5 Dust Allergy Management Tips for Homeowners

Dealing with dust can be a big problem, because dust is often composed of a number of other particles that can pollute the air inside your home. Dust can also cause your allergy symptoms to go off the charts. Dust is especially troublesome in the summer - when the heat causes things like dirt to go airborne and float throughout your home. But dirt is only one part of dust - it can also include pet dander, car exhaust, pollen, and even dead skin. What happens is that the dust floats through the air and then settles in your home - in your ductwork, floors and even on your bed. Dust activates your mucous membranes and you may start experiencing a runny nose, itchy and irritated eyes and coughing. Luckily, there are a lot of tips for dealing with dust. Here are five dust allergy management tips for homeowners.

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 1.  Make sure that your home is cleaned and vacuumed. When it comes to dust, one of the most effective ways to remove visible particles is to vacuum and to remove clutter. Keeping your home tidy will also prevent dust, because the particles have a tendency to settle on items that haven't moved in a long time. So, be sure to throw out old items, clean your carpets and vacuum on a regular basis.

2.  Make sure to use a duster to get rid of hard to reach dust. If you have molding in your home or if you have stationary appliances that are out of reach, there is a good chance that there are a few layers of dust building up on these items. So, it is important to use a duster to remove these layers. When using a duster, make sure to use a facemask, because the dust could activate your allergy symptoms while you are cleaning.

3.   Make sure to use an air filter. Air filters and air purifiers can do a great job when it comes to removing dust and dander in the air. An air purifier uses a filter that captures the dust particles in the air - the air goes inside the unit and comes out clean through the vent. If you have a particularly pervasive issue with mold, you may want to install a whole-home air purifier.

4.  Make sure that you let the sunshine in. Dust also includes mold and mildew particles, which are live and ready to spread. So, it is important to let unfiltered sunshine throughout your home - sunshine has UV rays that will kill these mold and mildew particles. If you live next to a major thoroughfare, you may not want to leave your windows wide open, but you do want to leave the blinds open during the day.

5.  Make sure that you get your ductwork cleaned. It is also critical that you have your HVAC ductwork cleaned on an annual to bi-annual basis. Dust can build up in your ductwork - when you turn on your air conditioner or heater, it tends to spread throughout your home. So, be sure to have your ductwork professionally cleaned - you don't want to damage your ductwork or injure yourself by doing it yourself.

Melbourne Builders Share Tips for People Attempting A DIY Home Renovation

There are so many tutorials on how to effectively carry out a home renovation project these days, and a lot of people are encouraged to try the DIY route for home improvements and repairs because of how easy these tutorials make the process seem. If you’re one of these people considering a do-it-yourself home renovation, you must understand that the project will spring upon you some confusing situations that have never been featured in any of the tutorials you’ve seen on YouTube or those popular reality TV home makeover shows.

But if, despite these, you’re still sure that it’s the best option for you because of your budget considerations and whatnot, just be sure to take on the project well-informed. To help you get started the right way, here are some tips from trusted Melbourne builders that you can use for quality building solutions.

1. Don’t forget you live “here.” You need to make physical adjustments to still accommodate your home activities. If work will be done in the kitchen, for example, designate an alternative location for cooking as well as a place to temporarily move the stove, fridge and other kitchen essentials to.

2. Melbourne home renovations professionals also advise conducting adequate research to really save money. Visit hardware stores and online suppliers so you can prepare your budget well and identify how you can get more for what you’ll pay for. Also, in doing your homework, you can avoid any hidden costs and then decide on which items you might want to splurge on.

3.   Always listen to your inspector. They will not only help you secure the permits you need for the project but they can also help ensure that your project will be completed in the safest manner.

4.   For paint jobs, follow this process: prep properly (create a smooth dry wall), choose a paint finish (flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, or high gloss), then select a colour.

5.   Set a time-table for the project to be completed but always expect delays. Like what was mentioned earlier, a DIY project can spring upon you some situations that you may not be prepared for; just adapt and don’t worry too much about extending another day or a couple more days for completion.

6. Identify some aspects of the project that are best done by professionals. Yes, it’s a DIY effort, but the idea here is you can avoid duplicate efforts and double expenses if you hire the professionals who are thoroughly knowledgeable and experienced in carrying out such tasks.

7.   Keep records and all copies of your permits and receipts. In doing this, you can find that specific tile design or paint colour you’ll need for future fixes, and have documentation for tax purposes.

About the author: Kenneth Lawrence is a homeowner. He loves to write anything about home improvement. He likewise shares some DIY home improvement tips. He continuously learns about the home improvement industry by reading books and visiting relevant sites like http://www.legionbuilding.com.au/. He shares what he learned through blogging.  

Unfinished Living Room

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Something that has not been completed is not always bad. How about something that has not been completed can be better even beautifies your home? Yes, from many home designs, one of those is a home design with unfinished style.

Homes with unfinished interior design style like this are deliberately made as if there are some elements that have not been completed. One of the elements of the home that may be designed in the unfinished style is the wall of living room which left only whitewashed cement.

This design can eliminate the formal impression and give the relaxed impression since  living room is supposed to be designed as relaxed as possible; it may give you a place to eliminate the fatigue and chat with all members of your family.

However, to avoid this kind of room looks monotonous; you may put freshener elements such as green plants and mix colors on the interior of the unfinished living room. In addition, to keep away from dark and cluttered appearance, then the unfinished style living room can be made to widen and put stuff inside as little as possible. Another thing that you can get from this home design style is the room will feel cooler.

Green Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Many people think that the dirtiest room in the house is the bathroom. Well, this is partly true - after all, it does have the toilet. However, according to experts, our kitchens actually harbor more bacteria and germs when compared to other rooms in our homes. Considering the frequent food preparations and nasty accidental spills, the kitchen is actually a high traffic area for germs.

Unfortunately, commonly used cleaning products, such as chlorine bleach, contain harsh chemicals that can not only irritate your skin, but also pollute your indoor air quality. The good news is that there are safe products you can use to make your kitchen sparkling and germ-free. Continue reading to learn more on how to clean your kitchen, the green way.

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Embrace Your Kitchen Pantry

Did you know that all the products you need to clean every surface of your home (not just the kitchen) can be found right in your kitchen pantry? Yes, common everyday products, such as baking soda, lemon juice, white vinegar, water and salt do wonders when it comes to cleaning.

For example, baking soda, mixed with warm water and some lemon juice (to add that citrus scent) is very good for cleaning counter top spills, a dirty tiled floor, as well as stains in your refrigerator. On the other hand, if you have a dirty stainless steel kitchen sink, just mix baking soda and vinegar, and use the paste to clean the sink. It works great, so don't let the foaming scare you.

It's normal to be tempted to use a strong oven cleaner when we have tough spots, such as, burnt food in the oven. However, don't give in to the temptation. Most oven cleaners are packed with toxic chemicals like methylene chloride and lye, which can cause burns to your skin, eyes and even organs, if you accidentally breathe them in. Instead, sprinkle some baking soda over the oven's bottom, ensuring that the stain is covered completely. Every few hours, spray the stain with water to keep it moist. Let it sit overnight; in the morning, the spot will easily come off when scrubbed with the baking soda.

Vinegar also works well as an all-purpose cleaner. It's mild acidity makes it very effective in removing grease, wine, coffee or mildew stains. If your microwave dirty with food particles, just put 1 cup water and 1/4 cup vinegar in a glass dish, microwave the mixture for 2 minutes, and then allow it to stand for another 10 minutes (or more). The steam, combined with the acidity in the vinegar, will loosen food particles, making them very easy to wipe off.

Take Preventative Measures

To have a constantly clean kitchen free of germs, consider taking care of the messes when they happen. For instance, if raw eggs spill on the counter, make sure you disinfect it right way. Similarly when bread crumbs scatter on the kitchen floor, sweep them up immediately. Yes, it will add some minutes to your food preparation, but will save you a lot of time in the long run. Instead of spending several hours scrubbing dozens of stubborn stains every week, you'll only need a minute of two to wipe out a spill.

In addition, you need to mark leftovers clearly with the date each of them was placed in the fridge. Every two weeks, check and throw away any old and spoiled food to prevent mold colonies from forming. The rate at which bacteria multiply is alarming. In less than 24 hours, one cell can multiply into over eight million cells, and you only need a few of these to make you sick.

It's time to ditch the harsh cleaning products that are full of toxic chemicals and embrace safer, cheaper and eco-friendly products found right in your kitchen.

Related articles you might find useful as well:

-Cleaning Your Kitchen in 5 Easy Steps

-Tips For Keeping Your Kitchen Clean