Dos and Don'ts: Tips to Save Your Garbage Disposal

Just because the name of the item is "Garbage Diposal", doesn't mean you should shove any old garbage down there.

You may be using your garbage disposal incorrectly, which can not only void it's warranty, but can also be very dangerous. So here are some important do's and don'ts you'll need to know when owning this handy kitchen tool to be safe, extend it's life and save you money by not needing costly repairs. 

DO: Read and Follow the Instructions in the Owner's Manual

I know, every article always says read, understand and follow the owner's manual, but not all articles are talking about a kitchen appliance that's sole design is to shred and destroy items that fall into it's munching path. So, it's a simple request and step for someone to get a good understanding of this appliance simply by reading the manual.

DON'T: Dislodge Anything without Following the Instructions and Taking Safety Precautions

If something in the disposal get lodged in there, don't stick your hand down there and start feeling around. Make sure the appliance it turned off, unplugged, or if hardwired, make sure the power is turned off at the circuit breaker. Follow the instructions in the Owner's Manual to dislodge any items that get stuck in your garbage disposal. 

DO: Follow These Simple Tips to Help Unclog Your Disposal

Never pour bleach, drain cleaners or other chemicals into the garbage disposal as they are corrosive and can damage your pipes. Follow these simple tips to unclog your disposal, and if those don’t work, you may need to get it repaired.

DON’T: “Sharpen” the Blades with Ice or Eggshells

I'm not sure where this myth came from, but people seem to think that Garbage disposals have blades, similar to a lawnmower or blender. It doesn't, it has impellers that are blunt, not sharp. So, putting ice or egg shells down the disposal to sharpen the blades will not do any good. In fact, egg shells are not recommended for the garbage disposal as the membrane can get wrapped around the impellers and cause damage.

DO: Use Cold Water, Not Hot, When the Disposal is Running

While hot water does dissolve grease, it may actually do more harm than good and could actually push grease further into the pipes and create clogs. It could even cause your disposal to overheat. Cold water is better, as it helps grease to solidify and move more easily down the drain with the wastewater.

DON’T: Pour Grease or Food Scrap Down the Disposal

Never pour fats, oil or grease into your disposal or down your sink. Your disposal simply grinds items. Chasing it down with dish soap won’t always work either. Fats, oil and grease can congeal, stick to and build up in plumbing and clog the sewer. Food scraps are best thrown in the trash not in your disposal.

DO: USE Your Trash Can

Although a garbage disposal is durable, it is not indestructible. Disposals are designed to grind down soft food particles, not hard food waste like bones, corn cobs, fruit pits, and unpopped popcorn kernels. A good rule of thumb is if you have a hard time chewing it, your disposal will probably have a hard time grinding it. If you’re not sure about an item, it’s better to throw it in the trash. Avoid dumping other foods like pasta or rice as they expand in water and could clog your drain. Also, avoid starchy or stringy vegetables like celery, rhubarb, asparagus, potato and banana peels and coffee grounds. 

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Do you really know how to Use Your Dryer?

Do you really know how to Use Your Dryer? Follow these Tips.

The question isn’t “How long does a dryer last?”; it’s “How long should a dryer last?” And the answer depends on how well you’re able to maintain your dryer. The way to make it last the longest? Use it correctly and perform regular dryer maintenance. Not only will that keep your dryer functioning properly, but it will also give you the best results when it comes to drying your clothing.

How Long Can I Expect My Dryer to Last?

According to Consumer Reports, a dryer's average life span is Ten years. But with advances in technology and owner's taking better care of their appliances, some manufacturers say a dryer can last up to 25 years. Which, I personally can say my family's last dryer lasted almost 20 years, before we finally couldn't fix it to make it keep going. But like I said, it’s important to remember, a that clothes dryer life expectancy goes hand in hand with how often the dryer is used and how well you maintain the appliance.

OK, Now it's time for some Dryer Maintenance 101

Follow these simple steps to ensure your dryer stays in tip-top shape for many years to come:

1. Read the manufacturer’s instruction manual. 

This is one thing almost no one does. I'm guilty of this as well. I mean how hard can it be to use a dryer. Put the wet clothes in, select a setting and press start, right. But with the new dryer's now-a-days, there are so many different options for each setting, for each item you want to dry and other quirky little things manufacturers add to your dryer to make it unique and more desirable than other models. So you need to understand that these settings options are there for a reason. Read through your dryer’s manual to see how you can improve its performance.

2. Divide loads by fabric weight.

 For faster, more even drying, dry the lightweight fabrics and heavyweight fabrics in appropriately sized separate loads.
Remove lint from the filter after each load. Even a little lint in the trap can cause inefficiency and longer dry times.

Keep the dryer clean. 

Lint can build up in the vent and on the back of the dryer. For performance and fire safety reasons, it’s best to check these areas at least once per year to remove the excess lint. 

Related: How to Clean Your Washer and Dryer

Reduce the heat and drying time. 

High heat isn’t necessary for every fabric. I know I was guilty of this. I always thought the higher heat would dry clothes faster and more efficiently. Well, that's not always the case, plus it can damage your clothes. Another advantage of using lower heat settings is the fact that you save money, not only on electricity or gas, but again save yourself from having to by new clothes in case higher heat damages any. Next time, try this, start with a 40-minute, low-heat cycle. If your load isn’t dry, continue drying in 10-minute increments rather than starting another full cycle.

Take advantage of your dryer’s moisture sensor, if you have one.

 If your dryer is equipped with a sensor, make sure it is on, so you can avoid excessive drying. To ensure top detection, clean the sensor once a month.

Consider air drying your clothes occasionally.

Air drying clothes every once in awhile will not only give your dryer and pocketbook a break; it will actually help to prolong the life of your clothing.

If you properly maintain your dryer, you can depend on excellent results for several years. However, sometimes even the best dryers can have a hiccup here and there. Want to ensure you’re always covered for those unexpected repairs or replacements? Consider adding your washer and dryer to your home warranty.

So the moral of this story is, give your dryer some TLC and it will last longer and save you money in the years to come.

Hacking Every Room In Your Home - 10 Key Tips

House Hacks for Every Room

Our list of top home hacks will help you organize your home and get the most out of each room.

Life is a lot less hectic when you find ways to keep your home organized, simplify storage and find DIY solutions that are affordable and easy. Here are some of our favorite clutch tips for your home.

1. Kitchen:

As everyone knows this is the heart of any home. It is one of the biggest selling point to a home and you need to make sure to add personality to it. You can also add some personality to your meals with DIY dishware that you make yourself in minutes. You don’t need to be an artist or have special art supplies. Just grab a Sharpie® and draw your design freehand (or use a stencil for more intricate patterns) on your dishware or mug. Clean, white enamelware works well. You can personalize your creation with a name, signature monogram or even a favorite quote. To make it permanent, bake your finished design at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Tip: Start with a cold oven to allow the dishware to gradually come up to temperature. Also, hand washing will help your artwork last.

2. Family/Living Room:

Family/Living rooms often have to do double duty as a playroom and entertainment hub. But finding room to store all your playthings without compromising your sophisticated style can be challenging. This hack meets that challenge head on: Simply store your puzzles, dice and other game pieces in decorative jars. They’re even fun to look at and provide a unique storage solution so you don’t have to make room for bulky game or puzzle boxes. Choose jars in different sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest and to match your room's décor. Mason jars, apothecary jars, etched glass jars or pressed glass jars are all great options.

3. Bedroom:

Seems you can never have enough storage, especially in the bedroom. This hack lets you add storage and a decorative wall detail at the same time. Just create instant shelves from old drawers. Vary shapes and sizes for an eclectic look. Line the bottom of the drawers with patterned paper or paint for added color. Look for dressers with unusual curved drawer fronts or undulating profiles. Tip: You can often find reasonably priced dressers/drawers at garage sales, resale shops, vintage stores or estate sales.

4. Dining Room:

Chances are if you’re hosting and elegant party in your dining room, you’ll want to break out the good china and silver. That means making sure your silver sparkles and shines. Here’s how with just some baking soda and hot water. Line a pot or your kitchen sink with foil. Fill it with very hot water and mix in about 1 cup of baking soda. Add your tarnished items and let soak for about 30 minutes or until you see the black residue lifting off the surface. Then just
 

5. Bathroom:

Sure bathroom hooks are essential for hanging wet towels or robes, but no one says you have to use standard hooks that are purely functional without any decorative appeal. Instead, use old doorknobs as hooks. This super simple hack adds a ton of character to your bathroom while it maximizes wall space. Tip: For a cool shabby-chic vibe, use a grouping of vintage doorknobs that have finishes with a little wear and tear.
 

6. Laundry Room:

Bet you didn’t know that you could easily conquer dryer static with just some ingenuity and aluminum foil. It’s true! It turns out balled-up aluminum foil can minimize dryer static. Here’s how: When you’re ready to dry your washed laundry, just throw three aluminum foil balls (about 3 inches in diameter each) in your dryer and tumble dry your load as normal. These anti-static wonders are easy to make, economical, reusable for up to 6 months, recyclable and help you avoid toxic chemicals found in dryer sheets. Tip: Heavy-duty foil works best. Wrap a tennis ball in foil. This will help you use even less foil to make a sizable ball and the tumbling tennis ball helps fluff your laundry as it dries.

7. Clothes Closet:

It can be frustrating fighting to find your favorite jeans when you have a cluttered closet. If you’re not ready to slim down your wardrobe, have no fear. This hack lets you retain all your perfectly worn-in pairs, but in a more organized manner: Hang your jeans on shower hooks. Saves a ton of closet space and makes finding your favorite pair a snap!

8. Home Office:

Smartphone accessories, like a phone stand, can be kind of pricey…unless, of course, you know how to make it yourself with inexpensive office supplies. This hack makes good use of binder clips, which you probably already have at home. When positioned in just that right way, your binder clips can make a quick and functional phone stand. When you’re done using your ingenious phone stand, just slip the clips back in your desk drawer. Job well done!
rinse and dry (or first clean with a mild dish detergent) to use right away! Et voilà, dinner is served!

9. Playroom:

Playrooms can be a messy prospect, but they don’t have to be with this awesome household hack. Just use an over-the-door shoe organizer for toys or art supplies. The clear compartments make for easy access and easy clean up. So simple, it’s like child’s play.

10. Garage:

Rusty tools are the bane of any true handyman or handywoman. Here’s a great way to make sure you won’t have to worry about that: Use blackboard chalk to prevent your tools from rusting. Just place several pieces in your toolbox. The chalk traps dampness, which helps keep your tools rust-free, giving you one fewer excuse to not be handy around the house.

Why Home Repair and Maintenance is Important!

Unless you already found your dream home and plan on staying there for the rest of your life, it is essential for all homeowners to understand the importance of and actually following through with home repairs and regular maintenance. Now this is especially an important factor if you only plan on being in your current home for a few years or plan on selling your home in the near future. Minor fixes or upgrades can help you prevent serious problems in the future.

Comfort

Major components of the home such as heating and plumbing need to be monitored regularly. They have a significant effect on how comfortable you can be in your home and replacements can be costly. If features of your home are no longer efficient, they may need to be replaced to reduce energy consumption and monthly bills.

Value

Routine maintenance and upkeep maintains the appearance and comfort of your home along with helping to maintain or increase its value. A home is a special investment and maintaining it helps you protect it. Repairing and maintain a home costs less than waiting for problems to get worse.

Safety

Home repairs are necessary for safeguarding you, your family, your belongings and your general wellbeing. By inspecting your home regularly, cleaning and repairing it, you will have the assurance that your family is safe. Keep fire hazards at bay with professional chimney maintenance and test smoke detectors to ensure that they are functioning properly. Repair all electrical issues such as malfunctioning electric appliances and exposed wiring.

Prevent the risk of falls by making sure that your floors are intact. Lighting also plays a key role in home safety by improving visibility and dissuading trespassers. Make sure that all your lights are in working condition.

Prevent Expensive Repairs

Performing regular maintenance and handling minor repairs as required will minimize the possibility of expensive repairs. Most appliances need to be inspected regularly, cleaned and changed. The efficiency of appliances like refrigerators is improved when they are cleaned and well-maintained.
Dealing with leaks to prevent flooding and structural damage immediately is very important and can prevent costly repairs, from flooding or mold build up, so if you aren’t able to do it your self, looking into hiring a professional. Performing plumbing maintenance is essential and will give you peace of mind.

Repairs make it possible for appliances to remain operational for a longer time and enable them to work efficiently and properly.

It is important to asses the condition of parts such as the roof on a regular basis because your roofing protects your home. Professional roofing companies are available to inspect your roof. Maintain your roof and avoid water damage.

Deal with pest infestations immediately. Pests such as termites and cockroaches can rapidly multiply if the infestation is not addressed as soon as the signs are noticed.