Gutter guards are marketed as a way to prevent leaves, twigs, cones, and other debris from clogging gutters. Most of them work well for that purpose. However, they are not perfect. Here is a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of gutter guards. Gutter Guard Advantages Keeping gutters clean is essential to prevent...

Mopping floors is necessary to get rid of dirt, deter pests, and reduce allergies. Ideally, floors should be mopped every week–every two weeks at least. There is a right way and wrong way to do most things. Floor mopping is no different. Mopping mistakes may harm your floors. Here are some mistakes to avoid. Not...

Bleach is an ingredient in many toilet cleaning products. Commercial products contain additives that help them stick to the sides of toilets, but bleach is less expensive and works just as well. Benefits Of Using Bleach On Toilets Toilets should be cleaned and disinfected weekly. Bleach kills bacteria, mold, other fungi, and viruses. It removes...

Home remodeling is often expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive. Affordable upgrades usually cost much less but produce noticeable improvements. They usually require some DIY ability and time. Consider some of these ideas before spending a lot of money. Painting A new coat of paint is the quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to renew your home....

Twenty-five percent of garages are so cluttered there isn’t room for one car. They are a catch-all for garden equipment, tools, old toys, lumber, and other things you should never store in a garage. Here are things to get rid of now to make the space more usable. A clean and organized garage is healthier,...

Bleach is one of the best options to kill black mold on certain surfaces. It will not completely eliminate mold from some materials. Mold spores are everywhere in the environment and grow on most organic materials. Here is what you need to know. Where Bleach Works Bleach works on non-porous surfaces like tile, porcelain, acrylic...

Most people think of bathrooms and toilets as the dirtiest places in the home. That may be true but many other places collect dirt, germs, grime, and bacteria. This list points out locations that require extra cleaning attention. Remote Controls Over half of remote controls have germs on them. Many are never cleaned. They are...

For most of the country, summer break is coming to an end, and the first day back to school is right around the corner. While you’ve probably made preparations by purchasing new clothes, school supplies, and backpacks, failing to set your home up for success can be a big mistake. To ensure a smooth start...

Making compost reduces food waste, improves garden soil, and helps the environment. All organic material decomposes naturally. You can speed up the process with some of these tips and tricks–and avoid some annoying mistakes. Why Compost? Composting is good for the environment, good for gardens and flower beds, and saves money. Over 90% of discarded...

Pink mold–also called pink mildew–is not caused by mold spores. It is a water-borne and air-borne bacteria–Serratia marcescens. It feeds on the fats and phosphorus found in soap scum. Pink mold can also appear pinkish-orange color, orange, or reddish. Is Pink Mold Dangerous? Pink mold is not as dangerous as black mold but it can...

Most experts recommend cleaning window blinds at least every two months to ensure they stay free of dust and grime. However, we’ve found that waiting that long can lead to buildup that’s hard and time-consuming to remove.  The tips below will help you clean your window blinds more efficiently and prevent them from getting to...

Ants are survivors. They were on Earth with the dinosaurs. Getting rid of them requires patience and persistence. Many homemade DIY solutions take care of smaller infestations. Sometimes chemicals and professional pest removal are needed. Here are some options to try. Getting Rid Of Ants In the House Ants don’t carry diseases and very few...

House cleaning habits are difficult to break but it may be time to examine your routine. Some cleaning practices make your home dirtier, spread bacteria, use the wrong tools, and are inefficient. Eliminate some of these mistakes for a cleaner and healthier home. Not Emptying the Vacuum Bag Replace vacuum bags or empty the canisters...

Dumping everything in your laundry hamper into the washing machine is very tempting. Just to get it over and done with. Before you do, consider the damage you can do to your clothes and the washing machine if you throw in the wrong items. Even some items labeled “machine washable” require extra care and thought...

Buying a new home is an exciting experience, but it also comes with the responsibility of ensuring that your new home is ready to be lived in. This means making sure that your home is in the best possible condition for when you move in. Once you have purchased your home, you should conduct a...

TikTok provides more than pure entertainment. Instead, it’s chock full of tips from real people on everything under the sun—including one of our favorite topics: cleaning. We’ve spent dozens of collective hours going down the #Cleantok trail. And while we’ve seen some nightmarish tips (like mixing cleaning products and air frying water), we’ve also found...

The current housing market is rough for buyers and sellers. Buyers face record-high home prices accompanied by high interest rates. Sellers face the same record-high home prices when selling their homes and a limited pool of buyers. As a seller, you must do everything you can to draw eyes to your listing. Luckily, Zillow released...

Cleaning trends are not typically considered an exciting topic, but they are critical in creating a healthy and inviting foundation for your home. Some cleaning trends gain popularity as a result of viral TikTok videos, while others emerge as a result of long-standing practices, but their effectiveness can be difficult to assess. Because of modern...

Window treatments are an essential component of a complete home design, providing privacy and light control for your interior space. Window treatments are also essential for establishing the mood and aesthetic of a room, regardless of whether they are a major feature of your design. Like all other aspects of interior design, window treatment styles...

If you search for cleaning hacks online, you’ll find massive lists that include hundreds of tips and tricks to help you clean quicker and more efficiently. While each tip has merit, battle-tested advice from regular people provides the most realistic help. 15 Realistic Cleaning Hacks You Need to Try ASAP To find the best strategies...

Both types of room air conditioners–portable and window–cool rooms efficiently. Choosing the best one for your circumstances requires some research. Here are some of the pros and cons of each type of unit. This side-by-side chart provides an easy reference to the more important room air conditioner features.   Portable AC Portable AC units offer...

A pressure washer is a great cleaning tool. It is very tempting to blast dirt and grime off anything around the house and yard to save time and effort. Some things should not be pressure washed. The possibility of damage is too great. Pressure washers can generate over 5000 pounds per square inch (PSI) pressure....

Home renovations provide a fantastic way to breathe new life into your home, both aesthetically and functionally. Whether you want to modernize an outdated room, improve overall comfort, or increase market value, these updates can be tailored to almost any budget or style preference. These home renovation updates, which range from minor cosmetic changes to...

Buying and selling homes right now is tough. Buyers have to battle high interest rates and record-breaking home prices, while sellers have to stay competitive with other homes for sale, which can limit the number of interested buyers. If you’re ready to become a homeowner but are struggling with the exorbitant prices in your area,...

Who doesn’t appreciate the smell of coffee? Mosquitos–apparently. Burned used coffee grounds are being hyped as a natural mosquito repellant. Does this really work? Here’s the scoop. There seem to be no definitive studies on the efficacy of coffee grounds as a mosquito repellant. Mosquitos–and other insects–tend to avoid strong smells like citronella, incense, vinegar,...

Cleaning up a giant mess is more overwhelming than decluttering a mostly in-good-shape home. It requires patience, dedication, and consistent action. The good news is that if a monstrous clutter pile consumes a closet, room, or whole house, it’s possible to clean it up without wallowing in overwhelm. Below, we’ve broken down the most crucial...

When your sliding glass door no longer moves with ease, the culprit could be damage or warping, but it likely comes from a less nefarious cause: dirt stuck in the tracks.  Over time, little bits of dirt and debris can accumulate in the tracks, restricting your door from properly opening or shutting. If left untouched,...

Moving to a new house is a mix of excitement and stress. While it’s fun to decorate and explore a new area, a long list of to-dos comes with moving. To make sure you keep your sanity and tackle all the mundane jobs, have a plan of attack before moving day. Below, we’ve provided ten...

A good-smelling house is essential for creating a welcoming and comfortable environment. While it may not be immediately apparent, a pleasant smelling home can lift your spirits, reduce stress, and improve the atmosphere of your space. It reflects cleanliness and attention to detail from the very core of your home, making it more welcoming and...

Remodeling your home is a long, strenuous process that can produce a lot of construction waste. If you’re replacing still-in-good-condition items like cabinetry or lighting, chucking it in the dump isn’t the best solution. Habitat for Humanity Restores accepts donations of small and large items that are new or gently used. Items can include housewares,...

There’s no one quite like a group of successful house flippers who know how to boost curb appeal quickly. After all, to sell their homes, they must first get people interested in a showing, which starts with an appealing exterior. While many experts will lament that it’s a seller’s market, the truth is high interest...