Original WD-40 Blog

Weekend Warriors: 5 Memorial Day Party Ideas

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:30:00 -0500

Summer is here and the smell of steak is in the air. May 28 marks the official kick-off of grilling season and this means that its every mans duty to bust out the apron and usher in the new season with good friends and a few worthy slabs of meat. While good eats and cold drinks are essential parts of all Memorial Day get-togethers, theres no reason to stick to the basics and stop at the expected. Take a look at these Memorial Day party ideas and help us get summer rolling the right way from day one.

Outdoor Iron Chef: So who really grills the best meat? Is it you? Is it your old college buddy who keeps the recipe for his marinade locked up like it belongs in Fort Knox? Rather than have the debate go undecided for another long summer, consider setting up a competition between you and your prong-wielding rivals to determine whos really the boss. The other guests of the party can act as the judges, and a blind taste test can be set up so the rightful King of the Grill may assume his rightful throne at the head of the table.
Blended Goodness: Ice cubes are great. They keep drinks cold. But nothing rivals the type of slushy goodness that is a blended drink slurped through a crisp straw on a hot summer day. Most people think that just because theyre away from home the idea of a blended beverage is already a lost cause, but this is simply not the case. For fifty bucks you can have a high-powered portable blender at your disposal and have a few pitchers of crowd-pleasing liquids assembled by all those not participating in the cook off.
Concert in the Park: Do you play music? Do your friends play music? Do your friends have friends who would play music for a few free drinks and a well-cooked meal? Finding a few folks willing to bring acoustic guitars to the park to play some songs shouldnt be very hard, and will certainly be way more interesting than bringing a regular boom box or iPod dock. Live music creates a perfect atmosphere for a day spent socializing with friends, and if you find the right musicians you may even be able to flex the golden pipes for a few sing-alongs before the day is done.
Swing and a Whiff: Football season is still a few months off and full baseball gear may be too much for a casual game, but whiffle ball provides the perfect game for boys and girls alike. After taking some time to digest all those grilled meats, split up into teams and take the field for some plastic bat smacking and stolen bases. Whiffle ball sets are inexpensive to buy and give the kids a way to wear themselves out before its time to return home for schoolwork and bed.
Pie in the Sky: When the sun begins to lower and the energy levels begin to fade, it is the perfect time to give the troops a delicious boost of sugar to rekindle morale before packing up and heading home. Pie is found at Memorial Day picnics nationwide, and though apple crisp or strawberry-rhubarb is a perfect way to end the day, adding a scoop of ice cream takes the dish to the next level. All it takes is transferring ice cream to a metal container, putting the container in a cooler, and surrounding it with bits of dry ice to keep it cold. This way the ice cream will stay frozen all day and will be a welcome surprise when you pull it out to accompany the days final treat as the sun sets.

TIP: Use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to keep the hinges of your BBQ well-lubricated and free of dirt and grime.

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Weekend Warriors: Tree-house Timeout

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:30:00 -0500

Forts made of sheets, forts made of pillows, forts made in the bushes of the side yardits no secret that kids cherish the idea of their own hideout where they get a break from the prying eyes of adults and let their imaginations run wild. Above all other styles of hideouts, though, the ace of spades is always going to be the tree house. It combines two things kids loveforts and tree climbingin perfect unison, and with a bit of help from the kids, setting a few days aside to put together a tree house makes for the perfect weekend project.

The Dream Tree: Unlike the laws of equal rights in our fine society, in the law of tree housing, all trees are definitely not created equal. When it comes to picking the right tree, you have to be a discerning juror if you want to be sure that the next storm wont turn your project into a pile of backyard driftwood. The first aspect to examine is the thickness of tree trunks and their branches. The trunk itself should be strong enough to remain stable in high winds and the areas where you will attach the supports to the branches need to be strong enough to support the weight of the house. Another key element is that the target area isnt too high off the ground. While a sky-high tree-house might offer panoramic views, it also increases the risk of injury should anything go wrong, and so its best to keep the tree-house under ten feet off the ground.

Supporting Cast: The next step after picking a location is to design the actual support system for the tree-house. No two trees are exactly the same, and so this step is going to demand some careful assessment and customization. The main question, whether to use flexible or fixed attachments, is based on how much you expect your tree to move. Flexible attachmentssliding joints constructed by metal bracketsare tough to set-up, but also hold an advantage in that they reduce stress on the joints, an important feature when dealing with bigger tree-houses in heavier winds. This article has a great breakdown on building flexible supports.

Master planners: The perfect location is picked out. The type of support system is decided upon. Now its time to actually begin mapping out the tree-house itself. You can find some good walkthroughs online, but its more practical (and fun) to use these only for ideas and then to customize a layout for your specific tree. When using a single tree, the best option is going to be a floor plan that wraps around the trunk. Drawing the floor plan first is important because the design of the platform and how it fits into the tree will determine the shape of the rest of the house. Also, make sure that you plan the floor in a way that it can support the rest of the house on its own. Attaching parts other than the floor-supports to the tree will put unneeded stress on the trunk and can make the entire structure less stable.

When it comes to the walls and roof, you can save yourself a whole lot of awkward, Tarzan-style hammering by planning to do some framing on the ground and then raising portions up to mount them to the floor. Plywood is the material of choice for most tree-house walls so consider planning for an overlapping pattern to keep wind in rain out as the wood swells and shrinks with varying weather conditions. Pitching the roof is also going to be ideal as a pitched roof coated with tar paper is the perfect combination for a weatherproof lid that allows the kids to spend time in their beloved fort even when it rains.

After the plan is drawn out, now all thats left to do is the fun part: buying the materials, picking a weekend to spend with the kids, and getting to work constructing the most awesome and biggest tree-house your neighborhood has ever seen.

TIP: Use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to remove stubborn tree sap from tools.

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Weekend Warriors: MANicure Your Lawn

Fri, 11 May 2012 14:30:00 -0500

Lets face it: no matter how good of shape your house is in, no matter how fresh the paint job and how nice a deck you built in that backyard, nothing matters if its all sitting on an ugly patch of brown and dying turf. The lawn is the canvas on which you paint your homes masterpiece, and a healthy expanse of green grass is a message to all that you know what youre doing and arent afraid of putting in the hours to make sure its done right. From aerating to trimming to everything in between, having the best yard on the block is no more than a little commitment and the ability to get your two hands dirty. You know you have what it takes, now all thats left is to read these tips, grab some tools, and go hit the turf.

Fall Flashback: Remember that season that came right before winter? The one with all the leaves that forced you out into the yard with a team of trash bags and a rake? Well we are going to travel back in time and grab that same tool for a bit of spring maintenance. More then just a leaf-cleaner, the rake is important as a tool for removing thatch. For this reason its always good to rake deeply in the fall (not just on the surface where the leaves are), but even if youve done that, a spring raking is key to keeping a healthy lawn. Specifically, look for areas of matted grass and patches of snow mold as breaking these up will allow new grass to grow in the area.
Anti-Compaction Action: Compaction is not your friend. Compaction is the enemy. And areas of the yard that receive heavy use or are weighed down by winter snow often need spring time action to neutralize this threat to having a healthy yard. The action here is known as aeration and is an essential step towards keeping your yard in good shape, especially if your yard has clay in the soil. One option is to buy an aerator, but these guys can put a pretty good dent in your wallet. The more economical option is to rent an aerator from a hardware store like your neighborhood Home Depot. From there the rest is as easy as watching a few tips on the process and digging in.
A Pinch of Lime: While liming the yard is not a necessary step for everyone, many yards (especially those in humid areas) suffer from over-acidic soil that can halt or completely stall the growth of grass. In this case, its better to be safe than sorry because having acidic soil can wipe out all the work from those hard-earned hours youll be logging in the yard. By using a soil test kit that you buy online or at your local nursery, you can determine the pH of your soil. If it turns out to be neutral, youre golden. If it turns out acidic, well that means its time to bust out the lime.
Pulling the Weeds: Dont let the little yellow flowers deceive you. Perennial weeds, which make their reemergence in the springtime, can be a stubborn bunch if you dont attack them from the beginning. Snipping off their flowers before they produce seed will be enough to keep them from reproducing and limit the annoyance, but if you want to get rid of them all together youll have to go one step further and dig them out by the roots. The use of post emergent herbicides is another possible option, but only really necessary in extreme cases. With a shovel and a bit of elbow grease youre more than capable of handling the job the old fashion way and keeping that lawn green and weed-free all summer long.

TIP: When using a lawn aerator, use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to keep the wheels of the cart running smooth

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Weekend Warriors: Tune Up Time: Get Your Bike in Gear

Fri, 04 May 2012 14:30:00 -0500

They have two wheels, not four, and pedals where pistons should be, but beyond the structural differences between bicycles and cars, bikes are still vehicles and are likewise subject to falling out of shape after long periods of non-use. Spring and summer are great seasons for grabbing the family and taking the bikes out for a spin, but its important to make sure that they are in working order so they are safe and reliable when you ride them. Luckily, while you may need science skills to work on a modern car, bikes are still somewhat Flinstone-esque in their technology and pretty darn easy to work on. All it takes is knowing specifically what problems to check for and you can be sure your familys next pedal through the park is memorable for only the right reason: how much fun you had on your ride.

A Clean Brake: The most important feature of any bike isnt going to be the amount of gears or the fancy water bottle holder welded to the framethe most important feature is going to be the brakes and how quickly they allow you to stop. For flawless braking, start by checking the brake pads themselves. Cut away any strips of frayed material and then resurface them with sand paper to create a smooth face. If they are worn past the indicator line it is time to have them replaced. Next, check the handlebar brake levers. If you need to squeeze them close to the bar to pull the brakes taught, that means the cable is too loose. Turning the brake cable screw adjuster counterclockwise is the simplest way to add tension. The screw adjuster can be found immediately in front of the lever where the brake line passes through, and should be loose enough that you can use your fingers to spin it to the desired tension.
Freewheelin Adjustments: Most of us dont think of cleaning our bikes before we put them into storage because we know theyre going to collect gunk in there anyway. While convenient at the time, this means that when we take our bikes out of storage weve got to deal with months of new crud plus the dirt from our last time out riding. For the wheels especially, this can mean a pretty big clean up job. Getting in between the spokes and around the inside of the rim with a rag and some soapy water is crucial so you can then take a gander at the surface and make sure there are no hairline cracks or punctured areas. Remove the wheels in order to clean them, and then check the hub adjustments to make sure they arent loose and are spinning freely. Lastly, check the pressure of the tires with your thumb. Firm as an apple generally means theyre fine; soft as a peach and they need some air. Check the recommended pressure on the tires and fill them up accordingly.
Smooth as the Spring: After touching up the wheels and the brakes, the final step is to make sure all moving parts are running smoothly. Moving parts naturally receive the most stress, so making sure they are well-lubricated is going to really reduce the amount of wear put on the parts over the long haul. A few drops of lubricant in all pivot points, braking components, and shifting components should do the trick for the general lube. As far as the bike cables themselves, using a lint-free rag to rub on the grease helps to add an even layer of lubrication and prevent the formation of blobs. Also, be sure to keep the brake pads clean of grease and wipe off any extra grease off the frame to keep it from collecting dirt.

Follow these three steps for a bit of bike maintenance before spring times first ride and you should be good to go when the sun rolls out and the kids are primed for their first pedal adventure.

TIP: Use a coat of WD-40® Multi-Use Product on your steel frame to protect it from corrosion

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Weekend Warriors: DIY Vegetable Garden

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:30:00 -0500

From red vine ripe tomatoes to silky butternut squash, any vegetable youve brought to life with your own two hands has a special feel when placed on the dinner table. Now that spring is here and the frost has gone, its the perfect time to begin planning a vegetable garden for your home. Despite some of the clichés, gardening is definitely not just for women. In fact, there are not many things more manly than toiling away at the soil with shovel and rake just like our ancestors did before us. And beyond the perks of a project that allows you to spend your time outdoors, gardening gives you a chance to include the kids, turning it into a family affair. Youll be able to teach them the valuable skill of living off of the land, and then join them in enjoying the fruits of your labor when harvest time rolls around.

Tis the Season: The first step to planning any vegetable garden is figuring out what kind of plants you want to stick in the ground. As many of us have forgotten, not all vegetables can be grown at all times, and planting things in the right season is crucial if you want them to survive until the harvest. By determining your Hardiness Zone, you can then decide what vegetables work best for you and develop a planting schedule that matches the suggested time frames to make sure your first round of veggies is a successful one.
The Right Real Estate: Once youve decided what you want to plant, the next step is figuring out where to plant it. Sunshine is the key factor in plant growth and so areas that see a lot of shade need to be scratched off the list. Five hours a day is the minimum amount of sunlight for a healthy garden, and the space also needs to be clear of competing rootsmeaning at least ten feet away from the drip line of tall trees. Also, unless you want to give yourself an extra load of work by terracing your garden, seek out a spot where the beds can rest comfortably on flat land. When it comes to healthy crops, plants with crooked stalks are not going to be your friends.
More Than Just Dirt: Having good soil in your garden is essential for all plants to grow. More than just a patch of dirt, good soil needs to be full of organic matter, easily drainable, and free of rocks and shale that will disrupt the spread of roots. Picking a spot in a good location is the best place to start because issues such as a lack of organic matter can be fixed with additions like organic fertilizer. Once youve picked out your plot of land, the only big step left to secure the space is to make sure your precious soil is at an acceptable PH level.
Time to Plant: When it comes to the planting of the vegetables, some people choose to be brave and do the sowing themselves. Its not astrophysics, but sowing can be a tricky process, and for the casual gardener, buying seedlings might be a more logical route as you can plant them straight into the ground. Start by drawing out a planting map so you can visualize the arrangement before you break ground. Next, dig a hole for each seedling about an inch wider than the plants container and then dunk each potted plant into water to soak the soil before taking the container off. Once the container has been removed, untangle any roots on the underside of the soil cluster and drop the plant into its personalized hole. Add to that a bit of fresh water, a tidy pat down with some fresh soil, and your brand new backyard vegetable garden is ready to go.

Always remember that a well maintained garden means bigger and better vegetables on the table after the harvest.

TIP: Apply WD-40® Multi-Use Product to the metal face of trowels and shovels to keep mud and dirt from sticking.

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Springtime Uses for WD-40 Multi-Use Product

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:00:00 -0500

Its Time for Spring Cleaning Hooray!

WD-40® Multi-Use Product is so versatile, it can help around bathrooms, kitchens, tool sheds, garages and just about every room in the house. Stop by your local retailer, pick up a can, and use it to shine your stainless steel appliances and to prevent build-up of soap scum, water spots and grime.

Rain, Rain Go Away

April showers bring May flowers, but they can also take quite a toll on tools left outside. WD-40 Multi-Use Product can help protect and drive moisture from things left out in the rain. Use it to drive moisture from gardening tools, lubricate hinges on pruning shears, prevent rust on outdoor latches and to keep your wheelbarrow wheels turning smoothly.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

As days get longer and the weather warms up, its time to get outside. It may have been months since you last used your bike, but biking is a great way to enjoy nature and get a workout at the same time. Before you hit the road, make sure your bike is in tip-top shape so youll have a safe, smooth ride. Pick up a can of WD-40 Multi-Use Product and use it to lubricate locks on bike racks, help remove caked on debris from chains and pulleys, displace moisture from components and protect your bikes metal parts from rust and corrosion.

Learn more tips at WD40.com and check out the Weekend Warrior blog inside the WD-40 Fan Club.

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Weekend Warriors: How to Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:30:00 -0500

Political affiliations aside, we should all be able to agree that we want to leave our kids and grandkids a planet that they can actually live on. This very idea of providing for our loved ones has underscored a large part of the green transformation thats occurred in large scale across the globe, and these changes have been aided by another benefit that has universal appealthe ability to keep more of our hard earned cash in pocket. The truth is, many ways of going green are also great ways of saving money. By taking a few steps to create a more eco-friendly household, youll be creating a more efficient household as well, meaning the positive benefits will trickle from your conscious all the way down to your bank account. Its a serious win-win.

Efficient Appliance: Turning off the lights. Dont leave the TV on. These are the things your own parents taught you growing up and are great ways to take direct action in order to save some energy. Less noted, however, are the ways in which you might be causing that energy bill to run high through indirect action, like not replacing a kitchen full of old appliances. True, the idea of buying a new fridge might seem pricey at first, but after taking into account that items such as an energy efficient refrigerator can save you up to $150 a year on your power bill, its not hard to see how that purchase can end up paying for itself. In addition, youre getting a brand new appliance that looks great in the kitchen and is helping the whole world by consuming less power.
A Bright Idea: Incandescent light bulbs might have had their day in the sun, but this day has long since come and gone. Incredibly inefficient in lighting output, many incandescent bulbs convert less than 10% of used power into visible light, and the U.S. has planned to phase out these bulbs in 2014. Rather than waiting until youre forced to make a switch, save yourself some change right now by replacing all incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs use 66% less energy and last ten times as longan absolute no-brainer.
Shower Saver: We get it. You like your showerhead. It feels like standing under a docile Niagara and has seventeen different settings to fit every conceivable bathing mood. But the glory of a tropical rainstorm recreation during shower time comes with a hefty price tag. Switching to an efficient shower head will still allow you to generate good water pressure while saving you up to $280 dollars a year on your water bill. Not that wed suggest switching to a drizzle style shower head, but the ability to retain quality and still increase water efficiency, well, it just makes sense.

TIP: Apply WD-40® Multi-Use Product to your new showerhead to prevent it from rusting. Its also terrific at removing calcification from old showerheads and faucets.

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Weekend Warriors: Troubleshooting 101: What’s Wrong With My Car?

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:30:00 -0500

We name them. We decorate them. They help us haul lumber and bring our kids to school safely. And now Car Care Month is officially upon us and its time for us to turn our attention towards these beloved machines and make sure theyre up to date and in good running shape. While its natural for cars to show some bumps and bruises after years spent out on the road, we dont necessarily need to turn to a new set of wheels or even a hired mechanic to fight through our automotive woes. Many problems commonly encountered with cars have notable symptoms and very manageable solutions. All it takes is the knowledge of what to look for and how to go about getting your hands dirty turning those car problems into straightforward solutions.

Shake, Rattle and Roll: Cars werent built to rattle and click on the road, but after tens of thousands of miles its not uncommon to start hearing strange noises coming from under the hood. While some clicking noises might mean its time to bring the car into the shop for a professional fix, other sounds can be traced back to problems youre better off taking care of in your own personal auto shop. Get your hands on a cheap stethoscope to help you locate the source of the sounds. If you find an unsteady slapping sound coming from the front of the engine that increases with RPMs, then its likely time for you to adjust your timing belt. If the clicks come as a series of sharper ticks that stay consistent as the engine runs, make sure to check oil levels as such clicking is often the lifter telling you your engine is hungry for more oil.
Take a Brake: There is nothing more important to driver safety than a cars braking system. The ability to stop quickly and reliably is vital in keeping you safe and it also protects those on the road around you. Unfortunately, like any other car part, brakes are prone to wear and tear that can cause them to be less effective. By checking your brakes twice a year, though, you should be able to ensure they are in good condition and will function properly when it matters most. Start by examining the rotors. Running lines are normal but any sharp grooves or areas of severe wear means its time to put in replacements. Next, move onto brake pads and brake lines. Anything less then 1/8 left of brake pad means its time to replace those as well, and if brake lines show corrosion or rigidity you should err on the side of caution and throw in a fresh pair.
Pumping at Full Pressure: Since car engines function under enormous amounts of pressure, a good way to begin examining overall engine health is by performing a compression test. A compression test will measure compression levels in the engines individual cylinders and allow you to diagnose such issues such as a faulty head gasket or a bad piston ring. The desired result, of course, is to find that your engine is well-balanced and running strong, but if something serious needs to be fixed, better to find out about it now than on the next family road trip. Compression testers can be purchased for around twenty dollars and the procedure itself should take no longer than a single afternoon.

Fixing up your ride might not be the most thrilling of weekend projects, but setting aside an afternoon to make sure everything is in running order will keep you safe on the road and greatly reduce your chance of breaking down.

TIP: While you have the hood popped, why not use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to remove sludge from outside engine block

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Weekend Warriors: “Fore” Ways to Gear Up for Golf

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:30:00 -0500

I have a tip that can take five strokes off anyones golf game its called an eraser. So goes the famous quote by Arnold Palmer, and so goes golfs inevitable truththat the game is a challenging one. For those of us who have spent these past months of colder weather far removed from the links, the game can be especially tough as we attempt to knock the rust off what was likely a less than Mickelson-esque swing to begin with. But fear not. Before warm weather and fresh clipped greens demand your presence on the course, you still have time to get your golf gear primed and your short game repolished. By putting in a bit of effort now, youll be able to take those first games by storm and outclass your friends, whose only preparation has been a few range hacks, before tee time.

Scrubbin the Clubs: Though the sight of those dust covered clubs and that old golf bag might tempt you to seek out a fresh set of irons, chances are your old set is still in good shape. A well-maintained set of clubs can last you past the five-year mark, and all it takes is dedication to routine maintenance once golf season is back in full swing. In order to get the clubs out of hibernation, give them a solid cleaning just like you would after a full 18-holes. Clean the head and grooves with a soapy solution and a wire brush to remove all dirt and grime (do not use bleach as it can damage the surface of the club). Wipe the handle down with a damp rag and then dry the entire club thoroughly with a towel to keep rust from forming on steel shafts.
Home on the Range: Though you may think your swing has improved through an offseason spent watching the pros hammer out -5 scorecards, that nasty slice has probably gotten worse as the months have gone along, and your lob wedge still probably sends your divot further than your ball. The only way to get your golf game back to a respectable level is to return to where all champions are made your local driving rangeand invest in a few buckets of balls. Beyond just refreshing your old swing, the local range is a great place to sign up for a few lessons to work out the kinks before you hit the course. Be it your sand game, your putting, or your full length clubs, a good instructor can help you develop a few tricks to knock some pesky strokes off this seasons scorecard.
Frictional Footwear: Believe it or not, a large chunk of golf injuries and mishit balls come from slick conditions and improper footwear. Short cut grass at the tee box and on the fairway is slippery by nature and morning dew can cause things to get even more slippery by creating additional moisture. Luckily, you can grab a good pair of golf spikes without having to break the bank. Check your local pro shop for sales or go online and snag a pair to really add some security to your game.
The Ball Arsenal: High spin. Low spin. Low compression. Medium feel. With the many millions spent on golf ball marketing each year, its hard to differentiate fact from fiction when restocking the arsenal with this seasons batch of balls. An expert will tell you a three or four piece ball is important for long shots off the tee. A beginner will tell you cheap balls are important because theyre all destined to end up in the lake. Theres no right or wrong answer when shopping for the perfect fit, but in general, unless youre anywhere close to being a scratch golfer, the style of ball is going to make very little difference. Pick something that youre comfortable with and thats in your price range. The true pleasure of being out on the course has nothing to do with golf ball brand names.

TIP: WD-40® Multi-Use Product is great for removing caked mud off the face of your clubs and a good spray after cleaning will prevent any corrosion or oxidation before your next game.

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Weekend Warriors: Five Tips to Improve the Look of Your Home

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:30:00 -0500

You work and you work and you work around the house. You dont mind the tasks. Things at your place get taken care of, and as the man in charge of keeping things in order, this should make you proud. But between all the big projects that need to be done and all of the other big projects you want to get started on, some of the smaller things are easy to overlook. In the spirit of spending a few weekends paying attention to the finer points around the house, heres a list of five good ways to take your already well-maintained home to the next level.

No Rugged Rugs: One of the first things people notice when they walk into a home is the surface that theyre standing on. Be it in the entryway, the living room, or any of the halls, carpets have a real knack for getting themselves dirty and having kids around definitely doesnt help. Whether you want to hire a professional or rent a steam cleaner and do it yourself, clean carpets will tie the house together and make the interior look sharp.
Trimming the Old: Though repainting the entire house may be too tall of a task at the time being, repainting the exterior trim takes a lot less time and will give the home a nice refreshed look. Work from the top downstarting with gables and guttersand be sure to mask all areas well to avoid drip onto other areas. Also, dont feel like you have to stick with the same color scheme you already have going on. Giving the house some life with a colored kick-in-the-shorts is a great way to make your work stand out.
Youve Got Mail: You know that rusty box sitting on the post out in your front yard? The one that you open up every day to retrieve the mail but never stop to really check out? That is your mailbox, and it is the most visible part of your house from any location on the street. Why have the most public part of your home be the part that receives the least TLC? Whether you want to clean it, paint, it, replace itthe method is up to you. Just make sure that your mailbox is up to par with the rest of the house.
Going Green: The yard is King. Thats never going to change. But if youve already mastered the game of keeping all grass well maintained, why not set your heights a little higher and look for ways to make your green space really shine? Though most yards have at least a few trees already planted, adding new lines of saplings is a solid long-term investment to make a yard that really stands out. Beyond just creating shade, trees create a refined feel once they begin to mature and also add some privacy from neighbors prying eyes.
The Captains Deck: More than any other part of the house, winter can have an especially brutal effect on a deck exposed 24/7 to freezing elements. Though it may be in the back of the house and a not so obvious eyesore from the street, approaching summer months mean days of outdoor entertaining and hopefully plenty of BBQs; therefore, having a deck thats in top shape should be on the essential to-do list for spring. Sand paper, fresh paint, and sealant are all great aids to the cause. And if you focus on it now, youll have a finely tuned entertaining space ready to go for the sunny days of backyard ball and grilled dogs in June.

TIP: Use WD-40® Multi-Use Product to loosen up the sticky hinges of an old mailbox, remove bird droppings and other debris.

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