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Tips to Maintain Your Privacy at Home

April 3, 2020 0
Tips to Maintain Your Privacy at Home

Whether you are a parent with young children or someone that likes entertaining, everyone is familiar with the experience of finding unwanted guests in just about every room in your home. You might find a kid playing with your laptop in your office or a house guest in your bedroom. No matter the culprit, it can be frustrating to feel like no space is sacred. Even intruders with pure intentions can cause you to feel anxious or uncomfortable.

Creating a private space might seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. A few simple steps can prevent unwanted visitors into your private spaces and give you the peace of mind that your things are safe and secure where you left them. Whether you simply need a barrier to stop the mildly curious or something with a bit more security, there are budget-friendly options for all needs.

Change the Hardware

To keep unwanted guests out, choose door hardware with a sturdy lock. This will make it clear to anyone that tries to open the door that this space is off-limits. While a heavy-duty lock would do the trick, there are also more creative hardware pieces to consider. Wrought iron slide locks couple well with non-traditional sliding door styles, such as barn door fixtures. Check out the best barn door hardware for a unique take that can add character as well as security.

Slide locks can provide a polite but firm message to nosy guests and can be put out of reach of adventurous small children. A simple slide lock can be purchased from the hardware store on a budget, but unique pieces can often be found at local shops or farmers’ markets where a local blacksmith has a booth with the added benefit of supporting local businesses.

Install a New and More Secure Door

Many homes, especially those that are not brand new, may have lightweight doors with handles that just don’t latch very well and may swing open at the slightest breeze. Wooden doors and doorframes will warp over time and need to be replaced.

It is important to check door frames for wood rot. It may not always be obvious to the casual eye when the damage to the door frame is caused by more than warping from age. Replacing the entire frame is relatively inexpensive if you can do the work without a carpenter. Once the frame is secure, an additional easy solution to a door that won’t latch is to install a new door with new hardware. Sometimes a soundly closed door is enough to discourage nosy guests.

Install a Green New Door

When you’re doing any DIY project, it’s important to keep smart recycling tips in mind. The same idea applies when you are looking to install a new door. A quick check with a local carpenter or Habitat for Humanity ReStores will give you access to recycled building materials and doors to choose from rather than buying a new door from a home improvement store. Choosing a recycled piece is the green choice, but it can also provide you with a beautifully unique door. This solution is particularly good for a creative space such as an art or craft room or a home office where the door becomes as much art as functional security.

Consider a Few Budget-Friendly Security Measures

For more serious security concerns, or in cases of persistent intruders, there are a few budget-friendly security options that can be put into place. Installing a deadbolt on offices or the master bedroom is certain to keep out intruders of all sizes. It is inconvenient to have to carry a key to get in and out of these rooms, but the inconvenience might be worth the peace of mind. Little fingers can do a lot of damage to expensive electronic devices in the space of a few minutes.

A deadbolt can be as simple as a key lock entry or can be as sophisticated as requiring keypad entry or specialty cut keys that only a locksmith with specialized equipment can reproduce.

Easy Ways To Make Recycling A Breeze

March 30, 2020 0

We all need to recycle, yet we need to make sure we do so in a thoughtful and considered manner. There are a lot of problems with recycling today. This includes the fact that people aren’t recycling enough, as well as the fact that it is expensive and people are going about it in the wrong way. However, there are a number of different ways that you can make recycling easier. 

Firstly, you need to get into a routine. You need to understand the ins and outs of how recycling will operate in your household, and then make a routine to ensure it happens. This all depends on the products you use and your location. You also need to make sure you recycle properly. Some items need to be recycled by specialist companies, with electronic goods being a prime example of this. You should never simply throw a broken phone or laptop in the bin! The same goes for the batteries that power them as well. Education is power how. You not only need to know what to recycle, but how to go about it. 

To discover more about recycling – the good, the bad, and the stats – take a look at the infographic below. You will find out some great information regarding the smart way to recycle, as well as some advice on what you should recycle in 2020, as well as the items that cannot be placed in your curbside recycling bin. This information should help you to make recycling a lot more straightforward. 


Infographic Design By educationconnection

How To Make Your Home Greener

March 19, 2020 0

The climate crisis is deepening and every day the clock ticks ever on. We cannot escape the fact that the way that we have been living as a society has damaged our world and that we need to do a lot more in order to change the tide. 

Many people may spend their time pointing the finger at big businesses and the world’s governments as being the people who are to blame for the lack of improvement in the health of the planet. But, while they need to change their ways, we all need to start making greener choices in our everyday lives. 

There are a lot of things that each and every one of us could be doing in order to make an impact on reducing the damage we are inflicting on the planet. Here are some ways that you could make your home greener. 

Look At Your Energy Sources

Who do you get your energy from? If you get your gas and electricity through one of the biggest energy providers, do you know how they produce this? There are many electricity companies that are still burning coal in order to fuel their power stations. This throws out a considerable amount of pollution into our atmosphere. So, every time you turn on the lights in your home, you are contributing to global warming. One option that you have at your disposal is to switch to a completely renewable energy provider. 

An option that is likely to save you money in the long run through is if you have your own solar power systems fitted to your property so that you can generate your own electricity. While it might be a big expense now, eventually you will see cost savings, as well as a reduction in emissions 

Regardless of your energy sources, you should ensure that you are not wasting valuable resources. Make sure that you turn lights off when you are not in the room, try not to leave the TV on, and don’t leave your computer on standby and plugged in. Use a smart meter to show you exactly how much energy you are using by doing simple things around the home. 

Eat Less Meat And Dairy 

The animal agriculture industry is responsible for a great deal of pollution on this planet. Meat consumption has risen dramatically over the last few decades. And, in order to produce more meat and dairy, we need more animal feed. That means more land to grow crops to produce feed. In order to obtain that land, forests are cut down. The rainforests are being destroyed to create farmland to feed our needs. 

By cutting down the amount of meat and dairy we all consume, the demand for this type of agriculture will drop.

Think about having days when you don’t eat any animal products. You can start to gradually increase these as you get used to cooking in new ways. You may even want to switch to a fully plant based vegan diet. 

The Earth-Friendly Changes You Won’t Even Notice

March 19, 2020 1

Becoming more environmentally friendly is something that most of us are keen to do. We’re all finally becoming more aware of the damage that we, and our bad habits, have been causing our planet, and that we need to make some changes. Some of these changes are big. Some are global in nature and affect every single one of us. But, there are plenty of changes that you can make yourself. 

Some of these changes are still pretty significant. You’ll undoubtedly have to put a little effort in if you want to give up your car and start walking more, and your bank balance will notice a considerable expense, like an electric car. But, not all changes come as such as shock. If you are in the habit of either saying, “well, nothing I could do will help enough” or, “I don’t want to change the way that I live.” Then these changes are things that you should consider at home. If we all did them, they’d make a substantial difference, but when it comes to your day to day life, you’ll barely notice. 

Solar Panels

Having solar panels installed can be an expense, but many of us are entitled to grants, and you’ll save a lot more money over their lifetime once they are in place. Yes, there may be some disruption as solar installers work, but once your panels are operational, you’ll start to enjoy their benefits, without noticing any change to your home life or power supplies. 

Reusables

For the first few weeks, remembering to take your bags to the store, or to fill up your reusable bottles in the morning, can be tough, and many of us are guilty of forgetting. But, once you do get into that habit, you’ll soon start to resent having to pay for bags or bottles when you are out and about. 

Switch to a Renewable Energy Provider

Many energy providers today claim to supply 100% renewable energy. But, not all of them actually do. Check out your current provider’s policies, and consider a switch if necessary. You shouldn’t notice any difference, and most green providers now offer very competitive rates.

Unplug Devices and Skip Standby

Your devices might stop charging when they hit 100%, but they still run on the mains power. Unplugging them when they are fully charged, and turning appliances like your TV off, instead of on to standby, won’t affect your life, but it will save energy. 

Let the Sun Heat Your Home

The sun is exceptionally powerful. Even on a colder day, when the sun is out, shining through your windows, it can help you to keep warm. Follow the sun around your home, opening curtains when the sun is shining in, and closing them when it isn’t. This can help you to turn your heating off a few weeks earlier. 

Swap Your Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies can contain harmful, unfriendly chemicals. We don’t need these. It’s perfectly possible, and safe to clean your home with natural products, which still kill germs. You can also switch to washable cloths instead of disposables. 

Kombucha: A Health Tonic You Can Make at Home

March 18, 2020 0

At this point, most Americans have probably heard of kombucha. The beverage has been getting a lot of press in recent years thanks to its numerous health benefits. For some folks who want to enjoy the drink, however, the cost may not be justifiable. While most bottles go for around $3, some of the fancier varieties can get up to around $5 or even $6.

Fortunately, kombucha is something virtually anyone can make at home. But before we get to kombucha homebrewing, let’s cover some of the basics.

What is kombucha?

Kombucha is a fermented tea. It is typically prepared with black or green tea leaves, or with a blend of the two, and a large amount of sugar. Don’t worry, the end product isn’t sugary — the sugar is added to feed a SCOBY, or a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. By the time the batch is finished fermenting, an eight-ounce serving of kombucha will typically have only a few grams of sugar. This is great news for those who are trying to replace sugar-laden energy and sports drinks, which can cause a 1.5% to 3.1% loss of your tooth enamel. By making the switch to kombucha, you can preserve your tooth enamel and keep your oral health in tip-top shape.

Kombucha was reportedly first brewed over 2,000 years ago in China. In the past few years, it has exploded in popularity in the United States, with Nielsen pricing the industry today at roughly half a billion dollars. The effervescent probiotic beverage has enjoyed such broad appeal due to both its taste and health benefits.

What are the health benefits of kombucha?

Drinking kombucha is believed to have a positive effect on digestive health. While there needs to be further study, it is thought that the bacteria present in kombucha serve as probiotics, which can contribute to a healthy microbiome. Of course, kombucha is just one component of a healthy lifestyle. Diet and exercise are key — unfortunately, only one in three children get physical activity every day.

Since it’s a tea, kombucha also contains all the beneficial compounds we associate with unfermented tea. The most notable of these are polyphenols, antioxidants that help combat free radicals in the body.

Does kombucha contain alcohol?

Kombucha contains trace amounts of alcohol. Unless it is specifically labeled as 21+, kombucha has less than 0.5% alcohol by volume. Thanks to tight regulation, any kombucha with an ABV that exceeds 0.5% requires valid identification with purchase. Given that 11% of all alcohol in the United States is consumed by people aged 12 to 20, it is good news that this industry is carefully monitored and regulated.

How do you make kombucha at home?

To make kombucha at home, first brew seven cups of tea. Then mix in half a cup of sugar and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Put in a SCOBY and some starter tea from a past kombucha batch, and wait one to two weeks. Once the batch has fermented, you can either drink it or bottle it in airtight containers for a second fermentation which will add effervescence. This is also the time to add any fruit, juice, or other flavors you want. Give another week for a second fermentation to occur, then enjoy.

Have fun exploring the tasty world of kombucha, and happy brewing!

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