Ten Tools Everyone Should Own

Benjamin Franklin once said, "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail."  Having a basic toolkit is a way that you can be prepared for not only planned projects in your home, but also unexpected disasters that may arise.  With so many specialized tools on the market it can be hard to know where to start.  Here are our recommendations for tools that should be in everyone's toolbox.

1. Hammer

 A 16-20 oz hammer should do the trick for most jobs

2. Reversible Cordless Drill

Get one that is comfortable to hold and preferably that comes with a bit set

3. Level

 

 Choose a level that has a horizontal, a vertical, and a diagonal vial

4. Vise Grip Pliers 

 These are a step up from standard channel lock pliers

5. 6-Way Screwdriver

Pretty standard

6. Needle Nose Pliers

Look for a pair that has a wire cutter near the axis.

7. Tape Measure

Get one that locks into place

8. Electrical Tester

This is especially important when changing out light fixtures.

9. Utility Knife

  There's really no substitute for a good utility knife.

10. Staple Gun

Necessary for most crafting, home decorating, or reupholstering projects.

Image Credits: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

Spring Cleaning Series- Clear Out The Fridge + GIVEAWAY WINNER!

The refrigerator is oft regarded as one of the most intimidating appliances.  Not only is it heavy, there are also so many nooks and crannies.   Combine that with the fact that you've got pools of water and currents of electricity working side by side and you've got what seems like a recipe for disaster.

 Daunting as it may seem, thoroughly cleaning your fridge from the inside out can provide benefits far beyond aesthetics.  By cleaning the coils and drip trays you can actually extend the life of your refrigerator and help it to run more efficiently, saving you money in the process.  Confused already?  It's easier than it sounds.  Here's how:

You'll Need:

• Vacuum with Hose Attachment
• Baking Soda
• Dish Soap
• Sponge
• Old Toothbrush
• Fly Swatter
• Microfiber Cloth

Unplug the unit and place all of the fridge and freezer contents in a cooler with ice.  Throw out anything that is expired.  Slide refrigerator a few feet away from the wall, if possible.  Shut off water supply lines to the freezer, if applicable.

Begin with the freezer.  Empty the ice bin and wash it thoroughly with a solution of 2 tablespoons baking soda and 1quart warm water. Place some old towels or rags in ice-laden areas of the freezer to absorb the water as the freezer defrosts (leave the door open.)

While the freezer is defrosting move on the the fridge.  Remove all drawers and shelves and wash with aforementioned baking soda solution.  Do not use dish soap, as this could leave behind a scent which your food may absorb.  Clean interior walls with the same solution and a sponge.  For stubborn caked on residue, apply a concentrated paste of baking soda and water and let sit for ten minutes.  Scrub off with an old toothbrush.  Return shelves and drawers to their places.

Repeat the interior cleaning process with the defrosted freezer.

Next we will move on to the coils and drip trays.  The coils will either be located behind the refrigerator or underneath it.  If the coil is behind the unit and easy to access vacuum it with a hose and brush attachment.  You may also want to vacuum the floor space around the unit as well.

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If the coils are located underneath the unit you will most likely need to remove a drip tray.  Empty and clean this out, and wipe down the coils with a dry microfiber cloth attached to a fly swatter.

Replug in the unit and turn the water supply lines on.  Slide the unit back into place, making sure to not kink any cords.

Rearrange the foods in your refrigerator in an orderly manner.  Store meats on the bottom shelf so their juices do not drip.  Line the vegetable drawer with paper towels to keep it clean.  Wipe off sticky jars before returning them to their places.

That's it! All in all this process should only take about 30-45 minutes, and is well worth the effort.

Still have questions? Stop by Baller Hardware and let our friendly and knowledgeable associates help you with every step of the process.

**Congratulations to Jen L. for winning our Mrs. Meyers giveaway! We hope you enjoy your eco-friendly Spring Cleaning basket.  Stay tuned for details on our upcoming giveaways.**

Spring Cleaning Series- Scrub the Oven

 

The oven may very well be one of the easiest appliances to neglect cleaning.  Unlike your refrigerator, ovens rarely stink up your kitchen when you spill food in them.  Since most are dark they tend to be forgiving of stains and dribbles and thanks-be-to god they have a door, so no one's going to go snooping around in there anyway.  But alas, this series IS about Spring Cleaning, and thus we must get to those stubborn areas which are so easy to forget about the rest of the year.

There are plenty of harsh chemical cleaners on the market which may save you a bit of time, but we are all about green cleaning here so this tutorial will use only natural products. We are also going to skip the self-cleaning cycle because it can damage certain parts of an oven which can be costly to fix, as well as suck up a whole lot of energy.

You'll Need:
-White Vinegar
-Baking Soda
-Water
-Steel Wool
-Sponge
-Rags 
-Old Toothbrush

Fill your sink up with warm water and add 2-3 cups of white vinegar.  Remove stove burners (if applicable) and oven racks from the oven and immerse them in the vinegar/ water solution.

While they are soaking, mix 3/4 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a spreadable, slightly runny paste.  Using a sponge, spread a thick layer of the paste over the bottom and sides of the inside of the oven, as well as the glass on the door.  Let this sit for about 15 minutes then wipe clean with a damp rag.  If any spots remain, work at them with steel wool (test on a small area to make sure it won't damage the finish on your oven) and the baking soda paste.

Next move on to the cook top.  Vacuum up any dried food or loose debris that may be hanging out on or around the burners.  Then repeat the above process using a toothbrush to distribute the paste around the burners.  Remove the dials and soak them in the sink with the burner tops.  Make sure to clean the buttons and space underneath the dials as well!

Once you have wiped the stovetop clean, address the pieces in the sink.  Most of the grime should be loose at this point, so give the burners and racks a gentle scrub with the steel wool and rinse with water.

If your oven door tends to get grimy between the panes of glass check out this article from Ask Anna for a genius way to clean it. 

We hope this proves to be a  fun satisfying kickoff to your spring cleaning season and that it provides motivation for the rest of the tasks at hand.  Be sure to enter our giveaway for a chance to win an eco-friendly spring cleaning kit valued at over $50!

Spring Cleaning Series & Giveaway

Spring is finally upon us which means flowers, flip flops, and of course, Spring Cleaning.  For those of us who aren't cleanaholics, dusting those oft-forgotten nooks and crannies can seem daunting and dreadful.  However with a bit of organization and the right products getting your home spic and span from top to bottom can be manageable and sometimes even, dare we say, fun! In our Spring Cleaning series we will be offering tips and tutorials to get at those pesky ares that we sweep aside the rest of the year (pun intended.)

We're starting out the series with a handy checklist from Anna at Ask Anna.  Anna is an organizing expert and has truly thought of everything.  Get her checklist here.

We are also offering one lucky reader a Mrs. Meyers Spring Cleaning Kit! This kit will include all the eco-friendly products you need to get started in your cleaning ventures, and is valued at over $50!  The winner will be announced Saturday April 20th. Enter below:


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Monthly Home Maintenance Checklist

To keep your home in tip top shape there are a few things that should be checked, cleaned, and fixed monthly.  Here's our list of routine tasks to keep up on:

• Check water softeners and water filters, including those in your refrigerator.
• Use a drain stick to clean out all shower and bathroom sink drains.
• Run your garbage disposal with hot water and sprinkle baking soda down the drain.  Ad citrus peels to freshen the scent.
• Clean and/or replace air conditioner and furnace filters.
• Check rain gutters for blockage and clean if necessary.
• Test all carbon monoxide and smoke alarms.
• Check fire extinguisher pressure.
• Check all faucets for dripping water and replace washers if necessary.
• Wash lint filters in the dryers with warm water, dish soap and an old toothbrush.
• Clean  your hot water heater.

What maintenance tasks do you feel are necessary to keep up with on a month-to-month basis?