7 Tips on How to Design an Eco-Friendly Kitchen

As the world is evolving with its latest inventions, the use of appliances and substances harmful to the Earth is also increasing. People should be advised to use eco-friendly items to reduce the Earth’s resources exploitation as much as possible. To save our planet, we can start by taking small steps and using recyclable and eco-friendly materials. When designing your kitchen, you can make environmentally thoughtful choices.

Create a Sustainable Design:

You can style your kitchen that does not require the usage of so many resources, and on top of that, sealing it with paint can produce toxins in the environment. Design a kitchen that does not need many replacements, as it will help reduce the usage of natural resources. 

Having a functional, beautiful, easy to use kitchen space for everyone that can last many years is an essential factor in designing an eco-friendly kitchen.

Cabinets:

Instead of getting newly designed cabinets, you can reface them as it uses less wood. Usage of a lot of wood can reduce our forest count and affect the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere. When you reface your cabinets, it makes them durable and stronger than before. It will cost you less as compared to when you replace your cabinets.

Counter-Tops:

People mostly like to choose granite material as their countertops. But granite is not a renewable resource, thus leading to increased waste on Earth, and it requires more mining than other materials. You can choose quartz and Corian as your countertops as they do not need toxic sealants and tend to last longer without cracking.

Increase Your Use Of Recycled Materials:

Increase your use of recycled material in the kitchen to reduce waste and improve the environment. 

• The stainless steel used in making sinks is often made using recycled material.
• For flooring and cabinetry, look for wood made with a non-chemical adhesive.
• Bamboo is a great eco-friendly product as it grows at a faster rate.
• The cement used for building a kitchen uses chemicals and huge quantities of water. You can replace cement with resin.

Choice of Appliances:

When designing your kitchen, buy kitchen appliances that will save you energy and keep you away from harmful pollutants.

• Replace your kettles for boiling water that costs a lot of electricity with a boiling water tap. 
• When using a coffee maker, use a reusable filter. Using disposable paper filters end up in the landfill and pollute the environment as they contain trace amounts of dioxin pollutants.
• Use a toaster with two slots for bread as it requires less energy compared to a four slotted toaster.
• Before you purchase a waffle maker, make sure that it is Teflon-free as it leaches out chemicals when heated at high temperatures. It can be harmful to the environment.

How to Choose Your Cookware:

Stay Away from Teflon Coated Products:

In Teflon, PFOA is a carcinogen and hormone disruptor that harms the body by staying in the environment. Perfluorinated chemicals found in Teflon coating can leach toxic substances into your food. They are found in saucepans, muffin tins, and baking sheets.

Alternatives to Teflon:

Stainless Steel:

Pans made out of stainless steel are a great option for eco-friendly cookware. These pans are coated with aluminum and copper, which conducts heat well. It can cook acidic foods.

Non-Stick Cookware:

Non-stick pans are good for your health as they use a ceramic coating. It is free of toxic chemicals and is considered safe under high temperatures. In the manufacturing of these pans, no heavy metals are used, and its exterior is made of durable heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum.

Use of Green Products:

Eco-friendly products use less energy and water than the standard ones, and they help reduce energy costs. The pandemic that we are facing these days is known as Coronavirus, and because of it, we are confined to our houses, which makes us more exposed to the air pollution created by the kitchen. Air pollution is produced because of cooking fumes and the gases produced from paints, flooring, renovating cabinets, and countertops. 

Try to increase the usage of green products to reduce air pollution. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful for our eyes, nose, and throat and can cause cancer and are produced by paints, wood, preservations, and other materials. Use eco-friendly paint that does not contain VOCs.

Author Bio: 

Amy Rehan is a guest post manager at Globex Outreach. Her job is to ensure all guest post projects are completed on time and according to client’s requirements.

How To Remove Bad Smells In The Kitchen

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Gone are the days when the kitchen is merely utilized as an area to prepare and cook meals. Today, kitchens are becoming more diverse as they’re now used by homeowners to entertain guests and share conversations with the family. Most homeowners will also invest in the newest kitchen appliances and furnishings as they treat this particular area as an extension of their living room. 

The kitchen is very functional, but it’ll be very challenging for you to enjoy the space if it smells bad. How do you think you can have fun in your kitchen if the area stinks?  Do you think you’ll have the confidence to invite your friends over at your kitchen if everything in it smells bad?  It’s common for the kitchen to have all sorts of smells, but this doesn’t mean that you should let the odor linger. 

Here’s how you can remove bad smells in the kitchen:

1. Check Your Air Filter
   
   There are many reasons why your kitchen often smells bad. Aside from the odor coming from raw ingredients and wastes, your kitchen can also smell bad if your air filters are damaged. Dirt and dust can easily accumulate when you have a damaged air filter, as well as cause bad odors in your kitchen.
   
   If you often notice that your kitchen smells bad even before you start cooking, spend some time to check your air filter and replace it with a quality air filter when necessary. Aside from keeping your kitchen smelling good, replacing your air filters regularly can also improve the air quality in your kitchen. Doing so will lessen your family’s susceptibility to allergies.
   
   
2. Put Lemons In Your Garbage Bins
   
   Your kitchen will always have wastes. This is where you’ll prepare meals for friends and family, which is why your kitchen trash bins will be often full.
   
   For your garbage containers to, still, smell fresh, feed them some lemons. Simply slice several pieces of lemon and place them inside your trash bins. Lemons contain citric acid that can effectively break down the grease and gunk that cause bad odor in your kitchen.  Lemons will also leave a light and lemony scent in your kitchen, which can improve the overall ambiance of the space.
   
   
3. Spritz Some Homemade Air Freshener
   
   Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to spend a lot of money just to keep your kitchen smelling good. There are actually many ways you can easily get rid of bad smells in the kitchen, and making your own air freshener is a great example.
   
   You can make your own air freshener simply by mixing two tablespoons of water, three quarters cup of rubbing alcohol, and about 20 drops of your favorite essential oils. Some of the best oils you can use for your kitchen are orange, lavender, and peppermint.
   
   After mixing the liquids together, put everything in a spray bottle and spritz it on areas that are prone to bad odors. Using homemade air fresheners is one of the easiest ways to make your kitchen smell good, which is perfect when you’re expecting guests after using the kitchen for hours!
   
   
4. Keep Your Sponges Dry
   
   No kitchen would be complete without sponges. This is an essential tool that helps clean your silverware and different surfaces in your kitchen. A sponge is very useful, but can also cause bad odors in the kitchen when not cleaned properly.
   
   Another hack that you can try to remove bad smells from your kitchen is to always keep your sponges dry. A wet sponge can cause strong odors, especially when your kitchen is enclosed. A wet sponge can also attract germs and bacteria, and can become the reason why your entire household will become sick.
   
   Make sure that none of these happen by placing your sponge in an area with good airflow. Don’t forget to put your sponges in the dishwasher at least once a week to get rid of any stink.
   
   
5. Cancel Out Cooking Smells
   
   Certain dishes leave bad odors in your kitchen. Spaghetti marinara, for example, will usually leave a stink in your kitchen for hours. The same is true for fried fish and recipes that require different types of cheeses.
   
   You can easily cancel out cooking smells in your kitchen by filling a saucepan with about a cup of water and three tablespoons of vinegar, and letting it boil for a few minutes. The steam from the mixture will neutralize any nasty smells from your kitchen and make the area feel cleaner. 

Use Simple Strategies

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There are many ways you can remove bad smells in your kitchen. You just have to find and use a strategy that’s easy to implement and suits your lifestyle. You’ll be encouraged to make your kitchen smell good if you know strategies that are to do and effective! 

Easy and Affordable Ways to Fix Up Your Home

As the fall and winter holidays get closer, you may be planning to have relatives visit or stay with you for a short period of time. Not only do you want to create a welcoming experience, but you also need your home to be in good condition.

Updating your home doesn’t need to be expensive or time-consuming either. So follow these easy and affordable tips for helping you get the most out of fixing up your home.

1. Get your air conditioner and heater serviced.

Your air conditioning and heating systems are used almost every day to keep your home comfortable. However, during this time, they also build up debris, dirt, and other gunk within the units. Make sure you get your HVAC systems serviced at least twice each year – ideally once at the start of spring and once in the fall.

To find a quality HVAC technician, read online reviews and search for highly-rated companies. You can Google phrases like, “air conditioning services in Pennsylvania,” to see some of the top names in that region.

2. Look for small problems that could become big issues.

The last thing any homeowner wants is an emergency plumbing crisis or electrical repair. These issues can make living in a house unsafe and require several days to fix. Evaluate each of the systems in your house to see if there are potential issues that could arise.

For example, when you notice strange smells or gurgling from your drains, it's best to call a plumber. Look for a reliable company that offers the services you need like a routine pipe inspection to make sure everything is working at its best. Do a quick online search by typing in the required service you need followed by your area such as, "sewer repair in Atlanta" or more specifically "sewer repair in Roswell" for that particular suburb.

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3. Update your interiors with new art.

You might be surprised how small changes can have a major impact on your home. Taking a few small steps to rearrange the furniture or add a few new decorations can make your house feel completely new.

Try out a few creative ways to add new and unique art to your space. For example, a DIY kit from Paint Loose allows you to make beautiful creations yourself without the need to hire someone. You can also visit local art fairs and support local artists by buying their work.

4. Visit garage sales and thrift shops.

If you don’t have a large budget to fix up your home, look for ways to get home improvement tools on the cheap. Many thrift shops have sections for power tools (including lawnmowers and leaf blowers) that you can use for yard work. Garage sales and estate sales can also have some paint, unused home decorations, and other appliances that you can get for your home without spending too much.

Finding these resources can take a lot of shopping time and you may need to visit multiple yard sales and stores before you find what you need, but the results can be worth it.

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5. Deep clean your space.

Oftentimes, your home doesn’t need major repairs, it just needs a little TLC and some deep cleaning. Spend a weekend diving into the details of your house to make sure it's spotless. This includes cleaning the baseboards, getting the dust off of fan blades, and removing clogs of hair from your shower drains. The effort will be worth it: your house will feel bigger than it was before and you can relax in the bliss of a clean home.

It doesn’t take much to make your house feel like you completely redecorated or repaired. By catching issues before they become too serious and finding creative ways to design your space, you can open your home to friends and family reassured that it looks good.

Aircon Not Working? Durham NC AC Repair Says It Can Be the Thermostat

Did you know that the number of Americans that have invested in an air-conditioning system in and around their house surpasses over 70 million and counting? This is according to the energy consumption surveys online source. This accounts for over 50% of energy usage in homes and is no wonder there is a need for certified professionals to help with these in case of any issues, of which they can typically have if not maintained properly. 

The common thing with any household appliances or systems is the advent of inevitable faults. Things happen, we get them repaired and we carry on with life as it is. One of these things that is the topic of conversation in this article is these air conditioning systems that take up half of your household’s comfort levels.

We cannot live without them anymore.  Be it in your own home or a hotel, restaurant, in the car, they are everywhere and they are here to stay, and the important message to take home in all of this is to make sure you have someone on call who can fix any issues on the same day. There may be a few different things that get negatively affected on these units which can lead to them not working anymore, or working in a wrong manner. 

One of these things is its thermostat. 

The Importance of the Thermostat

Any appliance that could either cool a room down or heat it, will inevitably have a thermostat. It helps it cool or warm a place to a set point and temperature. Something like the central heating of a building, or a water heater and some kitchen appliances such as ovens, stoves, and refrigerators, all have this in them to avoid them from overheating or going past the normal levels. If you haven’t guessed it by now, this is a very important element in most of your homes gadgets and acts as a safety feature https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermostat

Issues to Look Out For

Having said that, when the aircon stops working or blows hot air when cold is needed and vice versa, the first go-to would be the thermostat. This is because in on itself it can have various issues that we will investigate below. 

If your thermostat is old, you probably need to replace it with a new one. Unfortunately, they do not last a lifetime and at some point, will need replacing. It can break if used too much. A newer programmable one should be considered especially if you live in an old house which had it when you moved in. 

Sometimes they may need a couple of batteries as well and this can be indicated by a warning light or low power indicator on it. This is a simple fix, which just needs new batteries. Of course, if it does not have enough power, it will not work properly. 

Other times when the repair person had installed it, perhaps they did not do a proper job, in which case, replace them with a far more superior service alternativeire.com, and do not try and fix this yourself. These units are heavy and have lots of moving parts which can break or electrocute you, so leave it to the certified professionals to handle with the right tools. If you see any loose wiring, leave it off and give the experts a call.

If you have a modern programmable one and it stops working, chances are it has not been programmed well enough, which may be something to get checked. Sometimes one cannot find the fault, and it could simply be with the programming of the device. 

Another very simple and common fault can be with the overall maintenance and cleanliness of the unit. Those that have been left for many months or years without cleaning, can often lead to failure to work. Some of them are easy to clean with a duster, while others, if they stop working, may need to be opened and the filter may need to be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. But only if it's just the cover with no wiring or buttons on it. 

Keeping all these things in mind when it stops working or functions at half-mast, is something to pay heed to. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Skirting Boards

Making changes to your home decor can be a serious project. Deciding how to go about the design would take a great deal of effort. And if you will be using skirting boards in any phase of the work, you want to get the right one. 

You won't have to be disturbed about this if you leave it to the professionals. But if you're going to install the skirting boards yourself, you want to be able to shop just the ideal type. You can find tips below on picking the best boards to work in your home design. 

The Scale of your Project 

The first thing that could be on your mind is how much of the skirting board you will be needing. A prior assessment will involve considering the scale of your project. How big or small is the area you need to be fitted? This will determine how much of the skirt boards you will use in your project. 

The size and pattern of the room is also another thing you want to keep in mind. A room with high ceilings will require tall skirting boards. You will also have to use shorter ones in a low ceiling room. As a rule of thumb, builders always advise you to use 1/18 of your room's height when shopping for the right size of skirting boards. 

The Designs to Choose

After doing the maths on how much board you will need to use in your project. You will also have to conclude on the type of design to go with. If you want them to play an essential role in decorating your interior or exterior wall, you should take the time to make your choice. 

Depending on your home's architectural style, you want to go for a design that would complement it. Traditional options may be ideal for contemporary style homes, while a more modern look would be best if you want something upscale. You can find more here on the different types of skirting boards available to choose from. 

Still, you will have a design that follows your detailing and decor needs. You can decide to work with a professional skilled with custom interior design and homebuilding. 

Color is an Important Factor as Well

As with everything about design, color is important. And if you are looking to introduce the wow effect in your home, you can achieve that with the right color effect. So when picking out the right skirting boards for you, you must consider the look and feel it adds to your living space. It is best to get custom orders for any color of your choosing, so you want to get creative with your design. 

Material Composition of your Boards

What is your skirting board made from? The material component is also something you want to think of when in the market for the best options. If you want something durable and long-lasting, then you certainly want to keep this in mind. But if you are on a budget, you can equally consider affordable options such as MDF. They are quality yet less expensive option compared to others. 

You should know that nothing can replace the workability and the quality assurance that comes with natural wood. You can also use wood options such as oak, Tulipwood, and pine for custom jobs that require precision machining. While MDF is a good option too, you should know that it is susceptible to cracks and damage than natural wood. 

Bringing Your Design to Life 

If you are a handy homeowner, there is a chance you can fix in your skirting boards without much hassle. There are tutorial videos available online to guide you each step of the way on how to place them correctly. You will have to own the tools for the job and also get the materials you need. There are useful suggestions here https://www.carpentry-tips-and-tricks.com/fitting-skirting.html on doing the job correctly. 

You can save yourself the troubles, on the other hand and get an expert to help you out. You will have to factor the cost of their services when planning your budget for the job. 

Final Note 

Skirting boards can be a great way to design your inside and outside space. And you want to be cautious about how you go about your home upgrade. Go for durable materials, and don't hesitate to use professionals whenever you require their services.