Lifestyle

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), up to 50% of the world’s buildings are affected by indoor dampness.

Why should you care? Because where there’s indoor dampness, mold is sure to follow.

In addition to its unpleasant smell and appearance, mold can also wreak havoc on your health.

Wondering how to tell if there’s a “fungus among us?” Here are 5 sure signs of mold in your home.

1. Allergic Reactions

Do you have allergies that seem worse when you’re at home? Do you experience allergies only at home?

If so, mold is a likely culprit. Sneezing, sinus congestion, and sore or itchy eyes are all common reactions to mold.

True, there are plenty of other allergens that can cause these symptoms. But if your symptoms improve the moment you step outside, it’s time to take a closer look at what’s inside your house.

2. Water Leaks or Condensation

Did you recently (or not so recently) have water damage? Are there visible signs of leaks or condensation in your bathroom or kitchen?

Look for discoloration on the ceiling, walls, or floors. Surface abnormalities like bubbling, bulging, or peeling can also signal a hidden water problem.

Mold thrives in moist environments. If you’ve got water lurking behind the surfaces of your home, mold is likely present.

3. Visible Mold Growth

This one may seem obvious, but you may not always notice a small patch of mold growth.

Think that smudge on the wall is just a little dirt or soot? Think again.

Molds can appear in a variety of colors and shapes. From black spots to white threads to various shades of gray, green, and blue, any discoloration could signal a mold problem.

4. Moldy Smell

Mold has a distinctly musty, unpleasant smell.

Just because you don’t see any visible mold doesn’t mean it’s not there. If you detect a strange smell in any part of your house, get a mold specialist to check it out.

You don’t have to wait until it becomes a bigger problem!

5. Strange Neurological Symptoms

For some people, mold can cause more than just a mild allergic reaction.

Some toxic molds release poisonous mycotoxins. These can cause a host of physical and mental problems for you or your family.

Headaches, dizziness, memory loss, and shortened attention spans are all possible triggers caused by mold.

If you’re experiencing any strange symptoms like the ones listed here, don’t ignore them. Finding a trusted company to inspect your home for mold is a vital step to improving your health.

Signs of Mold in Your Home: Now You Know

If you’re experiencing any of these signs of mold in your home, don’t delay. The integrity of your house–and your health–are at stake.

Contact a mold removal specialist to inspect your home and help you decide how to handle the problem. The sooner you act, the sooner you can breathe clean air again!

Did you find this article useful? Check out our latest health-related posts for more advice on keeping you and your family healthy and happy.

Americans spent almost $48 billion on garden and lawn retail sales in 2018.

More than ever before, folks of every age are growing their own food and enhancing their landscape with natural beauty.

Those with a less green thumb or a smaller property size may simply be interested in enhancing their patios with live plants. The pops of color and life are an inexpensive way to spruce up an otherwise boring veranda.

What are the best patio plants for your landscape? The finest options explode with lush, green leaves and eye-catching chromaticity. Let’s take a look.

1. Geraniums

For the best-looking backyard, you will need to take optimal care of both your plants and lawn. Learn more here.

Geraniums come in a variety of fabulous colors, from traditional red and pink to exotic purple and orange.

When choosing your geraniums, be sure that both the flowers and leaves have a healthy color. There should be no discoloration between the stems. Beware of any obvious signs of pests.

Geraniums should be placed in drainage pots to avoid root rot. Use a soilless potting mixture rather than dirt.

Be sure to water your geraniums thoroughly, and expose them to four to six hours of sunlight daily. Allow the plants to dry between waterings, and don’t fertilize them in winter.

You should, however, fertilize them every two weeks during active months. Use a water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength.

2. Heliotropes

Heliotropes are known for their royal violet blossom colors and their vanilla scent. They will bloom on your patio from summer until fall in colors like white, blue, or lavender. Heliotropes will grow to about waist-high and cover your patio in lush, green foliage.

Heliotrope seedings can get purchased at garden centers in the spring. They should be planted in well-drained, fertile soil that has exposure to at least partial sunlight. Containers should get placed at least one foot apart on your terrace.

3. Pentas

Pentas are sunny, star-shaped flowers that will wash your patio in a bouquet of red, pink, and white.

They should get fertilized monthly during the growing season. Pentas can get watered when their top two to four inches of soil begin to dry out. Trim away damaged stems before spring begins.

Pentas can be annuals or perennials. If your plant is year-round, you can keep it indoors by a sunny window during the winter months.

4. Lemon Tree

Lemon trees do more than just fill your patio with sunshiny color. They will jazz up your summer recipes and bathe your veranda in a sweet scent.

Once your lemon tree has reached two to three years old, it will begin producing between ten and thirty lemons each year.

Pot your lemon tree in well-draining, composted soil. Water it every ten to fourteen days. And fertilize the surface so the roots of the tree are not affected.

If you live in a colder climate, bring your lemon tree indoors during the winter. Be sure not to keep it too close to a heat source.

5. Cordyline

Cordylines are tropical, leafy plants that look great alongside more colorful flowers. They come in red or green.

Cordylines need evenly moist soil and full to partial sunlight. They should get fertilized and trimmed every other month.

If the tips of your cordyline’s leaves begin to wither, it may be due to fluoride in your water. Begin watering them with bottled water and your problem should go away.

6. Sweet Bay Leaf Tree

Bay leaves add precious flavor to soups and stews. They can also make your patio look and smell delicious.

Bay leaf trees are slow-growing. They can get pruned and sheered into a variety of shapes. Make sure your pot is broad enough to keep the tree from toppling over.

Plant your tree early in the spring and use lots of compost. The right pot will keep it from getting too big for your veranda.

Bay leaf trees produce small yellow flowers that develop into berries in the fall. If you have cold winters, keep your plant indoors near a sunny window during winter months. If your climate has hot, dry summers, be sure to keep it near some shade.

7. Begonias

Begonias are hardy plants that are resistant to drought. They pop when potted in a rainbow of colors like pink, yellow, orange, or white.

Begonias need to get watered once their top inch dries out. They should also be given balanced liquid fertilizer at least once a month.

8. Hibiscus

Hibiscus plants are a favorite of patios worldwide. They produce jumbo flowers in pink, peach, orange, or purple.

Give your hibiscus plant plenty of water and sunlight to keep it blossoming from spring to fall. Grow it in lightweight soil. Hibiscus plants prefer loam and peat moss.

Make sure your container drains well. Hibiscus soil should be moist but never soggy. The plants should get warm water and several hours of direct sunlight each day.

9. Bird’s Nest Fern

Bird’s nest fern trees are lush, green plants that need a little extra TLC to reach their full potential. Leaves need lots of light and moisture to emerge from their “nest.”

Bird’s nest fern trees look great when paired with colorful, tropical plants. They should get fertilized at least once a week with liquid fertilizer.

If you live in a colder climate, your fern tree will grow great in a bathroom or greenhouse during the winter.

The Best Patio Plants

The best patio plants will fill your porch with color, greenery, and excitement. Choosing any from the list above will give your patio more life. For more outdoor design ideas, keep browsing the rest of our site today.

One of the biggest investments you will ever be likely to make is your home. It is also one of the most important in terms of your lifestyle. Having your own home not only gives you a base to enjoy life from but can do the same for your partner or any children you have. Of course, buying the property is only the beginning of what is involved. To keep your home in great condition and keep everyone in it safe, you also need to keep it clean and well-maintained.

We all know about the obvious things you can do to achieve this, from hoovering the house to mopping the floors. But what are the most common yet essential places most people forget to clean?

Exhaust fans

The exhaust fans in your home operate quietly in the background which means you can easily forget they are there. However, if you do not keep them clean it could prove dangerous. Most homes will have two exhaust fans – one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom.

Left uncleaned, the kitchen exhaust fan and filters can become clogged with grease which could cause a fire. The same is true of the bathroom fan which could get clogged with dust over time and also catch fire. It is best to clean your fans a couple of times per year to avoid this. If you are not sure how to clean exhaust fan locations in your home, it is advisable to get expert tips on cleaning your exhaust fans.

Underneath furniture

This may sound a little out there as you might not think that under your sofa or bed there would be much dust. If you take a look at the underneath of furniture though, you are likely to find cobwebs, spider eggs and lint attached. The best remedy is to use your vacuum cleaner to gently hoover these areas and get rid of any built-up grime. As with cleaning your exhaust fans, this should be once or twice per year.

Walls

It is amazing that so many of us forget about cleaning our walls seeing as they surround us wherever we are in our house. The issue is that dust and grime cling onto vertical surfaces just as well as horizontal ones. That means your walls can get very dusty and in need of some attention. One of the best home design tips to sort this out is with a duster that traps particles well. Simply start from the top of your wall and work down to the bottom.

Try to clean the places others don’t

Everyone leads busy lives which can make keeping on top of the cleaning tricky. It really is worth doing so to keep your home pleasant to live in and safe. As well as all the usual housework tasks, try to clean some of the ones other people don’t for superior results. You will be surprised at just how much you begin to notice areas like this need cleaning once you start.

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It is becoming increasingly important for today’s homeowner to be aware of environmental issues facing our world as we move through the 21^st Century. Not only is energy becoming almost unaffordable but the sources of fossil fuel are becoming scarcer by the day. However, energy is only a small part of the concerns today’s homeowners deal with. From building materials to home décor, the cost of natural wood also continues to rise as we are depleting our forests with little effort toward reforestation.

As a result, many homeowners are left few options but to choose synthetic materials, much to their chagrin. If you are faced with this dilemma, have you considered the benefits of reclaimed timber? Let’s explore a few of those to see what you can accomplish with amazing products like Manomin Resawn Timbers for your next home renovation and décor DIY project.

Natural Beauty of Reclaimed Timber

There is something quite remarkable about the natural beauty of reclaimed lumber. Not only can you achieve the rustic appeal of weather-worn walls or floors, but you can also choose from a variety of boards which have been completely resawn and refinished so that they are in pristine condition.

It is possible to choose from a variety of colors from weathered antique to platinum grey or antique oak. In fact, you can even go with the varied shades of mixed hardwoods for a totally unique look that is hard to accomplish in any other way.

Fire is a Huge Concern in Some Areas of the Country

Not only have we depleted our forests by almost 50% since the dawning of time but there are few human efforts at reforestation for a number of reasons. Take, for example, the State of California that sees millions of acres burned in wildfires annually.

With charred hills and valleys, it will be decades before the grounds are suitable for planting. With such a concern involving future fires in these fire-prone areas, it is easy to see how some activists fight against repopulating our natural woodlands.

Other Ways in Which Reclaimed Timber Aids the Ecology

Then there is the cost involved of cutting trees, sawing boards and transporting those materials from location to location for the next process in the chain. From logging to sales inventory, a huge amount of fuel is consumed. What about our overburdened landfills?

There is little space to hold waste and all that lumber could be resawn, refinished, and reused. From bowling alleys to government buildings, reclaimed timber is pulled from a number of sources and is de-nailed, resawn and refinished so that all timber is literally as good as new!

Natural Beauty with Nature in Mind

When all is said and done, there really is no reason whatsoever not to reclaim wood that is perfectly useable with little damage to the environment. Not only can you make a fashion statement but you will have also done your part in ensuring a sustainable earth for future generations. When you look at it that way, is there any reason to keep depleting our forests when there is so much timber ready to be reclaimed? Check out all your options and you’ll see just how much sense this really makes!

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Generally, there are three most important things that you need to enjoy your sleep – a quality mattress, a comfortable pillow, and breathable bed sheets. These three bedding essentials can be bought from Brooklyn Bedding. The brand is simply your bedding expert. For example, their mattresses are not just high-quality but also strongly-built and hypoallergenic. Additionally, they come with a 120-night trial policy.

On the other hand, the pillows are not just comfortable but also come with moisture-wicking properties and are safe. The same can be said about their bed sheets. So, there can’t be any doubt about the value of the bedding essentials. The biggest concern, nonetheless, is the price. Most of the bedding essentials are expensive and this is where Brooklyn Bedding promo codes and discount codes come in. They are what you need to buy the bedding supplies cheaply.

But before anything, here are top 5 things to consider:

The Homepage Always Has Coupon Deals

Brooklyn Bedding always posts special deals on their homepage. So, you should first check the page. It’s where you get coupon deals for students, for teachers, and for military members. They also have offers for first responders. By visiting the homepage, you are able to take advantage of the special deals while they are still ‘hot’.

Newsletter Signing Up is Key

The easiest way to learn about Brooklyn Bedding coupons is to sign up for their newsletter. It helps to identify the latest deals and to also save time as you don’t have to visit their home page. You just have to check your inbox to identify coupons that interest you.

Saving is at Checkout

For you to know how much you’ll be saving, you need to add items to your shopping cart and head to the checkout page. This is where you can save a few bucks. You are required to copy paste the coupon code there to trigger a discount.  Sometimes, coupons pop up when you reach the checkout section and you just need to click on them.

%-Off Coupons are the Most Popular Deals

Though there are coupon deals for dollar-off and free shipping, %-off offers are the most popular. They come in the form of %-off on the first order, %-off on any purchase, and %-off on your entire purchase. In this case, you may get anything between 5% and 30% off.

Contacting Customer Care is a Good Idea

Whether it is to inquire about the availability of coupon deals or to verify the validity of specific coupons, you can’t go wrong with contacting Brooklyn Bedding customer support. They have all the facts to advise you accordingly.

Conclusion

Brooklyn Bedding gives you real value for what you pay for. So, the price shouldn’t be an excuse not to buy from them. What’s more, there are coupons that you can use to score discounts on your purchases. You just have to put the above consideration in mind if you choose to use them.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Many car owners not only own a car or two but many also own a motorcycle as well. Compared to a car, a motorcycle has lower fuel consumption and it is cheaper to maintain. For these people, they use their motorcycle to run short distance errands or a short ride to the park or jogging track. Their motorcycle is usually the first vehicle they owned or have been handed down from their father or someone close to them. The bikes are kept in good condition with oem parts for motorcycles which they sourced from online stores.

For some, a motorcycle is good as a second vehicle but for many, motorcycle is their only mode of transportation. Whatever the reason or reasons for owning a motorcycle, we have to agreed that it is an incredible form of transportation where public transport is not available. In crowded cities, even though some may consider it dangerous, it is also very convenient to get out of traffic congested areas.

Motorcycles are cheaper to maintain because motorcycles parts are usually cheaper than car parts. Motorcycles from well-known brands such as Honda are very durable and usually exceed their life span. We can still see many of the older Honda models on the street. Even though their parts are no longer sold by your local stores, you can still source for these older Honda motorcycle parts online.

If we want to run some errands in an area which is usually crowded and where parking is a problem, a motorcycle helps solve our problem. Finding a parking space for a motorcycle is definitely easier than getting a parking for your car. We get to save money on parking and on fuel whenever we use a motorcycle.

We know that riding a motorcycle has its risks but we can minimize the risks by taking safety precautions to ensure that our motorcycle is in good condition. One important thing is to make sure that we cultivate the habit of check both the tires regularly. It is good to invest in good quality tires even though we may not be using our motorcycle for long distance rides. Good quality tires are more durable and make our rides more comfortable.

Good quality tires are not necessary expensive. To purchase discount motorcycle tires, we have to diligently check out the online stores for their offered items. Certain good brands have selected items for sales at discount rates and these are good quality items worth buying.

Selecting the right bed frame and mattress ensemble is an essential step people ought to consider when shopping because much of its size, comfort, durability, and quality will affect your sleeping pattern and dictate whether you will be having a good night’s sleep the next few years or not. Just thinking about it is already a hard decision to make, but worry not because Domayne offers a variety of wooden bed frames to choose from.

From minimalist to the chicest wooden bed frames are all in the website, so getting a natural night’s sleep with class is no problem at all. Here are a few of the ones that will go with any interior theme:

Adobe Bed Frame

A Domayne Exclusive, the Adobe Bed Frame is crafted from quality Australian hardwood which exhumes a rustic, yet modern aesthetic. Aside from wooden bed frames available in queen and king sizes, the adobe collection offers other products such as a two-drawer bedside table, a six-drawer dresser, and a five-drawer tallboy. This can be paired with a Domayne’s Sealy Posture Premier Cambri Medium Queen Mattress for that five-star hotel feeling.

Help yourself relax and accessorise the rest of the room with plants or cacti to create a whole earthy feel. Since green is nature’s colour, accentuating it in your room will give feelings of soothness and restfulness and help you radiate positivity.

Spindle Bed Frame

Made from timber, the Spindle Bed Frame offers a minimalist wooden design with a uniquely-floating base. Its versatility is its best quality since it can be accessorised with more wooden display, or a more modern design like a merely grey cemented wall with little accents of black furniture.

This can be paired with a great selection of bed frames guaranteed to keep you snoring until the sun’s up. Be sure to choose the best mattress for your size and needs, especially if you have scoliosis because it can worsen with the wrong bedding ensemble.

Gallery Bed Frame with Tech Pack

Another Domayne exclusive, the Gallery Bed Frame with Tech Pack has an exquisite oak base which offers a floating illusion, while at the same time keeping the chic, minimalist style. The Gallery collection also offers a two-drawer bedside table, a five-drawer tallboy, bed bench, mirror, and a dresser. Aside from that, the bed frame itself has a built-in USB charger and LED lighting to set the night mood and ensure that your device is always ready to go which is perfect for students and working adults alike.

This Australian-made bed frame is available in double, queen, and king, so it is suitable for all ages and is therefore a perfect addition to the family. Most importantly, the warranty lasts for sixty months so it can guarantee long-lasting satisfaction for you and your family’s comfort needs.

Aside from bed frames and mattresses, a room’s mood and lighting should be adjustable to cater to your sleeping pattern because too much bright lights at night will only hinder your mind from resting. Why not take it up a notch and get yourself a Domayne product now?

Travelling to India is exciting since the country has a lot to offer. It is colourful, diverse and welcoming. It is also home to over a billion people, and soon could be the most populated country on Earth. Before you head to India, you might already have tons of stereotypes about the country based on what you read online or what you heard from other people. These are among the typical stereotypes and the truth behind them that you need to understand.

Poverty is visible everywhere

It is quite an unfair statement to describe a country like India. Poverty is prevalent around the world, and not only in India. However, given the potential of this country due to its labour force, we can expect India to be an economic tiger in the future. However, even those who live in poverty still manage to make the most of their lives and remain happy.

The real India is chaotic

It is yet another unfair depiction of the country. You might only see the negative side of India when you watch documentaries and news reports. However, these shows don’t depict the expensive side of India. Given how diverse the country is, there are a lot of districts that offer luxury hotels, shopping malls and bars for travellers. These are safe places for you to visit if that is your concern. Also, even in countries with strong security forces, it is inevitable there will be some chaos.

Indians speak “Hindu”

Don’t confuse the language with the religion. Hindu is the religion while Hindi is the language. Most Indians follow Hinduism, although it is not the only common religion in the country. Given how large and diverse India is, you will see people following different religious groups. They also live in harmony with one another despite their differences. Hindi, on the other hand, is a language in India. However, given how diverse the country is, a lot of people don’t speak Hindi. It is only the prevalent language in North India. As you head south, you will hear people talking in different languages. English is also a popular language in India as it used to be a British colony.

It’s all curry and butter chicken in India

Given how diverse India is, even its food is diverse. You can find Indians preparing different types of dishes, and they are all worth trying. If you head to Kerala, you can see coconut as one of the most popular ingredients. In Kolkata, you can taste some of the tastiest seafood as the city is near the open waters. Up north, you will find the most delicious naan or white bread. You can’t go home without trying all these mouth-watering dishes.

Indian women wear a saree all the time

Although it is common for you to see women wearing traditional costumes, they don’t do it all the time. They also wear other types of outfits like regular people. They wear traditional costumes for formal events and religious activities. Apart from that, they wear what people in hot countries usually wear. The good thing is that the culture of the country is alive because of these colourful costumes.

These are among the stereotypes people have about India. You can remember these India travel tips so that you will have a rich experience on your visit there.

Image: Unsplash.com

 

 

Moving to a new house is a complicated process, and because you are busy thinking about a lot of things, you might miss out on some things. Add to that the emotional burden that you currently have since you are moving to a new place, and the fact that you are leaving good memories and friends behind.

Before you get too busy and emotional, here are some of the crucial things to do, or else you will face tons of problems later.

Change your mailing address

You need to change your mailing address since you might still have pending bills that you will pay later. If the companies send these bills to your old address, you might not pay them on time, and incur penalties. It does not take time to change your mailing address. You can even do it online.

Look for a storage facility

You might be moving to a new place which is not as big as the one where you currently reside. Therefore, if you intend to take all your stuff with you, there might not be enough space. The best option is to book a storage facility. You can keep the items there while you are still setting up your new home. You can gradually take them to your place when you are ready.

Survey the new place

Before you finally settle into your new home, you need to be familiar with the neighbourhood. Find out where you can find key places like hospitals, stores and schools. You need to drive around so that upon your arrival, you can introduce your entire family to these places. You will also know if the area is safe.

Plan how to dispose of your things

You can’t take everything to your new home. You can get help from Removals Cheltenham if you want them to pack your things and deliver them to your new home. They will only help in packing, but they can’t decide which items to take and which items to dispose of.

You need to know which items you no longer need. Find a way to dispose of them without wasting them. You can organise a yard sale if you feel like other people would be willing to pay the price for those items. You can also contact a local charitable organisation if you want to donate things. The point is to take only the things that you need.

Pay all your debts

You are starting a new life, and it would be best if you start it debt-free. Find a way to pay all your debts, so you won’t have to think about them as you commence a new chapter. It is not easy since you will likely incur expenses because you are moving, but try your best to pay all loans especially if you borrowed them from local creditors or friends.

It is understandable for you to be very busy when you decide to move, but make sure not to forget to do these things before you leave.