Putting a new commode in a bathroom or powder room yourself saves plumber fees, and it's less scary than you might expect Materials:• Toilet with tank and seat• Nut driver (optional, but it makes life easier)• Phillips head screwdriver• Flathead screwdriver• Crescent wrench (or ratchet set)• Channel lock pliers• Wax ring with bolts included• Bathroom/kitchen caulking• Braided toilet connector (most toilets and cutoff valves require a 3/8- by 7/8-inch connector)• Spare coins (cheaper than toilet shims) Unless you are a seasoned plumber or have a very strong stomach, I also recommend gloves and a rag for removing the old wax ring and bolt. If you are a seasoned plumber or a dock worker, just wipe the old wax on your jeans.
Finely Ground: One-A-Day Challenge: Spring Cleaning How are you doing on your spring cleaning? I've been knocking things off my to-do list, and it's such a handy one that I thought I'd share it. Just check off one item every day, and in three weeks you'll have thoroughly spring-cleaned your entire house--easy-peasy and I've included cheapskate tips where applicable! I recommend doing them in order; I've organized it as a top-to-bottom list so you won't end up dusting off your ceiling fan right after you vacuum. . .No, I haven't done that, why do you ask? Spring Cleaning Challenge Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans--microfiber dampened with vinegar is good. Tell me, is there anything I missed?
I'm an Organizing Junkie 15 minutes of cleaning? - How to have a {fake} immaculate house (part 2) To see the whole series on how to have a {fake} immaculate house, go HERE! Ok...I have lots of friends who are seriously skeptical but I'm telling you, it's TOTALLY possible to keep your house clean with just 15 minutes a day of cleaning! Really! I did it for years....when my kids were babies. It was not possible for me to spend an entire day cleaning. I must tell you, this doesn't mean if your house is right now a complete pig-stye mess that you can get it cleaned up in 15 minutes. to have to cart around and get the job done quickly! Years ago, I was inspired by Emilie Barnes,the author of MANY organizing books. 892K+You see...it's not much. Time yourself...how long does it really take to do that? If you need to vacuum daily....you may have to give that up - let it go! Now, let me tell you, there will be days you won't even have time to get to your assigned "chore" - potty training, baby crying all day, having your period, whatever! 15 Minutes a Day Cleaning Schedule or Connect with me:
How To Use Salt, Vinegar & Lemons For Household Cleaning These items are a staple in cooking and baking, but they’re also a great help around the house. Here are dozens of ways you can use them, I’ve separated them into three groups for easier browsing. Enjoy! Color Brightener: Add 1/2 cup to a load of laundry (wash cycle).Color Protector: Pour some in a bucket (as much as you need) then soak new garments in it to protect dyes from running.Whiter Whites: Add 1 1/2 cups to the rinse cycle to whiten clothes.Restore Whites: Add 1 cup to a large stock pot filled with water, bring to a boil. Using the peels or cut wedges/halves… Make your own household cleaner from the peels (so easy!) Using the juice… Mothball odors can be removed from drawers by rinsing with a strong solution of juice and water.Remove rings inside the toilet bowl by applying a paste of borax and freshly squeezed juice (first flush toilet to make the surface wet). Enamel Cookware Stain Remover: Stir a handful in cookware filled with water.
Guest Post: 10 Simple Steps to a Clean Home I’m excited to feature a guest post from Erica Daniels over at eeendevors.com; a blog that focuses on “Strategic, Money-Saving Living” — yup, I’m a fan! She is so sweet and her blog is full of fabulous frugal-living tips, ideas, resources…and of course, coupons! However, today she’s talking about her life and how she keeps her home clean and organized with 10 simple steps {you’re going to love these!} Thanks Erica! I feel like my home has gotten out of MY control. This 10-step program is a simple way to keep up with all your house work and still live life {and I know Andrea is all about simplicity over here on her blog!} 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. These steps are organized from most to least important so it’s OK if they aren’t ALL finished at the end of each day. Like I said, I’m in the midst of “out of MY control” and I need to get it “under MY control” before our upcoming moving day.
The Top 3 Money-Saving Cleaning Must-Haves! There are a million different cleaning products on the market all vying for a spot in your supply closet, not to mention a chunk of your budget. But before you bring home the next new wonder spray, consider these three money-saving cleaning must-haves: they're widely available, kid and pet friendly, and cheap, cheap, cheap! The Big Three: White Vinegar This product literally has 1001 uses if not more (there's an entire website dedicated to its awesomeness). Here are the top five ways to use this cost-saving cleaner in your home. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Check out more fantastic ways to use vinegar on VinegarTips.com. Baking Soda Baking soda is widely known for its deodorizing powers, but it has many other uses that will help you cut cleaning supply costs while maintaining a fresh-smelling home! 1. 2. / 3. 4. 5. Check out more great uses for baking soda on Yahoo and Real Simple. Lemons We shared 31 things to do with lemons earlier this week, but their cleaning abilities go beyond that. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Cleverlyinspired: Dirty Oven.....so sad It was my New Year’s resolution….to start the year off with a clean oven. I realize it sounds a bit silly and mundane. But I cook/bake a lot and every time I open that oven I am embarrassed for myself. I recently had some friends over for a small Holiday party….and they were helping me in the kitchen—“please don’t judge me by the inside of my oven…” it was really bad. I have put it off because I can’t stand the smell. I have tried everything….finally I found something that is all natural and doesn’t smell one bit! Badly in need….so sorry little oven… You can almost hear it crying….. Mix up 5 T baking soda, 5 drops of Dawn, 4 T vinegar….mix into a paste. Take out all your aggressions and go at it….coat the paste everywhere with a sponge. I also used a lemon, cut in half and pour some salt on it….then I did a tequila shot…I joke, I joke—put a few drops of dawn on the lemon… Trying to get all the grease off the door was a challenge…. Here is what it looks like now…not too bad!
Clean Your Air Conditioner Condenser Unit - Step by Step Overview: What you can do and when to hire a pro Chances are that if you’ve neglected a spring checkup, your air conditioner isn’t cooling nearly as well as it could. A year’s worth of dirt and debris clogging the cooling fins, a low coolant level, a dirty blower fan filter and a number of other simple problems can significantly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and wear it out faster. You can’t do everything; only a pro can check the coolant level. In this article, we’ll show you how to clean the outdoor unit (called the condenser) and the accessible parts of the indoor unit (called the evaporator). You may have a different type of central air conditioner than we show here—a heat pump system, for example, or a unit mounted horizontally in the attic. Tip: Call for service before the first heat wave, when the pros become swamped with repair calls! Typical central air conditioner system Figure A: Parts of a central air conditioner Step 1: Clean the condenser 1 of 5 2 of 5 3 of 5 1.