 If you are getting ready for spring-cleaning, instead of reaching for household cleaning products that contain environmentally harmful chemicals, first consider giving your home a green spring-cleaning with some eco-friendly, inexpensive products that can be found in your kitchen cupboards.
Clean Kitchens and Bathrooms with Vinegar Vinegar is an effective cleaning solution for the kitchen and bathroom. Using a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar to clean bathroom sinks, bathtubs, floors, and taps will remove hard water stains and make your home sparkle. Vinegar is also an eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner: Pour undiluted vinegar into the toilet bowl, scrub with a toilet brush, and then flush to rinse. The same solution of vinegar and water can be used to wipe kitchen surfaces and mop floors, but never use vinegar to clean granite or marble. Whenever cleaning with vinegar, always try it on a small area first to make sure it does not damage the surface. Use Lemon to Clean and Deodorize Lemons get rid of unpleasant odors in the kitchen easily and naturally. Scrub your old chopping boards with half a lemon and then put the other half in the fridge to remove odors. Deodorize the drains by pouring a mix of hot water and a little lemon juice down the drain. Bring a refreshing lemon scent into the house by using lemon essential oil for cleaning floors. Lemon oil is a natural but powerful disinfectant, and most people like its fresh fragrance. Add six drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 gallon of lukewarm water, stir well, and use the water to mop the floors or to clean the bathroom. Warning: Do not use lemon essential oil for cleaning wood floors or marble counters as it can cause damage. Scrub Stains with Baking Soda Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is an eco-friendly deodorizer and household cleaner that is especially useful in the kitchen. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of water and use the mixture to clean your fridge, oven, and microwave, or to get rid of grime on kitchen counters and other surfaces. Let difficult stains soak for a while before wiping them down with a damp cloth. Sprinkle baking soda on pots and pans and scrub to remove the stains.
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 If you’re selling your house, you will need to obtain a home inspection report one way or another. Traditionally, the buyer purchases a home inspection to make sure they are buying a sound, solid home that’s free of major defects. Why not stay one step ahead of the buyer and have your home inspected beforehand?
Your Home Will Be in Tip-Top Shape By getting a home inspection before listing your property, you can discover any problems ahead of time and fix them before a buyer even steps foot in your house. By making all the necessary repairs, your home will be in tip-top shape and more presentable, which will help you get top dollar for your property. You’ll Have Greater Leverage in the Negotiating Phase Having a home inspection in hand and all the repairs completed will put you in a better bargaining position when negotiating with potential buyers. You won’t be faced with any costly surprises and can negotiate for the buyer to pay more toward closing costs since you’ve already purchased the inspection. Avoid Paying Inflated Amounts for Buyer Repairs By discovering any problems ahead of time, you can decide how to repair them. You won't have a buyer insisting on high-end fixtures, name-brand appliances, or inflated financial concessions. Why pay the buyers an inflated amount when you can repair the problem more cost-effectively on your own? Protect Yourself by Providing Full Disclosure When you find problems during your home inspection, you can work with your real estate agent to determine whether to repair the problems or list the home “as is” with full disclosure. If you do make the necessary repairs, you can have the home reinspected and obtain a clean report to show potential buyers. They may choose to have their own home inspection or take your word for it. The Deal Won’t Fall Through Due to Surprise Problems One of the most significant benefits of getting a home inspection before listing your property is that it can prevent surprises from derailing the deal. If a buyer’s home inspection turns up with significant problems, they may back out of the sale or insist on inflated compensation to repair the damage on their own. By fixing the problems beforehand, you can avoid renegotiating and keep the sale moving forward. A pre-listing home inspection is a win-win for everyone: The buyer gets a clean home and sellers avoid issues, such as renegotiations and a possible failed sale if defects are discovered. |