What Do You Do When Only One Parent Needs Care?

What Do You Do When Only One Parent Needs Care?

Dad’s health is poor and it’s time for him to move to a nursing home. The only problem is, Mom’s still independent and they don’t want to live apart.

It’s not an uncommon situation. When one parent needs care and the other doesn’t, it seems like there’s no good option. Either your parents stay together as caregiving at home grows more difficult, potentially creating frustration and resentment (not to mention safety concerns), or your aging parents have to live apart.

It’s difficult to make senior care decisions for your parents. However, you may have more options than you realize.

Create a safer home with accessibility remodeling

Accessibility remodeling eliminates many of the physical barriers at home. Bathroom remodeling in particular minimizes issues surrounding incontinence and hygiene. For elderly adults with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, kitchen remodeling prevents fire hazards while promoting independence.

It’s also a good idea to take care of any necessary repairs so that senior loved ones can live comfortably and safely. For example, if there are issues in your loved one’s bathroom that need addressing, or you want to install a curbless shower to make it more accessible, work with the professionals at Kevin Szabo Jr Plumbing to ensure the job is handled correctly.

If you’re not able to modify the home properly or if modifications are too expensive, consider downsizing your parents. Research accessible homes in your area to get an idea about what’s available and affordable. 

Hire in-home caregiving help

Home modifications may not be enough to relieve the physical and emotional pressure of being an elderly spouse’s sole caregiver. In-home caregivers provide much-needed help with personal care and daily activities. Caregivers may be hired through an agency or a placement website. If hiring an independent caregiver, write an employment contract and be sure to pay them legally.

Become a paid family caregiver

Alternatively, you may decide to become a family caregiver for your parents. Family caregiving is both a gift and a sacrifice. Caregivers often have to reduce their work hours or quit their jobs altogether. Luckily, financial assistance is available in some states to reduce the financial burden of family caregiving.

Consider a continuing care retirement community

If staying at home simply isn’t an option, look into senior living facilities that keep couples close by. Continuing care retirement communities provide multiple levels of care on a single campus. Senior couples with different care needs might not be able to share the same unit in a CCRC, but a visit is only a short walk away.

The biggest challenge surrounding CCRCs is the price. CCRCs have the highest costs among senior living communities and many charge high entrance fees.

Search for a nursing facility close to home

Sometimes, living apart is the only way to get an elderly parent the care they need. When one parent moves to a nursing home, the most important thing is that they don’t feel abandoned. Choose a facility in nearby Chicago and check ratings to ensure the facility is trustworthy. Also, schedule visits, phone calls, and video calls on a regular basis to help your loved one adjust.

Don’t forget to monitor for signs of senior isolation in the parent who remains home. Loneliness is a serious threat to older adults’ wellbeing and it’s more important to support your parents now than ever. Encourage your parents to socialize, call and visit often, and drop in for social meals as frequently as possible.

Remember that you’re doing your best

Separating elderly parents isn’t an easy decision, but don’t blame yourself. We can’t always control our circumstances and it’s an unfortunate reality that sometimes, the best solution is separate living arrangements. Practice self-care and remind yourself that you’re doing your best in a difficult situation.

8 Eco-Friendly Plumbing Solutions for Your Home

Plumbing problems can strike at any time, and if you’re like most homeowners, you don’t want to wait until something happens before you start looking for a solution. Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly plumbing solutions that will allow you to have peace of mind without posing a risk to the environment. Whether you’re trying to save water, reduce waste or cut your carbon footprint altogether, here are six easy ways to make your plumbing greener at home.

1.   Use a Faucet Aerator

If you don’t already have one, invest in a faucet aerator. Using a faucet aerator is like using a smaller shower head, but it works. A typical faucet aerator will reduce your water consumption by half. 

Aerators only cost $5 to $10 and can be found at any hardware store. Be sure to buy an aerator that fits onto your existing faucet. Installing one takes only five minutes and requires no plumbing skills whatsoever; some models even include an installation tool with your purchase. However, don't shy away from getting the necessary assistance if you can't do it.

2.   Install an Energy Efficient Water Heater

If you’re looking to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, installing a high-efficiency water heater is a great way to start, and it’ll also save you money! They use at least 30% less energy than standard models and can save homeowners hundreds of dollars over time. 

This task, admittedly, is not one that you should take on if you do not have the experience. Seek out a professional plumber, and ask about these solutions; they might have special deals available or partnerships with installers that will give you discounts on their service.

3.   Replace Your Toilet Flapper and/or Seal

A new toilet flapper or seal is cheap, environmentally friendly, and will save a lot of water. Replacing just one flapper can save as much as 10,000 gallons a year! And that’s just from one toilet. If you have multiple bathrooms in your home or business, it’s worth doing a little research on how to replace those old flappers so that you can start saving water today.

4.   Insulate Hot-Water Pipes in Unheated Areas

Hot water pipes in unheated areas like attics and crawl spaces can lose up to 50% of their heat—that’s your money going down the drain. By insulating hot water pipes, you can reduce your energy bill and reduce harmful greenhouse gases. 

In addition, since a hot water tank generally stays hot until it’s drained at night, keeping water moving through your pipes by using an electric timer is a good idea; set it so that when you wake up in the morning, all of your hot water is ready to go!

5.   Turn Off the Faucet While Brushing

Turning off your water while brushing will help reduce unnecessary water usage and bills. Likewise, consider turning off your faucet when you’re not using it to eliminate even more wasted water. If you want to make an immediate change, simply cutting back your shower by a few minutes can lead to substantial savings over time. 

Experts say that taking shorter showers can save you up to 3,000 gallons of water each year! It may not be worth it, but cutting out just six minutes of shower time each day will save an average person around 1,350 gallons per year. And if all Americans took shorter showers—an easy way to reduce our reliance on foreign oil—it would save about 24 billion gallons of gasoline per year!

6.   Fix Leaks Quickly to Reduce Waste

To start, you’ll want to address any leaks in your plumbing system. Leaks are one of the biggest waste offenders for household water usage. You should also invest in energy-efficient fixtures like faucets, toilets, showerheads, and washing machines, which can significantly reduce your home’s monthly water consumption by as much as 20%. With these changes alone, most homeowners see a 25% reduction in their total water bill within six months of installation.

7.   Get Eco-friendly Cleaning Solutions

As we all know, cleaning is a must in any home; yet, not all cleaning solutions are eco-friendly. Many household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that harm our planet and end up in our water systems. However, several companies and self-employed individuals have come up with cleaners made from ingredients like vinegar or baking soda. 

Alternatively, you can purchase other safe enzymatic biological drainage cleaners that are now common and widely distributed in the market. By choosing to use green cleaners for everyday household chores like washing dishes or scrubbing your tub or drainage systems, you can do your part in helping keep toxic chemicals out of your water system—and save money at the same time! 

8.   Set Up A Dual Plumbing System

The primary purpose of a dual plumbing system is water conservation. One side of it has potable water, which you can use for cooking, drinking, and washing. In contrast, the other side ensures water is repurposed into other helpful issues around the home, like flushing the toilet or in your irrigation system. A good plumber should set this system up to ensure that you don't drink or cook with repurposed water. 

Using eco-friendly plumbing solutions in your home can reduce carbon emissions, water consumption, and even lower your utility bills. They’re more sustainable, better for your family, and better for your community. If you're looking to upgrade your plumbing system to save money and protect our planet's natural resources, consider using one of these seven eco-friendly solutions.

About the Author

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

Sliding Doors: The Best Choice to Open and Transform Your Space

Sliding doors are a great way to open your space and make it feel larger. Not only do they look great, but they also provide easy access to the areas behind them. Whether you're looking to install them in a new home or renovate your current one, there are many different options to choose from.

Types of Sliding Doors

There are two main types when it comes to sliding doors: full glass and partial glass. Full glass provides the ultimate look in open space, while partial glass adds extra security such as a sliding door lock, or insulation options. Partial doors also provide the flexibility for them to slide into an alcove, letting you decide how much of your space you want to open.

Both types of sliding doors are available in single, double, and triple panels. The door thickness depends on the number of panels, with thicker being more stable and secure. You have plenty of choices when it comes to your sliding door materials too, most popular are; wood, vinyl, aluminum-clad, and fiberglass.

When it comes to hardware, there are many different options that all depend on your personal preference. Whether you want fully concealed tracks or exposed for a more open feel, the choice is up to you. Sliding doors give you plenty of variety in style and materials to choose from when it comes to installation.

Improve Your Home with Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are a great way to improve your home. They can be used as closet doors or added to bathrooms, kitchens, and alcoves too. This kind of upgrade is a simple and inexpensive way to make a big impact on the look of any room. By opening up the space you also allow more natural light to enter, making your home warmer and more inviting.

DIY tips when installing sliding doors for your home

Choose the location of your new sliding door

Do you want to install them in a living space like the kitchen, dining room, or den? Or would an alcove work better in the bedrooms or bathrooms? The location is entirely up to you.

Consider using multiple

No matter what area of your home you're looking to open, sliding doors provide the perfect solution for you. Whether you want to create a new alcove walk-in closet or an open living space, doors can do it all. By using multiple panels, you can also add partial glass for the option of insulation and privacy.

Check your local codes for installation

Before installing sliding doors for your home, it's important to check with your local code department first. Different homes may require different permits or inspections depending on where they are located. Always follow directions when installing them in your home to ensure you are meeting the required codes.

Beyond sliding doors

If sliding doors aren't your style or you just want to have more choice, there are other options available. French doors are another option that provides lots of added charm. They can be installed in any room of your home and provide comfort for socializing with family and friends.

When adding French doors to your home, make sure you choose tempered glass for added security. The last thing you want is a shattered piece of glass when someone walks into or through them by accident.

Sliding doors also come in other styles such as bifold and accordion-style that provide the same function and charm as full and partial glass. The choices are endless when it comes to installing them in your home. They also give you control of your space and a unique style that will make a big impact on any area of your home. It's hard to go wrong with them as they provide added charm, security, warmth, and comfort for all those who enter.

Installing sliding doors is a great way to improve the look and feel of your home. They are an easy and inexpensive way to open space, let in natural light, and provide privacy. Sliding doors come in many different styles and materials so you can find the perfect one for your home. Always check with your local code department before installing them to make sure you are meeting all requirements. With lots of choices, sliding doors are a simple and easy way to open any room in your home.

Guest Contributor: Andrew Adams

6 Tips To Know When You Should Replace Your Air Filter

Did you know that low-quality air can have a negative impact on the overall health of your family and you?

Air filters seem to be an indispensable part of any air conditioning machine. Their main purpose is to make sure that the air you get is clean and safe to breathe. However, by the time they work, they invariably lose their power and need to be replaced. If, however, it does not get its replacement, it may lead to various health and other problems. 

To that end, here are some important 6 tips to know when you should replace your air filter and thus keep your family, home, and yourself safe!

Dirty Filter

As the air filter constantly filters the air, it, in turn, accumulates dirt and everything that should not go together with your air. However, the filters have their working lives and capacity. In that way, over time, when they accumulate enough dirt, their efficiency falls, and they become less and less effective in filtering the air. Therefore, once enough dirt is accumulated, it is definitely the time you need to replace it with a new one. 

To that end, it is useful to pull out the filter at least once a month and check for dirt accumulation. For instance, in certain seasons, filters can accumulate more dirt than in others. Therefore, if you find your filter dirty, replace it. You can find great air filter solutions if you click here and find more useful information on how to properly replace your filter. Getting proper and quality filters will prevent low-quality air from coming into your house. 

Poor performance

Unclean air filters can lead to different and multiple imperfections in the work of your machine. Firstly, it will lead to poorer performance of the HVAC in general. This may also lead to a rather noisy functioning. Secondly, during the allergy season, it will be less capable of preventing allergens from coming into your house. It may bring dust and debris into your house. Lastly, it may cause system failure, which may be costly to repair. Obviously, there are a number of harmful effects unclean filters can have both on you and your machine. In that way, make sure that, based on the size and type of your air machine, you change the filter in a timely manner.

The machine is heating excessively 

If you can notice that your air machine is overheating, then the possible answer to that may lie in a dirty air filter. Due to a clogged filter, the machine takes more energy to pump air through it, which, in effect, results in larger electricity consumption and overheating. This can have multiple disadvantages. First, the air you get is not healthy. Second, you may face a larger electricity bill. What is more, the lifetime of your machine may be significantly reduced due to the excessive work and heating on a daily basis. All these facts may cost you much in different ways, and the easiest way to get rid of them is to simply change your air filter regularly.

Black smoke

If you happen to notice black or brown smoke getting out of the exhaust, you should certainly check your HVAC. One of the reasons may be that the filter is clogged due to the accumulated dust and dirt, so make sure you change it.

Bad smell

If you can notice a bad odor coming out of your air conditioning machine, then this is certainly a reason to check it in more detail and probably replace the old air filter as it can often be the cause of it. This way, you will also avoid dust coming into your house. What is more, you will ensure you have cleaner air, and will possibly even prevent fire from coming out of it!  

You can't recall the last time changed it

Filters can sometimes be dirty and clogged for a long time but with no salient symptoms. However, don’t let this fool you, for although there are no visible traces of an overdue filter, the air that goes through it is still not clean and healthy. Therefore, if it ever comes to your mind, and you can’t remember the last time you changed the air filter, know it is the high time you did it.

Lastly, air filters should be changed approximately every two months. However, if you notice any of these bad signs from the list, then you should do it immediately, in order to be on the safe side. 

Our air machines do their best to provide us with the best possible air quality. However, we, in turn, have to give our best in doing our part properly and timely. To that end, it is essential that we replace the air filters regularly, and use those filters with a long tradition and high quality!

A Whole House Water Filter Is A Worthwhile Investment - Here’s Why

The key to the lock of healthy life is definitely healthy water. Water is used for literally every segment of our lives; we cook, wash, shower, and bathe with it, and most importantly we drink it to keep us alive and hydrated, and this is why the struggle with clean water is the real struggle. Because of the various factors, it is desirable to test your water once in a while on the solids and presence of any kind of chemical substances that can seriously affect our health. Therefore, having the whole house water filter is a necessity if you want your family to always be given enough clean water. Here are some detailed reasons why a whole house water filter is a worthy investment.

Benefits of Water Filtration at Home 

Basic Indicators that Your Water Is Not Safe 

You can sense when something is off with your water and it usually has to do with taste and bad odor. Once you pour the tap water into the glass, you will notice the cloudy appearance, color, feel the fishy odor or even chlorine odor, and that is the moment when you should conduct a water check that will prove that something is off with your water. Water filters eliminate chlorine and other chemicals from your water and the odor caused by these chemicals. Substances like fluoride, chlorine, lead, aluminum and other heavy metals are easily removed from water by the use of various water filtration techniques. One of them is reversed osmosis which marks the presence of the membrane that collects all the toxic particles leaving the water crystal clear. 

It Will Pay Itself off 

Every filtration system is a long-term investment and will eventually pay itself off. It is true that there should be a hefty sum of money invested, but it is also true that almost the same sum of money would be invested into the bottled water purchase. Additionally, this will give a hand in the attempt to reduce the amount of plastic being thrown around and will save most of the devices using water such as dishwashers, washing machines, and the other devices using the water as the source. 

Physical Benefits 

You are probably asking yourself what kind of physical benefits a water filter provides. Well, this is closely connected to the very quality of water. Once it is completely stripped from the particles affecting the quality and therefore our overall health, our state of being will change for the better. In essence, cleaner water promotes detoxification and makes our body throw out the toxins, improves our digestion, and makes nutrient absorption much better.  Besides this, cleaner water will have a positive effect on your skin and hair since it will make them feel softer. It is funny how all of these small things are underestimated yet they make a huge impact on our better lifestyle. 

Maintenance 

Possessing a whole house water filter will spare you some struggles that other water filters can make. You will not have to worry about changing filters, constant refilling, fixing hoses, and dealing with constant system failures. Once you have the whole house filtration system, you will not ever have to worry about if there is enough water, since some filtration systems have a limited amount of water they can purify in a certain period. It is fascinating how a single water purification system can keep all the water in the house clean long-term by changing the filters every couple of years.

Cons of the Whole House Water System 

Pricey- normally, these systems cost loads of money and are a serious investment, besides all other utilities you need for a normal everyday functioning. Besides the filtration system, you will also need to pay the setup fee as well. On top of it, if your plumbing system does not apply to the filtration system, then your plumbing setup will need to undergo certain modifications to fit the frame. Therefore, the very expense required for the system installation turns off the possible consumers, however, some people decide to take a risk and even take a loan in order to use the system that will improve the water quality once and forever. 

Even though the price of the whole house filtration system is a serious question to be discussed, it should be taken into consideration since it is the system that will give long-term results and that will provide clean water for the entire house without some regular problems with filtration systems. This is a serious investment in your home, but definitely worth one. 

8 Charities That Offer Furniture Donation Pick Up for Free

Moving to a new home is a great time to declutter and get rid of household items you no longer need. Giving those things to charities that offer donation pick up helps further the life-cycle of your gently used belongings, enabling you to stay organized and give back. Paring down will also be a huge time saver as you pack!

But who takes used furniture for free? Many organizations, including the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Furniture Bank, offer furniture donation pick up right at your doorstep. They’ll take household goods, furniture, clothes, and other donations, so you don’t have to do the driving and heavy lifting!

And if you need a little nudge to part with your stuff, use our decision tree below and check out these packing tips!

By the way, if you need a little nudge to part with your stuff, use our decision tree below and check out these packing tips first.

Where to donate: Charities that have free donation pick up

Here’s a list of organizations that will pick up donations, free of charge:

• GreenDrop

• Salvation Army

• Habitat for Humanity

• Goodwill

• Pick Up Please

• Furniture Bank

• The Arc

• AMVETS

1. GreenDrop

GreenDrop is a program serving the east coast, selected by the American Red Cross, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Federation of the Blind, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia to raise funds through donation pick up as well as other donation services.

In addition to the free donation pickup, GreenDrop offers Home Clean-Out, a free service that helps you sort and donate large volumes of clothing and household items — ideal for pre-move organization. A professional concierge identifies which items can be donated, and helps you prepare for the drivers who will pack and remove your donation.

Currently, this service is only available in the Philadelphia metro area, New Jersey, Delaware, Baltimore metro area, DC, and Northern Virginia.

How your donation helps: After collecting your items, GreenDrop sells your donations to area thrift stores, and the funds go to support the charities listed above. In 2018, proceeds from these sales totaled over $3.1 million.

Items that GreenDrop accepts: GreenDrop accepts a variety of items such as clothing, household goods, electronics, tools, toys, and more. Being a company that takes used furniture for free, they made a detailed list of items they specifically won’t accept, saving donors time and doubts.

Learn more: GoGreenDrop.com

2. The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is an international organization that was founded in 1865. They help people with a variety of different needs, including disaster relief, hunger, poverty, addiction, human trafficking, and more. Salvation Army donation pick up is just one way they support their programs.

Online services for scheduling aren’t available for all ZIP Codes for the salvation army donation, but The Salvation Army website provides a local phone number you can use to arrange a furniture donation pick up. There’s also an online form to schedule a pick up for a future date.

Due to recalls or government rules on re-selling, there are certain things The Salvation Army donation center won’t accept, such as particle board furniture, metal desks, TV armoires, and baby items (such as high chairs and car seats). Don’t sweat it, though. You can use an app to sell those things. For a more detailed list of what items are acceptable or are not unacceptable for their furniture pick up, feel free to call them and ask before scheduling a donation pick up.

How your donation helps: When you donate items to The Salvation Army, they sell your items in their Family stores. Salvation army donations contribute their proceeds toward their Adult Rehabilitation Centers, which help those who are struggling with drugs and alcohol to overcome their addictions, build work skills, and restore their families. The Salvation Army assists 25 million people each year they do a lot of good and you can too if you choose The Salvation Army donation centers.

Items that The Salvation Army accepts: They will take your furniture donations (other than those listed above), clothing, appliances, kitchen items, automobiles, and more.

Learn more: SalvationArmyUSA.org

3. Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps build safe and affordable homes for families who need them. They work in all 50 states across the U.S., as well as 70 countries internationally. In addition, they also act as a furniture pickup and donation center.

Habitat for Humanity offers free donation pick-up once a week for furniture pick up donations. Call the Habitat for Humanity location closest to you to schedule a pickup.

How your donation helps: Furniture donations are sold at their ReStores, Habitat for Humanity’s improvement/furniture resale locations that sell gently used furniture, appliances, and building materials to the public. Proceeds from sales go towards building homes, as well as the repair of homes by the organization. Remeber if the furniture is too big they also offer furniture pick up for donations.

Items that Habitat for Humanity accepts: Habitat for Humanity will accept furniture, appliances, and building materials. They also accept most vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, boats, snowmobiles, farm equipment, construction equipment, and even airplanes.

Learn more: Habitat.org

4. Goodwill

Goodwill stores work on the local level to provide job training and employment services. They have 157 community organizations across the U.S., Canada, and 12 other countries, as well as 3,300 stores across North America. In 2018, the organization served over 35 million people and helped train more than 242,000 individuals for new careers.

In addition to a clothing donation pick up and drop off, Goodwill also offers to donating furniture and other home pieces. Most of their locations offer donated furniture pick ups for free. Visit the websiteto find out whether or not Goodwill pickup service is available in your community and donate furniture today as a “charity near me”.

How your donation helps:  Goodwill sells your furniture donation in Goodwill stores and on Goodwill’s online auction site to raise money for employment training and job placement services for people in your community. Goodwill pickup also offers you a chance to donate bigger items that are hard to transport. They also allow for easy furniture donation center near you.

Items that Goodwill accepts: Goodwill takes furniture donations, clothing donations, accessories, dishes and glassware, collectibles, and electronics. They also accept most cars, trucks, SUVs, boats, RVs, campers, riding lawn mowers, and more (they don’t even have to be in working condition!). If you have a junker car or a rusty mower that you don’t want to transport to the new house, arrange for a free pick up. The next time you find yourself asking “who accepts donations near me?” Goodwill will often have a location in your area.

Learn more: Goodwill.org

5. Pick Up Please

Pick Up Please is a program of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). Pick Up Please handles scheduling through an easy-to-use online calendar, and your furniture donation can often be picked up within 24 hours — you don’t even have to be home when the truck arrives. Just box up the items and label them “VVA Donation Pick up,” and the driver will load the boxes and leave a tax deduction receipt.

Where to donate with Pick Up Please? Currently, the service is available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. You can visit its website to see where to donate.

How your donation helps: VVA sells the items you donate to private companies in order to fund their local, state, and national programs.

Items that Pick Up Please accepts: They will pick up your gently-used household goods, clothing, toys, electronics, and smaller furniture, such as nightstands and office chairs.

Learn more: PickUpPlease.org

6. Furniture Banks

Everyone deserves to have basic furniture in good condition. Your furniture donation to the Furniture Bank help battered women and children in retreat, immigrants, the unemployed, the working poor, and the previously homeless set up their home with the furnishings others probably take for granted. Furniture donations are appreciated and furniture pickup is also availble.

The Furniture Bank is available in 34 states. Head to their website to find a location near you, and call to schedule a free furniture donation pick up.

How your donation helps: When you donate furniture to Furniture Banks, they redirect your items directly into the hands of families in need. They offer free furniture donation pickup to help the most amount of people, so donate your furniture today.

Items that Furniture Bank accepts: In addition to furniture, they also accept cars and recreational vehicles in any condition, and they offer free donation pick up and towing.

Learn more: Furniturebank.org

7. The Arc

With over 600 local chapters and over 1,000 national and community programs, the Arc helps those who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. One of their key initiatives is free donation pick ups.

You can see if your local chapter accepts free donation pick ups by visiting The Arc’s website. That way you can get a quick answer to your questions on “where to donate furniture near me”. 

How your donation helps: The arc sells your donated items in its thrift stores in order to support its programs.

Items that The Arc Accepts: The Arc will take your furniture, clothing donations, shoes, books, toys, kitchen items, electronics, decor, cars, and more.

Learn more: TheArc.org

8. AMVETS

AMVETS, or American Veterans, supports local veterans and their families by providing assistance, jobs, and other service programs.

To see where to donate in your area, you can visit its website to fill out the donation pick up form. If they offer pick up services, you’ll pack everything into boxes, mark them for AMVETS, and leave them outside of your door by 7:30 a.m. the day of pick up. For larger items such as couches, you’ll want to contact the local chapter to see how they handle these services.

How your donation helps: AMVETS sells your items in thrift stores in order to generate revenue for its Veterans Programs.

Items that AMVETS accepts: AMVETS needs clothing donations (for men, women, and children), electronics, small appliances, kitchenware, lamps, curtains and drapes, books, bicycles, bedding, and more. They also take flat-screen TVs, computers, and exercise equipment if they are less than 5 years old. If you have an item not on this list, they may still be able to take it! Just call and ask.

Learn more: AMVETSPickup.org

How to schedule your donation pick up:

Packing your home into boxes, remaining tidy, and decluttering take up time and energy. Make giving away the things you don’t need simple by scheduling a free home pick up donation. Here’s how:

Step 1: Find your local donation company that does furniture donation picks up.

Go online or call one of the companies above to locate the nearest branch. Double-check that they’re offering free home pick up donations and ask them about their COVID-19 safety procedures. Furniture pickup looks different in today’s time, make sure to take extra precautions like using proper PPE.

Note: Make sure to sanitize and disinfect any items, boxes, and furniture you plan to donate. This extra step ensures you keep organization workers and donation recipients safe. 

Step 2: Make sure the organization accepts the furniture donation or other item you’re donating.

A company that takes used furniture for free may have different requirements for what they do and don’t accept. While the ones we mentioned above a good bet for furniture donations if you choose to donate furniture that may be more used be sure to ask if they will accept or pick up furniture in that condition. A torn, soiled, stained, or otherwise damaged item will not be accepted in most cases. GoGreenDrop has made a donation guideline that is general enough to be used for other companies, although it is recommended to call the company that takes used furniture for free so that they may clarify your items’ qualifications.

Step 3: Arrange an appointment at a suitable hour and setting, especially if you’re donating furniture through free furniture pick ups.

After deciding on a company to help your decluttering process, choose an hour and day that suits both of your needs. The day of the week can impact availability, so if you may squeeze in this process during weekdays, your options will expand from there. Most declutter and moving operations occur during the weekend which increases demand and perhaps wait times. 

Another circumstance to be wary of is weather. A warm day is great for moving. A cloudy day is even better. Consider avoiding rainy or windy days as these settings may compromise moving safeties and the integrity of the items being donated for furniture pickup. 

To make sure your appointment makes it on the organization’s calendar, schedule the pick up at least two weeks before Moving Day. The earlier you schedule, the better!

How to decide what you should keep, donate, or trash:

Do you need help decluttering? Use our donation decision tree to decide if an item is worth bringing to your new home, dropping off at the charities above, or simply throwing away.

Download the decision tree here:Download

The bottom line

Donating items you no longer use is a great way to get organized and make your packing process easier. Different companies have made the process even easier by offering free furniture donation pick up. Apart from making life easier on your end, your contributions to a donation company can empower and assist those that would benefit from your gently used furniture, clothes, and home goods. When you arrange a donation pick up, it removes the hassle of having to move and dispose of your bulkier things. Great companies like Salvation Army donation center, Goodwill furniture donation and Habitat for Humanity pick up furniture for free. Make sure you schedule your free donation pick up with a company that accepts the items you hope to pass on, like the ones previosuly mentioned. And remember: The coronavirus pandemic might impact the times and services these organizations offer, so contact your local charity to learn more.

 Disclaimer: Free pickups will be specific to your location, and COVID-19 could affect hours of operation, so calling your local agencies is advised.

MYMOVE is here to help make moving easier. We’re an authorized affiliate of the USPS® that connects more than 5 million movers per year to exclusive savings and valuable resources before, during, and after their move.

Original Source: Allconnect.com

The 3 Types of Plungers

Did you know that there is 3 different types of plungers, and there are specific uses for each one? When most people think of a plunger, they commonly think of the “sink plunger” which most of us probably have in our bathrooms.

Sink Plunger

This plunger is referred to as the common sink plunger. Most people think of a plunger like this when they hear the word plunger, and think this one is for plunging your toilet but this is not the correct one to use. This plunger should be used on flat surfaces to get the maximum benefits out of it. The cup needs to lay flat directly over the drain and create a vacuum that’s strong enough to dislodge the clog in the sink. When people try to use this on in the bathroom toilet, it might work, but it also isn’t the best way to get it unclogged. A toilet is curved too much for this plunger to create the vacuum that it needs to properly unclog the toilet. This one is to be used for tubs, kitchen sinks, bathroom sinks, laundry tub sinks, or anything that you has a flat surface.

Accordion Plunger

This is the plunger you should be using when you need to unclog your toilet. A lot of people do not know how to use this plunger because it’s a hard plastic that is not easy to control. It is difficult to create the vacuum seal you need over the drain. The plunger can definitely scratch the surface of your toilet, and this is why most people don’t use this one because the rubber sink plunger won’t scratch. You should only use this type of plunger for toilets.

Toilet Plunger/ Flange Plunger

This is called a toilet plunger, but it can be used in just about any type of drain. The cup on it can fit a sink plunger, but the flaps can fit in the curved toilet drain which can create the suction and vacuum that is needed to unclog it. This plunger is very versatile, but it is recommended to not use the same plunger on your toilet and your sinks because of the risk of cross contamination. You can use this plunger for toilets and sinks, but recommended not for both.

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell

How to Prevent Expensive Plumbing Repairs

The average cost for plumbing services ranges between $350 and $700 for a regular job like repairing sinks, faucets, or toilets, and the average rate for hiring a technician ranges between $80 and $120 per hour depending on the day of the week and the market. Some contractors will also charge you a service fee of $100 or more for just showing up at your place, and your plumbing charges can also escalate if they do the work during an emergency event or weekend.

Plumbing services are among the most costly maintenance or repair services you can pay for. Here are a few tips to help you avoid expensive plumbing repairs in the future.

Carry Out Regular Checkups With a Checklist

Checking your pipes and fixtures regularly helps you detect plumbing problems with greater ease. To carry out these checkups effectively, you need to make a checklist. A regular checklist would include:

●      Toilets

●      Showers

●      Washing machine

●      Sump pump

●      Water meter

●      Sinks

●      Tubs

●      Shut-off valve

●      Water mainline

●      Outside

Avoid Exerting Extra Weight on Exposed Pipes

Although you might be tempted, experts recommend you don't use exposed pipes to hang your laundry. Additional weight from your clothing and the hanger strains the pipe and makes it more susceptible to leaks. So, you must find an appropriate place to hang your clothes to avoid unnecessary leaks and expensive repairs.

Go Trenchless

The advantages of trenchless pipe repair make it easier for those who need to repair their plumbing system. Trenchless pipe repairs cause less damage, provide better overall service quality, and are completed much faster than other repair methods. In the long run, going trenchless will give you a pipe solution that will be long-lasting and you'll also save more money.

Avoid Using Chemical Drain Clearing Products

Clogged drains are among the most prevalent plumbing headaches, and many people clear them using products that contain chemicals, but this is a big mistake. Such products are likely to erode your drain pipes, resulting in even greater damage. Using them repeatedly can eventually cause leaks and expensive repairs. Thus, hire a plumber to snake the drain and clear away the clog. Or, if you are DIY-savvy, you can buy your own snake for about $20 and clean the drain yourself.

Protect Your Pipes From Cold Temperatures

It gets extremely cold in the winter and your home needs sufficient insulation to protect your pipes. Even in a drafty house, it is still possible to protect your pipes by insulating exposed ones.

Choosing to insulate the pipes by yourself may not be the best option because you will only be able to access the pipes that are out in the open. But a plumber will insulate the pipes even in hidden areas of the home, particularly during renovations and remodels when the pipes are exposed. Request your plumber to install heat tape for pipeswhen they open your wall or expose the usually hidden pipes. This will maintain a water temperature of 55 degrees and above when the weather gets extremely cold.

Protect Your Drain From Hair and Food Particles

Strive to ensure that grease, hair, and food don't go down the drain. These substances often contribute to drain clogging, causing you lots of problems. There are various measures you can take to prevent potentially harmful stuff from going down the drain, including using drain strainers and alternative methods of disposing of waste.

Reduce the Water Pressure

We all enjoy high-pressure showers; however, pressure exerts unnecessary stress on your pipes, which can reduce the lifespan of the pipes and increase the possibility of a leak. So, measure your water pressure using a hose bib gauge and ensure the pressure is between 40 and 80 psi. If it is above this range, contact an expert plumber to install a pressure reducer.

Winterize Outdoor Spigots

If the temperatures fall extremely low, outdoor spigots are likely to freeze. However, you can protect your spigots from extremely low temperatures by keeping your hoses indoors for the winter. If you have installed an in-ground sprinkler system in your home, call a professional to winterize it because the water that remains in the pipes can freeze and cause the rupturing of the pipes. Collaborate with a professional to empty your sprinkler pipes also to prevent rupturing over the winter.

If you are on a budget and you'd like to have some plumbing work done around your home, save money by finding a reputable plumber with fair rates. Don't do the work yourself–unless you are trained to–or hire an unqualified person to do it. Working with an expert plumber will save you a huge chunk of money in the long run and help you ward off expensive plumbing mistakes.

Guest Contributor: Lizzie Howard

5 Organization Tips for a Clutter-Free and Productive Workspace

Many would find surprise and delight if they only knew how vital staying free of clutter is to a productive workspace. So, here are five crucial organizational tips for a clean and productive workspace. Putting a bit of energy today into reorganizing where you work could pay dividends in your immediate future. So, to organize better, be mindful and consider purchasing an air purifier, limit what goes on your desk’s surface, reorganize over time, place your seat in a way that makes you comfortable, and ensure you must turn around to find a distraction.

Creating a Mindful Workspace

Our environment affects our mood and our productivity. Therefore it’s important to create and maintain a clean, organized, and mindful workspace. When our space is cluttered our mind is cluttered and usually vice versa. Some of the ways you can create a mindful workspace include tidying up and getting rid of dust, dirt, and germs. Getting a portable office air purifier is a great way to combat this as it can effectively reduce allergies, viruses, and bacteria. This tool can bring fresh clean air to your workspace. You can also add plants, candles, and essential oils to create a more mindful space. 

Tips for Keeping Your Space Free of Clutter

Limiting what goes on the surface of your desk goes a long way with keeping clutter to a minimum, freeing you to be your most productive self. Papers will often get out of control, but you can limit how many of them stay on your desk’s surface. That will ensure that you know just what is on your desk. Also, consider cleaning your computer’s desktop. That is another way you can clean to decrease clutter and increase productivity. You might decide to keep only today’s tasks on your desk, making your workspace flow well and freeing you to concentrate on the task at hand.

It can be overwhelming to clean your workspace because it might be rather messy. So, know there is a better way. Take it one day at a time and clean a portion of your workspace at a time. One day, you might clean your desk, and another rearrange the furniture. If you are consistent enough with the cleaning, you will soon have an office free of clutter, letting you become a more productive worker bee. So, stay the course because, like at the company where you work, a reorganization does not need to disrupt your workflow completely.

Organization Tips for Increasing Productivity

When attempting to increase your productivity through better organization, ensure that you are comfortable when sitting. You will sit longer and work harder if you feel you belong where you are sitting. Nobody wants to feel out of place. Suppose you prefer to sit at the corner of the room wherever you go because it makes you feel safe to get lost in whatever you are doing. In that case, it would be incredibly unwise to put your desk somewhere where your back was to other people.

Another thing that will help dramatically increase your work productivity is making sure you must turn around to use a distraction. For example, avoid letting yourself see your phone unless you turn around to pick it up. That way, you will reduce the temptation to get sidetracked and ensure that you only leave your workspace when something is genuinely vital. So, you can try to lengthen the time you spend working straight before you take a small mental break in this way. You will find your work productivity soaring if you do.

Fostering Productivity by Cleaning Clutter

Creating an organized, germ-free workspace is possible with a bit of effort. Still, thinking smarter and not harder about keeping your workspace clean and organized is part of the solution. So, to create a productive workspace free of clutter, be mindful and consider buying an air purifier, limit what stays on your desk, clean a bit at a time, practice mindfulness about where you are sitting, and minimize distractions. Clutter and a lack of productivity often go hand-in-hand. So, here is to you, making your office as clutter-free as possible.

Guest Contributor: Sierra Powelll

How To Clean and Paint Over Smoke Damage

Homeowners often ask themselves, “When is the right time to paint?” They might want to freshen up their walls, or completely re-imagine their living space, but no matter the reason, the decision to paint your home, it’s not one taken lightly. 

Sure, there are ways you can speed up the process, but at the end of the day, painting a room can use up a fair share of time and resources. 

Sometimes, that decision is made for you. Especially when you’ve suffered smoke damage to your home. When there’s been a fire in your house, apartment or condo, it’s a traumatic experience. And no matter the size of the fire, you’re bound to be left with some smoke damage to your walls that you’ll want to address immediately. 

The good news? It’s actually fairly easy to clean and paint over smoke damaged walls. Just follow these easy steps, and you can get your home looking spotless again in no time. 

Step 1: Assess Your Damage

Before you get to work, look at the damage you’re dealing with. If you’re lucky, the smoke damage is only superficial. There may be soot from fire or ash on the walls, but no structural damage to the walls themselves. 

In that case, the amount of work you’ll put into painting over smoke damage should be pretty straightforward, and you can jump to the third step. 

However, if there is more significant damage, you’ll want to address that before you get to work painting over smoke damage. 

Step 2: Repair Any Smoke Damage

If you’ve found damage to your wall, you might need to bring in a professional to put up a new wall, or repair more extensive damage. But if there is damage just to the drywall, you could take it upon yourself to fix that damage yourself.

For small to medium sized holes in the wall, you can fill the hole with plaster, wait for it to dry, and then sand it down. Once you’ve patched your holes and repaired the damage of your wall, it’s time to prep the area to clean and paint over smoke damage. 

Step 3: Dry-Clean Your Smoke-Damaged Wall

Now you’re ready to start the process of cleaning your smoke damaged walls. That’s where dry cleaning sponges come in. Made of vulcanized rubber, these dry cleaning sponges are great for cleaning soot off of walls.  

For this step, you’ll need the following materials.

• Gloves to protect your hands as well as walls, since natural oils in your skin can blot on the wall, complicating your efforts to clean your smoke damaged walls. 

• Plastic Sheeting to place around the smoke damaged walls. Debris and ash might fall during the cleaning process, and you’ll want to avoid any ash or soot staining your floors as you clean your walls. 

• Eye Protection such as googles will be good to make sure no soot from the fire or ash gets in your eyes.

• Dry Cleaning Sponges are, of course, essential. The good news is that if you have extra dry cleaning sponges, you can still use these in the future. They’re effective at cleaning up more than just soot from fire, they also can blot out nicotine stains or candle soot on walls. 

The actual cleaning process to get the damage of smoke off your walls is relatively straightforward. Starting from the top of your smoke damaged walls, and working your way down, use your dry cleaning sponge with straight, overlapping strokes. Do not scrub, as that can drive soot into your walls and make it harder to get soot off your walls in the long term. 

After each stroke of the sponge, check it for debris and coloration. If it becomes clogged, or blackens noticeably, take a razor-blade or safety knife to cut off just the surface area of the sponge. 

You shouldn’t try to clean or wash these sponges, since their absorbent nature will be negated by soaking it with water or soap, but by cutting away used layers, you can get a lot of use out of each sponge, and hopefully will be able to absorb most of the soot and ash from your fire damaged walls and ceilings. 

After going through the entire affected area and cleaning soot off your walls, you’re not done yet. There’s another step for cleaning smoke off walls before you can paint over the smoke damage.

Step 4: Wet-Clean Your Smoke-Damaged Walls

Now that you’ve started to clean smoke from your walls, removing much of the soot and ash from your fire damage, it’s time for a more intense clean using a deep-cleaning product. You can use a grease-cutting agent, or a deep cleaner. The important thing is to avoid using standard, run-of-the-mill cleaning products for this step.

Your goal here should be to remove as much soot and ash as possible. This is the last step for how to clean smoke off walls, and ensures that no lasting smoke damage causes problems down the line once you’ve begun painting. 

Using your heavy-duty cleaning product, take a rag, or regular cleaning sponge, and apply it to the walls like you used the dry sponge—starting from the top and working your way to the bottom. You’ll likely want gloves for this step as well, as the cleaning agent may be caustic to your skin. 

When you thoroughly clean the area, you should be ready to begin the process of smoke painting, or painting over your smoke damage to make your walls and ceilings look like new. 

Step 5: Priming Your Soot and Smoke-Damaged Wall

Now it’s time for the show to begin—priming your smoke damaged walls, so you can effectively paint over them. If you’re wondering about any lingering odor, and are considering an odor blocking paint, the primer is where you can begin to help make sure that the smoke damage does not bleed through and require future paint jobs in the future. 

If you’re dealing with strong odors, such as those you find from nicotine stains, make sure that the primer you choose is a pigmented shellac primer, since that will be more effective than standard oil-based primers. 

As for applying that primer, we have numerous guides on how to paint your walls quickly and efficiently. There’s no real difference between applying primer and applying your actual layer of paint, just make sure to choose the correct primer, and apply your primer consistently and liberally. 

Step 6: Paint Over the Smoke Damage

You’ve repaired damage, cleaned the area, and primed it for painting. Now is the time to paint! You can go with the same color you had before, or you can take this as an opportunity to completely reinvent your room with a brand new color.

When you paint over smoke stains on walls, if you’ve done the previous steps to clean and prime the area, painting the wall on its own isn’t any different from painting a wall without smoke damage. Once you’ve prepared your walls for painting, take an interior latex paint and apply two coats, until everything looks like new! 

Final Step: Enjoy Your Newly Painted Home

And that’s how to clean clean smoke off walls, using paint and primer. Of course, cleaning and painting over smoke damage does more than just spruce up your walls. A fresh coat of paint can increase your home’s value, or completely change the feel of a room. And hopefully, with this guide at your disposal, you can paint over smoke damage and renew your home without breaking a sweat!

Guest Contributor: Jeff Good