All posts by Tia

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Think Your Home Is Too Messy To Clear Out? Think Again!

Think Your Home Is Too Messy To Clear Out? Think Again!

We all have a messy home, in some form or another. We have piles of clutter here and there, and we like to straighten them out day by day, but come bedtime, they’ll be a complete mess all over again! We try to make changes where we can, such as the room atmosphere or finding new ways to arrange the attic for more boxes, but there always comes a time when we simply run out of room. 


And yet, if you’re someone who wants to have a clear out, but you don’t think it’s quite such a practical move at the moment, think again. There are plenty of methods you can employ to tidy up a home that’s one mess after another. You can always call in a professional service such as The Junk Pros to declutter your space quickly. But if you want to try to tackle it first, yourself, here are a few methods to keep you on track. Because, let’s face it, there are always ways to get rid of the clutter at the back of your cupboards, so you can use them as a storage solution once again.

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Make a Schedule to Follow

First of all, make a plan. If you’re going to be tackling the mess in your home from top to bottom, you can’t rush in without a bit of foresight. You need to sit down beforehand and work out how long it’s going to take, and what would be the easiest to start with. All in all, you need to make yourself a clear out schedule, to keep your dreams of clean living a practical reality. 

Start with the top floor, and then work your way down – this way, you won’t dirty the areas you’ve already cleared out and wiped down. Usually, the attic is best to start with, to make sure you’ve got plenty of room to store the clutter you want to keep, and then tackle the master bedroom before you hit the bathroom. 

Read: MOVING MAYHEM: MAKING PRE-MOVE DEEP CLEANING EASIER 

When you get downstairs again, make sure you start in the kitchen! The living room can always come last, seeing as you’ll still require use of it during the day, and you’ll need all of your furniture still in place. 

Rope in Some Help

If you’ve got a big house, and an even bigger amount of mess, don’t venture in alone. Get your friends and family to help out – give them a copy of the schedule, run them through some general rules (so you don’t waste your time supervising!), and then everyone can get on with it. 

Get Yourself a Bigger Bin!

And finally, if you’ve got just too many black bags on your hands, then you’re capable of moving and trashing yourself, invest in a bigger bin! And no, that doesn’t just mean you should buy a 45L bin to replace your 30L one… 

Instead, look into something like a skip bin hire. These companies will provide the skip as and when you need it, and when it’s filled to the brim with all of your waste, they’ll take it all away again. It’s quite useful when it comes to clearing out the modern home!

Read: SIMPLE UPDATES TO MAKE ON YOUR HOME WHILE ON A BUDGET

Don’t despair; you can clear out any home if you remember tips like these. 

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip, email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter, TikTok, or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

How To Fall In Love With Your Home All Over Again

How To Fall In Love With Your Home All Over Again

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Remember the days when you loved your home? 

There was no greater feeling than walking through your front door after a long day at work, as you entered the place that was your cozy haven away from the outside world.

But as time moved on, your love for your home might have started to melt away. Stepping through your front door, your feelings might be less positive than they used to be once upon a time. Why? It could be one of any number of reasons, and if you don’t do something about them, then your frustration and dislike for your home are only going to grow stronger.

Are you relating to what we are saying? If so, here are some of the ways in which you can fall in love with your home all over again.

Give your home a facelift

Is the outside of your home looking dull and shabby? Perhaps it’s time to do landscape your garden or wash and paint your walls. Are your doors and windows in need of repair? Or perhaps they’re a little on the dated side. If so, make the necessary fixes, or contact companies such as Facelift for Homes to replace them with something new and appealing. 

Is the inside of your home a little on the ugly side? If so, you might want to consider giving it a makeover. By following some of today’s interior design trends, you might soon have a home worth spending time in again. Of course, you could always go your own way instead of following the norm, so if there are any particular colours or designs that you favour, no matter what your neighbours and friends think, then makeover your home as you see fit.

Add something new

You don’t have to spend a fortune when giving your home a makeover. Sometimes, one or two new items can make all the difference when trying to improve our mood at home. Why not treat yourself to a work of art, for example, and hang it in the room where you spend most of your time. Or how about a vase of flowers? It’s only a small addition, but being both aesthetically and fragrantly pleasing, you are bound to feel uplifted. And there are other things you could add to give your mood and home an uplift. A new rug, a throw for your chair, something to entertain you? Think about what you might enjoy and shop around accordingly.

Create more room

Are you struggling for space? A cramped environment can compromise the way we feel about our homes and can cause us to feel stressed and low. If you identify with this, there are at least two things you could do.

You might want to declutter your home. We aren’t only talking about any household mess, as you might have more furniture and knickknacks than you know what to do with. Get rid of anything that is unimportant to you, be that through donating or selling your unwanted items, as this will give you more space to play with. Where your furniture is concerned, you might want to replace particular items with something smaller, so you have more room to move around in your home. 

Alternatively, you might want to consider a home extension. With another room to spend time in, you will have the space to do something that you weren’t able to do before. You might create a social area for friends and family, for example, or you might want to create an area that is set up for your hobbies. Contact the relevant building professionals if this is something that interests you, as you might then find opportunities to enjoy your home again. 

And so…

Your home should be your haven; your sanctuary away from the strains and stresses of the outside world. But if you haven’t been ‘feeling it’ recently, then perhaps our suggestions will restore the love that you once had for your home. 

Let us know your thoughts.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Improving Your Home’s Air Quality

Improving Your Home’s Air Quality

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Air pollution is on the rise in general. But have you considered the air quality in your home in particular? So many of us automatically associate air pollution with being outdoors in busy city centres or major cities around the world. But the air in your home isn’t necessarily much different. While you can’t control air quality in the wider world, your home is one place you have a little more control over – and you can take measures to ensure you can breathe easy in the space you where sleep, eat, and generally relax in!

Dust

We produce dust in our homes on a day to day basis. It’s essentially an accumulation of skin cells, hair, and other bits and bobs that are dropped on the floor. But while it may seem settled on surfaces, it’s also present in the air. Don’t breathe it in – instead, dust, sweep, and vacuum regularly to collect up as much of it as possible.

Tackling Mold

Mold can spread through your home for a variety of reasons – damp being one of the most common. It can be easy to ignore if it’s isolated to places where it’s out of sight. But mold is much more than an eye sore. It’s unhealthy too. Spores spread in the air and can actually make you sick when you breathe them in. So, if you have mold in your home, don’t procrastinate. Contact specialists like Environix, who will be able to tackle and remove mold from your property professionally and safely.

Investing in Houseplants

Houseplants are said to be nature’s life support system. They naturally draw impurities from the air surrounding them and photosynthesise carbon dioxide into oxygen in order to survive. They’re the inspiration for air filters – and what’s better than the original, authentic deal? If you do invest in houseplants, be sure to do your research and only invest in plants that are appropriate for your home in particular. Many plants are poisonous or toxic if consumed, so if you have kids or pets, are generally better avoided.

Try Out Salt Lamps

Chances are you’ve already heard about Himalayan Salt Lamps or seen them about. They’re attractive lamps, carved from blocks of salt with a bulb inside. But did you know they’re supposed to be great for air quality in your home as well as being aesthetically pleasing? Experts claim that when the salt in the lamp is heated by the energy emitted from the bulb, it draws in water from the air. This water contains all sorts of bacteria and dirt, meaning the lamp draws in bacteria that you would otherwise be breathing in.

These are just a few different options you might want to look into and try out if you’re planning on improving air quality within your home. They can make a drastic difference, so they’re all worth giving a try!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Crane Hire For Home Projects

Crane Hire For Home Projects

More and more companies are opting to hire a crane rather than buy one. There are many reasons why this is the case. The most obvious reason is the fact that it is a lot cheaper and businesses obviously want to keep their costs as low as possible. 

https://www.pexels.com/photo/blue-sky-construction-crane-equipment-533227/

However, it is not just businesses who require crane hire. There are a lot of homeowners and DIY enthusiasts around the country who need to hire a crane for projects that they are carrying out. After all, not all cranes are like those huge massive cranes that you see on building sites. You also have small crawler cranes and self-erecting cranes, which are designed for very small spaces and indoor use. Tools like this can make your DIY projects a lot easier and safer too, so long as you choose the right crane for the job. 

Nevertheless, in order to benefit from all of the gains associated with crane hire you need to make sure you choose the best company for the job in your area. Read on to discover what you should be looking for when seeking crane hire… 

Crane selection

The first thing you need to do is have a look at the range of cranes the company has on offer. Different cranes are suited to different tasks. If you were going to use the same piece of machinery for every task then you would be better off buying a crane. A good company will have everything from mini crawlers to tower cranes. They will be able to provide you with the best piece of machinery in order to deal with the task you are looking to complete. No demand is too big; whether you are working indoors or in an enclosed area. It is unlikely you are going to want a tower crane for a home project. However, the company is likely to serve the industrial and commercial markets as well. A website like Franna Crane Hire can give you a good idea regarding what you should expect when it comes to a crane hire company and the different options they have available. 

Experience

It is always recommended to go for a crane hire company with experience to boast. You need to be safe in the knowledge that they have provided their service successfully many times before. They have spent the years gaining their experience, they have perfected their craft and they know what makes their customers happy. If you go for a business that has only been hiring out cranes for a couple of years then you leave yourself at risk of being somewhat of a practise project. Furthermore, it is very unlikely that a new business will have a good selection of cranes. 

Health and safety 

You need to make sure the company upholds their responsibility to provide optimum levels of health and safety. They should carry out stringent tests on all of their equipment. It is the company’s responsibility – not yours – to make sure that everything is working safely and effectively at all time. A good crane hire company will highlight this on their website for all to see. 

Price quote

Last but not least, you should be given full knowledge of hire price before agreeing to hire a crane. You need to make sure you are covered and that there will be no hidden costs entailed. Nevertheless, you also need to be mindful of how much you pay too. Everyone wants a bargain, however going for the cheapest hire price you find is not recommended. This could indicate a significant lack of quality and that’s not what you want when hiring such an important piece of machinery.

If you take into account the four points mentioned in this article and you consider them carefully you will be able to find the best crane hire company for you. Remember; crane selection, price, experience and health and safety are all determining factors. Don’t be afraid to ask the company for a bit of advice too if you are feeling unsure regarding what sort of crane is going to be right for the specific home project that you are carrying out.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

4 Ways to Help to Elderly Parents without Draining Yourself and Your Budget

4 Ways to Help to Elderly Parents without Draining Yourself and Your Budget

by Guest Blogger, Caitlin E.

Source: freepik.com (free to use and share)

Your parents took care of you when you were a kid. They paid for your education and food. They raised you to be a good person. And while they didn’t do that expecting you to return the favor, there might come a day when they’ll need you to step in.

Of course, if that day comes, it will mean that you have to make some changes in your lifestyle, regarding your career, personal life, and finances. No one expects you to give up on your life to care for your parents. But you will need to learn to balance your responsibilities in a way that enables you to continue making an income, caring for your family, and giving your parents all the attention they need.

Because you should not be in this alone, here are a few tips that will help you get through this situation.

See if They Need Help and How Much Help They Need

It’s always hard to admit that our parents, who we considered to be our superheroes, are ill and powerless. Facing the facts early on will help you give them the best care they need. The best thing you can do is to talk to your parents first because they need to be involved in every decision that concerns them.

Then, search for the signs they need help:

  • They’re struggling with household chores.
  • Their personal hygiene is not as it used to be.
  • They’re not eating regularly.
  • They struggle to move around the house and neighborhood.
  • They’re losing hand-eye coordination, which prevents them from driving safely, using tools, and other necessities.
  • They’re losing track of their medication.

Once you determine the condition of your parents, you will know the degree of care they require. For example, they might only need you to help with paying the bills or doing household chores. In more severe cases, they will require assistance with getting dressed and moving around.

Talk to Your Employer

Trying to juggle work and the new responsibilities might be the first to come to mind when you find yourself in a situation like this. However, in most cases, this feat results in dropping one juggling ball. Your productivity will definitely suffer, and your boss will notice it. It’s better for you to tell him/her before this happens.

Be honest. Try to point out your value to the company and explain that you will still do your best to contribute. You can ask to work from home for some time or take family days. Your company might even offer some benefits you can use.

Examine the Financial Situation and Make Plans

The financial aspect of being a caregiver is not to be neglected, as it can take quite a toll on both your and your parents’ budget.

First, you need to asses your current financial situation and see if there is room for savings. As a family caregiver, you might have a chance for a tax deduction, so check that out as well.

Later, you should do the same with your parents’ retirement income, but this is a touch topic. You’ll need to assure your parents that you have their best interest at heart. If they haven’t applied for social security yet, help them do it, and look for any tax and other reliefs that can help. For example, being a member of The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides various services, such as insurance coverage and discounts for certain medical equipment.

Consider downsizing their living arrangements as a way of cutting unnecessary expenses and adding to their savings. Of course, it is imperative to plan for the long term and create a budget that will cover the costs of future care.

Don’t Do Everything on Your Own

Taking on all the responsibilities alone can only cause you to burn out faster and damage your own health, which will result in a decreased ability to take care of your parents.

There’s no shame in asking a sibling or a relative for help when it comes to taking your parents to the doctor’s or cleaning the house. If your kids are teenagers or older, they can also help around the house or just be good company to their grandparents. Ask the neighbors to check up on your parents every once in a while and let you know about their condition. This way, the burden will feel lighter, and you’ll be able to balance your life more successfully.

Finally, don’t neglect your health and personal needs. You are of no use to your parents if you’re miserable or sick. Try to find the time to rest, sleep, and socialize, and when you come to their house with a smile on your face, they will feel much better too.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.