
The Health Benefits for your Family of Cleaning your Home Regularly

Illinois Valley House Cleaning Services | IV Clean Team, Inc.
Home cleaning, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, pressure washing service in Peru, LaSalle, Oglesby, Ottawa, Spring Valley, Utica, Mendota, Illinois
Depending on where you live, summers can go from pretty warm to unforgivingly hot in a matter of days, and that’s the time when everyone’s electric bill goes through the roof. Well, if you don’t feel like losing money faster than your AC can spit out cool air, you’re going to need a plan. Lucky for you, we happen to know a thing or two about surviving the hot summer with minimal AC usage, and we’re going to share those secrets with you in this blog.
Keep in mind that these are all tips to keep yourself cool with minimal AC use, which means that you shouldn’t just outright rip the thing off the wall, but save it for when the heat is particularly scorching inside. Remember, your well-being comes before any bill!
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first: A lot of heat enters your house through the windows. Almost 30 percent of all that unwanted heat inside your house enters it this way, so blocking them will lower the temperature inside considerably, sometimes up to 20 degrees depending on the time of the day. This is especially true of windows facing south and west, which get the full force of the sun during the afternoon. Invest in blackout curtains, which act as natural insulation from the sun and are a great way to keep the house cool in days of extreme heat.
Did you know that your ceiling fan has to be rotated depending on the season? Well now you do, and you’ll be able to make the most of them if you make them rotate counter-clockwise during the summer (while increasing the speed) to create something called a wind-chill breeze effect that will help your family to keep cool in a more natural way using only the air that’s already inside your house. Reversing the fan makes it suck up the warm air and leave everything below a lot cooler. Just don’t forget to reverse them again once the summer is over.
Heat rises, as you might know. This means that the upper floors of your house will have hotter air in them around summertime. If that’s proving too much for you at night, try hitting the couch or improvising a bed downstairs so that you’ll be surrounded by cool air. If you have a clean enough basement (and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t), you can also try setting up your mini-bedroom there if things get too hot elsewhere in the house.
OK, this might sound like an excuse to organize more impromptu BBQs… and it really can be, but it’s also very helpful in reducing the heat inside your house. See, using your stove or oven is sure to make the house much hotter, right? So not only are you suffering through the cooking process, but then you have to eat the food in a really hot kitchen or dining room. If you use the grill more often (even for simple dishes, not a full-blown BBQ), you’ll be spending more time outside AND keeping the temperature inside at a reasonable level during the day.
If you want to know how to keep a room cool in the summer without the AC, this is as old-school as keeping cool gets, but it’s also quite effective. You’ll essentially create a DIY air conditioner with materials you have at home during the summer. Take a shallow bowl or plate and fill it with ice, then place it in front of your preferred fan so that the cold coming from the ice is blown towards you. It sounds too simple or cartoonish to work, but it does, and you’ll love the feeling of an ice-cool breeze that only costs a small fraction of what your AC does.
If you need to stay cool just long enough to fall asleep, then you should get a hot-water bottle (filled with lukewarm water, of course) and put it in the freezer for about an hour. When you’re ready to climb into bed, put your now frozen hot-water bottle and place it at the foot of your bed or under your pillow. It won’t stay frozen or too cold for long, but it will be just enough for you to nod off without having to turn on the AC for some sweet relief.
Any parent can tell you that having your kids home after school and having them around all day for summer vacation are two very different things. Children tend to get into all sorts of trouble if they’re idle for too long, and while you can handle them pretty well, your house might not be as well-prepared for it as you might think. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to protect it, and give your kids something to do in the meantime.
The following tips are all about getting your house ready for your kids’ summer vacation by planning a lot of different activities and stocking up on materials to keep them occupied, but also by dropping a few chores on their hands so they can help around the house; after all, it’s not like you are the one with a summer vacation, right? Although, when it comes to chores, maybe you can get a summer break too.
Here’s how you can prepare your house for your kids’ summer vacation.
If you have enough space in your backyard, you can save yourself many trips to wherever pools are in your town with a family-sized blow-up pool. You might think that setting one up would prove expensive enough for it to be completely out of the question, but if you factor in the convenience of making your pool parties right at home, and the sheer joy that it would bring your kids all over the summer, the thing pretty much pays for itself. If you go through with it, remember to set some rules for your children, such as only using the pool when under supervision, when it is OK for them to get in, and to finish their chores before getting in, just to name a few.
Does every fun summer activity around the house has to be outdoors? Not at all, especially on those days where it’s just so hot that going outside just sounds like a terrible, terrible idea! Instead, get some books that you know your kids will enjoy before the summer begins, and whip them out at least once a week over their vacation. You can also set up a cozy Bookworm Corner in your living room by cranking up the air conditioner, spreading a couple of blankets on the floor and maybe a few pillows, then letting them get lost on a good story.
No matter how many activities you plan for them, there will be times when your kids get idle for a little longer than they should, and that’s why you should always have a chart where all their chores are assigned for the whole duration of the summer. The chart will help them learn that house maintenance is not something to be done as a punishment or obligation, but that it’s a part of everyday life that shouldn’t be ignored, even on vacations. You can schedule a few big ones to do as a family so you can drive this point home, while also spending some time with them in a different context than usual.
Kids being around the house all day means that your fridge will be raided constantly, but you can always be one step ahead of them by preparing your home for long a vacation! A quick trip to the grocery store per week should let you stock up on healthy, fat-free and low-sugar snacks that your kids can either have as a daily snack or as a treat after helping you with cleaning chores. Otherwise, they might get their hands on some food they’re not supposed to be having and even potentially ruining a midweek dinner plan. If you choose to buy fruit, prepare it in a fun and creative way, such as cutting it into novelty shapes or mixing them with peanut butter (apple slices and peanut butter are always a hit).
Like we’ve been saying throughout the article, children should remain active during their summer vacation, but you probably can’t spare every single day to go on an adventure with them. What you can do instead is prepare a room (or the backyard) for them to play and stay active in a safe manner. This means taking out anything they could hurt themselves with, such as a big piece of furniture they could bump into or a rug they could trip with. If you don’t have enough space for them to play, how about setting up a light exercise routine they could do alongside you? It’s a perfect way to bond with them and stay healthy yourself!
Always remember that summer vacation is a very special moment in the life of every child and that they won’t have it forever. On top of every chore, routine, and rules that you set up for this coming summer in your household, remember always to keep it fun and lighthearted for them; that’s what preparing your home for a summer vacation is all about. They’ll thank you for it once they grow up!
Father’s Day is around the corner, and getting the right gift for their father is something that a lot of people dread every year, and the amount of cliché gifts out there makes it harder to think of something good. Don’t get us wrong, a nice tie or a “World’s Best Dad” mug is OK, but don’t you wish you could surprise him this year with something unexpected and original? Something that will make him feel like the world’s best dad that you both know he is.
Well, we want to help you out! The following is a list that will tell you all the hottest gifts for Father’s Day in 2019, and we’ve included a wide variety of differently priced items so you’ll surely find something good regardless of your budget. We also focused exclusively on gifts that your dad will find enjoyable at any time of the year, so you’re not only raising the bar on Father’s Day, but you’re also getting more bang for your buck!
It’s inexpensive, useful, durable, and is as much a gift for dad as it is for mom. This efficient workout tool will give dear old dad the six-pack he’s been wanting to get since he was your age, and the non-skid grip and small size will make it a fitting and welcome addition to any gym station. Perfect for the dad that likes to take care of his physique, and for the one that wants to start doing so as well. And if dad doesn’t have a lot of time to exercise during the week due to his many chores, how about getting some extra help around the house once in a while?
Is your father a man who takes matters into his own hands? Is he the handiest handyman you know, able to repair anything broken within sight? Is he a confident and empowered man who wouldn’t be out of place in an ancient Viking ship? Is your dad a nerd? Then he’ll love this charming-yet-useful toolset in the shape of Marvel’s god of thunder. The Thor Hammer Tool Set includes 44 standard pieces to tackle any DIY chore that threatens the safety of Val-house-la. Your dad is sure to get a chuckle out of it every time he uses it.
Most dads have a couple of things in common: They like to wear sneakers and runners as casual footwear, and they’re very unhip about it. For a double whammy of a gift, choose the Allbirds Men’s Tree Runners, which are not only fashion forward but environmentally friendly as well, since they’re made from eucalyptus tree fiber, making them breathable and smooth to wear. Dad will be able to run all of his chores using a comfortable shoe that’s hip-looking, flexible, lightweight, and machine washable. Now, if you could only do something about those straight-cut, navy blue jeans…
There are no better pants for the weekend father than these water, wind and stain-resistant pants. Made out of flexible, high-tech stretch fabric with a back ribbed cuff, complete with belt loops and hidden zip pockets, these pants strike the perfect balance between being comfortable and looking good. These are built for mobility and come in all sizes so your father will be able to get around easily while looking pretty modern at the same time, something mom will appreciate as much as he does. Hey, they’re so good that they should be a Father’s Day gift idea for every wife.
In this day and age of bushy beards and rough-looking stubbles, a weak shave is not fashionable anymore. Íf, your father, likes to keep his facial hair in control, Harry’s Travel Kit is the perfect piece for him on this Father’s Day. The TSA-friendly kit includes Harry’s signature Truman handle and razor blades, travel-size shave gel, a travel cover to protect your blades, and a soothing post-shave balm. You can choose your favorite body wash scent (Shiso, Fig, or Stone), and it all comes packaged inside a flexible, water-resistant travel bag. Harry’s shaving products are famous for their quality and durability, and at $35, you really can’t go wrong.
As you can see, there’s plenty of good ideas in our Father’s Day gift guide that beat the usual ties and bottle of whiskey (although the latter can complement any of these items perfectly). We hope that you found the perfect gift to give your dad this year and that it manages to broaden his horizons at the same time that he gets hours of enjoyment out of them. Good luck!
If you love camping and opened this article, then it’s safe to assume that you’re planning a family outing soon, right? That’s great! Few experiences are as fun and great for bringing the family together like spending a night or two sleeping under the stars, making breakfast over a campfire, and taking in the beauty of natural open spaces far from daily life. You should, however, remember that there’s a lot to prepare for, especially if you’re bringing kids with you.
If that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right family camping checklist. We’ll tell you about all the necessary things for camping from the moment you leave your driveway to when you close the car door and drive back home. The truth is that packing up for a family camping trip, while needing to double check a couple of things, is not as daunting as it looks, and you’ll be able to adapt this list to better suit your needs. Ready now? Let’s check it out!
Tent: You don’t want to be sleeping directly under the stars, do you? Get a tent that’s spacious enough for the whole family if you have kids, or a separate one if they’re older teens. Make sure to also bring your tent pegs, mallet, and windbreak to set it up properly.
Sleeping bags: One for each family member, of course, while resistant and warm enough to let you sleep comfortably through the night. Bring along a pillow for each person as well, since you’ll find the floor a little uncomfortable in comparison.
Airbed and pump: If sleeping bags are not your thing, bring a large airbed and enough blankets to accommodate everyone. If space becomes an issue within a single tent, you’ll probably need to bring along two sets of each, one for each parent and a group of kids. The air pump is a basic since you’ll never manage to inflate on your own; a mechanical one will take some more effort, but you won’t risk draining all the juice from your car like with an electric one.
Tent awning, carpet, doormat, and dustpan: These are all together because they serve a similar function, which is keeping the inside of your tent super clean (don’t you wish it was that easy in real life?). An awning will help you keep the morning dew away from your tent, further protecting you from humidity or rain; a doormat will keep the dirt clinging to your shoes from going in, while the dustpan and brush will help you take out any straggling soil. Finally, the rug will protect the floor of your tent from pebbles or other rough objects that could damage it, making it unusable.
Shoes and boots: Always bring proper footwear on your camping trips. If you plan on hiking, a sturdy pair of outdoorsy boots are a must. Wellingtons are also good to have in case the soil or the area itself are a little humid.
An outfit for each day: We’re talking shorts, t-shirts, socks, underwear, and pants. Jumpers and coats can be worn repeatedly, but you don’t want to carry around the same sweaty clothes on you for the entirety of your stay, right?
Weather-appropriate accessories: Sun hats, rain gear, bathing suits, snowshoes, etc.
Toiletries: Liquid and bar soap, shampoos or shower gels, deodorant, toothpaste and brush, toilet paper, lots of sunscreen, a comb or brush.
First-aid kit: Not exactly part of your clothes or toiletries, but you can store this in the same place. Make sure to cover everything; from bruises and scratches or cuts to headaches, nausea, stomach pains, and more. Any personal medication should be included but stored separately.
Depending on the length of your stay, you may not need to bring along a super complex cooking setup. If you prepare your meals ahead of time, then you won’t have to worry too much about cooking, just be sure to make food that won’t spoil at room temperature, or bring enough non-perishables to feed everyone. In general, the less you have to handle food directly, the better, so steer clear of complex recipes.
You can probably reduce your load to:
Water carrier, stove, fuel, lighter, plates, mugs, a supply of ingredients (properly stored), non-perishables, emergency rations, cutlery.
Maps: Always useful, but you have to know how to read it.
Reservation record: If you’re camping at a national park, you might need to show proof that you got permission to do so. Keep these documents safe.
Water filter: For the same reason that you bring emergency rations: You’re not anticipating needing it, but you should be prepared for anything.
Fire extinguisher: Nothing is more dangerous than an out of control fire at a campsite. Keep it at hand, away from the fire.
Umbrella: Not just for the beach. Lets you rest in the shade without having to stay inside the tent all day.
Small shovel: Any good campfire is more than just a couple of sticks and stones thrown together. This will help you set it up and put it out.
Spare tire and car tools: You don’t want to suffer a malfunction with no way to repair it.
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