You found yourself a nice space--good location and the price is right. Security deposit paid and lease signed, how do you make someone else’s investment property into your home sweet home? What can you do to put your stamp on it, but still make sure you get your security deposit back? Here are four amazing ways to decorate your space and add color without making any permanent modifications....
‘Tis the season to be wary...of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion. It is produced when oil, gas, or coal burns. The reason to be wary is because carbon monoxide is deadly and very hard to detect as it is colorless and odorless. Carbon monoxide bonds to the hemoglobin in your blood more readily than oxygen and makes you sick. The early symptoms present like the...
The Danger of Dryer Sheets highlights some of the risks posed by commercial fabric softener dryer sheets. Whether you are looking to decrease your environmental toxin burden, prevent premature burn out of your dryer, or maintain the functionality of your fabric, there are some good reasons to opt out of the use of fabric softener or dryer sheets. And, you can maintain the softness and decrease the static...
The dryer sheet was first invented in 1969. The patent was sold to Proctor & Gamble and the Bounce dryer sheet was introduced and popularized among American homemakers shortly thereafter. The dryer sheet has been a staple in many household laundry rooms for decades now. It is an easy and efficient solution to static cling and leaves clothes smelling fragrant. What more do you need to...
Air fresheners are toxic. That's the bottom line. Even when they are labeled "natural" or "fragrance free" they can have thousands of chemical compounds, several which are known carcinogens or hormone disruptors. Often instead of freshening air, the chemicals are actually just coating our nasal passages and numbing our sense of smell. These air fresheners can aggravate asthma symptoms and are a...
Front load washing machines have increased in popularity over the years. Improvements in stability, along with energy, water, and space savings they offer, have made them a very appealing alternative to the traditional top-loading washing machine. The down-side of the front loading washer becomes more noticeable as time goes on: the smell. Front loading washing machines are known for their...
Gutters are a very important part of your property. Gutters are designed to catch the water that rolls off the roof from rain or snow and carry it to an area where it can drain properly. This keeps water from collecting in areas that cannot drain and lead to water damage in other parts of the property. Any time water damage is involved, there is a potential for mold proliferation, extending the damage from...
When spring comes, it brings the bugs with it. You know you don’t want to share your space with them, but you don’t want to poison your space to get rid of them, either. Here are a few ideas for non-toxic and pet safe bug repellent and abatement ideas you can use to live in a healthy, bug-free space. Non-Toxic Bug Treatments 1. Chalk. Did you know ants won’t cross a chalk line? If you...
Spring is springing in the Treasure Valley and it is a beautiful time. It also means the bugs will be coming out from their hiding places...possibly into your home. Because we had such a mild winter this year, it is likely that we will be seeing more bugs than last year. Here are the common pests that you might encounter as it warms. THE BUGS Box Elder Beetle. We have lots of box elder trees in the...
You signed a lease...and now you’re the proud caretaker of a lawn...with plants. How do you take care of the plants in your landscaping? Here is a quick guide for maintaining common landscaping plants, if you choose not to hire a professional. Boxwood shrubs These shrubs are incredibly hardy. They are often shaped. You can prune them almost any time, except for late fall...