Clean bathtubs with dish detergent powder

We've found another use for powdered dish detergent. You can use it to clean bath tubs (try at your own risk though). We simply wet a cloth, use a light sprinkling of the stuff and then wipe until you hear no noise (i.e. bathtub scum makes noise, as it is rough - once the surface is smooth, it should not make any sound). Then just rinse.

How does it work? We think it's primarily enzymatic in nature (dish detergent contains enzymes) and works on the scum you leave behind (which is primarily protein - skin cells). The other stuff serves to make things shiny.

Careful that you don't get any into your eyes. If you get it onto your skin, flush with water. The enzymes will dissolve your skin somewhat and give you a very slippery feeling.

Good luck

Passports for Kids <1, and replacing it before 3 (in Canada)

We had to get a passport for our son last year and he was very young (<1 year old). You can replace that passport, at no charge, until age 3. Some countries require that passports be somewhat up to date for travel with very young kids.

Here's an excerpt from the Passport Canada Website: http://www.pptc.gc.ca/cdn/16-.aspx

"Children who have been issued a passport in their first year of life (between birth and 364 days) are entitled to a one-time gratis replacement passport. This is in recognition of the rapid change in the features of children of this age. However, the applicant must submit:

• a new application completed in full and signed by an eligible guarantor,
• new photographs taken within one month of the date the request for the gratis replacement is received,
• an original proof of Canadian citizenship,
• custody documents, if applicable, and
• the original passport.

The maximum validity period of the replacement passport is three years from the date of issue of the original passport."

Sun shields for cars - save on AC

If you ever park your car outside on a hot sunny day, you'll know that their dashboards and rear parcel shelves get quite hot. Invest in a few sunshades and make the heat a little more bearable.

That way, you won't have to turn on the AC for as long to cool down the car, as the car is not as hot as it would normally be.

Good luck!

Quick energy saving tips.

We actually have done a lot of this already. In addition to checking to see if your fridge door seal is good, make sure that the fridge is level or a touch towards the doors shutting themselves. That way, if you take something out of the fridge and forget to close the door, the door will shut themselves and tend towards the 'shut' position.

Anyhow, here's the article.

From a recent CNN Article:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/09/pf/saving/toptips/index.htm?section=money_latest

By Gerri Willis, CNN

July 9, 2008: 11:21 AM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Cut your energy bills by squeezing another year or more out of the things you own and postponing the day you have to replace them. Here are top tips on what you need to know.

1. Clean your AC

Air conditioners can be big energy suckers. But you can cut your costs and decrease how much energy your AC uses with these tips. First, clean your filter at least once a month. A dirty, clogged filter reduces airflow, can lead to operational problems and it makes your system work harder.

Rinse the filter, let it dry completely, then reinstall it. If dirt and debris have bypassed the filter, you will need to remove the front panel and vacuum dust and debris from the coils. If you have central air, call in your service contractor to make sure there are no leaks and that there's enough refrigerant.

2. Don't leave lint

Make sure you clean the lint filter in the dryer after every load to improve air circulation. And you should periodically inspect your dryer vent to ensure it is not blocked. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.

When shopping for a new clothes dryer, look for one with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.

3. Test your fridge doors

Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup decreases the energy efficiency of the unit. Don't allow frost to build up more than one-quarter of an inch according to the Department of Energy. And make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight.

Test them by closing the door over a piece of paper or a dollar bill so it is half in and half out of the refrigerator. If you can pull the paper or bill out easily, the latch may need adjustment or the seal may need replacing.

4. Unplug your electronics

The first thing you want to do is to turn off your machines when they are not in use. If you have a laptop you can maximize your savings and prolong the life of your machine by putting the AC adapter on a power strip that can be turned off. Forget the screen savers, they just waste energy. And do your computing on a hard, flat surface rather than a soft, cushy one such as a bed or carpet. The latter can block airflow to your laptop and lead to overheating according to Consumer Reports.

And to prevent phantom loads - that's when appliances sip power when they're off, but still plugged in - unplug battery chargers when the batteries are fully charged or the chargers are not in use.