Mar 4, 2023 | House Hold Tips
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about cleaning until it’s absolutely necessary. And even then, it’s often a race against the clock to get everything done before the company comes over. But what if I told you that cleaning your home regularly can actually save you time and money in the long run? It’s true! This blog post will discuss ten essential cleaning tips that will help keep your home healthy and looking its best.
1. Vacuum regularly.
Vacuuming helps to remove dirt, dust, and allergens from your carpets and floor surfaces. It also increases the longevity of your carpets and rugs. Be sure to vacuum at least once a week or more often if you have pets or children in the home.
2. Dust frequently.
Dusting your furniture, shelves, baseboards, and other surfaces help keep allergens at bay and reduces the amount of time you’ll have to spend cleaning later on. Aim for dusting every two weeks or more often as needed.
3. Clean hard-to-reach areas.
Don’t forget about those hard-to-reach corners, crevices, nooks, and crannies that often get neglected. Using an old toothbrush and some mild cleanser, you can quickly reach these areas and keep your home looking great.
4. Use microfiber cloths.
Microfiber cloths are amazing at trapping dust, dirt, and grime, so they don’t get spread around your home. Keep a few on hand for wiping down surfaces that need regular cleaning such as countertops, sinks, and mirrors.
5. Vacuum furniture.
Upholstered furniture can also benefit from regular vacuuming using the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. This helps to remove dirt and debris that accumulates in the fabric over time and keeps it looking fresh longer.
6. Disinfect regularly.
Bacteria and other germs can accumulate quickly, so it’s important to clean the surfaces in your home on a regular basis. Be sure to use products that are specifically designed for disinfecting, as they will be more effective at killing germs than plain soap and water.
7. Clean the kitchen.
The kitchen should receive special attention since it is one of the most used areas in any home. Wipe down all counters, stovetops, ovens, microwaves, and sinks with an antibacterial cleaner after every use to reduce bacteria buildup and keep your kitchen looking spotless.
8. Keep your garden clean.
Don’t forget to tend to your garden and outdoor areas. Regularly mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, pruning plants, and removing weeds can help keep your home looking neat and tidy. Pooper Scooper Service will keep your garden free from any unwanted doggie deposits!
9. Wear protective gear while cleaning.
When using harsh chemicals, make sure you wear gloves and face protection to protect yourself from any harmful fumes or liquids that could potentially cause injury or illness. It’s also important to keep windows open while using harsh cleaners in order to allow adequate ventilation.
10. Keep your carpets clean.
Carpets can be a breeding ground for dust, pollen, and germs if not cleaned regularly. Vacuum carpets at least once a week and spot-clean any stains or spills as soon as possible to keep your carpet looking good and smelling fresh.
Regular cleaning is essential for keeping your home looking its best and promoting good health. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can keep your home clean and tidy with minimal effort!
Feb 17, 2023 | House Hold Tips
If you are in a close relationship with someone, there are very often going to be problems that might arise from time to time. This is just part and parcel of relationships, and something that you should absolutely be prepared for. However, it’s not really something to worry about – it’s just that you need to learn how to properly manage any problems that might arise. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the rules of thumb you might want to bear in mind when it comes to managing problems in any relationship you might be in.
Be Calm
In general, you are going to find that being calm is really important if you want to make sure you are approaching problems in a relationship in the right way. When you lose your temper, it’s unlikely that you are going to speak to your partner in the best way or engage with them sensibly or maturely. Over time, that can mean that you end up in a situation where you are resentful of one another. So keep your calm regardless, and you should be in a much better position with them in a lot of ways.
Don’t Jump To Conclusions
It can sometimes feel as though all is lost just because you and your partner are arguing, or because there is some other problem going on. However, it’s important that you don’t believe those thoughts without first investigating them. It’s unlikely that they are true, and it’s something you need to be wary of if possible. While there are certainly a top 5 reasons to file divorce, it’s not something to rush ahead and do – there should be an attempt to reconcile first and foremost, and that is often the best approach to take on the whole.
Focus On Building
When you are always thinking about how to avoid problems, it can seem as though that’s all there is – because you are concerned with focusing on problems more than anything else. So if you are starting to feel that way, you might find it beneficial to instead focus on building good things in your relationship. When you are looking at it like that, suddenly everything might feel a lot more exciting and positive, and you might find that you have a lot more hope in general too. So this is well worth trying out in your relationship.
Managing Emotions
In general, managing emotions is hugely important if you want to make sure that you are also managing problems within the relationship. This is especially the case if you often struggle to keep your emotions in check, or you find that they tend to affect the relationship at all. Make sure that you are doing all you can to manage your emotions, and you should find that this helps you out a lot. It’s something that a lot of people could do with learning about, so it’s certainly worth considering that if you think it applies to you.
Jan 13, 2023 | House Hold Tips
If you are a little frustrated about the lack of space in your property, you are far from alone. As families grow and housing prices soar, millions of people find themselves settling for somewhat modest spaces. However, there is no need to start waving the white flag just yet.
With the right strategy, it will be possible to make your home feel bigger and better. Here’s all you need to know.
Introduce More Natural Light
Natural lighting can completely change the vibe inside your home. It tricks the eyes into perceiving that living spaces are bigger while also boosting the sense of positivity. Many of the steps also boost temperature control and air quality. From dressing the windows to skylight installations or painting the walls a lighter tone, there are many options. Better still, it is a step that can be used regardless of your interior design style.
Hire A Storage Facility
The average family now owns more physical possessions than ever before. When home storage is at a premium, services like SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. come to the rescue. It is particularly useful when you want to store seasonal clothes. Or sentimental possessions that are not currently needed. While it will require a small outlay, it is a far cheaper and more convenient solution than moving to another property.
Declutter
Moving some of your possessions into external storage is a great opportunity to analyze your home. In many cases, there will be a large number of items that you no longer want. They can be sold to generate funds and save space throughout the property. From clothes to electronics and homewares, you’ll be surprised by just how many items you’ve accumulated. As well as the immediate benefits, your should find that the home becomes easier to clean.
Choose Compact Furniture
It’s not the size that matters. It’s how you use it. Your approach to interior design can have a telling impact on the look and practicality of your home. Selecting small dining tables is a very useful idea. This Home Designing guide can help you with this challenge. Another popular solution is to opt for wall-mounted TV units or display units. If it enables you to save valuable floor space, the modest dimensions of the room will far less important.
Embrace Outside Spaces
Your property isn’t only about what’s inside the four walls. If you are blessed with outside spaces, it is imperative that you learn to utilize them. A well-designed patio, for example, can bring a whole new dimension to your home life. It is a place to relax, share home date nights, or entertain friends. For optimal results, you may wish to consider the addition of sliding doors to connect internal and external living areas.
Lose The Guest Room
Finally, if you have a guest room or garage space that rarely gets used, you must address this. Whether you turn it into a playroom or an office doesn’t really matter. As long as you give it a renewed sense of purpose, it will be a step in the right direction. Making your home feel smaller simply so that your in-laws have a place to stay for two nights of the year is a terrible trade-off. The sooner you appreciate this, the better.
Dec 4, 2022 | House Hold Tips
Contemplating divorce is never easy. The thought of tearing your family apart is enough to make you want to stay but there are times when it becomes clear that would be the wrong choice. The most important thing you can do is talk to people you trust when you’re having difficulty in your marriage.
If you’re wondering if now is the time to leave, take a look at some of these clear signs.
You’re Not Happy
Perhaps you’ve noticed that you’re not happy in your relationship. No matter what you try, you can’t seem to make yourself or your partner happy. Being unhappy is often a sign that the relationship isn’t healthy anymore.
Perhaps your partner is difficult to communicate with or maybe your partner is still very immature. You should never ignore your feelings; they will only get worse over time.
Your Interactions Are Negative
Do you tend to argue with your partner more often than not? Perhaps your comments are greeted with sarcasm or disdain. Happy couples often find it easier to interact positively with each other which encourages their relationship to grow and strengthen.
If you do opt for divorce, you may find that it’s difficult to come to agreements with your partner. It will be wise to use a family law attorney to mediate during the process.
You’d Rather Spend Time With Someone Else
When you’re on your way home from work, do you dread coming home to your partner? Perhaps you create excuses to spend time with other people so you don’t have to spend time with your partner. Or it could be the other way around.
Have you noticed your partner taking on more hobbies or spending more time away from you? If you’d rather do anything than spend time with your partner, it doesn’t hold much hope for the future.
Infidelity
Have you caught your partner cheating? When one partner cheats on another it can ruin the trust in a relationship entirely. You may feel like there’s no way back to the way you were before.
If trust can’t be reestablished, you may think that it’s time to move on. The only way to do that is by cutting ties through divorce.
You Live Like Roommates
Has your partner become your roommate? Perhaps you don’t sleep in the same bed anymore and you lead separate lives. Some partners can become like ships passing in the night and it can take a toll on the relationship.
If you’re starting to acknowledge each other less and your home has become somewhere you use for basic needs, neither of you are going to feel comfortable. If your partner feels more like a stranger now, it may be time to consider going your separate ways.
It’s worth talking to a family counselor before seeking a divorce. There are times when a lack of communication can be fixed through mediation and the relationship can be saved. When you’ve done everything you can, divorce may be your only option.
Nov 2, 2022 | House Hold Tips
Those of us who got to spend some time at home during the pandemic discovered hobbies and skills we didn’t know we had. Of course, it doesn’t mean we didn’t go stir crazy from time to time even if we could have fun while we were at home. It’s important to realize that just because you are at home doesn’t mean you have to stay there, however you can start a hobby from your house. It’s nice to be able to do something for yourself that’s outside of your family connections and your relationships and your friendships.
It’s nice to go home from work and know that there is something you can immerse yourself in that makes you feel happy and fresh. There are some hobbies that you can do without even having to leave the house if you want to, and I know that you’ve probably spent a lot of time indoors because of the pandemic but that doesn’t mean you can’t still embrace your home life now. With this in mind, here are some hobbies you can start right now from home without waiting.
- You could learn calligraphy. There is something super mesmerizing about seeing calligraphic writing. With the way the pens move, the letters appear on the page, and even the type of paper you have, you can make calligraphy something really fun. There are practice books and brush pens that you can buy online and have them delivered to the house in a day, and you can then learn upper and lower case lettering and start doing your Christmas cards in the most beautiful penmanship.
- You could start exercising. Before anybody runs away and hides under the duvet just hear me out, exercise is good! Sweating it out and moving your body can be exciting especially if you find some excellent dancing tutorials online. If you don’t feel like going out to the gym, all you need to do is push the sofa back and exercise from the comfort of your living room. Tons of fitness centers even offer virtual workout options these days, and that’s in addition to peloton another class is. All you have to do is show up!
- You could learn how to cook. One skill everyone needs in life is the skill of being able to cook. If you use your time at home to be in the kitchen you can go beyond generic recipes and instead, learn to make delicate French patisserie or learn how to perfect spun sugar Croquembouche. There are so many ways that cooking can bring you joy and this is a hobby that you could eventually monetize if you wanted to. Cooking can also be an impressive skill to show off to your friends about; dinner party, anyone?
- Learn how to knit and sew. Are you ready to dive into the world of weaving cottons and wools? Good, because needlework and knitting are skills you can carry away into your later years. You can knit blankets and throws for winter, or you can learn to sew your own clothes and create your own miniature line of beautiful items. There are so many different things that you can create when you know how to work a needle and it’s time now to get involved and figure it out!
- Pick up an instrument. Instruments are a good option when you are discovering new talents. If you love to rock out on Guitar Hero, then maybe taking lessons via YouTube could get you started. There’s never a better time than now to connect with your inner rockstar than now and you have the time and the inclination to go for it!
- Have you considered painting? Channeling your inner Picasso is just as good as trying to splash paint on the wall of the home. This is one of the most relaxing hobbies because you can put your all into it and no one is going to judge you. Painting is relaxing and it’s a nice way to be creative and enjoy just exploring colors and textures.
- Learn to make candles. Candle making is a lost art, and you have to think how you could grow this hobby. You can even make them scented if you wanted to! You should think about how you can make your home look and feel warm with the right candles and making your own can often be as fulfilling as anything else! Don’t be afraid to get stuck into this one; much like the wicks you put into the candles.
Oct 8, 2022 | DIY Projects, House Hold Tips
It’s vital we find a healthy and happy home for us and our loved ones. Opting for a fixer-upper is very popular these days. It helps people to save money, but the reality is that a fixer-upper can come with a lot of stress. It’s important for any first-time buyer to be aware that stress is part and parcel of the house buying process, and therefore, ensuring you can cope with the stress of a fixer-upper is about having a wide variety of tools at your disposal. What do you need to consider?
Due Diligence
Due diligence is a tool that can help you in the long run. For example, if you’ve been considering renovating an old church that’s been on the market for so long that no one wants to touch it, you may very well think this can be an amazing home and, no doubt, it would be, but you’ve got to be incredibly nosey on that first visit. A building like a church is undoubtedly a large project, not just because of the aesthetics, but because you’ve got to preserve the structure. There are a number of things that can make this process quite overwhelming. Churches are notoriously drafty and, therefore, having the right church heating systems and insulation will make sure it doesn’t just become a great place to live but is structurally sound and comfy.
This is why due diligence is so important. A building that looks like it’s been cobbled together from a number of random bits and shows signs of being added to multiple times can compromise the overall structure and, therefore, the integrity of the home. It’s best to avoid these circumstances because you are saving yourself a lot of stress.
Having a Plan
Whatever you plan on doing with the property, you will need to have the right plan in place. Prior to purchasing the home, you need to have an inspection to determine the overall condition. This should be your reference point before you start off. When it comes to planning, it’s far better for you to go for the larger jobs first. These will include the kitchen or adding an ensuite bathroom to your bedroom.
Opting for the bigger part of the plan first doesn’t just make the process easier in the long run because you get the hard stuff out of the way, it also means that you are getting the permits and professionals in at the very outset. Having a plan ensures that you can put a structure in place before you start altering the structure.
A Realistic Budget
Part of putting a plan in place is about ensuring you have a budget that is realistic and within your means. It can be one of the hardest parts of fixing any fixer-upper. Making all of these updates will guarantee a greater return on your investment, but the problem many people have is that they think they’ve got to overinvest at the outset to ensure they are getting the best bang for their buck.
Property values can fluctuate, especially during tough times. If you are planning on selling in a number of years or if you are flipping the property, you’ve got to straddle that balance. Ensuring that you have a budget that is realistic and manageable, but is also not going to bankrupt you in a few years’ time is going to reduce your stress levels considerably.
The best approach is to add an extra 33% to your budget. This may seem unachievable, but it will make a big difference in the long run, especially if you run out of funds in the middle of the project. Rather than trying to complete everything as soon as possible on a limited budget, you’ve got to break up your projects and make sure that you have the funds to overcompensate at each point.
What Do You Realistically Need To Do Yourself?
Having a big project will mean that you’ve got to have a realistic idea of what it takes to get the project done within a reasonable timeframe. We all want to save money, but we’ve got to think about our capabilities. We are not superhuman. When it comes to renovating a home, we’ve got to decide what we can realistically do, not just in our budget, but within our expertise. It’s always a good idea to consult professionals, but you need to determine what you can do yourself.
For example, there is a wide variety of flooring that you can piece together. This is something you can do yourself, rather than having a builder do it for you. It’s also a good idea to make sure that you are confident in your abilities, especially if you are considering adding light switches. Basic electrics is something that we can all have a go at, but if we are not confident in our abilities, we could easily make a big mistake that may result in a professional having to redo it, which adds to our costs but may also cause problems in the long run.
You’ve got to ask yourself what you can realistically do yourself, not what you think you could do if the opportunity presented itself.
Learning How to Stay Calm
For so many of us, being in the eye of the storm means that we are incredibly overwhelmed by the prospect of renovating. This means that we are stressed before we’ve even started any major work. Learning to feel calmer is so important. And this is why you may want to benefit from a number of tools that can give you the confidence and fortitude to deal with any renovation projects.
There are tools like meditation and learning to relax, but there are also tools like visualising. If you can picture your dream home and what it takes to put these things together, this is a tool that many athletes and executives use to ensure that they are stepping closer to their dreams. Something like visualisation is a very good tool that is not utilised enough, but when it comes to ensuring you have those tools to stay calm, whether it’s anti-anxiety methods or visualising the end product, you can be sure that you are able to focus on the task at hand rather than becoming overwhelmed.
