Good to Know

Many of us can remember a time when there was no such thing as plastic. Now our lives seem inundated with it, especially in the kitchen, with plastic wraps and a multitude of various-sized containers. Aluminum foil was hailed as a big improvement over tin foil, but now we recognize that it leaches into foods through heat or contact with anything salty or acidic. Maybe it’s time to return to some earlier methods of kitchen storage, and take a more earth-friendly look at new ones. Replacing plastic wrap and foil: Plain cotton or linen kitchen towels or aprons are quick […]

Are you one of those super-organized people who loves to label things?  Just to inform the rest of us, things have come a long way since the little hand-held devices that made molded plastic sticky tape that was often used to identify lockers and cabinets at school.  Now you can get desktop machines that print in several fonts, sizes and languages, with icons and borders, and can print in more than a single line. They come in thermal paper, clear, flowered and waterproof versions, too. The end result is professional-looking quality right at your fingertips.  Probably these machines are used

Do you know where your sewer drain cleanout is?  You may have thought being on a sewer system is ‘no worries’ compared to a septic tank. Well, almost. The sewer drain cleanout still needs to be located and the area maintained to ensure easy access for a plumber in the event of a sewer blockage. The drain cleanout is a pipe about three or four inches across that stands upright, through the surface soil, with a big cap on it. It’s the emergency access point for your plumber if the underground pipes get clogged, so this pipe end needs to

For the highly allergic, a trip down the cleaner-freshener aisle at the grocery store can be  toxic. There are hundreds of specific chemical fresheners and cleaners for what seems like every inch of the house, and your pets. The natural way to make your home smell clean and pleasant involves only a few basic items: Acids like lemons and vinegar, neutralizers like baking soda, fragrances like essential oils and flowers, and good old fresh air and food. Here are some suggestions. Open the windows and use room fans to circulate fresh air. Bring in some pine boughs and cinnamon year-round.

If you’ve got just a few minutes to spare each day, you still have some time to organize your home. You will be surprised when you see how much your accomplishments will add up.  Timesaving BasicsFirst, remember that anything you can do to make things easier to find, or to simplify processes will help you to organize your life. Here are some basic rules used by professionals: Store basic cleaning supplies (window cleaner, antibacterial wipes, paper towels, air freshener, etc.) in a bucket that can be carried from room to room for quick clean-ups.  Keep stored items in containers that

If you’ve ever felt the lush grass at a golf course, you know what a difference the type of grass makes. Even at home, knowing your yard type will affect how you need to treat it. But what kind of grass do you have?  Atlanta sits in a temperate zone, so it is home to a variety of grasses, but the ones that do best are: North Atlanta – Cool Grasses: Ryegrass: Grows best and fast in cool, humid or soggy areas, in just about any soil.  Fescue: A cooler grass that’s better for the north side. Thrives even in

Chainsaws have changed a lot since the old days when they were heavy with gasoline and were wielded only by burly lumberjacks. Now there are smaller and more lightweight versions for the average homeowner to do basic yard maintenance. But is it a good idea to get one instead of calling the local landscaper? A national chainsaw manufacturer’s beginners’ guide suggests first of all, not to purchase a saw if you don’t feel comfortable about handling one, because you will need to maintain a determined tight grip and firm control. Chainsaws come in blade range sizes from 6 to 20

When you set the oven dial  — or select the digital temperature — to 350 degrees, is it actually baking at that heat? There are a couple of ways to find out.  Put your baking rack in the middle position of the oven and put a baking thermometer in the center of it. Turn the oven to 350 degrees and let it warm up for 30 minutes. Then check the thermometer to see if it reads close to 350. The alternative used by professional chefs is an electronic baking thermostat with a probe that will digitally collect high and low

If you love the sounds of songbirds, there are particular plants and flowers that will have them flocking to your backyard on a regular basis. Fernbank Science Center recommends planting lush evergreen ground covers of ajuga, periwinkle and pachysandra to provide low protection for thrashers, wrens, towhees, thrushes and sparrows to hide from danger and the elements. They will often store food underneath the foliage. Vine plants such as honeysuckle, trumpet vine and wild grapes attract warblers, mockingbirds, vireos, catbirds and hummingbirds. Some of these birds even prefer to nest in these tangles of vines. Include raspberry, blackberry and blueberry