JUNE 21, 2017 • Volume 12 • Issue 25
RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa
Always Available Online SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 37
RE WEEKLY
SEPTEMBER 7, 2016 Volume 11 • Issue 36
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• AREA DEVELOPMENT • FARM • COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE 317 5th Street, Ames State of Iowa 515-233-3299 • ® licensed in the
RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL 515-233-3299 • AREA DEVELOPMENT • 317
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FAQS
By Laura Firszt More Content Now “Clean my appliances?” you may ask. “I thought they were supposed to make life easier, not harder!” Well, yes. But occasionally cleaning appliances will not only keep them fresher and cleaner, it will also help them work more efficiently and last longer. And it’s a simple procedure once you know how. Q. My washing machine is only 8 months old but it’s developed a weird moldy smell that hits me every time I walk into the laundry room. Why? And how can I get rid of the odor?
A. Your washer needs a little TLC. Over time, mold and bacteria do tend to collect in washing machines, especially front loaders. Try one of these fixes (all of them if the appliance is really smelly): • Wipe around and under the rubber door seals. • Pull out the detergent drawer and give it a good scour. • Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Follow up with a hot water or “sanitary” wash cycle. • To help prevent odor buildup in a front-loading machine, leave the detergent drawer, as well as the door, open between uses. Make sure small children and pets won’t be able to get inside.
Q. I remove lint from the filter in my dryer door after every load. That should be enough to keep my dryer in good shape. Does it really need any more cleaning? A. Yes, indeed it does. If you use fabric softener in your wash, you will need to remove the lint screen occasionally and wash it with soap and water. This will remove softener build-up that tends to interfere with the dryer’s functioning. Let the screen dry completely before replacing it. In addition, once a year, you should have a handyman clean the lint out of your dryer’s ductwork to eliminate a potential fire hazard.
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Appliance cleaning
Q. I bought stainless steel kitchen appliances because I love their sleek look. But I’m not feeling the love so much now that they’re full of fingerprints from my kids. How do I clean them (the appliances, not the kids)? A. Here’s how to clean stainless steel appliances without scratching their elegant surface: • Wipe down with warm soapy water, using a soft cloth or a sponge. • Rinse off with clean water. This is especially important for your stainless steel range, which might otherwise develop a permanent soap stain when you heat it. • Buff with a soft, dry cloth.
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• Never use abrasive cleansers or pads on stainless steel. DID YOU KNOW? An environmentally safe stainless steel conditioner is great for quick touchups, and prevention of annoying fingermarks and grease stains. It also leaves your appliances nice and shiny. Use a soft cloth and always apply in the direction of the grain.
sponge; be careful to avoid contact with the oven racks, which will still be very hot. Enjoy your dinner! HELPFUL HINT: The salt trick also works miracles with burned food in the bottom of non-coated metal cooking pans.
Q. My family’s favorite lasagna overflowed on the floor of my oven while I was baking it. How do I deal with the mess?
A. Giving it a good cleanse will increase its efficiency. Remove the bottom rack and clear particles out of the drain. Next, place a dishwashersafe container full of white vinegar (about 1 cup) on the upper rack and run a hot-water cycle to remove grease and odors. If the interior is stained, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda over the bottom surface. Once again, run a hot-water cycle — a short one will be fine this time.
A. Make life easier on yourself; deal with it ASAP. Sprinkle the overflow with salt immediately (it will help loosen the residue) and finish your cooking process. After turning off the oven, take out the casserole dish. Scrub the oven floor with a damp
Q. I just read that I should clean my dishwasher regularly. Why?
The life expectancy of common household appliances:
TIPS OF THE WEEK Easy steps to a lush lawn The experts at Grass Seed USA provide insight into simple steps to achieving a lush lawn: Aerate: Rent a lawn aerator to pull small plugs of soil to allow water, air and nutrients to better reach roots. Re-seed: Rake the bare areas of your lawn and apply seed. Water lightly and
regularly until new grass grows in. Mow high: Never cut off more than 1/3 of the grass blade height at a time. Fertilize: Aim to fertilize at least once a year; four times a year is ideal. Irrigate: A thorough watering once or twice a week is better than lightly misting every day.
PEST CONTROL Natural alternatives to beekilling pesticides Brand-name neonicotinoid pesticides, commonly used to keep eep pests off plants like rose bushes, ushes, are being banned in states ates across the country. Here re are a couple environmentally friendly ways to protect prized roses: • Use a natural, dual-purpose
repellent. It discourages deer foraging and simultaneously repels insects. • Consider purchasing ladybugs, which eat aphids, to release in your rose garden. Just be su sure to research the best tim time and conditions for releasing the �adybugs,or releas they will fly away before making an impact. ma
• Air conditioner (window unit): 5 to 7 years • Dishwasher: 9 years • Garbage disposal: 12 years • Clothes dryer: 13 years • Washing machine: 5 to 15 years • Freezer: 10 to 20 years • Gas oven: 10 to 18 years • Microwave: 9 years • Electric range: 13 to 15 years • Gas range: 15 to 17 years • Refrigerator: 9 to 13 years Source: National Association of Certified Home Inspectors https://www.nachi.org/life-expectancy.htm
DECORATING How to use color psychology in your home decor
locations and age. Green: This color seems to enhance creative thinking. Here are some insights on choosing Red: Red offers people a burst of colors from Sherwin Williams: strength. Blue: If you’re drawn in by blues, you’re Yellow: Yellow is psychologically linked in good company. The strong preference to physical warmth. for blue is consistent across genders,
SAFETY Burglaries peak in summer: Is your home secure?
coming and going. • Trim bushes, hedges and trees, especially around entrance points in the home. Consider using a C-clamp on garage doors while gone or integrating a smart garage controller so you can keep tabs on whether it’s opened or closed from your smartphone.
Summer months are peak periods for home burglaries. Take a few proactive steps to protect your home with these tips from Lowe’s: • Stop mail and newspaper delivery. Ask a neighbor to periodically park in your driveway to give the impression people are — Brandpoint
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