Monthly Archives: September 2011

How to Cool Your Home on a Budget

Posted by admin on September 30, 2011 Comments Off

First of all, make certain your windows are well insulated.  It may be a good idea to pick up some weather stripping or caulk to seal any cracks around the windows.

Next, install ceiling fans in multiple rooms of your home wherever possible.  You can reduce the cost of energy by using ceiling fans instead of an air conditioner on days that are not as hot.  In the evenings, open the windows to allow the ceiling fan to circulate breezes throughout your home.

Make certain your air conditioner is clean.  Mark your calendar to check filters to see if they need cleaned or replaced on a monthly basis.  On exits, make certain there is no debris, plants or shrubs too close to the unit.  It is also a good idea to clean the air conditioning unit thoroughly at the begin and the end of summer.  This can be done by simply removing the cover and spraying the unit with a water house.

Check your attic to see if there are roof vents for the hot air to escape.  Some older homes were built without these vents, which can cause the heat to be captured in your home.  You might also consider adding attic fans or fans in rooms with a lot of heat to pull the hot air out of the home.

Avoid using heat producting appliances during the day.  If you use an electric or gas dryer to launder your clothes or if you do a lot of baking, try doing this as late in the evening as possible.  This will keep the home cooler during the day. 

And finally, if your home is in an area lacking shade, keep blinds closed.  You may also consider purchasing awnings or even planting a tree to add more shade to the sunny side of your home.

Minimize Cleaning With Garage Floor Protector Mats

Posted by admin on September 29, 2011 Comments Off

If you park your vehicles in your garage, do light maintenance like oil or transmission fluid changes to vehicles or equipment, or store lawn equipment that might leak, then you might want to consider garage floor protector mats to keep the floor spotless.

With garage floor protector mats, there are no worries about harsh chemicals, like oil, antifreeze, transmission fluid, grease, or gas spilling onto your garage floor and permanently staining it. The mats absorb gallons of any type of liquid spills and contain them. The liquid then evaporates into the air, so the mats are always ready to absorb spills any time they occur.

There are a multitude of benefits in using garage floor protector mats. They keep the floor clean from any type of spill, they require no installation and they need very little maintenance. Just place them on the floor and in areas where spills or leaks are likely and occasionally vacuum any dust or debris when they are dry.

More importantly, the mats are friendly to the environment because they prevent harmful liquids from entering the sewer or storm system.

When you consider the large investment you put into buying your home, it makes sense to use garage floor protector mats. They will ensure your home’s value, especially when it comes time to selling it. A stained garage floor could lower the value of your home considerably, so it best to protect your flooring now.

With garage floor protector mats, you save money because there is no need to buy multiple kinds of cleaners and degreasers to get out tough stains, like oil, grease and rust. There’s also no need to spend your valuable time scrubbing and cleaning to get out the stains.

What’s more, the mats are built to last for many years. Taking preventive steps by using absorbent mats is cost effective and a time saver.

In order to do the job effectively, garage floor protector mats have to be built strong in order to contain gallons of liquid at one time. The best ones are made with super absorbent polypropylene on the top and tough durable vinyl on the bottom. The construction is important so they don’t curl, crack, or buckle. Be sure to only buy mats that have a non-penetrable, skid resistant backing.

Garage floor protector mats have many uses beyond being placed under your vehicles to protect the floor from leaks. They can be placed under lawn mowers and grills to catch drips. Use them under anything that can leak, such as paint cans, golf carts, motorcycles, leaf blowers, snow blowers, or anything that is a liquid or uses a liquid in its operation. You can also use them to absorb water tracked in from your car, or that comes in from an improperly sealed garage door or window.

Garage floor protector mats come in various sizes to meet all types of needs and spaces. For smaller or larger areas, mats can be purchased in rolls and easily cut to size using a scissor or razor knife. They can also be custom-fitted.

Do’s and Dont’s for Dry skin prevention

Posted by admin on September 29, 2011 Comments Off

But if you make some important changes in your daily routine that will really help to make a big difference to the health of your skin. Here are most simple and practical techniques which will make your skin look beautiful and nourished. Read on to get rid of that dry skin which is bothering you from ages as now is the time to say bye to your dry skin.

CAUSES OF DRY SKIN

Less supply of oil by the oil glands to the skin results in dryness. Sometimes various skin problems like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis also lead to dry skin. The most common reasons for dry skin are the environmental factors like less humidity and extreme cold. Use of excessive make up and a lot of sun exposure also gives dryness to the skin. Pollution and use of harsh soaps are also regarded as common causes of dryness. But most of all it occurs specially during winter time when the humidity is very less.

DO’S FOR DRY SKIN PREVENTION

1. DRINK WATER – Drink plenty of water to keep your skin well hydrated to prevent dry skin. Dry and De-hydrated skin leads to aging so simply carry water bottle with you at all times if you want to stay young and beautiful. Ideally you should drink eight glasses of water in a day.

2. MOISTURIZE REGULARLY – Always apply moisturizers right after bathing to nourish your skin immediately. Try to eat a balanced and healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.

3. USE SUN SCREEN – Always use sun screen before getting out in the sun and take care that SPF level of your sunscreen is over 30. Minimize your exposure to the wind and cold to prevent dry skin.

4. EXFOLIATE – Exfoliate on regular basis by using natural scrubs, but avoid using scrubs with grainy bits as they tend to be very severe on dry skin.

5. HUMIDIFIER – Use humidifier at home or specially in the bedroom as it helps a lot to get back the moisture in the air.

6. OIL – Add oil to your baths to sooth your dry skins regularly, as the oil help the dry skin to retain the moisture easily.

7. SOFT FABRICS – Always wear soft fabrics that won’t scratch or irritate the dry skin and try wearing loose-fitting cotton clothing instead of tight, non-breathable fabrics.

DONT’S FOR DRY SKIN PREVENTION

1. NO CAFFEINE – Avoid alcohol and caffeine as far as possible as they help the body and skin cells to lose fluids and essential minerals which results in dryness.

2. NO RUBBING – Do not wipe badly with the towel but lightly pat dry and never rub your skin while drying. Always remember pat dry, don’t rub dry.

3. NO ALKALINE SOAPS – Do not use highly alkaline soaps or chemical soaps, but go for very mild soaps or use soaps which contain extra oils and fats.

4. NO LONG SHOWERS Hot water strips the moisture and oils out of your skin, leaving it parched, dry and scaly.Do not take shower in very hot water as it is the simplest way to reduce dryness and avoid long showers; don’t take numerous baths or showers every day as it leads to skin dryness.

5. NO SUN – Don’t expose your skin for long in the sun, as the sun rays harm your skin to a great extent, causing wrinkles and dry skin. Simply limit your sunbaths.

6. NO SMOKING – Avoid smoking completely to prevent dry skin.

7. NO SCRATCHING – Do not scratch your dry and itchy skin as it will only make your skin condition worse but instead try to keep it hydrated and moisturized at all times. Do not leave your house without applying moisturizers.

Take care of your diet, exercise regularly and sleep well. Follow these Do’s and Don’ts religiously with positive attitude and get rid of your dry skin forever.

Cheap Home Decor – 3 Rooms to Add Creativity and

Posted by admin on September 29, 2011 Comments Off

Everyone knows that decorating can become expensive if you have a lot to do. With a little bit of creativity, and an eye out for deals, you can make a splash by decorating with cheap home decor. Here are a few ideas you can use around you home to add a little more sparkle and pizazz to what may be a tad dreary or boring. Cheap home decorating ideas are something the whole family can be involved in.

Children love to change the room and designs as they grow. If you have a little one who has outgrown his baby room and you would like to change it up a little with no real expense, then you can try some of these tips. Use kids wall murals.Go to the dollar store and grab a bucket of the rubber foam craft characters they have for sale. Glue a creature on to a block of wood and dip it in paint. You can then place these little critters all over the walls, on doors, on dresser drawers, or a toy box. Let your children help and they will feel a little pride in having helped you with their room. You can even take this idea one step further and use the home made stencils on white curtains, plain pillowcases, or anything else you think could use a little spunk.

Looking for a way to spruce up that table for company? Tired of your old worn out place mats? You can create your own place mats, quickly and affordably with lamination sheets. You could create place mats out of old pictures your kids drew to hang on the fridge, you could use flowers, leaves and nature items that can be flattened and then photocopied for laminating. You could make a theme such as Valentines with old keepsake cards from the kids or your spouse. You should be able to go to your local copy shop or business depot and have them help you with the lamination machine.

]]>

While bathrooms an be very similar in style and fixtures, adding accessories can make a total unique look and feel for each one. Depending on your budget, you can still find decorating with cheap home decor ideas to turn your bathroom from drab to fab. You would be surprised at how much difference changing the tiles in your room can be. You can a square tile at Home Depot or you can spend for laminate tiles that look almost the same from a dollar store or liquidators. You could use those home made foam stencils to paint seashells, stars, fish, dolphin, or flowers on your mirror frame, shower tiles,toilet seat cover, your plain light fixtures, or just a border a long the wall.

Decorating with cheap home decor does not have to leave your home looking poor or plain. With a little creativity, you can have your home looking like it should be in a magazine. Imagine the surprise and delight people will experience when they take in your wonderfully decorated home and find out that you did most of your decorating for under a project.

Gail J Richardson of Dime Decorating would like for you to visit and explore all of the cheap home decorating ideas and the cheap home decor.Using a Kids Murals is a great start Once you get there please let me know where to send your FREE eBook on Budget decorating. Remember:
Gail J Richardson
http://www.dimedecorating.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Richardson