Posts Tagged ‘tips’
Saturday, January 30th, 2010
You never known when a natural disaster or other crisis may occur that could adversely affect the safety of your drinking water supply. Be prepared. Know where the closest water source is located and how to purify water for your family in the event of an emergency. Please Note: Never use floodwater for drinking, even if it has been treated.
Boiling water for drinking is the preferred way to destroy harmful organisms. If needed, water should be filtered and settled to remove as many impurities as possible prior to boiling. Filtering can be done through clean pieces of cloth. Once settled, the clear water should be boiled vigorously for a full minute in most areas and three minutes at high altitudes. (more…)
Tags: Drinking water, emergency, Environment, Home, tips, WATER, Water purification, Water Resources, Water supply
Posted in Eco, Home, Interesting, WATER | No Comments »
Thursday, January 14th, 2010
Ironing can be a real drag for those who are assigned to this task. When paying for a laundry service is not an option, look for ideas that can bring a positive change to the dreariness of ironing wrinkles out of clothes. The challenge is not in the skill of ironing but how to sustain a good attitude while attending to this matter.
• Make a change of scenery to create a refreshing new atmosphere by relocating the equipment needed for this chore. On warm, sunny days, iron on the patio, porch, or deck, and while sprinkling the clothes with water, keep your body hydrated with some sprinkles too.
• Tackle the equipment for a cheap facelift to keep your spirits high. Spray paint the legs of the ironing board a hot red, or a soothing blue as a quick fix for a boring board. Further enhance this piece by stripping off the old cover and smoothing on a new do with a chic new pattern and color. (more…)
Tags: DIY, Ironing, Laundry, tips, WATER
Posted in Appliances, DIY, Home, Interesting | No Comments »
Monday, January 11th, 2010
There are many options available to help keep water pipes from freezing during bouts of cold winter weather.
One of the most important things that can be done is to install insulation in areas where cold air can seep in around the pipes. Securely installing rigid foam insulation around all floor joists, foundation walls and vents will block out any cold air drafts that can lead to frozen pipes. Make sure no gaps are left around the insulation-even the smallest hole can allow in freezing weather. (more…)
Tags: freezing, Home, pipes, Tap, tips, WATER, Weather, winter
Posted in DIY, Home, Plumbing, WATER | No Comments »
Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009
Being away from home for a week or so is common during the holidays. Unfortunately, houseplants left without care may dry out, causing damage or even death. Ensure that your plants stay adequately hydrated by following these tips.
- Re-pot plants into larger, non-porous containers before leaving on holiday. The greater quantity of soil holds more moisture, allowing for less frequent watering.
- Add Soil Moist to potting soil or dirt. This synthetic polymer increases the water holding capacity of the soil by 50% or more.
- Give plants a good, deep soaking before going away. Place pots in standing water and let the water soak in until the top of the soil is moist.
- Purchase watering stakes, which automatically release water from a reservoir as the soil dries. Some require the addition of a plastic or glass bottle while others come with a decorative reservoir attached. (more…)
Tags: Agriculture, Home, house, Plant, tips, WATER
Posted in Appliances, DIY, Home, WATER | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
Keeping a child’s room organised can be easy and fun. The trick is to make organisation so simple that even your child can do it!
Clothing
To encourage children to keep clothing neat, bring storage to their level. Lower the wardrobe rod to be easily reached. Ensure that drawers slide easily open but will not pull all the way out. Separate clothing by category and tape a simple drawing of that drawer’s contents to the front of each drawer.
Contain It
Place baskets or clear plastic boxes on low shelves to contain art supplies, toy cars, doll clothing and accessories, blocks, and other toys with many pieces. Keep puzzle or game pieces in zip top bags to avoid spills should the box be dropped. Use underbed storage boxes for long items such as a train set. (more…)
Tags: Child, child's room, Clothing, room for children, tips, Toy
Posted in Family, Home | No Comments »
Sunday, November 15th, 2009
Winter is a time of little activity in the garden. As the cold, short days are usually spent indoors, the garden is often neglected. There are a few basic tasks that need attention, however. To prevent damage and ensure enjoyment once warmer weather arrives, prepare your garden to survive the harsh winter weather conditions.
Clean Up
If you haven’t done so already, clean and put away all yard and garden tools. Once they are clean and dry, apply a coat of WD-40 to the metal parts of tools to help prevent rust and coat wooden handles with linseed oil. Drain hoses and wrap faucets to protect against freezing.
Attend to Plants
Thoroughly inspect all vegetation. Remove annuals that need replacement. Cut perennials to a height of 7-15 cm. Remove loose broken limbs but wait until the end of winter to actually prune shrubs and trees. Rake fallen leaves. For potted plants that will winter outdoors, bury the container, if possible. (more…)
Tags: Garden, Home, Perennial plant, Shrub, tips, Tree, WATER, winter
Posted in Garden | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Small kitchens present a special organisational challenge, as there is rarely adequate storage space for needed kitchen items. Creative use of the space that is available is the key.
Countertops
Regardless of kitchen size, the only items that should be stored atop the counter are those that are used daily. Keep frequently used utensils in a decorative holder. Purchase the smallest size countertop appliances that will meet your needs. Use canisters to house tea, sugar and other food items.
Drawers
A variety of dividers are readily available for maximising drawer space. Consider dividing deeper drawers into layers. Simply stack drawer dividers or use flat boxes with lids placed within the drawer to house less used objects with more frequently used items placed on top. (more…)
Tags: Cabinet, Cupboard, DIY, Home, home decor, Kitchen, small space, tips
Posted in Home, Kitchen | 1 Comment »
