Home/Garden Archives - Page 69 of 87

Clean Air for a Healthier Pet-Friendly Home

October 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

pet-friendly home

Are your pets safe in your home? You probably already know that you need to keep harmful materials like cleaners stored where your animals can’t reach them. One of the most important things you must do to keep your pets happy and healthy is to provide clean air. You may not think about it, but the air you and your pets breathe inside the home every day can affect everyone’s health.

Performing regular maintenance on your heating and air conditioning systems is an effective way to create a healthy environment in your home. Find a trusted, local HVAC service provider that offers affordable maintenance plans. That way, you’ll know that your system will always provide clean, fresh air for you and your pets. Routine maintenance includes cleaning the ducts and changing filters. Ask your HVAC provider about air cleaners that continually circulate fresh air throughout your home. HEPA air cleaners can also remove allergens like pet dander from the air.

Other ways to create a pet healthy home include checking your landscaping and houseplants for any species that are poisonous to your four-legged friends. Household items you use every day can also hurt different animals that share your home. Did you know that non-stick cookware is unsafe for birds? Other common items like string and yarn should be kept away from dogs and cats. Taking some simple precautions can help you create a safe environment for all of your pets. Check out the following four steps to a pet-friendly home.

Filed Under: Home/Garden, Pets

4 Handy Plumbing Tips for Homeowners

October 1, 2017 Leave a Comment

Being a homeowner can be a great joy but also quite a headache. You never know when a problem will surface which is why it is a good idea to identify professionals before you need them. This way, you can have them on speed dial in case a problem was to arise. However, sometimes the problem is not that easy or there is not extra room in the budget to hire someone to come over and fix the issue. There are times that as a homeowner, you have to get your hands dirty and do the work yourself. This article will provide some handy plumbing tips for new homeowners.

Turn off the water. If you notice a leak and you want to explore the problem, be sure to turn the water off to the area. This can save you from adding to the problem with additional leakage. This will also allow you to look for the leak without worrying about getting soaking wet or wasting additional water.

Fix the running toilet. We have all been there, whether you have lived in an apartment or in your own home, it is inevitable that you will experience a running toilet at one time or another. Before trying to fix the toilet, make sure that it is not clogged with debris, toilet paper, or waste. Once you have confirmed that the toilet is clear, lift the lid off of the tank. Check the flapper to make sure that it is still intact and in good condition. Believe it or not, they do wear out from time to time and need to be replaced. Another thing to look for is if the water is very high in the tank. If the water is high, turn the valve off that is below the tank and take off the rubber flapper. Dry the area and install a new flapper.

De-clogging drains. A clogged drain can happen to anyone. Over time soap builds up in a drain along with hair, lint, or other debris. A clogged drain can be easily remedied by purchasing a plastic snake-like tool from your local hardware store. Simply place the snake in the drain and dig out the contents that are causing the clog. It may be tempting to dump drain-o or other plumbing solutions down the drain but try to avoid doing this as it can have a negative effect on your plumbing.

Take good care of your garbage disposal. It may sound strange but your garbage disposal can malfunction or quit working at any moment. Take care of your disposal by cleaning it often with garbage disposal cleaning solutions that can be found at your local hardware or grocery store. In addition, keep silverware, bottle caps, and other metal objects out of the drain as they can damage the blades or cause the disposal to not work at all.

If you have tried all of these tips are you are still having trouble, we recommend this plumber that can help you out.

Filed Under: DIY, Home/Garden Tagged With: DIY, home repairs, plumbing

Why You Need Biz and Why Biz Works

September 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I am a brand ambassador for Biz and have been compensated for this post. The opinions are my own.

As a wife and mom, I like to send my family out in to the world, not only feeling but also looking great. For me, looking great starts with clothing. I know that people often get initial impressions of us based on what we are wearing. Even people we’ve known for a while will take notice when we get dressed up or wear something new. Whether you’re wearing a dress shirt or an old tshirt, the key is to have on clothing that is bright and clean. In our house, I achieve this objective with Biz.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: cleaning, Home/Garden, product review Tagged With: Biz, housekeeping, laundry

Saving Money with a DIY Oil Change + 5 Things You Should Buy Online

September 26, 2017 14 Comments

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DotComDIY #CollectiveBias

Do you shop online? Surveys and studies show that more and more people are turning to the world wide web to purchase gifts and a whole host of personal items. My husband and I are definitely two of these people. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy walking down the aisles of Walmart and check out the latest things they have to offer, from seasonal decor and clothing to beauty supplies. But I also love the convenience of online shopping, and I love the time and money that it saves me! Today we are going to talk about how buying your Pennzoil oil online for a DIY oil can help you save money, plus I will share 5 things you should be buying online if you want to save money. [Read more…]

Filed Under: deals and discounts, Home/Garden, saving money, shopping Tagged With: DIY, oil change, shopping online

From Outdoor To Office

September 12, 2017 Leave a Comment

If you work from home or find yourself looking for a space to work in peace a lot of the time, it can be hard to make sure that you’re working to your full potential. With the distractions most homes bring, it can be hard to get a lot of work done when you’re working from one. Of course, using a room as a dedicated office is a nice idea, but a lot of people don’t have the resources to pull something like this off. Of course, though, if you don’t have a room; you can always make one. To help out with this, this post will be going through some ways to turn your outdoor space into a brand new office.

To start, you first have to identify the space you’re going to be using for your work. In most cases, it’s best to have this in a rear garden, as this is more likely to have fences or hedges to protect it. Along with this, your space also needs to be big enough for a shed which can fit your desk and other work essentials into it. Finally, and most importantly, though, you have to make sure space is safe to be built on. In some cases, it could be best to have a professional surveyor come to make sure the ground in your area is strong enough.

With a plot of land figured out, you can move onto thinking about the building you’re going to be using. If you decide on metal and you need a larger work space, steel building kits, like Armstrong steel barns, can be a good and easy option. For most people, a budget will be the biggest driving factor here, and you’ll want to find a shed which not only offers what you want but also the security you need. The best options are ones which are designed to be used in this way. So, it’s worth doing plenty of research before you buy your shed.

In a lot of cases, you’ll be able to start building your shed by yourself, and will only need the help of a couple of friends to get it built. A lot of shed companies will offer building services. So, if you need some help, you can pay a little extra to get it done. A shed won’t make much of an office without the right components, though. To start, you will need the help of a residential electrician to wire up the place and get it powered. Along with this, though, you may also want to have some install water and gas to provide you with heating and a way to have a sink.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working on a new home office. You don’t need huge amounts of space to improve your working life like this. Instead, a little bit of work and clever building should be enough to secure yourself a place to work. Of course, though, you could also look into some other options like shared office spaces.

Filed Under: Home/Garden

5 Simple Tips to Transform a Room

July 26, 2017 1 Comment

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I’d love to make this room look better, but I just can’t afford it,” then today’s post is for you! As a homemaker, I love improving the look of our home, and as a girl on a budget, I’ve learned to embrace simplicity and find easy and affordable ways to transform the rooms in our house. Today I will share a few tips to help you get started.

Photo Credit

Bedding – The main focal point in any bedroom is the bed. A new bedding set can dress up even the oldest set of bedroom furniture and completely change the style of your room. Consider changing your florals to a modern chic pattern (as shown below). Or change your plaid bedding set to some trendy chevron stripes or a fun bohemian pattern.

A lot of bedding sets (like the one above) are reversible / two-sided, so if you have a reversible bedding set, you can simply flip over the existing bedding set to get a whole new look. Adding a decorative throw or extra throw pillows to your bed can also add color, warmth, and coziness of your room. [Read more…]

Filed Under: decorating, Home/Garden, Uncategorized Tagged With: DIY, home decor, home design

Why We Love and How We Use Fresh Produce

July 20, 2017 Leave a Comment

Summer time brings so many opportunities for cook outs and picnics with family and friends, and one thing that makes these events even more special is that we can use fresh ingredients. When you get ready to make a salad or a homemade fruit pie, do you ever think about where your ingredients come from? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food Storage, Home/Garden, recipes Tagged With: food, fresh produce, organic farming, vegetables

Tips to Make DIY Projects Safer

July 17, 2017 1 Comment

As you know, I always love a good DIY project. Any time my husband and I can fix or build something ourselves, we try to do it, and since we live in an older house, it seems like there is always something to do. In the past few years, we’ve replaced light fixtures, painted and replaced porch rails, had plumbing repairs and installation, assembled furniture, upcycled old furniture, and started a bathroom remodel.

Anytime we start a new project, there are a number of things to consider: What does the project involve? What are the materials needed? How much will it cost? How long will the project take? What are the potential roadblocks to the project? Answering all of these questions can help us to better plan the project and ensure that the project is completed in a timely and efficient manner.

But beyond these questions, you should also consider the risks associated with the project. Does the project involve any health risks? What safety precautions should be taken to avoid injury or other bodily harm? As an expectant parent and a pet owner, I have to take extra precautions to make sure everyone in our home is protected. The following infographic gives us a a little insight into the views of fellow DIYers and it details some of the risks involved with home improvement and do-it-yourself projects. Check it out! [Read more…]

Filed Under: health, Home/Garden, safety tips Tagged With: bathroom tile, DIY, electricity, furniture restoration, furniture upcycle

Our Nursery Furniture – Preview and Products

July 10, 2017 1 Comment

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. The opinions are my own.

As many of you know, I’m getting ready to welcome a new little one into the world. HE is scheduled to arrive on November 17, and I’m currently in the process of getting the nursery decorated. Today I’m sharing the nursery furniture that has been purchased.

First we have the South Shore Fundy Tide Changing Table and 4-Drawer Chest. I purchased these on Amazon. The set is available on other websites, but Amazon had the best pricing.

This is a great looking set. The color is espresso, but I think there are other colors available. It was very important to me to find a changing table with drawers, because I like to have things stored so that they are hidden. The South Shore Fundy Tide Changing table has two drawers, plus a shelf for storing items. And another great thing about this item is that we can still use it in the baby’s room long after a changing table is no longer needed. I figure I could use for toys, extra clothes, art supplies, or anything else in his room, and then I just have to remove the changing pad, and there is a place to display items. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Baby, decorating, Home/Garden, Pregnancy Tagged With: baby, furniture, nursery, nursery furniture

Dirty Little Secrets with BIZ

June 30, 2017 Leave a Comment

Disclosure: I am a Biz Ambassador, and this is a sponsored post written in partnership with the brand. All opinions are my own.

Of all the chores in our house, laundry is the one I am most particular about. I have to have everything sorted properly and washed in the proper cycles that will get everything clean, while also preserving the clothes to keep them looking great. (No fading and absolutely NO fuzz balls here.) Luckily I can count on BIZ^® to help me fight stains!