8 Things You Need to Organize at Home Before you Leave for Vacation
Tidy up so you can breathe easy while you are away from home – and make your return that much easier. Vacations can be exciting, relaxing and a great way to disconnect – nothing brings you back to reality faster than returning to a messy home. Tidying up before you leave isn’t only a matter of cleanliness, it is about preventing problems and ensuring peace of mind while you’re away.
- Clear the Sink and Dishwasher. Washing dishes and cleaning your sink will remove possible attractions for pests and breeding grounds for mold or other smells that gather in a damp sink. Do not leave dirty dishes in the dishwasher either, so be sure to run the machine. Leaving the dishwasher open a smidge will help prevent moisture and odors from building up inside.
- Survey the Fridge and Pantry. Take a sweep through the fridge, pantry, and other food storage areas. Get rid of anything perishable that won’t be good when you return like ripe fruits, vegetables, and open milk.
- Take out the Trash. Empty garbage bins and recycling from all rooms and don’t forget special receptacles like compost, diaper pails, and litter boxes.
- Empty the Laundry Hamper. At a minimum, take care of things like damp bath towels, kitchen rags, and gym clothes – anything prone to mildew and unpleasant odors if they sit too long. If you have time, consider running a clean cycle, so you’re coming home to a ready to go washing machine. Before you go, make sure that the washer open so that musty particles aren’t building up in the machine.
- Unplug Devices. Disconnecting things like countertop appliances, hair tools, and space heaters can remove potential fire hazards.
- Clear out your Mailbox. An overflowing mailbox can indicate an empty home to would be burglars. You want to ward off unexpected surprises upon your return as prevent headaches like overdue bills. It is also a good time to pause mail delivery or ask a friend or neighbor to collect packages.
- Make pet Preparations. If you are leaving pets behind, make sure food, meds, and necessary accessories are stocked and accessible for whoever is caring for them.
- Secure outdoor Furniture. Severe weather alerts can be the cue you need to tidy up outdoor spaces to prevent potential damage when you’re at home. Before you leave, cover furniture and outdoor appliances to better withstand weather, and secure anything that might be vulnerable to wind.
Reminder: Don’t forget to change your air filters every 1-3 months to maintain healthy air quality and optimal HVAC performance.
Ways to Stay Cool and Save Money This Summer
- Set your air conditioner to 78 degrees or higher
- Wear cool, loose clothing – even indoors
- Indulge your taste for spicy food
- Use fans to improve air circulation and set existing ceiling fans properly
- Take cold showers
- Drink plenty of water
- Draw drapes and blinds on windows exposed to direct sunlight
- Cook outdoors
- Use the microwave
- Eat more smaller meals through summer months
- Spend more time outdoors or away from home
- Try a cool pillow
- Shut down unnecessary electronic devices
- Wash your clothes at night and line dry them in the morning
- Shut down your furnace pilot light
- Close doors to unused rooms and closets
- Close your fireplace damper
- Replace standard bulbs with low energy equivalents
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Why Plumbers Warn Against Using Toilet Tank Cleaning Tablets
Keeping the home clean and well-maintained is all part of being a resident, but it can feel like an ongoing task with no end. However, not all products marketed as passive cleaners deliver the promised results, so it is essential to research the effectiveness of these products. One such product that might not perform as expected is a toilet tank cleaning tablet. When you add a toilet tank cleaning tablet to your toilet tank, the tablet dissolves and releases a cleaning agent into the water, which helps to kill bacteria, mold, and mildew while providing a basic level of protection against staining. Toilet cleaning tablets work to keep your toilet tank clean and your toilet bowl reasonably clean, but they are typically chlorine bleach based and will eventually damage the rubber fittings in the toilet tank. While these tablets might have bleach or disinfectant properties and cause some passive cleaning every time you flush, but they do not clean the core of the mess, which is comprised of mineral buildup, biofilm, and stains under the rim. The below methods will keep your toilet sparkling clean and prevent hard to remove stains without potentially harmful tank tablets. Regardless of the method you choose, it is essential to maintain a regular schedule, so the toilet doesn’t develop permanent staining.
- Toilet Brush. The most basic method for cleaning the toilet is to use a stiff-bristle toilet brush to scrub away any mineral buildup, biofilm, or staining.
- Bleach Based Gels. To help eliminate bacteria, biofilm and staining, you can use a bleach-based gel with a toilet brush, so you are not only physically cleaning but also chemically sanitizing the toilet.
- Vinegar. This simple solution can cut through grime and kill bacteria, while also reducing mineral buildup inside the toilet. Vinegar with baking soda can also be a good bowl cleaner.
- Enzyme Based Cleaner. When you have a septic tank, it is essential to carefully select the type of cleaners you introduce into the septic system. Use an enzyme based cleaner to maintain the balance in homes with septic systems without damaging effect on plumbing components.
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