You may love a squeaky clean home. To get the job done, you may even have all the essential tools, including the mop, vacuum cleaner, and a broomstick. However, taking the initiative to clean the home thoroughly is no easy feat. The job is tedious and time-consuming. Sometimes, to keep the house clean, people end up making their living space dirtier. Here are five cleaning mistakes that make your home dirtier.

Rubbing a stain before blotting
Dropping food or beverages on the floor is a common accident in all households. For most people, the first instinct is to scrub such stains instantly. But doing so can cause the spill to spread and lodge its composition deeper into the floor material. Instead, you must blot the stain with a clean white cloth to extract the residue. You must then use an appropriate stain removal method based on the material of your floor.

Disinfecting before cleaning
Disinfectants are cleaning agents that can eliminate germs. However, the floor is generally masked with a layer of dust and germs. If you use a disinfectant when there is dust on the floor, it may prevent the chemical from working effectively. Therefore, you must sweep off any dust before disinfecting the floor.

Using a sponge to clean surfaces
If you use a sponge to clean surfaces like the dining table or the kitchen counter, it’s time to stop. A sponge used regularly to clean such surfaces might be unhygienic and infested with bacteria. If you insist on using a sponge, disinfect it regularly. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth to clean these regions of your home.

One cleaning cloth for multiple surfaces
While using a single cloth to clean all areas of your home may seem like the easy way out, it is unhygienic. Using the same cleaning product may trigger the spread of germs and harmful bacteria from one surface to the next and may lead to diseases. Use a different cleaning cloth for each room and wash them after using them.

Poor ventilation while cleaning
Cleaning products contain chemicals like ammonia and bleach that may release fumes when applied on a surface. And without proper ventilation, these fumes will circulate inside your home. Inhaling them can lead to irritation in your airway and other health complications. Therefore, you must open the windows, switch on the exhaust, or use an air purifier to ventilate the room, especially when you clean your home.

Disinfecting your home becomes easier when you use products like Clorox®. The brand’s laundry Fabric Disinfectant and Fabric Sanitizer kill most microbes from the fabric. The products are also effective in eliminating odor without compromising the fabric quality. Clorox® also offers a range of cleaning products like disinfectant wipes, bleaches, laundry sanitizers, and multi-purpose cleaners. These cleaners are effective against common microbes like salmonella, and E.coli.

If you are planning to hire professional services for cleaning your home, you may check out SERVPRO’s cleanup services that include cleaning of air ducts and HVAC, carpet and upholstery, and odor removal, among other services. However, it is best to compare all the available popular services for cleaning your home before you hire any service.

Additionally, your chimney is an important part of your house. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, all chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year with a wire brush, broom, and dustpan to keep your home hygienic and clean. Alternatively, you can look up professional chimney cleaning services near you.

You should use good quality products like Amway’s cleaning supplies for a clean and fresh home. From Amway’s laundry detergents and disinfectants to air treatment products, you can find a 360° solution for all your cleaning needs.
Pinesol® is another option for effective cleaners and disinfectants. It has a clean, fresh scent that lasts longer than usual.

Window blinds are an essential part of home decor, providing privacy, light control, and aesthetic appeal. However, they can quickly become a breeding ground for dust, grime, and allergens, making it essential to keep them clean. So, regardless of the kind of blinds you have—wooden, vinyl, or fabric—here is a comprehensive guide with all the necessary steps to clean your window blinds and keep them dust-free for a long time.

Key cleaning supplies
Before you start cleaning the blinds, you must have the following: microfiber cloth or duster, a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, mild detergent, warm water, a bucket, a spray bottle, and clean water for rinsing.

Cleanup process
The first step for cleaning your window blinds is to close the blinds entirely and dust them with a microfiber cloth or duster. If your blinds are particularly dirty, you can use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to get rid of any debris or dust. Here is all you need to know about working with different types of blinds:

Horizontal blinds: If you are working with horizontal blinds, tilt the slats in one direction, and clean each slat with a microfiber cloth or duster. Once done, tilt the blinds in the opposite direction and repeat the process. If you have wood window blinds, be careful not to use too much water, as it can damage the wood. Instead, use a wood cleaner and conditioner. However, this won’t be a concern when working with vinyl windows and blinds, as vinyl is incredibly easy to clean.

Vertical blinds: Using a microfiber cloth or duster, gently wipe down each slat, making sure to get into all the little nooks. Don’d forget to repeat the process on the other side of the blinds. With just a little bit of patience and elbow grease, your vertical blinds will look as good as new.

Fabric blinds: The process here is slightly different from cleaning horizontal or vertical blinds. Start by vacuuming the blinds to remove any dust or debris. Then, spot-clean stains using a mild detergent and warm water, being careful not to oversaturate the fabric. Rinse with clean water and let it dry completely before reinstalling.

Final steps
Before you call it a day, take a moment to give the surrounding areas a quick once-over. Dust tends to accumulate in the nooks and crannies around the windowsill, especially when working with sliding windows. A quick wipe-down with a damp cloth or duster can help prevent any buildup. Once everything looks spick and span, it is time to reinstall the lovely blinds and enjoy your sparkling-clean windows.

Cleaning window blinds may seem time-consuming, but with the right tools and steps, it can be a breeze. Regular maintenance of blinds not only improves their appearance but also extends their lifespan, saving you money on window replacement costs. So, don’t wait until your blinds are covered in dust. Start cleaning them today and enjoy a clean and healthy living environment.

You may have been too eager while starting your decluttering journey. However, the process can be exhausting, and you might end up making a few mistakes. This can be detrimental, as the process then becomes even more lengthy and unnecessarily exhausting. So if you’re starting your decluttering journey, or are stuck and wondering what to do next, this article is for you. Continue reading for a list of common decluttering mistakes to avoid.

Using numerous containers
This decluttering mistake is at the top of the list because it is the most common blunder people make. Using a number of containers to hold your possessions may not fix the problem. Doing so only adds to the clutter and worsens it. Unfortunately, this strategy wastes time and money, because it adds to the problem rather than addressing it.

Completing everything in a single weekend
Decluttering a complete house requires a lot of time and effort. Many begin a whole house decluttering project, anticipating finishing it all on a day off from work or over the weekend. However, this may not be the right strategy. Chances are that the weekend might be over and you’ll still have rooms and boxes to sort through, not to mention the presence of large stacks of belongings in the middle of your home. So, make a strategy to declutter your home over certain durations of time, and not one or two days.

Not using garbage bags
Garbage bags can be one of the most useful tools for decluttering. However, not using them effectively can lead to clutter and disorganization. When using garbage bags, make sure to label them clearly so that you know what’s inside. This will help you keep track of what you’ve thrown away, what you’ve donated, and what you’ve kept.

Decluttering can be a difficult task to finish, and it’s easy to give up. However, when you start with a mountain of junk, the all-or-nothing strategy may not work. Keep these common decluttering mistakes in the back of your mind so you can avoid them. You’ll improve your chances of success if you eliminate them. Moreover, your job becomes much more easier if you avoid these mistakes.

Lawn care and gardening can be hands-on jobs. It is not enough to simply plant some seeds, water the lawn a few times, and expect the best results. You can maintain a lush green lawn, but you need to be patient. Right from the first day of planting the grass to pursuing regular mowing, weed trimming, and every other activity, you need to put in the work. Here are a few useful tips to make lawn care easier for you.

Seeds or sod, both work!
You can buy grass seeds that are bioengineered to suit a particular climate. For the best results, consider using seasonal seeds. However, this is a time-consuming process. It takes a couple of months to grow a full lush green lawn. A quicker alternative is to consider a more expensive but quick sod plantation. You can also install pre-grown garden patches to quickly transform the layout. Either way, you end up with a lush green garden.

Leaves cleanup and weed trimming
Go easy on the cleanup, as natural leaves can help the soil fertilize and retain nutrients to improve grass quality. Get rid of unwanted debris and dried leaves with a mower instead of using a heavy rake. But be aggressive with weeds, as it can become difficult to uproot them once the roots grow strong. Consider applying pre-emergent herbicides to counter weed growth in the hotter months. If the saplings continue to mature by spring, it’s time to switch to weed killers, which can be applied evenly across the lawn.

Water early in the morning
Flooding the lawn will force the soil to retain more water and the grass to burrow its roots deeply. But sparsely watering the lawn can force the grass to go dry and not root into the soil before the sapling even matures. Either way will not be beneficial. Water once sufficiently early in the morning so that the grass absorbs as much as possible before peak noonday heat.

Maintain a proper mowing height
Lawn experts suggest keeping the grass mowing height only a couple of inches shorter than its actual growth. It’s best to avoid using an extremely high voltage, gas-powered lawn mower. Cutting too close to the roots might force out the grass saplings. You can trim them lightly instead.

Aerate the lawn
As the soil gets compacted, lesser nutrients penetrate and nourish the grass. Compacted soil also makes it difficult for the water to penetrate to the roots. So, aerate the entire lawn at least a few times every year to allow the soil to absorb nutrients.

It’s also important to protect any gutters adjoining your lawn or garden. If you’re looking for gutter protection, some of the popular brands include LeafGuard Gutters, LeafFilter Gutter Protection among others. They offer gutter protection products to keep out any debris and seed pods from entering the gutters, ensuring they remain clog free.

During housecleaning, people mostly follow their normal cleaning routine. Although this routine may seem like second nature, some cleaning habits adapted over the years may do more harm than good. It may also include leaving behind bacteria, grime, and dust that may create more work later and lead to health conditions, worsening allergies, and other health problems. Keep reading to learn about some common cleaning mistakes to stay away from.

Mistakes to avoid while cleaning
In most cases, the goal of the cleaning routine is to finish the task as soon as possible and move on to more critical chores. However, this could lead to a few mistakes that make the house dirtier. Some such common mistakes are listed below.

Usage of dirty cleaning tools
A cleaning routine is only as good as the cleaning tools one uses. Hence, using the right tools and ensuring they are clean is important. It may help avoid spreading bacteria, dust, and dirt throughout the house. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, one must regularly wash the cleaning cloth, scrub brushes, and mop heads after every use. Furthermore, one can also sanitize germy items such as toilet brushes and empty the vacuum for optimum cleaning.

Not pre-soaking the utensils
If one leaves pots and pans on the stovetop while eating, it may lead to cheese and sauces setting into the skillet. Furthermore, one may have to rigorously scrub the utensils to remove the baked-on food and other condiments. Hence, experts suggest transferring the foods from the pots and pans to other utensils once cooked and soaking the utensils in warm soapy water during mealtime. However, if one uses aluminum utensils, one must first let the utensil cool down, as cold water could potentially warp a hot aluminum pan.

Rubbing on stubborn stains
In most cases, spills and splatters necessitate immediate attention to avoid the set-in of stubborn stains. However, in such cases, people make the mistake of scrubbing or rubbing the area, which may worsen matters and cause the stain to spread. Instead, it’s suggested to blot the stains with a clean white cloth to draw out the residue. Afterward, one must use the correct stain removal method on the cloth material.

Sliding window blinds are gaining popularity because of their versatility and style. They offer an ideal solution for spaces needing privacy, light control, and energy efficiency while enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic appeal. Going for sliding windows might be one of the best options for window replacement or home remodeling. Let’s delve into the benefits of sliding window blinds, the different types available, and how to choose and maintain them.

Advantages of sliding window blinds

Privacy
Sliding window blinds provide excellent privacy, making them perfect for areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces that require privacy.

Light control
Sliding window blinds offer excellent light control, making them ideal for spaces needing varying lighting levels, such as media rooms or home offices.

Energy efficiency
Such window blinds help conserve energy by minimizing heat loss in the winter and reducing heat gain in the summer, making them a practical choice for energy-efficient spaces.

Style and aesthetics
These window treatments are available in various materials like vinyl and wood, colors, and styles, making them a perfect option for adding style and aesthetics to any room. They can elevate a space’s look and feel while serving a functional purpose.

Types of sliding window blinds
There are several types of sliding window blinds to choose from, each with its own features and benefits. Some of the most popular types of sliding window blinds are listed below.

Vertical blinds
These blinds are ideal for sliding glass doors and large windows, providing easy outdoor access and offering privacy and light control.

Panel track blinds
These blinds are a modern alternative to vertical blinds and offer a sleek and contemporary look, making them perfect for large windows and sliding glass doors.

Roller blinds
These blinds are an excellent option for any space that requires light control and privacy. They come in diverse hues, designs, and materials.

Sliding window blinds are a useful and sleek expansion to any room, giving protection, light control, energy saving, and a stylish look. Though various sliding window blinds are available, picking the right one for your requirements is a breeze. Moreover, by following the support and care tips mentioned above, one can keep the blinds looking and working at their best capacity for a long time. Redesign your home today with sliding window blinds and enjoy every advantage they bring to the home space.

Grilling is one the best ways to prepare delicious food while cooking outdoors. But there are many aspects that influence outdoor cooking. Get them wrong, and you could have friends and family leaving with a not so pleasant experience. After all, no one loves an excessively burnt piece of chicken. So whether you enjoy cooking outdoors, or are trying it out for the first time, here are four cooking mistakes to avoid.

Not accommodating for the weather
If you live in a colder location, you won’t be able to use the griller all year long. Not planning for the rains and snow can set you back on a day when you decide to cook outdoors. Take appropriate measures in the cooking space, such as installing a roof to protect the griller from water.

Not preheating the griller
Failing to preheat the grill before placing the meat is another common mistake most people make. Preheat the grill for at least 20 minutes before starting to cook. By preheating the appliance, the meat develops a deep smoky, delicious flavor.

Poor cleaning
A lot can go wrong if you cook food without cleaning the outdoor appliance. The burnt residue may fuse with the food and make it unhealthy to eat. Use a spatula or a knife and a scrub pad to scrape off and clean the burnt residue.

Not checking the propane tank
Imagine calling people over for a barbeque party and running out of propane halfway through your cooking. Moving the half-cooked foods to the kitchen stove will be tedious. It’s best to check the fuel levels in the griller before you start to cook.

Top outdoor cooking grills
There are various types of outdoor cooking grills from popular brands in the market. Listed below are three such appliances from top brands:

Char-Griller® Super Pro
The Char-Griller® Super Pro is available on the company’s website for $179. It is crafted from heavy-gauge steel, and is reinforced with a double bottom. This product also features an adjustable grate to control heat and makes it easy to add more coal without removing the grate.

Traeger Ranger
If you wish to buy a pellet grill, the Traeger Ranger is the ideal choice. The grill is portable and fits easily on a truck bed when you head out. The appliance features the brand’s Digital Arc controller that shows the precise temperature. It’s Keep Warm mode ensures the food remains warm, in case you want to eat it a little later. The Ranger can be bought for $449.99 on Traeger’s website.

Weber GENESIS S-435 Gas Grill
The Weber GENESIS S-435 is a brilliant appliance if you prefer using gas or propane. You can choose between a three- or a four-burner grill. This appliance is also equipped with the Weber Connect smart feature. It offers real-time food monitoring and flip and serve notifications to ensure the food is cooked to perfection. The GENESIS S-435 is available for $1,749 on Weber’s official site.