Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of breathing fresh air. People are often exposed to poor air quality, which has given rise to respiratory illnesses, asthma, and allergies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 93% of children under the age of 18 are exposed to environmental pollutants.

But there are several ways on how to test air quality in your home and ensure your family lives in healthy environments. You cannot control the pollutants outside your home, but you can definitely improve your indoor air quality. If you’re wondering how that is possible, then here are five ways to test the quality of the air you breathe.

1. Be Alert on Signs of Poor Quality Air Around Your Home

There are times when your body can tell you if the air quality around you is not healthy. Irritants in the air are common allergy culprits you should always stay alert on. Watch out for symptoms like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, headaches, etc.

Contaminants such as toxic mold, different types of chemicals, and asbestos can affect your health. If you often suffer illnesses such as pneumonia or bronchitis, watch the quality of the air you breathe. Other health symptoms caused by these include nausea, dizziness, fatigue, etc.

If you notice any of these types of sicknesses affecting your family, you should act quickly to purify the air in your home. For an effective purification, you can use a whole home air purifier, which does the work well. Also, consider getting the services of a professional to help you out.

2. Learn How to Test Air Quality in Your Home With Air Quality Monitors

So you’ve heard that there are air quality monitors that you can use for your home. But do you know how they work to measure indoor air quality? Or you fall in the majority who don’t even know that such a device even exists?

Well, there are different kinds of air quality monitors that can detect your home’s air quality. The devices are made in a way that they can detect dust particles and all types of allergens within your home. They’re also capable of detecting Volatile Organic Compounds, humidity, and temperature.

The device can detect all these in your home’s air and report the data to you. Some models of air quality monitors come with a display panel that shows the reported values and readings in real-time. Other models show you the overall indoor air quality test results in its indicator light.

Thanks to technology, some indoor air monitors are connected to your smartphone and can share the readings through your phone’s app. Some come smart home enabled and can pair with thermostats; hence you can manage energy usage as you also control your indoor air quality.

3. Test for Mold Presence

One of the things that corrupt the quality of air within your home is mold. Mold is a well-known household pollutant which is quite dangerous.

Mold can occur from moisture, rotten leftovers, and high humidity in your home. The good news is that they’re also easy to deal with. You have to improve the humidity levels, dry off the moisture, and throw away that rotten bread.

But is that all? Absolutely not! You cannot see airborne mold, and they’re no doubt the most dangerous when it comes to polluting the air quality in your home.

Testing your home for mold is very easy and cheap. But you can also use your sense of smell, and sight to test for mold. You can also consider hiring professionals to check for mold in your home and take necessary action.

4. Monitor Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

Carbon monoxide is a hazardous substance you can have in your home. There is a reason why the substance is called a silent killer. This is because you can’t see or smell the substance hence can grow in poorly ventilated areas without getting noticed.

If you have some form of fuel combustion in your home either from gas burning stoves, furnaces, or dryers, you’ll be definitely exposed to carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is very dangerous to children, adults, and pets.

Before it gets to this point, you need to test and monitor its presence in your home. There are various carbon monoxide detectors you can use for this purpose.

One of the detectors is carbon alarms for the stove. You can also use other types of indoor air quality testing monitors that can detect the presence of carbon monoxide. Pay for either an alarm or a monitor and get an effective device for the safety of your family.

5. Test for Radon Presence in Your Home

You should also test for radon presence in your home and keep away from this dangerous substance. Radon is also an odorless, tasteless, and colorless substance that you cannot detect without the use of a special device.

It can find a way into your home through cracks on walls or floors and pipes. Radon occurs from the breakdown of uranium deposits in the soil. It enters your home at the lowest levels concentration there for a long time.

The environmental Protection Agency (EPA) puts radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It doesn’t act quickly like carbon monoxide but can pose a danger in the long term. Seek professional help to test radon presence in your home and take action immediately.

Improve the Air Quality in Your Home

Learn how to test air quality in your home is vital to your health. After testing and learning that your home is not the best place to be in terms of air quality, you must work on making things better. Find out different ways and devices that can help improve your indoor air quality.

Remember to check out other articles on this site for more informative content for your health and general wellbeing.

If you cannot find housing in California, consider ADU housing.

What does ADU mean in real estate?

ADU stands for accessory dwelling units. They’re small housing units for residents looking for affordable housing.

You can find these houses in small and large cities alike. ADUs can fulfill California’s increasing demand for housing.

You can also use the units as a home for extended family members. Think of them as a guest house or an in-law suite. You’ll also know them as granny-flats or backyard cottages. You can also add these structures to your yard separately.

This article will examine the benefits of ADU units in California. Let’s explore.

How Do ADU Units Work?

These units become less popular during the middle of the 20th century but have seen a resurgence in recent years. Further, they are great options for the following types of people:

• Couples
• College students
• Young families
• Seniors
• Friends
• Relatives

An ADU home is usually connected to a primary house. This connection allows occupants to use electricity and water of the primary residence.

In other cases, it can have independent electricity and water sources. Separate utilities will give occupants independence.  Many ADU units are also elaborate and have plenty of space.

California leaders permit ADUs in many cities throughout the state. If you’re considering an ADU unit in San Jose, for example, visit Actonadu.com for more information.

Legally, the occupant cannot sell an ADU because it’s still part of the main residence. Therefore, only the primary owner can sell the unit.

What are JADUs?

In California, you’re also allowed to create a secondary residence within the home. This space is a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU).

You can create JADUs within the walls of the home.

• Example: The state allows homeowners to convert garages or basements into JADUs.

However, JADUs cannot be more than 500 square feet. Overall, homeowners can add ADUs and JADUs on a single property.

When it comes to JADUs, many California homeowners add the following to a JADU unit:

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Electrical outlets

Moreover, JADUs don’t place additional stress on home utilities because homeowners are simply using space that already exists.

Helping Renters

ADUs and JADUs can help renters find affordable housing. California allows homeowners to rent out ADU units to tenants.

California’s national rental average is around $1,420 a month and has gone up over the years. If you want to rent in big cities like San Francisco, rent is around $3,000 a month.

As a result, more people are being priced out of the state. Unaffordable housing isn’t good for California’s economy as more people leave the state. Additionally, many people who move to California end up being homeless.

However, homeowners can include ADU units to renters who need them. Plus, homeowners who want to downsize can live in an ADU and rent their primary residence.

The Covid Housing Crisis

Renters can also help homeowners stay in their homes. Due to the pandemic, many California homeowners cannot pay their mortgages.

Further, many renters have trouble making rent due to shutdown orders and/or layoffs. The government has implemented relief for homeowners and renters, but the relief is a band-aid solution.

Renters and homeowners can help one another using ADU units. Renters can stay in the units long-term and pay rent to the homeowner.

Also, renting from an ADU unit is usually cheaper than an apartment or condominium rental. In turn, homeowners stand a better paying their mortgage each month.

Supply and Demand

Before the pandemic, California has struggled to keep up with housing demands. The lacking supply and high demand have increased housing prices exponentially.

The median home price in California is around $600,000. This median price is over twice the national average. Moreover, stagnant wages and income have priced many Californians out of the housing market.

The housing dilemma has also bred a burgeoning homeless population, and California officials have failed to address the homeless issue.

There are many reasons behind California’s housing crisis, some of which include:

• Tax policies favoring established homeowners instead of new homeowners
• Outdated zoning ordinances that failed to accommodate a growing population
• Inefficient governance failing to foster the building of new homes.

The main problem is that builders haven’t constructed enough houses to meet rising demand. However, ADU units are a cost-effective solution that leads to long-term gains.

ADU units are long-term structures, and builders can make them in three months. The cost of an ADU unit is around $50,000 in large cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles.

Despite California’s defunct zoning practices, the state is updating the laws to permit more ADUs throughout the state.

Homeowners only need to apply for a permit to add an ADU to their property. Overall, California could house two million people if just 30% of California homeowners include an ADU unit on their property.

The Benefits of ADU Housing

ADU housing offers affordable living and increased housing. ADU units can provide shelter to more people in California. It will also mitigate the state’s public health crisis as more people have access to housing.

ADU units are connected to the main residence, or it may function as a separate structure. You can also attract renters by adding amenities and utilities to the structure.

Interested in reading more? Read more on our blog to gain insight into other topics.

One in 10 American homes experience plumbing leakage. This wastes about 90 gallons of water every day.

What are common plumbing problems people deal with? And how are they resolved?

Continue reading to learn 5 common plumbing issues and how to fix them.

1. Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure is one of the most common plumbing problems American homeowners face. If you’re experiencing low water pressure within your home, check the faucet.

You should check if the low pressure is affecting both the cold and hot water settings on the faucet. If both of those settings are affected, the problem is likely the aerator. This is usually because of calcium build-up within the faucet.

The aerator will have to remove the aerator and clean it out.

2. Pipes Leaking

Another common problem you may notice about your plumbing is leaky pipes. Pipes leaking don’t happen only in the winter, they are a year-round plumbing issue.

Pipes can leak from any system in your home, like the bathroom or kitchen sink. The most common places plumbers find leaks are around the base of the toilet and underneath the sink.

Leaking pipes are usually caused by corrosion of your pipes or faucet and loose water connectors.

If your pipes are leaking, you will notice blotches of water on the ground. If you notice leaking, you should call a plumber right away because it could cause major damage to your home.

3. Clogged Drains

Many homeowners will take on a clogged drain themselves, but that may not help the situation. It could make the problem worse. If using the toilet plunger or snaking the drain doesn’t work, it’s best to call a professional.

A plumber will use professional methods to unclog your blocked drain. Two methods they may use are a drain snake or hydro jetting. Hydro jetting sprays high-pressure water straight down your clogged drain, clearing the blockage.

4. Septic Tank Leaks

A leak in your septic tank is one plumbing issue homeowners don’t want to mess with. Septic tank leaks will always need professional help. Examples of septic tank problems are sewage backing up into your house and slow draining.

5. Running Toilet

A toilet that won’t stop running can cost you a lot of money. You can use gallons of water if your toilet’s left running, each day.

The most common problem is a faulty flapper valve. A flapper valve controls the amount of water that passes from your toilet tank to the base.

Your toilet may be running because of sediment affecting the flushing of the toilet. To check for silent leaks, squeeze a few drops of food coloring into your toilet’s upper tank. Watch to see if the food dye goes to the bowl without having to flush.

Common Plumbing Problems

Five common plumbing issues American homeowners may be as simple as low water pressure, or as complicated as a leak in your septic tank.

Many homeowners can fix simple plumbing problems themselves. But they shouldn’t risk messing up their plumbing. For any plumbing issues you don’t know how to fix, call a plumber for help.

For more articles like this one, be sure to visit our page often.

Stop!

While buying a home that already has a pool installed can save you almost $100,000 in installation costs, a pool comes with a considerable monthly maintenance bill. It’ll cost you even more if it’s old and in a state of disrepair.

You should never buy a home with a pool unless you’ve arranged a pool inspection beforehand. It’s also unwise to include the pool as part of your home inspection, and here’s why.

1. You Need an Expert Opinion

It’s important to arrange for a specialist pool inspector to examine the pool. Most home inspectors aren’t well versed in the specifics concerning swimming pools. They usually have a basic checklist that they work from.

Specialist pool inspectors have years of experience checking pools and can spot common pool problems right at the outset.

Swimming pools have a lot of complicated parts that involved detailed inspection. These include filters, pumps, and heaters.

Other aspects of your pool that can cause maintenance issues down the line include the tile, coping, and salt damage in saltwater pools.

They can also provide you with an itemized report with pages of in-depth information highlighting any defect. You could use this in your favor when negotiating a price with the owner.

Most insurance providers don’t cover aspects like cracks in the swimming pool shell, loose coping stones, or hollow tile that’s about to fall off the wall. So, it’s important to know about these things from the outset.

2. Determining Legalities and Safety Features

An inspection will also reveal if the pool meets local safety regulations. These vary from municipality to municipality and state to state.

Your pool inspector will know what’s required in your area let you know if the pool is up to standard.

If it isn’t you’ll need to make some adjustments before you buy the house.

For example, in most areas, you need to have a permanent fence of at least 5 feet high surrounding your pool. If your new house doesn’t have this important safety feature, it can cost a few thousand dollars to get one erected.

Other important safety features include alarms on doors and windows leading to the pool, safety glass on windows near the water’s edge, and a pool cover that can bear the weight of a child.

The pool should also have federally-approved anti-entrapment covers on all the suction outlets in the pool.

You can use information like this in your negotiations with the homeowner too since you’ll need to implement these features yourself. Especially if you have small children.

You can also earn a fine from your local municipality if your pool’s not up to code.

3. A Pool Inspection Saves You Money

If you’re nervous about all the responsibilities and maintenance that go hand in hand with a pool, a pool inspector can fill you in on what to expect with the particular pool going forward.

They’ll also be able to warn you about any once-off as well as ongoing expenses to expect from the pool.

Outdoor pools spend their entire existence exposed to the elements. They’re exposed to blazing heat and freezing cold conditions, normal wear and tear, and chemical onslaught.

These factors quickly turn a sparkling new pool into a cracked, leaking money pit.

Your pool inspector can advise you whether the pool is beyond repair or whether it’s worth fixing. At the very least they can provide you with an estimate for a total resurfacing, or a written recommendation to fill the pool in.

Either way, you’ll have the bargaining tools you need when negotiating a price with the home seller.

With the advice and guidance of an experienced pool inspector, you won’t encounter any costly and unpleasant surprises after you’ve bought the house.

So, if you’re in two minds about the extra pool inspection cost, consider how much you’ll save later on.

4. The Pool May Have Unseen Problems

Pool equipment’s a lot more complex than it seems, with many moving parts. A pool inspector can make sure these are operating at an optimum before you buy the pool.

The best way to test the pool is by running the equipment to evaluate its performance. A pressure test for leaks can reveal any expensive repairs that may be lurking in the near future.

They will also check the electrical components involved in the pool’s operation.

5. Pools Can Have Extra Issues

Apart from the inner workings of the pool, they also have several other features that a home inspector won’t check.

These could include a wooden deck, hot tub, lighting, water features, or an infinity edge with a catch basin. All these things are a wonderful addition to your backyard but they can cost a lot of money to repair and maintain.

A pool inspector will also consider your backyard’s layout when advising you. They’ll be able to tell if the prevailing wind’s going to blow dust into your pool constantly, or whether falling leaves from nearby trees could cause problems with cleaning.

Thanks to a pool inspector’s years of experience, you won’t have to learn the hard way about the prospective pitfalls of owning the pool in question.

Defining Your Ideal Home

For many families, the benefits of owning a pool far outweigh the expense and occasional hassle.

You can enjoy hours of family fun and outdoor entertaining with neighbors, keep fit, and stay cool in the hot summer months.

A swimming pool adds a resort feel to any backyard and is a wonderful place for relaxing, reading, or sunbathing, even when you’re not swimming.

If you think you can master all the pool owner tips you need to keep a swimming pool, spic, span, and safe all year round go ahead and get the house with the pool.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect to get a pool inspection before you do.

If you’re looking for more advice on how to make the most of your home and garden, keep reading our blog.

Because of this, there are extra steps you should take during the moving process that will help ensure your transition into your new home goes smoothly. Want to learn more?

Keep reading for our list of 5 things to do before moving from an apartment to a house!

1. Make a To-Do List

Aside from the traditional moving checklist full of things like getting boxes, cleaning out your closet, and looking to learn more about portable storage containers, when you are moving into a home there are some extra things you may wish to add.

Take a walk through your new home and assess any home improvement projects you want to complete. This could include things like painting and redoing the floors.

Add these projects to your moving to-do list and make a goal to get them done before the big day. It’s much easier to complete a project when your house is still empty.

2. Change the Locks

It’s a good idea to change the locks when moving into your new home. The previous owners may have given out spare keys to family, friends, or even their trusted maintenance worker and you don’t want to risk someone you don’t know having access to your home.

3. Plan Out Your Extra Space

You’re going to have a lot more space when moving from an apartment to a home, so start thinking about what to do with it. Whether you want to turn the extra room into an office, a yoga and reading room, or a man cave is totally up to you.

But a little pre-planning of these ideas can help you to budget out the extra furniture and decor you’ll likely need to buy.

4. Familiarize Yourself with the New Place

It’s important to know where the basic things in your home are like the electrical box and the HVAC system. Get to know your new place and be sure to conduct a pre-move-in inspection to check that everything works properly.

Check all of your appliances and electrical outlets so that there aren’t any surprises on move-in day. This will give you the chance to fix any potential issues before you move in.

5. Take a Look at Your Lawn

When you are living in an apartment, you often aren’t responsible for lawn care. In your new home, this is something you should think about. Are you going to hire a lawn service, or do it yourself?

If you plan to take care of the lawn yourself, you’ll need to invest in the proper equipment so this should be accounted for in your budget.

The Joys of Moving From an Apartment to a House

Moving from an apartment to a house should be a time filled with joy and excitement. And although it may take some extra preparation and planning, once you are settled in your new home it will all be worth it.

Keep these 5 things in mind when planning out your move and you’ll be one step closer to enjoying your new house! For more articles like this, check back on our website!

As soon as the weather gets warmer, the average American spends 53 hours each month tending to their yards and houses each month.

When it comes to your grass, though, you could be making the job a whole lot easier in yourself. You just need to invest in the right lawn care equipment to keep your greenery tidy and healthy.

Here are our top picks.

1. Lawnmower

It may seem to go without saying, but we can’t make a list of the essential lawn care equipment without including a mower.

This tool makes it quick and easy to manicure your yard. Even if you hire help from Cherry Oak Landscaping, you should have your own mower. That way, you can keep your grass tidy in between sessions.

But if you’re the one taking care of the grass, it’s imperative to have a lawnmower in the shed or garage. You simply can’t take care of your yard without it.

2. Edger

The lawnmower will clip your lawn so that all blades of grass stand at the same height. That uniformity will be ruined by messy edges, though.

You should invest in an edger to keep the ends of your lawn tidy. You can line your driveway, sidewalk, pathway or garden beds with the device. And doing so will make everything look clean and finished.

You won’t have to edge your lawn every time you mow it, fortunately. It will just need a touch-up every so often — keep an eye on the ends and snip them away as needed.

3. Seed and Fertilizer Spreader

Your lawn won’t always be perfect — we hate to break it to you.

So, invest in a seed spreader so you can fill in patchy lawns. Use it from March to May or in early autumn for the best results.

You can use the same piece of equipment to fertilize your lawn, too. It nourishes your soil and helps grass grow healthily. So, having a spreader on hand can do two jobs, both of which maintain your yard.

4. Rake or Leaf Blower

Don’t let leaves sit on top of your well-manicured lawn. Instead, you should invest in a rake or leaf blower, depending on the size of your yard.

Gather up the leaves in one area of your yard, pile them up and dispose of them to reveal your beautiful green blades again.

5. Sprinkler System or Hose

Your lawn needs hydration to stay healthy, too.

Best case scenario, you’ll install a sprinkler system to keep the grass evenly and regularly watered. However, you can also do the job manually with a sprinkler that you move around. Or, you can use a hose — a cheaper option, for sure.

Invest in Lawn Care Equipment

These five pieces of lawn care equipment will help you take the best care of your grass. So, fill your shed and get to work on that emerald green yard you envision.

Need more lawn-related advice? We’ve got you covered — check out the home and garden section of our site.

As climate change continues to be a problem, we’re seeing more people head into the HVAC profession. As of 2019, more than 376,000 people were employed in that sector.

If you’re a homeowner that has an HVAC system or air conditioning unit cooling your home, chances are that you’re going to hire an HVAC professional at least a few times throughout your life. When you do, you’ll see how hard it can be to pick the right AC repair companies given the sheer volume of choices you’ll have.

To help ease the burden of finding the perfect professional to come into your home, our team has compiled a list of five key considerations you’ll want to keep in mind when filtering through your options.

1. Years in Business

AC repair companies that have been in business for a long time have managed to do so by leaning on repeat customers that love the work they do. Chances are, you’ll share that adoration!

Prioritize companies that have been around the block a few times and have the right AC repair experience. This gives you better odds of working with an organization that has the processes down pat and knows how to satisfy their customers.

2. Online Reviews

Online references and reviews have made it clear how businesses conduct themselves, and AC repair companies are not exempt.

Check out review sites like Yelp or Google to see what people are saying about local services when you search “home AC repair near me.” Businesses that are averaging above four stars and have at least ten reviews are worth engaging.

3. Value

For most of us, price matters when hiring residential AC help. It shouldn’t be the only thing you look at, though.

We’ve seen plenty of low-cost AC operations do bad work. This makes it so consumers need to hire another repair company shortly thereafter, which ends up costing them more in the long run.

We always advocate that consumers look for value over price. That means trying to pick the most affordable, quality AC repair service.

4. Availability

Some AC repair companies are available five days a week from, 9 am to 5 pm. Others have weekend availability and emergency repair windows.

Consider your schedule and when you’d need your services done. Then, pick a company that’s availability can accommodate your needs.

5. Vibe

A repair company’s demeanor matters. If you’re getting an estimate on the cost of repairs and the person you’re working with is rude or seems indifferent towards earning your business, move onto another choice.

There are a lot of great service people out there. There’s no need to settle for one that you don’t feel you’re connecting with.

AC Repair Companies Can Solve Your Climate Problems

Don’t suffer through living in a house that has a broken or dysfunctional AC. Instead, invest in hiring AC repair companies that are operating in your area to get on track towards living a comfortable life!

We hope our tips help you find the perfect AC contractor. Should you need additional assistance locating the help you need, consider seeking more guidance in our blog.

Are you looking for new home ideas?

We all have ideas for what our dream house will look like. Often, we plan the number of bathrooms it should have, the closet space, and the garage. Reality catches up, though, and we have to reconsider the budget and the stuff we can put our home.

The latest idea of a home is a place where you can be comfortable that show your style. What better way to fulfill that idea but with a container home? We’re talking about a secure home space that’s all about you.

These are our guides about container homes. Read on what we have below and learn more about the pros of living in container homes.

1. Pocket-Friendly Price

Depending on the quality of the container, it can cost from $1400 to $4500. Having your house built in a shipment container is cheaper than traditional homes.

What makes traditional homes expensive is the materials used in building them. Wood, metal, bricks, and concrete are expensive if you buy them in bulk. Container homes reduce this cost by giving you an existing framework to use.

Also, converting a used shipping container is less expensive than getting a house in the city. It can even beat the cost of the cheapest place you can find in the city. This way, you can spend less on renovations for any room in a house.

2. Easy to Move

Who doesn’t like having their home close to where they work? With container homes, you can enjoy a change in scenery whenever you like. You can also travel to anywhere you wish while keeping your home close.

Even the time it takes to establish a home is different with these storage containers. Traditional construction will take weeks or months, depending on how big the house is. With container homes, it will only take you a week, if you’re fast enough, to make your home ready to live in.

The shorter time means that you won’t need to wait long to get your house mobile. You will be out of the way and headed to where you need to be sooner. Moving your container house from one state to another is a benefit that you can enjoy thanks to how small these are.

3 . Less Junk

Living in a shipping container home is all about your style. Let your imagination be free. The number of things and customization that you can do in this living space is limitless. Make your living space unique and amazing with the flexible things you can do.

This makes adopting a minimalist lifestyle possible if you live in one. Doing this ensures that you have less junk to dispose of. Doing this hosts a slew of environmental benefits that you can enjoy, too.

Learn More About Container Homes Today!

Buying a home that’s already on the market is like buying someone’s vision. However, with a customizable home, it’s all about you. Get a container home and personalize your lifestyle today!

There’s a lot more to learn about shipping container homes. Check out more of our informative blogs and articles to learn all you can today!

Anyone that’s worked with plants will tell you how invaluable fertilizer is as a tool. Growing and feeding your plants is so much easier with a good fertilizer.

But without proper disposal, fertilizer can pour into waterways. The resulting nutrient pollution can wreak havoc on the area, resulting in algal blooms taking over. For this reason, properly controlling fertilizer runoff is critical to environmental safety.

How do you properly control runoff? Let’s take a look at some safety measures you should be taking.

How to Properly Control Fertilizer Runoff

There are many reasons why you may experience fertilizer runoff. Improper disposal of leftovers after gardening or lawn care can cause the fertilizer to make a path into waterways. Grass trimmings and other remnants can carry fertilizer on or in them. If they make their way into bodies of water, the fertilizer chemicals will leech out into the water.

One of the best ways to prevent nutrient pollution is simply to properly clean up after lawn or garden care. Carefully dispose of lawn trimmings, branches, and other debris that may contain fertilizer chemicals. And always properly dispose of your fertilizer containers after use.

Another quick and easy tip is to allow your grass to grow slightly thicker and taller than you might normally expect. Thick grass is better at trapping water. The thick network of roots absorbs more water runoff. This helps minimize the amount of water that escapes your yard in the first place and minimizes the fertilizer that ends up in local waterways.

The Problem With Algal Blooms

Algae is a natural part of most marine ecosystems. But left unchecked, algae growths can deprive the water of much-needed oxygen. This oxygen would otherwise be used to help sustain plant and animal life in the water. Out of control algae growths are what we refer to as algal blooms.

Algal blooms can wreak havoc on an ecosystem. This is especially true if large amounts of algae are not normally native to the waterway.

This can have far-reaching effects not just on the body of water, but on other ecosystems that depend on the water. Algal blooms can cause huge disruptions in the surrounding environment.

For this reason, it’s important to practice safe practices when using fertilizer in your lawn or garden. Another great thing to do is to educate yourself on the growth and behavior of algae. Algae Barn offers tanks you can purchase that simulate the water ecosystem. Grow some algae in them yourself, and see how unchecked algae quickly dominates its surroundings.

Safely Dispose of Fertilizer

Fertilizer runoff is one of the major causes of algal bloom in modern ecosystems. It’s a major problem, but it’s also a preventable one. With a little bit of care, you can do your part to prevent it. So take care to properly dispose of your fertilizer, and to take measures to prevent runoff.

Are you passionate about making the planet a cleaner place? Be sure to check out our other articles for more information on safe environmental practices.

If you’ve made the bold choice to live with carpet flooring in your home, you’re probably well-versed in the many advantages and perils of carpeting. While carpet flooring makes for a warm, cozy, and comfortable home, it’s no secret that it can also be high maintenance — especially where children and pets are concerned.

This being said, there are many variations of carpeting today that are robust, hardy, and long-wearing. However, nothing keeps carpet flooring in good shape like regular cleaning and maintenance. If you’re new to carpet cleaning, learn about how to clean carpet floor in this blog.

How to Clean Carpet Floor: Tools, Spot Cleaning, and Deep Cleaning

Carpet flooring is a brilliant way to bring color, texture, and warmth to your home. But keeping your carpet floor cleaning takes a certain amount of commitment and the right tools and products.

Yes, you can always hire a professional for carpet cleaning and other services — but what about the months in-between those deep cleans? This is where proper carpet cleaning knowledge helps to keep your flooring in top-notch condition, year-round. Here’s how to tackle carpet cleaning the right way:

1. Vacuuming

If most of your home is carpeted, then it’s imperative that you invest in a high-quality vacuum. You’re going to need the right tools for the job in order to clean thoroughly, and efficiently. Today, there are numerous top quality vacuum brands on the market. Some of the best products include:

• Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
• Shark APEX DuoClean with Zero-M Powered Lift-Away Vacuum
• Bissell Cleanview Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum Cleaner

Bear in mind that old, outdated, and heavy vacuum cleaners can actually do more harm to your carpet, than good. Heavy vacuum cleaners damage your carpet fibers and can thin it out over time. Softer carpeting is especially vulnerable.

It’s best to go for a lightweight vacuum that offers powerful suction and an adjustable beater bar. Make sure the model you choose has a washable HEPA filter and a dirt cup. Vacuums with disposable bags are not as eco-friendly, either.

It’s also important to note that your carpet manufacturer may recommend a specific type of vacuum for your carpet flooring. Ask them for an approved list of carpet vacuums that will help to maintain the warranty of your carpet flooring.

2. Spot and Stain Cleaning

Busy homes call for regular spot cleaning and stain treatment. With children and pets in the mix, you may find spot and stain removal is an almost daily occurrence. But with the right cleaning products and tactics, you can keep your carpet flooring in good condition, even if mud and paint have been dragged across your floor!

Your first step, however, is to understand the type of carpet fiber you have and ensure the cleaner you use is suited to this type of flooring. A product that works well on polyester carpeting, may not work so well on wool carpeting, etc. There is a myriad of tried and true cleaning products on the market today, but some of these have stood the test of time (and grime):

• Folex Carpet Spot Remover
• Hoover Clean Plus Spot Spray Carpet Cleaner and Deodorizer

An added bonus is that these products are not only effective but also eco-friendly. Make sure to always have a soft scouring brush, a bucket, and clean cotton rags nearby.

3. Deep Cleaning

Many homeowners assume the deep cleaning should be left to the professionals. But if you want to save yourself some money, you can deep clean your carpet flooring yourself.

You can either buy your own DIY carpet cleaning machine or rent from a professional cleaning service. But make sure the carpet washer is equipped with a two-tank washing system, a heating element, and good suction power. The suction power is important so that it adequately removes excess moisture from your carpet once you’ve cleaned it. Trapped carpet moisture can lead to a host of problems, including a foul-smelling home!

While DIY deep cleaning is doable, it’s best to keep it to refreshing your carpet every quarter or so. Don’t skimp on an annual hot water extraction by a professional.

Things to Avoid When Cleaning Carpet Flooring

So, now that you know a little more about how to clean your carpet and the tools and products to get the job done, it’s just as important to learn what not to do:

• Avoid going to town on your carpet with the vacuum beater bar — this can wear down your carpet prematurely
• Don’t ever use any product on your carpet that’s not designed for it — be wary of products that claim to be ”suitable to all carpeting”
• Always spot test a carpet cleaner before you apply it to the entire carpet. An unsuitable product can melt carpet fibers, cause delamination, and discoloring
• Never use products that contain bleach, ammonia, acetone, oil-based solvents, waxes, colorants, and oil soaps

Lastly, when you’re cleaning your carpet, be careful not to oversaturate it with moisture. This applies to both spot cleaning and deep cleaning. Essentially, excessive moisture becomes trapped in your carpet fibers and can cause your carpet flooring to rot. It can also lead to mold and mildew buildup and leave your home smelling perpetually damp.

In some cases, excess moisture can also cause your carpet flooring to pucker, which would require professional stretching or even full replacement.

Get Your Daily Hit of General Knowledge Here

We hope this blog on how to clean carpet floor has been insightful and will help to extend the longevity of your carpeting. We understand that carpet flooring is a serious investment for your home, and aim to help you to take good care of it.

If you’re interested in learning more about topics such as home and garden, photography, travel, finance, or business, be sure to explore this site for more!