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Good Picnic Site Stewardship
Tips for keeping it clean and pristine
A picnic in the park is a true summer pleasure...provided you're not trying to locate a site that's free of someone else's trash. Good stewardship of our parks is everyone's responsibility, even more so now that budget cuts across the nation are affecting park maintenance.
Good picnic protocol means leaving the site in pristine condition. All that's required is a little preplanning. And the supplies…
Items
Routine Care
Special Instructions
Appliances
Accessories
Trim
Use a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner. Rinse with clean water and dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Avoid using abrasive cleanser that may scratch the plastic.
Bathtubs
Shower Stalls
Sinks
Wall Tile
Use a tub/tile/sink cleaner; nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner; or a paste of baking soda and water. Apply the cleaner to the…
Get the jump on seasonal cleaning!
It's fall, so how about getting started with spring cleaning?! While that may sound like a contradiction in terms, stop and think about it. Warm summer months means vacations away from home and more time spent outdoors. But while you were out enjoying yourself, dirt and grime didn't take a vacation. They sat around the house, accumulating and multiplying. And, now, with the winter months ahead and…
Q: My son's sneakers always get so dirty in summer. Can I launder them in the washing machine?
A: Most shoe manufacturers discourage machine washing sneakers. Some detergents and the machine's agitation may damage many leathers and adhesives. But, some shoes can be cleaned in your washing machine. Your best bet is to read and follow the care instructions inside the sneaker. If there are no instructions, here are some basic instructions for cleaning most…
Q: I suspect that our new backyard has some poison ivy. If I wear gloves, long sleeves and long pants to protect me, how do I clean these clothes when I'm finished gardening so I don't spread the poison ivy?
A: You are right to be concerned. Poison ivy produces a resin called urushiol. This resin is the culprit that triggers allergic rash reactions in most people. When it remains on unwashed clothing, it is still active. Avoid touching your clothes with bare hands or…
Q. After seeing the effect of plastic straws on ocean life, I made a point to get a metal straw and have been keeping it in my purse. But how do I keep it clean?
Metal straws, like utensils, can be a great way to reduce the need for single-use plastic. It should be washed after each use, even if you were just drinking water. If you're on the go, you can rinse it with hot water, towel it off, and tuck it back in your purse. Once home, clean with hot water and soap, using a thin bottle…
If you have the Owner's Manual, follow the cleaning instructions. If you don't have the Manual, just follow these easy steps:
INTERIOR
(note: do this before going to the grocery store for your weekly shopping)
Unplug the fridge and slide a coil brush under the unit’s kick plate to remove dust.
Empty the contents of the entire fridge. Toss anything past its prime.
Remove the drawers and scrub with a sponge, warm water and liquid dish soap.
Spray the (now empty…
Work through this checklist a few items idea, tackling a room at a time, and your home will be clean and ready for the holidays in no time!
Kitchen
If you plan on doing a lot of holiday cooking and entertaining, check your stockpile of aprons, potholders, dish clothes and dish towels. Make sure they’re clean and in usable condition.
Clean out the refrigerator to make room for holiday goodies. Remove the contents, checking expiration dates, and discarding anything whose time is up. Clean…