Category: Home

When you have a rodent infestation, it can’t be difficult to get rid of them. This is because they are small, crafty, and often invisible. If you have seen one rodent in your house, there are probably others. While there are a variety of methods to get rodents out of your home, you should use them all together to tackle the problem. If you don’t utilize everything at your disposal, you will have a difficult time getting rid of the mice and rats in your home. Read below to find five methods that will help you get rodents out of the house.

Buy Traps

It may sound cruel, but you have to buy traps if you want to get rid of the rodents in your home. It’s absolutely necessary to buy quite a few traps to put around the house. You should place them facing the walls so that when the rodents get trapped when they are climbing the walls. Unfortunately, you need to get rid of the rodents that are already in your house and the only way to do that is to trap and kill them.

Clean Your Home

Another very important thing to do when you are dealing with a rodent problem is to keep your home clean. While cleaning up your place won’t get rid of mice and rats, it won’t attract them. If you are getting rid of the rodents with traps, it is vital to keep your home clean. This means that you should wipe down your counters and don’t leave food out. Make sure to clean up crumbs and keep your garbage covered. When there is nothing for them to eat, rats and mice won’t be attracted to dwelling in your home.

Mind the Areas You Don’t Always Mind

In addition to paying attention to your kitchen, you should also remember to declutter and clean the places of your home that you don’t always pay attention to. For example, you should get rid of any leaves and branches outside. These can be used as a method for the rodents to make a home or burrow to hide. You should also look into rodent proofing. This method is when professionals go up into your attic and clean it up in a specific way. They can essentially make your attic rodent-proof by creating an environment that isn’t suited to rodents.

Get a Cat

It might sound silly, but buying a cat is a great way to keep rodents out of the house. Cats are natural rodent hunters. They have the killer instinct to hunt rats and mice. They do it more for sport than anything. Getting a house cat is a great way to get rid of a rodent problem and keep them out because you’ll have a natural mouse trap. When it comes to rodents, you can find a great way to kill the ones living in your home with a cat.

Use Bait Stations

Bait packages, otherwise known as bait stations should be used to get rats to come to your traps. These are sealed packets containing pellets or meals. While they come in plastic or cellophane, allowing the mice to gnaw through them. But these bait stations have chemicals that kill the rodent. These stations are best handled by professionals who can help keep you and your family safe because they are toxic.

While each of these methods to control your rodent infestation are important, if you are already struggling with the problem you will need to use them in tandem. When you have rats or mice in the house, you will need to work hard to get rid of them.

It’s not easy, but if you buy traps and bait stations while cleaning the inside and outside of your home you will be able to overcome this issue. You can also buy a cat, which will help kill rodents. However, you look at it, utilizing these tools to get rid of rodents will help you be done with this for good. If you have already seen a rat or mouse in your house, it is time to get started because you probably have more than one.

Spring is just around the corner, and we all know what that means. Spring brings spring cleaning.

Now is the right time to get ready to do all the necessary home maintenance to keep your house in top shape. While such an endeavor can be overwhelming, have no fear. All you have to do is follow this handy guide, and your home will be in top shape with minimal effort.

So, let’s see what you should do to get your place to look its best this spring!

Inspect your sidewalks and walkways

Concrete sidewalks can take a beating during the freeze-thaw cycles of winter. The first step to concrete spring maintenance is a good cleaning. Sweep away, or power wash any debris so you can get a good look at the current condition. Next, carefully inspect the concrete, checking for cracked or crumbling areas.

If possible, fill cracks with a concrete crack filler or silicone caulk. When weather permits, power-wash and then seal the concrete. If your concrete sidewalk or driveway requires more serious repairs, or perhaps parts of the concrete are no longer level, look for a professional concrete leveling in St Louis service, or similar services where you are. This type of job is best left to the experts! Also, be on the lookout for deposits of a white substance; this is called efflorescence, and it’s a sign that your walkway is absorbing water.

In case your concrete is beyond repair, consider replacing it with natural stone. It is a long-lasting, eco-friendly alternative and a wise investment overall.

Check your lawn equipment

After a season of hibernation, chances are your lawn equipment won’t start right away. The lawnmower, in particular, is a usual culprit of sluggishness starting after prolonged periods without use.

In most cases, this is caused by high humidity, and winter brings plenty of it. High humidity causes water vapor to condense inside the carburetor and the fuel tank. When this happens, water droplets mix with the gas. This mixture isn’t ideal for spark formation; hence, the mower won’t start.

To fix this problem, change the gas in your mower. If this doesn’t work, try cleaning or changing the spark plug. To avoid such complications in the future, empty your mower’s gas tank before storing it for a long time.

Examine your windows and doors

During winter, the harsh weather conditions can break down some of the caulk and other weather stripping to prevent air loss. Take some time to carefully examine all of your doors and windows and be ready to repair any issues.

The bonus is proper sealant helps during the summer and winter because it prevents your inside air from going outside. Properly sealing your windows and doors will make your home more comfortable, so take some time to review your house during the spring before it gets too hot this summer.

Spring is also an excellent time to replace window screens that were damaged during winter. Do not throw away the nets you have taken down. Instead, save and use them to patch any holes you find the next spring.

Clean gutters and downspouts

After the last frost has passed, it’s essential to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired. Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot, and that can invite all kinds of critters into your attic space.

Having your gutters and downspouts cleaned early in the season can also help prevent damage from spring rains.

Additionally, clogged gutters might eventually crack or break, leaving openings in your roof that can result in severe water damage. As soon as it’s warm enough to do so, it’s essential to clean your gutters. Break out a ladder to clean any drains that you can find yourself. Any channels you can’t get to will require help from a professional.

Don’t forget the roof

Winter often damages roof shingles, so you might want to inspect them to determine if repairs are necessary. Look out for loose, cracked, and buckled shingles.

Also, examine the flashing around skylights, plumbing vents, and chimneys. If repairs are necessary, hire a qualified contractor to do it.

You might also want to wash debris off your roof. When doing this, avoid using power washing because it damages roofing materials. Damages resulting from this kind of washing can void your roof warranty, although this depends on the terms and conditions of your manufacturer’s quality guarantee.

The best way to wash your roof is to use bathroom cleaners. These will safely remove any molds, excess dirt, and any other debris that can weaken your roof.

Extra tip: if you have asphalt shingles on your roof and keep finding piles of black grit in your gutters, it’s probably from your shingles decomposing. Sun damage causes asphalt shingles to break apart, and when this happens, it’s time to replace your roof. Doing so in the spring can help prevent the hot summer sun from causing even more damage.

HVAC maintenance

Spring is the ideal time of the year to have your cooling system serviced before temperatures start to rise. This is one thing you don’t want to procrastinate on — otherwise, you could end up with an unexpected cooling system emergency on the hottest day in July.

If you do the maintenance work yourself, be careful not to damage any wires or components.

Spring and fall are the perfect times of the year to change out your system’s air filters. Doing so will improve the air quality in your home and allow your system to run more efficiently. Changing the air filters also helps minimize mold and pollen build up.

If you use a window unit for your AC, you should clean out the air filters and clean the coils in your unit’s front and back, so airflow is not hindered.

Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

As the seasons change, it is essential to test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Change batteries and replace units as needed to ensure your family’s safety from fire or gases inside of your home.

It’s a good idea to test your safety alarms regularly, and doing so during spring maintenance is an excellent way to remember to do it. If need be, keep a supply of batteries on hand that you’ll only use for your alarms, and replace any alarms that are out of date.

There are so many choices a new mom has to make. The more of them you can make and implement before birth, the better. Once the child is occupying their own space outside your body, things get fast and furious. There is no pause button. There is no undo. You just have to live in the moment and take things as they come. Once the baby is born, everything gets a little harder than it was before. Don’t worry. You can handle it.

One of those big decisions has to do with where you are going to live. Your current house might be fine for you and a partner. It is perfect for one or two adults. But it might be a nightmare for taking care of a newborn. Things like the size and amenities of the bathroom take on outsized proportions. Does your current place have room for a nursery? What about the air quality? That old house had its problems. But it wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle. Suddenly, a vulnerable newborn changes the whole equation.

Perhaps it is a good time to consider moving. Houses have their benefits. Even so, it could be time to consider moving to an apartment for the first phase of your baby’s life Here’s why:

Flexible Leases

As a new mother, everything is moving at the speed of a humming bird’s wing. You barely have time to catch your breath. Add a pandemic to the mix and things get very interesting, and not in a good way. You need maximum flexibility. This is not the time to sign a 30-year mortgage. You can’t be sure if you will be working in the same job next week. Your company might force you to relocate. This is just the way it is right now.

You need the ability to pick and move to one of those furnished apartments with a flexible lease so that you can do things like skip expensive deposits and a lengthy process of selling the old place and buying a new one. Modern apartment leasing allows you to pick up and move within days, not months.

Some of the premier leasing programs allow one to easily transfer to a different unit or even a different city. If a long-term mortgage is not a good fit for your situation, apartment living can go a long way to removing some of the stress.

No Maintenance

Personal injuries are on the rise. One of the common sources of injury is home improvement. In a house, one frequently finds themselves on a ladder, or insecurely balanced on a chair. You might even find yourself under a house doing some bit of routine maintenance. There is no end to the projects you will need to do in a house.

An apartment is generally a much safer proposition. For all intents and purposes, there are no DIY projects. When something needs to be fixed, you pick up the phone or go to the online portal and file a maintenance request. In a good complex, those requests are taken care of in a matter of days, if not hours. In a house, you can call a professional. It might take days or weeks to get someone just to come and assess the problem. Then, there are the fees, and the repair schedule, and the delays… You get the idea. A new mother needs things to work as expected and to be repaired quickly and easily when they don’t.

Amenities and Extras

One of the best things about apartment living is getting all the great amenities. Your house probably doesn’t have a well-stocked gym with all the latest equipment. But there is a good chance your next apartment will. Best of all, it is included in the rent. There is also package management meaning no more Amazon boxes left outside the house for anyone to come along and pick up. As a new mom, you want all the extras you can get included in the price of rent. You get none of that with a typical house.

Not everyone is going to be an apartment person. And you don’t have to remain an apartment person forever. You can use apartments for specific periods in your life where it makes the most sense. If you are someone who could use flexible lease options, maintenance-free living, and tons of extras, you might be in one of those periods where an apartment makes the most sense for you.

When working from home while managing your household, it can be challenging to separate home life from work life. That’s why parents need to have a home office space, even if it’s not an entirely separate room.

The fact is that there are a lot of benefits of remote working, especially for parents. However, since many of us aren’t used to working from home, it can be challenging to understand what it takes to create the perfect home office space. That’s why this article is here to help you figure out and apply the few things that can help make the right office space for you at home. Since you are working from home here’s an informative guide about making money from home on The Finances Hub. However, since many of us aren’t used to working from home, it can be challenging to understand what it takes to create the perfect home office space. That’s why this article is here to help you figure out and apply the few things that can help make the right office space for you at home. Since you are working from home here’s an informative guide about making money from home on The Finances Hub.

Have a dedicated space

When you’re working from home, don’t be comfortable working in your pajamas and on your bed still. You shouldn’t be satisfied with that because when you’re working in a place like your bed or on a sofa, your mind will not be as focused as it could be.

That’s why you need to have a dedicated workspace, even if it’s just a table and chair at the corner of your bedroom.

This dedicated workspace represents the separation between your home life and your work life. It is key to ensuring that you focus on the right things at the right time.

Zen your workspace

One benefit to working from home is that you’re able to modify your workspace in any way you want. Your office workspace is usually quite sterile. But when you’re working from home, you have the opportunity to make your workspace as relaxing as possible.

You can add a few things to make your workspace more zen would be a diffuser and some greeneries, specifically live plants. That way, that area won’t cause you as much stress even if you’re dealing with work.

Think ergonomics

When you’re creating your workspace, you have to keep ergonomics in mind. This includes your office equipment.

Spending the majority of your day sitting down is not the healthiest way to spend your day. Unfortunately, it is part of being a member of the labor force.

Office equipment that isn’t ergonomic is going to cause actual pain in your body over time.

Keep it organized

When you’re stuck at home doing work and your kids are also home all the time for school, things can get quite chaotic. The chaos increases, the more rambunctious your kids are.

This chaotic environment is not the ideal place or way to work for anyone, including your kids. That’s why keeping things organized is something that you should be mindful of all the time.

At Maid Sailors Maid Service Jersey City, we emphasize the benefits of keeping an organized workspace. Even if you’re in the creative field, which is notorious for working in “organized chaos,” you can benefit from having an organized work system.

Invest in a few storage solutions that will make it easier for you to get rid of clutter and organize your work equipment.

Incorporate color

Depending on your office, you probably don’t choose the creative decor around your workspace there. However, your workspace at home can incorporate color and patterns as much as you want.

When choosing colors and patterns for your workspace, make sure to select stimulating non-distracting designs. You might not notice it, but a beautiful workspace can help motivate you to do your work each day.

Add a personal touch

You shouldn’t make your workspace look like a scrapbook of your life turned office chic. However, it doesn’t mean you can’t put in personal touches here and there.

Maybe you can put a photo of your family on one side. You can also put up inspirational images and quotes around your dedicated workspace to inspire you. These small touches will help you enjoy your time around your workspace.

Make sure it’s well-lit

If your workspace has low lighting, your eyes will strain more, which will make it tired a lot faster. Therefore, you should make sure that wherever you work is well-lit, your eyes don’t strain after working for very long.

Stock up on essential office supplies

You want to keep your dedicated office space as clean as possible. You also want things tucked away neatly, but it doesn’t mean that your desk should be empty.

What you should do is to keep the office supplies that you use most often nearest you, while the ones you don’t use as often should be farther from your desk. That way, your office design is practical and neat.

Over to You

Juggling between being a good parent and an efficient employee is challenging, more so when you have to be both in that same space.

Creating a separate home office space that fits your lifestyle can make it easier for you. Therefore, you should apply the tips above and take the time to perfect your home office.

You owe your career and your home life that much.

Heat pumps are probably one of the best heating and cooling systems you can have in your home. They are generally more energy-saving, which allows you to save money from your monthly bills.

However, if your heat pump is not well-maintained, you will be using 10-25% more energy than you could have saved. On top of that, your heat pump may not last longer than you think. It will also be bad in terms of your health and comfortability as your heat pump is no longer working at its best.

All these things are what make heat pump maintenance very important, and below are five simple tips to keep your heat pump well-maintained:

Prevent excess build-up from happening

Ice and snow can sometimes clog up your heat pump without you noticing. This will then block the airflow, make your heat pump work with lesser efficiency, and even lead to the system breaking down. So, to prevent this, here’s what you can do:

Turn off the unit to clear away any debris. Be very careful that you don’t damage the heat pump. You should also check the condenser and make sure it’s clear of snow and that it’s undamaged. Continue clearing away snow as much as you can, especially if it’s surrounding your unit.

You also have the option to create a free-standing cover to protect the heat pump from the snow during winter and intense heat during the summer. Just make sure to provide a 2-foot clearance.

Clean or change filters as needed

Dirty air filters will cause your system to work harder than required because they restrict airflow. This results in a higher electrical bill. At the same time makes you uncomfortable because your desired temperature is not maintained.

Besides this, dust and dirt build-up may affect your system and may cause total breakdown.

So, clean or change your filters regularly depending on how often you use them, how dusty your environment is, and if you have furry pets. But generally, it’s usually recommended to do this once every 1-2 months, and do not go over three months without changing your air filters.

Check on the unit placement

Upon the installation of your heat pump, you always need to consider the location. As much as possible, you should choose an area where it’s easy for you to check the heat pump and do some maintenance.

It’s almost always recommended not to install the unit near driveways, vegetation areas, or in areas with large equipment.

Other tips will include:

• Select an open space
• Avoid vibration and direct sunlight
• Don’t cover the heat pump
• Clean the gutters to prevent water leakage
• There should be drainage
• Place it in an area where it won’t disturb others.

The better the placement of your heat pump, the safe it will be from any outside accidents that might damage it.

Clean outdoor coils

Condenser coils facilitate heat transfers, which is the number one reason why your heat pump is working. Therefore, it’s essential to keep it clean so your heat pump continues to perform well.

By cleaning your condenser coils, you’ll benefit on:

• Improved comfort
• Lower electrical bills
• Lesser repairs and maintenance
• Extended system lifespan
• Better indoor air quality

Seek professional help

Lastly, and probably the most important, seek professional help. Heat pumps may be following a simple system, but it’s a very complex technology. And maintaining it without furthering the damage can be challenging.

If you’re not familiar with heat pumps, you should call a professional. If you had your heat pump installed by an Auckland heat pump installer, they could do some repairs and check-ups, too.

Wrap Up

Heat pumps provide us with excellent benefits. It improves your quality of life by improving air quality, saving energy, and saving you money.

If used correctly and maintained well, it’s a significant investment.

So follow the five simple tips above to get your money’s worth. After all, heat pumps are not that cheap.

Only one thing beats the thought of retirement, and that is retirement with enough money to live life your way! If the conundrum of how to get some extra cash into your possession during this time is a current thing for you, keep reading for more about help in the form of a reverse mortgage! Also known by its other name, a retirement home loan, it is a great financial solution for the retirement years. For once, something that sounds too good to be true, is realistically true!

Let’s talk about the basic concepts

To be clear: a reverse home loan is still a loan, and every loan still comes with its own set of terms and conditions. It also means that standard legal conditions will be valid, and that interest on the money you borrow is an inescapable factor. Although this particular kind of loan lets you forego monthly payments, you will be obligated to pay back the full amount at the end of the loan period. If you find that you are unable to do so when the time comes, the house will be sold to make up the costs to the lender. This is standard, and you should be clear that you understand this upfront.

This is where the value of the reverse mortgage calculator comes in. This handy tool is used by lenders to determine the value of your house when you apply for a reverse home loan. Factors like the age, condition and location of the house all come into play during this evaluation process. Bear in mind that there are laws in place that cap the amount you are legally allowed to borrow, so the reverse mortgage calculator is also useful in calculating what percentage of your home’s value you may borrow, based on your current financial standings.

Show me the money!

Once the reverse mortgage calculator has done its thing and your lender has approved your application, you will have to choose in what form you would like to receive your money. You do have options! The first is to have it all paid over in one lump sum, with no further claims to payouts. How you manage the large amount will then be your responsibility. You could also access smaller amounts you need, as the need for them comes up, in a line of credit, or you could arrange for regular monthly payments, which is the most popular choice. The latter allows for budgeting and predictability, which is what people like about it.

Payment terms

The one major thing that sets reverse home loans apart from regular loans, is the fact that you do not have to make regular monthly paybacks. The very design of the loan is intended to help you supplement your finances during retirement, and you will not need to pay any money back, as long as you live in the house full-time. People love a reverse home loan for its flexibility, as they often feel that they have more control over the loan period and their liquid cash.

Are you trying to downsize? Is your home full of clutter? It’s time to get organized.

Let us help you tackle the need to get organized. If you have too many items or more space than you can manage, this piece is for you.

Do not get overwhelmed! This is how to downsize and declutter your home:

Step 1: Assess your Needs

First things first. Take inventory.

What is your goal? What do you need to accomplish that goal? If your goal is to downsize or declutter, you have a lot of work to do.

Think of items you use every day or things you might want to repurchase in the future. It is best to keep those items that are useful to you. Get rid of old paperwork or those boxing gloves you never used.

If you have not used it within the last six months, it’s probably time to get rid of it. Ask yourself, “does this spark joy?” If not, its time to toss it!

Step 2: Donate or Sell Unused Items

Get all your things out and in the open. That way you can see everything you own. It might surprise you how many things you have accumulated over the years.

If you forgot about an item or rarely use it, its time to donate! Use this method to go through your entire house and your belongings. Keep only what you need and regularly use.

If you’re downsizing your home, consider what rooms you will not have in the new house. If there is not a place for it, get rid of it!

Make three piles, one to sell, one to donate, and one to trash. This is a great way to downsize without feeling guilty! Make some extra cash or donate old items, in good condition, to a charity you love.

Step 3: Get Organized

Downsizing means everything should have a place in your home. There is no need for clutter or forgotten items.

If your goal is to downsize or declutter your home, make sure you can visualize where a particular item will be placed. Take into account what you need AND what you have space for.

There are many storage solutions for your home to help you get organized in your new space. Tip: use clear storage boxes so you can always see what you have and what you need!

Do you have things you are saving or cannot bear to part with? Then its time for hide-away storage. Use a storage space to keep your items safe and out of sight, keeping your home clutter-free.

Step 4: Use Multifunctional Furniture

If you are downsizing your home, your old furniture is probably too big for your new space. Use multifunctional furniture to keep your space open or designate rooms for duel purposes.

Keep a futon in the office space in case you have guests. Or, get a bed or coffee table that doubles as storage. All your furniture should serve a purpose in a small space.

As a plus, buying multifunctional furniture will save you money!

Step 5: Go Digital

Digitize what you can. That means paperwork, photos, and important paperwork.

You can upload your photos and documents to an external hard drive or save them virtually on Google Drive. Going paperless will free up space in your home without getting rid of important papers.

When you go digital you minimize your clutter and create a long-term solution. Your documents or old photos are safe and easy to access when you need them.

Step 6: Maximize Vertical Space

Vertical space often goes unused. When you maximize the use of vertical space, things become less cluttered.

Create vertical space in your home with shelving units, storage solutions, and taller furniture. The use of vertical space will ensure that every item has a place. Your home will feel less bulky and cluttered with slim furniture.

Think of your closet space; shoes quickly get cluttered on the floor. Use the back of the door or hang shelving systems up the wall to store shoes or purses. Bring this mentality to the rest of your home.

Step 7: Organize as You Unpack

When you only keep the items you have space for, it will be easy to decorate and organize your new home.

Instead of dumping boxes out all over your home, pack up the boxes by room and space so you know what goes where. When you begin to unpack in your new space, you will be able to organize as you go.

Set an organized precedent in your new home. Ensure that every item has a place in a visible location.

Step 8: Enjoy

Your new home or decluttered space is finished. All your hard work is done!

Enjoy the minimalism and clean feel of your home. Everything has a place and day to day life is easier when you always know where to find things.

Do not forget to make organization a habit!

This is How to Downsize!

Embrace minimalism! Keep only what you need, love, and use regularly. Minimalism is a lifestyle choice, after all.

If you are moving into a smaller space or are looking for a cleaner, clutter-free home, these tips will help you achieve your goal. Do not forget to stop accumulating items that will clutter your home.

Keep this article in your favorites so you remember how to downsize! For more tips on cleaning or home organization, check out our site.

Carpets can bring a nice and comforting atmosphere to a house.

However, when you have kids, the chances that the floor becomes a playground rises drastically. While crawling, walking, and playing, toddlers and kids can leave various stains that get into the carpet fiber and damage the carpet in the long run. The stains as well become a perfect place for germs to spread.

Moreover, not all carpet cleaners are baby-friendly, that is why it is important to find a solution that will not only remove stains but as well will not affect the health and safety of your children.

This article intends to help parents that are searching for an effective carpet cleaning method for common kids stains like markers, dirt, food, and others.

Types Of Carpets

The cleaning solution varies depending on the material. To avoid the damage of the fibers or the dye of your rug, it is crucial if your carpet has synthetic or natural fiber.

Such synthetic materials as nylon, polyester, or triexta are usually easy to clean and do not require special treatment. Simple steam cleaning or spot scrubbing will do the job. However, DIY cleaning does not disinfect the surface.

Wool, silk, jute, sea-grass, and other organic materials are prone to staining. Moreover, incorrect treatment might cost you a new rug. To avoid such unpleasant situations, we recommend it to use professional detergents and equipment.

According to pressurized hot-water extraction (PHWE) professional Dmitri Kara, the method archives up to 99% of dirt and grime removal from fabrics that can withstand the pressure and suction cycle, which is the perfect solutions for your toddler or infant bedroom.

Various companies offer equipment rental, however, the equipment is complex in use. It might take you more time to understand how to use the machine rather than clean the carpet.

Consider Professionals

They train tradesmen to remove various types of stains and know what detergents to use. Most commonly, they use the water extraction method that not only removes stains but sanitizes the rug. Besides, they can use a stain repellent that will protect your carpets from further staining. All the detergents they use are kids-friendly.

If you still consider cleaning the natural carpets yourself, then you should know several things:

• Before cleaning, test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous section of your carpet;
• The stains should be treated immediately, otherwise, there is a chance of permanent staining;
• Do not scrub the stains. That way you only rub the spot in, which makes the cleaning process even harder;

What Cleaning Products To Avoid

The effectiveness of the carpet cleaning detergents is explained by the high contents of chemicals that “dissolve” stains. Yes, they are effective but they can be extremely harmful to kids in different ways, like skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems like allergies and asthma, eczemas. Similarly, the team at We’re All About Cats explains that these products can cause harm to our furry friends too: “Cleaning products containing bleach or ammonia can burn our pets’ paws if they come into contact with them, and they can even be fatal if swallowed.”

To ensure your kids’ and pets’ health, we recommend:

• Avoid detergents that have such warnings as “hazardous,” “dangerous,” “highly flammable,” or “irritating”. This is a clear sign that they do not include baby-friendly ingredients.
• Avoid detergents that have hydrofluoric acid, butane, propane, glycol ethers, quaternary ammonium chloride, and sodium hydroxide in the ingredients list.

As an alternative, you might buy green or eco-friendly products based on natural ingredients.

Use regular products that you can find in any household, such as lemon, baking soda, white vinegar, club soda, borax, and hydrogen peroxide. More on those in the next part.

Common Stains And How To Remove Them

Food Stains

What you need:

• Vinegar;
• Water,
• Sponge;
• Soap.

In the situation with food stains,

1) Use a mixture of water and vinegar on your carpet.

2) Keep in mind the material of the carpet. If it is a natural fiber, then the proportions are following – ¼ cup of vinegar and ¼ cup of water. For synthetic fibers – ½  cup white vinegar with 1 cup of water.

3) Apply the solution on the spot with a sponge, wash it off with soap and let it dry. If the stain doesn’t come off, try applying hydrogen peroxide.

Chewing Gum

What you need:

• Plastic bag;
• Ice cubes;
• Knife;
• Lemon juice;
• Soap;
• Toothbrush.

1. Put ice cubes in a plastic bag and let it harden the chewing gum for around 30 min.
2. Remove the gum with the knife using a pulling motion. Hardened gum should come off in a solid piece.
3. If there are any small pieces left, squeeze some lemon juice to remove them with a piece of cloth.
4. Use the toothbrush to collect the leftovers and finish cleaning the area with soap and warm water mixture.

Glitter

What you need:

• Vacuum;
• Sticky roll.

Vacuum the rug thoroughly and use the roll to collect the leftovers. You can as well use a tape.

Mud

What you need:

• Vacuum cleaner;
• Sponge;
• Towel;
• Soap.

1. Collect the dried mud with the vacuum cleaner.
2. When you have collected all the hardened pieces of mud, you would want to remove the remaining dirt that is clinging to the fiber. To do that, make a bubbly mixture of soap and water and apply it to the stain. The remaining mud should lift off.
3. Carefully blot the area with a dry towel.

Permanent Markers

What you need:

• Rubbing alcohol;
• Cotton balls.

1. Apply some alcohol on a cotton ball and dab it in the stained area. You would want to do it in small sections, to avoid further staining.
2. When the marker comes off on the wet cotton ball, take a dry one and start blotting the stain.
3. Repeat the process until the stain fully comes off.

The kitchen is one of the most crucial places in the house. Some designers refer to it as the heart of the home. People not only eat there, but minds congregate and trade ideas and stories.

That’s why this is the one room that should never be dirty.

Healthline recently published the kitchen as becoming the dirtiest room in the house. People often think that spaces like the garage or living room are the dirtiest.

But the National Sanitation Foundation insists that any room that stores food is a risk. And these rooms-kitchens-require frequent cleaning.

If you’re looking for ways to tidy up the kitchen, read on. We take a look at some kitchen cleaning tips that get the job done.

Clean as you cook

It will help if you discipline yourself when it comes to cleaning. This may be challenging at first, but it will only get better as you move along.

The next thing you know, you will be doing it without much thought.

Clean your fridge regularly

A good rule of thumb is to be diligent every day to prevent cross-contamination and ickiness in general. Clean up any spills that occur right away with a cloth moistened with food-safe antibacterial spray.

And what we usually tell our clients at Planet Maids Cleaning Services NYC is to ensure that their meat packaging is not leaking. Please put it in a sealable storage bag or container until such time that you’ll cook it.

Take the grease off kitchen walls

How often you’ll give your backsplashes and cupboards a deep clean usually depends on how often you cook.

It is common for the oil to splatter on the wall when you’re cooking. But that doesn’t mean that you should let it be. The grease and grime can be a breeding ground for bacteria, which could lead to food poisoning.

What you can do is soften the grease and grime using a clean sponged that is soaked in warm, soapy water. Use it to wipe away the grease and then dry it with a clean dish towel.

Stubborn stains may call for a baking soda spot treatment or a spritz of distilled white vinegar.

Remove the grease on your stove

Kitchens can get pretty messy if you don’t have the time to stay on top of them. And nothing seems to build up more quickly than grease on your stovetop and stove eyes.

Even if you don’t cook that often, grease somehow manages to appear.

However, you don’t want the room you prepare and eat your food to be covered in spatters and grime. Learn how to remove grease from your stove and its eyes.

Don’t neglect your microwave

All it takes is one round of leftovers or burnt bag of popcorn to turn a sparkling clean microwave into a grimy, smelly mess. The key to having a clean microwave is regular maintenance.

Unlike other kitchen appliances, you can clean a microwave using everyday pantry supplies. This includes baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar.

Wash the dishes right away

When it comes to dishes, which is easier?