ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

Worthy Upgrades Every Homeowner Should Consider

Worthy Upgrades Every Homeowner Should Consider

One of the best things about owning your own property is that any money you invest into it, you’re likely to get back plus more if you ever sell. That means not only do you get to enjoy any upgrades you make, but you make your home more valuable too. There are some projects in the home which are always worth doing- here are a few of them you could consider.

New Windows and Doors

The windows and door are such an important feature on any home. Not only for practical and security purposes but from an aesthetic point of view as well. They’re one of the main features you’ll see when you look at your home from the street. If your current windows are draughty, leaky or the double glazing has failed, consider window replacement throughout the property. Regarding your door, if it’s still in good condition it may be able to be salvaged. Wooden doors can be sanded and repainted, along with some new house numbers and a knocker you can bring it up to scratch. PVC models or those which are generally just worse for wear will need replacing once they no longer look their best.

windows-headerPhoto linked from here

Solar Panels

Solar panels help the environment because they provide energy without burning fossil fuels. And another plus side they help you to save money on your fuel bills too. Since buyers love eco- friendly features, solar panels also make your house more valuable. While there’s an upfront cost, many government schemes and grants can help with the cost so see what is available to you. Even at full price they generally pay for themselves within a few years anyway due to giving you cheaper bills.

Decking

You spend the time and money making your home interiors beautiful, don’t let your property down with neglected gardens. A tidy garden with established plants looks great and appeals to everyone. Decking is one upgrade in the garden that’s highly advisable. It can add a dramatic amount of value to the property and isn’t too expensive to have installed. A decked area gives you a place to put your patio furniture, looks smart and allows you to get the most out of your garden whether it’s large or small.

15061398582_49a2dc7c44_bPhoto linked from here

Home Security

One of the most practical and worthwhile upgrades you can make is by adding home security. A good quality CCTV system and a professionally fitted burglar alarm will help to deter thieves and is something homebuyers love, thus increasing your home’s value. The doors and windows mentioned earlier also contribute to better security too, newer models are far harder to kick in or pry open.

So put your money where it really matters, upgrade different areas of your home and reap the benefits both now and in the future too.

What do you think are some of the most beneficial upgrades you can make as a homeowner? Have you made any of these changes in your property?

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 Tips for Dealing with a Dust Allergy

By Guest Blogger James H.

4 Tips for Dealing with a Dust Allergy

 

man-with-allergy

Do you often suffer from chest tightness, wheezing or a runny nose? If so, you could have a dust allergy. This frustrating problem can have a big impact on your life, but often remains undiagnosed. In this article, I’ll go through some of the most common symptoms, before providing four tips for reducing the effects of a dust allergy.

 

Before we go any further though, it’s important to understand what causes a dust allergy. Somewhat confusingly, it’s not the dust itself that triggers a reaction, but dust mites. These tiny creatures love furniture, mattresses and carpets, and thrive in homes with high humidity. The key to relieving a dust allergy is reducing the quantity of mites in a home.

 

Symptoms of a Dust Allergy

 

The symptoms of a dust allergy are similar to any airborne allergy. The most common include itching, sneezing, a runny nose, puffy eyes and chest tightness. The symptoms are usually worse inside the home and may be most severe in the morning. Unlike a pollen allergy, dust allergy symptoms are usually a problem year-round.

 

How to Relieve a Dust Allergy

 

The good news is that killing dust mites is relatively simple. You can’t get rid of them all, but you can reduce their numbers enough to relieve allergy symptoms. Here are four of the most effective methods.

 

  1. Buy Allergy-Proof Bedding

 

As I mentioned, dust mites love to live in duvets and pillows – especially if they’re made from feathers or wool. If possible, replace bedding with an allergy-proof alternative. This can stop mites breeding and provide relief when you’re sleeping.

 

It’s also important to wash your bedding at a high temperature. This kills dust mites and prevents them from building a colony in your bed (which isn’t a pleasant thought!)

 

  1. Reduce Humidity and Get Rid of any Mould

 

In some cases, a dust allergy is actually a reaction to mould spores. Both mould and dust mites thrive in humid homes, which can make allergies worse. For this reason, if you have mould in the home – or high humidity – this is a priority to fix.

 

The easiest way to reduce humidity is to buy a dehumidifier. These can be expensive, but can reduce humidity to manageable levels in just a few days. Keep the relative humidity below 50% as this is the minimum dust mites can live in.

A dehumidifier won’t get rid of mould though – it just stops it growing. If there’s noticeable mould in your home, you may need to have it treated by a professional to ensure it doesn’t return. If the mould is being caused by a leak in a roof, wall or window, this should also be fixed.

 

  1. Buy a Vacuum with a HEPA Filter

Have you noticed your symptoms often get worse after vacuuming? This is because a vacuum with a poor quality filter can stir up dust mites and other allergens into the air.

 

A vacuum with a HEPA filter, however, is much more effective at trapping and removing allergens from exhaust air. If you have an allergy, a HEPA filter should be your first priority, as it can make the biggest difference to your symptoms.

 

You may also want to consider buying a handheld vacuum, such as the ones recommended at Spotless Vacuum. Handheld models are great for quickly cleaning your mattress and bed base, which commonly harbour dust mites.

 

  1. Replace Bedroom Carpets with Hard Floors

 

Dust mites love carpets, as they provide a warm environment to live in. If your allergies are particularly bad at night, replacing carpets in your bedroom with tile or wood floors may be your best option. This is the most expensive and time-consuming tip, but can provide almost instant relief.

 

Summary

 

Dust mites are microscopic creatures – but they can cause big problems if you’re allergic to them. Fortunately, there are ways to quickly reduce their number, which can have a positive effect on any allergic reactions.

 

If you have any questions about dust mites, allergies or home cleaning, please let me know in the comments. I’d be glad to help!

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, SEX & LIFE

Moving Home? Don’t Do It Alone

Moving Home? Don’t Do It Alone

Even if you are moving home on your own, you need not do it all alone. There are a plethora of services and people out there who are willing and waiting to help you make your big move, and make it as easy as possible at that.

First of all, you should know that moving all of your worldly belongings doesn’t have to be one-person exercise; it doesn’t have to be a case of you packing everything up, stuffing it into your car and making countless journeys back and forth to make sure nothing is left behind. This aspect of moving is most certainly not something you want to be doing alone, or even something that can be done alone. First and foremost you should not be afraid to ask for help from your nearest and dearest. In fact, packing up with family and friends can even be a fun and worthwhile experience: you may find things that bring back memories you’ve experienced together when you are rummaging through all of the stuff in your home that you haven’t seen for years, and you might even be able to get rid of the things that you don’t want to bring with you, whilst being able to rest assured that they’re going to a good home, if those helping you take a liking to something they are packing.

24496915045_1250cfee9f_bDon’t pack alone!

But once everything is packed up and ready to go you still face the problem of shipping everything over to your new abode. This is where you should seek the services of a moving company. In fact, you should aim to have this stage sorted even before you start packing so as to not have any unnecessary stresses hampering you in the run up to the big moving day, or even on it. When it comes to the price of such a venture, it is important that you pay for what you need; in other words, it is important that you don’t pay for extra space in a moving truck when you’re not going to be able to fill it. There are companies, such as Chess Moving, who offer up a service where they will come out to inspect your home prior to the move day in order to offer you a personalised quote. Choosing a company and service like this will mean that you are never paying more than what you should be.

2224917035_88115fd957_bDon’t pay for more space in the truck than you need

And the theme of not paying more than what you should be really has to extend itself to your new home too. By this it is meant that, even before the deal has been finalised and deeds to the home signed, it is crucial that you seek out a professional home inspection or survey. Municipal reports, either unknowingly or even knowingly, may miss aspects such as problems with the roof or with rising damp when they offer up their findings, which could then lead you to moving into a home that is either unfit to live in or far too pricey in regards to the asking price. In having a professional survey conducted yourself you may find things that are wrong with the home that could lead you to a case where money is knocked off the asking price.

And once you are all moved into your new home the work doesn’t stop there: it’s now time to start making your living space ‘wow’!

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

Home Hacks: Minor Modifications That Make All The Difference

Home Hacks: Minor Modifications That Make All The Difference

Have a look around your home. How do you feel? Do you feel calm and relaxed? Are you proud to say that this is your home? Or is your eye immediately drawn to all those nagging jobs you’ve never quite got around to finishing? When we renovate and redecorate, we tend to focus on getting the big jobs done and dusted but often, making minor modifications can make all the difference. If you’re keen to take your home to the next level, here are some simple, affordable changes you can make now.

Finishing off those half-baked DIY jobs

Have you got doors hanging off, shelves lying on the floor or storage units, which haven’t yet made it out of the box? If so, it’s time to set aside a couple of days and finish these jobs off. Although they may seem minor, it’s highly likely that you’ll feel much better when they’re done. If you’re not a dab hand when it comes to DIY, and this is why it’s taken so long to get the house in tip-top condition, consider enlisting the help of a handyman. You can save money by doing the work yourself, but if you haven’t got the time or the inclination, this may be a much more appealing option. Ask friends for recommendations, or have a look at the services that are available in your local area online.

interior_design_865875Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_design_865875.jpg

Refreshing the paintwork

Painting is something many people dread, but afterwards, it becomes clear why it’s important to make the effort. It may sound incredibly simple, but refreshing your walls and the exterior paintwork can bring your home to life, and give it a much fresher feel. If white walls have become cream or gray or you’re tired of trying to contend with color clashes or garish prints, which were all the rage five years ago, now is the time to sand down those walls, given them a wipe, and choose some new shades. In the spring/summer months, it’s always good to go for light colors, especially if you have small rooms.

Switching your flooring

Flooring has such a dramatic impact on the look of the room. If you have an old carpet that’s frayed at the edges, you’ve fallen out of love with laminate or the bathroom is sporting cracked tiles, consider switching your flooring. Wooden floors are great in both modern and traditional homes, and they complement most styles of décor. In kitchens and bathrooms, tiles are a practical and aesthetically pleasing option. If you’re searching for ideas, have a look around some showrooms, and flick through some magazines. Once you know what kind of look you want to go for, you can compare prices by visiting stores and shopping online.

interior-1471317_960_720Image via https://pixabay.com/en/interior-design-comfort-indoors-1471317/

When you think of a modifying your home, you probably assume that this means spending a fortune and devoting hours of your precious time to building, painting, sanding, and hammering. The truth is that you can achieve incredible transformations by making relatively simple modifications. Once you’ve got the big jobs ticked off, don’t forget those minor details.

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

Everyday Tips from Tia