household tips: 10 Hidden Hazards in Your Home - 09/09/10 11:40 AM
Buying a first home is an exciting time for many of us. That pride of home ownership plus the freedom of decorating however we'd like is a liberating feeling. Once you own a home, there's no more worrying about the landlord and whether you can paint that ugly pink kitchen, hang new curtains, or (gasp!) put nails in the walls.
Home ownership does come with a different set of worries, unfortunately. Unlike a rental where the landlord takes care of regular maintenance issues, keeping a house safe from hidden threats is a homeowner's responsibility. Here are just a few of the … (4 comments)

household tips: 8 DIY Projects To Add Value To Your Home By Labor Day - 08/27/10 09:02 AM
Labor Day looms large for homeowners. The end of summer signals that many of us will soon be immersed in an accelerated work schedule plus soccer practices, homework and other realities of back-to-school season. (Then there are football-filled Sundays that most cut into your handyman time in the fall.) But there's still time to tackle a few remodeling projects. And while your goal may simply be to freshen the appearance of your home, you also want to know that your hard work will increase your home's value.
Here are eight home improvements you can finish by Labor Day that will pay … (1 comments)

household tips: 6 Tips for a More Spacious Kitchen - No Matter the Size! - 08/24/10 07:08 AM
Whatever its size, any kitchen can feel more spacious and function better using these simple tips:
Paint walls and cabinets a similar color. This makes the the separation appear seamless and allows the eye to travel freely across the room. Clear out unnecessary items. Clutter can make even a large room feel tight. Choose the two small appliances you use most (toaster and espresso machine at my house!) to leave on the counter and put the rest away in cabinets or the pantry. A basket on top of the fridge can neatly contain bags of snack foods and chips. Take advantage … (2 comments)

household tips: Organized Crime? Nope, Just an Organized Office in 6 Steps! - 05/12/10 06:49 AM
Are you in your office? Stop reading for a second and take a look around. Is your desk organized, files put away, is there a generally orderly appearance? NO? I don't want to sound like your mom or anything, but maybe it's time to tidy up a bit. An organized space will not only make it feel better, it will actually help you work more effectively and efficiently. Here are a few simple ways to get on a cleaner path:
* Tame the paper tiger by storing documents online. If your documents aren't already digitized, scan them then upload to a … (2 comments)

household tips: 10 Tips to Green Your Spring Clean! - 04/13/10 09:46 AM
The 40th annual Earth Day celebration is April 22nd! It also happens to be the time to bust out the mops, rags, and cleaners and take care of a little Spring cleaning! Here are some earth- and human-friendly cleaning tips:
1. Take a Deep Breath. Use baking soda, essential oils, or even fresh cut flowers instead of chemical fresheners.
2. Go Paperless. Opt out of junk-mail lists and phone book deliveries and use paperless billing for utilities.
3. Clothes Encounters. Wash laundry in cold water and install a clothesline in your backyard, basement, or garage.
4. Water Wise. Install a low-flow … (4 comments)

household tips: Moving Countdown Part 5: Moving Day! - 02/03/10 09:29 AM
After much anticipation, it's finally arrived: moving day! Here are some tips to make this move a good one:
Strip the beds and put all bedding in a box labeled "Load Last". That way, it's the first to be unloaded and you'll have blankets for the first night in your new home! Make sure to be on hand when the movers arrive. If you're not available, authorize another adult and tell the movers who's in charge for the day. Spend plenty of time with the movers and make sure special instructions are understood. Don't be bossy or condescending - communicate well … (0 comments)

household tips: Don't Top Trees if You Think Trees are Tops! - 05/12/09 04:53 PM
You wouldn't chop your head off when all you needed was a haircut, would you?
Tree topping involves the removal of large amounts of leaves and branches from a tree's crown. Did you know this common practice actually hurts trees, creates unsafe conditions and shortens the life of the tree? Before doing any pruning consider the location of electric lines and, for safety's sake, hire a certified arborist. While prudent pruning can enhance the life and beauty of trees "topping" should be avoided for the following reasons:
It doesn't work! A topped tree grows back quickly as it attempts to replace … (1 comments)

household tips: 25 Useful (and Somewhat Odd) Household Tips - 03/23/09 07:13 AM
Helpful household tips can be used to full advantage when working on anything from menial tasks to tasks that require a little elbow grease. The following household tips will help with everything from personal hygiene to keeping infestations to a minimum. Remember, a little soap and water goes a long way!
1. Apply a top coat of shaving cream to the bathroom mirror. This practice keeps mirrors from steaming up.
2. Applying mud to a bee sting will take away the sting, as well as the stinger.
3. Use fabric sheets to pick up that unsightly dust on the TV, end … (0 comments)