The Dangers of Asbestos in the Home

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that resists exposure to fire, sound, water, and chemicals. It is composed of millions of fibers, which bind together to create a light yet virtually indestructible material.

Asbestos is mined from natural deposits around the world. Once removed from the ground, it can be processed and developed into a large number of products.

Since asbestos naturally resists many elements, it was used in thousands of products. Dozens of industries — and countless jobs — came to rely on asbestos.

Although the military relied heavily on asbestos products for building ships, vehicles, and bases, many houses built in the 1930s to late 1970s contained asbestos as well.

Asbestos was often used to build structures because of its resistance to heat, sound, and fire.

Yet, the benefits of asbestos could not outweigh one major problem: if asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, it can lead to mesothelioma, a deadly and incurable cancer.

The manufacturers of asbestos-containing products knew the health risks of asbestos decades before the public did. Instead of keeping people safe, these companies put profits first and actively concealed evidence that asbestos was dangerous.

Eventually, the truth came out and these manufacturers faced thousands of lawsuits from victims who developed mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.

Asbestos could often be found in: 

• Cabinet linings

• Caulking

• Ceilings

• Drywall

• Fireplace bricks

• Floor tiles

• Furnaces

• Insulation

• Paint

• Piping

• Roofing

What Should I Do If I Suspect Asbestos In The Home?

If you believe your home may contain asbestos, it is imperative you do not remove it yourself.

Asbestos can be very dangerous if the fibers become disturbed. Generally, if the asbestos is left undisturbed, it does not pose an imminent health risk. When the fibers become airborne, they can easily be inhaled or ingested. This can put everyone in the home at risk of developing mesothelioma.

You should always contact an asbestos inspector and/or removal specialist if you suspect asbestos in the home.

Today, professionals accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safely remove asbestos materials from older structures.

An inspector will first examine the area in question to confirm the presence of asbestos. Then, a trained removal specialist will safely remove the asbestos and repair the area.

The EPA urges you to contact your local, state accredited asbestos removal service provider. 

You want to make sure you hire a licensed professional to ensure they can remove the asbestos safely without any issues. 
Once you are able to remove the asbestos in the home, you can rest assured your family is safe and not at risk of developing mesothelioma.

Guest Post - 9 Strategies to Get Organized at Home

Your home is probably your most important possession. It's where you live, raise your family, and store all your belongings. That's why it's so imperative to keep it organized. An organized home is a happy home. When everything has its place, you can find what you need quickly and easily. Plus, an orderly house is less cluttered and more inviting. 

For some people, arranging your home is a challenging chore. It's a continuous process with several parts and phases to keep track of. This is in order to ensure that everything is completed correctly, from clearing out clutter to quickly setting updated products.

People regularly create Youtube videos about how to keep their homes clean and organized. If you are also looking for tips on how to clean your home, these strategies will help you. So take a deep breath, put on some inspiring music, and get to work!

Here are nine secrets that will help you stay organized.

1. Get rid of anything you don't need. 

One of the easy ways to organize your house is to get rid of anything you don't need. It's not easy to keep your house neat when you have a lot of stuff but it's worth it in the end. And, it can be tough to get free of anything, especially if you're attached to it. But getting rid of anything you don't need will help you organize your house and make it more functional. 

Take some time to go through each room in your house and get rid of everything that you don't use or need. You'll be surprised at how much space you'll free up.  You might also want to consider holding a garage sale if you're feeling overwhelmed with the items you want to get rid of.  You can use some of the earnings to buy organizational supplies for your home.

2. Create zones for different activities in each room.

If you don't have designated zones for different activities, it's very tricky to keep your house clean and organized. That's why it's helpful to create zones in your house for different purposes. This way, you'll be able to use every inch of space more efficiently. In addition, you'll be able to find what you need much more easily when you know where everything is located. You can create zones for things like work, play, sleep, and eating. Try to make each zone as functional as possible so that you can use them to their fullest potential. 

3. Use storage containers to organize your belongings.

It's challenging to keep track of everything when your stuff is scattered all over the house. A storage container is a handy way to organize your belongings and keep them all in one place. You can find them in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can find one that fits your needs. They're also easy to move around, so you can rearrange your furniture without having to worry about moving your boxes and shelves. Plus, they make your home look neater and more organized. 

4. Hang organizers on the walls to maximize space.

There are many ways to maximize the space at home, and hanging organizers on the walls is one of them. This can be a very effective way to organize your belongings and make use of every available space. It is also a practical solution for small apartments or homes with limited square footage. Plus, it's a great way to add some personality to your home décor. There are many different types of organizers that can be hung on the walls, so you can find the most suitable one for your needs. 

5. Keep a clean and tidy kitchen.

Keeping a clean and tidy kitchen can help you to organize the rest of your home. Kitchen counters tend to be the central hub of activity in most homes. Consequently, messy and chaotic kitchen space can make it difficult to keep the rest of your house organized. A clean and tidy kitchen can also make cooking and baking easier because you'll have more counter space to work with. 

6. Install shelving in closets to declutter them.

Closets are a great place to organize your belongings, but often they can become cluttered very quickly. Installing shelves in your closets is a great way to declutter them and make it easy to find what you're looking for. It is possible to set up designated spaces for clothes, shoes, or even accessories by using different types of shelves. Not only will this make your closets more functional, but it will also give you a place to put everything away so that your home stays tidy. 

7. Utilize multiple labeling systems.

It can be tough to keep your home organized, especially if you have a lot of things. One way to make it a little bit easier is to create labels to help you know where everything belongs. This can be especially helpful if you have a limited amount of space. By using labels, you can be sure that everything has its own place and that everything is simple to find. You can use labels for almost anything, from storage containers to drawers to shelves. Just make sure that the labels are clear and easy to read so that you can find what you need quickly and easily.

8. Keep items in their proper places after each use.

Whether it's your kitchen, office, or bedroom, creating and sticking to a routine for putting things back in their place after use will make your life easier. It sounds simple, but when you're constantly looking for that missing pen or having to clean up a mess every time you cook, it's easy to see how this can be a challenge. By taking a few minutes each day to put everything back where it belongs, you'll save yourself time and energy in the long run. 

9. Set aside time each day (or week). 

You may think that the only way to get your home clean is to spend hours on your hands and knees, scrubbing every surface. But if you break down cleaning into small, manageable tasks, it can be easy to keep your house looking tidy. Set aside a specific time each day, even just a few minutes to do a bit of cleaning, and you'll be able to avoid feeling overwhelmed by messes. Plus, you'll be less likely to put off chores when they pile up. Whether you prefer to tackle one room at a time or take on a variety of tasks throughout the house, you can make progress towards having a clutter-free space. 

CONCLUSION

Your home is a reflection of you. It's where you come to relax and escape the everyday stresses of life. But if your home is cluttered and messy, it can be difficult to find that sense of peace and calm. That's why it's helpful to organize your home in a way that works for you. 

There are a lot of different ways to organize your home. But no matter what system you choose, the most important thing is to be consistent. By creating and following a specific system, you can make sure that everything has its place and is easily accessible when you need it. By keeping your home organized, you'll be able to live a more productive and stress-free life!

BIO:

Hannah is a VEED content marketer who appreciates partnering with high-quality websites and sharing her creative work. During her hectic days as a skilled content creator, she doesn't skip a sip of espresso.

Guest Post - How to Store Valuable Items to Protect Them From Damage

If you’ve ever had a leak in your house or faced a natural disaster, you might know how heartbreaking it can be to have your possessions damaged. Some items might be expensive or one-of-a-kind. Others might not be worth much money but have infinitely more value — such as those honeymoon photographs you hope to share with your grandchildren someday.

It pays to learn how to protect your most treasured possessions from harm. Here’s how to store five types of valuable items to protect them from damage.

1. Fabrics

Your wedding day is hopefully a once-in-a-lifetime affair. However, you spent a small fortune on your gown. You want to pass it down or simply keep it for posterity without having it turn yellow from unseen stains. Your best bet is to take it to a professional preservationist, preferably one that insures your treasure down to the last sequin.

You can DIY by wrapping your cleaned gown in washed, unbleached muslin and placing it in a wedding chest. However, remain aware that the DIY method is riskier.

Another item you might need to preserve is a flag. Fortunately, you can machine-wash many fabrics and hang them to dry. However, go to a dry cleaner if your flag uses nylon cloth or has a gold fringe, as the washer can damage them. From there, you can fold and store your flag or display it once it’s refreshed.

2. Fine China and Glass

Breakable items — like favorite holiday decorations and your grandmother’s china — require a special touch. Bubble wrap is a classic choice, but there are more eco-friendly alternatives, as well.

You can find special-made sustainable bubble wrap for those wine glasses with walls so thin that tapping them with your pinky could shatter them. You can most likely make do with newspaper for hardier pieces. Are you packing things up for a pending move? If so, household items like clothing and towels can provide padding that you don’t have to throw away upon reaching your destination.

3. Furniture

Maybe you downsized to a smaller pad after your child left for college, but you still want them to inherit your antique dining set when they buy their first home. Temperature extremes and humidity can cause wood to warp and even go moldy in the right conditions.

Your best bet is to disassemble your furnishings and loosely wrap them in fabric before placing them in a storage unit. A climate-controlled location is best, but your basement, attic, or even garage will work if it’s well-insulated. Use pallets to elevate your pieces off the floor to protect them from flooding. You can pick up used wooden ones at many hardware stores for free — so get savvy and save a buck.

4. Jewelry, Watches, Guns, and Money

The only time prying eyes should spy your grandmother’s inherited vintage engagement ring or vintage Ruger .357 is when you’re around to show your stash. Otherwise, such valuables belong under lock and key.

A locking gun safe is a must-have for any weapons enthusiast, regardless of whether your jurisdiction requires one. Store any valuable jewelry or cash in there as well, especially when you have guests over or go on vacation. 

Is a lock or a combination better? Both offer protection, but memorizing a code means no one can steal the digits out of your brain the way they could lift your keychain. Your safe should be fireproof and waterproof to prevent damage to your valuables.

5. Photographs and Love Letters

Photographs and written correspondence are perhaps the most valuable, yet delicate, items you have to store. Time can leave these items yellowed, water-stained, and indecipherable.

Perhaps the best preservation method is to use a scrapbook to protect your most treasured written and photographic mementos. Use clear plastic enclosures around items before slipping them into the attached photo corners to protect them from dust and abrasions.

How to Store Valuable Items to Protect From Damage

You want to save certain items for their resale or collector’s item value. Other things matter more because of the nostalgia they blossom in your heart. Keeping your items safe year after year requires a bit of savviness. Follow the tips above for storing valuable items to protect them from damage.

Author bio: Cora Gold is an avid writer and the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine Revivalist. She is always finding new ways to spruce up her home, and she loves to share her inspiration with others. Keep up with Cora on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook. 

Design Ideas That Bring More Natural Light Into Your Bedroom

Natural lighting plays a huge role when designing rooms that are airy and comfortable. Many homes are built with darker floors and fixtures, creating eye-catching contrast but darkening the overall area. You don't have to live in a home that's too dark for your tastes. Try out these easy design ideas to bring more natural lighting into your bedroom.

Light Furniture

Creating an aesthetic design for your bedroom often takes some serious planning and thoughtful purchases. Choose furniture pieces with light colors and refreshing designs. Avoid putting any furniture, especially tall furniture, too close to the windows or doors as it can block sunlight from entering. Too many dark pieces can cast whole corners into shadow and make the bedroom feel smaller. Instead, choose light colored pieces that will reflect the existing natural light around the room.

Window Treatments

Your bedroom windows will be the main, and likely only, source of natural light. However, leaving them uncovered could compromise your privacy. Your choice of shades should give you the necessary privacy without completely shutting the room into darkness. 

Roller shades are a good option because they come in a variety of colors and levels of opaqueness, shielding your room from outside eyes while keeping the lighting natural and fresh. They can easily be adjusted to fit your lighting needs and won't make a huge dent in your budget. Maximize the natural lighting in your bedroom with inexpensive and charming roller shades.

Bright Wall and Ceiling Paint

The color of the walls can also increase the light in your room. White is your best bet at bringing the most light into your bedroom because it will reflect the light the best. However, a stark white can be harsh. If you prefer, you can also work with creams, tans and other light tones that improve reflection. White is a versatile color that comes in a variety of shades to suit your aesthetic preferences. Glossy paints are better than flat paints at bouncing light back into the room to create a bright, natural space.

Mirrors and Reflective Accessories

Decorate your walls and surfaces with reflective decor and furnishings. Glass and ceramic tiles have the highest reflective rates possible, which can lighten your bedroom more than concrete or pallet wood furniture and decorations. Accessorize the walls with trendy shelves and wall hangings that work to bring more light into the room rather than absorb it. Mirrors, chandeliers and sconces are all reflective decorations that will amplify the ambiance and natural lighting of your bedroom.

Your bedroom can be as light and refreshing as you want as long as you're willing to put in the extra effort. Try adding reflective surfaces, new window shades, and lighter furniture or a brighter feeling room.