Wool Rugs: Adding Warmth and Beauty to Your Home

Wool rugs are commonly used in homes as elements in decor or as the focal point for home decorating. They are durable and provide a softness some other types of rugs can’t. There are many benefits of having a wool rug you may not have considered if you’ve thought about purchasing one.

With the emphasis in living green and doing what’s good for the environment, you may be surprised that many of the rugs available today are synthetic. Many of them are made from petroleum products and have chemicals which could even endanger your family. Wool rugs, on the other hand, are made from natural fibers. They can also be easily cleaned up with soap and water, unlike synthetic rugs which must be cleaned with more chemicals.

Another benefit of wool rugs is that they are naturally flame-resistant. Because they’re made with natural materials, they are also non-toxic and non-allergenic. They can be found in a variety of colors and sizes. All in all, wool rugs are a great addition for families who want to create warmth with natural fibers which are also inexpensive.

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Extending the Life of Your Electronics with Proper Care

Electronic devices are tricky to recycle (although there are programs), and they are not cheap. So extending their life makes sense from a waste standpoint as well as an economic one. Here are some tips and ideas on how you can get the most out of your electronic products.

1. Keep Them Clean

The manual says to do this, but how many of us ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations in this regard? Normally, cleaning electronics is simple as long as it is done regularly. Dust remover, or canned air, can be a big help in keeping dirt out of the computer keyboards and the keypads of cell phones, calculators, remote controls, and so forth. Use a soft, damp cloth on the surface of electronics.

Dust off the back of your computer tower periodically. Its fan draws dust, which then sticks to the back of the tower and accumulates, affecting the performance and life of your machine. Don’t use a vacuum – that can create static electricity. Wipe off your computer screen and monitor periodically, too.

2. Keep Them Cool

Electronics do not like temperature extremes. Keep them out of direct sunlight and excessive heat and cold. Make sure the device has a lot of space around it for air circulation – don’t keep electronics in close boxes or on shelves with no space around them. After using your electronic item, don’t put it in a drawer, purse, or other close space until it has cooled down.

3. Keep Them Dry

Dampness is the enemy of electrical devices. Don’t keep any electronics in a damp room or near sinks and showers. If any electronic item gets wet, open it up immediately and put fans in front of the disassembled item.

4. Read the Manual

Really, do you do this? Many of us don’t. We just power it up and figure it out. But reading the manual is essential to decreasing the chance for damage. It will tell you how to clean your device, how to store it, and so forth.

5. Get the Most Out of Batteries

Be sure to turn your cell phone off whenever it is not in use or when there is not a good signal. Keep your laptop’s screen as dim as possible, and do not run unnecessary background applications.

If your cordless telephone is not working, consider replacing its batteries rather than buying a new one. Your telephone will last you many more years if you keep its batteries fresh.

Raising Happy and Healthy Pets

Most pet owners want their pets to be happy and healthy. While accidents and illness can happen even with the best care, there are some things you can do to give your pet the best chance at a happy, healthy life. Here are some tips.

1. Finances

When you fall in love with the sweet animal, whether it’s a dog, cat, rabbit, iguana, or whatever, your heart can get the better of your head. So before you pull out the credit card, think for a moment about the long-term costs of owning an animal. Here are some expenses involved in keeping an animal for its entire life:

* Flea and tick control
* Heartworm medication
* Spaying and neutering
* Vaccinations
* Veterinary check-ups
* Bedding
* Food
* Grooming
* Boarding (for when you are out of town)
* Housing (such as rabbit hutches or dog crates)
* Accoutrements (such as scratching posts, leashes, collars, toys, etc.)

You can’t raise a healthy animal without investing in some or all of these expenses. So keep that in mind before you buy.

2. Time

You need to invest time in your pet for it to be happy and content. Dogs are perhaps the neediest in this regard, and you need to be prepared to meet your dog’s affection needs. They need to be trained, talked to, petted, brushed, and included in the family’s activities as much as possible. Even a hamster needs you to take the time to hold it (to keep it tame), change its bedding, and give it fresh food and water daily.

3. Training

Dogs must have training, no matter what their size or breed. It is vital to a harmonious owner-pet relationship. Otherwise, neither you nor your pet will be happy if your couch is getting torn up, your shoes are getting chewed, and your rugs are getting soiled. Dogs are so much happier when they know the rules, and you will be, too!

4. Know When to Leave the Dog at Home

While inclusion in family activities is important to a pet’s wellbeing, do not take your dog with you if you have to run errands where the dog is not allowed. Then you will have to leave the animal in the car, where it can quickly die of heat exhaustion. If it’s wintertime and the sky is cloudy, it is okay to leave your pet for a moment or two while you run in for a quick errand, but if it’s anywhere above 65 degrees outside and sunny, do not risk it. Your pet could get seriously ill or even die.

5. Daily Care

You need to give your pet daily care and attention. Even the most minimal care – scooping the cat box, walking the dog, changing the water, giving food – must be done daily, often more than once.

6. Good Food

This is often overlooked by pet owners, who may just get the cheapest food available or whatever food has a coupon that week. For one thing, changing the brand or flavor of food constantly can make your cat very ill and make your dog a very picky eater. More important, though, is the quality of food you feed your pet.

Whether it’s a rabbit, dog, cat, canary, or hamster, check the ingredients of its rations carefully. Make sure it’s good quality food without artificial colors or flavors. Feeding healthy food can go a long way in promoting your animal’s health, so if you go ahead and spend a bit more on food you will save on vet bills.

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