Category Archives: House Cleaning

Dangers of Chlorine in Showers

April 23, 2025   Matt

Dangers of Chlorine in Showers

Today’s world is filled with problems and worries. A lot of people are already health conscious but somehow they are still overlooking some things. Are you already aware that tap water and cleaning products contain a certain element that can be very dangerous to an individual’s health? That element is chlorine. If you want to find out more about the possible dangers of chlorine in showers, pools, and cleaning products, read on and get the important facts.

• Skin Irritant – you can easily tell when there’s chemical in the water, whether you’re taking a shower or when you’re swimming in the pool. You will suddenly feel the stinging and you have a blurry vision. And of course, how can you ignore the smell? Water with chlorine is not that good, especially to people. Studies have proven that chlorinated water can cause skin irritations, specifically eczema.

Aside from eczema, individuals with seborrhea, psoriasis, and acne can experience worsening of their conditions. Chlorinated water destroys the vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in the body. It generates toxins which create free radicals. There is a remedy to these skim irritations. Doctors usually recommend patients to take supplements which contain vitamin E, flaxseed oil, and fatty acids.

• When chlorine combines with other water compounds, trihalomethanes is produced. These are carcinogens which don’t degrade and so the body’s fatty tissues store them. This may not sound alarming but what if the carcinogens were stored in the fatty tissues of your breast? The chemicals are also called as organochlorides. These can also be stored in semen and blood which can cause DNA mutations that suppress the function of the immune system. Hence, cell growth can be interfered.

• There are still other health concerns that you need to look into. Children who are always exposed to chlorine in pools will experience aggravated asthma. As mentioned earlier, carcinogens can be stored in the body and so you will be more prone to cancer. Breast and bladder cancer are just some of the possible illnesses that you can get. Some individuals were also noted to get malignant melanoma.

At present, studies are being conducted to establish the connection of chlorinated water and certain household products to congenital cardiac abnormalities.

• Competitive swimmers are able to absorb a large amount of chlorine which go directly to the bloodstream, even on their training sessions.

• Children are able to inhale more toxins as compared to adults. If you don’t want your kids to suffer from the dangers of chlorine, make sure that you use water filters.

• Try to check the chlorine content of pools. If there is a very high content of chlorine, the dental enamel can be eroded because of the high acid levels.

• Toxin is greatly absorbed though your skin as compared to breathing. So whenever you take a bath or swim in the pool, or when you’re cleaning the house using household cleaners, your body can absorb chlorine.

Ensure that your pool is not over chlorinated and try to limit your bath time. While you’re shopping for chlorine alternatives for household cleansers, pool or shower filters, make sure that you get the best quality products. That way, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of chlorine in showers, pools, and cleaning products. It helps to know some facts so that you will know what to do, right?

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Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

April 18, 2025   Matt

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

Making Your House Stand Out in a Tough Market

As the real estate industry continues its downward trend, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to sell your home. Prices have dropped, there are more listings than ever to choose from and sellers are giving incredible deals to buyers. Here are a few tips to make your home stand out.

Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is the first way to draw attention to your home. Since it is the first thing that anyone sees, you want the “WOW” factor. I know people that have bought houses just because of the spectacular landscaping. I also know people who have not even bothered looking inside of a house because of the condition of the exterior. Make sure the exterior of the house is in tip-top shape so the potential buyer immediately wants to see the inside.

The following is your list of items to maintain curb appeal:

• Cut grass

• Trim all hedges and bushes

• Add mulch to beds

• Have flowering plants or potted flowers on the porch

• Keep toys out of sight and place in the backyard or in a shed

• Clean all cluttering debris such as sticks, garbage, old newspapers, etc.

• Replace all the light bulbs surrounding the house
You want the inside of your house to wow potential buyers just as much as the outside.

The following checklist gives ultimate interior appeal. Make sure all items are completed before the first showing of your house is scheduled.

• Clean! Every floor, window, closet and cupboard!

• Remove excess clutter, toys, paperwork and knick-knacks. Clutter makes counter tops and rooms appear smaller than they really are.

• Paint the walls in dirty rooms or where a room needs brightening. Bright rooms give the appearance that they are more spacious.

• Make repairs to anything needed – hinges, doorknobs, plaster, steps, plumbing, etc.

• Replace all burned out light bulbs.

• Wash all window coverings. Open all of the curtains and blinds before a showing. Natural light makes a room appear bigger.

• Open the doors and windows before a showing to fill the home with fresh air.

When the inside and outside are clean and neat, you may need to provide a bigger incentive to your potential buyers. If the house has repairs that you didn’t have the time or cash to fix, you can offer credit towards the purchase price. That way, you acknowledge the repairs and give the buyer a discount for accepting the home as is.

Another option is to offer an allotment if your house needs new carpeting or flooring. Buyers like allotments because they get the item new, plus they get to pick out their colors. A win-win situation for everyone.

The time spent cleaning, making minor repairs, and providing incentives for major repairs, will make your home stand out above the competition. Although these little fixes may require some time and effort, selling quickly in a tough market will be worth the effort in the end!

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Vacuum Cleaner, from history to technology

April 13, 2025   Matt

Vacuum Cleaner, from history to technology

For many housewives, the vacuum cleaner reduced the fraction of time cleaning the house. From the beginning,vacuum cleaners were only able to suck up dust and dirt, but with modern technology these days, inventors are able to design wet cleanes that can steam carpets and kill germs at the same time for more hygenic purpose.

Carpet are used to cover the floor of a house, flat, or bungalow and keeping feet warm during winter. Years ago, people needed to sweep their floors or carpets, but with the invention of the vacuum cleaner, people could easily detract the dust and dirt from their carpets with less effort. It was also determined that businesses, corporations, and apartments would need someone to clean their carpets as well, so the invention of the commercial carpet cleaner wasn’t far away.

There are seven widely known main types of vacuum cleaners – the upright, canister, back pack style, built in, robotic, hand held, and the wet/dry vacuum cleaners. These different types of vacuum cleaners are available in a variety of different styles, sizes, and offer various voltage and power.

One of the most significant developments in vacuums is the invention of the cyclone carpet cleaner. Unlike the previous vacuum cleaners, the cyclone collects dirt and dust in a large cylinder. The cyclone operates using a central air force and number of filters. The filter will filter the dust and dirt into stages, so that the air being sucked up into the cylinder can be cleaned then released back into the air through a central outlet.

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Warm Mist Home Humidifier Review

April 08, 2025   Matt

Warm Mist Home Humidifier Review

A home humidifier review is the best place to look for information before purchasing an appliance for your home. You have the choice between a whole house humidifier or a portable unit for use in the bedroom. Unless you live in a very dry climate, a single room humidifier should be sufficient.
A review of humidifiers is the best source of information before you start shopping for a unit for your home. Most reviews are separated by type of humidifier. The most common are cool mist or warm mist types. There are benefits to each type. Read about both before you shop.

Once you have decided on the type you want, read reviews of specific models. Reviews have a variety of sources from professional reviews, to consumer reviews. There are even some slick advertisers that are able to disguise their advertising to look like a review.

Consumer sources are great for information about how a particular unit has worked for others. However, they generally don’t give a comparison to other products. A professional review should be unbiased and often will give comparisons between different models. Read from a variety of sources to give you a good picture of a particular model.

Cool Mist Home Humidifier

A cool mist humidifier uses cold water and vibration in creating the mist. Because these machines use only cold water, they are a great choice for the nursery or a younger child’s bedroom. There is no risk of scalding with hot water, like there is with warm mist humidifiers or a steam vaporizer.

Because the water is not heated, these machines have a greater risk of releasing bacteria and mold spores into the air. The stagnant water inside the machine is a perfect breeding ground for microorganisms. Proper cleaning and disinfecting the machine can help prevent this problem. Empty the water after every use. Clean out the machine and use a disinfectant cleaner regularly. Make sure to dry the tank completely. Add fresh water before each use.

A warm mist humidifier uses hot water to create steam in the room. Because the water is heated, there is less risk of bacteria and mold spores in the air. Proper cleaning and maintenance of the machine will eliminate the risk altogether. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the machine regularly and changing filters as needed.

Warm mist machines are great for treating colds and congestion that are so common in the winter. Many allow you to add liquid medications to the water to help relieve symptoms. Because they use hot water, they are often not the best choice for use in a child’s bedroom. There is always the risk of burns if your child pulls the unit down. This is particularly dangerous with infants or young children.

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Inseparable Car and Vacuum

April 03, 2025   Matt

Inseparable Car and Vacuum

In 2001, the vacuum cleaner celebrated its 100th birthday. It was in the year 1901 when British engineer H. Cecil Booth patented a cleaning machine that incorporated a vacuum to remove dirt. His machine was a huge one. Named “Puffing Billy”, this vacuum machine was horse-drawn and used a gasoline engine to provide the power needed generate suction. Booth’s idea was great, but because of the sheer size and inconvenience his machine brings, he never gained a great amount of success with it.

But, since Booth’s time, the face, shape, size, design and engineering of the vacuum cleaning machine have changed tremendously. The basic idea is still there but due to the changing fashions, the development of science and advances in technology, vacuum cleaners have evolved to be a revolutionary invention that altered forever the way people clean. Today “Puffing Billy” would be put to shame by vacuum cleaners that are ten times smaller yet many times more powerful. From houses to cars, vacuum cleaners have become very practical pieces of tools in the battle against dirt.

Just like your house, your car needs and deserves the same level of attention and care. Leaving your car dirty would totally ruin your vehicle. Dust and other particles can cause scratches on the paint and can damage your car’s upholstery. Also, especially with newer car models, heavy dust can cause damage to the computer and electronic devices usually found behind the dashboard. Garbage also piles up fast. Before you even realize, your back seat’s floor resembles a dumpster.

In cleaning your car, your first step would be to vacuum the interior. From the start you will need a strong, reliable vacuum cleaner to do the job right. “Puffing Billy” would hardly be adequate for even this type of job. You’ll need the power of modern day vacuum cleaners.

Present day car vacuum cleaners are equipped with powerful machines that can easily remove dust from your car interior. With various attachments, you will also be able to reach those tight cracks and corners like the areas around the car seats, behind the dashboard, and near the sides of the trunk.

For cars, both the portable vacuum cleaners and the upright units are at your disposal. The portable ones can be very convenient. These are good for both dry and wet operations. The rechargeable battery is also a plus especially with some portable models that can be charged using the cigarette lighter of your car. Upright cleaners, on the other hand, have at their disposal hoses and on-board tools that will allow a thorough clean up in a matter of minutes. These add-ons would extend and flex into gaps that ordinary nozzles or tools can’t go.

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Life is a Stage – So is Your Home!

March 29, 2025   Matt

Life is a Stage – So is Your Home!

What is a home staging?
Home staging prepares a home for sale, and for the dozens of enquiring eyes that will be scouring the property looking for flaws. It creates an image of the perfectly decorated home, in move-in condition. This should be the next step after decluttering, cleaning and repairing your home. The changes may be as small as rearranging furniture to give the illusion of more space, or repainting with more neutral and soothing colors. Home stagers will offer great ideas for perking up a room with accessories and creating a new stylish look for your home

Why stage your home?

In this day and age, having to deal with a sluggish market, staging is a must. It can give you the edge that may result in a faster sale or a higher sales price.

First impressions can make or break the sale of the house, and a home that is properly staged helps to maximize your chances of a positive first impression.

Your home will have an advantage over other unstaged homes.

A staged home shows well in web site marketing and video tours, and since the majority of homes are chosen over the internet, this is a vital form of advertising.

Tips for staging your home.

As you go from room to room, there should be a flow to your home. Avoid overly bright or bold colored walls. This may mean repainting some or all of your rooms with more calming, neutral tones. Some people cannot understand that that bright purple wall can be removed with a coat of paint, and these distractions may result in no sales.

Clean the carpets

Furniture: The most common trick used by stagers is to rearrange furniture to create a more stylish look. During my house sale, my stager suggested I move my dining room table into the living room, creating a living/dining room. This freed up space for my crammed kitchen table and voila, I had a brand new and improved living space.

Rearranging may also mean reducing the amount of furniture so that a room looks more open. This includes emptying out closets, even if it means putting some things in storage. Consider renting a few pieces of stylish furniture or pieces of art.

Tidy up your bookcases so that they look pleasing to the eye. This may mean packing away many of your books and keeping out the ones that display well.

Brighten the house up by cleaning windows, and go with higher wattage light bulbs (just until the home sells). Make sure that the lights are left on before an open house, so the prospective buyers are walk into well-lit rooms and hallways.

Creative use of fabrics as accent pieces for additional texture and color are very common.

Remove family pictures, hockey trophies, any traces of everyday family life. You don’t want the buyer feeling that they are in someone else’s space; they need to imagine their family living in this house.

Use plug in room fresheners, especially to mask pet and smoking odors. If you can’t get rid of a smell, overpower it by providing a distraction such as baking chocolate chip cookies and leaving the tray in the oven.

Sweep out the furnace room and clean the cobwebs off the furnace. If the furnace looks cleaner, it appears newer.

Make a list of general repairs, and if you can’t complete them, hire a handyman to polish them off.

Add fresh or silk flowers to many of the rooms.

Kitchen:

Display bowls of colorful fruit.

Apply oil to cabinets to revive their finish.

Modernize your cabinet handles.

Clear everything off the counters, finding homes for small appliances – you’ll love the look.

Remove fridge magnets and small area rugs.

Have a table set for use, complete with place mats, place setting and napkins.

Bathroom:

Have a set of thick and luxurious towels reserved only for open houses.

Fill baskets with scented soaps and lotions.

Use a scented plug in air freshener.

Remove the collection of shampoo bottles from the tub, or toothbrushes lying on the counter.

Bedroom:

Clear off your night tables, maybe leaving out an interest looking book.

Outdoors:

Place containers of flowers on the patios, decks and entranceways.

Set the table with colorful picnic plates

Power wash the outside of the house, patios and walkways.

Freshen up the paint on all porches and doors

Weed the gardens and apply mulch; it makes them look like new.

In order to make your home staging a positive experience make sure you use either a realtor who is skilled at home staging, or a professional home stager. The latter is a trained designer and they understand how to create a mood or illusion for the buyer.

It can be difficult listening to strangers telling you how your home needs to look. You really need to be open minded and trust their expertise. Many people are surprised at how hard it is to separate from their homes; just keep telling yourself, “It’s not my home anymore”. You’ll probably enjoy many of the changes you’ve made and may reflect these in your new house as well. There is just something about living in a stylish, clean, clutter-free environment.

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