Although the expression, tried and true has earned its reputation over centuries of doing what-ever-it-is and finding that by doing it one particular way is THE solution. I would like to place before you a selection of diverse choices.

As you study these candidates, please take into consideration their origin and basic function. I hope these will be of help to you.

Cob webs are an innocuous entity that just seem to grow and multiply for no apparent reason and remain hidden for what seems to be decades until your best friend or mother-in-law or the guy you want to impress the most is about to pay a visit. They loom, well lit and ominous, just challenging you to take a swipe. They taunt you to make another veiled attempt to dissimilate their wiry matter. Can you? Dare you? The answer indubitably is YES! You have an obligation, even a right to drag down those vile creations that would disrupt and cause distain amongst your peers.

And here are some methods as to how you might accomplish this daunting task. Keep in mind these are suggestions only and the actual result may vary from person to household.

FirstWe all have access to a long haired friendly cat. Maybe ours, maybe your best friends or neighbors might oblige you. But, none-the-less, a sweet kitty is first on the list. Lift it high into the air as though playing with it. Smile and coo as with a young child and tell it what a sweet kitty it is and while it is up in the air and enjoying all the clever, but manipulative praise you have begun to heap upon it, aim the tail section toward the area to be cleaned and as the tail whips across the entity of cob, then it will be gone. Good kitty! Extra treats for you this afternoon.

SecondWe do not all have availability to this next choice, but if you do, here is a simple answer for this stubborn problem – an ostrich. They are tall. Their wings flap at an enormous rate of speed and thus, if not claiming their corner dwelling nemesis with the tip of a wing, they could very well blow it out of its position with the power of its lateral appendage. I think the only way to truly entice an ostrich into flapping fervently is to tickle it. I am not sure of much passed thatI was born and raised in America, not Australia, but I figure for something so very tall, that to reach under their wings and give then a tweak! That should do itcob webs disappear.

Sub-second…There is a possibility that should the ostrich find the kitty, that he might indeed fetch said feline and throw him into the mix, and then into the air, and the kitty again would reap the rewards of being the hero of the day by cleaning off said cob-web-nemesis.

ThirdA garden hose, it seems to help in the cleaning of the windows and sidewalks, why then would it not be beneficial to the cleaning of the ceiling? Simple water pressure and Voila! Done it is. Then the floors would be buffed and all is well.

Forth Fire hose, same principle as the garden hose, but with a greater power wash cycle! Water is water, it has been used to clean things for millenniajust remember to ask permission from the local utilities department, perhaps under the guise of having a street party. Who would want to say No to the neighborhood barbeque and slippery-slide?!

Fifth Small Birds for really high ceilings; cockatiels, finches, love birds, etc., could be trained and used for dwellings which have very high ceilings. With the new influx of grand entryways and elongated accent walls in contemporary homes, it is not unconscionable that one might employ the use of some of our avian friends to lend a wing (so-to-speak) in the clean up of their own domicile. Step by step instructions: Open cage, grasp bird firmly around wings, hold them, aim them, toss them into the air, and let them do their job. Quick and easy, this is still a wise use of feathers.

Six A sock around the baseball, it is all in the description. Simply place a baseball into a clean white tube sock, tie the end, so the loose fabric of the sock wags as you pitch it into the mass of webbing, and there again, done! A similar approach may be had with a rolled and tied t-shirt. Roll and tie and throw the t-shirt into the fibrous mass, and the stringy form falls entwined in the t-shirt ball down to the ground where it can be retrieved and disposed of properly.

SevenFor those with a pension for creativity, this should appeal. Assemble a model airplane/glider with one of the leftover ostrich feathers attached. Depending on the model you choose, you may either twist the rubber band propeller or ignite the fuel filled engine and release it in the direction of the threadlike tentacles which still need to be eliminated. Be precise about your use of the feather. It should be secured on to the rear dorsal of the planes tail to be most effective. As the designated aviator, you are responsible to maintain both correct altitude and pitch to be most effective in eradicating the sinewy substance which clings to its home base in a most insidious manner.

Eight A child’s simple dart gun with ostrich feather attached could also be implemented to accomplish the goal. At this point, one would not have to care as to where the feather would be attached; only that it was there to grasp at the ropy corpus as it shot by and solved what would have otherwise been a very distracting element in your living space.

Nineas a final suggestion, one could always enlist the services of a professional, who would, by whatever means were most familiar to said expert, complete the chore and collect a substantial, yet reasonable fee for said services rendered. It is not out of the realm of possibility that one would overlook the aforementioned reedy formation, which did; as we had previously established, become the object of discourse simply by being true to its own nature and without warning or predication, disfiguring the space it now occupies with out invitation.

To un-invite it, seems preposterous, so to solicit one or another of the list from above may be the most prudent course of action. Should you have any further questions or comments concerning this issue, I would like to remind you that it is you and you alone, who and for whatever reason, neglected that corner of your little world and thus without further insistence, did provide through error, a destination for the stringy, fibrous, rope-like structure to invade and thus take (at least) temporary residence in your abode. Lingering only long enough for you to develop the sanguine urge to drive it from your asylum and in so doing fabricating a habitat fit for family and friends to lounge comfortably without disturbance from the innocuous forbearance of said cobweb.

Learn more about this author, Gary Wright.

* General Cleaning

To clean the inside of a microwave that has not seen a recent food explosion is quick and easy. Most units have removable glass turntables. Remove the turntable, wash in warm soapy water, rinse and dry thoroughly. Handle the turntable carefully as they can become slippery when wet.

Before returning the turntable, using a wet dishcloth or sponge, wipe down the entire inside of the microwave including the ceiling. If a few food particles are stuck on, rub free with a plastic scrubbing pad or even your fingernail. Don’t forget to wipe down the inside of the microwave door. Dry with a clean cotton towel or paper towel and replace the turntable. Wipe down the front of the microwave and the keypad too.

* Serious Cleaning

Foods explode in the microwave. Some of the most spectacular explosions come from hot dogs, sauces or soups, and let’s not forget the two sticks of butter you were melting for the corn-on-the-cob. In our haste to get our meals to the table, we often put off cleaning our microwave messes. It’s very easy to leave the mess or just half-heartedly dab at it. Often we were not the creator of the mess and before we know it, the microwave looks and smells like something out of science project gone wrong. When your microwave is in this state, serious cleaning is needed.

There are several tried and true techniques to loosen grease, grime, and grunge from the inside of your microwave while removing foul and burnt odors.

Tip 1: Fill a bowl with four cups of water and microwave it on high for 5 minutes. Let the water stand for five more minutes and then remove from the microwave. The steam from the boiled water will loosen baked on particles allowing them to be wiped away with a soapy, wet sponge. Rinse entire microwave with wet cloth after last particle in removed.

Tip 2: Fill a spray bottle with two tablespoons of baking soda and then fill with water. Spray the inside of your microwave with the baking soda and water solution. Let sit for a couple of minutes and spray again. Wipe away the wet grime and dry thoroughly with a towel.

Tip 3: Fill a bowl with two tablespoons of baking soda and three cups of water. Place a sponge or rag in the bowl and microwave on high for 5 minutes. Let stand in the microwave for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the sponge or rag and use to wipe down the insides of microwave.

To combat lingering foul or burnt odors from foods like popcorn or bacon try:

Tip 4: Fill a bowl with 2 cups white vinegar and microwave to its boiling point, about 4 to 5 minutes. Let stand for about 15 minutes. The moisture from the vinegar will even seep into the unit’s fan system and eliminate any stinky odors. Vanilla extract can also replace the vinegar and will not have as strong of an odor. Use about a 1/4 cup of vanilla extract and only heat for 60 seconds. To remove all odors, keep the microwave door closed overnight.

Tip 5: Slice a lemon into wedges and float in a bowl of water and microwave on high for 4 to 5 minutes. Let the moisture and citrus stand for 2 to 3 hours.

Tip 6: Simply put two tablespoons of fresh coffee crystals into a bowl and shut the microwave door. Keep the door closed over night and by morning, the odors will have vanished.

Of course, an ounce of prevention is worth your time when it comes to keeping your microwave free of grease, grime, and odors. Make it a habit to wipe down the inside of your microwave each time your wipe your countertops, wash dishes, or sweep the floor. If you wipe it down regularly, the grime will not build up and odors will not have the opportunity to linger.

Better yet, when that bowl of chili you forgot to cover explodes like a scene from Pompeii, remove the bowl and immediately wipe out all the bean and meat chunks. Then thoroughly wash down the microwave insides with a damp cloth. Avoid messes completely by covering foods that are prone to explosions and splatters with a paper plate, paper towel or even one of those microwave splatter shields that are available at discount stores and retailers.

Remember; never try to take apart your microwave oven to clean it as it can give you a serious electrical shock even when unplugged.

Keeping the inside of your microwave clean will not only help keep the unit working at peak efficiency but will keep your reheated and “nuked” foods from tasting funky and strange.

Learn more about this author, Barb Hopkins.

Everyone that has wood fires needs to know how to clean a chimney. A residue from the wood causes a creosote buildup in chimneys and can cause of house fires if not maintained properly. A build up of creosote in a chimney is a fire hazard and can start a fire inside your chimney which can easily spread through the roof of your home before your even aware you have a problem. Chimney cleaning should become a part of your house maintenance to keep your family and belongings safe if you have a fireplace or a wood stove.

Make sure your fire is out,

You should wait at least 48 hours after your last fire before you attempt to clean your chimney, this will ensure there are no live embers. If you have a fire place, remove the grate that is in front of it. This is where you will clean out your residue when you’re finished. If you have a wood burning stove there should be a clean out at the bottom of your chimney, usually a brick that can be removed easily. Take out any ashes or residue you find in your fireplace or woodstove and place it in a fireproof container. You can find these at any hardware store.

Preparing the inside of your home,

Start by using heavy plastic to seal off the opening to your fireplace this can be done by taping the plastic to the opening. If you have a wood stove make sure the door is closed tightly. This will prevent dust from getting out in your room. If you have two fireplaces in your home seal off both of them in the same manner. You should cover your furniture or any flooring that you don’t want dust on just in case it is not sealed tightly enough. This is usually just a precaution.

Tools you will need,

Before you get going you should have a wire brush with a very long pole attached. Assemble this before going onto the roof. You can take the wire brush and pole with you or wait until you get up on your roof and have someone pass it to you. The pole has to be the height of your roof as it has to reach right down your chimney so should be easy to reach if you have it passed up. With safety in mind it is always good to have somebody with you, especially when you start to climb the ladder which should be tied securely to your house in some fashion. Walk to your chimney and remove the cap from the top of it.

The cleaning,

There are two ways of doing the actual cleaning. You can tie weights to your brush and attach the pole lengths as you need them or assemble the whole thing and by taking the part of the pole that is nearest to the wire brush, standing the pole up straight, place it inside your chimney and start pushing it down through. Make sure you get all sides of your chimney on the way down. This may take a few repeats in the cleaning to make sure. You can use short strokes which will help you to make sure you are getting all the creosote off.

Fireplace cleaning,

When you feel that your chimney is as clean as it’s going to get then return to the inside of your home. Remove any clothing you have on that is dusty or dirty. Go to your fire place and fold back the plastic unto itself. Put gloves on and start removing any dust and debris from the fireplace. If you have a wood stove then you need to check your funnels that are leading into the wall. They need to be removed and took outside and cleaned out. This can be done by using a smaller shorter steel brush placed in the funnels and scrape each side, when removing funnels wrap the ends of the funnels in plastic to avoid getting dust and soot all over.

Wood stove chimney cleaning,

If you have a wood stove then you have to find the clean out space at the bottom of the chimney. This is often just a brick that is set loosely in place on the chimney or it can be a special cover. Regardless you will have to remove it and using a small shovel start shoveling out the debris that you’ll find there. It must all be removed until you see that all is free and clear. To check that it is clear have someone go to the roof and shine a flashlight at the bottom of your chimney. If you can see this light then you know you have removed all the creosote.

Cleaning up,

When you have all the larger debris taken out you can use your shop vac to pick up the rest. Never use your home vacuum on this. The soot and dust has the potential of ruining the motor in these. When you’re finished clean all the tools of the shop vac that you’ve used.

Finishing up,

Return to the roof and make sure you replace the cap back on your chimney properly. This protects your chimney from harsh weather such as rain and snow. After this is done get down and remove your ladder from your home. Your home is now much safer when this job is completed.

It is always a pain to have to do this but it certainly has to be done. We clean our chimney approximately every two months , we have a wood burning stove and we probably over do the cleaning a bit but to be on the safe side, it is so worth it. We burn wood on a daily bases, which requires more care of the chimney. If you’re using your fireplace and only have it lit for a small amount of time, then cleaning often is not required. The amount of times you clean your chimney will depend on how much you use your fireplace or stove. When it comes to chimneys it is better to be safe than sorry.

Learn more about this author, Betty Carew.

If it is a stove that fire wood is used it is known as wood stove. If it is fuel with gas, then it is call ed as gas stove and if electricity is used then it will be name as electric stove.

From the olden times up to now wood stove has taken an important place in the kitchen. It is so important that one cannot imagine how to live in this world without it. If the stove that is fueled with wood malfunctions owing to dirt, rust and moisture, the following tips will be useful to restore or repair it.

Stop or disconnect the supply of fuel line. If it is gas it can be disconnected and necessary repairs can be rectified.

Wood stove should be placed where the moisture is less, and place it where the sunlight is present. This will reduce the moisture and eliminate the wetness in the wood and helps the wood to burn easily without much smoke.

Clean the stove with a damp cloth to remove the collection of dirt and keep it clean. The nooks and corners of the stoves should be wiped out well with the damp cloth. Otherwise a brush that will clean well should be used and all dirt collection should be cleaned and wiped out.

After cleaning with the damp cloth it should be left for about 30 minutes to enable the stove to dry and ready for use.

With the help of another clean cloth with little addition of kerosene the stove should be cleaned. All surface of the stove should be cleaned and left for about 30 minute to dry. To get a good performance, the stove should be cleaned at least two times.

If the stove is supported with metal grills, this should cleaned by removing it carefully with a piece of cloth damped with kerosene removing all the rust and dirt collection on it and keep it for dry for 15 minutes before reuse.

Inside the stove there are parts which have to be taken out. These parts have to cleaned with a damp cloth removing dirt and rust and keep the stove open. All portion of the stove should be cleaned and kept in the sunlight to get dried before put into use.

After cleaning the stove, it is necessary to check the oven. The vales of the oven should be checked and if leaks are found should be repaired.

The whole stove should be checked and if repairs necessary it should be done with care so that it will not cause harm to the user and precautionary steps should be taken before the stove is put into use.

Learn more about this author, youareoriginal.

It doesn’t take much for your kitchen to get totally disorganized. Everyone is constantly taking things out of the cabinets and the drawers and placing them back in the wrong place. You get the kids to empty the dishwasher and now you can’t find anything. This is a common scenario in many kitchens. It is time to look at the organization essentials that are available for kitchens.

Spices

Spices can become a real nightmare if there is not some sort of an organizational system in place. If it seems as if you can never find the spice or flavoring that you are looking for when you need them, then you are a prime candidate. There are several options available. One is a spice rack. These can hang on your wall or sit on your counter. The spices are placed in the rack in alphabetical order so that it is always easy to find the one you are looking for. Another spice option is the spice drawer. It holds the bottles in a rack that is placed inside the drawer. There are also special spice cabinets that pull out and have all your spices ready and available for you.

Lids

Have you ever spent half an hour looking for the lid for your favorite pot or pan? There has to be a better way. Well indeed there is. You can get a lid rack. There are several types of these, some attach to the inside of the cabinet door and other sit on the shelf in the cabinet. There are even some that can fit in a deep drawer, these are available at IKEA. Those Swedes, they think of everything.

Pots and pans

It is important not only to own the correct pots and pans but also to be able to access it easily. It you have a high ceiling and nice pots and pans a pot rack that attaches to the ceiling places everything you need just above eye level. They also offer racks that attach to the wall and can hang behind your stove. Many stoves have a bottom drawer that ends up being the catchall for pots and pans. If you are going to use this at least pile your pans neatly by size so that you can see what you have.

Cleaning supplies

If you are like most people, underneath your sink looks like a bomb went off. There are so many different surfaces in a home that requires so many different cleaning supplies that it can easily become disorganized, One way to organize these is by placing the items you need for specific tasks in small baskets that you can carry with your when you go to do that task. For instance in one basket you can have your silver cleaner, polishing cloth and tooth brush for getting into all the detailed work.

These are just a few of the ways you can organize your kitchen. We are not even going to touch on storage containers, pantries and refrigerators.

Learn more about this author, Belle Starr.