10 HOME GUIDE February 2010 Update: six projects From Page 3 Getting a new grip on cabinets Over time, cabinets made of wood or metal materials can deteriorate if they're not properly maintained, making your kitchen look rundown or aged. Cleaning your cabinets with soap and water, then polishing, is the best way to make them look new again. To combat grime, fingerprints and other messy substances, apply cabinet cleaner such as Liquid Gold to a cloth and buff cabinets until they shine. Replacing old handles and hardware on your cabinets with a new stylish design and finish to match your new faucet will add the final polished look to your kitchen. Time: Two to five hours depending on the number of cabinets. Advance the technology Don't limit your technology to your phone and your TV - transform your kitchen with innovative appliances. Whether it's a microwave that fits in a drawer, a refrigerator with a TV, an oven that you can program or a customized wine and beverage cooler, adding new upscale appliances can take enjoyment in your kitchen to a whole new level. However, if these high-end appliances are out of your budget, upgrade your current appliances with new energy-efficient models in the latest finishes. Time: Two hours shopping plus waiting on deliveries. In no time at all you can easily turn your kitchen from drab to fab with just a few simple projects. Courtesy of ARA content NAPSI — You may be better able to win the race for (storage) space with your closet, if you heed a few hints. Although everyone's closet storage dilemmas vary, a systematic method of organizing your stuff can lead to the highest level of efficiency. Besides, when your closet is clutter free, your mornings can run more smoothly, giving you the right mind-set to tackle the day. Get in the zone each wall for frequently used items. It creates a place for folded things such as T-shirts, sweaters and denim. kept on hang rods, making them easier to access. shelving (above the highest hanging rod) can be for seasonal clothes you use less often as well as pieces you rarely use at all. activity items such as your everyday watch, wedding ring, wallet, keys and phone can stay within arm's reach on a waist-level shelf or drawer. Soft water could save homeowners hard cash NAPSI — If yours is like most American homes, hard water may be taking a bite out of your household budget. Approximately four in five houses in the United States have hard water — water that contains the minerals calcium and magnesium. Some of the effects of hard water are easily seen — such as spotted glassware and filmy bathtubs. However, there are a number of hidden problems that hard water can cause, including shortening the life of appliances, increasing energy bills and increasing the amount of cleaning products needed. Installing a water softener to remove the hardness from your water can help your home run more efficiently and can save you money year after year. Here are some of the cost savings that experts say a family of four with moderately hard water might see within one year of using a water softener: mation of soap scum and hard-water staining in showers, tubs, sinks and toilets, reducing the amount of cleaning products needed. Soft water even helps soaps lather, which cuts down on the amount of soap and cleaners you need to use (potential savings of $744 a year). (potential savings of $180 a year). Soft water helps maintain the life of fabrics and helps make whites stay brighter and colors last longer. working longer (potential savings of $90 a year). Soft water helps extend the life of appliances, such as washing machines, water heaters and dishwashers. They can last up to 30 percent longer. Pipes and fixtures also stay free of hard-water deposits, which saves money on maintenance and replacement. savings of $64 a year). Soft water helps water-using appliances run more efficiently. For instance, soft water increases the efficiency of gaspowered water heaters by up to 29 percent and electric-powered heaters by 22 percent. Starting at approximately $300, water softeners can pay for themselves in cost savings within a few months for the average family. To ensure that your water softener is operating at peak capacity, experts say to keep the tank at least one-quarter full of softening salt. Using quality salt, such as Morton System Saver II Formula Pellets, can help keep your water softener clean and extend the life of your softener. begin to sort through the contents of your closet, remember the 80/20 rule: You wear 20 percent of your clothes 80 percent of the time. The rest just takes up valuable, reachable space. gory, grouping shirts, pants, suits, dresses and so on. Depending on the nature of your wardrobe, you can also separate casual clothes from those you wear to work or on special occasions. the easiest to reach. Keep special party shoes or rarely used running shoes on the floor or way up high. home is tight, keep luggage and other items tucked away in your walk-in. These occasional items can be hidden away and pulled out when you need them.