Blog Posts by Tipnut Magazine

Today's post is quite a treat! Here are some first-rate suggestions by Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware's Helpful Hardware Man. He's put together a list of energy saving tips for Tipnut readers to help us cut back on energy usage and save some cash in the process.

Top Ten Energy Saving Tips Hi everyone, this is Lou Manfredini, Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man". I know in today's world we are all trying to save the planet and save money, and I have a way to do both. By decreasing our own energy consumption, we can drive down our monthly bills and be more eco-friendly at the same time-what's to lose?

Here are my top 10 tips on saving energy:

1. Service your heating system every year. It will help your system operate much more efficiently and only costs between $75 - $100, a cost you'll more than make back in energy savings.
2. Install a programmable thermostat. These units cost between $40 - $100 but make a huge difference. You can program your thermostat to lower the temperature in your home while you are at work

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Here is a nice stack of different homemade laundry detergent recipes I've collected over the years. Do they work? Yes, I've had good luck with them. At the time I was using them, we had a relative who was in trade school living with us. Every day he was mechanic grease from head to toe-the clothes still cleaned up nice! Making your own is a discipline and it's not for everyone, but it definitely saves money-sometimes just costing pennies a load!

First Some Tips:

10 Homemade Laundry Soap Detergent Recipes

• For the bar soaps required in the recipes, you could try Fels-Naptha, Ivory soap, Sunlight bar soap, Kirk's Hardwater Castile, and Zote. Don't use heavily perfumed soaps.
• Washing Soda and Borax can normally be found in the laundry and cleaning aisles.
• Some people with really hard water or well water may have to adjust the ingredients if the clothes look dingy.
• Although several of the recipes have the same ingredients, the measurements are different-some contain a higher soap to water ratio. Test and see which works

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Wood decks are a nice feature for the back yard but they do require a bit of TLC to keep them looking as good as possible and extend their lifespan. Here are a handful of homemade cleaners you can try including a couple for removing stains and mildew.

Some tips before getting started:

Try These Homemade Cleaners To Help Bring Your Deck To A Shine

• Use a nylon bristle brush or broom for good scrubbing power.
• A pressure washer can be used to clean your deck if done correctly and the wood is in good shape (the pressure can cause further damage if it isn't), keep it on the lowest setting that will clean the surface without damage (this will depend on how soft the wood is). You should be able to start safely at a 500 psi setting and work up from there. Use a fan tip setting between 40′ and 60′ tip size and spray with the grain. I found a page of expert tips for using a pressure washer here: Decks.com.
• Check a test area first before applying detergents and chemicals to ensure that no damage or discoloration occurs. The type of wood (and

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Here's a previously published list of ideas that has collected lots of tips from readers over time, did we miss any? Please add yours!

1. Picture of Recycle Tag - Tipnut.comDry Cleaning Bags: Use to pack suits, dresses and fine clothing when traveling, this will help protect it from wrinkles when packing. When storing the bags make sure to keep them safely out of reach of children, they really are that dangerous.

   5 Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

2. Butter Wrappers: Once you've removed a block of butter from its wrapping, place the wrapping in a plastic container or bag and refrigerate. Use it to grease baking pans.
3. Business Cards: Use the other side to label storage boxes and tubs and tape to the outside of the lid or side so you can see at a glance what the container is holding.
4. Used Envelopes: Cut a corner off envelopes and use as bookmark corner sleeves-just slide one over the page you are at and you'll find your place easily the next time you pick up the book. No

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It happens to the best of us, the dreaded Bad Breath Blues when there's no mint in sight and you're not at home to do a quick brushing of the teeth. Maybe you had a tasty garlic dish for lunch or your mouth tastes funky after all that coffee you drank…whatever the reason, you want a quick fix.

Many Spices Are Known For Their Ability To Fight Bad Breath EffectivelyYou can remedy the problem with these simple, all-natural ingredients.

• Anise seeds: Chew a couple after your meal, helps with digestion too.
• Cardamom: Chew a couple seeds to freshen your mouth.
• Cinnamon sticks: Break off a small chunk and chew, helps kill the bacteria in your mouth and freshen your breath.
• Cloves: All you need is one! Has antibacterial properties that help get the job done.
• Dill seeds: Chewing on a few of these will help mask the odor.
• Fennel seeds: Pop a couple in your mouth and chew.
• Parsley: (chew well) There's a reason why many restaurants add a sprig of fresh parsley for garnish .

Lemon: In a pinch

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How would you like a nice green plant thriving in that dim & colorless office of yours or how about adding a touch of modern to your home decor? Here's a popular option that even the most beginner of green thumbs can make flourish, and it's believed to bring good luck too!

Arrangement

Awhile ago I was introduced to Lucky Bamboo by a family member and although it's been a very popular houseplant for a few years now, this was totally new to me-so of course I had to investigate. Here's what I've learned about growing and caring for it…

What Is It?

Guess what-it's not bamboo! It's a member of the lily family (Dracaena sanderiana) and grows in rainforests located in parts of Asia. This is a favored houseplant because it's so easy to grow and take care of. No need for potting soil, they are happy to grow in just water (Hydroponics). If you have a windowless office, this is one plant you should try-it thrives in both natural and artificial light.

How To Select

When determining which

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Making your own window cleaner is easy to do and uses simple ingredients you likely have around the house already (they're often much cheaper to make than buying them and can work just as well too). Here's a bunch of different recipes you can try along with a few tips listed at the bottom to help bring your windows to a streak-free shine.

Try Washing Windows With These Easy RecipesTry Washing Windows With These Easy Recipes

Recipe #1

2 cups rubbing alcohol (70 percent isopropyl)
1/2 cup ammonia
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)
top with water until you have 1 gallon of window cleaner

#2

2 cups water
3 TBS vinegar
1/2 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

#3

1 gallon water
1/4 cup vinegar
1 tsp dish detergent (liquid)

#4

1 gallon water
1/4 cup vinegar
2 TBS lemon juice
squirt dish detergent (liquid)

#5

1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water

#6

2 TBSP cornstarch
1/2 cup household ammonia
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm

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Pulling weeds by hand is not always easy or practical, they're pesky and determined to pop back up and spread in no time. If you're looking for more natural ways to control them that don't include harsh chemicals and are safer for children and pets (bonus: most are pretty frugal too), here is a list of diy recipes and solutions from my collection. I've also included a few tips at the bottom.

Pulling Dandelions

• Vinegar: Kill weeds dead with a good shot of vinegar. For best results, don't dilute with water and choose a time to spray when there's no sign of rain. Household vinegar is around 5% acetic acid concentration which will do the trick for new growth. If you can find a stronger vinegar (like pickling which is about 9%), that will give better results for more mature (and stubborn) varieties.
• Salt: This is effective but keep in mind that significant amounts will cause damage to surrounding soil as well. Salt should only be used in places where you want no plant growth (like

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