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Keep your front-loading washer in tip-top shape

Front-loading washing machines are the new thing these days. They can be more energy-efficient to use, but they do require a little more maintenance than the old top-loaders. Here are some things you should do on a regular basis to keep that pretty new washer in good shape.

• Use the correct "HE" detergents. These are designed specifically for these machines.

• If you read the manual, you will find that most of the washers recommend a monthly "maintenance" or "cleaning" cycle. This is a good idea, but you also can do some additional things to keep it from smelling bad:

• Clean the outside of the machine with some general-purpose cleaner and a soft cloth.

• The tray that holds the detergent also should be cleaned out. Most come out easily, just for this purpose. Use hot water and vinegar to clean off the deposits that can stick to it and clog it up.

• The rubber gasket that goes around the door collects a lot of crud. Start with vinegar and water and a plastic scrubbie. You can use a little laundry bleach on any moldy areas.

• These machines also have a filter that should be cleaned regularly. Most are located on the bottom front and have a cover that comes off for cleaning. If yours isn't showing, it will be located behind the front panel near the bottom. Water will come out, so keep a shallow tub handy. Some washers have an easy way to drain this off before opening the cap. This should be done once a month to keep stuff from building up.

• You can do a load of whites with a little extra bleach once a week to do a thorough cleaning. If you don't have whites to do, then run a short cycle, empty, with bleach.

• If you can do it, leave the door open a little bit between uses to allow some air in.

Roll your way to clean floors

Cleaning your floors is one way to help them last longer, and it works just as well for carpet as it does for wood floors. But let's be honest: If you have to move furniture to do it, you're less likely to sweep or vacuum these areas. Just install wheels on the bottom of coffee tables, end tables, dressers and other heavy furniture items. It might take a little time to do, but you'll never have to do it again, and it will make life so much easier for you and whomever you can talk into cleaning for you!

This diy snack stand can be your next craft project

Dad knew how to make the best grilled cheese sandwiches using the waffle iron, but not much else. I love to cook, and make up excuses to do so whenever I can. If you want to make a super stand for serving cookies, sandwiches or hors d'oeuvres, you'll love this project. Grab two or three good plates. These will be stacked on top of each other, supported by a glass or candlestick holder. Our glue of choice is Super Glue or E6000, as both will stand up to washing pretty well. You want to glue each layer, one at a time, until you have two or three. This will be a fun and useful project, and a great way to use up mismatched or collected dinnerware.

Super hints

• You can get quite a few paint drips off a floor with just some rubbing alcohol. Sometimes you don't have paint thinner handy, but you almost always can come up with a bottle of alcohol from the bathroom, and it works pretty well.

• I like to keep things as organized in the house as I do in the workshop. I've used office organizers in the shop to hold small hand tools right on my workbench. These also work well in the bathroom to hold makeup and other hygiene items, like Q-tips, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Larger organizers can be put to use in bathroom cabinets or under a sink. Check them out the next time you are buying ink cartridges or paper at your local office-supply store.

• Chalk paint is the latest fad in furniture painting. You can make your own with a cup of any latex paint, about 2 tablespoons of calcium carbonate, available at drugstores and health-food stores, and 1 tablespoon of water. It dries quickly, but looks pretty great.

Q. I have a canvas awning that is several years old now. I plan to clean it, but want to find a good protective coating for it so it will resist moisture and stains. Any suggestions?

A. The first place to check would be an awning dealer. They usually have a good supply of water repellents that you can use. Your hardware store also will have some good choice. NeverWet by Rustoleum is a new product that is made for fabrics, including canvas.

Q. Our bathroom sink has a hairline crack in it. I have no idea how or even when it happened, but I noticed it the last time I cleaned. The sink doesn't leak. Should I be concerned, or is this going to be OK for a while?

A. Although not normal, it probably is going to be OK for quite a while. Since it's not holding water, the chances of a leak are pretty small. Just keep an eye on it.

Q. We are going to have to have our roof redone. In picking out the material, does it matter what color we use, as far as reflective qualities? We live in the South and have a lot of heat during the summertime. What is your opinion?

A. The color of your roof material does matter, and a lighter color will reflect more heat. But what your decking and shingles are made of makes more of a difference than the color. Shingles are like a lot of other things in that you get what you pay for with them. Select a good-quality shingle and, most importantly, a respected roofer with good references to install it.

Reader tips

• Cutting is what you do with a paintbrush around the edges of a wall, before using a roller to do the rest. This is the fastest way to paint a room. I have another way to help this process move along quickly. I use a small artist brush to "cut-in" around light switches, electrical outlets, doorknobs and other places that I normally would have to mask off. It's much faster than masking, and it also saves on cleanup.

• My son's room is what I call "rodeo" style. My wife made bedspreads out of bandannas and bluejeans. We have wallpaper borders that look like rope, and a cowhide rug on the floor. I made some frames for some horse pictures out of old Western belts. I cut them with my saw, even mitered the corners, to make the frames. Then I tacked them into place over a piece of wood, over the horse pictures.

• I went to the hardware store to buy a touch-up marker pen to fix some nicks on our dining-room table. I thought I knew what color to buy, but there were a lot to choose from. I ended up buying a pack with five different colored pens in it. There was one to fix the dining-room table, but I also found the right color to fix some scratches on my pool table and one for our TV cabinet as well. These things work so well, and quickly hide a lot of boo-boos.

• My wife collects things. I don't mind it much, but I try to help her keep them stored or displayed. I made a neat coat hanger for our front entry with a lot of her old doorknobs. I had a large scrap of wide trim and used dowels and glue to hang six of them on the trim to hold guests' coats and hats. It looks nice, and everyone comments on them.

• My daughters share a room right now. I am always trying to find neat ways to keep things organized and stored away. I recently installed a towel bar between their beds. This is a great place for them to store their blankets. They each have a blanket that my sister knitted for them and both will fit on this rack. It's easy for them to get to, and they even put them back sometimes.

Shoptalk

• Rustoleum Paint has an excellent reputation for making paints that address a wide range of issues that we deal with around the home. Their rust-preventive formulas are wonderful, and if you haven't seen their PaintPlus Paint Additive line, you need to check it out. These are special formulas that can be added into regular paint to do things like prevent insects, inhibit mildew growth, add solar-reflective properties or even add a pleasant scent to your paint. To find out more about these products, go to www.rustoleum.com or visit your paint store or home center to see what they have on hand. There are a lot of solutions for common problems, and they are very easy to find and use.

• You might be shocked at how well the Forearm Forklift Straps work. We tried them recently and lifted and carried a washer and dryer with ease and confidence. It's so easy to set up, inexpensive to buy, won't hurt your floors and even works on steps and stairs. Go to their website, www.forearmforklift.com, and check out the video for yourself. You can buy them at a variety of hardware stores and home centers, including Home Depot.

• Write to Kelly Carrell in care of the Daily Herald, P.O. Box 280, Arlington Heights, IL 60006 or visit online at thesuperhandyman.com.

© 2014, Cowles Syndicate Inc.

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