Protect Your Family With These Post-Flu Cleaning Tips

Winter is almost here and with it the dreaded flu season. While it’s difficult to predict when the flu season will come or go, in most cases it begins somewhere between October and early November and can last until May.

Of course, the flu is not the only transmittable disease. Dangerous microbes are always on a prowl and if you live with your family, the disease can catch up to every single family member. Unless you stop it.

If you want to save your family members from catching whatever has been bugging you for the past week or so, you have to make a cleaning checklist in order to make sure your home is germ-free. Germs are always multiplying and waiting for someone to infect.

In this article, we are going to share some of the professional post-flu cleaning tips we received from Maids of Jacksonville, an experienced cleaning company. Read on to learn what you can do to cut disease down before it strikes from reputable house cleaning maids.

The Bedroom

When we are sick, we often stay in bed. This makes us feel better but also helps contaminate the bedroom. Fortunately, it does not have to stay that way.

First, you need to disinfect all the light switches, bedside tables, door handles and other surfaces you frequently touched. You can use a store disinfectant or a homemade vinegar cleaning remedy.

Make sure to wipe down all these surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Then proceed to clean all the other door handles, light switches and surfaces you touched throughout the house.

One thing you need to pay more attention to are the beddings and blankets. Sick people tend to sweat more, meaning you will have to wash all the sheets and blankets after you’ve gotten better. Make sure to leave nothing behind and use the highest appropriate temperature for the fabrics.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is also a fertile breeding ground for germs, as some people with the flu tend to develop a strong appetite (while for others, the opposite is true). Again, make sure to disinfect any areas you’ve come in contact with such as the fridge door handle, drawers, and cabinets and other surfaces.

You can use store disinfectants or disinfectant wipes as well as a home-made remedy or the steam cleaner. Let the cleaner sit on the surface for a while before wiping it away with a microfiber cloth.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is always a high-risk area, especially if you or any of your family members were sick. Since your entire family shares this area, the chance to infect other members of the family is extremely high. That said, make sure to thoroughly clean the entire bathroom including the toilet, the sink, the flush handle, door and vanity handles and other areas you frequently touched. Make sure to also wash all the used towels.

Electronic Devices and Appliances

One thing most people tend to forget is disinfecting the electronic devices shared by all the family members. This includes TV remotes, mobile phones, keyboards, computers and other devices your sick family members touched. If you haven’t cleaned these devices in a while, now is a good chance to use a disinfectant wipe or a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean them. Make sure to take care not to get any water or alcohol near the electronic core of the device.

11 Facts About the Air Bed

Air beds have become popular because of their affordability and convenience. They are especially great for camping because they are lightweight and easy to store.  At home, you can use them as a pop-up bed for your guests or even as a permanent mattress, perfect for city living. It is no surprise that more people are ditching their foam mattresses and switching to air beds.

Before you join the trend, here are a few facts about air beds that you should know.

1. The air bed is an ancient invention 

Although they are vastly different from the ancient prototype, air bed designs have 

existed for a long time. The earliest depiction can be traced back to a military manual written by Konrad Keyser in the 14^thCentury. 

2. It is an alternative to hair-stuffed bed 

The first modern air mattress was invented in 1989  by Pneumatic Mattress and Cushion Company in Massachusetts, United States. It was initially created as an alternative to stuffed mattresses which often used chicken feathers and animal hair. Ships prefer air mattresses because they’re easier to store and inflate, compared to regular mattresses. They also serve a dual purpose as an emergency raft given their buoyancy.

3. Yes, it floats

Air mattresses are naturally buoyant. They’re usually made of waterproof rubber-like material similar to rafts which trap the air inside. 

4. It remains virtually unchanged from the initial design

Despite the advancement in technology and the century that passed since its creation, newer models of air mattresses still closely resemble the initial designs. The difference is that manufacturers today are able to create models with built-in inflators. Instead of using rubbers, they prefer using polyvinyl chloride or texture-reinforced plastic. 

5. There’s a weight limit to its capacity

Air beds are great at providing support to prevent back and body pain. However, they impose a weight limit on occupants. Single air beds can support weights up to 300 lbs,whilst queen beds can support 500 to 600 lbs. It’s not advisable for those on the heavier side to sleep on air mattresses because such weight can make the air bed deflate and tear more quickly than regular spring mattresses. 

6. It takes a longer time to deflate than inflate it

Blowing air into a mattress is faster than letting it out. Because the air trapped inside the mattress only has one exit, it takes more time. Don’t rush it by folding the edge of the mattress and forcing the air out. It could cause the seams to stretch and break. 

7. More than one is a crowd

Compared to foam mattresses, air beds are prone to motion transfer. That means every time you move, the person on the same bed can feel the movement, too. So, if you’re someone who fidgets a lot in your sleep, sharing an air bed may not be a good idea. 

8. You’re never truly alone in bed

People practically sweat continuously and shed skin cells as they sleep which makes the bed a breeding ground for dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive on moist and dark environments which can multiply within the air sockets on the mattress. There could be anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites in a single bed. That’s about 10 percent of a pillow’s entire weight. 

Don’t be too alarmed, though, because dust mites are non-parasitic and harmless, unless you’re allergic. If you are, you may experience common symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. 

9. Making your bed makes dust mites worse

When you make the bed and cover the mattress with a duvet or blanket, the dust mites can thrive more. It is best to leave the bed unmade or at least fold the blanket away and expose the mattress to open air. It also helps to remove moisture from the sheets to dehydrate the dust mites. 

10. The size changes depending on the room temperature 

Have you ever thought that your air bed seems deflated in the middle of the night? Don’t worry, it’s probably just an effect of the cold air. Low temperature causes the air inside air beds to compress and become condensed, making it appear deflated. Once the temperature rises, the air will expand, and it would look fuller again. 

11. Full is not always best

You may be tempted to inflate your air bed to its maximum capacity, so it won’t start losing shape as you sleep. However, blowing too much air can cause extreme stress on the seams and it may eventually rupture.  Remember to fill your air bed not more than 90% of its capacity. This allows it to have some wiggle room and prevents strain from building up on the edges.

Air beds are convenient, very portable, and require little maintenance. Unlike regular mattresses, air beds allow you to have control on how soft or firm the bed is to fit your comfort level.  At the same time, you won’t have to worry about dragging a bed around when you move because it can easily be deflated and stored in a bag.

Whether you’re going on a camping trip or simply looking for a budget and storage-friendly bed, air beds are a great investment.To find the best models, visit OutbaxCamping today.

How to Choose a Tall Radiator

Choosing the right radiator for your home isn’t an easy task. As a matter fact, it may interest you to know that most homeowners spend money on tall radiators that never get to achieve their aims eventually. Do you want to know the good part about all of these? It is the fact that given the tips which you will be discovering below, choosing a tall radiator to buy has never been easier.

This post will be exposing you to ways of choosing a tall radiator that will add more value to the overall look and appearance of your home. These are simple yet extremely powerful tips that will save you the stress of guessing on which radiator to buy for your home today. Just read them from start to finish and ensure to apply them wherever necessary. Let’s get right on with them!

image:www.expressplumbingandgas.co.uk/tall-radiators

Design

Are you considering renovating your home in order to give it a new look and feel? If that is the case then you need to ensure that you aren’t just buying a tall radiator but one that can contribute towards making your home outstanding in terms of looks. Except you still want to ensure that your home maintains its traditional look, going for one that has got a perfect design is worth all the stress.

One thing that you must know is that gone are the days when people buy radiators just for the primary function that they do carry out which is heating the home and making it maintain that comfortable temperature. Things have changed rapidly and you may be left behind if you don’t consider whether the tall radiator you are getting has been designed to change the look of your home.

Safety

This is also very important and shouldn’t be taken for granted in any way. You want to ensure that it has been designed in a way that is 100% safe to use. There are products or brands that have compromised safety of tall radiators. This means they have great designs but aren’t safe to use around the home.

A way to find out whether the tall radiator you plan buying is safe for your home is trying to look for the reviews that customers have about how it works. Through such opinions, you will understand alot about its features and functionalities. This is one aspect you need to consider most especially when there are kids and old people living with you. 

Price is Also Vital

It doesn’t really matter what you’ve be told about the features of a radiator and what it can do in your home. This will make little or no difference once you haven’t got the budget to acquire it. That is why you need to ensure that there are lots of options to make your decision anytime you’ve decided to buy a tall radiator. There are many affordable tall radiators in the market. Best of all is that these are reliable and great as they can work well in your home.