Low-foaming products are used in front-loading machines which would not function effectively with lots of suds. The word ‘automatic’ appears on the label — a few are enzyme-free but most are biological. Liquids are available.

Light duty products include the liquids, powders and flakes used in hand-hot or cool water — the products used for hand washing.

Fabric conditioners reduce static and maintain the softness of woollens, brushed fabrics and towelling. Enzyme-based pre-washers are used to remove stains from heavily-soiled articles before washing.

Stiffeners are used to add body to fabrics before ironing. Both powder and spray starches are available. Sort laundry before washing — if you plan to wash a mixture in one load, you must use the gentlest programme. Empty pockets and close zips, brush off dirt and tie up loose ribbons. Treat woollens with care — never wash by machine unless the label recommends it. The standard programme for woollens is to wash by hand and rinse in warm water, and then roll the article in a towel to remove excess moisture. Finally, spread out the garment on a flat surface away from heat and sunlight.

The order of painting casements and sashes should be followed closely. Do use at least two brushes – 25 and 50mm (1 and 2 in) wide – on window frames; you will find you are able to work much more quickly and accurately by matching the narrow and slightly wider brushes to relevant surface widths.

Cutting-in around glass is the slowest part of the job. However, the idea is not to keep the paint off the glass altogether, but to take a margin of the gloss coat about 2mm on to it. By doing so, you will prevent any condensation running down the glass from getting into the framework and causing it to rot.

If you have a steady hand, then you will be able to do this without smudging the glass. If you have an angled brush, it will be even easier. If you can’t keep a steady line, use masking tape or a paint shield. Should you choose tape, remove it before the gloss coat dries. If you leave it too long, as you pull away the tape it might bring some of the paint film with it.

It is better to change or repair small problems we encounter in time; first of all, because it’s much cheaper. If you avoid taking care of a small problem, saying to yourself that eventually you’ll get to it, the problem becomes bigger and it will cost you considerably more when you do get to it. Secondly, issues we avoid to handle can, in their turn, cause additional problems which could become serious and affect the value of your home. Even the slightest detail needs to be considered thoroughly when it comes to improving home value.

An important aspect with regards to home value is the condition of your deck. The aspect of your deck is essential, that’s why you need to tend to it on a yearly basis. The overall look of the house depends on the condition of the deck, so make sure it is properly waterproofed and that it looks neat and tidy. If you don’t really know what to do, you can purchase one of the many books available on the subject of building and tending decks; they could give you great tips on deck improvement and on maintenance.

Another important aspect with regards to home value is the kitchen. It can sometimes be a nightmare, because maintenance here is not easy, but at the same time the aspect of your kitchen is essential in the overall value of your home. Everything matters, from the floor to the walls and kitchen cabinets. The furniture must not look old and decrepit, so you should check closely and see if you can improve the aspect of your cabinets by using refinishers or if you really need to purchase ne
w items.

Another domain where constant maintenance is important is the wiring. If you take care of the quality of your wiring and regularly check for possible problems, you won’t have to worry about selling the house and getting a top deal for it, but if you have wiring problems, fixing them could be a serious matter. Because this aspect is so difficult, it plays a central part in home value. In fact, it may be very difficult to sell a house with wiring problems, and you may be forced to invest a lot in repair works.

We’d all love to spend more time on leisure activities than cleaning the oven. Keeping up on your home maintenance to keep things clean and clutter free will not only improve your home, but your health too. Living in a cluttered environment does stress the body and mind – it’s just so easy to let the housework slip when it comes to managing your family.

Hiring a house maid these days doesn’t have to break the budget. Even if you have someone come in and tidy up just once a week – your stress level will go down and you won’t feel so overwhelmed. Most maid services will happily customize their work around your schedule and family needs. Having a merry maids come to the house to do the dusting and home cleaning will free up every woman’s precious time to spend with the family.