Published on: 15 June 2018
Last Updated on: 25 July 2024
Maintaining a clean house is a difficult task; honestly, no one enjoys removing all the clutter, washing the dishes, dusting, vacuuming, etc. But as much as most of us run away from the chore we all know the importance of housekeeping and how it impacts our health. Things tend to get a bit, well maybe a lot more messy when you have kids and pets added to the picture. Our furry companions love some adventure around the house and tend to spread their food and water around while eating, knock things over and of course the pet hair around the house is another story. But the good news is that even a chore as tedious as cleaning can be made simple by following some hacks and tips, so keep reading as I share some marvelous tips for maintaining hygiene in your house
1. Invest in the Right Tools :
You might not notice but using the right kind of tools can reduce effort and save time. For instance, cleaning pet hair around the house is one of the most challenging tasks. The fur gets everywhere, even gets embedded in the carpet fibers which becomes extremely difficult to remove. Well, the key is to purchase the right type of vacuum that has powerful suction to pick up the pesky pet hair. A robotic vacuum cleaner would be even better since it will save you a lot of effort. Similarly, make sure you have a quality lint roller (it is a life-saver in most situations) or latex gloves when you want to give your furniture or clothes a quick clean-up.
2. Bathe Your Pets :
The secret to a clean house is clean pets since the dirt on your dog will eventually accumulate inside your home. Develop a bathing routine for your pup, be sure not to overdo it since you don’t want to dry out the oils in his skin. Use a good quality dog shampoo while bathing and get your pup regular grooming to reduce shedding. Since dogs that itch shed more hair, use tick and flea repellents for dogs to prevent him from these parasites.
3. Use the Right Type of Furniture :
One of the worst nightmares for any pet-parent is when their furniture has pet hair spread all over, and they are expecting guests over. No one wants their guests to be covered in their dog’s fur! Well, let me tell you that choosing the right type of furniture can make all the difference. While selecting fabric for your furniture, choose leather/pleather or microfiber as these are easy to clean and the hair doesn’t stick to the material. Ultra suede and Crypton are also excellent choices for furniture as they are stain-resistant.
Pro-Tip: Also stock up some decorative throws and use these to cover your sofa and bed to prevent pet-hair from sticking to the furniture.
4. Wash Pet Bedding :
It is essential to wash your pet’s bed, blankets as these may hide harmful germs which our pets can transfer to other areas of the house. Wash the bedding weekly using a mild detergent without bleach on the hottest settings available.
5. Keep the Pet’s Area Clean :
Our pets do have a specific area in the house where they like to chill or where they eat. Keeping these areas clean might be a difficult task, but regular cleaning will help prevent messes and thereby reduce effort. If you have a pet-bird, the room where the cage is placed is bound to get messy. To make cleaning simple use vinyl carpet protectors on the floor beneath the cage. Invest in a good quality stainless steel cage as they are easier to clean. Also, line it up with cage liners or newspapers to prevent the bottom from getting messy due to food and feces.
6. Use Pet-Safe Cleaning Products :
Various cleaning agents contain harmful substances such as ammonia or bleach that can be toxic to our pets. While hunting for cleaning products look for ones that are pet-safe, eco-friendly and bio-degradable. If you don’t have these stocked up at home, don’t panic in case of a pet emergency, as you can find some fantastic cleaners inside your house. Baking soda is a great deodorizer to freshen up the carpets and rugs; vinegar mixed with water is an alternative to floor cleaners and can be handy when pet accidents occur.
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Indian kitchens have changed considerably over time. It is no longer the space at the corner of the house, dingy lit and oils all over. With the advancement of technology and the change of taste, kitchens are becoming smart to work in an organized manner. Another factor to have an organized kitchen is the space crunch as more and more people are living in multistoried apartments. The concept of having a house is changing fast. With a crisis in space and to work in an organized manner, people are planning the design of the kitchen to use it comfortably. One of the latest styles that people are following is making their kitchen modular. However, beautiful modular kitchen cost varies on many factors and let us discuss them so that you can stay within your budget and do not go overboard.
Design your Kitchen According to Your Budget and Work in Organized Manner:
The cost range:
Modular kitchens are nothing but a well-organized kitchen having modules to hold the kitchen utensils, the grocery storing jars, the washing area of the tools, and many more. They also include accommodating the electrical kitchen appliances and gadgets to make the best use of them at the time of need. Modular kitchen cost starts at around 1.5 lakh and can go up to any limits. One can even spend about 20 lakhs to have a modular kitchen, and it depends on the financial capacity of the person and the taste. However, one should consider some of the essential factors that are difficult to avoid while determining the modular kitchen cost before venturing into the project.
The cost determiners:
1. The area of the kitchen:
The sink in the kitchen and the taps should be of the right size and design to fulfill specific purposes of use. One can have a porcelain sink, glass sink, or 27-inch stainless steel sink in different variety of shapes and sizes. The taps are available in many designs. They all add up to the cost of the modular kitchen.
Modular kitchen cost grossly depends on the covered area of the kitchen. The price rises considerably if the kitchen area is significant. Again, the shape of the kitchen is another factor that influences the cost. Many people have an open kitchen, and the cost of making them modular increases considerably as visitors and guests can see them. These types of open kitchens, therefore, need to be specially designed and organized so that they look neat and clean and goes with other aesthetic designs of the interior.
2. The interior designer charges:
It is almost impossible to have a modular kitchen without consulting an expert interior designer. It is the designer who measures the area, brainstorms with the user about the load on the kitchen and the style, suggests the right materials to do the modules, and chalks out the layout plan. They even graphically show the exact view of the kitchen after the final finish using special designing software. However, all these come with a charge, and one has to pay the designer. Gone are the days when one used to rely on the local mason, carpenter, and electricians to decorate and organize the home and the kitchen area. It is time to take trained professional help before designing or rebuilding your kitchen.
3. The quality of the material used:
The quality of the material used to make a kitchen modular is another factor that comes into consideration for the cost. There are materials to fit every pocket and solely depend on the budget and the taste. For example, the tiles for use are available in various grades and shades, and prices. The tabletop can be of granite, marble, or any other alternative material. Each of these variables changes the cost of making the kitchen modular.
4. The appliances and the gadgets used:
The instruments and the electrical devices used in the kitchen are part of making the kitchen modular. The type of chimney used the size of the refrigerator, the capacity of the microwave oven, the mixer grinders, and dishwashers add up to the modular kitchen cost. It depends on the personal taste of the user and the size of the family. The rich and affluent can spend many lakhs on them, whereas the middle class can do with the essential items.
5. The plumbing cost:
One of the high costs of making the kitchen modular is the plumbing cost. The laying of pipelines for freshwater and the drainage should be correct so that there is no bottleneck for water flow. The sink in the kitchen and the taps should be of the right size and design to fulfill specific purposes of use. One can have a porcelain sink, glass sink, or 27-inch stainless steel sink in different variety of shapes and sizes. The taps are available in many designs. They all add up to the cost of the modular kitchen.
6. The cost of electrical wiring and lighting:
Proper electrical wiring should be done in the kitchen to run all electrical appliances and light up the area. Sometimes the modules also need lights while using. So making electrical provisions is part of transferring the basic kitchen to modular.
Overview:
The cost of a modular kitchen cannot be ascertained. The above factors play a pivotal role in making the budget. However, one can have the simplest modular kitchen at a price of around 1.5 lakhs. There is no upper end of the cost, and it only depends on the financial capacity and taste of an individual.
Read Also:
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How To Find The Best Wholesale Kitchen Cabinets
7 Unique Kitchen Design Ideas That Your Family Will Enjoy
Heat pumps serve dual purposes. They heat the home when it is cold outside and cool it when the temperature rises. These units are energy efficient and good for the environment because they don't burn fuel. However, the homeowner needs to ensure they get the correct unit for the home.
The Concept Of A Heat Pump
The heat pumps are becoming more and more popular these days. If you still don’t know about them and are trying to look for more information before buying a heat pump for your house, then you have landed yourself on the right page.
An electric air source heat pump is an outdoor unit. You can use this unit to keep your home both heat as well as cool your home. This totally depends on the weather.
The heat pumps are a great alternative to your central air conditioner or your furnace systems. This technology is specifically used in a refrigerator or an air conditioner. The unit extracts heat from a specific source.
It can be from the surrounding air, nearby sources of water, or eleven geothermal energy. Once it is done collecting the heat, it further amplifies it and then transfers it to the space where it is necessary.
How Do Heat Pumps Work?
Most heat pumps pull heat from the air and move it to the desired location. When heating the home, the unit takes the hot air from outside and brings it indoors. When cooling the house, the unit removes hot air from the home and transfers it outside.
They use less carbon than other heating options and work best when set at a consistent temperature. To see the optimal results, homeowners must ensure their houses are properly insulated and sealed. What else should they know before requesting a heat pump installation?
Heat Pump Options
Air-to-air heat pumps are the most common air-source heat pumps used in America today. They come in two forms.
Ducted air-source heat pumps function like central AC units. Treated air is distributed throughout the home with the help of ductwork.
Ductless or mini-split air-source heat pumps are the second option, increasing in popularity. No ductwork is needed when a homeowner selects this option. However, other options exist.
Geothermal heat pumps pull heat from the ground to warm a home and release heat into the ground to cool the house.
These systems are highly efficient, but they often cost more to install. Water-source heat pumps are similar to ground-source units but are installed at the bottom of a pond. Air-to-water heat pumps use a hot-water radiator system to distribute heat throughout the home.
The Benefits of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps are easy to install and work in most homes. The mini-split system is ideal for those without ductwork because the house won't have to be modified during installation.
Moving to a heat pump will significantly reduce the owner's carbon footprint, and many areas offer subsidies for those who choose to upgrade to this type of unit.
Let’s learn about the benefits of the best heat pump:
Energy Efficiency
Many users have agreed that heat pumps show more efficiency than all traditional furnaces. These heat pumps help to move the heat from the outside air or ground into your home.
As a result, you can easily save a lot of money on the overall energy bills.
Improved Air Quality
The heat pumps can both filter and then deodorize the air. This helps you to reduce allergies as well as asthma.
Quiet Operation
The heat pumps are an excellent choice for your home and businesses as they generate less noise and are typically quieter than the other systems.
Easy Maintenance Process
The heat pumps do not require much attention and are very simple to manage. It does not need regular servicing.
P.S. Heat pumps can be expensive, and you may face difficulties installing the system. Otherwise, the system and its benefits make it a perfect long-term investment.
When Not to Install Heat Pump?
A poorly insulated home or a leaky one will not benefit from a heat pump because drafts and cold spots are often an issue.
Homeowners must research their electrical service to ensure it can handle the heat pump load, as upgrading the electrical system to install this unit will add to the cost.
Finally, individuals in cold climates may find their heat pumps cannot keep up. The Department of Energy has established eight climate zones for the United States. In zones 7 and 8, homeowners need to consider other options.
Choosing a Heat Pump
Homeowners must consider several factors when choosing a heat pump. You must consider the size and capacity of your space. If you fail to choose the best heat pump of the proper size, it will cost more to run. Moreover, it won't keep the home at the desired temperature.
The determination of the right size heat pump involves two kinds of measurements:
1. Manual J Load calculation
HVAC technicians widely use this specific kind of calculation. They consider certain factors that help them to understand how much heating and cooling your home needs before choosing the best heat pump. These factors are as follows:
The square footage measurement of your home
Ceiling height
Insulation of your house
The climate type and the number of days you might need the heating or cooling
How often the space is being used?
The number of people who use the space
The total number of heat-producing appliances that you have in your room
Number of windows and doors.
The technicians consider these values and further enter them into a formula to get the precise result.
2. Square Footage Calculation
The calculator might seem a bit simpler, but it is not precise enough to calculate the required heat pump capacity.
For instance, if your total house space is around 1500 square feet, then you would need a 3-ton unit. BTUs, or British Thermal units further measure these ton units.
An experienced technician can help the homeowner determine the BTUs needed for the house.
Home size (sq. ft.)Size of the heat pump (in tons)Size of the heat pump (in BTUs)500 sq. ft.1-ton 12000 BTUs. 1500 sq. ft.3-ton36,000 BTUs2500 sq. ft.5-ton 60,000 BTUs
Apart from these calculations, compressor type is important when choosing the best heat pump. Most homeowners choose a variable-speed compressor, which automatically adjusts to maintain the selected temperature.
Efficiency is also a consideration when choosing the best heat pump. Look for a high SEER rating to save on energy bills.
Learn about each unit's climate performance and research the noise level. Finally, the reliability of each unit must be considered to ensure the heat pump will work when needed.
Once a heat pump has been selected, choose a contractor. Ensure they are trained to handle this task and have been in business for a while.
Doing so ensures best heat pump will be installed correctly, and help will be available if problems arise. When homeowners take these steps, they will have peace of mind knowing their unit will work when needed.
Additional Reading:
Removing Air Conditioner Filters: A Guide
Advantages Of Using A Water Heater At Home
What Can An Air Conditioning Installation Expert Assist You With?
So you want to downsize to a smaller apartment?
If you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to make a move go smoothly, you’re not alone. We’ve all been guilty of having too much stuff!
Give yourself a break and start thinking of solutions. Stay inspired by focusing on the many benefits of downsizing!
Moving into a smaller apartment gives you the chance to start over and get rid of things you no longer need. It can also help you to get organized and keep only the essentials.
Even better, you won’t have to clean nearly as much space and can live as a minimalist! That in itself has some serious perks. Your stuff won’t own you and you’ll have more time to enjoy life.
Do you see where we’re going with this?
Get ready, because, in this article, we offer seven expert hacks to help make the process of moving into a smaller apartment easier.
Here are 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment:
1. Analyze the space you’ll have
It’s essential to know the total space of your new apartment before you start the downsizing process.
Take a look at your new floor plan and figure out how much room in feet and inches are on each wall. That way you’ll know what will fit in your apartment.
If the measurements aren’t on the floor plan, ask the leasing office to provide you with the details.
But, the floor plan or provided measurements won’t tell you everything. You need to measure the extra spaces as well:
Closets
Space under the bed (more on this later)
Bathroom storage and cabinets
Garage storage (if your apartment includes a separate garage)
Kitchen storage and cabinets
Other spaces where you might add shelving (like the top of the fridge or in a window)
When you’re done with that, measure your current furniture and decide which pieces will fit into your place and which ones you won’t need.
2. Determine your actual needs
An excellent way to figure out what your needs are is by asking yourself if everything was gone, what would you replace?
Jot down some necessary items you can’t live without such as a bed, sofa, coffeemaker, dog bed — whatever is important to you.
You should also ask yourself the following questions:
What sentimental items will I miss the most?
Does this item serve a purpose?
Do I already have something that serves the same purpose?
Can I use this item to accomplish more than one task?
Is this object in good shape, and will it last for a while longer?
This is the point where you’ll be making some headway on knowing what you’re keeping and what you can live without.
If ever in doubt of whether you should keep or donate something, go back to asking yourself these questions.
3. Set some tangible goals
When it’s getting closer to moving time, you need to come up with a game plan.
Best get started with setting some goals before time escapes you!
We’re assuming you want to declutter and possibly redecorate your new place, and if that’s the case, it’s time to set some tangible goals.
Ask yourself these questions:
(Yes, we realize we’re telling you to do this yet again.)
What do I hope to gain by adopting a minimalist lifestyle?
Do I want to keep the furniture I have or get new furniture (#1 and #4 will help with this)
How do I plan to declutter?
How will I maximize my space? (Keep reading because we cover this in #4.)
What will I do if I can’t decide to part with some items?
Should I pay for storage elsewhere to store extra belongings?
Need some help answering those kinds of questions?
Here are some goals you could have:
I want a clutter-free apartment that will give me peace.
Not fixating on my possessions will help me feel free.
I’d like to have a clean slate and keep my belongings organized moving forward.
Being minimalistic will help me put emphasis on the most important emotional and physical items in my life.
Write down a few goals that inspire you so that when you feel like giving up, you’ll be able to remind yourself of your intentions.
4. Be a master organizer by maximizing space
Since you know how much space is in your apartment, as we recommended in #2, you should already have a plan in place as to where everything should go.
With the limited storage space in your new digs, it’ll help to store things vertically.
Vertically aligning hooks and shelves helps you take advantage of every square inch of space.
You might want to use adhesive hooks at first because most are easy to adjust.
We’ll be getting into how to simplify your wardrobe next, but for now, keep in mind that multi-use furniture can solve a lot of storage problems.
Keep reading because we’re about to reveal some killer ideas.
One idea is to maximize space by incorporating storage headboards. These are pieces of furniture such as bookshelves and a hutch that’ll fit over your bed.
Incorporating these types of units will make it easier to store a variety of items from family treasures to books and jewelry.
For example, incorporating a fitted unit in your closet can make it easier to organize.
Beyond that, think of other ways you can make use of storage. Is there any room underneath the bed you’ll be moving into your fancy new apartment?
If there isn’t and you need an upgrade, buy a bed that has drawers underneath. Trust us — those drawers will be your best friend when you need to store extra items of clothing such as blankets or sweatshirts.
Keep your bed if you like it, and it just so happens that you may be able to squeeze in some bins underneath to use as storage. For example, milk crates work well when you want to store books, tee shirts, and keepsakes.
5. Simplify your wardrobe
Seriously, how do you go about simplifying your wardrobe with you have a gazillion t-shirts?
If you think your new closet is small, just think about the people who live in tiny homes. Now those are super tiny!
Don’t worry; you can do this if they can!
Here are some steps to follow that’ll make your wardrobe functional in no time at all.
Step 1: Get all of your clothing out (ALL of it!) and put it somewhere you can sort through it. Whether that’s on the floor or on your bed is entirely up to you.
Step 2: Next, divide those clothes into three different piles and decide to donate, keep, or store them.
Step 3: Ask yourself if the clothing fits you or if it's still in wearable condition. If you haven’t worn jeans, for example, due to a weight gain or loss, donate or store those items.
Don’t keep clothing that’s falling apart. That’s just a waste of precious closet space!
Step 4: Are you done going through your clothing and separating them into three different piles?
Okay good, you’re going to do it again. This time ask yourself if this clothing fits your personality and your current lifestyle.
Step 5: Mission complete! Well, almost. Organize the clothes you’re keeping, store what you plan to wear later (such as seasonal clothing), and drop off clothes you’re donating.
6. Sell or donate what you don’t want
Now that you know how much space you have, and how to simplify your wardrobe, let's dive into why it's so essential to sell or donate belongings. It's time to stop and figure out which items you can and can't part with.
As you know, whether you're moving to a different city or relocating to a separate apartment at the same complex, moving takes a lot of work.
You should do everything in your power to simplify the moving process.
Eager to make some money to help with moving expenses?
One way to do that is by selling belongings and furniture you no longer want.
Try Craigslist, eBay, garage sales, Facebook, consignment stores, and more.
Before you even start packing, you should sell, donate, or recycle stuff you can live without. This will eliminate packing everything up only to decide later that you didn't need that item of clothing or five extra plates.
If you have problems deciding whether you want to keep, sell, or donate an item, take a hard look at everything you own.
Think about whether another person would find use out of that item.
If the item is useful, you can either donate it or sell it, depending on its value.
Who knows, your trash may turn into someone else's treasure.
7. Digitize nonessential media
Next let's dive into how you can digitize and save documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, videos, DVDs, and CDs.
While it's important to keep hard copies of documents such as your social security card and birth certificate, try to save and scan everything else.
Transfer CDs and DVDs to digital files by using free computer programs such as Freemake Video Converter, Movavi, and WinX.
Scan documents to your computer or save them as PDF files. After you're done scanning everything, use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive.
Online storage sites are lifesavers when your goal is to digitize media.
Think of all of the space you'll free up in your new apartment by getting rid of boxes of videos, paper, and more by going paperless!
It'll take some time, but it'll totally be worth it. And boom! Suddenly you'll realize you're there.
So, do you think it’s time to move? Even though downsizing may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Moving to a smaller apartment has its perks, such as decluttering your life and organizing your new place with fewer belongings.
Simply put, downsizing to a smaller apartment means:
Enjoying lower monthly expenses and living costs
Not having to clean nearly as much since your place is smaller
Living a minimalist lifestyle without meaningless belongings getting in your way
Instead of sweating the small stuff, take the moving process step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs, relieved that you took the time to eliminate the clutter.
Carolina Creek is a great townhouse-style community located about a mile from Eastern Carolina University's campus. The community consists of 2x3 and 3x3 apartments and contains a full amenity suite including a fitness center, pool, business center, and game room. The community is the best value in the Greenville NC student housing market.
Read Also:
5 Tips For Designing a Tiny House
How To Make Your Home Look Like You Hired An Interior Designer
Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?
