Keeping the washroom clean is a hands-on task. But it’s necessary to wipe down all surfaces, use quality disinfectants, and sanitize the area regularly to maintain good hygiene. Doing so will prevent transferring bacteria and germs from the toilet to other areas of the house. Cleaning the toilet seems straightforward enough. But here are 7 mistakes you might be making involuntarily and should avoid the next time you tackle this task. Forgetting to clean the toilet brush The tool designed to scrape off grime, gunk, and all the funky discoloration in a toilet also needs to be cleaned thoroughly after regular use. Not cleaning the brush leaves bacteria and viruses to harbor and transfer over to your hands the next time you pick it up. Wiping down surfaces immediately When you use a chemical base toilet cleaner, it is important to spray and allow the product to sit on the surface while the formula activates and does its job. Never wipe down the surface immediately after spraying it with the cleaning solution, as it will not be as effective. Using too many cleaning products Mixing cleaning products or repeatedly using them on the surface can cause the toilet bowl layer to erode and become discolored.

Home renovation is an expensive and inevitable affair. As much as people would like not to spend money on home improvement, doing so is necessary to maintain a degree of presentability and livability in their house. However, home remodeling can set people back by thousands of dollars in today’s inflation-ridden age. To counter that, there are certain nifty hacks one can use. Here are some of the best ways to save money on home improvements: Comparing contractors and bids One need not opt for the cheapest service provider. Comparing different contractors from reliable websites, neighbors, family members, or friends enables people to discover contractors who can offer the best value for their money. Most importantly, one needs to verify whether the selected contractor is licensed. If they are, that information will be found on the state licensing board website. Another important consideration is whether the workers and contractors selected have workers’ compensation insurance. An absence of this can cost the homeowner if workers sustain injuries while on the job. Sticking to a budget Arguably, the most critical thing to do is to not go overboard with the spending during a home renovation. Setting aside some money beforehand and not adding a penny extra to that budget is imperative for saving money during an improvement project.

Are you struggling to find a way to simplify your space? Decluttering might be just what you need. When you declutter, you can create a more organized and relaxing space that’s easier to maintain. However, there are some common decluttering mistakes that people make that can make the process more difficult and less effective. This blog discusses the top five decluttering mistakes to avoid and the garbage bags’ role in the process.  Not maintaining your space Decluttering is not a one-time event. To maintain a clutter-free living space, it’s important to establish good habits and make decluttering a regular part of your routine. One mistake people make is not maintaining their space after they have decluttered. Regularly reassess your belongings, organize your space, and declutter as necessary to prevent clutter from accumulating. N ot sorting items into categories Another common decluttering mistake is not sorting items into categories. It’s important to have a system for organizing your belongings, whether by room, category, or some other method. By sorting your items into categories, you’ll be able to see exactly what you have and make more informed decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. N ot labeling garbage bags Another common mistake when using garbage bags for decluttering is not labeling them.

While cleaning floors is not an idea of fun, it is important to keep your home clean and hygienic. Floor cleaning is more than just mopping with soapy water whenever the floor looks dirty. Even though tile and flooring materials are designed to be durable, one needs to know how to maintain them well. Here are some cleaning mistakes to avoid to keep your floors immaculate in the right manner: Not preparing your floors before mopping Make a plan before you start cleaning, and adhere to it. Before you mop, clear the floor of any pets, carpets, rugs, or furniture. Then, sweep or vacuum the floor thoroughly. Only then should you begin to mop. Mopping without doing so could make it dirty faster, further spreading the dirt and resulting in repetitive cleaning. Using too much water Although steam is one of the most harmless cleaning tools, it can cause damage if your home has hardwood floors. Check that your floor is resistant to steam or water before cleaning. Using the wrong chemicals Like water can damage hardwood floors, some abrasive chemicals can also ruin other flooring materials. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of the contents of your cleaning products and how they react to the materials in your home.

Toilets need regular cleaning to prevent health and sanitation problems caused by unhygienic restrooms. Some of these problems include the accumulation of dirt, the spread of foul odor within the toilet and the house, and possible infections among inhabitants because of that. While cleaning toilets, people commonly make certain mistakes, which can dilute the positive effects of cleaning toilets. With that in mind, here are some of the most common toilet cleaning mistakes to avoid. Reusing the same cleaning cloth For convenience, one may be tempted to use the same cloth to wipe various toilet surfaces multiple times. However, this is a major mistake and will simply result in cleaners having to do even more work. Previously used rags transfer bacteria from one spot in the toilet to another. To prevent that, one needs to regularly switch cleaning cloths and sponges when they move from one zone in the toilet to another. Using separate cleaning rags is ideal to prevent the spread of germs and mess around the toilet. This will boost the potency of various cleaning products used for the job. Alternatively, one can also invest in quality paper towels for cleaning. While they may pose a recurring expense, they are an effective and hygienic way to quickly wipe down bathroom surfaces post-cleaning.

A home warranty is a contract with a company that agrees to pay to fix or replace major systems and appliances in your house if they malfunction or stop working. Unlike homeowner’s insurance, which covers damage caused by unforeseen events, home warranty guards against everyday wear and tear of household systems and devices. While the policy can be beneficial, you must carefully read the fine print. Here are ten things a home warranty doesn’t cover. Pre-existing problems Most home warranty policies don’t pay for fixing or replacing anything damaged or malfunctioning before the warranty was bought. You must pay from your pocket to resolve the problem in such a situation. Outdoor fixtures Some policies may cover outdoor fixtures like air conditioners but frequently exclude sprinkler systems, swimming pools, and spas. You may need a different approach if you want coverage for these things. Cosmetic damage Home warranties don’t cover cosmetic damages like scratches, dents, or rust but functional problems with your home’s systems and appliances. Non-mechanical parts They may exclude non-mechanical objects like knobs, handles, and shelves and only cover mechanical devices like HVAC systems. Code violations Your home warranty may not apply if a repair is necessary because an electrical system doesn’t comply with the law.

Home cleaning can be a long and exhausting process, especially if it is a deep cleaning day. Luckily, apart from the regular brush and broom, several equipment and products are available these days which help keep your home tidy and well-maintained. These small, clever cleaning options available in the market make the whole process such a convenient chore that you can even involve your kids to help you around the house. Cleaning tools and products for your next home deep clean Quick and Clean 6-Pack Cleaning Cups If you are a coffee drinker, then you know how precious your home coffee maker is! A tool that helps improve your morning needs some monthly deep cleaning. Yes, you clean it with your regular cleaning products and can also use DIYs like vinegar to keep the machine tidy, but these Quick and Clean cups are extremely convenient. Just pop them in the brewer, run it for one cycle, and then run another cycle with just water to remove all the buildup from the product. These are available at any regular grocery store. Rubbermaid Reveal Cordless Power Scrubber This is a neat hack to get the grime out of the spaces in between your bathroom tiles and on them.

The internet has many videos on the best hacks for cleaning the kitchen quickly and easily. However, not all of them are useful. In fact, some have the opposite effect, and you may have to clean your kitchen all over again after trying them. From using bleach on counters to lining the fridge drawers with newspaper, here are some of the most popular kitchen cleaning hacks that do not work. Using bleach to clean kitchen counters People often forget how poisonous bleach can be to humans, animals, and the environment. The fumes emitted by it have specific organic compounds that can trigger health issues like COPD, chronic respiratory problems, headaches, allergic reactions, and asthma. So, instead of using bleach on the countertops, investing in a cleaner that contains three percent hydrogen peroxide should do the job. Soaking knives in vinegar to remove rust Contrary to what many online influencers suggest, vinegar is ineffective for removing rust from kitchen knives. An alternative that does work involves scrubbing the knives with sliced potatoes dipped in baking soda and then cleaning them with vegetable oil to prevent the development of rust in the future. Using lemon wedges in the dishwasher Lemon-based solutions will make your dishes smell fresh but are not very effective in removing stains.

Approximately 60% of the human body constitutes water, the lifeline of all existence on Earth. Clean drinking water ensures well-being and prevents water-borne diseases like cholera and dysentery. While most households have water storage tanks facilitating a regular supply of drinking water, unclean water tanks can cause acute water contamination and contribute to the onset of unfavorable health conditions. So, here are some ways to clean one’s water tank effectively: Clean the top of the tank The first crucial step to cleaning a water tank is to clean the topmost part, from where one would clean the rest. This process ensures a clean and mess-free workspace while cleaning the tank. Clean the tools The best way to clean the tools for tank cleaning is to soak them in a cleaning solution with one part bleach and four parts hot water. Drain the tank The valve to the distribution line should be shut off and water drained from the tap or outlet valve to the best extent possible. This water may be used for various purposes, such as watering plants or washing windows. For example, one would require 2-5 gallon pails of water to clean and rinse the tank. Wash the water tank Mix one part bleach with four parts water and scrub the insides of the water tank.

Most households have carpeting as flooring because of its soft and warm look, especially in regions where the temperatures are usually cooler. Many people also prefer carpet over other floor coverings because of its easy and economical maintenance. However, even after regular vacuuming, sometimes it becomes difficult to get rid of stains and dirt. Here are some tips professionals use to care for carpet cleaning needs, which you can apply at home. Blot and don’t scrub Spills are normal in a household, especially one with kids or a household that usually hosts too many parties. One of the immediate remedies anyone tries is to scrub the spill. Professionals recommend that you should not scrub the area as it leads to fabric disintegrating, and also, the stain gets ground into the fabric. Instead, they say blotting is better suited. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to gently blot on the spill. This technique puts only a small amount of pressure on the stain, and this helps in soaking up the liquid. Also, always start blotting from the outer edges and work your way inwards rather than the reverse. Shaving cream A neat trick that is extremely easy to try. If you have stained the carpet, take any shaving cream available in the bathroom and apply it directly on the stain.

A home can be immaculately designed and well equipped, but it is incomplete without adequate security measures. Security is imperative to ward off unruly events like robbery, theft, and trespassing. While employing security personnel can help ensure safety, technological interventions ensure 100% accuracy at all times and are operational 24×7, reducing long-term costs and eliminating the chances of safety breaches. The key to effectively utilizing security cameras is to avoid certain common installation mistakes: Installing in an area with insufficient or extremely bright lighting Too much or too little light in the area where the camera is installed can lead to unclear or distorted images, which can impede the identification of suspects or comprehension of events. Hence, CCTV cameras should be placed in areas with adequate lighting, neither too bright nor too dim. Installing in an area with a restricted view Placing one’s security camera in an area with several objects blocking the view can cause difficulties with surveillance. Areas with dense greenery, tall buildings, and high walls are not ideal for installing security cameras. Overlooking the height Installing one’s CCTV camera at a high altitude prevents it from getting a panoramic view. In contrast, placing it too low increases the risk of the camera being stolen or tampered with.