Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Published on: 24 November 2017 Last Updated on: 29 July 2024

When push comes to a shove and you have guests arriving in an hour, you better believe that you will turn into a superhuman and manage to clean your apartment in less than sixty minutes. Even if you won’t have the time to do a proper thorough cleanup, you can do a lot in an hour to make your home presentable, but you have to be efficient and light on your feet. Let’s get to it.

Spotless Living Room

You will need 10-15 minutes to get this area tidy and you should be as meticulous as possible without getting stuck on details. The first thing to do is to de-clutter quickly – clothing, trash, cosmetics, books, get it out of the way and into their rightful place. You don’t have to go back and forth, but organize stuff into different piles and then get them to their designated places as you move through the house. After that, straighten everything as much as possible, fluff the pillows, do a super quick round of dusting and use wet wipes to wipe your coffee table clean. Finally, get your vacuum cleaner out and run through the room, but do it for five minutes tops, you’ve still got other matters to attend to.

Next up – The Dining Room

If you plan on making dinner for your guest or just serving snacks, don’t neglect the dining room in your cleaning spree. If you’ve got a mountain of stuff on your dining table, the first priority is to remove it stat (this is also the time to throw away all the trash from the living room). Whip out a new tablecloth and make sure that chairs are straightened and free from any bags and clothes hanging from them (nobody is impressed by chairdrobes). Scan for dust and get it out of the way, vacuum the area super quickly and if you’ve got windows, wipe them clean with a coffee filter (just give it a try, it works). Get the glasses and plates, snacks, and drinks on the table and the dining room is prepped and guest-ready.

Now to the Kitchen

Chances are you’ve moved all the dirty dishes from the dining room and living room into the kitchen and now it’s time to pop them in the dishwasher. You don’t have to get them clean and arranged right away, though it might be a good idea to let the dishwasher do its magic while you’re cleaning around, that way, you’ll have more clean dishes at the ready. Stovetop and countertops should be in your focus – clean them as efficiently as possible without losing too much time. Then move to the sink, wipe it clean and you can also put a few slices of lemon into the garbage disposal, it will make the entire kitchen smell fresh and clean. Sweep the floors and if your trash can is full, take it outside, so that it doesn’t stink up your work.

Then We Have the Bathroom

This is one step you shouldn’t overlook since your guests will definitely need to use your bathroom eventually. Get to the toilet, spray it with a cleaner and let it sit while you’re busy with other things. Make your mirror spotless and do the same with any shelves you’ve got around it – wet wipes will do the trick here nicely. Tidy the shower curtain, wash the bathtub with hot water and rearrange the toiletries to look neat. If you’ve got a shower, wipe it clean with a rag or microfiber cloth. After that, get back to your toilet, scrub it quickly, flush, and voila, you’re done. Take the trash out too, get out clean hand towels and for a final touch, light an incense stick to make everything smell better.

Yes, you can clean your home in under an hour, and now you’ve got a system to work by. Honestly, sometimes it’s easier to hire a part-time cleaning lady than to scramble and clean when you’ve got someone coming over. There’s nothing wrong with getting some help when you’ve got a packed schedule and if you’re thinking about it, you can browse through your options at helpling.com.sg/maids to see if you find a suitable match. If not, we suggest finding time to clean a bit every day, it will be much easier to tackle chores one day at a time.

Read More:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

The Beginner’s Guide to Landscaping Design: 7 Tips for New Homeowners

Buying a new home has to be one of your greatest achievements. But with owning a new home comes a lot of responsibility. Aside from the renovations and paintings, you surely can’t forget your garden. After all, people do first see the exterior before actually entering your home. And you want a stunning yard that matches your exquisite interior, right? If you’re new to landscape design, you might find the whole process intimidating. But we’re here to assure you that the creativity you displayed when arranging your rooms, is the same you can use outdoors. Below are a few ideas. What are Your Needs as a Family? You need to establish what your landscaping needs are as a family. Do you have any young children? If yes, then you need to ensure that you make provision for a kids’ play area. You don’t want all the space to be taken up by flowers, fountains, and trees. Do you plan on doing a lot of gardening? Then you’ll have to create ample space for your gardening projects. Use the Correct Equipment Make sure you use the correct equipment for the job. You may be a DIY lover, but chances are you may not have the right equipment to undertake the necessary project. This is when you can consider equipment hire. Seek the advice of reputable manufacturers to give you the best advice regarding the type of equipment you’ll need for a particular project. Location is Important The next thing you need to do is to determine the location where you want to place your different features: Where do you want your fountain to be? Do you want in a central position? Where will you place your patio? Before picking a specific location, it’s important to consider the weather and sun elements. Do you prefer having sundowners on your patio as the sun is going down? It’s a wise idea to first study how the position of the sun changes throughout the day. This way you’ll know where exactly to position your patio. You Can’t Do It All at Once It’s important to remember that the landscaping design process takes time. You certainly can’t achieve your desired landscape vision in as little as three days. So why not take it one step at a time? Start with a small bed of flowers then move on to the bigger tasks like creating a fountain. Creating several goals will let the project seem less overwhelming, especially if you’re doing this for the first time. Establish a Focal Point When it comes to landscaping, it’s important that you establish the area where you want to draw attention to. Rather than going about it in a haphazard manner, why not add a few stunning items to shift the focus to. You can incorporate the following ideas: Adding a stunning piece of sculpture An exotic plant A bunch of bright and beautiful colors An eye-catching pavement Terraced stone steps Coordination is Important You may probably have many ideas regarding what you want your yard to look like. But what’s important is to make sure that everything is coordinated to avoid your backyard from looking chaotic. You want to end up with a well put together look and you can try the following to achieve that: Design experts say that there’s something attractive about coordinating different shapes and sizes. This means you should avoid planting plants of the same size throughout your yard. Why not place tall plants behind a flat flower bed? You can also create a footpath that features a stunning combination of granite and marble. Make sure you have a theme in mind with regards to the color and type of flowers you use. This means you must ensure that you repeat certain colors and plants throughout your yard to achieve a coordinated look. But while coordination is important, the last thing you want is to make your yard monotonous. Here you can consider adding some unique pieces that are totally unique so that they can stand out. This can include anything from: Fire Pits Outdoor showers Stone fireplaces Budget-Friendly Plants You don’t always need to spend a lot of money to design your garden area or front porch. To save on costs while creating a stunning yard, you can incorporate the following ideas: Opting for heat tolerant plants that won’t wither away prematurely after being exposed o extreme heat. Purchase plants that have low water requirements. In other words, opt for plants that don’t need regular maintenance like watering. These types of plants will definitely last you longer than some others. Install pavers in the middle of your lawn. This means you don’t have to water as much of the surface area. Final Words: We’re certain the above-mentioned tips will give you the head start you need to embark on your landscaping journey with a positive mindset. Always remember that landscaping takes time, so a lot of patience is required on your part. Also, your tastes and preferences are likely to change as time goes by. A plant you thought was beautiful when you planted it may not look so appealing after a few months—and that’s okay. Be open to change and enjoy gardening for as long as you have the pleasure of staying there. Read Also: How To Maintain Your Garden Railings? 4 Essential Tools Needed To Maintain Your Garden In The Winter 5 Summer Garden Maintenance Tips And Tactics You Have To Know

7 Smart Tips to Improve the Efficiency of your Refrigerator

Thanks to some home appliances such as air conditioners, fans, air coolers, inverters, and of course refrigerators; we can tolerate the summer easily. During the summer season, the amount of power used is directly proportional to the temperature. With an increase in mercury, the need for cooling appliances also goes up and so is the electricity bill. Talking about the fridge, it is not only storage for storing perishable items but also a savior during the summer season. Right from cold water to chilled shakes to ice creams to fresh fruits and juices, ice cubes, and more, it provides us with all. Nonetheless, with all this, it also leads to an escalation in the monthly electricity bill. A great example is with the residents of Texas for taking care of their electricity bills. They are able to choose the best and cheapest electricity plans from the most reputable electric companies in comparison websites such as HomeEnergyClub, where they can compare Texas energy plans side by side. In the same context, here are some simple tips that will not only increase the efficiency of your refrigerator but even help save power. Read on! Follow these Tips to Make your Fridge Efficient Want to make your refrigerator even more efficient, and sustainable for use? Follow these following steps. 1. Set the Temperature right Do you know that keeping the fridge at a high temperature consumes more energy, leaving you with a higher power bill? Hence, to make your fridge’s compressor work easily, keep the temperature lower between 0 and 5 degrees. 2. Don’t Let Your Fridge Face the Heat It is recommended to keep your refrigerator away from direct heat such as sunlight, oven, or stove heat. It is because the fridge will then use more energy to adjust the continuous heat on it to maintain the chill. On the other hand, if you place it under a shadow with proper ventilation, it will help in the reduction of energy. Proper ventilation is needed in smooth heat flow produced from the fridge. 3. Defrost the fridge often The defrost button on your refrigerator could be a lifesaver for it! Doing that on a frequent basis will help your fridge to maintain efficient cooling! Also, you will be able to save up to Rs.10 per day on the electricity bill. 4. Storing open containers is a no-no If you keep the already opened food containers and bottles in your fridges, then the internal moisture level will rise to force the compressor to work hard. It will reduce your fridge's efficiency and increase the power bill. 5. Regular fridge maintenance is a must It should be your duty to clean your refrigerator on a frequent basis if not daily. It can help the compressor to work even more efficiently. You only need to spare 30 minutes out of your busy schedule to do it, and your fridge will thank you by working powerfully. Also, you should ensure to get the condenser coils of your fridge cleaned at least once a year. You can do that by unplugging the unit and brushing or vacuuming the coils carefully. It will help to enhance the fridge’s efficiency by up to 30%. If you are unable to do that, you should get it done by a trained professional once a year. 6. Make room You should also make sure that there are a few inches of space between the wall and the fridge to maintain good circulation. It will also help your refrigerator to run without issues and proficiently. 7. Practice some smart habits You can also practice some smart habits so that your fridge gets some rest. Have a look: Try to open your refrigerator less frequently Cool the hot foods before keeping them in the fridge Cover foods Label the leftovers Ensure to keep your freezer full Buy a new fridge this summer and grab savings and cashback You can continue having your refrigerator working for years at its optimal level if you can follow the tips discussed. If you are ready to buy a brand-new refrigerator, then you don’t have to stretch your budget by paying the entire amount of your purchase in one go. Instead, you can divide the cost between a tenor; pay only a fixed amount and nothing extra. This way, you won’t need to handle paying additional charges other than EMI and save more. The easy EMI facility is offered by Bajaj Finserv EMI Network across India. Bajaj Finserv is also here to offer the Special Summer Offer on refrigerators and more. This way, you can buy an LG fridge, Godrej fridge, Haier fridge, Hitachi fridge, and more on easy EMIs to indulge in a hassle-free shopping experience. Tips for First-Time Renters on Using a Refrigerator Efficiently First-time renters, especially those new to managing a home, might find it tricky to keep their energy bills low. All the while keeping their fridges running efficiently. While the original tips are great for everyone, this section is specifically for renters likely dealing with space constraints, older appliances, or tight budgets! Here are some additional tips and tricks to keep your fridge in good shape and your energy costs down! Adjust the Fridge According to Your Space Renter-friendly kitchens are often small, and sometimes, you must make do with what you have. Also, suppose your fridge is fully cramped in a tight space next to a heat-generating appliance (like an oven or microwave). In that case, it works harder than necessary because of the proximity and exertion of excess heat. If possible, make sure your fridge has some space between the wall and other appliances to allow for good air circulation. Keep the Fridge Balanced Believe it or not, an unlevel fridge can impact how well it runs. Often, rentals are equipped with old or slightly wobbly fridges. If your fridge is tilting one way or the other, just use simple shims or small pieces of cardboard to level it out. A balanced fridge guarantees that the doors seal properly and that the cold air doesn’t escape. In fact, it also helps alleviate extra stress on the compressor, decreasing its energy consumption over time. Therefore, keeping it on a good stand is important. If you cannot buy a new fridge, at least buy the right equipment for it. Organize Smartly for Efficiency When you rent a home or an apartment, specifically if you choose to live in shared apartments, you don’t have an entire fridge for yourself. So, it is crucial to keep it clean but also to be able not to keep the fridge open for that long. I use little baskets or containers within my fridge so I can easily grab things without having to have the whole front spend open for too long. Use Electricity at Non-Peak Times If your rental has smart meters or time-of-use rates, then try to use the electricity that isn’t charged at a premium rate. Running the defrost cycle, cooling hot foods, or restocking the fridge during non-chargeable hours also helps. Insurance or Maintenance Plan on Rental Appliances Most landlords have maintenance plans, but it’s something renters tend to overlook. Before you start calling a technician over minor issues such as a cracked door seal or noisy motor, find out if your lease includes repairs/maintenance or insurance on the appliances. A well-functioning fridge also consumes a lot less electricity. Temporary Fridge Fixes for Old Units Rentals often come with older appliances. If your fridge lacks modern energy-saving features, there are small tricks you can apply. For example, adding a seal strip around the door can improve insulation. A simple thermometer can also help you keep the internal temperature just right—no need to run it colder than necessary! Be Mindful of Sharing Fridge Space If you’re sharing a rental with roommates, make sure everyone understands fridge usage. An overstuffed fridge can cause airflow problems, which means the food will cool unevenly and the appliance will use more energy. Also, ask others to keep things clean and remove old food when necessary. Final Thoughts for First-Time Renters Sure, everything has a learning curve, and running a home is no different. But hopefully, these extra tips will help you avoid energy-draining mistakes. (I’m talking to you, not throwing out anything that’s expired). Little choices can add up—your fridge will run more efficiently, and so will your wallet! Read Also: Important Things To Know Before Starting A Home Improvement Project Home Sweet Home Improvement: How To Find The Best Home Improvement Loans 10 Tips To Pick The Best Table Saw For Home Improvement Projects

What Is The Average Life Span Of A Tile Roof in Albuquerque?

Tiles look pretty appealing to visual, but are they long-lasting or not? There is no doubt that everything starts to damage after a certain period. But when it comes to a house, we must go for the option that looks appealing yet durable at the same time. Tiles on the roof look quite attractive to the sight, but the question is, what is the average life span of a tile roof? Here, we will discuss the lifespan of various types of tile roofs. So, further ado, let's find out all about tiles roof in detail below. What Is The Average Cost And Life Span Of A Tile Roof? The initial installation and up-front expenditures of tile roofs can cost a bit high than other materials. However, tile roofs survive so long before you need to replace them. A tile roof can also save you money in the long term, and you can also save money on roof repairs since you won’t need to hire roof repair contractors in Albuquerque. 1. Concrete Tiles Concrete tiles can range from $4.00 to $9.00 per square foot on average. Concrete tiles are more durable and heavier than clay tiles. Concrete tiles can last for up to 50 years or more on average, depending on how you take care of them. Concrete roof tiles also have an interlocking installation feature which can reduce labor time and installation costs. They are lighter than clay tiles, making installation easier and your property safer in the long term if the roof structure begins to deteriorate. 2. Clay Tiles Clay tiles are less expensive and easier to maintain than other types of tiles. Clay tiles can last for up to 90 years if you keep them properly. Installing clay tiles is more expensive than installing a shingle roof. The price of clay tiles varies between $10 and $17 per square foot. Clay tiles occur in various styles, and you can pick a design as per your choice. However, one must pay attention to the weight of clay tiles, as with other tile roofs. Also, make sure your home's current roofing structure and frame can sustain a relatively heavier roofing material. 3. Slate Tiles These tiles are an environmentally friendly, attractive, and long-lasting roof installation alternative. However, slate tiled roofs can be more costly than concrete or clay. These tiles range from $9 to $16 per square foot. Also, it requires a lot of labor to install due to its weight and construction method. Slate roofing is impenetrable to extreme weather because it is stone. So, you can anticipate a slate tiles roof to endure up to 100 years or even more. 4. Terracotta Tiles Terracotta is a tough material that can survive hundreds of years if you take care of them properly. Terracotta is also waterproof and fire-resistant, providing excellent weather protection. A complete, tiled terracotta roof's durability is also determined by how well it is built and maintained. The terracotta roof tiles installation costs $10 to $25 per square foot. It includes a $5 to $10 per square foot material cost, slightly higher than other materials. Terracotta roof tiles have a life can be of up to 75 years if you maintain them properly. Even with minimal maintenance, these tiles can last up to 50 years. Terracotta is a heavy roofing material, weighing between 600 and 650 pounds per square foot. 5. Solar Tiles Solar tiles are a moderately new roofing option that more people consider while constructing their house roofs. The appearance of solar roof tiles is similar to that of a fresh asphalt shingle roof. Solar tiles are pretty expensive, ranging from $20 to $26 per square foot. These tiles are similar to asphalt in protecting a roof from the elements and durability. Solar tiles can provide electricity for a house directly powered by the sun. Also, solar roofing tiles can provide anywhere from 14 to 64 watts of energy, depending on the number of tiles available on your roof. Conclusion The roof is one of the most important parts of any house. Apart from protecting us from extreme weather, it also plays a significant role in increasing the structure's beauty and aesthetics. A roof constructed with tiles can be the best option that looks visually appealing and has a good lifespan. It costs a bit high initially, but tiles roof can last for up to 100 years if you take care of their maintenance. Read Also: Top Roofing Tips Does Your Flat Roof Need To Be Replaced? Spot The Warning Signs Everything You Need To Know About Metal Roofing: Pros, Cons, And Costs

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Spotless Living Room

Next up – The Dining Room

Now to the Kitchen

Then We Have the Bathroom

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

9 Things need to Know When Moving to a New Neighborhood

Tags

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

What Do Consumer Services Jobs Pay? A Detailed Salary Breakdown

Building Your Conceptual Skills A Guide for Career Growth

What Is a Remote Job? Everything You Need to Know

Strategies For Boosting Efficiency In Healthcare Teams

Related

The Beginner’s Guide to Landscaping Design: 7 Tips for New Homeowners

7 Smart Tips to Improve the Efficiency of your Refrigerator

What Is The Average Life Span Of A Tile Roof in Albuquerque?

Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean in One Hour or Less

Spotless Living Room

Next up – The Dining Room

Now to the Kitchen

Then We Have the Bathroom

Share this Article

Create A Stunning Outdoor Space With These Residential Landscape Lighting Tips

9 Things need to Know When Moving to a New Neighborhood

Tags

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related