YOURHOME.CA TIPS
Home tip of the week
July 2, 2009
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Yourhome.ca
July 2, 2009
To further secure the entrances to your home, protect the hinge pins on all doors so they can’t be removed from the outside. To secure patio doors, consider installing an anti-Jimmy plate or adding safety bars and auxiliary locks.
— Courtesy Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
June 24, 2009
A decorated table can add class to even the most low-key summer bash. Consider eco-friendly and creative options, such as a striking arrangement of branches in a tall vase or small terra cotta pots of herbs at each place setting.
— Courtesy Melody Wren (Read more)
June 17, 2009
To discourage weed or grass growth in your stone patio or walkway, heat a gallon of water with a pound of salt. Stir well and pour between the stones. You can also try undiluted white vinegar or a mixture of a little borax and hot water at the beginning of the season.
— Courtesy "Haley's Hints Green Edition"
June 10, 2009
To prevent excess build-up and make your next barbecue preparation even easier, clean your barbecue after every use. Start by removing the grills and scraping away excess buildup with a grill brush, scraper or grill stone. Then spray the grills with cooking oil and apply a mixture of warm water, soap and vinegar to remove any remaining residue. Coat other cast iron parts of the barbecue in natural food oils to protect against rust.
— Courtesy the Home Depot
June 3, 2009
When storing leftover spray paint for future touch-ups, turn the can upside down and hold the nozzle until it sprays clear. This will prevent clogs and ensure it works when you bring it out next year.
— Courtesy Rhoda Williams, Rust-Oleum
May 27, 2009
To help keep your home cooler this summer, consider installing ceiling fans - which are more energy efficient than turning on the air conditioner - to maximize air circulation and move the fresh air throughout the home. Ceiling fan blades should move the air downwards in the summer and upwards in the winter.
— Courtesy Direct Energy
May 20, 2009
Wardrobes and front hall closets accumulate mildew from wet
coats and shoes — increasing the chance of mould and other
allergens that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Try placing a
charcoal briquette in each corner of your wardrobe/front hall
closet to absorb moisture from coats and shoes. Mildew won’t
stand a chance.
— Courtesy Dyson
May 13, 2009
To fill small nail holes in walls, mix flour with a little paint, matching the wall colour. With a putty
knife or a spatula, fill the holes in the same way you would when using joint compound; then
wipe off the excess.
— Courtesy Rona
May 6, 2009
Improve your fridge's efficiency by keeping the condenser coils clean. Remove the cover panel and dust using the long, narrow nozzle on your vacuum. Also, allow air to circulate around the condenser coils by leaving a space between the wall and the fridge.
— Courtesy Future Shop
April 29, 2009
Child safety outlet plugs (the plastic things you stick into outlets) are a great addition to your painting gear. Instead of using tape, or needing to trim, put the safety plugs in the outlets. Take off the outlet plate (regularly one screw) and paint right over the plug. There's no mess, it looks really nice and you only need two of them (at pennies a piece) for the whole house.
— Courtesy Troy Roark, @ILRealEstate
April 22, 2009
The best time to assess the damage of a harsh Canadian winter is in the spring. Cracks in the foundation or around windows and doors can result in extensive energy loss. In fact, stopping leaks around the house can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10 per cent.
— Courtesy the Home Depot's Canadian Green Home Guide
April 15, 2009
You can make extra space in a small bathroom by stealing it from inside the wall. With basic cutting and construction skills, you can build a niche that hides much-needed storage behind a pop-out door.
— Courtesy the Home Depot Dream Book Spring/Summer 2009
April 8, 2009
Foamy shaving cream is a good general carpet stain remover. Place a blob on the affected area, rub it in well, then rinse with clean water. Let dry and vacuum.
— Courtesy "Haley's Hints Green Edition"
April 1, 2009
Consider substituting plastic grass Easter basket filling with an eco-friendly option such as strips of fabric, shredded recycled paper, real grass, scarves, or dish towels.
— Courtesy Celebrate Green
March 25, 2009
When designing a "man cave", look for a wall unit that fits all of your stereo, TV and gaming components and also has room to spare for future purchases. Additionally, if the "cave" has windows or doors, you should plan to protect your electronics behind glass doors.
— Courtesy Monica Pedersen, HGTV's Designed to Sell
March 18, 2009
Use chrome-framed furniture to help open up a small space or lighten up for spring, as it helps give the room an airier and more delicate feel.
— Courtesy Tara Dalla-Nora, Inner Luxe
March 11, 2009
Switch the clothes-dryer off when it has finished. It consumes almost 40 per cent of the power while on standby.
— Courtesy Chelsea Green's greentweet
March 4, 2009
Take inspiration from your food. Its colour, texture and natural appeal lends itself to home decor. From paint colour to DIY art, food and cooking lend endless creative inspiration.
— Courtesy Ty Pennington's Ty Tips at the National Home Show
February 25, 2009
Use opaque materials, such as frosted glass inserts in your cupboard doors and/or open shelving, to help make your kitchen feel lighter and the space appear larger.
— Courtesy Tara Dalla-Nora, Inner Luxe
February 18, 2009
An easy and inexpensive way to restore order to the wire jungle behind your computer is to cut insulating hot water pipe wrap, available for less than a dollar at most home supply stores, into two-centimetre lengths. This creates a flexible tie to run wires through and it also retains its shape and holds wires in place.
— Courtesy Brian Verbonac
February 11, 2009
Instead of purchasing a new tablecloth in a colour matching your theme, see if you have any fabric, sheets or even towels (depending on the type of party) that could serve the purpose. Or make placemats from recycled paper, newspaper, pillow cases or even clothing.
— Courtesy Celebrate Green
February 4, 2009
Add interest and sparkle to your place setting by tying a bit of ribbon around your napkins and embellishing it with a piece of costume jewellery, such as a rhinestone earring.
— Courtesy Tara Dalla-Nora, Inner Luxe
January 28, 2009
Makeover old shoe boxes with wrapping paper, contact paper, fabric or leftover wallpaper to hold office and craft supplies, remotes and travel-size toiletries for easy, and cheap, organization.
— Courtesy ShopSmart
January 21, 2009
To help prevent burglaries, take your name off your mailbox. A thief can call 411 with your name and get your home number, then call to find out if you are home.
— Courtesy ShopSmart
January 14, 2009
Purchase plastic, size specific baskets for all your spices. This will keep them in one handy location and help save money by preventing repeat purchases.
— Courtesy Lurlene Anderson, Professional Organizer
January 7, 2009
Outlets can be like holes in the wall letting in cold air. Consider installing insulated covers to help slash your energy bill this winter.
— Courtesy David Lupberger, home improvement expert for ServiceMagic.com
December 31, 2008
When hosting a party, try draping multiple table cloths on your table. Different fabrics, like a velvet topper over a silk underlay, let you use various sizes without it looking awry.
— Courtesy celebrity party planner Marcy Blum
December 23, 2008
Paint is a cheap and easy way to revamp your home decor. Try painting an entire wall in a matte finish, then paint large stripes in a gloss finish of the same shade to create contrast and depth in the room.
— Courtesy Johanna McLellan, PARA Paints
December 17, 2008
You can turn a tired wreath into a showstopper with a little TLC. An older artificial wreath without any lighting can be sprayed with one coat of white paint, then, after it’s dry, sprayed again with one to two coats of orange-peel ceiling texture paint for a flocked look. Add painted pine cones, ribbons and bows for a modern take on a traditional look.
— Courtesy Lowe’s
December 10, 2008
Paper can’t be reused if it’s covered in sticky tape, so when gift wrapping this holiday, go for greener – and prettier – options such as ribbon, twine, raffia, wool or string.
— Courtesy "A Greener Christmas"
December 3, 2008
Taking a few minutes to reorganize your fridge will make it easier for you to find everything you need for holiday entertaining. Try creating different "zones", such as one for condiments, one for ingredients for holiday meals, one for ready-to-eat foods and one for beverages. Also be sure to make use of organizational features such as adjustable door bins, slide out shelves and can caddies to help maximize your storage space.
— Courtesy Whirlpool Canada and Catherine Marion, host of The Mom Show on Slice
November 26, 2008
Use lengths of ribbon in various thicknesses, patterns and colours to create a festive table runner. The ribbon can later be reused to wrap gifts.
— Courtesy interior decorator Lisa Canning
November 19, 2008
To save money and go green this holiday, try updating what you already have. Spray paint, glitter and ribbons can give a lift to scraped, chipped or outdated ornaments.
— Courtesy Martha Francis, Refined Home Interiors in Bradford
November 12, 2008
Space heaters must have a Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label and should be kept at least one metre away from anything combustible, including furniture, drapes, bedding and wallpaper.
— Courtesy the City of Toronto
November 5, 2008
Household gear such as computer adapters, household appliances and cell phone chargers draw energy as long as they remain plugged it, so the best way to cut down on unnecessary energy use - and save on your bills - is to unplug whatever you're not currently using.
— Courtesy the Inhabitat blog
October 29, 2008
Even natural paints can emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds). No matter what
kind of paint you are using, ventilate the room for a few days after painting,
or when using varnish, coatings or strong glues.
- Courtesy the "Greenpeace Living Guide"
October 22, 2008
Think twice, buy once!
- Courtesy Colin and Justin's "Home Heist Style Guide"
October 15, 2008
This winter, consider warming soup and hot chocolate in the microwave instead of on the stove. Microwaves use less energy than the stove and will help keep your energy bills down.
— Courtesy Dave Walton, Direct Energy
October 8, 2008
To help "green" your condo, and reap energy savings, try turning down your water heater to a reasonable temperature. Do you need near-boiling water on demand at all times?
— Courtesy Ontario Centre for Green Building Design and Development
October 1, 2008
Wear personal protective equipment, such as anti-slip footwear, when taking on DIY home renovation projects. You will be exposed to the same hazards as professional contractors, so you should protect yourself like one.
— Courtesy Mark’s Work Wearhouse
September 24, 2008
Perform a thorough clean in the fall. This way, the dust, pollen, and
dirt brought in during the summer months can be eliminated before the
house is closed up for the winter.
— Courtesy Molly Maid
September 17, 2008
Ketchup is an environmentally-friendly option to help shine your copper pots, pans and other items.
— Courtesy Brian Clark Howard, thedailygreen.com
September 10, 2008
Window air conditioners should be removed in the winter months, and the opening properly sealed, to prevent cold air from finding its way into your home. Units can also be left in the window and covered with a specially designed tarp.
— Courtesy Rona.ca
September 3, 2008
Use phosphate-free dish soap to help clean up paint spills.
— Courtesy Canada's Worst Handyman
August 28, 2008
Decorate your home with illumination in mind — lighter colours reflect light, so use them in areas you want to be bright. It will also help you save energy.
— Courtesy Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure
August 20, 2008
When planning for a party, count on four to five appetizers per guest for an early meal, six to seven for a late meal and eight to nine if no meal is planned.
— Courtesy Kraft Canada
August 13, 2008
When using paint strippers that contain methylene chloride, you should move the object you are stripping outside or to a well-ventilated area and wear goggles, gloves and a breathing mask to avoid any potential health risks, including skin irritation, nausea, headaches, sluggishness and irritability.
— Courtesy Health Canada
August 6, 2008
One cup of vinegar added to the rinse cycle can substitute as a green fabric softener.
— Courtesy the David Suzuki Foundation
July 30, 2008
Lawn watering and other summer outdoor uses can account for up to 50 per cent of home water use. As a general rule, two to three centimetres of water per week is adequate.
— Courtesy Government of Canada
July 23, 2008
Do any necessary repairs before putting your home on the market. Potential buyers may not be able to visualize what the home will look like when the work is finished.
— Courtesy CMHC
July 16, 2008
Use lazy susans in corner cabinets to maximize space and keep things organized.
— Courtesy Howstuffworks.com
July 9, 2008
Stains are generally easier to remove from paints with higher levels of sheen and tough acrylic formulas, such as 100 per cent acrylic semi-gloss or gloss paints, than ordinary latex paints.
— Courtesy Olympic paint
July 2, 2008
Use hanging brackets instead of a single nail for added support when centering hanging photos, because you may not hit a stud in the wall.
— Courtesy eHow.com
June 25, 2008
When renovating, try to think of creative ways to make a big impact without breaking the bank, such as installing an outlet in the living room floor to avoid messy looking wires.
— Courtesy Kristin Kemp, TLC's Property Ladder and Hope for Your Home
June 18, 2008
When hiring a contractor, request a list of references detailing clients with up-to-date contact information, the work done and the quote. Ask the references about the quality and timeliness of the work, whether the contractor was pleasant to work with and whether there were any surprise costs. Also, you should try to see properties where the contractor has done similar work.
— Courtesy Mike Holmes, Holmes on Homes
June 13, 2008
Choosing between dining tables with legs or a pedestal base? Pedestal tables can fit additional chairs more easily than most leg tables. However, leg tables tend to be more stable and less likely to tip if something heavy is placed near the edge. Regardless of style, avoid a tight fit when every chair is occupied, by measuring your room before buying a new table.
— Courtesy of FurnitureFind.com
June 5, 2008
Planning any home renos this spring? Ensure that your family and home are safe and your time and money invested wisely by including electrical safety in your plans. Don’t forget to consult a licensed electrical contractor about your home’s electrical requirements before you undertake your next big project.
— Courtesy of The Electrical Safety Authority
May 29, 2008
One way to keep your home mould free: Do a thorough inspection of your home from top to bottom and inside/outside. Look for damaged shingles, a warped window pane or cracked foundation mortar – spots where moisture could seep into your home.
— Courtesy of Concrobium Mold Control
May 23, 2008
When separating [laundry] loads, organize by fabric type. Washing and
drying similar fabric types together ensures even drying and reduces
the amount of time needed in the dryer.
— Courtesy of Whirlpool
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