In the arc of an Irish gardening year, May is the month of magical things. The first rose. The first swallow. The first properly hot day. The first beech tree in full leaf. The first sighting of wisteria in magnificent lilac bloom, draping itself languidly against a high, sunny wall. As nature flashes its brilliant feathers, it’s also our last real opportunity before summer finally arrives to make a substantial difference to our gardens or allotments, whether that’s filling them with fast-growing annuals to provide plenty of homegrown produce for the months ahead, planting up spectacular summer containers, or fine-tuning flower borders for maximum impact. With all of this in mind, here’s a handy little to-do list to help you stay on course.
Should You Take Off Your Shoes in Your Home? Experts Share Why
03.05.2024 - 14:13 / thespruce.com
Whether or not to wear shoes inside has always been a hot debate. Some enjoy wearing shoes in their homes for comfort and convenience, while others choose to remove them immediately. Citing a knack for hygiene or a penchant for keeping floors clean, those who are fans of a «no shoes in the house» policy have a variety of valid reasons, especially personal preference and cultural practice.
According to experts, there are many more benefits to taking off your shoes after you step through the door than you might think.
cerro_photography / Getty Images
It’s no secret that wearing shoes that have been outside can track in dirt and mud, making a home generally dirtier. Eliana Coca, the owner of E.C. House Cleaning, says there is a noticeable difference in indoor cleanliness between homes that adopt a no-shoes policy and those that don’t.
Taking shoes off inside is “a simple step that can have profound effects on the overall well-being of households, as evidenced by the tangible differences in cleanliness levels my team and I have observed in homes following this practice compared to those that don't," Coca says.
No-shoe policies can keep floors cleaner for longer, protecting certain types of fragile flooring like hardwood, laminate, and carpets.
If you're on the fence about letting shoes into your home, it is helpful to know that it's not just a home's cleanliness that outdoor shoes can impact. Outdoor shoes can track in messes both seen and unseen. For city dwellers, this can be especially true. Sidewalks are home to some pretty yucky stuff, including dog poo, spit, and assorted trash. It is best not to track any of those substances into your sanctuary.
Removing shoes before entering a home significantly reduces the
10 Chores You Should Tackle Weekly in Your Home, According to Experts
While doing a deep clean or a massive decluttering can be both satisfying and rewarding, most will agree that it’s generally better to tackle your chores on a regular basis. But if you’re trying to create a weekly schedule, where to begin?
$9 Butter? Canadian Redditors Say, No Thank you.
“Virtually all of the products I buy on the regular have experienced some degree of shrinkflation…The practice is intentionally based on deceiving the customer. It’s unethical.”
6 Flooring Mistakes You Should Avoid Making, Straight From the Pros
If you’re looking to update the flooring in your home—whether with a simple area rug or a full swath of hardwood or ceramic tile—don’t do so without first reviewing the potential missteps that may seem minor but can set back a flooring project or even larger home improvement goals if overlooked.
5 Items You Should Always Store Under Your Bathroom Sink
Instead of filling your medicine cabinet to the brim, think about the types of bathroom items that you can house under the sink instead to save some space. While not everything belongs under the sink, there are many products that you can safely store there, experts say.
Do You Really Need a Headboard? Experts Share the Pros and Cons
There are certain points of contention in interior design: maximalist or minimalist, vintage or new, carpet or hardwood floors? Another question that seems to garner polarizing opinions: if headboards are really needed in the bedroom.
6 Household Items You Should Toss Into the Laundry, Pros Say
Let's face it: even if you're totally on top of your regular laundry schedule, you may not be taking the time to wash items that go beyond the basic essentials, which generally include sheets, clothing, dish towels, and the like.
Should You Try Chaos Gardening? An Expert Shares Their Take
We’re always excited to learn about trendy gardening styles and techniques, and recently, one piqued my interest. With a name like “chaos gardening,” how can you not be instantly curious?
6 Bedroom Items You Should Never Throw Out, According to Pros
When tackling a major organization project like a bedroom clean out, it can be tempting to immediately part ways with anything that you don't anticipate you'll use again. You may feel compelled to do so to free up space as you continue to sort and feel as though you're making some tangible progress in the space.
6 Landscaping Trends You Should Know This Year, According to Pros
As the warm weather season approaches, we asked professional gardeners and landscapers to weigh in with their insights regarding the hottest landscaping looks of the year. From creating shade gardens to mixing in darker foliage, these trends will elevate your outdoor space.
How Many Dryer Sheets Should You Actually Use Per Load?
Aside from the dryer itself, dryer sheets make doing laundry that much easier—they are basically liquid fabric softeners in sheet form. Both add softness, remove static, and imbue your dry clothes with a hint of fragrance.