It's Not Just Water Under the Bridge

Americans want better drinking water -- and are doing something about it

Did you know nearly 90 percent of Americans have a serious drinking problem? The problem? Significant concern about the quality and taste of their drinking water.

That's according to the results of a new 2001 National Consumer Water Quality Survey which analyzed respondents' perceptions about their household water supply and other home water quality issues.

This study, conducted and released in May 2001 by the Water Quality Association, found that nearly nine out of 10 American consumers have serious, overall concerns about their drinking water. In particular this included:

Two-thirds have aesthetic problems with their water: its smell or taste, hardness or appearance

More than half are concerned about possible health contaminants

Almost half are worried about sediments in their water

In addition, nearly half of all respondents (49 percent) believe federal drinking water laws should be stricter, and one in every three Americans (32 percent) believes household drinking water isn't as safe as it should be.

The study also noted a significant increase in both the uses of bottled water and home water treatment devices (the latter now up to 41 percent compared to 38 percent in 1999, and up from 32 percent in 1997). Respondents said they purchased and used filtration devices because they not only wanted to improve the taste of their tap water, but also because they believed it was safer.

"Water, Water Everywhere, Nor Any Drop to Drink"

The above cry was from a thirsty sailor at sea made famous in S.T. Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," and that cry now echoes the feelings in close to half of America's homes, as evidenced by their purchase of some type of water filtering device. That number doesn't even include all the consumers who purchase bottled water, which is now close to being a $5.2 billion-a-year industry, according to the New York-based consulting group, Beverage Marketing Corp. However, home water treatment systems are gaining in popularity because of not only the high cost of bottled water, but also the ongoing maintenance of purchasing and transporting large bottles or heavy cases of the wet stuff.

This is why today's consumer has so many options to get better tasting and healthier water, thanks to a vast number of home water filtration devices now available. These come in varying degrees of style, convenience, filtration features, prices, and have different features and levels of necessary maintenance.

All are good for improving water taste and decreasing odors, with some also designed to filter out lead, chemicals and potential health risks like bacteria. Before purchasing a unit, check with your community's local water utility or have your water quality checked. Then you can look into a water treatment system that will meet your filtration, budget and lifestyle needs.

Some of the more popular options, and their 'pros' and 'cons' include:

Water pitchers or carafes: These allow you to directly pour water into them, then wait while the water runs through a filter.

Pros: This is the largest portion of water filtering category, because pitchers are cost effective (they start at under $20), and require little maintenance and no installation. Brita, Culligan and Teledyne are some of the more popular models and all provide varying shapes and sizes of pitchers as well as different levels of filtration.

Cons: Pitchers can take up considerable room on the countertop and in the refrigerator. Plus, there's often a lot of neglect refilling them (like the, "Hey, who didn't fill the water pitcher?" factor). It can take more than 7-10 minutes to filter just one or two gallons.

At-The-Tap systems: These models are faucet attachments that convert tap water directly into filtered water.

Pros: Also cost-efficient, tap attachments are usually available from $30 -- $100, and now, too, offer different levels of filtering. They provide filtered water with just a knob turn, and are fairly easy to install. PUR, GE and Culligan are among market leaders.

Cons: Perceived as big and clunky, faucet attachments tend to stick out, and usually do not mesh with most kitchen decor. They also provide a very slow flow rate, often under a half-gallon per minute.

Filtering faucet systems: One of the most recent introductions, these are single-unit faucets with filters directly built in the faucet.

Pros: These systems provide significant convenience -- Moen's PureTouch system, for example, filters cold water directly through a separate port and provides filtered water at the touch of a button. It also has a visual indicator to let you know when its filter needs to be replaced. These and other filtering faucets provide great tasting water with style and functionality, including some models with pullout and multi-function spray patterns. The filters tend to be easy to change, as they are often located right in the spout.

Cons: Initial cost on these units starts at $175, depending on choice of style, function and finish. But over the long run, they can actually save money compared to purchasing bottled water. In fact, they can produce filtered water for 95 percent less per gallon than the bottled kind.

Undermount systems: These models directly connect to the water supply lines and fit under the sink in the kitchen or bathroom.

Pros: These systems often feature larger, longer-lasting filters, which can also filter out more impurities. This means fewer filter changes, and increased filtration to eliminate more chemicals and contaminants. They sometimes provide a faster flow of filtered water as well.

Cons: You have to go under the sink to change filters, and they require installing a separate water spigot -- usually an unattractive, generic-looking fixture. However, Moen's new AquaSuite provides filtered water with a stylish faucet fixture available in 12 durable finishes (this system also provides great tasting water in the bathroom for taking medicine, brushing teeth or meeting those late night "can I have a drink of water?" requests).

Reverse osmosis systems: Available as under-the-sink or whole-house conditioning systems, these are multi-filter devices which push the water through a series of membranes to achieve filtration and require a separate water spigot.

Pros: These systems provide a very high level of filtration, particularly when coupled with whole house conditioners, to achieve one of the highest levels of mineral and bacteria filtration. This combined system, available from manufacturers like RainSoft or EcoWater, can include filtered water for not only drinking purposes, but even for bathing and washing clothes.

Cons: A complete system is very costly, starting at well over $1,000, although there are less expensive ones for drinking water only (their manufacturers usually recommend complementing these with whole-house softeners if you have hard water). These also require more maintenance than other systems and can waste two to five gallons of water for every purified gallon produced.

"So, What's The Right System for Me?"

When purchasing a water treatment system, remember to keep in mind the unit's ease of maintenance, as well as the length of time between filter changes and amount of water they filter. Look for units that signal when their cartridges need to be replaced, provide easy-to-find replacement cartridges, and can even supply replacement parts, if necessary.

It's also important to look for units that are certified by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation), which qualifies filtration claims made by manufacturers. Different levels of filtration are available among these systems and vary, depending upon the homeowners' choice of filtering needs and costs.

While the primary consumer concern is to eliminate water odor and improve taste, which usually means filtering out chlorine, other materials buyers want to filter out can include minerals and chemicals (lead, lindone, atrazine, mercury, turbidity, arsenic), microscopic cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia), and other bacteria.

The National Consumer Water Quality Survey noted that 95 percent of its respondents said they were satisfied with the effectiveness of their home water treatment system, with another one out of 10 looking to add a system. So it looks like the people have spoken -- no matter how you filter it, the drinks are on the house.

For more information about Moen's PureTouch filtering faucet and PureTouch AquaSuite, contact Moen Incorporated at 25300 Al Moen Drive, North Olmsted, Ohio 44070-8022, call toll free 1 (877) DRINK-H2O (877-374-6542) or visit its Web sites at www.pure-touch.com or www.moen.com.

About The Author
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
Moen Incorporated is one of the world's largest producers of residential and commercial plumbing products. Moen is the #1 brand of faucets in North America. The company manufactures a complete line of single and two-handle faucets in a wide assortment of styles and finishes. It is also a leading producer of residential and commercial sinks, a variety of shower accessories, bathroom accessories and a complete line of plumbing parts and accessories (sold under the trade names Moen, Chicago Specialty, Cleveland Faucet Group, CSI Bath Furnishings, Dearborn Brass, Hoov-R-Line and Wrightway Manufacturing).
Moen Incorporated is an operating company of Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO, www.fortunebrands.com), the consumer products company, with headquarters in Lincolnshire, IL.
The Water Quality Association is a nonprofit, international trade association representing retailers, dealers, manufacturers and suppliers in the household, commercial, industrial and small system water treatment industry. For more information about home water treatment issues, from an interactive search engine that helps "diagnose" contaminants in water to an overview of water treatment technologies and their capabilities, visit the WQA Web site at www.wqa.org.

Romantic Interiors for Valentine’s Day!

With Valentine’s day just around the corner, thoughts turn to romance. To set the right mood throughout the year, here are some simple decorating tips and a handful of extra special touches to dress your house. So whether you are planning a Valentine’s Day bash or some intimate time for two, check out these romantic ideas.

For lighting, that mood maker extraordinaire, consider changing your white light bulbs to pink (available in most grocery stores and 3-way too.) These cast a softer, gentle glow and will be sure to bring complements from those nearby. In fact, my favorite tale is from a client who mentioned that her husband commented almost daily for a week on how great she looked, and she never let him in on the secret of pink bulbs!

A collection of whimsical or more traditionally elegant angels, cherubs, and cupids can be delightfully fun to create. Consider printed pillows, woven throws, porcelain figurines, classic framed prints and the like. These can be gathered and dedicated in one room or creatively displayed throughout your home. They have a way of lifting one’s heart during a potentially dreary time of year, and reminding us of those closest to us.

Treat yourself to flowers. And, yes, do go beyond the grocery store! There are not only florists, but great sources on-line and in catalogues for a wealth of pretty posies. Top picks include Calyx and Corolla, 1-800-Flowers, Gardener’s Eden, Pick of the Crop in Alpharetta, and Meme’s in Roswell. While roses are the original symbol of romance, tulips in white, red, and pink or even a bouquet of carnations can brighten any room. Paperwhites and other bulbs will bring a welcome touch of Spring, as well. Consider using paper or silk flowers if live aren’t your bag.

For those with a sweet tooth there is always a treat for holiday munching. Consider well placed candy dishes, heart-shaped of course, in crystal, silver, or ceramic. Whether filled with chocolate kisses, or pastel melts, it adds a sense of festivity and sweetness to the season. Get the kids involved with baking special Valentine’s sugar cookies, heart shapes with pink and red sugar sprinkle topping to share with family and friends.

Honor those close to your heart. Choose favorite pictures of your children, spouse, significant other, or friends and group them in heart shaped frames. Or create a collage on cork board of the same pictures, in a heart shape with a ribbon border. You can even make your own frames by cutting out hearts from construction paper (red, of course) and taping or gluing pictures to each. These can be put on the refrigerator with magnets, or pinned to a bulletin board. They can even be strung on decorative yarn and hung on the mantel.

Stairrails, mantels, mirrors and more can all be festooned with ribbon in white, pink, and red, reflecting the heart of the holiday! Papier mache cupids and angels are now available in a variety of sizes and finishes (gold, silver, or unfinished) and can be perched strategically on newell posts, mantel corners, the top of cabinets and such.

If red, pink, and white aren’t your favorite colors, go with gold or silver, but do promote the sense of romance with sparkle and elegance. What makes you feel romantic?? These days the opportunities are endless, take advantage of the day and make it special.

About The Author
Melissa Galt, Lifestyle Designer, Speaker, & Author, is the owner of Melissa Galt, Inc., a full service interior design firm based in Atlanta. She has been decorating clients’ homes all over the Southeast for more than a decade, making their interior visions come true. She speaks to audiences nationally , on how to use design as the catalyst for “creating the life you’ve always dreamed of”. Melissa is the creator of Design Destinations, a free monthly guide to designing your signature life. To sign up for her FREE monthly newsletter, visit http://www.melissagalt.com/.

Build a Better Mouse Trap

Probably you've heard the saying if you build a better mouse trap, the world will beat a path to your door. I guess many people took that seriously as nowadays there are thousands of mouse traps. One of the most commonly used traps is that shown in the children's cartoons in the last 50 years. Not only is it the most effective mouse trap but it also is very simple. It consists of a piece of wood with a heavy spring device which slams down the mouse if it tries to get the food put in it.

As we are living in the high tech 21st century, there are many people working on a better mouse trap. They want to create something not that simple. There is one great problem with any mouse trap - this is how to get the mouse into the trap. Cheese is considered to be the best bait. Another food that mice love is peanut butter. If not using the first two, then try with rice and some fish.

Having set up the bait, the mouse gets into the simple spring mouse trap and gets killed the same time. End of story. Of course, there are many people who are not willing to kill these friendly, but annoying mice. They can use a mouse trap designed as a mouse jail instead of the common spring mouse trap. When the mouse gets trapped, it doesn't get killed but it cannot escape either. When using such mouse trap mazes you have to take care of the mouse once it's caught. Some of these mouse tunnels are made of clear plastic, so they are see-through and you can watch what your mouse is doing in the trap. Once I came across a mouse trap that could hold up to 30 mice! Amazing, isn't it!

I'm sorry that the directions offered don't say what to do after you've caught the mouse in the trap. Should you let it go in the open? There is no doubt that you don't want to release it as you'll have to catch it again. There are some modern models of mouse traps that involve the use of electricity. Some of them give the mouse a lethal shock while others use batteries to automatically close the door after the mouse goes into the trap.

I know one more type of mouse trap.

I like that one a lot because it has many advantages. It is simple, cheap and highly effective. The only disadvantage of this model is that it is a bit dirty. All you have to do is purchase a few sheets of fly catcher. Before going to bed put one or two of these sticky sheets of paper somewhere in your kitchen. And don't forget to leave some bait in the middle of the sheet. You can be sure that the mouse will fall into your trap and will stick. Then when you find it the next morning, simply fold the flypaper and throw it away.

About The Author
Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning pets. Get the information you are seeking now by visiting http://www.petsnewsonline.com/pets--animals/pet-news/build-a-better-mouse-trap.html

Finish Your Painting Projects Without Sacrificing Your Free Time

With a little planning, you can complete your painting projects faster than ever, without sacrificing all of your free time.

The first step is to get organized. Buy all your painting materials before the weekend, so that when it's time to get started, you won't waste time tracking down supplies. Your checklist should include paint applicators, a drop cloth, stepladder, screwdriver for removing hooks, switch plates and the like, masking tape for window edges, and of course, enough paint to complete the project.

Shortcut your painting prep by spreading it out over a couple of evenings, or do it the weekend before painting. Carve out manageable bits of time to do the routine tasks such as patching and filling holes, removing grease or crayon marks -- even removing cobwebs from corners and ceilings. If your wall surfaces have mildew on them, try removing it using one part bleach in three parts water and then rinsing. Let everything sit for a couple days, so you're ready to dive in and paint on the big day.

Some projects require more diligent treatment of surfaces. If you need to remove wallpaper, there are several power prep tools that can save time and elbow grease. For example, Wagner Spray Tech offers power wallpaper steamers in a variety of styles and sizes that can provide a fast, clean way to remove the paper without having to use chemicals, solvents or detergents.

When it's time to start painting, consider using some of the newer products on the market that are designed to give fast, professional-looking results, such as Wagner Spray Tech's new QuickTouch electric paint rollers. Simply attach a standard gallon-sized paint can, insert the paint hose, turn the unit to "paint" mode, and you're ready to go. The rollers make it fast and easy, eliminate back-bending trips to the roller tray, and greatly reduce the potential for messy drips and spills by eliminating the need to pour paint.

Choose the QuickTouch version that fits your job: The QuickTouch Power Roller package includes painting project basics, including a 12-foot hose, 14-inch extension and spatter shield for approximately $79.99. The QuickTouch Power Roller PRO offers even more options to make bigger projects go faster, including a five gallon adapter, variable speed control, a built-in carrying handle, 18-inch extension cord and a trim pad, for approximately $119.99.

If you've got an especially large painting territory to cover, consider a battery-operated roller. Wagner Spray Tech makes a portable model, the 929 Variable Speed Power Roller, which can apply 20 gallons of paint (enough to cover five average-sized rooms) on one set of batteries. It's not only easy to operate, it's easy on the operator. It has an ergonomically designed handle with fingertip control, quick release for simple assembly and cleanup, and a paint distribution system that enhances the flow of paint for better coverage. At a suggested retail price of $49.00 to $59.00, it can provide fast, professional results for a relatively small investment.

After your painting project is complete, clean up can be quicker than ever, too. Try rubbing protective cream onto your hands before you paint -- it'll ensure faster and easier removal of paint from your skin. To remove paint from the electric or battery powered rollers, simply insert the paint hose into a bucket of water, switch the unit to "clean" mode, let water circulate for about 10 minutes, and you're done.

When your painting is complete and your tools have been tucked away for the next project, there's just one final task. Pack up your family and head for the beach -- it's the perfect place to relax while you're waiting for the paint to dry.

For more information on painting equipment, including The QuickTouch Power Roller and QuickTouch Power Roller PRO, or other Wagner Spray Tech products, call (763) 553-7000 or visit www.wagnerspraytech.com.

Wagner Spray Tech Corporation, headquartered in Minneapolis, is the leading manufacturer of consumer and commercial power painting equipment as well as faux-finishing products.

About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Rustic Accessories the New Buzz in Home Decor

As the cooler seasons draw closer, thoughts and activities drift slowly from the outdoors to the inside, and the annual human version of hibernation begins. We re-acclimate to shorter days and longer, colder nights. There is a sense that the house must be buttoned-up for the winter.

More time is spent indoors, and so this is also when many people decide to give their home decor a new look. Many people are rediscovering the beauty of primitive, rustic decor. The wonderful part about decorating with primitive accessories is that they don't have to be perfect. Since many early items were utilitarian and made on the spot for a specific use, they were often flawed: corners were not square, tops were not level and sides were not smooth.

Because there are more options from which to choose today, these rustic pieces may not be used as once intended. Often it's just a matter of rethinking for today's needs. A dry sink, for example, is better used for display than for cleaning. A galvanized bucket is better suited today for holding bath accessories or children's art supplies; and a tin-punch pie safe is more useful for storing almost anything than the pies for which it was built. An old trunk turned on its end can be opened to display a variety of old quilts and blankets stacked colorfully, with a table lamp above.

Basic wooden furniture, whether painted and peeling, or scratched and dented from years of use, is finding its way back into homes today. Because these are not fine antiques, but basic home furnishings, they often cost less than similar pieces purchased new. In an active home where items are used daily, dents and scratches are the norm. These basic pieces blend nicely in a casual space, giving an eclectic look to any room.

Decorative artists and crafters are seizing upon this style to provide buyers with accents to blend with this decor, and today there are "new" primitives to complete the look. Floor and wall treatments can bring this eclectic look together. Although wall-to-wall carpet does not lend itself to rustic styles, it is a fact of life in many homes. On carpeted floors, try an area needlepoint, rag or braided rug between two pieces of furniture to emphasize the style. Use a twin grip pad to keep it from shifting on the pile. This also works perfectly on natural surfaces such as wood, stone, brick and tile.

On smooth surfaces, try rugs or consider a floor mat. These are a 21st century adaptation of an 18th century craft. Often made from primed canvas, then painted with acrylics and sealed, they are perfect under a kitchen table, in a mud room, under a baby's high chair, or in any area that sees debris and moisture. Use a rubber pad under all rugs or mats to keep them from slipping.

One of the newest old designs making a re-appearance is the simple bee. From antiquity, bees have evoked images of wealth, industriousness and nurturing. The phrases "busy as a bee," or "she has a bee in her bonnet," and even the "birds and the bees" are common. Even the word "medicine" has its roots in honey or mead, an alcoholic drink made from the honeycomb.

Carol Endres, America's foremost primitive folk artist, in conjunction with Chesapeake Wallcoverings, has introduced a new collection of designs to enhance rustic decor, "Beekeeper's Inn." Her designs call to mind a place where life is simple and quiet and where home cooking and handcrafts are a part of every day. In this delightful sample book, Carol offers tips on making beeswax candles and herb-flavored honey in addition to her rustic and complimentary designs. Browsing through it gives the reader many ideas on decorating and folk craft that can apply to any home decor. Look for this collection at a wallpaper showroom close to you, or find it at www.cheswall.com.

To make vignettes within a room, use items in unexpected places. An easy accent is a small quilt or needlepoint rug. In your breakfast area, drape a quilt over a sideboard or your table when not in use. Hang a shelf 3/4 of the way down a wall to display treasures, but keep it simple. Use wallpaper above the shelf and a border or hanging pegs below. In the family room, flank a fireplace with old painted chairs, place a rug between them and you have a cozy place to warm your hands after coming in from the cold. Use a simple small print or a plaid on the walls in a color that contrasts with the chairs, and then use a border, or a combination of borders, to bring out the color. If you have a mantle, keep it simple with a candle or oil lamp and a couple of toys or utensils. By keeping things uncomplicated, motifs can be changed seasonally. The focal point of the family room, for example, can be moved away from the fireplace over to a window, and the kitchen tablecloth changed to something lighter, such as cheesecloth.

About The Author
Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Washing Window Tricks

Have you ever wondered how those professional window washers move so fast with the squeegee, and the windows turn out perfect? Well, there really are some tricks to it that are simple to learn, and once you do, dare I say it, you may even enjoy washing windows. It is possible!

The first trick is to invest in a good squeegee. They aren't expensive and they are worth every cent! Those $1.99 ones just will not do. A professional squeegee has a very soft, rubber blade with no imperfections in it. You can also get extra rubber blades and simply replace that when it wears out. There are probably many sources to get one, but a source I like is The Clean Team. TheCleanTeam.com a basic, professional squeegee from them runs $9.95.

Secondly, do your windows on a cool, or cloudy day. If you HAVE to do it in the sun, do it in the morning. What you want to avoid here is heat. Heat works against you.

Get a bucket of lukewarm water (not hot), and add 2-3 tablespoons of plain ammonia. Use a sponge that has a white scrubber on the other side (don't use the green ones, they are too course). Wet your window with the sponge side, then flip to the white scrub pad side, and scrub the window. You'll be able to "feel" when it's clean. You'll feel rough patches, etc when it's still not clean. This is a step most people fail at, if the window simply isn't clean, it's going to look cloudy when done. Scrub well.

You'll also need lots of clean, white cotton rags/towels/cleaning cloths. Diapers work great here. Dry by hand a 1 inch strip at the top of the window. The trick for no streaks with the squeegee, is placing the dry rubber blade on a dry window.

Take the squeegee now and place it at the top of the window in that 1 inch dry strip. Pull down smoothly. Dry your squeegee blade with between each sweep. Finish window, if need be do one last sweep left to right at the bottom of the window.

Take a dry, clean cloth and run with your finger down each window side and across the bottom to clean and dry the edges. They should look perfect! And you'll feel great having clean windows.

About The Author
Valerie Garner - Get a series of no cost traffic builders that work to get traffic to your website, plus a few ideas for earning income too. Many unique resources you'll love! Mailto:Moredetails@quicktell.com

Decor Tips: A Glossary Of Key Window Decor Terms

So you've moved into your new home and have nothing but bed sheets obstructing your neighbors from peering into your windows. Looks like you're in dire need of quality window treatments.

But before you run off in search of the perfect window dressings, here's a helpful glossary of window décor terms from the experts at Blinds To Go to help you navigate through the sea of design choices.

Blinds are window coverings that offer versatility. They have horizontal or vertical slats that can be rotated for maximum light and privacy control. The slats can be made from wood, fabric or aluminum. The slats or material can be rotated for light and privacy control. Vertical blinds operate similarly to a drapery; they can be opened from the center and stack as a pair on both sides of the window, or they can draw from one side and stack as a panel. Horizontal blinds are drawn up and can be easily hidden, if desired, beneath a valance or top treatment.

Cellular shades are an innovative fabric shade constructed from honeycomb-shaded cells that insulate windows with pockets of trapped air. The practical honeycomb structure of this shade is visible only from the side. From the front, a closed cellular shade appears to be a cascade of crisp pleats. When opened, cellular shades fold up neatly along the pleat lines to the top of the head-rail.

Double cellular shades are fabric shades with double cell design for increased energy efficiency. This fabric is also available in single cell design.

Fabric shades are shades that are generally raised and lowered by folding or gathering fabric to the top.

Pleated shades are fabric shades made from a crisply pleated material that closely resembles a cellular shade.

Roman shades are fabric shades that fold neatly to the top when drawn open. A classic roman shade has overlapping folds when the shade is lowered, while a flat roman has no folds when lowered.

Room darkening fabric is a term that refers to fabric that has been treated or is constructed to block out a large portion of the sunlight, providing a "room darkening" effect. This type of fabric is used mainly in bedrooms, but has applications in a wide variety of rooms.

Shades are window coverings that are made of material, which can be permanently pleated, like that of a cellular or pleated shade, or can be a drapery fabric like that of a roman shade. Shades are drawn up and stacked at the top of the window. Shades can be raised to allow more light into a room and then lowered to afford more privacy. They can be stopped at different intervals on the window, and still maintain a neat, finished look.

Stack is a term used to describe the amount of space a treatment uses when drawn to reveal your window.

Top treatment refers to any treatment that is used over the "top" of another, most commonly referred to as a valance.

Window shadings refers to a new category of fabric blinds which combine the features of a horizontal shade with the elegance of sheer fabrics.

For more home décor and window covering ideas, visit a Blinds To Go superstore (1-800-blinds-7 for store locations) or its Web site at www.blindstogo.com.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Washing Window Tricks

Have you ever wondered how those professional window washers move so fast with the squeegee, and how the windows turn out perfect? Well, there really are some tricks to it that are simple to learn, and once you do, dare I say it, you may even enjoy washing windows? It is possible!

The first trick is to invest in a good squeegee. They aren't very expensive and they are worth every cent! Those $1.99 ones just will not do. A professional squeegee has a very soft, rubber blade with no imperfections in it. You can also get extra rubber blades and simply replace the used one when it wears out. There are probably many sources to get one, but a source I like is The Clean Team. http://www.TheCleanTeam.com a basic, professional squeegee from them runs $9.95.

Secondly, do your windows on a cool, or cloudy day. If you HAVE to do it in the sun, do it in the morning. What you want to avoid here is heat. Heat works against you.

Get a bucket of lukewarm water (not hot), and add 2-3 tablespoons of plain ammonia. Use a sponge that has a white scrubber on the other side (don't use the green ones, they are too course). Wet your window with the sponge side, then flip to the white scrub pad side, and scrub the window. You'll be able to "feel" when it's clean. You'll feel rough patches, etc when it's still not clean. This is a step most people fail at, if the window simply isn't clean, it's going to look cloudy when done. Scrub well.

You'll also need lots of clean, white cotton rags/towels/cleaning cloths. Diapers work great here. Dry by hand a 1 inch strip at the top of the window. The trick for no streaks with the squeegee, is placing the dry rubber blade on a dry window.

Take the squeegee now and place it at the top of the window in that 1 inch dry strip. Pull down smoothly. Dry your squeegee blade with between each sweep. Finish window, if need be do one last sweep left to right at the bottom of the window.

Take a dry, clean cloth and run with your finger down each window side and across the bottom to clean and dry the edges. They should look perfect! And you'll feel great having clean windows.

About The Author
By Valerie Garner-Get a series of no cost traffic builders that work to get traffic to your website, plus a few ideas for earning income too. Many unique resources you'll love! Mailto: Moredetails@quicktell.com
Valerie is a writer who strives to engage her readers. She writes on a wide variety of topics.

The Time to Remodel Your Home is Now

Remodeling your home can be a daunting task and devoting quality time to make your house a home can be a challenge any time of the year. If you've been thinking of remodeling, now is a great time to freshen your home's appearance and make it more energy efficient (www.abcseamless.com).

It's a good idea to inspect your home now. As you do this, ask yourself these questions:

Do I have high heating and cooling bills?

Is my current siding rotting, warping, fading or discontinued?

Can I hear outside noise when the windows are closed?

Do I have excessive heat gain in my home from the sun?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be in the market for a home-remodeling job. Knowing where to start can be very important. You might be wondering: Can I do a project like this myself or should I leave it up to the professionals? How much is this going to cost?

Here are some tips from ABC Seamless Siding (www.abcseamless.com) on how to choose a contractor:

Ask for references and visit some of the homes they have remodeled. Ask questions while you are there, too.

Check credentials and find out how long they have been in business. Are they a member of the National Association of Home Builders? Are they up to date with their licensing and insurance?

When it comes time to sign the contract, go over it thoroughly with the contractor and discuss any final questions with them before signing it.

Remember, quality is never cheap and the lowest bid isn't always the best. It may seem like a headache at first to do research, but it will save time and money in the long run.

Once you've chosen a contractor, prioritize your projects.

With the rising costs of heating or cooling your home, the best place to start might be making your home more energy efficient. The U.S. Department of Energy says one-third of a home's air leakage comes from the walls, floors and ceilings.

One of the best ways to make your home more energy efficient is to install seamless steel siding. ABC Seamless, for example, can install its seamless steel siding year-round. Since it has the strength of steel, it is not vulnerable to extreme cold or heat. Vinyl siding expands and contracts greatly with changes in temperature, which limits its installation to certain times of the year.

Each home sided by ABC Seamless is wrapped with a blanket of Energy Star approved insulation before the siding is installed. With the increase in heating and cooling costs, this added insulation can save you money year round. The seamless steel also eliminates ugly seams and is virtually maintenance free.

Home remodeling can be a big project, but if you hire professionals, you can save a lot of time and effort. And an investment in a home-remodeling project now can save you money for years to come.

For more information on ABC Seamless Siding, visit www.abcseamless.com or call (800) 732-6577.

About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com
ABC Seamless Steel Siding manufactures seamless log siding and seamless steel gutters on the job site. Based in Fargo, N.D., ABC Seamless Steel Siding has 125 franchises in 38 states.

'Re-tiring' Old Mulching Routine Paves the Way to Ten Worry-Free Years

The yearly routine of digging up last year's mulch and replacing it with a fresh supply can be time consuming, messy and expensive. But one new product can put consumers on the road to a full decade of worry-free mulching -- and that road is paved with recycled rubber.

Each year, millions of truck tires are recycled nationwide. The rubber from these tires does not rot, fade or break down, even after years of exposure to the elements. As a result, discarded tires are treaded treasures for Rubberific Mulch, which gives new life to old tires by turning them into one of the longest lasting and safest ground coverings on the market.

"Not only does Rubberific Mulch help the environment by recycling old tires that otherwise would languish in landfills, but it offers time- and cost-saving alternatives to traditional mulch," says Mike Miller, Rubberific Mulch president. "It has the appearance of wood-based mulch, but with a unique durability that will last for ten years, with very little upkeep."

To help consumers choose the type of mulch that is best for a lawn or garden, the experts at Rubberific Mulch suggest asking the following questions:

Attractiveness -- Will the mulch look good in the front lawn or garden?

Longevity and durability -- Does the mulch hold up for long periods of time, even through inclement weather?

Protection -- Will the mulch protect and benefit the plants it surrounds?

For consumers seeking the ideal mix of attractiveness, durability and year-round protection, Rubberific Mulch is a cost-effective solution. The texture, size and shape of the shredded rubber is virtually identical to wood mulch, and is available in realistic colors, such as cypress, redwood, cedar and earthtone. Its strength allows it to withstand wind, rain, snow and ice with little or no washout, and it will not rod or fade, even under stifling humidity and harsh sunlight. Plants will reap additional benefits from Rubberific Mulch, which does not attract insects and will not absorb water meant for them.

For backyards with swing sets or other kid-playing zones, Rubberific Mulch offers the additional benefit of superior safety. The impact of a child's fall is significantly less on the rubber-based mulch than on more traditional ground coverings.

Rubberific Mulch is available for purchase at select Lowe's home improvement centers throughout the Midwest. It also can be ordered in a variety of custom colors at www.rubberificmulch.com, or by calling (866) 936-8524.

About The Author
Courtesy of ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com; e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

Ivory Like Sholapith Sculptures from India

In the past, collectors have been fascinated with sculptures of pure white Ivory without knowing the damage it caused to our eco-system. Luckily governments of a number of nations have banned Ivory trade altogether.

Craftsmen from eastern India had been crafting beautiful items of SholaPith (lookaloikes of Ivory) since ages. It is only recently that Sholapith items have got international recognition for its beauty, eco-friendliness and superb craftsmanship. Shola pith is a milky-white sponge-wood that is carved into delicate and beautiful objects of art only in a few states of India. Shola is a plant, growing in marshy waterlogged areas of eastern Indian States commonly referred to as eastern marshy Gangetic plains. It is unbelievable that this plant grows nowhere else in the world. The biological name of Shola is Aeschynomene Indica and it is an herbaceous plant. The Sholapith is the cortex or core of this plant.

The finest examples of craftsmanship are seen on images of gods and goddesses on festivals, especially the massive decorative backdrops made for "Durga-Puja" celebrations. Thousands of craftsmen spend months working on each piece and every details is meticulously worked out.The color of Shola is pure white and beautiful IVORY look alike sculptures have started decorating Western homes in Europe and America very recently. The shola crafts have flowery designs, decorative head-wears of gods and goddesses, garlands etc. You also find exquisite figurines like faces of gods and goddesses, elephants, peacock-boats, palanquins, wall hangings and a number of home decorations made of sholapith.

Needless to say, the items are appealing, they are completely natural and the beautiful craftsmanship brings a pure white ethnic aura at your home.

Where to find these fine Pith Sculptures

Ethnocraft: http://www.ethnocraft.com has some of these fine Sholapith items you could easily order over the web.

About The Author
Free Lance writer of Ethnic Home Decor. This article is a cortsey of http://www.ethnocraft.com where you can get fine Home Decor items and Sholapith Sculptures.
som@ethnocraft.com

From The Science Desk

Q: How should pesticides (for home use) be stored? What is the shelf life?


A: Pesticides should be stored in a secure, well-ventilated area, preferably locked in a safe cupboard, garage or garden shed. Most pest control products can be stored for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check all labels carefully for specific information.

Other safety rules to follow:


Store products ONLY in the original container. NEVER transfer the contents to another container.

Keep containers tightly sealed.

Pay attention to the symbols illustrating the risk of flammability, explosiveness or toxicity before storing or using.

Do not use kitchen or food measuring utensils to measure any pest control chemicals.

Containers with the "flammable" symbol should be stored away from any sources of heat. Glass and plastic containers should be kept out of sunlight.

Don't store a mixed spray for use at a later date. Diluted materials quickly break down to become less effective.

Most pest control products can be stored for extended periods at temperatures above freezing. Check the label for each product as certain products should be kept from freezing.

About The Author
News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.
News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.