Homestyle Spring Edition

2012 Spring Edition

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CHECKING INDOOR AIR  The Case for CARPET  3 Ways to a BETTER BATHTUB with DIY Network's + Q&A Jason Cameron

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CONTENTS Jason Cameron The DIY Network star gives tips on how to get off the couch, make a plan and fix that house

3 WAYS TO A BETTER BATHTUB

Whether it’s grimy, chipped, discolored or simply the wrong style, an old bathtub can be made to look as good as new.

THE CASE FOR CARPET

Still hoping for hardwood? Green and modular options could make a homeowner consider carpet instead.

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Say goodbye to grandma’s floral wallpaper and hello to the unexpected flowers popping up, from the kitchen to the bath to doorknobs

WAITING TO INHALE

Breathers, beware! The air inside your home could need some serious cleaning. Here are the top 5 culprits.

EASY CLEANING ESSENTIALS

Kick the chemical habit and try these household items that double as heavy-duty cleaners

3 TOOLS FOR AN EXTERIOR FACELIFT Trying to boost curb appeal?

Easy Cleaning

Shutterstock.com/ElenaGaak

Essentials

Kick the chemical habit and try these household items that double as heavy-duty cleaners

By LINDSEY ROMAIN

or lime juice to clean countertops and other surfaces. She also notes that white vinegar will remove grease stains and will reduce static cycling in the dryer.

CTW Features

N

othing says clean and green like everyday household items that double as cleaning supplies.

When it’s time for a quick and inexpensive scrub down, turn to these fridge and cupboard staples to get the job done without the hassle or chemicals of store-bought products.

Baking Soda

Trask calls baking soda “mildly abrasive,” adding that it cleans, deodorizes and removes stains along with softening fabrics in the wash.

Maier adds that combining it with white vinegar will further whiten a load of laundry.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Vinegar

Vinegar is great at dissolving dirty nuisances like soil, grease, soap scum and hard water deposits, according to Crissy Trask, contributor at green living website Green Matters.

Maier suggests mixing vinegar with lemon

Essential Oils

While it may be a little harder to track down, Trask suggests using sodium percarbonate as a bleaching method.

“It breaks down in water, oxygen and soda ash, it is not a carcinogen and it doesn’t persist in the environment, so it is far preferable to chlorine bleach,” she says, but also points out that it’s very harmful if swallowed and can cause irritation to the eyes and skin. © CTW Features

Thyme essential oil will kill and prevent the growth of mold and mildew, according to Maier.

“Rosemary, basil, thyme and tea tree are just a few examples of oils with antibacterial and antiviral properties,” she says. “And because you only need a few drops at a time, a small bottle goes a long way.”

Citrus Fruit Shutterstock.com/ElenaGaak

According to Karyn Maier, author of “The Naturally Clean Home: 150 Super-Easy Formulas for Green Cleaning” (Storey Publishing, 2008), peroxide can help remove rust stains from porcelain, which is a real plus for homes with high mineral content in their water. It also deodorizes.

“Bathing your dog in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and a squirt of natural liquid soap will break down thiols, the compounds that make the defensive spray of skunks have such staying power,” Maier says.

Sodium Percarbonate

Fresh lemon, lime and grapefruit can be rubbed on cutting boards and other kitchen surfaces to sanitize. Trask notes that the acid in the citrus is great at cutting through grease, and Maier suggests throwing the remaining peels into the garbage disposal to kill bad odor.

Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 3

Resurface It

By BETTINA CHANG | CTW Features

W

1 Bath Fitter

hether it’s grimy, chipped, discolored or simply the wrong style, an old bathtub can be made to look as good as new. First, you might opt for a deep cleaning, but if that doesn’t do the trick, try one of these three methods.

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You may have seen the infomercials on late at night, but how much do you really know about resurfacing a bathtub? This product, also known as a bath liner or bath fitter, is created to match the dimensions of your tub and is placed directly on top of the existing area.

Resurfacing covers up any ugly remnants of the tub without requiring the work of completely removing it. “Our product is 100 percent acrylic and the walls are all one piece, so if you have mold or mildew issues, we would get rid of all of it and then put a liner over the existing [tub],” says Saiema Quadri, an event manager at Montreal-based Bath Fitter.

Bathtub resurfacing companies are increasingly adding options like grab bars, graphic art and other bathroom accessories attached to the liners. Bath Fitter, which operates in Canada and the U.S., offers an online tool where customers can design their own bathroom remodel virtually.

One sticking point for the bath liners is that customers can get overeager to jump in their new shower or tub. “If people don’t follow directions to let the product sit so the adhesive can stick to the wall, something might pop off a little bit,” Quadri says, “but we’ll go in and fix that.”

Search for bath liners or fitters for resurfacing companies in your area.

Refinish It

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Page 4 – Homestyle – April 2012

Before

There are two ways to talk about refinishing a tub. For an easy fix to a small problem, there are DIY products that can repair cracks and chips in a tub if it is made of acrylic or fiberglass/gelcoat.

For a full overhaul, though, refinishing is an inexpensive way to make a big difference in the appearance of a bathtub. “It’s about being able to bring your bathroom up to date on a reasonable budget,” says Jim Pierce, senior account executive at Chicago-based Beautiful Finishes.

Refinishing typically involves first coating

After

Beautiful Finishes

3

Ways to a Better

2 Bathtub

the existing surface in a base solution, sometimes known as an etching solution, which makes it easier for the new surface to adhere.

Then a primer and topcoat are added. After the tub is refinished, it could take anywhere between four hours to seven days before it is ready for use.

Pierce says many of his customers have tubs with the bright retro colors of the ’60s and ’70s and want to neutralize the colors to prepare a house for sale. Finishes are available in a variety of colors to match with bathroom décor. Other common customers are landlords who want to make their properties more appealing to renters, according to Pierce.

The typical bathtub refinishing job, Pierce says, is about $300, though it can vary depending on the type of material, size of the tub and other considerations.

Pros: • Cheaper than replacing the whole tub • No caulking in the liner so it resists the problems of bathroom tiles • Can be customized to turn a bathtub into a shower with a seat, etc.

Pros: • Usually the cheapest option • No need to redo plumbing • While you’re at it, you can refinish tiles and countertops, too Cons:

Cons: • If the product develops a crack, water will get between old bathtub and liner, creating problems • In some cases, plumbing may need to be changed, which may require a permit and a licensed plumber • Many abrasive chemicals are involved in this process; each company has its own claims to how safe the chemicals are

• Cannot change the size/shape/functions of the tub

Replace It If you’ve got cash to burn and want to make a major change, you’re better off completely replacing your tub. For instance, for those who want to add luxury features like massage jets, effervescence, built-in lighting and aromatherapy, a full replacement is the right choice.

“It depends on personal preference,” says Aaron Hoegle, merchandising director in fashion plumbing of Lowe’s home improvement stores. “Do they want a new experience? What’s the motive?”

A new tub can accommodate specific requirements, like accessibility, the desire for a different style tub, high-tech features or green materials.

For an aging home, Hoegle recommends a Kohler tub with a side that raises and lowers and is still customizable with bells and whistles that homeowners want. He cites accessibility as a growing concern for consumers looking to buy bathtubs.

Delta has also released a new tub, he

says, that is made with low-emitting product for a healthier indoor environment. “It’s exciting because it’s an acrylic material for a fraction of the typical acrylic price.”

While Hoegle says that refinishing and resurfacing are viable options for many homeowners who are looking for a cheaper option, it all depends on the current tub and the customer.

Pros: • Get the tub with the features you want • See the final product at the store before you buy • Long-lasting Cons: • Removing and installing requires professional help unless the homeowner is particularly handy • In most cases, this is the most expensive option © CTW Features

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Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 5

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The Case for

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F

or those who prefer the plush pile of carpet beneath their feet, new materials and innovative adhesive provide modern options.

A matter of material Nylon is the most durable of all carpet fibers, according to Valerie Ottaviano, vice president of product design at Bentley Prince Street, Inc., a California-based carpet and rug company.

When it comes to purely natural materials like straw, sisal and wool, she urges consumers to think twice.

“They look great but can be tough to clean,” Ottaviano says. Sisal rugs don't react well to water or cleaners, for example.

“Something made with a solution dye may not be natural, but it can give you better performance, depending on your household.”

Green is growing Like all home industries, carpet makers are

looking into sustainable options. Postconsumer nylon can be weaved back into new fibers.

“We can actually strip previously used carpet, shave off the top and put that back into a new fiber while still creating premium-quality carpet,” Ottaviano says.

There’s now carpet available that is made from yarn composed of used fishing nets.

The production process is fed by different streams of post-consumer carpets, used fabrics and fishing nets together with industrial discards from all over the world.

“This is really innovative, eco-friendly fiber and it looks gorgeous,” Ottaviano says.

Mix and match Modular carpet tiles make it easier for those who don’t want to make a big, permanent decision about a large area. FLOR, a leading carpet tile company based in Chicago, has gained a lot of momentum in the past few years for its ease of installation, maintenance and durability.

These carpet tiles can be arranged

Bentley Price Street

Gone fishin’: Used fishing nets are weaved together with post-consumer fabrics to create this eco-friendly carpet.

This DIY solution may have a higher up-front cost, but the tiles are removable, washable and can be moved from home to home, which can make it a more costeffective option.

Sticking points It might be unpleasant knowing there’s a bunch of adhesive under the carpet, so go ahead and ditch the glue. Some carpet tiles, like the FLOR system, connect to each other rather than the floor. Scott Coll, CEO of Austin, Texas-based Commercial Flooring Systems, says it’s a faster and cleaner installation process.

“There’s no adhesive involved. Instead you use a 3-inch-by-3-inch square that connects carpet tiles to each other in all four corners to create one massive rug,” Coll says of FLOR’s commercial counterpart, Interface FLOR Commercial.

“You’d be amazed how many glue buckets you save by doing this, and it’s an environmentally friendly system,” he adds.

Another concern for the underside of carpets is the potential tripping hazard.

Clint Schramm, vice president of marketing at Bentley Prince Street, Inc., suggests tapered rubber reducers, which are adhesively fused and mechanically stitched to the carpet’s edge to reduce the height of the carpet or area rug. This reduced edge eliminates tripping hazards and allows easy movement of wheelchairs.

“While these are mainly for rugs in buildings with high-traffic areas, they can certainly be used for any carpet or rug where an elderly person lives,” Schramm says. “With the aging of America, these seem to be the way to go.” © CTW Features

Perfect places for accent rugs Add flare to your floors with tips from Tam Wimolvan Vidulich, Chicago-based artist and owner of Tam Wimolvan Vidulich Carpets.

Entrance way: While an accent rug is unexpected here, Vidulich says, “A round rug can create a mise-en-scène for the home. Here’s the place to make a good first impression.”

Hallway: Create a visual effect by “adding the right runner near strategically placed art or photos,” Vidulich says. “It can transform a mundane transit space into your own mini gallery.”

Living room: Tie the room together with color, texture and fabric. “Even the acoustical properties of the fabric help create an atmosphere that enhances the moment, whether it’s a lively gathering with friends or a quiet evening with a book,” she says.

Bedroom: Start the day with a warm welcome underfoot. “This often-neglected room deserves a little more love; after all, it is where we spend almost a third of our lives,” Vidulich notes. © CTW Features

Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 7

J L

The DIY Network star gives tips on how to get off the couch, make a plan and fix that house

ason Cameron

By DAN RAFTER | CTW Features icensed contractor and television star Jason Cameron knows how to fix just about anything inside (and outside) the home. He shows off his expertise as the host of “Man Caves” and “Desperate Landscapes” on the DIY Network. But he went through plenty of career and life changes before he settled into this gig: he’s also worked as a personal trainer, actor and fitness model/spokesman for Men’s Health magazine.

Cameron dishes about his career, his passion for the DIY life and ways to

make that big upcoming homeimprovement project less intimidating.

Q

You’re pretty much a homeimprovement guru these days. Have you always been into the do-it-yourself lifestyle?

The whole home improvement thing has been a part of me for a long time, as long as I can remember. My dad was an electrician and he’d do roofing on the side. He introduced me to that type of work when I was still young. I grew up in upper Michigan, spending a lot of my time outdoors. We heated our house by

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Page 8 – Homestyle – April 2012

wood. This meant that we’d go out every fall and summer to cut down our trees for the wood.

As a kid, I hated it. As I grew older, I see that all that manual work has been a valuable lesson to me.

Q

When did you make the move to the world of entertainment?

When I turned about 28 or 29 – I knew that I couldn’t live in upper Michigan and pursue entertainment, so I went to New York. I ended up working as a fitness model, which was not my plan at the time. But fitness is the other side of my life, it’s my other passion. It was a good way to make ends meet.

[Eventually,] I landed a part as a carpenter on “While You Were Out” for TLC. I was amazed to realize that I could be on a TV show doing what I loved to do. When “While You Were Out” was over, the DIY Network people introduced themselves to me. Since then, I’ve had a great relationship with them.

Q

It seems that very few acting careers happen the way people plan them.

I went to school to be a cop. You never know where life is going to take you.

Q

What do you enjoy so much about home improvement? Homeimprovement projects are a real chore for some people.

A lot of people don’t like working out, either, and I like that, too. I’m a very mechanical person. No joke, when I go to bed at night, I build stuff in my head. Then when I wake up, I draw it on paper. I’m just mechanically inclined. I love working with my hands. I love the act of bringing something from my imagination to fruition.

That’s a great feeling. I hope people get the opportunity to experience that, to create something, after they watch our shows.

Q

What advice do you have for homeowners who get around to completing their home-improvement projects?

I know that homeowners sometimes get nervous. They think they aren’t skilled home-improvement project.

Homeowners should spend the most

To-Do List Jason Cameron, DIY Network star and licensed contractor, gives a list of chores every homeowner should do after winter passes: • Take a visual inspection of the roof. No need to get on top of it – use binoculars to get a good look from below. Any missing or cracked shingles or damage near the chimney needs to be fixed, or it will get worse with time.

• Inspect the gutters and downspouts.

During the winter, they can pull away from the house.

• Look for cracks in the exterior walls, whether it’s brick or siding.

• Make sure there is enough caulk around doors and windows.

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• Take a walk around the entire house to visually inspect it for any worrying features that catch the eye.

time on a project to plan it out. They need to sit down and do some research. What tools do they need? Write that down. Will you have to borrow or buy tools? Who do you need to hire to help you complete the project? If you don’t have a plan, you’ll end up wandering around aimlessly.

Q

What can homeowners do to make themselves more comfortable with tackling home-improvement projects?

When you go into a home supply or hardware store and you have time on your hands, walk up and down the aisles. The more you familiarize yourself with the store, the more you understand where everything is and what they have, the less time you’ll waste when doing the project. © CTW Features

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We’ll Go Out On A Limb To Serve You! Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 9

Say goodbye to grandma’s floral wallpaper and hello to the unexpected flowers popping up, from the kitchen to the bath to doorknobs

Flower Power The Future of

By COURTENAY EDELHART

F

CTW Features

Everything in bloom: The updated floral look moves outside the traditional realm of upholstery and wallpaper into tiling and household fixtures.

Page 10 – Homestyle – April 2012

loral prints in the home are hit or miss: At best, they are the perfect complement to the color palette in a room. At worst, they can conjure images of shawl-draped little old ladies setting teacups on doilies.

But florals have made a comeback, and today’s best prints do not date homes. They’re fresh and modern but retain natureinspired charm.

“I know people are a little hesitant because they’re thinking of grandma’s flowers and they’re not sure where to use them. But you really should open your mind and see what’s out there because what’s out there is really different,” says Renae Ahrens, managing director for Creation Baumann U.S.A. The upscale Swiss fabric maker has a new collection, “Silent Garden,” in which florals are prominent.

Cristin Bisbee Priest, an interior designer based outside San Francisco, says floral patterns didn’t go out of fashion, but their style and display has evolved.

“The head-to-toe saturation that some of the older generation grew up with may be a bit much for most people, but I do see a resurgence, even in wallpaper,” she says.

Among the unexpected places florals again are popping up are kitchen and bath fixtures, rugs and doorknobs.

color and the type of graphic.

“Some of the Asian floral prints are a little more masculine,” she says.

A small piece as an accent – a throw or pillow, for instance – can give a plain room some pizzazz, Ahrens says.

“Think of fashion, where you’re wearing a solid black outfit, but then you add a patterned scarf,” she says. “It really gives it that ‘wow’ look, and you can make a room pop the same way.”

But Ahrens likes big statements, too, such as floral curtains and sofas.

“Just think of how you feel when you’re outside sitting in a garden,” she says. “The light, the colors, the smell; it changes your whole mood. Why not feel like that in your home? ... We all need some color, something bold in our lives to cheer us up.”

There’s a practical consideration, too, Ahrens says.

“Patterns are a lot more forgiving. A footprint or a child’s grape juice – just, you know, life – it doesn’t stand out as much.” © CTW Features

Creation Baumann U.S.A.

One display that never really went out of style is drawings of botanicals in art ork, designer Priest says.

“Drawings are a great way to add a floral presence in a subtle way, and it’s timeless,” she says.

Plus, they don’t have to be expensive.

“You can get a botanical book and make color photocopies and frame those, or frame postcards,” Priest says.

Interior designer Betty Lou Phillips is the owner of Interiors

by BLP in Dallas. She says today’s floral patterns have an edgier look than the stereotypical English garden scenes most people imagine.

“The palette is a little bit softer than the frumpy realistic colors that we used to see, and the depictions are more stylized, more harmonious,” Phillips says. “They might be overscale; they might be asymmetrical.

Maybe a flower applique on the back of a chair that’s a little bit to the left or the right.”

To keep from overwhelming a room, mix floral prints with solids or other patterns, such as stripes, Phillips suggests. Even men can flirt with the garden look, depending on the

Consider color: New floral patterns often feature a softer color palette than the realistic colors of traditional florals.

Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 11

smoke has a habit of lingering in a home’s carpeting, bedding, furniture and walls.

DUST MITES: Another common cause of poor indoor air quality is dust mites. These critters are microscopic. And it’s not the mites themselves that cause people to sneeze, tear up or cough – it’s the excrement they leave behind.

These dust mite pellets trigger asthma and allergy symptoms. Because they can’t be seen, dust mites enjoy living in bedding, stuffed animals and furniture, undetected by homeowners.

One way homeowners can cut down on this microscopic population is by keeping their residence’s humidity levels between 30 to 50 percent with a good humidifier. Homeowners also can cover their beds and box springs with allergen-proof coverings.

PETS: Pets, too, are a common cause of indoor air pollution. The best solution is often a painful one; those who are allergic to pets, or who have children who are, might have to part with their furry companions.

If the allergies aren’t too severe, pet owners can lessen the allergic impact by making sure their pets stay off the furniture and beds and by bathing them more frequently.

MOLD/MILDEW: Tony Abate, vice president of operations at AtmosAir Solutions in Fairfield, Conn., says that mold and mildew can cause air quality problems.

Mold and mildew usually pop up because of moisture problems, so it’s important to keep homes dry, especially in basements, crawl spaces and other areas susceptible to moisture.

Abate, a certified indoor environmentalist, recommends that homeowners make sure their downspouts and gutters are working properly, that the grading of the land outside their homes slopes away from their residences and that they stock a dehumidifier in their basements.

CARPET: Dick Gebhart, technology manager for Owens Corning, a global building-materials provider, points to carpeting as a fifth culprit. Carpeting can prove an irresistible home to dust mites and chemicals that

Child:Shutterstock.com/Karen H. Ilagan

home: In fact, it is the home.

“It can take a long time to convince parents that their children could be coughing because they’re allergic to something in the air in their bedrooms or living rooms,” Levine says.

It could be as obvious as cigarette smoke or as hidden as mold or mildwew. “People develop allergies at all points in their lives,” she says. “For parents, realizing this can force them to make a big investment in changing the way they think.”

The good news is that people can take simple steps to improve the air quality inside their homes. The bad news?

The air quality in most residences is probably far worse

Breathers, beware!

The air inside your home could need some serious cleaning. Here are the top 5 culprits

P

By DAN RAFTER | CTW Features

ersistent cough? Always sneezing? Having trouble concentrating or sleeping? There’s plenty of reasons this could happen, but it shouldn’t be because of the air you breathe, which is something that any homeowner can take steps to control.

Alanna Levine, a pediatrician in New York, sees plenty of children with persistent coughs and sneezes that result from poor indoor air quality. Some are miserable enough that they can’t complete their homework or struggle to focus in school.

Parents usually assume that their children are suffering from bacterial infections when the real culprit is closer to

Spring Home Style Page 12 – Homestyle – April 2012

than it is outside.

Laura Dellutri, a home and lifestyle expert for The Daily Buzz, a syndicated morning TV show, points to a study from the Environmental Protection Agency that says air pollution is often two to five times worse indoors than it is outdoors.

“The air in your home is compromised by indoor air pollution minute by minute,” says Dellutri, known as the Healthy Housekeeper on the show. “When you walk in from a day outdoors, your clothes are covered in allergens, as is your hair. Add in a garage door left open and windows open, and allergens stay put in your home.”

Fortunately, homeowners can take some simple steps to lessen or eliminate five common sources of indoor air pollution.

CIGARETTE SMOKE: Levine points to cigarette smoke as the most irritating form of indoor air pollution.

Eliminating this is easy: Homeowners simply should mever smoke inside their residences, she says. Cigarette

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Before You Lay Your HeadDown…

Homeowners can provide relief for family members with allergies by purchasing anti-allergy bedding and pillows. Here's a three-step guide to purchasing these bedding materials:

1

Nonporous fabrics provide the best protection against allergens, though some complain that these fabrics also become overly hot.

Microfiber polyester fabrics also will do the job and usually provide a more comfortable sleeping environment. A tightly woven cotton fabric also is a good choice.

The good news is that manufacturers are happy to advertise when their bedding products qualify as anti-allergy, so they aren't too difficult to find.

2

Homeowners who purchase antiallergy sheets and coverings should make sure that these products completely cover beds. This includes not only the mattress, but a bed's box springs and pillows.

3

Shutterstock.com/Jeka

cause people to sneeze and cough. “I don’t think a lot of people are aware of indoor air pollution. They think that air pollution comes from the outside,” Gebhart says. “They don’t think about the impact that their furniture, their carpeting or even their electronic devices have on the quality of the air inside their homes.”

Gebhart recommends that homeowners replace old carpeting. They also can invest in a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air – HEPA – filter. This filter prevents vacuums from kicking up an abundance of dust.

Homes are built differently today, Abate says. Construction is tighter. This means that indoor air pollution is a more serious problem: Tighter homes increase the chances for mold, and they make it less likely that odors and allergens will simply drift away.

This is why it’s so important for homeowners to take the relatively simple steps to eliminate the most common sources of indoor air pollution.

“Things are getting bottled up and concentrated in new homes,” Abate says. “A lot of people find that they feel better when they leave their homes. You don’t want to have this type of sick-building syndrome.” © CTW Features

Homeowners shouldn't dampen the effectiveness of their anti-allergy bedding by making the mistake of letting their pets sleep on the beds that these coverings are protecting. Pets are a prime source of allergies in a home.

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Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 13

Choosing the Right Vacuum

Shutterstock.com/S.Dashkevych

Vacuuming rugs and furniture is a key component to boosting the quality of indoor air. Unfortunately, many vacuum cleaners kick up dust as they work, making life miserable for residents with allergies.

This is why home experts, including Dr. Alanna Levine, a pediatrician in New York, and Laura Dellutri, the Healthy Housekeeper for The Daily Buzz TV, recommend that homeowners use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filter.

The government requires HEPA filters to remove 99.7 percent of all particles that are greater in size than 0.3 micrometers. A HEPA air filter can capture dust mite pellets and other allergens. It's important, though, for HEPA vacuum cleaners to release all of the air sucked into them through the HEPA filter.

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HVAC Basics Chemicals and sprays may help to clean household surfaces, but they can also irritate children and adults who suffer from allergies.

That’s why Dick Gebhart, technology manager for Owens Corning, recommends that homeowners seeking to boost the air quality of their homes focus on HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) systems.

By regularly changing the filters in their HVAC systems and scheduling routine

Owens Corning

Dust Busters

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maintenance, homeowners can ensure that their indoor air is as pure as possible, says Tony Abate of AtmosAir Solutions.

And for those times for when cleaners are a must – everyone needs to clean toilet bowls, counter tops and floors, after all – Laura Dellutri, the Healthy Housekeeper for The Daily Buzz TV, recommends that homeowners look for cleaners that don't use bleaches, phosphates, chlorine and ammonia. There are plenty of natural products on the market that don't contain these chemicals, and instead rely on baking soda, soap and borax.

3 Tools for an Exterior

Facelift

Trying to boost curb appeal?

Invest in these multipurpose tools that will make a big difference

By DAN RAFTER | CTW Features

I

t’s official. Your house has become an eyesore for anyone driving by – peeling paint, squeaky doors and dirt-covered siding attest to months, if not years, of neglect. But the toolbox is empty and you’re no home-improvement expert as it is.

Luckily, people who are experts know how to spruce up a house exterior without breaking the bank. With three tools that are more than one-trick ponies, turn a run-down house into one that stops traffic – for the right reasons.

SPRAY LUBRICANT: A tool of 2,000 uses

Home Depot

For just a couple of dollars, a bottle of household oil/lubricant can go a long way. The most ubiquitous of these lubricants is WD-40. In fact, the website for WD-40 lists 2,000 uses. Some might be repetitive, but some are surprisingly useful.

There’s the obvious: the product fights rust on porch railings, metal patio furniture, barbecue grills and more.

But Eileen Claar, Atlanta-based social media expert for Home Depot, says this is only the beginning.

A squirt of lubricant on a porch ceiling fan’s blades keeps it moving smoothly, eliminating any squeaks or squeals when they’re spinning. When the holiday season approaches, those animated reindeer or waving elves on the front lawn might need a tune-up. Spray lubricant can make sure that these animated creatures move as they’re supposed to.

“You don’t want reindeer that look like they have arthritis,” Claar says.

Some lubricant on the base of the garage door makes sure that it won’t stick to the bottom of the pavement underneath, potentially saving it from some unsightly damage if the garage door faces the street.

“Up to 30 percent of homeowners’ front exterior space is taken up by garage doors,” Claar says.

“It’s important to take care of them.”

Angled Paint brush: A new angle on painting Painting is a hassle. Painting the front porch railing, exterior trim or even backyard deck can seem even more daunting. But with the proper paintbrush, the perfect DIY exterior paint job is within reach.

Richmond, Va., homeowner Sherry Petersik – who, along with her husband John, documents home repair adventures on the popular blog Young House Love – says that painting doesn’t have to be a hassle for homeowners who rely on a short-handled angled paintbrush.

Petersik prefers the 2-inch variety. The tool provides her with far greater control than flat paint brushes. And it allows her to reach into odd, tight places.

When painting exterior trim on windows, she gets far less paint on the windows, which she would have to scrape off with a razor blade later.

“A lot of people are afraid to buy houses for some very superficial reasons,” Petersik says. “They don’t like a certain paint color, for instance. If people know just how simple it can be to fix these superficial things with the right tools, they’d be more willing to buy some of these wonderful homes that are out there.”

Nothing livens up a drab exterior like a fresh coat of paint. With this tool, Petersik can spruce up exterior trim, deck railings and her outdoor furniture. She estimates that where it once took her four hours to paint trim, she’s now cut that time in half thanks to her angled paintbrush.

“People tend to make painting a bigger deal in their heads than what it has to be,” Petersik says.

“We’ve probably painted 30 rooms in the last few years… When you have the right tools, painting doesn't have to be a hassle at all.”

PRESSURE WASHER: The power of water

When Jason Cameron needs to provide a quick boost to a property’s exterior, he turns to one tool: the pressure washer.

And Cameron knows of what he speaks. This licensed contractor is host of two shows on the DIY Network, “Desperate Landscapes” and “Man Caves.”

He knows what’s easy and what isn’t.

“The pressure washer is such an important tool,” Cameron says.

“There are so many applications for it. Unlike a regular garden hose, which won’t give you the pressure you need, you can use a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime and buildup from just about any exterior surface. And that’ll leave your home looking so much brighter.”

The pressure washer is also an economical tool when it comes to using water. Cameron says that it uses 70 percent less water to complete an average job than does a typical garden hose.

Cameron recommends using a pressure washer to remove the gray that builds up along concrete porches over the years. It can also remove green mossy patches that collect on house siding.

Cameron does advise homeowners to stay 12 to 16 inches away from their homes when using a pressure washer to clean siding; the fan tip gives a wider swatch of water when the user stands farther away, which allows people to clean more area in less time.

Homeowners can also turn to pressure washers to brighten faded pavers, cinder block walkways and deck surfaces. Basically, any surface rugged enough to handle the pressure could benefit from a quick pressure wash, Cameron says.

He says that pressure washers that provide 1,800 pounds of pressure per square inch (psi) are © CTW Features best for washing down a house exterior.

Homestyle – April 2012 – Page 15

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Page 16 – Homestyle – April 2012