You can use steel wool to: Fill a screw hole that has become too big for the screw. Stuff the hole with steel wool and re-insert the screw. Make an instant pincushion. Stuff an old sock with steel wool and tie tightly for a pincushion that will keep pins and needles rust free. Repel kitchen

DO water every five to six days during the warm season. DO water early in the morning. DO set sprinkler water spray close to the ground, not in high arcs. DO soak the area for 30 minutes to 1 hour. DON’T water during the heat of the day (you lose ⅓ of the water to

Walk across the street and look at your overall landscape. Are shrubs trimmed neatly? Windows and doors shouldn’t be overshadowed by overgrown bushes. Clear your entry, sidewalk, and plant beds of leaves and debris. Add a new layer of attractive mulch to all planting areas. Are there bare spots or weeds in the lawn? Your

For an environmentally safe insecticide boil five or six chopped garlic cloves in a gallon of water until soft. Add one tablespoon of biodegradable detergent and let sit for a day before spraying on plants. A spray bottle of two parts vinegar and one part water is good for getting rid of slugs on your

Before you begin pick your paint colors carefully. You may love one color, but will it go well with your furnishings, carpeting, and adjoining wall areas? Choosing with care can save you a frustrating and costly re-do. Use water-based latex paint for ease in application and cleanup. Buy the correct paint for the surface you

Never leave standing liquids unattended. Stay within arm’s reach while your child is bathing or is near any container of water. If the phone rings, let it ring; stay with your child. Prevent tap water scalds by adjusting the temperature on your hot water heater to 120° F. Keep medicines and hazardous household chemicals locked

Before you start your room re-arrangement, first empty the room completely. Take down all the wall décor and remove any rugs. Now, look at the room as if you are seeing it for the first time. Consider what activities you want to take place in the room. Let form follow function. The number one mistake

Garage sales are events you stage, not events you attend. Unless you are a professional junk or antique dealer, there is no reason for you to ever attend a garage sale. Think of them as the entry level drugs offered by the clutter “drug lord” to get you hooked. Discover the joys of borrowing. Let’s

The first step in winning the Clutter Wars is to de-bug your own mind! Most of us don’t recognize clutter when it falls out of the closet onto our heads, so how in the world will we conquer it? Let’s start by defining what clutter is. Clutter is anything in your home: That is out

In our last “Homeowner’s Tips” we defined clutter as anything that is out of place, broken, unused, or just something you really dislike. Today we are going to start in one small place (a closet or junk drawer will do nicely) and put things in order! First, you will need four cardboard boxes and a