Home-Dzine - Get your home in health shape with these practical tips

Home Tips

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In the kitchen

	Keep knives sharp One of the best ways to sharpen your knife is to use a whetstone – it takes a little time and patience but, once you’ve mastered it, you’ll never have to battle again with a blunt knife.
	Light my fire This article is for all the single women out there who want to avoid the embarrassment of being completely oblivious on how to light up a braai or having to ask someone for help.
	Repair a tumble drier My tumble dryer is one of the oldest appliances I own, and while I do need to replace it with a more energy efficient model, I simply cannot afford it at the moment.
	Fridge repairs Here are some simple fixes for the four most common refrigerator problems: an ice-maker breakdown, water leaking onto the floor, a cooling failure and too much noise.
	Energy-efficient appliances With all the appliances and cleaning products touting their eco-friendly reputation these days, how do you know which ones are legit?
	Ants taking over? Every morning I wake up to a kitchen sink that is covered in an army of ants. When trying to get rid of ants, it’s helpful to first have a basic understanding how ants live and thrive:
	Need more kitchen space? For many families, the kitchen is the busiest room in the house. Even though kitchens are a hub for conversation and great food, they can also become a black hole for household clutter.
	Home remedies You don't always need to use harmful chemicals in the home to sort out odours, stains and other problems. There are plenty of home remedy solutions.
	Natural cleaners By using all-natural substances to clean your home you can have a healther home and a healthier family and many of the natural home cleaning methods mentioned here are significantly cheaper than manufactured cleaners, saving you money as well.

In the laundry

	Keeps towels fluffy Buying towels is not something you want to have to do every few months. Quality towels should last years, standing up to the rigours of regular use. But how do you keep them fluffy and fresh?
	Fresh smelling laundry Smelly laundry -- usually caused by a build-up of bacteria and mould -- may leave you wanting to throw away your towels and clothes. But there are solutions! Here's how to make your laundry smell good again.
	Keep whites white White is the perfect summer colour, but keeping whites white is another story. If you're like me and have a tendency to attract dirt, you need to know some insider secrets.
	Static-free laundry With winter well on it's way more clothes will be going into the tumble dryer. Did you know you can get static-free clothes with a few household items you can easily find in your own home ... some tennis balls.
	Time to update your appliances? If your washing machine is over 10 years old, it's time to update your appliances to save energy, water and detergents.
	Repair a washing machine My washing machine recently started making a loud knocking noise. Having previously repaired a washing machine I decided to see what I could do before taking any drastic steps to call someone in.
	Maintain a tumble dryer Did you know that a tumble dryer should have a venting system fitted so that moist air is not circulated into the home?
	Clean up a dirty hob No matter how hard you try, you always end up with spills on a glass hob. Cleanup is easy if you follow a few simple steps.

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In the bathroom

	Control mildew How you tackle mildew depends on how much you have and how long it’s been there. You don't have to resort to chemical cleaners or products.
	Not hot water? The most common explanation for lack of hot water is due to the geyser being emptied, but there's more to investigate...
	Repair chips Repairing chips and gouges in a porcelain or enamelled bath or basin is fairly easy if you have the right materials.
	Get rid of soap scum There's nothing fun about spending a day scrubbing your shower, but there is a way to prevent soap scum. Here are some easy ways to stop soap scum stains from taking over your tub!
	Get rid of mould Over the years I have found three natural ingredients that kill mould: Tea tree oil (an essential oil found in most health food stores), grapefruit seed extract and vinegar. There are pros and cons of each, but all three work. Vinegar is by far the cheapest.
	Know your plumbing Unless you can afford to fork out every time something goes wrong in your home, it pays to know a few plumbing basics just in case.
	Remove stubborn stains The right product and technique can cut cleaning time by 30 percent. We'll show you how to remove tough stains in toilets, sinks and showers. We'll also show you the easiest ways to remove rust, lime and scum.
	Keep mould at bay Mould in the bathroom is definitely a no no. Depending on the severity of the mould problem there are ways to get rid of it without resorting to toxic and harsh substances.

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In the home

	Refresh indoor air quality We know that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Studies are now showing that certain plants can also enable us to breath cleaner air by absorbing toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene. You can enquire at your local nursery or garden centre as to plant species that will be suitable for your home.
	How to hire a handyman Here in South Africa hiring a handyman can be a tricky business. How do you know if you are getting quality work at the right price? What happens when something goes wrong - will the professional you hire still be in business tomorrow?
	Bothered by ants or roaches? We all experience occasional problems with ants and roaches. The recent spate of hot, humid weather has enticed more than a few of these insects into our home. Efekto have launched a range of ant and roach traps and baits that effectively - and safely - control these home pests.
	Displaying kid's art It's a precious time indeed when children bring home their artwork. That first masterpiece that is made with love and presented with joy is only the first in many, many, many works of art that will be brought home for you to display.
	How to keep a home cool and comfortable Global warming, greenhouse effect, whatever you want to call it, it's definitely getting hotter. The fact is our climate is changing; daytime temperatures are definitely heating up during the daytime, but that doesn't mean that you need to turn up the airconditioner.
	Remove red stains from carpet The prospect of getting red cold drink stains out of carpet can be a nightmare in light coloured carpets. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks can help you remove these stains effectively, without destroying your carpet!
	Cleaning mistakes to avoid Did you know that washing windows on a sunny day may be causing those stubborn streaks you see on the glass? Or that rubbing carpet stains is a definite no-no? Read on for common household cleaning mistakes:
	Child safety at Christmas Children are instantly drawn to glittering tree lights, ornaments and decorations. Here are a few safe options to take into consideration when decorating a home for the holidays.
	Children at risk from cellphones Recent research tells us that 22% of children ages six to nine own a cell phone, as do 60% of ages 10 to 14 and 84% of teens. Combine those stats with today's souped-up cellular devices, and it's a recipe for risky behaviour.
	Great ideas for stuff in the home Here's a collection of great ideas that I have come across on the Internet. Some of them save you time, some are really useful, and there's bound to be at least one idea that you will use.
	Top 10 tips for home living Tips to save you money and make life a little easier.
	Make sure your child is safe The latest statistics from the emergency medical services provider, Netcare 911, indicate an interesting trend.
	Preserve family photos While many of us use digital cameras to take family photos, your images are not meant to be stored there permanently.
	Life without underlay All too often, homeowners cut corners when it comes to what’s under their feet.
	3-D without glasses? Watching an advert the other day, they mentioned 3-D TV - without glasses. No I know I might be blonde, but how does 3-D TV work if you don't have the glasses?
	Maintain leather furniture Keeping leather in good condition does not require buying any special products. There are simple, effective formulas for homemade leather conditioners.
	Keep upholstery looking good With children and pets in a home, your sparkling clean sofa or chair can look grubby in minutes. Here's how to keep your upholstered furniture looking fabulous all year round.
	Dust -free for longer Unfortunately, dust is unavoidable. Not only is it nasty, but it can also trigger allergies. Make these simple steps part of your cleaning routine to create a healthier home for your family:
	Does your home smell? Our warm, sometimes humid weather is the perfect breeding ground for the mould and bacteria that cause most household odours. Try these techniques to tackle the root of the problem.
	Speed clean your home Got a life? Then you probably don't want to spend any more time on housework than you have to. Here's how to clean your house better and faster.
	A vacuum that really works! I am one of those individual who don't believe what I see on the TV unless I have tried it for myself! Having just tried out the Bennett.Read Hydro from Tevo - I will never, ever use anything else!
	Eco-pest repellants Whilst it is impossible to completely rid your home of some of these nasties, there are eco-friendly pest remedies that will slow them down!
	Safe use of LP gas While not considered an eco-friendly heating options, LPGas is one way to affordably heat a home, especially in view of the rumour that Eskom has power outages on the cards.
	Treat carpet stains Oops! Whether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your 3-year-old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does. Here are a few tips on how to clean your carpets using products you can find around your house.
	Fix damaged carpet Accidents do happen, and if you have an open fireplace in your home, they tend to happen more frequently than you would like. If a carpet does become damaged, perhaps by a stray ember, there is a quick fix that you can try to repair the damaged area.
	Stain removal guide Use this handy stain removal guide to treat common household stains in the home.
	Clean upholstered furniture There's nothing like new upholstery to freshen up your fave soft furnishing for spring. Follow this three-prong strategy to keeping soft furnishings looking fab year-round.
	Caring for genuine and microfibre suede Genuine suede requires regular maintenance with a suede brush and suede cleaner, both of which are usually available at dry cleaners or shoe repair stores.
	Control household dust Dust can create havoc with our sinus and nasal passages. Don't just spread dust around - get rid of it! Here are some dust-busting strategies.
	Uses for baking soda Long known for its odour reducing properties, baking soda can also remove smoke and sweat odours from your laundry.
	Clean windows like a pro If you get stuck with the chore of cleaning your windows, part of what makes window washing such a chore is that homeowners insist on doing it with wadded-up paper towels or newspaper, spray cleaner, and a ton of elbow grease.
	Deal with household emergencies A household emergency can strike at unexpected moments and your response, or lack thereof, could determine how things come out in the end.
	Here comes the cockroach Hot and humid. Summer is just around the corner and once cockroches are in your home, getting to know them is your least concern.

back to top

Pets at home

	Does your home smell like a doghouse? Unless you keep your dogs outdoors 24/7, you are bound to have certain 'doggy' smells in your home. The problem is that you may not know it. You become so used to living with these smells that they become a familiar part of your home. But ask a friend if they notice any pet odours and the answer may shock you!
	Caring for a paralysed pet I am opening this feature for anyone that has a crippled pet, in order to be able to provide more information - not only for myself - for anyone who has ideas and suggestions for caring for a dog or cat that has been crippled.
	Allergic to your animals? Pets and allergens don't have to go together. Mild allergies shouldn't have to stop pet lovers from enjoying their animals. Following some simple tips and investing in pet-specific products can leave you breathing easier in no time.
	Living with pets Many pet owners love a good cuddle, but is it unhealthy for you (or your pet) to spend the night together in the same bed? In this article we explore this (potentially furry) issue.
	Ooops he did it again! When your pooch makes a liquid deposit on the carpet, you have to act fast. Pet urine - whether from a dog or a cat - can damage fibres and even change the colour of carpet. Permanent damage may take days to develop, but it can also happen in minutes, so any delay is risky.

Out and about

Drive green

Warm weather typically means the windows are rolled up, the aircon is switch on, the radio is turned up. High fuel costs and the extra mileage on your vehicle, however, can hit your wallet - and the environment - harder than you'd like.

Car aircon leaking?

Know the difference between a top-off and evacuation.

Is it time to replace your car?

Maintain your car battery

What to do when involved in an accident

How to jump start a car

Tips on driving in wet weather

Safety tips for women drivers

What to do when your car ...

Regularly check your tyre pressure

Get to know your car

Don't drive when you're tipsy

Plan for safe travel

How to change a flat tyre

Get insured for the year ahead

Do you know where to find your car's fuse box?

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In the home

Home Tips

Health & Beauty

Cooking

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Send us your home tips

In the kitchen

One of the best ways to sharpen your knife is to use a whetstone – it takes a little time and patience but, once you’ve mastered it, you’ll never have to battle again with a blunt knife.

This article is for all the single women out there who want to avoid the embarrassment of being completely oblivious on how to light up a braai or having to ask someone for help.

My tumble dryer is one of the oldest appliances I own, and while I do need to replace it with a more energy efficient model, I simply cannot afford it at the moment.

Here are some simple fixes for the four most common refrigerator problems: an ice-maker breakdown, water leaking onto the floor, a cooling failure and too much noise.

With all the appliances and cleaning products touting their eco-friendly reputation these days, how do you know which ones are legit?

Every morning I wake up to a kitchen sink that is covered in an army of ants. When trying to get rid of ants, it’s helpful to first have a basic understanding how ants live and thrive:

For many families, the kitchen is the busiest room in the house. Even though kitchens are a hub for conversation and great food, they can also become a black hole for household clutter.

You don't always need to use harmful chemicals in the home to sort out odours, stains and other problems. There are plenty of home remedy solutions.

By using all-natural substances to clean your home you can have a healther home and a healthier family and many of the natural home cleaning methods mentioned here are significantly cheaper than manufactured cleaners, saving you money as well.

In the laundry

Buying towels is not something you want to have to do every few months. Quality towels should last years, standing up to the rigours of regular use. But how do you keep them fluffy and fresh?

Smelly laundry -- usually caused by a build-up of bacteria and mould -- may leave you wanting to throw away your towels and clothes. But there are solutions! Here's how to make your laundry smell good again.

White is the perfect summer colour, but keeping whites white is another story. If you're like me and have a tendency to attract dirt, you need to know some insider secrets.

With winter well on it's way more clothes will be going into the tumble dryer. Did you know you can get static-free clothes with a few household items you can easily find in your own home ... some tennis balls.

If your washing machine is over 10 years old, it's time to update your appliances to save energy, water and detergents.

My washing machine recently started making a loud knocking noise. Having previously repaired a washing machine I decided to see what I could do before taking any drastic steps to call someone in.

Did you know that a tumble dryer should have a venting system fitted so that moist air is not circulated into the home?

No matter how hard you try, you always end up with spills on a glass hob. Cleanup is easy if you follow a few simple steps.

In the bathroom

How you tackle mildew depends on how much you have and how long it’s been there. You don't have to resort to chemical cleaners or products.

The most common explanation for lack of hot water is due to the geyser being emptied, but there's more to investigate...

Repairing chips and gouges in a porcelain or enamelled bath or basin is fairly easy if you have the right materials.

There's nothing fun about spending a day scrubbing your shower, but there is a way to prevent soap scum. Here are some easy ways to stop soap scum stains from taking over your tub!

Over the years I have found three natural ingredients that kill mould: Tea tree oil (an essential oil found in most health food stores), grapefruit seed extract and vinegar. There are pros and cons of each, but all three work. Vinegar is by far the cheapest.

Unless you can afford to fork out every time something goes wrong in your home, it pays to know a few plumbing basics just in case.

The right product and technique can cut cleaning time by 30 percent. We'll show you how to remove tough stains in toilets, sinks and showers. We'll also show you the easiest ways to remove rust, lime and scum.

Mould in the bathroom is definitely a no no. Depending on the severity of the mould problem there are ways to get rid of it without resorting to toxic and harsh substances.

In the home

Here in South Africa hiring a handyman can be a tricky business. How do you know if you are getting quality work at the right price? What happens when something goes wrong - will the professional you hire still be in business tomorrow?

We all experience occasional problems with ants and roaches. The recent spate of hot, humid weather has enticed more than a few of these insects into our home. Efekto have launched a range of ant and roach traps and baits that effectively - and safely - control these home pests.

It's a precious time indeed when children bring home their artwork. That first masterpiece that is made with love and presented with joy is only the first in many, many, many works of art that will be brought home for you to display.

Global warming, greenhouse effect, whatever you want to call it, it's definitely getting hotter. The fact is our climate is changing; daytime temperatures are definitely heating up during the daytime, but that doesn't mean that you need to turn up the airconditioner.

The prospect of getting red cold drink stains out of carpet can be a nightmare in light coloured carpets. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks can help you remove these stains effectively, without destroying your carpet!

Did you know that washing windows on a sunny day may be causing those stubborn streaks you see on the glass? Or that rubbing carpet stains is a definite no-no? Read on for common household cleaning mistakes:

Children are instantly drawn to glittering tree lights, ornaments and decorations. Here are a few safe options to take into consideration when decorating a home for the holidays.

Recent research tells us that 22% of children ages six to nine own a cell phone, as do 60% of ages 10 to 14 and 84% of teens. Combine those stats with today's souped-up cellular devices, and it's a recipe for risky behaviour.

Here's a collection of great ideas that I have come across on the Internet. Some of them save you time, some are really useful, and there's bound to be at least one idea that you will use.

Tips to save you money and make life a little easier.

The latest statistics from the emergency medical services provider, Netcare 911, indicate an interesting trend.

While many of us use digital cameras to take family photos, your images are not meant to be stored there permanently.

All too often, homeowners cut corners when it comes to what’s under their feet.

Watching an advert the other day, they mentioned 3-D TV - without glasses. No I know I might be blonde, but how does 3-D TV work if you don't have the glasses?

Keeping leather in good condition does not require buying any special products. There are simple, effective formulas for homemade leather conditioners.

With children and pets in a home, your sparkling clean sofa or chair can look grubby in minutes. Here's how to keep your upholstered furniture looking fabulous all year round.

Unfortunately, dust is unavoidable. Not only is it nasty, but it can also trigger allergies. Make these simple steps part of your cleaning routine to create a healthier home for your family:

Our warm, sometimes humid weather is the perfect breeding ground for the mould and bacteria that cause most household odours. Try these techniques to tackle the root of the problem.

Got a life? Then you probably don't want to spend any more time on housework than you have to. Here's how to clean your house better and faster.

I am one of those individual who don't believe what I see on the TV unless I have tried it for myself! Having just tried out the Bennett.Read Hydro from Tevo - I will never, ever use anything else!

Whilst it is impossible to completely rid your home of some of these nasties, there are eco-friendly pest remedies that will slow them down!

While not considered an eco-friendly heating options, LPGas is one way to affordably heat a home, especially in view of the rumour that Eskom has power outages on the cards.

Oops! Whether it be grape juice, a little present from Fido, or finger-paint artwork from your 3-year-old, it seems whatever is not supposed to get on the carpet always does. Here are a few tips on how to clean your carpets using products you can find around your house.

Accidents do happen, and if you have an open fireplace in your home, they tend to happen more frequently than you would like. If a carpet does become damaged, perhaps by a stray ember, there is a quick fix that you can try to repair the damaged area.

Use this handy stain removal guide to treat common household stains in the home.

There's nothing like new upholstery to freshen up your fave soft furnishing for spring. Follow this three-prong strategy to keeping soft furnishings looking fab year-round.

Genuine suede requires regular maintenance with a suede brush and suede cleaner, both of which are usually available at dry cleaners or shoe repair stores.

Dust can create havoc with our sinus and nasal passages. Don't just spread dust around - get rid of it! Here are some dust-busting strategies.

Long known for its odour reducing properties, baking soda can also remove smoke and sweat odours from your laundry.

If you get stuck with the chore of cleaning your windows, part of what makes window washing such a chore is that homeowners insist on doing it with wadded-up paper towels or newspaper, spray cleaner, and a ton of elbow grease.

A household emergency can strike at unexpected moments and your response, or lack thereof, could determine how things come out in the end.

Hot and humid. Summer is just around the corner and once cockroches are in your home, getting to know them is your least concern.

Pets at home

I am opening this feature for anyone that has a crippled pet, in order to be able to provide more information - not only for myself - for anyone who has ideas and suggestions for caring for a dog or cat that has been crippled.

Pets and allergens don't have to go together. Mild allergies shouldn't have to stop pet lovers from enjoying their animals. Following some simple tips and investing in pet-specific products can leave you breathing easier in no time.

Many pet owners love a good cuddle, but is it unhealthy for you (or your pet) to spend the night together in the same bed? In this article we explore this (potentially furry) issue.

When your pooch makes a liquid deposit on the carpet, you have to act fast. Pet urine - whether from a dog or a cat - can damage fibres and even change the colour of carpet. Permanent damage may take days to develop, but it can also happen in minutes, so any delay is risky.

Out and about