Household Hints: Baking Soda
Baking soda is not just for baking. It has many uses in your home from removing stains to treating burns and bites. Here are some great tips for home uses of baking soda: Just one-teaspoon baking soda to one quart of warm water will clean your refrigerator. Unclog your drain with a cup of baking soda. Pour it into the opening of your drain and then add a cup of hot vinegar. Wait a few minutes, flush the drain with a quart of boiling water. Keep the pests out of your home by laying down barrier of baking soda under sink-pipe openings and along basement windows. Relieve sunburned or itchy skin by adding baking soda to your bath water. A paste of baking soda and water applied to a burn or an insect bite will provide relief. Clean your toothbrush by soaking it in baking soda and warm water overnight. A paste of baking soda and water will remove stains from your coffee and tea cups, and red sauce stains from plastic containers. Post your own baking soda tips below.]]>
How to Plant a Tree
Trees can be a fun and an easy way to create some great curb appeal. The ideal time to plant trees is after leaf drop in the fall or early spring before budbreak. Spring and fall weather conditions are cool and allow plants to establish roots in their new location. Roots can grow even when soil temperature is as low as 40 degrees. Best trees to plant in the fall are maple, hackberry, ash, thornless honey locust, linden, crabapple, sycamore, hawthorn and horse chestnut trees. Spring is best for slower to establish trees like oak, birch, willow, ginkgo, sweetgum, American yellowwood and American hornbeam. Follow these steps to ensure less stress on your tree when planting: 1. Dig a shallow, broad planting hole. The hole should be three times the diameter of the root ball but only as deep as the root ball. 2. Plant so that the trunk flare is partially visible. The trunk flare is where the roots spread at the base of the tree. 3. Fill the hole about one-third full. Gently but firmly pack the soil around the base of the root ball. Make sure to remove any fabric, plastic, string, and wire from around the trunk and root ball to facilitate growth. 4. Mulch well to conserve soil temperature. 5. Water the tree so the soil moist. Be careful not to overwater. Overwatering can cause leaves to turn yellow or fall off. This mostly applies to smaller trees, for larger, more mature tress it is best to hire a professional. ]]>
Save on Utility Bills
Did you know the average family spends over $1600 a year on utility bills alone? Here are some simple steps you can take to not only save energy but also put some money back in your pocket.
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Put your thermostat to work
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Invest in energy-efficient appliances
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Unplug
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Seal it up
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Slow the flow
Damp Basement Diagnosis
There is nothing worse in a home than a wet basement. Not only can it deter potential home buyers it can also present health problems, and permanent damage to your home. Tackling the problem of a damp or wet basement is no easy task. Here are some ideas to getting and keeping your basement dry. Find the source The source of the problem could be a water leak or high humidity. Both can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. They can even lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Check for water seepage. Look for leaks in the foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. Indoor humidity is often caused by normal activities of everyday living, such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes. Damp basements are usually caused by moisture migrating through a concrete foundation. Other common causes are condensation on cold concrete walls and floors during humid months. Stop water leaks Standing water on the floor after a heavy rain is usually the result of a leaky foundation. Make sure all rain gutters are cleared and downspout runoff away from the foundation. The ground around the house should slope down and away from the foundation. If necessary, re-grade around the house. If you have a sump pump, make sure it is working properly. Water stains on the ceiling or wall under or near a bathroom could be a leak from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower. This will require a plumber to repair the leak. Water damage or mold should be handled by a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs. Reducing indoor humidity Dirt floors in the basement should be covered completely with plastic to slow down water vapor coming through the soil. Install ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Make sure they are venting directly outside. Clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Consult the Consumer Products Safety Commission additional safety tips for dryer vents . Check the heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. Have all duct air leaks sealed. Use a dehumidifier in the basement can reduce condensation. A dry basement will not only lead to a healthier home it will lead to a more profitable sale when the time comes.]]>
Canned Tomatoes
You have planted the garden and now you are starting to see the fruits and vegetables of your labor. So what do you do with all those veggies? Can them! That’s right, canning is easy. Not only is canning a great way to enjoy your garden-fresh veggies all year but it is also economical and healthy. Home canned vegetables have absolutely no chemicals added. So, if you can boil water and tell time, you can can! Here are some tools of the trade you may want to have on hand.
- lids
- jars
- wooden long handled spoon
- canning funnel
- jar lifter
- measuring spoons
- jar rings
Scentmosphere; what is it?
Independent studies have confirmed that deploying particular scents in a home for sale can dramatically increase the home’s appeal to a potential buyer. With that being said, what is the best way to go about changing your home’s “scentmosphere”? 1. – The Friend Test – Often times, we get used to particular scents in our home, so much so that we don’t even notice that they’re there. Litter boxes, old couches, bathrooms, and bedrooms can all breed their own “scentmosphere”, and some can be more noticeable and offensive than others. Have a friend come over and, well…..Smell your home. Your friend doesn’t live in your home. They can pick up on things that you may not be able to, like the smell of dirty laundry, a musty-smelling finished basement, or a well-lived-in bedroom. These “other person” smells can turn off a buyer in a heartbeat. If you are a smoker, then stop smoking inside while your house is on the market. Keep children’s rooms tidy and clean-smelling. 2. – Kitchen Comfort – There are many scents that can be utilized in the kitchen to make it more appealing. Candles, lemon wedges chopped up into a garbage disposal, cinnamon sticks in the oven, and fresh-cut flowers can be utilized for this purpose. Some people swear by citrus scents, others by baked goods, but it really boils down to personal preference. Lavender has been shown to produce a calming effect, and fruit scents like apples and peaches can carry classier undertones. 3. – Subtlety is key. You want a noticeable “scentmosphere”, but not one that is overpowering. Pick your scents accordingly. If you overdo it, people may think you’re trying too hard to cover something up. Remember that because we breathe, we smell things constantly. Each individual smell shouldn’t be strong enough to cover multiple rooms in your house. You don’t want your entire downstairs to smell like the cinnamon you have in the kitchen. Likewise, a fresh lemon scent all over the entire house can make it seem like there are smells that will creep into the “scentmosphere” once the lemon scents wear off. Less is more. ]]>
Green Up Your Home
Greening up your home is not only good for the environment it is also good on your wallet. According to the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. generates about 208 million tons of municipal solid waste a year, that’s more than 4 pounds per person per day. Here are some minor changes you can implement at home that will add up to real benefits. Green up your appliances Replace your old refrigerator and save as much as $150 a year. Appliances are the biggest drain on a home’s total energy bill. Replace appliances older than 10 years with energy-efficient models that bear the “Energy Star” logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. Take Your Temperature Use a programmable thermostat to keep your home’s temperature on a schedule. Program the thermostat in cold weather and keep it higher in warm weather. Set the timer to only change the temperature when you are home. During the colder months, each degree below 68°F saves 3%-5%. You may also want to consider replacing older furnaces. Today’s furnaces are about 25% more efficient than they were in the 1980s. Use Water Wisely Save every time you flush by installing low-flow toilets. They use only 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to 3.5 gallons per flush for pre-1994 models. Save water at your faucets by installing aerators. This could cut your annual water consumption by 50%. Let there be Light Using Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) will consume 66% less energy. CFLs may cost a little more but they last 10 times longer than a standard incandescent bulb. In dollars and cents, replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb. Practice Plastic Placement Did you know Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags? — Plastics (grocery, trash and sandwich bags to name a few) are made from petroleum. Plastics are considered one of the main contributors to global warming. Always make sure to reduce, re-use and recycle your plastics. There are many more ways to live green. If you are looking for more ideas check out National Geographic’s Green Guide. Please share your tips for saving money, energy and living green.]]>
Remodel Your Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the most costly rooms to remodel–generally second only to kitchens. These costs are often incurred in labor charges on items that go beyond the typical do-it-yourselfer’s skills. If you find yourself in the position of needing a bathroom update, but without the funds for a full remodel, here’s some quick, budget-friendly updates that will give your bathroom a brand new look. Here are some great tips from Addicted2Decorating.com on how to get your bathroom in tip top shape. Painting is absolutely the cheapest way to transform any room. For around $25, you can have a brand new look. And because they’re smaller than other rooms, bathrooms are often a great place to experiment with interesting new wall treatments. Do you like stripes? Try them in your bathroom! Most people overlook the importance of lighting in almost every room of their home. If you’re still living with an outdated bath bar (often called Hollywood lighting), then you can have a fresh, new update for as little as $30. Again, paint is the cheapest way to update. Are your wood cabinets looking tired from years and years of use? Give them a fresh coat of paint, and they’ll look new! I recommend a good cleaning, followed by a light sanding, then priming. Top with a coat or two of an oil-based paint, and you’ve got a brand new look. And the cost? About $70. Hardware is the “jewelry” of your cabinets. Not having hardware on your cabinets is like putting on a great outfit, but forgetting to accessorize. Hardware is also a great place to be creative and unique. You can expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $15 (or more) for each knob or pull. But it’s well worth it! Sometimes a new, fresh look is as easy as replacing your worn-out, faded towels with some soft, fluffy new towels. And as popular as spa-inspired interiors are these days, it’s difficult to go wrong with white! White also gives your space a fresh, clean look. You can expect to pay from $5 to $30 per towel, depending on the quality. When most of us think of purchasing a rug for our bathroom, we generally head to the bathroom department of the local home store. But why not try something with a little more style? Instead of a regular bath mat, try introducing a small area rug into your bathroom. Instant color and style! And because the rug is generally smaller than one you’d need for a living room, it’s possible to find one for $50 to $100. I’m really surprised at how many people still use toilet seat covers in their bathrooms. Toilet seat covers are not only outdated, but they’re incredibly unsanitary. Remove it and reveal your sparkly clean toilet. And the cost? Free! Simply remove…..AND TOSS! These are just as bad as the toilet seat covers. Actually, they’re worse, considering that these catch more….ummmm…stuff, since it’s on the floor. Eewwww! Again, just lift, and TOSS! And again….it’s FREE!! If you have a plain, plate-glass, builder’s basic mirror, give it a frame! Simply purchase some moulding from your local home improvement store, cut to fit, paint, and adhere it to your mirror. Fill in the corners with a bit of wood filler, sand, and touch-up the paint. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making a frame yourself, you can always remove the mirror completely, and replace it with a purchased, framed mirror. Either way, the impact will be tremendous. This can easily be achieved for $50 to $100. If you have a bathroom that requires a shower curtain, this is NOT the place to make a simply utilitarian choice. Visually, shower curtains consume a large area of the bathroom, and this is the perfect place to add color and style to your bathroom. So now’s the time to get rid of your plain, plastic shower curtain, and find one that defines your style!!]]>
What's In Your Water?
Not that long ago, most people didn’t think twice before grabbing a glass, and filling it up with tap water from their kitchen sink. But in the past few years, concerns over water quality have prompted people to look for safer alternatives. While some regions are plagued with tap water having a “bad taste” (usually due to water treatment agents like chlorine), other areas have more serious issues to deal with, like bacteria proliferation and industrial pollutants. While some people don’t mind the cost of purchasing bottled water, others have tried to be more economical, installing water filters on their tap faucets, or in many cases, outfitting large, expensive water filtration systems for their entire house. By understanding your family’s water needs, and doing a quick bit of research, you’ll be able to get a better idea of the quality of water in your area, and the steps you can take to ensure your family’s safety. 1. Do your research – Sites like http://water.usgs.gov and http://water.epa.gov/drink/ compile up-to-date statistics on a wide variety of water measurements in your area. 2. Look into cost – If you find yourself living in an area where the tap water consistently receives low marks, then it just makes good sense for you to explore your water filtration options. While there are many options to choose from, it really boils down to your peace of mind. Water Filtration Pitchers – The classic Brita pitcher is what usually comes to mind for most, but there are actually quite a few of these types of water filtration systems on the market now. And while they are definitely the most convenient kind of water filtration system, many don’t offer the same guarantees as some of the more advanced systems you have the option of choosing from. Not to say that these simple fill-and-pour systems should be overlooked, though. These pitchers are great for areas that have those “bad taste” kind of water issues. In these areas, many people are content with just a pitcher. However, you will have to buy replacement filters on a regular basis, and that often overlooked expense can leave many regretting that they didn’t just spend the money on a bigger system. Faucet Filters – These come in two varieties. One variety attaches to your actual faucet, and the other is installed under the sink, purifying the water before it reaches the faucet. Each have their pros and cons, but most of them are better equipped to remove a wider variety of contaminants than the classic water filtration pitcher. If you live in an area where hard water is a problem, many of these undersink varieties offer water softening options as well. These systems are ideal for people who are looking to only purify their sink water. Installing one of these in your kitchen will give your family superb drinking water, while providing you crisp, clean water for cooking purposes. Whole House Water Filters – These are attached at the “point of entry” water source of your house, and will filter all of your home’s water, from the shower to the ice maker. Many people find that this option is the best, as all of their water quality concerns have the capability of being met by only one filter. These systems require the least amount of maintenance, but have the heaviest price tag out of all of the systems outlined thus far. If you have municipal (city) water, then a decent whole house water filtration system will cost you an average of 700 dollars or more, and well water systems can set you back into the thousands. However, this is the best way to ensure that all of the water flowing into your home is safe, soft, and tasty. For more information on the kinds of water systems available to you, please visit http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/water-filters/buying-guide.htm]]>