If it seems like you are getting nowhere with your cleaning or that it is taking longer than you would like, then you need to get rid of some common cleaning mistakes that could be slowing everything down for you.

Using a Dirty Wipe for Glass

If you try to clean glass with a cloth, but you keep leaving streaks behind, then the problem is with your cloth. Make sure you start with a fresh cloth every time you go to clean a new pain of glass.

Using Old Rags

The rags you use to clean your car or dust furniture need to be clean ones. It’s tempting to use the same rag you have been using to conserve money, but you are better off buying disposable rags or just cleaning out the rag with some detergent or hot water to make it usable again.

Not Soaking Dishes

The time it takes to clean really dirty dishes could be better spent elsewhere if you just let the dishes presoak. Just put those nasty plates and pots in some hot, soapy water for 5-10 minutes, then come back and see how easily the grime starts to come off.

Using the Wrong Tools

You need the right cleaning tool for each job. The maids at DiamondClean recommend that you “don’t try to sweep a small room with a large broom”. Don’t try to vacuum with the wrong attachment. Find the right tool for every cleaning job and see how much faster your work goes. You may have to buy a few extra products, but it can be worth it to save some time.

Vacuuming with a Full Bag

Speaking of vacuuming, be sure to clean out the vacuum cleaner bag every so often. You should check it every time you plan to start vacuuming. If you clean it, the vacuum will be more powerful and leave less debris behind.

Overdoing the Detergent

You might think that using more detergent makes the works go faster, but that’s not the case every time. You can end up with a soapy residue on the clothes or dishes you are washing, so you may want to tone down the amount of detergent you use to get better results and spend less time washing off clean items.

Not Being Organized

You need to have a plan for where to put everything and how to manage your time. Clean each room in order and ensure that you clean in an orderly fashion to avoid going back and forth to the same areas with small loads and wasting your time.

Working from the Bottom Up

It might feel easier to start on the bottom and clean upwards, but when you do that, you can make some of the debris from up above fall on areas you already cleaned.

Cleaning When You Are Tired

You don’t want to save all your cleaning for the end of the day. Do a bit through the day so that you don’t have too much to do all at once at the end when you are already tired.

Scrubbing Every Stain

Not all stains are going come out by scrubbing them. In fact, you can make the stain worse. Know when to scrub and when to blot to get out stains more effectively.

 

 

 

 

What is a home warranty anyway?

A home warranty is a 12-month service agreement whereby a company meets the expenses of repairs or replacement of broken home systems and appliances. As a homeowner, various items in your house are likely to break at one time or another. However, if it’s covered by this policy you don’t have to worry since the company will promptly send a technician to handle the matter on your behalf.

 

Getting your in-house items insured

A warranty only applies for cases where damage has been caused due to regular wear and tear, or standard usage. Generally, it will cover major components in your home such as the HVAC, water heaters, electrical and plumbing among other systems.

Depending on your policy it might also include regular appliances like washers, refrigerators, stoves and dryers. Moreover, some plans permit you to buy optional add-on coverage for your swimming pool, spa, pumps, second refrigerator and so on.

 

How does it work?

When your home appliance breaks down unexpectedly, you’ll need to call your home warranty firm so that they can arrange an appointment with a certified, pre-screened service provider in your local area. Upon arrival of the licensed technician, they will review the situation and your coverage, then recommend the appropriate course of action to mend your appliance.

You’ll need to then pay a service call charge of up to $125 dollars, based on the kind of policy that you have taken. The rest of the expenses will fully be met by the home-warranty company.

 

When do you buy a home warranty?

A warranty can be bought when you first purchase your home, or at whichever stage of your ownership. Sometimes, relocating and adapting to a new environment can be stressful for you and the family. Nonetheless, knowing that your home items are fully covered by a warranty can help alleviate some of the worry.

Most warranties last for one year and are renewable on an annual basis. Depending on your service provider and locality, the cost of this policy can run up to $75 a month for a cover that includes various appliances and home systems. You can also add coverage for additional larger units like pools and spas. Companies like American Home Guardian have different plans for different needs.

 

How to keep your backyard always fun

Statistics show that around 5.1 million or 4% of homes in America have a pool, though the percentage might be higher in warmer states. While a pool is ideally meant to be a place of relaxation, if it develops a major technical problem, then it can rapidly become a headache. Not only will you be required to arrange for repairs, but you may have to spend on a sudden bill that can shatter your home budget and upset your plans.

However, if you are protected by a warranty, the outcome will be completely different. The burden of sudden, expensive repairs shall be lifted off your shoulders.

Studies show that many tepid-weather American states, where pools are more common, have soil conditions that are prone to shifting. Which is why residences in these states usually have foundation issues, and the outdoor pool isn’t immune to such problems.

You will only need to pay a small service call fee for the warranty provider to locate a suitable repairman, schedule the visit and cover most of the costs. It won’t be long until you are back to relaxing in the pool that you’ve invested a lot in. If you own a pool, a home warranty will definitely make your life much simpler when things go bad.

 

Protect yourself financially in uncertain times

A home warranty insures that you are financially safe if something ever breaks in your house. Most homeowners are familiar with the unplanned expenses of broken systems, repairing them can be quite costly if you don’t have any warranty plan.

However, with this policy you can easily meet the costs of fixing or even replacing a major appliance that has been damaged.

Buying a warranty is entirely optional and is a sure way to protect stuff that you’ve spent your hard-earned cash on, there are different packages offered by companies depending on your budget and needs.

To conclude, you should consider getting a home warranty for your family in order to avoid the inconvenience of costly appliance/system repairs and replacement.  

 

 

 

If you want to keep your home nice and warm when the weather becomes frigid, you need to make sure that the HVAC system in your space is fully operational. A great way to keep your system functional is by providing routine maintenance to its various components throughout the year. When you focus on the right tasks and bring in professionals for extra help when needed, you are more likely to see years of use out of your system before you need to replace any key components. To get the ball rolling, you may need some help.

There are many common problems that can develop with your heating system. Many of them are focused in the furnace, which plays a big part in keeping your home warm. To take care of your home in the best way possible, take a moment to focus on some of these commonplace furnace problems and how to respond to them.

Odd Noises

Old homes tend to make a lot of funny noises in the middle of the night. Pipes will clang in the walls, floorboards will creak, and the wind can make the entire space sound like a cavern. While some sounds might be par for the course in your home, there are some noises that can come about that will stand out as strange. A furnace that is in need of repairs tends to make loud and awkward sounds. When you hear banging coming from your furnace, it is time to take action.

The best way to respond to this kind of situation is by contacting the professionals for assistance. Though you might feel inclined to tackle the issue by yourself, there are many reasons why this might be a bad idea. A furnace often requires the careful attention of someone with experience, meaning you are likely to see a better outcome by calling experts who specialize in furnace repairs. The moment you start to hear these sounds, reach out and contact the right help so you can discover the exact cause of the trouble and find a solution.

No Response

A failing furnace is also going to have a lot of problems performing its main function. When this piece begins to falter, it will become apparent in your home. A furnace in need of repairs usually will not be able to maintain the right temperature within a space. When you start to crank up the heat on a particularly chilly day and do not sense a difference in the way your house feels, it could mean that the furnace needs to be looked at by experts as soon as possible.

A furnace can begin to fail for a number of reasons. The longer it has been around, the more likely it is that it will need repairs. When you begin to notice that the furnace is not providing its main function, you should reach out and call the professionals. Bring in an expert and you will get a better feel for what you are dealing with. The sooner you have someone look at your furnace, the sooner you can get back to enjoying the warmth of your home.

No Stop

While a furnace that fails to perform is one sign of a problem, the opposite can also be a cause for concern. If the vents in your house continuously blow hot air out, even when the heat is off, then you might be dealing with a serious issue with your furnace. When the heat will not stop pumping out no matter what you attempt, it can be wise to figure out a solution right away.

Maintaining the HVAC system in your home can help you to stay comfortable throughout the year. Take time to learn about more basic problems and you will have an easier time responding to a problem at the first signs of trouble.

 

 

Gardens are wonderful spaces. For many people, they provide an oasis of calm in an, often, hectic life. So, naturally a lot of homeowners do not mind spending time on money to make their garden even more beautiful and welcoming. There are lots of ways to do it, but as you will see planting a tree is perhaps one of the most beneficial ways to do it.

Planting a tree is a lifetime commitment

However, I would sound a note of caution, at this stage. It is important to realize that planting a tree is a big thing. Once it is in and established getting it out again is tricky, to say the least. Not to mention, expensive. So you want to do a bit of research before you buy.

You can find out more about growing beautiful trees by clicking this link. When you do, you will be taken to the website of a family run nursery that specializes in growing trees. Three generations have been involved in the business, so they have a wealth of knowledge that you can tap into before buying trees for your garden.

OK, so now that warning is out of the way, exactly why am I suggesting that you do take the big step of planting a tree? Well, there are three main ones.

Trees are beautiful

The first one is that trees are wonderful to look at. They are simply stunning. Most people cannot look at one without smiling at least a little and physically relaxing slightly. The right tree provides a fantastic focal point for any garden.

Trees are great for the environment

If you are looking for a way to help the planet, planting a tree has got to be at the top of the list. Trees provide great habitat for all kinds of insects, birds and other wildlife. Plus, of course they are great at cleaning the air and producing oxygen, which creates a healthier environment for everyone.

The right tree can add value to your property

Numerous studies show that healthy, mature trees add value to a property, in some cases, as much as $10,000, which is a lot of money. In many ways, trees are a better investment than a new kitchen or bathroom and they are a lot cheaper. You can easily pick up a really nice 1 or 2 foot ornamental tree for under $70.

In ten years time, once it has matured a bit it could have added $1000 to the value of your home. So, if you know you are going to downsize once the kids leave home, why not plan for that move by planting a couple of trees now.

Trees can save you money on your fuel bills

Surprisingly, for some homeowners, planting trees can even reduce their power bills. If you live in a hot climate you can potentially plant trees to cast a shadow over your home in the heat of the day. Doing this will save you a surprising amount of money because you will not have to turn the air-conditioning on as much. You can find out more about planting trees to reduce your power bills, by reading this article.

 

 

 

 

 

If it has been possible to walk on the moon, it seems reasonable to believe that getting online should be slightly less of a challenge. That familiar object gathering dust in your home, once the source of all outbound communication and otherwise known as a landline phone is no longer necessary for you and your family to get the best web experience possible, be it business or pleasure. There are several notable advantages to consider if you’re wondering how easy it might be to give your landline the elbow, and the good news is you don’t even have to have a diploma in space travel.

 

With financial considerations always something to think about for most households, one of the best things about no landline broadband is you don’t have to pay line rental charges which, if you pay monthly, can really add up over the period of a contract. Another big plus is that there’s no need to put up with those annoying sales calls that consider contacting you at 8 in the evening the perfect time for a lengthy sales pitch. If you sign up to Skype, you don’t have to miss out on keeping in touch with friends and family, and with the video calls feature that’s also available, communication can still be an enriching experience without a phone. So if you are ready to cut that landline, here’s how to make the change today.

 

First things first so check for availability within your geographical location, as not all areas are covered by no landline broadband. Following this check, let someone else do the hard work of searching through the seemingly endless deals to find the best no landline broadband option for you and your specific needs. There are plenty of comparison sites out there, including Broadband Choices amongst others, who are ready to save you a stack of time to source exactly what you’re looking for. If you have a contract, weigh up whether it will be worth switching immediately or seeing the contract through. Comparison sites will also give you plenty information on contract lengths so be sure to key in information-rich data so that any hidden costs will be given the light of day also.

Although in principle it’s possible to get connected without being tied to a landline, the reality can prove more challenging when it comes to finding any providers who offer it. Standing out from the internet service provider crowds are Virgin Media packages that let customers opt for broadband without having to pay rental on a phone line. The key to this lies in the fiber optic cable network which is wholly owned by Virgin Media, allowing Virgin Media packages to provide customers with the flexibility they demand.

As for the specifications, high-speed internet on all devices is standard, ranging from 50 Mbps to 300 Mbps. Twelve-month contracts are available so you’re not locked into a contract over the long term, and there are packages to suit every household. Saying goodbye to the landline doesn’t mean that you lose out on WiFi which the packages also give you.

It’s worthwhile spending a little bit of time thinking about the right deal to fit your household’s needs, so if you and your family are using on average 4 devices, most likely the 50 Mbps would suit, without losing the quality experience when streaming and downloading. If your household is supercharged device wise, using up to 10 devices with lots of streaming and playing games in HD, it could be worth thinking about opting for the 200 Mbps package which downloads music in around 3 seconds. Virgin Media offers some of the fastest speeds all the way up to 300 Mbps, perfect for family households where games are popular, watching in HD and downloading movies in up to sixty seconds.

Being stuck with a landline to get the optimum online service is certainly no longer a necessity, particularly when you consider the deals available on the market today that make no landline broadband readily available. There shouldn’t be any compromise on speed or the quality of the internet experience, giving access to super fast streaming and downloads in even the busiest device loving households.