Housekeeping

Thermostats have come a long way. They have gone from the dark ages of manual cranking all the way to smart technology that sometimes even comes complete with voice recognition. Modern thermostats make controlling your home’s HVAC system seamless, which is why it can be particularly frustrating when your thermostat stops working when you change the batteries. 

Selling a house is stressful in itself, but things can become more complicated when you’re living in the house you’re selling. Naturally, you must be extremely cautious to ensure you don’t do anything to make your home seem undesirable. You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to live in a house that’s for sale.

You cannot establish rules with your roommates until you have a conversation. This is everyone’s chance to voice their opinions, concerns, and expectations. Make a mental list of talking points before the conversation to make sure you cover everything.

If your furnace is relatively modern, it will most likely be outfitted with a furnace inducer motor. This is definitely one of those parts that you don’t consider until something is wrong with it. As the furnace inducer motor is one of the most common pieces to fail on a furnace, it’s important that it is properly understood.

Being woken up by a smoke alarm in the middle of the night is bad enough but it is even worse when it is a false alarm.

Sliding glass doors are a wonderful addition to any home. Sliding glass doors are typically characterized as a large glass window opening that provides door access. This door leads to the outdoors, it provides fresh air and natural light. Sliding glass doors are typically made as one single unit with two panels, and a screen running along one side. 

Cleaning a mattress involves jumping through all sorts of hoops. It’s not like you can just throw it in the washer. But what about the mattress cover? If it’s removable, it should be washable, right? Purple, one of the leading mattress companies in the United States, has something to say about that.

Nothing jolts you awake in the morning like jumping into a cold shower. Along with the frustration of being doused with cold water, you realize that your water heater isn’t working. You may go to troubleshoot and find that the pilot light isn’t on. Then, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t get it to stay lit. What does t his mean? Why won’t the pilot light to your Honeywell water heater light?

Cockroaches are one of the oldest insects on the planet, dating back to more than 320 million years ago. They did not last this long on accident. They are hard to get rid of and can spread diseases to humans. Unfortunately, if you have cockroaches in your cabinets, you have them all over the house.

If you have a septic tank, you know it can be a lot of maintenance. Perhaps you just had your septic tank pumped and it’s full again. There could be a number of reasons why this happens.

So many people struggle with dry air and have difficulty maintaining the perfect indoor humidity. That’s why many homeowners want a humidifier, but figuring out the best one can be tricky. So, what’s the difference between a whole-house humidifier and portable humidifier?

Bath mats are an essential part of every bathroom and come in all different shapes, sizes, and materials. What they’re made of dictates how they should be cared for. Can you put bath mats in the dryer?

Granite is a popular high-end material for sinks. While it looks beautiful and luxurious when you buy it, it can be hard to keep it that way.

The hole in the middle of your basement floor serves an important purpose: to prevent flooding and water damage. Whether you have a washing machine, a sink, or a water heater in the basement, this drain plays a crucial role in making sure your basement doesn’t flood if something goes wrong. Furthermore, it prevents flooding from inclement weather since basements are situated underground.

Anyone who has ever done laundry knows the frustration of opening the dryer door to still-wet clothes. Maybe you run it again, or maybe you don’t mind putting them out to air dry for a little while. Either way, unless you plan on doing this forever, that dryer needs to be fixed. So what gives?

Architecturally, glass blocks are very similar to conventional brick materials. Both bricks and glass blocks are used in the same way although, glass blocks can be used in some situations where bricks cannot.

For some people, too much dust in their house makes them self-conscious about their cleaning habits. But for others, excessive dust leads to constant sneezing, itchy eyes, and other health problems, as it triggers significant allergic reactions. Whether for your health, your home’s appearance, or both, there are easy ways to reduce dust in your home.

Ortho Home Defense is great for keeping bugs and killing off any nasty critters that may be taking up residence in your home. But like just about any other bug killer on the market, there will no doubt be questions about its safety of use around kids and pets.

There are several things that you should look for when searching for a screen door to keep your cat out of your bedroom:

You should never move a fish tank with water in it. A fish tank with water, decorations, equipment, and substrate is quite heavy. The combined weight of everything can crack the glass and create a huge, dangerous mess. Moving a tank with fish in it can also cause physical trauma, and they may even die.

Double pane windows can be an incredibly energy-efficient addition to a home. By keeping in heat and preventing cold from penetrating the glass, double pane windows can save you money. However, they can be difficult to clean when moisture gets trapped between them. 

Countless homeowners have done everything that they can to transform their houses into smart homes. It’s easy to overlook certain simple devices that make it easier to go about your day as a homeowner, such as smart plugs. So, do smart plugs save energy?

Fireplaces are a great centerpiece, that adds ambiance, and warmth, to any room. Since the fireplace is a focal point, you should try to keep the fireplace glass, as clean as possible. We have an unusual method for cleaning it, which makes it easy!

Kids are attracted to all sorts of objects, but mostly those that are glittery, shiny, bright, and colorful. So, chances are, you may find yourself trying to figure out how to get highlighter stains out of your carpet at some point in your life. However, there’s no need to worry! We are here to help.

Whether you’re changing your shower hardware or replacing a cartridge valve, you need to remove the shower handle. If you don’t see any screws, you might be wondering how you’re supposed to take off the handle.

Electric kettles are wildly popular in countries where tea is embedded in the culture. You can find them in nearly every kitchen and hotel room in these parts of the world. In North America, however, this kitchen appliance is not nearly as commonplace. Some people think the only reason to buy an electric kettle is if you drink tea every day, but there are many reasons every kitchen should have one.

The perfect lake house depends on how you intend to use it. A home you want to live in should have good bones, and it is a home that you can enjoy throughout the year. Vacation rentals should have a nice view and other selling points like space for a hot tub, plenty of parking, beach access, and other perks.

Outdoor carpeting can make for a perfect addition to sun porches and small patio spaces. The key to proper carpeting is to ensure that it has been adhered properly. Using an indoor-grade adhesive won’t hold up to exposure to the elements. This is why using an outdoor-grade carpet adhesive is so important.

Weighted blankets have become a refreshing alternative, to treating anxiety and stress. Getting a good night’s sleep is important for anyone. A weighted blanket can help get you to sleep faster, and improve the quality of your sleep.

Toilet bowl cleaner is a powerful disinfectant that leaves your entire bathroom smelling fresh. With such great results in your loo, it’s impossible not to wonder if using toilet bowl cleaner in the shower is appropriate, too (my apologies for the cheesy rhyme!)

Have you ever lifted a bathmat out of your tub to find a rectangular area of gross brown stains underneath?  If so, you’re not alone.

A coffee or teaspoon is a one almost every kitchen has in abundance, and it’s the first spoon most people use each day. Coffee spoons are typically a bit smaller than a teaspoon, but both spoons serve the same purpose. They are designed to fit in a coffee or tea cup and mix milk and sugar into the beverage. 

If you have light bulbs installed on a high ceiling, you probably already know how challenging it can be to change out the light bulbs when it comes time for a replacement. Questions often abound. Should you balance on a stack of chairs? Create a tower using multiple ladders? How about using something sticky on the end of a long pole?

If you get a rush every time you enter HomeGoods, you might already know exactly when to snag the best deals and find unique items. But what if you can’t find what you’re looking for to complete your latest home design dreams? When does HomeGoods restock so you can get your hands on that prized bookend or cushy throw pillow set?

If you do a lot of cooking, then you’ve probably come across Pampered Chef cookware before. This cookware is ideal for those who take cooking seriously, as this cookware is built to last, versatile, easy to clean, stain-resistant, and usually offered for an affordable price.

Having animals in the attic is not only frightening to deal with, but it is an invasion of your home’s privacy. Sure, it may only be a furry critter, but animals stuck in your attic create noise disturbances as well as a sanitary risk. Most homeowners’ first instinct when they hear an animal in the attic is to reach for the phone and call a service to get it removed.

When you put in new wood floorings, you want them to last. Often, this means adding a finishing material to them that will protect the floors from moisture and other types of damage.

It is quite rewarding to look at your fish tank, especially when the fish are healthy. The only downside of having a fish tank is that it requires lots of maintenance. Changing the water isn't fun, but it's necessary. So, how often should you change the water in a fish tank?

If there’s one thing that has always stood out to me, it’s the popularity of sheepskin rugs. They’re rustic, retro, and oh, so soft! I have a sheepskin rug, but I’ve never really used it for much. Why? Because for the longest time, I had no idea how to clean it. Thankfully, I found out how fairly recently…

Most snow is tracked into the home from your shoes. Therefore, the best way to prevent it from reaching far into your home is to stop it where it enters. Most homes have doormats outside. In the winter, it’s wise to have mats on the inside of your home as well.

In the unfortunate event of a fire, you will find yourself with a lot to clean up. Fire causes smoke, and smoke turns to soot. You might find soot stains around for other reasons, too. If you smoke cigarettes or burn candles or incense, you could leave behind soot stains.

Electric skillets are handy gadgets in the kitchen. Versatility is the name of the game with modern electric skillets. No longer just for frying, many new electric skillets allow you to pan fry, sauté, deep fry, or steam foods easily and quickly. However, many cooks wonder if they can put their electric skillet in the dishwasher.

Screen porches have been so popular in the past few years. They are fashionable, practical, and allow weather-proof outdoor chilling. But how much does a screened porch cost?

Having fried food is not exactly healthy, but that doesn’t stop us from indulging in it from time to time! But thanks to air fryers, it’s possible to have our favorite fried foods, with less oil, fewer calories, and more goodness.

While carpets are typically easy to clean, wax stains on them can prove a little stubborn. However, there are ways to get that wax off. With the appropriate use of a few household items, you can get rid of every trace of wax on your carpet.

When it comes to keeping your home warm, oil remains one of the most reliable options on the market. It doesn’t short out during lightning storms, it is easy to operate, and it also is guaranteed to keep you toasty. However, when you first get a home with an oil tank, there can be a little bit of a learning curve. This is especially true if you aren’t sure what size heating oil tank you have.

If you are having trouble opening your garage door or getting it to close properly, the problem could be linked to a faulty garage door cable. Cables are often installed incorrectly, a problem that leads to the garage door cables either being too short, too long, or out of balance. If your garage door issues are caused by cables in need of adjustment, here is how to fix the problem.

Window air conditioning units are lovely in the summertime. On a hot day, you can flip a switch and out pops some nice cold, refreshing air. However, there is one issue with these types of units: Mold. Mold is problematic no matter what type you have, although some are worse than others.

As someone who’s had friends who didn’t really understand the concepts of cleanliness, I’ve seen some pretty gnarly rooms. The worst rooms I’ve seen are, invariably, bathrooms and kitchens. I’ve even refused to bathe in a friend’s home because their bathtub was so gross. Believe it or not, if you’ve neglected cleaning your bathroom for that long, you can still clean a disgusting bathtub with a few tips.

Pillow top mattresses are increasingly popular these days, and not just because of how cozy the name sounds. They are fairly affordable and can be found in virtually every mattress size available. Surprisingly, they are one of the oldest types of mattresses around. They’re making a comeback, and that means it pays off to know how to clean them.

Mobile homes are vulnerable to cold weather. Have you ever wondered why bridges have signs that read “may be icy”? The reason, unlike a road on the ground, is that cold air is traveling above and below the bridge.

If there is one thing that seems to dry out my hands, it’s washing dishes in piping hot water. And sometimes, I forget my gloves. That’s why, on occasion, I get the urge to turn down the temperature so that I can avoid slathering my hands in super thick lotion. I still often wonder if it’s really safe, or if it’s effective.

When you’re excited about tackling a home project, it can be very tempting to jump in and get it done quickly. However, if you skip vital prep work, you might end up with shoddy work and wasted time.

All new Toro mowers are auto choke which means typically, to start it, all you need to do is pull and hold the handlebar bail lever, then yank on the pull cord. Despite the fact that Toro builds great machines, but in the event, you pull your Toro Recycler 22 out of the garage and it won’t start, you are going to need to know how to fix it.

We often don’t notice how essential our household appliances are to our daily life until they aren’t functioning properly anymore. The same goes for your clothes dryer. Unfortunately, it’s ubiquitous for dryers to break down because they haven’t been properly maintained.

No matter where you live or what your lifestyle is like, it’s safe to say that you’ll need some outdoor lighting at night. Dusk to dawn lights are one of the more popular categories of outdoor lighting on the market. This category is meant to turn on when motion hits the light, or when the sun sets. If you have them, you’re probably wondering why your lights keep turning on and off.

Most individuals save food these days, and Rubbermaid products make storing food easy. These products will ensure leftovers stay fresh for many days, and they’re also ideal for individuals who like to prepare meals and/or measure out portions.

Making the switch to solar is one of the biggest decisions in a homeowner’s life. Whether you want to save money on your electricity or get completely off the grid, there are options for you.

Showerhead clogs can be caused by deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals in hard water, especially well water. This mineral deposit may block the canal, which will prohibit your showerhead from operating at full force. This is especially true in bathrooms and kitchens, hard water can leave off-white or brown stains on ceramic or glass surfaces.

Leaks from your hot water heater can be an expensive problem to fix when the water damages your floor. Besides that, it can also mean that something’s wrong with your water heater.