4 Antimicrobial Materials to Use in Your Home

 

Everyone wants to keep a clean home. Regularly washing, vacuuming and wiping surfaces around the house is certainly essential, but you can give yourself extra peace of mind by using materials that have proven antimicrobial powers. From countertops to doorknobs, these surfaces are perfect for designing a stylish home that naturally combats germs.

Copper Alloy
Copper, brass and bronze are well-known for their ability to quickly kill a wide variety of pathogens, like viruses, bacteria and fungi. If that’s not enough to get excited about, they’re ideal materials for high-traffic areas around the house, such as cabinet pulls and doorknobs, so you can create a timeless aesthetic without having to worry about any lingering germs. 

Quartz
It’s crucial to keep your kitchen and bathroom countertops free of harmful microorganisms. After all, these are the surfaces where you prepare food or keep your toothbrush, so it’s important to ensure that they aren’t contaminated. Fortunately, quartz is a stylish option to use for countertops as it can prevent the spread of pathogens due to the fact that it’s nonporous. Taking that a step further, many of today’s engineered quartz options are made with an antimicrobial compound that proactively kills germs.

Bamboo
In recent years, bamboo has become a popular choice for environmentally conscious homeowners because it’s highly sustainable. Additionally, this fast-growing species of grass is nonporous and has naturally antibacterial capabilities. Whether you want to use it for your floors or countertops, bamboo is particularly well-suited for areas that are prone to collecting germs around the house.

Cork
Cork flooring never ceases to amaze. It’s sustainable, fire-resistant and, of course, boasts antimicrobial properties to protect the whole family from harmful organisms that find their way into your home. Made from the bark of cork oak trees, this long-lasting wood is an excellent option to use throughout the home and is sure to lend warm, visual appeal. 

Halloween 2020: Making it Fun and Safe

 

This Halloween, health experts suggest that finding safe ways to celebrate can make the day playful and exciting. While some activities like dressing up and decorating pumpkins hardly need to change at all, others may need a bit of a twist: 

• Halloween Treats – Spend more time than usual creating dinner and treats as a family. Decorate a pizza with toppings in the shape of a jack-o’-lantern. Make tangerine pumpkins by peeling the tangerine and sticking a thin slice of celery on top to look like a stem. Frost cupcakes with orange-colored icing and decorate using chocolate chips, candy corn or other inventive ingredients. 
• Virtual Costume Parties and Parades – Have fun using Zoom or other video chats with friends and family to show off costumes and play games. Stage an outdoor costume parade on your block, making sure everyone is socially distanced and masked, and let each kid pick up a bag full of treats as he or she takes center stage or passes the costume judges. 
• A Halloween Piñata – Fill your piñata with treats and take turns batting it with a broomstick. This is fun for the family, but if you wish to invite a few other kids to participate, take precautions to see that everyone stays socially distanced and masked.
• Start a Spooky Movie Night – Have the whole family dress up as their favorite characters, settle in with popcorn or other snacks and choose from a wide range of age-appropriate Halloween-themed movies, ranging from Casper the Ghost and Monster House to Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus or your classic favorites.
• Attend a Safe Community Event – Instead of door-to-door trick or treating, check with your library or parks and recreation department to learn about organized outdoor venues like a corn maze, a socially distanced haunted house, a drive-through treat event or another activity your kids can safely enjoy. 

Finding a New Home When Your Adult Children Return

 

Across the country, many empty nesters are experiencing the same situation: their adult kids are moving back in. Accommodating your grown children, however, can be a challenge for various reasons. When the kids move out, it’s quite common for empty nesters to convert unused bedrooms for other purposes or even sell the family home and downsize. As a result, many are now in need of a residence that’s better suited for multi-generational living. If this sounds familiar, here are several features to look for in a home where everyone can comfortably live together.

Fully-Equipped Guest Quarters
When they were younger, a simple bedroom would do the trick. Now that they’re adults, though, that might not be enough. A home with an in-law suite or guest house will provide enough space so that you won’t have to worry about stepping on each other’s toes, especially if there’s a separate kitchen where they can do their own cooking.

Suitable Workspace
With the rise in remote work, it’s important that there’s enough space for everyone to work from home. Unfortunately, the kitchen table is not a great long-term solution when the whole family is under one roof. You might even want to have a couple of separate work areas so that there aren’t any disruptions when someone has to get on a conference call.

Places for Personal Time
Family time is always enjoyable, but too much of it might become overwhelming. Make sure you’re still able to get some alone time in different parts of the house, like a home gym or a quiet library that’s perfect for disappearing in a book. 

Amazing Master Suite
Nothing beats a comprehensive master suite where you can escape for privacy. It may take some time to get used to having the “kids” back home, but a sumptuous, spa-like bathroom will certainly help keep you relaxed.

Make Your Bedroom Better for Sleep

 

When it comes to sleep, it is important to ensure that you are as comfortable as you can be. But comfort doesn’t just mean a cozy comforter or a plush pillow. The environment in which you surround yourself plays an important role in catching z’s that will help you awake with the energy and excitement on each and every new day. Here’s how to transform your bedroom to create a place where your slumber and real rest is valued. 

Paint With Soothing Colors
When designing your ultimate bedroom, be sure to promote relaxation with the right tones. Because this is a place of rest, steer clear of bright colors. Also avoid white, as this can be an intense and jarring choice due to light reflecting off it first thing in the morning. Select a paint color for your walls in light and muted tones, such as greys, light blues and greens, like you would see in a spa. 

Swap Out Those Bright Bulbs
Bright white LED bulbs emit blue light, which is the last thing you want to fall asleep to or wake up with. Similar to the light in your phone screen, it is the last thing you should feature in a serene space. Swap out your bright whites for a warm white LED bulb with a color temperature of 2,700 degrees Kelvin. This will be better on your eyes in the morning and at night, while still keeping energy costs low.   

Set Your Thermostat for Slumber
No one likes to fall asleep freezing or wake up in the middle of the night in a pool of sweat. Perhaps one of the most important features in a bedroom is the temperature. Before you head to sleep at night, close the windows and set your thermostat between 60 – 67 degrees fahrenheit, the ideal temperature range for sleep.

Hidden Dangers in Your Backyard

 

A backyard can be an excellent place to let your kids and pets play and to entertain guests, but it could also be filled with hazards. One trip or a curious child or pet could lead to an accident and serious injuries, as well.

Water
Pools and hot tubs may look appealing to kids, but they can be deadly. Ponds, lakes and streams can also pose a threat to your family. Even if kids only sneak outside unsupervised for a minute, they can drown, even in shallow water. If you have a pool or hot tub in your yard and you have young children who live with you or visit, install a fence with a locking gate around it or cover the water when not in use. If there is any natural body of water in your yard, put up a fence to keep your kids away. Never leave a child unattended in or around a body of water, even for a few seconds.

Gardens
Gardens can be beautiful to look at, but they can be hazardous to children and pets. Young kids like to put things in their mouths, and they could ingest dirt, fertilizer or mulch if no one is watching. Some common garden plants and types of mulch and fertilizer can be poisonous to pets. Thorny bushes can cause cuts that can become infected.

Grills
A grill can be extremely dangerous to both kids and pets. If you are having a backyard barbecue or picnic, keep your pets indoors. Your kids will obviously want to be included in the party, but make sure that someone (not the person using the grill) keeps a close eye on them at all times. Find a fun activity to keep the kids occupied while an adult is cooking. Keep the grill covered when not in use.

Window Wells
Window wells can create a tripping hazard that can lead to twisted ankles, broken bones, cuts and head injuries. These accidents could be fatal to children or pets. If there are any window wells in your yard, have them covered to prevent accidents.

Trampolines
Many kids love to jump on trampolines, and they may even learn to perform flips and other acrobatic moves; however, landing the wrong way can cause a sprained ankle or broken bone. A child can fall to the ground, sustain serious injuries and possibly hurt others. Two or more people using a trampoline at the same time can increase the chance of an accident. If you have a trampoline, ask a qualified person to teach your kids how to use it safely and install netting around the trampoline to prevent falls. Make sure kids are supervised when using the trampoline so they don’t attempt any unsafe stunts.

Make Your Yard Safer
Your backyard should be a haven for rest and relaxation, but it can also be a dangerous place. If you have children or pets, look around your yard for hazards and make any necessary changes to protect your family.

Ways to Keep Your Utility Bills in Check

 

Utility bills are often much higher than they should be. By making some simple changes, you can keep your house comfortable and significantly reduce your monthly energy bills.

Lower Heating Costs
Heating and cooling are responsible for a large chunk of utility bills. In the winter, you can save money by lowering the temperature on your thermostat. Even a change of two or three degrees can result in substantial savings over the course of a year. You can install a programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature when the house is unoccupied and raise it to the temperature your family prefers shortly before everyone gets home.

If your house has windows that face south, opening the blinds or curtains during the day can allow sunlight to naturally heat your home so that you can rely less on your heating system.

Drafts make the heating system work harder and raise utility bills. You can inexpensively seal the areas around windows and block the spaces under doors to keep cold air out. If your windows are old and inefficient, replacing them can consistently save you money over many years.

Change the Way You Use Appliances
LED lightbulbs are much more energy-efficient than traditional bulbs. You will need to pay more up front, but LED bulbs can last years longer than conventional bulbs and cost less to operate. This can result in significant savings over time.

Heating water can contribute to high utility bills, especially if you have a large family. Installing a showerhead that conserves hot water and lowering the temperature on your water heater can easily save you money.

Ask Your Utility Company for Guidance
Utility companies offer a variety of tips and programs to help homeowners lower their energy bills. You may find advice on how to make your home more energy efficient, how to lower your energy usage without interfering with your lifestyle, and how to choose energy-efficient appliances.

Some utility companies also offer free or low-cost energy audits to help homeowners identify where they are losing or wasting energy so that they can make changes and save money. Participating in these programs and investing in energy-efficient appliances may make you eligible for further savings through rebates.

Your utility company might charge more for energy during peak hours than during times when demand is lower. Find out if your utility company charges more at specific times and look for ways to reduce your family’s energy consumption during peak hours.

The company might allow you to receive energy from another provider that offers a lower rate. You would still receive the same service you currently do, but your energy would come from a different source, allowing you yo save money each month without making any other significant changes.

Try a Variety of Solutions
If you dread opening your utility bill each month, take action to save money. With some strategic changes, you can lower your costs while keeping your home comfortable and relaxing.

 

A garage is an excellent place for storage, but things are often put there and forgotten. This can result in a disorganized mess that makes it difficult to find room for vehicles and other important items. If your garage could use some organization, you need a strategy.

Get Help and Make a Plan
First, realize that organizing a garage is a task that will take a lot of time and effort. Set aside at least two consecutive days and find people to help you. Dividing the work among several people and multiple days will make it more manageable and less stressful, which means you will be more likely to get it done.

When organizing your garage, you need a plan. You can work out the details and make changes along the way, but having a general idea of what should go where and which items you can get rid of will help you avoid feeling frustrated and overwhelmed.

Look around and take stock of what is in the garage. Make a list of categories that you can use to organize items. You will want separate areas for tools, car care equipment, paint, seasonal items, sports equipment and other belongings. If any items can be safely and conveniently stored inside the house, that will make it easier to organize the rest of your possessions in the garage.

Decide where to put each category of items based on how often you use them. Frequently used tools should be stored in a toolbox or hung on a wall. Lawn and garden equipment should be easily accessible. Seasonal items can be put in an out-of-the-way place where you can still get to them without too much trouble.

If the garage does not have shelves or cabinets, installing some can make organizing much easier. You can purchase shelves and cabinets at a home improvement store and install them yourself or assign the job to one of your helpers.

In the process of organizing the garage, you will likely come across things that are broken or that you no longer use. Either throw them out or donate them. If you have a lot of trash, consider renting a dumpster. Designate an area for items to donate.

Make Sure Everyone Is on the Same Page
Communication is vital when working with a team on a large project such as organizing a garage. Before you get started, discuss the plan. Listen to others’ suggestions, make any changes you consider reasonable, then settle on a final plan and be sure that everyone understands it. Making signs to indicate where various types of items should go can help the group avoid confusion, arguments and wasted time.

Get Started
Looking at a messy garage every day can be frustrating and overwhelming. The problem won’t take care of itself, so the best thing is to come up with a plan and tackle it head-on. Get some friends or family members to help you make the process more manageable.

How to Organize Your Kitchen Cabinets

 

The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in any household. It’s where meals are cooked and families eat, and also a place to play fun games or just talk.

The foodie craze is changing the way we eat and the way we cook. Amateur chefs get ideas from cooking shows and then visit farmers markets to find the best possible ingredients for the delicious meals they put together. And homebuyers want the perfect kitchen where they can make their culinary creations. While a complete revamp of your kitchen isn’t necessarily practical, one easy step is to clear out the cabinets and pantry.

Organize Your Pots and Pans. You should dedicate a cabinet or two to your pots and pans, and start the process by emptying out the cabinets and dusting them. Then, put the cookware back, neatly and organized. Place covers on pots and arrange them by size. This is also a good opportunity to get rid of items you no longer use and to designate a cabinet for special cooking items like slow cookers, bread makers, food processors, blenders, etc.

Dishes and Glasses. If your cabinets are overrun with dishes, bowls, cups and glasses, clear out some clutter. Set aside older things you no longer use and, if possible, donate them to a local soup kitchen or senior center. Keep whatever you’ll need to use while selling your home and place everything back neatly. Try not to leave any cabinets completely empty, but rather, send the message to buyers that your kitchen has enough room for all their cooking supplies.

In the Pantry. This is commonly a space that has a lot of potential for improved organization. Go through your pantry and toss ingredients and packages with expiration dates that have passed or that you don’t expect to use. Then clear everything else out, clean the shelves of crumbs and spilled foods, and replace things neatly. Put canned goods like soups, sauces and vegetables together, and cereal boxes on one level with boxed goods on another level.

Under the Sink. Here’s a space that can get unorganized and messy very easily. Clear everything out and clean this space thoroughly. This is where people commonly keep cleaning ingredients, dishwasher detergent, sponges and cleaning supplies. Get rid of items you don’t use (be sure to dispose of cleaners in an environmentally safe way) and replace them in an organized manner.

Organizing the storage areas in your kitchen will improve your home’s visual appeal while allowing potential buyers to imagine themselves preparing delicious meals in the space.

Eco-Friendly Tips With Low Costs and High Savings

 

Most homeowners have weather-stripped their doors to maximize climate control, and have switched out traditional incandescent light bulbs with eco-friendly CFL models. Short of installing double paned windows or making other costly home improvements, what more can you do to make your home “greener” without emptying your wallet?

Change filters often. Change air conditioning filters monthly to keep the system running at peak performance.

Dry bigger loads. Your dryer has more capacity than you think. Dry two or more loads at once so the dryer cools down and heats up less frequently. And clean out the lint filter often.

Check the fridge seal. Feel for cold air around your closed refrigerator door to be sure the seal is in good condition.

Adjust stove top cooking. Avoid wasting heat by matching up your pot/pan size to the correct burner.

Unplug battery chargers. Many chargers continue to draw power even when not connected to a device, so unplug yours after charging.

Use a laptop. They use less energy than your desktop computer, so use them instead when you can.

Reduce hot water consumption. Install low-flow, aerating faucets and shower heads. Select a shower head with a flow rate of less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

Choose drought-tolerant plants. Any number of plants and ground covers can add greenery to a yard without gulping lots of water – including clover, certain breeds of grass like Bermuda and Zoysia, and edible plants like herbs and strawberries. (Note: you may want to put in some type of wood or brick border to contain groundcovers or plants in the area you want them to stay in.)

Pros and Cons of Smart Appliances

 

Smart appliances can make life easier and more convenient. Since the technology is relatively new, many manufacturers are still working out problems and resolving glitches. Before you purchase a smart appliance, it’s important to understand what they have to offer and to be aware of potential pitfalls.

Popular Smart Appliances
A smart refrigerator can make grocery shopping easier. A camera allows you to peek inside the fridge even if you aren’t home, and you can keep a running list of what you need. You can also control the temperature and humidity to keep your food fresh as long as possible.

Smart refrigerators are much more expensive than traditional ones, and they are more expensive to repair. There is also the risk of viruses. If you have linked your email and social media accounts to the smart refrigerator, they could be at risk.

A smart dishwasher can help you get sparkling dishes every time. It can tell you if you need more detergent and can let you know when the cycle is done so you don’t have to get up and check. It can also help you save energy and water and notify you if the dishwasher is leaking.

A smart dishwasher is more expensive than a traditional one in terms of both purchase price and repair costs. You might be able to purchase an extended warranty for an additional cost.

Smart washers and dryers can make doing laundry a breeze. You can control the cycle from anywhere in your house and be notified when a load is done. You can even figure out which time of day is the best in terms of energy efficiency.

Companies that make smart washers and dryers still have some bugs to work out, and updates are not always provided automatically if the appliance was not purchased recently. That means you might be on the hook for updates and repairs.

Things to Consider
If you have several smart appliances, they can all be controlled from your phone. That can make it easy to monitor and control things at home no matter where you are.

With any type of smart appliance, hacking is a serious concern. Although safety measures are in place, they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and hackers are always looking for ways around them. You can protect yourself by using a secure internet connection, changing your passwords frequently and promptly installing updates.

Sometimes adjusting to smart appliances poses a challenge. If you aren’t tech savvy, you might find it confusing and overwhelming at first. The person who installs the smart appliances should thoroughly explain how they work, and you should be able to call tech support for help.

Are Smart Appliances Right for You?
Smart appliances can make life much easier, but they carry some risks. Security features need to be fine-tuned, but there are ways that you can protect yourself until they are perfected. You may decide that smart appliances are a worthwhile investment that can greatly improve your life.

10 Painless Changes for a Greener Home

 

Making eco-friendly changes in the way we live may be easier than you think. Real Simple Magazine lists 10 little tips that can go a long way toward living a “greener” lifestyle:

Start with household cleaners. Switch to plant-based products (read the list of ingredients) that reduce air pollution, minimizing exposure to asthma and allergy triggers as well as chemicals that can be harmful to your health.

Try meatless Mondays. Preparing one meat-free meal per week (for a family of four) has the same impact on the environment as driving a hybrid car. (That’s because of the greenhouse gases produced in raising livestock.)

Buy sustainably-raised meat. Look for labels like free-range and organic, as well as no-hormone and no-antibiotic, which indicate the animal was given ample room to roam and wasn’t treated with hormones.

Upgrade your home’s insulation. Adding insulation to prevent leaky ducts, walls, windows and doors can improve your home’s energy draw by 20 – 30 percent. If that isn’t in your budget, try thermal shades, which block the sun in the summer and retain heat in the winter.

Leave your shoes at the door. Removing your shoes at the door prevents car exhaust, chemicals and pesticides from being tracked all over your home.

Microwave glass only. Heating plastics can cause hormone-disrupting compounds that leach into your food. Plastics labeled “microwave-safe” can withstand a higher temperature, but they are no safer. When microwaving, opt for glass or microwave-safe ceramics only.

Donate, don’t dump. By some landfill estimates, for every item of clothing you donate for re-use, carbon emissions are reduced by 27 pounds.

Choose safer cookware. The materials you cook with have an impact on food. The safest options are cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron and stainless steel. Non-stick pans are problematic if any scraped-off coating gets into your food.

Use fragrance-free products. Many fragrances contain chemicals believed to disrupt hormones, which can be harmful to the ecosystem when washed down the drain. If you like scented soaps, cleaning products or cosmetics, read labels to find those made with essential oils.

Reduce use of pesticides. Control pests indoors by keeping your kitchen crumb-free and sealing any cracks in the walls or foundation. If you do require more pest control, reach for green alternatives. Again, read the labels.