Many people often end up damaging furniture when using vacuum cleaners. These damages can be a result of mistakes or misinformation. Either way, they can end up costing heavily either in repairs or replacement. These mistakes can be avoided if one knows the right way to use a vacuum cleaner. So, let’s discuss the common mistakes made when handling vacuum cleaners in order to save us all from future damage. Using the wrong attachments Vacuum cleaners come with a varied range of attachment heads to provide optimum service. However, it is up to the user to use the right attachment in the right place for the right task. Failure of this simple task means the machine might have to work harder to deliver the expected results. Additionally, the extra load on the motor may lead to early aging of the machine. Using a dirty filter Vacuum cleaners come with filters that trap minute particles of dust and dirt and prevent them from circling back into the air. However, if the filters are full, the microparticles will freely float into the air instead of staying trapped. It is crucial to check the manual for the type of filters installed in the machine.

Houseplants can add a new dimension and homely feel to your home decor. It can even bring you closer to nature. If you are someone with a green thumb, you know how satisfying having a house full of plants is. However, having a house full of plants is not a safe environment if you have pets. Some otherwise safe plants can be hazardous for dogs and cats. So here goes our list of toxic plants for dogs. Azaleas Azaleas are a common choice of houseplant that help liven up any space. The bright and colorful plants are pleasing to the eye, but every part is toxic for dogs and cats. Right from its seed to its petals, contact with dogs can lead to muscle weakness. It can also trigger symptoms like slow heart rate, excessive salivation, and in some cases, cardiac failure. Sago palm Sago palm is an eye-pleasing plant that requires minimal effort to look after. These factors make it a common choice among houseplants. Although pleasing to the eye, even a small nibble of the Sago palm can provide your dog with cycasin that can cause fatal issues like liver failure and even death. For the safety of your dog, make sure that you are not adding this plant to your home.

A clean environment is where creativity and productivity thrive. A place maintained clean provides an air of positivity which helps people function better. However, while keeping our things and home clean, certain mistakes are unavoidable. But practice makes people perfect. Through trial and error, one can learn from the mistakes and ensure their surroundings and items are well managed and neat. Keep reading to find out more about some common cleaning mistakes to avoid. Not switching sponges Sponges are highly absorbent, and as a result, they act as a breeding ground for various microbes. If you go around the house cleaning every surface with the same sponge, you only facilitate the travel of these bacteria and other germs. Therefore, ensure the sponge for dishes is different from the one you are using to clean the stove tops and counters. Cleaning hardwood with water The universal solvent is a great cleaning agent in most scenarios but not always. Grabbing a bucket and a mop was our go-to solution to cleaning the house and the dust. After all, if you clean, you know how meditating it is to watch streaks of the freshly mopped floor. However, those wet floor streaks are a curse if your home has wooden flooring.

Driving a truck for the first time after training can feel exhilarating and intimidating for rookie drivers. The experience of driving such an imposing vehicle can make young drivers feel like the king of the road, but they will also be overtly wary of making rookie mistakes, at least in the first few days and weeks in the new job. To help such individuals, here are some rookie truck driver mistakes to avoid: Not being mindful of the trailer Even mildly experienced truckers will never make the mistake of forgetting about a huge 20-something-foot trailer attached to their vehicle. However, at a rookie stage, that is one of the most common mistakes drivers can make. This includes misjudging the truck and trailer’s combined radius while making U-turns or maneuvering space while parking the truck. Experience and time are the best teachers to cut out this mistake eventually. Drivers new on the job need to check their blind spots while driving and, more importantly, drive slowly to keep the truck and trailer on the road at all times. Overspeeding Younger drivers are more prone to overspeeding than experienced or older ones. There are a host of reasons for this- the sheer euphoria of driving an almighty truck, the adrenaline rush of doing an exciting new job, or, quite simply, naivety.

Lawns significantly add to the curb appeal of your house. It provides you with some much-needed greenery when surrounded by a concrete jungle. However, keeping the lawn clean and green can be a notorious chore that is tricky to maintain. You could be doing everything right according to your knowledge to care for the lawn, but you may still have a sad-looking lawn. Hence, adopting some simple practices will help you excel at the task. Learning soil type Learning about the soil and the grass covering your lawn area is a great way to start caring for the lawn. Only when you know these details, you will be able to implement all the lawn care tips and tricks your friends and family dish out for you. And if you are just starting to put down the lawn, research the type of soil and grass that thrives in your climate. This will give you a better opportunity to avoid bald patches on your lawn. Proper seeding Planting your seeds is a better way to lay your lawn if you are starting fresh. To avoid any issues with seeding, learn about the best time to sow seeds in your climate and region to obtain lush grass.

Home improvement is a perpetual endeavor; no matter how many upgrades you get and change the carpets, paint, or furniture, there may always be some scope for improvement. Additionally, as needs evolve, it might be necessary to change a few things around the house. While some projects may require professional services, others could be easy DIY tasks you can take up. Here are 5 easy home improvement hacks that you can try: Use Washi tape on doors Without the right kind of lighting in the room or the hallway, plain white doors can look dull. But you can fix this issue with a simple DIY hack using Washi tape. The tape comes in multiple colors, sticks to the surface with ease, and leaves no residue, so there is no damage to the door. You can get creative with the designs and patterns, with the white door as the perfect blank canvas. With this hack, you get the chance to change the pattern as many times as you want.  Experiment with wall colors You don’t have to call a professional to transform a space when paint can do the job. Experiment with colors and try a few samples to see what works best for each room.

A clutter-free lifestyle and having a clean and organized home are not just crucial for visual appeal, these measures also impact your mental and emotional health. However, decluttering requires considerable time and patience, especially when you have accumulated a lot of stuff over the years. If you are planning to take on decluttering your home, don’t fret; here are a few common decluttering mistakes to avoid for a mess-free space: Not having a plan One of the biggest decluttering mistakes is not having a plan. Before you start cleaning up and organizing stuff, spend some time figuring out what you want to achieve and how you will achieve it. Decide on a goal, such as decluttering your closet, and make a plan of action. This might involve setting aside a specific amount of time each day to work on decluttering or breaking down the task into smaller, more manageable chunks. Not sorting as per categories Another common decluttering mistake to avoid is not sorting items into categories. Instead, people often move from room to room, decluttering as they go. While this approach may work for some, it can be inefficient and lead to disorganization. So, you can consider sorting items into categories such as clothes, books, and electronics and work on decluttering one category at a time.

If you own a home with a swimming pool, you would know that maintaining a pool is a lot of work. Many people end up making expensive mistakes. Skimping on regular servicing and making pool-care mistakes can prove costly, make the water unsanitary, and endanger your loved ones. If you want to learn how to maintain your pool better, avoid making these six costly mistakes when caring for your swimming pool: Improper cleaning This is one of the most common mistakes people make. It is important to clean your pool at least once a week to remove any dirt, debris, or bacterial buildup. You also need to ensure that the sides and bottom of the pool are brushed regularly to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae and to avoid any staining or discoloration of the pool tiles. Another important aspect of cleaning your pool is to vacuum it regularly. Not vacuuming can lead to an increase in algae growth and make the water appear cloudy. When vacuuming your pool, start from the deepest part of the pool, and move towards the shallow end, as this will ensure you clear all debris along the way. Imbalance of water pH levels Ideally, the pH levels of the water in your pool must be between 7.2 and 7.6 to prevent any skin or eye irritation.

Do you constantly worry about having to repurchase expensive laundry detergent? Or are you hunting for a cheaper alternative every time you are loading up on home essentials in the supermarket? Have you been disappointed time and again with the lackluster results of store-bought detergents? Well, here’s an easy solution to all your worries. DIY detergents are easy alternatives; you can save money and eliminate toxic ingredients. Homemade detergent powder An easy and convenient way of cleaning up the laundry and saving money is putting together your own powder detergent. To begin with, grate a bar of soap; use a box grater to speed up the process. Next, add a cup of washing soda and borax to the grated soap. Next, mix the ingredients together well and store them in an airtight container. The resultant detergent is safe to use for anyone since it does not contain harsh chemicals and costs less than a branded laundry detergent. Homemade detergent liquid With just four ingredients, you can make your own liquid detergent that is safe to use. Bring out the bar of Fels Naphtha soap and grate one-third of the bar. Use 3 cups of water to melt this grated soap and simmer till the soap has completely melted.

Bathroom cleaning is one of the most crucial household chores that must be performed regularly. The market has many modern products like sprays, rust removers, wipes, and soaps to make the job quick and easy. That said, most of them are expensive and use dangerous and harsh chemicals that affect the environment. Fortunately, you can achieve a squeaky-clean bathroom without contributing to environmental damage by following these simple eco-friendly tips. Polish surfaces with newspapers Many people use old rags to polish shiny bathroom surfaces like mirrors and faucets and end up noticing lint or fuzz on them. They then turn to a microfiber cloth. While microfiber cloths are readily available, they are bad for the environment as they shed particles of plastic, which are too tiny for filters to catch. An eco-friendly alternative is to use old newspapers to clean the bathroom. Newspapers can help you achieve shiny surfaces and be easily disposed of or recycled. Remove grime with lemon and salt Sinks and bathtubs are used multiple times during the day, leading to grime forming on their surface. An eco-friendly way to eliminate grime from the bathroom is to scrub it using lemon and salt instead of ready-made chemical formulas.