Using packaged detergents is a very convenient and easy option for doing laundry, but they also come with so many chemicals that can be harmful to humans and the environment as well. Constant use of these harsh chemicals can also lead to various skin problems, so it is always a good idea to explore some DIY options at home. Here are some safe-to-use DIY detergents that are effective and also economical. Fragrant liquid laundry detergent A very easy and efficient way to make your own laundry detergent, this only needs ingredients like washing soda, baking soda, castile soap, and your favorite essential oil. Here’s what you need to do: Take a 2-gallon bucket. Add half a cup of washing soda to this bucket. After this, add hot water to the soda, just enough to cover the whole ingredient. Make sure to mix it thoroughly to help it dissolve. Only once, when it has dissolved, move on to the next step. Add half a cup of baking soda and mix till it dissolves too. Now, fill the bucket with hot water again and leave just enough space at the top – around an inch. Now add the castile soap – three-fourth cups of it, followed by 15-20 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Doing the laundry is an essential chore but also the most disliked one. Who loves to wait for the washing and drying cycles to end, fold the laundry, and take everything to be arranged in their respective closets? While doing your laundry can be quite a drab job, it can be made exciting and easy with a few hacks, tips, and tricks. Here are a few laundry secrets from 5-star hotels for awesome results. Use vinegar to make your sheets soft Give your bedsheets instant brightness and softness with this quick and easy hack. Just add half a cup of distilled white vinegar to the washing machine and run a cycle. Besides cleaning your sheets, it will eliminate lingering odors from them. Chalk up those grease stains Since chalk is superabsorbent, you can use it as an effective grease stain remover. Just rub it well over oily stains on fabrics. It will absorb most of the grease, making it easier to clean the fabric when you put it to wash in your next laundry cycle. Use a towel to dry clothes faster Want your clothes to dry faster? Throw a fluffy towel into the washing machine and keep it there for about 15 minutes.

Most people with a backyard pool tend to have at least half their summer plans involving pool parties, lounging by the pool, late-night swimming, and so on. However, swimming pools can get filthy and algae-infested if not taken care of, and your friends and family will need to give any pool parties at your place a miss. To avoid that from happening, here are some costly mistakes to avoid when maintaining a swimming pool. 4 basic pool care mistakes that can prove costly Not cleaning the pool after pet use While pets are a part of the family, they also run the risk of carrying a high level of contaminants. In most cases, an average-sized dog carries three times more contaminants than humans. Furthermore, leaving pet hair or dander inside the pool can cause changes in the chemical level of the pool and even clog the filters. Hence, experts suggest treating the pool with water clarifiers after pet use. This can help break down the oils and pollutants in the water and ensure a clean pool. Not brushing the pool regularly In addition to vacuuming the pool regularly to avoid gunk and scum build-up, one must also brush it clean.

Home improvement projects are exhausting but can be extremely fun if they are thought through and well-researched. If you want to do some renovation or add a new touch to your home, we recommend starting with something small and seeing how far your DIY skills and ambition take you. Of course, the sky’s the limit but let’s start with your door for now. Here are some easy home improvement hacks that you can try. Statement doors This is the first thing anyone notices about your home, so wouldn’t it make sense to work your DIY magic here? Statement doors are a rage right now, and the beauty of it is that while it’s in style, you don’t have to follow any particular style or design. Just go with what resonates with your home decor style. Color it bright, add an expensive door knob, make it look vintage – endless choices to make a statement in your home. Lighting This is very important. Make sure you invest time, money, and energy into adding warmth and ambiance to your home with just the right lighting. The lamps are great; hanging lights are super, too – ensure you can create a comforting and homely vibe.

Installing a gas line at home is a detailed process that needs to be executed correctly. Therefore, there are a couple of things that one needs to get right from the beginning to prevent any mishaps. For example, using the wrong pipe can hamper the entire process and result in an installation without functionality. So here are certain steps one can keep in mind to ensure that the quality of installation is met. Turn off the gas supply Before starting a new pipe installation, it is essential to turn off the existing supply. This needs to be done at the gas meter. Furthermore, ensure it is turned off completely by turning the valve a quarter turn. Double-check to see that the meter isn’t moving. Get the right pipes and fittings When purchasing a gas pipe, it isn’t about buying from a reputable brand but also picking the ideal size. Most domestic gas lines use 1.27 cm to 3.81 cm pipes. However, various cities have different pipeline installation materials, sizes, and specifications. Therefore, consult a standard company to where the building belongs before purchasing. Extend the existing line and make the connection The next step involves extending the existing gas line with the new fittings, including valves and pipe lengths, to ensure the pipeline reaches the new appliance.

Decorating your home can be one of the most satisfying tasks to take up in your free time. You might want to spruce up the space for a special occasion or just a change. But decorating may require careful consideration to choose the right items. Missing key steps or not taking utility into consideration could lead to an unfulfilling end result. So, avoid the following home decor mistakes people usually make: Not considering available space One of the first home decor mistakes people usually make when buying any type of household item is overlooking the space in the room. Regardless of how good the item looks, you might have to send it back or resell it if it does not fit into the desired area. So, measure the area beforehand and then look for items that will work with the space you have. Inadequate lighting When decorating your home, you should find lighting solutions to create layers. So, a combination of fixtures at varying heights, such as pendant lights on the ceiling, under-cabinet lighting, and floor lamps, can create a well-illuminated space. Additionally, although lights can transform the look of any room, installing them in the wrong places could highlight undesirable features of the room.

Doing one’s laundry is a necessary, albeit mundane, task to ensure clean and tidy clothes throughout the week. Doing laundry regularly not only facilitates clean clothes but also maintains the fabric’s freshness and increases their durability. While modern laundry products and appliances allow for considerable ease of washing clothes, understanding some techniques and strategies can enhance the process. This article lists some common mistakes one should avoid while doing laundry: Not removing stains before doing laundry Often, hard stains may not be eliminated when clothes are directly washed in the laundry without stains being pretreated. Hence, it is advisable to remove these stains first by applying some vinegar and baking soda paste on them or blotting them with a laundry or dishwasher detergent for a while. Washing and drying clothes at extremely high temperatures Setting extremely high temperatures while doing laundry can cause the clothes to shrink or tear, reducing their quality and lowering durability. As a thumb rule, clothes should be washed in cold water to ensure that they last long. Maintaining a temperature of 30 degrees while washing works well for most clothes. It is also recommended to avoid using the tumble dryer, preferably opting for a clothesline instead.

Natural events, such as the ongoing Hurricane Ian in Florida, frequently cause power outages in nearby regions. So, while you prepare for such natural events in conventional ways such as stocking up supplies, using warm clothes, and maintaining communication with the respective authorities for informational clarity, it is easy to look past the necessary do’s and don’ts that need to be followed during an outage. Here are some things to avoid during power outages: Using excessive candles Candles have always been extremely dangerous during outages. During an outage, the visibility is lower than usual, especially during the evening. Therefore, the possibility of pets, kids, or even grown-ups walking around and unintentionally knocking down the candles is always there. To avoid the ensuing fire and damage that may follow, avoiding candles is one of the key things to avoid during an electrical failure. If candle usage is unavoidable, then make use of a few candles, or opt for battery-operated ones in emergencies. Leaving the fridge door open Normally, leaving the fridge door open causes more power consumption, but in the absence of power, it results in the spoilage of items stored within. Leaving the fridge door open causes the cold air within it to escape.