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Shmeevy asks:
Best cleaning supply to fight the nasty, gritty, grime in my bathtub... go! (eco friendly suggestions preferred)


CityMom says:

I understand the importance of going green especially with a kid in the house. I found a product line that I like and use called Green Home (www.greenhome.com) if you look under housekeeping then Basin and Tile Cleaners). I think you'll find what you are looking for. Good luck.

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Ted asks:
ANYONE??? how do I stop streaks when rolling on semi gloss paint? it's driving me crazy...


Painter says:

You need to do a couple of things. 1. You need a high quality roller (Purdy) 2. Don't be cheap when loading the roller with paint (make sure the roller ends are not dripping) 3. Start rolling in a zig-zag fashion (not just up and down) this is the key. To have equal coverage you'll most likely need to do 2 coats. Good luck.

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citymom asks:
Anyone know about sound proof windows in the city? Do they really work?


story says:

A friend had her bedroom windows done about a year ago and loves them. It cut down on the street noise dramatically and really didn't change the look of the interior. They put another layer of window over the existing windows using the same profile of the existing window.

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Jill asks:
My husband and I are putting new hardwood floors down in our apartment - we're torn between oil and water-based polyurethane. what do you guys recommend?


KR says:

oil-based dries darker - leaves a more amber finish, but it really stinks up the house. water-based will give you a lighter finish, so use it if you want a more natural look. good luck!

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bob chambers asks:
I need some vinyl siding repaired? I live in Charleston, SC. Who is good and resonably priced.


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baapril asks:
Can anyone recommend a reliable and thorough cleaning person for a one-bedroom Manhattan apartment? (Gramercy Park)


citymom says:

Hey if you look up Find a contractor, under cleaning you'll get a couple options. A friend is using Virgina. cheers

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citymom asks:
I was looking to get some plants and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. I have a north exposure that is fairly bright but no direct sun. Something hardy... I've killed many a plant before. thanks!


brian H says:

go for a chic snake plant...also known as mother-in-law's tongue. low light, water every other week, etc. just place it and ignore it...like your in-laws!!

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liza asks:
I need wall bookshelves and i'm torn between the ones that go on a track (like elfa) and the ones you hang individually. any opinions on this?


craig says:

I cannot comment on the ELFA system for book shelves but we've done two closets with ELFA systems and are very happy with both of them. Very easy to install and very attractive. Craig

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trixielulu asks:
I am about to buy a co-op apartment in Queens. Should I get a 3rd party inspection done before I purchase?


Pete says:

We purchased in the city about 2 years ago and didn't. I don't think think you have to cause the your building is liable for itself you just own the shares. Think it's different for a Condo.

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Jen asks:
Was wondering if someone could point me in the right direction. I'm going to paint over a bright red wall. What's the best way to do this without it bleeding through?


joand says:

The key to covering up a really bright color is to use a Stain Blocking Primer/Sealer. Good luck!

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mat asks:
This is the best tip and had to pass it on. I just painted my old windows (the ones with 9 pains of glass). And used 3M's corner tape. SO EASY. Will never tape corners up the old way again.


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Mary asks:
We're about to start a painting project and wanted to know if anyone had any advice on stripping a metal frame door (as far as we can see it's about 20 layers deep) down to the metal.


Anne says:

Me and my husband did this a little over a year ago. I'm going to be upfront with you. Stripping paint sucks. But the results can be amazing. This is what we did... We went to Janovic Paints and they filled us in on what our options were. From the most toxic to the Greener products. Since we were doing it ourselves we went down the less toxic route. And used a product called Peel Away. Look it up, it was great. Be warned it will take 2 possible 3 applications for you to get down the the metal. And the smell wont kill you. You'll have to go back with a sandpaper disk (attached to your drill) to get the metal shiny. And if you want to keep the metal shiny make sure you polyurethane it before it oxidizes (turns rust color) Good luck!

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jwleenyc asks:
I'm about to rent out my apartment and want to make some small upgrades but not pay a fortune. I need someone who can tile a kitchen, replace old cupboards with new ones (off the shelf, not custom) and rewire some extremely old electrical outlets...any recommendations?


Maria says:

Try Carlos Tavares. He's excellent. I've recently used him to rewire all of my electrical outlets, regrouted my shower and a bunch of other tasks. He's going to help renovate my kitchen too. I reviewed him on this site if you want more details.

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Kellie asks:
Hi. I live in Dallas, TX and I'm having a moisture problem under my ranch home (one level). I want to purchase a crawl space dehumidifier - any recommendations? Thanks. Kellie


joand says:

Hi Kellie, We had the same problem with the humidity in our basement (roughly 40x60). My husband and I did a bit of research and ended up picking out a Delonghi dehumidifier. They have a reputable name that we felt comfortable with. And the one thing we loved is it has this option that automatically removes the water from the holding tank. It has a hose that can pump the water upward to a drain or even through a window. We think it's great. Here is the link www.crateandhome.com/web/sitefiles/product-7474/DE400P.html Hope this helped. Good luck! -J

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aloha asks:
What's the best way to clean a white leather chair?


noTORious says:

Design WIthin Reach (DWR) told me some great ideas recently. 1. Leather Wipes by Weiman. They are like baby wipes, but for leather... not your butt. You can get them at Staples and they are cheap. 2. Never use saddle soap or oil based cleaners. 3. You can also use a damp cloth with regular dish soap and lukewarm water. Make sure you clean the whole surface not just spot clean. 4. If it's an oil based stain, call a pro.

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noTORious asks:
How do I clean my shiny new hardwood floors?


yackee says:

Try a mixture of vinegar and water and clean it on your hands and knees

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Words to Live By


For something very easily stacked on a shelf, a lot of thought and energy is put into the display of books when renovating a home.

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