Tag Archive | "DIY"

Clean Up (and Green Up) Your Kitchen

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Clean Up (and Green Up) Your Kitchen


Moen_Sink300It’s surprisingly easy to be green in the kitchen. Recycle your cans, eat organic and bring your own reusable totes toSmaller Faucet Image the grocery store. However, when it comes to kitchen cleaning, a lot of us still choose old-school methods to do the dirty work. With a little know-how and terrific new products, clean and green can go hand-in-hand. Take, for instance, the Lindley™ pullout faucet (on the left) or the Anabelle™ pullout faucet (on the right) in the new Mediterranean bronze finish from Moen.   Both feature a low-flow setting to conserve water for everyday tasks, such as dishwashing. But with a touch of the button, you can easily switch to a higher flow rate when you need it—like, for filling big pots of water quickly.

Other ways to green your KITCHEN routine:

Mix white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make a natural streak-free cleaner.

Mix baking soda, a little dishwashing liquid, and water for a natural, non-abrasive oven cleaner.

Skip the pre-rinse cycle on your dishwasher to save water. Instead, give plates a quick rinse with the spray stream of the pullout wand before loading.

The patented pause button is another handy way to conserve the flow of water. Instead of running the water constantly, hit pause and pull the wand out beyond the sink to perform tasks like watering plants.

Anabelle is available at Lowe’s, and Lindley is available at The Home Depot.  Visit moen.com for more product details, features and information on where to buy.

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Prioritize Home Repairs

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Prioritize Home Repairs


 

Owning a home brings a lot of pleasure – and a lot of maintenance. But with a long to-do list and a short budget, how do you know which projects should get done first?

 

There may be plenty of noticeable repair needs, such as a scratched countertop or squeaky floors, but it’s the ones that aren’t so noticeable that most often require more immediate attention.

 

Safety Issues. Keeping everyone safe is the highest priority. Make sure you have:

  • Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Secure door and window locks
  • Appropriate childproofing

Things to repair or replace immediately:

  • Damaged electrical outlets
  • Damaged stairs
  • Broken boards in porches and decks
  • Broken windows
  • Asbestos or lead

 

Water Damage. Look for cracks in the foundation and brown spots on the ceiling and water stains around windows, doors, floors and cabinets. Call a professional to survey your home right away.

 

System-Wide Problems. Electrical, plumbing and heating/cooling systems are vital to keeping your home functioning and comfortable. Leaky pipes, faulty circuit breakers, ineffective air conditioners or heaters should be repaired by professionals as soon as possible.

 

Cosmetic repairs such as patching small holes or replacing molding are aesthetic projects that do make your home nicer. But when money is an issue and you have to prioritize, make sure you do the most important repairs first.

Posted in DesignComments (1)

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