Cleaning The House Before Moving Out

January 25, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Moving home is a big job. It’s one of the most stressful things you can do in your life, and it’s also a pretty lengthy one! Why? Because you’ve got to clean the house you’re moving out of; sure, there are a lot of repairs and decluttering jobs you need to do in the new place, but the work doesn’t begin or end there! You’re feeling like you’ve got a long list of jobs ahead of you right now, so let’s make it a bit easier; here are the main cleaning tasks to accomplish before moving out.

Clean Inside Cupboards and Appliances

moving boxes

You’ve cleaned out the cupboards, and you’re taking the microwave with you, but there’s still one more job you need to do here. Get a dry cloth, a wet cloth, and some antibacterial spray and then open up all the cupboard doors in your kitchen. Start with the dry, to get all the crumbs out without issue, do an antibac spritz (be sure to leave for 5 minutes!) and then get your wet cloth in there. 

For the oven you’ll need to be a bit more heavy handed. Get a homemade baking soda paste in there, let it rest for a few hours, and then come back later to scrub it all off. 

Steam Clean Carpets

The carpets in your home, unless you’re ripping them up and taking them with you, are going to need steam cleaning ahead of time. It’s useful to vacuum them a couple times, but if you want to get out years and years of grime, you’re going to need a good few hours and a steam cleaner at hand. Make sure to pass the cleaner back and forth three or four times to create the clean difference you’re going for. 

Empty Drains

Next up is possibly one of the most disgusting clean up jobs, but it has to be done. Make sure you’re wearing some gloves and then take off all the drain caps in your home. Get a brush in there and clean the top of the drain out – this is where all the hair and other household debris will collect, and you wouldn’t want the new owners to have to deal with that! 

Hit the Dump

Now that you’ve got all of your garbage in one place, either collect it all together for a one way trip to the dump, or save yourself some time and call in a Garbage Collection Service to deal with it for you. You could also hire a dumpster beforehand to throw large and bulky items into, as well as make it easier to bag up little things and get them right out of the door. This way your only job is to physically clean the house, and the rest is handled for you! 

Moving out of a house requires a lot of elbow grease; make it easier on you by following the tips above during this stressful period in your life.

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Moving Into A New Home? 5 Important Things You Need To Do First

January 12, 2022 by 4 Comments

DIY

Moving into a new home is pretty much a life-changing experience, as it gives you a sense of a fresh start. Although it’s usually very exciting to move into a new home for the first time, the moving experience can be very stressful. You want to make sure you limit the stress as much as possible. So, congratulations on acquiring your new home, but here are some important things you need to do first before you finally move in.

  • Complete all repair works

Unless you don’t have the luxury of time, it’s best to ensure that you complete every important repair work on the building before you move in. you probably don’t want to deal with the inconvenience of repairing a roof or plumbing work in your bathroom. In contrast, you’ve already packed into your new home. That’s why it’s best to handle them before move-in day. 

It is possible to handle minor touches and external or outdoor repairs after moving, as they might not cause any major inconvenience. 

  • Boost your security

You can’t take security issues for granted, even if your new home is located in a safe neighborhood. The last thing you want is to experience a break-in during your first night in your new home. The first security move you should make is to change every lock in your home. This is especially important if the property has been on the market for long or you’re moving in after previous occupants. You can never be too sure if anyone else still has spare keys to your new home. Also, put other measures in place to secure your home, from burglar-proof upgrades to your home’s fencing. 

  • Electrical upgrades

If you’re moving into a new home, you’ll probably have every electrical outlet you need already installed. But moving into an older home could mean needing to redo the wiring system. If there are currently no faults with the old wiring system, you might be tempted to consider moving in and upgrading it later. But it is easier to get it done when there’s nothing in the building that serves as an obstruction. Additionally, it wouldn’t be a good idea to wait until something goes faulty before you make your electrical upgrades. 

  • Deal with health hazards

Another important thing worth handling before moving into your new home is health hazards in various forms. From mold infestations to pest issues, you probably already know how dangerous any form of health hazard is. Ordinarily, your safest option will be to avoid purchasing or renting a property that comes with health hazards. But if it’s already too late to change your mind, be sure to hire experts to rid your home of any potential source of health issues. 

  • Tenancy agreement

If you’re renting your new space, you must have every aspect of your tenancy agreement sorted before you move in. ensure that you clearly understand what the terms say and agree. Be sure that it spells out your rights, responsibilities and covers issues of liability, pets, repair works, and so on. 

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5 Common Safety Hazards at Home and How to Avoid Them

January 12, 2022 by Leave a Comment

white kitchen

The home serves as a shelter and a haven, offering comfort and escape from your busy schedules. Moreover, your home helps you relax after a hard day’s work, improving your health in the long run. It is also where you can gather and bond with your family. Seeing its perks, it makes sense to keep your home safe at all times. However, some hazards can pose a threat to your life, family, and belongings. Research indicates that thousands are killed or injured in home-related accidents. To avoid domestic accidents, here are common home safety hazards to avoid. 

  • Poisoning 

Whether you’re aware or not, several items in your home pose severe poisoning risks for you and your family. This is particularly hazardous if you have kids at home, as they are more prone to ingest things without adequate supervision. That said, items such as antifreeze, makeup, cleaning products, and other household chemicals, medicines, lead paint, etc., can cause severe poisoning if ingested—the CDC rates poisoning as the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the US. Also, poison from medication is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children. 

Thankfully, you can avoid poisoning by taking the necessary precautions. For starters, it’s essential to put all medication, cleaning products, and chemicals out of sight to prevent your kids from ingesting them. Cabinets with safety latches are useful storage, so keep this in mind. Consequently, avoid using lead paints in your home. If you have an older home, you’d want to get it tested for lead. If you have a garden, ensure that poisonous plants aren’t growing to avoid harm. 

  • Falls 

According to the WHO, falls are the second-leading cause of unintentional deaths globally, with 684 000 people dying annually. While everyone risks falling, older adults have higher risks, with over 2.7 million individuals treated for falls each year. Research also indicates that it is the topmost cause of fatal accidents for people over 65. These statistics reveal how dangerous falls are, making it imperative to put measures to prevent them. Often, falls are caused by slippery falls, electrical cords, clutter, or rickety stairs, so keep this in mind. 

That said, it’s prudent to thoroughly clean your floors after a spill to prevent slips. By all means, keep your home tidy by getting rid of the clutter lying around. Examine your home for loose carpets, loose floorboards, or slippery throw rugs. You can replace these items with new ones to enhance your home’s safety. Handrails and grab bars help you on the stairs or in the bathtub, so feel free to install them. As a tip, avoid wearing socks and clothing that drags on the floor, and leverage adequate lighting to illuminate your home. You can also utilize non-slip mats in your kitchen or bathroom for extra safety. 

  • Choking 

It’s not uncommon that certain household objects are kept out of children’s reach. This is because children, especially toddlers, explore their environment by putting objects in their mouths. However, this is also scary, as your toddler can choke if not supervised. In the US, a child chokes to death every five days on average, while 75% of choking hazards occur in kids under the age of three. This makes choking a major cause of toddler and infant deaths in the country. The main culprits of choking include a balloon, button, toy part, coin, watch battery, etc., that they have ingested. These objects can cause partial or total airway blockage, leading to permanent brain damage and death if not addressed immediately. Children can also choke on food such as marshmallows, seeds, etc.

Therefore, it’s best to keep all small objects out of your children’s reach; you can bend down to your child’s level and scan the environment to ensure that it is free from such hazardous objects. You also want to avoid buying toys with button batteries for your infants and separate your infant’s toys from your older children’s. Regarding food, ensure that your children are sitting upright when eating and encourage them to chew their food properly. Experts suggest that you feed your little ones with less than a pea-sized amount of food to accommodate their airway without choking them. 

  • Carbon monoxide poisoning 

Another hazard to pay particular attention to is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas produced by incomplete fuel combustions. Exposure to this gas can displace the oxygen molecules in your body and lead to poisoning. Carbon monoxide can be generated by home appliances like gas stoves, clothes dryers, fireplaces, generators, lawn equipment, vehicles, grills, power tools, etc. Since it is odorless, it can build up to a dangerous degree without you knowing until it has caused significant damage. However, CO poisoning comes with symptoms like weakness, dizziness, upset stomach, headache, confusion, and chest pain. However, people often ignore these as they’re similar to the flue, leading to more poisoning. What’s worse, people who are asleep or drunk can die from CO poisoning before experiencing any symptoms. 

Fortunately, the CDC has outlined certain precautions to prevent CO poisoning in your home. First, it’s prudent to install a battery-operated detector in your home and replace the batteries after changing the time during spring and fall. Consequently, replace your detectors every five years to maintain efficiency. You also need to get your heating system and other appliances for signs of leakage. Avoid burning charcoals in your home to prevent CO buildup in your home. 

  • Fire hazards 

Statistics indicate that over 3,000 people die in fires annually, making it the third most dangerous household hazard. Moreover, approximately 358,500 homes experience fire outbreaks each year, with cooking taking the lead position in fire outbreak triggers. Faulty electrical wiring is also a major cause of fire hazards in domestic households, so keep this in mind. If you have faulty home appliances, you’re also at risk of experiencing an outbreak. Therefore, it’s best to have them examined by a professional. Suppose you need spare parts to restore your Simpson home appliances. In that case, you can get authentic Simpson spare part replacements from credible online stores. As a tip, avoid leaving your cooking unattended, and keep your candles away from flammable items like books. 

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Simple Tips On Building A Beautiful Home Without Breaking The Bank

January 3, 2022 by 1 Comment

When it comes to owning your own house, there are plenty of challenges that you must overcome and, unfortunately, bear the costs of. Of course, there are advantages to owning a property. The only expenses you’ll have after paying off your mortgage are your electricity bills, food, and home maintenance. It means that you’ll be able to save money much more effortlessly than you ever have before, and you’ll also have the freedom to consider options such as selling your home and moving up the property ladder, or investing in a new property that you can rent out and earn some extra money from.

people painting

A clever method to cut costs is to keep your home’s maintenance up to date. Don’t wait until anything goes wrong before trying to fix it. When was the last time you updated your windows, if ever? The cost of heating your home can be drastically reduced if you replace your windows. Make sure your windows are well-sealed, spruce up your window frames, and clean them up to save money. You could also replace your windows and get triple-glazed windows and super-trendy frames.

Have you taken a look at the quality of your roof recently? It can be very costly to keep your roof in good shape. Make sure you keep on top of it (pun intended). Climb up there, if you’re courageous enough, and assess the quality of the tiles, as well as whether any are missing. If repairs are required, you may do it yourself if you have the necessary expertise, or you could call in roofing professionals to do the job for you. It’s important to make sure you’re paying the right price, so check out what to look for in a roofing estimate so that you’re well prepared and aren’t overpaying for their services.

After you’ve completed the repairs, you can focus on the aesthetics of your home. There is nothing better than kicking back and relaxing in your own home. A space that you created and invested your time and effort in. Makeovers that don’t break the bank are easy to come by and can give your house a personal touch. Think about the weather when you’re trying to decide how to decorate or maintain your home so that it meets your demands and requirements. Are you going to need fans? Do you want to make your small home appear larger? Do you like colors but aren’t sure how to apply them in a fashionable way? Finding out what other people have done in your situation can help you make an informed decision about your own.

Regardless of whether you start with the inside or the outside of your home, there is always room for improvement. Basically, if you make sure that your home is well-maintained and that you enjoy spending time there, you’ll be able to enjoy life without breaking the bank. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your empire. Let yourself enjoy your home.

 

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Don’t Buy Your First Home Without Reading This

December 11, 2021 by 1 Comment

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Are you thinking about purchasing your first home? This is a big step. In fact, many would argue that this is the most significant investment that you will ever make in your adult life. It beats the car or the pension pot that you will eventually explore for your twilight years. While you might feel as though you are ready to purchase a home, you shouldn’t rush this decision. There’s a lot that you should keep in mind and consider before committing to this possibility. You need to approach this decision from a financial perspective as well as keeping your lifestyle in mind. Buying a home won’t make sense for everyone and it does depend on your current situation. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss everything that you need to consider when you are buying your first home. That way, you can ensure that this is going to be the right choice for you.

Are You Financially Ready?

First, you should think about whether you are financially ready to purchase your first home. You need to look at possibilities such as your credit rating. You need a healthy credit rating to buy your first home. If you don’t have this, then you will be significantly limited on your choice of mortgages. We recommend thinking about checking your credit rating and then taking steps to boost it up. 

You can boost your rating in a few different ways. Arguably the best way is to borrow loans that you know you will be able to afford to pay back. This shows lenders that you can be trusted. You won’t have to worry about them ignoring you because the risk of lending you money is too great. There’s no set rule on the creditng rating you need and individual lenders do tend to have their own rules that they follow here. 

Another option to consider would be the deposit. You should think about saving as much as 20% of the total cost of the home for the deposit on the property. 20% will ensure that you have access to a range of different mortgages. If you are worried that your options are limited here, you can also speak to a mortgage broker. They can help you explore possibilities that might be hidden from the typical buyer. 

Then, you should think about all the additional costs that come with purchasing a home. It doesn’t just stop with the mortgage payments and the deposit. There are other possibilities to keep in mind here as well including the legal costs of buying your first home and ensuring that everything is handled the right way. 

Does It Fit Your Lifestyle?

Next, you need to think about whether a home purchase fits well with your lifestyle. Purchasing a home makes sense if you are getting ready to start a family and settle down. It will deliver the right level of stability that you are searching for here. However, it might not be the best idea if you haven’t found where you want to live or you’re not ready to settle in one place. 

In cases like this, renting can give you the greater level of flexibility you need. Particularly, if you want to be able to move without any delays. This can also be useful if you don’t have a lot of job stability. For instance, you could be freelancing. Freelancing will find it more difficult to get approval for a mortgage regardless of how much they earn. Though it is worth pointing out that it’s far from impossible to gain approval if you are freelancing. 

You can also get an easier ride if you are renting. You might hate the idea of taking time to maintain a home or it’s possible that you just don’t have the time. Regardless, if you rent, then you’ll likely find that a landlord is going to handle a lot of the responsibilities that a homeowner will take on board. 

This can save you time and even money if the worst happens. It’s possible that your home is damaged due to a natural disaster. If this is the case, then you will need to handle everything including the restoration process. This can be partially covered by your insurance but claiming on it completely will cause your premium to rise. If you rent, you’ll likely only need to cover the cost for a personal property restoration company which will be far more budget friendly. 

Are You Ready For the Work?

If you are approaching a home as an investment, you can’t just leave it to stagnate. Instead, you should think about making changes to it regularly. If you don’t do this, then when it’s time to sell, it’s not going to reach the value that you hoped for on the market. 

You need to put the work in to ensure that your home remains modern and fits with the latest trends on the market today. There are lots of examples that you should keep in mind here. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and the bathrooms. These are the rooms that are always going to matter the most to buyers. The right changes here could add as much as 25% onto the final sale price of your home on the market. 

There’s other work that needs to be completed on your home to ensure it retains the right level of value as well. For instance, you should think about improving the curb appeal. Boosting the curb appeal will enhance the perception that buyers have when they see your home for the first time. This is going to encourage them to make greater offers on your property. 

Is It The Right Time?

You might also want to consider whether it’s the right time to buy a property? This isn’t just about whether it’s the right time to buy a home for you. It’s also about whether the market is in the right position. You should think about the cost of homes in your area and explore if they are selling at the right price. It’s important to make sure that you don’t buy a home for more than it’s going to be worth when it’s time to sell a few years down the line. If you do this, then there’s a strong possibility that you will end up with a mortgage shortfall. This can be catastrophic for your finances because you could ultimately be forced to sell the property at a loss. 

Is Renting Really Dead Money?

Finally, you might have heard about how renting is dead money. While this is true, to an extent, it’s worth noting that this doesn’t tell the full story. Ultimately, buying a home can cost you more because the mortgage payments can be difficult to deal with. That’s why you need to make sure that you can afford the cost of a property before you commit to a purchase. If you can’t or you’re not certain, it could be far better for you in the long term to continue renting, at least for now. 

We hope this helps you understand everything that you do need to consider and keep in mind when you are purchasing your home. If you explore the right options, then you’ll be able to make sure that this makes sense for you financially while also fitting well with your chosen lifestyle.

Remember, your first home doesn’t need to be somewhere that you plan to live in the long term. It can be smaller and then you can buy a larger property at a later stage in your life. 

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Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Bedroom

November 24, 2021 by 2 Comments

bed

Does your bedroom currently look a little tired and lifeless, lacking personality while not utilizing the space as best as possible? If the answer is yes then do not fret – you’re not alone in your situation, as many people fail to put any effort into creating the perfect bedroom space that can promote rest and relaxation in the most functional and attractive manner. Fortunately, however, it’s easier than ever to totally transform your bedroom to something that you would never have previously imagined you could achieve, following just a few simple steps to upgrade your surroundings like never before. So, if you would like to find out more about how you can take your bedroom to a whole new level, then read on to uncover some of the most innovative ideas that you can pursue today.

Use Functional Storage Space 

One of the worst decisions that you can make inside your bedroom is to fill it with storage from wall to wall, as you simply do not need endless wardrobes, drawers and cabinets when there are so many other space saving options to explore. The best and most functional storage idea that you should always aim to pursue inside your bedroom is a set of built in wardrobes, as they’ll be specially designed to fit flush inside whatever space you have spare inside your bedroom. This means you’ll have far more room to play with elsewhere, leaving you open to explore a number of possibilities as a result of your newfound space! Good quality built in wardrobes take everything into consideration, including maintaining drawers for smaller items as well as specialist shoe storage to keep your shoes organized and tidy. Even your makeup can benefit from a storage upgrade, as leaving your products strewn across your vanity unit is going to look messy and tacky to say the very least. Professional makeup bags and boxes can look extremely smart and even help you to save time during your morning routine, so this is definitely something you should explore to upgrade your bedroom. 

Switch Out Your Fabrics 

A brilliantly affordable way to totally transform your bedroom in record time is by switching out the fabrics. Fabric items including your duvet covers, throws, rugs and curtains or blinds contribute massively toward the overall look and feel of your bedroom, and they’re so easy to remove and replace in just a few minutes’ time. It’s going to be much more difficult (and expensive) to start painting walls and redecorating to such a degree, so it’s far simpler to switch out your fabrics instead. Finding a set can be a brilliant option, as this way you can match your curtains and bedsheets to maintain an aesthetically pleasing theme throughout your room. You’ll be surprised at just how much difference a new rug can make, so there’s no time like the present to seek out alternative fabric options that you can use to transform your bedroom today. 

Upgrading your bedroom has never been so achievable.

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Bathroom Remodeling Mistakes To Avoid

November 11, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Making mistakes in your bathroom remodel can derail your plans. Creating a new bathroom is exciting, but you want to get it right, so you can avoid expensive mistakes. To help your bathroom remodel to run smoothly, use these tips to avoid the most common mistakes that people make in bathroom renovation projects.

Going Over Budget

To avoid going over budget in your bathroom remodeling project, you need to research. Most people don’t do enough research into the different brands and products to assess the best combination of what they like and what they can actually afford. The price points for things like plumbing fixtures, tiles, vanities, and light fixtures can vary a lot by materials and brand. 

Remember that remodeling your bathroom could also include quite a lot of unforeseen costs. As a general rule of thumb, once you have been given a quote for your new bathroom, you should add on 20% to the budget, just in case of unplanned costs. 

Failing To Properly Compare Estimates

When you are getting estimates for a remodel, it might be very tempting to go with the cheapest option, but this should not be the only thing you base your choice on. You should also make sure you compare the details. 

Price shouldn’t be the only factor when you are hiring a contractor. Ask your friends and family who have completed similar projects for recommendations. Check these recommendations to see how long they have been in business, and what kind of reviews they have online. Trust your gut too. If you like your contractor, you will have a much more pleasant experience, even if this means having to pay a little more. 

If the quotes that you get are really different, look carefully at the details. Sometimes something might have been missed off, which could be the reason for the big price difference. It can be easier to compare your estimates in a spreadsheet. 

Cramming Too Much In

It might be tempting to choose every fixture and fitting that fits your idea of the dream bathroom, but you need to keep the size of your bathroom in mind too. 

A lot of people make the mistake when they’re redesigning the bathroom of trying to cram much too much stuff into a small space. This can run the risk of violating building codes, but it can also make your bathroom uncomfortable and annoying to use too. 

Know the dimensions of the different elements that you want to include in the room. It’s a common mistake to choose bathroom fixtures and features that are too large for the room. 

Neglecting Ventilation Requirements

Bathrooms get humid, so you need to create adequate ventilation. A lot of people get it wrong when they do this. It’s very important to choose a fan for the bathroom that is going to be big enough for the space, as humidity can get trapped in the room, which can then lead to mold and mildew building up over time.

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Repair Appliances – Tips You Need To Learn Now

November 11, 2021 by Leave a Comment

dirty dishes

Today we all rely heavily on the appliances in our homes. They add comfort and productivity to our lives, and when one of them doesn’t work properly that can cause a considerable amount of stress. Appliances are normally taken for granted, and only given attention when they start to break down. The repairs after a significant appliance failure can be very expensive and many times they can be prevented entirely by ensuring you are performing regular maintenance on your appliances and serving your appliances consistently.

Maintaining appliances regularly improves their efficiency

Appliances that aren’t regularly maintained tend to work harder than they need to, burning more electricity or gas in the house. Many homeowners invest in dryers to help prepare clothing, bedding and other items for everyday use. However, there are a host of problems that can afflict your dryer over time, from a broken dryer drum to a malfunctioning control panel.  Furthermore, a dryer with a clogged exhaust vent or dirty filter is a dual problem as this is a huge fire hazard. You could possibly end up running the dryer longer in the hope of getting your clothes dry. This can add to your utility bills, as this is burning unnecessary energy.

As appliances start to age, natural wear-and-tear can indeed slow down their efficiency. Appliance repair and servicing can overall catch little things that have a significant impact on efficiency, providing effective repairs and fair costs.

Extending Appliance Lifespan With Regular Care

Like any other appliance, the dishwasher requires occasional maintenance.  You should expect your dishwasher to last at least 10 years without breaking down, but many develop faults earlier. Checking your appliances  at least once a month helps you identify issues early on and saves you money in the long run. Review the manufacturer’s recommendations on how to use and maintain your dishwasher. If your glasses and plates come out with a white residue on them, you may have hard water. Try using a water softener or a detergent that helps to soften your floor. Filters are also designed to clip out easily for regular cleaning. They need rinsing under the tap once a week, so they don’t get into the inner workings of the machine and cause blockages.

Repairing Appliances Regularly Is A Cost-Effective Strategy

Repairing household equipment that breaks down can be cheaper than buying a new one. From the financial point of view, an appliance repair can save some money. On average, the cost of repair is usually 20 to 30 percent the cost of replacement. Check if your appliance is under warranty. You might be able to have it restored at a low rate or maybe even for free. This is important because replacement parts may even cost more than the cost of purchasing a new one.

Provides Safety and Assurance

Maintaining the repair of appliances helps keep your home and you properly safe. A dishwasher that’s not draining well could potentially flood your kitchen. A refrigerator that’s running too warm can also sicken your family. Maintaining your appliances well reduces the risk of appliance-related property damage.

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