Sharing is Caring, Especially When It Comes to Cleaning

How You Can Help Others

November 12 by

With so many people in need from the aftermath of Sandy, it’s hard to know how to get started helping others. Many people want to help out by donating items, but don’t know what

people need, or how to get it to them. Anything you can do to help those in need is important and valuable, but here are some of the best items to donate to help get you started:

Canned foods and clean water are in the highest demand right now. Since many people still don’t have power to cook food, canned foods are easier to prepare than dry goods like rice or pastas. Make sure to donate non-perishable and non-damaged items only.

Many food banks, soup kitchens and other organizations can purchase large amounts of food at extremely low costs. Giving money can sometimes be uncomfortable as you can’t always be sure if you’re gift is really helping people. Locating reputable food banks and local religious organizations make it easier to give worry free financial donations.

It’s literally freezing outside, and many people are cold. Warm blankets and clothing are very much in need. Contact your local soup kitchen, shelters and religious organizations to find out where you can bring warm clothing for donation.

Donations are pouring into New York and New Jersey from all around America, but getting the needed items to the people that need them is still difficult. To give a truly amazing gift to others and to yourself, donate some of your time. Volunteering to drive supplies, organize, or help out at a soup kitchen is an amazing way to give back to your community.

By pulling together and helping our neighbors, we can make this storm a thing of the past.

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How to Clean Glitter

October 24 by

Glitter | Flat Rate Carpet BlogSure the pink, princess glitter costume is going to be a big hit for Halloween, but you’re not looking forward to spending the next few months cleaning glitter off of every surface. Here are some easy ways to clean glitter off fabric and furniture.

To remove glitter from washable fabrics, all you need is a can of aerosol hairspray. Thoroughly spray the glittered area with hairspray and allow the hairspray to dry completely. Wash the clothing as you would normally, and the glitter should come off completely (without sticking to anything new). You may have to repeat the process twice if not all the glitter comes off on the first try.

For removing glitter from furniture and other non-washable fabric, you have a few options. If you have a lint/pet hair remover in the house, they are also great at removing glitter. Use the sticky, rolling kind for optimal glitter removal. However you don’t need to run out of the house and buy a rolling lint remover, you can make your own by wrapping masking tape around your hand, sticky side out. Then just pat your hand over the glitter until it all comes up. You may have to change the tape a few times, but in the end you’re house will be glitter free.

Make this Halloween stress free with this great way to clean up glitter.

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Fun Facts for Labor Day

August 29 by

Fruit | Flat Rate Carpet BlogLabor Day is celebrated every year on the first Monday of September. We usually think of Labor Day as one last excuse to throw a huge barbecue before fall weather takes over, but it’s much more than that.

Labor Day has been an official American holiday since 1894. The Labor Movement, which started the holiday, was important in installing many of the working conditions that we take for granted today. When the Labor Movement started most Americans still worked 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, and most Americans started working as early as six years old!

Now working conditions in the United States are some of the best world wide, and our children are busy learning and not working in factories. As a celebration of American worker’s and industry, it seems fitting that Labor day coincides with the start of the school year, and the end of summer.
Next week America will end the summer season with backyard barbecues, fireworks, parades and parties. It’s a great, patriotic way to celebrate the American worker.

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Fourth of July Jello

July 3 by

Jello Dessert | Flat Rate Carpet Blog

This Fourth of July, bring a dessert that is simple, beautiful and full of American pride – red, white and blue Jello! This cold, creamy dessert will be the hit of the barbecue.

To get started, you’ll need the following;

  • A 13×9 baking dish
  • Cool whip (8 ounces)
  • Cream Cheese (8 ounces)
  • 1 package (3.5 ounce) lemon flavored Jello mix
  • 2 packages (3.5 ounces each) of berry blue flavored Jello mix (can use any blue flavored Jello)
  • 2 packages (3.5 ounces each) of raspberry Jello mix (can use any red flavored Jello)

First prepare the blue jello by following the directions on the package, and refrigerate in the 13×9 dish for at least one hour.

To make the filling, add the package of lemon flavored jello mix to 1 cup of boiling water and mix well. Whip the cream cheese, and then add the lemon jello mixture and mix until smooth. Once this mixture has cooled to room temperature fold in the cool whip. When the white filling is thoroughly mixed, pour it over the blue layer of jello. (Make sure the bottom layer is fully finished or your going to wind up with a light blue mess!).

It’s time to place the blue and white part of dessert in the refrigerator to chill, and start working on red. Follow the directions on the box to make the red layer, however instead of refrigerating allow it to cool until it’s room temperature. Once the red jello mixture is no longer warm, then pour it into the pan over the white layer.

Leave this amazingly yummy dessert in the refrigerator until it’s completely chilled and ready to serve.

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Home Made Gifts For Father’s Day

June 12 by

Crayons | Flat Rate Carpet BlogIt’s obvious that your six year old didn’t go out and buy Dad the brand new watch he’s getting for Father’s Day, but that doesn’t mean that she can’t give him something just as valuable. Home made Father’s Day gifts aren’t just for little kids either, teenager and even broke college students can make some creative gifts that Dad will love for la reasonable price.

Leave the cards made with painted noodles to the little kids, and let’s move on to more advanced arts and crafts. If you know how to sew and your Father uses handkerchiefs, get him a new pack and embroider his initials in the corner.

Does your Father love to read? Make him a personalized book mark with photos of the whole family.

Father’s work extra hard to take care of the home and family. Thank your Father with a helping hand, by giving him coupons for chores that he hates doing. Coupons are easy to make, and for those of us that are less crafty, you can easily print out coupons off the internet. Even better, get up early, mow the lawn and wash the car before he even wakes up.

Home made Father’s Day gifts are inexpensive, and great for kids of all ages.

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