Improve Indoor Air Quality
If you’re getting cabin fever due to the fact that our cold weather has caused us to spend significantly more time indoors, you’re not alone. Because windows tend to be closed during winter, indoor air quality can suffer, making conditions inside your home less than desirable. Poor air circulation in a home can promote the spread of bacteria and viruses. Once such bacteria or viruses are inhaled, coughs, colds and flu can spread. In addition, asthma and allergy sufferers may experience worsening symptoms thanks to the presence of endotoxins, which are substances that come from the broken-down cells of dead bacteria. The good news is that you can prevent the spread of these bacteria and viruses and it’s essential that they take measures to improve indoor air quality Cut back on chemicals. It’s ideal to avoid heavy chemical usage inside a home throughout the year, but it’s especially important to…
Minimize Dust During A Renovation
Even though dust is ever-present both inside and outside of a home, when renovations are in full swing, dusty conditions are often exacerbated and you’ll want to do what you can to minimize dust particles from blanketing your home. Whether a home is new or old, numerous substances can be stirred up when removing walls, refinishing floors, removing tile, or expanding living spaces. Homeowners who want to remodel with minimal construction debris floating through the air may find these proactive steps helpful. Prepare dust-containment plans. If a contractor is involved, it is often his or her responsibility to minimize dust. Do-it-yourselfers must make dust containment a priority. Protecting the floor and keeping the dust confined only to work areas can be achieved with plastic sheeting and other barriers. Designate an entrance and exit. The experts at This Old House say it is best to choose one doorway as the only…
Be Clutter Free
Clutter can gradually overtake a home’s interior, turning a once pristine home into one overwhelmed with nonessential items. Clearing a home of clutter can seem like a monumental task, but the following tips can help homeowners declutter. Scan important documents and save them on a computer. Some documents cannot be discarded, but that does not mean they have to be stored in bulky file cabinets or desk drawers. Scan important documents such as medical receipts or tax returns and save them on your computer where they won’t take up any physical space. There are many “cloud-based” solutions where you can store backups of important documents in case a computer crashes and cannot be rebooted. Thin out DVD and CD libraries. Thanks to streaming services and digital music players, DVDs and compact discs have become somewhat obsolete. Discard or donate DVDs that you can just as easily stream through your television,…
Cleaning Reusable Bags
Clothing, linens and even curtains may get their regular rotation through the laundry room, helping such items to remain clean and fresh. But other items relied on regularly may never make it to the washing machine to get a healthy helping of suds, even though they probably should. Such is the case for backpacks, lunch sacks and reusable bags. These items endure substantial wear and tear, and may be in need of a good wash. Backpacks Backpacks can get grimy fast. Designed to be worn on the back, backpacks are often tossed onto the floor or shoved into dirty lockers. As a result, backpacks may be covered in dirt, pen stains, food spills, and bacteria, necessitating a thorough cleaning. Because backpacks have all sorts of pockets, straps and zippers, some people find handwashing to be an easier way to prevent damage during washing. Use a vacuum nozzle to clean out…
Keep Your Chimney Clean and Stay Safe
As temperatures drop and thoughts once again turn to lighting fires and sitting down with a good book, it’s important to revisit chimney maintenance. Keeping your chimney clean helps protect your home from unnecessary, costly repairs down the road and helps to keep your family safe. Even though My Fantastic Maid doesn’t provide chimney cleaning services, we do recognize that chimney cleaning needs to be a part of your whole home cleaning and safety plans. Various problems can arise when chimneys are not well maintained. Such problems include chimney fires, carbon monoxide poisoning and early failure of the chimney and heating sources that the chimney vents. Carbon monoxide can be scary, as it is virtually invisible without a proper detector. Fires caused by a poorly maintained chimney can result in catastrophic loss. To avoid chimney fires and other risks, take these precautions, courtesy of HomeAdvisor and Popular Mechanics. Have chimneys…
Gifts For Holiday Hosts
When celebrating the holidays, it is customary to offer gifts for hosts as a token of appreciation. During the season of giving, it may be challenging to find a gift that stands out in the crowd. However, some of the best gifts for hosts focus on their love of entertaining family and friends. Here are some gift giving ideas. Music speaker: Music often is an integral part of entertaining, but not every party host is equipped with a stellar sound system. Today’s Bluetooth-enabled music speakers run the gamut from handheld options to speakers that combine mood lighting with sound to large units. Shoppers can find speakers that suit the space hosts have to work with and ones that won’t bust shoppers’ budgets. Bar tools: Toasting the season (or any occasion) is par for the course at a party or get-together. Avid entertainers can benefit from having new bar tools, such…
Make Lights Sparkle
Chandeliers, pendant lamps, recessed lighting, and tableside lamps are most effective when they are clean. As days get shorter and natural light is less abundant, interior lighting becomes even more important. HGTV experts say dirty lights can give off up to 20 percent less light than clean ones. Dirty fixtures also waste energy. Lighting fixtures that are within reach are easy to tackle, but what about those fixtures that hang or have multiple crystals, globes or bulbs? These tips can cut down on the time needed to give lights a thorough cleaning. Microfiber dusting cloths are smart choices because they can help trap grime and tend to be machine-washable and reusable. Extendable static-charged dusters are another handy item to have around, particularly for fixtures that are hard to reach. Dusting regularly can prevent the buildup of grime that’s difficult to wash off. Try to dust light fixtures weekly or biweekly.…
Cleaning Stainless Appliances
No matter the style of a homeowner’s kitchen, be it modern, traditional or farmhouse, stainless steel appliances can add a pop of shine and a touch of class. Stainless steel is lauded for its strength and resistance to corrosion and rust. These attributes make it a popular choice in kitchens, where moisture is an issue. Although they are certainly durable choices, stainless steel appliances require maintenance to keep them looking and performing at their best. Considering that stainless steel also costs more than other finish options, taking the time to learn proper care can help protect homeowners’ investments. Avoid chlorine bleach or other products containing chloride. Although stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, it is not completely impervious. Chlorine products can damage the surface of stainless steel appliances and stain them if the chlorine is left to sit. Do not use metal scourers or coarse abrasives on the stainless…
Prevent Mold Growth
Mold inside a home can trigger allergic reactions and increase a person’s risk of developing respiratory problems. Mold can even cause damage to a home by attaching itself to wood and breaking down that wood. Because the consequences of mold growth inside a home can be so dire, it’s important that you take steps to prevent mold growth in your homes. Controlling moisture levels in a home is the key to controlling mold as well. Address spills quickly and properly. Many instances of mold infestations can be traced to leaks or spills that were not quickly or properly addressed. The EPA advises that wet or damp materials or areas should be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent the growth of mold. Make sure spills are thoroughly cleaned as opposed to a cursory cleanup of only the areas visible to the naked eye. Inspect nearby crevices when spills occur…
Preparing For A Party
Welcoming guests into your home can be overwhelming when you think about the prep that goes into cleaning before your friends arrive. Although prepping the house may seem like a burden, all it usually takes is straightening up a few key rooms to give guests a good impression. Begin where guests will enter the home. This is usually the entryway or foyer. Make room in and tidy up the coat closet so guests will have places to stow their coats. Remove any clutter that congregates in the entry, including shoes, mail or dog leashes. Put them in a basket and move it to a closet or storage area. Give the floor a thorough cleaning or vacuuming. Focus on the rooms where guests will be spending the majority of their time. In most cases, this is a dining area or living space. Because these are often the places where families spend…