Latest Real Estate News

Microwaves seem to get dirty out of nowhere. One day you've just cleaned it, and the next it looks as if you'd intended to cover it in as much gunk as possible.

While the different parts of a microwave can be a bit difficult to clean because of the small space, many components are actually removable.

Here are four parts of a microwave you can remove to get an even deeper clean on this small kitchen appliance.

While not all microwaves have this feature, it is actually possible to remove the glass portion of the door to clean it and the frame more thoroughly. There might be a small button to release it, but most models just allow you to slip it right out.

If it's your first time trying this, check the door for tracks that indicate it can be removed. For most models with this feature, it'll just be a portion of the screen that comes off—usually the part facing outward.

Wipe this piece down with diluted vinegar, and make sure to get the inside portion too for a streak-free finish.

Of course, we all know the rotating tray can come out, as well as the food cover that often comes with microwaves.

However, most people don't realize you can often remove the actual rotating pieces that make the tray move. Try finagling these parts out, or read the manual for your model to see if this is an option. (Even if you've lost the paper manual you can always find it online.)

Consider soaking these components in a diluted vinegar solution with a few drops of dish soap, and hand wash the tray and cover as you would any other dish.

Did you even know your microwave had a filter? If you didn't, that means yours really needs cleaning.

For range hood microwaves, this is almost always located on the bottom of the machine. For countertop appliances, check above the door. If you can't locate it, it never hurts to look up your specific model.

Remove the filter from the frame and throw it away. Soak the frame in hot, soapy water, and then scrub down until clean. Replace the filter with a fresh one. Consider adding this process to your quarterly cleaning routine.

If you're willing to bust out some simple hand tools, you could also remove the microwave handle to give the most touched part of your microwave a deep clean.

Check the inside panel of the door for screws that align with the handle and remove them. It should easily slip off.

Then, simply wash the handle with hot water and dish soap or diluted hydrogen peroxide for a deep disinfection.

Read More

Looks can be deceiving, and that’s especially true when it comes to certain backyard animals. Creatures like snakes, vultures, and opossums might not look particularly friendly—and they’re definitely not warm and cuddly—but they can be a gardener’s best friend. Each animal serves as an important part of the ecosystem, whether that’s cleaning up dead animals or preying on common garden pests. Ahead, wildlife experts share which animals may seem frightening but add a healthy balance to your garden.

Although they may seem intimidating and mysterious, bats are wonderful additions to a garden. "A single bat can consume hundreds of insects in just one night, including moths, beetles, and other species whose larvae can do real damage to plants," says Peter Gros, veteran wildlife expert and co-host at Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild. "When you have bats in the area, they help keep pest insect populations in balance." So, while they may fly under the radar (quite literally), bats are one of the most valuable partners your garden could have and are a sign that your backyard ecosystem is hard at work.

While they likely won’t win any beauty contests, vultures play a significant role in the environment. "They are nature’s cleanup crew," says Gros. By feeding on carcasses, they play an important role in preventing the spread of disease and help protect wildlife, pets, and the environment around your home. That said, if you see a vulture in your yard, it's best to keep small pets inside until it's gone.

They may look like giant rats, and their grimace can be off-putting to some, but having opossums in your yard has an array of surprising benefits. "They move through an area almost like a nighttime maintenance crew, feeding on insects, fallen fruit, organic waste, and even carrion," says Gros. As they dig for garden pests, opossums simultaneously help aerate the soil, improving drainage for plants. Plus, these animals are generally non-aggressive, not known to carry disease, and tend to keep to themselves, Gros adds.

Don't panic the next time you see a snake in your garden. "They are effective, all-natural pest control," says Melissa Amarello, executive director at Advocates for Snake Preservation. "As strict carnivores, snakes won’t raid your garden, but they will eat the critters that do." Snakes, such as garter snakes and thread snakes, eat snails, ant larvae, and other invertebrates, while gopher snakes, rat snakes, and other larger snakes are excellent mousers and will even take packrats, Amarello says. Plus, a vast majority of snakes you encounter are not venomous and prefer to avoid human interaction altogether, Gros adds.

Toads are among the most helpful garden allies. Toads help control snails, slugs, caterpillars, and other invertebrates—pests that have the potential to harm your garden plants, says Amarello. Gros agrees, adding: "Toads tend to be most active at night, quietly doing their work when the garden is at rest."

Read More

Add a catio to your patio, and your domesticated feline will feel like a jungle cat. Embrace the trendy outdoor living space designed to keep your pet happy and safe.

If you have a cat who loves to play or spends hours looking out the window, you might need a catio (a cat patio). We researched, built, and tested the trend, and we agree: These structures are the cat’s meow.

There are many catios on the market, from petite structures to extra-large enclosures that hold multiple cats. Whether you opt for a purchased structure or build one yourself, a catio should be a safe, stimulating, and comfortable space for your cat to enjoy the outdoors. Look for one with a solid roof to protect from hot sun or rain showers, and multiple levels so your feline friends can play or lounge.

The one thing most purchased catios lack is personalization and creature comforts. We set out to remedy that by stitching up a few fabrications and potting some plants that bring these ideas to life. Here are seven things you should add to your outdoor catio.

A catio can be an essential part of a cat’s well-being, particularly if they’re able to engage in natural behaviors such as scratching and stalking. The enclosure protects birds and other wildlife from your cat while safeguarding the cat from wandering off or falling prey to a larger predator.

These outdoor pens can significantly enhance your cat's quality of life, providing both physical and mental benefits.

–Dr. Brittany Scott, DVM

Your catio can be a stand-alone structure or attached to the house. You can buy a kit or design your own, then set it up in the yard or garden, or on a hard surface like a patio or deck. “A connected catio usually has an access door allowing a cat the freedom to go outside whenever they desire,” says Yvette Bacha, co-owner of Hellas Custom Catios in Edmonton, Alberta.

No matter the set-up, your cat’s quality of life is improved with stimulation and playtime; a catio provides both.

Photo: Carson Downing

Some catios include multiple levels that satisfy a cat's instinct to be off the ground. This gives a view to all the backyard happenings while protecting themselves from any perceived threats below. Clever ways to do this might include a series of steps or repurposing some large branches that give access to the highest level.

Photo: Carson Downing

Make a cat-napper's dream come true with a generous hammock. A square of durable outdoor fabric with channels on each end, attaches with a length of nylon rope knotted to small carabiner clips. A perch like this is big enough for even a heavyweight cat to safely hop in and out. Not into sewing? A purchased cat bed or chair that sits above the ground will work, too.

Credit:

Photo: Carson Downing

Credit:

Photo: Carson Downing

Toys and plants take the catio from a cage to a destination and provide much-needed stimulation. We love the idea of a swat-tastic cat mobile, so we chose fabric with small prints that might resemble fish scales once the shapes were cut and stitched together. A length of natural twine sewn into the fish and attached to the ceiling keeps them secure. We stuffed our shapes with dried catnip as a treat. We love the fish, but it would be just as fun to make mice or bird shapes.

Photo: Carson Downing

We made a simple knife-edge pillow from two different Sunbrella indoor-outdoor fabrics for each perch. The yellow stripe and solid orange make a happy, reversible mix, and we stuffed each with some polyester stuffing to soften the seat. You can use double-sided sticky tape to secure the pillows to the shelf.

Photo: Carson Downing

Whether its a tunnel, boxes, or pots of plants like this catmint, cats love places to hide behind when they need a quiet place to retreat.

Photo: Carson Downing

Place a vertical scratching post in your catio to satisfy your cat's instinct to scratch. It will spare any other furnishings or fabrics from being clawed up. A cat's got to do what a cat's got to do!

Photo: Carson Downing

A constant supply of fresh water in an unbreakable bowl is a must. Some bowls include a fountain which keeps water moving and deliver the bonus benefit of a relaxing sound. We also added a pot of wheatgrass. Cats can safely nibble on wheatgrass. It aids digestion and reduces hairballs while adding additional stimulation to the space.

Note: Before you add any plant to your catio, check with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals's list of poisonous plants to make sure your choice is safe.

Read More