Green Tip of the Week: Multi-purpose Vodka

Poison oak, ivy, and sumac are spreading thanks to global warming, but your liquor cabinet holds an effective treatment: Vodka.

Turns out, 100-proof vodka can be used as an analgesia, clothes whitener, chrome cleaner. Visit http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/vodka-uses-460424#ixzz0dCKu6Gzn" for more green uses for vodka.

GREEN TIP: Leaks Faucets

Leaky faucets that drip at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. Not sure if you have a leak? Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.

Home Maintenance Tips for SPRING

Spring has arrived in many parts of the U.S. The ideas below will help you prepare your home for a hassle-free summer:

*Clean showerheads and faucet aerators.
*Clean and seal tile grout.
*Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. This prevents lint from accumulating and reduces the risk of fire.
*Inspect washing machine hoses and replace when they show signs of wear or leakage.
*Inspect deck or patio for deterioration and safety hazards. Repair loose boards, protruding nails or other safety issues.
*Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher handy and ready for use.
*Wash the exterior of your house using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent.
*Caulk exterior joints around all windows and doors.
*Change air conditioner filters.
*Have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean your chimneys.

Moving into Less Space? Take a hard line on purging belongings

To make for a smooth non-stressful move, avoid the five most deadly mistakes:

1. DON'T leave the purging process until you're ready to move.

2. DON'T be stubborn about doing it all on your own.

3. DON'T focus too much on giving items a good home instead of getting rid of them.

4. DON'T forget to label boxes on all four sides.

5. DON'T forget to pack everything up systematically.

Good purging requires effort and time. If you can't make these changes yourself, get help. A good professional organizer can guide you from the purging to settling in.

HELPFUL HINTS...Other uses for Alka Seltzer

Clean a toilet.
Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

Clean a vase.
To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water
and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewelry.
Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the
jewelry for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle.
Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak
for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain.
To clear the sink drain, drop three Alka Seltzer tablets down the
drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes,
and then run the hot water.

GREEN TIP: Clean Your Refrigerator Coils

Cleaning the back of your refrigerator -- the coils and electric circuitry -- increases energy efficiency. A refrigerator with dirty coils works harder, and that means an extra 25 percent more energy use and CO2 emissions as compared with a refrigerator with clean coils!