Cleaning as essential as it is, is not everyone’s cup of tea. We were born and found that people have to clean stuff. To most, I included, is just about “when you go to Rome, do what the Romans do”. Some even feel cleaning is overrated, but seriously though, a clean home is a happy home. It an activity that you can barely look up to, but in a big way very important. The reward is great, who doesn’t enjoy the peaceful vibe that comes out of a clean home? And while there’s not just one way of cleaning your home, there are smart cleaning ways of doing it. The bottom-line is to have a clean home, therefore, why not achieve the same result but now in half the time you used to.
Frankly, life gets in the way most times than we would prefer and cleaning your home seems to be the fair option to be kept aside (I mean, without your salary, you won’t have the house in the first place). Therefore if you are a victim of circumstances like most, you need all the help you can get. Lucky for you, we have some smart ways that will keep things tidy and neat in time. With a few simple changes to your daily routine, you can buy back several of those hours for whatever activity you want to do. Here are some smart cleaning ideas:
Simplify your closet; less laundry
When it comes to the closet, we know the drill. On our good days, we thoroughly organize our stuff only to go back to square one when looking for an outfit the next day. While there are several ways you can solve that problem, there’s one that is most effective. Simplify your closet. Get rid of all the clothes that don’t fit or are out of trend for you. Having less can reap huge rewards in not only having an organized closet but also less laundry to wash. Speaking of laundry, there are clothes that don’t need to be washed as frequently as we do. For instance, jeans should be washed only if it starts showing dirt (we are talking about washing it after about four times of wear). You bras don’t need to be washed after every wear too because they easily get out of shape.
Break up chores
If you are looking for cleaning short-cuts, chances are you don’t have the whole day to do cleaning or you don’t want to put a whole day’s effort. Therefore, instead of spending the whole day cleaning on weekends, break up the chores. Most of us wait until weekends to do our cleaning, in which we are most likely to talk ourselves out of because there will be too much to do. It is easy to distribute the work throughout the week, dealing with the basic ones like washing utensils daily.
Less is more in the kitchen
I can’t think of a room that can be a huge turn off when dirty from the kitchen. Essentially this is the heart of every home. It is a place where meals are prepared and very critical to our health. Therefore, it is important to maintain order in the kitchen by creating a place for everything. This will mean that you cut on some things because our kitchens are not as spacious as our stuff demands. Therefore, go through your utensils donating or keeping in the garage or store the things you don’t need. Also those that are in double. You will then, have an easier time keeping your counters free and clean.
Make use of dead time
This simply means maximizing your time. For instance, if you are leaving a room, you can grab something and put it in its right place. Or you can be setting the table as the food warms up. Or straightening up your throw pillows when the show goes for a break. This, though, should not be mixed up with multitasking. There’s a fine line between the two.
Have a junk drawer
A floor that has only furniture and less clutter is way easy to clean. That is why you need to have a place for everything. Yet there’s this hack that most people overlook. A junk drawer. This is a drawer that is used to keep things that are regularly used. And by regular, I mean nothing more than a week. These can be your keys, remote, pen or the novel you are recently reading. You can have a draw for that purpose in every room. You will have an easy time wiping surfaces due to less clutter.
Get your kids to help
You might roll your eyes at the thought of your kids doing the cleaning. We get it, all they seem to get well done is having stains on their clothes. But if you know your way around getting your kid to do a task, they can be very good at it. Allocate them responsibilities according to their capability. There’s so much they can help you do, for instance, feed the pet, water the garden, set the table or put away grocery. Mostly, to have it easy when cleaning, talk to them to ensure their toys are always contained in the right place. You will love that you did, kids are smart and they get it. Trust them and teach them smart cleaning ways to make it easier for them.
Clean the bathroom after bathing
By now you know it is best if you clean your kitchen after every use, same applies to the bathroom. It might sound inconvenient but gradually you will realize it is easier that way. You will rarely have to deal with stains and scum. Bathrooms can get really gross if you let them. Therefore, after you finish bathing, swiftly squeegee your bathroom. You will be grateful you didn’t leave the dirt to accumulate for a week.
Have area rugs in high traffic areas
You don’t want to be mopping or vacuuming every other day. You can solve this by having a no-shoe-indoor policy, or enjoy the comfort of your shoes but then invest in area rugs. You will simply take them out to hose or air them.
If you have kids, you know how easy it is for their toys to take over. The toys seem to find their way in every room and make space look so messed up. Being a mother of three, I had literally given up on having an organized home. Clean, yes, but organized? I was afraid I no longer had the privilege to decide that on my own, apparently, my kids had a lot to say about it. It seemed to be such a thankless thing to do because every time I cleaned and organized my kid’s stuff, they ‘miraculously’ got back to how they were. And no, it didn’t take twenty-four hours. I didn’t think I had the energy to wake up another morning just to clean and organize those toys again.
Every morning I kept thinking, ‘what a waste of my time. This was totally not part of the bargain. No more toys for them’. But you, of course, know how the story ends. I knew to keep their toys, from the word go, wasn’t going to work. As a matter of fact, toys are very helpful for your kid’s growth. Plus they are the reason you can finish up on that movie, therefore, totally eliminating them is not even an option. I had to look for ways to get them organized and still maintain my sanity. If you are trying to handle your kids’ toys, then you have found the right place. Here are ways you can cleverly manage and organize your children’s toys.
Communicate With Your Kids
Kids are smarter than what most of us credit them for. Communicating your values to your kids is essential. Start as early as when they can get the sense of what you are saying. Teaching them discipline is too important to leave to chance. Yet it is surprising how many parents fail to accept this responsibility (no judgment intended). You can start by letting them know where they should keep their toys after playing or the places around the house where toys are banned. You can also tell them how much stuff they need, to prevent buying too much. Don’t forget to communicate the rationale behind your decision so that your kids may not just see it as a limitation on their freedom. Plus taking some soft measures if they disobey. You might seem too strict to your kids but instilling certain values in them goes a long way in their future life. Anyway, you must be the adult because after all is said and done, who will do the cleaning? Yeah, not them. So you might as well be a little selfish and love yourself.
Create a Storage Space
A good storage system is key in maintaining order for your kids’ toys. You will need to first come up with a storage system and this can be a large storage shelf that is simple and quite inexpensive to build. Then collect all the toys and categorize them to know what goes where. Decorative baskets and bins have always done the trick, remember to label them. For instance, you can designate a space for puzzle and board games on top of the shelf to prevent them from getting lost. Books are good for the kids but can also very easily get out of control, therefore, they also have a small bookshelf where they can retrieve a book one at a time. After you have stored them in a smart and organized fashion, you can rotate them to keep them fresh.
Have a Place For Everything
This is the best way of taking care of clutter. When every toy has its place, it is much easier for kids to tidy up when they are finished playing. With this, they won’t have any excuse if a toy is found misplaced. If some of the toys are habitually never in their place, it means it needs to move on because they don’t care enough for it to take a few seconds and place it back. It might be hard to cultivate this habit, but gradually they will get the hang of it. Cleaning the space will be so much easier and you might even find yourself doing it more frequently.
Assess and Donate
Toys, just like clothes, are age-specific and kids will grow out of some when the time comes. That is why it is important to assess your kids’ toys. Look out for the ones that they have outgrown and those which they simply don’t play with frequently. You can then donate them or sell them at a children’s consignment store as long as they are in good condition. If your kids are old enough, they can help you pick on the ones they no longer need.
Regulate How You Buy
Most kids have many toys, mine included (which I have no idea how they accumulated in the first place). And if you are reading this, chances are you are a victim too. To prevent turning your house into a toy shop, regulate what you buy. This will be made easier by having an idea of what you want for your kids and what they enjoy doing. You’d rather spend money on a few but quality toys than many simple toys that they are likely not to play with at all.
Involve The Kids In Cleaning
I know we’d rather do the cleaning ourselves but by now you know when it comes to their toys, they must get involved. It’s their possession and needs to be responsible for them. Involve them in the process of organizing their toys. Let them have a say as to what goes where. Help the kids be aware of what they possess.
The Bottom Line
As parents, due to the love and the need we feel to satisfy our kids, we might be tempted to overwhelm them with toys. If you have the storage space and makes you feel good, buy as many toys as you want for your kid. But at least don’t give it all to them at the same time. No kid has ever played with so much at the same time.
You won’t even start guessing what Epsom salt can do to soothe your body, mind, and soul. It is one of those things that you should totally get as you do your shopping. You are going to know why in a moment. However, don’t confuse Epsom salt with the regular salt used at home, which is beneficial as well. Regular traditional salt is sodium-based while Epsom is magnesium-based. It is named after a bitter saline spring at Epsom in England. In actual sense, it is not salt but an occurring pure mineral compound of magnesium and sulfate. It has so many benefits that range from beauty to household and it can even get plenty done in the garden too.
It even gets better; studies have shown that magnesium can be readily directly be absorbed in the body through the skin. Just by that fact, the wonders that this salt can do to your life are countless. Your body will appreciate more magnesium and sulfate. For instance, magnesium helps in muscle and nerve function, prevents artery hardening. While sulfites help in improving the absorption of nutrients and help ease migraine headaches. Mark you; those are just the tip of the iceberg. Although it must be mentioned that Epsom salt is a potent laxative. Therefore, you should not take it internally without a doctor’s recommendation. Rather, it is best absorbed through the skin; better be safe than sorry. Here are some ways Epsom salt can totally transform your life.
1. Health Benefits
There are so many health benefits of using Epsom salt. Using it as part of your daily routine can add a lot of good to your life in a very effortless way. Here are some health benefits of using Epsom salt.
Relaxes the Body
Whenever you are stressed out, instead of draining the bottle and turning out more helpless and distressed, get yourself a cup of Epsom salt. All you have to do is take relaxing Epsom salt baths. The high magnesium content will make it an amazing relaxing soak. Simply add one cup of Epsom salt to your usual warm bath and soak for about 15 minutes (clearly, you can’t do it when you are late for work). For an added advantage of moisturizing your skin, you can add baby oil to the water. Did you know that stress drains the body of magnesium? When you soak, the skin absorbs the lost magnesium, hence helps to produce serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical in the brain. This creates a feeling of calm and relaxation. Bathing in Epsom water will literally make you feel better, look better and increase your energy level. Your Mondays just got better, thank me later
Treats Constipation
Yes, Epsom salt can be used to treat constipation. When taken internally, by the doctor’s instructions, Epsom can act as a detoxifying agent for colon cleansing. It acts as a laxative by increasing the level of water in the intestine, therefore, bringing temporary relief from constipation.
Improves Muscle and Nerve Function
The two components in the salt can help regulate electrolytes in the body, which ensures a proper function of nerves, muscles, and enzymes. Magnesium is a very important mineral in the body that serves as the main conductor of electric impulses in your body. By absorbing Magnesium reduces your chances of muscle and nerve failure.
Feet Treatment
You can a simple effective pedicure in the comfort of your home. Simply add Epsom salt to warm water and soak your feet. It will help relieve the symptoms of athlete’s foot and toenail fungus. The warm water and salt are able to also soothe the pain expressed if you get a sprain or bruise.
2. Beauty Benefits
Exfoliate Face and Body
Using Epsom salt is a simple way to exfoliate dead skin effortlessly. Sometimes, instead of expensive skin beauty products, all we need is to exfoliate our skin to look better. Did you also know that magnesium has the power to help firm the skin? Once in a week as you take your bath, you can take Epsom salt and some olive or baby oil and rub it smoothly on your wet skin. You will not only have good looking skin but also feel good too.
Remove Blackheads
Blackheads can be such a nuisance, and you will be surprised at how easily Epsom salt can help with that. Take half a cup of boiled water and add one teaspoon of Epsom salt and three drops of iodine. Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the blackheads
Care For Feet
Our feet do a lot for us yet they are a very under-appreciated part of our bodies. If you have feet problems like a bad odor, rough skin, cracked heels or itching, simply soak your feet for 15 minutes in warm water mixed with Epsom salt. And you can also make magnesium feet scrub that will be a good step to having better feet.
3. Household Benefits
Cleaning Your Grout and Tile
Tiles look good when new and clean. They can become very unsightly when stained and dirty, especially the grout. If you want to clean them up without being too harsh, you can make an equal mixture of Epsom salt and dishwashing soap or detergent of your choice. Then scrub away the stain and dirt using a grout brush. Epsom can also be used to keep away slugs. After gardening or some rough work, your handwashing soap could appreciate some Epsom salt help in removing the dirt.
Gardening Benefits
There’s a charm that comes with household plants. And don’t even get us talking about the health benefits. You can have healthier houseplants by boosting it with a little magnesium. Add Epsom salt as you water the plant. If you also grow roses, hands down roses love magnesium. Simply sprinkle a teaspoon of Epsom salt and watch your flowers blossom to glory.
Epsom salt can be found at your local grocery store, or if it lacks, there’s always the option of buying it online. The ones listed above are just a few of our favorites, but there’s so much more you can benefit from the salt.
Everyone wants to live in a cool, classy and sophisticated environment. It is always a good feeling when your guests compliment on everything around your home as they glaze in awe of the masterpieces that you have. However, this is just one of those wishes that you feel you cannot accomplish because either you do not have any idea of what to do or where to start. Here are some of the tips that can help you bring your imagination into reality with ease and increase the value of your home.
1. Come Up With a List
This is the first step to improving your home. Good planning equals good results. Make a list of everything you need. You can get help from an interior designer in deciding what theme to have in your house. This will act as a guideline when coming up with the list.
2. Get Rid of Everything You Don’t Need
Get rid of everything that you no longer need or is not necessary. You can have a yard sale that will help you gather some cash for your next new households. This is important because there will be a lot of room left for the new items and that will save your attic from being overwhelmed with stuff you no longer need. This will make your home less cluttered.
3. Inspect Your Home
Have some time maybe a day or week depending on how big your home is and look around keenly. Check your wooden floor to see if the varnish has been scrapped off by vacuuming or the soap that you use, check any leak in the roof or opening that might invite termites. You could also call a handyman to come and inspect your drains and drainage system as well. This will ensure that your home stays above standards and is safe from any infestations or clogs.
4. One Room at a Time
Do not overwhelm yourself with too many thoughts about every place in your house. Access one room at a time and be thorough about it. Plan for it and make sure that the plan fits your time and schedule. Have the designers, if you need them. Have them come when you are home for you to approve of what they are doing.
5. Be Keen on Costs
You don’t have to go bankrupt after your home re-modeling. Go for DIY in areas of your home where you can actually do it yourself and have the designers cater for the most complicated parts. This will save you money and you will have gained some designing experience yourself. However, if you have the finances to comfortably hire the designers then don’t hold back. Go for it.
6. Upgrade
You do not have to entirely upgrade your home just for its value alone. You can also upgrade to your self-comfort. This includes replacing stuff like sofas, getting a new dining table, having new colors or even getting that flat screen T.V that you’ve always wanted. A good idea is to have one upgrade monthly on those items or get the less costly ones and tackle them first.
7. Focus on the Exterior
The weather can really mess up our exterior paint. Over the years after moving in, you will find that there are chips of paint falling off your walls both inside and outside of your home. This can really be a disadvantage to your home value. Yes, your interior may look beautiful and classy but first impressions count. Your guests will see the exterior first and that may result in quick judging. They may not even have the curiosity to get inside your house.
8. Maintain Cleanliness
Be keen on the hygiene of your home. This is not only limited to your indoor areas but outdoors as well. Mow your lawn at least once every fortnight and as you do it, check for spaces on your fence caused by dogs and other animals. Trim your trees and outdoor plants just to keep your compound looking presentable. Always wash your house tiles or wooden floors with the right soaps and check on your kitchen areas too to maintain that sparkling look. No potential buyer would want to walk in a dirty looking house with visible dust all over. Cleanliness also adds on to health benefits for you and your family.
9. Do a Mini-Remodel
Your home doesn’t have to look all the same in terms of the location of your walls. The tiles do not have to be the same year in year out. Knock out one wall to create space in the kitchen. Re-vanish your cabinets all over the house. You could even opt for a glass ceiling in your living room to create that cool environment. Paint different colors in your rooms to create a variety of designs that will increase the value of your home. Let every room be a surprise for your guests.
10. Organize Your Garage
Just by the name garage, you imagine all sorts of oily stuff lying around. Well, it doesn’t have to be like that. In fact, your garage should look better just for it to have a different effect on everyone’s mind. Seclude a wall and have it well painted. Mount your tools and label them well or if you feel like that will make your walls look very busy, you could try having an inbuilt toolbox that you can slide off the space in between a self-made opening on your wall.
From these tips, your home will definitely have that loveliness to it and be sure the buyer will not have any mistake to point out as long as you are thorough with every part of your home. Do not ignore any minor place including the store, artic or pantry. Have fun doing it as it is a whole new experience especially if you are a first-time homeowner. Do not shy away from trying new designs, ideas or colors but also be keen on the quality of what you are replacing. Let the difference be something remarkable that will indeed increase the value of your home. Something that you can feel proud to show off to potential buyers and fetch a great price for.
Everyone wants an easier time in the kitchen especially if you are lazy at cooking and have little patience. Time is a crucial factor for a hungry person. You want the food there and then. A few people would part with money especially when it comes to the kitchen little do they know it would save them time and money. Here are a few kitchen gadgets that will make the kitchen your favorite place if you invest in them.
1. The Egg Slicer
This can not only be used on eggs alone but on mushrooms and strawberries. It slices the hard-boiled eggs evenly within a short time. It’s made of a plastic holder with wires with the same spacing.
2. Egg White Separator
Egg separation is a stage in cooking. This is when the egg white is separated from the Yolk. The egg white separator should be one of those must-have kitchen gadgets if you practice egg separation frequently. Those who don’t want to buy this gadget could also crack open the egg manually and separate it with a spoon. In this case, this was made easier by inventing the egg white separator. It can come in rubber, plastic or metal design. It is affordable and every household can own one.
3. Funnel
This is a tube-like item that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom used to guide liquid or powder into a container with small openings. It is very effective and saves you a lot of time. It also minimizes spillage and wastage.
4. Lemon Squeezer
A lemon squeezer has silicone handles to ensure it has a firm grip. It is made out of stainless steel because it is durable. It has a large space to fit the fruit in it easily. Cut the fruit. Place it in the hopper facing down. Press the lemon and see how much juice will come out it because the squeezer inverts the fruit turning it inside out and no seeds will go in. It’s super easy to hand wash and doesn’t take too much space when storing.
5. Fruit and Vegetable Keeper
Fruits and vegetables go bad easily and we try to keep them stay longer so that we can enjoy them. This gadget lets you enjoy the small part you would want to eat first then keep the rest for later without it not getting spoilt. You can also let your kid carry a small part of the fruit to school with this.
6. Mini Waffle Maker
When the waffle maker is plugged in, takes about ninety seconds to warm up. Clean up is easy. Generally, it takes 2-4 minutes to cook depending on how brown you want them. It’s fast and the kids really like it. Whenever you need to make an easier breakfast that is cheaper, waffles can always be the best option. Just dribble honey on them with a slice of your favorite fruit.
7. Pressure Cooker
This is very effective for foods that take longer to cook at the best temperature. For example cereals, tough meat and some vegetables that take too long as well. A pressure cooker can come in different sizes depending on the purpose used like 2 liters, 5 liters and 10 liters. This saves you money because it takes a shorter time to cook compared to when you used ordinary cooking pots. It will last you up to 20 years and you can hand it down to your children.
8. Blender
From smoothies to ice cream, soup, cake mixes, it can do all this and save you so much time. It comes in different sizes. It has different modes depending on the consistency you want. So far there is no competition for this.It polarizes the small seed to the biggest ones. It is fast, efficient and easy to use. It also has a manual in cases where the user is not familiar with its usage. It is readily available in supermarkets or utensils shop. The spare parts are now readily available if need be.
9. Grater
A grater was first invented to grate cheese in the 1540s. It is used to grate food to fine pieces. You can find in different colors and sizes. Its prices are very affordable. A grater is safer than a knife. It also makes you get different sizes of whatever food you are grating. It is made of metal with sharp perforations.
10. Sandwich Maker(dual)
It takes about three minutes to heat up after plugging it in. First put the bottom half of the sandwich then the meat, then the cheese. Then you can crack your egg in the top, season with salt and pepper, then put the top part of the sandwich. It has a timer, which blinks when the food is ready. Clean after use and store out of reach of children. Its mobile you can take it camping with you. You can carry the sandwiches to work or let your kids carry them to school and it will save you a lot of money
11. Sharp Knife
A blunt knife is more likely and injures you. A sharp knife saves you a lot of time and reduces stress. It is one of those kitchen gadgets that you will find a lot of use for.
12. Kitchen Scissors
A kitchen scissor is different from normal scissors because it is more versatile. It could be made from aluminum or steel. When purchasing it make the blades open wide for easy gripping on the chicken joints or any other thing that would need cutting. It can also be used to slice pizza without making the toppings fall off. It is also used for gripping that is why the handles are made out of rough plastic for easy grip.
13. Silicone Garlic Peeler
Peeling garlic looks like it take an eternity in the kitchen. Kitchen gadgets have been created to make the exercise easier. All you need to do is cut the ends of the cloves and put them in the silicone rubber peeler one after the other. Roll the silicone rubber applying pressure and if you are keen you can hear the covers coming off. It is fast and easy to use.
14. Express Whisk
The express whisk makes you mix everything effortlessly. You only need to pump the handles to make it a spin. The rods can be adjusted depending on the type of foods. It uses a non-slip base that prevents it from scratching. It is very sturdy and easy to wash.
Your cooking shouldn’t take you a lot of time. All the above kitchen gadgets and more of them should make your work easier. Do things the modern way during these times of great innovations and technology advancement. Make your home life easier while adopting more kitchen secrets with gadgets as inspiration.
It is possible to take your bathroom from pale to fabulous without risking bankruptcy. Often, when giving a tour of your home, the bathroom rarely gets mentioned. If it does, it’s only with an ‘it is over there ‘and you move on to showcase your kitchen. There’s nothing wrong about that. However, it is not a place to take décor shortcuts.
Remember anyone entering your home must at one point—like some unwritten rule, visit the bathroom. If they find urine stains, no tissue or soap in the dispenser, irrespective of whether it’s clean or not, they will cringe. It is, therefore, important to update the vibe of your bathroom. It should be a place where you can find solitude after a long day.
Most people know better than to bother anyone using the space. Anyway, does anything feel as good as a long bath or shower after a bad day? With the bathroom of your dreams, it raises the experience a notch higher. Whether you need a change from your dated bathroom, or you are bored of with the status quo, it is possible to do it in a snap and on a budget too. Here are some ideas that will help you brighten up space without using a fortune.
Painting
Painting is one of the easiest ways you can refresh and give your bathroom a different look. Additionally, small bathrooms are a burden to most and, you could do with some more space. Turns out, depending on the color of paint you choose, you can easily and cheaply make your space look larger. From cool white to dramatic red, colors literally evoke certain feelings. There’s no precise rule on how to paint the space, it’s a matter of personal taste. However, since space is generally limited and has unique functions, special consideration should be taken as you pick your color scheme. Think of what mood you want to generate. Do you want laid back rhythms that encourage relaxing at the end of the day? Or do you prefer an alarm clock hue that stimulates your senses during your morning routine? Painting can do so much in changing your space’s overall look. Basically, think about shades that will make your space appear larger, brighter, warmer, and more welcoming.
Upgrade Your Mirror
There is definitely a mirror for every taste, whether modern or classic. Mirrors are key in pulling off a trick that fools the eye that there’s more space in a room than there actually is. Besides playing a key role in grooming, mirrors can be used creatively to refresh and contribute to giving your space a charismatic effect. If you already have a mirror in your bathroom, you don’t have to lose it and buy a new one. Easily upgrade it by changing its frame.
As with art, mirrors can be grouped, or stand-alone. Although be careful as you hang your mirrors since as easy as it is for a mirror to reflect the beauty of a room, it can also cast back undesirable reflections. Add character to your this space by creating a gallery of different mirrors. Group them together to create an area which dazzles, adding light and interest to the room. Exploring with your mirrors gives you endless opportunities to add that extra something to your bathroom.
Re-Grout Bathroom Tile
Tiles are amazing in this room. They are long-lasting and simple to clean. However, if your grout is stained or crumbling, it brings down the whole look. Furthermore, if ignored, falling out grout will cause leakage which leads to more damage. While it is not a luxurious material you will use as you update your space, it plays a big role in the final look of your bathroom. Re-grouting cannot fail in refreshing the look of a tiled bathroom. The process is actually easier than it sounds. Yet if you are doing it yourself since it will be more economical, it takes time, technique and you will want to take it easy.
Maximize Storage
There is nothing that messes up your bathroom like clutter. It is limited space and you’d be wise to maximize your storage space in the most creative ways. Well, since it’s easier said than done, you will need some help in keeping clutter at bay to create an appealing look. First, start by decluttering your bathroom. Throw away the empty bottles and broken combs. Also, find a different storage room for things you don’t use regularly in the bathroom. You can then make use of decorative baskets. It reduces the number of items displayed, therefore, gives off an organized look. Also, make use of an open shelf instead of adding more cabinets. Having an organized bathroom goes deeper than aesthetic purposes. It also gives you a good start while preparing yourself for the day.
Lighting
Beautiful lighting plays a big role in every room, but it plays a particularly important role in your bathroom. Incidentally, too often lighting in this room is low on the list of priorities. A bathroom is no longer just a functional room. It’s a room that you can go to and take hours, all by yourself. Therefore, create a sanctuary by instilling different types of lights. When it comes to the bathroom, you need both beauty and functionality. The best and cheapest way to let in more light is by maximizing the natural light. Ensure your window treatment lets in light. Then you can go ahead and choose the right bulb and light depending on the effect you want. With lights, you can totally refresh your bathroom look.
Update Your Accessories
Accessories are key elements in creating the mood, style and look of your little room. Mostly, people think of the bathing or shower system as the most important of all as they upgrade. This might be true but you don’t want to deny your home that effect of well-picked accessories. When you select the right accessories, you can make your bathroom look inviting, cozy, and glamorous.
Try out some of the things mentioned above and watch your tired old bathroom come back to life on a budget.
Owning a house is a dream come true. But it is not a cheap investment; therefore, you’ll want it to remain as good as new for the longest period. In spite of good maintenance of your home, damage, wear and tear are inevitable. As you buy or rent your house then, know the home repairs come as part of the bargain. While there is comfort in calling for professional help to do your repairs, it doesn’t go easy on your pockets considering the many home repairs lined up in the coming years. Therefore, it is wise to know your way around it. Surprisingly, most of them are doable even with little or no experience.
Investing your time in knowing how to handle regular and simple repairs will go a long way in cutting costs. Besides, it’s also an opportunity to show off those skills. I mean, people have been admired for less. Seriously though, as you learn how to do repairs, ensure there is a fine line between low cost and better quality. If it is a complicated repair, leave it for the professionals, otherwise, it will only cost more. Additionally, don’t embark on a repair you totally know nothing about. Especially hazardous ones like electricity. We will help you by listing the repairs that are safe and easy for you. Grab a toolbox and let’s get started.
Painting Repairs
Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform your home into a statement look. It can as well increase the value of your home as it adds flair to your space. While that is all good, having chipped, cracked and stained walls have the opposite effect. It drains every effort of other accessories and furniture in the room that are trying to add style. Therefore, your walls and skateboard need to be in good condition for an overall good looking room. When it comes to painting, it is important to know that prepping is king.
Have a place where you practice repairs regularly until you become good. While it may sound overwhelming, it will go a long way into cutting back finance. When your house gets older, the walls will definitely accumulate dust, stains, and grime—and the depreciation is multiplied thrice with kids around, your skill will make a big difference. Majorly, it is not only about not breaking the bank, but also the pride that comes after an amazing and spectacular-looking paint job.
Toilet Problems
For whatever reason, toilet levers break all the time. They are quite easy to fix, but hardly will it make your top favorite home maintenance project. The toilet lever or handle is an important component in your toilet’s flush system because it is where it all begins. Normally, when the toilet lever doesn’t cause the toilet to flush, it is the cistern lever arm that has broken rather than the handle itself. First, start by removing the cistern lid and place it somewhere safe. You don’t have to drain the water for this job.
Then simply undo the screw of the lever arm and remove the metal. Next, undo the retaining nut using a spanner and remove the old handle. Insert the new lever arm into the hole in the cistern. Then slide in the washer and onto the lever. Tighten the hook and refit the cistern lid, the job is done!
Fix Clogged Toilet
A clogged toilet is a major turn off, which happens in the most unexpected times. Therefore as much as you would like someone else to do it for you, you need to at least have an idea. It doesn’t require any special skill, all you need is a toilet plunger or auger. Using the toilet plunger, and ensuring its head is submerged in water, give your clogged toilet 8-10 downward thrust. It should be able to clear but if stubborn, you can now use the auger. If your toilet clogs frequently than ‘healthy’ then call a professional to check it out to avoid embarrassing yourself when expecting guests.
Repairing Doors
Door repairs can be minor but a total nuisance, especially a squeaking door. Sometimes you just want to raid your refrigerator in secret without looking like a glutton, but the creaky door will not let you. Eliminate that annoying sound by doing some simple door hinges maintenance. Basically just identify the hinge and clean it, after which, lubricate using oil before putting it back in. if you are new to it, to be safe, you can remove one hinge pin at a time, starting at the bottom. If you notice your door sticking only during humid weather, then you don’t have to plane it. It will solve itself since it was just due to the lack of space when the door expanded in humid times.
Repairing Faucet Wash
Faucets come in various designs depending on your taste, but they are all usually similar in principle. Doing your own faucet repair seems daunting, but ones you get the basics, it’s easier than you thought. Actually, the hardest part of repairing a leaking faucet is in finding the right replacement parts for the fixes. You don’t have to put up with the annoying drip anymore, check out for the basics for all faucet repairs.
Replacing a Light Switch
It is electricity but it’s actually a quick and easy fix. All you need is a circuit tester, screwdriver, and a replacement switch. Before you start, locate your circuit breaker and off the power to the room you are working on. You will then remove the faceplate using the screwdriver. Next, unscrew the light switch and pull out the wires without touching them.
Use the circuit tester to ensure the power is completely shut off. You will then notice two copper wires; the one that has a green screw is the grounding wire. Install the new switch by placing the wire back in place. Now that the wires, switch and the faceplate are back in place, you can light up your room. That didn’t require an electrician.
The Bottom Line
With some home repairs, you really don’t need to call the handyman and pay them. You can be your own handyman and save some good money on repairs. Just learn the basic repairs and you will be good to go.
People make up their minds about other people within seconds of meeting them, and so it stands with property too. Guests will have an opinion about your home the moment they step on the front door. The first home impression is very important, besides you never get a second chance at it. Therefore as much as people wouldn’t want to judge, it is almost inevitable not to perceive you as per the vibe they feel when they are in your home.
It would feel amazing if a guest walks into your home and their breath is taken away by your deliberate tasteful design and style. How wonderful would it be for people to fall in love with your home the moment they step on your doorstep? Well, the following are 10 ways that you can create a great home impression:-
1. Styled Entryway to Set The Tone For Your Home
Your entryway is the first thing that your guests see; therefore, it is important for you to get it right. No pressure intended though, it is actually simple than it sounds. Let your entryway introduce your design theme. You can achieve this, for instance, by ensuring the doorstep is clean and tidy. Then you can use paint to express your personality and design. Although, you want to choose bright, neutral and organized as much as you’d have a quirky personality. A pretty or playful doormat will also create a great home impression.
2. A Unique Door Knocker
You can never go wrong with a statement-making door knocker. It shows that you have style and are not afraid to show it. It goes without saying that a great door knocker will absolutely get noticed and might even make your guest take a few minutes admiring your taste. Apart from exotic, you can also go for a funny doorknob. This will cleverly reduce any anxiety the guest might have by putting a smile on their face. Most importantly, it will give off all the right vibes and in the end, make the guest feel welcome.
3. Have a Well-Lit Hallway or First Room
How would it feel to have your guest saying they wish they had the same lighting effect you have at their home. By lighting, it doesn’t mean the use of harsh and very bright light. Bright light might not be your style. By just having great layered lighting, it can create a unique ambiance in all the right ways. Invest in some good lighting fixtures to help you transform your rooms into warm and inviting spaces.
4. Create an Uplifting Scent
A lovely scent creates an amazing impression that can never disappoint. Besides, as much as a fragrance is subjective, there are common scents that will drive anyone crazy. You can consider using vanilla or any other fresh scent for the best effect. The secret is also in keeping it balanced and minimal, you don’t want your guest feeling overwhelmed and choked. To be on the safe side, let your house smell of great food. If you love cooking, why won’t you bake cookies or have someone bake them and let the attractive scent of homey goodness welcome your guests? A great fragrance increases the value of your home and has your guest thinking….sophistication!
5. Get Rid of Clutter
Clutter screams out of control and disorganization, which can be an ultimate turn off. Clutter also makes any space look smaller which in turn presents a chaotic vibe. There are steps you can use to declutter and manage your items. For instance, you can get a decorative basket or ottoman where you can place things that you regularly use. You could also invest in floating shelves which will not only serve as storage but also as an accessory.
6. Personalize Your Home
It is surprising how your home décor can speak about your personality without you altering a word. It’s also an added advantage if a guest walks in and feels like they already know you. It creates a rapport between you and your guest, especially if you have some design tastes in common. Therefore, don’t be afraid to display your family photos, bookshelves, DVD collection or anything that shows your personality.
7. Have a Wow Factor
Surprise your guest with a home décor piece that will incredibly catch their attention. Something that is impressive and if possible, unique. You can achieve this by having a statement piece of art, chandelier, furniture or decorations. You can also decide to be bold and go for impressionable choices like a lovely wallpaper designs.
8. Have Some Greenery
Not only is green an earthy color but it cannot fail in any room. Have plants in your room but of course, don’t overdo it. Plants go a long way toward making a blank space look stunning and fresh. Plants bring a sense of life and warmth in a home. It says a lot about the owner of the home. And besides, you won’t have to worry about matching your home décor when it comes to plants, they automatically blend with any décor.
9. Invest in Special Occasion Utensils
The first thing you do when a guest comes into your home is to offer them something to drink or eat. Well, that’s a great opportunity to make a statement too. Invest in unique and stunning serve ware that will impress your guest. It’s a subtle gesture but will go along to speak of your style and sophistication.
10. Set The Right Temperature
Having the right temperature will come in handy, especially if the temperature is harsh outdoors. Your home acts as a rescue and the guest will become almost grateful to be inside. If it is winter, you can warm up your home by lighting up the fireplace. If it is sweltering hot outside make sure your home is cool in contrast.
The Bottom Line
The listed tips are going to help your home create a great home impression irrespective of who the guest is. Incorporate some of them and see your guests appreciate your tastefulness, some might even learn a thing or two and incorporate it into their own homes too. Having a home that speaks greatly of you can be an added advantage if your reputation of style is far-reaching.
Home laundry is something inevitable and probably a boring chore to most people. The good news is that, as much as we can’t make laundry day go away, there are ways to make it more fun (though fun is subjective), but definitely faster and better.
Something to consider to make your laundry day easier is to maintain your clothes well. This could include wearing an apron when doing a messy task to avoid stubborn stains. It is also advisable to have common knowledge of how to handle different types of clothing according to their fabric. You can get help with this by the instructions that are already in the cloth or ask someone.
The following are tips on how you can do laundry effortlessly and like a pro:
1. Get The Stains Out Immediately
When you notice you have stained your cloth, it is recommendable for you to get it out right away. It is for your own good and you will be grateful you did it when the laundry day comes. There are various detergents and items you can use to remove fresh stains effortlessly. Some home stain removers that you can use include club soda and hydrogen peroxide. Mouthwash may help with smelly gym socks that might have bacteria. Lemon juice will also remove rust stains and any discoloration, and at the same time leave your clothes smelling fresh. The less time you spend on cleaning the laundry, the less boredom you’d have.
2. Have a Specific Day For Laundry
Some people prefer doing home laundry almost every day considering their large family. This method is not very effective in saving time, effort and money. There are compromises that you can make to ensure that the clothes for laundry are fewer. You can achieve this by recycling some clothes like jeans. Your jackets and hoods can be worn more than once too. Setting a specific day also helps in getting organized thus reducing time wastage. The bottom line is, the less you wash, the less effort you will spend on your laundry.
3. Don’t Mix Clothing Of Different Colors
Always start by sorting your clothes out. No one needs the surprise of a black dye on their favorite white outfit. Wash the white first then the rest later. It may also be important to find out whether a cloth is colorfast. You can achieve this by rubbing a wet cotton swab on the cloth. If it stains, then you ought to hand wash the cloth separately. You might also consider adding some salt to the water to avoid too much fading.
4. Get The Right Water Temperature
Selecting the right temperature for your fabric goes a long way into maintaining their quality. Essentially, cold water works best with fine fabrics, sensitive dark colors that tend to bleed and clothes that shrink. Warm water is suitable for man-made fabrics and hot water for colorfast, really dirty clothes and white items. It is also important to find out whether there is a specific recommended water temperature on the cloth. To make your work easy, wash the fabrics using the same water temperature together as long as they don’t bleed.
5. Use The Right Detergent And In Small Quantity
Most people pick detergents because of their friends’ or family’s influence. This is definitely not the correct way of picking the best detergents for your fabrics. Majorly, there are two forms of detergents: powder and liquid. The powder is relatively cheaper than liquid. Though for quality, you might consider liquid because it dissolves much better and deals effectively with stains. Try not to use excess detergent because your clothes won’t get any cleaner, in fact, they may get dirtier. It creates too many suds on the cloth, which attracts dirt.
6. Reduce Fading of Darker Clothes
It is annoying to see a cloth you invested jaw-dropping cash fade so quickly. There are beauty and class that comes with dark clothes, furthermore, it makes you look slimmer. But the opposite happens when it starts to fade. It looks sad and cheap. You can prevent your clothes from fading by washing them inside out. This helps reduce the abrasion used while washing the fabric. You also don’t need to wash it regularly and use the right detergent when you do it. It is advisable to use liquid detergent because it doesn’t leave too many suds that give your fabric a dull finish.
7. Fold Immediately From Dryer
It is easier to fold your clothes immediately after the dryer rather than later. This reduces wrinkling. Therefore, you won’t have to iron every cloth. It also reduces clothes clutter which can be a depressing sight. If folding is not your thing, you can roll your clothes too. It saves on space and prevents wrinkles too.
8. Clean Your Washing Machine
Most people rarely clean their washing machine yet it is essential. It helps get rid of accumulated dirt and soap gunk that could otherwise be disposed on the cloth. Cleaning the machine also enhances its purpose as clothes are cleaned better and at a short time. At the same time, it helps maintain the machine.
9. Get Several Laundry Baskets
Most people use half of the laundry day searching for dirty clothes. Most especially socks and shoes. Let everyone have their own laundry basket where they can keep their dirty clothes immediately after removing them. You can also have one home laundry basket whose main purpose is storing your used socks. This saves time and reduces any frustration that comes as a result of looking for clothes. It might seem like an unnecessary gesture, but you will be grateful everything’s sorted out for you.
10. Reduce Shrinking and Stretching
You might have a share of clothes whose fabrics stretch or shrink easily and, of course, you would want to maintain their shape as long as possible. To prevent clothes from shrinking and stretching, use a gentle cycle of washer or hand wash. You can also use cold or warm water because they are less harsh to shrinking fabric than hot water. Something that will also help is reading the label of your cloth before buying. If the cloth fabric will potentially overstretch on a few washes, you’d rather save your money.
The Bottom Line
Home laundry doesn’t have to be stressful and it will soon be something that you don’t cringe about when you think of it. The above tips should get you on your journey to actually loving to do laundry.
Having to pick from a wide range of colors that best suits your interior can be tiresome and confusing. You cannot use all the colors of the rainbow and their shades since they are quite a handful. However, you can use the shortest and simplest way to getting the right paint color for your interior without much hustle. Here are some tips to guide you through as you make this decision. Here are some tips to guide you through as you make this decision.
1. Go For Your Favorite Colors First
List all your favorite colors first as a headstart in your decision making. You may find that if you blend them together, you will come up with various color options that you would love for your home interior. Always start with your favorite colors first and not the colors that are currently trending, this is your home after all and there is no greater inspiration than seeing your favorite color every day first thing when you wake up.
2. Get A Color Chart For Assistance
In as much as you would want your interior looking colorful, you may not have any idea of the colors that match. Getting a color chart will guide you on the different shades that will make it easy for you to match the colors or even get an idea of how to get light colors to work with darker colors. The color chart also comes in handy for those that are color blind.
3. Identify The Texture Of Your Walls
The texture of your walls is also an influence on what colors you choose. If you want to paint the room, you have to pick a color texture that best goes with your wall to avoid getting it wrong. You can also change the whole appearance of your interior, not by painting only, but by putting up wallpaper that has the same texture as your interior.
4. Work With The Stuff in Your Room
Consider the color of your furniture, curtains, doors, and flooring, before choosing your wall colors. This will save you the trouble of having to go through magazines to figure out other colors out there that might not necessarily match your room’s surroundings. This also acts as a guide as to what colors to avoid.
5. Don’t Be So Uptight
You don’t have to match the same color schemes just because they fit together. Explore different themes and bring them together. You can choose a vintage look and tailor it to a brighter or different color just to see how it will turn out. You never know, it may turn out to be a good color surprise. Compliment it with some great-looking wall hangings.
6. Try The Monochromatic Color Scheme
Having one shade of color in the entire house may be a bit boring. If you don’t want to explore other colors, try different shades of the same color and paint on different walls around the house. You may get a lighter blue and match it with a darker shade and the effect in that room will be breathtaking. Check online for home interiors with monochromatic color schemes and choose the shades of color that you think will work best with your interior.
7. Match The Theme In The Room With Your Color Choice
The colors you choose should complement the room’s theme. It is not sensible to paint dark colors in a baby-themed room. The mood in that room should be bright to catch the attention of the baby. Brighter colors bring some sort of joy and satisfaction and a sense of calm to the baby. Try painting dark walls in such a room and your baby might even get cranky and cry all the time due to the mood portrayed. It is important that the wall hangings remain as bright and vibrant as the wall color.
8. Have a Practical Room
Seclude a room where you can test your ideas before putting the actual paint on your walls. This will prevent you from damaging your walls each time you paint and have a second thought about those colors. It is also cost-effective since you don’t have to use up all your paint just to realize it is not the color scheme you wanted. Get samples of colors first and after you have made your decision then you can buy the paint that you have decided on.
9. Consult a Color Specialist for a Second Opinion
Even though your colors seem to fit perfectly, do not shy off from seeking an expert’s opinion. This may help in guiding you on how to get the lighting of the room to go well with the colors that you have picked or even add some more colors just to make your home interior look more lively and welcoming. You may even decide to go to those home expos just to see things practically before you finally complete your look.
10. Create More Space With Colors
If you have limited space, try and get colors that will make your space look bigger. Having darker colors will make the room seem smaller. Try getting very light colors and play around with their shades to achieve the impression of a wider space. Match the colors on the walls with those of the curtain windows and create a sequence out of it just to break the monotony of single colors.
11. Minimize on Your Wall Hangings
Getting lots of wall hangings may make your walls seem too busy and the color beneath might not achieve the intended effect. Try having as little of the wall hangings as possible if you want to maximize the wall color. For instance, you can get one different colored wall hanging on each wall or just two for every room to ease the congestion in one room. Multiple wall hangings tend to hide the colors on your wall and create that multi-colored cluttered wall look.
The Bottom Line
These tips will help a great deal for both big and small spaces. Don’t shy away from being adventurous and at the same time don’t be too exaggerative on your color choice.
