CasaSugar

Casa Verde: Mothball Alernatives

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0800

A moth is one pest you don't want to invite into your closet. But, mothballs are party poopers, too. Mothballs slowly evaporate into gas, and if their two active ingredients, naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene, are inhaled, they can be harmful to your health. Luckily, there are alternatives that'll keep your sweaters and your health safe from harm. To hear them, read more.

Cedar blocks or chips
Rosemary
Thyme
Dried cloves
Lavender
Cinnamon sticks
Eucalyptus
Bay leaves

Nearly all household ingredients! If you're going to use herbs as an alternative, make a sachet for them by filling a small canvas drawstring bag with a mix of ingredients. You can also add drops of essential oils of any of those herbs.

Casa Verde: Clean with Steam Vapor, Not Chemicals

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:00:01 -0700

In her book Green Housekeeping, Ellen Sandbeck notes that one simple way to avoid using chemical products when you clean is to use steam vapor instead, which loosens dirt, grease and grime quite easily, so they can then just be wiped off with a clean cloth.

Here are some of her tips for the technique, according to the Housekeeping Channel:

"To steam clean a wood, vinyl or tile kitchen floor, attach a clean terrycloth towel to the floor brush, then put the floor brush on the end of the steamer's extension tube. Use a mopping motion to steam the floor clean, moving quickly to prevent heat damage. When the towel gets dirty, turn it over or replace it with a clean towel."
"Clean tile grout by using the steamer's detail brush, then use a towel-covered floor brush to remove excess moisture and residue. If the tile is very dirty, use the floor brush without a towel, then wipe the steamed area with a clean towel. You can use this technique for tiled counters as well as tiled floors."
"Strip off old paste wax by using the floor brush to steam a small section at a time. Wipe off the dissolved wax before moving to the next section. When the job is done, clean the brushes with hot water before the wax has a chance to harden. Wipe down the surface with a clean dry towel before applying new wax."

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:00:17 -0800

Real Estalker knows how Amanda Peet sold and bought a house, and Domino has a sneak peek into the interior.
Hilary Swank is talking real estate, and Big Time has the details.
Poppytalk is taking a neoclassical cue from Canadian House & Home.
Simply Green spotted some pretty handsome birchwood cylinders.
Good Housekeeping shows you how to clean. Fast!
Style court has a new design crush that I'm willing to fight for.
Desire to Inspire proves that favoritism ain't bad.

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