The best steam cleaners are fast becoming a standard household cleaning appliance due to their ease of use, lightweight designs, and effective use of steam, rather than soap or chemicals to get tough areas sparkling clean.

But given that there are more and more models available there are some things you should take into consideration before choosing the best steam cleaner for you and your family.

If you are like me, brand name has a lot to do with choice for most appliances.

Since the steam cleaning industry is still in a growth stage, a familiar brand name is what I look for.

However there are some relatively unfamiliar brands such as euro pro steam cleaner, euro pro shark, Jiffy, Reliable, Hann that all sell vacuums as well, but seem to be dominating the steam cleaning market.

There are also more familiar names such as Bissell, Hoover and Oreck that have steam cleaners too.

So some of the questions you should be asking yourself is how often you will using a steam cleaner and on what surfaces you will be using it for.

Of course most houses – even small apartments for that matter – will have a variety of floor, wall and cupboard surfaces that can be steam cleaned, but the best thing to do is figure out what you will be cleaning most regularly.

If you have a wide coverage of hardwood floors for example, then I would give them precedence over everything else.

The thing is, some of the best steam cleaners, such as the Shark pro steam pocket mop have settings for a variety of surfaces.

The levels of steam power allow you to adjust for light dusting, mopping and even deep scrubbing.

The premise behind using steam to clean surfaces is that it applies gentle pressure, thus not damaging or scratching finished surfaces, but also through the intense heat of the steam breaks down applied dirt and grime in a way that traditional cleaning cannot compete with.

There is less pressure needed, less abrasive scrubbing, and depending on the design of the steam cleaner – a lot of flexibility to clean hard-to-reach places in your home.

Kitchens and bathrooms can be made cleaner than they have been in years after a single cleaning with the best steam cleaner which is why so many professional carpet cleaners now are using steam as their preferred cleaning method.

Steam cleaners work with replaceable, absorbing pads or spongey type covers that get wrapped over top of the cleaning head. One thing to consider is how often these get replaced or if they can be washed after use.

Some people just would just prefer the type that you throw out, sort of like the swiffer mop system. I prefer the sponge covers that you can wash because they seem to have a more thorough scrubbing action to them as well.

They have more padding too, that need to be tied around the steam head.

Whatever type of cover pad you prefer, the steaming action removes up to 99% of germs and bacteria from the surfaces in your home.

This is an added value for people who have breathing issues, allergies, or family pets that can bring in all kinds of foreign debris.

Looking clean is one thing, but the best steam cleaners can sanitize as well, and help your entire home be rid of hard to find odors.

Also the fact that it is just using steam and not chemicals can make your home more safe, but it can also cut down on your cleaning expenses too.

It’s really so simple.

Heat it up and steam away.

One of the biggest benefits of using a Shark steam cleaner is that your kitchen and bathroom will feel completely clean fresh and sanitized.

Your tiles will look brand new after their first steam. The steam that comes through the swivel heads allows for cleaning behind toilets, and under your fridge and stove.

These are normally spots that are ignored because it just takes extra effort and physical dexterity to get into tight places. Not so with the best steam cleaner.

You can even get to these crevices standing up straight because the tilting and swiveling head can be bent to reach underneath and behind, to apply intense steam that instantly sanitizes and leaves a streakless clean polish to the floors, tanks and appliances.

And that goes for greasy surfaces as well, because that kind of grime can only be removed so quickly with intense heat, and the Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop has a detachable steam concentrator nozzle that can be used to loosen up the toughest of stains and corners from behind appliances or in the corners of your kitchen and bathroom.

When you choose the best steam cleaner for your home, you will likely find it replacing your regular mop for everyday cleaning.

Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop by Euro Pro

The Euro-Pro Shark S3501 Deluxe Steam Pocket Mop is manufactured by Euro Pro Corporation. The company was formed over a century ago and is renowned for being one of the top innovators when it comes to kitchen appliances, garments care products and cleaning products in the US market today

Shark Steam Mop euro-pro Shark s3501 deluxe is powered by a 1550 watt heater that generates steam in just 30 seconds. The steam loosens the toughest of dirt from tile, linoleum, marble and most sealed floor types.

How many times have you gone through the ordeal of cleaning surfaces using the conventional hand mops by splashing water and sweating it out for that ultra clean look?

The new Euro Pro Shark S3501 Steam Mop is your answer to the prayers in this regard. The euro pro shark s3501 deluxe steam pocket mop lets you easily clean any surface swiftly and with utmost ease. This makes your job so easy that you can absolutely forget about the chemicals and sloshing the water here and there.

Now how does this product actually work? What this Shark Steam Mop does is make use of steam to sanitize and clean the floor and give it that sparkling effect.

It is so easy to use that all you need to do is add water, switch it on, and in a mere 30 seconds the 1550 watt heater generates enough steam which is all set to cut through all the dirt and grime.

The steam helps in loosening the tough dirt from the tiles, marbles, and linoleum as also the sealed floor types.

This mop has a large tank and thus you do not have to keep on filling water in it over and over again.

It has a cord that is 30 foot long which is more than enough for you to work around with the power plugged in and you can clean at least two rooms easily.

This mop comes with an ergonomic design and weighs just about 3 lbs. It is lightweight and its compact design lets you move it around wherever you want easily.

It can reach every nook and corner and keep it clean for you. The mop head has the microfiber pads attached to it which help in absorbing the dirt from the floor.

What’s more?

It can also be used as a carpet cleaner. You can anytime replace the microfiber pads with the carpet glider in order to clean the carpets easily.

This carpet glider attachment also allows you to steam the carpet easily as also deodorize them.

This Mop has two optional mop heads.

One is rectangular while the other one is triangular in shape. This lets you easily clean almost any area and it can reach the corners easily. You also get along with this four long lasting microfiber cleaning pads which are reusable, a steam duster pad, a rectangle pad, a triangle pad, and also a large pad.

All these accessories can be cleaned very easily by just dumping it into the washing machine.

Unlike some of the other mops available in the markets which leave the floors wet, this prosteam mop uses a small amount of steam for sweeping the floors, so that the floor dries out in a short span of time.

The steam by this mop is generated when the mop is moved forward. There is no need to press any buttons or do things to release the steam.

It not only makes your sweeping job easy but the steam also helps in sanitizing the floors.

There is no need to make use of chemicals or disinfectants which smell a lot and are very harsh or even the floor cleaners which in some cases contain substances that are kind of harmful.

You are basically absolutely free of chemical residues on your floors.

This steam mop can be easily used and is absolutely safe for children or safe in case of people who are prone to allergies or even in case of pets. This euro pro shark s3501 is very affordable and is a good one time investment. It comes with a one year warranty and till now has had good reviews from all its users thanks to its varied features.

On the whole, this euro steamer in general comes with a bundle of expectations as most of the reviews are overall quite affirmative about it. It is very easy to use and is very light to haul around and does an amazing job of getting the dirt off and also is free of the dirty streaks that are usually left behind on the floors by the regular mops.

The Euro Pro Shark S3501 (shark steam mop) can be easily used single handedly and is great for all the lazy souls out there.

Europro shark S3101 Steam Pocket mop

The Euro-Pro Shark S3101 has some of the best consumer reviews when compared to other brands and models.

This product is very simple and easy to use, takes only 30 seconds to get ready, a long cord at 20 feet to easily span the length of your floor and its lightweight!

You certainly won’t have any problems moving it around.

There are replaceable microfiber pads which can be washed to reuse and when those get worn out, you can simply buy new ones.

Shark S3101 Steam Pocket mop features

There are a lot of mops that leave your floor wet. This mop uses the minimum amount of steam to sweep floors, so the floor dries out in very little time.

• One thoughtful feature is that steam is generated by moving the mop forward.
• There are no buttons to press or things you have to pull to release steam.
• Not only does it sweep the floor and mop up spills, the superheated steam sanitizes floors.
• You don’t have to use chemicals, harsh disinfectants or floor cleaners that may contain substances that are harmful.
• The shark S3101 steam mop leaves No chemical residues on the floor so after cleaning is safe for children, people prone to allergies or pets straight away.
• This fabric steamer offers almost as much power as a commercial model but in a more compact shape for easier home use and storage.

• Equipped with an efficient 1,200-watt heater, this helpful appliance emits 20 minutes of continuous steam through high-velocity jets.
• The steamer safely removes wrinkles and freshens up curtains, delicate clothing, and bed linens while saving the expense and hassle of a trip to the dry cleaner.
• The T-shaped nozzle disperses steam in a wide path for faster de-wrinkling while the 5-foot hose and nozzle end stay comfortably cool during steaming.
• The fabric steamer’s lightweight body weighs only 5 pounds so is easy to carry to the sink or tub to fill with water.
• Water level markings on the steamer’s translucent blue sides show the maximum water level and when the tank needs refilling.
• For safety, this fabric steamer automatically shuts off when the handle is returned onto the body. For additional convenience, the fabric steamer has a 6-foot cord that wraps around the base for storage and comes with a door hook for hanging the nozzle and any garment.

Product Reviews

Here are some reviews on this product by people who have already purchased the item. The first person states “I spent several months researching garment steamers and could not decide which one I wanted price vs. quality and which brand was best etc.

So I decided to buy an inexpensive one and see if I liked it. They stated that they the steamer and glad that they didn’t pay $200 which is normally the prices for steamers like this.

When I got it home, it was easy to assemble just stick the hose in, fill it up with water and turn it on. It took a few minutes actually I realized I hadn’t been paying attention and filled it way past the max fill line but it still never overflowed or leaked. As soon as the water started boiling, it began to put out a lot of very hot steam. I was a bit worried that the hose was too stiff but once the steam started flowing, it became very flexible. It did so well on all of my floors I started thinking about other places to use it and tried cleaning everything I could think of.

Duct cleaning, my concrete basement floor, even my tile in the bathroom shower. And it was easy and didn’t take long at all.

Another person that purchased the item states “I love silk everything, so my dry cleaner loves me. Like many people, I take a boatload of items in every few weeks and hope they don’t wrinkle again on the way home or in my closet the whole process is expensive, and this little steamer really helps save your clothes and your wallet.

It generates a strong, steady flow of steam in about five minutes, and is easy to fill, carry, and store.

With one max fill I was able to refresh three silk cardigans, smooth the wrinkles out of three silk blouses and a few of my husband’s ties a good 20 minutes of steaming.

It comes with an over-the-door hanger, and two other attachments that slide over the nozzle head. Instructions for the unit are clear, but nothing is said about the additional attachments.

The Euro Pro Steam Cleaner itself is thoughtfully designed the nozzle hose coils around the unit, and the head locks into place on top of the steamer, and underneath the Euro Pro Steam Cleaner is a built in cord wrap for the power cord.”

Every home requires the right flooring that suits your home’s room, decor, your budget, and your lifestyle. It does not matter whether you are building a new home, adding new rooms or just remodeling your home. You will always be confronted with the choice of having the proper floor.

Nowadays, there are so many options that deciding this can be quite a chore. You will have to choose from materials like hardwood, laminate, tile, stone, carpet, vinyl and even bamboo. And with rooms like the basement, kitchen or bathroom, you’ll need to think about water and possible mold and mildew problems.

When choosing the best basement flooring, you need to keep in mind a few things. For example, most basements are poorly ventilated. This means mold can grow easily. It also means choosing the right flooring means something that isn’t going to warp with moisture like a lot of wood flooring will do.

The worst flooring ideas for a basement would obviously be carpeting, even vinyl is a bad idea as it usually separates from the concrete flooring easily.

The absolute best is simply a tile floor. Or if you’re really never going to use the basement, why not just leave the slab the way it is? Or paint it. This way you don’t need to hire a carpenter to do the job for you. Concrete specialists can even finish off your concrete floors whether indoors or out in an array of patterns and even colors. Another simple and maintenance free option to think about.

Start with a look at the basics. A flooring can often be the focal point of an interior decor and that is why getting the right material is important, as it will affect all the other elements in the room. You can even have different materials for each room in the home, and this must depend more on its use, the users, and your way of living. If you have children and pets around, you will do well to choose flooring that is tough and easy to maintain.

The location of the house can often be a major factor in choosing the right flooring material. A warm climate calls for flooring that is cool to the touch and you cannot go wrong if you choose tiles, stone or marble. In colder climates, hardwood floors are warm, while carpeted floors will make the living that much more comfortable. Floors that are frequently exposed to moisture, like bathroom floors, will do better with flooring materials that allow water to run off easily.

Before you decide on the material for flooring, make sure that your slabs have a proper foundation, as this can affect the durability of the floor. Carpets and cork flooring require soft underlay, which also acts as a cushion and gives resilience to the floor.

Flooring must be able to resist all the strain and stresses that are imposed on it due to the lifestyle that you have. If you have a lot of traffic in the home, with dirty shoes, pets running about, you will do well to look at laminated or tiled floors that are easy to clean. Flooring in a home can always take up a fair amount of a budget, whether you are building new or remodeling. G&S Flooring in Scottsdale, AZ has some great options that look good and are also very affordable if you live out this way.

Stay within your budget, and if you are still looking for the more expensive and elegant floors like granite, marble or exotic hardwood, you can always look at doing only some of the area at one time. You may have a little problem in getting the exact same shades of floors, especially stone, but it should not be too much of a problem.

Choosing floors for a home has to decide between style and substance. Floors need to be practical, while being elegant and nice to look at, and can often show off the other features in a room. Floors need to be durable, and this must take into consideration that particular room is being used for.

Rooms like kitchens, bathroom, and even halls can be those that have constant traffic and must have materials that can take all the strain imposed on them. A kitchen can have oil and water splashes that the floor must be able to resist, and bathrooms are normally subject to a lot of dirt and grime, besides water.

The warmth that the flooring material shows and the sound it creates when walked on can also influence your choice of flooring material. Sounds should be muted, though this is always possible to do with any flooring if you have a carpet over it. The floor you choose must be easy to maintain and clean, without the need for very sophisticated or complicated equipment.

If a floor requires being mopped regularly, you will do well to use a material that cleans easily and dries just as fast. Safety is another aspect that you need to consider when you look for the right flooring material for your home. A home that has small children or the elderly, must have floors that people will not slip or fall down on.

Practicality must be well matched with the luxury of the material used for floors. Ease of maintenance must be one of the prime considerations in your choice of material.

Decorating a child’s bedroom on a budget.

Yes, You don’t have to break the piggy bank to create a beautiful bedroom for your child. When you consider all of the wear and tear that the average child will take out on their room, you should limit your spending.

It certainly makes sense, and it’s very easy to buy inexpensive furnishings for a child’s bedroom that will look great and be functional from pretty much anywhere on the web like archerssleepcentre.co.uk or even Amazon.com.

When you’re making your buying decisions for the room’s decor, paint, furniture, and all the other items you plan to include, make sure that you check paint and items for lead content or any other hazardous materials, that they’re fire retardant and any other considerations that could have the potential to harm the child’s health.

Don’t make any purchases for the child’s room that could harm the child’s health or safety. When decorating the room, try not to install any overhead objects that would have the potential of falling onto the child.

Whether your child is hyperactive or not, all children, their siblings and friends, will probably exude a lot of energy in the room that could cause things to go bump in the night. Etageres, bookcases, curios, lamps, and headboards, should be solid or affixed to the wall.

Shelves should be weighted evenly, and sit level on the floor, so that they won’t tip or fall easily. Lamps should be easy to reach to turn on and off. The best swing arm desk lamp I ever owned had a nice long cord with the switch on the cord AND on the lamp. These lamps are perfect as the cord part can be placed close to the bed and turned off really easily.

When you’re ready to start decorating, the first thing to do is select the color. Your child will probably want to have some input as to the color of their bedroom. It would be great to have your child actively participate in the project.

 

 

Just remember that you’re driving the decorating bus. Children typically have fickle tastes could tire of, as well as outgrow a theme quickly. Paint color is the least expensive way to decorate any room.

Be sure to check out the goofed up colors in your local hardware stores. These are paints that were mixed up incorrectly and the original person doesn’t want the paint. It’s strictly up to timing, but sometimes the goofed colors could be just what you wanted and super cheap.

When thinking about wall coverings, think of some nice photos of your child doing things they love. Maybe a picture of father and son fishing, or them riding their bike. Family photos are boring and probably not what a kid wants on their walls.

You can also hang any certificates or awards your child earned. Or do something like name a star live and hang that on the wall. Awards and certificates look cool on a wall and add different colors and design to a room that won’t get dated.

There are many options for finding really great bargain furnishings for a child’s bedroom. When you are deciding on the furniture pieces that are needed and that will make a good fit in the room, a major decision that you have to make is the bed or beds.

You have many choices as to what would be the most practical bed style. Keep in mind the child’s needs and overnights with friends. It’s important to think of the child’s bedroom not just as you and your child want it to be now, but buy with the future in mind.

It will ruin your budget to have to replace decor because the child has outgrown it in a short period of time.

Ikea has a fantastic selection of furnishings for children’s bedrooms. You could completely furnish, on a budget, from Ikea. If you do not have an Ikea in your hometown, check out the website: www.ikea.com. It’s an amazing resource for total decor on a shoestring.

Your local thrift shop, and consignment shops are treasure troves for small furnishings. When you’re shopping on a budget, your most valuable asset is your imagination.

Don’t like the finish on a child’s desk in the Salvation Army? Paint it a fun color, add stripes or polka dots to a chest of drawers or paint a headboard. Paint old picture frames and fill them with pictures of animals, flowers, baseball players, movie stars.

Have fun!

Last but not least, garage sales are the mother lode of incredible bargains and selections for decorating a child’s bedroom. If you have the time and the inclination, research your local paper, neighborhood signs and Craig’s List, for upcoming garage and yard sales that list children’s furnishings. You’ll be amazed by what’s out there for you.

Bedrooms are private spaces that should reflect the style of the home and the person who inhabits the room. Keep the decor of a child’s bedroom simple, and try to create storage areas for their stuff.

A child will want their bedroom to be their domain with lots of places to store their toys and treasures.

Keep the child’s bedroom calm and bright, select future heirlooms for pennies on the dollar and create a bedroom for your child that will be a beautiful memory forever.

How to dispose of a mattress…

Are you planning on moving soon and are trying to find a way to dispose of for your mattress? Many homeowners want to start off fresh when they move into a new home and often decide to get a new mattress. The problems most homeowners are faced with is properly disposing of their old mattress.

Mattresses are difficult to dispose of properly because they are often bulky and most landfills will often charge more money due to that fact.

Landfills often charge more money because mattresses do not compact well. Due to this reason, you often see mattresses illegally dumped in alleys or on the side of the street, or in someone else’s dumpster for junk or at a construction site. Luckily, we have come up with five simple ways that you can get rid of your bed in a legal and proper way.

Let’s go over five simple ways that you can get rid of your old mattress, so you can enjoy your new one in peace.

Return It to the Manufacture

One of the simplest ways to get rid of your old mattress is by returning it to its original manufacturer. If you end up buying a mattress from the same manufacturer as your old one, they may dispose of it for you. You should ask the retailer if it is possible that they will dispose of your old mattress if you buy a new one from them. More and more manufacturers are disposing of old mattresses if a customer buys a new one from them. This will save you a ton of money and headaches.

If the manufacturer does not accept your old mattress you can always give your mattress away to a friend or family member.

Give it Away or Sell Your Mattress

You can make a profit from selling your mattress or you can give it away to a friend or family member that needs one. Most people are willing to accept a gently used mattress, so if your mattress is gently used try putting it up for sale on craigslist. Many people use craigslist to sell their old items so you might be able to get rid of your mattress quickly by using this website.

You should also check your mattress for bed bugs before you put your item for sale or give it away to someone. You should also try to clean up any stains that are visible if you want to sell the mattress to anyone. If you’re not able to sell or give away your mattress you may be able to donate it.

Donate Your Mattress to Charity

Another way that you can quickly get rid of your mattress is by donating it to charity. You can try donation sites such as goodwill and the salvation army and they may or may not take your items depending on their regulations. If those two companies do not accept your mattress you should try churches for homeless shelters. If you realize that you cannot donate your mattress to charity you may be able to find a recycling program in your area.

Find a Recycling Program That Specializes

You may think your options are limited at this point but you can still find a recycling program that specializes in getting rid of mattresses. You can check with your local city officials to see if there any specialized recycling programs that will help dispose of your mattress. Most major cities offer recycling programs and if they don’t they should be able to help you find a local recycling drop off. Some cities even offer curbside assistance if you call them to pick up your mattress. There are also companies like AZ Junk who offer a hauling service for Arizona, and they will pick up your mattress and take it to a recycling plant for you.  Some cities even offer curbside assistance if you call them to pick up your mattress.

Break Down the Mattress

The last option you have is breaking down the mattress yourself. You can break down the fabric part and throw it away, then you can break down the box spring and wooden frames. You can easily get rid of the wooden frame by burning it or using for woodchips.

These are just five ways that you can legally dispose of your mattress. You can return it to the manufacturer, give it away or sell it, donate it to charity, find a recycling program that specializes in removing mattresses or break down the mattress yourself.

The smell of cigarette smoke in the house can make people feel nauseated or even make them suffer from severe headaches.

Smoke is intensely irritating, and it distracts the comfort of a person.

There many ways in which smoke can easy get its way to your house.

What is essential is how people can do away without e with it employing a capital-intensive method. Below are affordable methods of getting rid of smoke smell in the house.

When getting rid of smoke in your house the first factor to consider is the source of the smoke. The following are some of the questions that people should ask themselves.

Where is the smoke coming from to your house?

What are the dangers associated with the smoke?

Can it lead to respiratory complications?

A good example is cigarette smoke which anyone would, agree with me that it is terribly dangerous.

It is straightforward and easy.

If your roommate or your friend is the smoker talk and agree with him or her so they can stop smoking in the house.

You can also move out of the house if it is possible

There certain aerosols that are usually perfumed.

When people burn perfumed aerosols in the house, they can easily get rid of smoke smell in the house. This method also works perfectly with scented candles.

Note that these measures usually work temporarily.

There greatest advantage is that they are cheap and affordable.

It is always good individuals make their houses are well ventilated because smoke can lead to suffocation. Ensuring your house is well ventilated.

This does not mean that you have eradicated all the smoke in the house, but it rather allows fresh air into the house which dilutes the concentration of the smoke.

There are products that are usually sold purposely for destroying unpleasant smells. A good example of this product is “Nature’s Miracle”.

This product works in an exceptionally distinctive way.

It only destroys the unpleasant odor leaving everything else the way it was before without destroying anything. It is also a good idea to try vinegar and ammonia.

Ammonia works out although it is extremely toxic and has its side effects too.

Vinegar is relatively cheap easy to afford, but it can only get rid of the small in a short period.

Other methods include using cleaners while cleaning the house.

It is good to scrub the furniture and the walls thoroughly. As for successful companies that do the work of getting rid of smoke smell in the house after floods and fire outbreaks they use complex equipment.

It is very expensive and individuals can only be insured with them which are quite expensive.

In extreme cases ozone shocking is used.

It is normally used in ultra small quantities or otherwise it can cause asthma and other throat complications.

My sincere hopes are the above measures will be of help.

Mini-blinds are a very attractive and timeless way to regulate the light coming through your windows. They come in several different materials that can have advantages and disadvantages depending on your situation. Plus, you can hire a professional to come in and measure all your windows, show you some samples, put together your blinds, and then install them, or just find some affordable blinds and do-it-yourself.

It’s not hard to put them in yourself, and you’ll get the hang of it after just one try. After that, the next one will go faster, and you can save a bunch of money. Here are some tips to choose, buy, shorten and install your own mini blinds.

Why The Type of Material They’re Made of Matters

The blinds you buy at the big discount home store will likely come in cheap vinyl, nicer vinyl, metal, and possibly wood as well. If the blinds are going to be up, out of the way, on a high window where they won’t be seen up close the materials matter less. The advantage of the metal blinds is that no light will shine directly through the blinds at all, if you want real darkness, go with those or the wood.

However, a lot of people actually prefer the soft glow of light that comes through the vinyl blinds as opposed to total darkness. They can still see well enough to walk around the house but no one can see in from the outside. They do a good job of blocking the strong rays of the sun and still light up your home with a warm glow. Vinyl is usually quite a bit less expensive than the aluminum metal as well.

The other big difference that you find between vinyl, aluminum, wood, and any other material, is that some are more flexible and can take more punishment than others. If you have cats, children, dogs, or birds roaming your house the more flexible vinyl will last longer.

How To Shorten Your Mini-blinds

The standard blinds that you buy at the store are all going to be full length, nearly down to the floor long and you’ll have to remove some of the slats to shorten them. It’s fairly easy and there will be instructions on the package. If you know someone that’s done it before, they’ll gladly show you how as well.

You start by mounting the entire blind in the window and then lowering it down to the length you want in the end. Then you mark the final slat that you’re going to want in the final product and remove the blind from the brackets.

After that, you untie the pull-up strings at the bottom and just remove all of the unwanted slats, don’t throw them away until you’ve replaced the blind in the brackets for a final inspection. When all is perfect, take a few more minutes to shorten the strings since they’ll now be way too long. You don’t want children or pets getting tangled in them.

Now that you know how to shorten your own mini blinds, you will never want to pay an installer to do it for you. The entire process will eventually take about 10-15 minutes including installation and shortening. Plus, you’ll be the expert for your friends when they call needing help with their blinds.

How To Perform A Water Audit

 

If your apartment, apartment building or condominium complex is master metered for water, make note of any fluctuations in occupancy rates. Compare your occupancy rates to your water bills and to the season. If you have had a lot of vacancies, your water usage should significantly decrease. If it doesn’t, you know you have a leak.

Graph the monthly or bi-monthly usage for the last two years. You don’t need to do anything fancy, a simple bar graph will suffice. You should begin to see a pattern. Tenants tend to shower more during the summer. Landscaping may require more water during warmer months as well.

If you suspect a leak, check the water meter. It is best to check the meter when the water is off, so you will most likely need to serve notice to your tenants that you are shutting the water off for a short period of time, about 30-60 minutes.

At the water meter, check to see if the meter is moving or take a reading, come back in 60 minutes and take another reading. If the meter has moved and the water has been shut off, then you have confirmation of a leak according to Sammy Lakhany Business Advisor.

Data logging is another means of identifying leaks. A flow recorder is attached to the meter and the data is logged at regular intervals throughout the day over the course of a week. Water flow rates will vary during the day, but usually fall drastically during the wee hours of the morning.

Check all toilet flappers and diaphragms. Use dye tablets to test for leaks. Remember chlorine tablets destroy toilet flappers. This should also be on your annual inspection list along with checking the units’ smoke detectors. Homeowners Associations may wish to initiate a pro-active preventative maintenance program.

Check for leaks among the irrigation heads of your sprinkler system. Are there boggy spots in your landscaping?

If all else fails, contact a professional who offers ultrasonic leak detection.

Remember, if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Get that data!

Get Control of Your Water Usage

Taking control of the flow of water in your units puts you in control of your apartment building’s expenses and increases your net operating income. For homeowners associations the task is more difficult, but educating your board and resident members is the first step on the road to success in reducing association expenses. Using less water also means being more energy efficient because the more water you use, the more energy is required to transport, pump and heat that water.

Keep in mind that many local water utilities are willing to perform a free water audit on your apartment building or condominium complex and some even provide free faucet aerators and showerheads. If you must do it yourself, read ‘How To Perform a Water Audit‘.

Faucets

Install aerators that allow no more than 1 – 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm). WaterSense labeled faucets and faucet accessories (aka aerators) are widely available and some water districts do provide rebates.

Another option we are testing here at GreenLandlady is a device called a Smart Faucet. The Smart Faucet is a 1.5gpm aerator with a handle. Water flows only when someone pushes the handle. See our Product Review for more information.

Showerheads

According to the EPA showering makes up 17% of residential water use. Install low flow WaterSense approved showerheads that use less than 2.0 gallons per minute. If your building is a high rise, be sure to check the pressure flows above the fourth floor. There are plenty of low flow showerheads on the market, but one we particularly recommend is the 1.75gpm Niagra Earth Massage Showerhead.

Toilets

If your toilets use more than 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf), your money is literally going down the drain. 1.6gpf is the new federal standard for toilets, but more water-efficient toilets are available and should be your first choice. Be aware that using too much toilet paper with these types of fixtures can clog pipes, particularly old pipes that may already have build up inside them. On going resident education should emphasize minimal use of toilet paper to ensure proper functioning. Check for rebates in your area and purchase only WaterSense labeled fixtures.

High efficiency toilets (HETs) use 1.28gpf or 20% less than the federal standard of 1.6gpf. Remember to look for the Water Sense label and check for rebates.

Dual flush toilets use 0.8 and 1.6gpf, depending on which button is depressed and are also considered HETs under the EPAs WaterSense program. Though these types of fixtures may seem strange, they have been the standard in Australia and New Zealand for years. I have installed these in two of my units and have been very happy with them.

Urinals

Why use water at all? Waterless urinals are becoming standard in commercial buildings due to updated code requirements and improved performance and acceptance. “Waterless urinals have been around for over 10 years and many of the initial fears about them have subsided as users and maintenance staff have become accustomed to them,” says NJ remodel. Typical waterless urinals cannot be cleaned with standard cleaning products as they use chemical cartridges to neutralize odors, so it is often maintenance staff that require the most education when these urinals are installed.

Admittedly, waterless urinals have their drawbacks, however, urinals that use as little as one pint of water have proved quite effective and may bear a closer look.

Check for rebates: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/pp/find_rebate.htm

So you’re living in the city and you’re lucky enough to have a small backyard, and by small I mean not big enough for a pool or something cool like that, so what do you do?

Maybe you can add a garden, or a killer BBQ pit with all the extras?

But what if you’re a vegan with a brown thumb? What’s left?

For me, I decided on a Gazebo. Why a gazebo you’re probably asking?

There are a few reasons…

First, I wanted to do something with the backyard so that it looked “finished” and well kept. BUT I didn’t want to mow any grass, weed any gardens or install any little Koi fish ponds to breed mosquitoes.

I wanted something that was maintenance free, something I would actually use and something that maybe could even “WOW” my family and friends when they visited.

A gazebo checked all of those boxes and a few more.

In fact, once it was done all I did was add a few potted plants (no weeding!) around it to give it a greener feel to the space and I had a really nice looking backyard that didn’t need any maintenance at all.

Oh, I added brick to the entire space as well so I didn’t need to cut any grass or add artificial turf. My home is a turn of the century brick house, so it matched everything perfectly.

And although I built my own gazebo, or I had it built by some skilled carpenters, I did find a few kits that would have been almost as nice on the internet https://windproofgazebos.com

The kits would have probably saved me a nice chunk of change and some time as well. But I wanted a few adjustments and wasn’t sure if a kit would have worked as well as I wanted it to.

But either way, I got a really nice looking backyard now that I don’t have to worry about maintaining any longer, and I am really using it!

I’m so enjoying my morning coffee sitting outside in the gazebo. My backyard is walled, so it isn’t quite as noisy as being on the front porch.

I am also thinking if I do add a few more plants, that they may help to deaden the sound even more.

I’ll have to see. Like I said, I don’t want to go too crazy with plants since they will need to be watered and trimmed and that can easily become a chore, grrrrr.

So my advise is simple. If you’re looking for a great no-maintenance option for a small backyard, especially the tiny ones we have in the city, then a gazebo with a brick patio may be the perfect option.

It looks great, is functional and I don’t need to do much at all to enjoy it.

If you haven’t heard of square foot gardening, you’re about to learn one of the most useful and versatile gardening techniques ever created. Conceived by Mel Bartholomew, author of Square Foot Gardening, the techniques have been enthusiastically adopted by gardeners all over the world. Square foot gardening is eminently suited for container gardening, patio and roof gardening, backyard gardening, organic gardening, herb gardens, vegetable gardens, flower gardens and more.

The idea behind square foot gardening is to maximize growing space by subdividing a garden plot into one foot squares, and replanting them as soon as you finish harvesting the crop from the last plant. This keeps the soil in use, and by paying attention to which crops you grow in which square, you avoid depleting the soil of important nutrients.

The basic concept is to start small. Bartholomew asserts that a four square foot garden provides just enough harvest for one person. Many schools, community gardens and home gardeners start even smaller. One city apartment dweller gardened in four square wicker plastic lined wicker wastebaskets bought for a dollar apiece at the dollar store.

The first step is building or buying a box in which to garden. Any container that can hold 6-8 inches of soil, and has drainage holes in the bottom will work. If you want to be more “serious” you can find some great information on the best grow box here, these are great for city gardens. Then, instead of potting soil, Bartholomew recommends what he calls Mel’s mix: 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 compost. A 5 pound bag of each will more than fill a square foot garden.

Choose a nice, sunny spot to place your garden, and then decide what plants to grow. How many plants you have, and what types, depends on the recommended spacing between plants which you’ll find on the back of the seed packets. Depending on the needs of the specific seedlings, you can plant one, four, nine or even sixteen plants in each square foot.

Harvest the crop in each square foot when it’s ready, and continue harvesting until it’s no longer producing fruit or vegetables. At that point, uproot the plants in that square (use them for compost!), and plant another, different crop. By refilling and rotating the crops, you avoid depleting the natural nutrients of the soil, and keep every bit of space productive throughout an entire growing season. This way you’ll never need to “plant” fake grass to get a little green.

And since the author’s first book did so well, he has created a second as well. You can find it on Amazon here, just follow the link and get your own copy of both one and two. They are well worth it for any urban dweller!

After you have made the decision to bring a new dog into your home or apartment, it is critical that you provide a safe and healthy environment for them.

This means that you will need to take the appropriate steps to prepare both your house and your outdoor living space for your new furry family member. By doing so, you will be able to eliminate any potential dangers.

Fortunately, there are several tips that you can use to dog proof your home in no time.

Dog Proofing Your Home or Apartment

Preparing to bring a new puppy in your home, it is very similar to bringing a new baby into your home. Pets are naturally curious about their surroundings, and they will want to investigate everything around them. They will even want to investigate items that could be dangerous to them. As a responsible pet owner, it is up to you to make sure that every room in the house will be the best environment for your new dog by simply dog proofing your home.

The Kitchen

Kitchens are known as the hubs of most homes, and with all of the activity that goes on in the kitchen, your dog will likely want to see what all of the fuss is about. Sadly, the kitchen is considered one of the most dangerous rooms in the home. Cleaning supplies, chemicals and sharp objects can cause accidents.

In order to keep your dog safe while he is roaming in the kitchen, consider the following tips:

• Keep all chemicals and cleaning supplies on high levels out of your pet’s reach
• Keep human food out of the reach of your dog (especially those containing harmful ingredients like onions)
• Make sure garbage cans are secure so your dog cannot get inside of them

Bathrooms

Similar to kitchens, bathrooms are considered dangerous rooms for pets because of cleaning supplies. However, you can prevent your dog from becoming exposed to these supplies by placing child proof locks on all cabinets.

You can also look for small holes and spaces between and behind fixtures where your dog can become stuck. The toilet lid should also be closed so your dog will not be tempted to drink harmful toilet paper.

The Bedrooms

There is not a lot that should be done to dog proof a bedroom. However, there are some steps that you can take to ensure every bedroom in your home is safe for your dog.

For example, all lotions, powders, colognes, perfumes should be kept out of reach. This includes items you would normally leave on your nightstand.

Laundry, shoes and other items with buttons and strings should be kept out of your puppy’s reach. Not only can buttons and strings pose a choking hazard, they can cause even more problems of they are ingested.

Also, check open drawers for sleeping pets before closing them. This will prevent accidental suffocation.

The Living Room

The living room could also be dangerous for dogs because certain items can pose a risk to your new pet.

Although a house plant is an inexpensive and simple way to add some décor to your living room, houseplants can also be poisonous for dogs. Plants that you place in your home and your garden should be safe for pets.

Fragile items like glass bowls and knick knacks should be placed on shelves that are difficult for your dog to access.

Video games, consoles and other small pieces can pose a choking hazard to your dog. Make sure your children place all of their gaming equipment in a safe location away from the dog.

Dangling electronic wires should be placed out of reach from your pet.

Backyard And Garage

Just like the bathrooms and the kitchen, the garage and backyard can house a variety of items that are very dangerous for dogs to come into contact with. So, if your dog will be spending time outside, utilize the following suggestions:

• Look for any holes in the fence and immediately repair them
• Keep the garage floor clean of chemicals like motor oil and antifreeze
• Move tools, sharp objects and chemicals to a high shelf, or place these items in a closet

It is always an exciting time when you bring a new dog into your home. By dog proofing your home, you can give your puppy a safe and healthy beginning in their forever home.