HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1994-04-13, Page 38PAGE 20 -HOME & GARDEN GUIDE '94
A
I1
parammed
HEALTH SERVICES
Me Sensible Sioar)✓
FeAwing such services as:
• Homemaking • Nursing • Physiotherapy
• Protective Alert Emergency Response System
Help is as close as your telephone with Para-med,
24 -Hours a Day -- 7 Days a Week!
FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 524-5346 OR
1-800-463-3158 }
OWEN OUSE PLANT
GROWERS
STECKLE'S
since 1973
Where you can shop for all
your planting needs
• Bedding plants • Perennials
• Shrubs •Trees • Peat Moss
• Soils • Fertilizers
The QUALITY AND VARIETY
You expect when you
Buy Direct from the Grower
SEE US AT THE
GODERICH HOME & GARDEN SHOW
HURON RIDGE
ACRES
The Steckle Family
R.R. 2
Zurich, Ont. Phone 565-2122
L_ -c•
Participant
Fri., Sat. & Sun.
April 15, 16 & 17
BE INDEPENDENT
Travel easily and confidently through Malls, Hotels, through
Parks, go shopping. Our electric scooters will give you the
independence.
Come out to the Home & Garden Show
and see our selection of
SCOOTERS 8E LIFT CHAIRS
ONo,..m E
fRM
D•E-OX
HOME CARE SERVICE
282 Suncoast Drive, Goderich
524-2020 1-800-265-5500
1...._! 1 U !
Even a thorough cleaning won't get rid of odors
You've just finished your
spring cleaning — you've
scrubbed, polished and
vacuumed, and yet, your home
or car still doesn't smell fresh.
That's because you can't
"clean" invisible odors the way
you can "dean" visible dirt.
Offensive smells can remain in
your home, car or camper, even
if you've thoroughly cleaned.
Particularly sensitive areas
include the kitchen, bathroom
and basement, with the worst -
offending smells from cooking,
tobacco, pets and litter boxes,
garbage cans and diaper pails.
Many of these odors can linger
in carpets, drapes, upholstery
and even clothing.
In addition, musty smells can
saturate outdoor furniture,
garages, closets, attics and
basements.
To keep your home its fresher,
here are a few tips on how to
identify and zap lurking odors:
In the kitchen: Spray
microwave, refrigerator, range
hood and counter tops to
remove food and cooking smells.
Pour a little of the solution in
your garbage disposal and other
drains to remove foul smells.
In the bathroom: Spray your
shower, shower curtain, tub, tiles
and drains to help keep them
fresh and mildew -free.
In the air. When cleaning air -
conditioner, furnace,
dehumidifier and other filters,
add a little solution to the water
for continuous fresh -smelling air.
On fabrics: Curtains,
upholstery and carpets can be
sprayed to eliminate stale
tobacco and other clinging
odors.
On clothing: Mist clothes that
have been in storage to remove
musty or "mothball" smells.
Don't forget to spray the
inside of shoes, boots and
sneakers to eliminate foot
perspiration odors.
In the baby's room: Keep
the air your child breathes clean
by spraying diaper pail and
baby's room daily.
Pet odors: Spray regularly in
cat litter box area to eliminate
odors. Also, remember to spray
the "accidents" pets may have
on carpets.
Camping and sports
equipment: Keep your gear as
fresh as the great outdoors.
Spray sleeping bags, tents,
coolers, camper and other gear
to remove musty scents.
Don't forget to also spray
away the sweaty smell from
sports uniforms and equipment.
In the garage, basement:
Regular usage in garage and
basement will remove gas, oil
and musty smells.
In your car, truck, camper
or other vehicles: Spray air
vents, mats, ashtray and the total
interior to get rid of stagnant
odors. And don't forget to spray
the trunk, too!
Remember, if your house or
car doesn't smell clean, it
probably isn't.
Is your duct system wasting energy?
Many homeowners are
surprised to learn their heating
and air-conditioning systems
may be wasting energy.
Here are some of the things
you can do to save money on
energy bills:
• Change the filters. Clogged
filters make your system work
harder. This in turn uses more
energy. Change them at least
twice a year — spring and fall.
• Stop the leakage. Sheet metal
duct systems waste energy
because they leak.
• After cleaning the duct surface,
seal up the joints with a high-
quality duct tape from the
hardware store, then insulate.
• Wrap the sheet -metal ducts
with a 2" thick fiberglass duct
wrap blanket insulation,
following the manufacturer's
recommended installation
procedures at all times.
When you build or renovate,
insist on a fiberglass duct system.
Thes46not use metal and
are made from rigid fiberglass
insulation boards formed into
rectangular or round ducts.
These duct systems have built-
in energy savings and when
properly installed, have relatively
air -tight joints that eliminate
leakage common with sheet
metal ducts.
Some tips for buying water treatment systems
As an increasingly health -
conscious society begins to
question the quality of residential
drinking water, many people are
entering the "murky waters" of
treatment systems.
Unfortunately, all too many of
them have waded into this
relatively new area with
inadequate information or.
worse, misinformation.
Often they are investing
money in equipment to treat a
variety of drinking water
problems which,they may or
may not have.
For this reason experts suggest
having water tested before
shopping for treatment
equipment.
A water test will help
determine a home's exact needs,
confirming or allaying current
concerns or identifying unknown
conditions.
Work with a water specialist
certified by the Water Quality
Association or with a reputable
laboratory.
If there are health concerns
regarding household drinking
water, contact the local health
department.
Other helpful tips:
• Buy from a reputable dealer.
A reputable water treatment
systems dealer is an excellent
resource in determining
equipment needs.
• Look for a dealer who has a
reputation for quality service and
sells products from established
manufacturers who offer
warranties on their products.
When in doubt, check out the
company with the local Better
Business Bureau office.
• Beware of one -size -fits -all
products. Multiple problems may
require multiple product
solutions, so beware of
salespeople who try to sell one
product to solve all problems.
Research the specific
capabilities of each product
considered.
• Look for a seal of approval.
Look to see whether the
equipment has been tested and
approved by an independent
authority.
• Check what's included in the
price. Ask if the price includes
installation and check to see if
installation includes a bypass for
lawn and garden faucets, a
faucet for unsoftened water or
other desired features.
Once the right system for a
family or individual's needs is
found, users should read the
manual for usage and cleaning
procedures to ensure a long
product life and top-quality
water.