At home 102216

seasonal preparations

Winterizing your home

Saturday, October 22, 2016 An advertising feature of The Topeka Capital-Journal

Learn methods to lower heating bill and keep warm, page 6 n Jamie Kidd on choosing trees suitable for fall, page 2 n Find the right table to bring a room together, page 4 n Making outdoor spaces comfy for colder weather, page 7

homes.cjonline.com METRO CREATIVE CONNECTION

2 | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Fall season shows its true beautiful colors Is anyone else enjoying the fall colors like I am?

I’m oohing and ahhing while driving. I’m seeing trees with two and three colors on them. It won’t be long before the palette of color drops to the ground and becomes a different subject on which to write, but for now, let’s enjoy the show.

This is a great time to choose the shrubs and trees you’d like to have in your yard. Drive up and down the streets, and pay special attention to the plants that catch your eye.

If you don’t know what kind of tree it is, collect from under the tree a few leaves that are in good shape and match it and bring them to the Shawnee County Extension office for identification.

Jamie KiDD

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Master Gardener Brownie Brown will present “Pruning and Winterizing Trees” at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 S.W. 10th Ave. The program will focus on pruning times and techniques to keep your trees and shrubs safe and healthy.

jamiehan@ksu.edu

A branch with leaves would be preferable, and you should ask permission from the owner before taking it. The owner may know what the plant is, saving you a trip.

Once the tree or shrub has been identified, go to your local nursery and see if it has the plant.

Another idea is to go to your local nursery first to see what they have that’s in color now. This is an especially good way to

select plants for fall display, because not all plants produce good autumn color even if they’re supposed to. Maple trees are generally a good choice, but it’s possible to get one that doesn’t produce color well. Seeing it in color is a good way to guarantee success.

Philosophers such as Theophrastus in about 285 B.C. commented on the shedding of leaves and fall coloration, but indicated a lack of understanding as to how or why the leaves changed color. Jack Frost used to be credited with

pinching leaves with his icy fingers to create the reds and purples, while the yellows, golds and browns were applied by his skillful paint brush.

Scientists don’t yet fully understand all of the complicated actions and interactions of pigment, sunlight, chemicals, hormones, moisture, temperatures, length of daylight, site, genetics and so on that make for a wonderful autumn display.

What is known is that reds and purples are caused by anthocyanins.

Anthocyanins give color

to cranberries, red apples, blueberries, cherries, strawberries and plums.

They show up vividly in maples, oaks, sourwood, sweet gum, dogwood, black gum and persimmon.

Xanthophylls are responsible for yellows, and oranges are caused by a combination of carotenes and xanthophylls. Carotenoids are common in many living things, giving color to carrots, corn, canaries and daffodils, as well as egg yolks, rutabagas, buttercups and bananas. Hardwood trees, such as hickory, ash, maple, yellow poplar, aspen, birch, black cherry, sycamore, cottonwood, sassafras and alder are known for brilliant yellows and oranges.

Browns are the result of

tannins present in the leaf.

Most of these substances are present in the leaf year round but are masked by the green of the chlorophyll. As cooler weather rolls around, there is a decrease in chlorophyll production, revealing the rich fall colors. Anthocyanins are the exception.

They are produced after the chlorophyll disappears.

Weather conditions have a lot to do with determining a good or poor fall showing of color. Warm, sunny days, followed by cool nights with temperatures below 45 degrees but not freezing, encourage the bright red colors. Sunny days increase photosynthesis — the food-

KIDD continues on 5

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | 3

Succulents rule as indoor winter houseplants

By Dean Fosdick The Associated Press

If you’re shifting to houseplants as cold weather approaches, consider gardening with succulents.

Succulents are easy, diseaseresistant and thrive despite the dry air common indoors in winter.

Think of them as the new African violets.

“They require so little care. They look good all the time, and they do well in low humidity,” said Gary Bachman, a research professor with Mississippi State University Extension in Biloxi.

Their soft, juicy leaves and enlarged stems allow the plants to store water under dry conditions.

“The only thing the homeowner can do wrong is overwater,” Bachman said.

“They won’t like it in con-

tainers that don’t drain well.”

Succulents offer a wide variety of eye-catching foliage and flower colors.

“Growth habits include everything from groundhugging creepers to upright growers,” Bachman said.

Pruning generally isn’t required, because the plants tend to be slow growers.

“You don’t really need to fertilize very often, but a little slow-release fertilizer can promote faster growth,” he said.

Most succulents are tender plants — natives of frostfree areas — so planting them in shallow trays makes it simple to carry them inside before the killer frosts arrive.

“Succulents also are easy to plant indoors,” Bachman said. “They look great on windowsills and bright of-

dean fosdick/THE associated press

Succulents offer a wide variety of eye-catching foliage and flower colors and are easier to care for than traditional houseplants. fice spaces.”

Growing them in ornamental containers gives them a decorative edge when grouped with other houseplants.

Combining

several different kinds of succulents creates attractive dish gardens. Choose plants with similar growth habits and care needs, though.

That makes them easier to

care for.

Some succulents are hardier than others, but it’s best to look at them as a group, Bachman said.

“Most require some care or protection in northern climates, although here in Mississippi and around the South, they generally can stay outdoors 12 months,” he said.

Succulents prefer bright light most of the day, the kind they would get from south-facing windows, said Leonard Perry, Extension professor emeritus at the University of Vermont.

“If your plant starts to ‘stretch,’ or grow tall and lanky with space between leaves, it isn’t getting enough light,” Perry said. “Also, rotate plants weekly if they are bending toward a light or window.”

Succulents recommended

for growing indoors include aloe, sansevieria, jade plant, echeveria, mother-in-law’s tongue, Christmas cactus, sempervivum, sedum and spiderwort, among many others.

“Although aloe is grown in desert gardens in mild climates, it can easily be grown as a potted plant in our (Vermont) climate as well,” Perry said. “The aloe will produce offshoot plants, which can be removed and potted.”

Succulents crave heat, so keep them away from drafts or from rubbing up against cold windows.

Well-drained, sandy soils are the best potting mixtures. Allow them to dry completely between each watering.

“One rule of thumb is that the thicker the leaves, generally the less water the plant needs,” Perry said.

4 | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

Table’s shape can define any living space in home

By Cathy Hobbs

Tribune News Service

Whether you’re looking to enhance your living room with a statement coffee table or create a dining space for grand entertaining, size and shape may play a role when it comes to selecting the ideal table.

From round to rectangular, oval and square, the shape of your table may be one of your most chal-

lenging design decisions.

The reality is table shape selection may significantly impact your space.

In general, rectangular tables elongate a space. A rectangular table visually adds length. Solid materials, such as wood and metal, add visual weight and can be used in areas where you may wish to add a heavier visual presence.

In contrast, tables made of glass make spaces feel

bigger and add a feeling of weightlessness.

Cramped for room? A round table will be your best choice. Round tables, depending on the table diameter, can allow for adequate seating while still creating proper room flow and circulation. Round coffee tables are a solid choice to use with sectional sofas or small seating groupings.

In many instances, a

square table may be a challenging shape. If you desire a square table, be sure to begin by selecting a square-shaped room in which to place it. Further, you will need to place a square-shaped table in a room with ample space, as square tables are wide.

Square coffee tables can work well with sectional sofas.

Oval tables may not be as easy to find or as popu-

lar as other shaped tables, which is one of the main reasons many homeowners consider using them.

Oval tables can add instant elegance and interest to a space. Oval tables work particularly well in a dining room.

Looking for versatility?

Don’t be afraid to pair different shapes in the same room. For example, you can use an oval-shaped dining table in a space in which

you may be using a square or rectangular coffee table.

Or by contrast, use round nightstands as opposed to traditional square ones.

Cathy Hobbs, based in New York City, is an Emmy Award-winning television host and a nationally known interior design and home staging expert with offices in New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C. Contact her at info@ cathyhobbs.com or visit her website at www.cathyhobbs.com.

H homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | 5

Backyard walls a canvas for artists

By Paul Hodgins

The Orange County Register

It’s a problem that’s common to a lot of high-density residential neighborhoods: a dead wall.

You look out your window and what do you see? A concrete brick barrier about 5 feet away.

Or maybe it’s a tall, wooden fence, the hind end of your garage or the bland stucco facade of the wall behind your pool.

Ugh! What can you do to prettify that highly visible, seemingly unsalvageable spot? Here are some suggestions. n Stack those plants.

One easy solution that involves some creativity is a plant shelf. A quick stroll through the Internet reveals a wealth of options.

Home Depot’s Exy three-tier, powder-coated steel tube shelving ($36.99) is durable and deadeasy to set up. World Market’s three-tier, staggered plant stand ($99.99) is more attractive and made of eucalyptus to resist rot.

Uline’s pallet rack wire decking is utilitarian looking but ultra-sturdy and inexpensive.

The shelves’ curl-around edge provides lots of strength and a snug fit, and you don’t need to worry about water pooling on the shelves’ galvanized steel mesh. The whole thing assembles without tools. OK, that was the easy part. The more difficult task is finding plants that will thrive in a very particular environment: a sheer canyon created by two buildings standing cheek

dreamstime/tribune news service

Avoid dead walls in your backyard by adding plants — either on a living wall or displayed on shelves. to jowl, for example.

“If you have any kind of light at all you could go with ivy or spathelia,” said Kelly Dougherty, manager at The Plant Stand in Costa Mesa, Calif. “Sansevieria trifasciata, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, works too. I would say for darker areas you should go with dracaena, ferns, aglaonema or maybe a splash plant to give it a little color.

“For larger areas especially, I’m thinking something big and tropical.”

Those plants are used to constant shade, Dougherty said.

“You could do schefflera. They grow tall and big and don’t need a lot of water. They call them the umbrella plant,” she noted.

Some flowers that people assume are good in darker locations actually struggle a bit if it’s too shady.

“Impatiens need at least two hours a day or more of sun, so

they might not work,” Dougherty said. “Crotons need an hour at least of sun per day.”

She suggests a tried-andtrue method: “Buy plants when they’re on sale and see what thrives and what doesn’t.” n Go green and vertical.

If you’re feeling more ambitious, you might want to cover that ugly space with a living wall, a riot of plants and flowers embedded in a grid that’s fastened to the wall.

“Commercially, it’s huge, and that emergence has made them popular in homes,” said Robert Zacks, founder of Z Living Systems, a San Luis Obispo company that designs, makes and installs living walls.

Zacks’ creations can be fairly small — 50 square feet is a popular size for residential living walls — but no matter the size, it’s important to attach them to an appropriate surface, Zacks

said.

“There are a multitude of systems out there that weigh anywhere from 7 to 40 pounds per square foot. Some systems are made of metal or plastic; others consist of a capillary fabric. A wooden fence isn’t an appropriate surface for a living wall.”

A fence made of wood could support a smaller DIY green wall, though, Zacks said.

Most plants in your garden also will grow in a living wall, Zacks said. But the same rules of heat and shade apply. Succulents won’t thrive on a cool, shady, north-facing wall, and petunias will wither in the full heat and light of a south-facing wall.

“Almost every living wall has some type of drip irrigation system on a timer,” Zacks said.

If your living wall is relatively small — say, 8 feet square or less — you can tap in to your existing irrigation system. Any bigger, Zacks warned, and it needs a dedicated line.

Maintenance can be fairly easy depending on how you want your wall to look. “Think of it like your lawn,” Zacks said.

“If you like things manicured, then you need to tend to it once a week. If you like things a little more unruly and wild, then once a month will do.”

The cost depends on many factors, including location, shape and materials. “The bigger you go, the more cost-effective it is,” Zacks said.

His prices range from $80 to $150 per square foot.

Kidd: Americans toss out 24 million tons of leaves Continued from 2 making processes in the leaves— thus increasing sugar accumulation in the leaves. Metabolism slows down with the cool nights and slows the movement of the sugars out of the leaves. As fall progresses, the tree naturally develops a layer of callous cells that begin to seal the leaf off from the tree. This traps sugars in the leaf. The higher the sugar content, the more intense the leaf color.

Cloudy days and warm nights prevent

some of the sugar accumulation and results in less vibrant hues.

The length of the autumn color is also weather-dependent. Reds, yellows and oranges are short-lived when trees experience frosts and freezes. Trees finish preparing for winter by sealing off the leaves, and the leaves soon fall to the ground.

According to Cooperative Extension figures, Americans toss out 24 million tons of leaves and grass every year.

Seventy-five percent of solid waste gener-

ated during fall can be attributed to leaf removal.

Instead of needlessly clogging the landfill, create a compost pile in the corner of your yard. Fallen leaves contain between 50 percent and 80 percent of nutrients a tree extracts from the Earth.

Composting allows you to replenish the Earth and help create those wonderful fall colors for next year.

Jamie Kidd is a horticulturist with K-State Research and Extension in Shawnee County.

6 | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

preparing for winter

Insulating for a warmer home

metro creative connection

Applying caulking around window sills can help prevent drafts in a home during colder months.

By Dustin Lemmon

Special to The Capital-Journal

If you’re dreading winter because you hate how cold your house gets, now would be a good time to check your insulation.

The truth is many homes — possibly yours — are under-in-

sulated, said Rodney Eisenbarth, sales representative and supervisor for Black Gold Inc., an insulation company at 2404 N.E. Grantville Road.

“Most houses don’t have enough insulation in the attic,” he said. “They’re way underinsulated from what they should

be.”

Not only does this make your house colder, but the lack of insulation also can result in you paying more money to heat your home.

“That’s going to be one of your easiest savings,” Eisenbarth said of adding more insulation.

So, how do you know if your attic is under-insulated?

“The insulation should be 16 to 17 inches deep,” he said.

If you can see the floor joists, you probably need more insulation.

“The old rule of thumb was, if you added 10 inches of insula-

tion, it was a 30-percent savings” on your utility bill, Eisenbarth said.

Simply insulating your attic may not be enough. Crawl spaces and walls should be addressed, too.

WARMER continues on 7

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | 7

Outdoor spaces can be updated for winter Fire pits offer beauty, focal point, warmth

By Melissa Rayworth The Associated Press

Outdoor decorating often focuses on turning decks, patios and porches into summer destinations.

But some people love their outdoor entertaining space even more when the weather turns colder.

“Being outside with friends and family on a slightly chilly evening is about as good as it gets,” said Florida-based interior designer Andrew Howard.

“I have a lot of great memories with drinks and good friends sitting around a fire. Often I don’t remember the weather, but more that we enjoyed each other’s company.”

New York interior designer Young Huh agrees.

“I love being outdoors as the air becomes crisp and cold,” she said. “The light seems brighter and glows more golden in the evenings.”

We’ve asked Howard, Huh and Massachusetts-

based designer Kristina Crestin for tips on the perfect mix of accessories, colors, scents and firelight to make an outdoor entertaining space fall-friendly.

Small additions

Crestin has decorated her patio in Massachusetts in shades of turquoise and chartreuse, which look cool in summer.

Then she easily updates the look for fall by adding throw blankets and other accessories in plum tones.

The same concept works if you’ve got a crisp blue and white color scheme outside: It looks nautical and cooling all summer long, but with the addition of throw blankets in navy and camel-colored fleece, or woolen plaids, the space feels right for fall.

To make these transitions easier, keep a set of outdoor pillows specifically for colder weather, Huh says. Or change the pillow covers out for some warmer tones as the weather

changes. Consider your current color scheme, and then get creative. Huh suggests considering patterns like a brown-and-white check, a tartan plaid in shades of brown, orange and cream, or even warm, orange polka dots.

Fall plants also can change the space. Huh loves yellow, orange and red chrysanthemums in rustic baskets, and uses hay bales at different heights to create high and low displays for dahlias and chrysanthemums, dried corn, pumpkins and other items.

Another powerful transformer: scented candles.

Howard recommends them year-round; they can keep mosquitoes at bay in summer, and scent the air in fall, winter and spring.

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and pine are great choices.

Table accessories also can signal the transition of seasons.

“Fall is the ultimate ‘eat

outside’ season,” Howard said.

Opt for table linens and dishware in fall colors that complement your outdoor table and chairs. Huh says touches like bowls of apples with walnuts and pecans can finish the look.

Furniture

If you’ll be buying any new outdoor furniture at end-of-summer sales, look for pieces with thick, deep cushions. They “allow for more pillows and blankets,” Crestin says, and let you nestle deep into the cushions for warmth and comfort on cold nights.

Another consideration when buying seat cushions and pillows for use in the fall: They might get sooty if they’re close to a fire pit, so choose items that are machine washable or easily replaceable, Crestin says.

She also suggests looking for flexible seating options that are durable but also easy to relocate if guests want to move closer to a fire or cluster together

in cooler weather. She uses ceramic stools that are “heavy enough that they’re not going to blow away” but are easy to lift.

Firelight

A fire pit is often the most crucial piece of an appealing outdoor space in colder weather.

“I would rather have a fire and a great conversation than worry about pillows and changing them by season,” Howard said.

Even in Florida, “I put in fire pits all the time.”

Beyond warmth, a fire offers beauty and a focal point.

“An outdoor fire is like nature’s TV,” Huh said.

“Wood fires are mesmerizing to watch, smell good and give us a wonderful sense of coziness and wellbeing.”

A wide range of styles and sizes of fire pits are available.

“I love a simple copper kettle fire pit,” Huh said.

“They look warm and lovely even in the daytime without a fire. Of course, if

you can manage it, having a built-in stone fire pit can fit in both modern and traditional styles.”

Fire pits don’t have to be large, says Howard. And the location can vary depending on your space and preference.

“Ours is sunk into the patio” along the edge of the grass, Crestin says.

Guests sit in chairs or stand nearby, or they can spread out a blanket on the grass nearby.

Crestin recommends using color bricks that you can throw in the fire to add color to the flames.

“They’re almost like a graham-cracker size,” she said. “It isn’t totally seasonal, but I find that we’re using those more in the fall.”

And if you’d prefer not to light a fire or you’re seeking even more warmth, “outdoor heaters are a wonderful new invention,” Huh says.

“Clustering a few around a seating area can really emit a warm and cozy feeling even on the chilliest fall evenings,” she said.

Warmer: Insulating house will help lower heating bill Continued from 6 Outside air coming in through your crawl space will result in your floors being cold, unless the crawl space is sufficiently insulated, Eisenbarth explained.

A company like Black Gold will spray foam along the floor joists to help keep the cold air out.

As for walls, it may not be easy to tell if they’re insulated. One thing you can try, Eisenbarth said, is to take the cover off one of your electrical outlets to see if any insulation is vis-

ible on the sides. For the outlets themselves, you might consider buying insulator pads for your outlet plates to help prevent air loss.

Drilling a hole in an outside wall of your home is the easiest way to determine if the wall is insulated, Eisenbarth said.

The hole is also what Black Gold would use to insert the insulation.

The walls are worth checking, he said.

“A lot of older homes, the walls aren’t insulated,” he noted, adding warm air can be lost through a

home’s walls.

When it comes to price, you can usually get 1,500 square feet insulated for about $900 to $950 — money well spent if it saves on your electric bill and keeps you warmer through the winter, Eisenbarth said.

“Once you do it, it’s going to pay you back,” he said. “You’re making an investment in something that’s going to make you feel more comfortable.”

If you want to make sure your home stays warm for many winters to come, you might also want to check the condition of your chim-

ney.

Tyson Scott, owner of Topeka-based Heartland Masonry Inc., said it’s easy for a home’s chimney to fall into disrepair long before a homeowner takes notice.

The chimney’s concrete cap, known as the crown, will start to crack and crumble over time if left unrepaired. The cracks will need to be caulked or the crown replaced.

“It will eventually start destroying the brick,” Scott said of water seeping through the cracks. “It’s the key ingredient to chimneys going bad.”

Be sure to take note of any pieces of brick that have fallen off.

“That’s a good indicator something is wrong,” he noted.

When damage occurs to the chimney, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll notice any water or other signs of damage in your fireplace, Scott noted.

“The fireplace itself will still be OK,” he said.

Other ways to help insulate your home are to check your windows and doors for spaces where air could come in, and consider patching or replacing

the insulator strips around the edges of doors. Also make sure to check the insulation edging on the bottom of doors, especially exterior doors.

For windows, consider replacing insulation strips and check the outer edge of the inside trim. These are areas where you might hear a “hum” when the winter wind starts blowing. Caulk can help patch those areas where air might get in.

Covering all your bases insulation-wise will help lower your heating bill, and make sure you stay warm this winter.

8 | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | The Topeka Capital-Journal | homes.cjonline.com

‘Lived-in look’ can be achieved without the clutter Display mementos to personalize space

By Sacha Strebe Domaine

While we’re told time and time again to keep our homes clean and clutterfree, our busy lives often get in the way. But we’re here to tell you, there is a happy medium — a home that embraces both comfort and chic.

This new trend has been dominating our feeds lately, and we’re calling it the lived-in look. It’s the interior equivalent of French-girl style: cool and completely carefree. It’s impeccably styled yet appears like you never lifted a finger.

Just like French-girl outfits, a lived-in home should have a minimal foundation

of classic decor within a pared-down color palette, peppered with unusual silhouettes and plenty of statement accessories. The trick is not to fuss over it too much. After all, a home was meant to be lived in.

Ahead we share some of the key elements to recreating a cozy yet chic aesthetic at home. n Perfect the high/low mix.

If you really want to achieve that perfectly imperfect vibe, you have to master the high/low mix.

It’s similar to the highstreet designer fusion we love in fashion, except this time you’re dressing up a room with a luxe and lowcost combo of furniture and decor.

n Embrace the messy bed trend.

If there’s one trend that will inspire you to sleep in, it’s the messy bed trend.

Don’t be fooled by a boudoir’s undone, nonchalant appearance. Just like the perfectly tousled bed head, it actually takes a lot of work to achieve this “carefree-chic ‘I woke up like this’ vibe,” as our contributing editor Jonathan Steinitz so perfectly articulated.

Despite science backing the bedmakers, we wake up on the creative side of the bed and it feels so good.

The key to perfecting this effortless look is investing in quality linen sheets. The stonewash process leaves them with a soft wrinkled

appearance that’s totally luxe and lovely. n Mismatch your dining chairs.

Achieving that lived-in aesthetic means ditching fussed-over for the informal. Think about contrasting styles and eras.

One way to do this is by mismatching your chairs.

Love an Eames lounge?

Have a thing for Hans Wegner? Just can’t go past a Cassina? Then this is the look for you.

Be sure to introduce some unique vintage pieces in there too for added texture and visual interest.

Layer various chair design styles together from wooden versions to metal bar stools. The secret’s in the material mix. n Display personal momentos.

Personal pieces are the

salt and pepper of a space, just ask interior designer Kishani Perera. The Los Angeles–based expert (who has Molly Sims and Rachel Bilson on speed dial) has perfected the lived-in look.

Her secret? Embrace personal mementos.

“Oftentimes people are fearful of cluttering their spaces with knickknacks and shy away from including personal trinkets in their designs, but these are the very things that truly make a space your own,” she told MyDomaine. “Pepper them liberally throughout your home for instant character and fun.” n Layer, layer, layer.

The key to transforming any space from stark to cozy is all in the layering. This edited curation of materials, surfaces and fabrics creates a charm-

ing and warm atmosphere even if it’s devoid of color.

Just take Erin Featherston’s all-white L.A. abode. Despite the tonal palette, the layering of the patterned cushions with the handknotted rug creates a soft, homely vibe we all want to curl up in.

Play around, fuse different pieces and weave modern with classic decor for a look that’s uniquely yours and ultimately relaxing. n Add retro appliances.

There’s something about the age-old appeal of retro appliances that brings a distinctly lived-in flavor.

They become the star of the show without even trying. If you want to make a smaller statement, then sprinkle accents of timeworn heroes like a Kitchenaid mixer or a retro wall clock.

homes.cjonline.com | The Topeka Capital-Journal | Saturday, October 22, 2016 | 9

Water-saving faucet a good choice

By Ed Del Grande Tribune News Service

Q: Hi, Ed. I am an avid home chef with a very large kitchen. I plan to install a prep sink in my island for rinsing and washing foods.

Since I’m not filling large pots in this sink, I would like to install a water-saving kitchen faucet. Can you please give me the quick rundown on a couple of water-saving choices for kitchen faucets?

A: Many homeowners choose standard flow kitchen faucets for the very reason you brought up. If you need to fill large pots, in most cases it’s convenient to have a little extra water flow to fill up the pot a little faster. Plus, that water is being used for cooking, not running down the drain.

But, for prep sinks where there may be more rinsing than filling, a water-saving faucet is a good

choice. You want to look for a kitchen faucet that has a maximum flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute to save some water.

A good choice for a kitchen/prep sink is a high-efficiency faucet that includes touchless on/off features.

This way water can be running only when hands are under the spout, giving you total hands-on control of your water-saving faucet flow.

Tip of the week: Cleaning shower curtains

Place the plastic shower curtain and liners into the washing machine. Toss in a bath towel or two for scrubbing action, along with the usual amount of detergent.

After washing cycle is done, place in the dryer for a couple of minutes or hang to dry.

Bonus hint: To stop mildew buildup, use pinking shears to cut off the bottom seam of the liner or non-decorative plastic curtain, so the water drips off.

Source: www.heloise.com

Service Directory

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