Installing New Home Windows

There are a lot of good reasons to replace your old windows. New one’s will not be drafty, will not require unsightly storm windows, and will tilt in for easy cleaning.  You will have a hard time finding project that brings as many benefits and stretches your investment dollar farther than new windows. These new windows will also be more efficient than your old windows and replacing your windows with new ones will also make an effort to lower your heating and cooling bills. Installing new home windows is like an investment. Here’s what you need to know before installing new windows.

Want to know more about installing new home windows? Click here.

• Increased home value. Your new windows and doors can return homeowners 71 to 78 percent upon resale. If you replace your windows tomorrow and sell your home the following day, you will be able to recoup the majority of your cost. That alone makes it a worthy investment. As well as a beautiful addition to your home. There are other monetary benefits of new windows. Your property value may increase, which also increases your resale value. An often overlooked benefit of replacement windows is curb appeal. The ever-increasing selection of window types, sizes, colors, hardware finishes and styles allows you to match your windows to your home's design or update its look. The continuity of your home's appearance can greatly influence the appraisal of your home. Curb appeal can make or break the sale of a home.

• Enhanced safety and security. Windows that do not open easily or are painted shut are more than just an annoyance, these windows can also be a safety hazard. For example, when trying to escape during a fire. Tempered glass is less likely to cause injury when accidentally broken, as it is designed to break into small granular chunks instead of splintering into jagged shards. Laminated glass has a polymer interlayer that holds the glass together if shattered – offering added protection from potential intruders. Replacement windows with multiple locks can also lower your insurance costs. This added value also increases appeal to a potential homebuyer. Emotional security certainly adds to the appeal and perceived worth of your home. Also, windows with multipoint locks are harder to break through than those with only one lock.

• Reduced dust and allergens. Blinds and shades tucked between the panes of glass stay protected from dust, helping to reduce allergens in your home.

• Easy maintenance. Replacing your existing windows with new quality windows that feature advanced designs will increase sustainability. Look for easy-clean features, durability, and quality construction. Innovative designs like between-the-glass blinds, shades or grilles not only contribute to less time spent cleaning.

• Improved comfort. Energy-efficient, well-sealed windows and doors can help reduce cold drafts and hot spots in your home.

• Improved energy efficiency. New windows can reduce wear on your furnace and air conditioner, helping you save money by improving your home’s energy efficiency.

• More peace and quiet. Insulating frames and triple-pane glass help reduce the noise from traffic, lawn mowers and barking dogs. Reduce outside noise by installing high-quality windows with noise-reducing glass options.

• An enhanced view. While replacing your windows can reduce energy costs and increase security, the style, color, and material can also benefit your home. New and improved windows can boost your home’s curb appeal, adding visual interest and can help increase your home’s overall value.New windows or doors can dramatically improve the beauty of your home – inside and out.

• Less time spent cleaning. Today’s windows and doors are designed with convenient features that make it easier to clean places that used to be harder to reach.

• New home windows save you money now and later. Purchasing new windows might seem costly at first glance, but after evaluating your monthly energy savings year after year, it’s one of the best home improvements you can make. Older, single-pane windows are often the source of up to 70 percent of your home's heat loss. In contrast, energy-efficient replacement windows are designed specifically to keep heat in or out, depending on the season. Not only will you see immediate savings in your monthly costs, but you might be able to receive instant savings offered through rebates for new windows from your utility company. You may also be able to claim a deduction on your income taxes for your energy-efficient replacement windows.

• New windows keep extreme weather outside. Energy-efficient windows can reduce the demand on your heating and cooling systems by up to 25 percent allowing you to make your home more comfortable at a lower cost.

• UV Protection. Most people love having natural light in the home, but excessive ultraviolet rays can cause fading in your home’s interior. Protect your home’s walls, floors, and furnishings by choosing windows that have Low-E insulating double-pane or triple-pane glass with argon that provides added protection from UV-rays – like sunscreen for your house!

Your home is your castle. It's the place you live, learn and grow. It's the place you go for comfort. The benefits of replacement windows are far greater than the cost. They improve your home’s overall environment with benefits like natural light, noise reduction, improved views and custom style. New windows can offer UV protection for walls, fabrics, flooring and furniture, which lengthens the life and quality of your home's interior. They also require very little maintenance, allowing you more time for activities you enjoy. Consider the benefits of new windows for your home and how they can improve your quality of life.

How to Clean Simply in Seattle

We all know that cleaning is a daunting task. However, as tedious as the chore of cleaning house can be, making an effort to keep things tidy is extremely important to maintaining both mental and physical health. We would sometimes ask help from professional cleaners to make sure that our house is spotless clean, but we cannot solely depend on cleaners to make our home tidy.

When your home is dirty or disorganized, it’s difficult to focus on the tasks you should be doing. You may find yourself distracted by organizing or surface cleaning. These distractions keep you from getting important things done and can make you feel as though you accomplished little by the end of the day. When your home is clean and organized, you’ll have fewer distractions and get more done.

Did you know that having a clean house makes you more creative? Clean space allows the mind to relax and be more creative. When you’re surrounded by uncleanliness or a disorganized mess, your mind focuses more on the chaos and less on letting your creative juices flow. If you’re a creative person, keeping a clean home will help you do what you do best.

We would sometimes have our friends, or family come over our house and we do not want to be surprised because we have a dirty home. There’s nothing more embarrassing than greeting friends with a dirty house. In this case, you may stop having people over altogether. Don’t let a dirty home keep you from spending time with the people you love. By keeping your home clean and orderly, you’ll have more motivation to invite people to dinner and enjoy their company.

We can always do something to make our house look cleaner every day. We do not want our house to look like a disaster, right? Do not worry! We will help you out in making your house look sparkling clean in simple ways.

• Create private and public spaces in your home. That is, set priorities and choose rooms near your home's entrance as public spaces. Like, the dining room, front porch, and living room. You can keep those areas free of clutter. Avoid clothes, no mail, no papers, no storage areas. The rest of the house can be a mess, but cleaning the rooms that guests see gives the whole house the appearance of being clean.

• Do simple things, often. Put dishes directly in the dishwasher instead of filling up the sink. Take the trash out every night, so there are no lingering smells. Throw dirty clothes immediately in the hamper, so there aren’t piles everywhere.

• Clear out the “I might need this someday” items. Whether you’re keeping clothes you may wear one day, a board game that’s missing a piece that you might find, or a kitchen appliance when you hate cooking - getting rid of the things you’re not using instantly makes your place seem less junk-filled.

• Set a timer and have the whole family clean up for 10 minutes. Engage the kids and your spouse to help. You can even make a game out of it. This small investment of time leads to big payoffs. You would be surprised at how much cleaner your house will look after just 10 minutes of family effort.

• The floor should only have furniture on it. Toys, stacks of newspapers and magazines -- anything on the floor should be put away or tossed out each day. Having bare, unoccupied floor space gives every room a more open, airy, and less cluttered look.

• In the kitchen, keep out only the things you use daily. Toaster or blender, if used daily, stays. Big appliances, like a slow cooker, if only used weekly or less frequently, should be put away.

• Avoid dirty floors by having two welcome mats; one inside and one outside your front door. That way, dirt and other debris don’t spread to your floor and throughout your house (having two increases the chances that everything gets caught). Since most guests see the room right off the front door first, mats give the appearance of an overall clean house.

• Make the beds. Yes, it would be great to have the whole bedroom clean, but simply making the beds gives the eye a place to settle. Everyone notices a made or unmade bed.

• Keep your bathroom vanity clear. Store makeup and other everyday toiletries in bags or bins under the sink -- this makes it easy to pull them out and put away and keeps clutter off the countertops.

• Open mail and backpacks over the recycling bin. Seeing a lot of papers inside your house makes it look messy. For notes and follow-up reminders, put them into your phone immediately and throw out the actual paper.

There’s nothing more relaxing than jumping in a bed with clean sheets and saying good night to an orderly house. You’ll rest at ease when you’re not waking up to chaos. Let your mind rest peacefully in a clean home.

The Best Green Smoothie After You Clean Your House

After a daunting task of cleaning your house, you deserve to relax and have a refreshing drink. The best refreshing drink that we suggest you to have is a green smoothie. Aside from giving you the refreshing feeling, this drink is also good for your health. Adding leafy greens to your smoothie not only turns your smoothie into our very favorite color here at Green Blender, but has so many benefits to your physical well-being.

Green vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens, and lettuce are nutrient powerhouses. When blended in a smoothie, the nutrients in these leafy greens are released and readily absorbed into the bloodstream which enhances your nutrient absorption. With enhanced nutrient absorption, you become invigorated and energized! Smoothies, as opposed to juices, utilize the whole fruits and veggies that go into them.  The abundant fiber in leafy greens, when consumed in a hydrating smoothie, will help you reach optimal digestibility. Leafy greens also help you boost your immune system. Loaded with phytonutrients, leafy greens strengthen your immune system and help you stave off illness all year long.

On the other hand, dark leafy greens are rich in calcium and vitamin K, which is necessary in ensuring calcium reaches your bones and not your tissues. Rich in antioxidants like vitamin A and C, greens in smoothies can significantly lower cholesterol, decreasing your risk of heart attack or stroke. Full of antioxidants, green smoothies reduce the signs of aging as well as hydrate your skin. Most people struggle to get enough greens, which are excellent sources of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll replenishes and rebuilds red blood cells, rejuvenating your body.

When you consume whole, unprocessed, nourishing foods, you naturally start to crave those healthy foods over unhealthy sweet, salty, and fatty ones. Believe it or not, consuming green smoothies makes you more likely to engage in other healthy habits. Because the human mind thrives on consistency, one healthy habit leads to another. So after adding kale or spinach to your smoothie, you may opt for a side salad instead of fries when eating out. When you eat fruits and vegetables in the raw state you get double the nutrients, because when you cook food it loses half of the vitamins and nutrients.

All you need to have is your green leafy vegetables and your blender and you are good to go! Fall in love with your health!

Here are some tips that will help you in creating your first smoothie

When you’re making your first few green smoothies, don’t just throw things in the blender. Chances are, it’ll taste nasty if you wing it right out of the gate. To save you a few smoothie-fails, bust out those cute little measuring cups and follow this simple formula: 60% fruits to 40% leafy greens. (2 cups of leafy greens + 2 cups of liquid base + 3 cups of rice fruit)

• Here are some green veggies that you can use for your green smoothie: spinach, kale, romaine, bok choy, swiss chard, collards, dandelion. For your liquid base you may use one of these: water, coconut milk, coconut water, almond milk. And for your rice fruit you can choose from any of the following: banana, mango, berries, orange, avocado, peach, pear, apple, pineapple, grapes

• First, you have to blend the leafy greens, and liquid base first. Second, add the fruits and then blend again. You may use at least one frozen fruit to chill smoothie. This formula yields about 32 ounces and serves 2

• You may also boost your green smoothie by adding some boosters like chia seeds, coconut oil, almond butter, hemp seeds, hemp protein powder, flax seeds, cacao, cinnamon, and acai powder.

• Chewing your green smoothie is no fun!  To get a “smooth” green smoothie experience, blend up your leafy greens and liquid-base first. Then add your remaining fruits and blend again.

• Ditch the ice, and freeze the fruits! Want your green smoothie to be extra chilly? Freeze your favorite fruits like ripe bananas (peel first), grapes, pineapple or berries. This is also a great way to not waste ripe fruits (like those brown bananas on your counter). You can also freeze your leafy greens in a freezer-safe bag. Just make sure to add your frozen greens straight to the blender (don’t defrost these fragile little guys).

• Use raw natural sweeteners. Add naturally sweet fruits to any smoothie that tastes bitter or a bit too “green.” By sticking with naturally sweet fruits like bananas, mango, apples, pears or pitted dates, we avoid artificial sweeteners and processed sugars.

• Make smoothies ahead for the perfect fast food. We know life can get crazy busy— especially in the morning. That’s why we think green smoothies are the healthiest fast food for people who are constantly on the go. You can blend your green smoothie the night before and store it in your fridge (up to 2 days). Use an airtight lid to limit oxidation and keep it as fresh as possible. When ready to drink, give it a good shake before you open.

Why Should You Visit Seattle

Do you want to know why you should visit Seattle? Don’t worry! In this blog, we will help you find reasons to visit this beautiful place. There are actually a lot of interesting things that you can do and a lot of historic places that you can visit. Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, is surrounded by water, mountains and forest, and has thousand acres of parkland to enjoy. Seattle’s nickname is the “Emerald City” because it portrays the color of the environment. The city is filled with green all year around, and when you visit the city you will also notice the green grass covered parks. The largest city in Washington State, it is also home to a large tech industry with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered here.

Here are some reasons why you should visit Seattle:

You Must Try Their Coffee Places

You Must Try Seattle’s Coffee

Seattle is regarded as a world center for coffee roasting and coffee supply chain management. Related to this, many of the city's inhabitants are coffee enthusiasts; the city is known for its prominent coffee culture and numerous coffeehouses. Seattle is the locus that turned us all into coffee-istas, and is where Starbucks was founded, in the Pike Place Market. People in Seattle consume more coffee than in any other American city. A study has been conducted and it stated that there are 35 coffee shops per 100,000 residents. The people in Seattle spend an average of $36.00 a month on coffee. It is also nearly impossible to walk past a single block in a commercial area in Seattle. Coffee drinkers can get coffee at a local sidewalk stand, parking lot, tiny coffee houses, big coffee house, drive-through, and even delivery.

Click on this link for the latest cafes in Seattle.

Visit the Space Needle

One of the famous attractions in Seattle is the Space Needle. If you have a head for heights then you must not miss the Space Needle. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle quickly became the symbol of the city. The high-speed lift takes only 43-seconds to whizz you to the observation level. Views from the 605-foot tall are spectacular, and you can see the Cascade Mountains and Mount Rainier.

Want to learn more about the Space Needle? Click here.

Enjoy the Night Life in Seattle

If you are a type of person who is into partying, this is the best neighborhood for you! Capitol Hill is the nightlife central, and Havana Social Club is at the throbbing epicentre. With its swaying palms and gold pressed-tin ceiling, the place feels like a quaint old tropical hotel. You’ll find mostly young, pierced folks throwing back tequila and gyrating to soul, rap and indie hits.

Need help on finding out the coolest bars on Capitol Hill? Click here.

Experience an intimate Seattle Living Room Show

Seattle Living Room Shows and Seattle Secret Shows are a unique way to see a live concert. All shows take place in a secret Seattle venue where you’ll be face to face with some of the best up-and-coming musicians from around the country. We provide an intimate setting for both musician and listener which we feel brings the music back to where it should be; Raw, emotional, powerful, and exposed.

Click on this link to know more about Seattle Living Room Show.

The World’s Best Glass Art is From Seattle

Seattle's art scene heats up with a bevy of hot shops and glass galleries. Seattle is a glass city. You can’t help but notice glass art installations, glassblowing studios and galleries dedicated to the art when visiting. You might have also heard of one particular glass artist, who hails from Tacoma and still calls this area home: the glass artist, Dale Chihuly. His glass works can be found around the world. The Chihuly Garden and Glass showcases at the Seattle Center display the incredible talent of Dale Chihuly with a series of jaw-dropping indoor and open-air installations. His distinctive glass art is a mixture of colourful shimmering cones, spears, coils and entanglements. Lismore Castle in Waterford has a turquoise chandelier designed by him.

To know more about Chihuly Garden and Glass, click here.

The Famous Wineries Can Be Found in Seattle

Located just 30 miles from downtown Seattle is a wine lovers' haven. Woodinville is a suburb of Seattle nestled in between its urban core and the rustic skyline of the Cascade mountain range. With over 100 wineries calling Woodinville home, wine lovers travel far and wide to taste and buy the local Washington wines on offer. Novelty Hill Januik is a newer independent winery that have a production facility and tasting room in Woodinville. Originally started by one of Washington’s most acclaimed winemakers, Mike Januik, the winery is very family orientated and committed to sourcing grapes from only the best vineyards in Washington. Their modern, state-of-the art facilities make for an impressive tasting experience and you are made to feel warm and welcome, whether you’re a wine novice or a veteran of the vineyard world.

Need help on your winery visits? Click here.

Try Seattle’s Local Delicacies

The city is flooded with good food but one of Seattle’s specialties is seafood. Due to its coastal location Washington is perfectly situated for fisherman. The up-coming neighborhood of Ballard has a large concentration of fishing fleets which make their way to Alaska throughout the year to source fresh water fish like no other.

You will never get bored in Seattle as there are tons of activities to do. So, if you need to relax and enjoy, Seattle is surely the perfect place for you!

Renting an Apartment vs. Buying an Apartment

It is a major decision whether to rent or buy the place in which you live. It does not just affect how much money you have left at the end of the month; thus it also affects your lifestyle and the size of the savings you accumulate over the years. Every day people buy homes when financially they would be better off renting, because it is also important to them to have a place to put down roots and because they see buying a home as an investment that can grow in the long run. Similarly, people rent all the time for the flexibility and minimal responsibility it offers, even though they would amass a larger net worth over time if they bought a place.

Among the two options, there are also pros and cons to renting a property, just as there to owning a home. Both options have advantages and disadvantages. For example, renting allows you more expendable money in the short term, while owning a house gives one the sense of security as it is considered a long-term investment. Let us discuss the pros and cons of renting an apartment vs. buying an apartment.

Advantages of Renting an Apartment

-          One of the benefits of renting a house is it is low maintenance. Depending on your rental agreement, renting a house may also mean taking on shoveling the walkway, mowing the lawn, maintaining the garden and general upkeep of the house. In an apartment, the grounds and outdoor maintenance are all taken care of for you.

-          You will also have the freedom to choose the location. If you're looking for a prime location right in the downtown are, in the heart of the city, you're most likely going to be looking at an apartment. Single-family dwellings are usually found in more suburban or outer-city regions.

-          Renting a property allows more flexibility than owning a home. This is ideal for those who could be faced with sudden changes such as a job relocation. Renting requires no long-term commitment from a Tenant, and is the best option if you don’t intend on staying in one place for a long time.

-          Moving out is easier for a tenant than a homeowner as there is no stress of finding someone to take over the lease, or finding a Buyer to purchase the property as this is the responsibility of the Homeowner or landlord.

-          After paying rent, a Tenant may have additional money which they can use to invest elsewhere, whether it is saving towards buying a house or investing in the stock market, and need not worry about putting additional funds into a home loan.

-          The only insurance required by a Tenant will be to cover the contents of the home, while all maintenance work on the property is for the Homeowner’s account, as is homeowners insurance.

-          As a tenant, there is the possibility of living in an area in which you could not afford to buy.

Disadvantages of Renting an Apartment

-          You might have a problem with your neighbors. If you're a loud person or someone who needs a quiet environment, apartment living may not be for you. Remember, in many apartments, there are people and families living on all sides of you.

-          From available closets to cramped storage units, apartments don't usually offer a lot of storage space.

-          You might also encounter issues with infestation. The case with neighbors in an apartment complex. If, for example, others in the complex have roaches or ants invading their abode, those same pests are likely to eventually find their way into your home as well.

-          You cannot make changes to a rented property without the consent of the homeowner.

-          A tenant is bound by the rules of the lease agreement, which can impact the freedom to use or renovate the property.

Advantages of Buying an Apartment

-          The value of a home will appreciate over time and in case you decide to sell, you can earn a profit off the sale

-          When you buy a house, it becomes your legal property which allows you greater freedom in its use without restrictions often enforced by a landlord.

-          Owning a home offers the long-term benefits of security, equity, and potential growth in personal wealth

-          Being a homeowner allows you creative control of your property, including décor changes, landscaping and renovations, to suit your needs and your style.

-          Being a homeowner who ensures repayments are made on time can improve your credit profile. Not only will you have a large investment to your name, but paying your monthly bond repayments on time increases your credit score.

-          You have the option of buying to rent which enables a homeowner to generate income from renting out the property. You can have your house registered in AirBnb or websites for leasing. This income can be put towards the home loan.

-          You have the option to refinance your bond amount should you wish to withdraw a large amount of money to pay for major purchases.

-          There is an opportunity to save money in the long term as there are possible tax deductions related to income-generating properties.

Disadvantages of Buying an Apartment

-          Home prices are well off their recent ridiculous highs and mortgages rates also continue to break new record lows, which is surely making many renters salivate at the notion of homeownership.

-          There are additional costs to homeownership and these usually include rates, taxes, insurance, and maintenance for which the homeowner is responsible.

-          Being a homeowner comes with huge financial responsibility including bond repayments and regular house maintenance.

-          There are additional costs to homeownership and these usually include rates, taxes, insurance, and maintenance for which the Homeowner is responsible.

-          A homeowner has less mobility when it comes to being able to move home than a Tenant who rents on a short-term basis. A tenant can leave a property after fulfilling the notice period, which is usually one month. However, a Homeowner is likely to be dependent on selling their home before being able to buy a new one, and therefore it might take longer to be able to move homes once the decision has been made to do so.

To learn more about the pros and cons of renting vs. owning a home click here.

Whether you decide to rent or buy Divine Maids is here to help.

Things In The Kitchen That Can Be A Good Cleaning Agent

When it comes to home cleaning, most of us reach for expensive, often harsh products. Did you know that there are things in your kitchen that can be a good cleaning solution?

Non-toxic homemade cleaning products aren’t just better for us; they can also help save us money and protect the environment.

You may have heard that you can replace many commercial cleaning products with inexpensive items you've already got in your kitchen pantry.

Onion

Give your grill a rubdown with an onion and you’ll watch the caked-on grease and grime vanish from your grill grates. Turn your grill’s heat up super high, and with a long grill fork, stab an onion, and with the flat side down, rub along the grill grates.

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Tea

More than a favorite beverage, brewed tea can be used to clean windows, mirrors and countertops. Spray on your bathroom surfaces just as you would any typical window or surface cleaner. Then, keep your bags to hide in the back of the fridge. They will actually work to deodorize it. And if you need to remove the scent of onion, garlic or fish from your hands, cut a bag open, and wash your hands with the leaves to remove the odor

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Lemons

You don’t need lemon-scented cleaners to clean your house — you just need lemons! With their mildly acidic properties, lemons can be used to cut through grease and grime on your stove and appliances. They can also shine up brass objects so long as they are made of actual brass and not just brass plated.

Citrus can zap grime from your microwave, remove stains from linens, and shine brass.

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Rice

Swish a scoop of uncooked grains (with warm water and a little dish detergent) around the inside of a vase to scrub hard-to-reach spots.

Having a hard time fitting your hands while cleaning a narrow vase? Just pour two tablespoons of dry rice and half a cup of warm water inside the vase. Shake the vase vigorously while covering it with your hands. Drain the vase afterwards.

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Ketchup

This french fry sidekick can shine copper and get your car gleaming again.

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Table salt

The course texture of this cooking staple can erase stains from butcher block countertop, and helps release stuck-on food from your cast-iron skillet.

Remember that miracle lemon that cleaned the tub? If your dirt stains are particularly stubborn, add some salt to the lemon, and scrub the surface of your bathtub, sink or toilet. Once your salt solution has done the trick, just rinse off any pulp and leftover residue, leaving your bathroom perfectly clean with a lemon-fresh scent!

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Walnuts

Got a scuff or a scratch on your wood furniture? Rub it with a walnut (shell removed) to mask the damage.

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Powdered lemon or orange drink

The citric acid in your favorite drink powder can help banish rust and stains from your dishwasher.

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Cream of tartar

This common baking ingredient can remove the grayish residue that shows up on aluminum utensils after you run them through the dishwasher.

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Baking soda

This stuff deserves a star spot in your cleaning cabinet. Mixed with warm water, it's an effective all-purpose cleanser — it can even shine jewelry.

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Vinegar

Like baking soda, white vinegar is a powerful cleaning tool. It can freshen laundry, lift stains from carpet, brighten windows, and so much more. Just don't use it in these spots — you might do more harm than good.

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Vodka

Grab the bottle from leftover from your last big party to deodorize clothes and shine chrome and porcelain fixtures.

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Cucumber

Use slices of cucumber to polish any stainless steel products for a flawless shine!

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Mayo

If your coffee table has water ring damage, a spoonful of mayo will help take it away. Spoon a glob of it on the stain and let it set for a few minutes. Take a damp cloth and gently rub the mayo in. Allow it to sit, and then with a wet cloth wipe excess mayo away, followed up by a soft buffing cloth.

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Ice Cubes

Every few weeks, toss in a handful of cubes in your sink. Add some orange, or lemon to ward off some stenchy odor.

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Coffee Filters

Use Coffee Filters On Glass

Clean your mirrors and windows with coffee filters instead of rags or paper that wells for a streak and lint free shine.

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Baby Oil

Baby oil helps the dirty water bead roll down the drain faster. Use this to clean your sink, toilet bowl, or tub.

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Potatoes

Did you just went on a camping trip? To remove hardened mud on your clothes, especially comforter or blankets, slice a potato in half and gently rub the cut end on to it. Soak the fabric in cool water after before tossing them into the laundry.

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Wax Paper

Wax Paper for Faucets

Wiping faucets with wax paper prevents water spots and finger prints.

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White bread

Get rid of greasy fingerprints from walls with white bread

It sounds weird, but rubbing finger marks with a slice of white bread will give your walls a new lease of life! We're not sure how someone discovered this, but we're grateful they did...

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Salt and foil

Clean your iron with salt and foil.

If you’ve got a dirty iron, remove built-up dirt from the bottom with salt and tin foil. Turn on the iron, and run it over a piece of aluminum foil sprinkled with salt.

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Grapefruit

Get rid of water marks or stains in your bathtub by cutting a grapefruit in half, sprinkling on some rock salt and giving it a good scrub. Have the other half for a nutritious breakfast!

If you are a person that have a hectic schedule, You might prefer getting a cleaning service.Great thing there is Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy. They make your lives easier by doing the cleaning job for you.

Seattle Green Cleaning Fairy are also using Eco-friendly cleaning products, meaning our home is free from toxic cleaning supplies. Call them now and schedule an appointment!

How to Hire the Right Cleaning Company

Cleaning your house has no season. Whether you want to hire a cleaning service to help you with a one-off task, an annual spring clean, or something on a more regular basis, there are a few things you need to inquire about before you make a decision. You would always want your home sparkling clean and fresh. I am pretty sure you do not want a dirty home, right? When it comes to cleaning the house, it is a very daunting task and it takes a lot of time as well. Those people who have big houses or apartments, will find cleaning very difficult. Working professionals would not have time squeeze in cleaning their houses into their schedule that is why sometimes they seek help from cleaning companies. Some people would look for cleaning services because of an upcoming event at home or sometimes relatives would come over the house.

The question here is how do we hire the right cleaning service company? We do not want to settle for just anyone. Some would say, “it is cheaper to hire an under-the-table cleaning lady for cash!”, you have to know that you are putting a potential risk on your property and your belongings. We would want to hire a cleaning company with a good reputation. If your main concern is if it is worth your money, then you have to consider choosing professional cleaners. You have to make sure that you choose wisely, and according to your needs and requirements.

Of Course as a cleaning company ourselves we strongly recommend Divine Maids Seattle 😉

Here is a list of tips that may help you in order to hire the right kind of home cleaning service. Let’s get started!

Get Referral From Family and Friends

You can start with asking your family members or friends if they have tried hiring cleaning professionals to take care of their home. It would be easy for you to choose a cleaning company if your family members or friends have a good experience first hand. Referrals also give you an inside look about what a cleaning service company is about and not just with what they say on their website. Companies can make themselves sound amazing, credible, and experienced, but a referral from a friend or family can paint a different picture and carries more weight.

Take Online Reviews With a Grain of Salt

Satisfied customers would not tend to write as many reviews as unsatisfied customers who feel compelled to shower the world with their terrible experiences. Remember, oftentimes, those reviews are people using it as an opportunity to vent out, blow a story out of proportion, or try to damage the reputation of the company. If a company has all terrible reviews, that is definitely a red flag, but if they have mostly good reviews and a few bad ones, that is pretty average. No one is perfect.

The other thing that you also have to watch out for is a cleaning company with a perfect score. I know companies who pay clients to write good reviews for them, so of course, they would really get 100% perfect score. Regardless, a good rule of thumb is to avoid a company with all perfect scores, avoid a company with all terrible scores, and find the ones with really consistent high scores.

Bonding, Insurance and Worker’s Compensation

As mentioned earlier, some customers are concerned if the price of the service is worth their money. You also have to take into consideration the company’s ability to cover costs of any damage done to your home, any theft, or if an accident occurs on your property. If they do not have this coverage, you could be on the hook for money, items stolen, property damaged, or an injured worker. A company must be willing to tell you if they have this coverage and provide copies of their policies upon your request.

Take note! Be aware that this adds to the cost of operating a service company, which is why the rates are higher per hour or per job. However, this level of assurance is valuable, especially when you are letting someone into your home, and could ultimately be on the hook for something that goes wrong. Remember, we live in a litigious world.

Affiliations, Accreditations and Experience

You would have to do your assignment in knowing how long have they been in business for? Does this company have any recognitions, accreditations, or affiliations with professional organizations? You have to look out for this as this will make you feel assured that a company is trustworthy and concerned with their reputation. These acknowledgements, recognitions, and certifications are something that that company must have worked hard for to obtain a good reputation. With this, it would also show the staff, clients, and potential clients, that the company has done everything they can to offer an exceptional service. So, checking in to these affiliations lends to credibility to a company’s desire to remain in good standing with their customers.

Service Offerings

Does the company take requests or offer a fixed service? How detailed will they get? It is also important to choose a company who can accept requests depending on what you want to be done. You have to inquire as to what level of service is offered. If you can customize it, and hire someone to come and tick a bunch of things off your to-do list, or if you just get the same service each visit irrespective of what you want to be done, or if you can do a combination. Companies offer a variety of options; none are right and wrong, you just need to find out what suits your needs and your lifestyle.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Make sure to ask about breakage, damage, and satisfaction guarantees. A good company should stand behind its work and its workers. If you are not happy as a client, what are they prepared to do for you? How will they make it right? It is a fact that sometimes, things will break. The way that a company should always handle this is to be highly responsive, sincerely apologetic, and fix anything at any cost. I know this might sound crazy, but other companies do not really do this. They tell the client to claim it under their own homeowner’s insurance policy, or chalk it up to an unavoidable mistake.

If you are not satisfied with the cleaning, a company should have something to offer you. A touch-up? A free cleaning? Companies have different policies about this so find out what recourse you have if you are not happy with the level of service you received.

Removing Stains on Your Carpet

Carpets can be easy to maintain on a weekly basis, but stains and deep cleanings can often present a challenge. The best time to treat a stain is as soon as possible before it has a chance to soak into the carpet. Of course, sometimes this isn't possible—perhaps you arrive home and find that your pet had an accident while you were out, or you discover a spill long after the party guests have left. Don't be dismayed; while it may be a bit more difficult to treat a stain that is not fresh, it is still possible to remove it.

So what should you do if you have a spill or stain on your carpets?

Red wine

You may not think of your red wine as a dye, but it’s full of anthocyanins, which are common natural dyes for textiles. Even worse, when you find them in wine, they’re dissolved in alcohol and water, making your glass’s contents the perfect cocktail to ruin any cloth they touch.

When possible, use a surfactant to remove the stain on the surface. That may not be enough, so also apply an oxidizer to knock out the chromophores. For example, you might start with dish soap and follow it up with hydrogen peroxide.

Honey and other sweeteners

Syrups like these mostly consist of sugars, which love water. A little H2O should pull them out. In most cases, you can just scrape off the goo and then dab at the stain with cold water. If a mark remains, try a light surfactant as well.

Coffee

Just as coffee left to cool will change in taste and consistency, so will a coffee stain. If you get a drop of coffee on your shirt, then blot it up, turn the cloth around, and run cold water through the back of the stain. This turns your clothes into a sort of reverse filter, pulling the coffee out of the material.

If the stain has dried, at this point, all you’re really dealing with is the chromophores. So do what the coffee professionals do: Grab some sodium percarbonate. At high concentrations, this substance cleans out industrial-grade coffee machines, so a solution of ¼ cup sodium percarbonate to 2 cups water should easily destroy your stain.

Tomato sauce and ketchup

With tomato stains, time is of the essence. Ripe tomatoes get their red color from tannins, which are also used as dyes. They have enough sticking power to stain plastic. So the second the sauce hits the linen, rug, or other material, apply cold water. If you didn’t notice that stray ketchup squirt right away, older stains can still benefit from treatment with warm water and an enzymatic cleaner.

Blood and other biological materials

Anybody who lives with a baby animal (including baby humans) quickly becomes familiar with the many fluids and semi-solids that escape our bodies—and the seemingly-permanent marks they leave on everything. The good news is, if the stain is fresh, water will likely erase most of it, once you clear away the offending matter. Any leftover traces should quickly yield to enzymes.

You may want to use the enzymes a few times, and then use a solvent like rubbing alcohol to clean whatever’s left. If you’re concerned about applying a solvent to a delicate item, use a weaker solution available at drugstores, or dilute your rubbing alcohol with one part water to one part alcohol.

Chocolate

Chocolate is a one-two punch. It’s both oily, so you’ll need a surfactant, and organic, since the sweet treat includes vegetable oil (such as cocoa butter) and various cocoa solids.

That means for best results, start with soap and then follow up with an enzymatic cleaner. Use plenty of cold water. Once you’ve pretreated a chocolate stain, this is one of the rare occasions where you should rub the mark to loosen it.

Grease

To capture this hydrophobic substance, you’ll need a surfactant like dish soap. Apply a small dab to the area, wet it, gently rub it in, and wash it out.

For really tough grease stains, look for industrial soaps. They use the same action, but have stronger pull. However, for delicate garments that aren’t colorfast—that is, where the dye hasn’t fully permeated the fibers—industrial soap may strip dye as well as grease out of your carpet.

Grass

Grass is a bit tougher than other biological stains, because, much like red wine, it’s a fairly effective dye—especially on light-colored carpet. Start with an enzymatic cleaner, preferably one specifically designed to tackle these kinds of stains. If there’s some stain left over, or enzymatic cleaners don’t meet the bill, try an acid, such as diluted vinegar, to pull the stain out of the fabric.

However, before you apply any vinegar, put a small amount on a clean area of the garment that people won’t see, wait for a few minutes, and then wash it out. This will tell you whether the vinegar reacts. If it damages the material, then you may want to consult with a carpet cleaner instead of tackling the stain on your own.

Mud

Mud will require everything in your toolkit, because dirt contains a mix of everything. First, dry out the mud completely and brush off as much as you can. Then hit it with a surfactant and some cold water. After that, if the fabric can take vinegar, apply some of the acid to eat away at other parts of the mud. Anything left will succumb to enzymes. We also recommend using psychology: Make whoever is responsible for the mud stains do all this; it’s a superb way to stop those stains before they start.

These are just the most common stains, of course, but what’s most important is the toolkit. Once you understand both how the stain works, and how different cleaners clear it away, the battle against contaminants is (almost) won.

Toner and ink

Since ink is supposed to be permanent, you need to resort to solvents for this type of stain. (This is why your parents run for the hairspray; it used to be loaded with alcohol, although you won’t find that solvent in most modern formulas.) To lift it out, you need to bust out a rag and some alcohol. Soak a sturdy cloth rag that you won’t mind ruining in the solvent; as the ink dissolves, it’ll transfer to the rag. After you’ve dabbed the stain a few times, try applying an oxidizer to take the color out of what’s left.

If you need a professional help in getting you carpet clean, Karen's Green Cleaning can help you out with that. They are one of the most reputable cleaning companies that make your home absolutely clean.

Seattle’s Best Coffee Places

The world is full of incredible coffee and one of the best coffees can be found in Seattle. Did you know that Seattle is known because of their great reputation for coffee? That is correct! Seattle is home to several coffee roasters. If you’re a visitor in Seattle, you might wonder why there are coffee shops wherever you go. You will pass three or maybe four Starbucks on the way to work and at least as many independent coffee shops.

Here’s a fact, people in Seattle consume more coffee than in any other American city. A study has been conducted and it stated that there are 35 coffee shops per 100,000 residents. The people in Seattle spend an average of $36.00 a month on coffee. It is also nearly impossible to walk past a single block in a commercial area in Seattle. Coffee drinkers can get coffee at a local sidewalk stand, parking lot, tiny coffee houses, big coffee house, drive-through, and even delivery.

The world famous Starbucks coffee was founded in Seattle. Starbucks is considered the main representative of “second wave coffee”, initially distinguishing itself from other coffee-serving venues in the United States by taste, quality, and customer service experience while popularizing darkly roast coffee. If you are not familiar with the meaning of “second wave coffee”, it means the defining and the enjoyment of specialty coffee. Consumers expressed a desire to know the origin of their coffee and understand the unique roasting styles of what will now be called “specialty coffee” beans. This knowledge added to the enjoyment of coffee as an experience, rather than just a beverage.

To learn more about second wave coffee click here.

This city has the perfect coffee for you! So, here’s a list of Seattle’s best coffee places that Divine Maids wholly recommends

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Starbucks

Of course, first on the list is Starbucks. Starbucks is Seattle’s largest coffee retailer. It was founded in 1971 in Pike Place Market as a roaster, but only later became an espresso bar. In 1984 ownership of the company changed and that change led to a massive international expansion of the company. This company is also known not just for their great coffee but also for their excellent customer service. The ambiance of this coffee place is also good for some quiet time, catch up with friends, and even a perfect venue for meetings.

Elm Coffee Roasters

You'll first spot it by a couple of blue outdoor cafe tables. It's a lovely bright space that feels bigger than it is because of the high industrial ceilings and bank of windows across the front. Try the espresso tonic, fizzy and slightly sweet. Their coffee here is best partnered with croissant.

Little Oddfellows

It's a good place to work, journal, or finish your novel—or procrastinate by taking pictures of your avocado toast—and that's mostly what people are doing. There's a little of everything: Caffe Vita coffee, Rainier beer, house-scratch sodas, and wine on tap.

Peloton Bicycke Shop & Café

Bike shop cafes are a thing in Seattle, and it's pretty much what you'd expect: repairs on one side, coffee and food on the other, and some tables to chill at. You'll spot the little shop by the world champion stripes painted across the front. It's worth going for the free coffee refills and breakfast sandwiches, even if you don't own a bike.

Mistlead & Co.

This place is a pilgrimage site for coffee nerds, with its rotation of coffee from a dozen local roasteries (the flavors lean bright, fruity, and tart) brewed by Aeropress or V60, and La Marzocco espresso machine. No decaf, but they'll make you a spicy golden milk latte, hot or cold.

Vif

This shell of a former drive-up burger joint has been transformed into bright and airy cafe and natural wine bar. The breakfast sandwich is on a homemade sweet roll, with hot pink pickled radish. Lunch and bites to go with wine later in the day are thoughtfully composed, fresh, and healthy-ish.

Tougo Coffee Co.

The long, narrow space is quiet and warm, with wood-paneled ceilings and a long share table (as well as plenty of individual seats) and a kids play area off to the side in the back. The mix of customers reflects the makeup of this historically black and brown neighborhood that's gradually becoming whiter.

Analog Coffee

Hip and perfect, photogenic and famous, it still looks unassuming as you approach its quiet corner of Capitol Hill. The warm sound of music played from a record pours into the bright little space, and they have real newspapers (on paper!) for you to read. Beautiful people work quietly on their laptops or read in the window.

Victrola Coffee Roasters

The 15th Ave location is a longtime favorite of locals, though more of them have their face in a laptop than a book these days (plenty of outlets). The staff are coffee professionals, and the lemon lavender cake goes perfectly with a short Americano.

Navy Strength

If you like to drink your coffee out of a tiki mug, this is your spot. Pops of turquoise and orange and palm-leaf lamps make you feel like you've stepped out of the Seattle rain into a 70s inflected tropical daydream.

Espresso Vivace

Not much has changed since this place opened in 1988, going on to popularize latte art. It starts trends, but doesn't bend to them. A sip of a Cafe Nico, a double espresso with shots of vanilla and orange and steamed half and half, served with an orange twist, is like a time machine back to the late '90s—in a good way.

Ways to Always Keep Your House Guest-Ready

When you need to keep your home nice and tidy, Divine Maids is always at your service!

One of the things that will surely make you panic is the thought of having some friends come over. This is most especially true if you do not clean your house in a regular basis. Before you panic, keep calm and find out the ways on how you can make your home guest ready in just a few minute

Focus on the three T’s.

If you wish to make your house look clean in an instant, then it is recommended that you clean the three T’s. These are your tabletop, TV and toilet. You may think why would in the earth will you clean your television. Well, this is because your television room is the center of your living room and a dirty television is easily noticeable for guests. To make your living room look guest-ready and inviting, it is recommended that you remove the DVD’s on top of your television and clear the space around it. Additionally, wipe off any dust that you can find in the surfaces of your home.Case in point: your table top and countertops. The toilet is a bit self explanatory.

Hide the dirty dishes.

In the event that you have no time to wash the dirty dishes, the best thing that you can do is hide it! No matter how well you cleaned your kitchen counters, your home will never look welcoming when there are dishes in the sink. As a simple and fast solution for this, it is recommended that you hide the dishes in your oven and pray that someone won’t catch you doing it!

Stash your items.

For the quickest clean up step, grab your laundry basket and go around each and every area of your home. Gather all items that doesn’t belong to that certain area and place it in the laundry basket. Keep the basket in a private room that your guests will not visit.

Get rid of dust.

Instead of getting your cleaning tools out of your storage, it is best that you slip a piece of sock over your hands and run your hands on all the dusty surfaces of your home. This is one great way to get rid of dust fast.

Turn on the oil burner.

If you really wish to make your house ready for guests, then you have to make sure that it smells good. If you have an oil burner, then pour in your favorite scent and turn the burner on. If you have none, then we recommend that you light up some scented candles. A great smell is surely a nice touch to your clean looking house for rent.

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Here are some Tips to Keep Your Home Visitor Ready.

TIP #1: CREATE A DESIGNATED PLACE FOR HOUSEHOLD ITEMS, AND KEEP THEM THERE.

It’s so much easier to get rid of the clutter around your house when you know where it should go. Resist the temptation to throw everything in one basket or drawer or leave them sitting out. Instead, clearly label storage areas and always put items where they belong. Not only will your home appear more organized, but you’ll be able to find items them later when you need them!

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TIP #2: PURGE YOUR HOME OF ITEMS YOU DO NOT NEED.

Everyone has items they don’t use. Why not donate those items to charity and let someone else benefit from their use? If you’re a family of 2, do you really need 18 plates in your cupboard? Do you really wear all 15 sweaters in your closet? Seriously, are you really going to read those books on your bookshelf again? Even though I’m personally guilty of holding onto books, I’ve become more of a minimalist the past year. And I have to tell you…if feels good. Your home will look less cluttered without the extra items, and that means less dusting and cleaning for you!

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TIP #3: KEEP THE SURFACES IN YOUR HOME CLEAR.

OK, this one is the hard one. I know the neatly stacked books and various knick-knacks may look chic on your coffee table, but it’s time to let them go. Trust me, your home will look so much cleaner and decluttered without them. I took someone’s advice a year ago and decided to give this a try for a month, and I loved it so much I never looked back! My living room looks so much more open without items stacked on every table in sight. You don’t have to keep your tables completely clear if you don’t want to. Just one basket or tray to hold necessary items will get you on your way to a clearer space.

This doesn’t stop in the living room, though. Do you have kitchen appliances sitting on your counter that you use once every blue moon? Find a convenient place to store them until you need to use them again. 20 bottles of hair products on your bathroom counter? Use baskets to organize them in the cabinets under your sink. Maybe you should go back to Tip #2 and get rid of the stuff you don’t use? Any time you can remove clutter from open surfaces in your home gets you one step closer to an organized home.

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TIP #4: LIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME.

It’s amazing how much different a room can look when you open the windows and let the light in! Consider trading dark drapery for simple, sheer fabric curtains that let light filter into the room. Dark, wooden blinds? Maybe it’s time to switch to white? Or maybe it’s time to give your walls a fresh coat of paint to brighten the room? Choose a color scheme of light hues to make the room appear not only lighter, but larger, too. Use mirrors to reflect the light around the room and give the appearance of a larger space. These tips will make your home look more spacious and inviting instead of dark and cluttered.

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TIP #5: DO NOT FALL BEHIND ON HOUSEHOLD CLEANING TASKS.

It’s easy to fall behind on your household cleaning tasks when life gets in the way. Letting things go makes it that much harder to catch up later. Why not use a weekly cleaning schedule to keep you on task? You can use my weekly cleaning schedule, or learn how to create your own here. Also, commit to cleaning during your most productive time of day. You’ll get more work done in less time, freeing your time up for the important things, like enjoying your home with family.

One good way to maintain your house guest ready is to hire a house cleaner.If you're too busy and doesn't have enough time to prepare for your guest, Divine Maids is here to help.