Thursday, 7 August 2014

Wasp Free Summers

I hate bugs. I really do. When we moved to our home there were a couple of corners where there were small wasp nests... edges of the unused garage door, under the eaves, beside the porch. All creatures have to live somewhere and we humans have to share space, but I prefer if it's not wasps on my house. My spouse graciously took down the nests.

A natural nest - photo from pixabay.com

I've used wasp traps before and they are okay, but it's 'icky' and I'm killing them. I decided to keep them away using a very easy, natural solution which is chemical free, environmentally friendly, and does not harm the wasps. It uses wasp psychology: I simply set up my house as an 'occupied territory'.

Many species of wasps (yellow jackets, hornets etc) are territorial and won't build nest within at least 100 feet of another nest. If there is an existing wasp nest, they will simply leave the area. I bought a dollar-store paper-lantern looking wasp nest to hang and with the 100-200ft radius, that's my whole yard! Two years and no wasp nests... I don't even think about it.

Even easier, you can make your own for free from a simple paper bag and a little string. Poke two holes in the bottom of the paper bag and create a string loop to hang it from. Fill the paper bag with crumpled balls of newspaper to keep it's shape and then twist the bottom to create the same general shape as a natural nest. Use a twist-tie or string to tie the bottom shut so the bag holds its shape. Done!

About 5 minutes a year work (to hang it and take it down) and no wasps! That's Lazy genius!

Tips: I bought an inexpensive wall bracket hanger to place in an inconspicuous place close to my deck to hang this 'decoy wasp nest' from - it's under the eaves and out of the wind and rain. Ideally, the nest should be at about 6-8 foot height to look more 'natural' to the wasps - and to keep the paper safe, hang it in a sheltered spot. (I have lost 2 to storms and you do need to take it down in about mid-fall putting it back up in spring) Hang it near your eating area to provide better protection.

This was the last brand I bought...  I like how these look (unobtrusive and neat). It was two to a pack and inexpensive. I lost them to storms so now I know better! Found on: www.natural-insect-control.com

Tuesday, 5 August 2014

Snap Countdown for Surprise Visits

Yes, of course, my house always looks like this! 


Everyone should have a 15-minute panic-cleaning process if unexpected company is about to show up. For most friends and family, I let them see the chaos of everyday life. But sometimes... someone you need to impress just a little is about to show up. You KNOW this happens!

Don't just panic... have a plan for that panic! I'm not kidding... plan it out based on what areas of your home get seen by guests and what seems to be your clutter magnet. This is not about cleaning - this is hiding the detritus of life. Channel your panic adrenaline ... expect to run around for the next 15 minutes. Improve your routine each time you use it.

I will share my panic-routine ... time-worn and effective (and customized for my home):
  1. Hall & Entry: Keep a little basket stored in the front closet - a plug-in air freshener and my most effective pet-fur brush. I plug in the air freshener near the front door and swipe up any pet fur on seats. Straighten the area throwing everything into the beautiful woven baskets under the bench seat... hidden storage is your friend!
  2. Living Room: Pull chairs and furniture into their proper places in the dining room and living rooms. I have a storage ottoman which I leave empty (or virtually empty) I have a 2-minute grab-all-the-living-room-mess and dump it into the ottoman. Fluff the pillows and fold the throw - generally neaten. Fabreeze the couch, chairs, and carpet;
  3. Bathroom: Refold the hand towel inside out or put in a clean one. Disinfectant wipe - a quick swipe of the counter, sink, toilet seat (top and under). The nice scented wipe in the garbage also adds a fresh smell and hides anything under it. Light the scented candle in there (a nicety for the guest and easy solution for you);
  4. Kitchen: Quickly disinfectant-wipe the counters and fling everything into the dishwasher. Don't sort - fling. If you have clutter on the counters or magnets on the fridge throw it into bags and put them in the ottoman or front closet. Fold the dish towels;
  5. Breathe: Put on some lipstick and just get centered.

  • Floor Swipe: IF there is time, run the vacuum quickly (this never happens for me because I have to drag long hoses which are invariably upstairs!) or one of those wet-pad mops over the main areas. I love these because they are so fast, easy, and when you put the pad in the garbage it gives the room a smell of 'clean'... when people smell 'clean' they think 'clean'! 

Sunday, 3 August 2014

Towel Reboot



If you find you are not loving your towels, if they feel stiffer, if they are not as absorbent as they once were, or if they feel weighed down and 'greasy', then these 3 simple 'DON'Ts' are for you:
  1. Don't use too much detergent with towels, in fact use a little less than in a regular load. It's harder to wash out detergent from towels. Use a HE (high efficiency) detergent with them to minimize excess sudsing. Using vinegar in your towel wash will keep towels always smelling fresh. You can put the vinegar in the bleach dispenser (just don't ever let the two mix!) for use during the wash cycle or in the fabric softener dispenser for use during the rinse cycle. I think it's most effective in the rinse cycle.
  2. Don't use fabric softener with towels: it weighs them down with buildup over time. There is a light 'coating' and there will be less loft to the towels. The scents can also aggravate some sensitivities. If you've been using fabric softener, run them in a wash with 1/2 cup of regular baking soda to help remove some of the build-up.
  3. Don't use dryer sheets with towels - you don't need them and they will make your towels less absorbent. Just don't over-dry your towels - treat them with a little care and they will love you back.

Reboot and refresh them using the other towel tips I've posted - and keep them fresh with a cup of vinegar each time you wash them. 

By now you must think I'm obsessed by towels! I'm not... but I think we should all expect soft, absorbent, sweet smelling towels. That's why I'm posting the truths I've learned in these tips - because making sure your towels are wonderful takes no extra time or effort!