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Posts Tagged ‘Tips’

Top Cleaning Tips For The Home

01 Feb

The start of the New Year is the time traditionally reserved for the spring clean, when the weather is nothing short of awful and we don’t have the money to really go out and enjoy ourselves we might as well make sure the house is in tip top shape.

The kitchen

The kitchen is usually the first place we start and it can be the hardest, between all the appliances and working around the food that’s already in there is can take time. This is also the one room that doesn’t have to just look clean; it has to actually be clean too to keep it as hygienic as possible.

The fridge

The fridge is often avoided like the plague when it comes to cleaning the kitchen, it’s usually the largest of all the appliances and it’s always in constant use. This constant use is keeping our food fresh and edible so it needs to be clean. Plan your clean before a big shop, obviously the less food in there the better, the food that is in there needs to be transferred to cool bags or ice boxes. If you can chose a day when it’s already very cold you can leave your food (safely sealed) outside and it will stay nice and cool. Mix two teaspoons of bicarbonate soda with a pint of warm water rather than using harsh chemicals, use a toothbrush for those hard to reach areas and around the rubber sealing. Unplug the fridge and carefully pull it away from the wall so you can vacuum behind it, make sure to vacuum around the elements and it will run more efficiently.

The cooker

After the fridge comes the cooker on the list of things we all hate cleaning, the cooker might not be in constant use like the fridge but it’s probably used at least once a day and a little spill here and there soon adds up. There’s two ways to go with the cooker, you can load up on expensive and quite aggressive cleaning chemicals and get the job done a bit quicker or you can put some effort and elbow grease in and get it done the old fashion way. By mixing up a thicker bicarbonate soda paste with warm water and leaving it to sit for a few minutes you’ll find the stains and remnants of last month’s lasagne are easier to remove. For those stains that are a little more stubborn you might need to invest in a few of the shop brought chemicals especially when it comes to cleaning the shelves which can take a lot of time to clean by hand.

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Tips for Removing Squeaks in Floors and Stairs

24 Jan

Stairs and floors are subjected to a lot of movement everyday. Over time, the floors can develop problems which will have to be taken care of. One of the most common problems is squeaky floors and stairs. You can deal with these issues when you are carrying out property refurbishment. Here are a few tips on how you can fix the issues:

Squeaks Caused by Cracks

Hardwood floors that are exposed will stop squeaking if you sprinkle talcum powder over them. Sweep the powder over the surface till it gets worked into the cracks. Another product that can be used is graphite powder. Both talcum and graphite powder can be used when fixing squeaky stairs. Use them along board edges on stairs.

Squeaks Caused by Gaps

Sometimes, squeaks are caused by gaps in the floorboard. You can locate them during property refurbishment. You will have to check the area beneath the boards. You can do this by going to the basement or getting into the crawl space below the boards. Ask someone to walk on the floor. When it moves, outline the affected area. Joists nearest to the outline will have gaps that allow the floorboard to move. Installing wood shims or shingles in that area will plug the gap and stop board movement.

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8 Things Not to Omit from Your Holiday Home Inventory

11 Jan

So you’ve bought your first holiday home and are ready to start advertising for tenants, but have you got everything in there you need?

A holiday home investment is only going to be good value if you have people in most of the time. One of the best ways of doing this is to get good reviews so that more people are enticed into staying, and you are only going to get good reviews if people have a trouble free stay.

You can buy a stunning property in a prime beach front location, but if it has rubbish beds or horrible paintings on the walls then you can be sure people will mention it when it comes to your review.

Here are 10 things you need to have to give you the best chance of receiving a good review. They are items that either adds a layer of panache to your property that visitors will enjoy, or pre-empt things that your guests will want, before they know that want them:

1 Mirrors

Try to get at least one mirror on the wall in each and every room. They make the place feel bigger and allow light to bounce around the room more, but also pander to everyone’s vain side as everyone secretly enjoys looking at themselves as much as possible – especially when they are on holiday.

2 Foliage

Greenery of some kind makes a room feel fresher and more alive. It also gives any home a more exotic feel which people always enjoy when they are on holiday.

3 Books

The decorative nature of books on a shelf is somewhat under-rated. Also, they give the place a homely feel, especially if the books are used.

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Winter Proof Your House

21 Dec

A Four Step Guide…

Winter is well and truly here and that means rising heating bills as we try to keep the chill out and the heat in. While it is hard to avoid using the heating more often in the winter there are some things that you can do to ensure that that the expense is kept to a minimum and that your house is ready to withstand the harsh winter weather be it rain, wind, sleet or snow. Here are some top tips on how to winter proof your home.

Watch Out For That Roof

The roof is an extremely important part of any property, yet it is something that is often overlooked. If your roof becomes damaged then cold air and rain water can make their way into the property through cracks and cause serious damage to your home. A damaged roof will also result in you losing a large amount of heat from your house which will drive up heating costs. You should ensure that you get your roof checked out by a professional roofer before the bad weather starts so that it can be fixed in time for the winter. You should also ensure that you insulate your roof space appropriately which will trap the heat and reduce your heating costs.

Reinforce The Windows

An extraordinary amount of heat can be lost from a house through its windows, even if they are double glazing. If you do not have double glazing windows in your home then you will be fighting an uphill battle to keep your house warm this winter as the constant draft will keep the chill in the air. If installing double glazing windows is out of your budget just now then you should get yourself a pair of thick curtains which will act as a shield against the cold. Having draft blockers at the foot of your doors will also help keep the cold out and the heat in.

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How to Find the Best Internal Doors for Your Home

21 Dec

Whether you are constructing or buying a new home, there are several factors that you need to take into consideration when making design choices. This includes the materials and quality and durability of the products you wish to purchase.  Entrance doors are the primary element before entering a house. Entrance doors give the first impression of your house, while internal doors enhance the beauty of your home.

Making a wrong investment in doors can cost you too much in the long run. Your selection of internal doors is extremely crucial as they need to blend with your entire home’s design. Selecting the correct doors can be done with ease by researching online to find the best doors available for your needs.

Types of Doors

Wooden doors are the first and foremost choice among homeowners. They come in a number of styles with a variety of design options such as color and size.  By evaluating your needs carefully, it’s easy to select the ideal doors for your home. It is imperative you weigh up your options carefully and consider all your requirements before making your selection. Note that in most cases, doors are designed using different types of materials, and subsequently, you should choose doors that appeal to you and that compliment your home and its decor.

When it comes to external doors, fiberglass doors seem to be the second hot favorite among homeowners. Fiberglass doors married with wooden frames are a potent combination. Along with wooden frames, fancy inlay and artwork adds a traditional touch.

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