Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/656275
DEARMARY:Ilivein Florida and love your blog. I look forward getting it in my inbox ev- ery day. My question is, what is the best tool, machine or method to clean tile? Thank you. — Alice DEAR ALICE: The best and cheapest way to get your tile clean and spar- kly is to get down on your hands and knees and scrub it with hot water and mild soap. Rinse it several times until the tile is completely clean. Then dry it with a clean soft cloth until it gleams. But if you're looking for a more realistic method, I've got you covered. I won't get down on my hands and knees, so I don't expect you to. The problem with any type of flooring is that dust and dirt are ground into the tile and grout ev- ery time you walk on it. You can't necessarily feel or see all of it. But over time, dirt wears on the fin- ish causing the floors to look dull and dingy. You should vacuum the floors once a week to pick up loose dirt and debris. Every two weeks, clean and scrub the floors with an excellent cleaner and a mop that will wipe the floor nearly dry in a sin- gle effort. Here's the rec- ipe for the best floor cleaner ever: Mix one part rubbing alcohol with four parts distilled wa- ter, plus a few drops blue Dawn dishwashing liq- uid. Mix this solution in a spray bottle each time you clean the floors. Or if you make it ahead of time, label the bottle and keep it out of the reach of children. As you may recall, I re- cently bought a Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaner. The Sonic Duo is a scrub- bing wonder. I think it would be the perfect fit for you because the ma- chine is lightweight and easy to handle. Seriously, I can pick it up with one hand and carry it upstairs, downstairs or wherever it needs to go. The Sonic Duo is also a carpet scrub- ber, hence the "duo" in its name. While my Hoover SteamVac is an amazing steam cleaner, it doesn't scrub. It shoots hot water in and then suctions it out. And I love that. But some- times carpet — especially in high foot traffic areas — just needs a good scrub- bing. The Sonic Duo will do that. Thanks for loving my blog. I don't hear that ev- ery day, so know that you have really encouraged me. DEAR MARY: I really want to send my regards for recommending the Hoover SteamVac. I read your column about it more than five years ago. I re- ally wanted one but it was not a priority in my bud- get. Imagine my elation when I found an almost- new one at my parent's house. I used it to get a grease ring out of my car- pet, and to completely san- itize my carpet after a hor- rific potty training event. I never would've known about the treasure hiding in plain sight if I hadn't read your column. — Jen- nifer DEAR JENNIFER: That's a great find, indeed. If your parents used the machine a lot, you may want to grab some rub- ber gloves and clean it. My SteamVac gets pretty dis- gusting even after a few uses. I still wonder where on Earth all of that dirt comes from. I remove both of the tanks and clean the one that receives dirty water with a bottle brush and hot soapy water. Then, I turn the machine over and go to work on the under- side of the cleaning head. I hate the thought of start- ing any job with dirty equipment. Also, use a good spot re- mover on spots right after they appear or right be- fore you give your Hoover a good workout. I've tried so many products, but you won't find a better prod- uct that Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain Remover. Visit my website for di- rect links to all these prod- ucts. I wish you and your Hoover a long and happy life together. Wouldyouliketosend a tip to Mary? You can email her at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com. EVERYDAYCHEAPSKATE Trickstodissipate dirt and debris Mary Hunt Los Molinos FFA took 21 students to UC Davis on March 4-5 to compete in the 40th Annual Agricul- ture and Environmental Sciences Field Day. Contestants included Caitlyn Morgan, Chelsea Prest and Cheyenne Pilger competing in Farm Power; Kevin Dean, Josue Orozco and Sarah Grayson com- peted in Livestock Judging; Job Interview Contestants included Heather Rodri- guez, Juan Rodriguez and Ashlie Morgan; Creed Com- petitors were Breanna Yar- brough, Genesis Acevedo and Luis Orozco; Ulises Graciano, Elaina Gullick, Carlos Linarez and Anahis Martinez competed in the ever growing Agronomy Contest. Justine Yarbrough, Juan Rodriguez, Jas- min DelaTore and Ty- ler Winter, an all senior team, competed in Nurs- ery Landscape and took home 5th High Team. Ness Cota, Madi Hall, Ashlie Morgan and Heather Rodriguez com- peted in the very popular Floral Design contest and proudly earned 6th overall High Team with Heather Rodriguez earning 9th High Individual. Although the weekend was filled with bad weather and lots of rain, it didn't get in the way of Los Molinos FFA reaching their ulti- mate success. Los Molinos planned to attend the next field day on March 12 at CSU Chico. LOS MOLINOS FFA Students compete at UC Field Day COURTESYPHOTO Ness Cota, Madi Hall, Ashlie Morgan and Heather Rodriguez competed in the very popular Floral Design contest at the UC Davis Field Day March 4-5. The Tehama Conserva- tion Fund, the non-profit branch of the RCD, in- vites the public to join the "Conservation Conversa- tion, Watching the River Run", 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 24 at the Tehama Country Visitor's Center, 250 Antelope Boulevard. Attendees will gain an insider's look at the Sacra- mento River corridor from local natural resource spe- cialists along with Bob Madgic, local author of The Sacramento: A Transcen- dent River. The evening will include a brief natural history pre- sentation of the Sacra- mento River, current and planned riparian restora- tion projects in Tehama County, as well as infor- mation on how citizens can join the effort. TCF mem- bers in attendance will re- ceive a complimentary raf- fle ticket. SACRAMENTO RIVER Tehama Conservation Fund hosting 'conversation' The following are sched- uled activities for Mount Lassen Chapter California Native Plant Society activi- ties for April. Unless other- wisestated,allactivitiesare free and open to the public. For more information, visit mountlassen.cnps.org. • General Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, Chico Public Library Jennifer Whipple, for- mer botanist at Yellow- stone National Park, will present "Plants Versus the Yellowstone Volcano." She will discuss the relationship of the flora of Yellowstone and the region to the Yel- lowstone volcano, includ- ing why there are rela- tively few endemic species present in the park. There will be loads of photos of plants and of the unique geology of the area. Peace Valley and Vicin- ity, State Park at Sutter Buttes, Saturday, April 16 Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot to leave at 8 a.m. Bring lunch, water, hat, hiking shoes, long pants and money for ride sharing. A $10 per per- son fee will be charged to cover costs of State Park Special Use Permit and escort. Woody will lead and wildflower search along the easy trails of Peace Valley while Jim will lead a more stren- uous route — around 5 miles plus elevation gain of over 800 feet — to see a variety of plant commu- nities and panoramas. Ex- pected departure from Peace Valley will be 3:30 p.m., returning to Chico around 5. Limited to 30 persons and pre-regista- tion is required. To regis- ter and to discuss alternate meeting site in Live Oak, call Woody at 588-2555. • Nomlaki Trail, Part 2, Mendocino National For- est, Sunday, April 24 Meet at 8:30 am in Chico Park & Ride west lot. We will travel via Corning to west of Paskenta and then southwest into the Na- tional Forest. The group will start at Mud Flat Road if it hasn't rained recently. Only high clearance vehi- cles should try navigating the last 2 miles of road; car- pooling may be necessary. Our goal is Thomes Creek Gorge, a distance of 8 miles round trip, with 1800 feet elevation gain and loss. Alternate goals may be an overlook at 2 miles or three miles to Dead Rabbit Lake. The drop into the gorge is worth it for the wonder- ful downstream view and the many lovely water pol- ished serpentine boulders of Thomes Creek. Bring lunch, water, sun protec- tion, hiking shoes and money for ride sharing. Call leader Marjorie at 343- 2397 for secondary meet- ing place. May reschedule if there are recent storms. • Water-Wise and Habi- tat-Friendly Spring Garden Tour in Chico, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May Delight in spring blooms at more than a dozen Chico gardens that showcase alternatives to traditional landscaping are are alive with birds and pollinators. Registra- tion is free but necessary to receive a map and list of addresses of the featured gardens. Register at bec- net.org. NATIVE PLANTS Mo un t La ss en ch ap te r ac ti vi ti es fo r Apr il l is te d (530) 527-1000 visit us at: www.redbluffroundup.com Likeusonfacebook RODEO AMERICA'S ORIGINAL EXTREME SPORT! APRIL 15, 16, 17, 2016 1921 ~ 2016 95 TH TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 530-526-9887 645 Antelope Blvd. • Suite 8 Red Bluff, Ca 96080 www.countrycaninedayspa.com info@countrycaninedayspa.com Professional Groomer for 10 years, serving Tehama County and surrounding areas Country Canine Luxury Day Spa We care for the whole dog (530) 529-1220 100 Jackson St. Red Bluff $ 25 .00 No Enrollment Fee month Rates as low as 525 Antelope Blvd, Red Bluff (530) 527-5272 Mon.–Fri.8am-5pm Saturday by appointment Locally owned & operated THE MICHELIN ® PILOT ® SPORT A/S 3+ Command the road. Sumit to no season. 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