photo by syvwlch
Our favorite cleaning products, supplies and tools help us save time and effort. If you don’t have a cleaning service or utility room and have been storing these items lined up in cabinets, try putting together a cleaning-kit caddy, which makes it easy to have everything handy to carry from room to room. It’s organized and space-saving, too. No one wants to spend more time cleaning.
They make great practical gifts for family and friends. I asked readers what cleaning items they couldn’t live without. While dusters, …

photo by matthewlevine

I love waking up to the familiar smells of bacon and eggs cooking and coffee brewing. The problem is that many families often don’t wake up on leisurely weekends at the same time, so brunch makes more sense. It’s nice to “do” brunch out, but it can be crowded on weekends or special occasions and costly, too. So why not make a midday meal at home. A few tweaks can make family favorites better. For instance, if you typically have pancakes, make crepes as a surprise. The crepe …

photo by eamonn

Do you know the health hazards lurking in your bathroom? No, not your household cleaners. Think again. Take a look at your beauty products. Have you ever questioned the synthetic materials used to create them? I don’t want to sound like an alarmist, so I’ll spare you the details and simply direct you to the cosmetic-safety database at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com. Read product ingredients and decide for yourself.
I’m willing to bet you’re not a stranger to how great your hair and skin feel when you’re using natural ingredients. Chances are …

photo by toofarnorth

DEAR SARA: I have started to hang up a couple of loads each week on a clothesline rather than throwing them in the dryer. I was wondering how much money I save by doing this. Do you have any idea how much money it costs per hour to run an electric dryer? I realize that utility rates are higher in different parts of the country, but I’m looking for a rough amount. — Kay, Louisiana
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photo by katmere

“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the sidewalk before it stops snowing.” — Phyllis Diller
The kitchen is sparkling clean. You leave the room for a few minutes, and, when you walk back, there’s a mess. It’s frustrating trying to keep your home clean if you have a family. Even more so if you have young kids. You’ve heard they’re only young once, but that sure doesn’t help much when every day is “Groundhog Day” when it comes to housework. The unpleasant …