During housecleaning, people mostly follow their normal cleaning routine. Although this routine may seem like second nature, some cleaning habits adapted over the years may do more harm than good. It may also include leaving behind bacteria, grime, and dust that may create more work later and lead to health conditions, worsening allergies, and other health problems. Keep reading to learn about some common cleaning mistakes to stay away from. Mistakes to avoid while cleaning In most cases, the goal of the cleaning routine is to finish the task as soon as possible and move on to more critical chores. However, this could lead to a few mistakes that make the house dirtier. Some such common mistakes are listed below. Usage of dirty cleaning tools A cleaning routine is only as good as the cleaning tools one uses. Hence, using the right tools and ensuring they are clean is important. It may help avoid spreading bacteria, dust, and dirt throughout the house. Therefore, to avoid such mistakes, one must regularly wash the cleaning cloth, scrub brushes, and mop heads after every use. Furthermore, one can also sanitize germy items such as toilet brushes and empty the vacuum for optimum cleaning.

Home maintenance is often one of the most expensive elements when accounting for home budgeting. Raw materials are expensive, and you may have to contract a professional for the job. However, if you know the basics of electrical, plumbing, and woodwork, you could carry out certain repairs yourself, helping save significant maintenance costs. Here are seven DIY home repair tips that could save you from hiring a professional to get the job done. Drain pipes A leaky kitchen or bathroom drain pipe (not concealed inside a wall) is one issue that you can most likely fix by yourself. It may require something as simple as tightening a slip-nut near the P-Trap. A leak from a hole in the drain could be resolved with a flexible coupling with hose clamps. Handing wallpaper Wallpaper is easy to install or replace too. You will need someone to help get it on the wall and match the patterns correctly. If bubbling appears, you might have to remove the paper and install a new strip. But remember that removing wallpaper might require you to order more, possibly exceeding the budget, so avoid doing the job in haste. Clogged garbage disposal Disposal units might seem tough to fix.

Chainsaw purchases are quite common when autumn sets in, as people like to keep their backyard and surrounding areas free of large trees that could fall and cause damage. However, felling a tree is not possible with random tools. A chainsaw lets you quickly cut down a tree and even get firewood. However, there are many things to consider when buying a chainsaw, so here are a few mistakes to avoid in the process. Mistakes to avoid when buying a chainsaw Choosing the wrong size The size of the chainsaw is a key consideration when choosing the right tool. The size will affect the tool’s usability and functionality. You should also pay attention to the bar length, which is the distance from the top of the chainsaw to the end of the bar. If the guide bar is longer, the chainsaw can cut larger pieces of wood, but it will become difficult to control. Beginners should use a guide bar that is 14 inches or less. Overlooking noise levels Chainsaws generally make a lot of noise when in use, so consider choosing a quieter model. The noise the equipment produces could harm users’ hearing, so you should wear safety equipment and hearing aids when using a chainsaw.

Gutter installation is essential, especially in locations that experience significant rainfall. One can hire a contractor for the job or take the DIY route. Gutter installation involves tasks like measuring areas, cutting, and sealing to ensure that rainwater does not accumulate near one’s home. Several things must be considered during the installation process, including the gutter pitch, placement, and hangers. Some of the avoidable mistakes during this process are discussed below. Cutting costs while buying installation materials Cost efficiency helps save expenses during rain gutter installation, but skimping on essential components as a part of the cost-cutting can lead to problems in the long run. For instance, gutters that bend or sag tend to have installation problems. This problem arises from not installing enough hangers – the connecting hardware component that anchors gutters to a residence, and saving costs. Besides hangers, one may be tempted to purchase subpar gutter systems to cut costs. However, the cheapest option might not be the best one. Therefore, while paying more during installation may hurt one’s pocket initially, it is an investment that will benefit by saving repair costs in the future. Not considering the gutter pitch Rain gutters are usually mounted at a slight pitch, raising their level compared to the surrounding areas on the roof.

Home renovation can be a daunting task for many homeowners. There are so many aspects in any house that need reimagining that causes people to keep delaying the process for later. There are certain parts of renovation that need to be covered. For example, roofing replacement, fixing dents and scuffs on the flooring, window replacement or repairs, cleaning the porch, and others are key home renovation elements. Here are some details that’ll help in the process: Roofing replacement If you’re opting for roof replacement, one must ensure that certain precautions are taken, including removing wall decorations momentarily, relocating family vehicles, relocating kids and pets to another place, clearing the yard and locking patio furniture away for a while, cutting the grass and pruning trees near the roof, covering personal belongings in the attic, letting the roof replacement workers know about all the accessible power outlets, removing antennas and satellite dishes, securing the windows, and, most importantly, letting the neighbors know about the replacement. Repairing foundation cracks One can repair foundation cracks on their own or get a professional to do it for them. Here are some key suggestions regarding the process. Firstly, hairline cracks in the foundation are not a serious issue.

Chainsaw purchases are quite common when autumn sets in, as people like to keep their backyard and surrounding areas free of large trees that could fall and cause damage. However, felling a tree is not possible with random tools. A chainsaw lets you quickly cut down a tree and even get firewood. However, there are many things to consider when buying a chainsaw, so here are a few mistakes to avoid in the process. Mistakes to avoid when buying a chainsaw Choosing the wrong size The size of the chainsaw is a key consideration when choosing the right tool. The size will affect the tool’s usability and functionality. You should also pay attention to the bar length, which is the distance from the top of the chainsaw to the end of the bar. If the guide bar is longer, the chainsaw can cut larger pieces of wood, but it will become difficult to control. Beginners should use a guide bar that is 14 inches or less. Overlooking noise levels Chainsaws generally make a lot of noise when in use, so consider choosing a quieter model. The noise the equipment produces could harm users’ hearing, so you should wear safety equipment and hearing aids when using a chainsaw.

Gutter installation is essential, especially in locations that experience significant rainfall. One can hire a contractor for the job or take the DIY route. Gutter installation involves tasks like measuring areas, cutting, and sealing to ensure that rainwater does not accumulate near one’s home. Several things must be considered during the installation process, including the gutter pitch, placement, and hangers. Some of the avoidable mistakes during this process are discussed below. Cutting costs while buying installation materials Cost efficiency helps save expenses during rain gutter installation, but skimping on essential components as a part of the cost-cutting can lead to problems in the long run. For instance, gutters that bend or sag tend to have installation problems. This problem arises from not installing enough hangers – the connecting hardware component that anchors gutters to a residence, and saving costs. Besides hangers, one may be tempted to purchase subpar gutter systems to cut costs. However, the cheapest option might not be the best one. Therefore, while paying more during installation may hurt one’s pocket initially, it is an investment that will benefit by saving repair costs in the future. Not considering the gutter pitch Rain gutters are usually mounted at a slight pitch, raising their level compared to the surrounding areas on the roof.

There is a lot to learn about gardening, but there are some crucial gardening tips that every beginner should know about when it comes to planting, trimming, and feeding. All you need to know is where to start, and no horticultural degree would be necessary. Apart from picking the right plant as per the weather conditions, here are tricks every gardener should know to help you build the garden of your dreams. Add coffee and tea grounds Instead of tossing away old tea and coffee grounds, use them to enrich the soil in your flower beds. They help raise pH levels and improve soil texture. You should wash them first to eliminate any milk or sugar residue. Then, about once a month, sprinkle 1 1/4 of an inch of coffee or tea grounds around acid-loving plants like azaleas, blueberries, and rhododendrons. Use sponges Water pooling at the bottom of pots can cause root rot. To fix this, cut up old sponges and add them to the bottom of the pot. The sponges absorb moisture while creating the necessary air space. They also help keep water from draining out the bottom. The sponge acts as a water storage tool and helps keep the soil moist.

Nothing compares to the excitement of growing your own food, especially if it’s the first time! The idea of sowing a tiny seed and watching it develop into something that may wind up on your kitchen table will make you smile. But gardening doesn’t always turn out as expected. Most amateurs make gardening mistakes that impact their produce. Here, we’ll explain some of these mistakes and how to correct them. Too much exposure to light Plants require sunlight to grow, but too much exposure is dangerous. The leaves of a plant can grow pale, turn brown, and eventually die when exposed to direct sunlight for too long. So, shield them from excessive sunshine, especially during the hot summer. Notice how the light conditions in your garden vary as the seasons change to avoid making this typical error. Watering excessively or insufficiently Consistent watering is necessary for successful harvests. Most crops thrive when they receive roughly an inch of precipitation every week. So, get a rain gauge to track the rainfall. If your garden has stagnant water puddles, the crops might suffer, and the leaves may turn yellow. To prevent that, add several inches of organic matter to your soil. Mulching will also help maintain a stable soil moisture level.

Cleaning bathrooms is a deceptively easy task but one that many put off. Due to the compact size, it may seem like a quick process; however, cleaning a bathroom can take as long as an entire room, as it gets dirty faster than other spaces in your home. Further, not knowing how to execute the process can pose a problem. Thoroughly cleaning and maintaining fixtures, surfaces, and tiles is essential for a truly clean bathroom. Common cleaning mistakes Wiping before dusting When you clean the bathroom without dusting the surfaces first, you will find a wet streak of dust smeared across the surface. So, first, remove the dust buildup with a vacuum cleaner or duster to avoid smearing the surfaces. Then you can clean the space with a fresh cloth or rag and cleaning solution. Leaving the brush wet Upon scrubbing the toilet clean, most people tend to place their toilet brush in its holder immediately. If you don’t let the brush dry first, drops escape the brush holder, creating a pool of dirty water. So, always let the brush dry before putting it back in its place. Combining vinegar and baking soda Baking soda and vinegar are great disinfectants and cleaning agents.