Home, Garden & Landscape

Smart, Eco-Friendly, Money-Saving Home Tips / By Kevin J. Regan

when renovating highmoisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements by using greenboard instead of regular drywall. Note that greenboard drywalls paper covering is water-resistant, but not waterproof; use a cement-based backerboard like Wonderboard for tile-covered wet applications like showers and tub surrounds.

1. Cut Down on Mold

screening, and stainless nails for wood (especially cedar or redwood). from magazines, books, and the internet for inspiration when you are planning custom cabinetry or home improvement projects. A picture is worth a thousand words and will help you share your vision with your interior decorator, cabinetmaker, or other home improvement professional. attaching adhesive felt pads to the front and sides of your vacuum cleaner head so that it can glide against baseboard trim without making marks.

9. Tighten Loose Door Hinges

with this clever idea. First, remove the loose screws, and put carpenters glue into the problem holes. Then, insert a toothpick or the pointed end of a golf tee into each hole and tap into place with a hammer. After the glue drys, cut off the exposed extra part of the toothpicks or tees using a sharp utility knife. Finally, drill new pilot holes and reinsert the screws through the hinge. Be careful not to overtighten the screws. The hinge should feel much more stable and secure.

5. Collect Pictures

2. Protect Your Wood Projects by

recycling used gift cards. Use them as a barrier when using clamps just slip the cards between the wood and the clamps before tightening the jaws. by priming every side and all edges of each piece of wood with one or two coats of an oil-based primer before you install it (especially both ends since the end grain is like a sponge). This is an often overlooked step that creates unnecessary trouble down the line. In addition, you must make certain that all exterior work is flashed and caulked correctly to prevent any water from getting behind the exterior millwork. and stainless steel nails for areas where moisture is a consideration to avoid corrosion, rust, and staining. Aluminum nails should be used for siding or

6. Protect Your Wood Trim by 10. Instead of Using Very Toxic

your workspace when staining or painting wood trim, use an inexpensive 6-ft. stepladder as a lumber rack. Just fasten a cleat across the back legs of the ladder at the same height as each step, and slide your trim (finish side up) through each step for drying. rubbing beeswax on the glides and everywhere the drawer touches the framework of the furniture, or by adhering self-adhesive nylon tape to the glides.

3. Prevent Exterior Rot

7. To Help Organize

pressure-treated wood for outdoor projects, use rotresistant North American woods such as Eastern red cedar, black locust, and redwood, or exotic hardwoods such as tigerwood, ipe, cumaru, and garapa. Do not underestimate how toxic pressure-treated wood is and how detrimental it can be to your familys health and the environment see www.epa.gov/oppad001/reregistration/cca/cca_qa.htm for more information.

11. Looking for Healthy Stains

4. I Use and Recommend aluminum 8. Fix Sticky Wooden Drawers by

and paint? Try using products from BioShield Healthy Living Paints, www.bioshieldpaint.com. Their excellent collection of paints, stains, thinners, and waxes are free of synthetic chemicals and made primarily from naturally derived raw materials.

~ Kevin Regan, Hartsville Design Woodworking, www.hartsvilledesign.com. See ad below.

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