Home Improvement

Photo courtesy of Getty Images Grooming your pet more frequently helps to control shedding. (Family Features) It can be a challenge to keep the house clean, especially for busy families. When the kids are home from school, it means more dirt, mud and sand get tracked in, whether it’s from sports practice or backyard fun. Pets add to the mess, too. In fact, a recent study conducted by the NPD Group revealed more than half of pet owners (51 percent) reported that managing and cleaning up pet hair is their number one cleaning … [Read more...] about Cleaning challenges: Minimizing the mess

Photo courtesy of Getty Images A vary of counter heights will create a workspace for anyone who would like to prepare in the kitchen. (Family Features) Parents are moving in with their adult children. College grads are coming home to Mom and Dad. Siblings are moving in with one another after a home foreclosure. Across America, the need for home design that supports multi-generational living is on the rise. In 2008, an estimated 49 million Americans, or 16.1 percent of the total U.S. population, lived in a family … [Read more...] about Tips for multi-generational kitchen design

Whether running the dish washer or loading the laundry machine, turn the dial to cold for savings. (Family Features) According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the average consumer spends about $630 each year on household supplies. In fact, a recent study reveals that many Americans are letting their money go down the drain - literally - by spending too much on items like laundry detergent. In these tough economic times, families are looking for smart, new ways to save money without sacrificing quality, and the laundry room is a … [Read more...] about The clean you need, at a fraction of the cost

Cellular window shades can reduce your energy costs. NewsUSA — Light. Openness. Beauty. Windows bring all of these and so much more to a room. Without windows, our homes would lack comfort, sanctuary, inspiration. Yet controlling window dynamics, such as glare and heat transfer, can be a challenge. Without any control, your home may be uncomfortably hot in the summer, cold in the winter or expensive to heat and cool, and your furnishings may be getting ruined by harmful UV rays. There are a lot of window-fashion options … [Read more...] about Insulating window treatments save energy and look good doing it

Rodents and other unwelcome wildlife pose many risks; keep them outside with this expert advice. (NewsUSA) — As colder weather settles in, many creatures are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Rodents, birds, raccoons and other wildlife are seeking refuge from the cold -- in your home. Birds will take shelter in warm attics, mice will snack on holiday foods, and raccoons will paw through garbage. These over-eager guests can spread disease by leaving droppings and urine around your home and wreak havoc on wires and … [Read more...] about Tips to keep wildlife outdoors this season

Save money on bills by winter-proofing your home this season. Vent-free fireplaces are stylish and economical. (NewsUSA) — As Old Man Winter makes his mighty push, 79 percent of Americans expect to pay the same or more to heat their homes as compared to last winter, according to a recent survey by the Vent-Free Gas Products Alliance, a section of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute. To save money on those heating bills, though, homeowners can take steps now to stay warmer and more comfortable this … [Read more...] about Cut heating costs by winterizing your home

Rodents and other unwelcome wildlife pose many risks; keep them outside with this expert advice. (NewsUSA) — As colder weather settles in, many creatures are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. Rodents, birds, raccoons and other wildlife are seeking refuge from the cold -- in your home. Birds will take shelter in warm attics, mice will snack on holiday foods, and raccoons will paw through garbage. These over-eager guests can spread disease by leaving droppings and urine around your home and wreak havoc on wires and … [Read more...] about Tips to keep wildlife outdoors this season

Home spas come with many risks. Caution should be used when installing one. (Family Features) Spas add extra comfort to homes, providing families with medical benefits and the opportunity to escape the outside hustle-and-bustle and relax in the soothing warm water. But, with home spas come many risks that can lead to serious injury or even death. In fact, according to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), since 1990, spas and hot tubs have accounted for more than 800 deaths nationwide. To raise awareness of these … [Read more...] about Home Spa Safety