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Showing posts with the label spring cleaning

5 House Cleaning Mistakes to Stop Making Now

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5 House Cleaning Mistakes to Stop Making Now (We’re Totally Guilty of #4) House cleaning obviously isn’t anyone’s favorite task, but did you know that sometimes cleaning incorrectly can be worse than not cleaning at all? We asked experts about the most common house cleaning mistakes, and we were astounded by what we discovered: while some mistakes simply leave your house not nearly as clean as you’d expect, others can even be dangerous to you and your family. Be sure that you’re not falling victim to any of the following common house cleaning mistakes. 1. Forgetting to Vacuum After Dusting Dusting should always go hand-in-hand with vacuuming for one good reason: even if it looks as though your rag has picked up most of the dust, a lot of it falls to the floor, keeping allergens in your house. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology , dust allergies can trigger a variety of symptoms ranging from simple itchiness o...

Best Carpets for Pets

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The Best Carpets for Pets "Us, ruin the carpet? Never." While tile and sealed wood floors don't require vacuuming and you can wipe away pet accidents from them quickly, they don't have the soft, cozy feel of carpeting under your toes. Purchase durable carpeting that will stand up to the wear and tear your pets will likely inflict upon it. Stain and Soil Resistance Expect the occasional pet accident, even with the most well-trained and well-behaved furry friend. When picking a carpet that your pet's occasional potty faux pas won't ruin, look for fabrics treated with a stain-and soil-resistant chemical to prevent liquids from penetrating the fibers of the carpet material. Some manufacturers simply spray these treatments on the surface or very top of the carpet fibers. This process doesn't protect your carpet from stains that manage to seep past the top of the carpet fibers. Instead, choose a carpet that is made from synthetic fibers that h...

Let's make cleaning a little easier

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10 Smart Tricks to Make Cleaning So Much Easier Of the hundreds of cleaning tips Real Simple has published, these are among our most popular—and most ingenious. Use Ice Cubes to Deodorize a Garbage Disposal Tired of your stinky garbage disposal? Get rid of odious odors: Feed ice cubes made of vinegar down your disposal. Flip the switch to grind the cubes, then flush with cold water. Use Aluminum Foil to Scrub Off Baked-On Food Use Baking Soda to Clean Silver Here’s a no-polish shortcut to getting your silver pieces, from knives to gravy boats, sparkling. First, hand wash items in warm soapy water (use mild dish soap). Place in an aluminum foil–lined pot. In a separate pot, mix 1 quart of boiling water with ¼ cup baking soda and a couple teaspoons salt. Pour the mix over the silver, then cover with a well-fitting lid. Let sit for up to five minutes as the solution works to remove any blackness from the silver. Remove silver from pot, rinse with c...

Health Benefits to Carpet Cleaning

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3 Home Health Benefits To Carpet Cleaning Carpet cleaning can improve the appearance of your home and extend the life of your carpet, but perhaps the most valuable benefit from the process is improving you and your family’s health. According to the American Lung Association, if members of your household suffer from conditions that can affect their breathing, such as snoring or asthma, it’s especially crucial that you vacuum your carpets at least three times a week. Beyond vacuuming regularly, you may also benefit from having your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you’re not fully convinced of the benefits of professional carpet cleaning, consider the following top three ways the process leads to a healthier home: 1. Carpet cleaning eliminates trapped pollutants. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a dirty carpet can retain several sources of indoor air pollutants, including pet dander, cockroach allergens, lead, pa...