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Homeowners and buyers alike are increasingly embracing the natural beauty of hardwood floors. Unfortunately, even with proper upkeep, wood floors can get unsightly dents and scratches over time due to normal wear and tear.

If you have hardwood floors in need of repair, the experts at HomeAdvisor offer the following tips, two of which might surprise you:

Walnuts. Take a quick peek into your kitchen cupboard. If you have walnuts, then you have a solution for light wood scratches. Simply crack open the shell and remove the meat of the nut. Then, rub the inside of the walnut over any blemishes in the floor and blend the oils from the nut into the wood using your finger. It should disguise the scratch!

Wood Filler. If youd like to try a DIY repair on a larger blemish or crack, look to wood filler. It comes in many varieties, but its basically a putty-like substance used to fill gouges in wood. There are several different colors available that can be matched to your existing flooring. Or, you can choose a filler that accepts wood stain. Note that filler doesnt have the color variation of natural wood, so the more problem areas you have, the more noticeable this fix will be.

Mayonnaise. Heres another light-scratch solution that may be hiding in your kitchen. Believe it or not, many DIYers swear by mayonnaise. To try this hack, first clean the affected area. Then, apply mayonnaise directly to the wood and let it sit for a few minutes. After a while, wipe it away with a towel. The oil from the mayonnaise should fill in the scratches to match the color of the wood.

Wood Stain Marker. For slightly deeper scratches, a wood stain marker may do the trick. These markers come in several different shades and can darken problem spots so they blend right in with the floor. Just clean the area around the damaged floor, touch up with the marker and wipe away the excess. Dont forget to spot test your marker color first to be sure its a good match. If your home has several trouble areas, consider talking to a pro about getting the floor refinished.

Professional Help. For deep scratches or significantly gouged flooring, youll probably want to hire a professional. Depending on how bad the damage is, the pro can sand and refinish or repair your hardwood floors. Some projects may require replacing a few boards. But a quick call can have your floors gleaming again in no time.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are three instant advantages you can expect when adding mature trees to your property.

Increased Property Value

Studies have shown that mature trees can increase a homes value by as much as 19 percent..

Improve Your Outdoor Space

Add instant privacy to your backyard by screening out the neighbors or create a shady canopy over your terrace that allows you to enjoy it at all hours during the summer.

Environmentally Friendly

Trees instantly help by absorbing carbon and other pollutants in the environment. Additionally, trees can help cool your home with natural shade and provide protection in the winter.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A well-curated home takes time to foster. An indoor plant can revitalize and elevate any room. It’s time to find the perfect plant for your space.

Spider Plant

These non-toxic plants are hard to kill and easy to pair with any decor style. All they need is a pot of soil, moderate sunlight and a weekly watering, and you’ll be sure to enjoy this plant for its simple beauty and air-purifying benefits.

Pothos

A classic choice for many homes across the decades, a pothos plant can thrive in filtered light to low light”though they can burn in direct sunlight. Pothos plants are a great choice for maximalist plant lovers.

Orchids

Known not only for their delicate beauty, orchids have a reputation for being difficult to manage. They are relatively low maintenance if you know that even a little bit of overwatering can kill them.

With plants this easy to care for, don’t hesitate to put a plant in every corner of your home.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Every year, hundreds of people are killed and thousands of others become ill due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide detectors can save lives, but many people dont have them in their homes.

What Makes Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide keeps the blood from carrying enough oxygen to vital organs. A person who has been exposed to carbon monoxide may initially experience flu-like symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, weakness and fatigue. Higher levels of carbon monoxide can cause a person to become disoriented or lose consciousness. Even a small amount of carbon monoxide is dangerous.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come from?
Carbon monoxide is produced when carbon-based fuels, such as wood, coal, gasoline, oil, propane and natural gas, are burned. It isnt dangerous in a well-ventilated area, but the gas can cause problems in a confined space.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives
A carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm if unsafe levels of the gas are detected. Carbon monoxide may go unnoticed without a detector since it is odorless and colorless.

You should have at least one carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home (including the attic and basement if you have them), near each bedroom, and in or near an attached garage. Dont put a detector near a window, in a humid area or in a place where it could be exposed to direct sunlight.

Some carbon monoxide detectors are battery operated or plug into wall outlets, while other models can be connected to a home security system or monitored through a smartphone app. Choose carbon monoxide detectors approved by Underwriters Laboratories or another safety certification organization, check them as recommended by the manufacturer and replace the batteries when necessary.

If a carbon monoxide detector goes off, get all people and animals out of the house and into fresh air immediately. If anyone has flu-like symptoms, call an ambulance. Dont re-enter the house until the authorities have told you its safe. If you dont know why the carbon monoxide detector went off and officials arent able to determine the cause, have any appliances that burn carbon-based fuel inspected and repaired or replaced if necessary.

How to Prevent the Release of Carbon Monoxide
Have your heating system, chimney and fuel-burning appliances regularly inspected and maintained. Dont use a stove or oven to heat your home or use a grill or stove designed for outdoor use indoors. Dont warm up your car in the garage, even if the door is open, because carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels. Pull your car out of the garage before warming it up. Dont run any gas-powered equipment indoors unless the area is well ventilated.

Protect Your Family
Carbon monoxide can be produced by common appliances that are found in virtually all homes. The gas can be lethal, and it often goes undetected until its too late. If you dont have carbon monoxide detectors in your home, install them to keep your family safe.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.