Tips
The JetBot 90 vacuum from Samsung picks up pet hair and can watch out for your fur babies as well. A sensor that’s similar to one used in self-driving cars detects distance and tracks location for precise movements. Another sensor recognizes the difference between objects such as a toy and the leg of a chair, senses even small objects on the floor and recognizes a room’s shape to maneuver around it. An object-recognition algorithm allows it to identify objects of all kinds and map the safest, most efficient route. When it’s finished cleaning, the vacuum heads back to a disposal unit, where it empties the dirt into a bag that needs to be replaced only once every two to three months. Use an app to connect the vacuum to your phone so you can control it remotely, schedule cleaning or even connect to its camera to keep an eye on your home and pets while you’re away.
Make Your Own Daily Shower Spray Beverly Leestma, DIY expert and author of The Make Your Own Zone, offers these directions for a shower spray that saves both money and the environment: Mix together a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide, a half-cup of rubbing alcohol (a natural degreaser), 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap and 1 tablespoon dishwasher rinse aid in a 32-ounce spray bottle. Next, fill the bottle with water and, after capping, rock the bottle gently back and forth to combine the ingredients without making them foam up. Store away from sunlight.
In a dining room, make sure there’s at least 48 inches between each edge of the table and the nearest wall or piece of furniture. If traffic doesn’t pass behind the chairs on one side of the table, 36 inches should suffice. In bedrooms, allow at least 24 inches between the side of the bed and a wall, and at least 36 inches between the bed and a swinging door.
We can use the latest technology to help you envision a new space. “A designer should know AutoCad and other tools for space planning, codes and so on,” says Schumacher. These tools and specialized knowledge allow interior designers to look at your space in a way you might not have imagined. They can work up a digital rendering that is incredibly realistic, allowing you to visualize changes before committing.
If you go for neutral rugs like these, a shoes-off policy might be in order. You’ll also want to vacuum the rugs often to keep stray grit from becoming embedded, and a professional clean every year is advisable. Another handy tip? Rotate your rug (or rugs) every six months so that wear from footfall and fading from the sun aren’t concentrated in one area.
Start shopping from the bulk bins. Purchasing food from the bulk bins means you buy just as much as you need (and avoid wasting food) and cut way down on the amount of bulky packaging you bring home. This is especially helpful when trying new ingredients for the first time — you can make a recipe once and not worry about getting stuck with an entire container of a (pricey) grain or spice you don’t love.
Install a charging station in an empty drawer. The proliferation of personal electronics never ceases, making cords the new clutter. With a drawer charging system available with USB ports, you can charge multiple devices, out of sight, and even get rid of those bulky adapters. This setup fits: Anyone with a cell phone, smartphone, tablet, e-reader, laptop, exercise monitor, smart watch … and whatever “they” come up with next. Tip: Don’t install just any old outlet; there are products designed specifically to be safe within the confines of a cabinet as well as the open-and-close motion of the drawer.
Make your chandelier sparkle. If you have a glass or crystal chandelier, the easiest way to dust it is to buy a spray cleaner designed for the job. Forget taking it down or teetering on a ladder with a cloth. With a specialty spray, you only have to spread a towel below, squirt the product up onto the chandelier, then watch as all the dust and dirt drips off. When it comes to removing dust from other kinds of pendant lighting, sorry, but you’ll need that stepladder after all.
The American Lighting Association recommends mounting them 65 to 70 inches from the floor as a general rule. The association also recommends placing the fixtures 28 to 30 inches apart, but that depends on the size of the room, among other factors.
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