smart tipsbe informed

February 06, 2009

If you have been working on a painting project and need to take a break, it can be a real pain to clean the roller, pan and brushes.

Instead, try this little trick... dampen a rag and cover the tools and roller pan completely. Next, place the tools in a plastic bag and seal tightly. It won't be air tight, but the damp cloth over the tools will keep them ready to use after a short break or even overnight

This issue's Green Tip:

Use window quilts or shutters over your windows to keep the cold out in the winter and the heat of the day out in the summer.  An uninsulated drape can cut window heat loss by 1/3.  An insulated drape can reduce it by half.

February 19, 2009

Do you have a door that needs to be trimmed to size?

Take some masking or blue tape and apply it to the area to be trimmed.  Mark your cut line on the tape and cut/saw away.  Applying the tape will greatly reduce splinters in the wood.  The same trick will work with plywood.  Remember to apply the tape to both sides of the door.

This issue's Green Tip:

When your fireplace is not in use, make sure the damper is closed to reduce heat loss.  Of course, if you are going to close the damper make sure the fire is fully extinguished and there are no warm embers/ashes in the firebox.

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