Cat Litter Box Problems:

       7 Essential Keys To Solve The Problem Quickly!

Has this ever happened to you? Your cat's peeing outside the litter box, and you're desperately trying to clean up after your cat, wondering if you're actually doing anything to stop it from happening in the first place!

Well, if you're like us, you probably want some quick solutions to the problem, or at least a list of checkpoints that you know you must, like a detective on a trail, work through, to get the litter box behavior problem under control.

By the time you finish this article, you will have learnt the 7 most important steps you must know, when it comes to this problem of the cat peeing outside the litter box.

Firstly, let's have a look at the reasons why this happens. The reasons for peeing outside the litter box are:

1. A medical problem.

2. The cat that has never been properly house trained to use the litter box in the first place.

3. Problems with the litter tray itself.

4. An unpleasant event that occurred while the cat was at the litter box.

5. A temporary physical or emotional stress, or change in the household causing the cat to urinate in an area outside the box, which is perpetuated by the urine smell reminding the cat to return to the same area over and over again.

6. Old age causing a cat to not be easily able to get to the litter box.

Now, keep these causes in mind, when checking out the 7 action steps:

1. If there's a change in toilet behavior with no obvious cause, it may be caused by illnesses such as urinary tract infections, blocked anal glands, worms and parasites, diabetes and tumors. These illnesses may have no other obvious signs, apart from this urination problem. So you must consider a visit to the vet. In other cases you may see symptoms such as lethargy, blood in the urine, diarrhea, or constant licking in the anal area. If you see this, then your first stop is the vet!

2. Look at the litter box itself. Ensure you're cleaning out the waste once or twice a day, and changing the litter every 3-4 days for non-clumping litter (2-3 weeks for clumping litter). Clean the tray with hot water and mild detergent, without any strong odors such as citrus or ammonia, which will repel the cat from the box. If you have multiple cats, remember - the number of trays should equal number of cats, plus one or two. If you've changed brands of litter, this may have caused the problem as many cats dislike this change, especially to scented litter. Return to the older litter. If you want to change, introduce unscented litter gradually by mixing the old with the new over 2 weeks. And ensure that the location of the box is acceptable: no loud noises, has some privacy, and is not in view of other cats.

3. Consider adding in 1 more litter box to another suitable private location of the house. This is because sometimes it's not the litter box that's the problem, but a negative experience there. For example, if your kids played with the cat while she was on the litter box, or if the cat had pain when urinating, such as during a urine infection, after having kittens, or had a procedure done on the bladder or urethra at the vet, then the cat would associate pain with that litter box. Even if the pain is gone, the association and is still there.

4. Thoroughly clean the area that has been peed on. This is important because no matter what the cause, the fact that the urine remains on the bed, carpet, or sofa is a reminder for the cat to return to pee there. The cat's sense of smell is more acute than ours, so ensure you clean with a solution such as Brampton's Simple Solution. If you have remaining urine smell together with a bad association at the box, then you have 2 forces causing the problem to continue. So get rid of both!

5. Next, if possible, deny the cat access to the area that is peed on, especially if it's an area that is repeatedly used. Many people forget to do this, and their problem is prolonged. By stopping access, the cycle of repeated urination is stopped. Will the cat pee somewhere else? Possible, though less likely if you provide a second litter box, show him where it is a few times, and also do the step 7 below.

6. If you can't stop the cat from accessing the area, make the area less attractive for peeing instead. You can do this by either placing a scent, or, by placing a bowl of dried cat food there. If using a scent, try citrus or eucalyptus. If using dried food, which often works better, ensure that you top up the food bowl during the day. Either way, once you have success, continue for another 1-2 weeks to ensure it stays that way.

7. If you're at home when the cat is, then you have this step up your sleeve as well: the startle technique. Only do this method if you actually catch the cat about to urinate because if you do it at any other time, that cat will not be able to associate that urinating in the area with the unpleasant startle. Startle the cat with a loud "No!" or clap of the hands. Wait 5 minutes, then bring the cat to the litter tray, and if she toilets at the tray, reward her with praise and a food treat. As long as the length and enjoyment of the reward if far greater than the startle, this will be unlikely to cause stress. Use this method carefully as some cats may experience stress with it. Make sure that the cat seems relaxed after the food treat, and that it's actually improving the situation.

If you follow the above steps, most problems of peeing outside the litter box will be solved within days or gradually improve over 1-2 weeks.

Remember in all cases, you'll be even more effective if you reduce stress at the same time. This means more play time and attention.

In conclusion, it does take some effort and detective work to see what has caused the litter box behavior problem in the first place. And you now know how to apply 7 essential steps to help you solve this issue, as quickly and effectively as possible.

Keep in mind that if there are cat odors embedded in your carpet we included comprehensive cat odor removal free as part of our all inclusive carpet cleaning package.

Until we meet again, stay well,

Rodney & Michele

http:www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE !       

                      For Voice Or Text Service 

                           Ring  609-586-5833

  

Covid 19 Update: We are open for business.  For your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabric and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.

 

                         Entire Contents Copyright ASII MMXXl . All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

How Air Fresheners And Powdered Deodorizers Are Wrecking Your Carpet And Your Health

       Whether it’s apple pie, lavender, ocean breeze,or pumpkin spice, we all have a favorite fragrance.What method do you use to have this fragrance greet you when you enter your home or of ice? Bowls of potpourri? Plug-ins? Candles?

Powdered carpet deodorizers? Powdered carpet deodorizer users likely do not know that most are made from abrasive substances. In fact, some of these deodorizers, if used for an extended period of time, can actually cause a carpet to soil rapidly, lose its dimensional stability, and delaminate the backing. 

Studies have shown that vacuuming only removes about 65% of a typical powdered deodorizer. And these products are not just harmful to your carpet—they damage your vacuum, too.

      Components of powdered deodorizers

There is a variety of substances found in powdered carpet deodorizers, and many are abrasive, such as baking soda, calcium carbonate, sodium silicate, and hydrated silica (sand).

                               One Major Cause Of Ugly Carpet

     

As such, it’s alarming to see people intentionally spreading abrasive soil—powdered deodorizer—on carpet. This abrasive soil scratches carpet fibers, making the carpet appear lighter in color in the trafficked areas and causing the fibers to lose their luster. This creates a condition known as traffic-lane graying, which makes a carpet look worn and ugly.

Aerosol air fresheners, the most common product people grab to freshen the air quickly, may be no better. They start out in the air but will eventually fall—right onto the face of the carpet, possibly leaving a sticky, soil-attracting residue. 

  How Plug In Deodorizers Cause                                                   Your Carpet To  Get Dirty Fast

Even plug-in style deodorizers evaporate and become airborne oil, which leaves an oily film on everything, including the carpet.Then this oily film becomes a magnet for soil. And there is, of course, the same  problems are caused by burning petroleum based scented candles.

                                 How Deodorizers Damage Your Carpet

Many common powdered products come with the narrative of being green and safe to use. While this may be the case, the main ingredient of most powdered carpet deodorizers is sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). Sodium bicarbonate is an abrasive that is hydrophilic (water loving),hygroscopic (moisture absorbing), and water soluble.

 This means it tends to stick to carpet fibers and then scratch them every time they are walked on.To test this phenomenon, we took two popular brands of powdered deodorizer, sprinkled them on Plexiglas, rubbed the powders with our fingers, and then wiped the glass clean. The scratches left on the Plexiglas were astonishing.

Sodium bicarbonate easily dissolves in water, such as when a carpet is being cleaned. During cleaning, the sodium bicarbonate from the deodorizer dissolves, but as the carpet dries, the sodium bicarbonate turns back into a powder and appears as a white  film over the surface of the carpet (since carpet dries from the bottom up). Correcting this issue is a challenge.

. Vacuuming alone will not remove it, and several acid rinse treatments might be needed to remove the contaminant from the carpet. Over time, some of the sodium bicarbonate and sodium silicate also sifts into the backing of the carpet. The water-loving properties and alkalinity of the sodium bicarbonate and sodium silicate powder will even break down the latex adhesive used to manufacture the carpet.

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Use Plug In And Aerosol Chemical Air Fresheners

Tests by the Environmental Working Group and the National Resources Defense Council found chemical air fresheners do not remove the odor molecules-they simply cover them up.

 The odor molecules are still there, you just can’t detect them anymore. So after spraying the product, you’re not only inhaling the odor molecules, but the air freshener chemicals as well Many air fresheners contains chemicals linked to cancer.

1. They contain chemicals linked to hormone disruption and developmental problems.
2. They contain chemicals linked to neurotoxicity, which means the chemicals are poisonous to the nerves or nerve cells.
3. They contain chemicals that irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.
4. They contain chemicals linked to allergies and asthma.
5. None of the most popular brands  disclose any of these potentially harmful ingredients. So if it weren’t for studies like these by the EWG and the NRDC, we would have no idea what we were sniffing.

      6 Natural Ways To Make Your Home Smell Awesome                                                 

We strongly recommend you avoid  using powdered, aerosol ,plug-ins and candles for deodorizing your home or office since they may ruin your carpet and your health. Instead, use natural alternatives like a bowl of potpourri, fragrant house plants, reed diffusers with natural oils, pomader balls,simmering a small pot of water with citrus, mint or spices, and charcoal bag air fresheners. If it's within your budget, an electronic air purifier would be your best bet. Check out the one featured here by copying and pasting this link into a new page and save 59% off list ( if you just click on it -it won't work) :

                                 tinyurl.com/jnnam2th

If you carpets and rugs are starting to look dull and dingy because of the use of air fresheners, just give us a call. We can make them look like new again by using all natural and  organic cleaning solutions that are safe for you, your family, your pets and the earth.

Until we meet again, stay well,

Rodney & Michele

www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE !       

                      For Voice Or Text Service 

                           Ring  609-586-5833

  

Covid 19 Update: We are open for business.  For your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabric and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.

 

                         Entire Contents Copyright ASII MMXXl . All Rights Reserved.

 

The 29 Most Brilliant Cleaning Hacks of All Time 

1. Cut a Corner Off Your Sponge

You know that sponge you use to clean the dishes with? And the other sponge you use to wipe down the walls? Keep track of which one is which with this smart trick: Just cut off the corner of the sponge you use for the dirty work.

2. Put a Cotton Ball in Your Trash Can

Garbage stinks. It’s a fact of life. But here’s a trick to make it a little less smelly — or rather, smelly in a good way. Take a cotton ball, soak it in essential oil, and drop it in your bin (underneath the liner or the bag). It’s an easy and inexpensive odor-fighter that helps keep your trash from getting too pungent.

3. Try the Laundry Basket Method

If you’ve got little piles of clutter everywhere, a laundry basket (you can get a cheap one from the dollar store) is a brilliant way to consolidate all the things that are out of place. If you’re in a hurry (say, company’s coming), just stash the laundry basket out of sight; if you’ve got time, walk around with the laundry basket and put all the things back where they belong.

4. Set a Timer

. The idea is simple: Set a timer and work until the buzzer goes off. You may finish the dishes early and, at the very least, you’ll know exactly how long you have to subject yourself to some mundane task.

5. Polish a Stainless Steel Sink with Flour

If you have a stainless steel sink, the single best thing you can do for it is to polish it with flour. Wash and dry the sink, sprinkle the whole thing flour, and then get to buffing. You’ll be surprised at how sparkly the metal gets!

6. Harness the Power of Cooking Spray

A weird-but-effective way to clean your bathroom? PAM cooking spray. Not only will it remove soap scum from your tub, but it can also shine your faucets, clean your glass surfaces, and even stop your bathroom door from squeaking!

7. Keep Some Chalk in Your Kitchen

Here’s something we bet you didn’t know: Chalk is super-absorbent, which makes it an excellent stain stick. Remove any excess food and oil from the soiled garment with a clean paper towel — and cover the entire spot with chalk. Then, before you toss your oil-stained item in the laundry, rub the spot with a little stain remover or laundry detergent, wash it in hot water, and your oily spot should be gone.

8. Keep a Dish Brush in Your Shower

The secret to a clean shower? Cleaning it on a regular basis. And the secret to cleaning your shower on a regular basis? Having a soap-loaded dish brush ready in your shower caddy. Then you can clean the tub walls while you shower!

9. Use Your Dishwasher to Dry Hand-Washed Dishes

Skip the dish rack — it takes up too much precious counter space — and use your dishwasher’s empty racks to dry your hand-washed dishes. Your dishwasher will hold more than a dish rack, anyway, so you can clean a sink full of hand-wash-only dishes in no time.

10. DIY Pot Scouring Pads Using Mesh Produce Bags

You know those mesh produce bags you get when you buy a dozen lemons? Or a whole lot of potatoes? Well, don’t toss them! Instead, place an old sponge inside the bag, secure it with a zip tie, and clip the ends. Voila: You’ve got a DIY pot scrubber.

11. Use a Mesh Laundry Bag … in Your Dishwasher

The next time you go to run the dishwasher, gather up all those little items — water bottle tops, lids to tiny food storage containers, etc. — and put them in a mesh laundry bag. The bag keeps small and fragile items from getting lost in the fray, while still allowing hot water and soap to do their magic. 

12. Add a Bowl of Vinegar to Your Dishwasher

If you live in an area with hard water, you are probably pretty frustrated with dirty-looking dishes that come out of your dishwasher. Put a bowl right-side-up in your dishwasher and pour in some vinegar. Run the dishwasher — the vinegar will help combat that hard water so your dishes come out looking spotless.

13. Simmer Baking Soda and Water in Your Le Creuset

This method for cleaning your enameled cookware is so simple and so effective. Just boil water, add baking soda, and give everything a good stir. After a few minutes of simmering, use a wooden spoon to scrape off any baked-on bits. 

14. Clean Your Silver with Aluminum Foil

Here’s what you need: a glass baking dish lined with aluminum foil or an aluminum baking dish, baking soda, salt, and boiling water. The science-project-like reaction should begin to remove the tarnish immediately, although heavily tarnished pieces may need to soak a little longer.

15. Finally Get Rid of Those Pesky Coffee Stains

Do your coffee mugs have stubborn brown stains that don’t want to come out? Try baking soda: Sprinkle some onto the bottom of your stained cup, add just enough water to form a paste, and scrub. The gentle abrasion of the baking soda will get rid of stains in a matter of minutes. Then, simply rinse and wash the way you usually would.

16. Banish Sink Odors with Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

When you think of all the gross stuff that goes down your drain, it makes sense that it’ll start to smell eventually. Try this DIY de-clogger to keep your pipes clear of gunk and smelly pretty(ish): Flush your drain with hot water, then slowly pour a cup of baking soda down. Finish it off with about a cup of lemon juice and wait for the fizzy chemical reaction.

17. Clean Your Disposal with Vinegar and Lemon Ice Cubes

If your sink still stinks and you have a disposal, make a bunch of ice cubes from white vinegar and small chunks of lemon, put one or two down the drain, and run your disposal. It’s an instant deodorizer — just don’t plop one in your cocktail.

18. Use a Potato to Clean Your Rusty Cast Iron

You can use this trick on other rusty things, too. Here’s how it works: Cut the potato in half, dip the cut end in dish soap or baking soda, and rub it over the rusted area. If the end of the potato gets slick, slice it off and dip the newly cut end. Repeat until rust is removed!

19. Clean Your Microwave with Lemons

Here’s what you do: Measure about 1/2 cup of water into a measuring cup or bowl. Slice the lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the water. Drop the lemon halves into the bowl. Place the bowl in the microwave and nuke on high power for three minutes so the liquid comes to a boil. Let stand for five minutes. Do not open the microwave door; the steam trapped inside will help loosen food gunk. Once that timer buzzes, then you can wipe it down!

20. Clean Your Oven Racks in the Bathtub

Washing oven racks in the sink can be annoying and messy — especially if you have a smaller sink! Do it in the bathtub instead. Our method even does most of the work for you — literally while you sleep.

21. Use Rubber Kitchen Gloves to Remove Pet Hair

Your rubber kitchen gloves are good for more than keeping your hands protected while you do the dirty work. They’re also great for opening jars and getting rid of excess pet hair. Just slip on a glove and rub over whatever you want de-fuzzed. The rubber does a surprisingly good job of gathering up hair! Who knew?

22. Use Wax Paper to Keep the Tops of Your Cabinets Clean

If there’s a space between your upper cabinets and your ceiling, consider lining the surface with sheets of wax paper. That wax acts like a magnet to collect dust and grime. You can change it a couple of times a year and it’s way easier than getting up there to clean the cabinets by hand. Note: You can also use newspaper, which will decompose quicker in a landfill.

23. Get Rid of Garlicky Hands by Rubbing Stainless Steel

Chopping garlic is smelly work — and while some people love the smell of garlic on their hands, other people might not enjoy it so much. There are tons of hacks out there for getting rid of the stink, but the easiest one is just rubbing your hands on your sink faucet, or anything that’s stainless steel.

24. Clean Your Blender in 30 Seconds (Really)

Fill your blender about halfway with warm water, add a drop of dish soap, and whiz away. It’ll clean itself! If your blender has buildup or is looking a bit dull, you can also add a drop of vinegar or some lemon.

25. Use Cream of Tartar to Get Scratched Dishes Looking Like New

Buff scratched dishes with a generous amount of cream of tartar and they”ll look as good as new. Just add a few drops of water and rub gently with a wet dishcloth. Let the dish sit for a minute or two, scrub, and wash the plate with soap and water.

26. Clean All Things in Your Dishwasher

You already know that you can use your dishwasher as a dish-drying rack (see number 9), but did you know there are all sorts of other things (besides dishes) that you can clean in your dishwasher? Flip flops, hairbrushes, sponges, plastic toys. Yup, they can all go in there.

27. Use Dryer Sheets to Clean Your Cookware

Got a scorched pot? Look to your laundry room. There are so many things that dryer sheets can do — most notably the fact that soaking one in a pot can help un-stick burnt messes. Some other ideas: Use already dried ones to clean up spills and to freshen your trash can!

28. DIY a Vacuum Attachment with a Squeeze Bottle Top

Chances are, your vacuum came with a bunch of different attachments. And chances are that even the smallest attachment still doesn’t help you with teeny-tiny crevices. ( Crumbs in between your computer keyboard) Here’s how to fix that: Just remove the attachment that’s on your vacuum cleaner’s hose and put the top of a squeeze bottle in its place. Now you’re ready to tackle all those hard-to-reach spots. 

29. Microwave Your Cleaning Rag Before You Get to Work

So you probably don't microwave your sponges anymore (because it’s actually pretty ineffective), but you should zap your cleaning rag. Just make sure it’s damp before you put it in and figure out how long it needs to be nuked in order to be hot but not scalding. Once it’s steamy and hot, the rag will be way more powerful when it comes to cutting through messes in the kitchen.

Covid 19 Update: We are open for business.  For your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabric and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.

Until We Meet Again, Stay Well,    

Rodney & Michele

www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE

For Service Ring  609-586-5833

 

Do Your bathroom in 7 Minutes…your kitchen in 12

When we first opened our business 30 years ago, we did house cleaning.  We don't do general house cleaning anymore, yet we know a thing or two about how to clean a house quickly.

Keeping your house clean doesn’t have to take hours. By learning a few tricks and shortcuts, you can have an orderly home in minutes.

THE RIGHT SUPPLIES

Keep cleaning supplies in a plastic caddy with handles so that you can easily move items around the house as you work. If you live in a multistory home, keep a caddy and cleaning supplies on each floor.

Supplies that you should never be without (all available at supermarkets, discount stores and online)…

Microfiber cloths. Microfiber pulls dirt into the fabric better than standard cotton fiber cloths or paper towels, requiring fewer swipes—often just one—to clean a surface. Between launderings, microfiber is easy to clean—just rinse under warm water and squeeze.

Electrostatic cloths. Treated with chemicals to make them negatively charged, electrostatic clothes pick up dust particularly well. You can buy washable or disposable cloths.

Scrubber sponges. Buy sponges that have a white, abrasive surface on one side. The white scrubber pad is abrasive enough to scour tough grime but less likely than other types of sponges to scratch surfaces.

Plastic toilet brush. Unlike wire brushes, plastic won’t scratch porcelain. Look for the type that comes with its own stand to catch drips.

Duster with extension wand. Lamb’s wool dusters and disposable dusting heads work well. (With feather dusters, sometimes the feathers break and the sharp ends can scratch furniture.)

Flat mop. The flat style reaches under furniture easily. The removable pad can be washed in the washing machine. Or you can use a Swiffer mop with disposable moist pads.

Cleaning solutions and sprays. You’ll need a disinfecting cleaner. Look for both words—”disinfecting” and “cleaner”—on the label. A cleaner without disinfectant may not kill germs, while a disinfectant without cleaner won’t loosen as much dirt from surfaces. You also will need glass cleaner and toilet bowl cleaner. 

BATHROOM: 7 MINUTES

• Clear counters by putting toothbrushes, deodorant and other toiletries into drawers and cabinets.

• Squirt toilet bowl cleaner around the inner rim of the toilet.

• Spray disinfecting cleaner on the toilet seat and exterior, as well as on the sink, faucet, counter and tub.

• Using a toilet brush, scrub the toilet bowl for 10 seconds. Flush.

• Spray glass cleaner on the mirror, and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

• Use a damp sponge to wipe (in order) sink and faucets, counter, tub, toilet seat, toilet exterior. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe chrome so that it doesn’t spot.

• Tear off a six-inch length of toilet paper, and use it to sweep up loose hair and other debris from floor and corners.

If you have an extra five minutes, add these steps: Toss the bath mat, tub mat and towels into the washing machine. Hang fresh towels. Mop the floor. Empty the trash can. Spray cleaner onto a microfiber cloth, and wipe off the doorknobs and any smudges on the door, light switches and cabinets. 

LIVING ROOM: 12 MINUTES

• De-clutter all surfaces by putting magazines in racks, DVDs in the TV cabinet and books on shelves.

• Move all lightweight furniture—such as chairs, end tables and magazine racks—into the center of the room (to make vacuuming and dusting easier).

• Dust from the top down. Walk around the room in a circle, using your duster’s extension wand and a step stool if needed to reach high moldings, shelves and lighting fixtures.

• Walk around in a circle again, using an electrostatic cloth to dust any surfaces between your head and knees. Switch to a clean cloth when necessary.

• Run your dusting wand along the baseboards.

• Vacuum the perimeter of the room.

• Put furniture back in place, and vacuum the center of the room. Vacuum sofa and chairs with the upholstery attachment. If you have an extra few minutes, mop hard-surface floors.

KITCHEN: 12 MINUTES

• Clear all counters—put food away in the refrigerator and cupboards, place utensils in drawers and sweep papers into a basket to sort later. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

• Wipe counters with a sponge sprayed with disinfecting cleaner.

• Spray the sink with disinfecting cleaner, and wipe with a damp sponge. Dry handles and faucet with a dish towel or microfiber cloth to prevent spots.

• Pick up stray items from the floor and put them away.

• Take throw rugs outside, and shake for 10 seconds. Vacuum the floor. If it looks like it needs it, give the floor a quick mopping. Put throw rugs back.

• Spray disinfecting cleaner onto a sponge and wipe the refrigerator, stove, microwave and other appliances.

• If you have a window over the sink, spray it with window cleaner and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

SMALL APPLIANCES

Cleaning tricks for small appliances…

Food processor. Rinse the bowl to remove most food, then fill it halfway with water. Add a squirt of dish washing liquid. Close, and turn the food processor on for 30 seconds. Rinse. Let the blades spin for a few seconds to dry.

Microwave oven. Pour two cups of water into a microwave-safe bowl. Place the bowl in the middle of the microwave, and cook on high for five minutes to create steam. Using oven mitts, remove and empty the bowl—the water will be scalding hot. Wipe the inside of the oven with a damp sponge.
 

Garbage disposal. Put a few lemon, lime or orange rinds in the disposal. Run cold water, and turn on the disposal. Grind until rinds are gone. The disposal will smell clean and fresh.

5 THINGS TO STOP CLEANING

1. Grill grate. Instead of scrubbing the grate after using it, leave the grill on high with the cover on for 15 minutes. Residue will cook away.

2. Shower curtain liner. Liners are so cheap that laundering them to remove mildew is a waste of time. Just replace your liner every six months.

3. Pillow. After washing and drying a pillow, it’ s never quite the same. Instead, throw it out, and buy a new one every six months.

4. Making the bed. Microscopic dust mites—a leading cause of allergies—thrive on moisture in your mattress and bed covers. Leaving the bed unmade allows moisture to escape. If you really can’t stand an unmade bed, then use a duvet instead of a top sheet and bedspread. Just shake out the duvet, and you’re done.

5. Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery - Instead, call AllstateCleaning.Com      at 609-586-5833 today.

At no additional charge, we  now run a medical grade air purifier while working in your home or office. It eliminates 99.9% of all  Covid 19 , viruses, bacteria, pet dander, allergens, dust mite particles, pollens, mold, mildew, and other pollutants that may be present in your immediate air space.

 

    Also for your safety and peace of mind,  we take care to disinfect our equipment  between each assignment. Then we include the free application of an all natural  botanical EPA registered  disinfectant on most  fabrics and flooring we clean,  and we wear the appropriate protective gear when in your home or office.

Until We Meet Again, Stay Well,    

Rodney & Michele

www.AllstateCleaning.Com

All Kinds Of Carpets, Floors, Drapes & Upholstery

Organically Cleaned & Restored Like New - You Must Be Happy Or Its FREE

For Service Ring  609-586-5833

How To Survive Without Health Insurance

If you're one of the 50 million Americans that don't have health insurance, then here are a few tips on how you can surive until affordable health care is available to everyone . If you don't have a prescription plan, the go to GoodRx.Com or load the app on your phone. GoodRx will many times cut the cost of a generic drug by 50% or more.  then visit www.AdamsDiscountPharmacy.Com or call them at 215-572-1118. Adams is located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and their Rx prices are sometimes cheaper than Canada, some health insurance plans and many government agencies like the Veterans Administration.. They ship drugs directly from India. And many Canadian pharmacies import their drugs from India before shipping to the US. However keep in mind that buying drugs from outside the US is illegal but is rarely prosecuted.  Another good site to comparison shop for drugs is PharmacyChecker.Com. When buying over the counter drugs, always try to buy "store brands"since they're usually about one half the cost of the name brand version and there's hardly any difference between the two. When getting a prescription, always ask your doctor for free samples . If your doc doesn't have any free samples, always request a generic version of the drug. If a generic version of the drug is not available, then ask your pharmacist to suggest alternatives to your doctor that may be available. Also, most tablets and pills ( except for capsules, time- release or long-acting)) can be split to save you big money. For instance, if your Rx is for 10 milligram pills, ask for 20 milligram pills. They're the same price as the 10 mg pills but can be split in half. If the Rx calls for 30 10mg, get 15 20mg pills for less money. Make it a habit of going to health fairs to get free screenings. In addition, many local health departments offer blood pressure and other routine exams for free. If you have a medical or a dental school near your home town, inquire whether they have a low cost public clinic available. For simple ailments, you can try www.TelaDoc.Com at 800-835-2362. Phone consultations with a doctor cost $35 plus a registration fee. TelaDoc can also call in an Rx to your pharmacy. Another low cost alternative might be to see a nurse practitioner. They tend to spend more time with patients, charge less than doctors, and do a good job of diagnosing problems. Visit www.MinuteClinic.Com and www.RediClinic.Com to see if there are NP clinics in your state. ' Free health care can also be available for particular ailments when you participate in a clinical trial. You can go to www.ClinicalTrials.Gov to see what trials are available in your area. Keep in mind that clinical trials may be dangerous if you have a serious illness and you are placed in the group that is given a placebo in place of a real drug. Always ask if everyone in the trial will be given the same drug before signing up . If you need a major operation but can't afford it, you can try Thailand, India or Costa Rica. Many foreign hospitals have US trained physicians and deliver better and safer care in a resort type atmosphere. For instance , a triple by-pass operation in the US is $100,000. In Thailand,it's $12,000. The top hospital in Thailand is www.Bumrungrad.Com  In India its www.ApolloHospitals.Com   If you've already had a major operation at a US hospital, and can't pay for the operation,perhaps you can negotiate the price down. Keep in mind that Medicare and HMO's only pay about one seventh of what an uninsured patient would be charged. So if an operation costs $35,000, offer the hospital $5,000. Tell them you don't have the $5,000 and that you are going to borrow it from a relative. Always cry poor mouth and tell them you're broke even if it's not true.   If they say yes, make sure they send you a letter or email in writing  that they accept your offer as payment in full so they can't turn you in for collection later on. If they don't accept it, tell you will try to pay what you can every month since you are out of work or only working part-time. If you pay them something every month, they can't turn you in for collection. Keep sending them small payments until they get sick of it and try to negotiate again. Keep in mind they cry that their broke but they make millions in profits every year. If you have health insurance that has a large deductible co-insurance payouts,make sure you check your hospital bill with a fine tooth comb. Because 90% of all hospital bills contain big errors. The biggest errors occur in the emergency room for treatments and tests that you did not approve. This happens all the time if you're uninsured or under insured.  If fact, there's a new breed of lawyers that will sue a hospital on your behalf on a contingency basis if you've been overcharged.  To find out more visit LawyersAndSettlements.Com If you don't understand items listed on your bill, then go to the hospital's accounting office and ask a hospital accounting clerk to explain each item. If you prefer to hire a company to verify everything on the bill, contact the Alliance Of Claims Assistance Professionals at 630-562-1000 or www.Claims.Org. They specialize in finding hospital bill errors and charge $30 per hour on up. Some charge a percentage of mistakes they find. The ACAP can also help you if your insurance company refuses to pay for care that is covered by your policy. Another company that provides these services is www.HeathCareAdvocates.Com at 215-735-7711.For inflated hospital bills  contact HealthCareBlueBook.Com or MedicalCostAdvocate.Com If you don't have eye care insurance, www.EyeCareAmerica.Org has a program open to people under 65 for a free eye exam and eye care for up to one year. Call 800-222-3937 for more info.

 

 

18 Ways To Buy Fish Without Getting Soaked

1.Take a whiff as you approach the counter You should smell ocean brine or
nothing at all.  If you smell a fishy odor, walk away. The store does not pay attention
to freshness or cleanliness.

2. Examine whole fish on display even if you only want fillets -The fishes eyes should be
bright and clear, not cloudy. Scales should be shiny and metallic looking, not dull. If you can touch the fish, gently press its flesh. If it is fresh, the depression you create will quickly disappear. It’s not a good store if there are past their prime fish on display.

3.Look for liquid in packaged fish fillets Tip a few packaged fish fillets to one side. If you see liquid sloshing around, the fillet had been sitting around too long. Those juices that have escaped the fish as it aged and dried out.

4. Eye the ice in the fish display cases - The ice should look clear. If its cloudy or yellow, it’s likely not changed very often which is not a good sign.

5. At the supermarket, ask to speak to the fish manager - If the manager is summoned from the meat department, it’s another sign to shop elsewhere. If the store has a separate fish manager, ask,
“What’s the freshest fish you have today?”

6. Notice fish department traffic - The more customers a seafood department has, the faster it turns over inventory and the fresher the seafood.

7. Seek out fish markets that cater to immigrants from seafood loving nations-If there is a market in the area that cater to people from Portugal, Korea, Vietnam or Italy, it’s likely a great place to buy seafood.

8. Look for a slight blue tint in white flesh fish- A white flaky fish such as cod, flounder or haddock should be translucent or such brilliant white that it seems to have a bluish tint.

9. Watch the sell by date- Prepackaged fish should have a sell by date. You want to buy fish that’s at least 2 days or more away from that date.

10. Don’t be afraid of frozen - When it comes to seafood, fresh is best only if you live near the fish was caught. Otherwise, you’re better off buying frozen. especially when the fish is vacuum packed and flash frozen. That means it was frozen immediately after coming out of the water.

11. Lean towards seafood that is sold in thick steaks -The higher a piece of seafood ratio of volume to surface area, the better it’s likely to hold up over time whether fresh or frozen. All else being equal, that means the best bet for freshness often is large fish that’s cut into steaks, which might include
tuna, swordfish, salmon or Chilean sea bass. To a lesser extent ,tuna and Chilean sea  bass have  high
mercury levels so they should not be eaten frequently. They should be avoided by children and pregnant women.  

12. Avoid seafood imported from Southeast Asia - Fishing industry standards are not as reliable as in North, South and Central America. So avoid seafood from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and China.
Also, mostly all tilapia and shrimp sold in the US comes from Southeast Asia. So it should be avoided.
Yet, it is possible to find shrimp from Mexico, Venezuela or the US Gulf coast. You should also avoid exotic or obscure fish unless you have great trust in the store.

13. Don’t skip fish that’s on sale - Sometimes fish that’s on sale is the freshest fish in the store because there have been big recent catches and distributors must slash prices to move inventory.

14. Only buy shell fish that grew up in northern waters This is important if you plan to eat it raw.
Oysters and mussels from Atlantic Canada and New England are excellent options.

15. Ask for ice for the trip home - Seafood can degrade quickly in the time it takes to get home from the store especially on hot days. Most stores will provide a bag of ice on request.

16. Store seafood on ice in your fridge - Unless your cooking the seafood as soon as you get home,
fill a container with ice and put the seafood on this bowl in your fridge. Always wrap the seafood in plastic wrap first if it’s not sealed well. The ice provides additional cooling since seafood is best stored at around 28F which is colder than a fridge.

17. Defrost frozen seafood in the fridge -This takes longer than at room temperature but it’s way safer since it decreases the risk of contamination. Defrosting in the fridge leads to tastier seafood since defrosting at room temperature looses too much liquid and takes a lot of flavor with it. The ideal time to cook seafood that has been frozen is when it is no longer rigid but you can still feel tiny ice crystals in its flesh. If you wait until the ice crystals melt, some flavor will be lost even if you defrost in the fridge.

18. Don’t let seafood sit around even if frozen - Even frozen, most fish should be keep tightly wrapped and positioned in the back of the freezer where it’s coldest. Then it should be used within one month for the best flavor.

Natural Carpet Cleaning Can Help the Princeton Environment And You

Regardless of whether you are a stay-at-home Princeton parent or a parent that works all day, keeping a home, pets and youngsters safe is a major concern.You do your best to keep your home spotless and free of  poisons and chemicals to keep your living condition sound. Keeping rugs clean can be a battle with a bustling family; an awesome alternative for you to consider for your floor coverings is natural cover cleaning.

Natural cleaners are made of 100% citrus components , dissimilar to some cleaning formulas that are brimming with  chemicals that can be destructive to you, your family and pets. When you switch your cleaning  to  natural solutions, you are likewise helping the earth. When regular cleaning chemicals are employed, those chemicals  will be discharged into the air, water or soil. When this happens, the nature of the earth will diminish, making it hard for vegetation to develop and grow.

Utilizing natural cleaners will help the future ages of your family.  In this day and age numerous pesticides are utilized as a part of our cleaning items, as well as in the nourishment we eat each day. Bringing down the measure of pesticides utilized will help our bodies. From the time we are babies our bodies are presented to the pesticides found on nourishment we eat. Natural agriculturists don't utilize pesticides on their crops, improving the taste.

Here at Allstate, we utilize a low dampness, plant construct natural cleaner in light of your floor coverings and textiles. This cleaning arrangement has been intended to haul out any soil, microorganisms, smell or stains that have been set into your carpets. As the solutions interacts with your fibers, the natural chemicals inside the cleaner will enact and pull the stains up easily. The most valuable part, your rugs will be dry in around 60 minutes. The reason your rugs will dry so quickly is because of the low measure of dampness the cleaner contains.

Natural carpet cleaning is being utilized increasingly by Princeton families, not only for the well being and security it gives, yet additionally for the cost and the short measure of time it takes to  dry their rugs. Once your rugs and textiles are cleaned naturally , you won't need to stress over your family being exposed to  cleaning companies that use harsh chemicals. Sparing nature is the future for our youngsters. Begin helping now by utilizing natural items in your home having your floor coverings professionally cleaned by a certified natural textile cleaner. For more details about non-toxic carpet, upholstery , floor and drapery cleaning in Princeton and the surrounding areas  visit  www.AllstateCleaning.Com

Brain Dead Easy Ricotta Cheese Recipe You Can Make At Home

• 2 cups whole milk

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1. In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat milk and salt over medium-high heat. Scrape and stir while milk is heating to avoid a cooked milk layer on bottom of pan. 

 

2. When milk begins to simmer (or registers 165-185 degrees on an instant-read thermometer), add vinegar, reduce heat to low and stir constantly until curds rise and separate from liquid whey, 1-2 minutes.

 

3. Remove pan from heat and spoon (don’t pour) curds into a sieve lined with a double layer of paper towels. Drain to desired consistency: 5 minutes for a more liquid result, up to 2 hours for something firmer.