#home upkeep

[charpnatl]

Dammit what's next?

[defensive-tactics]

Keeping your home in good condition can help keep you safer.

[paper--constellations]

Fabric Softener

I was taught a few things about doing my own laundry, but one thing was ingrained in my head: You use laundry detergent and fabric softener. It is The Way. But!! When you use fabric softener or dryer sheets, they can make your clothes feel softer and reduce static. They can also leave waxy residues over time. Not only that, it can also reduce the absorbency of towels and other fabrics, and can leave residue on your washing machine or dryer. It can also mess with the fire retardant chemicals that are meant to prevent the fabric from being flammable. That's no good! So what can you do instead??

Enter distilled white vinegar! Distilled white vinegar is an incredibly versatile tool that happens to be used for more than just cooking. It can be used to remove stains and odors, whiten clothing, remove mild mold and mildew, and can get rid of the residue that fabric softener and dryer sheets can leave on clothes! It can also be used to clean your washing machine on occasion to power through hard water and other buildups. The amount you need to use varies depending on your specific need, the types of fabrics you're washing, and the chemicals you're using with it.

A word of caution: Many sources recommend that you do not use it every time you wash your clothes, as it can harm certain fabrics and break down rubber gaskets in your washing machine, incurring expensive repairs. For instance, if you're washing something with elastic like gym clothes, it can break down the elastic and remove the stretchiness of it. You should also take care to not combine it with chlorine bleach, as this creates chlorine gas which can be dangerous and outright fatal. Don't combine it with hydrogen peroxide either, as it creates peracetic acid (which is irritating and corrosive). Do your research before combining any sorts of substances just to be sure!!

If you want extra fluffing and drying action, you can also put dryer balls in your dryer. They come in different varieties including but not limited to wool, plastic, and rubber. They each have their pros and cons, and I see wool balls recommended quite a lot, but do some research before settling on one type just to make sure it suits your needs. Regardless, they help knock the wrinkles out of your laundry and helps it dry faster, cutting down on drying times.

I hope this information helps! As always, if you have any advice requests, handy tips, or corrections, please let me know.

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

Sources: [The Spruce] / [Better Homes and Gardens] / [Healthline] / [Maytag]

Find me elsewhere: Ko-fi

[moldbgonega]

Spotting signs of dirty air ducts is essential for maintaining healthy indoor environments. This video from Mold Remediation in Atlanta highlights critical symptoms of neglected ductwork, ensuring your HVAC system operates efficiently while promoting optimal air quality at home or in the workplace. Watch now to stay informed.

[freemanroofing3]

The Hidden Costs of Neglecting Roof Maintenance

Your roof is one of the most critical components of your home’s structure, yet it’s often overlooked when it comes to regular maintenance. Ignoring your roof might seem like a money-saving decision in the short term, but the long-term consequences can be costly and damaging. In this blog, we’ll explore the hidden costs of neglecting roof maintenance and why proactive care is essential to protect your home and wallet.

Structural Damage

When a roof is neglected, minor issues such as missing shingles, small leaks, or clogged gutters can escalate into severe structural damage. Water intrusion from a leaky roof can weaken your home’s framework, including the walls, ceilings, and foundation.

Hidden Costs:

Repairs: Fixing water-damaged structural components can cost thousands of dollars.

Mold Remediation: Moisture buildup often leads to mold growth, which can require professional and expensive remediation.

Increased Energy Bills

A poorly maintained roof can compromise your home’s insulation, leading to energy inefficiency. Damaged shingles, underlayment, or insulation allow air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder.

Hidden Costs:

Higher Utility Bills: Energy inefficiency can lead to significantly increased heating and cooling costs.

HVAC Strain: An overworked HVAC system may require frequent repairs or replacement.

Shortened Roof Lifespan

Routine maintenance is essential to maximize your roof’s lifespan. Neglecting inspections and small repairs can cause premature wear and tear, significantly reducing the life expectancy of your roofing materials.

Hidden Costs:

Early Roof Replacement: Replacing a roof prematurely can cost tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the material and size.

Increased Material Costs: Waiting too long to repair damages can result in the need for more expensive materials and labor.

Click here to read more

[davidl2001]

7 Ways to Future-Proof Your Forever Home + Expert Tips

Owning a home is a monumental investment that typically spans decades. As we grow and our lifestyles evolve, so do the needs of our humble abodes. The idea of “future-proofing” your home might sound like a fancy term reserved for tech companies, but it is a crucial pursuit for homeowners to ensure their space remains functional and up-to-date with the times. Whether you’ve just moved in or have…

[floxnglox]

Home Economics Manifesto

I may be dating myself, but when I was a kid schools taught classes like Shop, Art, and Home Economics. These classes added a lot of value by teaching us how to build, create, and survive. Sadly, neither of my kids has ever had a home economics class or a shop class. Art classes are vanishing and often scorned by authority figures. My kids’ schools have not taught them anything of value, choosing…

[corvid-language-library]

I bet Reno looks like a Disney princess with his hair down. Just sayin'.

[scribbyizhere]

(cleaning the shower) wtf wait does he even do anything for this household

[turnedpalefromlackofsun]

One thing I find irritating about modern society where I'm from

Is that the people who allegedly have "empathy", are evil.

Bold claim but hear me out on my reasoning

The empathy people will throw words at others like "ableist" "racist" "sexist" like a death sentence and then bristle if you ask them how or wtf that means.

"If you say Adhd is not a disability, you're abelist."

"Wait what? How?"

"Educate yourself"/"I don't owe you my emotional labor"

What????? Where's your empathy?

Allegedly its in the "you're ableist" statement but I dont really see it.

Performative empathy. These annoying people want any excuse to bludgeon people with their righteous hammer.

If they cared about the people they fought for, they would disseminate proper information they they wish people already knew.

Think about it. What does using harsh words against any questions do? It silences the conversation. Now nobody wants to ask or learn because they're afraid. They're not gaining knowledge to connect with others. They're learning to camouflage so you don't see them.

Thank you for starting the Squid Game. Great. I'm not sure about this because I don't feel feelings, but I'm pretty sure "empathy" isn't meant to be a guillotine. Empathy isn't a weapon. So how dare these people claim to have "empathy"?

Do you really think that just because it's a feeling, we can't verify if you truly are empathetic or not? It shows in your actions.

[felixravinstills]

hi im just wonderng from your livia/felix failmarriage fic how did they react when livia found out she was pregnant

The fic in question.

Oh, I imagine that they're both very "uh, finally" about it, and until she really starts showing, go back to ignoring or annoying each other. I imagine their families forcing them to get married also means that a child is expected, but in my head and in theirs as well, once the child's there the families will leave them to their own devices which is what they want and why they'd get it out of the way.

I imagine Felix occasionally makes tentative attempts to be helpful in the beginning, but Livia would turn this around on him to the point that it's obvious she's just ordering him around just because she can and mocking him. She has him running around and making a fool of himself. He'll get fed up and go back to ignoring her even when she'd probably really need help later into the pregnancy. She calls him a bad husband; he's heard it all before. Their maids/other servants/avoxes get terrorized instead.

I imagine before the baby before it is born, is seen as an inconvenience they'll have to live and deal with. Once they're born, they do have some sympathy for them as seen in the fic (they become more "real" in a way) but they're also just a constant reminder of the marriage. Like the physical embodiment of their union which you know makes it hard to connect.

[rearranging-deck-chairs]

i think if i gave my yaz and 14 a year the doctor would end up living with two queerplatonic partners

[ineffablefool]

til that the $14,000USD HVAC system we had installed six months ago will commonly crash (in a way that you cannot diagnose from inside the house, and requiring a tech to drive here and go into the backyard to reboot it) if there's any kind of power surge on the line

which fortunately the fix is just to install a surge protector on the main line coming into the house, and that's maybe 500 bucks total for parts and labor, and then the *well known to be crappy in this part of town* power grid won't trip up this *incredibly delicate goddamn hothouse flower of a machine*

if only it had been possible for the sales guy to mention this when he and housemate were speccing everything out at our dining room table, so it could have been installed *with* the HVAC *by the electrician who was already on site turning off power to the house to install stuff anyway*

if only!!!!!! ah well I hope the company who installed and warranteed this thing enjoyed paying one of their licensed electricians triple time or whatever to drive out here on a Sunday and inform us of this (since we're in their lil care club so for us callouts are free)

[jorvikzelda]

my mom offered me to yoink my cat from her house which i havent considered an option before due to my apartment being kind of small, which she reassured me was Probably Fine using facts i cannot argue with (mainly him being a lazy fuck), and also I don’t live that far off all things considered + my sister is visiting me like 2 weeks after i’d move him up so there’s like. Solutions if it doesnt work out. And tbh the amount of thought and effort im putting into it already makes me feel like im gonna be a better cat parent than my mom

[erzvolnes]

tragedy of having an ugly unethical dog breed is that people understandably do not like him HJBFDJHSBFJHSBF

[deathishauntedbyhumans]

new blog title and new header bc i Felt like it