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Use Gutters in a Decorative Way

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by Josie

An important part of having a healthy house is to have an efficient drainage system. Gutters are an easy and effective way to keep our roof dry and tidy!

Featured Image By: Gbvims Home Makeover

Besides the use we normally know for gutters, there are many others. Gutters can be used in a decorative way. If you are DIY enthusiasts, this could be the project you are looking forward to spend a few weekends.

Gutters in the Garden

The forms of the gutters are perfect to maintain plants and the function of the gutters offers the possibility of hang them and use them in a decorative way.  In the garden, you could cut your old gutters, hang them on the wall and use them as a plant pot; it could give a pretty view if you sow plants that hang. 

Another way to place your plant pots made of gutters; it is poking holes in the gutters and tie a string through the holes, making a kind of ladder. You can cut all the gutters with the same size if you want a harmonious look or in different sizes if you want a more relaxed look. After you decided the size think about the color, you could let the gutter with its natural color, paint it to match up with your decoration or in any different color to make it the centerpiece of your garden.

If you have kids, a gutter could be a toy. After filing its sharp edges and get rid of any piece that could harm, you could hang them on the fence forming a labyrinth, it always has to have a way out, the idea is to construct your DIY ball run game. At the end you could ask the kids to join you and paint it in their favorite colors.

Gutters Inside the House

Gutters can help you decorate and organize your house. In the case of decoration, the waterproofing trait of gutters could help you to do a pretty table center piece. One of the possibilities is to a romantic dinner, fill the gutter with water, add into it flowers that could float like gerberas (a flower family of the daisies) and some candles; you will have the perfect atmosphere for a romantic dinner. The length of the gutter, and the colors of the flowers and candles are up to you and your taste, choose something that matches your decor. If you don’t like candles, you could plant into the gutter some succulent plant or cactus. 

To organize your house, you need to hang them on a wall and put in them what you need to have at the same place. In your closet it could help you with your shoes, in the bathroom it could help you organize your makeup, combs, brushes, hair dryer and all your beauty supplements that sometimes are difficult to place and organize. The possibilities are endless. 

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Once in a while, it’s necessary to clean the gutters because they could get clogged with dirt and sheets, especially during autumn. If the maintenance for cleaning and repair leaks that could appear due to the use and time is not made, it could affect the performance of the gutters and cause some troubles like humidity and mold. To maintain your gutters can be tricky. If you need, you can get help from experts in gutter services, like Amigo Gutters, to help you maintain the health of your roof.

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Home Maintenance • Shop the Room!

10 Tips for Cleaning Your Home Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

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by Josie

Photo By: Classic Marble Design

Cleaning your home during the pandemic is going to be different than normal spring cleaning. Here’s tips for deep cleaning that’ll help keep you safe and healthy.

A clean home is a happy home, and during the pandemic cleaning supplies like lysol, paper towels, bleach and disinfectant are must-haves in order to keep you and your a. The CDC has posted recommended cleaning and disinfecting guidelines for preventing the spread of the virus, but we’ve compiled a condensed version with tips for quick reading.

Cleaning Hard Surfaces Around the House

Objects around the house that are touched on a regular basis are going to require constant disinfecting. These surfaces include (but not limited to):

  • Door knobs
  • Light switches
  • Kitchen cabinets
  • Floors
  • Windows 
  • …and so on

When cleaning hard surfaces as mentioned above, you’ll first want to wipe it down with a rag that’s been dipped in a solution of warm water and soap (we like using Dawn, but whatever detergent you prefer will work as well). Wring the rag out so that it’s slightly damp and then wipe the surface. 

Once the surface has dried completely, you’ll want to use some kind of disinfectant. This could be a solution of alcohol (70% or above) or bleach combined with water in a 1:2 ratio. You can spray this solution on the surface and then wipe it down with a paper towel.

You can, of course, use disinfecting wipes such as Clorox Disinfectant wipes, Lysol disinfectant wipes, and even store brands. 

Pro tip: Some folks say that lemon juice, vinegar, or even vodka (what a waste!) work just as well, but we strongly recommend against it, as these homemade disinfectants won’t kill as many as a store bought disinfectant… But, they could work if you can’t find any products on the shelves.

Photo By: Wayfair

Cleaning Soft Surfaces in the Home

Naturally, soft surfaces like carpeting, furniture, drapes and pet beds can’t be cleaned and disinfected the same as a kitchen countertop. To clean soft surfaces, you will want to clean any visible dirt and debris using a fabric or carpet cleaner (always follow the items’ cleaning instructions so that the item doesn’t get ruined!). 

After you’ve cleaned away any visible debris, launder items on the warmest water setting with appropriate detergents. For items that can’t be laundered, like fabric furniture or carpeting, try using a deep-clean carpet antibacterial cleaner like the Bissell concentrated cleaner (although you’ll need a Bissell carpet cleaning machine).  

Pro tip: Although the EPA says no disinfectant can claim to work for soft surfaces, they have a list of cleaners that have the “soft surface sanitizing claim,” it’ll clean 99.9% of bacteria, but it won’t get rid of virus’ or fungi like true disinfectants can. Here is a list of EPA approved cleaners for soft surfaces.

Photo By: Pinterest

Disinfecting Electronics

Our electronics have a haven for germs! Think about how many times you touch your phone throughout the day or how long you’re typing on the keyboard. To kill the germs on these types of things, read the manufacturer’s cleaning and disinfecting instructions. If you lost the instructions, you can use disinfecting wipes or sprays with 70% alcohol content. Make sure you don’t spray too much of the cleaner on the device because you don’t want to damage it. 

There’s no denying that people are afraid of contracting the coronavirus, despite some states re-opening. However, you can reduce your chances of getting sick by cleaning and disinfecting your home and anything you come in contact with. 

There’s a long road ahead of us, but remember, we’re in this together! Follow CDC guidelines for social distancing, limit traveling, and wear personal protective gear whenever you go out. If there’s anything we’ve learned about this pandemic is that if we all work together, we can “flatten the curve.”

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