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Cotton or paper towels fall short to microfiber in plenty of ways. A microfiber cloth is synthetic, consisting of polyester which gives it a towel-like structure while nylon adds absorption and density. You can use a microfiber cloth for furniture or clothes but it also works great for cleaning and sanitizing other spaces. Microfiber consists of millions of tiny fibers and has a positive charge to attract grime and dirt. These fibers are 100 times finer than a strand of human hair, meaning it can penetrate any crack or crevice paper towels can’t. You’ll also get higher water absorption than a normal rag or sponge. Germs are no exception to a microfiber’s cleaning capabilities. You can clean without the need for accompanying products on sanitizing jobs. Use microfiber in areas besides just countertops. Mops are also built with microfibers, making them superior to cotton alternatives. These mops are also lighter and more ergonomic than traditional mops. Be sure to throw your microfiber along with a microfiber filter in the wash to avoid any microplastic pollution. Source: Apartment Therapy

Pets can be tough on kitchen floors, with their claws, drool and stains. Luckily there are a number of pet proof flooring choices which can help solve these issues. Ceramic Tiles. Tiles made from mostly clay mix to create a hard, durable material. It’s often coated with a melted glass glaze layer which adds to the strength, making it great against stains, water penetration and any accidental scratching. The drawback to ceramic tiling is it can be very hard on the feet. Long cooking sessions can lead to body pains and fatigue. Vinyl Kitchen Floor. This flooring is resistant to just about anything. Pet claws won’t scratch it and any accidents won’t stain so long as you clean it within a timely manner. It’s great for kitchens since it can be printed to match any look or décor. Natural Stone. Materials such as limestone, granite and slate have been left in an unrefined state making it rough and dimensional. The surface won’t be scratched by pets and as long as it’s sealed, it can be proof against any accidents. Keep in mind the floors will need to be sealed regularly and the hardness of the flooring can be tough to stand on for long periods of time. Brick Kitchen Floor. An earthy and rustic option for a kitchen. With proper maintenance it can be proof against all sorts of problems pets can cause. It does also have to be sealed on a regular basis like natural stone. It is also hard, but it has a cozy feeling to it, making it comfortable in many kitchen environments. Source: the Spruce

If you’re looking to give your interior space an instant update, look no further than a houseplant. They’ve been gaining popularity over the past few years and are great in kitchens, bathrooms or living rooms. Research shows that being surrounded by plants offers benefits including improved mental health, better sleep and boosting feelings of connection. If you’re worried about losing a plant because the one you bought last year died in ten minutes, don’t worry! Follow this guide to find everything you should know before buying. Plants come in many different types and luckily there’s plenty for beginners. Looking for a low maintenance and striking plant? Try the snake plant. If you’re looking for a splashy plant that doesn’t require a lot, go with the monstera deliciosa. Always read the plant tag for care tips so you’ll be better prepared for the maintenance. How to Purchase You may be asking yourself, where should I be purchasing plants, in person or online? Both are great options. An in person experience with a nursery gives you a physical and tangible feel for the available plants. But there are also many reliable online retailers. They do a great job at packaging plants for shipment and offering unique and unusual varieties. If you’re browsing in person look for plants that appear healthy, no droopiness, yellow or brown leaves, and no sticky or cottony masses. These can be signs of pests. If you know a specific plant you want, be sure to look for it by its botanical name to ensure you get just what you’re looking for. Pets Unfortunately, many plants can make your pets sick. An English Ivy can cause your pet aches and vomiting, while lilies can be deadly, especially to cats. Always check the ASPCA toxic plants list to learn which plants you should keep away from your pets. Remember, any plant if ingested in large enough quantities can cause gastrointestinal upset. Keep an eye on your pets to see if they like to nibble on plants and always call your vet as soon as possible if you suspect they may have eaten something potentially toxic. Maintenance Besides giving it the right kind of light, watering correctly is the next most important thing for your houseplants. Overwatering is the most common reason for houseplants dying. Use a finger and press into the soil to feel for dampness. If the soil clings it’s probably wet enough and you shouldn’t water it again. If the soil pulls away from the sides of the pot or the plant is wilted, it’s time to water. It’ll take time to find the right balance but try to stay closer to dry to be safe. Insufficient light will cause plants to drop leaves, stretch toward the light or die altogether. Even if you want a specific plant, if there’s not enough light for it you’d be better off picking a plant that tolerates low light. Analyze your space to see how much light a specific area gets. You can also use your phone’s compass if you’re unsure of the direction. In general south-facing windows get the most intense light, while east-facing windows receive bright morning light and indirect light for the rest of the day. West-facing windows will get the setting sun so bright light plants will do well here. North windows get the least amount of light so they’re best for low light plants. Source: House Beautiful

Homeowners can feel the urge to jump through homes whenever they’re unhappy with where they live. After all, finding a home you’ll want to stay in forever can be daunting. However, renovating a home or kitchen can be a manageable solution to avoid the urge to move all together. These upgrades bring the heart to a space and improve the home for the better. There’s one big mistake people are making when renovating their homes: not taking into consideration if there are young children living in it. Babies and toddlers especially make a mess and will most likely scratch, draw on, or break something they’re not supposed to. There isn’t much sense to redo your floors if they will be drawn over in a week or two. It’s logical to wait until children are a bit older before you start investing in any serious upgrade. Patience is key for these kinds of renovations. While a renovation can look pretty temporarily, it could really cost you in the long run. Source: House Beautiful

Wall shelves require a bit of planning before loading up your favorite dishes or plants. A shelf span is the distance between supports for the shelf. This span distance will vary based on the strength of the material of the shelf. In theory, the stronger the shelf the greater the distance you can put between wall supports. Shelf spacing will depend on preference and what you will store on the shelves. It’s important to fasten the shelf supports to wall studs whenever possible for maximum support. Span Limits The span limit will change depending on the material of the shelf as well as the load it will carry. For the following recommendations it’s assumed the shelf will support a full load of standard-sized hardback books. Plywood. Shelves should be ¾ inch thick or thicker. The longest recommended span is 36 inches between wall supports. Lumber. The longest recommended span between walls supports for 1×10 lumber is 24 inches. If the lumber is 1×12 then it is 28 inches. Particleboard. Single layer shelving made of particleboard should have a thickness of ⅝ inch. The recommended span for this would be 24 inches. If you have a thicker particleboard of ¾ inch then you can span wall supports by 28 inches. Spacing Recommendations The vertical spacing between shelves will ultimately be determined by the objects it will hold. Here’s a general clear shelf height depending on specific items. Paperback books: 8 inches Hardback books: 11 inches Large hardback catalogs: 14 inches Magazines: 14 inches DVDs: 8 inches Source: the Spruce