Most of us make it a goal to keep our house clean and tidy. Cleaning the house may look like a straightforward task, but there are certain aspects that are generally overlooked. Cleaning is a time consuming and tedious activity. And most of us make common cleaning mistakes that do not provide us with the results we expect. So here is a list of cleaning mistakes to avoid for better results and a sparkling clean home. Mixing cleaning chemicals You may think mixing two or more cleaning products will increase the cleaning power. However, this can be very dangerous as it might release toxic fumes. For example, household cleaners like Clorox Pinesol should never be mixed with bleach as they can react together to produce hazardous chlorine gas or even chloroform. Similarly, Pinesol disinfectant should not be mixed with room spray sanitizer as the chemicals could react together to unleash a toxic cloud of gases that can trigger respiratory problems and even cause skin burns. Instead of mixing chemicals, use a single cleaning agent or solution and stick to a reliable brand. Alternatively, you can also enlist the help of a cleaning company, like Servpro Services, which offers a range of affordable home cleaning services. Using feather dusters A feather duster may seem very useful, but all it does is spread the dust from one surface to another. Instead of a feather duster, use a microfiber cloth or damp cotton cloth that will grab hold of dust particles. Using a dry rag also has the same effect; it moves the dust around and can even cause scratches on smooth surfaces. Reusing cleaning rags Using the same cleaning rags for multiple surfaces only helps spread dust and germs around the house. It also leaves messy-looking streaks on surfaces like countertops and tables. Even if the cleaning rag does not look old, it needs to be replaced regularly for effective cleaning.

Long haul flights usually last beyond 6 hours and cover over 3,500 miles. These flights can be exhausting since they cross multiple time zones, and passengers not used to it may feel jet-lagged. But some fascinating things can happen on these lengthy journeys. In this article, we’ll discover 15 surprising facts about long haul flights, the changes one’s body goes through, and share tips for surviving these long journeys. Secret sleeping area Crew members on long haul flights need some rest like the rest of the passengers and are provided with a secret bedroom. The bedroom allows them to nap or take time off serving and attending to passengers. This room by the cockpit contains a bunk and, at times, a private bathroom and can be accessed only by the cabin crew. Recycled air The air in a long haul flight cabin is passed through efficient filters and recycled with fresh air. The filters remove the bacteria and viruses and circulate back into the cabin after being mixed with fresh air. This process is done every few minutes, approximately 15 times an hour. A plane engine takes in massive amounts of air and compresses it to burn with the fuel and produce energy that moves the plane. Some of this air is cooled down and provides oxygen for the passengers to breathe onboard. Different planes for different routes Long-haul commercial flights usually use wide-body aircraft for flying. The route-planning experts decide which aircraft to use. This aircraft type also changes amenities like more legroom or smaller seats. Losing water from the body The air at a higher altitude is dry, and the human body tends to lose 8 ounces of water every hour while in flight. A long-haul flight of ten hours may lead to one losing approximately two liters of water.

You can always expect plenty of bargains before Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In recent years, it has become common for retailers to offer discounts well in advance of these dates. With Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon really starting their “official” holiday sales in early to mid-November in 2021. So, get ready to do some major shopping and also keep an eye out for the numerous exciting deals that will come up. Walmart One of the most eagerly anticipated online sales on Cyber Monday is at Walmart. You can get significant savings on vacuums, small kitchen appliances, and other items. As soon as the Cyber Monday sales go live, we advise you to visit the Walmart website. The best deals are accessible at the start of the sale, with less advantageous offers being available throughout Cyber Week. On thousands of items, Walmart offers free 2-day delivery and free shipping on purchases of $35 or more. All purchases made by Walmart+ members receive free shipping. Seeing previous trends, the Braun Series 7 Men’s Flex Electric Razor is expected to be on sale for up to $40 off, and the Lego Classic Bricks and Animals Building Set will be available for up to $29 off, and the Samsung Chromebook 4 11.6-inch for only $99. Kohl’s The Kohl’s Cyber Monday sale in 2021 lasted 5 days, from the Saturday following Black Friday through the Wednesday of Cyber Week. Kohl’s Cash is consistently the strongest aspect of the retailer’s Cyber Monday deal. For every $50 you purchase, you’ll receive $15 in Kohl’s Cash. During this year’s sale, keep an eye out for the biggest Kohl’s discounts on jewelry, bedding, clothing, and small kitchen equipment. At Kohl’s, delivery is free with orders worth $35 or more. Monthly opportunities for free delivery are available to “Most Valuable Customers” who have Kohl’s credit cards.

The big Black Friday sale is here again! This is an exciting time of the year, especially for people who want to make big-ticket tech product purchases and have been waiting for the whole year to get their hands on them. If you are thinking about how to buy the best of the lot during the Black Friday sale this year, all you need to do is read this article. Home cleaning products Roomba s9+ : This cleaner comes with 3D sensors and PerfectEdge Technology; you could save close to $300. iRobot Braava jet m6 : One of the best cleaners for navigating large spaces, you could save around $200 in the Black Friday sale. iRobot Roomba j7+ : You might save close to $100 on this advanced vacuum cleaner. It comes with Genius Home Intelligence with PrecisionVision Navigation. Laptop and computer deals HP Pavilion x360 14-inch touchscreen laptop : This laptop has a display that rotates 360 degrees and 8GB of memory. You can get it at almost $300 off this Black Friday. Lenovo IdeaCentre 5i Desktop : This desktop comes with 12GB memory, a DVD/CD burner, and a Windows 11 operating system. You might be able to buy this at $60 less. Gaming Microsoft Controller for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One : You could save around 14% on this special edition Xbox wireless controller. It has 40 hours of battery life and is compatible with Android and iOS smartphones. Arcade 1Up Marvel vs. Capcom Gaming Table : This beautiful retro-style Marvel theme gaming table has lit-up control panels and a split screen. This 29-inch console comes pre-loaded with eight games. Speakers and headphones Apple AirPods : Get clear, immersive sound wherever you are with these noise cancellation headphones. They will give you 24 hours of listening time and come with a charging case.

Keeping your surroundings clean and free of dust and germs is essential. Most people undertake cleaning rituals as a part of their daily chores. However, without realizing it, they may be doing more harm than good while going about the cleaning tasks. These common cleaning mistakes we often make leave behind a trail of dirt, allergens, and grime. Here’s a list of eight things to avoid doing when cleaning your home: Reusing sponges without disinfecting Most of us reach out for the sponge without even thinking twice, especially when wiping kitchen countertops and bathroom sink tops. Sponges are good absorbers of grime, but they are also perfect for facilitating the growth of bacteria and other micro-organisms. When you repeatedly use the same sponge, it is easy for the bacterial growth to get transferred to your kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Such a mistake is common but one that can prove to be enormously costly. The solution is to use microfiber clothes to wipe these commonly exposed surfaces instead of a sponge. But if you love the sponge, make sure that you disinfect it from time to time. Also, ensure that you change the sponge or the microfiber cloth every month. Ignoring common touchpoints Every house has common touchpoints, like the door knobs or the taps. While dusting, cleaning, and mopping, we usually forget these points, leaving them open for breeding germs. The ideal solution is to use a disinfectant spray and a clean cloth to wipe and dry them. This way, you keep them away from germs. Putting chopping boards in dishwashers The dishwasher has made our lives easy and comfortable. But certain items should not be placed in the machine because they will not be cleaned properly. One such item is the cutting and chopping board. This board should not be ideally cleaned using a bar of dish soap and water.

The day after Thanksgiving leads to the commencement of the Black Friday sales every year. However, some retailers may offer pre-Black Friday offers based on their business strategy. You can find kitchen appliances, home decor, gadgets, apparel and jewelry at discounted prices. The sale involves huge discounts, best prices, and best deals to attract customers. Here are the 50 Black Friday sales you should take note of based on the previous year. Amazon Alexa Echo Auto This Black Friday deal offered by the brand previously allowed customers to save more than $50 on the device. This electronic item lets you enjoy music, access maps, and make hands-free calls while driving. Mr. Coffee Iced Coffee Maker If you are fond of drinking cold coffee, opting for this product during the holiday season might prove beneficial. It comes with a reusable tumbler and your beverage will be ready in a few minutes. The product may be available at a discount of $10 during the sale period. Samsung Galaxy SmartTag Tracker If you intend to keep a track of your luggage or your pet, this product will help you. The tracker can be attached to luggage, pets, and keys so that you can easily find them. It is compatible with Android 8.0 devices and provides live location updates directly to your mobile. During the sale season, this product may be available at a $12 discount. Bella Pro Series Analog Air Fryer If you are planning to switch to a healthier lifestyle, then opting for an air fryer can be a great idea. The fryer lets you bake, fry, and reheat without any oil so that you consume fewer calories. The machine may be available at a discount of $30 this Black Friday sale. Blink Mini Security Camera Having a security camera may be a good way to prevent intruders.

A pet’s fur can be the perfect breeding ground for fleas and ticks. These pests can annoy your pet throughout the day. Such parasites can also cause several health problems like Lyme disease and skin infections in dogs and humans. Fortunately, pet care experts have developed several ways to rid these critters of your furry friend. Here are four handy tips that help with managing flea and tick infestations in dogs: Initiate a treatment plan If your pet develops a pest infestation, the first and foremost thing to do is get them on a treatment plan. Here are a few prescriptions that can be helpful: Bravecto® (Fluralaner) This prescription for dogs comes in two types: a chewable option or a topical solution. Bravecto is approved by the FDA and works on dogs and puppies at least six months of age who weigh at least 4.4 pounds. If you pick the chewable option for your pet, it must be given with their food once a month. Alternately, the topical solution must be applied once every 12 weeks. You can also check out special offers on Bravecto’s website for attractive discounts on their products. Simparica Another recommended treatment for fleas and ticks is the FDA-approved chewable from Simparica. This prescription kills Deer ticks and helps prevent infections that may cause Lyme disease. Such an option must be given to your pet once a month and has lasting effects for up to 35 days. It is suitable for dogs six months or older and weighing at least 2.8 pounds. Other than the Deer tick, Simparica helps kill the lone star, Gulf Coast, American dog, and brown dog ticks. Bayer K9 Advantix II Bayer’s K9 Advantix II is a topical solution for dogs made from a combination of imidacloprid, pyriproxyfen, and permethrin. The formula is effective in exterminating and preventing fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice.

A car is a significant investment, so it is important to ensure it functions properly for a long time. Timely repairs, servicing, and maintenance are a few ways to keep your car in good condition. However, car owners often miss out on certain aspects of maintenance, which can lead to repair jobs that can burn a hole in the wallet. To help avoid such scenarios, here are some common car maintenance mistakes to avoid. Trying to service your car without any expertise Car owners may be easily tempted to do maintenance work on their automobiles to save a few bucks. You may think the problem is relatively small, and you only need to look at a few videos online, get the tools, and solve the problem yourself. However, if you don’t have the required experience or expertise in car maintenance, it will result in problems in the long run. You will have to pay more than you wanted to save to reverse all the damage. Therefore, it is always best to check with a professional having the necessary equipment, tools, and expertise to service and repair your car correctly. Postponing the car wash Reasons ranging from sudden emergency appointments and personal commitments to errands often push back on the routine car wash you had planned. While it is okay to miss out on the car wash a couple of times, skipping it for weeks or months is one of the most common car maintenance mistakes that can be easily avoided. It is because weather elements, pollution, mud, and chemicals will damage the exterior of your car. It may also lead to premature rusting of the car paint. So regular visits to the car wash that also cleans the undercarriage will go a long way in protecting your car. Forgetting to clean your car’s interior Most people assume that car maintenance only involves taking care of the exterior and mechanical components of the car.

Professional contractors and industry experts from the cleaning business know their way around perfectly cleaning carpets. While common folk may struggle with the common but challenging task of cleaning carpets, such professionals simply ease their way through the process without breaking a sweat. Such individuals know all the tips to get the process right. To help you ensure a clean indoor environment, some expert tips on carpet cleaning are listed below. Club soda and vinegar are effective cleaners Club soda is a surprisingly effective option to clear certain kinds of stains from carpets. However, it must be used correctly to obtain the right results. The first step of the cleaning process will require the club soda to be poured into a clean and dry cloth before blotting the stain that needs to be removed. A mix of club soda and white vinegar can be pretty effective for stains that are hard to eliminate. This mix works best when mixed with water in a handheld spray bottle and applied to the stained area. After waiting 10 to 15 minutes for the solution to seep into the carpet, one should press a dry, clean sponge on the wet area so that the stain and the solution are soaked. Blotting is critical to carpet cleaning Usually, when a stain first appears on a carpet, one might feel the urge to rub or press the affected area hard to address the problem. However, both these ways are ineffective against carpet stains as they can widen the circumference of the stain. The best solution in such situations is to blot the stain first using a clean rag. One needs to gently press the stain without putting too much pressure. This technique helps the rag absorb the thing causing the stain on the carpet. Blotting is a slow process, so people must wait to get the best results.

Cleaning the toilet is perhaps among the most dreaded tasks in every home. However, a clean toilet is essential to maintain hygiene and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other diseases. Today, several useful cleaning products and equipment are available to reduce manual effort and facilitate cleaner toilets. In addition, avoiding certain common toilet cleaning mistakes can help make the process more efficient and less time-consuming while ensuring better hygiene. Not knowing the different ways to unclog a toilet Unclogging the toilet can be the first step to the toilet-cleaning process. A clogged toilet can cause considerable inconvenience; moreover, at times, certain techniques may not be effective in unclogging the drain. Thus, it is important to understand the various hacks to unclog a toilet. Pouring vinegar or dish soap into the toilet should typically do the trick; however, at times, these techniques may not be effective. In such cases, one should try other methods, such as using a wet or dry vacuum to unclog the drain after emptying the water from the bowl. Using a mixture of cleaning products Every cleaning product has its distinct functions; however, mixing together certain cleaning products can give rise to lethal, corrosive solutions. For example, combining bleach and vinegar produces chlorine gas, which can lead to breathing issues, coughing, and watery eyes. Similarly, a bleach and vinegar solution forms chloramine, which can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. Thus, it is crucial to understand the consequences of mixing certain cleaning products and avoid using such solutions while cleaning. Not cleaning the toilet brush The toilet brush can become the breeding ground for bacteria and germs if not cleaned regularly. Thus, it should ideally be cleaned after every use. An effective way to clean the toilet brush is to soak it in a solution comprising hot water and 2-3 bleach pods and leaving it for an hour before rinsing it off.

The refrigerator plays an integral part in the smooth functioning of the modern kitchen. It is not just a storage vessel. The refrigerator contributes to storing food, cooked and uncooked. It negates the need to produce shopping every other day. It plays a considerable part in meal planning and prepping for the upcoming week, making things easier for busy individuals. However, certain mistakes can contribute to the compromised functioning of the appliance and must be avoided. Overstuffing When one stuffs their refrigerator excessively, it can lead to spoiled food. The air circulation in the fridge is restricted when every inch of space is filled with groceries. This can cause uneven cooling and spoilage of food. To avoid this, adopting a “less is more” approach is important, allowing cool air to circulate freely and keeping all the items fresh. Disorganized interiors An untidy refrigerator can be compared to a disorganized wardrobe. Finding what one may need can be difficult, leading to items being overlooked and spoiling. To improve efficiency and make every ingredient easily accessible, it is important to introduce a system of organization. This can be achieved by grouping and labeling similar items, transforming the fridge into an orderly and convenient space. Temperature negligence The fridge’s thermostat is an essential component that affects the food’s freshness. If one ignores its setting, it can cause temperature imbalances affecting the lifespan of perishable food items. Therefore, it is important to take a moment to adjust the temperature settings and align them with recommended guidelines for optimal food preservation. Neglected cleaning routine Neglecting regular cleaning leads to unpleasant odors and provides a breeding ground for bacteria. Adopting a simple routine of clearing out expired items, wiping down surfaces, and addressing spills ensures a clean and hygienic fridge environment. Overlooking the freezer’s maintenance The freezer, often overlooked compared to the main fridge, has unique challenges.

Aging is a natural part of life, but it often impairs cognitive functions, affects mobility, and raises health concerns. While it might not always be possible to be at the service of the elderly, assisted living can extend a helping hand in such cases. These communities provide safe and comfortable spaces for older adults and help them carry out daily tasks. Here are some signs that indicate it’s time to consider assisted living. What is assisted living? It is a supportive environment tailored to meet the needs of those requiring assistance with daily activities. One can approach such a community for oneself or a loved one. Striking conversations around assisted living may seem difficult, but these services often prove invaluable once they’re tried out. They instantly enhance the quality of life of an older individual by helping them retain their independence, providing engaging activities, the company of like-minded individuals, and opportunities to socialize. Signs it’s time for assisted living Inability to upkeep the house There are many aspects to maintaining a house, from vacuuming, cleaning, dusting, bed-making, laundry, and interior maintenance to taking out the trash, lawn mowing, snow shoveling, and much more. If one is unable to keep the house in a functioning condition, which includes regular cleaning, maintenance, and repairs, it may be a sign that additional support is necessary. This might be especially recommended for 55+ individuals since care facilities look into all of the above-mentioned key maintenance tasks. Lack of personal hygiene Another sign may be one’s inability to maintain personal hygiene, including bathing or brushing teeth independently. Employees at these care facilities can also help individuals with these tasks and make their daily living healthier and more comfortable. Issues with mobility These may include anything from not being able to climb stairs, get out of bed at night, sit or stand comfortably for long, and more.