We all love our beautiful granite countertops. Whether they’re in the kitchen or bathroom, they add a touch of elegance to any surface. But how can you effectively clean granite without ruining the stone?
Many countertop professionals might try to sell you on the idea that you absolutely need a granite-specific cleaner and nothing else will do. Well, ladies and gentlemen, this actually is not true. There is a great, and inexpensive, solution to cleaning your granite. And we want to share it with you!
First, let’s tackle some important questions about granite countertops.
Just like your sink, your oven and your fridge, your washing machine and dryer both need to be cleaned at least once every couple of months. This not only ensures a healthy, well-running machine, but it ensures that the machines won’t actually stain or ruin your clothes instead of cleaning them. Yikes!
Nowadays, front-loading washers and dryers are more popular than ever. And for multiple reasons. First, they are energy efficient which we all know helps decrease the amount of energy and water required to run a load. But these types of machines are also more prone to growing mold from stagnant water, and of course, smells ensue.
We’ve culled the internet for our favourite tips, which are environmentally sound and utilize ingredients everyone typically already has in their cupboards. The washing machine and the dryer will both require different methods, so we’ve broken them down in a few simple steps for you below. Remember to let us know what you think once you’ve given them a try.
There are many skills it is important to teach your child. How to take care of a home and living space is just as important as being able to cook or tie their shoes. One day they will have a home of their own that needs repairing and maintenance. Getting them involved in everyday household tasks, explaining maintenance to them while you do it and giving them constructive chores are all good ways of teaching them and preparing them to live on their own one day. Most of these suggestions are targeted at children eight years old and upwards.
Most of the year it doesn’t matter if you have air conditioning, especially in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland where the weather is pretty consistent and mild. During the summer and heat waves many people living in homes and apartments without AC are wishing they had it. If you don’t there are still lots of good ways to keep cool and beat the heat.
There are lots of reasons that you may not have an air conditioner installed where you live or work. It might be your landlord’s responsibility and you have no control over it. You might live in an older building. AC might seem like an unnecessary luxury. Others opt out of it to save on money and reduce their energy footprint. While you may be wishing for an easy way to fill your space with bursts of cold air you don’t have to suffer all summer. People have been keeping cool without AC for centuries and you can too.
Here are some easy things to do to keep cool without air conditioning.
Buying your first home is a really exciting experience but it can also be overwhelming. There are many new responsibilities and things you need to figure out how to do. You have a new home to take care of and keep in good shape.
Fortunately home maintenance can be easy and is more straightforward than you think. Consistently doing some simple things will keep your home in working order. These basic routine cleaning and upkeep steps should become a habit for any new homeowner.
There are certain things that happen as you grow up and become an adult. One of them is you start to acquire certain basic tools. These are the types of things you accumulate for basic home repairs and furniture you need to assemble. If you’ve never done handy work or DIY projects then you probably have a few screwdrivers and Ikea alan keys.
To fill the gaps in your setup here is a list of basic tools you should own.
Living by the coast has its benefits. Proximity to the Pacific Ocean, cool summer breezes, and much more. However, living by the Ocean has its downside as well and can take a toll on the exterior of your home. If you’re looking to maintain your home’s exterior yourself, be sure to take these tips into consideration. And if you’re looking to hire a professional to paint your home or do the upkeep for you, make sure you vet them thoroughly to see that they know what they’re doing.
Owning a home isn’t just about reaping the benefits. Though there are quite a few benefits. It’s important to maintain your home. Here in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, we are faced with the highest property prices in Canada. So if you’re able to afford a home, you should be able to afford the maintenance and upkeep involved to keep your home at its best. Failing to do so can seriously devalue your home and you could end up losing money when you’re ready to sell, upgrade or downsize in the future.
Homeownership means taking care of your home regularly, that includes maintenance, repairs, upgrades, and fix-it jobs required every so often. While some projects can be done with a couple hundred dollars and a quick trip to the big box stores, other projects require professionals and a larger budget.
Think of things like changing your roof or your windows in older homes, replacing walls and joists that have mold build-up inside, compared to a quick coat of paint, reseeding your lawn, or even changing the hardware on your front door. The more ‘on top of’ home maintenance you are, the better off you’ll be in the long run.
Addressing the issue of your home’s curb appeal is a big one, especially when you’re thinking about selling or renting your home. You want to make sure the exterior is as inviting as the interior and that your house isn’t the sore spot of the neighbourhood. After all, curb appeal does affects home prices in your community.
Here are a few simple ideas to dress up the outside of your home. Some can be done in an afternoon, while others may take a little more time. Regardless, they will all help add value to your home, and in the end, you might not want to leave.
Be it a gentle mist or the much more dreaded rain that is coming at you sideways that makes you scared to leave the house rain is a fact of life in Vancouver. You do your part to keep your home dry during rainstorms. If your gutters are clean and well maintained your home should be dry. They will move water away from your property and into the street. Here it meets rain gardens and storm sewers maintained by the city.
Usually they will be in good shape. Sometimes they can get blocked by debris like leaves that litter the streets during the fall and that water begins to pool. Storm drains can clog creating havoc for the homeowners nearby. If the water has nowhere to go it can damage your property.
