Tag Archives: cleaning

Aug2

How To Create An Aromatic Atmosphere In Your Home

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How To Create An Aromatic Atmosphere In Your Home

There’s a lot that can be determined about a home based solely on the smell of it. You can tell if kids are present or not, if the owner likes to bake in their spare time, how often they clean, and what products they are partial to to get it smelling the way that they want. Our sense of smell is a powerful tool. It lets us know if something is bad or good, but also helps to take us back in time to a nostalgic point that we associate with certain scents, bringing back memories that we want to indulge ourselves in or would otherwise wish to forget. So, in essence, it’s quite an important thing to get right in your home; to help us feel safe, to feel comfortable, and happy with where we live.

Eliminate The Bad Odors: It can be particularly hard to pinpoint a scent if you don’t know where it’s coming from. A lot of offensive odors aren’t immediately obvious to us because they’ve had to take time to develop to get to what you’re smelling – so they often aren’t within our sight or a place that we can easily reach. One prime example is a toilet; a lot of odors are stopped within a plumbing trap, but if it’s defective or there is something else wrong in the system, then it can be hard to get to the source of the problem; there is more information about different types of plumbing traps at http://theplumbinginfo.com/plumbing-traps/ to give you more of an idea as to what can be done to solve the problem.

Just fixing this one issue could completely get rid of the smell that was causing the disruption to your home. This is just one example, so try and think outside of the box when it comes to narrowing down where a smell is coming from, especially when there are pipes involved. Always hire a professional to come and deal with the problem at hand so as not to create more work for yourself.

Focus On Your Favorites: Think of your favorite scent; the one that makes you happy but would also appeal to others who are visiting your home. It’s this that you need to aim for and spread around your house. It’s available to do in a lot of different forms; candles, wax melts, air fresheners, and so much more, so there really is no excuse not to have some on hand to give you that extra boost. There are a good selection of different smells for you to peruse at https://yankeecandle.com that aren’t just limited to candles, so you don’t have to worry about the safety aspects of ensuring that a flame is correctly put out in order to get your home smelling amazing.

If you don’t have a favorite scent, shop around! There are countless stores and products to take an olfactory tour of to help you determine the perfect scent for your house. If you’d like a more personalized experience for that must have scent, you can find a scentsy consultant to bring that boutique feel. Your consultant will be able to pinpoint the fragrances you like and find a product to match.

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Candles are a must!

Consider Your Hygiene: Unpleasant smells are more likely to jump out at you than nice ones, but often our noses are trained to accept them if we don’t deal with it straight away. It may take a good time away from our home to realize that that’s what our abode actually smells like to other people, so it’s always important to keep on top of a good cleaning routine in order to ensure that you are keeping the space that you live in not just smelling good, but hygienic for you. There are certain things around the house which trap odors within the fibers, such as carpets, rugs, and curtains, so it’s imperative that you are keeping on top of the cleaning of these items. That way, you are ensuring that you are removing any staleness that may be clinging on as well as caring for your fabrics.

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Lather up!

Mental Health: There are certain scents that have been proven to relieve stress and anxiety that you may be feeling. It’s been long said that lavender helps you to relax and drift off to sleep more easily, so why aren’t we using this knowledge in other rooms of our home? Vanilla candles are the most common scented ones that you can buy, and these have been cited to help put us in a better mood and even combat some pain signals that are being sent around our body. There’s never been a more important reason to get your home smelling nice and fresh, if it’s impacting your health directly!

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Beach scents are also very popular!

Focusing on the scent of your home will make for breathing easy for your family and guests!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul26

Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

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Bathroom Upgrades That Will Help Sell Your House

If you are in the process of selling your home, you will probably be exploring the possibility of making a few upgrades. This is an effective way to ensure that your house sells quickly and at the price which you are asking. One of the rooms that you should definitely place a lot of attention on is your bathroom. THE THRONE ROOM! Here are some suggestions on how to make your salle de bain the best ever:

Add an ottoman or stool: By adding a stunning piece of decor that is also functional, you create the ultimate private hotel suite look. Why not put a stool beside the bathtub? You can add a potted plant, candle, or some hand towels to complete the look. Another option is to go for a long ottoman or a marble side table. Nothing says “luxury” like a gorgeous piece of furniture to drape your clothes on!

Buy a new toilet: Let’s face it, who really wants to use a toilet that countless other people have been using for many years? NO ONE. Upgrading your toilet can make your bathroom look new, and it will create a good impression on anyone that is interested in buying your home. Toto Toilets are good because they offer quality, as well as a versatile style selection. But we suggest playing it safe – not many people are going to want a bright red toilet!

Change your counter tops: A lot of people assume that changing their counter tops is going to be an expensive job. However, it is something that you can do yourself. DIY faux marble counter tops will cost you less than $100, yet they will look like they have cost a small fortune. This is a great way to give your bathroom a glam update without breaking the bank.

Flower frenzy: It is amazing how much of a difference that some fresh flowers can make. Fresh plants and flowers will make your bathroom come alive, adding instant texture and color. Plus, they improve the air quality in the room, making it much more welcoming when your viewers look around. There are many different styles of plants and flowers to choose from, but lush purple orchids work especially well in bathrooms.

Stick with neutrals: If you are going to invest in new cabinets, upgrade your tiles, or repaint your walls, it is always wise to stick with a neutral palette for these elements. This will appeal to buyers, because they want to imagine living there, which can be hard to do if you choose a vibrant color that is not suited to their taste. If you do want to add some color to the room, it is best to do it via the likes of accessories and towels.

Clean thoroughly: Last but not least, the importance of cleaning thoroughly should not be understated. Giving your bathroom a quick wipe over will not suffice. You need to ensure that every inch of the room is spotless – even the corners that you don’t think your home viewers will see. A sparkling bathroom gives the impression that your home has been well loved and maintained during your time there.

Bathrooms are where luxury and smart decor is key. Use the tips above to make your home fly off of the market in no time!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul25

Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

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Time For A Fresh Start? Here’s How!

There are infinite reasons in life as to why you might need a fresh start. A new job that you want to be a brand new person for, a big move coming up, or anything that dramatically changes your life. When that time comes, making some alterations in your life might be necessary to get the full fresh start effect. If you’re ready to commit to feeling like a whole new person, follow these steps:

Have A Declutter Session:

Having too many possessions is never a good way to go when trying to get a fresh start. That means that it’s time to go through your wardrobe, the most cluttered place in most people’s houses. Get rid of the pieces that you haven’t worn in months (and probably never will again) and try to keep as few items as you will need. The idea is only to have pieces that go together, which will save you a lot of time when picking outfits! Having fewer clothes also helps you to have a tidier mind, perfect for a brand new you. As a bonus, you get to donate your unwanted items to charity.

We will talk more about a thorough cleaning in the next section, but decluttering is the first step in that process. This is especially important if you have done your research for residential cleaning services in San Antonio (or your local area) and are scheduling a cleaning. You do not want someone cleaning around your clutter for two main reasons. 1) You will not achieve a true deep clean. And 2) You will not get as much bang for your buck.

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 #declutter

Clean The House:

Another thing that you can do for a fresh start is to have a massive clean out of your house. Now is the time when you would want to get in a house cleaning service so that you can get a thorough job done. When you are surrounded by a clean and organized house, it will feel like a brand new space. It makes room for you to add new decorations, pictures, and anything else that you think would be good for your new beginning. Just try to keep it very clean for as long as you possibly can!

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Cleanliness is godliness!

Out With The Negative:

If you have some people in your life who you feel anxious or unhappy around, you might need to change that. To have a fresh start, you need to let go of any people who aren’t enriching your life. You only want to be surrounded by individuals who add to the enjoyment of your life, without taking any away. Any relationship shouldn’t be a lot of hard work with little reward. This doesn’t mean that you need to cut all of your friends out straight away. Just try to see the people who make you happy more; it doesn’t have to happen in a horrible manner.

Focus On Yourself:

The most important thing that you can do is look after yourself during your new beginning. Spend a good few days being kind to yourself. Eat healthily and exercise a lot. Make a meal plan for yourself and try not to cheat! Get some movement in, even if that is just walking home from work or taking the long walk to the shops. If you do this, you’ll feel the best that you possibly can in yourself, allowing you to have the most amazing fresh start ever. You deserve it!

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Pexels Image

No matter how you choose to create your fresh start, be good to yourself and the rest will follow suit!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jul11

Sick Of Stuff? Smart Solutions For A Clutter-Free Home

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Sick Of Stuff? Smart Solutions For A Clutter-Free Home

Is there stuff everywhere you look in your home? Are you tired of tidying up only to find that the house looks like a bombsite the day after? If so, you’re not alone. If you’ve got a guest room packed full of boxes or your bedroom furniture is constantly draped in clothes, here are some smart solutions for a clutter-free home:

Out With The Old:

Before you attempt to tidy or take a trip to the store to look for storage units for sale, unleash your inner ruthless streak and have a clear out. If you haven’t got space to store everything, there’s absolutely no point in keeping things that you haven’t even seen for years. If you’ve got an attic full of clothes and toys that the kids have grown out of, a collection of old TVs or game consoles gathering dust in the garage, or your shelves are packed with video games, books, or DVDs that you don’t want anymore, then now is the time to get rid of it. If you’ve got items that are in sell-able condition, consider listing them on auction sites or host a yard sale. You could also put a bag together and donate it to charity.

Storage, Storage, Storage:

If you’ve got shoes lying around the bedroom, clothes draped over chairs, or toys strewn all over the living room floor, investing in storage will change your life. It’s so easy to accumulate stuff and, before you know it, you’ve run out of room to keep it tidy. Buy boxes and crates to store toys and look into buying a second-hand chest or wardrobe if your closet is bursting at the seams. You could also use a clothes rail to save space or put a shoe rack in the bottom of your wardrobe. Alternatively, you could get in touch with professionals that install custom closets raleigh nc, or in your local area, to make this dedicated space for you inside your closet.

If you’re limited when it comes to floor space, make use of the walls. You can fit units and hang shelves to store everything from jars, containers, and plates in the kitchen to ornaments, photo frames, and books in the living room.

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 Cleanliness is godliness!

Daily Chores:

It’s so much easier to keep on top of clutter when you make an effort to tidy up after yourself on a daily basis. It takes five minutes to run around and put everything back in its rightful place at the end of the day. If you do this, you’ll save yourself from wasting hours on the weekend trying to tackle massive piles of stuff when you should be putting your feet up and enjoying a well-earned rest.

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That high ceiling!!

Clutter is a major bugaboo for most homeowners. It can make it virtually impossible to find things and it can contribute to stress and make it hard to keep the home clean and tidy. If you’ve got too much stuff, tackle this problem now. The longer you leave it, the worse it will get. Have a clear out, get rid of anything that you don’t want, and start organizing each room. Buy storage boxes and containers, hang some shelves, and look at furniture options with added storage. Have a quick tidy at the end of the day, and you should find it much easier to keep the clutter monster at bay for good!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Jul7

Keeping Your Landlord Happy: A Lowdown

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Keeping Your Landlord Happy: A Lowdown

When you live in a rented apartment, you can’t just think about your own wants and needs. You also need to consider how you can keep your landlord happy, too. If you start to get into disputes with them and end up in their bad books, you will find that they might start to make your life a nightmare! Even worse, they could end up throwing you out, and then you will have to start a house search, which no one ever wants to be forced to do. Wondering how you can keep your landlord as nice as pie (And pie is really nice!)? Here’s the lowdown!

Pay Your Rent And Deposit On Time: Before you move in, you will need to pay a deposit to your landlord. It’s important that you pay this on time, as many landlords withhold the keys until it is paid. Once you move in, you should also ensure that all of your rent payments are made on time. If you don’t pay on time, you might not be meeting your half of the contractual agreement. As a result, you could be evicted. But don’t let it get to that point – mark your calendars for the day the rent is due, cough up the cash, and that will keep a big smile on your landlord’s face!

Of course, problems can arise with paying rent and you might want to ask if payment plans are possible if needed. However, if you feel you have been wrongfully evicted due to rent issues or something else, you should contact a tenant eviction lawyer. This is something that you definitely need an experienced professional for.

Keep Things Neat And Tidy: You need to keep your apartment clean and well-kept. Even though your landlord doesn’t have to live with you, they won’t want to see any long-term dirt accumulate as this can be very difficult to get rid of. Plus, it may encourage mold or damp developing. It is also necessary to clean the property thoroughly when you are preparing to move out. Whizz tenancy cleaning service can keep your apartment looking spick and span if you don’t have much time to do all of the cleaning. They will also give it a very deep clean when you are moving out, as well!

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Cleanliness is godliness!!!

Talk To Your Landlord About Problems: If you do find a problem with your apartment, you need to let your landlord know as soon as possible. That way, they can get to work on solving it before it becomes a huge problem. You shouldn’t try and fix something yourself – in fact, it may say in your contract that you are not allowed to. Just leave all of the DIY and renovations to the landlord as they are responsible for them. And it will save you a lot of money, too! It’s an obvious win/win.

Keep Your Neighbors Happy: As well as your landlord, you also need to keep your neighbors on Team You, too. When you are friendly and pleasant towards your neighbors, you will find that you are a lot less likely to get involved in any disputes and arguments. And happy neighbors with no complaints about the loud tenant below them makes for a very happy landlord!

Apartment living means getting along with all types of people in the building. Be kind and courteous and everyone, landlord included, will benefit from it!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May23

Panty Palooza

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Panty Palooza

Helloooo everyone and happy Tuesday! If you guys have been following my Panty Problems series, then you’ll know that we left off on a good note – a Silver Linings PantyBook, if you will. My online order to Aerie finally arrived over the weekend and I am so happy to say that all seven panties that I paid a whole $27.50 for were winners!

You guys have no idea how badly I needed this panty win after so many underoo trials and tribulations. I honestly don’t know what I would do if I opened my package from Aerie and hated every single panty that I ordered. At that point, I would probs just set fire to my entire panty drawer AND the rain, while I’m at it. Luckily for all parties involved, that wasn’t the case. Take a look at my Panty Palooza purchases and let’s discuss:

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^^^ PANTY PARTY!

So, yes. Thanks to Aerie’s staggeringly better selection online as opposed to when I went to visit them in stores, I was able to replenish my panty drawer. I got me some boyshorts, cheekies, a thong for good measure, and a new pair of period panties (it should be obvious which one that is!). I’ve grown increasingly fond of the boyshort as of late so I’m really excited about all three of my new pairs of those! They are so cute and comfy and I cant wait to wear them as a set with a pretty bra or under an oversized T for when I go to bed. The panty possibilities are endless!

After evaluating my seven new panties and relishing the purchase, which proved to be satisfactory, I began the task of organizing my panty drawer. I’ll be honest with you guys, I am a complete and total clothing hoarder. If I have that whisper in the back of my mind that says “you might be able to wear that four years from now” you best believe that I’m going to keep whatever that article of clothing is. Even panties.

My panty drawer is something that I rarely go through because I never really think of it. Especially considering that I have my favorite pairs of panties and everything else just becomes kind of forgotten in my panty plethora. This had to change. I emptied out my panty drawer, organized my underoos by color, and parted with some dearly beloved panty friends.

It was sad to see some of my fallen panty warriors end up in the trash, but I was happy to be reminded of all of the panties that I had forgotten about by picking favorites. A solid clean through of my panty drawer left me feeling like I had way more than seven new pairs to pick from, because of all of the ones that I wasn’t even aware that I had – so that was a major plus!

Although this journey began with some major Panty Problems, all’s well that ends well, because it was a straight up Panty Palooza this weekend! Three cheers for sweet little underthings and also three cheers for me for finally getting the panty revamp that I so desperately needed.

So there you have it, the Panty Problems series conclusion: Panty Palooza. I am so BLESSED that my panty odyssey had a happy ending and now, you guys can rest assured that you won’t read the word PANTY on my blog for a very long time! Where do you love to buy lingerie from? What store has the best selection? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Panty P.S.: Have any of my readers shopped Adore Me? I’m intrigued and I want to know if it’s worth the hype before making a purchase! Thanks! ❤

May5

How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

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How to Add Value to your House Without Having to Remortgage

We all know the importance of taking pride in our homes. We work hard to keep our dwellings spick and span and looking its best. We constantly strive to make sure they are cozy, comfortable, and a happy place for our families. But, sometimes we need to really up our game and whip our houses into shape with some serious elbow grease. However, that can be easier said than done as it can be tough to know where to start.

So whether you’re looking to add value to your house because you’re wanting to sell or whether you’re just looking for the best ways to really make the most out of your home, here are our simple tips on how to do just that:

Start From the Top: Looking at our attics as a potential area for extending our living space is one of the top ways to add significant value to our homes. If you think your property would benefit from an extra bedroom or if you think that your home needs an amazing game room, your attic could be just the ticket. Get a builder to take a look at your attic and see what possibilities are open to you. Although attic conversions take money and time, the return on the investment is usually really high. A £15,000 attic conversion, can add an extra £30,000 to the value of your house, so it’s well worth considering. Or if you’re staying put and just looking for extra room for your family, this really is the best part of your house to consider opening up.

Extend Into Your Garden: Extending your property into your garden is another great way that you can expand your living space and subsequently add value to your home. Be cautious when taking on conservatory projects, however, as sometimes they can look like an afterthought. An extra unit just bolted onto the side of your home doesn’t look so attractive. Work closely with an experienced builder to see how your conservatory can create a natural flow from your internal home and out into your outdoor world.

Make sure that the style fits well with the existing decor of your house and consider putting the same flooring down from the connecting room so that you give off that natural flow. A full build conservatory can cost as little as £4,000 and can add as much as 9% to the value of your home so, again, this option is well worth looking into.

A Lick of Paint Works Wonders: There’s nothing that drags down the overall appearance of a home more than dull, tired, and old paint work. Look at the paint both internally and externally on your house and get to work. This is a job that you can take on yourself, but to make it as easy as possible for you, you should consider investing in a paint spray machine. It will quarter the amount of time that you spend painting and provides really even coverage. Try shopping around for the best paint spray machines at Tool Nerds.

Before rolling those sleeves up and going in, all paint guns blazing, take some time to consider the most attractive colors for your home. Think of how to cleverly mix neutral with statement colors and plan each individual room and living space accordingly.

When considering the outside of your home, you will need to look at the bigger picture. Look at the houses on either side of you and along your street. Look at the general color palette on the street and think about a color for your house that would not only make it look fantastic, but will also compliment the colors of your neighbors’ home. This will not only give your home an instant facelift, but it will also help make your street look more desirable in general.

Windows are the Soul to Your Home: Windows can be so easily overlooked when sprucing up and renovating homes. Whatever plans you may have for your windows, make sure that they are cohesive with the age and style of your house. Replacing old, tatty, and even moldy or rotting windows will instantly lift the look of your home and provide some much needed sunlight and fresh air into your quarters. This transformation is sure to boost your curb appeal if done right so take the time to explore several different styles before making your decision. You could go eclectic with some stained glass fixtures, classic with custom timber windows, or rustic by adding quaint wooden shutters. The possibilities are endless!

First Impression: The smaller details are just as important as the big when it comes to adding value to our homes. Dingy, faded, and old front doors are certainly not the first impression that you want to give off to any potential buyers or guests coming to your home for the first time. Make sure that you get your new paint spray machine out on your front door, too. Once you’ve painted your front door and it’s looking shiny and new, think about elements such as doorknobs and the sign to your house (if you have one) or your house number.

Look into solid, decadent looking doorknobs and stainless steel house numbers to really have your front door looking in tip top condition. These little extras are incredibly affordable and can make all of the difference to visitors getting excited about stepping inside of your much-loved home.

The Hall: The hall is your second opportunity to make a lasting first impression. Keeping the kids’ shoes stored away and all coats and scarves neatly hidden out of site is the first thing that must be done. Then, take a look around the space. How can you improve the overall feel and style of your hallway so that people instantly feel warm, welcome, and inspired by your home? It all starts with mirrors and lighting.

Hanging mirrors on the wall will open up small hallways and give the impression that they are larger than they are. Natural light will also give off a feeling of spaciousness. For evening lighting think of low, mood lighting that will create a soothing and calming ambience to the entrance of your home. Avoid harsh overhead lighting and invest in interesting lamps or low-lit floor lights for a warm and inviting atmosphere that beckons visitors into the heart of your home.

Ready, get set, and get to work on making your home look brand new and beautiful!

Featured Image By: Flickr

Apr30

What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

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What You Need To Make Your Home Entertainment Ready This Summer

With summer approaching, fashions will start to change. Looking good is important all year round, but once the weather starts to become warmer and you spend more time in the park or basking in the sunshine outside of a bar, you will need to think about the perfect summer outfit. Your winter coats and cozy sweaters will be there waiting for you in the fall, but in the meantime, your look will have to change. As everyone knows, being stylish takes a lot of time and attention, but it is worth it. Carefully choosing what you wear is important because you want to make a good impression but as April cedes to May, and May acquiesces to June, you may also be thinking about hosting a garden party.

Having your friends over and just relaxing really is the best part of the season (except perhaps going on vacation). However, if you are going to be a good host, you will need to make sure that everything is perfect. There is a lot of think about. Do you have enough food for everyone? The best advice is to get more than you think you’ll need. After all, you can enjoy it on your own once all the guests have gone home. You also need to ensure that you’ve got enough for everyone to drink. Most guests will be good enough to bring something themselves, whether it is a bottle of wine or something a bit stronger, but there is nothing that lets a party down quite as much as not having enough alcohol!

You also need to make sure that your home is ready for guests, too. Tidying up is one thing, but if you want your house to make as good of an impression as you do, you should consider fixing it up a little. There is still time before summer starts in earnest and the convenient thing about home improvements is that they last for the rest of the year. Here are a few ideas about things that you can do to make your home perfect this summer:

First impressions are crucial. It is estimated that when you go for a job interview you have just six minutes to impress your prospective employer. When you are meeting someone for the first time in a casual social situation, you have just seven seconds before your interlocutor has made up their mind. When someone sees where you live for the first time, it is no different. That is why you should try to improve how your house looks from the street. You could hire Local Roofers to give your place a better look or think about getting new windows (both of which, incidentally, can help you save money and energy). If you do not have the time to start major work on your house, you could clean your driveway and outer exterior with a high-pressure washer. You will be amazed once you start at just how clean things used to look, and can look again.

If you are hosting a garden party, your guests will probably not spend that much time in your house, so all you have to worry about is that it is clean and tidy. The bathroom, in particular, should be spotless because people will use it at one point or another. However, your focus should be on your garden. Mowing your lawn and dealing with any pesky weeds is the first thing to do, but then you should think about investing in some garden furniture. Standing for an entire afternoon or evening is no one’s idea of fun and sitting on the ground may not appeal to everyone. And, you can use it too on those long summer nights when there is nothing better than reading a book outside while perched on some comfortable bench cushions and relaxing.

An outdoor party will require a shady space to hang out at with a cold drink when the sun gets too hot. You could have a few patio tables with umbrellas set up, invest in sun setters, or go with something very practical like portable event gazebos. Pop up gazebos can create a welcome oasis from the sun so your guests are comfortable all day long. This is a much more affordable option than renovating your outdoor space to create shade and can be taken down easily after the party.

A good barbecue is another essential item. If the food that you cook (whether it is hot dogs and burgers or roasted vegetables) is not great, that is what your guests will go away remembering. Lastly, if you do not have a good sound system, your party will be doomed before it even begins. You could play something from inside and open your windows, but a much better option is to get outdoor equipment. It can be rather expensive, but if you want to create the perfect atmosphere, there is no better way of doing it.

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Ayyyyy

The only thing that you need to do now is relax and enjoy yourself. You may think that having loads of people over and entertaining them could be stressful but the secret is that if you let your hair down and have some fun, your guests probably will, too.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Apr25

Breathe Easier In Your Home

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Breathe Easier In Your Home

We think that our home is a safe and healthy haven for our family and that we don’t have to worry as opposed to when we are outside in the open world. But there are actually a lot of hidden dangers lurking in our home. And a lot of people don’t even realize what they are. One thing that you need to turn your attention to is the air quality in your home. It’s important to make sure that it’s on point so your family doesn’t have to deal with allergies and even asthma attacks. However, a lot of people are living with poor air in their home, which is damaging to their family. Here are some ways that you can improve the air, so that you can all breathe much easier in your home!

Be Wary About the Air Fresheners You Use: To ensure that you have fresh and clean air in your home, you might want to consider using some form of air freshener. You can often spread these around the house to improve the air in all of the rooms in your humble abode. You can either get ones that stand alone or even ones that plug in to improve the air. But, you need to make sure that you get the ones which have the least chemicals. There are some air fresheners out there that actually emit allergens and toxins which can make the air even worse. Try to avoid air fresheners which include pollutants including benzene and styrene. Or, to ensure that you get an air freshener which you can trust, you might want to make your own. That way, you will know exactly what is going into the air freshener. There is plenty of advice online on how to make DIY air fresheners for your home.

Cut Out Smoking in The Home: While the number of people smoking has dramatically reduced in recent years, there is still just under one billion worldwide enjoying a cigarette every day. And while it can have stress-reducing benefits, there is a wide range of health problems that can arise from smoking cigarettes. For example, you are at a higher risk of lung cancer and heart disease if you smoke cigarettes on a regular basis. Moreover, if you do smoke in your home, you could be damaging the air quality. And not just for yourself either; your family, too. Secondhand smoke can damage your family’s health as much as it’s currently affecting yours. And if you are smoking inside, it can irritate your kid’s allergies, and you will soon find that they are coughing more. Stick to smoking outside in the future to keep the air supply healthy in your home.

Get an Air Filter For Inside Your Home: When the air isn’t circulating properly, you might find that there is a buildup of dust in the air in your home. To fix this, look into getting an air filter for your home or replacing your existing 20x30x1 air filter. With one of these, the air will travel around your home properly. And it can prevent dust and moisture build up, which will cause your family to struggle to breathe. It’s always good to have one of these if you use an air conditioning system, but make sure that you check it regularly. That way, if it does stop working, you can quickly fix it with something similar to a Delta air cleaner replacement.

Dry Your Clothes Outside: A lot of us opt to dry our clothes indoors so we can keep an eye on them to check whether they are ready to be ironed and put away. But, when we dry our clothes inside, there can be a buildup of moisture in the air. And this can cause the air supply in your home to take a turn for the worse. You are also more likely to get things like damp if you are drying your clothes inside. It’s definitely worth drying them outside on a clothes line, instead, to keep the air supply healthy in your home. If not, keep some windows open while drying clothes to help some of the moisture escape.

breathe

Pixabay Image

Create a Dust Free Environment: When we are busy in our life, it’s easy to not keep on top of cleaning our home. Totally understandable. But, if anything, try to keep up on dusting. Set aside at least ten or so minutes a day to give the home a sweep with the Swiffer Dusters. And remember to try and declutter the home, too! It’s easy for dust to build up under piles of clothes or books!

ALSO: Try to increase the plants in your home, as they can filter toxins from the air. Opt for a plant like a peace lily or an English ivy which can both purify the air and look lovely.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Apr13

4 Products That Are All You Need To Clean Your Home

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4 Products That Are All You Need To Clean Your Home

Walk down any grocery store aisle designated for cleaning products and you will see an array so vast it’s impossible to know where to begin as try to tackle your spring cleaning. Do you want to degrease? Descale? De…whatevertheotheroneis? It just goes on and on; every single product promising to make your home better. Shinier. Sparklier.

The idea that you can skip this entire aisle and reduce your cleaning products and tools into four items might sound outlandish. How can it be possible to clean an entire house with just four products? If that’s the case, then why do all the other ones exist? The main reason is because the four you need can’t be trademarked. They can’t be profited from. So there’s pretty much no reason for companies to produce them and market them as aggressively as they do their own concoctions; not when you could buy generic versions of the big four for a fraction of the price.

Oh – did that not get mentioned? Yes, these products are nice and cheap – so it’s probably time to tell you what they are:

Star of Every Show: Bicarbonate of Soda (AKA Baking Powder)

Bicarb is the Holy Grail of cleaning products. It can be used for so many purposes that you’ll find yourself panicking when you don’t have a scoop of it on hand and are faced with a room that needs cleaning.

Its uses include (but are definitely not limited to):

  • Removing grease and food stains from pans, ovens, whatever – it’s incredibly abrasive, though, so use with caution.
  • Surface cleaning, when dissolved in water and used as a solution.
  • Deodorizing. Sprinkle some bicarb onto fabric, carpet, or upholstery, leave it for a few hours and then vacuum away – the bicarb will take the bad smell with it.

Acid Speaking: White Vinegar

White vinegar doesn’t taste great so it’s unlikely that you’ll find it in your cupboard, but it’s worth investing in as a cleaning product alone. Check out its uses:

  • White vinegar cleans glass and mirrors better than any other product known to man. Ever.
  • It’s also antibacterial in nature, so use it in the kitchen for both shine and efficacy.

Clothed Wonder: Microfiber Cloths

If the pros at Saltaire House Cleaning and even Martha Stewart speak well of microfiber, you know that you’re onto a winner. Microfiber is a revolutionary cloth fiber structure that traps and whisks away dirt in a way conventional cloths just can’t. The best thing about it is that you don’t need to use a product with it – plain old water will produce the same effects.

Bleach Bliss: Hydrogen Peroxide

While hydrogen peroxide is best known for hair bleaching, it has many uses around the home. The one that it’s best at is bleaching all of those white items in your home that have a tendency to turn gray, such as:

  • Bathroom and kitchen tile grout
  • Tiles
  • Shower curtains covered in soap scum

Use it heavily diluted and always build up the strength as you go, rather than going full throttle out of the gate. You’ll be amazed at how a little of this product goes a long way.

Ready, get set, save money, and spring clean!

Featured Image By: Congerdesign