You are here: Home / Archives for Home and Garden

Portals To Safety And Savings

August 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

f_11310577422_house6069.jpgSavvy homeowners are discovering they can open their home to safety and a wealth of other benefits with the help of impact-resistant windows and doors.

The same technology that helps protect a home from a hurricane can also help prevent a burglar from breaking in, significantly reduce outdoor noise, block 99 percent of UV rays and cut energy costs.

The laminated glass in impact-resistant windows and doors is incredibly difficult to penetrate, deterring smash-and-grab break-ins. The products aren’t guaranteed to stop a burglar but they can be a key part of a multi-tiered security strategy recommended by experts.

“Customers tell us they value all of the added benefits, but the security aspect is especially important,” said Cara Klein of PGT

Filed Under: Home and Garden Tagged With:

Cleaning Carpet Stains – Harmless And Simple!

August 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment

f_01310577243_homefountain2.jpgDid you know that quite a few of the common household cleaning agents you would normally reach for to clean a carpet stain will actually damage your carpet forever?

Did you know that clear liquid detergents are better for carpet stain removing than opaque ones?

How about this: When blotting to clean a carpet stain, should you work outward or inward?

Check out the tips for cleaning carpet stains below. You’ll be surprised how enlightening they are, and how much sense they make.

TIPS FOR CLEANING CARPET STAINS:

1) Keep the right carpet stain cleaning supplies handy in a place all their own.
Collect the following items:

A clear, see-through liquid detergent (non-transparent liquid detergents can leave a residue that attracts yet more dirt).

At least one spot remover that cuts grease, such as Energine.

Ammonia, mixed one tablespoon to one cup of water (not to be used on wool).

Non-oily polish remover.

One part white vinegar mixed with one part water.

Club soda.

White paper towels or cloths.

2) The correct way to clean carpet stains is to first collect as much of the offending spill as possible, then blot inward (blotting outward can make the stain bigger). After that, use one of the items you have gathered together specifically for cleaning carpet stains. A lot of other common cleaning products contain chemicals that can damage the rug. Rinse well with the least amount of water necessary, and then pack the stained area with white paper towels or white cloths. Weigh the area down and leave it for 24 hours.

3) You can help extend the life of your carpets by using the following preventative tips:

Use a good carpet pad. Put “walk-off matting” at all entryways, and keep them clean. Set up a system for cleaning carpets of dirt and stains regularly, and stick to it!

And remember, when it comes to cleaning carpet stains, it’s like being a paramedic… the carpet you save may be your own!

Filed Under: Home and Garden Tagged With:

Solar Energy Is Hot!

August 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment

f_21310577725_2.jpgNo doubt you’ve heard plenty about solar power but always thought it was too expensive, aside from minor uses in the now popular garden lighting systems. However, with fuel prices climbing and solar cells becoming more reasonable, adding solar power to your home is a great, long term solution to high energy bills.

That isn’t to say they’re cheap. Before rebates, it typically takes 12 or more years for a homeowner to make their investment in solar panels back. That’s much longer than the average person is willing to wait. However, many states now offer rebates, so the final cost to the homeowner is much less than it use to be. The rebates vary from state to state, so it’s impossible to say how much of an impact they have overall. There may also be federal incentives.

Solar panels are also steadily becoming more efficient. They produce more energy than they used to. They require relatively little maintenance, many of which you may be able to do yourself. This helps to make them very cost effective.

Solar energy isn’t just for making electricity. You can use it heat the water for your swimming pool or heat your home. There are many options available for those who are interesting in building an energy efficient home without sacrificing comfort.

Solar power is much, much cheaper than it used to be, as prices have fallen by 90% since the 1970s. That doesn’t make it cheap – yet! – to install enough photovoltaic cells to power a house, but in some areas the incentives given to install solar cells cuts the overall cost to the homeowner about in half.

To decide if solar energy is right for you, take some basic figures into consideration.

Filed Under: Home and Garden Tagged With: , , ,