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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Maintaining a home is costly; you have to replace components now and then, and you also have to remodel some or all parts of the house to keep it sustainable and to prevent any more damage from happening. The floor is one of the things that you have to take care of, as it bears the brunt of heavy foot traffic every single day. In choosing a type of floor, you must consider if it is durable enough to withstand years of wear and tear without showing any signs that it is ready to be replaced. Luxury vinyl flooring is one such option that is slowly gaining ground in home flooring, because of several factors, such as durability, cost-efficiency, and look, among others.
1. Synthetic materials designed to last
Synthetic or human-made materials are what comprise vinyl flooring. You can find chemicals such as ethylene and chlorine in vinyl flooring. Other materials such as fiberglass, felt and dye also make up its composition. Manufacturers create a formulation that ensures that vinyl flooring will last a decade or so under normal circumstances.
2. Making vinyl flooring last past its lifespan
Generally, vinyl flooring has a lifespan of ten to twenty years. But if you take proper care of it and maintain it, you can make it last for more than twenty years. Kids and pets can scratch the surface of the floor, and heavy foot traffic contributes to the deterioration of the boards. But if you clean it frequently and remove stains and scratches, it can withstand years of the same use and abuse.
3. Choose a design that you can stand the look of for years to come
Since you will be looking at your floor for decades, choose a design or look that is timeless and classic. You can never go wrong with a simple and classic look. Over the years it will still be good to look at. You don’t have to go crazy with a design that will lose its charm throughout the years and will make you regret choosing it.
4. The thicker, the better
Vinyl flooring is available in different thicknesses. The general principle is that the thicker the boards, the longer it will last. The thicker variety can last well over twenty-five years, while the thinner one can only last up to a decade. Of course, the thicker one is costlier, but if you think of the hassle of replacing cheaper vinyl flooring after several years, the price that you pay for thicker vinyl will be worth every cent.
Final Take Away
Just like with any type of floor, proper care and maintenance will make it last longer. Make sure to dedicate time to keep it clean and free of dirt, dust, and debris that can scratch the surface. With a wide variety of flooring available on the market, it is very easy to get lost trying to determine which type best suits your home and your budget. Keep in mind that vinyl has excellent benefits and will not cost you as much.
Read Also:
List Of Most Durable Kitchen Flooring
What You Must Know About Wood Flooring?
Use Floor Polishing For Keeping Your Flooring Looking New
A brewing burner is unquestionably the first major investment you make once you venture into home beer brewing. Acquiring a high-quality home brewing burner is imperative. A substandard one will not only compromise the taste and quality of your beer, but it will also turn into an exciting hobby into an annoying nightmare. An excellent brewing burner guarantees uniform heat distribution, and it’s instrumental in preventing scorching. It also hastens the boiling process, substantially lowering the amount of time you spend waiting around. Here are considerations to make when purchasing the best brewing burner.
1. A number of BTUs Generated:
BTUs are units for measuring the amount of heat generated by the burner. Generally, one BTU adds one degree Fahrenheit to a pound of water that is at room temperature. You will find burners with BTUs of between 55,000 and 210,000. Bear in mind that a bigger burner doesn't always translate to a better operation. While high BTU output is ideal for all kinds of grain brewing, certain lower output models are more reliable due to their ability to distribute heat more efficiently. Read more reviews about your prospective burner before making a purchase decision.
2. Quality of Metal Used:
All models of brewing burners are built from either cast iron or stainless steel. Cast iron is a bit thicker and tougher but weighs more and can rust easily. Thus, cast iron models are not suitable for outdoor brewing. However, if you are looking for a lighter model or you want to do lots of outdoor brewing, then a stainless steel model will serve you well.
3. Windscreens:
If you expect to do a lot of outdoor brewing, you should go for a model that has a durable windscreen. It will shield your flame and keep it lighting even when a strong breeze comes. Windscreens guarantee a smooth boil and make home beer brewing a sensational experience.
4. Height:
Outdoor propane burners tend to have longer legs compared to your traditional stove. The long stand allows you to brew your beer comfortably without compromising the health of your back. However, you should go for a model that sits nearer to the ground, if you will be dealing with a huge batch of boiling wort. Models with shorter stands are sturdier than those with longer stands.
Top 3 Brewing Burners:
1. Edelmetall Bru Burner:
This burner has lovely copper accents and stylish nameplate. It is made of refined stainless steel and copper. It produces a maximum of 72,000 BTU per hour. This burner boils a huge kettle of wort within a few minutes.
2. Bayou Classic KAB4 Banjo Burner:
This brewing equipment offers a high amount of uniform heat. It generates more than 100,000 BTU, which is sufficient heat to boil a couple of gallons within minutes. Its 22-inch cooking surface can accommodate most brew kettles. It comes with a 4 ft rubber hose, a brass control valve, and 30-PSI regulator.
3. Dark Star 2.0:
This propane burner can generate about 65,000 BTU of heat an hour. This burner is easy to use, and it can heat a maximum of 15 gallons of brew. This 6-inch diameter burner comes with an adjustable regulator, a wind guard, and lighter power.
Choosing the best brewing burner is all about addressing your needs. Look for a model with features that are most crucial to you. Other than quick boil times, a quality burner offers a big surface area that can comfortably hold large brew pots.
Read More:
5 Best Stimulant-Free Fat Burners.
10 Unique Kitchen Hacks to Save your Time in Kitchen and Cooking
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
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Buying A House Vs Renting An Apartment: Which Is More Affordable?
