Sometimes we could all use a few simple solutions to deal with various knicks and knacks around the house. Below are a few tips for maintenance and generally making everything run smoothly.
For hanging pictures:
- Most photos within a reasonable size should be placed at a height so that if the frame contained a mirror, you would easily be able to see yourself in it. That is, the middle-to-top of the painting should be level with your eyes. This rule goes out the window if you have large (think wall-sized) prints or if you’re creating a gallery wall effect.
- If you make your own art using canvas and you have a few light-weight ones, grab some thread, two short flat-head nails, and a hammer. Pound the two nails into the back of the frame on the left and right sides directly across from one another. When the heads are nearly flush with the canvas, take the thread and tie one end of it around one nail, then loop it back over the other nail, then continue circling several times until the thread is strong. Pound the nails the rest of the way into the canvas, and use the thread to hang the canvas on a removable hook on the wall.
For the kitchen sink:
- Make sure you always run the garbage disposal, with water running, before you use your dishwasher. Food scraps caught up in the drain or around the disposal could get into your dishwasher. While you run the water, run it hot so that hot water will get to your dishwasher right away.
- Every few weeks, run a few lemon rinds down your drain (only if you have a garbage disposal) with a few cubes of ice. Grind it up with the disposal, water running, to refresh and clean the disposal.
- For an extra-shiny sink, fill it to the brim with water and a cup of bleach, then let sit, undisturbed, for half an hour. Drain (use rubber gloves or your bare arm to reach the drain cover, rinsing your arm or the glove as the sink drains), then scrub down with a paste of a canned, powdered cleaner, leave it sit, then let dry. When dry, scrub again with water to remove, then gently rinse down the sides. Ahh, shiny!
For your washer and dryer:
- Every few months (when you switch the clocks is a good time), clean the large fuzzy clumps of lint out of your dryer’s exhaust, then vacuum out the smaller bits. It’s a fire hazard to have them there!
- With your washer, run an empty (clothes-wise, that is) load with a cup of bleach every few month or so, manufacturer’s directions permitting. It’ll clean any accumulated mold or mildew right out of it.
For your fireplace:
- If you regularly use your fireplace, clean out the ashes at least once a week. When cleaning, first sprinkle with damp coffee grounds to minimize dust. Wait at least 12 hours to a day after the fire has been extinguished before removing any ashes and embers.
Give your A/C unit a check:
- If your wall-mounted air conditioning unit has a removable filter, replace it before the weather starts warming up. If it isn’t removable, give it a good cleaning.
- If your air conditioning unit is outside, get it inspected and tuned up every year. It will help keep your energy costs down. A few times a month, check the condensate drain hose yourself to clear out any blockage.
Do you have a few simple solutions to easy fixes around the house? Share below!
Toothy Tips and Tricks
