Household Tips

Here are some great tips from Seeds of Change on how to be more environmentally conscious. (And none of these are hard to implement!)

– Reuse, renew and recycle - glass jars are perfect for storing leftovers, they are easier to clean than plastic and they make beautiful vases
– Take public transportation, walk or ride a bike - by choosing not to drive a car or take a taxi to your destination, you can significantly reduce your carbon footprint and make a big impact on the environment
– Select certified organic foods - help promote sustainable growing practices by choosing organically grown produce and food products over conventionally grown foods
– Plant an herb window garden - keeping plants indoors can help remove common environmental pollutants
– Unplug appliances - the simple act of switching off power when appliances are not in use helps save precious energy resources

recycling

So, yes, I KNOW that this really has no place on this blog, but I am so excited that I have to share. Oreos. Pizza. They have come toghether. Yes, really. Domino’s Pizza now has an OREO DESSERT PIZZA. Dear God, thank you for answering my prayers. Unfortunately, they did not deliver one to my door in a publicity stunt, so I am stuck with simply sharing the news with you. Pictures, I’m sure, will come after this weekend.

Domino’s Pizza the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, delivers two great brands in one pie with the introduction of Domino’s new OREO(R) Dessert Pizza.
Domino’s OREO(R) Dessert Pizza is a new twist on one of America’s favorites. The first nationally available dessert pizza in Domino’s nearly 47- year history, OREO(R) Dessert Pizza starts with a new dessert-style thin crust that’s layered with vanilla sauce and covered with OREO(R) cookie crumbles. When it’s fresh out of the oven, a sweet icing is drizzled on top. Beginning this week, customers can try Domino’s new OREO(R) Dessert Pizza for just $3.99 with any purchase.

Domino’s, Oreos, dessert pizza, happiness

Use dental floss to:

I’m not sure what I think of this. Yes, I grant you that the mortgage industry is a mess right now. And yes, I grant that when I hear Better BUSINESS Bureau, I immediately have warm fuzzies. But just naming your business to sound like the BBB doesn’t really work for me… Especially when the URL is a .com, not a .org…. I’ll leave it to my alert readers to decide.

A new “service” has emerged — the Better Mortgage Bureau. Here’s what they have to say about themselves:

Mortgage Experts Launch ‘Better Mortgage Bureau,’ A Free Service to Consumers Looking for Legitimate Home Loans

A Better Business Bureau-type organization has finally arrived to help the mortgage industry to regain its credibility and footing among consumers. It’s called the Better Mortgage Bureau. Its website, http://www.bettermortgagebureau.com went live this week, and it could not have come at a better time.

The Better Mortgage Bureau is an organization that provides consumers the necessary tools and education in order to make informed home-buying decisions. The BMB mission is to elevate consumer awareness through shared experiences and industry experts. The BMB was built to establish the Best Practices benchmark for the mortgage industry. The Better Mortgage Bureau
is the “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval” for the mortgage industry.

Consumers can search the repository of all BMB members to find the mortgage professional that meets their needs. For the first time, consumers can be assured that their mortgage professional is licensed, trained and will adhere to the BMB code of ethics. Mortgage brokers, loan officers and lenders who join the BMB immediately add credibility to their profession.

“We intend to shore up the mortgage industry’s battered image in America,” said Lance Cassell, the Better Mortgage Bureau’s Managing Director. “We see an industry that needs trust and reliability today as much as home builders need bricks and mortar.”

This might be the most unique contest I’ve seen yet! Any entries out there??

Garage Organization Leader Launches Contest to Help the Most Chaotic and Cramped Garages

There are 70 million garages in the United States today, but according to a recent Gladiator(R) GarageWorks consumer survey, many need organizational help. Only 40 percent of garage owners listed parking their car as the garage’s primary use, with the same percentage referring to their garage as a storage unit or junkyard. To help Americans turn around their chaotic and cramped garages, Gladiator brand has announced the first ever Chaotic & Cramped Ultimate Garage Makeover contest. This contest is aimed at turning the most chaotic and cramped garages in the nation into organized new frontiers with $10,000 in Gladiator(R) GarageWorks products.

To further illustrate chaotic garage issues, Gladiator brand has teamed up with celebrity designer, host and organization expert, Karl Champley to kick-off the contest. To enter, garage owners must visit http://www.gladiatorgw.com between August 9, 2007 and October 9, 2007, and submit a photo of their garage along with a description on why it’s deserving of a makeover. One Grand Prize winner will receive a Gladiator(R) GarageWorks Ultimate Garage Makeover worth $10,000 and five first prize winners will receive a Gladiator(R) Fold Away Work Surface valued at $249.

contests, garage

We are having one heckuva heat wave in the South — temps over 100. I’m sure those of you who are desert dwellers are rolling your eyes at that. But remember, we also have 90% plus humidity! That also means that power bills will SOAR next month. Try these tips from PSE&G to cut electricity usage:

– Turn off everything you’re not using; lights, TVs, computers, etc. Use dimmers, timers and motion detectors on indoor and outdoor lighting.

– Close blinds, shades and draperies facing the sun to keep the sun’s heat out and help fans and air conditioners cool more efficiently.

– Close doors leading to uncooled parts of your home. With central air, close off vents to unused rooms.

– Delay heat-producing tasks such as washing and drying laundry or dishes until later in the day, and wait until the load is full.

– Refrain from using nonessential appliances. Unplug or use only when necessary an extra refrigerator in your garage.

electricity, conservation

Here is a great list of tips from a conservancy group in Mono Lake, California for saving money and conserving water!

Ten ways that will save the most:
1. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back, when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. Saves 750-1,500 gallons per month. Better yet, especially in times of drought, water with a hose.

2. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.

3. Don’t run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. Saves 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that’s up to 1,200 gallons a month.

4. Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. Saves 500 to 800 gallons per month.

5. Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.

6. Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.

7. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. Saves 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that’s more than 600 gallons a month.

8. Don’t use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. Saves 400 to 600 gallons per month.

9. Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. Saves 200 to 300 gallons per month.

10. Don’t water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs–and only there. Saves 500 gallons per month.

water, conservation

Edison Electric Institute to the rescue! Their new “Get Energy Active” website at http://www.getenergyactive.org has all kinds of tips to keep the power bill down this summer.

The Web site, developed by Edison Electric Institute, contains a houseful of simple, no- and low-cost tips for using electricity more efficiently. A few examples include:

— Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when the house is occupied, and at 85 degrees when vacant (save 1 - 2 percent per degree raised on cooling costs).
— Keep the door and vents closed in unused rooms (save up to 3 percent on cooling costs).
— Wash/dry full loads of clothes and use cold water as often as possible (save 2 - 4 percent on energy costs).
— Use a microwave oven instead of a regular oven (save up to 90 percent on cooking costs).

electricity, power bill

Here’s a great selection of chid safety tips from Hunter Douglas.
— Use window guards on all windows above the first floor. Screens aren’t strong enough to stop the fall; they are meant to keep insects out, not to keep children in. Look for quick-release features for easy emergency exits.
— If it’s necessary to keep windows open for ventilation, install locks that limit the size of the opening.
— For sliding glass doors, apply bright stickers at a child’s eye level to alert him or her to the presence of glass.
— Be sure to keep all furniture and cribs away from windows.

windows, safety, children

This is something that none of us likes to think about, but just what DO you do in a disaster? Preparing your home helps to protect your family (not to mention your investment!) Read on, to learn important safety tips from the Electrical Safety Foundation.

A hurricane, tornado, flood, fire or lightning accident can occur in a blink-of-an-eye. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) urges consumers to become more knowledgeable about electrical safety during and after weather disasters by offering free tips on what you can do to protect your family from electrical dangers.

To help keep you and your family safe from electrocution and electrical fires, ESFI has created a free, downloadable Electrical Safety Precautions During Disasters brochure, available in both English and Spanish at http://www.electrical-safety.org. This booklet includes basic information to help consumers identify safety precautions before a disaster hits.

“After severe weather is gone, electrical hazards can still cause deaths and injuries,” noted Brett Brenner, ESFI president. ESFI warns consumers to beware of electrical dangers associated with downed power lines, portable electric generators and electrical wiring or appliances that have been wet. Brenner recommends that people in areas struck by such storms or disasters can help prevent loss of life and property by following some simple safety precautions.

ESFI’s Electrical Safety Precautions During Disasters brochure is available for downloading from the ESFI Library on ESFI’s website,
http://www.electrical-safety.org. Print copies can also be ordered through ESFI’s website, or call ESFI at 703-841-3329.

Electricity is a powerful tool. It can also be a lethal hazard. Better safety standards have reduced electrical hazards that cause deaths, injuries and property damage. But good safety habits are still the best prevention against electrical hazards. Visit
http://www.electrical-safety.org for more information on electrical hazards and precautions.

Founded in 1994 through a joint effort between Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is North America’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home and workplace.

For additional electrical safety information, visit the Foundation’s Web site at http://www.electrical-safety.org or call 703-841-3229.

preparedness, electricity, safety

Ok, of course adding salt to your lawn fertilizer would be a bad idea. But if you haven’t fertilized your lawn this summer, it’s probably time. Over-fertilizing can be as bad as (or worse than!) not fertilizing at all. If you’re like me, with a postage-stamp sized lawn, try a salt shaker. Yes, really. Grab an old (empty) salt shaker, and use it to properly fertilize small areas of lawn or flower beds.

lawn, grass, fertilizers

You know, it’s easy on the student. I know I was totally clueless about what it would actually be like living away from home. My two goals? A good stereo and a personal fridge. Oh, and a coffee maker. That was it for me! Luckily, my mother was a bit more practical! For those of you moving into dorm or moving kids into dorms, check out these helpful hints from Lowe’s. With a $150 budget, you can do pretty well!

As college-bound students face the daunting task of turning a 230-square-foot space into an all-in-one bedroom, kitchen and living area, here are a few easy decorating ideas that can appeal to any budget. For less than $150, students can transform an entire dorm, complement any roommate’s style, and ease the tension when packing up at year’s end.

Students shouldn’t forget functional items such as a small box of basic tools, tape, and extension cords that will
come in handy during the school year. Here are a few simple ideas to jump start the transformation to dream
dorm room.

Get on Board
Bulletin boards and white boards are crucial to keeping track of party invitations, ticket stubs, notes from family and to-do lists.
— Keep notes in style when creating a new bulletin board. Buy four packages of natural cork and attach them to a piece of plywood (Item #12206, $5.88) with foam mounting squares. Consider painting the plywood and cork in your school colors or bedroom theme.
— White boards can function as message centers for roommates or quick artwork. White tile boards are available in the Lowe’s lumber department where a store employee can cut the boards into custom sizes.

Lights On
Since most dorms come equipped with only one large overhead light, give your study space some comfortable lighting. Consider hanging string lights such as the Square Nylon Lantern String Lights (#18082, $10.98) from your ceiling. These lights create a relaxing atmosphere, without taking up valued floor or furniture space.
— Put a twist on the traditional study lamp. Choose a lamp with a textured shade that has a lot of color such as the Portfolio(TM) Pink Coin Table lamp (Item #237110, $23.98).

Relax on a Rug
For those late night study groups, having a comfortable rug is essential. Many dorm rooms and apartments lack adequate seating, so friends are forced to retreat to the floor. Pick a rug that complements both roommates’ styles but will still hide dirt. Consider choosing from the Broadloom Assorted Rugs collection (Item #264529, $21.98). Many rugs can be found for less than $40, so if it gets too dirty, you can throw it away at year’s end.

Make your walls POP
Posters are a dorm room tradition, but consider a new way to dress up your walls with Wall-Pops(R) (five for $9.96). These stick-on wall decals come in a variety of colors and shapes and are repositionable, reusable and removable. They allow you to redecorate as often as you like without leaving any paint damage.
— Cover up drab, marked walls with Wall-Pops(R) by layering stripes throughout the room. Vertical stripes on an accent wall can make any room appear taller and gives the illusion of more open space.

Curtain Call
Standard dorm blinds get high marks for privacy, but they might not rank so high in the style department. You can decorate any window or closet with a shower curtain for around $30. Buy a tension rod and matching shower curtains to cover any jumbled clothing or boring blinds.

Create Great Storage
Any storage unit bought for a dorm can be carried into fraternity or sorority housing, apartment living, and even a future home. It’s key to invest in good-quality durable bins and stackable units that will last for years, even after tastes change.
— Choose flat bins with wheels for under-the-bed storage such as the Rubbermaid Wheeled Underbed Storage Box (Item #110001, $14.97). The wheels provide versatility and make items such as school supplies or snacks easily accessible.
— A three-drawer chest of drawers on wheels (Item #72317, $14.97) makes a great bedside table, keeps organization simple and can hold an alarm clock, lamp or textbook.

In the last couple of years, we’ve all become increasingly aware of chemicals. Pesticides. Abrasives. Cleansers. Stuff. Added to other stuff that we think is safe. Some have responded by cleaning their homes with only vinegar and water. (I like vinegar. I just don’t like using tons of elbow grease!) So, how much chemical is too much? Well, according to the SDA, that’s the Soap and Detergent Association, science and research suggest that we can safely use modern cleaning products. They urge us to use “common sense.” (Wow! There’s a term you don’t hear much these days. I’ll leave the value judgment to you. Part of me is convinced. The other part will continue using lots of clear, plain, white vinegar.

Whether it’s the kitchen counter, the school cafeteria or the operating room, proper use of cleaning products serves a critical role in preventing the spread of infectious disease and in ensuring good health.

This fact won’t change, despite a recent report (based in part on outdated databases) that maligns ingredients commonly found in cleaning products — ingredients that help enable the product to be effective, according to The Soap and Detergent Association. Since 1926, SDA has served as the home of the U.S. cleaning products industry, representing product
manufacturers and ingredient suppliers.

“We encourage consumers to use common sense when they use cleaning products and when they hear alarmist rhetoric about product safety,” said Nancy Bock, SDA Vice President of Education.

“Responsible manufacturers ensure their products go through comprehensive, extensive risk assessments, and also review scientific developments and monitor product use data that may affect the safety assessment process. An incredible amount of research and development goes on before these products ever hit the shelves, not to mention that the products must meet certain federal and state quality and safety regulations,” said Bock.

“These products are used safely and effectively in homes, schools, businesses and healthcare settings by millions of people every single day, yielding improvements in both hygiene and overall quality of life.

“Cleaning products play an essential role in our daily lives,” added Bock. “By removing soils, germs and other contaminants, they help us to stay healthy, care for our homes and belongings, and make our surroundings more pleasant.”

CleaningProductFacts.com
SDA’s new micro website, http://www.CleaningProductFacts.com, offers consumers quick, useful, fact-based information on the human health and environmental safety of cleaning products.

Use As Directed
Bock noted that three words can go a long way to preventing any real-world problems from ever happening when using cleaning products: Use As Directed.

Read the label carefully. Use the product properly. Store the product securely.

“These simple steps go a long way toward ensuring that the product is used safely as you clean your home every day,” said Bock.

Cleaning to Control Asthma and Allergy Triggers
Bock added that proper cleaning products and practices play an important role in reducing the triggers that lead to asthma and allergy suffering.

“Using cleaning products as directed is a powerful ally in eliminating or reducing the triggers that lead to asthma suffering, including dust and dust mites, animal dander, insect droppings, and mold and mildew.”

SDA makes available — at no cost — online educational materials on how cleaning is an effective and inexpensive way to combat asthma and allergies. Visit SDA’s Asthma Information Page at http://www.cleaning101.com/asthma to view our online materials.

The Soap and Detergent Association (http://www.cleaning101.com), the Home of the U.S. Cleaning Product and Oleochemical Industries(SM), is the non- profit trade association representing manufacturers of household, industrial, and institutional cleaning products, their ingredients and finished packaging; oleochemical producers; and chemical distributors to the cleaning product industry. SDA members produce more than 90 percent of the cleaning products marketed in the U.S. The SDA is located at 1500 K
Street, NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20005.

Today’s tip: Turn down your hot water heater. It should not be 140 degrees!

A new product hit the market — a shower head designed to prevent scalding. My thought? Why do I need a $35 shower head for this? Why can’t I just turn down my hot water heater? OH! We’ve already done that!

Food for thought. Buy and install new product or set the temp at a sensible number?

hot water heater

This really is sad. According to half of Americans, their cublicle is smaller than their home bathroom. Wow.

Mountains of unfiled paperwork. To-do lists from six months ago and Post-it(R) Notes that have lost their
stick. Do you ever wonder if there is any room left for you?

According to a recent national survey sponsored by Fellowes Inc., an office supply company, Americans are feeling more cramped at work than ever before. Nearly 50 percent of full and part-time working adults that work in an office cubicle indicate that their bathroom is larger than their cubicle, and nearly a quarter say their closet (23 percent) or kitchen
pantry (23 percent) is bigger.

On top of that, the average office space per person continues to decrease, dropping from 410 square feet per employee in 1997 to 355 square feet in 2001(1), making it increasingly difficult to stay organized. One in five survey respondents say their office cubicle makes them less organized. And messy cubicles affect more than the 59 percent of Americans who work in
a cubicle (2). In fact, the average desk worker has thirty-six hours of work on his or her desk and spends three hours per week sorting piles trying to find the project to work on next(3).

While many people want to personalize their work area, limited spaces makes it a challenge. More than half of survey respondents say they would have to sacrifice personal items such as books, family photos and trinkets to make more room for work-related items.

cubicle, bathroom