The air in our homes is not perpetually clean. There are many chemicals, harmful gases, dust, and other airborne allergens that degrade the air quality in your home. These pollutants often stem from external factors and even the appliances you use at home. Furthermore, such pollutants can deteriorate health and trigger several health problems when inhaled. Therefore, here are 11 ways to keep the indoor air quality in your home clean. Open the windows Opening the window will let oxygen in and remove any harmful toxins in the air. It can even help keep the room breezy in the summers. Do not use aerosol sprays Aerosol sprays release harmful chemicals into the air. So you must use non-aerosol versions when it comes to hair sprays, furniture polish, and deodorants. Mop hard floor surfaces Mopping surfaces made from hardwood, vinyl floors, tile, or other toughened materials with a disinfectant will keep your home free of allergens. Inspect the air vents HVAC systems filter out harmful substances from the air to keep the atmosphere inside your room clean. Clean such air vents periodically to ensure they are working properly. Use exhausts Moisture in your home can lead to mildew, bugs, bacteria, and mold.

A clutter-free lifestyle and having a clean and organized home are not just crucial for visual appeal, these measures also impact your mental and emotional health. However, decluttering requires considerable time and patience, especially when you have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. If you are planning to take on decluttering your home, don’t fret; here are a few common decluttering mistakes to avoid for a mess-free space: Not having a plan One of the biggest decluttering mistakes is not having a plan. Before you start cleaning up and organizing stuff, spend some time figuring out what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it. Decide on a goal, such as decluttering your closet, and make a plan of action. This might involve setting aside a specific amount of time each day to work on decluttering or breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable chunks. Not sorting as per categories Another common decluttering mistake to avoid is not sorting items into categories. Instead, people often move from room to room, decluttering as they go. While this approach may work for some, it can be inefficient and lead to disorganization. So, you can consider sorting items into categories such as clothes, books, and electronics and work on decluttering one category at a time.

You may have been too eager while starting your decluttering journey. However, the process can be exhausting, and you might end up making a few mistakes. This can be detrimental, as the process then becomes even more lengthy and unnecessarily exhausting. So if you’re starting your decluttering journey, or are stuck and wondering what to do next, this article is for you. Continue reading for a list of common decluttering mistakes to avoid. Using numerous containers This decluttering mistake is at the top of the list because it is the most common blunder people make. Using a number of containers to hold your possessions may not fix the problem. Doing so only adds to the clutter and worsens it. Unfortunately, this strategy wastes time and money, because it adds to the problem rather than addressing it. Completing everything in a single weekend Decluttering a complete house requires a lot of time and effort. Many begin a whole house decluttering project, anticipating finishing it all on a day off from work or over the weekend. However, this may not be the right strategy. Chances are that the weekend might be over and you’ll still have rooms and boxes to sort through, not to mention the presence of large stacks of belongings in the middle of your home.

A water heater, an essential appliance in most homes, provides hot water for various tasks such as bathing, cleaning, and cooking. However, like any other appliance, a water heater may experience problems that may require timely repair. Unfortunately, many homeowners make common mistakes during water heater repair that cost them a lot of money. Here are a few such repairing mistakes that one can avoid to extend the longevity and safety of the device. Not turning off the power supply Before one starts any water heater repair, ensure that one has turned off the power supply. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock or major injury. Not draining the tank before repair If one needs to repair the water heater tank, it’s crucial to drain it first. This process can remove all the sediment build-up for proper maintenance. Ignoring leaks If one notices any leaks in the water heater, it’s essential to fix them as soon as possible. Ignoring leaks can result in severe water loss. Not checking warranty Most warranties cover repairs and replacements for a certain period. Failing to check the same can result in unnecessary expenses that could have been otherwise covered. Not replacing the anode rod The anode rod is a vital component of the water heater that protects the tank from corrosion.

It is easy to fall in love with your dream home, but if you have lived in a particular space long enough, you might know that the structure isn’t everlasting and may wither with time. However, it’s not always easy to tell if a home needs to be remodeled, as some issues could be fixed with a simple coat of paint. Five signs that suggest your home requires a revamp are listed below. Floor damage Having strong and sturdy floorboards in your home is essential to move around safely. However, if they start to detach and carve a hole into the ground, it might be a sign to remodel the space. One could hire a professional to get the job done. Moreover, replacing tiled flooring with wood-based options could help it last longer. Even if you have a carpet cleaned by a professional at regular intervals, it is advised to replace it every ten years. Leaky roofs The roof of a home needs to be in prime condition to protect the interiors from extreme weather conditions. Minor leaks could be fixed with a DIY kit or a professional’s help. However, if it starts to leak in more than one location, it’s time to get it replaced or remodeled.

When it comes to home improvement, many find the task challenging. But there are several ways one can cut down on the extra effort. There is a wide range of tips and tricks that can make things easier for you to carry out your remodeling projects without hassle. Check out a few home improvement hacks that will save you time and money without causing any mess around your home space. Stretch a rubber band over a paint container When you take up a painting project for your home, you may not think about the extra paint spillage that can happen from your brush. It can make the painting uneven when applied over any surface, such as walls, floors, or furniture. To tackle this, pop an elastic band over the paint can. After each dip of the brush, just gently glide it over the band to remove any extra paint and reduce wastage. Use a balloon to remove stripped screws It is tough to remove screws with heads worn out since a drill cannot reach them. An incredible hack that you can use to remove such stripped screws is by using a balloon. You should place the balloon right on top of the stripped screw.

If you own a home with a swimming pool, you would know that maintaining a pool is a lot of work. Many people end up making expensive mistakes. Skimping on regular servicing and making pool-care mistakes can prove costly, make the water unsanitary, and endanger your loved ones. If you want to learn how to maintain your pool better, avoid making these six costly mistakes when caring for your swimming pool: Improper cleaning This is one of the most common mistakes people make. It is important to clean your pool at least once a week to remove any dirt, debris, or bacterial buildup. You also need to ensure that the sides and bottom of the pool are brushed regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae and to avoid any staining or discoloration of the pool tiles. Another important aspect of cleaning your pool is to vacuum it regularly. Not vacuuming can lead to an increase in algae growth and make the water appear cloudy. When vacuuming your pool, start from the deepest part of the pool, and move towards the shallow end, as this will ensure you clear all debris along the way. Imbalance of water pH levels Ideally, the pH levels of the water in your pool must be between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent any skin or eye irritation.

Do you constantly worry about having to repurchase expensive laundry detergent? Or are you hunting for a cheaper alternative every time you are loading up on home essentials in the supermarket? Have you been disappointed time and again with the lackluster results of store-bought detergents? Well, here’s an easy solution to all your worries. DIY detergents are easy alternatives; you can save money and eliminate toxic ingredients. Homemade detergent powder An easy and convenient way of cleaning up the laundry and saving money is putting together your own powder detergent. To begin with, grate a bar of soap; use a box grater to speed up the process. Next, add a cup of washing soda and borax to the grated soap. Next, mix the ingredients together well and store them in an airtight container. The resultant detergent is safe to use for anyone since it does not contain harsh chemicals and costs less than a branded laundry detergent. Homemade detergent liquid With just four ingredients, you can make your own liquid detergent that is safe to use. Bring out the bar of Fels Naphtha soap and grate one-third of the bar. Use 3 cups of water to melt this grated soap and simmer till the soap has completely melted.