Spring is in the air and you know what that means, freshly bloomed flowers and brand new houses out on the market. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell this season we’ve put together a few tips to help make the process less frustrating than your spring cleaning. Home Buying Tips 1. Know your needs: […]
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If you’re looking to save some money by avoiding the purchase of a vehicle, you might be interested in buying a home without a garage or driveway. Great thinking, if you plan to live in a metropolis with lots of public transportation at your doorstep. If you’re not sure whether to buy a home with or without […]
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If you’ve ever had a shower curtain liner that kept sticking to you while you were trying to shower, you know it’s less funny, more annoying. Get rid of this problem forever with a spray bottle! Pour a tablespoon of liquid fabric softener into the empty bottle and fill the rest with water. Spray on the liner just before you shower and it will always stay in its proper place.
Avoid leaving a shower curtain bunched up after use, especially in a small bathroom—the steam encourages mildew. Always pulled it closed after bathing, and if small spots of mildew do appear, dab with baking soda on a damp cloth. Wash larger areas in hot detergent, rub with lemon juice, and dry in the sun, if possible.
5 Shortcuts to Make Cleaning Your Bathroom Easy
If you have a pair of pinking shears (scissors with a zigzagging edge used in sewing), put them to good use in the bathroom. Use them to cut the bottom of your shower curtain liner: The uneven hem allows water to more easily slide off, making bottom-of-the-curtain mildew a thing of the past.
Need to remove mildew from a plastic shower curtain? Try running it through the washing machine (on cold) with two large, white bath towels. Add a little bleach in with your usual detergent, and use 1 cup white vinegar in the rinse cycle to prevent future mildew growth. Or, rub a wedge of lemon on the stains and leave the curtain out in the sun. By the time it dries, the stains will be gone.
Keep soap scum and mildew off your shower curtain on the regular with the help of hydrogen peroxide. Stick the curtain and a bath towel into your washing machine, pour in regular detergent, and start the wash. Add 1 cup peroxide during the rinse cycle. Do this once a month and you’ll pretty much never have to buy another shower curtain liner again.
It’s also said that soaking a shower curtain liner in saltwater before you use in can help repel mildew.
Do the rings on your shower curtain squeak as they run along the rod? The solution is simple: Just rub some petroleum jelly or car wax along the rod and they’ll slide right along it without making a noise.
18 Quick and Easy Shower Cleaning Hacks
To remove hard-water deposits in your toilet bowl, pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bowl and allow it to sit for several hours or overnight before scrubbing.
Forget the nasty chemicals and overpowering scents! You can use ½ cup lemon juice in your toilet bowl to deodorize and remove stains naturally. Let it sit for several minutes before scrubbing clean.
Looking for more creative uses for lemons? Check out Domestic CEO's guide to Using Lemons to Clean Your Home
The tannins in tea can help lift any stubborn stains. Tannins also have antimicrobial properties. To take advantage, just leave some brewed tea in the toilet bowl for several minutes to several hours (depending on the severity of the stains). Then brush the bowl, and flush the stains away.
For a cheap and easy way to clean your toilet, use mouthwash. Just as it cleans away germs in your mouth, it will do the same in your toilet bowl. Pour 1 capful into the bowl, leave for 10 to 15 minutes, and wipe clean with your toilet brush.
Clearing away dirt and deposits under the rim can be tricky. But a smart tool can help. Purchase a package of those cotton coils used for perms (you can find them at a beauty supply store). Soak the coil in a basin with vinegar. You might want to do this right in the shower to avoid drips. Then stuff the toilet’s rim with the coil. Allow the vinegar to work on the stains overnight, then remove and throw away the coil, and flush the toilet to rinse.
To make this nasty chore easier on your gag reflex, drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into the bowl twice a week. After 15 minutes, swipe around the bowl with a toilet brush. Your toilet will be spotless!
A fizzy denture tablet works well for this hack, too.
Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can lift stubborn stains such as rust. That makes it a good toilet cleaner: Pour the cola directly into the bowl, leave it for an hour, and then flush.
Instant lemonade mixes like Kool-Aid contain citric acid, which works great to battle mineral deposits. Sprinkle the powder around your toilet bowl, let sit for a minute or two, then scrub with a toilet brush.
We all know it’s gross to stick that brush back into the holder wet. But what’s the solution? Close the seat on top of the brush’s handle so it’s sandwiched and secure, with the brush in position to drip-dry over the toilet bowl. Come back for it later when it’s dry and ready to stash away with much less ick.
You can also add a little mouthwash to the toilet brush holder to help fight germs while the brush is in storage.
If your toddler or fur baby likes to unroll or shred your toilet paper, you’re not alone. Simply slipping a rubber band around the roll will keep it safe from curious hands and paws.
Regular home remodeling projects are necessary to ensure the functionality of your home and keep it up-to-date with the contemporary market, both factors that are critical in solidifying its resale value. To this effect, while interior projects such as kitchen expansions and master bathroom makeovers are exciting, it is the exterior projects that will create the stunning first impression.
While interior projects such as kitchen expansions and master bathroom makeovers are exciting, it is the exterior projects that will create the stunning first impression.
From enhancing curb appeal to insulating the home from the forces of nature, the following 5 exterior home remodeling trends are set to grow throughout the remainder of 2021, making for great places to start if you are searching for a place to invest your renovation budget.
Homeowners are moving away from the notion of one solid color being the classiest option for home exteriors. In 2021, homeowners are getting a bit more creative in their quest to create stunning curb appeal, using innovative siding materials and robust color contrasts to create a home that truly stands out. These contrasts can be achieved in a number of ways, such as dark navy with off-white accents or a creamy white with black elevations for an exceptionally bold appearance.
In order to make a contrasting color scheme work, it is essential to use high-quality siding that will maintain its color and shape in the face of the various forces of nature.
Products such as wood planks look nice when new, but need assiduous maintenance to prevent cracking and peeling from UV-exposure, while vinyl siding is known to loosen or detach when exposed to heavy wind gusts.
This makes metal lap siding a strong choice, as it is extremely durable and will maintain its color throughout the life of the house with little maintenance, keeping the contrasts in your exterior just as pronounced as the day you made the renovation.
The COVID-19 pandemic created the need for more functional space in homes. With nowhere to go, people quickly realized the need for diversity in their property to keep from going stir crazy. This has led to the continued rise of functional exterior living areas in 2021.
To ensure the livability of exterior spaces, a popular trend is to add an architectural pergola to decks, patios, and outdoor kitchens. This is especially relevant as summer quickly approaches and the need for shade intensifies. In addition to the functional protective aspect of pergolas, they can also help improve curb appeal when carefully selected to match your siding choice.
Bright, well-lit interiors have been a trend for a number of years and are set to remain en vogue throughout 2021. As homeowners continue to make environmental friendliness a top priority, those homes that are able to passively use the sun to light and heat their spaces are all of the rage. This puts windows on center stage for passively designed homes, as they are the essential element for letting the sun go to work.
If you are concerned that a window-heavy exterior will have a negative impact on your curb appeal, it may be worthwhile to consider composite wood shutter options. These innovative shutters allow you to maintain the bright and airy benefits of extra windows while also providing the touch of contrast that is popular in exterior color schemes for 2021.
Building on the idea of functional exterior living spaces, the backyard and deck are no longer the only places to turn if you want to step outside and enjoy a change of scenery. Homeowners are increasingly adding larger front porches as one of their exterior renovation projects in 2021, creating the opportunity for more diverse furniture choices and accessories to spend increased time on the street side of the home. Another trend that took root as a result of social isolation from the pandemic, the bustle outside the front porch creates a favorable alternative to the classic tranquility of backyard privacy.
Another trend that took root as a result of social isolation from the pandemic, the bustle outside the front porch creates a favorable alternative to the classic tranquility of backyard privacy.
The garage has come a long way over the years. No longer just a storage unit with bikes hanging from the walls and rake handles poking out of every crevice, the garage must have the potential to serve as space for the home offices and workout areas that have proliferated across the country. As noted by Houston Home Remodeling Pros, modern garages need to be welcoming, luxurious spaces that enhance a home’s comfort.
In order to make this a reality, the garage doors replacements must look the part and mesh with the home’s exterior decor. Functional windows, decorative hardware, and contrasting colors to match the rest of the house are great ways to make sure the comfort of your garage is evoked from an outside perspective.
Getting rid of scuff marks can be tough, but there are a couple tried and true methods to help you out, including using nail polish remover and lemon juice. Keep reading for more.
If you have black scuff marks on your shoes—or even your luggage or other items—lemon juice can help. Sprinkle salt over a lemon wedge and rub it over the mark. Then wipe with a paper towel or dry cloth. You can also try using vinegar.
Just about any scuff mark can be removed with the help of some nail polish remover. Wet a rag with some, then rub on the scuffmark lightly but quickly. You may need to give your shoes the once-over with a damp cloth afterwards.
See also: 4 Surprising Items You Can Clean in a Washing Machine
If you have suede (or faux suede) shoes, removing stains is easy. Just brush them with an emery board, like you’d usually use for your fingernails.
If your patent leather shoe or other item has a scuff mark, use rubbing alcohol to get it off. Dampen a paper towel or rag with some, then wipe the mark off. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, you can also use a window cleaner like Windex or hand sanitizer, both of which contain a lot of alcohol.
Check out Who Knew's 6 Second Uses for Hand Sanitizer
Are your white shoes suffering from scuff marks? Rub a little baking soda into the offending areas and the marks will practically disappear. If you have a white paint marker or even some old-school White-Out, you can use that to cover the mark as well.
For more cleaning tips for around the house, check out our Cleaning Tips board on Pinterest.
Did you know that cereal crumbs are great for houseplants? The grains they’re made up of are also great for supplying nutrients to the soil! Each time you have some crumbs left in your cereal box, add them to your house plant and gently cover them with soil.
Your houseplants need nourishment, particularly in the dead of winter when the sunlight is limited—but there’s no need to buy expensive plant food. Just remember to save the water in which you boil potatoes or pasta, let it cool, and use it to water your plants. They love the starchy water!
If you’re cleaning your fish bowl or tank, use the old water to fertilize your plants! It contains nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus—all three function as natural fertilizers for plants. You’ll be amazed at the results.
If it’s been a long time since you’ve replaced your plant’s potting soil, help it get back some of the nutrients it lost with club soda. The minerals in the soda are some of the same that soil is enriched with. Just make sure to bring the soda up to room temperature before using.You can even use flat club soda!
Most powdered flower “food” works by lowering the pH level of the water, so that it’s still good for fresh flowers, but bad for any bacteria that may want to grow. If you notice fungus or mold cropping up on your plant or its soil, lower its pH with aspirin. Just crush one tablet into approximately one quart of water, and stir until it dissolves. Then use this water to water your plant.
See also: 10 Hacks for Beautiful Flower Arrangements That Last
You don’t need a compost pile to use fruit and vegetable peelings to fertilize your plants! Instead, save peels from produce in your fridge or freezer. When you have at least a cup of them, soak them overnight in cold water. Remove the peels and the water left behind is now a fertilizer for your plants that’s rich in nutrients and minerals and completely natural.
For more tips like these, follow our Gardening and Yard Tips board on Pinterest and don't forget to to follow us on Facebook and Instagram!
It is easy to get stuck focusing on the wrong things when deciding where and how to renovate our homes. We know that it’s important to get as much return on our investment as possible when improving our house, so adding value is crucial. However, if you are planning on staying in your home for a while, investing in quality of life is essential too. Your home should not be just a brick-and-mortar investment that you look forward to selling one day in the distant future. The perfect home is one where you can relax and unwind, escaping from the common stresses of day-to-day life. If you’re thinking of making some changes to your home, and you want to do something that you know is going to make you happier, the following options might be ideal for you.
Your bathroom is one of the most essential spaces in your home for quality of life. It’s where you spend a significant portion of your time taking care of yourself, so it should feel like an oasis of tranquility whenever possible. Think about how you can transform your current bathroom to make your everyday maintenance experiences feel as wonderful as possible. Would installing a larger bath so you can fully stretch out and enjoy some bubbles after a long day make you happier? Are you looking to switch your bath to a shower, so you don’t have to worry about spending time to fill an entire bath when you’re rushing to work? Make your bathroom into a place that’s perfect for your needs. Don’t forget to invest in your plumbing too. Installing a whole-house fiation system doesn’t just make your water taste better, it can also reduce the risk of dry skin and hair from your shower.
Life is easier when you sleep well. Unfortunately, too many people fail to invest properly in a good night’s sleep. We choose beds and mattresses based on their affordability and can sometimes ignore things like bedding. Next time you have some spare cash set aside for updating your home, ask yourself how you can make your bedroom more welcoming. If you are constantly struggling to find the right level of comfort on your existing bed, then it might be time to update with a new frame or mattress. If your bedroom feels cluttered, think about how you can open up the space by transforming cupboards into built-in storage spaces.
The more comfortable you are in your bedroom, the more likely it is that you’ll sleep well.
We all have things in life that we enjoy. For some, it’s reading a good book, for others, it’s spending a few hours on a video game. If your home doesn’t have the perfect space for you to indulge in that passion, it’s tough to achieve the best quality of life. Ask yourself what you wish you could spend more time doing when you are at home, and how you can bring that passion into your space. If you have a love of gaming, for instance, you might decide to turn a spare bedroom into a games room, where you can relax with friends without disturbing your partner if they are watching the television in the living room. If you love sewing but you struggle to keep all of your equipment organized in your bedroom, transform your spare bedroom into a crafts space. You can even look into converting your garage or your loft into an extra room.
Ask yourself what you wish you could spend more time doing when you are at home, and how you can bring that passion into your space.
No matter what kind of life you imagine for yourself in the years to come, the chances are that you will want to have control over where you live. As we get older, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain our independence, particularly if we suffer from health and mobility issues. Making investments now so you can comfortably age in a place you're familiar with is an amazing way to reduce the stress associated with getting older. One of the best ways to do this is to look into domestic lifts advice so you can install your own home lift. A home lift isn’t just a way to get up and down the stairs if you have mobility problems – although that is an excellent benefit. This investment can also help with things like cleaning your home (transporting equipment between floors) and reducing the impact on your joints.
For many people, their home is not just a building with four walls and a roof; it is also the surrounding space around that property too. Whether you have a small yard or a large garden, making the most of your exterior space can significantly improve your quality of life. Spending more time with nature can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels. Plus, a garden gives you other ways to invest in your wellbeing. For instance, with your own garden space, you can make a vegetable patch where you can grow your own organic foods and save money on your groceries. Even if you have a limited amount of space, you could use it to grow herbs that spice up your kitchen routine and give you more flavor in your day-to-day life.
Spending more time with nature can significantly reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Finally, do not underestimate the power of air quality when it comes to improving your health and wellbeing. It’s easy to assume that we’re exposed to more pollution and contaminants outside than we are when we’re in our home – but the opposite is actually true. The air in your home can quickly grow stagnant, and it is often exposed to a range of substances that can make it harder to breathe easily. With that in mind, look to improve your air quality. Get a set of filters for your air system or conditioning products if you have one with HEPA fiation levels. If you don’t have air conditioning, look into adding new vents to your property to help move air around as effectively as possible. You can also look into other tools for improving air quality, like air purifiers, dehumidifiers, or humidifiers.
When you’re stung by a bee, carefully grasp the stinger and pull it out as fast as you can. The less venom that enters your body, the smaller and less painful the resulting welt will be. Ice the area immediately to reduce the swelling.
To reduce the pain from insect bites, make a paste of curry powder and water. Apply it to the bite and let dry, then wash off. The spices in the curry powder will relieve discomfort and swelling.
Rub liquid laundry detergent on the bite and let dry. The liquid soothes the skin, dries the bite to reduce irritation, and seals the area from outside irritants.
Take some single-use laundry detergent packets on the go for unexpected bites.
Been stung by an insect? It’s lavender oil to the rescue! Rub a bit directly onto the sting to alleviate the pain. You can use the healing oil on scrapes, burns, and bug bites as well.
When you’re stung by a bee, carefully grasp the stinger and pull it out as fast as you can. The less venom that enters your body, the smaller and less painful the resulting welt will be. Ice the area immediately to reduce the swelling.
Nobody likes a bee sting, but sometimes they’re inevitable. Bring down the pain and swelling by rubbing some raw onion on the sting. The sulfur in the onion will detoxify the area and give you relief.
Suffering from a bee or wasp sting? Soothe the pain with Vicks VapoRub. It contains menthol, which will provide a natural, cooling anesthetic effect.
Apply apple cider vinegar to a wasp sting with a cotton ball and the sting will subside.
All content here is for informational purposes only. This content does not replace the professional judgment of your own health provider. Please consult a licensed mental health professional for all individual questions and issues.
Buying and selling at the same time brings up a whole new set of challenges, but those who plan well in advance can make it happen smoothly.