8 cleaning mistakes that make the house dirtier

8 cleaning mistakes that make the house dirtier

Keeping your surroundings clean and free of dust and germs is essential. Most people undertake cleaning rituals as a part of their daily chores. However, without realizing it, they may be doing more harm than good while going about the cleaning tasks. These common cleaning mistakes we often make leave behind a trail of dirt, allergens, and grime. Here’s a list of eight things to avoid doing when cleaning your home: Reusing sponges without disinfecting Most of us reach out for the sponge without even thinking twice, especially when wiping kitchen countertops and bathroom sink tops. Sponges are good absorbers of grime, but they are also perfect for facilitating the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms. When you repeatedly use the same sponge, it is easy for the bacterial growth to get transferred to your kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Such a mistake is common but one that can prove to be enormously costly. The solution is to use microfiber clothes to wipe these commonly exposed surfaces instead of a sponge. But if you love the sponge, make sure that you disinfect it from time to time. Also, ensure that you change the sponge or the microfiber cloth every month. Ignoring common touchpoints Every house has common touchpoints, like the door knobs or the taps.
Read Article
8 critical home renovation mistakes to avoid

8 critical home renovation mistakes to avoid

Home renovations are a major task, especially if you own a big house with a complex design. A lot of deliberation must be done before the project can even begin. Right from coming up with ideas to drawing a plan on paper, you need to consider multiple factors before hiring professional contractors for the job. Further, you must avoid making the following mistakes in planning and executing the home renovation project. Miscalculating your budget Everything costs money. Whether simple repairs or a complete makeover, you must be prepared to spend your hard-earned bucks. But that doesn’t mean you can’t set a realistic budget. Typically, a home renovation is estimated to cost 10% to 15% of the home’s total value. Whatever the estimate, always keep an additional 10% to 20% buffer over the agreed amount. Experts suggest this as a general rule of thumb for calculating the final cost. Material and labor rates keep fluctuating, so you might end up underpaying or overpaying depending on the extent of the job. The bottom line is never underestimate the budget, or you may fall short of the actual costs. Neglecting the natural layout of your home Home renovation is a complex job. It involves making significant modifications to the entire space, including the living room, bedroom, and kitchen.
Read Article
Top 11 mistakes to avoid while getting a home loan

Top 11 mistakes to avoid while getting a home loan

Perhaps nothing is more comforting than having one’s home to return to at the end of a tiring day and to relax with loved ones. However, buying a home in the face of inflation and economic instability is no less than a mirage for most. On the bright side, taking home loans from reliable sources can help fulfill this dream. Here are some common mistakes home buyers should avoid while availing themselves of home loans: Not checking or improving credit score One’s credit score determines any moneylender’s ability to sanction a loan. An individual’s credit score is calculated considering various criteria, including one’s payment history, credit mix, and the total amount one owes. Therefore, it is important to check one’s credit score; if the scores are low, one should take the necessary steps to enhance this score, such as paying credit card debts on time, before applying for a home loan. Not understanding one’s capability to repay the loan Often, individuals cannot return the borrowed amount because they have overestimated their capability to repay their home loan. Such challenges typically stem from miscalculating the amount payable, including the interest rates applied to the principal amount. While applying for a home loan, one should check out one’s repayment capability vis-a-vis the aggregate amount repayable and the time it would take to repay it.
Read Article
10 essential cleaning tools every home should have

10 essential cleaning tools every home should have

If you’re planning to move to a new place or simply want to upgrade your cleaning supplies, there are some essential tools that you should keep within reach. These items will simplify your cleaning tasks and reduce your stress levels. Whether you enjoy cleaning or not, possessing these necessary tools will enhance your productivity and speed. Moreover, they are affordable and won’t put a dent in your wallet. Read on to learn more. Microfiber dusters Cleaning delicate and breakable items such as photo frames, light fixtures, and other knick-knacks with a cloth can be tricky. If you use a cloth, you know how troublesome it is to wipe it. To avoid damaging these delicate items while cleaning, use microfiber dusters. These are made of fine microfiber strands that lift off dust easily. Moreover, these are light and fluffy. You can simply use the handle to clean off everything without moving them. So there is no risk of breaking or damaging. Pan scrapers Sometimes you may forget to grease a baking dish or set a timer while cooking. This could lead to food residue sticking to the bottom of the pan with such intensity that aggressive scrubbing also does not help.
Read Article
Top 8 carpet cleaning hacks from experts to consider

Top 8 carpet cleaning hacks from experts to consider

Professional contractors and industry experts from the cleaning business know their way around perfectly cleaning carpets. While common folk may struggle with the common but challenging task of cleaning carpets, such professionals simply ease their way through the process without breaking a sweat. Such individuals know all the tips to get the process right. To help you ensure a clean indoor environment, some expert tips on carpet cleaning are listed below. Club soda and vinegar are effective cleaners Club soda is a surprisingly effective option to clear certain kinds of stains from carpets. However, it must be used correctly to obtain the right results. The first step of the cleaning process will require the club soda to be poured into a clean and dry cloth before blotting the stain that needs to be removed. A mix of club soda and white vinegar can be pretty effective for stains that are hard to eliminate. This mix works best when mixed with water in a handheld spray bottle and applied to the stained area. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes for the solution to seep into the carpet, one should press a dry, clean sponge on the wet area so that the stain and the solution are soaked.
Read Article
Water tank cleaning – Process and safety measures

Water tank cleaning – Process and safety measures

Regular cleaning of home water tanks is crucial to maintaining the quality and safety of the stored water. The process helps remove sediment, bacteria, and other contaminants while prolonging the tank’s lifespan. This article will present a comprehensive, step-by-step process for cleaning your home water tank. Additionally, we will discuss important safety measures to consider throughout the cleaning process, ensuring the well-being of yourself and your household. Step-by-step process to clean a water tank Here are the steps to clean a water tank: Conduct a thorough inspection of the water tank Before initiating the cleaning process, it is important to assess the condition of your water tank. The inspection can include the tank’s depth, the debris’s location, dirt and other sediments that need to be cleared, the tank’s design, and its overall condition. You can also go over the tank and look for potentially risky cleaning areas. A risk assessment helps avoid mishaps and ensures a smoother cleaning process. Disinfect the tools Cleaning a tank may require using many tools, including bleach, a mop, a vacuum that can be either dry or wet, and a pressure washer or pump if needed. These tools may have been stored for an extended period and are likely to harbor bacteria.
Read Article
13 common mistakes first-time home buyers should avoid

13 common mistakes first-time home buyers should avoid

Nothing is more satisfying than having one’s own comfortable space to return to at the end of the day. However, in today’s world, characterized by unprecedented population growth and rising real-estate prices, buying a home remains a distant dream for many. Furthermore, several individuals trying to buy homes are unprepared for certain challenges they may face. Keep reading to learn about common mistakes home buyers should avoid while investing in real estate. Exceeding one’s set budget limit Often, home buyers get carried away by the additional amenities and space offered by properties beyond their budget range and face the consequences of huge EMI installments later. While expensive houses may offer more facilities, home buyers must stick to their budget ranges for optimal financial planning and to avoid debt traps. Not being pre-approved Being pre-approved to buy a home can significantly boost one’s house hunt. It can help buyers understand what denomination of the total house price they can afford and to what extent they would require help. Buyers can also determine a budget range by getting pre-approval from mortgage lenders. This process helps them look for affordable homes and stay within their set limit. Thus, although a pre-approval is not a final mortgage approval, it gives buyers a sense of security and increases their appeal among sellers.
Read Article
7 Tips For Maintaining a Lush Green Lawn

7 Tips For Maintaining a Lush Green Lawn

A lawn improves the appearance of a home; however, maintaining a lush, green lawn is quite tricky. Dry winters and scorching temperatures can make the grass appear lifeless and weed-infested. But, with a few simple tips and tactics, you can transform prickly, crisp-dry grass into a lush, luxurious, deep-green carpet like the ones at country clubs. It only takes a little extra time and effort! Here are some tips for maintaining a lush, green lawn. Tips for maintaining a lush green lawn Cut the grass frequently The first rule of maintaining a perfect lawn is to avoid overstressing the grass. Instead of making one large cut, make several moderate cuts frequently. Mow in a different pattern regularly to avoid pushing the grass stems in the same direction. Only cut up to five centimeters of grass at a time and allow the grass to grow longer in the summer to withstand the hot, dry weather. Consider an electric lawnmower like the PR 40 S, suitable for small and medium-sized lawns if your property is modest and you want a quiet, easy-to-use tool. For larger areas, a petrol-powered lawnmower is the best option. Fertilize right after mowing Fertilizing the lawn on a regular basis is essential for reducing the strain caused by mowing.
Read Article