Today, most American households have a vacuum cleaner. But not everyone knows how to use the appliance properly. Many people misuse their vacuum cleaners, which interferes with the machine’s ability to clean properly and causes it to stop working prematurely. Fortunately, most of these mistakes are avoidable, regardless of the type of vacuum cleaner one owns. This article points out some common mistakes vacuum owners make and explains how to avoid them. Not emptying the dust bag on time If you operate a vacuum cleaner while its dust container is full, the appliance will not pick up dirt and dust as effectively as it used to. Plus, the airflow within the vacuum will get restricted, causing the motor to overheat, decreasing the appliance’s longevity. To avoid this, empty the dust bag well before it’s full or after every use. Incorrectly assuming the motor is broken If your vacuum cleaner suddenly stops working while you’re cleaning, that doesn’t necessarily mean its motor is gone for good. Oftentimes, vacuum cleaners shut off automatically as soon as the motor overheats to prevent a hazardous incident. The motor usually overheats when the dust bag is full, or hair or fiber gets entangled in the brush roll. So, you need to empty the bag or clean the brush roll and try restarting. Vacuuming up wrong objects Bear in mind that vacuum cleaners are typically made for cleaning everyday dirt and dust. If you use it to remove larger objects in your way, like a penny, screw, or a piece of stone, the appliance may get damaged. Also, avoid running regular vacuums over water or other liquids, as it may cause electrocution and severe damage to the appliance. Delaying or skipping maintenance To ensure your vacuum cleaner runs smoothly for multiple years, you must invest time in maintenance, including emptying the dirt container, cleaning the brush roll, and washing or replacing filters.

Most individuals rely on their vacuum cleaners to help clean floors, carpet, tiles, sofas, upholstery, and sometimes even hardwood. Though the vacuum cleaner is a versatile tool, you may be relying a little too much on it for cleaning, ending up vacuuming things you probably shouldn’t. After all, they are not indestructible and undoubtedly not always cheap. In order to keep them in good working condition, you should never vacuum the following things. Used coffee grounds Those who drink coffee are probably aware of how tough it is to clean coffee grounds from the machine. But don’t leave the cleaning duty for the vacuum. They can block the pipes, destroy the motor, and result in the growth of mildew inside the vacuum. For dry grounds, pick them with a dustpan and brush. If they are wet, clean them with a paper towel or washable microfiber cloth. You can even use coffee grounds to make compost. Wet foods Dry foods like salt or sugar spills can be cleaned with a vacuum. But fresh foods like salads or baked beans should not be vacuumed. Wet foods can clog the pipes and ruin the motor because of the moisture they contain. Sometimes, the food you vacuumed may even start to smell bad. Stay away from the mess by wiping away wet food spills with an absorbent cloth. Coins and large pieces of glass You may never vacuum a coin on purpose, but be careful to check the floors when vacuuming. Small and heavy objects like screws or large pieces of broken glass could cut the dust bag, and damage the internal parts. Use thick gloves to pick large pieces of glass, while for the smaller ones, press bread slices over the shards. Clumps of hair If you vacuum hair clumps, over time, the machine will clog, and you will need to clean it all out to get it started again.

The air in our homes is not perpetually clean. There are many chemicals, harmful gases, dust, and other airborne allergens that degrade the air quality in your home. These pollutants often stem from external factors and even the appliances you use at home. Furthermore, such pollutants can deteriorate health and trigger several health problems when inhaled. Therefore, here are 11 ways to keep the indoor air quality in your home clean. Open the windows Opening the window will let oxygen in and remove any harmful toxins in the air. It can even help keep the room breezy in the summers. Do not use aerosol sprays Aerosol sprays release harmful chemicals into the air. So you must use non-aerosol versions when it comes to hair sprays, furniture polish, and deodorants. Mop hard floor surfaces Mopping surfaces made from hardwood, vinyl floors, tile, or other toughened materials with a disinfectant will keep your home free of allergens. Inspect the air vents HVAC systems filter out harmful substances from the air to keep the atmosphere inside your room clean. Clean such air vents periodically to ensure they are working properly. Use exhausts Moisture in your home can lead to mildew, bugs, bacteria, and mold. Use the exhaust in the bathroom, kitchen, or use a dehumidifier. It will ensure moisture levels are kept in check. Vacuum the carpets Flooring, especially the ones with carpets and rugs, may collect disease-causing allergens. Vacuuming the carpets regularly can help keep the risk from such allergens at a minimum. Check the furniture Avoid furniture that is treated with formaldehyde and stuck with toxic glue. They contain harmful chemicals that can trigger several health conditions. Use zero-VOC paint Before painting your home, ensure the label reads “zero VOC” or “low COV.” These have a low content of harmful chemicals and leave the air quality of your home unaffected.

Many people often end up damaging furniture when using vacuum cleaners. These damages can be a result of mistakes or misinformation. Either way, they can end up costing heavily either in repairs or replacement. These mistakes can be avoided if one knows the right way to use a vacuum cleaner. So, let’s discuss the common mistakes made when handling vacuum cleaners in order to save us all from future damage. Using the wrong attachments Vacuum cleaners come with a varied range of attachment heads to provide optimum service. However, it is up to the user to use the right attachment in the right place for the right task. Failure of this simple task means the machine might have to work harder to deliver the expected results. Additionally, the extra load on the motor may lead to early aging of the machine. Using a dirty filter Vacuum cleaners come with filters that trap minute particles of dust and dirt and prevent them from circling back into the air. However, if the filters are full, the microparticles will freely float into the air instead of staying trapped. It is crucial to check the manual for the type of filters installed in the machine. In the case of washable ones, you can simply hand wash the filters, dry them, and fit them back in. On the other hand, disposable filters need to be replaced every few months. Not cleaning out the bags When you use the vacuum cleaner with its dirt disposable bag full, it loses its efficiency of sucking up dirt and dust. You will have to go over the same area more than twice to ensure it is dust-free. Full bags decrease the machine’s suction capacity. If we empty out the bags regularly, it gives the machines the chance to function efficiently and smoothly for a longer period.

You may love a squeaky clean home. To get the job done, you may even have all the essential tools, including the mop, vacuum cleaner, and a broomstick. However, taking the initiative to clean the home thoroughly is no easy feat. The job is tedious and time-consuming. Sometimes, to keep the house clean, people end up making their living space dirtier. Here are five cleaning mistakes that make your home dirtier. Rubbing a stain before blotting Dropping food or beverages on the floor is a common accident in all households. For most people, the first instinct is to scrub such stains instantly. But doing so can cause the spill to spread and lodge its composition deeper into the floor material. Instead, you must blot the stain with a clean white cloth to extract the residue. You must then use an appropriate stain removal method based on the material of your floor. Disinfecting before cleaning Disinfectants are cleaning agents that can eliminate germs. However, the floor is generally masked with a layer of dust and germs. If you use a disinfectant when there is dust on the floor, it may prevent the chemical from working effectively. Therefore, you must sweep off any dust before disinfecting the floor. Using a sponge to clean surfaces If you use a sponge to clean surfaces like the dining table or the kitchen counter, it’s time to stop. A sponge used regularly to clean such surfaces might be unhygienic and infested with bacteria. If you insist on using a sponge, disinfect it regularly. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth to clean these regions of your home. One cleaning cloth for multiple surfaces While using a single cloth to clean all areas of your home may seem like the easy way out, it is unhygienic. Using the same cleaning product may trigger the spread of germs and harmful bacteria from one surface to the next and may lead to diseases.

People renovate their homes to improve the functionality of the space. Some people also renovate to change the aesthetic of their house and give it a new look. In either case, home renovations can be exciting and exhausting at the same time. It is a lengthy process that requires your utmost attention. That being said, things can go wrong; home renovation mistakes can cost you your time, money, and effort, and therefore, should be avoided. Deciding on an unrealistic budget One of the biggest errors that many homeowners make during renovation is not deciding and sticking to a fixed budget. When you are renovating your home, it’s easy to go over and above the budget that you have decided. What you need to do when deciding on a budget before you start your renovations is to make sure that you have some leeway. This way, even if you go overboard on your initial budget, you will not have to spend out of pocket. Experts usually suggest having an extra 20% added to your budget to tackle any additional renovations or hidden costs that may come up. Signing on the first contractor Many people choose to work with the first contractor they come across instead of comparing different options and quotes. To avoid this home renovation mistake, talk to multiple contractors. This step is crucial because it allows you to understand the cost of different products and services cost. A little due diligence can save you a world of trouble. Take notes each time you talk to a contractor and compare them before you decide to settle on one. Don’t forget to ask questions about licenses, insurance, experience, and even customer satisfaction. These aspects will also aid in your decision-making process. Using poor-quality materials Home renovations are not a frequent occurrence.

Lawn care and gardening can be hands-on jobs. It is not enough to simply plant some seeds, water the lawn a few times, and expect the best results. You can maintain a lush green lawn, but you need to be patient. Right from the first day of planting the grass to pursuing regular mowing, weed trimming, and every other activity, you need to put in the work. Here are a few useful tips to make lawn care easier for you. Seeds or sod, both work! You can buy grass seeds that are bioengineered to suit a particular climate. For the best results, consider using seasonal seeds. However, this is a time-consuming process. It takes a couple of months to grow a full lush green lawn. A quicker alternative is to consider a more expensive but quick sod plantation. You can also install pre-grown garden patches to quickly transform the layout. Either way, you end up with a lush green garden. Leaves cleanup and weed trimming Go easy on the cleanup, as natural leaves can help the soil fertilize and retain nutrients to improve grass quality. Get rid of unwanted debris and dried leaves with a mower instead of using a heavy rake. But be aggressive with weeds, as it can become difficult to uproot them once the roots grow strong. Consider applying pre-emergent herbicides to counter weed growth in the hotter months. If the saplings continue to mature by spring, it’s time to switch to weed killers, which can be applied evenly across the lawn. Water early in the morning Flooding the lawn will force the soil to retain more water and the grass to burrow its roots deeply. But sparsely watering the lawn can force the grass to go dry and not root into the soil before the sapling even matures.

Bathing and showering are one of the most common practices across the globe. We’ve been doing it ever since we were little children. It helps us stay clean and healthy while helping us relax and remain stress-free for some time. Another thing that makes bathing and showering fun is that there are no strict rules to it. That being said, there are definitely some things that we’ve been doing wrong and should avoid. Taking long showers It’s natural to want to take a long, hot shower after a day at work. Hot showers are not only soothing, but they also get rid of all the day’s dirt and grime. Unfortunately, if you stay in the shower for too long, you may also be getting rid of all the essential and natural oils that the body produces. These natural oils protect the skin and prevent it from peeling and cracking. The ideal amount of time to spend in the shower is roughly 10 minutes. Anything more, and you could be doing more bad than good. Excessive scrubbing Another showering and bathing mistake is scrubbing ourselves too hard. Using a loofah to scrub your hands and back, and digging your nails into the scalp can damage your skin. It can lead to redness, rashes, and even dryness. Instead of using loofahs or scrubbing too furiously, simply use your hands to gently massage and clean yourself. Using too much soap We enjoy using soaps and body washes while in the shower. But it is important to remember that soap can contain lots of chemicals. If used for long periods on your body, the chemicals can lead to damage. So, instead of lathering up and building foam on your body, use a little bit of soap both on your body and your head. Many cleansers, soaps, and body washes also contain harsh chemicals which can strip the skin of its natural oils, leading to itchy skin.

Home improvement projects are exhausting but can be extremely fun if they are thought through and well-researched. If you want to do some renovation or add a new touch to your home, we recommend starting with something small and seeing how far your DIY skills and ambition take you. Of course, the sky’s the limit but let’s start with your door for now. Here are some easy home improvement hacks that you can try. Statement doors This is the first thing anyone notices about your home, so wouldn’t it make sense to work your DIY magic here? Statement doors are a rage right now, and the beauty of it is that while it’s in style, you don’t have to follow any particular style or design. Just go with what resonates with your home decor style. Color it bright, add an expensive door knob, make it look vintage – endless choices to make a statement in your home. Lighting This is very important. Make sure you invest time, money, and energy into adding warmth and ambiance to your home with just the right lighting. The lamps are great; hanging lights are super, too – ensure you can create a comforting and homely vibe. Wouldn’t it be lovely if your guests felt right at home when they visited? Paint color and texture This doesn’t have to be too much. Unless, of course, you are looking to follow any particular theme, a well-painted home does combine everything. If you’re not a fan of any textured walls, pick a pastel, calming color that you can add to your wall. Accessorize the wall with the right paintings, wall hangings, and shelves, and you have an elegant setup. Flooring You’d be surprised at how much character this adds to your home. You can choose several options like wooden, marble, or tiles and decide what theme you would like to go for.

Someone rightly said: “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” A garden is a gateway to your home in several unique ways — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Gardening is associated with better air quality, enhanced home aesthetics, and reduced stress and anxiety. However, it is a long-term activity that requires considerable planning and patience. So, if you have a spacious courtyard, here are some quick tips for facilitating a beautiful garden at your gateway: Enrich your soil The primary step to creating a beautiful garden is to replenish your soil with the essential nutrients. This means investing in good-quality compost, preferably vermicompost containing wigglers, redworms, and other soil products like coco peat and soil manure. Plan color themes It helps to plan the colors you would like in your garden and how these should be organized. For example, you could alternate between contrasting shades of light and dark or grow flowers of the same shades together. Planning the color themes in advance can help you set up a subtle yet vibrant garden. Weeding out is the way Weeds eat into your garden space and compete with other plants for food and nutrition. Moreover, they can ruin your garden’s aesthetics. Monitor your garden for the growth of weeds and eliminate them regularly to ensure that your garden is healthy and appealing. Make your garden appear bigger Some tricks can deceive your visitors into believing that your garden is huge. You can blur the boundaries between your garden and the surrounding areas, such as your patio. Consider growing plants of different, uneven sizes at your garden perimeters or growing rows of plants of different heights across your garden. Ensure proper drainage An aesthetic garden requires a proper drainage system to prevent stench and maintain hygiene. A well-planned gutter system is also essential to ensure a good harvest and adequate soil aeration.

Who doesn’t love coming back to a neat and tidy home? When it comes to cleaning the house, everyone has their tried and tested methods that they resort to without giving it a second thought. Also if you’re regulars at cleaning your homes, some everyday cleaning habits that can do more harm than good. So, if you’re deep cleaning your home, here are four common cleaning mistakes you should steer clear of: Not cleaning your cleaning appliances and dusters Our cleaning devices are meant to keep things clean, but don’t forget to clean them too. Devices like washing machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners, can collect dust, dirt, and debris over time. Dishwashers, for example, if not cleaned regularly, can have a lot of food particles and residue build-up stuck underneath, which can cause an unpleasant odor. This can also make your freshly-cleaned dishes come out cloudy. Moreover, in washing machines, this can lead to your freshly washed clothes having an unpleasant smell with a lot of cloth residue, prompting you to put on the second cycle of cleaning, which will not only waste time, but also consume plenty of electricity and water. Not washing your vacuum’s dust bag can also make cleaning more difficult as it might get clogged with dirt and hair. So, take a couple of minutes after you’re done vacuuming to clean out your vacuum’s brushes and dust bag. Instead of starting a second cycle, clean your machines regularly to make them work properly. For your dishwasher, consider adding a cup of vinegar on the top rack and run it on an empty cycle. Besides, to clean your washing machine, try using cleaning tablets. Additionally, cleaning your counters and windows with a dirty rag does not help. In fact, you could be spreading bacteria all around your house.

When you think of change, it is normal for a part of your brain to start putting together dollar signs. That also does not have to mean sticking to a boring bare minimum backyard with a few potted plants and making do with the garden. There is a multitude of ideas that can help beautify your garden without breaking your back or your bank account. You can get creative on a budget and let your green thumb flourish in the midst of the beauty you put together. Tree table If there is an old and greying tree stump in your garden from a tree, you cut down and make a table out of it instead of breaking your head trying to uproot the stump. Add a glass or wooden table top and make better use of it. It could be the perfect place to wind down in the evening or gear up for the day with your morning cup of tea. Add in some comfy cozy patio furniture to entertain guests over for brunch or to make the most of a kiddie tea party. Tire planter An old worn-out tire can add to your garden’s beauty. This idea to beautify your garden should not take up much of your time either. All you need is a tire, some paint, and flowers or vines you want to plant. A painted tire full of colorful flowers or overflowing vines is a great addition to any garden wall or tree trunk. Rockin’ mushrooms There is something to be said about colorful polka-dotted mushrooms in gardens and their significance to the unknown world. It is a sight most childhood stories bring up and makes a fine addition to the list of ideas that can beautify your garden. You can mold some with cement or use an umbrella-shaped stone to paint over.