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Summer speed cleaning. Traditional fun in the sun such as pool parties and backyard barbecues can result in nasty stains. These cleaning tips are from Whirlpool’s Institutes of Kitchen Science and Fabric Science:
Splattered cooktop. Spray a glass cleaner on a soft cloth or sponge to clean a range’s control panel, but not on the panel directly. Clean food spills containing acids (like vinegar or tomato) as soon as the surface cools so it won’t damage the finish.
Spill in the fridge. Wash any drawers and bins in the kitchen sink with dishwashing liquid. Wash the inside of the refrigerator, and don’t forget to wash compartments on the door.
Microwave mess. Boil a cup of water in the microwave for two to three minutes, and then wipe away any residue. Remove grease filters and turntables and wash in a dishwasher.
Greasy drips. Apply a pre-wash product, or rub liquid detergent into the stain. Wash the garment in the hottest water possible given the fabric.
Fruit-juice drip. Rinse a garment splattered with juice in cold water to dilute the stain and prevent it from setting. Soak in a mixture of detergent and water for up to 30 minutes before washing.
energy
Keep it cool. Maintain the life of your air conditioning during the coming hot months with these recommendations from Bill Cunningham, a home cooling and energy efficiency expert with Lennox.
Dirty air filters are the No. 1 preventable cause of a system breakdown.
To ensure proper operation, the system should be serviced at the beginning of each cooling season.
Keep an outside air conditioning unit free of debris. Clear weeds and plants from the condensing unit, and allow clearance on all sides so the unit can breathe.
Replace systems that are 12 to 15 years old.
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Home, where the hurt is? Staying safe should be on your home decorating to-do list. This guide for injury-proofing your home is from Self Magazine.
Staircase: Hang a bag on the banister for any stuff that would otherwise collect on the steps. And put bright bulbs in fixtures at the top and bottom of every staircase. Tripping over clutter accounts for nearly 1.5 million ER visits a year.
Bathroom: Make sure electrical appliances such as hair-dryers have a safety cutoff to shut down the current if the appliance is dropped in water. About 19,000 women were hurt when they touched a wet grooming device in 2006.
Yard and garden: Hand tools and lawn mowers injure 36,000 women a year. Keep tool handles clean, as dirt, water and oil can make them slippery. Sheba R. Wheeler, The Denver Post
