One modern day luxury that we often take for granted is the ability to have a hot bath or shower at the flick of a water faucet. If you are like me, a hot shower is a great way to relax after a busy day at work. An even better way to relieve stress is to spend a few hours in a hot bath that has a few drops of relaxing essential oil. Of course it was not always this easy and in many parts of the world is seen as a great luxury. It is estimated that the average home spends more money on heating water than any other energy need. In most homes this is done by using grid electricity to power a water heater. The down side to this is that grid electricity is powered by fossil fuels that are linked to causing environmental problems and are ultimately finite. What this means is that in time using this method to heat your water is bad for the planet and bad for your wallet. An alternative to this is to use a solar water heating system. This article will explain some of the important parts and how the system works. Read the rest of this entry »

Fast-paced lifestyles, hectic schedules and a lack of free time can lead one to consider hiring a maid service to handle critical house cleaning duties. But before picking up the phone to schedule an appointment, it is important to know whom you are letting into your home.

Bonding: Make sure the maid service is bonded for its house cleaning clientèle. Should a theft occur, you need to be protected. Some companies, if they are bonded at all, protect only themselves, not the consumer.

Insurance: Make sure the house cleaning company is insured. If a maid slips and falls while cleaning the shower, your homeowner’s policy might not cover the incident. The maid service should have liability and employee accident coverage and should include your home, the housecleaner(s) and the company. Read the rest of this entry »

Cut pile, loop pile, plush, shag, velvet, embroidery are all examples of some of the available carpeting, upholstery and tapestry choices, each with their own unique benefits. Unfortunately, they all come with a similar problem: the potential to cause a health hazard wherever they are installed because they all trap dust, dirt, moisture and odors, providing the perfect breeding ground for mites and various bacteria. This also includes potentially life threatening mold spores.

Routine sweeping and vacuuming definitely helps. Professional cleaning at regular intervals is essential - but only if you take heed to the recommendations below. Professional carpet cleaning, if not carried out responsibly and by a reputable firm that you have researched thoroughly, can be almost as harmful as leaving the problem unattended. Read the rest of this entry »