Browsing Category: "Home and Improvement"

Green Spring Cleaning Tips You Can Use

Spring cleaning is something that needs to be done in everyone’s house. For some people it seems as though they actually look forward to this time and being able to get their house back in order and things cleaned up. For others it seems like an impossible task to get everything done with the busy life that they live. Regardless of how you feel about spring cleaning you will be happy to learn some great green tips to help you reduce your environmental impact.

Make Your Own Cleaners

Did you know that it is really possible to make your own cleaners? Simple ingredients that you already have around your home like distilled vinegar, Borax, olive oil, baking soda, liquid castile soap, and essential oils are all that you need to replace nearly every single cleaner in your home.

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Choose Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Thankfully, for those who do not want to make their own cleaners, there is a huge selection of eco-friendly cleaners on the market today. These can guarantee you the clean that you are looking for without the harsh chemicals that are dangerous for your family and harmful to the environment.

Line Dry Laundry

One of the biggest things about spring cleaning is that you are going to be doing a lot of additional laundry. This is the time when you should be washing curtains, blankets, and other linens that you might not wash all of the time. Line drying these items will save a lot of energy and will give them the wonderful scent of spring.

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[Photo courtesy of PNW Production/pexels.com]

Use House Plants

Did you know that house plants can work like your own air filter? That’s right, having plants in your home can really help you to have cleaner air to breathe for your whole family.

Get Rid of Things You Do Not Use

De-cluttering not only helps you to feel better and more refreshed but it can also help you to have a more efficient home. When you are getting rid of things like clothes consider which ones you can cut up and reuse as things like cleaning rags. Also decide which ones you can sell or donate.

Invest in Reusable Mop Pads

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[Photo courtesy of Tima Miroshnichenko/pexels.com]

There are many great companies on the market today (or you can shop handmade marketplaces) where you can find reusable mop pads. This is much better for the environment than the ones that you use once and throw away.

Have Your Attic Professionally Cleaned

Did you know that animal feces and contamination in your attic can make you sick? It is important that you clean up and remove potentially harmful contamination when you are spring cleaning. Make sure that no surface is left untouched during this time of deep cleaning. Just make sure that you pick a company that will work with you for green cleaning and will not be using harmful chemicals to get rid of these contaminates.

Resist the Urge to Use Paper Towels

While paper towels can be handy, they mainly just contribute to landfills and cause there to be a need to cut down more trees. Resist the urge to use paper towels in your spring cleaning and if you must choose environmentally friendly options.

Open Your Windows

Fresh air is a great way to make your whole house smell better. It is also a great way to make your green spring cleaning go easier.

If you really dread spring cleaning you can try some fun spring cleaning activities like these. You might even find that you are more motivated than before and able to get things done quicker.

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Home Renovations: Letting Your Mouse Do All The Work

There’s no doubt you’ve fanned through millions, yes millions of interior decorating magazines, home decor magazines and viewed a few thousand of online websites getting ideas for your homestead lair. Well, perhaps that’s an exaggeration. Things are either out of your budget, or may be you’ve had to resort to the best you can do: word-of-mouth recommendations from family, friends or co-workers.

Online Renovation Portals

However, when the proverbial rubber meets the road, you’re left on first base trying to find the perfect match in expert craftsmen, renovation ideas and budget-friendly alternatives. You can be put at ease now by using online directories of remodeling experts such as Renovation Experts.

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[Photo courtesy of ANTONI SHKRABA/pexels.com]

Not only will they host several hundred restoration experts on their portal page, but you’ll have them categorized according to whatever you need: electrician, masonry, cabinetry craftsmen or roofers.

In addition, you’ll find posted entries that may give you the best prices and quality material choices such as in bathroom vanities or even a rain barrel diverter for those who are environmentally conscious.

Archived Articles About Ideas You’ve Been Thinking About

Fine, quality and information-driven articles will help start you on your way to that remodel or renovating project that you’ve wanted for so many months. This includes tips of advice on what to do before you get into a contract negotiated mess or come up short with the material quality you’ve expected.

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[Photo courtesy of Blue Bird/pexels.com]

Sometimes, it’s not the fault of the contractor, but many times the fault may rest on a misunderstanding between the homeowner and the contractor both. So, don’t up short at any level. Check with your online portal for the best selection in contractors, prices and materials used.

How Online Portals Work

Although not all renovation portals work the same way, here’s an idea of how it’s done at Renovation Experts. By filling out an easy online contact form, you’ll be sent several contractor emails, sometimes within minutes, from various contractors all asking you to call them so that you can better explain what you need and have in mind.

Once mutually agreed, they’ll ask to come out to your home or site to actually view the project and to give you an honest evaluation–before you consent in writing to begin on any work.

That being said, your best bet is to simply visit one of the hundreds of construction, remodel and renovation directories, and check around to see who or what you prefer. You have nothing to lose except a little time–and that’s well worth it in getting that dream job you’ve always wanted.

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Tips for Buying Dorm Bedding

When you are in college moving away from home is necessary when school and universities are not around.  This is the time you need to be independent and live alone far from your family and friends, and to maximize comfort and provide the feeling of your own room from home you should shop for best r
Shopping for dorm room bedding bargains requires time for searching, patience, and vision. Think outside the box. Be unique. Make your environment comfortable without breaking the bank. Durable, quality bedding is a must. You will spend a lot of time hanging out and studying here.

While it may seem like an insignificant purchase in the realm of preparing for life away from home, the selection of dorm bedding can make or break the first year of college. After an all-night cram session, during a short afternoon break or when friends stop by for a visit, the perfect set of bedding can maximize comfort and provide the feeling of “home away from home.” From organic cotton bedding to luxury bedding, the choices are endless.

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[Photo courtesy of Max Vakhtbovych/pexels.com]

There are many things to consider when choosing dorm bedding. The right size, manufacturer, brand, color or pattern, texture, thickness and price all must be considered when making this selection. Every university has different rooms with different beds, or students may bring their own beds. A student’s gender also plays a large role, which may lead to the purchase of more feminine or masculine sets of bedding in order to satisfy the student’s tastes. A major factor for many students is the price of bedding. Price is often dictated by brand name, and thread count can make the difference between a $30 and $300 set. Organic cotton bedding is made out of natural materials that many feel are better for the buyer and the environment. However, organic fiber is typically more expensive.

When purchasing twin-sized dorm bedding, students should do their homework long before they set foot in a dorm. Cost, material, comfort, color and style are just a few of the factors to consider when furnishing a student’s bed. While it might be tempting to spend money on new outfits or gadgets when going back to school, students should keep in mind that a bed is something that they can’t hide and will use every day, so they should outfit it accordingly.

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