Uncategorized

Even if you vacuum frequently, your carpets may be dirtier than you realize. Periodically deep-cleaning them can remove dirt, dust and allergens, which can make the carpets last longer and help your family stay healthy.

How Dirty are Your Carpets?
All sorts of toxic particles can be carried into your home on peoples shoes and pets feet, and some household products release volatile organic compounds. When carpet fibers are dirty and people and pets walk on the carpets, the dirt and grime get ground in.

Even if you vacuum regularly and clean up spills immediately, youre only cleaning the surface. A lot more toxins are farther down, attached to the carpet fibers. If carpets arent deep-cleaned, those substances can lead to poor indoor air quality that can affect your familys health. Dirt and allergens in carpets can be particularly troublesome if you have young children who play on the floor.

How Deep-Cleaning can Help
The most commonly used carpet-cleaning method is hot water extraction, often referred to as steam cleaning. Water and a cleaning solution are sprayed on carpets, then water and dirt from the carpets are sucked back into the machine.

This process can get rid of ingrained debris. The hot water breaks down and removes substances stuck to carpet fibers and kills germs, bacteria and dust mites. Deep-cleaning can also reduce the risk of mold. In addition, shampoo lubricates carpet fibers and reduces the possibility of breakage, which can extend the life of the carpet.

When and How to Clean Your Carpets
How often you should deep-clean your carpets depends on your familys lifestyle, how frequently you vacuum and the amount of foot traffic the carpets receive. Every 12 to 18 months is recommended, but you may need to clean your carpets more often if you have kids or pets, if your carpets get a lot of foot traffic or if they have experienced frequent or particularly messy spills.

The color of the carpets can also influence your cleaning schedule. Lighter carpets will show dirt more than darker colors. Dont wait until your carpets look dirty and dingy or the color is significantly darker than it was when you bought them. The carpets will be hard to clean and may not fully recover from the effects of all that accumulated dirt.

You can buy or rent a machine to clean your carpets yourself, but the machines that professionals use heat water to a higher temperature and have more powerful suction and therefore do a better job of cleaning. If you clean your own carpets on a regular basis, you should still schedule an occasional professional cleaning.

Do Your Carpets Need to Be Cleaned?
Even if your carpets are in good condition overall, trapped-in dirt can detract from their appearance. Deep-cleaning can make carpets look like new and help them last longer. Clean carpets look and smell better, feel softer and more pleasant to walk on and can make your home feel more inviting to guests.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are a few reasons to incorporate smart faucets into your home design…

Hands-Free Control

From motion-activated to voice control faucets linked to your smart home system, the hands-free control is a lifesaver.

Precise Dispensing

Forget about measuring cups! Just say the amount of water you need”and the faucet will dispense it.

Usage Monitoring

Some smart faucets utilize a sensor to monitor usage and leaks, which is then displayed on an app.

No Fingerprints and Smudges

With a smart faucet, you can be sure your sink will never lose its luster, regardless of how much use it sees.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If you have a small house and/or a growing family, it can be a struggle to find enough space to store all your belongings. Not having a clear and effective organizational system can make the problem even worse. Here are some tips to make room for your stuff and make things easy to find if you have a limited amount of space.

Only Keep Things You Need
Start off by going through your home and getting rid of anything you dont need. Many people hold onto items for sentimental reasons or because they think they might need them someday. This results in a lot of unnecessary clutter. You can probably get rid of something if no one in your family has used it in the past year, or if you own another item that can perform the same function. Sell it, donate it or recycle it. Whatever you do, dont let it continue to sit around just taking up space. Before you buy a new item, ask yourself if you really need it, would use it often and have enough room for it.

Use a Variety of Organizational Strategies
Separate rooms into areas with specific functions. For example, in a childs bedroom, make areas for clothing, toys, books and art supplies. A clear system that both parents and kids can understand will make it easier to stay organized.

Maximize the use of available space. If you have a closet where you hang clothes on a rod and theres empty space underneath, thats the perfect place to put a shoe rack, or possibly even a dresser.

You can buy shelving units in a wide range of heights and widths at any home improvement or big box store or online and put them in a room or inside a closet. Use boxes, baskets or plastic storage bins that are easy to stack and arrange on shelves to store childrens toys, off-season clothes, toiletries or pretty much anything else. If you have some free wall space, install hooks to hang items such as kitchen pans.

It may seem like a good idea to neatly arrange your shoes on the floor in your closet or in the entryway, but its also easy to just drop shoes on the floor when youre tired and wind up with a mess. Use shoe racks instead.

Look for furniture, such as tables and ottomans, with built-in storage. You can use space under furniture, particularly under beds, for storage, as long as items are organized in containers.

Make a Plan to Get and Stay Organized
Staying organized in a house without a lot of storage space takes planning, creativity and discipline. Start by figuring out what you dont need, then create a plan to find places for all the things you do. There are plenty of clever furniture pieces and strategies to make it easier.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Home is where the heart is, as they say. To truly make your house your own, and to turn it into the place of comfort and relaxation that it should be, you do need to show your home a little extra love. These inexpensive ideas will have you falling more in love with your home.

Add Some Fresh Flowers
Nothing says you care like fresh flowers, and nothing will spruce up your room in quite the same way. Add a pop of color and an air of intention to your space with a vase full of your favorite blooms.

Brighten it Up
A home that feels dull and dark doesnt feel well-loved. Brighten up your rooms with extra light fixtures of your choice or by opting for a sheer window covering that will provide a bit of privacy while letting in the sunshine during the day. Whatever you do, theres no doubt that a bright and cheery home is a mood booster for everyone living in it.

Declutter Ten Items
Letting go of excess baggage is good for any relationship and its true for your home too. Take a minute to select 10 items that you could live without. Donate those items. Just dont make it complicated. Remember, this isnt a long drawn-out decluttering session, but a quick way to let go of a few items weighing down your living space.

Add Some Art
If you have been hesitant to hang art, theres no better time. Art will lend a personal and polished look to your home. Dont be afraid to splurge on art you love and that youll enjoy for years to come. If you arent sure what to look for, find a low-budget option to see how a particular style feels in a room. When youre ready, you can spring for the real thing.

Gift a Signature Scent
Show your home a little extra devotion by choosing a signature scent. Find a candle that you love and light it often to ensure that your home smells like more than yesterdays fish dinner or your pets furry dog bed. Opt for a gentle scent that will waft through your home if used regularly. Similar to perfume application, you want a hint of a lingering and tantalizing scent. You dont want to be overpowered with the smell the instant you walk into a room.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.