In the battery bunker: Getting to know your car’s power source

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Welcome to the underappreciated powerhouse of your vehicle: the car battery. Have you ever found yourself stranded on a deserted road, your car refusing to start, only to discover later that it was all due to a fluke? Well, fear not, because by the end of this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to handle any battery-related predicament that comes your way. Let’s dive into the heart of your car’s electrical system and uncover the mysteries of its lifeblood: the car battery.

Understanding the fluke: A brush with unpredictability

Picture this, you’re on your way to an important meeting, cruising down the highway without a care in the world. Suddenly, your engine sputters and dies, leaving you stranded on the shoulder. After what feels like an eternity, a kind stranger stops to help jumpstart your car. As you drive away, you can’t help but wonder, “What caused this unexpected mishap?”

As it turns out, your car’s battery had fallen victim to a fluke – a random occurrence that disrupted its normal function. Flukes can manifest in various forms, from extreme weather conditions to faulty electrical connections. While frustrating, these incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and vigilance when it comes to your car battery.

Navigating the blacklist: dealing with battery woes

Have you ever experienced the dread of realising that your name is on someone’s blacklist? Similarly, your car battery can find itself in a similar predicament if not properly cared for. Over time, factors such as age, temperature fluctuations and prolonged periods of inactivity can contribute to the deterioration of your battery’s performance.

To avoid finding yourself on the automotive equivalent of a blacklist, it’s crucial to stay proactive. Regularly inspect your car battery for signs of corrosion or leakage, and ensure that it’s securely fastened in place. Additionally, consider investing in a battery tester to monitor its health and detect any potential issues before they escalate.

The university of battery maintenance: a crash course in care

Imagine enrolling in a university dedicated solely to the study of battery maintenance. While such an institution may not exist, you can still equip yourself with the knowledge needed to prolong the lifespan of your car’s power source. By adhering to a few simple guidelines, you can become a master of battery care in no time.

First and foremost, be mindful of your driving habits. Short, frequent trips can place added strain on your battery, so try to consolidate errands whenever possible. Additionally, avoid leaving accessories such as headlights or air conditioning running when the engine is off, as this can drain your battery prematurely.

Furthermore, scheduling regular car battery replacement intervals is essential for ensuring optimal performance. While the lifespan of a typical car battery can vary depending on factors such as usage and climate, most experts recommend replacing it every three to five years. By doing so, you can avoid the inconvenience of unexpected breakdowns and keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.

Your car’s battery may reside out of sight, tucked away in the depths of the engine bay, but its importance cannot be overstated. From powering your morning commute to embarking on cross-country road trips, your battery plays a vital role in keeping you on the move. By familiarising yourself with its inner workings and implementing a proactive maintenance routine, you can ensure that your car’s power source remains reliable and resilient in the face of whatever challenges the road may throw your way.

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Natural cleaning remedies you need to try

If you were to look at your current cleaning products and read what’s actually in them, you’ll find an incredibly long list of chemicals. Some of which can be pretty toxic. More and more people are turning towards natural remedies; they’re cheaper, better for you and are a great eco-friendly alternative. You’ll be happy to know that your kitchen cupboard already contains more natural cleaning remedies than you think.

Baking soda

You may already be aware of using baking soda for cleaning. After all, you can use it in pretty much any room of your house. From scrubbing your bathroom and unclogging drains, to loads of laundry and carpet cleaning. Baking soda is such a versatile ingredient and it’s great at getting rid of odours and stains.

White vinegar

White vinegar is another great, multi-purpose product. You can use it to get rid of mildew, mould and stains. If you’re worried about the smell, you’ll be happy to know the smell fades pretty quickly or you can add a couple of drops of your favourite essential oil. You can also use white vinegar to create your very own all-purpose cleaner. Use equal parts vinegar and water, then add a few drops of essential oils to offset the smell. Or you could use citrus rinds for a lovely, fresh, scent. As with all cleaning, make sure you wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.

Lemon juice

Citrus is not just for scent. Lemon juice is an incredible cleaning product. There are so many different ways you can clean your home with lemon juice. You can add sparkle to your stainless steel, get rid of grease from your microwave and even clean your entire oven. Thanks to the natural acidity of lemon juice, it lends itself to being used for cleaning. Plus, its versatility means it can be mixed in with other natural cleaning remedies.

Salt

Salt is such an everyday kitchen ingredient – it’s mainly used for cooking and seasoning food. However, you can also use salt to help you clean your home. Salt is a mineral that does a fantastic job at helping you scrub off dirt. You can use it to clean grimy pans and get rid of rust. Also, when you combine salt with baking soda or vinegar, it boosts the cleaning effects.

Castile soap

You possibly won’t find this last product in your kitchen cupboard, but when it comes to sorting out natural cleaning remedies there’s no other product quite like Castile soap. It’s a plant-based soap. You can use it to clean your home, as well as yourself.

Changing up your cleaning cupboard and embracing natural products not only saves you some cash, but it’s also much better for the environment. Do you use any natural cleaning products that you’d recommend?

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How to welcome party guests

It’s Christmas, the time where the biggest and the best parties are happening all over the world. It’s a time for family and friends, and for get-togethers with people you haven’t seen all year.

If you’ve thought about, or are planning, your own party at home this year, then there are some things you’ll need to think about in advance. We wanted to provide you with some tips when it comes to welcoming your party guests.

Ideas such as hiring a festive booth from Photo Booth Rental Fort Worth as a fun way to create memories of the occasion.

Prepare the guest room

Even if you haven’t planned for anyone to stay, there might be that person whose lift doesn’t turn up, or a train gets cancelled, or someone decides they’d prefer to stay and have a couple more drinks instead of drive home. You should always be prepared just in case someone decides they’d like to use the guest room.

You can do this by preparing the bedding, and maybe even buying new from somewhere like Julian Charles. Even if you buy new, make sure you wash it before putting it on the bed to give that amazing ‘fresh bedding’ smell.

You’ll need to make sure the room has all the basics like a wardrobe with hangers and bedside lamps. You might also want to add some homely touches such as candles, plants and throws.

Prepare the food

Depending on the tone you want to set for the party, you’ll need to decide on your food choices. Are you going to do a sit down meal? Are you going to do a casual buffet? The former is more effort for you, and you’ll need to think of the number of people you’ll be inviting. Can you realistically cook a two- or three-course meal for 15 people? If you’d rather have more people there in a casual setting, a buffet is the easiest way to go.

You’ll need to consider the vegetarians, vegans and anyone with allergies. Will you do a vegan dessert for everyone, or provide multiple options? There’s so much to think about!

Spring clean

In a survey done by Julian Charles, they found that 85% of people will be doing last minute tidying and preparing right up until their guests arrive. This could include lighting candles, laying out snacks or plumping up pillows. People care about their homes and what the rooms look like to guests. It’s a time to wow people and give them an amazing impression of your home.

The day of the party is the time to vacuum and dust any room guests might enter. This includes both the downstairs and upstairs bathrooms; make sure there’s enough toilet roll, soap and a clean hand towel in there too. Floors should be mopped, and if you’ve done any food prep in the kitchen, it should all be cleaned away and set in the fridge for when you need it later.

There’s tons to think about when you’re having a party, but you want to welcome your guests and make them feel instantly at home.

How else might you prepare your home for when you have guests over?

Personalising your work desk

It doesn’t take much for us to lose motivation, or get distracted easily. Work-flow can then decrease rapidly, and we get stuck in a vicious cycle. But have you ever thought that maybe your work desk might be the problem? If you’re working in an uninspiring environment, your work might then be uninspiring.

Whether you work from home or in an office, we wanted to give you some ideas on how to make your desk come alive and make it a bit more ‘you’.

Is your desk suitable?

First, you need to make sure your desk isn’t the problem. Are the drawers falling apart? Is it covered in pen and pencil marks from previous colleagues? Is it too small to hold your computer, paperwork and stationary? It might be time for a new one. Furniture At Work do a range of office desks to choose from, that will surely boost your productivity.

Photos

Displaying your favourite people, places and memories around you while you work could give you the motivation you need, whilst also brightening up your desk. And photo frames don’t have to have pictures of you in, but maybe inspirational quotes or even a pretty landscape or cityscape.

Plants and flowers

How many times have we heard that having plants in the office increase productivity? They produce more oxygen helping us to work more efficiently, and can even make us happier. Maybe buy some small plants to keep on your desk, or even bring in a vase to put fresh flowers in. They’ll be sure to brighten the place up. You could even choose something like Aloe Vera that could come in useful if anyone burns themselves, or needs a good moisturiser!

Stationery

The stationery you use can say a lot about you as a person. Do you want a dull notebook and a standard pen that you got free from work? Personalise your desk using your stationery. Buy notepads in your favourite colour, of all shapes and sizes. Buy a few pens to match. You can display them nicely on your desk.

Personalised items

The final touch on your desk is personalised items. You could have a personalised mug with a photo on, or maybe your first initial. A huge bonus is that no one can steal it ‘by accident’. The other bonus is that it will brighten up your desk. Maybe you got a mug as a birthday present one year. It’ll always make you think of the person who gave it to you.

There are tons of ways you can personalise your desk without having to change too much, and without spending too much either.

Are there any other ways you’d choose to personalise your desk? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

H is for Home Harbinger

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