Road Hazard!

  

Were you aware that March was named for the Roman God ‘Mars?’ Feel like you’re driving on Mars these days? Winter sure has taken its toll on our roads! Drive according to road conditions, not the speed limit. We just had a major repair to the company car. Be aware of those pot holes that swallow tires whole! 

A Crappy Day

January 27th: Thomas Crapper Day Sounds like he invented the toilet right? Well, he is often incorrectly credited with inventing the toilet! Thomas Crapper was a plumber and the businessman who did, in fact, champion the modern wash closet and also invented the 'ballcock' — that floating ball in the body of your toilet. His apropos surname was just a coincidence; the word “crap” already existed in the English language at the time of his birth! Brings a whole new meaning to having a "crappy day!" And we all have them, just as we all have a porcelain throne!

Cold Weather Pet Hazards

1. Honk for safety's sake

When it's cold, cats love to sit under the engine or even under the hood of your warm vehicle's motor. Before turning on your ignition, look under your car, tap on the hood, or honk the horn to roust any sleeping kitties.

2. Put on a sweater

Dogs and cats are equipped with fur coats,but they vary in thickness and ability to keep them warm. Some animals may never develop an adequate winter coat and may require a winter sweater. Check your furry friend so they are not shivering! 

3. Be careful with chemicals

Cats and dogs like the sweet taste of antifreeze (ethylene glycol), so clean up spills promptly. "Even a teaspoon is potentially lethal," says R. J. Krapfl, DVM, an Omaha veterinarian and spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Be sure to wash pet's paws after walking outside along sidewalks and roadways, as most winter salt is damaging to their paws.

Live Christmas Tree Tips

The perfect Christmas tree adds just the right touch to your holiday. Here are some tips to help you choose your tree and make it last through the holidays

1. The tree should have a strong, fresh pine smell and nice deep color.

2. Bend a small branch to see if snaps, if it does the tree is dry and you should pick another tree out with bendable branches.

3. You should let the tree settle for a couple of days before you bring it into the house. Make a small cut across the trunk of the tree on a diagonal to help the tree absorb water and dissolve the sap. Then put it in a bucket of warm water. If you add a half  a cup of sugar or an aspirin or two to the water it will help keep the tree fresh.

4. When you're ready to bring it inside, make a fresh cut straight across the trunk, and     drill a hole as far as you can into the trunk. Stuff the hole with some absorbent     material like old pieces of cotton to help pull water up and into the tree.

5. If you find yourself with a bunch of pine pitch on your hands during all of this,     rub them with some vegetable oil. The mess will come right off!

Holiday Shopping Dates to Remember

As November slips away, many of us are wondering, how will we manage the shopping? Crazy schedules, ridiculous gift requests, limited resources and time....  What's a holiday consumer to do? Speaking from experience, it is important to utilize every vantage point when trying to accomplish these seasonal tasks. Take advantage of these established shopping dates: Black Friday, 11/29; Small Business Saturday, 11/30 and Cyber Monday, 12/2, to accomplish your tasks!

Some Cold Weather Tips

With the temperatures dropping into the freezing range it is important to remember these Cold Weather Tips to save you some 'cold cash' this season!

1. Dodge drafts! This is a simple fix, just place a Draft Snake in between your doors. They can be purchased, however it is just as easy to roll up a bath towel, secure it with rubber bands - voila, no more drafts!
2. Change Furnace Filters & schedule your heater for a tune-up to provide heater maximization.
3. Run Ceiling Fans on reverse to circulate the warm air more efficiently.
4. Winterize and Insulate your AC units, hot water heaters and water pipes.
5. Install a Programmable thermostat and remember to put on a sweater! The days of lounging in tee shirts are over - dress for the cold weather season!

"Did You Know?"

Sparkle Professional Cleaning Corp. offers handy "Did You Know?" tips every time we service a client? Here are a few for you to ponder!

• Vacuuming of baseboard heat fins allows for more efficient heating of your home and office.
• Wood furniture dries out when subjected to heat. This includes your indoor heater sources and the sun. Using lemon oil on your furniture can rejuvenate the wood.
• Icicles may look attractive hanging from your roof, but they're a sign of heat loss and pose a danger to those who walk under them! Have your attic/crawl space insulated to keep valuable heat inside your home and work place.

Watch for more "Did You Know?" tips on our Blog!