Do you keep "past due" foods in your refrigerator? You wouldn't be alone. A study from the Home Food Safety website shows that more than 40 percent of people either have never cleaned their refrigerators, or can't remember the last they did. Past due foods can lose their taste, give off bad odors, and/or make you ill -- just a few of the … [Read more...]
Waste Water — Waste Money, Too!
August 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
How well do you conserve water? With most of north Texas in some stage of drought and water use regulations, it's more important than ever for us to seek out ways to conserve this precious resource. The government's EPA estimates that the average family of four uses 146,000 gallons of water per year, at a cost of $700. With just a few small … [Read more...]
How To Clean A Water Aerator
August 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Water use and conservation is top of mind in Collin County, Texas. After two years back-to-back of low rainfall and record heat, we're serious about the conservation. Most townships are enforcing Stage 3 Drought regulations. Homes in Collin County with aerated faucets use up to 50% less water than homes without. However, aerated faucets can … [Read more...]
How To Beat The Bacteria In Your Kitchen
July 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Within Collin County homes, the kitchen is often the most "used" room in the house. It's a meeting place for meals, for conversation, and for family. Unfortunately, that makes it a meeting place for bacteria, as well. Along with bathrooms, kitchens are the most bacteria-heavy rooms in a home. Kitchens require a good, daily cleaning. This … [Read more...]
How To Revive A “Brown Lawn”
July 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
No two ways about it -- July and August in Texas can be deadly for your lawn. And changes can happen quickly. A lush, green lawn can transform into a brown one within weeks. And heat, while oftentimes a catalyst, is not always the culprit. As a Collin County homeowner, you can take precautions to minimize the likelihood of a brown … [Read more...]
Tips To Keep Your Home Cooler Without Turning Down The Thermostat
July 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment
The typical U.S. household "loses" up to 30% of its annual heating and cooling bill to energy inefficiencies, according to ENERGY STAR®. The good news is that there are dozens of ways to help your home perform better. As the calendar turns to July, and as temperatures warm in Texas and nationwide, implement even one of the following … [Read more...]
How To Choose The Right Paint Color For Any Room
June 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment
It always amazes me when I go into a home for the first time and find that the owners have personalized the property with multiple paint colors -- to the point that they, and they alone -- love it. But this is not about preparing your home to sell. This is about preparing your home to live in! Whether you're moving into a new home and want … [Read more...]
How To Seal A Granite Countertop
June 14, 2012 by 1 Comment
For Collin County homeowners, granite countertops remain a popular kitchen and bathroom finishing choice. Granite boasts a combination of natural beauty and durability that's unmatched among most commercial options. But different from many other countertops choices, granite is a natural material; mined from the Earth. It is porous and highly … [Read more...]
How To Keep A Clean Refrigerator
June 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Do you clean your refrigerator regularly, or only after you've run out of space? If your answer is the latter, your refrigerator may be harboring dangerous bacteria that can make you, your family, and your house guests ill. Refrigerators should be cleaned monthly, inside and out, ideally. The process involves removing all foods, cleaning all … [Read more...]
How To Keep Your Home House Fly Free
June 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As the calendar turns to June and the temperatures start to rise in Texas and nationwide, we begin to spot more bugs, insects and pests as compared to during the winter. Hiring an exterminator is one way to limit the number of ground-based bugs in your home. For example, periodic treatments can help to keep ants, beetles and termites at … [Read more...]
Save Energy For Summer : Flip Your Ceiling Fans
May 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and, in north Texas, weekend weather was indistinguishable from what one might expect in August. Temperatures climbed into the 90s in Collin County and throughout the Southwest, South Central, Midwest and Southeast and even crossed 100 degrees in parts of Kansas. For homeowners with ceiling … [Read more...]
How To Use Newspapers To Kill Garden Weeds
April 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
April 22 was Earth Day, a day to raise awareness about, and to celebrate, the Earth's natural environment. It's also a day for people of Collin County to do something good for the planet. There are lots of ways to help the environment, including by reducing your net electricity usage, by conserving fresh water supplies, and by planting trees. … [Read more...]
