Messy Mixing

If you don't like mixing meatloaf with your bare hands, use a quart size baggie over your hands.

Clean Shower Doors

Polish glass shower doors after cleaning with a coating Furniture Wax directly onto cloth and wipe surface . Wax will help repel soap scum and hard water deposits.
DO NOT spray or let it come into contact with bathtub or shower floor; as it will cause the tube and shower floor to become slippery.

Gettting rid of Dust Mites

Spray some drops of eucalyptus oil mixed with water to keep dust mites under control. Spray on bedding, carpets, etc...

Cleaning the Shower

After a thorough cleaning of your shower, follow up with an application of car wax on your tiled walls. Wax makes it easier for wipe downs and also doesn't allow soap scum, etc... to build up.

No More food Stains in Storage Containers

Before storing food, give a quick spray of Pam or other cooking spray on the inside of your container (tupperware, etc...) to prevent stains from sauces, etc...

Get Rid of Ants #2

Ants coming in your windows or doors? Take lemon juice and put it around them. Lemon burns ants, so they will not go near it.

Kill weeds with Vinegar

Take white vinegar and spray it on the weeds in your garden or those growing through the cracks of your sidewalk. The weeds will be dead in just a few days and you'll be happy knowing that you used something that was environmentally friendly and won't harm your children or pets either.

Bathroom And Shower Room Wall Tiling Tips

By Franco Abitabile


Having a new bathroom tiled?

The following article is in response to all the people that are actually considering having new tiling for for the first time round and for those of you that want a decent job done.

Read on and you can spare yourself lots of anguish and desperation (and some money too).

It is now quite often when I go to price a tiling job that I have to advise people on some problem on carrying out the work. The typical hotspots are:




bath out of level


fitted showers


shower trays and baths with excessive gap between these and the walls


lipped shower trays not set in


shower unit/controls at the wrong height


radiators, towel rail, basin already fitted, toilet pan height and servicing


old tiles still in place after having a new suite installed

How can the above hotspots interfere with the tiling you may ask. Well, it goes like this:

"Bath out of level"

One of the first things that I do when starting a bathroom wall tile installation, is to put my long spirit level on and along the perimeter of the bath. What I found often is that the bath is badly out of level, sometimes dropping towards the plug hole and on fewer occasions dropping opposite to the plug hole. Of all of the baths I have seen to date I have not yet seen a bath that has not got a natural internal fall in order to drain the water, so I cannot see a valid reason for not having the top of the bath level. It must be said though, that occasionally, some baths are simply badly built. No much thought has been given for accommodating the tiles

If the tiles to be installed are a medium to large size and have no strong pattern, then is not a problem for the tiler. He/she would just need to trim the tiles accordingly to the fall but if the level is too much out you can have problem when installing a bath/shower screen onto the bath edge.

if on the other hand you are installing mosaic or tiles with lines or strong patterns, the tiling will look awful as even the smallest level difference along the bath length will be very noticeable. When dealing with mosaic, doing cuts means more time and money.

"Fitted shower"

I is important to have the tiles to go behind the unit as this can avoid water penetration in the wall/s. Some showers have the hot and cold pipes covered with a plate. On these type of shower units tiling must be done before the unit is fitted as the tile can be drilled neatly to accommodate the pipe work; if not, the tiles will need to be cut in a way that will have to show an unsightly finish. If the plumber is fitting a new shower unit ask him/her to allow for the pipe work to protrude from the wall more than it is needed, then to wait for the tiling to be done before final installation. I have had situations where the shower has been fitted, without even allowing for the tile thickness between the cover plates and the wall.

"Shower trays and baths with excessive gap"

When installing baths or trays make sure to have very little gap from them to the walls otherwise you might end up using either too much silicone or having to install a bath trim. I am not in favour of these bath/shower trims or tile beads as I have found the baths and trays can move downwards causing the trim to separate and capillary action allowing water to draw into the walls. If you find that the bath or tray is not fitting tight to the walls it is likely that it is due to the right angled wall not being square to the other or that the wall is bulging. It is standard practice to slightly bed in the bath/tray into the wall; just enough for the gap to close. This also helps "hold" the bath/tray in place. Many times you would only need to channel one wall only. This is when the internal corner of the wall is not square. Again, only set the tray into the wall until the gap closes. Care must be taken not to inset the bath too much as you might have problem with the taps distance to the wall, hence preventing clear access on opening and closing them. Also, pay attention to the shower tray as if you inset this too much, you might have problems later fitting the shower screen.

"Lipped shower trays not set in"

Lipped showers are those trays that have an upstand along 2 or more sides.

These trays are supposed to be containing the water within the tray and avoiding water leakage into the adjoining walls. In theory this is great but I have carried out a number of tiling repairs due to this type of tray. The reason why there has been some problem with this type of tray is because of poor plumbing installation. On a few occasions the tray was placed against the walls (not inset into the wall). On other occasions the fitter did not inset the tray enough into the walls. I have noticed that there usually is a considerable lateral movement once I step on the tray during tile installation. This causes the tray's upright lip to move (from inside outwards) towards the tile and doing so, de-bonding the first row of tiles and in turn allowing water to penetrate in the wall, causing problems. The only way not to have any problem with this type of tray is to make sure that the tray is set in the wall more than the lateral movement allows. Care must be taken not to go too deep in the wall as the shower screen might not fit inside the tray.

"Shower unit/controls at the wrong height"

A common problem that can be avoided is the placing of the shower controls height onto the walls. As it is important for the user to have the controls at the right height one overlooked situation is the height of the tile border. If there is no border then it's not a problem but if you are considering installing a tile border, then get the tiler to relay with the plumber as you don't want to spoil the border being interrupted by the controls. If the border is thicker than the main tiles then you can have more problems with the control's cover plates not seating flush, also if the border is thicker than the tiles the tiler will need to know where the shower/bath screen will be going exactly as that part of the border where the screen will cover must not be tiled or the screen won't seat flush.

"Radiators, towel rail, basin already fitted, toilet pan height and servicing"

On situations where basin, towel rail radiators and toilet are fitted, this is where a lot of time will need to be spent as it (unless removed) will require to cut around these items (if possible). Here if planned in advance the tiling would need to be carried out BEFORE the final plumbing installation. Reality is that many plumbers want to get in and out as soon as possible not worrying about the tiling (after all, they are not doing it, are they!). If you are going to have the floor tiled then you MUST have the basin (pedestal), toilet pan and any surface mounted radiator OFF the floor and the plumbing already prepared for the new floor height. If the existing floor is made of wood, then there is a big chance that the floor will go up around 1" - about 25 mm but can only be assessed during the estimate or quote.

"Old tiles still in place after having a new suite installed"

This is another thing overlooked.

You have planned your project for a long time, the workers get in to replace the old bathroom suite with the one you really wanted for a long time. They remove the first row of tiles abutting the old suite and install the new one. Job done.

It is beyond belief that some people can do this. "The tiler can take the tiles off".

It must be appreciated that removing tiles after a new bathroom suite has been installed is no easy task and the risk of damage to it can be considerable. Also, at times, some sections of walls may need to be replaced or repaired according to the surface type and adhesive strength. Make sure that the tiles ARE removed prior to the new installation.

The same applies to kitchen installations.

© Tile Master © 2008

http://www.tile-master.co.uk/html/tiling_help.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Franco_Abitabile

Luxury Household Surfaces Need Special Care

(NewsUSA)- Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and travertine floors were all once associated with luxury homes but are now staples of new home construction and renovations. However, with these specialty products comes a requirement of special care.

Improper cleaning materials or techniques could turn your beautiful, and possibly pricey, home accessory into a huge eye-sore. So, what can you do to prevent a possible catastrophe?

With these maintenance suggestions from the experts at Merry Maids, your high-end surfaces will retain their natural beauty and functionality for years to come.


Granite Countertops

- Natural stone is more porous than synthetic, so clean spills before they penetrate the surface.

- Clean with a neutral cleaner such as stone soap or a mild solution of dishwashing soap and warm water. Rinse after washing with the soap solution and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

- Never use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads to clean the surface.

- Reduce streaks by using microfiber cloths or gloves.


Travertine Floors

- Travertine is a calcium-based, alkaline stone and is easily damaged by acid substances. Do not use vinegar, lemon juice or cleaners containing acids.

- Immediately wipe up spills and messes before they penetrate the surface. Use mild, neutral cleaners for daily cleaning.

- Rinse the tile and grout thoroughly to remove any remaining cleaner.

- Dry and polish cleaned areas.

- Frequent sweeping is the easiest way to protect flooring surfaces. Use brooms with soft bristles for smooth floors and medium bristles for textured surfaces.


Stainless Steel Surfaces

- Stainless steel is stain-resistant but occasionally dulls and is easily shows oily fingerprints. Use white or cider vinegar to clean and polish stainless steel surfaces. Moisten a cloth and wipe clean:

- Clean stainless steel with a mild soap solution followed by a clean water rinse.

- Use non-abrasive cleaners to prevent scratching.

- Use club soda to remove streaks and heat stains.

- Remove fingerprints by gently rubbing with glass cleaner, then rinse with warm water. A paste of baking soda and water will work just as well.

For more professional cleaning advice, contact the experts at Merry Maids by visiting www.merrymaids.com.

Get Rid of Ants

Get Rid of Ants Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

Good-bye Fruit Flies

Good-bye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid, mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Conditioner

Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

Reopening envelope

Reopening envelope If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

Foggy Windshield?

Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Measuring Cups

Measuring Cups Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Reducing Static Cling

Reducing Static Cling Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.

Flexible vacuum

Flexible vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Squirrel Away!

Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

No More Mosquitoes

No More Mosquitoes Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Broken Glass

Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

Professional Window Cleaning Tip

Use a dry lint free cloth and wipe one side of window with vertical (up and down) sweeping motions and the other side with horizontal (side to side)sweeping motions. If there are any remaining streaks, the direction will determine which side of the glass needs to be wiped again.

What Is The Best Way To Clean Laminate Flooring?

By Derek Rogers
When you have laminate flooring it is important to know the proper ways to clean and maintain the floors. When you properly take care of your laminate flooring it will last for many years to come and you will be surprised how long it maintains the new and beautiful look.

Laminate flooring is very low maintenance and long-lasting. There are only a few simple things that you need to do to ensure your floors stay clean. You can dust mop and vacuum your laminate floors with a soft brush to remove dust, dirt, or grit. A damp cloth will not damage the laminate flooring panels. However, when you use anything damp on the laminate flooring, do not use too much water and be sure to dry the floor thoroughly with a clean, soft cloth. If you do have a spill on your laminate floors then you should immediately blot them up with a clean, dry cloth, sponge, or paper towels. Excess liquid tracked in by feet or spills should not remain on the flooring for long periods of time and be cleaned immediately.

To prevent damage to your laminate flooring while you are cleaning you should not use soap-based detergents, abrasive cleaners, or any other type of cleaners on laminate flooring. There is no need for it and chemical products will only damage the flooring. You also should not use steel wool or scratchy scouring pads when you are cleaning because you will damage the laminate panels. These panels do not need wax or polish as these products will also cause damage. You should also never steam clean laminate panels.

There are also other ways you can maintain your flooring to ensure a longer life, such as: Placing a doormat outside so any sand and grit picked up is not bought inside. Using only colourfast carpeting and pads on your floor surfaces.

If you wear high heels then you should avoid walking on the surface. High heels and other sharp objects are the biggest problems for scratching the laminate panels. Furniture legs can also be damaging and you can avoid this by putting pads underneath the legs of furniture to avoid scratching.

When you move furniture you should also lift it entirely and never drag it across the surface of the floor.

The less you arrange the flooring in the home, the less you have to worry about scratching. However, you must rearrange the furniture occasionally because furniture will cause indentations if sitting in the same place for too long.

There is no reason to treat your floors with a sealant after you install them because the panels already have sealant on them. You don't need to use lacquer or any type of refinishing product on your floors. These products will only cause damage.

When you clean and maintain your laminate flooring if you practice just a few simple things, then you can ensure a longer lifetime of your floors and they will maintain the beautiful look for many years.

Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For laminate flooring, he recommends Completely Flooring, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Quick Step Laminate Flooring.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derek_Rogers

Grease stains

If you get a grease stain on your clothes, put corn flour on the stain.
Wait until the flour dries. Then, rub vigorously with a brush dampened with white vinegar.
After this spot treatment, Launder the usual way.

Say Goodbye to Disposer Odors

(NewsUSA) - Many homeowners don't realize that foul odors coming from the kitchen sink disposer are actually caused by bacteria from food particles. In fact, particles can build up due to incomplete grinding, accumulated waste between grindings and prolonged periods of disposer inactivity. These particles become a home for odor-causing bacteria, otherwise known as "grunge."

Home remedies, such as lemons or ice, have long been used to solve the problem. While they may result in a fresher smell, they don't actually clean the grunge from the disposer. A more effective solution for eliminating grunge is to use a noncorrosive specialty disposer cleaner, such as a product called Disposer Care.

When Disposer Care is put into the disposer, blue foam fills the grinding chamber and drain, cleaning more than 99.7 percent of the grunge. The entire process takes only a few minutes and leaves a lemony scent.

Disposer Care and other cleaners are available at most grocery, hardware or mass-merchandise stores.

To learn more, visit www.disposercare.com or call 800-654-0791.

Five Decorative Tips for a Greener Home

(NewsUSA) - Creating a green home usually means you are looking to make your living environment more efficient and environmentally friendly. However, this doesn't mean you have to sacrifice great style to get the look.

Let these five simple designs from the HGTV Green Home 2008 inspire you to make your green home more visually appealing.

1. Start in the Bathroom -; If you are new to "green" design, you'll appreciate the simple ideas from the home's upstairs bathroom, where several small products were incorporated to keep the beautiful space clean and green.

The towels used in the space are all organic, the hand soap is all natural, and the candle is soy (which burns cleaner and longer than regular candles).

2. Think Beyond the Bulb -; When it comes to lighting, go beyond just changing the bulb. Buy completely recycled yet very decorative lamps. The beautiful designs in the HGTV Green Home are created from recycled materials using glass, tin and paper. Rather than looking "homemade," all of the lamps in the home are truly unique statement pieces.

3. Think About Green Furniture -; You can incorporate environmentally friendly design into your home, whatever your personal style. In the low country chic den of the home, all of the furniture is considered "green."

From frames made of sustainable wood, to all-natural foam padding, to organic cotton fabrics and natural dyes, it all adds up to a healthy, beautiful way to design a space.

4. Go for Stone -; As seen in the HGTV Green Home, natural stone countertops are available in a variety of hip colors, not just in neutral tones. The very durable eco-friendly stone is extremely reliable and durable, and now it's stylish too!

5. Model a Guest Bedroom After a Favorite Hotel Room -; Sometimes when people think "green" they think bland, but that is no longer true. The guest bedroom in the HGTV Green Home is a hip space splashed with color and design. It looks more like a boutique hotel room than a guest bedroom, yet it's all green. With organic bedding and a high-backed, padded headboard, low VOC paint, recycled hipster chairs and art, and an antique white chest, the bedroom is a perfect example of how "green" living also means big style.

For more information on this year's HGTV Green Home Giveaway, visit www.hgtv.com.

Storage Tips for Organizing and Clearing Your Home's Clutter

(NewsUSA) - Regardless of how big or small a home may be, many of us are faced with too much clutter and too little storage space. A lack of organization can make even the largest space seem small.

With some innovation and a little effort, you can save or even create storage space in any home. Keep these tips in mind the next time that you're getting organized and in need of all the storage space you can get:

* Don't get boxed in. Too often, people use space-eating boxes to store their linens, clothing or holiday decorations. For a less bulky storage option, use large, sealable plastic bags, such as Hefty OneZip Big Bags - a super-sized version of the popular slider bags. Their flexibility makes them easy to fit into tight spaces where rigid boxes may not fit, such as under the bed or inside smaller cabinets. And because the bags are clear, you can see the contents inside, making it much easier to find a specific item that is stored away.

* Find new uses for common things. Think outside an item's intended purpose. Egg cartons, for instance, can make excellent drawer organizers. Shoe organizers that hang over doors can be placed in bathrooms and used to store shampoo, soap or other bathroom products. This will clear up valuable cabinet space.

* Buy multipurpose furniture. For instance, instead of a regular ottoman, buy one that has a hollow interior for storing magazines or other items.

You could also buy a storage trunk, drape a cloth over it and use it as a coffee table. Whatever the case, if you have to buy new pieces of furniture, make sure that they double as storage units.

* Decorate with storage in mind. Many homes feature flat surface space on top of kitchen cabinets, and you can fill this space with items that double as both decorations and storage containers.

For example, baskets can add a charming touch to your kitchen, while providing a place to store extra dishes. Decorative pots can hold kitchen gadgets.

* Stop toying around with messiness. In a house with children, scattered toys are often the most prevailing items of clutter.

Consider moving your children's toys into rotation, bringing out a few toys at a time and storing the rest away. Hefty OneZip Big Bags not only offer plenty of capacity, they're tough enough to store toys or bulky sports equipment. And, because the bags have handles, it's easy to move the toys from room to room. It's a great way to take them along when traveling, too.

The bags are available in 11-gallon and 22-gallon sizes and are sold in mass merchandisers and grocery stores nationwide.

For more information, visit www.heftybigbags.com .

Tips to Keep Your Kitchen Tidy

(NewsUSA)- If you are like most women, you hate to clean the kitchen. A recent national survey found that nearly 40 percent of American women dread cleaning their kitchens more than other areas of their homes. That's why the experts at Merry Maids offer these tips to help you get started:

* Make the fridge look fabulous. Before placing containers in the refrigerator, always wipe their exterior, and cover securely to avoid spills and reduce odor. Dispose of items that have not been eaten or have expired, every week. Once a month, remove all items and wash the shelves, bins, and walls of the refrigerator with warm, soapy water, and dry thoroughly. For exterior cleaning, all-purpose cleaners are safe for most surfaces in the kitchen, including stainless steel appliance exteriors.

* Scrub the sink so it shines. For stainless steel or ceramic sinks, rinse the sink after each use, and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Drying the sink will prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface. Each week, scour the sink using a non-abrasive cleaner, such as an all-purpose cleanser, or glass and surface cleaner. Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or abrasive sponges. Use a stainless steel cleaner or a small amount of olive oil when looking to add a shine to a stainless steel sink.

* Remember your disposal and microwave. To freshen your disposal, fill it with ice cubes and slices of lime or lemon. Then, run cold water, while the disposal is on, for about 30 seconds. The ice will sharpen and clean the blades, and the citrus will release a fresh scent. If you have dried-on food in the microwave, fill a two-cup glass measuring cup with one cup of water and the juice from one lemon. Microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the water boils. This should create steam in the microwave that will loosen dried-on foods, so you can wipe the microwave clean. The lemon juice will provide a fresh scent.

For more tips to keep your kitchen sparkling clean, visit www.merrymaids.com .

Wipe Out Mold in Your Home

(NewsUSA)- It's a primary cause of indoor allergens in the winter, it filters through the air both indoors and out, and it can cause serious health problems. Mold -; a dreaded houseguest -; can grow on almost any surface, especially damp ones. Think you're safe?

According to the American Lung Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, one-third to one-half of all structures have conditions in which mold can grow and thrive.



And while the recommended way to treat mold is by eliminating the water or moisture source in the area, how do you safely and effectively remove mold that has already grown?

Many products on the market are either ineffective, limited to what type of surface the mold is growing on or toxic. As a result, cleaning mold yourself can be taxing and even frustrating.

Red Reef Laboratories, Inc., however, has developed a new, unique system called BioClear that utilizes Red Reef's products to eliminate pathogens, reduce allergens and minimize cross-contamination. This non-invasive and highly effective system is still non-toxic, biodegradable and safe to use in poorly ventilated areas, making it a breakthrough in the mold-cleaning market.

And since cleaning mold is only half the battle, Red Reef Laboratories offers these tips to keep mold at bay in your home:


* Check to be sure your indoor humidity is between 30 and 60 percent. You can control this with air conditioning and a dehumidifier.

* Add extra insulation to areas, such as windows, that create condensation.

* Be on the lookout for standing water. Air conditioning or refrigerator drip pans can be a problem.

* Look up. Regularly check your ceiling for leaks or drips.

* Open doors inside your home, such as between rooms and those to closets, that will help keep the air circulating properly.

* Use area rugs. These can regularly be washed, which helps avoid any mold growth.

* Fix any leaks immediately.

For more information about Red Reef Laboratories (RRLB), visit www.redreef.biz .

Plant Seeds of Safety in Your Garden

(NewsUSA)- For many people, working in the yard or in a home garden is relaxing and enjoyable. Studies have even shown that spending time in the outdoors and among nature will greatly reduce stress. So, while gardening can be a great way to unwind and stay healthy, regardless of whether you're a weekend gardener or grow for show, it is important to remember to protect your eyes when working outdoors.

Each year, power lawn trimmers alone cause more than 1,500 eye injuries. Additionally, tree or bush branches can cause painful scratches to the eye, which may result in infection. Burns or eye irritations caused by fertilizers and weed killers are also a concern. As a result, The American Optometric Association offers these tips to help prevent eye injuries in your garden:



* Get 180-degree protection. Wear wrap-around safety goggles made of polycarbonate -; the strongest lens material available. They can be found in hardware and department stores and should have a label stating the goggles meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z87.1 standard.

* Status quo is a no-go. Don't rely on ordinary prescription glasses for eye safety. Although they are impact-resistant, they are not intended to be used as safety eyewear. In addition, chemical or spray dust can get around them easily.

* Block the rays. Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the sun's UVA and UVB (ultraviolet) radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of light. Lenses should be perfectly matched in color and absorption, free of distortion and imperfection and gray for proper color recognition.

* Be sure you're covered. Cover the sharp tips of bamboo or metal stakes, which are often used for tomato or climbing plants, with plastic wire nuts to prevent an accidental puncture wound.

* Keep an eye on your health. Remember to have regular eye examinations from a doctor of optometry. Good vision is needed to read instructions on seed packages, fertilizer bags, weed killer bottles and for spotting those pesky weeds!

For more information, visit www.aoa.org .

Treat Within Walls to Rid Your Home of Ants

(NewsUSA) - If you see a trail of tiny black specs moving along your kitchen counter, you may have a serious ant problem.

In severe cases, these critters are all around the home.

"When ants go looking for food, their trails pass through voids in walls, window bays, under cabinets and carpeting and above ceilings," said Dr. Deanna Branscome, technical representative at Syngenta, a leading manufacturer of professional pest control products. "In some cases, ant colonies make these wall voids their home. So, the ants you see on your counter could be living just behind it."



Ants enter the walls through openings in your home's exterior and then follow plumbing or other lines to find food or water inside. That's why you so often see ants around sinks and dishwashers.

Many ant problems are treated at the perimeter of a home. These treatments work well when ants enter your home to find food and take it back to their nest outdoors, but they are ineffective when ants have already moved into your walls.

Treating within walls can reach ant colonies that have moved their nests inside, while keeping indoor chemical application away from people and pets.

Branscome's company, Syngenta, offers Optigard ZT, the first nonrepellent insecticide specifically designed for treatment of void areas.

"When treating within walls there is a benefit in having your pest control company use a nonrepellent insecticide," Branscome said. "Nonrepellents allow ants to walk through the treated area and carry the insecticide back to their nest, which helps eliminate the colony."

If ants are inside your home, they are very difficult to control on your own. A professional pest control company can inspect your home, find the ant nests and create a targeted treatment program focused on those locations.

For more information, visit www.securechoice.us

Keep Your Driveway Spot-Free

(NewsUSA) - Concrete driveways and sidewalks take a lot of abuse. Look down and you're likely to find dirt, oil and even rust stains. But some simple tips can keep all the concrete around your home looking clean and new.

Most dirt and grime stains can be cleaned away with a power washer. Power washers are relatively inexpensive to purchase, or may be rented.


For oil and grease stains, spread a thick layer of cat litter over the grease to absorb grease or oil on the surface. Allow it to sit for a day, then simply sweep away the litter and the surface stain.
Rust stains are more difficult to remove. One effective solution is called Super Iron Out. To remove rust stains on concrete, wet the driveway with water. Next apply the stain-fighting solution directly to the stains with a brush or sponge. Then, simply rinse the stains away.
Super Iron Out can be found at most grocery, home improvement or mass merchandise stores.

To learn more, call (800) 654-0791 or visit www.ironout.com.

Clear the Clutter In Your Home

(NewsUSA)As cooler weather forces friends and family indoors, there's no better time to tackle the home improvement projects you've been putting off all summer while you've lounged by the lake. Start out by tackling a few small projects that produce big results.

The projects below can be completed easily by using just one tool-the newly available Dremel 75th Anniversary Limited-Edition Rotary Tool Kit.

Dremel, the trusted name in high-speed rotary tool technology, offers the following project tips:



* Organize your closets. One of the easiest ways to make messes disappear from out in the open is to store necessities behind closed doors. To create more storage inside your closets, install shelves. Coated wire shelving kits can be easily custom-fit to your exact closet dimensions. Begin by measuring the width of your closet space, and mark that measurement directly onto the shelf. Secure the shelf to prevent movement and use the rotary tool with a cut-off wheel to make your cuts. Finish by smoothing the new edge with a drum sander accessory, and then install the shelf.

* Hide exposed wires. Add a touch of class, and safety, to your house by hiding easy-to-trip-over audio and video wires behind baseboards. First, mark the centerline on the back of the baseboard to serve as your guide. Using a flex-shaft attachment on the rotary tool and a carbide-sanding band, sand a recessed area to accommodate the wiring. Continue grinding the length of the baseboard. If the band clogs, clean it with a wire brush. Fasten the cords with tape to hold them in position. Drill and nail base above or below the centerline to avoid hitting any wiring.

* Remove scratches from household hardware. Get rid of age-revealing scratches from doorknobs, cabinet handles and faucets by buffing with a felt or emery-impregnated polishing wheel and rotary tool. For best results, polish slowly using gentle pressure.

For more household clean-up tips, visit www.dremel.com or call the Dremel Experts at 1-800-437-3635.

Easy Ways to Save Energy in the Home

(NewsUSA)- The average American family will spend more than $2,000 on home utility bills this year, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

"Energy savings is on everyone's mind," says Beau Parker, vice president of marketing at Hunter Fan Co. "With the inflation of gasoline and electricity prices, consumers are seeking energy-efficient measures to help control the rising energy costs." The Department of Energy estimates that as much as 45 percent of home energy usage is dedicated to heating and cooling.

Here are some ways to save on energy bills now:

* Use ceiling fans to supplement air conditioning and heating. Ceiling fans help lower winter heating costs when run in a clockwise, or updraft, direction. The hot air trapped at ceiling level is recirculated, allowing more even, comfortable heating while reducing winter bills by up to 10 percent.

* Clean or replace dirty furnace filters monthly. Dirty filters block airflow through heating and cooling systems, increasing costs and shortening the equipment's life span.

* Lower the thermostat on your water heater to a warm setting of 120 F. Almost 15 percent of average energy bills go toward heating water. Also, use an insulation blanket, which will hold heat inside the tank longer.

* Unplug or switch devices off when not in use, including cell phone chargers and computers. Nationally, the Alliance to Save Energy estimates that 5 percent of energy is used by such devices, costing consumers more than $8 billion annually.

To benefit from long-term efficiency, try these tips:



* Install a programmable thermostat to automatically control heating and air conditioning, allowing energy savings while sleeping or away from home. A thermostat adjusted 10 degrees for eight hours will save approximately 10 percent on utility bills. Hunter offers digital programmable thermostats that are Energy Star-compliant and pre-programmed to Energy Star standards.

* Get a professional home energy audit to thoroughly assess how much energy your home consumes and highlight problems that, when corrected, may save significant amounts of money and energy over time. Contact state or local energy offices for recommendations on qualified auditors.

For more information on Hunter's Energy Star products, visit www.hunterfan.com .