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.

Just like cleaning one’s surroundings is necessary to prevent waste accumulation, one’s body must also destroy toxins and undigested matter to ensure health and well-being. Constipation is a significant health issue today, with about 16% of adults worldwide showing signs of the condition. Although not life-threatening, severe constipation can cause complications like fecal impaction, hemorrhoids, and bowel incontinence. Some common mistakes to avoid to manage constipation and its symptoms are discussed below. Excessive soluble fiber intake It is important to understand the difference between the two types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, found in foods like lentils, barley, beans, oats, and bran, forms a gel-like substance in the stomach, which delays digestion and is helpful for individuals grappling with diarrhea symptoms. However, too much soluble fiber can worsen constipation. Therefore, individuals who are constipated should limit their soluble-fiber intake and increase their proportions of insoluble fiber, which does not convert to a gel-like formation and moves faster through the digestive system, preventing constipation. Insoluble-fiber sources include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, leafy greens, blackberries, and potatoes. Depending on laxatives to pass stools While laxatives may help prevent constipation, studies indicate that they can cause damage to the nerve cells in the colon.

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.

Staying at a five-star hotel includes perks like an extensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet. You also get a luxurious room at your disposal, along with linen, softer and fresher than you can ever imagine. And even if you try, you cannot match their level of perfection when it comes to laundry. So how do you do it? Well, here’s revealing eight laundry secrets, like five-star hotels, that could help you ace your laundry game. Using only 80% of the washing machine When people wash linen of any kind, they tend to stuff the drum to 100% to ensure they get the maximum amount of clothes washed at once. However, putting in too many clothes might result in the clothes needing to be cleaned properly. Dirt and detergent residue could be stuck to clothes after the final cycle. So ensure you only fill the drum to about 80% so the laundry comes out fresh. Regulate wash temperatures When washing a load, it is essential to keep the water temperatures between 0°C and 60°C. These are the ideal temperatures for the disinfection of loathing and removing impurities. Moreover, washing clothes with cold water may not remove bacteria and dust mites on the bedclothes and towels.

Several cleaning products are currently available in the market, and various brands are working on making household and industrial cleaning possible with easy options. However, unbeknownst to many, these cleaning products are made of harsh chemicals, and prolonged exposure to them can lead to health issues that are not easily addressed or recognized. Therefore, it is important to be aware of ingredients used in cleaning products to ensure optimum health and environmental safety. Respiratory risks caused by cleaning products Several health risks are linked between cleaning products and one’s body, especially the lungs. Research carried out by the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine points towards how cleaning products can reduce lung function, especially among women exposed to more spray cleaning chemicals than women not exposed to them. Evidence suggests that exposure to toxic chemicals in cleaning products creates more complications for people with asthma, COPD, or respiratory allergies. Impact of chemicals in cleaning supplies on health These products contain ingredients like volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which vaporize at room temperature and can irritate the eyes and throat, leading to headaches and other respiratory issues. Studies suggest that exposure to these cleaning chemicals can increase the risk of occupational asthma and other related lung disorders.

Bathroom cleaning is one of the most crucial household chores that must be performed regularly. The market has many modern products like sprays, rust removers, wipes, and soaps to make the job quick and easy. That said, most of them are expensive and use dangerous and harsh chemicals that affect the environment. Fortunately, you can achieve a squeaky-clean bathroom without contributing to environmental damage by following these simple eco-friendly tips. Polish surfaces with newspapers Many people use old rags to polish shiny bathroom surfaces like mirrors and faucets and end up noticing lint or fuzz on them. They then turn to a microfiber cloth. While microfiber cloths are readily available, they are bad for the environment as they shed particles of plastic, which are too tiny for filters to catch. An eco-friendly alternative is to use old newspapers to clean the bathroom. Newspapers can help you achieve shiny surfaces and be easily disposed of or recycled. Remove grime with lemon and salt Sinks and bathtubs are used multiple times during the day, leading to grime forming on their surface. An eco-friendly way to eliminate grime from the bathroom is to scrub it using lemon and salt instead of ready-made chemical formulas.

Keeping the washroom clean is a hands-on task. But it’s necessary to wipe down all surfaces, use quality disinfectants, and sanitize the area regularly to maintain good hygiene. Doing so will prevent transferring bacteria and germs from the toilet to other areas of the house. Cleaning the toilet seems straightforward enough. But here are 7 mistakes you might be making involuntarily and should avoid the next time you tackle this task. Forgetting to clean the toilet brush The tool designed to scrape off grime, gunk, and all the funky discoloration in a toilet also needs to be cleaned thoroughly after regular use. Not cleaning the brush leaves bacteria and viruses to harbor and transfer over to your hands the next time you pick it up. Wiping down surfaces immediately When you use a chemical base toilet cleaner, it is important to spray and allow the product to sit on the surface while the formula activates and does its job. Never wipe down the surface immediately after spraying it with the cleaning solution, as it will not be as effective. Using too many cleaning products Mixing cleaning products or repeatedly using them on the surface can cause the toilet bowl layer to erode and become discolored.