Handy DIY Hacks for Homeowners

When it comes to making your home more efficient and comfortable, it's smart to look for simple, straight-forward solutions. These DIY hacks allow you to cleverly tackle chores with ease, and no one has to know your secrets.

Say Goodbye to Dust and Dander
Remove pet hair from furniture by wrapping duct tape around a paint roller with the sticky side out, then roll over upholstery to pick up hair.

Reach new heights and pesky cobwebs by putting an empty gift wrap tube on the end of a vacuum nozzle.

Keep exhaust fans clear by cleaning them with canned air.

Make glass candle globes, mason jars and ceramics sparkle again by running them through a dishwasher cycle.

Harness the Power of Lemon
Drop lemon peels into your garbage disposal with water running at half-strength. Run the disposal for five seconds, then turn it off. After about 15 minutes, turn on the water and disposal, and add a few ice cubes to blast away loosened waste. Flush with more water.

Remove hard-water buildup by securing half a fresh lemon to a faucet or shower head with a plastic bag and rubber band. Leave it for a few hours, then wipe clean.

More Quick Tips

• Put a drop of glow-in-the-dark paint on the tip of a light switch so it's more visible at night.
• Color-code your keys with nail polish so they're easier to identify.
• Wrap pipe cleaners around plastic or metal hangers to keep garments from slipping off.

7 Steps To Your Dream Space

Redecorating can be a blank canvas for creativity, allowing you to paint your personality across every inch of your home. These simple steps can help you transform any area into a space that mirrors your style and meets your needs.

1. Start by deciding how you want the room to feel. Should it be calm and restful or exciting and energizing?
2. Select a color palette to suit the intended mood.
3. Once you've settled on the tone, explore magazines, websites and social media for inspiration.
4. Choose practical furnishings and fabrics that can withstand wear and tear if you have kids or pets.
5. Decide on an anchor piece, such as a couch, rug or occasional chair, then pick out complementary furniture and window treatments.
6. Statement lighting can enhance and elevate the vibe.
7. Finish with flair by selecting pillows and accessories to make the room uniquely yours.

Discover Your Cleaning Mojo

Most people want a neat and tidy home, but the desire to clean doesn't always come naturally. Consider these ideas for cleaning motivation.

You may like to get your cleaning done all on the same day, or maybe you prefer focusing on one room a day. Create a routine that works best for you.

Start small if you feel overwhelmed by the amount of work to do. Set a timer for 15 minutes and clean until the alarm sounds. If you feel inspired, keep going for another 15 minutes. If not, feel good about what you've accomplished.

Reward yourself when all of the work is complete. Incentives keep you motivated and create a positive correlation to cleaning.

Save Energy in the Laundry Room

Laundry room appliances can account for a significant portion of your home's energy and water consumption. The average washer uses about 40 gallons of water per load, and dryers are responsible for more than 5% of your energy use. Save both energy and money with these suggestions.

Run full loads. It takes the same amount of energy to run a small load of laundry as it does a large load.

Choose a faster spin speed. The more water your washer removes, the less energy your dryer will use.

Select cold water. A significant amount of energy goes into heating the water that's used by your washing machine.

Consider upgrading. ENERGY STAR^® certified washers use about 25% less energy and 40% less water. Front-load models save even more.

Remove lint. Cleaning out the lint filter after each load helps your dryer run more efficiently.

Clear the dryer vent. Clogged vents are one of the most common reasons people see higher energy costs in the laundry room.

Use the sun. Consider hanging your laundry outside on a clothesline during warm weather, if your HOA allows.

Hawaiian Chicken With Coconut Rice

Ingredients
1½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup pineapple juice
¼ cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp. ketchup
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
5 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbsp. avocado oil
1 cup jasmine rice
1 cup water
½ cup coconut milk
2 Tbsp. honey
1 (20 oz.) can sliced pineapple
Green onions, chopped

Directions
Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag. In a blender, mix pineapple juice, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, garlic, and oil. Pour over chicken and seal bag. Marinate in refrigerator for at least 1 hour. In a large pot, bring rice, water and coconut milk to a boil. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 20 minutes until rice is soft.

Heat grill to medium-high. Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, reaching an internal temperature of 165^° F. Remove from grill and brush with honey. Grill pineapple slices. Serve chicken and pineapple over rice. Garnish with green onions.

Serves 3