Black Friday is one of the most exciting days of the year for both retailers and shoppers. The event gives millions of people throughout the country the opportunity to save money on great deals for appliances, electronics, and other goods. How about getting a smart home device for your home this Black Friday? Read on to know more about some great Black Friday smart home devices deals to look out for this shopping season. Black Friday sales have already begun to arrive. There are a tonne of tech gadgets and accessories in the Black Friday smart home collection that will completely change the way you live. You may get great discounts on a variety of items, including Alexa devices and smart speakers as well as sensors and video cameras. Therefore, be sure to keep an eye out to stay updated with all the latest offers. Here are the top 10 best Black Friday deals to expect on smart home devices: Echo Dot Echo Dots are a cool way to add a little life and ambiance to your room. The latest 4th generation Echo Dot comes in three types; simple Echo Dot, Echo Dot with LCD, and Echo Dots kids version. Currently, the latest 4th generation Echo Dot with a smart clock is trendy and is expected to be at 30% off. Smart video doorbell Keep family and friends safer with a smart video doorbell, which includes two-way audio, a built-in siren, adjustable motion detection and alert, and support for Alexa voice control. Shop from leading retailers like Amazon, Kohl’s, Home Depot, and Best Buy and save up to 30% on this Black Friday Sale. Nest Protect smoke and CO detector Nest Protect is the best and smart way to detect smoke. Nest Protect is available at great discounted prices, starting at just $115.

So you have researched thoroughly and are ready to buy the best security system for your house. But did you know the Black Friday sale is coming early this year? Yes, only a few months remain for Black Friday, and retailers currently offer incredible deals, discounts, and markdowns on home security and other products. So, there will be a plethora of lucrative deals to eye out. Below are the ten best deals you must know. Best home security deals to watch out for ADT ADT usually offers a 10% discount every Black Friday. However, in the past two years, they have given away a free Security camera and $100 off on standard installation charges. Based on what’s stated on their official website, you can expect: $100 ADT Visa reward card. Professional video doorbell installation free of cost. Zero installation charges on security cameras, CO detectors, and smoke alarms. $19.99 introductory price for existing customers planning to reactivate the security system. Scout Scout had previously shared a 40% discount promo code on their hardware. However, this promo code was only valid on the day of Black Friday. This year we are expecting discounts that will last even longer. Head to Scout’s official Facebook page to receive updates. SimpliSafe security system SimpliSafe is currently one of the most preferred DIY home security systems and is known for its great prices. You can get a massive discount of about 50% on installation charges. You will also get a free Simplicam (worth $99) with any system you buy. Abode In the last three Black Friday sales, Abode had offered enormous discounts on their security systems cameras and starter kits. Like the popular abode iota Security Kit, usually priced at $329, was sold for $259. The discounts and deals to expect in this year’s Black Friday sale are:

A clean environment is where creativity and productivity thrive. A place maintained clean provides an air of positivity which helps people function better. However, while keeping our things and home clean, certain mistakes are unavoidable. But practice makes people perfect. Through trial and error, one can learn from the mistakes and ensure their surroundings and items are well managed and neat. Keep reading to find out more about some common cleaning mistakes to avoid. Not switching sponges Sponges are highly absorbent, and as a result, they act as a breeding ground for various microbes. If you go around the house cleaning every surface with the same sponge, you only facilitate the travel of these bacteria and other germs. Therefore, ensure the sponge for dishes is different from the one you are using to clean the stove tops and counters. Cleaning hardwood with water The universal solvent is a great cleaning agent in most scenarios but not always. Grabbing a bucket and a mop was our go-to solution to cleaning the house and the dust. After all, if you clean, you know how meditating it is to watch streaks of the freshly mopped floor. However, those wet floor streaks are a curse if your home has wooden flooring. Not only is it harmful, but it is also unnecessary. Stick with vacuuming and sweeping to maintain a clean home. Using sprays on electronics A lot of people want to have multipurpose cleaners. But that does not mean you can use your spray cleaners to clean everything. One must refrain from spraying cleaner solutions onto their television, laptops, and other electronic devices. LCDs and other screens can suffer damage from these solutions. Instead, one can use a microfiber cloth to deal with prints and dust on the screens. Further, if you have any screen cleaner solutions, spray them on the cloth instead of directly applying them on the screen.

Driving a truck for the first time after training can feel exhilarating and intimidating for rookie drivers. The experience of driving such an imposing vehicle can make young drivers feel like the king of the road, but they will also be overtly wary of making rookie mistakes, at least in the first few days and weeks in the new job. To help such individuals, here are some rookie truck driver mistakes to avoid: Not being mindful of the trailer Even mildly experienced truckers will never make the mistake of forgetting about a huge 20-something-foot trailer attached to their vehicle. However, at a rookie stage, that is one of the most common mistakes drivers can make. This includes misjudging the truck and trailer’s combined radius while making U-turns or maneuvering space while parking the truck. Experience and time are the best teachers to cut out this mistake eventually. Drivers new on the job need to check their blind spots while driving and, more importantly, drive slowly to keep the truck and trailer on the road at all times. Overspeeding Younger drivers are more prone to overspeeding than experienced or older ones. There are a host of reasons for this- the sheer euphoria of driving an almighty truck, the adrenaline rush of doing an exciting new job, or, quite simply, naivety. Trucks around the country carry massive amounts of load (about 20,000 lbs for every single axle, and 34,000 lbs for every tandem axle) over large distances. With so much weight to haul around, driving recklessly fast can end up in accidents or damage to the goods being transported. To avoid such situations, drivers need to drive cautiously and as the situation around them demands. Again, driving slowly is always the way to go, especially in the first few days on the job.

Lawns significantly add to the curb appeal of your house. It provides you with some much-needed greenery when surrounded by a concrete jungle. However, keeping the lawn clean and green can be a notorious chore that is tricky to maintain. You could be doing everything right according to your knowledge to care for the lawn, but you may still have a sad-looking lawn. Hence, adopting some simple practices will help you excel at the task. Learning soil type Learning about the soil and the grass covering your lawn area is a great way to start caring for the lawn. Only when you know these details, you will be able to implement all the lawn care tips and tricks your friends and family dish out for you. And if you are just starting to put down the lawn, research the type of soil and grass that thrives in your climate. This will give you a better opportunity to avoid bald patches on your lawn. Proper seeding Planting your seeds is a better way to lay your lawn if you are starting fresh. To avoid any issues with seeding, learn about the best time to sow seeds in your climate and region to obtain lush grass. If you have moved into a new place, it might be a possibility that you already have a lawn with plentiful grass. In that case, you don’t need to use ample seeds. A touch-up, in that case, might be the right choice for you. But, if you notice bald patches in the lawn, you can use the overseeding process to cover it up and grow lush grass over it. Overseeding is doubly beneficial as it helps strengthen the grass and enables it to stand against drought and other issues in the future. Mowing People often mistake mowing to be a straightforward process and do not give it much thought.

Home improvement is a perpetual endeavor; no matter how many upgrades you get and change the carpets, paint, or furniture, there may always be some scope for improvement. Additionally, as needs evolve, it might be necessary to change a few things around the house. While some projects may require professional services, others could be easy DIY tasks you can take up. Here are 5 easy home improvement hacks that you can try: Use Washi tape on doors Without the right kind of lighting in the room or the hallway, plain white doors can look dull. But you can fix this issue with a simple DIY hack using Washi tape. The tape comes in multiple colors, sticks to the surface with ease, and leaves no residue, so there is no damage to the door. You can get creative with the designs and patterns, with the white door as the perfect blank canvas. With this hack, you get the chance to change the pattern as many times as you want.  Experiment with wall colors You don’t have to call a professional to transform a space when paint can do the job. Experiment with colors and try a few samples to see what works best for each room. Start with a small can of paint and apply an even first coat on one wall to see if the color works. It will take a couple of hours, but you will be pretty surprised by the transformation. You can even choose contrasting shades for the doors and the trims and give the space a fresh look by just changing the color theme. Get smart home tech You can get a few fun, smart home upgrades to control lighting, the entertainment system, and all gadgets that can be connected to the internet. You can use voice assistant functionality to set up voice commands and easily control all connected devices.

Sliding window blinds are gaining popularity because of their versatility and style. They offer an ideal solution for spaces needing privacy, light control, and energy efficiency while enhancing the room’s overall aesthetic appeal. Going for sliding windows might be one of the best options for window replacement or home remodeling. Let’s delve into the benefits of sliding window blinds, the different types available, and how to choose and maintain them. Advantages of sliding window blinds Privacy Sliding window blinds provide excellent privacy, making them perfect for areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, and other spaces that require privacy. Light control Sliding window blinds offer excellent light control, making them ideal for spaces needing varying lighting levels, such as media rooms or home offices. Energy efficiency Such window blinds help conserve energy by minimizing heat loss in the winter and reducing heat gain in the summer, making them a practical choice for energy-efficient spaces. Style and aesthetics These window treatments are available in various materials like vinyl and wood, colors, and styles, making them a perfect option for adding style and aesthetics to any room. They can elevate a space’s look and feel while serving a functional purpose. Types of sliding window blinds There are several types of sliding window blinds to choose from, each with its own features and benefits. Some of the most popular types of sliding window blinds are listed below. Vertical blinds These blinds are ideal for sliding glass doors and large windows, providing easy outdoor access and offering privacy and light control. Panel track blinds These blinds are a modern alternative to vertical blinds and offer a sleek and contemporary look, making them perfect for large windows and sliding glass doors. Roller blinds These blinds are an excellent option for any space that requires light control and privacy.

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. Not pre-soaking the utensils If one leaves pots and pans on the stovetop while eating, it may lead to cheese and sauces setting into the skillet. Furthermore, one may have to rigorously scrub the utensils to remove the baked-on food and other condiments. Hence, experts suggest transferring the foods from the pots and pans to other utensils once cooked and soaking the utensils in warm soapy water during mealtime. However, if one uses aluminum utensils, one must first let the utensil cool down, as cold water could potentially warp a hot aluminum pan. Rubbing on stubborn stains In most cases, spills and splatters necessitate immediate attention to avoid the set-in of stubborn stains.

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. But, all you may require is a small specialty wrench that fits into a hexagonal opening on the underside of the powered-down disposal. If that does not work, you may need to call a professional. Broken faucet A leaky center-set faucet that isn’t complex and free of various connections on the underside could be resolved with a simple DIY method. And this involves replacing the faucet by following the manufacturer’s installation instructions and taking your time! Running toilets Running toilets can lead to severe water wastage but are usually easy to fix. You will need a DIY toilet rebuild kit available online or at a local hardware store.

A clutter-free lifestyle and having a clean and organized home are not just crucial for visual appeal, these measures also impact your mental and emotional health. However, decluttering requires considerable time and patience, especially when you have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. If you are planning to take on decluttering your home, don’t fret; here are a few common decluttering mistakes to avoid for a mess-free space: Not having a plan One of the biggest decluttering mistakes is not having a plan. Before you start cleaning up and organizing stuff, spend some time figuring out what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it. Decide on a goal, such as decluttering your closet, and make a plan of action. This might involve setting aside a specific amount of time each day to work on decluttering or breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable chunks. Not sorting as per categories Another common decluttering mistake to avoid is not sorting items into categories. Instead, people often move from room to room, decluttering as they go. While this approach may work for some, it can be inefficient and lead to disorganization. So, you can consider sorting items into categories such as clothes, books, and electronics and work on decluttering one category at a time. Not labeling garbage bags While decluttering, it is important to segregate trash from other items. Many make the mistake of throwing away things that could be recycled or donated. Others leave piles of garbage bags lying around, creating an unsightly mess. To avoid these issues, label the garbage bags to hold items you plan to throw away and separate them into categories such as recycling, trash, and hazardous waste. This will make it easier to dispose of items and keep your home clean and organized.

You may have been too eager while starting your decluttering journey. However, the process can be exhausting, and you might end up making a few mistakes. This can be detrimental, as the process then becomes even more lengthy and unnecessarily exhausting. So if you’re starting your decluttering journey, or are stuck and wondering what to do next, this article is for you. Continue reading for a list of common decluttering mistakes to avoid. Using numerous containers This decluttering mistake is at the top of the list because it is the most common blunder people make. Using a number of containers to hold your possessions may not fix the problem. Doing so only adds to the clutter and worsens it. Unfortunately, this strategy wastes time and money, because it adds to the problem rather than addressing it. Completing everything in a single weekend Decluttering a complete house requires a lot of time and effort. Many begin a whole house decluttering project, anticipating finishing it all on a day off from work or over the weekend. However, this may not be the right strategy. Chances are that the weekend might be over and you’ll still have rooms and boxes to sort through, not to mention the presence of large stacks of belongings in the middle of your home. So, make a strategy to declutter your home over certain durations of time, and not one or two days. Not using garbage bags Garbage bags can be one of the most useful tools for decluttering. However, not using them effectively can lead to clutter and disorganization. When using garbage bags, make sure to label them clearly so that you know what’s inside. This will help you keep track of what you’ve thrown away, what you’ve donated, and what you’ve kept. Decluttering can be a difficult task to finish, and it’s easy to give up.

A water heater, an essential appliance in most homes, provides hot water for various tasks such as bathing, cleaning, and cooking. However, like any other appliance, a water heater may experience problems that may require timely repair. Unfortunately, many homeowners make common mistakes during water heater repair that cost them a lot of money. Here are a few such repairing mistakes that one can avoid to extend the longevity and safety of the device. Not turning off the power supply Before one starts any water heater repair, ensure that one has turned off the power supply. Failure to do so can result in electrical shock or major injury. Not draining the tank before repair If one needs to repair the water heater tank, it’s crucial to drain it first. This process can remove all the sediment build-up for proper maintenance. Ignoring leaks If one notices any leaks in the water heater, it’s essential to fix them as soon as possible. Ignoring leaks can result in severe water loss. Not checking warranty Most warranties cover repairs and replacements for a certain period. Failing to check the same can result in unnecessary expenses that could have been otherwise covered. Not replacing the anode rod The anode rod is a vital component of the water heater that protects the tank from corrosion. Failure to replace the anode rod can cause the tank to rust, resulting in costly repairs or replacement. Over-tightening connections Over-tightening connections during water heater repair can cause the fittings to crack or break, leading to leaks and other issues. Not checking the thermostat The thermostat is responsible for regulating the temperature of the water heater. Failure to check the thermostat can result in the appliance not working correctly, leading to higher energy bills. Not leaving space around the heater Not leaving enough space around the water heater can cause overheating and potential fire hazards.