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...

Our homes have limited space, so the items we keep should contribute to the quality of our lives. Unfortunately, homes frequently become storage facilities for a variety of previously treasured or essential items that are only there to take up space and serve no purpose in our daily lives. These useless items not only take...

Gently used dress clothes are a hot commodity. While it’s easy to walk into Goodwill or The Salvation Army and snag a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, finding appropriate attire for a job interview, professional career, or court can be a challenge. If you’re cleaning out your closet and want to make sure your...

Cleaning the toilet is no one’s favorite job. It is a nasty necessity to maintain proper hygiene and clean bathrooms. Ensure the job is done well using some of these tips and tricks. Most of them eliminate the need for using harsh chemicals. Electric Drill Toilet Cleaning Using an electric drill with a brush attachment...

Fireplaces are often the focal point of a room. They are warm and cozy, and being near one feels safe and comfortable. Watching and listening to crackling flames brings peace and contentment after hectic days. Fireplaces can also be expensive, messy, and dangerous. Here are some important pros and cons of having–and using–a fireplace. Pros...

Your front door is the focal point of your home. Everyone looks at it as they approach the house. Proper door maintenance helps give a welcoming feeling to the house and increases curb appeal. Caring for your door increases its lifespan and reduces costs. Regular door maintenance benefits include: Enhanced curb appeal. Energy efficiency. Extended...

Clean siding increases your house’s curb appeal–even if you are not planning to sell. Keeping siding clean extends its lifespan. Every type of siding should be well-cleaned yearly. Cleaning siding is not difficult, and if it is done regularly takes less than a day to complete. General Cleaning Tips Regardless of your type of siding,...

Your smart TV is programmed to spy on you. Not only is it trying to sell products to you; you are the product it is trying to sell to advertisers–or worse. Smart TVs come equipped with microphones and cameras. These enable the convenient features buyers want. Facial recognition, video chats, Wifi connectivity, and personalization. Smart...

There’s no doubt about it—living in a decluttered space can reduce your stress and make your home easier to maintain. One of the biggest issues in decluttering, though, is dealing with all of the stuff you want to get rid of. Being quick to donate or trash items will prevent you from forming big piles...

Many people rarely enter their attics. This is especially true of attics not used for storage. Attics can also be dangerous, or at the very least, uncomfortable places to visit. They should be inspected at least once a year for signs of pest infestations, leaks, and insulation problems. Insulation Dangers Insulation is installed in attics...

There’s nothing like the satisfying feeling of decluttering to make your house easier to maintain. Less clutter not only leads to less stress but also creates a more relaxing and peaceful home environment. The big challenge, however, is what to do with your stuff after you’ve finished decluttering. If you stack up your old belongings...

You cannot get the best possible price for your house if it has problems that need fixing. Some problems are serious enough to scare off buyers. Some bring lower offers. Some should definitely be fixed. You need to balance repair costs against return on investment. Must Fix Problems In many jurisdictions–all of Canada for instance–sellers...

A clean air conditioner is an efficient air conditioner. It is also an air conditioner that costs less to operate and lasts longer. This TikTok video demonstrates a quick, cheap, and easy way to clean your air conditioner. This cleaning method is quick, easy, and eco-friendly. Some commercial coil cleaners are very toxic–especially for anyone...