Before cleaning off the stains, find the cause and eliminate it. Otherwise, the brown stains will likely return.

Water Stains

A leak in the exterior wall or roof can make the wood behind the wallpaper wet. The tannins in the wood soak through the wallpaper and stain it brown. The wallpaper may also bubble, peel, or smell musty. If the brown stain has black spots mixed in it, you may have a mold infestation along with the staining.

Find the leak and stop it before trying to clean the wallpaper. If you suspect mold, or if the leak has soaked the wall insulation, be prepared for a more extensive renovation.

Improper Installation

Brown stains can appear on recently installed wallpaper. Too much paste or the wrong type of paste can soak through the wallpaper before it dries. If the stains are the result of poor installation, the wallpaper will likely start peeling off soon. Be prepared to remove the wallpaper and do it again.

High-Traffic Areas

Brown stains appear on wallpaper in high-traffic areas. They are usually a buildup of dirt, dust, and grime–especially if kids run their wet greasy hands along the walls. Wallpaper requires regular cleaning in high-traffic areas to remain stain-free.

Smoke Stains

The visible part of smoke consists of unburned fuel, oils, tar, and chemicals. They adhere to anything they contact–including wallpaper. All combustion produces smoke–cigarettes, cooking, fireplaces, wood stoves, candles, etc. If you have smoke in your house, you have brown stains on your wallpaper. The worst staining occurs near the ceiling. Regular cleaning is the only solution.

Bug Stains

Some insect pests leave brown stains on wallpaper. These include:

• Stink Bugs. Leave a trail of brownish-orange fluid behind when disturbed.
• Cockroaches. Leave dark brown or reddish smears where they crawl.
• Boxelder Bugs. (Also called Maple Bugs) Have orange-tinted feces.
• Silverfish. Feed on wallpaper and leave yellowish stains.
• Bed Bugs. Feces are brown and they leave reddish-brown stains when crushed.

It is best to eliminate the pest infestation before cleaning the wallpaper or the stains will continue to reappear.

The post Brown Stains on Wallpaper: A Sign of Trouble? appeared first on Homedit.

Get An Energy Audit

An energy audit tells you where the house is losing heat and which areas should be prioritized to save heat and add comfort. There is no sense in adding attic insulation when you should be insulating rim joists instead. The average cost of a home energy audit is about $425.00. (Government rebates may reduce the cost.) Audits only need to be done once.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Turning the thermostat down 7 – 10 degrees Fahrenheit when no one is home can save up to 10% on heating bills. Lower the temperature by the same amount when you are sleeping. Add another blanket to the beds. (Keep the temperature above 55 degrees F. to prevent frozen pipes and frost on the windows.)

Programmable Thermostat

Upgrading to a programmable thermostat saves energy. It also saves you from having to remember to adjust your old thermostat. Smart thermostats can be programmed to your lifestyle, sleeping patterns, work, and holiday schedule.

Seal Your Windows and Doors

Your walls should have an R-value of R-12 or R-20. Double-glazed windows are R-2. And they often leak. Fix drafty windows with weatherstrip, caulking, and foam insulation. Storm windows are worth installing to keep the heat in. Even inexpensive plastic film prevents heat loss.

A ⅛” gap below your exterior door loses as much heat as a 2” hole in the wall. Adjust or replace your door sweep. Place a rolled-up towel or door draft stopper against it to prevent heat loss. Adjust the door to seal properly against the weatherstrip. Replace damaged weatherstrip.

Space Heaters

Space heaters are an excellent way to have a warm cozy area in a room while keeping the whole house temperature lower. Trying to heat an entire room with a space heater is not cost-efficient. Use them under home office desks, to heat a small reading area, or to warm a bathroom before use. Follow all space heater safety tips this winter. They can be dangerous–especially older heaters that may lack safety features like timers and auto shut-off if they tip over.

Fireplaces

Electric and gas fireplaces are very efficient and add a significant amount of heat to the room. Wood fireplaces may actually cool the house by drawing warm interior air to fuel the flames and sending it up the chimney. Close any fireplace doors after the burn to prevent warm air from escaping up the chimney. Close the flue when the fireplace is not in use.

Use Fans

Reverse ceiling fans to mix the warm air that accumulates near the ceiling with cooler air to keep room temperatures constant. This is especially effective in homes with vaulted ceilings where warm air gathers. Small quiet fans located in rooms without ceiling fans achieve a similar effect.

Don’t Close Vents and Doors

Shutting off vents and closing doors to only heat parts of the house usually increases energy consumption. Furnace size is calculated to heat the entire house. Closing doors and vents alters the pressure balance and forces the furnace to work longer and harder.

More Easy Tips and Tricks

Include these easy inexpensive tips in your heat-saving arsenal.

• Curtains. Open curtains during the day so solar gain warms the house. Close them at night to preserve the heat.
• Furniture. Do not place furniture over or in front of vents, return air ducts, or any heat source. Keep rugs off floor vents.
• Bathroom and Kitchen Fans. Ventilation fans should run for 20 – 30 minutes to remove humidity. Installing a timer switch is an effective way to control run time.
• Furnace Filters. Dirty filters make the furnace work harder and run longer. Change them regularly.
• Attic Access. Ensure it has effective weatherstrip and remains tightly closed.
• Seal Cracks and Gaps. Seal all cracks, gaps, and wall penetrations to reduce heat loss.
• Insulate Heating Ducts. Ducting that passes through crawl spaces and attics should be insulated to prevent heat loss.
• Inspect Heating Systems. Have your furnace inspected yearly to maintain efficient operation.

The post Home Heating Tips and Tricks That Save You Money appeared first on Homedit.

Renos That Should Wait Until Spring

Unless you have an emergency–things like leaking roofs, leaking basements, broken windows, etc.–leave these jobs for warmer weather. You get a better quality product in a shorter time frame.

New Roofing

Installing any type of roofing is dangerous in optimal weather conditions. Adding ice, snow, rain, and cold temperatures to steep roofs makes the work more dangerous. Asphalt and fiberglass shingles get brittle and break in the cold. They don’t seal properly and may require repairs in warmer weather. Many roofing contractors completely shut down every winter.

New Siding

Siding can be and is installed in freezing temperatures. It should be installed by someone with experience to avoid serious problems later. A 12’ sheet of vinyl siding expands and contracts approximately ⅝” between winter and summer. Improper installation can result in joints opening up, buckled siding, and excess waste. (Vinyl siding cracks and shatters in cold weather.)

Most siding is difficult to work with and more brittle in cold temperatures. Waste factors are higher. All siding installations require waterproofing and sealing. The caulking may not cure properly and sealing tape does not stick as well. The quality of installation may also suffer in cold weather.

New Windows and Doors

Regardless of how experienced and quick window installation crews are, every window and door replacement leaves a hole in your wall for at least 20 minutes–more if they run into problems like rot or sizing difficulties. Spray foam insulation and caulking freeze before curing and sealing gaps. You get a better job waiting for warm weather.

Exterior Painting

Painting in winter–even if it does not freeze–is problematic. Paint does not adhere to moist surfaces very well and it takes much longer to dry. Your paint job may start peeling and flaking. Exterior painting is more successful when the temperature remains consistently above 50 degrees F.

Anything Involving Concrete

Pouring concrete in the winter is expensive–especially if it does not cure properly. Poorly cured foundation walls are structurally weaker. Driveways, sidewalks, and patios poured in winter can spall, crack, and heave. For proper curing, concrete needs to be kept between 50 and 60 degrees F for 48 hours–adding to the cost of winter concrete pours.

Landscaping

Landscaping in winter is challenging and usually doomed to failure–even if you are not digging through snow cover. Tree, shrub, and plant roots do not grow in frozen or near-frozen earth. They remain dormant, freeze, and the plant usually dies. Late summer, spring, or fall planting is a better option. Some plants should never be planted in the fall in case of early freeze-up.

Large Exterior Renovations

Additions, extensions, and even adding a bay window are best left for warmer months. At some time during construction, the house is opened up so work can proceed. Adequate heating is difficult. Snow and rain can make the interior wet, muddy, and messy. Spend your winter planning, getting permits, getting quotes, and be ready for an early spring start.

The post Home Renos You Should Never Do In The Winter appeared first on Homedit.

You can still use these plants as decorations. Just ensure that you handle them safely and caution your guests about potential dangers.

Holly

Holly wreaths and table decorations are popular Christmas decorations. The entire plant–especially the bright red berries–is very toxic. Holly contains saponins and theobromine throughout the plant but they are especially concentrated in the attractive bright red berries. Theobromine poisoning can cause vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and possibly death.

Theobromine poisoning–also called chocolate or cocoa poisoning–is very toxic to dogs and cats. Make sure children and pets are kept away from holly decorations.

Poinsettia

Potted poinsettias are everywhere at Christmas time. Their display of beautiful leaves makes for festive decorations. They are on this list because of their mythical reputation. Repeated studies show that poinsettias are not toxic to children or pets. A child needs to eat about 500 poinsettia leaves to get sick. Contact with poinsettia sap may cause a rash and itching. Be cautious with poinsettias but decorating with them should not cause any problems for children or pets.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe symbolizes good luck, love, and invitations to kiss. It is also highly toxic to humans and pets. The leaves and berries contain the toxins viscotoxin and pharotoxin. Ingesting American mistletoe usually only causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Eating European mistletoe can cause death.

Symptoms of mistletoe poisoning include nausea, vomiting, confusion, slow heartbeat, and seizures–which could be fatal. Mistletoe is safe to touch but ingesting even a small bit can be dangerous.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis bulbs contain alkaloids such as lycorine. They are very toxic to cats and dogs and make children ill if chewed on. Even the flowers can be toxic if chewed on. Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, abdominal pain, and possibly seizures. Make sure that children and pets can’t get to these beautiful flowers.

Yew

The dark green needles and bright red berries of the yew shrub make attractive holiday wreaths. A chemical called taxines is found in all parts of the plant and is extremely poisonous to humans and pets. Some of the many symptoms of yew poisoning include breathing problems, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and coma. Ingesting even small amounts causes toxic reactions. It may be best not to decorate with this dangerous plant for festive occasions.

Ivy

English ivy is designated a noxious weed and invasive plant in parts of the USA. This doesn’t stop people from using it as a holiday decoration. Ingesting any type of ivy can cause severe stomach pain and skin rashes, nausea, and vomiting. Ivy poisoning is not considered fatal and the seriousness of the poisoning depends on the amount eaten. Handling the plant can cause dermatitis. Ivy is toxic to both humans and pets.

Christmas Cactus

Christmas cactus plants are a staple in many homes. They produce beautiful pink, red, or white blossoms at Christmas and/or Easter. They are not as toxic as others on the list but they do cause gastrointestinal irritation in small children and pets if ingested.

Lilies

Lilies are popular holiday decorations because of their large flower displays. Make sure your cat can’t chew on lilies. Swallowing even a small bit causes kidney failure in cats. Ensure your cat can’t get to the lily plant or opt for a different decoration.

The post Festive Plants That Are Extremely Poisonous appeared first on Homedit.

Using Harsh Chemicals

Most countertops are sensitive to harsh chemicals. They can make countertops dull or stained or etch the finish. Some of this damage cannot be repaired without completely refinishing the countertop. Read the container carefully before using a cleaner. If you are still not sure, try it in an unobtrusive location before spraying the entire countertop.

Using Abrasive Cleaners

Abrasive cleaners and scrubbing pads usually provide a quick clean. They also scratch, dull, and damage almost all countertops. Use cleaners that are specifically made for your countertop material and clean soft sponges or microfiber cloths.

Too Much Bleach

Bleach effectively cleans, disinfects, and kills mold and bacteria. If you use it too often it also damages countertops. Undiluted bleach takes the color out of clothing and will discolor countertops if used too often.

Skipping the Degreaser

Grease splatters onto countertops from frying pans, and drips off china, cutlery, and cooking utensils. Dust and dirt adhere to it, mold and diseases can grow on it, and it makes everything it touches feel slimy. Make sure your favorite cleaner contains degreasing agents.

Wiping Too Soon

One of the most common counter-cleaning mistakes is “spray and wipe”. Most antibacterial cleaning products need a few minutes to do their work properly. If you spray the countertop and then wipe the cleaner off immediately, you are likely wasting time and cleaner without getting the desired results. Spray the countertop, leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, and then wipe it off. If you are concerned you will forget to wipe it off–set a timer.

Using Cleaning Sponges and Dish Cloths Too Long

Cleaning sponges should be replaced every two weeks. They should be disinfected in the dishwasher or microwave every couple of days. Otherwise, you are spreading germs, bacteria, and dirt around the countertop–not removing it.

Dishcloths often alternate from washing dishes to wiping spills off the floor to cleaning countertops. They should be replaced and sanitized regularly.

Not Rinsing and Drying

Not rinsing after cleaning leaves cleaner residue on the countertop. Which can turn milky and produce streaks. Rinsing with a clean sponge or cloth leaves a clean counter. Drying removes any water spots.

Not Knowing Your Countertop Material

Make sure you know your countertop material and choose the appropriate cleaner. You can damage countertop surfaces by using the wrong cleaning product. Acid-based cleaners like vinegar and lemon etch porous soft stone countertops like marble, limestone, and even granite. Some cleaning products leave laminates dull and scratched.

The post Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Your Kitchen Countertop appeared first on Homedit.

Reasons To Keep Cats Out

Cats may remove the odd rodent from your garden but the irritation they cause is usually not worth the small benefit.

• Health Risks. Cat feces can contain parasites like roundworms and bacteria like salmonella and E. coli which may remain in the soil for quite some time. Cats–especially feral cats–can carry many diseases including TB, rabies, and parasites.
• Plant Damage. Can dig out seeds and young plants while pooping.
• Yuck Factor. Shoving your bare hand into fresh cat feces while working on your plants.
• Cat Spraying. Male cats spray urine on buildings and plants to mark their territory. It stinks.
• Loss Of Birds. Cats kill many more birds in gardens than they kill mice.

How To Keep Cats Out

Using one or more of these environmentally friendly non-lethal suggestions will keep your gardens and flowerbeds cat, feces, and urine free.

Using Plants As a Cat Deterrent

The smell of some plants acts as a natural cat repellant. Grow them around the borders of your gardens and flower beds to keep cats on the outside. For larger areas grow the plants throughout the garden. Mix and match them to achieve the color scheme you prefer.

• Scaredy Cat Plant (Coleus Canina). Specifically bred by a German botanist to repel cats. This perennial plant gives off a strong odor–somewhat like Eucalyptus–when brushed against that keeps cats away.
• Common Rue.
• Marigold.
• Lavender.
• Geranium.
• Thorny Roses.

Essential Oil Deterrent

Certain essential oils repel cats. Mix up one part of your favorite essential oil with three parts water. Use a spray bottle to spray any area that cats are using as a toilet and any other likely spots. Essential oils that cats dislike include:

• Orange.
• Lime.
• Grapefruit.
• Citronella.
• Lemongrass.
• Peppermint.
• Lavender.
• Pennyroyal.

Essential oil spray should be renewed after a heavy rain.

Coffee and Cayenne Deterrent

Cats dislike the smell of coffee grounds and don’t like walking on them because of the texture. They hate the smell of cayenne pepper or black pepper. Mix coffee grounds and cayenne pepper and sprinkle it around the perimeter of your garden and between plants for extra protection.

Cats also dislike the smell of tea leaves. Break open a few tea bags and sprinkle the contents around your garden or flowerbed.

Ground Cover Deterrent

Cats are particular about the texture of what they are walking on. Spread some of these items around and in your garden to keep cats out.

• Pine Cones and Needles.
• Mulch. Wood chips. Crushed rock. Pea gravel.
• Mesh and Netting. Old mesh onion or potato bags or garden mesh.
• Plastic Forks. Stuck in the ground tines up. (Clear ones don’t stand out as much.)
• Chicken Wire. Or plastic fencing. Laid on the ground or stretched over the garden or flowerbed.
• Cat Deterrent Mats. Available online, from garden centers, and home improvement outlets. Plastic or metal spike mats.

Sound and Light Deterrent

Cats are easily startled by sudden loud noises and movements and flashing lights. Some things you might want to try include:

• Ultrasonic Cat Repeller. Available online or from home improvement outlets. Solar powered. Emits ultrasonic sound and flashing lights to drive cats away.
• Wind Chimes. Hung over flower beds.
• Foil Pans. Filled with pebbles; they make noise on breezy days.
• Light Reflectors. Like pinwheels, disks, old CDs, or anything that flashes light and moves.

Water Deterrent

Cats hate getting wet. Install a motion-activated water sprinkler system that will spray when a cat enters the garden or flowerbed.

Hair Deterrent

Human and dog hair keeps cats away. For small areas, you may be able to collect enough hair from the brushes in your house. If you need a lot of hair, try to get your barber, hairdresser, or dog groomer to collect hair from their cuts.

Spread the hair about three or four inches wide around the perimeter of your gardens or flowerbeds. Stake mesh over the hair to keep it from blowing away. You get the double deterrent of the smell of hair and the texture of the mesh.

Commercial Spray Deterrent

Buy commercial cat repellent spray, oil, or powder. They usually contain organic mixtures including cloves, garlic, and citronella. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent cats from messing with your gardens.

Paintball Deterrent

If you spend a lot of time in your garden, consider carrying a paintball gun to run them off. Paintballs are not lethal, and they can be fun to use–especially when the cat is not shooting back—as long as you don’t start spraying your house, fence, or car.

Dog Deterrent

Most dogs dislike cats. If you have a dog with an attitude and a way to keep it on your property, you have an excellent cat deterrent as long as the dog has no interest in digging up your gardens.

The post How To Keep Cats Out Of Flowerbeds and Gardens appeared first on Homedit.

Children’s Furniture and Toys

Bleach is a great disinfectant but toxic if ingested. It is also linked to skin rashes, eye irritation, and breathing problems. Children spill food on high chairs and car seats. They chew on toys. Rub their eyes after touching things. Bleach can be diluted down to safe levels but why take the chance? Just don’t use it on children’s furniture and toys.

Pets chew on their toys more than kids do. Keep pet toys bleach-free.

Wood

Don’t bleach any wood–floors, decks, furniture, cutting boards, tables, etc. Wood is a porous material that absorbs bleach and can’t all be soaked up or wiped off. Bleach damage includes:

• Discoloration.
• Stripping finishes like oil, paint, and wax.
• Dries out wood making it brittle.
• Can cause warping and cracking.

Upholstery

Trying to remove stains on upholstery with bleach usually causes more harm than good. It weakens the fabric leading to fading, tearing, and holes in the material. Bleach can remove the color from the upholstery and cause bleach spots.

Metals

Bleaching metal results in oxidation and rust. The list includes stainless steel, copper, aluminum, cast iron, silver, and more. Bleach breaks down the chrome on faucets and drains causing corrosion and eventually rusted fixtures. Stainless steel becomes streaky with repeated bleaching and can become rusty over time.

Glass and Mirrors

Bleach is difficult to rinse off of glass and mirrors–leaving a streaky cloudy-looking finish. Bleach can damage the backing on mirrors–reducing the reflective properties. It can cause caulking and weatherstrip to disintegrate or peel off window frames.

Porous Countertops, Tiles, and Grout

High-end countertops like marble, granite, quartz, and concrete are actually porous and absorb bleach. The result is often disastrous. Color changes, etching, pitting, and it will strip the finish off.

Grout and some tiles are porous and grow mold. Bleach kills mold–but only surface mold. Mold spores beneath the surface continue to grow where bleach can’t reach it. Below surface mold eventually starts growing on the substrate and can lead to rot.

The post Things You Should Never Use Bleach To Clean appeared first on Homedit.

Consider some of the following ideas that never go out of style.

Hardwood Floors

Almost any style, design, or color combination looks good with hardwood flooring. You can change furniture, colors, wall paint, and artwork without any concerns about the floor. Most hard floors last for decades but real ¾” thick wood can be sanded down, stained, and resealed. Hard flooring is easy to clean, does not hold dirt like carpet, and retains value.

Area Rugs

Area rugs are an inexpensive and popular way to change the feel and color of a room. Rugs keep the floor and your feet warm in the winter. They can cover the entire floor or define a reading area. Best of all, area rugs can be easily replaced if you decide to change or rearrange furniture groupings or want a different color combination.

White Cabinets

White kitchen and bathroom cabinets never go out of style. They match the countertops you have now and will match new ones in 20 years. Dark wooden cabinets are one of the things that make your kitchen look dated. If you are replacing cabinets, make them white. If you are not replacing cabinets, give the old ones a coat of paint and new pull handles and knobs to update your kitchen’s look.

Stainless Steel Appliances

Stainless steel never goes out of style. It is neutral-colored so it works with all types of wood floors, countertops, backsplashes, wall colors, and cabinet colors and designs. Stainless steel is perceived as a luxury upgrade in most situations.

Marble

Marble provides timeless beauty and elegant looks that never go out of style. Marble is versatile and can be used in various locations in the house.

• Kitchen countertops.
• Vanities.
• Backsplashes.
• Tub and shower walls.
• Flooring.
• Fireplace.

Marble makes a good accent in a room or it can be the focal point.

Neutral Walls, Artwork, and Mirrors

Paint your walls in light neutral colors–like off-white, light grey, or light beige. Then make personal statements about your style with wall hangings and mirror placement. It is easy to change the look and feel of a room by changing artwork or even just hanging it in different locations and at different heights. Mirrors make rooms feel larger and improve lighting.

Are you still going to like a room with a blood-red wall or Star Wars wallpaper in 20 years? Will they hold value if you decide to sell the house?

Fireplaces

A fireplace is invariably the focal point of any room. They provide heat and the comfort of open flames. Even if some elements of the fireplace–like gold door trim–are outdated, fireplaces can be modernized easily and relatively inexpensively. Fireplaces are decorated for holidays and furniture is arranged around the fireplace. They never go out of style and they keep value in the home.

Design For the Future

Most of us are going to get older. Designing for your older self is never a bad idea–especially bathroom remodeling. It costs very little extra to include some of these features when doing a major renovation.

• Walk-in tub.
• Wide shower door.
• Handheld spray.
• Curbless shower stall.
• Grab bars.

None of these items go out of style and they increase the value of your home if you have to sell.

The post Home Renovations That Never Go Out Of Style appeared first on Homedit.

Causes Of Yellow Stains On Pillows

Pillows usually turn yellow from a combination of factors–often related to moisture or humidity.

• Sweat. Most people sweat while sleeping–a little or a lot. The moisture eventually passes through the pillowcase and stains the pillows yellow.
• Drool. Many people also drool while sleeping. Saliva mixes with sweat to grow yellow stains.
• Body Oils. The human body secretes oils to keep the skin supple and lubricated. The oils from your head add to the mixture causing yellow stains.
• Cosmetics. Beauty products, skin creams, aftershave, etc. easily rub off onto pillows to cause yellow stains.
• Wet Hair. Moisture from wet hair is absorbed into the pillow. Some hair products rub off onto the pillow. All contribute to yellow pillow stains.
• Humidity. High bedroom humidity increases the speed of the staining and promotes mold and mildew growth.

Yellow Stains On Pillows Affect Your Health

Stained pillows don’t appear to be a serious problem but sensitive people could experience reactions to yellow pillow stains.

• Allergic Reactions. May be worse in the presence of mold, mildew, and dust mites.
• Skin Irritations. Dead skin and oils can cause rashes and acne.
• Harmful Bacteria. Moist environments promote bacteria survival.
• Respiratory Problems. Constantly inhaling a concentration of dust mites, bacteria, and mildew from the yellow stains makes existing respiratory problems worse.
• Dust Mites. Dust mites are everywhere in the house but thrive in moist environments like pillow stains. They can trigger allergies and make asthma attacks worse.
• Mold. Heavy accumulations of moisture can cause mold growth. Mold aggravates asthma conditions and allergies.

Removing Yellow Stains From Your Pillow

Completely removing old set-in yellow stains may be impossible but getting rid of most of the stain and lightening the pillow should be doable. Read and follow the pillow-washing instructions. Almost all pillows are machine washable but some recommend hand washing.

Use one of these options as a pre-treatment.

• Hydrogen Peroxide. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with 5 parts water.
• Vinegar. Mix one part vinegar with 3 parts water.
• Baking Soda. Make a paste using baking soda and water.
• Commercial Stain Remover. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Dry them in the clothes dryer or preferably in sunlight to take advantage of natural UV disinfection.

If the pillow can’t be cleaned properly, consider replacing it with a new one. Many experts and manufacturers recommend washing pillows every 2 – 3 weeks and replacing them every 2 – 3 years. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says that after 2 years of use, 10% of pillow weight is made up of dead dust mites and their feces.

Dust mites seen under a microscope. Invisible to the naked eye.

Preventing Yellow Stains On Pillows

Most people can’t stop sweating and/or drooling while sleeping but here are a few tips to help keep pillows sustain-free.

• Pillow Protector. Use a zip-up hypoallergenic pillow protector under the pillowcase to protect against moisture, sweat, and oils. They are inexpensive and can be washed weekly to prevent any buildup.
• Oil-Based Products. Avoid applying any oil-based skin creams or hair products before going to bed.
• Dry Your Hair. Ensure your hair is completely dry before going to bed.
• Remove Make-up. Remove all make-up before going to bed.

The post Are Yellow Stains On Your Pillow a Warning Sign? appeared first on Homedit.

Unsealed Grout

The acid nature of vinegar can wear away unsealed grout over time. The thinned grout can fall out or become so thin that moisture passes through to loosen tiles or soak drywall–causing mold growth. You can use vinegar to clean sealed grout but make sure that your grout is sealed before you start scrubbing.

Wood Surfaces

Never use undiluted vinegar on wood furniture or floors. It can break down wax and other finishes, leave streaks, and make surfaces look dull. Even diluted vinegar solutions can harm finished wood over time.

Cleaning raw wood surfaces with vinegar–diluted or undiluted–before finishing them can cause the wood to swell. Vinegar is easily absorbed into unfinished wood.

Marble, Granite, and Ceramic Tile

Cleaning marble countertops with white vinegar causes a chemical reaction–leaving the marble pitted and causing other defects to appear on the surface. Vinegar burns and etches most stone surfaces like marble, granite, and limestone.

The acid in undiluted white vinegar can eat through grout and dissolve the finish on some floor tiles. Avoid using vinegar to clean up a floor spill.

Computer Screens and Phones

Vinegar can strip the protective coating from phone, computer, and television screens. It can damage the anti-glare coating–reducing visual clarity. Touch screens become less responsive. Using too much vinegar may allow it to get between the screen and the frame.

Washing Machines and Dishwashers

Running vinegar through washing machines and dishwashers once every month or two to descale them works well. (Make sure the machines are empty.) Using vinegar daily as a rinse agent eventually causes rubber gaskets to deteriorate. Vinegar mixing with salt in the dishwasher can discolor cutlery.

Anything Rubber

Rubber gaskets, O-rings, and hoses are present in many household appliances–refrigerators, mixers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, etc. Vinegar eats into rubber–causing deterioration, leaks, and disintegration. Keep vinegar away from rubber.

Broken Eggs

Dropping an egg onto the floor or countertop is annoying. Using vinegar to try to clean it up only makes things worse. Spraying vinegar on a broken egg causes it to thicken and harden–making cleanup even more difficult.

Stainless Steel

Regular exposure to vinegar acid can cause pitting and corrosion on stainless steel appliances, knives, and cookware. Vinegar also dulls knife edges.

Anything With Bleach

Mixing vinegar with bleach produces toxic chlorine gas. Inhaling chlorine gas causes nausea, a burning sensation in the eyes, nose, and throat, trouble breathing, and vomiting–among other effects. High enough concentrations cause death. Don’t mix the two products–ever.

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