How can I insulate my hot tub ?

outdoor hot tub cover image

davidmacin

I want to additionally keep hottub from losing heat,like a blanket or something , plastic?

Answer
Do you mean to cover the top of it? If so you can purchase a solar blanket from a Hot Tub store or even a lid, they come in choices of winter or summer lid and also a variety of colors. Or if you mean underneath it. An outdoor hot tub has insulation blow in that protects all the pipes, they can do this for you also at a Hot Tub store. Your options depend on whether it is inside or outside, also the climate that you live in. Ours is outside in Ontario, Canada. It is insulated underneath. We have a winter lid on it. This keeps our temperature regulated, it will of course cool down after we are in it. Then we just turn the temperature up for a little while and close it up and it will maintain the heat. With a good winter lid, we hardly ever have to turn the heat on, they work fantastic.

What is your favorite household cleaning product or tip?

2 Happily

I am a big fan of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, good old Ajax powder for cleaning tubs, and baking soda/vinegar combos for everything from drain openers to cleaning tile. Whats your household secret?

Answer
Well, I really love bleach for everything from taking an old stained lamp shade and filling a tub with water and bleach and letting it soak--came out like new.

I love to put a cup of water on for three minutes in the microwave to loosen up anything that's dried on and wipe it out--easiest clean up ever. (Just be careful removing the hot water.)

The very best cleaner I have found on the market that used to be sold door to door for seventeen dollars a bottle--it's called AWESOME. It can be found at the Dollar Tree stores for only one dollar. It is something that at full strength can strip paint (which I have used it for on an old table--saved me time, money and the cost of restoration), at partial strength can take off PERMANENT marker--even from vinyl and plastic. (Even cleans those old nasty computers that are fifteen years old that my hubby insists he'll need some day!)

I occassionally buy books that have permanent marker on the cover and wipe off the marker with a drop of awesome.

Here's one--I love to use fume free over cleaner on the top of my cook top of my stove. I remove everything and the enamel comes out like brand new.

Years and years ago I lived in an apartment with very cheap formica type cabinets. Nothing and I mean NOTHING would get those oily marks off the cabinet doors--I tried everything. Then I took a small spritz of oven cleaner on my rag and wiped a spot--they came out like new.

I try all sorts of unconventional cleaners in different places. I use the toxic stuff very sparingly but sometimes it takes that stuff to get it to new so it can be maintained by less toxic means.

I like using a steam cleaner for everything.

Here's a quick laundry tip--if you have something that is wrinkled but don't want to iron-- just do a load of towels and put a few towels with your wrinkled item into the dryer for a few minutes--it comes out without the wrinkles and saves on all that ironing.


Did you ever want to get out the white rings on a beautiful wood table?

These white spots and rings are from water trapped in the wood. The easiest, safest and quickest way to get this out is taking a clean dry washing cloth and heating an iron to high. After the iron is heated place the cloth down over the white ring or spot, then set the iron over it for a minute. The area will appear wet--just wipe with the same cloth and the ring is GONE. This procedure turns the trapped water into steam. I have been doing this for years and it has never ruined any wood I have done this to.

My other secret cleaner is FELS NAPTHA

It is a brick of laundry soap. It can be used as a spot cleaner on fabric or even clean plastic outdoor furniture. I have found it at the local Cubs grocery store for a few dollars and a bar lasts me a about four to six years.

Here's a quick way to freshen a room--if you use dryer sheets save them and if you use fans in the summer time just put the dryer sheet on the back side (intake side) of the fan.

Here's a dusting tip--I have some very expensive silk lamp shades that I don't want to vacuum to dust so I take my sticky tape roll for lint removal and roll over it on both sides--all the dust comes off and it's not damaged.

Want to freshen up your garbage disposal--whenever you have rinds from oranges, lemons or grapefruit or a spoiled citrus fruit just stick the whole thing down there and turn it on--smells great! When I've used every single juice from the lemons that I've sliced and used and reused to make fresh lemon-aid I take what is left and shove it down the garbage disposal--just love that lemony scent.

And if you have copper bottomed pans--and want to do a quick clean on them--use LEMON S.O.S. pads. The real lemon that is used and the steel wool can just shine those up so nicely.

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How do you keep your box turtles?

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codeylol

I keep my 2 3-toed box turtles in a 5x2.5 foot indoor enclosure, and in the summer they live in an outdoor pen. I think the measurements are 6x7 feet for that one. I keep the temps at around 85 degrese on one side, and on the other side temps stay at around 65-70. They are feed a veried diet, but the items that stay the same ate earthworms, dandelion greens, and romaine letuse. Its hard to give a whole list of what I feed them; I keep it varied like how it would be in the wild. Please, only serious awnsers only:)

Answer
1.) Enlarge both pens. The suggested minimum size for a single adult three-toe is 4'x4' (many sites suggest smaller pens, but considering the wild territory is almost a football field, the real answer is definately 'the bigger the better!)

2.) Studies show that wild diets are about 75% insects and such. Again, a lot of websites suggest different ratios, but the research is pretty clear- these are insectivores that eat some vegetation opportunistically.

3.) The biggest challenge I have is indoor humidity combined with the need for fresh air. Tough to do in a larger pen. I offer a 'humidity house'- basically a large clear box with a heat lamp, plant, drip bottle, and a big hole in the side covered with a curtain of plastic strips. I use suspended jugs with slow drips to irrigate live plants in the tank, and a pile of peat moss and sand in one area to create islands of humidty, but the humidity box is still often pretty crowded!


My outdoor pen is the back yard- about 25'x50'. It has a chain-link fence that I secured with long wire 'staples' into the ground, and thresholds at the gates that seal the openings. Wherever the turtles congregate at the fence, I've reinforced it with sheets of plywood to keep them from trying to walk through the big mesh. Several tubs and paint roller trays are sunk in places for drinking and bathing. Lots of bushes and plants, an unmowed area, several digging areas, etc.

My indoor home is an 8'x4' pen raised to almost waist level. Under this is storage and a 'sand table' with greenhouse heating cables to keep the thing warm. Lots of cables in the hot zone, and progressively fewer towards the cool end.

The floor of the cage has a sunken pond (a paint roller tray) and space for some plastic sunken tubs used for digging space, live plants, etc. The humidity hut is in about the middle, and each corner has a hiding place. Some potted plants help with humidiy and shade. Lights are hung from an overhead frame with a series of timers to allow them to come on and off slowly to simulate dawn and dusk.

The entire thing is covered in a heavy plastic tent to help hold the heat and humidity in and minimize drafts.

I am working on an idea for a 'air conditioner' that would blow warm, moist, filtered air into the habitat while not introducing noise or vibrations, and a simple flapped 'valve' vent to allow old air out. I am also planning for a second 8'x4' pen to join the first in the near future. One plan is for the new space to be multi-level to oncrease the cage floor space without taking up more room!

What is your favorite household cleaning product or tip?

2 Happily

I am a big fan of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, good old Ajax powder for cleaning tubs, and baking soda/vinegar combos for everything from drain openers to cleaning tile. Whats your household secret?

Answer
Well, I really love bleach for everything from taking an old stained lamp shade and filling a tub with water and bleach and letting it soak--came out like new.

I love to put a cup of water on for three minutes in the microwave to loosen up anything that's dried on and wipe it out--easiest clean up ever. (Just be careful removing the hot water.)

The very best cleaner I have found on the market that used to be sold door to door for seventeen dollars a bottle--it's called AWESOME. It can be found at the Dollar Tree stores for only one dollar. It is something that at full strength can strip paint (which I have used it for on an old table--saved me time, money and the cost of restoration), at partial strength can take off PERMANENT marker--even from vinyl and plastic. (Even cleans those old nasty computers that are fifteen years old that my hubby insists he'll need some day!)

I occassionally buy books that have permanent marker on the cover and wipe off the marker with a drop of awesome.

Here's one--I love to use fume free over cleaner on the top of my cook top of my stove. I remove everything and the enamel comes out like brand new.

Years and years ago I lived in an apartment with very cheap formica type cabinets. Nothing and I mean NOTHING would get those oily marks off the cabinet doors--I tried everything. Then I took a small spritz of oven cleaner on my rag and wiped a spot--they came out like new.

I try all sorts of unconventional cleaners in different places. I use the toxic stuff very sparingly but sometimes it takes that stuff to get it to new so it can be maintained by less toxic means.

I like using a steam cleaner for everything.

Here's a quick laundry tip--if you have something that is wrinkled but don't want to iron-- just do a load of towels and put a few towels with your wrinkled item into the dryer for a few minutes--it comes out without the wrinkles and saves on all that ironing.


Did you ever want to get out the white rings on a beautiful wood table?

These white spots and rings are from water trapped in the wood. The easiest, safest and quickest way to get this out is taking a clean dry washing cloth and heating an iron to high. After the iron is heated place the cloth down over the white ring or spot, then set the iron over it for a minute. The area will appear wet--just wipe with the same cloth and the ring is GONE. This procedure turns the trapped water into steam. I have been doing this for years and it has never ruined any wood I have done this to.

My other secret cleaner is FELS NAPTHA

It is a brick of laundry soap. It can be used as a spot cleaner on fabric or even clean plastic outdoor furniture. I have found it at the local Cubs grocery store for a few dollars and a bar lasts me a about four to six years.

Here's a quick way to freshen a room--if you use dryer sheets save them and if you use fans in the summer time just put the dryer sheet on the back side (intake side) of the fan.

Here's a dusting tip--I have some very expensive silk lamp shades that I don't want to vacuum to dust so I take my sticky tape roll for lint removal and roll over it on both sides--all the dust comes off and it's not damaged.

Want to freshen up your garbage disposal--whenever you have rinds from oranges, lemons or grapefruit or a spoiled citrus fruit just stick the whole thing down there and turn it on--smells great! When I've used every single juice from the lemons that I've sliced and used and reused to make fresh lemon-aid I take what is left and shove it down the garbage disposal--just love that lemony scent.

And if you have copper bottomed pans--and want to do a quick clean on them--use LEMON S.O.S. pads. The real lemon that is used and the steel wool can just shine those up so nicely.

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Good ways to give a cat a bath?

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Wowza Emil

Well I have an indoor/outdoor cat. She has very long&thick fur , and she sheds like crazy. So I occasionaly brush her just to get some of the loose fur off so she doesn't leave it everywhere. But its been a while since I've given her a bath , and I think shes starting to get dirty. I have cat shampoo and conditioner but any other advice on a good way to bathe a cat? I want to make sure she's not horrified when I do it.

Answer
Some cats will never really need a bath, but for those pet owners, who have allergies, bathing your cat can reduce your allergy symptoms. There are times that a cat may actually need a bath like for instance if your cat falls into the toilet, has a flea problem or if your cat gets into a fight with a skunk and loses.

Bathing a cat can be a real challenge to someone with little or no patience. If you are the kind that does not have the time or patience to handle a yowling wet feline, then your best bet is to take your cat to a professional pet grooming service and have them do it. The younger your cat is when you start bathing, the better it is. The cat will eventually grow accustomed to being bathed on a regular basis and will be less likely to freak out in the tub.

Before giving your cat a bath, youâll need to gather the required supplies:

Clean towel

Cat shampoo

Cat conditioner

Nail clippers

Cotton balls

Cat brush/comb

The cat (sometimes the hardest to acquire)

When getting ready try to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Cats know when somethingâs up and will hide. After everything is set up, clean the catâs ears to remove any debris and check for signs of parasite infections. Trim nails with the special cat nail clippers. Before putting the cat into the tub, you will want to brush the fur to remove excess fur thatâs been shed, and to remove all mats and other things that may be caught in the fur. Make sure to be very gentle because cats have very sensitive skin. Use this time with your cat to check for any skin problems your cat may have. Look for open sores, abscesses, rashes, ticks, signs of flea infestation, or any other skin abnormality. After this has been done, and your cat seems calmed down from being groomed, you can then prepare the bath water.

Cats prefer tepid (lukewarm) bath water as opposed to hot. Hot water will cause your cat to be uncomfortable and can dry out the skin. Fill the bathtub enough to cover the catâs feet up to 4 inches. Try not to use a shower or sprayer because this could frighten the cat. Because of a catâs independent nature, restraining isnât the best idea. If you talk gently and just block all the ways out of the tub, the cat will eventually calm down. If the cat still insists on getting out of the tub, then you will need to hold the cat.

Place the cotton balls in the catâs ears to prevent water from getting into the ear canals. Getting water in a catâs ear can disturb the pH balance in the ear canal, which can make the ear more susceptible to an infection. Lather the cat up with shampoo gently massaging the catâs body. When the cat is completely lathered up, take a cup and gently pour water over the cat to rinse all the shampoo off. Even though the cat may seem thoroughly rinsed, rinse the fur again. Cat fur can still contain soap that is not visible, but will still cause some skin irritation.

If your cat has had problems with dry skin after being bathed, then you may want to add conditioner to your cat. Each type is different depending on the brand. Make sure to follow the directions that come with the product, and that you rinse it off thoroughly to prevent irritation to the skin.

After the cat has been thoroughly rinsed, you will need a towel to dry your cat. Before using the towel try to gently remove excess water from your cat by running your hand down their back and sides. After this gently blot the cat dry. Rubbing them can cause the fur to mat and can also hurt a cat because their skin is so sensitive. Your cat will try to shake off. You can prevent getting the whole room drenched by laying a towel over the cat until he is finished shaking off. Make sure the cat stays warm. You can use a blow dryer set on cool to dry your cat if the noise doesnât frighten him. Never use a heated setting because a cats skin is very thin and sensitive and the direct hot air can not only dry out their skin, but also it can seriously burn your cat.

After the whole bathing process is over, never forget to give your cat a reward. Treats and cuddling are a great reward for a job well done. This will let your cat know that you still love him and that he was a good cat in the tub. Making sure that a rough experience has a pleasant reward in the end is the best way to keep your cat from becoming resentful toward you. Over time the cat will become used to having his bath and will take it all in stride with minimal resistance.

How did people live in the 1800s, is it true that they didn't shower too often?

What?

Well i've seen movies and other stuff of people back then and they look really nice dressed, formal and the girls with nice fancy dresses and all that, but is it true that they didn't take showers too often? How could they stand the smell? What about with the way they dressed wouldn't it be too hot with the clothes they used in the summer? Plus they didn't have a/c back then...

Answer
I can still recall asking my great-grandmother about bathing when she was a little girl, because it fascinated me she never lived in a house with indoor plumbing except for her kitchen sinks' hand water pump that had to be primed to get the water to come through from her outdoor well. She was born in the later part of the 1800's in rural southern Illinois, and was nearly 90 when she died in the late '60's. She told me they always "washed up" in the morning at night (which is sort of a sponge bath). In the summer they were sent to the creek to swim and clean up, but in the winter, they only took a "tub type bath" occasionally in an old round sort of iron tub, that water had to be heated on a old cook stove for, which is why it was no more frequent. As for fancy dresses, most of hers were dark colored drab I thought, but I do know they wore long sleeves and dresses to cover themselves for modesty as well as to protect themselves from the sun in the fields - perhaps smarter than many today who worship the sun nearly naked to find they have skin cancer by the time they are in their 30's!!! I also doubt they noticed the smell, since it was pretty normal for all in the time. They did have powders and "toilet water" as she often called "perfume".

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