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Believe it or not, despite your best efforts, some of your cleaning habits may be doing more harm than good. Be sure not to do the following:

Closing the washing machine door. Closing the door after a load of wash is done seems like a no-brainer. In actuality, you should be leaving the washing machine door open when the laundry is finished. The airflow will actually help prevent mold and mildew from building up inside your machine. If your laundry isnt smelling as clean as it should after washing and drying, that could be the culprit. When leaving the door open, take extra care if you have small children and pets.

Using paper towels to clean glass. When cleaning mirrors and windows, your best bet is a microfiber cloth. Paper towels will leave streaks and a trail of lint.

Using a spray cleaner on car windows. A spray cleaner will leave a pattern of drops and streaks on car windows, so opt for a foam cleaner instead.

Microwaving kitchen sponges. According to studies from Real Simple, microwaving sponges to clean them is not as effective as once thought, so using them to clean kitchen counters, etc. may actually be spreading bacteria. The safer bet? Replace your sponges once a week, or use cleaning cloths that can be put through the washing machine.

Not cleaning your cell phone. Since our cell phones tend to go everywhere, studies have revealed that they may carry more germs than a toilet seat! So even if youve done a great job cleaning your homes surface, every time you place your phone down is a chance for spreading bacteria. Follow safe practices for cleaning electronics, and make sure to regularly clean your mobile devices.

Make these few, quick adjustments to your routines for more effective cleaning and a healthier home.

Source: Real Simple

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These four features will provide the utmost relaxation, pleasing friends and family alike.

Outdoor Sauna

An easy addition to the backyard, an outdoor sauna provides multiple benefits to your body and cardiovascular health.

Plunge Pool

For those who enjoy the restorative properties of hydrotherapy, a plunge pool will have you feeling fresh and energized.

Massage Room

For the ultimate in personal wellness, a tranquil massage room is the perfect way to bring your home spa to the next level.

Meditation Studio

Daily meditation can help promote both mental and physical well-being. A designated place to practice will help incorporate it into your routine.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre thinking about updating your kitchen, the cabinets are most likely one of your top priorities. Many homeowners think they need to replace worn-out cabinets, but that isnt necessarily true. Its often possible to save money by simply refacing them or replacing the doors.

Reasons to Reface Your Kitchen Cabinets
Refacing is popular with homeowners who want to beautify their kitchen while sticking to a budget. New doors, drawer fronts, hinges and pulls can be installed to update the appearance of a kitchen at a fraction of what it would cost to install new cabinets.

Cabinet refacing requires much less work and is much less disruptive than replacing entire cabinets. If you reface your kitchen cabinets, you would not need to have appliances removed. That means your family would still be able to use the kitchen while contractors were working on the cabinets. If you were willing and able to tackle a DIY project, you could replace the cabinet doors yourself to keep the overall cost of the kitchen remodel down.

If you decide to reface the cabinets, you can choose from a wide range of styles and colors. You might install new doors made from a different wood species or you might choose glass doors that would allow people to see the cabinets contents.

When to Replace the Kitchen Cabinets
Sometimes it makes more sense to pay for new cabinets than to reface the existing ones. If the kitchen cabinets are old and worn out, or if they were not of good quality to begin with, new doors wouldnt do anything to address structural problems. It would be better to remove them and install new, higher-quality cabinets.

If your existing cabinets are in decent condition, but their size and layout dont suit your needs, it may be a good idea to replace them. You could choose new cabinets based on how you use the kitchen so you could utilize the space more efficiently. If youre planning a major kitchen renovation, you may want to completely rethink the way the room is designed and make changes to match your familys lifestyle.

Replacing the old cabinets would cost a lot more than refacing, but its not a project you should try to handle yourself to save money. The old cabinets would need to be removed carefully to avoid damaging the counters and floor. If you didnt have the necessary training and experience and you made a mistake, it could dramatically increase the overall cost of your kitchen remodel.

When to Try a Combination of Approaches
Some of your kitchen cabinets may be in better shape than others. If that is the case, your best option may be to replace some and reface others. A contractor can inspect the condition of each cabinet and make a recommendation.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

With the warm seasons in full swing, it comes as no surprise that gardeners and green thumbs out there are ready to pick their plants. For those who have a furry friend at home, you want to be sure that each and every ingredient to make its way into your garden is safe for your pet, as warmer weather means more time spent outside. Heres how to make your garden a safer place for your pets.

Research Pet-Safe Plants
If your pet is a digger, or simply likes to eat anything growing out of the ground, you want to ensure that anything they can get to is non-toxic. Harmful plants, like lilies, tulips and irises, can cause vomiting, drooling and, for those who really like to dig deep, the bulbs of these flowers can even cause kidney failure. Check with your local veterinarian or garden store, or visit the ASPCA website, for a complete list of poisonous plants.

Fence Off Vegetables
For those who like to cultivate their own vegetables and herbs, be sure to put your edible garden behind a fence or in a raised bed, out of reach for your pet. Edible plants, like garlic, chives and even onions, can be harmful to animals. Even tomatoes, a seemingly non-toxic plant for pets, can cause heart failure. Hanging planters is also another great option to keep your fur babies away from danger.

Avoid Cocoa Bean Mulch
When deciding on which type of mulch you want in your garden, consider the damage certain ingredients can cause to your pet. Cocoa bean mulch, much like chocolate, is incredibly dangerous for dogs to ingest. Because of its appealing scent, many animals will be attracted to this sweet choice. However, it can cause seizures, heart failure and even death when ingested. Look for an all natural, pet-safe option at your local garden store.

Keep Pets Away From Fertilizers
If you choose to fertilize your yard, keep your pet inside during this process. Always be sure to read the label and follow precise watering and care instructions. Even organic fertilizers can be hazardous to pets. Ingesting the ingredients, such as blood and fish, or a compost of toxic food like onions and grapes, can cause your pet muscle and joint pain as well as clogging up their gastrointestinal tract. Be sure that when it is time to let them out, the treated area is safe.

Avoid Rodent Poison
Even if your lawn or garden suffer from an infestation of moles or mice, steer clear of any poisonous bates. It will be just as easy for your pet to ingest or inhale these products, as they too are close to the ground and will usually eat anything they can find. Find natural remedies for dealing with rodents. Also be sure to keep your pets out of neighbors yards, as you never know what sort of rodent treatment they may be using.

With careful research and a smart gardening plan in place, you can ensure that your pets will stay safe and healthy while enjoying the beauty of a landscaped garden.

Published with permission from RISMedia.