CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Freeze 'Em

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:00:23 -0700

When you're painting your interiors, and the task takes more than one day, it's a pain in the butt to have to wash all of your brushes and supplies whenever you take a break. So instead of washing all of the paint off my brushes, I just pop them in the freezer in a plastic bag and defrost them when I need to get back to my paintstaking project. If you've got room to spare in your freezer, you might as well keep your brushes frozen even after your project is done. That way, if you ever need to do touchups, your brush will be ice cold and ready to go!

Cool Idea: Give Your Houseplants a Vacation

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:15:40 -0700

I have been following David Horvitz's blog for a few months or so. For all of 2009 (not necessarily every day, but frequently), he sends out small texts of simple instructional ideas through his mailing list, and then posts screenshots of them on his blog. Many of his instructions involve mailing things to far-off addresses, like "Take a photo of your head in the freezer and mail it to a museum in Greenland that has no current exhibition." I've never followed through with his suggestions. But I think this one, shown above, giving your house plants a vacation, is fun and something I might actually do. I've gotten to the point that I don't even notice my houseplants anymore, unless they're in desparate need of watering. So it would be fun to switch it up and lay my eyes on someone else's ficus for a while. What do you think? Would you do this?

How-To: Rid Your Candle Holders of Wax

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I recently hosted a dinner party lit by dozens of candles, from votive holders on the coffee table to candlesticks in the dining room. Part of cleaning up after a candlelit soiree involves getting rid of all that wax. Thankfully I've learned a few tricks and tips over the years to make it easier. Here are a few of my favorite wax-removing solutions.

Before placing a candle in a votive holder, fill it with 1/4 inch of water. This way the wax won't stick to the glass and will be easier to remove.
If you skip the water step, after the party, put your wax-coated candle holders in the freezer for a few hours. This will allow the wax to shrink so you can easily pop it out with a screwdriver or other tool.
If the frozen wax doesn't pop out right away, try placing the candle holder upside down while it returns to room temperature, then try again.

Get three more tips.

Casa Verde: Keep Your Energy Bills Low When on Holiday

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

If you're planning on vacationing this August, you know that you don't need to use as much energy at home while you're away as you would normally. But, I thought I'd give you a few reminders about how to cut back your energy use while you're off hitting the beach.

Most people like to leave some lights on to be safe, so you appear to be home even when you're not. If you live in a city or neighborhood where that's necessary, just put a couple of your lights (facing the street) on timers to go on at night so your house doesn't appear vacant, but isn't hogging energy all day long.
Aside from your refrigerator and freezer, you can turn off and unplug all of your major and smaller appliances. But, if you'll be gone for an extended period, consider emptying your fridge and freezer all together and unplugging them as well.

There's more where these came from, so read more.

You won't be needing hot water, so you can turn your electric water heater off, too, or if you have a gas water heater, turn it to the pilot setting.
If you live in a moderate climate, you can turn your air conditioner off as well, but otherwise, set it at 85 degrees.
If you're lucky enough to have a pool, turn off your pool heater as well — Wow, they're pricey! — and reduce the amount of times that your pump filter operates. But, then again, if you can take a dip in your backyard, why take a vacation?

How-To: Store Your Household Batteries

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:00:17 -0700

Like humans, batteries are perishable products that deteriorate from the start of their lives. But, like eating well and using SPF, there are a few things you can do to slow their aging. Following an old wives' tale, my grandmother always kept her batteries in the freezer. As it turns out, that's not an ideal place to store them. Learn how to store your batteries when you read more.

Batteries should be kept in a cool, dry place - ideally around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Contrary to my grandmother's practice, Duracell and Kodak agree that batteries should not be kept in the freezer. You can store them in a refrigerator, but to prevent condensation you should keep in them a sealed plastic bag. Definitely do not store them in a warm place; this will inhibit their performance.
Whenever possible, keep your batteries in their original packaging.
Store batteries with their negative and positive terminals AWAY from each other, so that they're not conducting idly.
Keep lithium and nickel-based batteries stored at a 40 percent charge.
Store new and old batteries separately. If you store them together, power will be drawn from the new one, shortening its life.
Leave any plastic caps on your batteries (like the 9V ones) on until you need to use them.
If you are not going to be using any battery-operated appliance for a month, remove the appliance's batteries and make sure to store them as stated above.

How-To: Clean Out Your Refrigerator

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:00:18 -0800

Another year, another resolution. It's hard to eat healthy when your refrigerator is stocked with temptation. And it's hard to get off on the right foot with any resolution when your home base is a mess. So, it's time that we all get a fresh start this year with a clean fridge. You may think that the task only requires a dose of motivation, but there's a method to this cleanliness, and I'm going to enlighten you with it. To learn the steps to a cleaner new year, read more.

To begin, clean your kitchen counter and sink and remove everything from your countertops.
Take out your trash, and put a fresh bag in your garbage can.
Put any dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turn it on, or wash them by hand. Unload your dishes and put them where they belong: out of sight!
Turn off your refrigerator and unplug it.
Now, on to the real work. Begin with your freezer. If you have an ice maker, toss all your ice and wash the ice bin by hand. If you have ice trays, toss the ice and put your trays in the dishwasher. If you have neither, get yourself some ice trays!
Toss everything in your freezer except unopened boxes of frozen food. If you haven't eaten your frozen leftovers by now, you never will. If you have curbside composting with your garbage service, you can compost your food and even paper towels, instead of throwing it all in the trash. If you have a backyard compost pile, only place fruits and veggie-based foods in it.
Put the keepers on your kitchen counter.
On to the fridge. Work your way down starting from the top shelf and toss all of your leftovers. Rinse all your Tupperware and other storage containers and put them in the dishwasher.
Turn your dishwasher on.
One shelf at a time, pull every food product out of your fridge, tossing or composting it if it's expired or the sell by date isn't within the last two weeks. Put the keepers on your kitchen counter.
Apply the last two steps to the refrigerator door and any bins you have in your fridge.
Fill your sink with water and a good dose of dishwashing liquid.
Soak each refrigerator shelf in your sink for a delicate few one at a time. Scrub it well with a sponge. Shake dry. Spray it with glass cleaner, wipe, and let dry. Continue with each shelf. And remember, you can also clean with vinegar.
Spray the interior walls of your refrigerator and freezer and their doors with Clorox Greenworks and scrub your heart out.
Now, clean your vegetable bins by soaking and sponging them, and then spraying them with your Greenworks as well. Let dry.
Now, replace the shelves and bins.
Replace your food to your fridge and freezer, keeping them organized with some system.
Remove your ice trays from your dishwasher, fill them, and place them in the freezer.
Unload the rest of your dishwasher.
Make a list of what to buy now that I've made you toss everything.
Remove the Christmas cards from your fridge and store them. Toss or store any other paperwork on your fridge. Start fresh with a paper-free fridge, just magnets!
Wipe down the exterior of your fridge.
Now, have a glass of wine and relax.

Source

How-To: Prepare Your House For Vacation

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:00:44 -0800

After you've done your shopping and packing, if you're leaving town for the holidays, there are a few things you should check off your list to keep your digs in tip-top shape. If you'll be gone for a couple weeks or more, I suggest following all of my steps. If it's a short trip, you may choose to omit some.

To start, you'll want to purge your refrigerator and pantry of any perishables. You'll likely have household staples (sugar, flour, etc.) that you won't want to toss; store those in tightly sealed containers, like Le Parfait Storage Jars.
If you're going to be gone for a few weeks, once you've emptied your refrigerator/freezer, unplug it and open the doors to defrost. Leave a box of Fridge-N-Freezer to absorb any odors that may be lingering.
Round up all of your trash bags and take them out to your garbage bin. Make sure you bring your garbage bin to the curb so the garbage crew can access your trash.
Scan your yard, patio, or deck for any outdoor items and furnishings you might have left there and bring them indoors.

To read the rest of my vacation preparation list, read more.

Water your plants, or hire someone to come by and water them while you're gone. And don't forget to feed your pets and hire a caretaker for them if they're not coming with!
Ask a trustworthy neighbor or friend to check on your house while you're gone.
Suspend your mail service, or ask a trustworthy friend or neighbor to pick up your mail daily.
Turn the thermostat down to about 55 degrees.
Turn off the water.
Put a few lights in the front of the house on timers so that they go on at night, and turn the rest off.
Close your windows, blinds, and curtains to prevent sun damage and to keep your house private.
Dust, sweep, mop, vacuum, and wipe down your counters.
Wash and dry your bed sheets. Fold them, and put them in your linen closet. Make your bed when you return from vacation to prevent your linens from getting dusty while you're gone.
Make sure to do any other laundry.
Shovel snow and ice off of any walkways at your home, if there is any.
If you're leaving a car at home, remove valuables and bring them indoors. Lock your car doors, and leave it in the garage, if you have one.
Obviously, lock all of your doors (including the garage). But, leave your interior doors open to keep closets and small rooms from getting stuffy.
Do a run down to make sure you haven't forgotten anything (passport!) and take a walk through your house.
Set your alarm system. Bon voyage!

Source

Casa Verde: Save Energy While You Vacation

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:00:00 -0700

Of course, you know that if you're going on vacation during this endless Summer, you don't need to use as much energy at home while you're away as you would normally. But, I thought I'd give you a few reminders about how to cut back your energy use while you're off soaking up the sun.

Most people like to leave some lights on to be safe, so you appear to be home even when you're not. If you live in a city or neighborhood where that's necessary, just put a couple of your lights (facing the street) on timers to go on at night so your house doesn't appear vacant, but isn't hogging energy all day long.
Aside from your refrigerator and freezer, you can turn off and unplug all of your major and smaller appliances. But, if you'll be gone for an extended period, consider emptying your fridge and freezer all together and unplugging them as well.

There's more where these came from, so read more.

You won't be needing hot water, so you can turn your electric water heater off, too, or if you have a gas water heater, turn it to the pilot setting.
If you live in a moderate climate, you can turn your air conditioner off as well, but otherwise, set it at 85 degrees.
If you're lucky enough to have a pool, turn off your pool heater as well — Wow, they're pricey! — and reduce the amount of times that your pump filter operates. But, then again, if you can take a dip in your backyard, why take a vacation?

Source

Casa Quickie: Cool Summer Sleeping

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 13:00:37 -0700

Finding it hard to sleep on these hot August nights? To keep cool in a house without air conditioning, try this trick. Pop your pillow in a plastic bag, then stick it in your freezer. (A chest freezer offers the most room, and keeps your pillow from getting squished.) Then right before you go to bed, pull it out. You'll have a cool night of Summer sleep. Source

DIY: Fabric Valentine's Day Hearts

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:00:38 -0800

Sassy Priscilla reports that this cute toile Valentine's Day craft project takes under an hour from start to finish. It would also be a fun project to try with little ones.

What You'll Need

4-inch toile fabric squares
fusible interfacing
freezer paper
ribbon or yarn
cardboard heart template smaller than the size of your scraps
sewing machine
scissors

To find out how to make it, just read more.

Here's How

Cut out two different sizes of heart shapes.
When you have drawn and cut out the two different sized heart shapes, cut them out and glue them to cardboard. Then cut the cardboard to make two templates, one little and one larger. Cut 20 or more hearts in the two different sizes.
Take the freezer paper and cut it in half length-wise (unless your hearts are really large). You will only need half the width. Set up your sewing machine and then place a larger heart about two inches from the top of the paper. Start to sew at the top of the paper and sew through the middle of the first heart.
Continue to sew on the paper for two inches then place a smaller heart on the paper and sew through the middle of it
When you have sewn four or five hearts onto the freezer paper you will reach the end of the paper. When you are near the bottom of the paper, tuck another sheet under the first, and continue to sew. Don’t forget to leave a space of about two inches between the hearts. Continue making the chain until you have used all the hearts.
Pick up the paper (which has the hearts sewn on the middle) and carefully tear it away from the hearts.
Hang your heart garland in a prominent spot where everyone can enjoy it.
For more photos of the process, go here.

Source