6 Ways To "Spice" Your House Up For Fall

Fall is coming around the corner, which means it is time to start decorating and showing off the bright yellows, oranges and reds. There are numerous ways to make your house appealing by adding decorations to portray the beautiful season of fall.

Fall is full of bold and bright colors, adding them to your home is sure to make it festive and pop. There are numerous things you can add to your house, such as pumpkins, leaves, haystacks, yellow, orange or red flowers, signs, etc. The options are endless, but the way to make it pop is the way you display the colors.

Keep it simple with a white farmhouse theme.

Decorate your porch with pumpkins and lights to make it pop from street view.

Lots of leaves will give off the Fall vibes, and will eventually match the leaves that fall.

Lights will make your house pop and make everything glow, enhancing the colors.

You can keep it simple and fill your porch with fall related plants instead of the traditional pumpkins.

Keep it simple and use household items you can repurpose into a beautiful small fall decoration.

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell

5 Surprising Reasons to Regularly Wash Your Windows

Windows play an integral role in not only the value of your home, but to how you interact with the world around you. Windows let in the sunlight, and allow you to look out at your surroundings. 

But dirty windows not only look unsightly, but they can actually cause lasting damage to your home and health. So while cleaning your windows does wonders for making your home look its sparkling best, regularly washed windows also come with the following surprising benefits.  

Clean Windows Improve Your Curb Appeal

If your windows are dirty, they’re one of the first things prospective home buyers will notice about your house. That’s not a good thing. If you’re concerned about maintaining your home’s value, “curb appeal”, or how your home looks to an outside observer, is a hugely important factor. 

Just as an unkempt lawn might lead people to undervalue your home, dirty windows similarly stop your home from showing its best version. But if your windows are cleaned with regularity, your home can look bright and welcoming to everyone stopping by.  

They Keep Your Home Warm

You might be wondering, how can clean windows help warm up your house? During cold months, though it might not feel like it, sunshine coming through your windows naturally heats up your home’s interior, lowering heating bills and bringing with it a natural warmth.

The dirt and grime from dirty windows can block out parts of your window, allowing less sunlight to enter, and thus robbing you of that natural heating. Keeping your windows cleans ensures that you get all the natural sunlight you can, which is great news for your thermostat and your wallet. 

Clean Windows Mean Clean Air

While you tend to assume that you need to open your windows to bring fresh air into your home, a clean window, while closed, can actually help improve your air quality. When dirt builds up on windows, and sills, they often work their way into your home, lowering your air quality.

Even worse, dirt build up  occasionally can bring in mold, which can cause a host of health problems. By cleaning your windows regularly, you keep these bad particles out, and keep clean air in. 

Regularly Washing Your Windows Increases Window Life

Repairing windows that have been worn down or damaged can be an unfortunate and wanted expense. Thankfully, you can keep your windows for longer by regularly washing them. 

Dirty windows build up grime and dirt that can penetrate the glass, which can stain and weaken your window and cause permanent damage. Even when you can’t visibly see debris on your window, consistently washing your windows clears the glass of microscopic imperfections that can lower the lifespan of your windows. 

By just washing your windows regularly, you can keep your windows shining for years! 

Guest Contributor: Jeff Good

5 Changes You Can Do to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly Today

It’s more important now than ever for people to do all that they can to save the environment. From years of carelessness, our environment is suffering irreversible damages; however, it’s not too late to stop these damages before they worsen. If every person made small efforts to save the environment, it’s likely that the ecosystem would see outstanding benefits, preserving the environment and the organisms that inhabit it. The best ways for people to make small efforts to save the environment can be done in the comfort of their own homes. Your home is one of the places that cause vast environmental damage without you even realizing it. This post will detail 5 ways to make your home an eco- friendly place so that you can do your part in saving the environment.

How Can I Make My Home More Eco-Friendly?

Making your home eco-friendly doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With minimal effort, you can make a large impact on the ecosystem. Here are 5 ways to make your home more environmentally savvy. 

• Utilize Solar Energy

Solar energy is an outstanding way to make your home more eco-friendly. The most popular form of solar energy is solar panels. Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity that can be used to power your entire home. A specialist from a company that sells solar panels in Cherry Hill pointed out that solar panels can save homeowners thousands of dollars in electricity bills per year as solar panels are a sustainable energy source. 

Solar panels can be a bit costly, and though they are an investment worth making, if you can’t afford solar panels, you should consider investing in solar lighting fixtures. These lighting fixtures work the same way, storing sunlight and converting it into electricity in order to provide light to your home. 

• Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are an important energy-saving invention to incorporate into your home. Smart thermostats work the same way as regular thermostats, however, you will now have the option to adjust them from an app on your mobile device. Smart thermostats allow you to turn your heating and cooling systems down or off when you leave the house, then back on when you are on your way home. 

Smart thermostats will save you energy and money because they no longer need to be left on when you aren’t home. You can control the temperature of your home from remote locations, allowing you to still come home to a comfortable temperature without leaving your heating or cooling system on all day. 

• Use LED Lighting

Lighting fixtures use copious amounts of energy which is not only harmful to the environment, they can also end up costing you hundreds of dollars in electricity bills each month. To conserve energy when it comes to lighting fixtures, consider installing LED light bulbs. LED light bulbs use only a fraction of the electricity that standard light bulbs do and have a much longer lifespan. In addition to their minimal electricity use, LED bulbs will create less waste because of how infrequently they need to be replaced. And like smart thermostats and solar energy, LED bulbs will ultimately save you money; therefore benefiting both you and the environment. 

• Create a Compost Pile

Compost piles are a free and easy way to give back to the environment. Compost piles are created to be used as natural soil in gardens in order to help plants grow. To make a compost pile, instead of disposing of food and waste that is organic and natural, such as fruits and vegetables, put it in a pile outside and let it decompose. After it decomposes, you will be able to use it as soil to give your plants top-notch nutrients.

You will be providing the ecosystem with natural resources to help the organisms within it thrive. And the best part? Compost piles will not cost you a dime; consider creating one in a corner of your yard or in a garbage can on your deck. Be sure not to add processed foods or dairy products to your pile as these foods will ruin it and cause it to smell.

• Repurpose Old Furniture

Repurposing old furniture is a simple, easy, and fun way to make your home eco-friendly. Instead of buying new furniture, consider repurposing your old furniture. Repurposing furniture will allow you to have the exact piece of furniture you have been looking for and will allow you to reduce waste. Try making this environmentally savvy task a family affair; you can repaint, refinish, or repair pieces of furniture with your significant other and/or with your children.

If you don’t have any furniture around the house that you can repair, consider buying furniture from a second-hand shop, or buying used furniture from online and repurposing that. You will be doing your part to save the environment by reducing somebody else’s waste. 

Your Small Efforts Will Play A Part in Your Future

The small efforts you make at home now will have a huge impact on the future of the environment. It’s important for all humans to do their part to save the environment before it’s too late. By doing the small efforts such as the ones listed above, a bright future for the ecosystem is possible. Consider making these small changes to your home today, you won’t regret it, in fact, you will likely benefit too. Make some changes today. 

About the Author

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer that works with All American Plumbing, a plumber in Sicklerville. Jennifer is also a blogger, dog-enthusiast and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey

Guest Contributor: Jennifer Bell

5 Creative DIY Basement Renovation Projects

The best houses put every inch of space to good use, from the powder room all the way up to the master bedroom. However, basements are often overlooked. Maybe it’s because they lack natural light, or because they tend to be a little cooler in temperature. Another reason might be that many newly built homes are sold with unfinished basements. Whatever the reason is, basements tend to be neglected as viable and useful spaces.

The truth is, however, that any finished or unfinished basement has the potential to provide untapped utility. The best part is, you might not even have to hire an expert or break the bank to do it. With a little bit of creativity, you can convert this underused and underappreciated space into a private oasis.   

Here are 5 creative DIY basement renovation projects you can take on.

Home Theatre

You don’t need a 100” flat screen television or an elaborate surround sound system to create a home theatre that’s fun and cozy. Because of the lack of natural light, basements are the perfect place for a home theatre, even one that’s built on a budget. To start, installing a projector on your ceiling is as simple a drill and a few screws. You can also install a motorized or non-motorized projector screen over a wall that doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Even simpler, if you have an unfinished basement with exposed concrete walls, you can paint one of the walls white to make it a screen.

Workshop

With some lumber, simple tools, and a little bit of handiness, you can build your own heavy-duty workshop in your basement. Some items you might want to put together include a workbench and a shelving unit for storage. You can also drill holes in a shelf as a way to store different kinds of screwdrivers. As well, a store-bought peg board and some hooks provide a great way to store your tools while showing them off. Extra touches could include a whiteboard for jotting down notes, and a work stool.

 Storage Area

Basements are the perfect place to store items you don’t need readily at hand every day. With either built-in or freestanding shelves, clothing racks, and closets, you can effectively store a lot of belongings you don’t want to look at every day. If you have an unfinished basement with exposed studs, you can easily install shelves in between these studs to create very usable storage space. You can also convert your area under the stairs that might have otherwise gone unused into storage for larger seasonal items like Christmas decorations.

Art/Music Studio

It doesn’t take much to turn the basement of your home into a loft-style space that fosters creativity. If you’re a visual artist, laying down some area rugs, placing some comfortable spaces to sit, and creating storage for your materials can transform your space into a studio. If you’re a musician, you can improve the acoustics and create a home studio feel with foam egg cartons or real acoustic paneling.

Home Gym

Looking to stay out of the gym while staying in shape? Your basement could make a great home gym without a huge investment. To make it a safe space, lay down some padded flooring, which is often as simple as cutting it with a pocketknife. From there, things like a chin-up bar and free weights are readily available online.

About The Author: Alex Capozzolo is the owner of the Brotherly Love Real Estate blog and a content writer for the real estate industry. We buy houses in Philadelphia, PA. Our focus is on helping people through one of the most important investment decisions of their lifetime by seamlessly providing fast, honest, and professional real estate services.

Guest Contributor: Alex Capozzolo

How to Prepare Reclaimed Wood for Reuse

Reclaimed wood has been adored by many people for its look. The character, history, uniqueness, and structural integrity these wood possess are features that homeowners greatly appreciate. Working with reclaimed wood be very meticulous so it will take careful planning, preparation, and patience to get the best out of the reclaimed wood that you have.

Determining the Wood Species

Just like any other wood, reclaimed wood can come from different species of wood. One good parameter in choosing what species of reclaimed wood to choose is the strength of the wood. It’s best to consult with a structural engineer to confirm that the chosen size and length of the reclaimed timber are adequate for your design. 

Staging and Material Inspection

After determining to wood species of your choice, we need to have our timbers inspected on-site. It’s best to do the inspection on a site where there is very large space for the timbers to lay out. 

There are various features that you can check on the timbers on inspection day. It can be irregular cuts and notches. It can be the ageing features of the wood. The features of your choice will entirely depend on your taste

The next step is to have a professional look on the timbers of your choice to see the structural grade of each piece. This process can take as long as five hours as the process includes poking and prodding each wood. Chunks of dry rot are removed sometimes during these inspections. The inspector will give a formal report of the inspection afterwards. 

Corn Cob Blasting and Fumigation

After the design drawings and the construction contract has been finalized, it’s time to clean and fumigate the timbers as preparing reclaimed wood for use is a very critical step. The last thing you want once reclaimed timbers are erected are loose organic particles constantly falling over from the beams. 

The first thing to do is to manually scrape the wood beams to remove any loose barks or wood chips. The next step is blast those wood beams with corn cob. This process will remove any excess bark, dry rot, and debris from the wood gently enough that it will not destroy the surface.

The last step is fumigating the wood. This is done by applying a solution of borate glycol onto the wood surface. This solution penetrates the wood and kills any bugs left.

Now your reclaimed wood is prepared and ready for construction!

Guest Contributor: Maria Espievidal

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Water Reservoir

10 Tips to Maintain a Clean Water Reservoir

Without a consistent water supply, it’s hard for animals and humans to survive for a longer period. Water is key to survival and improves a lot of ongoing activities in the body. Daily routines are almost incomplete without the use of water. When going about these routines, we could simply be struggling with keeping a clean water reservoir since it doesn’t seem like an everyday activity. People focus primarily on water purification rather than cleaning the water reservoir. The truth is, every little action goes a long way in keeping the tank safe for use. 

Water tanks are quite the investment and maybe on the pricey end. As they sit on the surfaces or plain ground, with time, sediments and algae deposits on the walls and ceilings of water reservoirs are inevitable because of prolonged use or their sitting positions. These deposits pollute water, making it unfit for cooking, drinking, or general-purpose. That goes to show that tank cleaning is necessary to maintain hygiene. A water reservoir should be cleaned depending on the water type. For example, hard water needs sedimentation more often than soft water, and annual cleaning does not cut it. How then can you avoid water pollution and reduce the harmful effect on your health? The ideal way is to keep your reservoir clean. These are some useful tips to maintain a clean reservoir.

Check your outdoor surfaces first

Before you decide to put your tank anywhere outdoors, consider checking the surfaces very well. Be sure to test the firmness of the surface you intend to put the tank on. Make sure to keep the surrounding area of the tank clean by sweeping and mopping it clean of dirt. Keep the area free of jagged edges or hidden stones that could puncture the tank. Again, be sure there are no insects beneath the spot in case of a sudden infestation or burrowing of holes.

Furthermore, to maintain the reservoir, consider raising your tank with platforms made of steel or wrought. This helps maintain an even weight hence keeping the tank away from debris. 

Install a water filter system at the main inlet  

Impurities cause damage to the reservoir and make water unfit for use. Install a suitable water filter system at the eye of the main channel. Although there are several systems you could use, a disposable filter fabric or a mechanical system keeps unwanted material from the main body of water.

If you use gutters to carry water into the reservoir, inspect the gutter area regularly. Sometimes, the contamination occurs in rain gutters and inlets. As a result of climate change, gutters could accumulate dry leaves, weed, clogs, and even build up sludge. Rather than let rubbish accumulate, it would help if you considered using a gutter mesh. In addition to this, if your water reservoir has a pump system, avoid taxing or stressing it. With a pump, you can use gravity to your advantage.

Check the water level of your tank regularly

Put ‘checking the water level’ on your daily or weekly to-do list. Checking helps you know the frequency of water used per time while helping you determine a reasonable period for cleaning. If the water level depletes faster than usual, there could be a leak and, ultimately, an avenue for microorganisms to grow.

Drain out all the water from time to time

Regular inspection of the water level helps you know the level of sediment. Sediment, by its nature, settles down at the bottom of your water tank. To determine the sediment levels of your tank, a visual inspection of the water tank is better. Usually, you would expect to see the bottom of the tank underneath the water. If you don’t, drain water out of the tank, wash the internal surfaces manually with a soft sponge, and flush off.

When picking a tank for use, ensure that the crevices are easy to clean and accessible. Accessibility is curtailing dirt accumulation in sharp corners and providing hassle-free cleaning. When you have an easy-to-clean tank, cleaning is easier.

Devise a cleaning system within many years

An interval cleaning is perhaps the most important aspect of water reservoir maintenance. Water tanks usually last for years. Also, they tend to withstand shifts in temperature, wind and wear and tear. As a result, deterioration or corrosion can be determined as early as possible. When you see such changes, these issues should be attended to as quickly as possible to prevent long term damage.

In addition to conducting daily or weekly checks, it is good to have a full inspection of the tank for around three to five years. Although some people do it annually, adding new water tank liners to the containers is a great idea. For the best of liner products, check out a range of products, and make a good selection best suited for water reservoirs.

Prevent Odor with Baking Soda

Each time you empty your water reservoir, add a touch of baking soda into space and rinse it with some fresh water. Thus helping you keep odor check.

Install an automated tank cleaning device. 

Sludges are substances you don’t want in your food, and body system via ingestion. To keep your tank sludge-free, you could install an automated tank cleaning device. The device works automatically upon installation. 

Alternatively, you could hire a professional to handle the tank cleaning, although it may cost some cash. 

Take care of tank coating

Since tanks are made for extended use, they often come with top quality coating. However, maintaining a tank coating is essential to reducing maintenance costs throughout the years. The coating on tanks is a primary defense against corrosion. Corrosion tends to change the color of the water as well as the taste. Maintaining a good layer keeps the reservoir in good working conditions, including humidity, dew point, and air. 

Keep up with technology 

Every new day ushers us into new technological means of maintaining good hygiene. Even though access to the latest webinars and conferences may not be necessary, being aware of new tech helps you learn new ways to work equipment and ultimately maintain your reservoir. 

Sanitize your reservoir 

If your tank is old or has been sitting on surfaces for too long, it may begin to harbor unwanted substances. As a result, the reservoir can emit an unpleasant smell that makes drinking water taste bad.

You can combat this challenge with some bleach. To be sure, pouring bleach straight into the water reservoir is not ideal. But you could use diluted bleach with this foolproof method.

• Add one cup measure of bleach into four gallons of water for a 40-gallon tank. One and a half measure for six gallons of water for a 60-gallon tank. Two cup measure into eight gallons of water for a 100-gallon tank.

• Place bleach solution directly into your water tank and fill with fresh, clean water.

• Run solution throughout every faucet until you’re sure bleach has touched everywhere.

• Then empty the tank. Fill up again with fresh water and let it stay for a night. On the next day, drain the tank again through all faucets. Fill up again with clean water and repeat until the smell of bleach is gone.

Guest Contributor: David Smith 

Rustic Living Room Design Guide

What do you imagine when you hear the words “rustic design”? You probably think about cozy cabins in the woods, snowy peaks and hot cocoa in your hand. Or you might think about tiny cottages surrounded by orchards and wildflowers. However, you don’t have to live in the Swiss Alps or English countryside to enjoy this level of comfort and peace. You can introduce rustic design into your home and surround yourself with relaxing décor and comforting peace.

Reimagine your walls with stone wallpaper 

If you don’t want to tear down walls or do any major work on your home, you can simply grab some rustic wallpaper, pick a wall and create a beautiful nature-inspired statement item in your living room. Today, you can find all sorts of practical wallpaper designs that are easy to put up and take down in case you get bored with one look. Combine your statement wall with some faux wood beams and you’ll feel like you stepped into a fairytale cabin every time you enter your home (and all that without too much work).

Warm up the space with wood accents

One of the key elements in rustic interiors is the use of wood. This is the best way to give your home a rustic vibe, even if you’re aiming for a more modern approach to this style. You can go for anything from wood art installations to heavy coffee tables and warm wood accessories. There’s only one rule to wood: try to use the same wood tones throughout the space to achieve a coherent look. For that warm feel to your space, focus on rich colored accents when matching accessories to your wood, and if you prefer a cooler atmosphere, opt for grey tones.

Add a few nature items 

Rustic design is very closely connected to nature, so make sure to include a few items that come straight from the outdoors. For instance, you can brighten up the space with a wicker or driftwood chandelier or create a gorgeous fall-inspired centerpiece for your coffee table. If you want to go a little bit darker and mysterious when it comes to your design, you can look into taxidermy and mount a hand-carved animal skull onto your wall. If this idea tickles your mind, you can learn more about it and include a gorgeous conversation-starter piece into your home.

Get cozy in front of a fireplace 

A fireplace is a staple in rustic design, so if you have any means to include it into your home, don’t hesitate to invest in this item. Of course, a fire-burning hearth is tricky to construct and maintain, so if you want to avoid the fuss, you can opt for one of those gas fireplaces. These are easier to install and require zero effort when it comes to maintenance and getting the fire going. Just turn it on, enjoy the dancing flames and curl up to your loved ones (pets are a great replacement for humans too).

Soften up the vibe with textiles

No rustic home is complete without plenty of cozy textile elements. No matter if you’re aiming for a traditional look or you want to achieve the fusion between rustic and modern design, textiles will balance out the space, so they are a must. Integrate softness and texture into your space with pillows and throws, but don’t neglect your window treatment. Besides these elements, you can also pay attention to your furniture pieces—a mix of upholstered and bare furniture is a great way to achieve the harmony between warmth, coziness and elegance. 

Rustic design is perfect for everyone who craves comfort and relaxation but is not willing to sacrifice any style. Incorporate some of these interior design elements into your home and you’ll fall in love with your space all over again!

Guest Contributor: Michael

Six Houseplants That Are Great For Bathrooms

Six Houseplants That Are Great for Bathrooms

You might think your bathrooms aren't good candidates to grow indoor plants seeing as they typically don't have much in the way of natural lighting and experience dramatic shifts in humidity and temperature, but did you know there are still plants that can easily thrive in these conditions with a minimum of maintenance?

Even small indoor plants continuously add fresh oxygen to your space and absorb carbon dioxide. They also tirelessly work to purify the air by removing toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and others. Some plants even become more adept at eliminating indoor pollutants with practice.

Just about any common indoor plant offers benefits both aesthetically and to the overall health and wellness of your household. But some are easier than others to maintain, especially in the tricky environmental factors that go part and parcel with a bathroom.

But it's worth the extra effort to make sure that the enclosed, somewhat claustrophobic spaces bathrooms inevitably represent are decorated with the invigorating and lively presence of living species. And as you read on, you'll come to find that with the right selections it really isn't much extra effort at all.

Did you know that formaldehyde is a carcinogen that is found in virtually every household where synthetic materials can be found? Even if you carefully choose what household products you bring into your kitchen and bathroom, it turns out formaldehyde is outgassed even by many building materials, which means that it is almost impossible to avoid. Fortunately, plants can minimize the impact of formaldehyde by filtering it out of the air. Other plants can reduce odors by working as nature’s air fresheners.

Let’s take a look at some of the plants that make the best additions to your bathroom:

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

The cast Iron plant is an excellent choice for most bathrooms. This plant thrives in a low light setting and can tolerate a stingy watering schedule. It can do well with both higher and lower temperature settings. The plant should be kept in an area with indirect sunlight.

The plant comes in both small (18 inches) and full size (2-3 feet high) varieties. Leaves may vary from dark green to yellow striped or dotted.

To care for your Cast Iron Plant, water it thoroughly when the soil becomes dry.

The Aspidistra does well in the humid conditions

The plant is also a great air purifier that effectively removes formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the air.

Ferns

Ferns do very well in bathrooms because they like humid environments. Different types of Ferns such as Bird Nest, Boston Fern and Staghorn Ferns do well in low light settings.

Ferns need regular watering and misting. However, with too much water they will develop yellow or droopy fronds - a sign of root rot.

Ferns can tolerate significant temperature fluctuations characteristic of most bathrooms. However, if a bathroom is kept cold to the point that humidity is reduced, the fern may begin to struggle. Try misting them more frequently or move them to a location where the air isn’t as dry.

Note: some ferns and fern-like species can be mildly toxic. If you have pesty pets who are likely to munch on whatever they come across (or babies who do the same… you know who you are) then you may want to do some research on the species you have or look for an alternative.

Dragon plant (Dracaena)

Dracaena comes in more than forty varieties. It has long spear-like leaves which range in width from a few millimeters to a couple of inches wide. The available colors range from solid green to greenish-maroon and variegated. The leaves of the plant emerge from the stem.

The plant works as an excellent air purifier for the bathroom. It grows well in artificial light and indirect light. Direct sunlight should be avoided.

Dracaena is a drought-resistant plant and doesn’t need a lot of watering. Water it only when the soil feels dry and then pour lukewarm water generously until water trickles through the holes in the pot. Empty the drainage receiver pan after about an hour and never allow the pot to stand in water. The plant thrives in rich soil with plenty of organic material.

Snake plant (Sansevieria)

Sansevieria also known as “Snake plant” or “Mother-in-Law’s tongue” is very suitable for bathrooms. It is one of the most low-maintenance plants you can grow.

The plant filters out formaldehyde from the air which is commonly found in cleaning materials and cosmetics.

The plant would grow well in light levels ranging from low to bright indirect sunlight. It will also thrive well under fluorescent light.

Water the plant only when the soil is almost completely dried out, which should be ever two to six weeks depending upon the temperature, light and humidity of your home. The plant does well at most humidity levels. Choose a soil which drains freely, and use a terracotta pot to make sure that water doesn’t accumulate in the pot.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)

The white flowers of the Peace Lily make a great complement to the décor of most bathrooms. The plant does well in low light conditions and is easy to take care of.

Don’t let the Peace Lily’s delicate appearance fool you: it is a hard working plant when it comes to air purification. The plant also reduces the mold spore levels in bathrooms.

Peace Lily does well in low light during summer and spring but in order to grow well, it will need exposure to indirect sunlight during the rest of the year.

Peace lily requires consistently moist soil, but like other low-maintenance plants, it doesn't like to sit in standing water. Water it when the top inch of the soil is dry, and keep watering until the overflow of water starts from pot’s drainage holes. Return the pot to its regular place once drainage has stopped.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy is one of the easiest indoor plants to keep. The plant enjoys warm and humid conditions which makes it perfect for greening up the bathroom. Ivy can give a very good display if the aerial roots of the plant are trained to climb a moss stick or trellis.

Ivies grow well in the medium light, but will also thrive in bright light. They are generally less tolerant of low light conditions than the other plants listed here.

Ivies prefer drier soil, so let the soil dry out before watering it again.

The plant can effectively remove traces of airborne mold spores - making it a perfect addition to bathrooms, the kitchen or anywhere else mold or mildew can loom.

Guest Contributor, Ryan from Fast Partitions

How To Remove Clutter From Your Yard

How to Remove Clutter from Your Yard

Many home owners notice that their yard never looks as they imagined it would. That’s because it’s not neat and there’s always clutter in the yard that makes it look less than what it could be, even if your plants are all doing rather well.

There are ways to fix this problem and return your yard to its true glory. This doesn’t require that much work or that much investment, if you discount the work that you’ll need to put in. However, making sure your garden is clean will be a long-term job.

Throwing things out

The first step may seem like a rather simple one, but it’s the one that will take the most work and the most planning. You should start by throwing out everything in your yard that isn’t actually used. It’s possible to hire professional junk removal from Sydney if there are a lot of items that you need to throw away at once.

It’s important to be strict with this and to throw away just everything that isn’t supposed to be there, regardless of how old it is and whether it could be useable at some point.

Shed

There are many tools that you’ll need to maintain your yard and most of them are used seasonally, which means that storing them until they are needed becomes a problem of its own. That’s why some yards have a pile of tools laying in a corner somewhere until they are actually used.

It’s best to avoid this by setting up a small shed. That’s both better looking and it will keep the tools useable for a longer period of time, simply by hiding them from the elements. The sheds could be pre-made and installed in a yard within hours.

Pruning

A lot of the times, the yard isn’t crowded and ill designed at all – it’s just not maintained as it should be. Plants grow faster in the summer and they could quickly overtake your yard if they aren’t pruned and maintained on a regular basis.

It’s best not to wait for the plants to grow, but to have a schedule for pruning and mowing the lawn that you’ll stick to regardless of how grown the plants are at any moment. The same goes for watering, which should be done on the schedule based on what plants you are planting.

Garbage

The yard needs to have at least a few garbage bins and recycling cans. You’ll end up using them more often than you think and it’s best to always have one nearby. However, these cans don’t look that nice, especially if you’re going for a clean look for your yard.

There are ways to hide them, that will still keep the recycling accessible and easy to organize, but won’t damage the overall look and feel of the yard. The cans could be painted green and hidden behind bushes or within wooden and decorative containers, for instance.

Yards can easily get crowded and cluttered if they are not maintained properly and with care. This can make even the most beautiful of yards look bad and it can easily be avoided with a little bit of work and a little bit of planning.

The work starts with throwing away all the things that are laying in your yard and that shouldn’t be there. It’s also important to have a storage area for the yard alone, since you’ll need a lot of tools and you need a place to store them away. The yard should also have plenty of recycling bins but they could be hidden not to spoil the overall look.

Guest Contributor, Diana Smith

6 Common Culprits Behind an Unexpected Energy Bill

6 Common Culprits Behind an Unexpected Energy Bill

If you recently opened your electric bill only to see an astronomical figure, chances are, once you picked your jaw up off the floor, you asked, "Why is this so high?" Multiple factors can impact your overall bill. Aging appliances, several devices left plugged in constantly and leaky windows and doors can result in you paying much more.

The good news? You can reduce your electric bill by following the six tips below. Stemming the flow does require you to be a bit more conscientious about your behavior, but it will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint. Here's what to look out for and how to solve each issue.

1. Have You Recently Bought New Electronics?

Many people leave electronic devices plugged in and turned on all the time, even when these items are not in use. If you live in a four-person household where everyone has a laptop and tablet, that's a lot of devices!

Save money by powering down devices when they're not in use. If you need the ability to hop on a laptop in seconds for work or school, at least put them in sleep mode. Better yet, power them down and shut them off altogether, especially at night. Doing so saves energy and helps protect devices from hackers who need sophisticated tools to power devices on remotely.

2. Your Fridge Gasket Is on the Fritz

Did your mama ever tell you, "Stop standing there with the refrigerator door open! What, are you trying to cool the whole neighborhood?" While she was right — holding open the fridge trying to decide what to eat does waste energy — another culprit may lurk behind your astronomical electric bill.

Your refrigerator gasket refers to the springy plastic material that seals when you close the door. If this seal breaks down with age, you'll lose a ton of cooling out the cracks. Luckily, you can replace your fridge gasket quite easily, and all you need is a screwdriver, an Allen wrench and some petroleum jelly (plus the gasket itself, which costs about $75 at most hardware stores).

3. Your Appliances Are Aging Poorly

If your appliances are older overall, you may need to replace them to save energy. Today, every appliance comes with an ENERGY STAR® rating that gives crucial information about how much electricity the appliance consumes. As a result, engineers now design appliances double or more the efficiency of earlier models.

Are you a renter whose landlord refuses to upgrade? You can still save money and energy. Simply invest in a countertop microwave and toaster oven, and hand wash dishes instead of using the dishwasher (except for with large loads, like Thanksgiving dinner cleanup).

4. Your Air Filters Are Filthy

Be honest: How often do you change your air filters? Experts recommend changing them once per month, less often in the summer if you have a heating-only system. If you have pets or smokers in the residence, you should change them monthly year-round.

Filters cost less than $10 at many grocery and hardware stores. If your filters become clogged, the reduced air flow through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly. This issue will cost you approximately $175 to repair, and in the meantime, your house won't feel warm even as your electric bill soars.

5. Air is Leaking out Windows and Doors

Take a look at your front door (go ahead, do it now!). Do you see light leaking through cracks between the frame and the outdoors? You're bleeding heat and AC right out to your neighbors if you do. Unless you have a vested interest in keeping your front porch squirrel visitors happy all winter, invest in some inexpensive weather stripping to save significantly.

Do you feel hot or cold when you're sitting near a sunny window? If so, you may need to upgrade your windows. Renter? Instead of improving your landlord's property (they get enough of your hard-earned money), invest in some blackout curtains. These curtains can reduce the amount of heat transferred by your windows by as much as 24%, and as an added bonus, they reduce noise from outside, so urban dwellers rejoice!

6. You Need to Call an Electrician

Finally, if you've unplugged and checked the items above, you may need to call in a pro. An unusually high electric bill can indicate a problem with the meter or a short somewhere in the house. Since electric work carries a fire hazard, let a licensed professional do the work. This requirement is one area where renting has advantages — structural issues such as electric shorts are the landlord's problem to deal with.

Cutting Your Electricity Costs

There's no need to pay astronomical electric bills to feel comfortable in your home. By identifying the culprits sucking your energy like vampires, you can save money and protect the planets' resources.

Guest Contributor, Holly Welles

Holly Welles is a home improvement writer who believes anyone can make the most of their space. You can find more of her work on her blog, The Estate Update.