There are very few people in the world that enjoy cleaning windows, mainly because it is a thankless job, and also, because most of the cleaning products on the market tend to be expensive, and usually leave ugly streaks on the glass. Of course, for those times when you just have to do it, you want to know what is the absolute best way to clean windows.

As you might imagine, the best way to clean windows is to simply pay someone else to do them for you, but most people are not fortunate enough to be able to afford this luxury, and have to do the job themselves. If you are one of the millions of people around the world that are faced with this dreaded chore, then read on, and you will find out some of the best ways to clean windows, that still require a bit of elbow grease, but they are cheap, easy, and do not leave those awful streaks behind!

…the best way to clean windows is to simply pay someone else to do them for you…

The secret formula

Washing windows without streaks can be done with a homemade formula. One of the really effective methods can be mixed together in your own kitchen, and stored in a spray-bottle, ready for use whenever the need arises. Since many people leave the job of cleaning their windows until they are very dirty, the mixture should have ingredients which will get rid of dust and grime easily, and leave the panes shiny clean and streak-free. Now, if you mix together two quarts of warm water, a pint of rubbing alcohol, a quarter cup of vinegar, half a cup of ammonia, and a tablespoon of your regular dish-washing liquid, you will have all the ingredients you need, to make the chore of getting your windows sparkling clean, a whole lot easier.

The best way to clean glass is to prep it properly. Before you wash your windows, it is important that you first use a broom to remove any spider webs, dust, leaves and dead bugs from the panes, working from the top to the bottom of the glass. No window cleaner – no matter how good or how expensive it is can do the job properly, if it has to work through all of this dirt! Having to do this does take a bit of extra time and effort, but it does make the job of washing the windows a lot easier in the long run.

Most people use newspaper, paper towels, rags, or old t-shirts to wipe and dry their windows, when in fact, if you use the proper tools, the time spent doing the job, will be greatly reduced. The secret to making the job easier, and knocking off at least half of the time doing it, is to use an irregular sea sponge to apply the mixture to wash off the dirt and grime, and then, to get rid of the excess water quickly and almost effortlessly, is to use a squeegee. The excess water will be removed in minutes, and the windows will be left sparkling clean, and streak-free!

Another great trick to eliminate streaks is to choose a cloudy day to clean your windows…

Another great trick to eliminate streaks is to choose a cloudy day to clean your windows, as it is the direct sunlight that will dry the solution too quickly, and leave those ugly smudges behind. Also, the direction that you clean your windows is very important if you want to avoid smudges and streaks. When you apply the cleaning solution to the glass, make sure to wipe up and down, and side to side, rather than in a circular direction. The same applies to when you are using the squeegee to remove the excess water, as well as wiping the blade dry with a cloth after each movement.

As far as how to clean outside windows… The best thing we can recommend is that you start with the inside first – the inside will not be as dirty as the outside, and, when you are done cleaning them, you will still have enough energy and enthusiasm to tackle the outside of the glass, and not be tempted to simply pretend that they are not there! Alternatively, you can do a few windows at a time, inside and out, over a couple of days – the job doesn’t seem so long and tiresome this way, and besides, something might just crop up that will give you the perfect excuse as to why you can’t wash your windows on that particular day! Nonetheless, the outside will always require quite a bit more work. The finishing aspect will be more or less like the inside of the windows, but the initial attempt will have you rinsing your cleaning rag more than once!

A leather sofa is a great investment, as it looks classic and stylish in any home, it is comfortable to sit on, and it can last a lifetime if it is cared for properly using a quality leather sofa cleaner.

Leather is essentially a form of skin, and just like the skin on your body, it should be treated with a great deal of TLC to keep it looking good. Leather furniture needs to be cleaned regularly with soap and water, or a high quality leather upholstery cleaner to keep dirt and grime from damaging the material. Furthermore, it should be conditioned to prevent it from cracking and drying. By adopting a regular cleaning routine, you can keep your leather sofa looking good and feeling soft and supple.

Types of Leather

Before cleaning leather furniture, it is important to know what type of leather you have.

Before cleaning leather furniture, it is important to know what type of leather you have. Some leather furniture is treated with a sealant to protect the leather. Others have no sealant at all. Check the tag on the furniture to see which type of leather you have. If there is no tag, you can ask your manufacturer or the retail store where you bought the furniture. Leathers that have been sealed include sealed or corrected grain, antique rubbed, and semi analine leathers. PU or bicast leather may come with a shiny, plastic coating. Waxed pull-up leather has a wax coating to protect the material. Pure analine leather does not have any sealant. Leathers that have no sealant cannot be cleaned with water, as this will damage the material. Wax coatings may also be damaged by commercial cleaners.

How to Clean Your Leather Furniture

You should clean your leather furniture at least twice a year to keep it looking good.

The first step in cleaning leather furniture is to vacuum up any dust or dirt from the surface of the sofa. You should use a brush attachment and gentle suction to avoid scratching the furniture. Next, you should wipe down the furniture with a soft rag or cloth. This will remove any dirt that the vacuum missed. Many forms of leather sofa cleaner require you to mix the cleaner with room temperature water. Follow the instructions on the label to get the exact proportions. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture, wring the excess water out, and gently wipe down the sofa, section by section. After you have done this, you will need to wipe down the couch with another clean cloth, dipped in clean water and gently wrung out. This will remove any residue left over from the cleaner. You should clean your leather furniture at least twice a year to keep it looking good. A leather conditioner can also do wonders for your furniture. It works just like a moisturizer for skin in that it keeps your furniture hydrated and supple so it does not crack.

Which Cleaner to Use?

Your sofa manufacturer or dealer may suggest an appropriate leather sofa cleaner for you to use. If not, there are many types of leather cleaners available. Just be sure that the cleaner you use is appropriate for the type of leather you have. If you cannot find a proper cleaner for your furniture, you can use a mild facial soap mixed with water instead. This method is acceptable, although it may not be as effective as using a proper leather cleaner. Standard upholstery cleaner is not an acceptable substitute for a dedicated leather sofa cleaner. Keep in mind that leather furniture that has not been sealed should be cleaned by a professional leather cleaning company to avoid damage.

Just like skin, leather needs to be properly cleaned and conditioned to look its best. Once you determine which type of leather you have, you can use a suitable cleaning solution to get rid of grime and dirt. A good conditioner will also keep your couch hydrated and soft. By following a regular cleaning regime, your leather furniture should look great for years to come.

Creatine is, without a doubt, the most popular and effective bodybuilding supplement available on the market today. It can help you gain size and strength faster than any other supplement.

Creatine alone won't give you guns like these. It takes a lot of hard work. Photo by: RightIndex - See image source attribution link at the bottom.

Creatine works by drawing water into muscle cells and also by decreasing lactic acid buildup during exercise. While creatine is not an essential nutrient, like amino acids, it can have an even greater effect on muscle building.

Many people are unaware of all of the different types of creatine available and how they differ. I will explain the difference between some of the popular types of creatine, so you can decide which is best for you.

When creatine is mentioned, most of the time, creatine monohydrate is what is being referred to. Creatine monohydrate is the standard for creatine because it is the oldest, most tested and most used form of creatine. That’s not to say that there aren’t some other forms of creatine that give great results; but we’ll get to those shortly. Creatine monohydrate has been used by bodybuilders and athletes alike throughout the nineties, whereas most other forms of creatine have come into existence within the last decade, or even more recently. The only “problem” with creatine monohydrate, that manufacturers of other types of creatine try to “fix,” is the fact that the body can only absorb a portion of what is ingested and the rest is converted into a byproduct that can, in some cases, cause side effects.

Besides creatine monohydrate, the other most popular types of creatine right now are Kre-alkalyn and creatine hydrochloride.

Besides creatine monohydrate, the other most popular types of creatine right now are Kre-alkalyn and creatine hydrochloride. Both of these creatines attempt to be more absorb-ale and cause less side effects than creatine monohydrate. Kre-alkalyn does this by bonding a creatine molecule to an alkalyn molecule to create a more pH stable creatine, that does not break down into the byproduct creatinine in stomach acid. Creatine hydrocholride uses the same principles and bonds the creatine molecule to a hydrochloride molecule. Users of each of these forms of creatine report little to no side effects, so it appears that they do what they’re supposed to, in terms of side effects. However, it is still debatable whether either of these forms of creatine are more effective, in terms of muscle building, than creatine monohydrate. This is partly because both are so new and there is no long term data to go by. Creatine hydrochloride was patented in 2009 and Kre-alkalyn was patented in 2002, making them among the newest forms of creatine.

You really can’t go wrong with creatine monohydrate, especially since it’s by far the most inexpensive form of creatine. However, if you’re looking to try something new (possibly with less side effects) the most recommended is either creatine hydrochloride or Kre-alkalyn. Users agree that these two are among the best in the creatine world.

Disclaimer: Note that none of the above should be taken as medical advice. As with any other ingested product, please seek advice from a healthcare professional first. This article should only be used to get information you can discuss with a healthcare professional and/or a professional trainer or nutritionist.

This type of survival kit won't easily fit in your pocket or back pack. We'll show you some that do fit!

Photo by: mrbill

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how to build small survival kits. While they may not be as equipped as larger kits, remember that a decent kit you always have on you is much better than the fanciest kit in the world you don’t have when you really need it. There are two models: coffee can sized, and pocket sized.

Coffee Can Sized
This kit is designed to fit into a 1b coffee tin. It’s the ideal size to put in the trunk of your vehicle, with a couple liters of water you rotate regularly.

The items we will include are:

• A Swiss army knife- various uses based on the different blades.
• A small mirror- for inspecting hard to see wounds; signaling.
• A small pencil and some paper- for taking notes; writing down addresses.
• A small compass- for finding your way home.
• A Zippo lighter- more versatile than matches or regular lighters.
• Needles and dental floss- can be used for sewing; the dental floss can be used for fishing line as well.
• A candle wrapped in aluminum foil- the candle is a light source; the foil can find many uses.
• A whistle- to scare off animals; signal to others.
• 2 large garbage bags- for garbage and waste; can be fashioned into ponchos as well.
• 20+ feet of nylon rope- various potential uses.
• A poncho- for protection against rain and snow. Can be use to fashion a shelter as well.
• Money have some bills, say $40+, for gas and other expenses. Some quarters for payphones as well.
• Waxed paper- can be used as a fire starter. Stuff it in the kit to stop the objects from moving around.

Pocket-Sized
This is kit is meant to fit into an old tobacco or Altoids tin. You can fit it in your pocket, and therefore pretty much have it with you at all times.

The items we will include are:

• A swiss army knife- various uses based on the different blades.
• A small compass- for finding your way home.
• A zippo lighter- more versatile than matches or regular lighters.
• Water purification tablets- should you need to purify an unknown water source.
• A small mirror- for inspecting hard to see wounds; signaling.
• Fishing wire and various hooks- for setting up passive fishing lines if lost in the wilderness.
• Cotton- start fires, dress wounds, etc.
• A small pencil and some paper- for taking notes; writing down addresses.
• Needles and dental floss- can be used for sewing; the dental floss can be used for fishing line as well.

Good luck and stay prepared!

Read more from RamboMoe at preparedforthat.com

When it comes to shaving, the majority of men think that they have all under control.

Well, the reality is that according to recent surveys, most men have a less-than-optimal shaving technique that not only bring mediocre results, but can also easily lead to nicks, cuts, irritations and general skin damage.  Learning to shave correctly can make a huge difference in the state of your skin and it’s something you’ll appreciate in the long run.

So, where do you start? First we have to accept that we need to improve in this area, and next we need to learn some information to improve our shaving technique.  Here I will leave you with some useful tips you can put in practice today. Follow them regularly and you’ll start seeing great improvements in your skin.

Shave with the grain. Many men think that the best way to shave is against the grain. This is wrong because when we do this we pull hair out and can suffer from nicks and cuts.  Shaving with the grain is a more gentle approach to shaving. You can still shave against the grain, but make sure it’s only one final pass if you absolutely need to have the closest shave possible. It’s better to avoid it.

Replace your razors regularly. Besides getting your hands on the best shaving razor for men available in your area, you should make sure that you replace it regularly.  Two weeks max is what a razor should last, and if you want to have the best results, you need to get used to patting it dry after you use it.  This can prolong the life of the blade for a couple more days.

Throw away the aerosol foam. A pro shaver knows that aerosol products for shaving are just bad.  Instead it is advisable to use a shaving cream or shaving soap. These are products that not only serve for the razor to glide easier, but they also provide nutrients that will revitalize the skin and will minimize the damage done during your shaving session.  For better results apply the soap or cream and massage it on the skin for a full minute.

Restore your skin’s natural moisture. When you shave you are taking away the natural moisture found on the skin.  After you shave, you need to restore it and at the same time restore the skin’s health.  The best moisturizer for men will also include solar protection, so you can be free of the negative effects of sun exposure.

Fall is a lovely time of the year to have a wedding. This is when you have the leaves changing colors and falling from the trees. Everything seems to be in vibrant colors of gold, red, and orange.

When you are planning a fall wedding, make sure that you take advantage of all those vibrant colors in your decorations.

Here are some tips in how to incorporate these colors and nature’s bounty in your wedding.

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you choose the right wedding decorations. Think wedding chair covers and fancy centerpieces.

The next thing that you need to decide on is the color scheme for your wedding. Your color scheme should reflect the colors of the fall season. You can use colors like burgundy, brown, and various shades of oranges, leaf green, ivory, shades of purple like plum, and more. Use these colors with tall wedding flowers. You can use combinations of colors like silver and purple, rich brown and pale blue, or ivory and gold.

For the center pieces consider using the different fruits and nuts of the fall season. One thing that you can use is hanging baskets decorated with flowers, fruits, and nuts. You can hang them from the ceilings over the tables, but make sure that no one is going to hit their head on them. You can also make small centerpieces using small wicker baskets with tiny pumpkins and fall leaves. The possibilities are endless so use your imagination.

To make an arch way for a fall wedding you can use corn stalks that are tied with a ribbon that coordinates with the wedding colors. At the base of the corn stalks you can put small pumpkins and decorate the corn stalks with fall leaves and fall flowers. You can use real or silk flowers and leaves. You can interweave tulle into the cornstalks to make it look more feminine.

Different themes that you can choose from for your wedding can be a pear and apple theme where you use deep reds, auburns, and oranges as the colors for your wedding reception. You can use green or red apples and pears with flower decorations. One of the signature drinks for this type of wedding would be an apple martini.

For an nontraditional wedding cake use a pumpkin or spice flavor with fall decorations.

These are just some of the ways to make your fall wedding have the warm feelings that come with the season.

Food Handlers go through an intensive course in order to become certified. All of their courses and modules are based on the foundational principles that govern their responsibilities if and when they become certified and professional. Food handlers have the basic responsibility of making sure food is kept and handled safely. The core subject and concept taught is how to keep food safe. Read on and find out how you can also handle food with care so as to prevent food-borne illnesses.

The first and foremost aspect of keeping food safe and to prevent food-borne illnesses is to wash hands properly. A study conducted not so long ago had asked many females and males how often they washed their hands. 92% of males and 97% of females had “said” that they wash their hands frequently and regularly, however, upon observation this wasn’t the case. When they had been thoroughly observed, evaluated and analyzed it was found out that only a mere 58% males and 75% females actually washed their hands. The Department of Health has specifically outlined the manner in which to wash ones hands. It is also estimated that if everyone were to follow the prescribed procedure almost 70% of the food-borne illnesses can be prevented.

Secondly food handler card owners must be cautious so as not to distribute or process and/or prepare food that cannot be ingested. This may be due to many reasons i.e. the food is over-dated and because they have a high risk factor of containing harmful bacteria. Therefore over-dated milk, raw milk, any dairy products that are unpasteurized and raw meat should all be avoided. Food that has spoiled and is suspected of having bacteria should never be smelled, tasted or touched. That is because one has no idea how dangerous the bacteria may be. Smelling and/or tasting it may be enough to affect your immune system. Lastly raw meat should be handled with extreme care. Never leave meat out on the counter to thaw it. Always try and use the microwave which will also aid the cooking process or thaw in the refrigerator.

The refrigerator should be kept at an optimal temperature for all the products kept inside it. Thus are basic tips but those that can aid food safety and prevent any illnesses and diseases. There are many more tips which expand the topic of this content and can be seen online.

Imagine walking out to your mailbox and finding a letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS.) With a little hesitation, you open the letter, and your worst fears have come true:  You’re being audited!  Despite the shock, you reassure yourself and say you have nothing to fear.   So you gather up all the necessary paperwork, get the audit done, and the nightmare’s over.  Sorry.  The nightmare is only beginning . . .

Another notice from the IRS follows the audit.   As you read the letter, your jaw drops.  The IRS has decided to classify your business as, not a business, but a hobby!  ”How can this be?!” you exclaim.   While this may seem preposterous, it happens more often than you might think.  Could such a thing have been prevented?   Yes.   And one of the keys is to start writing a business plan.

What is a Business Plan Anyway?

While the size and shape of a business plan will vary, the purpose never changes:   a business plan proves to the IRS and all others that you are in business to make a profit.   This isn’t a fly-by-night operation that you run just to pass the time.  It’s not a hobby that’s been conjured up for your sheer enjoyment.   No, this is a serious business designed to provide a steady and reliable income for you and your family.

Here Are the 5 Key Steps to Writing a Business Plan

When I first read the book “Lower Your Taxes – Big Time!” by Sandy Botkin (a CPA and former attorney for the IRS,) I was blown away by one of his observations.   He says that one of the IRS’s favorite games is to turn a business into a hobby.  His book suggests a variety of ways to bulletproof your business from this ploy.   And the first and foremost is to have your business plan in place.   Here are the 5 key ingredients.

1. Projected income estimate – What kind of revenue do you anticipate?
2. Projected expense estimate – What will the expenses be?
3. Projected profits estimate – How much will be left over after you subtract your expenses from your sales?
4. What is the basis upon which you made these projections?  What are your sales and marketing strategies?
5. Dates by which you will reach these projections, preferably spanning 5 to 10 years.

Leave the Excuses at the Door and Do It Now!

You might reply, “I have no idea how to figure out those kinds of projections!”   That may be true, but will that satisfy your IRS auditor?  Doubtful!

Truth be told, no one can predict with 100% accuracy the above numbers.  But the IRS does expect to see that you are operating as a real business and that you have a serious strategy.  Your business plan is just that strategy.

So how can you start fleshing this thing out?  Talk with some people in the know:   team up with people in your industry and consult with an accountant.  Soon some real numbers and projections will start to appear.   You may also find that you start getting even more excited about your venture.   Your motive for doing the business plan may go from IRS penalty avoidance to “Wow, I’m totally stoked about making my business a success!”

Let’s get real.  Do you have a good reason for putting off the construction of your business plan?   No, you don’t.   The small amount of time you will have invested in your plan, can prevent a mountain of headaches in the future!

For more more information about writing up a business plan, go to http://businessbeetle.com/.  Business Beetle helps family businesses, mom and pops, and the little guy to survive and thrive.

Bright Bucket Disclaimer: While the statements in this article are intended to be helpful, they must not be be used as official legal advice. Always consult your attorney.

It’s rather cruel that blemishes can be so severe that they leave marks behind that last a long time.

Some people have to face a situation which can ultimately damage their self-esteem and the way they see themselves. It can often happen at a time in a person’s life when they are still trying to figure out who they are. Imagine how difficult this can be when they have such a visible marks all over their face. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that can make people want to hide away from the world. It seems extremely unfair that a person might have to deal with severe acne and then be left with scars tissue that will be just as unsightly.

If you have serious acne then it would be in your best interest to visit a dermatologist first

If you are dealing with acne scars, it’s important to treat them with care but also take a straightforward approach. The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure that you deal with acne itself as efficiently as possible. If you don’t, you could be facing an uphill battle where bad acne continues to damage your face while you try to deal with scars at the same time. If you have serious acne then it would be in your best interest to visit a dermatologist first for a look at your skin situation. You have to understand your starting point in order to know where to go from there. Cystic and nodular acne usually need a more severe type of treatment that goes along with a prescription. Above all else, don’t make things worse by picking at your skin or popping pimples because your face definitely doesn’t need more damage.

With your acne taken care of, you can begin to concentrate on what to do with your scars. Remember that time does indeed heal all wounds and you can benefit from a bit of patience. You can also streamline your approach by looking for treatments that will allow your skin to heal in a more natural way. Scars can be either indented or raised on your skin, and in both cases you need a touch of resurfacing. You can definitely get good results with a glycolic acid peel which will help to get rid of some of that scar tissue. With the top layer of damaged skin gone, your face will almost immediately look revitalized. With further treatments, you can begin to experience a lessening of discoloration in addition to a fresher look on your face.

Another option for acne scars comes in the form of laser treatment which is becoming increasingly popular thanks to improved methods. While it won’t cure things overnight, it’s probably the fastest way to do things and some people report results after just one session. You’ll have to factor in an adequate budget in order to keep up with laser treatment, and keep in mind that it isn’t cheap. But when it comes to how to get rid of acne scars, lasers treatment administered by a professional well improve the situation in almost every case. Talk to your dermatologist for further advice and remember that education is one of the keys to helping fix your skin problems.

UPDATE – October 14, 2011 – Day of iPhone 4S Release: It seems there is actually a slight change between the iPhone 4 and the iPhone 4S after all! The mute switch is slightly offset from one phone to the other. This means that some old iPhone 4 cases will fit the iPhone 4S, but some won’t.
Be careful when buying an old iPhone 4 case for cheap to use on your 4S. You might be able to modify it to work, but don’t just assume it will. Of course, this depends on the type of case and it’s configuration. There are so many out there that it’s impossible to say which will work. But, it’s enough to say some will, some won’t. That’s enough information to let you know to TEST BEFORE YOU BUY. Have fun with your new iPhone 4S!

The short answer is YES- An iPhone 4 case will fit an iPhone 4S just fine. As far as hardware goes, both phones look exactly the same.

The long answer:

While millions were expecting a teardrop shaped iPhone 5 with a full-width screen, to the disappointment of some (and the joy of others) the iPhone 4S looks exactly the same as the hugely popular iPhone 4. This means that companies that make cases will get to save some good money by not having to tool-up for brand new case shapes. However, we did get news of a company called Hard Candy that thought they knew more than anyone else and took a gamble and produced 50,000 iPhone 5 cases for a slimmer design with a 4-inch screen. That’s a lot of money to spend on boxes full of useless cases. Now they’ll have to use those boxes as office furniture hoping that Apple one day releases a phone that will fit them. Otherwise, they’ll have to start eating the cases for lunch to get rid of them. It’s like buying all pink clothes and furniture for an unborn baby girl and the baby ends up with a penis – only worse.

What about cool new cases for any otherwise old-looking phone?
This does not change the fact that case companies won’t try and cash in on the new-iPhone 4S fever. Soon you will start seeing cases marketed specifically for the 4S only, even if they work with the old phone too. At least many will attempt to make something completely different and cool that was not available for the iPhone 4 in the first place. It’s the new and cool factor that companies will be trying to aim for. The funny part is, it works.

As biased or opinionated as it may seem, the folks at BrightBucket.com are actually happy the iPhone 5 didn’t come out. The iPhone 4S is what the iPhone 4 should be. Screw teardrop shapes! Recycling old iPhone 4 cases is were it’s at.