9 things in your house you have been cleaning the wrong way


Karen B. Gibbs iVillage


With warmer weather slowly settling in, it's time to say goodbye to those grimy windows and mud-stained floors. But before you grab the rubber gloves and cleaning spray to tackle spring cleaning duties, check out these tips from the experts.
( Read more...Collapse )

Clean sweep: Spring offers the opportunity to start anew with tidy home

Maureen Feighan

Ignore that gray snow lurking in your yard and flower beds. Spring is just around the corner. I promise.

After a long, snowy winter that actually felt like winter this year, I'm sure I'm not the only one eager to open up the windows and let in some fresh air.

And with spring — it officially starts March 20 — comes spring cleaning. It's that time to really roll up your sleeves and clean those nooks and crannies in your house that are often ignored during day-to-day cleaning.

( Read more...Collapse )

I need some ideas/advice on how to dispose of my home recorded VHS tapes (mostly old tv shows/figure skating competitions). The professional tapes I will gladly donate to the library book sale. The rest I have no idea how to deal with. I've read it's a bad idea to just trash them, but I haven't found an easy alternative yet. It's either ship them to some recycling firm or try to find a thrift shop that takes them. Does anyone have any tips for deleting fannish clutter?

My FIL was up visiting recently for a couple of days.  One evening I left him and my 15 month old in the living room, where my son was drawing, to help my husband in the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I turn to find Finn drawing on the walls with my FIL standing proudly over him.  Then FIL very proudly informs me Finn also drew on the couch...as he was telling me Finn solved world hunger or something.  Well crayon on walls I can (and have!) handled before, but I'm not sure how to get orange crayon off couch.  Any ideas?

So I've noticed that when I make Buttermilk biscuits, I end up with half the dough stuck to my hands. I've googled around a little and tried a couple of things that don't work....dusting my hands with flour, etc. Anyone have any tried and true tips that stop this from happening, or is it just something that just always happens?

Martha Stewart: Living

Specialists share tips for furniture repair

Wine on the sofa? Scratches on the table? Accidents happen. But with these tools and tips, you'll be ready to spring into action.

I asked top specialists to share their tricks for keeping furnishings in peak condition. The panel: antique-furniture restorer Christophe Pourny; fabric professionals Ingrid Johnson from the Fashion Institute of Technology and Kathlyn Swantko from the FabricLink Network; and Jay Myers, from the tanning firm New World Leather. Here are their tricks for handling any furniture first-aid emergency.
( Read more...Collapse )

5 things you need to know before buying a refrigerator

By Richard Baguley, Reviewed.com

Buying a large appliance is a big decision, but asking a few questions can help you make the right choice. Here are five questions you need answered before you buy a refrigerator. (The top three double-door models also are shown, reviewed by RefrigeratorInfo.com.)
( Read more...Collapse )

I just went to get a roll of toilet paper from a under-the-sink cabinet in the main bathroom, and found it shredded. Haven't actually seen a mouse, or any droppings, but assuming that's the cause.

Anyone have any tips on dealing with mice other than getting traps and cleaning?

How to dispose of medicine

ALISON JOHNSON
Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)

It's easy for expired pills and leftover prescription drugs to pile up in your drawers. While guidelines vary by state and can change over time, here are tips to help you get rid of them safely:
( Read more...Collapse )

Choose your moving company carefully or it could cost you plenty

BY DANIEL VASQUEZ
SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

This is the time of year many consumers choose a moving company, unfortunately it's nearly as easy to find a bad company as a good one. Bottom line: Don't trust just anybody or your valuables could end being held hostage.

Annually, more than 37 million Americans move to a different home, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. And each year, the Better Business Bureau and the American Moving & Storage Association receive serious complaints from consumers who fall victim to dishonest or unlicensed moving companies.

The BBB reported it received more than 8,400 complaints against movers in 2009. Complaints to BBB about movers are primarily about damaged or lost goods and final prices in excess of original estimates. In a common worst-case scenario, the moving company will essentially hold the customer's belongings hostage and require potentially thousands of dollars to unload the truck.

The BBB and AMSA recommend following these rules to protect yourself and your belongings:
( Read more...Collapse )