Cleaning Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

Are you tired of cleaning your house all the time? It’s never-ending! We’ve compiled a list of cleaning hacks that will make your life easier, providing you will more time for the family or catching up on that TV show.

Combat Garbage Stink With Lemon

Citrus is a miracle worker for fighting against lingering unpleasant smells. Throw half a lemon or a few lemon peels into the garbage disposal, turn on the hot water, and run the disposal for a few moments to clean the blades. The acidity will break down the grime and build-up while leaving a fresh, clean scent.

Baking Soda as a Natural Deodorizer

Baking soda is an eco-friendly, affordable, and safe alternative to the other fresheners that contain many chemicals. This versatile and cheap household item has countless uses, but it makes the best natural deodorizer. Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda with a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil. Dilute the mixture with water in a spray bottle and use it as often as you desire.

Use a Lint Roller to Dust

Are you running low on time to get the vacuum out? Not a problem! Grab your closest lint roller and quickly pick up dust. Use this hack on everything from wood to carpet to glass—and so much more! These handy devices are small enough to fit into all the nooks and crannies of your home without the hassle of moving around big furniture. Lint rollers are incredibly efficient for grabbing all those crumbs that collect in kitchen drawers or handbags.

Wax Paper Clears Away Smudges

Fingerprints and smudges transfer easily on all the chrome appliances of the house. Grab a piece of wax paper and rub it on the fixtures for a smear-free, shiny finish!

Invest in a Robot Vacuum

Robot vacuums are the ideal addition to every household. These excellent, small devices are perfect for busy people or those who plain hate vacuuming. There are many models on the market at various price points. This cleaning hack will make your life easier.

Use White Vinegar As Fabric Softener

It’s time to stop wasting your money on pricey fabric softeners! We have a better solution for you that you most likely have in the house already. White vinegar will soften clothes and remove any lingering detergent. It will also prevent any colors from leeching. Add a fourth of a cup of vinegar to your rinse cycle to notice silkier, softer clothing.

Important Updates for Buildings in Storm-Prone Areas

If your home is located in an area that gets heavy storms, then there are a few important projects that you should consider carrying out. A handful of home upgrades and add-ons could greatly reduce your risk of any catastrophic damage when there are heavy rains and high winds.

Roofing Anchors

Strong winds can wreak havoc on a roof and potentially rip it off entirely. That is why homeowners should take a closer look at roofing anchors that will act as an additional layer of protection against the elements. A local company like Tillotson Enterprise Inc should be able to install those devices within a day or two and carefully inspect your roof for any damage that needs to be addressed.

Backup Generator

It is an unfortunate fact that almost every homeowner is going to lose power at some point over the years, and a loss of electricity is going to impact your family’s safety as well as their comfort. A backup generator can immediately be turned on if the electricity goes out, and a high-quality model should be able to provide you with plenty of power so that you can turn on heaters, run sump pumps, and keep your refrigerator cool.

Storm Windows

There are quite a few reasons why storm windows have become so popular in recent years. In addition to improving your home’s insulation, those types of windows are also designed to withstand everything from flying debris to high humidity levels. Storm windows can also be used to give your home a functional and eye-catching makeover that potentially increases its resale value and boosts its curb appeal.

Sump Pump

Standing water is a major problem following storms, and you need to be sure that you can get rid of excess water as quickly as possible. A sump pump is traditionally installed in a basement or another low area in the home, and it will detect water and immediately pump it out of the home during a storm. In some locations, sump pumps can even be attached directly to a storm or sewage drain so that the water doesn't pool up in the yards or near the foundation of the home.

Even with all of those protective features, your home could still become damaged when a storm blows through. That is why you should always check every inch of your property immediately after a storm of any type of damage.

4 Easy Ways to Increase Your Home's R-Value

By increasing your home’s R-value you will immediately impact your comfort, and potentially save you hundreds a year on your heating and cooling expenses. That is why you might want to spend a little bit of time figuring out what steps you can take to improve your home’s insulation and overall efficiency. Plus, optimizing your home will help it last longer.

Use Blow-In Insulation

There are quite a few reasons why so many people have switched over to blow-in insulation in recent years. In addition to being very easy to install, blow-in insulation usually has a high R-value as well. This type of insulation can also be installed directly over older batts and rolls that are aging or damaged. As long as you have a weekend to spare and a place to rent an insulation blower, this is a fairly simple project that doesn’t require any training.

Swap Out Exterior Doors

All of the exterior doors throughout your home are going to have a big impact on your heating and cooling expenses. Older doors are notoriously inefficient and they are going to allow quite a bit of heat to escape. Replacing older exterior doors with fiberglass or high-efficiency storm doors could have an immediate impact on your energy bills, and that project should require nothing more than a screw gun or screwdriver.

Replace Old Weatherstripping

Weatherstripping is used in a few different places throughout a home, and that includes exterior doors. Over the years, that stripping is eventually going to become damaged from heavy use, moisture, and direct sunlight. When the weatherstripping is cracked, you will probably notice unwanted temperature fluctuations inside your home. This is another straightforward project that can usually be completed in a single afternoon with a few basic tools.

Upgrade the Windows

In addition to upgrading the exterior doors and weatherstripping, you might want to think about window glass replacement as well. Many building contractors use single pane glass because it is inexpensive, but that type of glass has one of the lowest R-values. Modern double-pane or even triple-pane windows will capture and redirect UV rays before they get a chance to heat your home. After the window panes have been replaced, you can then put up thicker curtains for improved efficiency.

Before you begin the process of improving your home’s efficiency, you should consider investing in a thermal leak detector. That simple device will show you exactly which materials and areas are the most inefficient, and that will help you come up with a comprehensive plan for improving the insulation.

Accessories Every Pool Owner Needs To Buy

What good is owning a pool if you don’t have all the fun accessories to enjoy? Are some pool accessories more essential than others? We’ve put together a list of accessories every pool owner needs to buy so that you’re ready for that next pool day.

Water Toys

What pool is complete without water toys every member of the family can enjoy? There is such a variety of toys on the market that you’re sure to find something for everyone. The list includes:

• Water blasters

• Pool noodles

• Pool loungers and rafts

• Pool rockets and rings for diving

• Any inflatables

• Water volleyballs and beach balls

Don’t forget about the pets, too! Grab them their own pet life vests if they need them and a few frisbees for your dogs to enjoy fetching while they leap into the water.

Pool Cover

A pool cover is an essential accessory every pool owner needs to buy. It will keep the debris from dirtying the water and clogging the drain. It will also prevent wild critters like rabbits, squirrels, birds, snakes, frogs, toads, and other animals from entering your pool. A pool cover could also save the life of a child or anyone else who accidentally falls into the pool unsupervised. Ensure you’re securely fastening the cover; otherwise, it could become a hazard.

Towel Rack

This item seems obvious, but most pool owners don’t think about it until they need one. It’s also nice to have when you’re having a party. You’ll have a designated space for all the towels, and people will know whose towel is whose.

Waterfall

If you want to up the luxury factor with your pool, install a water feature. Waterfalls provide a soothing and serene quality to your swimming pool to help relax you on the busiest of days. They make you feel like you’re on vacation right in your backyard. Waterfalls are also beneficial because they help circulate the water, among other reasons.

Fire Pit

A fire pit is another accessory every pool owner needs to buy that will create a luxurious, resort-like experience in your backyard. It’s perfect for those chilly evenings after a lazy day of relaxing in the pool. Roast some s’mores and gather all your friends around the fire.