Tip for a Weed Free Yard - Identify Weeds Before Planning the Attack

From the FamilyHandyman.com

Before you start any weed control program, you need to determine which of the three types of weeds you're controlling. Broadleaf weeds like creeping charlie have leaves, perennial grassy weeds like quack grass spread through roots and seeds, and annual grassy weeds like crab grass reseed themselves at the end of each growing season and germinate in the spring. Each requires unique products and application methods. Some treatments are very time sensitive, while others can be done anytime during the growing season.

Cleaning Tips to Reduce Household Dust

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Do Air Cleaners Reduce Dusting?

An effective air cleaner removes large and small particles from the air in a single room. Within that space, it can relieve allergy or asthma symptoms and even reduce smoke and cooking odors. But don't expect it to relieve you of dusting duty. Air cleaners are sized to filter a small area, so only a small portion of the airborne dust in your home will ever reach the unit. For air cleaners to have a real effect on overall dust levels, you would need one unit in every room.

Example of a single-room air cleaner.

Tip for a Weed Free Yard - Kill Perennial Grassy Weeds: Too Late

From the FamilyHandyman.com

Once there are too many weeds to spot-treat by hand, it's time for draconian measures. Kill everything and start over. Spray a nonselective herbicide on the weedy area and wait two weeks. If they're not dead, spray them again. Once the weeds are dead, mow them as short as possible. After spraying the herbicide, wait 14 days to plant new grass so the herbicide won't kill it.

Cleaning Tips to Reduce Household Dust

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Match the vacuum to the flooring

Suction alone isn't enough to pull much dust out of carpet. For good results, you need a vacuum with a powerful agitator. Upright vacuums are usually best for carpet, although some canister vacuums with agitators work well, too. When it comes to wood, tile or vinyl flooring, your best choice is a canister vacuumwithout an agitator (or with an agitator that can be turned off). An agitator does more harm than good on hard flooring because it blows dust into the air.

Match vacuum to flooring
Upright vacuum with powerful agitator is best for carpet.

Tip for a Weed Free Yard - Kill Annual Grassy Weeds: Late Season

From the FamilyHandyman.com

The best way to handle a few scattered annual grassy weeds is to spot-kill them with a postemergence herbicide that's formulated for grassy weeds, such as Ortho's Grass-B-Gon. Look for Grass Weed Killer or Crabgrass Killer on the label (Crabgrass Killer kills other grassy weeds too). Mix the concentrated herbicide with water (per manufacturer's directions), then pour the mixture into a handheld sprayer. Spray the individual patches of weeds. To ensure that there's plenty of plant material to absorb the weed killer, don't mow the weeds just before applying the herbicide or for three days after. Always read the herbicide's label before applying to make sure it will kill the targeted weeds and not harm your lawn.

Cleaning Tips to Reduce Household Dust

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Clean the air while you clean house

All vacuums whip up dust with their “agitator”(the cylindrical brush that sweeps the carpet) or blowing exhaust stream. That dust eventually settles on the surfaces you've just cleaned. But if your forced-air heating/cooling system is equipped with a good filter, you can filter out some of that dust before it settles.

Just switch your thermostat to “fan on.” This turns on the blower inside your furnace and filters the air even while the system isn't heating or cooling. Leave the blower on for about 15 minutes after you're done cleaning. But don't forget to switch back to “auto.” Most blowers aren't designed to run constantly.

Turn fan on while cleaning
Turn your thermostat setting to 'fan on' position.

Tip for a Weed Free Yard - Kill Broadleaf Weeds: Late Season

From the FamilyHandyman.com

If a few broadleaf weeds pop up in the yard (you can always count on a few dandelions), spot-kill them with a post-emergence herbicide such as Ortho's Weed-B-Gon MAX (a 32-oz. bottle of concentrate covers 16,000 sq. ft.). Look on the label for “broadleaf killer” then check to see which weeds it targets. Some broadleaf herbicides also kill crabgrass. There's no need to treat the entire lawn, just the weedy areas. Don't let them spread and create a bigger problem. Premixed herbicides are OK if you have a small lawn and only a few weeds. Otherwise, buy concentrates to mix yourself—they're a better value. Wait until the temperature is between 60 and 85 degrees F. Mix the herbicide with water (follow the directions) and pour it into a small pump sprayer. Keep the nozzle 6 to 12 in. from the weed and spray until the leaves are slightly wet.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine

Take cushions out for a beating

Upholstery fabric not only sheds its own fibers but also absorbs dust that settles on it. You raise puffs of dust every time you sit down. The only way to eliminate upholstery dust is to buy leather- or vinyl-covered furniture. But there are three ways to reduce dust on fabric:

• Dust settles mostly on horizontal surfaces; vacuum them weekly. Vacuum vertical surfaces monthly.
• Take cushions outside and beat the dust out of them. An old tennis racket works well and lets you practice your backhand. A thorough beating removes deeply embedded dust better than vacuuming.
• Slipcovers for chairs and sofas are easy to pull off and take outdoors for a shaking. Better yet, some are machine washable. Slipcovers are readily available at discount and home furnishings stores and online.

Clean your sofa cushions

A cushion beating removes deeply embedded dust better than vacuuming.