11 Home Features Today's Buyers Want Most

The housing market may have temporarily slowed down due to the global health pandemic, but that's no excuse for would-be sellers to skip updating areas of their homes in need of serious upgrades. Real estate has been deemed an essential business in many states. This means plenty of home buyers are still on the hunt, even if it means participating in virtual open houses to accommodate social-distancing mandates. Once lockdowns are lifted, we predict that the housing market will quickly rebound with a strong buyer demand met by limited inventory. "After sheltering in place for a month or more, people will be ready for change in their homes -- or looking for a new one," says Brian Lewis, a real estate broker with New York City-based realty firm Compass.

Sellers should know that most remodeling efforts only increase home values by 50% - 80% of the average project's costs, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value report. For example, the average cost of a mid-range bathroom remodel is $21,377. You'd recoup about $13,680 (64%) of that amount during a resale. However, the cost of inaction can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home-improvement projects. "Getting stuck in time with your home isn't a smart move and is rarely rewarded financially at sale time," Lewis adds. In fact, it may cause your house to linger on the market longer. As a result, you'll likely have to pay ongoing mortgage, maintenance and staging costs.

If you want to get the most bang for your buck, focus on features that most home buyers really want to see. Consumer tastes can vary by region, so consult with your real estate agent to find out which home features are in high demand in your area, advises Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavorial insights for the National Association of Realtors.

Updated for 2020, our slide show reveals those home features most coveted by today's buyers nationwide. Take a look.

More than anything else, homeowners want a room other than the guest bedroom to stack all the clean laundry in until it finally gets put away. A separate laundry room tops the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) list of most-wanted home features by buyers. "Having a separate room [to use for things such as folding or ironing clothes] helps to keep the mess out of your living space . . . Potential buyers will see it as a huge benefit," says Paul Sullivan, founder and president of the Sullivan Company, a Newton, Mass., remodeling and custom-building firm.

If you don't have an existing laundry room and want to add one, the basement is usually the easiest (and cheapest) place to put it, Sullivan advises. The utility lines are already there, and in many cases the basement is unfinished, so you won't have to demolish anything first. Adding a laundry room in the basement can cost as little as $1,000, he says.

However, homeowners who prefer a laundry room or laundry closet (which fits just a washer and dryer) closer to the bedroom can expect installation to cost around $10,000, Sullivan notes. If you're looking to really ramp up your home's wow factor, the cost of a large-scale full laundry room (complete with a sink and storage cabinets) could easily surpass $15,000, he says.

SEE ALSO: 8 Places That Will Pay You to Live There

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 89%

Cost to install: Varies by appliance

Would-be buyers looking to limit utility bills will be drawn to properties with Energy Star-qualified windows and appliances. "Gone are the days when these types of features were an anomaly. Today's home buyers expect energy efficiencies," Compass's Lewis notes. If you don't already have these features, examine your remodeling budget and decide where you can afford to spend.

Energy-efficient windows can trim heating and cooling costs by 12%, while individual appliances, such as an Energy Star-certified washing machine ($598 to $1,799 at Home Depot), can save homeowners $45 a year or more on their utility bills. Replacing an existing clothes dryer with an energy-efficient version could save as much as $245 over the appliance's lifetime.

Energy Star-qualified windows have an invisible glass coating, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between panes, sturdier weather stripping than regular windows and improved framing materials -- all of which reduce undesirable heat gain and loss in the home. An Energy Star-certified dishwasher (ranging in price from $348 to $1,709 at Home Depot) uses soil sensors to assess how dirty your dishes are to minimize water use.

Once installed, sellers should be sure to play up these money-saving features in their home listings.

SEE ALSO: 6 Home Projects That Save Energy and Money

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 87%

Cost to install: $1,024 per 120 square feet for a concrete patio

It's important for homeowners not to neglect the backyard area when prepping for resale, says Mike McGrew, chairman and CEO of McGrew Real Estate, a Lawrence, Kansas-based realty firm. In today's housing market, outdoor living spaces have become the most coveted outdoor home feature.

"When most buyers see a house with a really nice backyard, they start to envision themselves sitting outdoors with friends having drinks," McGrew adds. Also, outdoor areas offer more living space without the cost of a large-scale home addition.

With the popularity of home renovation reality shows, many buyers have come to expect the eye-catching features they see on TV in real life, NAR's Dr. Lautz says. Some of these shows, including DIY Network's America's Most Desperate Landscape and HGTV's Going Yard, focus on outdoor living spaces. Nowadays, home buyers envision everything from an outdoor fire pit area with seating to a backyard wet bar.

SEE ALSO: 7 Ways to Retire Without a Mortgage

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%

Cost to install: $473 per fixture with light kit and remote control

In addition to improving a home's aesthetic, energy-efficient ceiling fans (ranging in price from $76 to $1,858 at Lowe's) can also help lower cooling costs when used in conjunction with an air conditioner during the warmer months.

Ceiling fans create a wind-chill effect that helps cool the people sitting in the room. Homeowners should be able to raise the thermostat level by four degrees without a reduction in comfort while the fan is in use, according to Energy.gov.

Energy.gov also recommends that ceiling fans only be used in rooms with a ceiling height of at least eight feet. The fans work best at that height and when they're hanging 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling.

SEE ALSO: 20 Most Expensive U.S. Cities to Live In

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%

Cost to install: $2,025 - $2,363 for 380 square feet

Buyers with growing families need lots of storage space. Would-be sellers should keep in mind that "streamlined living equates to more dollars in your pocket at sale time," Compass's Lewis says. This will be crucial in the months ahead once the housing market begins to normalize and homeowners access the practicality of their existing living areas, he adds. Carving out some space in your garage to help keep clutter out of the main level could help your bottom line. "Make sure the bonus space is easily accessible and wonderfully organized," Lewis advises.

Unlike an attic or a backyard shed, the garage is accessible -- generally, just a few steps away from the rest of the house -- making it easier to transport items such as tools, patio chairs or boxes to and from other parts of the house.

The installation cost listed here includes adding cabinetry and shelving, peg wall boards for tool storage, overhead lighting and additional electrical circuits.

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons You Will Regret Buying a Home With a Swimming Pool

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 85%

Cost to install: $66.77 per fixture

Illuminating a well-manicured lawn with exterior lighting can help grab potential buyers' attention before they even set foot in the front door. In fact, exterior lighting is the second most-wanted outdoor feature (patio was first), according to the NAHB report. Options include spotlights, walkway lights and pendant lights.

Aesthetics aside, exterior lighting also serves as an added safety feature for your home, says Daniel Hurst, owner and general manager of Hurst Design-Build-Remodel, a Middleburg Heights, Ohio-based home remodeling company. Motion-sensor lights, for example, turn on automatically whenever there is movement outside your house.

SEE ALSO: 9 Ways to Get Extra Cash From Your House

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 83%

Cost to install: Varies based on design

A walk-in pantry is the most-coveted kitchen feature among buyers polled in the NAHB's report. Why? Home buyers with families know that the kitchen can quickly become overcrowded when there's not enough space to store the essentials (think: canned goods, condiments and food storage containers). And those that shop in bulk at warehouse clubs or big box retailers to avoid having to make frequent trips and face in-store crowds will need extra space in the kitchen area to store their goods.

Unlike reach-in closet pantries with sliding doors that offer limited space, walk-in versions allow homeowners to store larger quantities of non-perishable food items and other kitchen essentials just steps away from the food prep area, suggests Neil Parsons, a project designer for Move or Improve, a Matawan, N.J.-based home design firm.

Walk-in pantries are typically 5x5 feet and have U-shaped open shelves or cabinets with a countertop, according to ThisOldHouse.com. Make sure the pantry is situated somewhere that is cool and dry.

SEE ALSO: 13 Reasons You'll Regret an RV in Retirement

Getty Images

Percentage of buyers who want this feature: 83%

Cost to install: $1,800 per 120 square feet to lay and finish hardwood floors

Hardwood flooring offers a cleaner look, is easier to maintain and is more durable than carpet, which needs to be replaced every 8 to 10 years. "Hardwood can be refinished periodically and lasts a lifetime," Sullivan says.

Sellers on a budget may want to buy engineered wood flooring (which is a hardwood veneer wrapped around several layers of plywood, fiberboard and hardwood). You can expect to pay about $1,200 to install 120 square feet of prefinished wood flooring -- nearly 15% cheaper than pure hardwood flooring.

SEE ALSO: 10 Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees

Getty Images

Cost to install: Varies by design

While walk-in closets aren't among the top demands of all homebuyers, they're highly sought after among first- and second-time homebuyers, according to the NAHB. A walk-in closet in the master bedroom ranked among their top five features.

If you live in an older dwelling with a reach-in closet, it may be time for a revamp if you're considering putting it on the market. Couples generally want a closet with more space, because they'll be sharing it, suggests Maria Zamora, a real estate agent based in Addison, Tex. Meanwhile, singles might desire the flexibility of being able to store their personal belongings -- from clothes and shoes to jewelry and other accessories -- in one place, while keeping them organized. "Homes without a walk-in-closet in the master bedroom are more of a challenge to sell and generally attract less buyers," Zamora says.

For would-be sellers with older homes that have less space, a full closet renovation in the master bedroom may not be practical. However, you still have options that will help make your property more appealing. Update an existing reach-in closet by installing an organization system complete with shelving units and hanging rods for clothes. You can purchase a prefabricated system from IKEA, which range in price from $129 to $1,769. To save some cash, you can go the DIY route and install it yourself. Or, you can have an IKEA professional do the job for you for an additional fee. You can also hire a consultant from a custom closet design firm, such as The Closet Factory, to assess your space and design an organization system that fits your needs. The cost will vary based on your requirements.

If you're an empty-nester, you could even turn a nearby smaller room into a custom walk-in closet. Depending on the quality of the materials used (for example, solid wood shelving vs. wooden veneer shelving), this type of project could range in price from $1,000 to $6,500, according to HomeAdvisor.com.

SEE ALSO: Ways to Make Your Home More Age-Friendly

Getty Images

Cost to install: Varies by design and structural needs

Eat-in kitchens are a must-have for second-time home buyers who were polled by the NAHB. They're especially attractive to families with children. It's a space where they can congregate in the morning for breakfast or in the evening for dinner so everyone can share highlights from their day.

Removing a non-load-bearing wall to create space for a small table and chairs in your kitchen is relatively inexpensive (as little as $1,000), but that price can quickly escalate if your demolition reveals plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring that needs to be removed, Move or Improve's Parsons says.

If you're on a tight budget and can't afford to knock out a wall to create more space for a table and chairs, consider adding a center island with room for bar stools, he suggests. You can purchase prefabricated kitchen islands with space for seating at Home Depot (starting at $309) and Lowe's (starting at $286).

SEE ALSO: Should You Buy or Rent a Home?

Getty Images

Cost to install: $5,800 - $6,800 to renovate a 190-square-foot existing space

In recent years, formal dining rooms (and closed floor plans) have taken a backseat to open floor concepts in today's home models. While these layouts help maximize space, there are still home buyers who desire the charm and unique features that come with older homes. This includes a separate dining area distinct from the kitchen. In fact, a separate dining room is among the top 10 essentials for first- and second-time home buyers, the NAHB reports.

With open floor plans, "many people have seating at their kitchen island and will have a quick bite to eat informally," says Shannon Lynch, a real estate agent with Savvy + Co. Real Estate, a Charlotte, N.C.-based realty firm. "Sitting down in a dining room has a sense of importance to it . . . It makes your guests feel special," she adds. This is especially true during holiday gatherings or sit-down family dinners. If you have an older home with a closed floor plan, it may be time to modernize your dining room area to help attract buyers. The cost listed here for a small-scale remodel includes installing new flooring, doors, switchplates, decorative hardware and recessed lighting. Many of these features come standard in newer home models.

If your home has an open floor plan, there are still ways to create a dining space that feels separate. You can add an over-the-table lighting fixture or incorporate a tray ceiling to help define a particular area of the main living level -- perhaps just off the kitchen. Another option: Install decorative columns instead of a solid wall. Adding the tray ceiling or decorative columns can cost as much as $6,000 and includes materials, installation and labor, Parsons notes.

SEE ALSO: 25 Cheapest U.S. Cities to Live In

EDITOR'S PICKS

Copyright 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors

What are the most sought after features buyers look for when shopping for a home

5 Best Freezers According to Kitchen Appliance Pros

Some of the links in this article may be temporarily unavailable due to shortages from the COVID-19 outbreak. We will keep this article updated with updated links as products come available.

A stand-alone freezer provides additional storage space for frozen foods and meats that you purchase in bulk, keeps excess produce to enjoy all year round, and allows you to stock up on prepared meals. They're also great for hunters who have a bulk supply of meat. If you find yourself mindfully stocking up on food, you might be in the market for a new standalone freezer.

We relied on years of food storage knowledge from our kitchen appliance pros at Good Housekeeping Institute to evaluate upright and chest freezers at various price points, sizes, and capacities. We considered useful features like automatic defrost, flash-freeze, power on and open door indicators, storage options, and energy efficiency. Our picks include best-selling models from trusted brands that we love and have bought for ourselves. Here are our recommendations for the best freezers to buy in 2020:

Best Upright Freezer: Frigidaire FFFU13F2VW Upright FreezerBest Chest Freezer: Whirlpool WZC3115DW Chest FreezerBest Small Chest Freezer: Insignia NS-CZ50WH6 Chest FreezerBest Large Capacity Freezer: Kenmore 22202 Upright Convertible FreezerMost Energy Efficient Freezer: GE Garage Ready FCM11PHWW

For freezers, manufacturers recommend two and a half cubic-feet per person: A ten cubic-feet freezer is ideal for a family of four. There are two types of stand-alone freezers to choose from: Upright and chest. When choosing between the two, consider what and how much you need to keep frozen, as well as the space you have available in your home to accommodate the freezer. We recommend that you plan for at least three inches of space behind and on each side of the freezer to allow air to circulate around it. Freezers have compressors that get warm as they work to keep the inside cold, so they need to air space to prevent overheating.

Upright freezers look a lot like conventional single-door refrigerators with shelves, drawers, and extra storage space on the door. They come with an automatic defrost function that heats the internal coils in regular intervals to avoid frost build-up. This makes them better for short-term storage — even if you open the door multiple times a day, the automatic defrost function will prevent ice from building up.

Pros

Easy to organize and find items

Takes up less floor space

Narrow enough to fit through doorways easily

No need to melt and clean up ice build-up because of automatic defrost

Available in many finishes

Cons

Auto-defrost function can be noisy and consumes more energy

Higher incidence of freezer burn because more air circulates around food

Storage on door tends to be warmer

Less usable space than chest freezer because of shelves and drawers

Pricier than chest freezers

Chest freezers are low-profile box-shaped freezers with a hinged lid that opens from the top. They have a wide open space with removable baskets and dividers, offering more usable space than an upright freezer. During power outages, chest freezers will keep colder for longer. They need to be manually defrosted to clean out built-up frost. This makes them a better option for long-term storage (you aren't opening the freezer door multiple times a day). Opening the lid often will cause ice to build up more quickly. When assessing your space, add a few inches to the depth of the chest freezer to account for the space the lid needs to open all the way.

Pros

Easy to fit large and oddly shaped items

Lower profile allows it to fit under windows

More energy efficient and more consistent temperature than upright freezers

Less prone to freezer burn

Cons

More difficult to organize, find, and reach items buried in the bottom

Takes up more floor space than upright freezer

Manual defrost can take up to 24 hours and can be messy to clean

Both freezers come in a range of prices, dimensions, energy efficiency levels, and with features like manual or automatic defrost, a built-in ice maker, drain plugs, temperature controls, and a flash-freeze function. Here are our favorites:

Subzero Fridge - Is It Worth It

Online Appliances and Furniture Seller 1847 Goedeker Files for IPO

Retail Online Appliances and Furniture Seller 1847 Goedeker Files for IPO Jon C. Ogg April 22, 2020 3:35 pm /> />

During the peak of the panic selling just a month ago, many investors were in the midst of bracing for the bear market to turn into a full blown stock market crash. There were fears that the window for initial public offerings was going to be closed for quite some time. In the wake of trillions of dollars of economic stimulus, now the stock market has recaptured more than half of its entire losses — and some IPO filings are starting to appear again.

A small home furnishings company called 1847 Goedeker Inc. has filed to come public in an initial public offering. Its common shares will trade under the "GOED" stock ticker without having selected which stock exchange it would use. ThinkEquity is the sole underwriter on its S-1 filing, and the deal may have been too small for most larger Wall Street firms to have joined the underwriting syndicate.

While no details were offered on the number of shares to be sold, nor on the day of trading or on the price range for an indicated stock price, the filing's proposed maximum amount was $11.5 million or $12.218 million after adding in shares for the underlying representative warrants.

1847 Goedeker is a Missouri-based company that is a one-stop e-commerce destination for home furnishings from appliances to furniture to home goods and related products. The company dates back to 1951 and its filing said that it has evolved from a local brick and mortar operator in the St. Louis metro area to a large nationwide omnichannel retailer. The company has maintained its St. Louis showroom, but the filing indicated that over 90% of its total sales come through the goedekers.com site. The company offers more than 227,000 SKUs and the site is organized by category and product features.

The appliance category covering refrigerators, ranges, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, freezers, washers and dryers is 1847 Goedeker's largest revenue source. It carries about 22,000 SKUs from brands such as Bosch, GE, Maytag, Whirlpool, LG, Samsung, Sharp, Kitchen Aid and others. This appliances category was shown to have accounted for approximately 80% of 2019 sales and 76% of 2018 sales.

1847 Goedeker began selling furniture online in 2015 and it currently offers roughly 148,000 SKUs from over 340 furniture vendors. The furniture category accounted for approximately 15% of 2019 revenues and 19% of 2018 revenues.

Larger online home furnishings sellers cannot afford to ignore any competition, but 1847 Goedeker is still by and large unknown in the country. The company's filing showed a net loss of $2.5 million in 2019, on total revenues of $47.6 million. 1847 Goedeker reported net income of $2.0 million in 2018, with total revenues of $56.3 million.

The company's site allows for live chats or speaking with a representative by phone. Its IPO filing says:

We are focused on bringing our customers an experience that is at the forefront of shopping online for the home. We have built a large online selection of appliances, furniture, home goods and related products. We are able to offer this vast selection of products because our model requires minimal inventory. We specialize in the home category and this has enabled us to build a shopping experience and logistics infrastructure that is tailored to the unique characteristics of our market.

The IPO filing also contained its own 'Coronavirus Pandemic' update section. While there are stay-at-home orders impacting its showroom, with over 90% of our sales completed online and with its call center and warehouse/distribution operations up and running the local restrictions are shown to have not yet had a negative impact on the company's operations. That said, the company does warn that its operations could be hurt under certain coronavirus scenarios.

This might not represent a grand re-opening of the IPO market, but as more filings begin to be seen it may represent at least some normalcy for the markets compared to a month earlier.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter Read more: Retail, GOED, IPOs and Secondaries

Fire Guts Home Of Former Washington Township Mayor Tracy Tobin

LONG VALLEY, NJ - A fire destroyed the home of gour-time mayor, 46-year resident of Long Valley Tracy Tobin on Monday. Tobin died in February leaving his wife and daughter in the home.

"Fire gutted the home of former Long Valley Mayor Tracy Tobin leaving his wife and daughter with a total loss," Ray Chimileski wrote on a GoFundMe Page. "Everything, clothing, furniture, appliances, and a lifetime of memories burned in the blaze."

Shortly after 8 a.m. Office David Marut was on routine patrol on East Mill Road when he saw dark smoke coming from the area of Mountain View and East Mill Roads. Arriving on scene, Marut saw flames coming from the roof of a residence on Mountain View and he requested that the Morris County Communications Center dispatch the appropriate fire companies as the fire had not yet been reported, police said.

As Fairmount, Long Valley, and Schooley's Mountain Fire Departments, in addition to mutual aid departments from Hunterdon, Morris, and Warren Counties were dispatched to assist in fighting the fire, Marut quickly make contact with the residents on their front porch and assisted them with vacating the property, police said.

The fire quickly spread through the residence and moments later the structure was fully engulfed.

A video posted to social media by the Flanders Fire Co. #1 and Rescue Squad Flanders Fire Co. #1 showed crews knocking down in one of the bedrooms and remaining on scene to assist in overhaul operations:

The Long Valley First Aid Squad also arrived on scene and assisted with rehabilitation efforts, providing firefighters with immediate medical attention and rehydration.The fire was extinguished and does not appear to be suspicious, officials said.

"Fortunately Dottie and daughter were not injured," Chimileski said. "Please help us get them back on their feet with whatever donation you can. God bless you for your kindness."

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.

Overnight house fire in Washington Township

6 Products That Can Help Improve Your Home's Air Quality

While going to concerts, movie theaters, bars, beaches, and other recreational destinations is temporarily on hold, there's one outing that remains a necessity during self-isolation: grocery shopping. If any supermarkets in your area offer home delivery or even store pickup, this is a good time to take advantage of those services.

But if you, like many of us, still need to stock up on food the old-fashioned way, here are some helpful tips for avoiding germs when you venture to the store.

1. Go early in the morning.

Not only will stores be less crowded in the early morning, but they'll probably be cleanest then, too, since the staff often sanitizes the premises at night. Because many stores are devoting their early hours of operation to senior citizens only, Reader's Digest suggests calling ahead to find out when your store opens to the general public.

2. Bring hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, or disposable gloves (and wipe down your cart).

Though many stores are now putting disinfectant wipes near the carts so you can wipe them down, you should bring your own just in case. This is especially important, since studies have found that COVID-19 can live for two or three days on plastic surfaces.

Your cart won't be the only potentially germy place you put your hands during your trip—door handles in the frozen food section, self-checkout screens, and credit card keypads are all risky zones. Be sure to either wipe them down before touching, use hand sanitizer after touching, or just wear gloves that you can toss out at the end of your trip.

3. Don't touch your face.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you might be especially prone to absentmindedly touching your face while you contemplate which non-dairy milk to choose when your first choice is out of stock.

4. Don't touch your phone either.

Phone screens are a great example of high-touch surfaces where germs can live, so instead of keeping a grocery list on your smartphone, write it on a piece of scrap paper that you can throw away after you're finished.

5. Give yourself more time to shop than you usually need.

Maintaining at least 6 feet between you and every other shopper means occasionally waiting for occupied aisles to clear and moving more slowly so you don't run into people—not to mention the time it takes to use hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes intermittently. If you're trying to fit in a quick shopping trip before an important Zoom call with your boss, you may be less conscientious about shopping safely.

6. Inspect items for holes in the packaging (or the food itself).

Make sure there aren't any rips or tears in cereal boxes, potato chip bags, or any other packaging—and that goes for produce, too. Give those apples a nice long look to be certain there aren't any holes or breaks in the skin that germs could easily get into.

7. Bypass the free samples.

Surprise snacks at supermarkets are one of the perks of grocery shopping, but Livestrong points out that exposed food is an easy target for germs. So skip the free samples and don't graze on those bunches of grapes; instead, reward yourself with an extra snack at home. Some stores, like Costco, are even suspending their samples during this time, so you won't be so tempted.

8. Don't pay with cash.

While there's a certain satisfaction in counting out exact change, cash has a reputation for being a hotbed for germs. If possible, stick to cards or other automatic methods of payment. Even then, it's not the worst idea in the world to wipe down debit and credit cards after using them.

9. Leave the grocery bags on your doorstep.

Store employees are being extra cautious about cleanliness, but it's still possible that your bags could pick up germs during the checkout process. To avoid the risk, leave them outside and only bring your items into the house.

10. Wash reusable bags between trips.

If you've made the switch to reusable shopping bags, Food Network recommends tossing them in the washing machine or wiping them down with soap and water between shopping trips.

11. Wash produce and wipe down other items.

Per usual, you should thoroughly rinse produce before eating it. Dr. Lisa Larkin, a Cincinnati-based internal medicine physician and founder of Ms.Medicine, told Reader's Digest that you can also wipe down jars, cans, and bottles with a disinfectant wipe before putting them in your pantry for good measure.

[h/t Reader's Digest]

Forget Q-tips — here's how you should be cleaning your ears

Lockdown leaves electronics home appliance retailers reeling

The COVID-19 lockdown has left retailers in the electronics and home appliances segment with loads of unsold inventory in their godowns. A few firms have indicated that their employees may have to take a pay cut for a few months, until the situation becomes stable. Retailers say the servicing segment has also taken a huge hit due to the lockdown.

"As an industry, we have missed [out] on three big sales this year – the year-end sale that happens during the last week of March, the Tamil New Year sale and the summer sale. The stocks we have purchased from manufacturers are lying in godowns," said Vijay Vasanth, CEO of Vasanth and Co. "Most consumer electronics dealers build up stock in January and February for the year-end and summer sales. The inventory includes air-conditioners and air coolers which can be sold only during the summer," he added.

March-May is a crucial period for these retailers, as 30-35% of their total sales happen during these months.

Nitesh Giria, Director of Girias, said, "The government should permit us to operate in accordance with guidelines and social distancing norms. Otherwise, all our consignments will remain unsold for another year." The lockdown has wiped out nearly 40% of his business this year.

Vishal Bysani, Vice-President - Marketing, Viveks, said summer-centric products would remain idle for the next one year. "Our industry should be considered essential because for a housewife, buying a mixer, a grinder or a fan is essential," he said. "Retailers will also stop expanding their stores for the next few quarters. On an average, they open three to five stores every three months," he added.

On salary cuts, retailers are evaluating their options. According to estimates, Tamil Nadu has over one lakh people employed in this segment.

Industry representatives said that if the government allows them to resume operations post-April 20, they would get a breather. Some suggested that like e-commerce players, they could allow consumers to place orders online by visiting their website and get the products delivered to their doorstep. The industry is also seeking a reduction in GST rates to enhance affordability for consumers and profitability for retailers.

According to an analysis of the Indian appliances and consumer electronics market by CARE Ratings, the industry is likely to suffer a considerable loss in sales going forward. It may be noted that even if the spread of the pandemic is curtailed, consumer sentiment is expected to remain unfavourable and demand, muted.

Concessions In Lockdown, Mobile Shops & Electronics Stores Opened Today

Can a steam cleaner kill the coronavirus? Here’s what you need to know to stop the spread of germs with home appliances

Trying to stop the spread of germs has come to the forefront recently with the spread of coronavirus, with people going to extreme measures to try and avoid in the infection.

The important thing to remember with coronavirus is that as it's so new, there's very little testing that's been done to show what's the most effective way of combatting it. For that reason, we're focussing on general cleaning tips that can sanitise your home and keep it spotless using technology. (Don't forget to also look at our guide to the best vacuum cleaner).

Where possible we've linked to current advice surrounding generic advice and the latest coronavirus information. For the latter, the picture is constantly changing, so look out for NHS and government guidance on what's best and treat this guide as one for the best ways to keep your house clean.

Cleaning vs disinfecting

The first thing to understand is what the difference is between cleaning and disinfecting. Cleaning concerns removing germs from a surface but doesn't kill them. Disinfecting means to kill the germs.

For example, washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds or more under running water will wash a virus away; using a hand sanitiser that is at least 60% hand gel can "help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others", according to the CDC.

Health organisations recommend a two-part process, starting with cleaning and then disinfecting. For cleaning, you should use disposable cloths that can be thrown away, otherwise, washable cloths, sponges and mop heads need to be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected after use.

Bleach, mixed to the right quantities as shown on the instructions is a good disinfectant, although you can buy premixed disinfectant that's designed to kill most common germs. Don't assume that these will kill coronavirus: Dettol has put out a statement explaining how existing products have been effective on existing strains of coronavirus:

"Specific Dettol products have demonstrated effectiveness (>99.9% inactivation) against coronavirus strains from the same family as the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in third party laboratory testing when used following the directions for use. These products are Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleanser Spray, Dettol Antibacterial Surface Cleanser Wipes, Dettol All-In-One Disinfectant Spray, and Dettol Disinfectant Liquid."

Using a steam cleaner

Heat treatment has proven effective in killing past viruses, particularly in areas where you may not be able to use detergent, such as for soft furnishings. The Government advice on cleaning COVID-19 says, "When items cannot be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning may be used."

This sentence also points out a useful element of steam cleaners: they don't require detergent to work. Instead, they use water that's heated and turned to steam, so can be used anywhere you have a tap and running water, which is handy if supplies of cleaning fluids are running low, or you simply can't get new cleaning products.

Steam has often been highlighted as a good way to decontaminate areas. After the norovirus outbreak, the UK produced a guide on cleaning cruise ships to prevent infection, including cleaning carpets and upholstery using steam at a temperature of at least 70C.

Note that the advice mentions upholstery and mattresses, but doesn't talk about hard surfaces. This is because the advice is that hard surfaces should be cleaned with detergent and then disinfected with chemicals to fully clean them. That's not to say that steam cleaners can't be used on hard surfaces, as a way to kill germs and to clean without using detergent.

However, if you want to follow best practice, it makes sense to clean your floors and other hard surfaces using detergent first, and then to follow up with the steam cleaner as a second option. Just remember that there are no official guidelines on this as a cleaning and sterilisation routine, although this technique will give you a deeper clean than just using detergent or just using steam.

There's also a big difference on how effective a steam cleaner is depending on whether you're using a standard accessory or a steam mop (or mop accessory). One of the reasons that steam cleaners are so effective is because the full steam temperature output is directed at the cleaning surface, and can penetrate and access gaps and cracks in surfaces. However, this is only true if you're using a regular steam cleaner, where the steam output is directed out of the nozzle. These types of steam cleaners (cylinder and handheld), often have cleaning attachments, such as brushes, but these don't typically affect performance, as you get a shot of steam first, and the attachment is then used to remove dirt.

The most important thing with these products is to use the steam cleaner close to the surface that you're cleaning. Steam loses temperature fast as it moves through air, so if you're a long way from the surface you make the cleaner less effective.

Using a steam mop is different, as the steam is directed into the microfibre cleaning cloth, which absorbs much of the heat, preventing it from transferring to the floor. As such, you're not getting the full disinfecting effect that you would if you could use steam directly. Steam mops aren't a lost cause, though. The heat generated helps loosen dirt and germs, which are picked up by the microfibre cloth.

Not that microfibre merely collects germs, rather than killing them. There's a good chance that the steam from the cleaner will disinfect your cloth, but you should wash all cloths at the highest temperature they'll take after use to disinfect them. Remember, don't use fabric conditioner with microfibre.

In all cases, it's important to use the steam cleaner for the right amount of time, as you must kill germs thoroughly. A simple swipe through will most likely not provide enough of a clean. How long you clean for depends on the temperature of the steam that you're using, with higher temperature steam cleaners able to do a job faster. The advice from WebMD for cleaning up after an illness is to expose upholstery to steam for at least five minutes at 70C or one minute at 100C. Our selection of the best steam cleaners can help you find a suitable model.

What is it safe to use a steam cleaner on?

As steam cleaners use pressured steam to clean, they can be used on a surprising number of surfaces, but not all. If you've got anything that's sensitive to heat and/or water, then you may not be able to use a steam cleaner. For example, avoid using a steam cleaner on anything that can be damaged by water or heat, such as painted surfaces; delicate items, such as silk; and porous surfaces, such as brick or marble. Also be careful using a steam cleaner on oiled wooden floors, as this can damage the surface protector and cause water to enter the wood and make it expand.

That all said, you can use steam on pretty much all other surfaces, including laminate floors, tiles, grout, sealed worktops (quartz, etc), sinks, baths and glass. You can also use steam on carpets and upholstery, although it's worth testing on a small area that's out of sight to see if there are any detrimental effects before you carry on. Just remember that you should steam for the suggest time, based on the temperature of your cleaner, and that hard surfaces should still be thoroughly washed with detergent in order to give you the deepest clean.

How to clean a hard floor or carpet

Cleaning your floors is an essential part of keeping your home clean. For hard floors, rather than simply mopping, which can spread germs around, using a device such as the Karcher FC 5 Hard Floor Cleaner is a better option. This product sucks up the dirty water into a separate tank, removing dirt from the floor, so the clean water is never mixed with the dirty. This process also leaves the floor almost dry.

In comparison, when using a mop, it's recommended that you have two buckets: one with detergent and one for rinsing, so that you don't contaminate the cleaning bucket and further the spread of germs. Mopping also leaves a floor much wetter.

Remember that using the FC 5 with detergent won't kill viruses. However, you can use this product with any cleaning solution, including disinfectant, provided it doesn't contain ammonia or bleach. To avoid damage to the machine, you may find it easier to clean with general detergent and then to mop afterwards with a disinfectant.

For carpets and upholstery that can be cleaned with liquid, you can use one of our best carpet cleaners. Again, carpet cleaners are good, as they pump out clean water mixed with detergent from one tank, and suck up the dirty water into a separate tank, preventing cross-contamination. To kill viruses, you should use them with a carpet shampoo that has anti-viral properties, or clean once and then use a carpet-safe disinfectant afterwards once the carpet is dry.

Washing soft furnishings and clothes

For clothes, curtains, washable sofa covers and the like, the current government advice for coronavirus is to wash items at the highest temperature that they will take. You can also use steam if you have a washing machine that lets you add this to a cycle but still wash at the highest temperature that you can. Our list of our best washing machines will help you find a new model if you need one.

The more generic NHS advice on how to stop germs spreading says to wash items at 60C to avoid germs, or at 40C with bleach. Check your care labels carefully before washing to avoid any damage.

Washing dishes

Current advice for dealing with dishes is to use a dishwasher where possible. Using one of our best dishwashers means that you don't have to physically handle anything while you're washing, and the machine will do a more thorough job, rinsing at the end of the cycle. In terms of coronavirus, there's no specific information on the setting to us, but given that general NHS advice for clothes is to wash at 60C, it would make sense to use the same or higher temperature setting in a dishwasher. Typically, dishwasher eco settings will be lower than this (often around 50C), so use one of the standard or higher programmes where you can.

If you can't use a dishwasher (or don't have one), you can wash up by hand. Wear rubber gloves and wash dishes in hot soapy water, leaving them to air dry before use.

Related: Whirlpool WIO3033 DEL

Dealing with glass

Our homes typically have a lot of glass surfaces, from shower screens to mirrors and windows. Standard window cleaner with a cloth has the same problems as using a mop on the floor. A window vacuum, such as the Karcher 10 Year Window Vac Anniversary Edition is effective a wet vacuum cleaner that sucks up the left-over dirty water off of glass and into a separate tank. This makes it faster to get good results, with dirt more easily being removed from the glass surface.

As with other surfaces, the advice remains to clean first and disinfect second, and this goes for cleaning windows. In the absence of disinfectant that you can use, windows can also be cleaned with a steam cleaner following the advice above. Remember, any cloths or squeegees that you use on a window should also be disinfected, either with sprays and chemicals or, for cloths, using a washing machine.

Home Technology Editor

Starting life on the consumer PC press back in 1998, David has been at the forefront of technology for the past 20 years. He has edited Computer Shopper and Expert Reviews, and once wrote a book on ho…

Unlike other sites, we thoroughly review everything we recommend, using industry standard tests to evaluate products. We'll always tell you what we find. We may get a commission if you buy via our price links. Tell us what you think – email the Editor

How Coronavirus Kills: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) & COVID-19 Treatment