Steps to Plantation Shutters Care and Maintenance

January 11, 2019
Lucas Bergman
0 Comments

Apart from being incredibly stylish, shutters are among the most practical ways to protect your windows and yourself. Say goodbye to tangled curtains and tedious processes of taking them off, washing them and then having to hang them up again. Not only are shutters easy to use, but they also protect your windows from stains and various cooking smells. Many people are reluctant to embark on the adventure of buying shutters due to ignorance on how easy the maintenance process actually is. This is where we come in to make your life easier and persuade you to make the right choice.

Dusting slats

In order to keep them tidy, you just need to dust the louvres or panels using a microfibre cloth or even a feather duster. Just manipulate the position of the slats to flat and you’ll be able to reach both sides well. It’s important to keep your shutters away from water, especially if they’re made of wood as this is not the best combination. You can also use tiny vacuum cleaners instead of cloths if it’s more your cup of tea.

Wiping more serious stains

The amount of dust or dirt on your shutters depends greatly on the room you put them in. They can catch more dust if they’re in a room with a fireplace or even become greasy if placed in a kitchen. Regardless of how careful you are, grease gathers on surfaces simply via air and there’s nothing you can do about it. Luckily, the cleaning process doesn’t get any more complicated than dusting. Simply use a damp, not wet, cloth and wipe the surfaces.

Opening and closing

It’s important to obey the instructions in order to keep your shutters functional. Never pull the panels open by using the rod for tilting. It can cause serious damage. Instead, tilt the louvres and use the stile to tug them open. There are some variations on the matter. For instance, archtop shutters can close only in the up position. If you try to close them otherwise, they will break. However, if you stick to the instructions, there should be no harm done.

Tightening and loosening louvres

Louvres can become loose over time and they may not be able to stay in the position you’d want them in. This surely isn’t the time to call for outside help. You just need an appropriate screwdriver to tighten shutter panels on both sides and your shutters will be as good as new. You can also loosen them in case they are too difficult to move.

Paint scratches

The probability of the paint getting scratched is very high, unfortunately, especially if there is a lot of human interaction in the close proximity of the shutters in the room. It simply happens sometimes, but it’s nothing to stress too much about. It is a custom to get some extra paint during the installation of the shutters, if this is not offered, you can and should always ask for extra paint in case scratches occur. After that, you just need a small foam brush and a bit of paint to mask it and it will be undetectable.

Basically, this is all you need to know about the maintenance. You must admit it’s super smooth. Of course, there’s always a chance of a malfunction that requires a bit more savvy and tools other than a screwdriver, but that’s when professional help comes in, just like with anything else in the house. So, go ahead and take that leap of buying shutters, you’ll get rid of tedious chores and be able to enrich your room design, as well.

Continue Reading

10 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time

November 28, 2017
Lillian Connors
0 Comments

If your home can use a good thorough cleaning but you can’t really afford a professional, don’t worry. There are many cool cleaning tips pros use all the time that will make your cleaning fast and easy.

Remove clutter

The best way to start cleaning your home is to remove the things from counters, desk, coffee tables and shelves. Otherwise, you might be tempted to just clean around them or lift them and put them back on a wet surface. This can leave nasty ring marks and look like you haven’t done anything.

10 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time

Do as much as you can in one take

It might seem easier, but don’t clean your living room today and leave the bathroom for tomorrow. This method actually takes more time than doing everything in one day. It’s better to do as much as you can in one take, so that you can relax tomorrow in your clean home.

Get organized

You’ll waste a lot of time running around your home to get the tool or cleaner you need. However, if you get a cleaning caddie, you’ll have everything at hand for fast and easy cleaning.

10 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time

Remove distractions

Your home is full of distractions – from your TV, phone and music to rearranging figurines on the shelves and folding linen. All of these can make a two-hour cleaning job last four hours. So, turn off your electronics and leave detailed projects for another time. Concentrate on cleaning, and only cleaning, until your home is spotless.

Don’t forget the electronics

Many people forget to clean their electronics which either stay dirty, or they remember them in the end. So, turn off your electronics and wipe them with a lightly dampened microfiber cloth and remember never to spray cleaning products on the screen directly.

10 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time

Invest in good cleaning supplies

If you want your cleaning to be fast and effective, don’t hesitate to invest a bit more money in high-quality cleaners and cleaning supplies. They will do a much better cleaning job, and they usually last longer than cheap cleaners. If you want your children to help you with cleaning, get products that are non-toxic and natural. There are even cleaners you can make yourself with only a few household items and they remove all sorts of stains.

Follow instructions from the label

Many people want to make cleaning easier and faster, so they tend to “overuse” the cleaning products. However, this will only result in greater expenses. So, if you really want to be effective, read the recommendations from the manufacturer, thus avoiding expensive mistakes. The instructions will tell you just how much product you need and where can you use it. Many products today are of better quality and employ more advanced technology, so they are much more effective.

Invest in good cleaning tools

Don’t use cheap knockoffs of professional cleaning tools. Of course, you don’t need industrial-quality tools, but don’t hesitate to invest in tools that are tested and guaranteed to do the job. If you opt for well-made tools they will last you a long time, and will be much more effective than their cheap counterparts. So, throw away that old sponge mop and opt for a terry-covered mop. Also, chuck or recycle your old vacuum in favor of powerful and practical Shark vacuums that are light and easy to handle, yet strong enough to tackle every cleaning job.

10 House Cleaning Tricks That Save Time

Vacuuming tricks

While we’re talking about vacuums, make sure you’re doing a good vacuuming job. The best way to tackle the room is to remove everything from the floors, move furniture and area rugs. Clear floors will allow you to move quickly and efficiently. Another vacuuming piece of advice is to do the dusting before vacuuming. This way you’ll get to pick up all dust particles that fall on the floor during dusting and save some precious time.

Continue with maintenance

Most households need thorough cleaning every two weeks. However, if you do a good maintaining job, some chores can be reduced to once a month!

Who needs expensive professional cleaners with cleaning tips like these? So, roll up your sleeves, grab your cleaning products and tools, and get to work. You’ll be done before you know it and your home will be sparkling clean.

 

Continue Reading

Our topics

About us

Smooth Decorator Logo

Smooth Decorator is a website dedicated to our little sanctuaries from the hustle and bustle of the outside world – to our homes, sweet homes. We believe that the foundation of a quality life needs to be set right there, in the place where we first dream things up, and that only when we organized our homes can we hope to organize the rest of our everyday existence.

Copyright, 2015