Nov
5
6 easy holiday decor ideas to impress your guests
November 5, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Whether you’re planning an extravagant party or simply hosting a few family members, the stress of the holiday season can easily become overwhelming. With your busy schedule and full to-do list, the key to successful entertaining is to ke…
Nov
3
Everything including the kitchen sink: 5 high-impact renovation projects for DIYers
November 3, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Do-it-yourselfers are generally a “can-do” bunch, willing to tackle just about any home-renovation project — except perhaps installing a new kitchen sink. But with the right innovative product and a little self-confidence, it’s poss…
Nov
2
Freshen your home room by room with this simple ingredient
November 2, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – With the holiday season in full swing and family and friends visiting from places near and far, you’ll have a checklist full of things to do. Don’t forget to freshen up your house before guests arrive and keep it simple with one ingredient you might already have in your pantry.
Baking soda helps easily freshen and clean nearly every room in your home. From carpets and upholstery to kitchen sinks or shower curtains, baking soda can rejuvenate your space without draining your wallet.
Room by room, here are some of the many ways that baking soda can freshen your home this holiday season:
In the kitchen:
* Clean your food prep area and tools with natural, food safe ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda instead of harsh cleaners. Sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge or cloth and then clean, rinse and dry the area. This is great for counters, stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, microwaves, ovens, and range hoods.
* What goes down sometimes comes back up. To deodorize your drains and garbage disposal and keep lingering odors from resurfacing, pour baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water.
* Be sure to keep an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator to help everything taste fresh. Change the box once a month for optimal freshness.
In the living room:
* Freshen up sofas and chairs by sprinkling ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda on upholstery. Wait 15 minutes before vacuuming the surface. You can also use this trick to deodorize your carpets.
* Don’t let your pets play fetch with chemicals. Clean plastic and rubber pet toys safely by washing in a solution of baking soda and warm water. Scatter baking soda on dry pet beds or furry toys and wait 15 minutes before vacuuming the unpleasant smells away.
In the dining room:
* Clean and deodorize spills on carpets by soaking up as much of the spill as possible. Clean the stain according to the carpet manufacturer’s directions and allow it to dry. Then, sprinkle on some baking soda and let it sit before vacuuming it away.
* Baking soda can polish silver in no time. Before your guests arrive for dinner, make a natural cleaning paste with three parts ARM & HAMMER Baking Soda, and one part water. Gently rub the solution onto the silver with a clean cloth or sponge. Rinse and dry for shining flatware.
In the bathroom:
* Remove the dirt and grime from bathroom tiles and no-wax floors with this easy solution. Mix 1/2-cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water, then mop and rinse for a clean, sparkling floor.
* Clean and deodorize your vinyl shower curtain by sprinkling baking soda on a damp sponge or brush. Scrub the curtain, rinse and hang it up to dry.
* Keep fresh towels on hand for guests. To get them at their cleanest, add one cup of baking soda to your laundry to make liquid detergent work harder. A better balance of pH in the wash will get clothes cleaner, fresher and brighter.
Oct
30
5 DIY steps to help you stay warm and save money this winter
October 30, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – With the dead of winter fast approaching, it’s never too soon (or late) to prepare your home for the cold months ahead. With the goal of keeping cold air out and warm air in, make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your family warm and your heating bills low.
Proper insulating and air sealing can help lower your energy bills by up to 30 percent, according to the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET). Additionally, the average U.S. home has a half mile of gaps and cracks spread throughout, according to energystar.gov. If you’re seeing spiders, dust, cobwebs and feeling drafts or uneven room temperatures, your home likely has gaps and poor insulation. Here are five DIY air sealing steps to help keep your home comfortable during the frigid weather using insulating foam sealant:
1. Scope out the problem areas
Start by checking around doors and windows that lead outside or to the garage. Gaps around water and waste pipes often lead to exterior walls which can let in a lot of air. Don’t forget to look around in your basement and attic where you may find gaping joists, holes in wood or cracked blocks.
2. Take safety precautions
Before starting any DIY project, be sure to take the necessary safety precautions. Begin by reading and understanding all of the instructions on the foam sealant can for proper use and handling. Sealant is sticky and will adhere to your skin, so cover all skin. At a minimum, you’ll need both gloves and long sleeves to cover your hands and arms, along with a pair of safety glasses. Protect the floor and surrounding area by laying down a ground cover and make certain the room has proper ventilation with no sparks or flames nearby.
3. Start with windows and doors
To seal the openings around windows and doors and their rough openings, find an entry point for the nozzle to spray the foam sealant, such as Great Stuff(tm) Window & Door Insulating Foam Sealant. Fill the cracks only about half way, because the foam will expand the rest of the way. Not only does this block out cold air, but it’ll help keep those unwanted bugs and spiders out of your home.
4. Move on to cracks in the foundation
Cracks in your home’s foundation tend to develop over time. It’s important to take action when you find them, to help prevent major damage down the road. Apply a water-resistant, air-tight sealant to any cracks you find in your basement or attic. Shake the sealant can and turn it upside down to begin filling. If you spray too much, wait for the sealant to cure, and after about eight hours when it is fully cured, level it with a serrated knife.
5. Seal off pipe penetrations
Pipes that penetrate floors and walls in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room are prime areas for air flow and pests to sneak through. As a result, the space that surrounds the pipes should not be left wide open. Using a can of foam sealant, point the straw into the opening around the pipe and start sealing. Do not force foam into spaces or voids behind walls.
6. Safely store and dispose of cans
Most one-component insulating foam sealant cans are for one-time use so before you start, make sure you identify all the areas around your home that you can seal. Also be sure to follow all of the instructions on the product label for both storage and disposal. Disposal regulations for these types of products may differ from one location to the next. Because a sealant is pressurized it must be stored upright and at room temperature.
Follow these steps to help keep your home warm and cozy this winter. For more information and tips on winterizing your home visit: www.dowgreatstuff.com/winterize.
Oct
26
Put your home on autopilot to save money, time and energy
October 26, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – Every homeowner can remember a time when they wondered, “Did I lock the front door this morning?” Or, “Did I leave a light on?” Others can attest to that feeling of dread knowing their air conditioner is running full blast while they’re away on…
Oct
22
Renovating to age in place? Focus efforts and budgets on bathrooms and kitchens, experts say
October 22, 2015 | Leave a Comment
(BPT) – No one relishes the prospect of having to move out of his or her home due to age-related health, mobility or dexterity issues. In fact, more than half of homeowners 60 and older say they intend to stay in their current homes indefinitely, accor…