Home cleaning is an everyday chore that you cannot miss. However, the most important aspect is not just about doing the tasks; it’s also about how you do it and what products you use. The best variety of home cleaning products will not only cut out the effort but also ensure the greatest of results in minimum time. Having said that, the use of safe products is something that should be given priority too.
Checklist to choose safe products
From the start of time, the home cleaning products industry has come to a full circle, from using ingredients from the kitchen to chemicals and now to semi-natural combinations that work efficiently along with being safe. Such enormous varieties sure do not make choosing the product easier. So here’s a checklist to keep while shopping for home cleaning products.
- The health of your family: Many products contain harmful chemicals like bleaches or acids that react and can release gases that might pose harm to your loved ones. Do check on the product label to know the ingredients. If you have young children in your home, ensure to avoid chemically-potent products altogether.
- The purpose of the product: Is it to clean tiles, dishes, wooden furniture or the stairs, look for products that serve the purpose. Always pick branded household cleaning products which are efficient in performance as well as safety.
- Organic or chemical: Trying organic products in many cases might be an excellent way to buy safe home cleaning products. With natural ingredients, there would be no worry of contamination and its effect on the people in the house. Although, they might be a little ineffective on tough stains. If you are dealing with stubborn spots, pick chemical solutions, just ensure that you only use them for exceptional situations.
- Environmental friendly: As the regulations in this industry have certain weak points and many manufacturers may not enlist all the ingredients. Look for products marked as ‘environmental friendly’ that could help you understand the product better and buy the right one. This mark means that it contains no complex compounds that will harm the environment, which is a good sign.
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12 home-cleaning secrets that professionals rely on
Read moreA clean home helps enhance home aesthetics and is synonymous with physical and mental well-being. Studies have found associations between clutter-free homes and increased happiness and confidence. Moreover, cleanliness prevents respiratory conditions and reduces the prevalence of allergic reactions. Facilitating cleanliness at home is no rocket science—all one needs is some patience and certain tried and tested home-cleaning hacks. So, this article provides an insight into some home-cleaning secrets that professionals rely on.
Start cleaning from the ceiling
Experts believe that cleaning from the top helps establish an efficient cleaning process and reduces effort. This is because the dust suspended from the ceiling and objects situated on or close to it, such as chandeliers, ceiling fans, the roofs of cupboards, attics, etc., fall to the ground, requiring one to clean the floor to dispose of this dust. Thus, cleaning the floor at the end ensures that no surfaces have to be cleaned more than once.Use natural products
Although store-bought cleaning products can and should be used while cleaning the home, several household items also make for excellent cleaning solutions. For example, a mixture of baking soda and vinegar is recommended for cleaning hard stains on various surfaces, including the sink and floor. Similarly, citrus fruits like orange and lime are natural cleaning agents that can be used to clean cutlery, bathroom surfaces, and other home surfaces.Use the dishwasher to clean various objects
The dishwasher is indeed a wonder home appliance that not only cleans utensils but a host of other household items, including toothbrush organizers, stove burner liners, refrigerator shelves, gardening products, and practically any other product made of glass, ceramic, or metal. Thus, using the dishwasher to clean your household products can save considerable time and energy while ensuring a spick-and-span home.Avoid mixing vinegar and bleach
Although vinegar and bleach are effective cleaning solutions when used individually, blending the two products releases a poisonous chlorine gas, which can be dangerous if inhaled. Therefore, these cleaning products should be used separately while cleaning the home.Dust the rooms before vacuuming
It is a good practice to dust the rooms, including shelves, walls, showpieces, and furniture, before vacuuming these surfaces. Starting your cleaning process with dusting ensures that the dust particles that are released into the air while dusting can be absorbed by the vacuum cleaner. In contrast, dusting after vacuuming leaves these dust particles suspended in the air, which can cause allergies and accumulation of dust on surfaces.Sanitize the sink
Research conducted by the Global Hygiene Council suggests that kitchen sinks comprise over 17,000 bacteria per inch, while the kitchen tap handles contain 13,000 bacteria. Hence, it is crucial to clean and sanitize the sink regularly to prevent bacterial infections and diseases. For optimal sanitization of the sink, experts advise filling the sink with warm water, adding a tablespoon of bleach to it, and allowing this solution to rest in the sink for at least five minutes. One can also dip a sponge in this solution and use it to clean the kitchen tap and faucet.Clean or replace your sponge regularly
It is advisable to replace the kitchen sponge frequently, typically once every two weeks. However, the same sponge may be used for longer periods if cleaned thoroughly. Kitchen sponges must be soaked in a diluted bleach solution for five minutes and then rinsed for best results.Descale the coffee maker
Descaling the coffee maker is an integral routine process to ensure hygiene. Descaling essentially removes limescale, which often gets accumulated in coffee makers due to calcium, magnesium, and other minerals being deposited by water. One may purchase specialized descaling tablets to descale coffee makers or simply use vinegar for this process.Start by clearing the clutter
A cluttered room cannot be cleaned, no matter what cleaning products and strategies are used. Therefore, the first step to effective home cleaning is to clear all the clutter, checking every room, including the spaces beneath couches and beds. Another integral aspect of decluttering is to dispose of the items that one does not require.Invest in microfiber cloths
Microfiber cloths can be one’s best cleaning companions as these are excellent absorbents. These can be used to remove organic matter, such as grease and dirt, as well as germs and bacteria from surfaces. Moreover, they reduce one’s cleaning effort considerably and require minimal wiping. Hence, it helps to collect sufficient microfiber cloths for home cleaning.Avoid cleaning one room a day
Many homeowners often clean one room a day, owing to the exertion involved in cleaning all rooms on the same day. However, cleaning one room a day often makes cleaning an endless process extended over days on end. In contrast, cleaning the entire home within a day or two can help wrap up the activity efficiently. To avoid exertion, families can plan cleaning as a group activity, wherein each person takes charge of cleaning one room. Such activities increase family bonding time while alleviating the boredom involved in home cleaning.Consolidate all the cleaning tools
An essential aspect of home cleaning is gathering all the necessary cleaning materials and tools. Having your cleaning equipment scattered can increase confusion and increase the cleaning time. It helps to consolidate all of one’s cleaning tools in a bucket or tub, as it can help speed up cleaning and facilitate more organized cleaning activities. -
5 things you must know about social security
Read moreSocial security is the term used for federal program (OA SDI) in the United Sates. It began to make headway in1935. The prime motivation of this federal system is to provide financial support to its nation’s workers in retirement. Such an existence of a social security system is left concealed among most of the country’s workers and elderly citizens. It is an outrageous fact that only 1% of the US citizens were acquainted with the social security available as per the AARP survey conducted by financial advisors last year. The fact of the matter is that if one does not understand this basic amenity, he cannot secure the advantage of its benefits.
Here are the five things everyone should know about social security:
• Educate yourself: Educating yourself about social security will help you make the best decisions regarding your retirement. Working with a qualified planner who takes a holistic retirement planning approach that includes tax planning, risk management, and health care into consideration will also help to ensure you enjoy your stress-free retirement. So, work with an experienced retirement planner.
• Disability payments: In case you develop physical or mental impairment and want to wind up your job; you still may be qualified for disability payments. Submitting certain documents such a medical bills or diagnostic reports about your health will let your social security system list an estimation on your payments even though you may be disabled.
• The right age to sign up: Understanding your retirement age is the first step. Depending on the year of your birth, the full retirement age will be between 66 and 67. Many people will opt to take their benefits when they first become eligible at age 62. Taking your social security prior to full retirement age will result in the reduction on benefits by 25%. So, consider carefully before you decide to reap benefits from your social security prematurely.
• Security Benefit: Your social security benefit is based on the years of service you put in, the minimum recommended being 35 years where you earn the most money. If you have put in fewer years, the remaining years will be counted as zero income years. Increase your benefits by working longer.
• Offset inflation: Social Securities is one of the few income sources retirees have that increases each year to offset the erosive effects of inflation. The annual increase is based on the changes in the federal consumer price index. Increasing cost of goods and services each year results in loss of buying power. But with social security, you needn’t worry about that.