There’s nothing better than relaxing with a glass of red after a hard day or week at the office. Unfortunately, enjoying a glass of red often means that there are spills, and they can be difficult to remove.  

The good news is that it is possible to remove a red wine stain, even from a fabric couch. The key is to know what to do in advance and act quickly when it happens.  

Having said that, there is no harm in having the number of a professional and efficient sofa cleaning business. Even when you’ve been unsuccessful at removing the stain, you’ll be surprised at what they can achieve.

Act Fast

When you spill red wine you want to minimize how much of it goes into the fabric of your couch. The first step is to put your wine down where it can’t be knocked again. (That’s assuming there is anything left in the glass). 

With a clean cloth, you’ll want to dab the spill. It’s best to use a cotton cloth but most materials will do. The aim is to blot the spill not scrub, this allows you to remove the excess liquid without making the stain worse.

Don’t forget, rubbing makes it a bigger stain and pushes the liquid further into your fabric.

Dish Soap

Surprisingly, liquid dishwashing soap is very effective at reducing or even eliminating the red wine stain. You’ll need to put one tablespoon of the dish soap into two cups of cool water. The water can’t be hot as this effectively bakes the red wine into the fabric, making it permanent. 

Once you’ve mixed your water and dish soap use a clean sponge to blot the stain. Take your time doing this and keep the contact gentle. You should notice the red wine starting to come out. Keep going to ensure the red wine is fully lifted.

You can then use another cloth to continue blotting the area. You’re now aiming to remove the moisture from your fabric couch. Eliminating this is essential to prevent you from getting a watermark on the couch.

Protecting Against Stains

It doesn’t matter if you commonly spill red wine or not. It’s a good idea to speak to your local professionals regarding the best product to use to protect your couch. There are several products they’ll recommend that can be used to reduce the impact of spills.

In general, these products add a water-resistant layer to your couch. Red wine may still be able to penetrate this but it will take longer, buying you time to remove the liquid and avoid a stain.

The professionals

As mentioned, if you manage to blot the stain and eliminate some, but not all, of it, you’ll find that the professionals are very good at getting the rest out. Considering how expensive a new fabric couch is, or even re-upholstering your existing one, the small cost of help from a sofa cleaning service is worthwhile. They have the tools, equipment, and can offer great advice for future incidents. 

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The golden rule is never to pay upfront for a project. Doing so invites the contractor to take a laid-back approach to your work. Providing they turn up occasionally it’s difficult to start proceedings against them or ever have the work finished.

That’s why it’s essential that you choose reliable construction workers at the start. It will help your project to go smoothly and finish on time.  Fortunately, this is easier than you think, you simply need to use the following tips:

Consider Agencies

Agencies that specialize in labor hire have a lot more to lose if the worker doesn’t show up or isn’t capable of the job. The agency should check every candidate before they include them on their books. 

This ensures they have the skill set you need. By using an agency you’ll also be able to access replacement construction workers. This is useful if the first one isn’t working out or is off sick. Remember, you’ll be paying the agency, not the contractor. It’s up to them to take care of their staff.

Replacing a culvert means road construction, and road construction means a significant disruption for the traveling public, homeowners, and business owners. Culvert lining, a trenchless method, allows culverts to be restored instead of replaced. InfraSteel is much more cost-effective than the expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive road construction and culvert rehabilitation choice.

Reputation

If you decide to find your own construction worker then you need to check their reputation. The simplest way of doing this is to ask family and friends. If they have personal experience with a specific worker they’ll be able to share what they thought of them and their work.

If this isn’t an option then social media is your new best friend. Ask people online about specific construction workers and you’ll get genuine responses. There will be some negative replies but the majority should be positive. This will help to confirm you’re heading in the right direction.

You can also speak to people that they’ve done jobs for in your area and inspect the work they’ve done.

Get Several Quotes

Getting several quotes makes sense to find the best price for your project. However, it can also be a good way of meeting different construction workers. While their skill set is important, it is also important that you can talk to them.

As the project progresses you’ll need to talk to them about progress and any issues you notice. You’re going to need to feel comfortable doing this, meeting them for quotes is a great way to assess how comfortable you are with them.

Check Their Workload

If the construction worker you’re considering already has a lot of work on their plate you need to know how they plan to fit your project in. It’s important that they can commit enough time to your project to successfully complete it. 

This will ensure the work is to standard and not rushed, or corners cut.

Knowledge

It’s a good idea to chat with a construction worker regarding their knowledge, experience, and even qualifications regarding specific elements of your project. These answers can reassure you that you have a worker that knows what they are doing. This is important as they are likely to be left alone to complete parts of the job.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Neil Moralee

The kitchen is often one of the largest rooms in the house and, for many, remains the center of the home. Of course, it is rarely in the actual center of the house as this creates issues for plumbing and the extraction of cooking smells. 

Nevertheless, as the center of your home, it’s important to spend some time considering the best layout of the kitchen. The right choice is personal but there are 6 commonly chosen layouts worth considering.

Before you rip out the old kitchen you should consider investing in outdoor kitchens, a bespoke outdoor kitchen can add practicality and value to your home. You can even use some of the components of your old kitchen.

1. One Wall

The one wall kitchen is a good choice when the kitchen is part of another room. It maintains the kitchen area but minimizes the amount of space it occupies. At the same time, all the units and appliances being on one wall gives you plenty of space to move around.

In short, it’s aesthetically pleasing and practical, especially if you’re limited on room

2. L Shaped

An L-shaped kitchen can work in small or large spaces. It can be designed in conjunction with wall units or as a standalone affair. This maximizes space around the kitchen while keeping the appliances together and easily accessible.

3. Islands

The island has long been a popular choice in kitchen design. However, in recent years islands have been getting bigger and even become the kitchen. These are a great idea for people that like to meet in the kitchen. Cooking, chatting, and even crosswords can all be done sat around the large island. This helps to make the kitchen the center of the home, which remains important to many families.

4. U Shaped

The U shaped is a great way of extending n the island or U shaped principle. It creates the same spacious feel around the kitchen and allows people to sit and chat while food is being prepared. But, the U shaped has the advantage in that the chef can remain inside the U, that’s their space. It prevents accidents from people bumping into each other and looks great.

In fact, it’s a great choice for busy families.

5. Peninsula

This is a balance between the one wall kitchen and the island. Instead of separating the two styles, it incorporates both. The peninsula literally comes out of the kitchen, jutting into the room. 

This is an effective way to have a traditional cooking space but gives space for family members to join in, creating a community feel.

6. Galley

Finally, the galley kitchen is generally reserved for small kitchen spaces. It is a row of cabinets on both sides with a small passage in the middle. This increases the storage space available in small kitchens which is important for larger families. However, there is limited space to move around, limiting the number of people that can congregate at the same time.

partnered post • cc-licensed image by Jeremy Levine

The polar ice caps are melting, and the ozone layer is depleting because of climate change. According to the UN, global warming is a current defining crisis endangering many species. It is a race that humans must win.

No corner of the globe is immune to the effects of climate change. Therefore, we must divert our energy to maintaining a sustainable lifestyle and focus on incorporating environment-friendly practices. A green lifestyle means efficiently utilize resources and reduce costs.

Advantages of a greener house 

People think that a green lifestyle is uncomfortable. However, modern construction techniques and technology have made sustainable living a possibility. Furthermore, it can increase savings and empower individuals to make a difference in environmental crises. A green home reduces operating costs while making housing thermally comfortable. Additionally, greener houses are more durable and last longer since most of the building materials are natural. 

Homeowners can do a lot to make their houses environmentally efficient. Listed below are seven changes you can make for a more eco-friendly home. Most of these suggestions are eco, budget, and time-friendly. 

1. Use LED bulbs: Energy-efficient bulbs make a lot of difference to the bottom line. A popular choice is LED bulbs. These light-emitting diode bulbs use 75% less energy than regular bulbs. Furthermore, LEDs last longer than standard bulbs. So, they are the best option for an environmentally conscientious homeowner.
2. Maintain your air conditioner: Air conditioners are a modern necessity, but they can negatively impact the environment. Research suggests that roughly one-fourth of global warming results from inefficient air conditioning. Older models emit harmful gases that break down the ozone layer and increase global warming. Whereas, energy star models half your energy bill. Therefore make the switch as soon as possible. But, do not forget to get 20x20x1 HVAC Filters to keep your home’s atmosphere clean and pure. 
3. Make better choices in your kitchen: A sustainable attitude in the kitchen can do a lot for your pocket and the environment. Fortunately, most of these choices require your time and effort. A significant thing to do is to invest in durable and long-lasting cookware. Stainless steel and cast iron are the best options. Try to limit the purchase of pre-packaged and processed food; instead, go for organic produce. Not only are such products unhealthy, but they are also harmful to the environment. Buying local products is the way to go as it decreases food miles. 
4. Use homemade cleaning products: Natural cleaning products work just as well as the ones from the shop. Most commercial cleaners are full of toxic substances that have a negative long-term effect on the environment. Furthermore, some people might be allergic to certain synthetic chemicals. Comparatively, organic cleaning products are environment friendly and are also safer and cheaper. You can make your homemade cleaning agent with the contents of your pantry. Take a three-fourth cup of hydrogen peroxide. Mix it with a half cup of white vinegar, one teaspoon liquid soap, ten drops of tea tree oil, and two water cups. Add some lavender oil for a lasting scent. Then mix the ingredients into a spray bottle, and you are good to go.
5. Change your bin system: Reuse, reduce, and recycle are the three primary ways people can reduce their carbon footprint. However, no one likes to make the extra effort to separate the recyclables from the general waste. Getting a recycle bin can make you more conscious about making better choices. A compost container can also help utilize kitchen trash efficiently. There are many benefits to composting, including better soil quality and reducing plant diseases. And do not worry about the smell. The compost bins of today are odor-free and easy to clean.
6. Get window treatments: Despite keeping windows closed and the HVAC on, houses turn into ovens in the summers and refrigerators in the winters. But worry not, as there is an easy way to control the temperature of your house. Drapes and shades can make your home environmentally friendly. Not only do curtains make your home stylish, but they also save energy. Therefore, updating your shutters and curtains can save energy and reduce energy costs.

Conclusion

Leading an eco-friendly lifestyle is all about making better choices in your house and your life. An environmentally friendly existence can improve human lives and reduce waste. Furthermore, it saves energy and money. We must conserve our planet and leave a better one for the future generation. Do your part by making better choices in your life.

partnered post • cc-licensed image from Pixabay