Category Archives: For Your Information

The Household Problems We Dread (& How To Deal With Them)

Standard

For most of us, our homes are our sanctuaries, our little retreats from the rest of the world; they are the places that we feel the most comfortable and safe. There’s no doubt about it; we love our homes. That’s why, when something threatens them, we are prone to panicking. Of course, there are some household problems that we aren’t fazed by, little things that are easily fixable, such as peeling paint or a shower that has a drip. However, there are some problems that send us into a tailspin.

The important thing is that no matter what the problem, you stay calm, cool, and collected, and deal with it in the right way. To help you to do that, below are some of the household problems that we tend to dread, along with tips and advice for the best ways to deal with them:

Water Damage: Whether your home has flooded due to a burst pipe, an overflowing bath, or a natural flood, it can be incredibly upsetting. Water damage doesn’t just damage the flooring, walls, and furniture, depending on how severe it is it can also damage the electrics. The most important thing when a flood occurs is to work out what has caused it and then call in the appropriate help. If it’s an internal flood, call a plumber. However, if natural flooding has come into your home, call your local fire department – they should be able to come and pump the water out. Once you’ve dealt with the flooding itself, the next step is to call your insurance company to log your claim. This is important as you only have a certain time period to do this within, or else your company may not cover you.

12.png

Yikes!

Pesky Pests: Another nightmare that most homeowners dread is the appearance of pests in their home. There’s nothing worse than sitting at the table eating your breakfast only to spot some sort of pest – be it a rat, insect, or another form of rodent, it’s important to look for local pest control companies immediately so that you can get the problem dealt with as soon as possible. You see, the longer you leave an infestation, the worse it will get. So, it’s best to act quickly, as that way it can hopefully be caught early and easily dealt with.

Damp: Damp is a surprisingly common problem, but it’s something that a lot of homeowners panic about. This tends to be because there’s a common misconception that damp can be expensive to treat. In some cases, it can be expensive. However, that depends on how bad the problem is and where in the property the damp is found. That being said, if you notice any damp in your property, it’s best to call in an expert as soon as possible, to ensure that the problem doesn’t get any worse.

123.jpg

Double Yikes!

The issues mentioned above are some of the most common problems that homeowners dread. However, as long as you know how to deal with these sorts of issues, they don’t necessarily have to be a serious problem!

Never Been On A Date

Standard

Helloooo everyone and happy weekend! I hope all of you are having a wonderful day so far. So in case you guys weren’t aware, my Think Spring guest bloggers series is launching on February 15th. This series has been a fun one to work on and it has given me the opportunity to make some new blogging friends, like Lakshmi from The Rink. Lakshmi will be featured in my guest bloggers series but she was also kind enough to provide me with another terrific post for lifewithlilred. This article is titled “Never Been On A Date” and you saw it here first!

Never Been On A Date:

Terms, which you won’t believe, that exist!

I am L.R. and I come from India. For those who don’t know, there is this system in India known as the “arranged marriage system” – a guy and a girl who are ‘destined’ to be with each other (through the idea of horoscope matching) get married. They need not know each other or even have to love each other before getting married. Why, in the olden times, they wouldn’t even meet each other until the wedding ceremony. Just to clarify, this system doesn’t happen all over India but in the conservative families.

The rules have since relaxed a little. Nevertheless, it is still of importance to get the girl married before she turns a certain age, currently it is 24 (which is pretty late according to them!). I am in this inevitable system. There is this thing known as “trust” – something that I built with quite a strong foundation in my parents’ minds for not ‘loving’ or ‘dating’ any guy. This will keep me out of any relationships with a constant status of “Single but not available”. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to my friends of other lands but that is how it is!

I live in the Present too!

Being in such a connected world in the 21st Century, I have to say that 99% of the movies I see, books I read, and all of media revolve around “love”… not the daughter-parents love or platonic love but love – the feeling you have towards a special someone. While people on every other side of the Earth keep waiting to meet “the one”, I know that I’ll meet him through my parents. Nope, the guys on whom I have crushes on will never be my one. As of now, love is a forbidden emotion, almost like the Candy House in Hansel and Gretel! Yes, I know that I live in 2017!

I mean, forget love… lets talk about the dating game.

Have I ever dated? Nope! Because this will lead to love, of course. While some of my friends go on dates and love guys, I freak out about the fortress of trust. Once we break it, it will take long to re-build it. Do I want to go on a date? I am restricted from giving an absolute answer. I want to try it. Just imagine that you are forbidden from eating chocolate for your entire life and everywhere you see, there are movies and books about chocolate (analogy is, admittedly, not the greatest here). You would want to taste this restricted deliciousness… at least once, right?

Looking back at it now, it is funny that I have grown up with this ‘inserted’ thought that I’m not beautiful and I should be beautiful only for the guy I marry. To tell you the truth, I’m not a very pretty girl but a girl with some definite admirers. Yes, some of them have mustered up the courage to even approach me (dating game and love is still considered a mild taboo). I just rush away from the spot or speak to them meanly or even lie to them about already having a boyfriend. Haha! This is what I did! After all of this, my girlfriends and I sit and talk and laugh about these encounters! Although I kept brushing away dates, deep inside I knew that I wanted to try it once.

When I really wanted to try it and I asked some of my ‘experienced’ friends, they always tell me to never fall into this trap! Then, they would overflow with episodes from their bad dating life – the ones in which I would hate to be a part. Seeing them cry, I would feel that it is the right decision to stay far away from the dating world. But hey! I don’t know how it will be… These friends of mine recommend it one in four times… one in four times, they would actually be content in the game. This left me with the only thing that improved over the years – my imagination.

I imagine being on a date with the most awesome and handsome celebrities out there in the world. Even in my daydreams, the date doesn’t go well! I feel like everything is in the right place except my conscience. Haha! Growing up this way, I don’t think that I will ever sneak around to go on a date. I just cannot be a badass – it’s not me. And guess what? I like this style of living. I am familiar with it. I don’t have heart-breaks. I don’t need to search far and wide for my true love. I don’t need to date a couple of losers to find the one. I kind of get a fast-pass to the real deal in this game! Around 95% of the arranged marriages that happen through this system in India come with a guarantee that the couple will stay together as long as they live!

Welcome to my life!

❤ L.R.

Fashion blogger

THE RINK

^^^ Thank you so much again to Lakshmi for such an informative and delightful read! You can catch her again soon during my Think Spring guest bloggers series! What is the best or worst date that you have ever been on? How does Lakshmi’s lifestyle differ or relate to your own? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

PS: If you are interested in participating in my guest bloggers series, feel free to shoot me an email at sarah.mush6794@gmail.com! 🙂

Why Has Your House Been Up For Sale For Months?

Standard
Why Has Your House Been Up For Sale For Months?

It can be a nightmare when you want to move but you are receiving no offers on your property. It can certainly feel like you are never going to be able to move from your old stomping grounds. But you need to look more closely at why you are not receiving any offers. That way, you can make some changes so that you can find a buyer quickly! Here are some things that you can switch up when your house has been on the market for a long time:

You Are Pricing the House Too High: Of course, when it is time to sell, you want to get as much as possible for your home. That way, you can put a good amount towards your new property. However, if you overprice your house, you could end up with little interest. Potential buyers will just go and look at other properties which are selling for less. Take a look at homes which are selling in the area and see how much they are going for. You might find that they are all slightly less than what you have your home up for. Then, it might be the case that you need to drop your price by a couple of grand so that you get more viewings at your home. Just don’t go too low so that you are left out of pocket if the home sells!

You Are With the Wrong Realtor: It’s easy to end up making a mistake when it comes to your estate agent. You might be tempted by their good deals and ideas, but when it comes to actually selling your home, they might let you down. You should have a look at the photos and the content about your property. Is it really selling your home? If the photos are of poor quality, you might find that people won’t come for viewings. Ask the realtor to revise the images to ensure that you are getting the most possible views on your home.

And remember, if you are unhappy with your realtor, you could switch to someone else. Or you might even decide to go through a different option such as sell homes for cash. That way, you can quickly get a sale and then can finally move out to your new humble abode. This can be an especially appealing way to go for those who are crunched for time or who have been unsuccessful on the market. To begin exploring this option, simply enter a search for “sell my houston tx home for cash” (or your local area) and see what is best for your situation.

Your Home Isn’t In a Good Condition: When people struggle to sell their home, it’s often down to the property itself. If your home isn’t in the best condition, you are going to struggle to get offers. It could be due to big things like a poor kitchen or an old bathroom which is causing you to not get viewings. So you should consider updating these to ensure that you get a buyer quickly. Or it might be simple fixes like that wacky wallpaper in your bedroom which is stopping viewings! If you are not interested in doing a full fledged renovation for a home you want to move out of, it could be a good idea to explore other options like cincysellforcash.com or a similar company in your local area. This could be a viable solution should your home have a lot of major issues.

To sell the home quickly, try and make sure your home is as neutral as possible. This helps people to imagine their own stuff in the property and will make them more likely to make an offer! Of course, some repairs or renovations might be too costly or time consuming to fix all at once. If this is the case for you and you need to sell your home quickly, you might want to consider we buy houses woodstock or a similar investing company in your area. This can be a fantastic option if you are ready to wash your hands for good of your property.

And remember to work on the curb appeal so that you sell the property quickly. You can read my previous blog for help improving the exterior appeal!

Featured Image By: Maxpixel

Slash The Cost Of Your Heating Bill This Winter

Standard
Slash The Cost Of Your Heating Bill This Winter

Winter definitely has it’s plus points. Cozy evenings in, beautiful snow, and delicious hot drinks. But once Christmas is over, the novelty of winter begins to wear off, and by this point, most of us are getting fed up with it! One of the worst parts is the cost of heating our homes, and over the winter months fuel bills can really mount up. Thankfully there are ways to make it a little less expensive. Here’s how:

Switch to a Tankless Water Heater: We all love a long soak in a hot bath over the winter months. But the cost of heating that water can cost a bundle. One way that you can slash costs is by switching to a tankless water heater. This is a system that uses no pilot light, and in many cases can cut bills by half. If your property still uses an old tank heater, you’ll know the frustration of running out of hot water and having to wait around for it to re-heat. With this, water is heated on demand giving you an unlimited supply so there’s no running out, or wasting money by heating water unnecessarily.

Invest in Smart Home Heating: Smart home heating gives you total control over your heating. With this, your thermostat is controlled through your smartphone making it easy to turn on and off at the touch of a button. No going out and worrying you’ve left the heating on. No having to get out of bed in the freezing cold, just use your smartphone in the morning and give the home a few minutes to heat up. There are add-ons which allow you to control the heat in different rooms, too, which can also save on money as you do not have to heat the whole house to feel the warmth in one room.

Buy a Log Burner: Wood burning stoves have a wonderful rustic charm. And while you will have to pay for the installation, the running costs afterward are very low. Firewood is less expensive than traditional central heating, and if you’re able to cut your own wood then you get heat essentially for free! Warming your toes in front of a gorgeous crackling fire truly gives the perfect ski lodge atmosphere. It almost makes the bitter winter weather seem worth it.

bill1.jpg

Warm and toasty!

Wrap Up Warm: Rather than having your heating set to maximum, you could set it lower which will cost less money. And to keep warm, wrap up in cozy pajamas and throws. You can buy huge soft throws from places like eBay for around twenty-five dollars which are perfect for snuggling up with on the sofa. After the upfront cost, keeping warm this way will cost significantly less than putting the heating up full blast every night. Fleece pajamas and thick terry toweling dressing gowns will also keep you snug and warm. Although it’s not the most ideal way to save some cash, it is one that I am familiar with considering that’s how my dad manages the heating bills! Lol.-___-

Featured Image By: Pexels

Renovations – Make Your Home Improvements Simpler With These Ideas

Standard
Renovations – Make Your Home Improvements Simpler With These Ideas

We will all reach a point where we have to figure out how to make changes to the home. There are a lot of things you can do that will help you to improve the property. Most of the time this comes down to how well you can plan and prepare. Making renovations around the home is something really important for boosting the appeal of the property. You have to understand how well you can make these renovations, and exactly what is involved in doing up your home. Here are some of the ideas that you can use to help make the home renovation process much simpler and more effective:

Do as Much as You Can Yourself: The secret to successful home DIY and renovation projects is to do as much as you can yourself. There are a lot of different projects you might wish to do for your home, and it’s important that you try to get some done on your own. Learning DIY skills sets you up nicely for ensuring that you can accomplish a lot of the home renovations that need doing. This is something that you should focus on trying to achieve and get right as much as possible. There are some projects you’re not going to be able to do yourself, but for those that you can you should definitely give it a try!

rennovate.jpg

DIY

Leave the Big Jobs to the Experts: Having said that, there are certain jobs and tasks that you should not try to attempt yourself. These are projects that need professional and expert guidance and input. If you attempt important and detailed tasks that you’re not qualified for, this can often make it worse. Imagine you want to repair the roof or relay the floor. These projects are big undertakings, and there are a lot of places where you could make mistakes and go wrong. That’s why it’s important to make sure you call in professionals and experts when it comes to tasks like this. You need people who are qualified and know what they are doing, and this is something you should sort out as soon as you possibly can. Big tasks including creating a new driveway, any exterior or interior renovations, and even something like completely transforming your backyard and needing a backyard excavation, should all be performed by Residential Contractors Prince George (or ones in your local area). These are jobs that require certain tools and professional experience to execute.

rennovate1

Flickr Image

Take Out a Loan: You also need to make sure you have the money needed to carry out the work that you want. Home repairs and renovations can be expensive, but it will ensure that you are getting quality work the first time around. If you want this to happen, you’re going to need to make sure you take out a loan. That’s why you should check out http://personalmoneystore.com and see how you can benefit from a loan for the home. Make sure you have the money that you need to cover the work that’s necessary to get your home looking as picture perfect as possible.

Focus on the Important Areas: Think about the areas of the home that matter, and those that you’d like to improve. What can you do to spruce things up and make the home a better place? This involves considering what parts of your home get the most use. For instance, you might consider checking out these easy kitchen renovations because the kitchen is such an important room in the home. Try to make changes that the home will benefit the most from. If no one is using the attic, then it doesn’t make much sense to put energy into it when you have a bathroom that needs remodeled.

When you are thinking of remodeling your home, don’t forget to consider its exterior. Yes, a renovated bathroom would be nice but there might be more pressing matters at hand. This could include tending to trees that are too close to your house, major landscaping issues, and your roofing. The roof is your home’s biggest defense and anything wrong with it should be tended to immediately with professional exterior contractors. Once all safety issues are addressed is when the fun parts of interior renovations can begin.

Always Think About Boosting Value: You should always focus on trying to develop and improve the value of the home whenever you can. Boosting the value is important and can really help you to sell your home in the future. This doesn’t just include your indoor space but the exterior too as it gives your home curb appeal. A rundown driveway, for example, is something that can be fixed after you find a trusted professional for your local area. This will eliminate the eyesore and boost your property value immediately.

Featured Image By: Wikimedia

Bug Off! Easy Steps You Need To Take To Say Farewell To Pests For Good

Standard

There’s nothing worse than when intruders decide to make home in your property. For one thing, pests can be damaging to your property. In fact, you are likely to end up with issues such as chewed wires if there are pests in your home. And a lot of the bugs can pose health issues for your family. So when they do arrive in your property, it can be a nightmare to get rid of them. Here are some easy steps you need to take to say farewell to pests for good:

Always Keep Your Home Clean: If you have any dirt or dust in your home, it could soon prove to be a good hiding place for bugs. Pests like dust mites will make home in the dirt in your property. If you want to say goodbye to pests, you need to ensure that your home is clean at all times. That way, you won’t have the intruders in your home anytime soon. Make sure you go for places that aren’t so easily seen to the eye. For example, underneath the bed and the top of shelves are places which can easily pick up dirt and dust. And remember to ensure that all of the bed sheets are cleaned regularly to avoid bed bugs. Put them in the wash at a high temperature to ensure that they are killed.

bugs.png

Flickr Image

Look Into Hiring a Pest Control Company: Although you can buy a number of pest control products for your home, it can sometimes be best to find a company to deal with it because if you have the pests in your home, you want them to be treated quickly. And if you are attempting to do it yourself, it might take ages for them to go. All the while your home is getting damaged by the pests! And when you find a pest control company, check if they do regular services. That way, you can ensure the pests don’t come back anytime soon!

When researching pest control companies, make sure you take a closer look at what each business specializes in as it can vary. You will want a professional that has the know how and experience to tackle your specific issue. To begin finding the company that’s right for you, simply enter a search for “pest control seattle” (or your local area) and make sure who you choose comes highly recommended.

Sort Any Holes in Your Walls and Doors: It’s easy to think that you will sort that hole in the wall later. But the longer it’s left, the higher the chance that you might end up with bugs or other pests like rats and mice who might make their home in these holes. You should make sure all holes in your home or doors are filled in quickly. Otherwise, you could end up with bugs like ants inside your property!

Put Screens on Windows: In the summer months, you are bound to have the windows open for hours. But the longer you leave the windows open, the more chance that bugs might get into your home. And then you might end up being severely bitten in the night by a peckish mosquito! It’s a smart idea to get an insect screen for your window. That way, you can still get some air into your home without any bugs coming in to say hello.

bugs1.png

EW!

Also remember to ensure that all food is put away in the fridge or bin. That way, it won’t attract pests to your property.

bugs2.png

 Pixabay Image

The Cleaning Hacks Everyone Should Know

Standard
The Cleaning Hacks Everyone Should Know

If you’re sick and tired of going through an endless cycle of household chores like you’re Bill Murray in a rather dull version of Groundhog Day – you have come to the right place. This post features a range of simple cleaning hacks that everyone should know. Among these hacks, you will find the solutions to some of the most difficult cleaning problems you face. So, if you want to save time and clean less (don’t we all?!), read on:

The Holy Trinity: If you want to save money on cleaning products and ensure that your home is cleaned safely and effectively, you need to invest in the holy trinity of white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. There are few things, from grotty tiles to mucky windows, that cannot be adequately cleaned with these natural wonder substances.

hack1

Handy is dandy!

Wield Your Razor (Carefully!): If you accidentally get fresh paint on your clothing or any other household fabric, instead of putting them in the bin, go up to the bathroom and get a disposable razor. Lay the fabric down on the kitchen table, or another flat surface, and ‘shave’ off the dried paint in quick, sharp motions.

hack2.jpg

Hiiiii-ya!

Invest in a Water Softener System: If you’re forever scrubbing limescale off of every surface that comes into contact with water, your life will be made so much easier by just investing in a water softener system. This will do all of the hard work for you, so you won’t have to scrub so hard in the future.

hack3.jpg

Flickr Image

An Old Sock Works Wonders: If you are constantly battling with dust and you’ve reached your limit on buying new dusters, an old sock could be your new best friend. Most socks are pretty good at picking up dust and by using them, you will be doing your bit for the planet, too. Old socks are particularly useful for cleaning blinds when used in conjunction with a cleaning solution of half water and half white vinegar.

hack4.jpg

Hello, new duster.

Put Your Hairdryer to Use in the Home: If you’ve lost the battle with your family and they refuse to use water coasters, don’t worry! You can get rid of unsightly water rings on your wooden tables by heating them with a hairdryer. Once you’ve got rid of the staining, rub a little olive oil into the table to rejuvenate the wood.

hack5.jpg

Flickr Image

Beat Bathtub Stains: If you struggle to scrub the bathtub clean, a paste containing a tablespoon of a liquid cleaner, baking soda, and a few drops of tea tree oil will make the job easy, and your bathtub will sparkle like it never has before.

hack6

I want this tub!

Salt for Iron: If you have trouble effectively cleaning iron utensils via normal means, try scrubbing them with salt and see them shine.

hack7.jpg

Don’t be salty! 😉

Catch Dust with Dryer Sheets: If you’re always dusting the baseboards behind your furniture, there is a simple hack that will cut your efforts dramatically. Simply place dryer sheets in those hard to reach places, and any dust and grime will automatically be attracted to them, which means that you can simply replace them rather than spend ages busting the dust.

hack8

HANDY IS DANDY!!!

There’s no doubt that if you practice these easy cleaning hacks, you’ll be spending less time cleaning and more time relaxing in no time! How fab does that sound?!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Banish Black Mold In Your Home For Good!

Standard

When the weather gets colder and wetter, many of us start to notice dreaded black mold appearing in our homes. Not only is this unsightly but it also poses some pretty serious health hazards too- respiratory problems, eye irritation, rashes, headaches, and even fatigue can be symptoms. Of course, if you have anyone who’s vulnerable due to their age (either old or young), have a weakened immune system, or allergy sufferers living in the property are going to be particularly affected. Here are some points to bear in mind about black mold and how you can go about getting rid of it for a healthier home.

What Causes Mold In The Home? Mold grows in damp areas in the home and so if you spot it, it’s a sign that you have some kind of moisture problem. This could be a result of a leak, or alternatively mold can accumulate due to condensation along with poor ventilation. Condensation is more of an issue in the colder months. If you notice it a lot in the bedroom, this is because when you sleep the warm air you breathe contains moisture and condenses on the cold walls and windows. The same applies if you take a hot bath or shower, or if you hang out damp washing in your home. When the area stays moist, it provides excellent growing conditions for mold.

mold.jpg

Public Domain Pictures Image

How To Get Rid of It? If you suspect a leak to be the cause of your mold problem, have a plumber come out and have a look. There are also countless step by step guides online to help you remove black mold on subfloor or ceilings. Some leaks can be very slow flowing so it might not be glaringly obvious that it’s because of this right away. Sometimes leaks can come from the roof or from outside, as a result of things like blocked guttering. A thorough check is essential. If a leak is discovered, you will need to remove any wood, carpeting, or other materials that is damaged to prevent rot and get rid of the mold spores. If the damage isn’t too bad, allowing everything to thoroughly dry and treating it with an anti-mold product might be enough. Regardless of the severity of the situation, it can bring peace of mind to call an expert in to take a look. To get started, simply enter a search for “Mold Removal Denver, Co” (or your local area) and get an appointment right away before the problem worsens.

Your second step is to ensure good ventilation, even in cold weather (in fact, especially in cold weather) you should ‘air out’ your home every day for at least thirty minutes. This helps any moisture to evaporate, and when the areas are dry mold won’t appear. Having an extractor fan fitted in kitchens and bathrooms can help to prevent moisture building up in these areas. Another thing you could try if you’ve noticed mold, especially in the vents of your home is to have your air ducts cleaned. These should be done every three to five years. You could look online for companies offering duct cleaning services locally to you.

How To Keep It Away: The first step after removing mold is to have verification that it’s truly gone with a trained eye and the right technology. You will want to enlist the help of home inspectors columbia sc (or your local area) to make sure that all of your efforts were successful. Once you pass your inspection, regularly airing out your home will help to prevent condensation and therefore keep mold away in many cases. If you notice a lot of condensation on windows that doesn’t evaporate when the window is left open for thirty minutes, you could buy a squeegee and manually clear and dry the windows yourself over the colder months. If any mold does start to grow, treat it right away with an anti-mold product. Painting areas prone to it in an anti-fungal paint can also keep it at bay.

Surrounded By Clutter? How To Carry Out A Post-Holiday Clean-Up Operation

Standard

The holidays are done and gone, and before we know it, Christmas Day will be a distant memory, and we’ll be back to the grindstone. Although most of us love the festive period, it does have its downsides. With family and friends popping in, mounds of gifts and wrapping, and days running into one, it can be tough to keep on top of cleaning. It’s easy to get swamped and end up with piles of dishes on the counters, boxes and rolls of paper everywhere, and tons of laundry to get through. If you’re surrounded by clutter, and you have an endless list of jobs, here are some tips to help you conduct a post-holiday clean-up:

clutter.pngFlickr Image

De-Cluttering: Don’t even think about trying to vacuum the carpets or dust your furniture until you’ve got clear surfaces and floors. There’s no point in trying to clean around piles of laundry or navigate the hoover around new toys, games, or mounds of books and DVDs. Start your clean-up with a de-cluttering session. Before you start trying to find places for Christmas gifts, have a clear out, and throw away anything you don’t want to keep. Take new items out of their packaging, and create a pile for recycling. Make another mound for the trash. Get everyone to tidy their own rooms and you’ll get the job done in no time. Once you’ve got your piles sorted, load the car and take a trip to the nearest waste disposal site. If you’re throwing away items that are in good condition, you could host a yard sale or take a bag of stuff to a local thrift store.

Cleaning: Set aside an afternoon to get the house in order and you’ll feel much better afterwards. Allocate chores, such as doing the dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and vacuuming the entire house. If everybody pitches in, you’ll be finished before you know it. Once you’ve tackled the pots and pans and hoovered the carpets, wipe down the kitchen and bathroom surfaces with disinfectant spray. Then, you can move on to polishing wooden sideboards, tables, and chests. Mop the floors and light some scented candles. Open the windows or use a fan to circulate the air. If you don’t already have one, look out for bargains in the January sales. You’ll find a host of tower fan reviews online.

clutter2.png

Flickr Image

Once you’ve got your home in tip top shape, the last thing you want is to let things slide and end up back at square one. Try and keep on top of tidying and cleaning. Don’t let dishes pile up or dust gather on the stairs. If you wash up every night and vacuum every couple of days, you’ll soon find that you spend a lot less time cleaning. Take the trash out and use diffusers and candles to give your home a fresh, clean smell. It may not seem like the most exciting way to spend the day, but you’ll feel much better after you’ve given your home a good spruce. There’s nothing worse than heading back to work on a miserable January morning knowing that you’ve got an endless list of chores to wade through on your return. -____-

Update Your Home! Five Appliances That Will Make Your Life Easier

Standard

These days, most of us are obsessed with convenience. We want things to be easy and to take as little time as possible – but at the same time, many of us are concerned with being thought of as lazy by other people. Luckily, there is a middle ground. There are a number of appliances that were once thought to be luxuries that have become necessities in the home over the last ten years – read on to find out more…

Dishwasher: Is there a bigger time waster than having to wash dishes? It’s one of those household chores that will always be done with resentment – especially because with every next meal you’ll just end up with another load of dirty dishes to wash. There’s no need to martyr yourself by doing washing up that you hate. Invest in a dishwasher so you don’t have to waste any more time or energy on your dirty dishes. Or have the possibility of touching wet food in the sink!! YUCK!

easy.png

 Pixabay Image

Heated Towel Rail: Throughout the winter, showering becomes a problem. Of course, we all like to stay clean through the whole year – but no one enjoys that feeling of stripping off their pajamas in the cold air on a winter morning before stepping into the shower! Even worse is the coldness of climbing out again before you have your towel wrapped around you. It’s important, then, to make sure that you have a warm, cozy towel to heat you up when you get out of the shower. It’ll also dry your towel when you’re done, stopping it from smelling like a combination of damp and bath soap!

easy1.png

 I think I need a heated towel rack!

Microwave: A lot of people think of microwaves as the epitome of laziness but that is absolutely and categorically untrue. They promote convenience, but there’s no reason that that is a bad thing. Not only can you make cakes in microwaves these days, but you can also heat up leftovers from the previous day and use them quickly when you don’t want to have to clean up any pans or utensils. Check out Oven Shopper to find out which microwave is the best one for you and your family.

easy2.png

 Dream kitchen!

White Noise Machine: If you don’t sleep well at night, then a white noise machine is an absolutely essential investment. A lot of people can’t sleep in silence and are woken up by sudden small noises. A white noise machine will cover them up and enable you to sleep well in near-silence without the low hum of the TV disturbing your partner. So cool!

easy3.png

 Zzzzzz…

E-Reader: One of the best ways to expand your mind and open yourself up to the world around you is to read. Not only can you explore fictional worlds a million miles away from where you are, but you can also consider new ideas that will challenge you and force you to re-evaluate yourself – which is always a good thing! E-readers are useful because you can keep your entire library with you at all times. That means that you’ll never have to worry about what book to read next – and because of their size and weight, they’re much easier to take on vacation than a huge stack of paperbacks. The Kindle that I got from my boyfriend is one of my absolute favorites and I cannot recommend investing in an E-Reader enough!

easy4.png

 Bragging rights for whoever can name that book!