Handy Helpers - Common Household Items page four
Friday, January 08, 2010
This is part four of our introduction of different uses for commone household items. Enjoy!
Liquid Soap
1) Get a better manicure by soaking fingernails in a soapy solution; rinse; apply polish. (This will cause the polish to adhere better to the nail and spread smoother.)
2) Pre-treat oil-based laundry stains such as lip-stick and grease.
3) Soak grimy tools in soapy water to soften dirt; then rinse/wipe off.
4) Kill pet fleas by washing pets in soapy bath water.
Marshmallows
1) Prevent ice cream drips from a cone by placing a marshmallow in the bottom of the cone before adding ice cream.
2) Keep brown sugar soft by adding a few marshmallows to the bag before closing it
Mayonnaise
1) Condition your hair by massaging mayonnaise into your hair and scalp; put on a shower cap; wait several minutes then wash out with shampoo.
2) Relieve sunburn pain by smearing mayonnaise liberally over the sunburned area.
3) Remove bumper stickers, pin sap and road tar by rubbing mayonnaise over the entire sticker or area; let it sit for several minutes and wipe off!
4) Clean/brighten/whiten yellowing piano keys by wiping the keys with a little mayonnaise (using a soft, clean cloth); waiting a few minutes; wiping with a slightly damp, soft cloth and buff dry.
Milk
1) Clean patent leather shoes by rubbing them with a soft cloth moistened by a little milk. Let dry then buff to a brilliant shine.
2) Remove ink stains on clothing by soaking the stained area in milk. (It can happen quickly or may take an overnight soaking.)
3) Repair fine cracks in china plates by boiling them in milk. Place the damaged plate or cup in a pan; cover in with milk; and bring to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.
4) Use milk if you have nothing else when shaving.
Oatmeal
One of the best poison ivy and chicken pox itch relievers is an oatmeal bath. Grind 1 cup oatmeal into a powder. Put oatmeal powder into a clean, old stocking or cheese cloth; tie into a knot and place the bag under the faucet as warm water fills the tub.
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Atlanta Real Estate News
2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report
Monday, January 04, 2010
2009 will go down as a year of adjustments. Most of us no longer fret over gasoline costs over $2.50 a gallon. Many of us are adjusting our sights when it comes to buying cars…and…yes, housing. But one thing that has changed might be a bit unexpected - where do we get the biggest ‘bang-for-the-buck’ in terms of remodeling projects?
As evidenced by the rise of professional staging, we know first impressions are tantamount to a successful sale, and Sellers are willing to pay for a professional’s guidance when it comes to ‘positioning’ the Property. But perhaps even more important than the interior appearance, the ‘curb appeal’ must be right to motivate the potential Buyer to get out of their car and come inside where they can take in the ambiance that has been created.
This year’s National Association of REALTORS’ (NAR), Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report highlights the importance of a home’s first impression. With exterior projects returning a high percent of project costs upon resale, REALTORS can help give your home curb appeal while adding value to the real estate transaction.
For the first time, on a national level, a majority, (8 out of 10) of the top remodeling projects in terms of costs recouped were exterior replacement projects that cost less than $14,000. Certain types of door and siding replacements, as well as wood deck additions all returned more than 80% of project costs upon resale. A steel entry door replacement - a new addition to this year’s list - recouped 128.9% of costs, followed by upscale fiber-cement sliding replacements at 83.6%. Wood deck additions recouped 80.6% of costs.
The 2009 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 33 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 80 markets across the country.
On a national level, the project with the biggest improvement from 2008 was the attic bedroom addition, recouping 83.1% of remodeling costs compared to 73.8% in 2008. The only other interior project that landed in the top 10 was a minor kitchen remodel with 78.3% costs recouped.
Other exterior projects in the top 10 include midrange vinyl and upscale foam-backed vinyl sliding replacements, which returned more than 79% of costs. In addition, several types of window replacements - midrange wood, midrange vinyl, and upscale vinyl - all returned more than 76% of costs upon sale.
Similar to last year’s report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home office remodels and sunroom additions, returning only 48.1% and 50.7% of project costs.
If you want more information, consult with your Fourteen West, REALTORS or Askew Realty professional!
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Atlanta Real Estate News
A Few Easy Steps To Take To Reduce Your Kitchen Paper Waste
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Step 1: Cloth over paper
In the Askew household, we use colorful cloth napkins every day…(and they take up very little room in the washer/dryer, so don’t try to argue that the upkeep is expensive or a hassle.) Organic cotton kitchen towels, colorful hemp napkins, and hemp dish and kitchen towels will run from $4.00 to $20.00 depending on size/brand. Handi Wipes reusable polyester wiping cloths work just like paper towels on messy or sticky spills ($2.00 -to- $3.00 at most major drugstores). Or save yourself some mo money by tearing up old T-shirts, towels, dishrags into rags to clean up that spill by Johnny’s seat. By using these simple alternatives to paper towels and napkins, you will save a fair amount of money…and the environment.
For those times when paper is the best solution, look for processed-chlorine-free (PCF) recycled-paper goods with the highest post-consumer-waste (PCW) content possible. Check out: Seventh Generation 80 percent PCW, PCF paper towels or Green Forest 40 percent PCW, PCF paper towels (http://www.drugstore.com) and/or Whole Foods’ 365 brand 80 percent PCW, PCF napkins (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com).
Step 2: Eat less processed food
McDonalds is not a food group.
Now, go open your pantry door. What do you see? If you are anything like what we used to see…you’ll likely be staring at rows of paper or cardboard packaging, which doesn’t accompany fresh food. While you may not be able to avoid processed food entirely because of your fast moving schedule, you can:
1) Know what’s recyclable. Most cardboard and paperboard boxes are recyclable, but aseptic cartons may not be accepted by your curbside recycler.
2) Buy less packaging. Cereal packaged in plastic alone requires less packaging overall (and less fuel to ship), and saltine crackers don’t need to be packaged individually. Pack lunches in reusable containers and minimize your use of ziplock-like plastic bags.
Step 3: Reuse your coffee filters.
While I and my wife do not like the flavor of coffee, and therefore do not own a coffee pot (warning, warning…If you want coffee at the Askew household you must bring it with you!), we’ve been told by our java-loving friends to stop using paper filters and try a filter-less French press, like the classic Chambord made by Bodum (http://www.bodumusa.com, 800-232-6386). In drip coffee makers, reusable cone or basket filters can get rid of the oils that will be left behind by French-presses, but metal filters may not remove them as thoroughly as hemp cloth (http://www.greenfeet.com, 888-562-8873).
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Living
Handy Helpers - Common Household Items
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Here is ‘Page Three’ of our series on common household items that can do much more than you may think!
Dryer Sheets
1 ) Repel mosquitoes by hanging a dryer sheet in the outdoor area you will be enjoying.
2 ) Repel bees and bugs by tucking dryer sheets in your picnic basket or under lawn furniture. You can also rub a sheet directly on your bare skin.
3 ) De-stink your pets by rubbing them down (especially when wet) with a dryer sheet.
4 ) Freshen the air by placing a sheet in a drawer; in the waste basket; under the seat of your car; inside your luggage (especially when stored away), or where ever needed.
5 ) Eliminate static electricity by rubbing a sheet over your computer monitors and TVs. Also, lightly rub or pat clothes, stockings, hair to eliminate static ‘cling’.
6 ) Remove soap scum from shower door and tile by rubbing the surfaces with a sheet when shower tile and door are wet; then rinse.
7) Soak cookware with freshly burnt or baked-on food in warm water with a dryer sheet -or- two. Makes clean-up easier. Also works on cook tops and dingy cabinet doors.
8 ) Run a sewing needle through a sheet before sewing to prevent the thread from tangling.
Epsom Salt
1) Ex foliate skin by massaging handfuls of Epsom salt over wet skin. Rinse well.
2 ) Help draw out a splinter by soaking in Epsom salt.
Honey
1 ) Treat minor skin abrasions with honey to hasten the healing process with it’s antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.
2) Soak in milk and honey bath to smooth skin and give it a honey-milk scent. Combine 1/3 cup of honey with two and a 1/4 cup of milk. Mix thoroughly. Enjoy!
3 ) Help a hangover by spooning a few tablespoons of honey on toast for breakfast. The fructose speeds up the metabolism of alcohol.
Ketchup
1) Get rid of chlorine green hair with a ketchup shampoo. Massage into hair; let stand for 15 minutes; rinse, then wash hair again with baby shampoo.
Lemon
1) Relieve a sore throat by cutting a lemon in half; roast in an oven or on cook top until the peel is golden brown. Let cool enough to pick up; squeeze juice in a cup with 1 teaspoon of honey.
2) Whiten fingernails by rubbing a wedge of lemon on the surface of your nails.
3) Create blonde highlights by adding 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice to 3/4 cup of water and rinse your hair. Do not rinse; sit in the sun until your hair dries.
4) Remove soft cheese or other sticky foods from a grater by rubbing both sides of the grater with the pulp side of a cut lemon.
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Intown Living
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