You may love a squeaky clean home. To get the job done, you may even have all the essential tools, including the mop, vacuum cleaner, and a broomstick. However, taking the initiative to clean the home thoroughly is no easy feat. The job is tedious and time-consuming. Sometimes, to keep the house clean, people end up making their living space dirtier. Here are five cleaning mistakes that make your home dirtier.
Rubbing a stain before blotting
Dropping food or beverages on the floor is a common accident in all households. For most people, the first instinct is to scrub such stains instantly. But doing so can cause the spill to spread and lodge its composition deeper into the floor material. Instead, you must blot the stain with a clean white cloth to extract the residue. You must then use an appropriate stain removal method based on the material of your floor.
Disinfecting before cleaning
Disinfectants are cleaning agents that can eliminate germs. However, the floor is generally masked with a layer of dust and germs. If you use a disinfectant when there is dust on the floor, it may prevent the chemical from working effectively. Therefore, you must sweep off any dust before disinfecting the floor.
Using a sponge to clean surfaces
If you use a sponge to clean surfaces like the dining table or the kitchen counter, it’s time to stop. A sponge used regularly to clean such surfaces might be unhygienic and infested with bacteria. If you insist on using a sponge, disinfect it regularly. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth to clean these regions of your home.
One cleaning cloth for multiple surfaces
While using a single cloth to clean all areas of your home may seem like the easy way out, it is unhygienic. Using the same cleaning product may trigger the spread of germs and harmful bacteria from one surface to the next and may lead to diseases. Use a different cleaning cloth for each room and wash them after using them.
Poor ventilation while cleaning
Cleaning products contain chemicals like ammonia and bleach that may release fumes when applied on a surface. And without proper ventilation, these fumes will circulate inside your home. Inhaling them can lead to irritation in your airway and other health complications. Therefore, you must open the windows, switch on the exhaust, or use an air purifier to ventilate the room, especially when you clean your home.
Disinfecting your home becomes easier when you use products like Clorox®. The brand’s laundry Fabric Disinfectant and Fabric Sanitizer kill most microbes from the fabric. The products are also effective in eliminating odor without compromising the fabric quality. Clorox® also offers a range of cleaning products like disinfectant wipes, bleaches, laundry sanitizers, and multi-purpose cleaners. These cleaners are effective against common microbes like salmonella, and E.coli.
If you are planning to hire professional services for cleaning your home, you may check out SERVPRO’s cleanup services that include cleaning of air ducts and HVAC, carpet and upholstery, and odor removal, among other services. However, it is best to compare all the available popular services for cleaning your home before you hire any service.
Additionally, your chimney is an important part of your house. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, all chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year with a wire brush, broom, and dustpan to keep your home hygienic and clean. Alternatively, you can look up professional chimney cleaning services near you.
You should use good quality products like Amway’s cleaning supplies for a clean and fresh home. From Amway’s laundry detergents and disinfectants to air treatment products, you can find a 360° solution for all your cleaning needs.
The air in our homes is not perpetually clean. There are many chemicals, harmful gases, dust, and other airborne allergens that degrade the air quality in your home. These pollutants often stem from external factors and even the appliances you use at home. Furthermore, such pollutants can deteriorate health and trigger several health problems when inhaled. Therefore, here are 11 ways to keep the indoor air quality in your home clean.
Open the windows
Opening the window will let oxygen in and remove any harmful toxins in the air. It can even help keep the room breezy in the summers.
Do not use aerosol sprays
Aerosol sprays release harmful chemicals into the air. So you must use non-aerosol versions when it comes to hair sprays, furniture polish, and deodorants.
Mop hard floor surfaces
Mopping surfaces made from hardwood, vinyl floors, tile, or other toughened materials with a disinfectant will keep your home free of allergens.
Inspect the air vents
HVAC systems filter out harmful substances from the air to keep the atmosphere inside your room clean. Clean such air vents periodically to ensure they are working properly.
Use exhausts
Moisture in your home can lead to mildew, bugs, bacteria, and mold. Use the exhaust in the bathroom, kitchen, or use a dehumidifier. It will ensure moisture levels are kept in check.
Vacuum the carpets
Flooring, especially the ones with carpets and rugs, may collect disease-causing allergens. Vacuuming the carpets regularly can help keep the risk from such allergens at a minimum.
Check the furniture
Avoid furniture that is treated with formaldehyde and stuck with toxic glue. They contain harmful chemicals that can trigger several health conditions.
Use zero-VOC paint
Before painting your home, ensure the label reads “zero VOC” or “low COV.” These have a low content of harmful chemicals and leave the air quality of your home unaffected.
Add plants to rooms
Plants help purify the air naturally by taking in the harmful gases and releasing fresh air into the atmosphere. Plants can also help lighten your mood if you are stressed.
Buy an air purifier
Air purifiers draw in harmful pollutants from the air and release cleaner air in the room.
Use fragrant-free cleaning products
Scented cleaning products may trigger symptoms in those with asthma and allergies. Use natural cleaning agents like baking soda and lemon instead.
Most individuals rely on their vacuum cleaners to help clean floors, carpet, tiles, sofas, upholstery, and sometimes even hardwood. Though the vacuum cleaner is a versatile tool, you may be relying a little too much on it for cleaning, ending up vacuuming things you probably shouldn’t. After all, they are not indestructible and undoubtedly not always cheap. In order to keep them in good working condition, you should never vacuum the following things.
Used coffee grounds
Those who drink coffee are probably aware of how tough it is to clean coffee grounds from the machine. But don’t leave the cleaning duty for the vacuum. They can block the pipes, destroy the motor, and result in the growth of mildew inside the vacuum. For dry grounds, pick them with a dustpan and brush. If they are wet, clean them with a paper towel or washable microfiber cloth. You can even use coffee grounds to make compost.
Wet foods
Dry foods like salt or sugar spills can be cleaned with a vacuum. But fresh foods like salads or baked beans should not be vacuumed. Wet foods can clog the pipes and ruin the motor because of the moisture they contain. Sometimes, the food you vacuumed may even start to smell bad. Stay away from the mess by wiping away wet food spills with an absorbent cloth.
Coins and large pieces of glass
You may never vacuum a coin on purpose, but be careful to check the floors when vacuuming. Small and heavy objects like screws or large pieces of broken glass could cut the dust bag, and damage the internal parts. Use thick gloves to pick large pieces of glass, while for the smaller ones, press bread slices over the shards.
Clumps of hair
If you vacuum hair clumps, over time, the machine will clog, and you will need to clean it all out to get it started again. Save yourself from cleaning such a mess by sweeping the clumps up with a brush. If they’re stuck on your rug or carpet, just pick them up with bare hands.
Electrical cords
Running a vacuum cleaner with a spinning brush over an electrical cord is not a good idea. The suction that forces the dirt up into your vacuum cleaner could damage the exterior of the cord. It will eventually make it obsolete and unsafe to use.
Today, most American households have a vacuum cleaner. But not everyone knows how to use the appliance properly. Many people misuse their vacuum cleaners, which interferes with the machine’s ability to clean properly and causes it to stop working prematurely. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are avoidable, regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner one owns. This article points out some common mistakes vacuum owners make and explains how to avoid them.
Not emptying the dust bag on time
If you operate a vacuum cleaner while its dust container is full, the appliance will not pick up dirt and dust as effectively as it used to. Plus, the airflow within the vacuum will get restricted, causing the motor to overheat, decreasing the appliance’s longevity. To avoid this, empty the dust bag well before it’s full or after every use.
Incorrectly assuming the motor is broken
If your vacuum cleaner suddenly stops working while you’re cleaning, that doesn’t necessarily mean its motor is gone for good. Oftentimes, vacuum cleaners shut off automatically as soon as the motor overheats to prevent a hazardous incident. The motor usually overheats when the dust bag is full, or hair or fiber gets entangled in the brush roll. So, you need to empty the bag or clean the brush roll and try restarting.
Vacuuming up wrong objects
Bear in mind that vacuum cleaners are typically made for cleaning everyday dirt and dust. If you use it to remove larger objects in your way, like a penny, screw, or a piece of stone, the appliance may get damaged. Also, avoid running regular vacuums over water or other liquids, as it may cause electrocution and severe damage to the appliance.
Delaying or skipping maintenance
To ensure your vacuum cleaner runs smoothly for multiple years, you must invest time in maintenance, including emptying the dirt container, cleaning the brush roll, and washing or replacing filters. Note that filters trap fine dust and dirt particles and may not do the job properly if they’re already full of these particles.
Failing to use the right attachment
There’s a reason most vacuum cleaners come with dusting brushes, crevice tools, extension wands, and various other attachments. They help you clean the ceiling and other hard-to-reach areas in your home. Read the instruction manual and use the attachments as directed to get the best cleaning results.
A gas grill is the center of attraction in your backyard during summertime barbeques. So you must consider investing in a great one. Investing money in a gas grill that helps fulfill all your BBQ and grilling needs will help you cook great delicacies. You can check out some of the following gas grills that are available on sale on various sites and stores. You should, however, ensure to check if the sale price would still be valid before making the final purchase.
Gas grills on sale on Amazon:
Gas grills on sale with Home Depot:
Gas grills on sale at Sears:
Some of the best offers available on gas grills in the market have been listed above. You can choose one that suits your needs best; however, do ensure to check with the store or on the site if the offer is still valid when you go to buy a grill.
A LEGO table helps kids to encourage their creativity and promote good motor skills. As more than two children can play at a time on a single LEGO table, it also helps inculcate the notion of teamwork. LEGO tables also not only keep the kids busy but also enhances the look of their room.
Here is the list of top LEGO tables that are the usual favorites for kids:
LEGO education flip top play table
Four children can play together on this table and it doesn’t require any assembly or tool to flip the play board. This education flip top play table is made of best quality wood and it is quite heavy.
Compatible 2-in-1 activity Kidkraft LEGO table
This table includes double-sided LEGO-compatible building plate and a smooth top for trains. The Kidkraft LEGO table has sturdy construction and it comes with 200 LEGO-compatible blocks and one wooden train set. It contains a total of 30 pieces with trees, a house, signs, and train, it is easy to assemble. This table is attractively designed in wood color and it is safe to use.
LEGO activity table with storage drawers
This LEGO table comes with drawers in which kids can store all LEGO pieces when not in use. LEGO activity tables are available in three different sizes with 8 LEGO plates. This table is best for the kids under 8 years.
Heavy duty Duplo table
This heavy-duty Duplo table is especially for the kids who love to play Duplo and are aged between 1 and 5 years. It is very easy to assemble and use. It is made of the best quality and sturdy wood legs.
LEGO compatible table
The LEGO compatible table is very well constructed and is safe to use; hence, there is no need to worry about breaking and hurting kids. This is a strong, stable, and preassembled table that has a heavy-duty mesh bag to store the LEGO bricks.
LEGO oak color play table
Children can use this table while sitting on a chair; hence it is best for kids. This LEGO oak color play table comes in a size of 29-inches, which is very comfortable to sit for the kids. This table has three storage drawers that are removable and can make some extra space. This LEGO table can be used for other purposes like to play games or for drawings.
Kids 2-in-1 plastic compatible activity LEGO table from Tot Tutors
The Tot Tutors table comes with bright colors, and it has removable Duplo LEGO cover. This table set has two chairs, storage space, and has a very well constructed and durable design.
Grilling is an activity that is generally done outdoors, either on charcoal grills or gas grills. The word grill is commonly used to refer to cooking food directly over a source of dry heat, in which the food is placed on a metal grate which provides grill marks on the food. If you’re looking to buy this amazing cooking equipment, read on to know more about popular models and from where you can buy those from.
Sale on Green Mountain Grills
Best grills on sale on Amazon:
Best grill sales on BestBuy
We all love grilled food which is one of the most healthy and tasty options. You can pick a suitable grill for yourself based on which one suits your needs best.
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home and kitchen cabinets make it more attractive and fresh. It is always a pleasure to have a well-designed kitchen as it will make you feel great when preparing various delicacies. One should select kitchen cabinets by considering the amount of storage space, convenience, layout, and longevity. In the following, a brief overview of kitchen cabinets has been given.
There are four types of kitchen cabinets—Wall, tall, base, and specialty unit cabinets.
Kitchen cabinets are commonly made of the following materials:
Kitchen cabinets should be well organized. Keeping your kitchen cabinets well organized has many benefits such as the following:
Popular kitchen cabinet brands in the country:
Some of the popular kitchen cabinet brands in the country are as follows
Which are some of the popular kitchen cabinets to choose from?
Alexandria kitchen pantry
This kitchen cabinet is easy to assemble; it has two sets of tempered ridged glass doors. It comes with adjustable inner shelves and storage drawers with removable wine dividers.
Windham 2-door Accent Buffet
This is an adjustable shelf for custom storage. It comes with two doors with glass panes and drawers. This is an attractive cabinet with both a cupboard and a drawer.
Candie Modern Multi-Storage Dining Buffet
This is wooden rectangular cabinet that is slim and storage efficient. It features a glass door, storage, wine storage, and fixed shelves.
Parsons Pantry Storage
This has deep storage drawers and two adjustable shelves behind the doors. It is easy to assemble and comes in white color.
There are many more popular kitchen cabinets which come in beautiful designs to give an elegance to your kitchen, so ensure to choose the right kitchen cabinet that fits your needs and budget best.