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Simple Home Tips and Solutions

Home Improvement

How to Increase Your Water Pressure | High Pressure Shower Head

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Though this shower head may not give the desired water pressure I would LOVE to have (the feeling of tiny beads raining on my skin like a gentle massage), it has significantly increased the flow compared to my old one. I can feel more comfortable getting into the shower and washing my hair now.

Have lower water pressure in your shower? This shower head just might help increase your water pressure.
Increase the water pressure in your shower.

In the past, for some reason I thought that changing out a shower head was something complicated, but it’s actually very easy.

“Leftie loosie,” turn the old one off the spout, then “rightie tightie” the new one on, preferably with a wrench. The box also includes sealant tape that you can wrap around the spout to ensure a snug fit. If you’re dealing with low water pressure issues in your bathroom, I would recommend this water pressure boosting shower head until you can get a handle on what might be causing the issue.

Easy Home Life Hacks

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Managing your life is multi-faceted. There are so many things you have to take care of in the course of a day. On top of that, you also have to keep your home in order, so any tips for how to keep things simple will help. Here are a few easy home life hacks that will help you keep things in order, clean, organized, and well maintained.

Kitchen Stuff

Bowl Covers

You can find simple bowl covers at your local dollar store that will help preserve your food and leftovers more efficiently than trying to cover it up with a piece of plastic or Reynolds wrap. They are usually divided up in different sizes.

A Slice of Lime Helps Preserve an Open Avocado

You know how an avocado gets really brown and unappetizing when you finally decide to open one and store the rest? You can prevent the browning by placing it in a Ziplock bag with a slice of lime. Be sure to change the slice of lime out every few days.

Put Your Strawberries on Ice

Just about everyone likes strawberries, but they tend to lose their freshness so quickly. One way to revive your strawberries is to add them to a bowl with ice. Put the bowl in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy them. Also, remember that you can always freeze your strawberries and use them in Nutribullet smoothies.

Spritz Your Drain with Antibacterial Spray

They say that besides table tops, the drain is one of the dirtiest places in your household. Keep it disinfected by simply spritzing it every now and again with an antibacterial spray.

Freeze Your Food Trash

I learned this from someone. When you put food in your garbage can, it spoils after a few days and could attract pests. Plus, it smells. Instead, put a bag in your freezer to store food trash before garbage day.

Managing Recyclables

You probably know by now how important it is to properly dispose of recyclables, and many areas offer convenient pick up of recyclables on certain days. During the week, use a separate indoor recycling trash can or a secure trash bag that you can use repeatedly to store items. If the items contain the remnants of food waste, try to find room in your freezer to store them there until recycling day.

Pet Stuff

Invest in a Litter Genie

When I was first introduced to the litter genie, I did not know what its purpose was, and pretty much ignored it. What I really thought I wanted was someone who could just scoop the litter for me! But this simple investment was something I needed all along as a long-time cat owner. It traps the waste in a bag so that you can isolate it and dispose of it easily. You can also use a natural cat spray or bug spray in the trapped waste to keep flies away.

Click here for more tips about managing cats, especially if you have a multiple cat household.

Cats Love to Be Brushed or Combed

If you are a busy person, you might not have too much time to spend playing with your cat. But the time you do spend with them, do something that they will really love. Get a cat brush or comb so that you can give them a gentle massage. They love it. Consider this glove for grooming cats that will make things even easier.

Bathroom Stuff

Bleach It

Even if you are the laziest person when it comes to cleaning up your bathroom, you can cut a lot of corners by simply using bleach. Yes, the bleach cleaners can help. But common regular bleach poured on just about anything will help it get white and clean in a matter of minutes. Then you can spray and scrub the surface down easily.

Mini Washer for Small Laundry Loads

Tired of making runs to the laundromat to get your underwear or t-shirts clean? It’s especially annoying to have to wait around for your load to finish and then dry. Instead, invest in a mini washing machine, which you can keep in your bathroom or bedroom. Add water, and just a bit of detergent (not too much), then let it wash, drain, and spin.

Floor Maintenance

Spin That Mop

If you haven’t already heard of it, put a spinning mop on your to-buy list. A spinning mop allows you to spin the soiled water out of your mop so that you aren’t just transferring dirt around your floor.

Clorox Swiffer

Sometimes you just don’t feel like going through the motions of filling up a mop buckets and cleaning your floor that way. In between moppings, use a Swiffer with Clorox wet mopping cloths to keep things tidy and fully sanitized. It takes about 5 minutes to finish up a room.

Beauty Care

Comb Straightening Iron

If you have a bed of hair that doesn’t want to cooperate, all you want to do is get it to a place where it feels soft and manageable. A straightening comb iron for your hair will help do the job. It works on just about every grade of hair. If you’ve been spending the pandemic not liking the way you look because of haircare issues, isn’t $50 or so worth getting things back into place? Be sure to use a heat protectant spray for hair before using a blow dryer or straightening comb.

Hair Removal Strips

Instead of spending $20 to have your eyebrows waxed or sculpted, spend about $15 and do it yourself week after week. Use facial hair removal strips, which you can purchase at your local pharmacy or online and will probably last for up to a year. Cut each strip into eyebrow shapes, with your desired curvature. Carefully apply them above and below your brows, then pull them off quickly to get the look you want.

Use these easy home life hacks to make your daily tasks easier. You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to get things in order.

10 Things Every Single Lady Should Have in Her Home or Apartment

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It ain’t easy being a single woman who lives by herself. You have to take the garbage out, get rid of bugs, and look out for yourself. You have to be a maverick of sorts—resourceful and resilient.

But living on your own can also be very peaceful and relaxing. I mean, for one, there’s no need to argue with a crazy roommate or boyfriend who leaves their stuff around the house and piles up dirty dishes. You can dress however you want when you’re cooking eggs in the morning. You have privacy, and your home stays exactly the way you want it to be every day.

I’ve enjoyed this way of living for years now, and I wouldn’t have it any other way (unless an ideal soulmate were to float from the heavens maybe?). I still enjoy spending time with people and socializing, but when I come home I like being in my own private “queendom.”

So here are 10 items every single lady should ideally have in her home or apartment. They’ll help you feel more comfortable, protected, relaxed, and contented.

Door Stopper or Jammer

Get a door stopper for all of the doors on your first floor. They come in several designs—one fits inside of the door jamb and another adjustable version reaches from the door knob to the floor. You’ll feel more secure in the evenings knowing that there’s no way for the doors to be opened from the outside (it’s scientifically impossible). It’s also a really good idea if you have a pesky ex-boyfriend who disappeared with a set of keys to your apartment.

 

A Canopy Over Your Bed

Your bed becomes an oasis of sorts when you’re single. You can spread out over the whole thing, stretch out and enjoy every inch of it. You’ll feel like a princess when you go to sleep at night under a bed canopy. What is that? It’s an elegant covering that is usually made of chiffon, linen, or some similar lightweight fabric. It’s easy to hang from the ceiling above your bed. Another benefit is that it keeps pesky mosquitoes away, so you can open your window at night in the summer and feel the gentle breeze.

A Good Pot and Pan Set That Will Encourage You to Cook More

A lot of single people order takeout or eat out almost every day, which can wreak havoc on their budgets. Sometimes all you need is a nice pot and pan set to get motivated to cook more at home. Invest in a non-stick frying pan and a set of cooking pots (small, medium, large). Use the frying pan for breakfast and frying meats. Use the small pot for rice and oodles of noodles. With time, you’ll find a use for the medium and large pots. I use them for making stews and steaming veggies.

* While you’re at it, head to your local Dollar Tree and pick up small rectangular aluminum cooking pans. They’re perfect for roasting veggies just for you, and baking chicken or steak with onions and potatoes.

 

A Wireless Monitoring System

You will have more peace of mind when you’re away with a wireless video monitoring system in your home. As long as you have Wifi running in your house at all times, you can set up a system in minutes. Some wireless monitoring devices allow you to check an app at any moment of the day to see what’s going on at home. It can be particularly useful if you have pets you want to look after.

 

A Reliable Bug and Pest Repellent

One of the most annoying things you’ll have to deal with as a single woman is having to kill pests and bugs on your own. That’s something that we usually count on the guys to handle, but when you’re on your own you have put on your big girl pants and get the job done! It gets easier over time.

Get these three things to minimize drama with pests:

  • An ultrasonic pest repeller (keeps bugs and rodents from invading your space in the first place).
  • A fogger (kills bugs that are hiding in places you can’t even see — must leave house vacant for over 4 hours).
  • A quality bug spray (Raid Max is the best in my opinion—a little expensive but worth it. If you can’t find it only, look for it at a Shoprite or a similar supermarket).

 

A First Class Recliner (The Queen’s Seat)

When you aren’t spending time in your bed, you should have a really comfy recliner as your second option. Couches can be uncomfortable, and they might make you feel a little lonely with all that extra, unnecessary space. A recliner is for the contentedly single lady who wants to lay back in luxurious comfort while reading a book, watching Broad City, or working on her blog.

 

Bluetooth Speakers in Your Most Frequented Rooms

When you’re single and on your own, you constantly need motivation to stay in a good mood when you’re at home alone. Make sure you have Bluetooth stereos (or a little mini FM radio) set up in every important room of your home (kitchen, bathroom, dining area) so that you will always have some tunes playing. It may seem like a small matter, but it really makes a difference.

 

A Really Amazinggg Showerhead

After a long day at work, you want to come home and take a long, satisfyingly sensual shower. You can’t do that when your shower head is pitifully weak and barely spouts out any water. Invest in a quality showerhead that gives you multiple options when it comes to water flow. Some are easy to install on your own.

 

Pepper Spray

Did you know you can buy all manner of pepper spray products online at Amazon and other sites? There are items you can carry on your person and that you can keep in your home. It’s a peace of mind purchase for single women who live alone.

 

An Elegant Vanity Set

You should pamper yourself even more than usual when you’re a single girl. Self-care is important. Back in the day, our moms and grandmoms would sit at elegant vanities when they brushed their hair, did their makeup and painted their nails. A proper vanity consists of a stool, mirror, and small table. Try to find one with lights around the mirror so that you can see your face more clearly.

Check out these things that a single lady should have in her home, and get a few if think they’ll make your life easier. From one single lady to another, they are an investment in your peace of mind and happiness.

Five Basic Steps to a Lush, Green, Weed-Free Lawn

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Are you finally ready to get serious about getting your lawn greener and healthier? See these basic grass care tips.

I spent years trying to figure out how to get rid of annoying weeds and get a healthy looking grass lawn—now I’m a bit of an agricultural maven. If you’re struggling with your lawn year after year, use these five basic steps to achieving a lush, green, weed-free lawn. You must implement each step with consistency and be patient—with time you’ll see positive results.

Green Grass

1. Understand Your Lawn

The first step to having a green lawn is to understand what makes your lawn tick. Grass is a plant like any other plant. It has roots that need nourishing and support. Understand that your lawn needs three basic things to stay lush and green: water, sun and quality fertilizer. These three elements work together to strengthen your grass roots so that they each blade of grass can thrive. If one of these elements isn’t in the picture, it’s difficult for the lawn to continue to grow healthy and green.

2. Treat with Fertilizer Starting in Early Spring

As soon as the last frost is over, it’s time to start feeding your lawn. Fertilize it with a good lawn fertilizer. Pick the kind of grass fertilizer that comes in granules that you can spread evenly—granules are the best when it comes to coverage in my opinion. If you have a major issue with weeds each year, pick a good Weed and Feed fertilizer (granules that you can work into the dirt). Sometimes weeds grow year in and out because there are dormant seeds in the soil. Apply the granules exactly according to the instructions on the product bag and on your spreader. Always take that extra few minutes to read the instructions because it can make all the difference.

If you have spots in your lawn that are light or turning brown, add new grass seed in addition to the fertilizer. Water thoroughly right after the first feeding. Feed your lawn every 4-6 weeks after that all the way into the fall season. The way you treat your lawn in the fall will have an impact on how it develops in the early spring.

3. Water on a Schedule in the Summer

As soon as the temperatures start to hit about 60-65 degrees, it’s time for more regular watering. Experts suggest watering at least twice per week for at least 15-30 minutes. The goal is 1.5 inches per week, which you can measure by putting a small tuna can near the watering area. Rainfall should take care of the rest, but if there is a long period of time without rain, add an extra day or two to the watering schedule. Use a water timer, hoses and sprinklers to ensure that the lawn is watered consistently.

4. Spray for Weeds Every Other Month

Unfortunately, weeds don’t need that much to thrive. All they need is just a little water and sunshine. And they really love it when it rains. You have to actively spray for weeds while they’re growing to keep them at bay. I suggest using an effective weed killer at least once every other month and a bit more frequently in stubborn cases. Use a product that you can spray evenly over the weed prone area. Don’t overapply—again, take the time to read the label of your weed killing product for guidance.

An important note: Try different lawn-friendly weed products until you hit the sweet spot. I tried a number of different brands and formulations until I finally hit the jackpot and found a product called Ortho Nutsedge Killer that eliminated all of the weeds in my yard within days.

5. Mow Every 10-14 Days Instead of Every Week

Why recut an already low cut lawn? If the grass is still low, why cut it again? Maybe it’s to always have that perfectly manicured look. But instead of mowing weekly, try a schedule of 10-14 days — especially if your lawn is struggling a bit at the moment (dry and brown). If you hire someone to mow, see if you can get them to come two or three times per month instead of weekly.

It takes time, patience and regular attention to get your lawn green, healthy and weed-free. It took me close to 10 years of trial and error to finally get an effective schedule together. Follow these basic steps to a greener lawn starting in the early spring of each year.

Posted by Louise

Photo credit: Flickr/Sam DeLong

 

Finding & Hiring Home Contractors: Tips for Women

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Owning a home as a single woman is rewarding in many ways, but it can also be stressful—particularly when it comes to finding and hiring home contractors. This post is specifically targeted to single women homeowners who find themselves in need of the help of a contractor to do home repairs, but the information can help anyone. Here are a few preliminary tips:

  • Educate yourself thoroughly on the home issue you’re dealing with. Watch YouTube videos, read home improvement articles and consult with experts at your local home improvement store. Check out the various materials that will likely be used for your project (as well as their costs). You should be able to understand the issue when conversing with prospective contractors.
  • If possible, have a male friend or family member call the contractor to set up the appointment. As unfortunate as this may sound, working with a contractor can sometimes be similar to hiring a new mechanic. Some will try to take advantage of a woman who they don’t think is knowledgeable about home repairs.

Women Hiring Home Contractors

  • Be serious, firm and clear when communicating with the contractor you want to hire. Look at this as a business relationship—and you’re the boss.
  • Check sites like CostHelper.com to get a general idea of how much you will spend for the type of repair or home improvement you’re hiring for. This way at least you have a range, and will know if the quote you’re receiving is just ridiculous.
  • Don’t wait until the last minute to look for contractors. You want to have plenty of time to hire someone who will be reliable. When you’re pressed for time or desperate, they can sense that. Whenever possible, allow at least two to three weeks to find someone that’s just right for the job.

How to Find a Contractor

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One of the most challenging steps of hiring a contractor is finding a good one. Sometimes scrolling through the phone book and calling people just doesn’t work—you get a lot of voicemail pickups (no call backs) or price quotes that might not fit your budget. So sometimes you have to find the right contractor using other sources. Here are a few suggestions for how to find a contractor:

HomeAdvisor.com

I’ve found that HomeAdvisor.com is a fairly reliable way to get in direct contact with a contractor who is licensed and insured, and has a good reputation (starred reviews). When you call the number listed on the Home Advisor website, you’re connected with a representative who will refer you to a few contractors in your area who are currently accepting new clients.

Home Depot or Lowes Installation Services

Home Depot Home Contractors

The great thing about going to Home Depot or Lowes for installations and home repairs is that you can usually rest assured that the person you hire is licensed, insured, reliable and does good work. In most cases you’ll get a warranty on the work being performed, so that if a modification is necessary that turns out to be the worker’s fault, you won’t end up having to pay more. The downside of hiring through a major home improvement store is that it may be more expensive and they don’t offer all types of repairs. To schedule an appointment for an estimate call your local Home Depot or Lowes and ask for the installation department.

Ask Your Friend or Neighbor for a Recommendation

If you have a trusted neighbor or friend that is a homeowner in your area, ask him or her to recommend someone for your job. This may actually turn out to be the best way to find a reliable contractor.

Browse Home Improvement Stores to Find Contractors

Contractors spend a lot of time at home improvement stores picking up supplies, so you might find success by going to your local store and browsing the aisle that is related to the type of home repair you need (such as flooring or windows). See if you can find someone who’s wearing a worker’s shirt or covered in paint to ask about your project. Even if he can’t do your specific job, he may have a recommendation for someone who does or advise you on how to get it done. Keep in mind, however, that this doesn’t always yield a service provider who is reliable and licensed (only one who is working). Get his card and look up the business online for reviews.

Tips for Hiring a Contractor

Hiring Home Contractors

Once you have a list of possible contractors, sit down and call each one to describe your job and get a quote. It might help to email a picture of the problem for an accurate estimate. For larger jobs, an on-site estimate will likely be necessary. Ensure that the contractor is licensed and insured (this is for your protection as well as theirs). When you’ve finally settled on a contractor that fits your needs, here are some tips for how to manage the project:

  • Set a FIRM date and time for them to arrive for your job. Don’t leave it up in the air (“oh, just come when you can”), because some contractors will leave you waiting all day if you’re not 100% clear with them.
  • Sign a written contract with the contractor if this is a job that will take more than a few hours or a day. Clarify with the contractor beforehand how long they estimate the job will take and get this all in writing (due date). In cases where homeowners have problems with contractors, it’s usually because the workers left for the day and didn’t come back to finish the job.
  • Ask for a receipt that outlines the work that has been performed. Keep that and your money order receipt in your records indefinitely (or for as long as you own the house).
  • After you get a quote for the job over the phone, go to the post office to buy a money order to pay for the job. If additional supplies are required that you agree to, pay cash or credit for them at the store and keep the receipts (or pay when the contractor brings you the receipt for supplies he’s purchased).
  • Pay for the job after the work is completed. If the contractor insists on an upfront payment, the usual standard is to offer at least 30 percent down and the rest when the job is done. In this case you would get two money orders.
  • Clarify everything that you want done with the contractor BEFORE he begins work. If it’s a large job, you might want to write everything down on a piece of paper so that it’s 100% clear for both parties.
  • Ask a friend to come hang out with you while the workers are at your home—especially if it’s an interior job. If that’s not possible, open up all of the doors and windows of your home and always remain alert while the team is there doing work. Lock up all valuables.
  • Monitor the contractor’s progress as he works. You don’t have to hover over him at every moment, but you have every right as the homeowner to check in every now and again to see what they’re doing.
  • Maintain a very professional tone and attitude with your contractor throughout the entire project. Remember that this is a business relationship.

One more tip for hiring a contractor as a woman: try to maintain a positive mindset about the person you’re hiring. Some people believe that all contractors are “scammers” (and in some cases that has proven true), but if you’ve done your research and went through a thorough selection process, trust that you’re going to get a job well done and on time. When you find the right guy, stick with him or her for future projects.

Finally, try to put yourself in a home contractor’s shoes—they often work in hot (or cold) and uncomfortable conditions that demand a lot of physical endurance. Their jobs really aren’t easy, they just make it look that way!

Posted by Louise

Photo credits: Flickr/86639298@N02 , Flickr/34316967@N04, Flickr/jeepersmedia, Flickr/49364825@N02

 

 

Easy Organizing Tips for Your Home

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Organizing your home is essential, not just because you keep it clutter free but also because you can find the things you need easily and you feel better mentally when your surroundings are in order. You may even find ways to repurpose items that you have around your house that have just been collecting dust. Here are a few organizing tips for your home that you can implement this weekend.

For Your Kitchen

The more organized your kitchen, the more inspired you’ll be to create new recipes and pack school lunches like a pro. Start by sorting out your pantry to ensure that nothing has expired or has become unusable. Keep all similar food items in the pantry together — for instance, store all of your baking items in one area and all seasonings for food in another. All canned foods should be placed on separate shelf with the labels facing out. This will make it easier for you to locate exactly what you need for recipes. To declutter your counter space, get a few empty vases to store the large cooking utensils that you frequently use. Keep two or three appliances on the counter and put the rest away in storage until you need them.

For Your Bedroom

You can easily declutter your bedroom closet.  Begin by creating three separate piles — one is for clothes to donate, the other is for clothes to keep at hand, and the third is for storage until next season. Typically, you should donate all clothing items that you have not worn for a full year. Trust, you won’t miss them — just give them away, because you’ll feel so much lighter afterwards, especially with your newfound space. An added bonus is that you will be helping someone who could use the clothes. Purchase an over the door rack so that you can organize your shoes, belts, scarfs and ties. Store seasonal clothes under the bed.

The next place that usually gets a little crazy is the top of your dresser (both the inside and outside). First, assign a certain type of clothing to each drawer (underwear, socks, t-shirts, jeans) and stick to that plan going forward. If you have trinkets on your dresser that you are fond of, adding a small shelving unit for jewelry that will help keep them safer and better organized.  One shelf can be for makeup, another shelf for nail polish and yet another for manicure and pedicure accessories.

For Your Bathroom

Simply purchasing an over the toilet rack will take care of a lot of your organizational problems in the bathroom. An over the toilet rack is a place for your bathroom accessories, extra towels and more. You will enjoy a clutter free sink and shower (except for your most used items, like shampoo and conditioner). Organize your personal products into categories on the shelves — for example, put shampoos, conditioners and body wash on one shelf. Next, put lotions, shea butter and other skin conditioning items on another shelf. And finally, place colognes, body sprays and other scented items on yet another shelf.  Keep things tidy by making sure to replace all items used back to their proper location on the rack.

Maintaining ongoing habits is key to keeping your home organized. So after you dedicate a weekend to doing the initial organization, it’s okay to become particular about keeping things in its proper place.

Posted by Eve

Featured image: Rubbermaid Homefree Series Closet Kit (via Flickr)