Eagle Observer

EAGLE

EAGLE OBSERVER, MARCH 16, 2011

NEWSPAPERS

HOME & GARDEN

15

It’s fix-up time

Simple spring cleaning Ten cheap, easy tips for the kitchen

You don’t even need to leave the house for supplies with these inexpensive spring cleaning tips. Just open your cabinet, make these homemade creations and clean beyond your counter tops and cupboards.

Add these suggestions to your spring cleaning to-do list to eliminate odors, remove stains and get rid of food buildup in the kitchen. “Don’t neglect your kitchen appliances during spring cleaning,� said Doug Rogers, president of Mr. Appliance Corp. “Your appliances never get a day off. They take the most abuse, yet probably get the least attention. Keep them clean to help them last longer and run more efficiently.�

Give spring cleaning a new meaning with these 10 unique and often forgotten tips from Mr. ApplianceÂŽ and Mr. RooterÂŽ Plumbing: 1. To eliminate odors, pour vanilla extract into a bowl with a paper towel and wipe down the refrigerator walls.

2. Soak refrigerator removable parts in the sink with warm, soapy water to remove stains from food spills.

3. To remove food residue, run an empty dishwasher with a cup of white vinegar.

4. Take out oven racks and wash them by hand with warm soap and water to remove caked on food.

5. To eliminate odors, place handful of ice cubes and citrus peels in garbage disposal, turn on cold water and then the disposal for 15-30 seconds. After turning off disposal continue to rinse with hot water for 15 more seconds.

6. Wipe interior microwave surfaces with a mixture of two tablespoons baking soda and one quart water to remove food stains.

7. Use a sponge with a mixture of ½ cup bleach, Ÿ cup baking soda and four cups warm water to avoid yellowing of white appliances. Let it set for 10 minutes before rinsing and drying.

8. To remove grease buildup from garbage disposal, turn on hot water, then disposal.

Squeeze tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in disposal, and run hot water for 15-30 seconds.

Turn off disposal and let hot water run until suds are gone.

9. Heat a microwave-safe bowl of vanilla extract for three minutes and use it to wipe surfaces for stubborn residue and stains in the microwave.

10. Clean condenser coils located behind the fridge with a brush or hand-held vacuum to remove dirt, dust and pet hair. “The best way to ensure an odor-free and grease-free kitchen sink is to prevent the smell and buildup before it begins,� said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of Mr. Rooter Corporation. “A good dose of spring cleaning can clear the air, keeping your garbage disposal in good working condition.�

By following these tips from Mr. Appliance and Mr. Rooter Plumbing, kitchen appliances and plumbing fixtures will continue to sparkle and smell fresh for many springs to come.

For more information on Mr. Rooter or to find the location nearest you, visit mrrooter.com or mrrooter.ca. Mr. Appliance’s website is mrappliance.com.

By Waded Gonzalez-Candelaria, public health educator Are you thinking about fixing up the old homestead? Are you planning on doing the project on your own or hiring someone to do it for you? Was your home built before 1978? If it was, it may contain lead paint.

When lead paint is disturbed during remodeling, dangerous lead dust is created.

Young children and pregnant women are at the greatest risk from exposure to lead dust, but anyone can become lead poisoned.

The Onondaga County Health Department Lead Poisoning Control Program would like you to consider the following questions before you start your project: Was the house built before 1978?

Will you be disturbing the paint?

Have you had the paint tested to see if it is lead paint?

What safety precautions will you or your contractor/handyman take to protect yourself and your children from exposure to hazardous lead dust? The most impor-

tant thing to consider when remodeling is controlling the lead dust. You can do this by following these tips: Work smart To keep paint chips and dust contained, work in one area at a time; enclose the work area using heavy plastic (6 mil); Keep pregnant women and children out of the work area; Protect yourself by washing your hands and eating or drinking outside the work area; Wear a protective mask to prevent inhaling lead dust.

Work wet Avoid creating lead dust by using a spray bottle to wet an area to be sanded or scraped Work clean Clean up daily. Don’t allow anyone into the work area until the daily cleanup is complete Learn more about working safely with lead paint. To sign up for a free one-day Lead Safe Work Practices training, call the Lead Poisoning Control Program at 435-3271.

Quick tip

Banish pesky ants Have issues with ants in the spring?

Find the entry point for the ants and sprinkle a hot spice - such as cinnamon or ground pepper - to keep the ants at bay.

Here’s a CD That’s Right For You!

1.05

%

APY*

12-Month CD

Annual Percentage Yield* Minimum Deposit $500

* The annual percentage yield is accurate and effective March 7, 2011 thru March 13, 2011.

A Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawl. Accounts FDIC insured.

INVEST NOW

Santelli Pole Barns come to Syracuse losophy to grow through education, not sales pitches, has proven very successful.

And now we’re ready to serve customers the same way in the Greater Syracuse Market too.�

Santelli Lumber helps consumers; agribusinesses and wineries build very attractive and highly efficient Pole Barns for their homes and businesses – built in just five days from commencement.

Consumers and businesses interested in building a new Pole Barn can satisfy their unique inter-

ests and needs by visiting Santelli’s new web site, which includes being able to download a Special Report, “How To Choose The Right Pole Barn and the Right Contractor to Build It.� “The Santelli web site provides a one-stop portal for Pole Barn Resources to help professionals improve their businesses and to help consumers improve their properties and their lives�, says Arthur Santelli.

For further information on Santelli Lumber, visit the site at SantelliLumber.com.

Each depositor insured to at least $250,000

Temporarily increased from $100,000 to $250,000 through 12/31/2013

MAIN OFFICE

0TXFHP 4U t #BMEXJOTWJMMF t

LIVERPOOL

4FDPOE 4U t -JWFSQPPM t

NORTH SYRACUSE

/PSUI .BJO 4U t /PSUI 4ZSBDVTF t

08209

Santelli Lumber in Palmyra announced today that it has launched a new Pole Barn consumer awareness campaign into the Greater Syracuse Market. “We’re all about education, not selling,� says Arthur Santelli, President of Santelli Lumber. “Our customers know exactly why they decide to build their projects in a certain way, and so their chances of unpleasant surprises are practically zero. In the past few years we have built hundreds of Pole Barns in the Greater Rochester Area. Our phi-