April 2008 Newsletter from dannylipford.com

Welcome!

I know why they call it Spring Fever. With the weather warming up and all the flowers in bloom, it's just hard to concentrate on work inside when there's so much to do and enjoy outside.

But with Spring comes chores – the first of which is cleaning. It's time to give your home a bath and that means cleaning your windows and replacing storm windows and doors with screens. Other tasks which you can read more about in this newsletter are pressure washing your outside surfaces, giving your yard tools a tune-up, and my favorite chore – degreasing the barbeque grill for the busy months ahead.

For you gardeners, Spring is all about planting. And our new lawn and garden section Around the Yard can help you get started.

Here's to your best home!

Each week, we add new articles and video to our website, dannylipford.com. But if you can't find what you're looking for, let us know at feedback@dannylipford.com.

• Spring Fix-Up

  Here are some value tips for inside and out your home.

• Early Spring Gardening Checklist

  Unless you're in a tropical climate, resist the urge to set out new plants and tend to what's already in your garden.

• Spring Planting Time

  Timing is everything, particularly when it comes to planting.

• Weed Control (video)

  Controlling weeds is high on every homeowner's to-do list.

• Spring Lawn Equipment (video)

  Danny gets the yard tools ready for the season on The Weather Channel.

Win a Spring Start-Up Kit

To help you shake off those winter blues and get motivated to spruce things up around the yard, we're giving away a cornucopia of lawn and garden gadgets. You can win everything from solar-powered lights to an electronic timer for your faucet simply by filling out the entry form on our Around the Yard page. See Spring 'Stravaganza Lawn and Garden Giveaway for details.

All entries must be received before May 1, 2008.

Don't Try this at Home

Failing to prepare properly when power washing your home can turn a satisfying experience into a nightmare. Water can not only find its way into the house from an exterior wall vent or window, but other items can be damaged by the blast of water. Cover bushes, electrical and phone junction boxes, and exterior wall vents with plastic, close all windows and doors and move furniture and equipment away from the house. And, as tempting as it might be, don't spray anyone.

The Cleaning of America

77% of Americans say they regularly engage in spring cleaning, according to The Soap and Detergent Association's (SDA) 2008 Spring Cleaning Survey. According the survey, cleaning behind furniture and washing windows topped the list of chores.

JELD-WEN offers this recipe for cleaning glass on windows and patio doors. Use a combination of common, gentle ingredients to clean glass. Mix one teaspoon of baby shampoo to one gallon of water, or 1-1/2 cups of vinegar to one gallon of water.

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