Category: House and Home

How clean are your dish towels? You might be shocked to learn just how filthy they are—research has shown that many household dish towels contain the staphylococcus bacteria, which can cause food poisoning or skin irritation.

What can you do about it? Ditch the dirty dish towels and make the change to microfiber, which has antibacterial properties.

There are many microfiber towel benefits, one of which is antibacterial cleaning. That’s just one of their many advantages though—to find out more, keep reading to find nine amazing reasons to try microfiber towels for your kitchen, bath, and cleaning needs.

1. Dry Your Hair Faster

Do you ever wrap your hair in a towel and find the towel just becomes damp and heavy, but your hair is still soaking wet?

Cotton towels aren’t that absorbent, and they quickly become soaked. Instead, try drying hair faster with a microfiber towel.

Microfiber towels are denser, with higher fiber counts, so they have more ability to absorb.

2. More Hygenic

Microfiber towels are more hygienic than cotton towels since they’re more effective at capturing bacteria. Cotton towels or mops will just push bacteria around, which doesn’t actually leave your home cleaner.

Instead, clean bacteria-prone surfaces like kitchen countertops with a microfiber towel, leaving your home more hygienic and stopping bacteria in its tracks. We much prefer the antibacterial microfiber towel to a dirty cotton one which spreads bacteria, putting the health of our family at risk.

3. Prevent Cross-Contamination

Would you use a towel in the kitchen that had previously been used in the bathroom? No!

But if you’re cleaning with dish towels, there’s no way of knowing which towel has been used where. A better solution is to purchase several sets of microfiber towels for cleaning, in multiple colors.

Red for bathroom, yellow for kitchen, green for dusting? That way, it’s simple to know which towel to use when.

You can also find towels in plenty of sizes, so you can find small towels for cleaning jobs and larger towels for bathing and showering.

4. Prevents Hair Breakage

Because cotton towels lack absorbency, we often find ourselves rubbing our scalp and hair with our towel to help it dry faster. However, the harsh rubbing or twisting of the towel causes hair breakage.

For an alternative, gently wrap your hair in a microfiber towel. It will dry your hair faster, but without any damage or breakage to your hair.

Drying with microfiber is also more gentle on your hair than blow-drying or heat styling.

5. The Towels Dry Fast

After you’re done using your towel, there’s no waiting around for towels to dry—microfiber is fast drying. It’s lightweight and soft, so your towels will dry fast after a day at the beach.

Make sure you know how to wash microfiber towels correctly, then hang them up to dry and they’ll be dry and ready for folding in no time.

6. Long Lasting

Do you find cotton towels tend to unravel or become threadbare over time? You’re not alone—this commonly happens to frequently used bath towels.

One advantage to choosing microfiber towels is that they’re long-lasting. It’s estimated that they can take up to 500 washings, giving you plenty of time to use and reuse your towels.

If your towels are starting to feel rough or look frayed, then it’s probably time for a replacement. Luckily, the towels can be affordable, especially when you consider the cost per use.

7. Easy to Store and Pack

Do you live in a small apartment or frequently travel with towels? If so, you know how important storage space is.

Anyone who’s tried to pack towels knows that they are big, bulky, and it only takes a few fluffy towels to fill up a packing box or a closet shelf. The smaller, thin size of microfiber means these towels take up far less space.

They’re also easy to roll up, throw in a beach bag, or to pack in a suitcase. If you have limited linen closet space or a tiny bathroom, you might want to check out microfiber.

8. Pick Up Dirt Easily

Microfiber has fine netting-like materials over its surface. This makes it fantastic for cleaning, as they can pick up dirt easily.

Replace paper towels, which aren’t environmentally-friendly, with microfiber towels. They are perfect for cleaning up spills, dusting, or wiping down countertops.

9. They’re Absorbent

Another great reason for microfiber is that it’s super absorbent. Invest in a set you can use for cleaning in the kitchen, as they’re fantastic for cleaning up big spills, such as a broken glass of milk or a baby bottle.

Cotton towels tend to push liquid around, so they aren’t great for big spills and messes. Although microfiber looks thin, their dense fibers can clean up anything you can throw at them.

Start Enjoying These Microfiber Towel Benefits

Once you make the switch to microfiber, you won’t look back. Start enjoying these microfiber towel benefits in your home by investing in a set.

You can find them through department or homeware stores, along with online—look for sales if you’re on a tight budget. With plenty of colors and patterns, you’re sure to find towels that match the style of your home.

Did you find this article helpful? If so, please keep reading for more engaging and useful blog posts.

If you’d like to get a better handle on your household and the way it runs, one of the best steps you can take is reaching out to a repair shop from time to time. These repair professionals are particularly useful when you need help with your appliances. 

However, you need to strike the balance between great service and fair prices. We can help you out with that. 

Read below to look into getting help from a home appliance repairman that can assist you with any work you need. 

1. Have a Test Run With a Small Repair

The best way to test out the repair man’s credibility and capability is by having them handle a small task first. 

Maybe you call them up with a minor refrigerator repair or an overall inspection. Perhaps you bring them in to change your air conditioning filters or light the pilot for your stove. 

During this initial house call, ask them a bit about the work they do and do your best to gauge whether you’d like to do future business with them. 

2. Check to See if Your Appliance Has a Warranty

Getting appliance repairs is simple if your appliance is under warranty. Many of the appliances come with extended warranties at the time of purchase that you can use for standard repair calls. 

This way, you’ll get contractors out to handle the job free of charge or at a reduced cost. The professionals that they send out are also licensed and trained to work on the specific brand of appliance that needs work. 

3. Background Check Your Repair Professional

It’s always best to learn as much as you can about a repair professional before hiring them.

You need to be able to put trust in the work that your repairman provides so you can avoid electrical fires and get the best use of your home utilities. So much of your peace of mind is riding on their ability to get the job done, so checking their background will tell you a lot. 

Their background will also let you know about the type of business these professionals conduct and whether you’re trustworthy. 

4. Find a Few Price Estimates

Of course, you should never hire a repair contractor without learning how much they charge. Get price estimates for any work you’re looking into, and compare these rates between competing companies. 

That way, you’ll always have a feel for the market and will be less prone to overspending. 

5. Make Sure They’re Familiar With the Brand and Manufacturer 

Each brand has its own quirks that make them different. Always choose a contractor that is familiar with the brands that you have. 

This way, you won’t have to worry about a learning curve and they’ll be able to do the job correctly the first time. 

Hire a Home Appliance Repairman

Getting help from a home appliance repairman is well within your grasp when you follow the tips in this article. Knowing who to hire for these jobs is a big part of being a homeowner. 

Check back for more thrifty repair tips that are good for your home and great for your budget. 

Summer days call for outdoor living while lapping up the fresh air and sunshine and there’s no better way to enjoy it than in an outdoor kitchen.

Studies tell us that some homeowners spend as much as $30,000 on extravagant outdoor kitchen areas. If that figure makes you think you can’t afford to build your own outdoor kitchen, think again. 

The above applies to only 22% of those who install an outdoor entertainment area. You determine your own budget when you construct an outdoor kitchen. 

Besides, here’s why building an outdoor kitchen will pay for itself over and over again.  

1. Increases Your Home’s Saleability

Improved appeal to home buyers is one of the best-known reasons to build an outdoor kitchen.

An outdoor entertainment area makes your home stand out among equivalent homes in your area. When prospective buyers arrive to view your home, an outdoor kitchen is a deal-maker. 

It’s bound to stand out more in their minds than any of your home’s more unattractive features. 

That’s why homes with outdoor kitchens attract more offers and sell faster. 

2. Building an Outdoor Kitchen Is Budget-Friendly

One of the best benefits of an outdoor kitchen is that you can start small and make it more awesome as you go along. 

A basic outdoor kitchen consists of a concrete countertop and a grill. Add some stylish outdoor furniture or even a few lawn chairs, and that’s all you need to get the party started.

As time goes on, you can add extra features like a sink, fridge, permanent seating, an awning, and a multitude of cooking options. 

3. A Variety of Outdoor Cooking Options

There’s no end to the meals you can cook up in your outdoor kitchen thanks to the various add-ons available nowadays.

Some of the more popular ones are:

• Pizza ovens
• Fire pits
• Outdoor fireplaces
• Bars
• Storage solutions
• Fire tables
• Chimeneas
• Smokers
• Gas cooktops
• Charcoal grills  

A pellet grill is a modern-day alternative to gas and charcoal grills, that imparts delicious smoky flavors into your food, read more now.

4. Adds Entertainment Value

When you have an outdoor entertainment area, it’s easy to round up your friends for a casual barbecue, cocktails, and poolside fun. 

There’s no worry about keeping an eye on your children either. They can play in the garden within easy view, or entertain their peers with their own toys and games. 

If they do pick up a scrape or two, you don’t need to rush home or to the store for a band-aid, since you’re already there.  

When you have an outdoor kitchen, you can relax with your friends knowing your little ones are safe at home. Other parents in your social circle will agree, and you’re bound to have a steady stream of friends wanting to join you for summer socials. 

There’s always a place at the table in your own home, so there’s no need for restaurant reservations either. You also won’t have to spend hours finding a restaurant that serves meals the whole family can enjoy. 

5. Saves You Money

Who needs to eat out when you can cook up your own delicious meals on your doorstep? 

It’s way more entertaining cooking up your own delicious eats and experimenting with new dishes than it is sitting in a crowded restaurant waiting for service.

You can feed and entertain all your friends at a fraction of the cost too.

In this way, an outdoor kitchen saves you a small fortune on eating out or hiring a venue for a special occasion get-together. 

Do you have special dietary needs? You can cater to your own preferences without having to pay a premium for trendy vegan or keto meals. 

When you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen during the summer, your air-conditioning has to work extra hard to keep your home cool. Eating outdoors takes the load off, helping to decrease your utility bills. 

6. Convenient Cooking

Outdoor cooking means less mess in your kitchen and very few if any, pots and pans to scrub after the fact. Spills are easily remedied with a quick hose down instead of hours of scrubbing.

If you install an outdoor fridge and ice machine, you’ll soon learn to love the fact that you can reach for a cold drink right where you are, instead of traipsing inside to refill.

When you’re entertaining guests from a conventional kitchen, you may be cut off from your friends, not so with an outdoor kitchen. You won’t need to keep excusing yourself to check on the progress of dinner either. 

Your friends help with the preparation of meals without fear of cramping your style. When it comes to outdoor kitchens, the more the merrier. 

You’ll have no problem with strong cooking odors permeating your house and lingering for days either. 

Unlike the kitchen that comes with your house, when you build an outdoor kitchen, you can choose a layout that works for you, so everything’s within easy reach. 

Grilled food is also a lot healthier than takeout options or fried food.  

7. Improves the Value of Your Home

Real estate experts agree that outdoor kitchens bring an ROI of up to 200% if you decide to sell your home.

So even if you don’t get as much use out of it as you should, you always win when you build an outdoor kitchen.

Outdoor kitchens also increase the living area of your house, especially if it’s undercover and close to your house. More square footage automatically translates to a higher price when you sell your home. 

More Useful Upgrades

There’s no doubt that an outdoor entertainment area adds value to your life and home. 

Whether you’re building an outdoor kitchen or wondering how else you can upgrade your home and garden, we have the answers.

Keep reading our blog for more of the latest real estate-related tips and tricks. 

HVAC systems are designed to thrive through years of wear and tear. That said, they’re far from infallible. Odds are, your HVAC system will incur damage and will, at some point, require a repair.

There are all sorts of problems that can plague an HVAC system. Curious as to the most common HVAC issues? Read on!

Here are 6 of the most common problems that HVAC systems can develop. 

1. Dirty Air Filter

Perhaps the most common of all HVAC issues is the problem of a dirty air filter. Air filters are used to catch airborne dust and debris, ensuring that it doesn’t enter the AC system in excess. Of course, because they do this, they also become exceedingly dirty exceedingly quickly. 

This is a problem. Why? Because not only does it reduce an air conditioner’s efficiency, but it also places undue wear and tear on the air conditioner, causing it to deteriorate and give up long before it would otherwise. 

As such, it’s necessary to either clean or replace your HVAC air filter every 3 months or so. If so you have pets in your home (like dogs or cats), you might even consider making a change every month. That fur adds up quickly. 

2. Inconsistent Thermostat

Does your thermostat seem to be displaying a different temperature than what is being produced by your heater or air conditioner? Does it sometimes fail to make changes in a timely manner? If so, there could be a number of different issues at hand. 

In some cases, the thermostat could simply be in need of a battery change. However, in many cases, it’s the connection that’s to blame. Whether the thermostat is wired or wireless, its connection could be compromised either through deterioration or through interference. 

Note, some thermostat inconsistencies aren’t the fault of the thermostat at all. In some cases, the sensors within the air conditioner or furnace could be to blame. If this is the case with your thermostat inconsistency, you would need to either clean these sensors or have them replaced. 

In truth, the best option is to call up your local HVAC repair company. They’ll assess the problem, then take the necessary actions to correct it. 

3. Clogged Ducts

Do you use forced heat and cooling? If so, there’s a chance that your ducts could become clogged. This occurs over years and years of use, as your duct system is subject to more and more dust and debris. 

Unfortunately, after some time, the system can become so inundated with dust that it fails to deliver air as needed. Soon enough, you’ll find that one of your rooms is getting much colder than another, for example. 

The fix? It’s as simple as clearing the ducts of any existing debris. To do this, you’ll need to disassemble the ducts and physically pull any debris from their confines. If you’re not up to the task yourself, you can also bring in a professional HVAC technician. 

4. Drafts/Dead Spots

One of the most insidious HVAC problems is the problem of drafts/dead spots. These occur for a variety of reasons, some of which involve the HVAC system itself and some of which involve the environment that surrounds the HVAC system. 

For instance, improper vent placement could cause one portion of a room to remain colder than another portion of a room. At the same time, a lack of insulation could cause one room to feel colder than another. 

Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to combat such problems. One answer is to install baseboard registers. Another answer is to reconfigure the positioning of your duct system. 

In any case, you’re advised to utilize the services of a seasoned HVAC technician. He or she will go through your options with you and make sure you get the best fix possible.

5. Short Cycling

Perhaps the most notable of HVAC problems is short cycling, a problem wherein an AC or heater turns on for a few seconds, turns off for a few seconds, and then repeats the process perpetually, never truly heating or cooling the room as desired. 

This is a problem not only because it prevents the room from reaching the desired temperature but because it wastes energy and places undue wear and tear on the HVAC system. 

Oftentimes, this is caused by an improperly-sized heating or cooling unit. Note, though, that dirty temperature sensors can cause this issue as well. 

6. Mechanical Issues

The fact of the matter is that HVAC systems have shelf lives. They won’t live forever and, at some point, their mechanical components will start to break down. These components run the gamut from belts to motors and much more. 

So, if your air conditioner, furnace, boiler, or baseboards are in their second decade of existence, you need to keep an eye on them as much as possible. If they’ve survived this long, they’ve undoubtedly taken on a great deal of wear and tear, and could very well incur mechanical issues at any time. 

How do you spot mechanical issues? There are a few signs to look out for. These include strange sounds (like squeaks or bangs), poor smells, and slow-to-respond functionality, to name just a few. 

Don’t let mechanical issues linger. The sooner you can get them fixed, the more you’ll get out of your system in the long-run. 

Keep an Eye Out for These Common HVAC Issues

If you want to keep your HVAC system running at its max capacity, you need to keep an eye out for these common HVAC issues. They can sneak up out of nowhere, so be sure to check your AC and heating system on a regular basis. 

Looking for other home improvement tips? You can find them on our website. Check out our other articles now! 

A staggering 90% of all cases and types of natural disasters in the US are water-related. Flooding tops the list, accounting for almost half of all these disasters from 1995 to 2015.

In 2018 alone, flood damage led to the National Flood Insurance Program paying out $1.35 billion in claims. During that time, the NFIP paid an average of $42,580 per claim.

All these shows us how the cost of flood insurance could be a necessary expense.

The big question now is, how much is flood insurance? Should everyone be getting it in the first place?

That’s exactly what we’ll address in this post, so make sure you read on!

The Average Cost of Flood Insurance

How much a flood insurance policy will cost you depends on where exactly your home is on the flood maps. These are maps that show which areas of the US are in floodplains, hazard areas, and risk zones. The closer your home is to these spots, the higher the risk of your area getting flooded.

Hence, the higher you can expect your flood insurance premiums to be.

However, other factors, like the age of your home and how many floors it has will also influence its cost. The contents of your home and where exactly these items are will also impact your premiums.

Just to give you an idea though, the average flood insurance costs about $700 a year.

What Flood Insurance Covers

Flood insurance provides coverage for direct flood damage and losses. Building coverage includes damages sustained by the actual structure of your home. Contents coverage protects your belongings that get damaged or lost during a flood.

These two are usually separate, although private insurers offer policies that combine them.

Gauging the Worth of Flood Insurance

If your home is in a low to moderate flood risk area, you’re likely wondering “Should I still get flood insurance?”

Yes, you should, seeing as 25% to 35% of flood claims come from property owners within these areas. This means that your home still has at least a one-in-four chance of getting flooded, even if it’s in a low-risk area!

Now, compare that $700 a year to the potential losses and expenses you may suffer after a flood. Professional flood repair and cleanup alone can already set you back around $1,000 to $4,000.

That’s on top of all the water damaged building materials you may need to fix or repair. Don’t forget all the furniture, electronics, and appliances that may also get hit by the flood.

Without flood insurance, you’ll pay for all these repairs and replacements on your own.

All these should tell you that the answer to your question, “Do I need flood insurance?” is no doubt a big yes.

Don’t Let a Flood Leave You Without a Home

There you have it, a brief, but spot-on explanation of why the cost of flood insurance is worth it. Even if it’ll cost you more than $700 a year, that’s still a lot less than what you’d otherwise pay if you weren’t insured. Besides, you don’t have to cough up the entire cost in one go — you can pay it in monthly installments.

Ready for more lie pro tips to make your home safer and better protected? Then be sure to head over to and check out the other posts under this site’s Frugal Living and Family Life sections!