Around The Home

50 Creative Reuse Ideas For Your Home And Garden

February 27, 2012

Creative reuse“Creative Reuse” is the transformation of everyday items that would otherwise be thrown out into something useful. It’s where being “green” and the arts can converge.

In every Ranch Del Oro home, there are literally hundreds of items that be reused and repurposed, including such disparate items as chipped coffee mugs, step ladders, and bubble wrap. After transformation, for example, these three items can become a simple storage container, a plant stand, and greenhouse insulation, respectively.

Real Simple made a list of “50 All-Time Favorite New Uses For Old Things“. It’s a list of Creative Reuse projects from which you’re bound to find inspiration.

For example, the magazine suggests using an old Twister Mat as a children’s party tablecloth; or an old eyeglasses case to hold nail care essentials such as clippers, files and scissors.

Some of Real Simple’s other top ideas included :

  • Distinguish your glass from other party-goers’ glasses at a party with peel-on/peel-off window decals
  • Protect counter tops from hot dishes with and old mousepad-turned-trivet
  • Eliminate travel bulk. Carry non-prescription medicines in an old contact lens case.
  • Use Play-Doh as a candle or sparkler holder
  • Pour pancake batter into an old ketchup bottle for no-mess cooking

With Creative Reuse, you’re limited only by your imagination and, even then, Google can be a terrific project resource.

Check the Real Simple list for 50 great ideas.

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Make Your Own Organic Fruit Wash

February 21, 2012

Make your own organic fruit washHow clean are the fruits and vegetables you eat? Unless you pick your food straight from the farm, your food is likely more dirty than you think.

In addition to pesticide treatment made while food is still “on the vine”, fruits and vegetables you buy at a grocery are often coated in wax to preserve their “shelf life”; and you can never know how much dirt your food has rolled in.

Even organic foods are handled multiple times on the way to the grocery store. They may be pesticide-free, but they’re not dirt-free or free from human handling.

This is why we wash fruits and vegetables before consumption — to wash off dirt. But, there are extra precautions you can take to make sure your food is truly “clean”.

One such method is to use a make-it-yourself, organic fruit wash. The recipe is basic and simple. All you need is a large, lidded pitcher for mixing, some everyday foods, and a spray bottle.

  1. In the large pitcher, pour 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda.
  2. Add 25 drops of grapefruit seed extract. If you can’t find this at your local grocery, check with a natural food store or specialty store.
  3. Mix ingredients in the pitcher, and pour into a spray bottle

That’s it.

Then, when you’re ready to clean fruits and vegetables, use your homemade spray wash and coat the food liberally. Let the food stand for 5 minutes, then rinse the spray wash from the food in the sink.

Expect dirt to roll off fruit and vegetables surfaces and for the spray’s vinegar component to neutralize pesticides. You’ll be left with cleaner, healthier natural foods.

To make the fruit wash should take less than 5 minutes. Each batch should last one month, depending on the amount of fruits and vegetables you consume.

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5 Simple Ways To Declutter Your Home

January 30, 2012

Declutter your home to help it sell fasterWhen a home is listed for sale, its “clutter” can be the difference between a rapid sale and no sale at all.

Clutter, in its strictest sense, is defined as anything untidy; or in a disorderly state. In real estate, the term is broadened to include unnecessary furniture pieces; unwieldy artwork or collections; stacks of papers and/or magazines; and anything that otherwise restricts the open flow of a home’s floor plan.

In other words, clutter is anything that distracts from your home’s natural footprint.

As a home seller in San Marcos , understanding how your home’s clutter can affect a buyer is paramount to helping your home sell faster, and at a higher contract price.

First, there’s the psychological angle. A potential home buyer may see clutter and think “mess”. Few people want to buy a house they find messy or otherwise disorganized.

Second, there’s the practical angle. A home that appears full of “things” also appears as if its lacking in storage space. This, too, can turn off buyers.

When you list your home for sale, here are basic tips to de-clutter your home. Some of this advice may not be practical with respect to your home, in particular, so make sure to ask your real estate agent for follow-up help.

  1. In each room, remove photos, trophies, plaques and other personal items on display.
  2. Remove large collections such as dolls, cars, miniature cans, and the like.
  3. Remove worn throw rugs
  4. Remove items from kitchen countertops, including small appliances
  5. Remove items from bathroom countertops

You should also consider removing distinctive artwork from your walls, or replacing pieces with items that are more bland.

The over-reaching goal of de-cluttering is to depersonalize and neutralize your home so a buyer can visualize himself/herself living there. De-cluttering your home can also make your home appear larger, accentuating the features of each room. 

It’s no wonder that minimally-cluttered homes tend to have a wider appeal among buyers.

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How To Clean Your Microwave Without Harsh Chemicals

January 9, 2012

Clean microwaves, organicallyMicrowaves are often well-worn. Spills and splatters dot their ceilings; splattered food stuffs line their walls.

To clean your microwave, you can use the harsh chemicals on sale at supermarkets and hardware stores, or you can apply an all-natural approach which yields the same results, with only slightly more preparation time.

The extra time may be worth it, too, considering that the chemicals of an over-the-counter cleaner may seep into your foods over time.

To keep your microwave fresh and clean, using organic materials only, here’s what to do :

  1. Unplug your microwave from the wall for safety.
  2. Gather a microwave safe bowl; 1 1/4 cups of water; a lemon; baking soda; white vinegar; and cleaning cloths.
  3. Slice the lemon and place the slices into your bowl. Add the water.
  4. Heat the bowl in the microwave for 7 minutes. Leave the microwave door closed for an additional 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the bowl (CAUTION : Bowl will be hot).
  6. Remove the microwave’s glass cooking surface and wheel system. Hand wash and set aside to dry.
  7. Dip a clean cloth in the lemon water mixture.
  8. Wipe down the microwave’s exterior and interior surfaces, remoistening the cloth as required.
  9. Moisten a clean cloth with vinegar. Wipe down the microwave door’s interior surface.
  10. Replace glass and wheel system, and plug the microwave back in to the wall.

If you find lingering stains in your microwave, mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste. Dip a corner of your cleaning cloth into the paste and apply it to the stain directly, gently rubbing in a circular motion until the stain is gone.

Microwaves should be cleaned at least once weekly for optimal performance.

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How To Clean An Oriental Carpet

January 3, 2012

Clean an oriental rugIf you own oriental rugs, you’ll want to clean them at least once annually. But take special care — the process of cleaning an oriental rug is different from cleaning plain carpet.

Extreme caution is required.

To clean an Oriental rug, first vacuum the rug on both sides, then follow these cleaning instructions:

  1. Prepare a solution of cool water and gentle shampoo (i.e. shampoo without ammonia)
  2. Test the solution on tiny corner of the rug to make sure that the rug’s colors won’t bleed
  3. Using a soft brush or dense sponge, brush the rug with the shampoo solution
  4. Use only light pressure and follow the “grain” of the rug
  5. Shampoo the rug’s fringe, then comb it gently with a large comb or brush
  6. Rinse the entire rug and press out as much water as possible
  7. Lay the rug flat and leave it to dry

After several hours, test the front of the rug for moisture. When it feels dry, flip the rug over to dry its back.

Note : Do not dry an oriental rug in the sun because the sun’s rays may cause it to fade.

Once both sides of the rug are totally dry, feel the top surface. If it feels stiff, crunchy or hard, take a dry brush and make gentle strokes. A light vacuuming will also do the job.

Oriental rugs that receive proper care can become family heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next. Make sure you clean yours properly.

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How To Keep Your Dishwasher Mold and Mildew Free

December 19, 2011

How to clean a dishwasher Your dishwasher is a breeding ground for mold and mildew. It’s warm, it’s dark, and there is a bevy of decaying, organic material in the form of both food particles and soap.

Therefore, you’ll want to periodically scrub and disinfect your dishwasher so that it remains it clean and healthy, and so that your dishes stay that way, too.

Here’s how to clean your dishwasher :

  1. Remove all racks from the dishwasher. Wash with dish-washing detergent and set aside to dry. 
  2. Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts very hot water into a spray bottle.
  3. Spray the mixture on the dishwasher seal and anywhere else you see discoloration, mold or mildew.
  4. Scrub the affected areas with a non-abrasive scrub brush.
  5. Replace racks in the dishwasher.
  6. Fill a small, dishwasher-safe bowl with white vinegar and place on the top rack.
  7. Without soap, run the dishwasher at the highest temperature setting available.

Then, after performing these steps, you find that your dishwasher still has an “odor”, or if mold or mildew remnants remain, immediately pour 1 cup of baking soda on the floor of your dishwasher, and run the cycle a second time at the highest temperature setting available.

If your mold/mildew problem persists, you should check the dishwasher’s drain line. If it’s kinked, water may be unable to drain and will pool at the bottom of your dishwasher — a mold-breeding situation.

You should also check the food trap at the base of the dishwasher for too-large-to-drain pieces of food.

A good dishwasher will last years with proper care and maintenance. Keep yours mold- and mildew-free.

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How To Clean A Cutting Board

December 12, 2011

Cutting board germ-freeGerm studies show that a kitchen cutting board carries up to 200 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

This is because homeowners clean their bathrooms with fervor, while only “rinsing” down parts of their kitchens.

In failing to disinfect cutting boards (among other kitchen mainstays), homeowners in Carlsbad and everywhere else leave untouched a prime bacteria breeding ground, and may be getting sick as a result.

According to the CDC, 48 million Americans get sick from food-borne bacteria each year.

If it’s been a while since you’ve cleaned your kitchen cutting board, here are some tips on how to do it properly.

Homeowners with plastic cutting boards will have an easier go that homeowners with wooden cutting boards. If your cutting board is plastic, just place it in the dishwasher with dishwasher detergent. If your dishwasher has a “sanitize” feature, be sure to select it.

If your cutting board is made of wood, or another material that may crack and/or splinter in a dishwasher, follow these steps instead :

  1. Prepare a solution of natural dish soap and hot water.
  2. Without submerging the cutting board, scrub it with the solution.
  3. Towel dry the board and allow it to air-dry until completely dry.
  4. Apply a thin layer of undistilled white vinegar to the board surface either by spray can or paper towel.
  5. Allow the vinegar to sit for 30 minutes, then wipe clean.

For preventative care, you should also consider using separate cutting boards for meats and for fruits and vegetables. This can prevent cross-contamination. In addition, purchase a food-grade mineral oil and apply it to your wooden cutting boards regularly.

The kitchen is among the “germiest” places in your home. With extra attention, though, you can help keep it as bacteria-free as possible

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How To Install A Dimmer Switch

December 5, 2011

A Oceanside home’s lighting accounts for 15 percent of its total energy consumption, a fact that’s both costly to homeowners, and “un-green” to the environment. It’s simple to reduce those effects, however — all you need are dimmer switches.

A modern dimmer switch works by rapidly opening and closing a light circuit, providing less energy to the bulb, and consuming less energy from the source.   

In this 2-minute video, you’ll learn how to reduce your home’s standard on/off lighting switches using dimmer switches. The dimmer-switch project is a do-it-yourself project and requires only basic handyman experience. 

First, determine whether you need a 3-way dimmer switch, or a single-pole dimmer switch. If your fixture is controlled my two light switches, you’ll want a 3-way dimmer switch. Otherwise, the single-pole choice is best.

Next, just follow the directions :

  1. Cut the power to the light switch via your home’s circuit breaker
  2. Remove the existing light switch plate and pull the switch from the wall
  3. Disconnect the in-wall wires from the existing light switch plate
  4. Connect the in-wall wires to their same-color wires on the dimmer switch plate
  5. Push the wires into the wall and reconnect the power via the circuit breaker

The amount of energy that dimmer switches will save your home depends on light-types and to what degree you use the switch’s dimmer capabilities. One caveat, though — not all energy-saving light bulbs are dimmer switch-capatable.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, for example, don’t work with dimmer switches unless the bulb is specifically designed to be “dimmable”.

The rooms with highest wattage rates are typically the master bathroom and the kitchen. 

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How Much Equity Will You Build With Home Improvement Projects

November 28, 2011

Is that next home remodel worth it?

Home improvement projects are booming, expected to cross $110 billion in total volume this quarter. Unlike in recent years, however, the projects aren’t helping to create much new home equity.

According to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value Report 2011-2012, for each home improvement dollar spent in 2012, homeowners can expect to recoup just 58 cents in home equity. 

This figure is down sharply from 2005, when the cost-to-value ratio was 87 percent. 

Today’s San Marcos homeowners get a much smaller payoff on their home improvement projects. If you’re planning to remodel/update in preparation for sale, therefore, consider the following projects, each of which carries a high cost-to-value ratio.

From Remodeling Magazine’s “Mid-Range Project” list :

  • Steel Entry Door Replacement : Cost, $1,238; Recoup, 73.0%
  • Attic Bedroom : Cost, $50,184; Recoup, 72.5%
  • Minor Kitchen Remodel : Cost, $19,588; Recoup, 72.1%
  • Garage Door Replacement : Cost, $1,512; Recoup, 71.9%
  • Wood Deck Addition : Cost, $10,350; Recoup 70.1%

By contrast, other projects carry a low cost-to-value ratio, and should only be undertaken if the project’s utility exceeds its cost. These projects don’t do much to raise a home’s resale value.

  • Home Office Remodel : Cost, $27,963; Recoup, 42.9%
  • Sunroom Addition : Cost, $34,133; Recoup, 45.9%
  • Backup Power Generator : Cost, $14,760; Recoup, 47.5%
  • Bathroom Addition : Cost, $140,096512; Recoup, 51.0%
  • Fiberglass Entry Door Replacement : Cost, $3,536; Recoup 56.3%

In the “Upscale Projects” category, projects including the replacement of doors, siding and windows occupy the list’s first 6 slots in terms of cost-to-value. 

If you’re planning a home improvement project over the next few months, the timing is right — both contractor costs and material costs are low nationwide, and improving a home can extend its useful life.

See the complete Cost vs Value report online.

: Around The Home, Home Selling Tips
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Here’s How To Stay Safe Using Home Generators

November 21, 2011

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas. It kills more 400 people die in their homes each year.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is especially common during periods of power outage. This is because homeowners throughout San Marcos fire up their personal home power generators.

Home generators are a leading cause of poisoning by carbon monoxide and, in this 4-minute from NBC’s The Today Show, you’ll learn about home generators, how they operate, and the safety measures everyone homeowner should undertake.

A few basic home generator safety rules, as described in the interview, include :

  • Never modify a generator or its engine
  • Keep a 10-foot distance between the generator and your home
  • Always point the generator’s exhaust away from your home

Furthermore, make sure your home has an ample supply of carbon monoxide detectors, and that they’re operational.

One of the video’s highlights is clever illustration employing a vase of water and a dash of red dye. The demonstration shows just how few carbon monoxide particles are required to cause injury and/or death to a person in your household.

Therefore, if you own a home generator, take 4 minutes watch this video. Safety when home generators is paramount to your health.

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