Home ownership is a goal for many. Down payments and mortgage payments are the big items you think about but it is the hidden costs that cause stress if you are not prepared for them. Some costs happen at purchase time, some happen every month, and some can be a surprise. Here is what you...

Concrete is a tough product that does not require sealant. Under the right conditions, unsealed concrete driveways, patios, and sidewalks can last up to 50 years. They may also last as little as 10 years due to poor product or installation or adverse conditions. Proper driveway sealing extends concrete lifespan. Consider all the pros and...

Any plaster or stucco–residential or commercial–applied in the USA after 1990 should be free of asbestos. Asbestos was declared a health risk and banned in 1989. Older houses–especially those built in the 1940s and 1950s–made extensive use of asbestos in many products. Asbestos was incorporated into stucco and plaster to enhance fire resistance and soundproofing...

First impressions matter and are a powerful motivator to improve the curb appeal of your home. Whether you are about to put your home on the market or simply want to make it more appealing, increasing your home’s curb appeal is an exciting challenge that you can complete in one day. A quick transformation can...

Laundry never seems to end. The hamper is filling up as you finish the last load. Here are some suggestions that save time, save money, and make laundry easier. Clean Your Washer Clean your washer every 4 – 6 weeks. A lot of dirt passes through washing machines and some of it sticks in seams,...

Drywall manufactured since the mid-1990s is asbestos-free. Houses and commercial buildings constructed between the 1930s and 1990 likely used many of the 3000 products containing asbestos. Asbestos was used in drywall boards, tape, and joint compound (“mud”). Any older house that has not been renovated can contain asbestos in the drywall. Houses built in the...

Potential buyers’ first view and impression of properties for sale is from the curb as they arrive. About 40% of homebuyers conduct house searches online. The first online view is usually from the curb. An unimpressive or poor curb appeal can make them click right past the listing without considering an in-person inspection–let alone making...

It turns out the jar of mayo in your fridge is good for more than making sandwiches.  The ingredients in mayonnaise—vinegar or lemon juice, egg yolks, and oil—are cleaning powerhouses. The vinegar or lemon juice makes mayonnaise acidic, capable of breaking down grime and adhesive. The oil is a lubricant and glosser. While mayo doesn’t...

Curb appeal refers to the general attractiveness of a house and property viewed from the street. Upgrading your curb appeal adds value to the property when selling, makes it more inviting, and increases pride of ownership. Here are upgrades–big and small–that improve curb appeal. Upgrade the Front Door Everyone approaching the house focuses on the...

Denture tablets contain cleaning agents such as peroxide, oxidizers, baking soda, and washing soda. They’re also effervescent, creating bubbling action that helps lift stains and kills some bacteria.  While denture tabs are designed to remove stains from dentures, they’re a powerhouse, capable of dissolving limescale, unclogging drains, and removing coffee and tea stains. They’re also...

Underground drains are a practical and hidden option to move water away from your house. Designed and installed properly, they are an excellent solution for water diversion. No water puddles. No basement leaks. No downspouts cluttering the yard. Once installed, underground drains usually require little maintenance. The entire drainage system–from gutters to outlets–needs to be...

Frozen outdoor faucets–also known as hose bibs– are more than inconvenient. They can cause leaking and broken pipes, water damage, and costly repairs. Whether you live where frost is rare or experience four months of winter, use one of these suggestions to prevent frozen pipes. Always remove and drain hoses before winter. They are an...

Newer energy-efficient homes are well-sealed to prevent heat loss and infiltration of cold air. Furnaces are adapted to new building codes and housing requirements. Some homes require multiple fresh air intakes to keep indoor air quality at safe and comfortable levels. Every fuel-burning furnace needs a source of oxygen to operate efficiently. Air is drawn...

Not only do dehumidifiers work with air conditioning, but in many cases operating them together provides noticeable benefits. Dehumidifiers are designed to lower the relative humidity of a house or room. Air conditioners lower temperature and humidity. They are very good at lowering temperatures but lowering humidity is a secondary goal. Benefits Of Running a...

Organizing a cluttered garage provides an excellent opportunity to transform a chaotic and disorderly environment into a functional and even appealing space. The overriding purpose of this is to create a system in your garage that will provide greater clarity about what you have while increasing efficiency in your home. By taking care of the...

Dehumidifiers are designed to remove humidity from a room. They do not lower the air temperature but they do make the room feel cooler. High humidity reduces the ability of the air to absorb moisture. Evaporating sweat cools the body. Lower humidity makes evaporation more efficient. How Dehumidifiers Make a Room Feel Cooler High levels...

Loose-fill insulation is used in attics and walls of many residential buildings. The International Residential Code and local building codes require insulation to pass high fire resistance testing. Loose-fill insulation can only be used in house construction with the appropriate certification. Loose-Fill Insulation Fire Ratings All insulation materials are tested to ASTM E84 for Surface...

If you’ve got the itch to decorate but don’t know what project to tackle next, this TikTok trend might give you some ideas.  Fridgescaping, a new decor trend sweeping social media, is about creating an aesthetically pleasing refrigerator. While using clear containers and keeping the fridge nice and neat is nothing new, this trend kicks...

The Department of Energy reports over 17,000 fires per year caused by dryers and washing machines. Clothes dryers account for 92%. Almost one-third are attributed to “failure to clean” and dust, fiber, and lint accumulation. Plugged dryer vents cause hot dangerous fires. How To Spot a Clogged Dryer Vent Dryer lint filters catch and hold...

Designing a garden requires a delicate balance of creativity and practicality. Size does not matter as much as you might think, so whether you have a small garden or plenty of space to spread out, you can design a garden that meets your needs. This is a space that will expand from your original design,...

Sink drain clogs usually start small and grow. If your sink takes over a minute to drain, it is partially clogged. Completely clogged pipes stop water from draining at all. Calling a plumber is an expensive solution. Try some of these DIY solutions to get the water running and save money. 6 DIY Ways To...

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....