Permanent Coffee Filter- Try It!

Do You Use Paper Coffee Filters?

C' Mon, don't be so 2009 :)

I use a permanent coffee filter in my coffee pot!
They are inexpensive (the one pictured is $8.88), you'll be saving money on paper coffee filters, saving trees, saving waste, and they are EASY to use.  Just put it in your coffee maker, and then when you're done, instead of throwing away the paper filter with coffee grinds- you just throw out the coffee grinds from this filter, rinse it, and it's ready for tomorrow morning when you make coffee again!

PooF... That was Easy!

ReUse Plastic Newspaper Bags

Today- a fantastic tip about recycling
and ReUsing those plastic newspaper bags
that your newspaper is delivered in every day.

I take every newspaper bag,
fold it up,
and put it in my son's lunchbox!
He uses this to put any food that he doesn't eat into,
and ties it up, and puts it back into his lunchbox.
(Our school asks that children take home any uneaten lunch so that the school dumpsters will not be filled with food and attract varmints).

What a Great Kinda-Free (you already paid for the paper, I know) Solution to supplying plastic bags for your kids' lunches!

Closet Organization Tips!

Today a tip about closet organization.

It's very important to use ALL YOUR SPACE.

2 EASY ways to do this ARE:

1. Get a 'hanging closet rod'.  This is a closet rod that you just hang from the top one and creates an extra closet rod.  The one pictured on the bottom simply hangs from the top one.  There's no installation.  You're done!

This is especially great for kids' closets since there clothes are smaller!

This is my son's closet.  The extra closet rod creates so much space!

The second tip is this-
2.  Get a 'hanging sweater bag'.  This is on the right side of the picture.  You don't have to put sweaters in here.  I keep his swimming trunks and school gym uniforms in here.  It creates extra shelves in your closet!

I got both of these wonderful closet accessories at The Container Store, you can also check Target; both stores are great for helping you get organized!

Happy Closets Make Happy HouseHolds!

Utilize Storage Space with Shelving

Hello HouseHold Tippers!

Today we're talking about using space.

A Great Way to utilize ALL your space is with shelving.
And a Great Place to do this is in your basement/garage/storage area.
The back portion of our basement is for storage, so I went to
Target, and got 'platinum' shelving,
AND LINED THE WALLS OF STORAGE AREA!
That's right, I lined the walls with storage shelving, all in 'platinum',
and got them in varying heights to accommodate as much storage space as the wall allows.

The amount of room that I created is incredible!

I then did the same thing in our washer and dryer room, down in the basement!

Sports Equipment, all tools, and all kitchen stuff that I don't use regularly (Huge pans, special glasses), fits on these shelves!

Then, in the washer and dryer room shelving I have all holiday decorations (except Christmas).  I have a 4th of July shelf, a couple of Easter shelves... you get the idea.  This makes decorating for a holiday easy- no going up in the attic!

Use Shelving- It Makes Life Easier!

Another Tip About 'Adjustable' Kitchen Gadgets

We're ending the week here at HouseHold Tips Blog
with another tip from from a Reader!

There is a lot of interest out there about 'adjustable' measuring
gadgets-
whether they be spoons, or cups... or something else.

A HouseHold Tips Reader, Tech Savvy Mama (who is Super Cool, a Great Mom and has a fantastic blog about all things Tech + Being a Mom) found another adjustable measuring  cup...

Pampered Chef has one too!

I, myself, have never been to a Pampered Chef Party, but what a great success story!  

It's a MOM business, started in 1980,

and now... a $700 million enterprise!

Not only a good HouseHold Tip today,

but also,

Some Good Inspiration Today!

Happy HouseHold Tips!

Another Grocery List Tip!

Hello HouseHold Tippers!

We continue this week with sharing Tips from more readers!

Today, another great tip about keeping grocery lists during the week!

It's from April- 'It's All About Balance' blog and she added:

"My list is on a pad with a magnet on my refrigerator. It's the perfect place for remembering to write it down without having to go hunting or create clutter. (Then I copy the list onto my BBerry in case I forget it on grocery shopping day.)"


GREAT TIP!  Thanks April!

The Third Step of Decluttering

Decluttering Week Continues Here!

Today we talk about the Third Step of Decluttering-

3.  Remember, Everything Has A Place

If it doesn't have a place, make a place for it and put it away;

If you can't find a place for it,

It Has To Go.

As I wrote in my First Post about Decluttering, Everything Must Have a Place.

Use your drawers and closets, re-organize them.

Use All Your Space.

Another Post I Did, gives a Good Example of Using Coat Closet Space.

See?  Use ALL Your Space.  Even the little space in the middle of this coat closet,

between the end of the coats and the floor,

is being used.

So there you go!

You have more room than you think!

Go DeClutter :)

The Adjustable Measuring Cup... I Found It!

  


Hey There HouseHold Tippers!


Back on March 17th, I pointed out a great measuring spoon...


It's adjustable (what a great idea)!

I got a comment from a HouseHoldTips Reader, 

Rhonda Grice of 'Upper Hand Depot' Blog,

Wishing that there was an 'Adjustable Measuring Cup'...

Well, there is.

And I found, very quickly, that there are 2 companies that make them!

Happy Measuring!

Thanks Rhonda for your comment!

Clean Your Air Ducts

Like I said before, It's that Time of Year!

Have you gotten your Air Ducts Cleaned?

It's a good idea.  Indoor Air Pollution can affect your Health!

Having dust, mold, pollen, insect remains... and just more
DUST in your air vent/duct system,
can contribute to sinusitis, allergies and asthma...

So Here's the Good News-

There are good air duct cleaning services EVERYWHERE.  Just look online or in a phone book... or better yet- Ask Your Neighbors- Like I mentioned in my 'Tip On Gutter Replacement' Post- word of mouth is always the way to go :)  It's pretty reasonable too.  And, a lot of times, you can SEE the results, literally.
Some portable systems that companies use allow you to see what they've sucked out of your vents and ducts.
I got our ducts cleaned 2 years ago and the GUNK that came out was... well... disgusting.

Think about all the dust that can collect inside your home's air duct system- 24/7...
Yeah, when you start thinking about it that way, you want to get on the phone immediately and set up an appointment to get your air ducts cleaned.

MORE GOOD NEWS-

According to the Air Duct Cleaning Professional that came and cleaned our ducts-
you don't need to do this every year,

Every 3 to 5 Years is a Good Rule to Follow!




Happy Breathing!

Replace Your Furnace Filters!

It's Spring!  Time to check your furnace air filter!
If you don't do this on a regular basis,
NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO START :)

I check my furnace filters once a month, and replace them either once a month,
or every 2 months, depending on how 'dirty' they are.

This is a simple, easy (and inexpensive) way to get 'cleaner' air circulating around your home!

To be totally honest, I usually just pick up a few furnace air filters at-a-time at my local grocery store...
for a couple of dollars a-piece;
with that said, a professional (who cleaned my home's Air Duct System) told me, in his opinion (and he wasn't selling me air filters), that you should spend a few more dollars on an air filter.  He told me you can get a great one at a hardware store for under $10.  I generally do this going into the winter months when the filters get more wear-and-tear...

You may want to experiment between the very inexpensive ones and the slightly-higher-priced ones,
and see which works best for your home...
because all homes are different: the AGE and Construction of your home will affect how much 'dirt'
you see in your filters.

Go take a look at them now!

ESPECIALLY if you have allergies!

A Great Measuring Spoon

Hello HouseHold Tippers!

Today, a quick little tip about measuring spoons-

Get an adjustable one!  I have this exact one, and it adjusts from
1 tablespoon to 1/2 teaspoon.  You just move the black, movable bar-
and presto!
Why have all those measuring spoons in your drawer?!
 
My mother-in-law got me this as a 'stocking stuffer' and I love it!

Happy Measuring!

Great 'Recycling Paper' Tip

I did a post on my mom blog, BananaBlueberry
almost a year ago about recycling printer paper...
and I'm adding it to today!

Firstly, about a decade ago, when I started freelancing, I realized that I could re-use paper… umm, yeah!

So all my paper that had something on just 1 side, 

I put in this light blue box.  I kept using it and using it, recycling and recycling.  I put it in my printer whenever I was printing stuff out just for myself- rough drafts, articles to read, lists, etc.

Do You Know How Long It Took to Go Through That Paper Recycling Box-

And Have it Empty?

IT TOOK 10 YEARS!… What a difference Recycling Makes! 

And now for the 'updated' recycling printer paper tip:

* Many Sheets of Paper get sent home in my son's backpack- about bake sales, or projects, or the school play, etc.

They all just have print on 1 side!  So I put them in my printer, even if they are colored,

if I'm printing something out- just for me- it makes no difference...

It's even a little fun to read an article or instructions on a blue or yellow piece of paper!

This saves trees AND money :)

Happy HouseHolds!

Use a Toothbrush and Toothpaste to Clean Diamonds!

Hello HouseHold Tippers!
Yesterday I promised you 'a secret tip' about
toothbrushes...
Like my post yesterday said,
recycle your old toothbrushes into cleaning supplies!
Now,
put a little toothpaste on your 'cleaning toothbrush',
and gently scrub- your diamond engagement ring or diamond wedding ring,
or diamond earrings!

Now rinse!

That's right!  Just a little toothpaste makes diamonds sparkle even more!

So if you're going out and notice your wedding ring is looking lackluster,

can't find the jewelry cleaner,

or don't have time,

just a tiny dab of toothpaste 

will bring out the shine and sparkle of your diamond!

I got this tip from a college friend when I got engaged and actually owned my first diamond!

And I've been doing it ever since!

Happy Diamonds, Darling!

Recycle Your Toothbrushes into Cleaning Supplies!

Hello HouseHold Tippers!  We are talking about cleaning this week-
so let's get right down to it!
Here's a Great Quick HouseHold Tip-
When you change your toothbrush (every 4 to 6 months),
Don't throw your old one away,

Use it as what it is: a very small CLEANSING BRUSH!

Toothbrushes are great for scrubbing a set-in stain,
as well as a great cleaning tool for hard-to-reach corners.

And they are perfect for cleaning everyday build-up between kitchen tiles!

(more on that in a few days).

So, use what you already have on hand: your toothbrush!

This is a good reminder to CHANGE your toothbrush too!

And 1 more thing:  Have your cleaning toothbrushes WHERE YOU WILL USE THEM.

Keep 1 upstairs in your linen closet,

and 1 under your sink in the kitchen;

If you keep them in convenient places- YOU WILL USE THEM!

Happy Households!

Come back tomorrow for a 'secret cleaning tip' about toothbrushes!

Window Well Covers Help Snow Removal

Another page taken from,

'What I Learned from the DC Snowpocalypse of 2010' is...

Get Window Well Covers!


Window Well Covers are permanent or temporary covers for your window wells... hence, the name.


I'm getting window well covers (temporary ones, I'll explain in a minute) for the 2 front window wells of our house, because I spent a lot of time over the past month digging and digging and digging snow out of them.

You need to get snow out of window wells because

• when the snow melts, it can cause leaks... and leaks are never good.  
• the snow can freeze and damage the screen or the window (we have to replace a screen).

PLUS, You're also saving yourself a-whole-lotta work by simply getting a sturdy, plastic, window well cover to protect your basement window- because you won't have to shovel out the snow!

If you live in a very cold place where snowfalls-of-a-foot are commonplace, you probably already have window well covers... and they are permanent.  Good for you, you need them!


For The Rest Of Us-


Here's the simplest, easiest route to take-

Get temporary, sturdy plastic window well covers that can be snapped on and snapped off, or just placed over your window well...

• You can place the covers over the window wells at the sign of the first snow, and just leave them there for the winter
• Make sure to get a rounded/dome one, not flat (we all know what happens to flat roofs when a lot of snow falls- it's the same with window wells covers)
• you can find these 'temporary window well covers' EVERYWHERE, I googled them and every major home/garden store sells them
• And they are very reasonable- they can range from just under $20 to $30 or $40.  That is a small price to pay to guarantee empty, snow-free window wells.

That last statement was an understatement.  I am almost having the feeling of, 

'I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner,

this is an easy solution,

you don't have to worry about water damage to your basement,

basement windows...'

Sorry, gotta run, I'm going out to get those window well covers now!


* I'm getting temporary ones because I don't want them permanently on the front of the house
and the basement gets a lot of light from the windows.

Tips on Shredding Documents

Now being the owner of a paper shredder,
I think it is a good investment.
You can get an 8-Sheet-at-a-time shredder
for a reasonable price.

It's nice to have in an accessible, convenient corner of your home office or work room.  Just shred bills or bank statements as you get them, but pay and read them first :)


Another alternative is a shredding service.  My local Kinkos does not offer shredding, but my local Office Depot does- at only 99 cents per pound.  Use a shredding service for big jobs.

The next alternative is getting statements and bills online.  It saves trees and frankly,  it's where commerce is going!

Remember to save your online documents and then save these- 'your records' on a back-up disk!

Have a 'Cleaning Bowl'

This Tip is pretty straight-forward,
but it's amazing how 'little tips', like this one,
make life so much easier.
And that's really what we're about here at HouseHold Tips, after all!


Have a bowl, or a stack of different size bowls that are for NOTHING,
but cleaning.
No food is ever in these bowls.
Write 'CLEANING' on them (that's what I did).

Keep them under your sink, or somewhere else very accessible.

Whenever you get some kind of stain- Get Out The Bowl,

Mix Hydrogen Peroxide and dishwashing liquid,

And soak the article of clothing,

in the bowl.

POOF!

It comes out, even BLOOD.

One of my first posts on this site was about
Hydrogen Peroxide,

and how fantastic it is as a stain remover!

So, Tip of The Day:

Have a designated 'Cleaning Bowl'; if you have it right there- you'll use it!

Easy!

Use Baby Wipes For Clean Ups Too!

Baby Wipes are a necessity in a house with babies, obviously.
But they are a good helper for any household.

I keep Pampers Baby Wipes in the bathroom for removing make-up,

and generic baby wipes in the pantry of my kitchen.  Why generic in the kitchen?

Because when it comes to baby wipes- you get what you pay for... Generic wipes are a little tougher and thicker- hence: perfect for cleaning up a countertop or wiping up a quick spill!

I know this isn't the 'greenest' practice in the world, but you can put them in with your recycling!

One Last Tip for Today:  Keep wipes (and any cleaning product) where you use it.  If you don't have space for it- make space.  If it's right there, you will use it; If it's not, it becomes inconvenient and a chore.

Always Have Firewood

Okay, I tried to upload a cute image of firewood, but I was unable to.
That is because we are in the middle of our 2nd blizzard within a week...
And I'm using my husband's computer; my laptop is broken right now,
and I'm unable, once again, to get to the Apple store.

So now, for the HouseHold Tip: even if you never use your fireplace,
like us,
Always have at least a small pile of firewood on hand,
in case the power goes out.
We learned this the hard way,
so for this 2nd blizzard:
we are equipped with
firewood,
kindling,
newspapers,
emergency lights,
and batteries.
I'll be back with more HouseHold Tips in a couple of days when things... and the weather, are back to normal :)

Use All Your Space... Coat Closets

Today we are talking about Efficiency.

One way to be efficient is to-

Use All Your Space!

Here is a great example:  you'll see in the picture to the left  that I'm using all the space in the bottom of the coat closet.

I got this little storage container from The Container Store. I put purses I frequently use on the top, my husbands' baseball caps in the middle drawer, and all gloves and hats in the bottom.  And there's a little space left over for my son's boots (to the right) and a couple of bags I use (to the left).

Now, everything has a place that is out of sight; no clutter, no baskets full of mittens- Yey!