Category: Life Hacks

  • 7 Remedies to Clean Concrete Patio Without A Pressure Washer

    A pressure washer is a very useful tool for cleaning concrete patios, walls, or roofs. But, if your pressure washer is broken then you can use home remedies to clean your concrete patio or wall. 

    It’s true that a pressure washer is a very satisfying tool but also very expensive. So, we will show you different ways to keep your concrete patio clean without a pressure washer. If you regularly clean your concrete, you can prevent them from being dirty.

    7 Useful Remedies to Clean Concrete Patio

    1. Vinegar
    2. Bleach
    3. Baking Soda
    4. Lemon Juice
    5. Soap and Water
    6. Muriatic Acid
    7. Trisodium Phosphate

    Vinegar

    Vinegar is safe to use on concrete patios. It is actually a natural cleaner that can be used at your home. It is very useful to remove stains from any surface. 

    To make the remedy you have to mix white vinegar with the water equally. If the stains are hard to remove, use vinegar more than water.

    Bleach

    Bleach is available in powder & liquid. It works well to remove dirt from the concrete patio. But, it is an extremely dangerous chemical. Be alert while using it and keep children away from this.

    Remedy: Use protective gloves before making the remedies. Mix the bleach with water in a 5:1 ratio and put it into a spray bottle. Spray directly to the surface and wait 10 minutes before cleaning. Dry the concrete patio properly if you use bleach.

    NB: Bleach only should use in serious situations.

    Baking Soda

    Baking soda is a natural and environment-friendly chemical powder that is used for cleaning concrete patios. Mix ½ cup of baking soda into a gallon of water for the remedy. You can add a few (⅛ cup) dish detergents to make the remedy stronger. Now, pour it into a spray machine.

    Lemon Juice

    Lemon has citric acid that helps to remove stains from the concrete. If you have a lemon tree in your garden, go & bring a few lemons. Then squeeze out them into a bottle. But, if you don’t have one, you can purchase it from the store.

    Soap and Water

    You can use your mild soap to make your concrete cleaner. Mix water with the soap, and dish detergent to create the remedy. Now, put the remedy into a spray bottle.

    Muriatic Acid

    If you see the stains will be tough to be cleaned, then use muriatic acid. It is a powerful remedy to remove any stains from the concrete surface. Please wear chemical-resistant gloves if you decide to use this chemical.

    Trisodium Phosphate

    Trisodium Phosphate is also very effective to remove stains from the concrete patio. Mix water with the trisodium phosphate. You can buy trisodium phosphate from any home improvement store. After mixing properly, pour it into a spray bottle.

    Clean Concrete Patio Without A Pressure Washer

    After making the remedy properly, now we will clean the concrete patio. But, before we start we need some equipment.

    Thing we need

    • Backpack sprayer
    • Floor scrub brush
    • Remedy (we made before)
    • Chemical-resistant gloves
    • Gardening boot

    Cleaning Procedure:

    First, pour the remedy into the backpack sprayer. Wear gloves & boots.

    Now, apply the remedy generously all over the patio. The surface should be fully wet.

    spraying soap to the concrete patio
    Image credit: Forever Self Employed

    After applying the remedy, wait 10-15 minutes. 

    Now, use the brush to remove the scrub from the surface. Apply more remedies if needed.

    brush the concrete patio
    Image: 30 SECONDS Cleaners

    Finally, wash the surface with water and enjoy the clean patio.

    Conclusion:

    A dirty patio is not good for the health or the mind. The methods of cleaning a concrete patio without a pressure washer are very easy to follow. It is very effective. Give it a try and let us know your experience.

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  • How to Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean: Easy Methods

    Kiddie pool is also known as a children’s pool that is mostly used in the summer. You must have a kiddie pool in the yards for your loving children. It’s very pleasing to see kids playing in the pool. But after using it for a few days, it started to become dirty. Dirty pools are unhealthy and also may spread diseases. So, in this article, we will show different ways to keep a kiddie pool clean.

    It’s very important to clean & sterilize a kiddie pool frequently. Otherwise, a lot of diseases can infect your child. According to the CDC, kiddie pools contain bacteria, especially when more than one children use a single pool. If you want to ensure the good health of your children, please clean your pool regularly.

    How to Keep Kiddie Pool Water Clean Naturally

    There are various methods available to keep kiddie pool water clean. We will show the most useful methods that work really well. If you want to clean your kiddie pool naturally without chemicals follow these.

    Cover  your pool while not use

    Cover  your pool while not use

    A cover helps to keep your kiddie pool clean from debris and also insects. Also, it helps to keep water warm from the direct sunlight heat. Some kiddie pools come with a cover, otherwise, you should consider buying a cover.

    Refill the pool

    Kiddie pools required up to 350 gallons of water. It’s not a good idea to drain and refill water regularly. But, if your pool is small enough then it’s the best way to clean the water. Then brush to scrub the bottom of the pool with mod soap. It helps to remove water algae.

    Skim the pool after using it

    Skimming is a quick method to clean the pool. Debris makes your water dirty and also spreads viruses. So, skim your pool before and after using the pool.

    Vacuum the bottom

    After using the skimmer, you should use a vacuum at the bottom of the pool. A vacuum helps to get it clean properly. Ensure to use a wet-dry vacuum.

    Use oil absorbing sponge

    An oil-absorbing sponge absorbs sunscreen and sweat from the pool. The sweats and sunscreen make the water dirty. They reduce the lifespan of water. You can easily put an oil-absorbing sponge that will soak up the oil. When the sponge becomes dirty, take it out and wash it then back in the pool again. You can also use a tennis ball that also works like a sponge.

    Sanitize the pool

    If your kid vomit or poops in the pool, rinse it well. Then sanitize your pool water with vinegar & chlorine. Avoid conventional cleaners to keep your kid’s skin and eyes safe. Vinegar is the most secure and natural solution. It helps to reduce the change in the pool water. Using 1/4 to 1/2 cups of water depends on the size of the pool.

    Chlorine helps maintain the balanced p h level and remove unseen bacteria. So, if you need a bit more cleaning, then use chlorine.

    Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean without Draining

    If you want to reduce water waste or don’t have enough time to drain the pool water regularly, then you can use chemicals to keep your pool clean. Unless your child doesn’t vomit or poops in the water.

    Chlorine tablets remove dirt and also maintain the pH level. It is safe to use chlorine. Experts suggest using 1 or 3 floating chlorinators. When they dissolve, replace the tablets.

    How to Keep a Pool Clean without A Pump, Filter, and Chemicals

    If you want to remove bacteria, and mosquitoes keep a pool clean without a pump, filter, and chemicals. Then refresh the water. Especially if your pool is small. By changing the water daily, you can prevent the spreading of germs. Also, you can reuse the water in the garden. The cost to refill a small kiddie pool is below 1$.

    Clean Kiddie Pool with Baking Soda

    Baking soda is very useful to clean the surface of the pool. But, keep in mind, that baking soda won’t disinfect the surface. It helps to clean the surface. You can use it as an alternative to soap. It is also very cheap & works better.

    Bleach Solution to Keep a Kiddie Pool Clean

    You can keep a kiddie pool clean with bleach. It also helps to disinfect the pool. 

    • Use  1⁄2 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of normal water. Avoid splash-less bleach.
    • Clean the bleach properly and set it in the sunlight for 4 hours.

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  • How to Make Bug Spray with Neem Leaves for Plants

    Neem is a great natural herb that has been used for various treatments over the years. Neem plants can be used for skin problems, hair issues, heart diseases, fever, diabetes, and many more. It is also used to remove bugs from plants.

    Today, we will show you the easiest process to make bug spray with neem leaves for plants. This homemade bug spray without essential oils is easy to make but very effective to remove bugs. Also, this bug spray without any chemicals, vinegar, and baking soda are 100% organic. Follow our guidelines properly to make the best neem spray recipe for plants.

    Neem spray for plants recipe: Preparing process

    To make our DIY neem spray for plants required a few things. Before we start, please collect these things.

    Things we need:

    • Neem leaves
    • Garlic (optional)
    • A pot
    • Water

    Take a few neem leaves

    Separate the neem leaves from the stems. Otherwise, it will take time to boil.

    Put neem leaves on a pot

    neem leaves on a pot
    Image source: ALL IN ONE – Gardening

    Now, put the leaves in a pot. You can also add a few pieces of smashed garlic. Garlic helps to keep insects away from the plants. Add enough water to the pot.

    Cook the neem leaves

    Now, cook the recipe for 10-15 minutes on medium heat. Keep stirring with a spoon.

    Store the recipe in a warm place

    It is very important to store the recipe in a warm place for 1 day. Cover with a lid in a safe place.

    The final recipe

    straining neam recipe
    Image source: ALL IN ONE – Gardening

    Now your bug spray with neem leaves is ready to use. Before spraying on your plants, strain through a strainer and store in a bottle. The final spray color should be red.

    How to apply neem spray to plants

    You need to apply neem spray to the plants. Just pour your bottle with the neem spray. Also, shake well before spraying. Spray in the stem and leaves properly for the best result. The best time to apply this spray is in the evening. If you use it in the evening, you can avoid direct sunlight & get the maximum benefit from the spray.

    Benefits of neem spray for plants

    Different types of insects or pests attack your favorite plants. Some insects eat leaves, and some attack on fruit, and stems. Any type of small soft-bodied insect can be removed by using this spray. This spray can remove aphids, fuchsia gall mite, vine weevils, Cabbage white caterpillar, glasshouse red spider mite, greenhouse whitefly, and others insect too.

    What plants not to use neem spray

    Neem spray is also toxic to both helpful and pest insects. So, apply this spray while the bugs are identified. Some plants can be damaged by using this spray. Before using this heavily, you can apply it to a small portion of the plant. Then wait 24 hours and if you found any damage, stop using the spray.

    Common Questions Answered (CQA)

    How many times should I use the spray?

    If any bugs are spotted on your plants or any damage that appeared to occur by bugs, then use this spray.

    Why do insects avoid neem spray?

    Neem spray contains Azadirachtin which helps to repel and kills bugs.

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    Resources used:
    https://www.loveproperty.com/gallerylist/75710/13-common-garden-pests-and-how-to-treat-them

  • Why Wrap Aluminum Foil on Doorknob when Alone [Uses of Aluminum Foil]

    When you are searching for the uses of aluminum foil on the doorknob, you will be a little confused because there are two groups we found on the internet where group is suggesting wrapping aluminum foil on the doorknob when home alone. But another group on Reddit & Quora is saying that it’s a myth. What is the truth? Let’s find out this. We will cover everything about this topic.

    Before we start, let’s try to learn what is aluminum foil. According to Wikipedia, Aluminium foil is prepared in thin metal leaves with a thickness of less than 0.2 mm. It is used for Packaging, Electromagnetic shielding, and Cooking. 

    Why wrap aluminum foil on doorknob when alone?

    Why Wrap Aluminum Foil on Doorknob when Alone

    We try to understand why some people are suggesting this. Then we find the following things below.

    1. Safety

    You should use aluminum foil on the doorknob for your safety. It works as a shield on your doorknob to safeguard your house from robbers. You can use this when you leave home alone.

    2. Check Unwanted Activity

    By putting aluminum foil on your doorknob, you can check the unusual activity if any happens. If you see any damage on the foil, you need to be alert.

    The reality of wrapping aluminum foil on the doorknob when home alone

    When you are alone in the home and using aluminum foil to wrap your doorknob, then the thief might be informed that the house is empty. So, beware before using foolish tricks. So, you don’t need to wrap aluminum foil on the doorknob. This is just a foolish strategy. Most of the users on quora are saying, this is a wrong practice. Instead of this, please use a CCTV camera to guard your house.

    7 Clever Uses of Aluminum Foil in home

    1. Sharpening Scissors

    Yes, you can sharpen your scissor by using aluminum foil. Take your scissor in your hand and cut the foil strip around 7-10 times. Make sure that you are cutting at different angles every time.

    2. Cooking Sans Oil

    The price of cooking is increasing day by day. So, you should start using aluminum foil instead of cooking oil. The process of using is very easy. Just wrap your vegetables with foil paper. Then put this in a frypan and cook well. You can also add water to steam.

    3. Cleaning the Iron

    You can clean your iron with aluminum foil. Take a few pieces of foil paper and wrap them on the table surface. Then add some salt to the surface of the foil. Then run your iron over the salt. You will get a spotless iron and ready to work.

    4. Battery Hack

    It’s one the funniest hacks with aluminum foil but very useful. When you need an AA battery but have a AAA battery. You can use a few foils to extend your small battery. 

    5. A DIY Sun Box

    Proper sunlight is very important to growing our plants. So, you can make a box with aluminum to provide sunlight around your plant pot. The foil will reflect the sun on your plants.

    6. Funnel Making

    Funnel is very necessary sometimes. It is used to pour any liquid into a thin bottle. Just make the shape of a funnel with foil.

    7. Wi-Fi Enhancement

    The poor speed of the internet is very annoying. So, why not increase your WI-FI speed by making a small piece of the antenna with aluminum foil? Place the foil behind the router. It will cover your entire home.