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Billy Porter is arguably at the top of his game. After a two-decade rise as a Broadway star most notably in Angels in America and Kinky Boots (which may soon make its leap to the silver screen) hes found success as a recording artist, and as a writer and director. Porter is seemingly EGOT-bound after winning Emmy, Grammy and Tony awards, and he found his most massive fanbase to date after snagging the iconic role of Pray Tell in the FX series Pose and quickly positioning himself as a red-carpet star who could outdo anyone, whether at the Met Gala or the Oscars. Next up: Season 3 of Pose, and the role of a genderless fairy godmother in an upcoming live-action remake of Cinderella.

Yahoo Lifestyle caught up with the star at one of his morecommercial endeavors a press event celebrating his partnership with Clorox Scentiva products for spring cleaning to chat about fashion, pushing boundaries and teaching the children.

Billy Porter has partnered with Clorox Scentiva products for a spring cleaning campaign. (Photo: Jason DeCrow/Invision for Clorox/AP Images)

Yahoo Lifestyle: Youve positioned yourself as a fashion icon. Why is it an important form of expression for you?

Fashion is exciting for me because it is a form of art and creativity [to an extent] that I dont think a lot of people in the world ever realize. Im first-generation post-civil-rights movement, and we were always taught to dress for the job you want, not the one you have and that has been my lifes mantra. So I always have enjoyed fashion and enjoyed looking good. Its a surprise to me how effective it has been for me, to sort of push that narrative and crack open that conversation. But Im very grateful.

Billy Porter at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in February, wowing in a gown inspired by Kensington Palace. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

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Do you feel pressure to outdo yourself each time you hit a red carpet?

Theres no pressure for me to one-up myself because I am being truly authentic to who I am. This is not a game. I have always been this person. If you go back and look at pictures from my youth, I have always been the person thats expressed myself through clothing. So its not a pressure, its about being present and showing up the most authentic way that I can possibly be for whatever Im doing.

Billy Porter at the 2019 Academy Awards in his famous tuxedo gown the very one he wore on a recent guest appearance on Sesame Street. (Photo: Dan MacMedan/Getty Images)

You showed up that way wearing your famous Oscars gown as a recent (and controversial) guest on a not-yet-aired episode of Sesame Street. Why was it important to bring that gender-bending message to the young viewers?

Sesame Street called me and Sesame Street asked for the Oscars gown. And Im performing with a penguin, Elmo, and one of them fairies, right? Were talking about friendship. Sesame Street has always been at the forefront of teaching children the morals that their parents arent prepared to do. Its always been there. So me showing up in a dress is actually saying to the children of the world, There are people who are different. Those people are human, just like you. Thats the message, thats it. I am thrilled to be a part of that message, and thats the only thing I care about.

Billy Porter won the 2019 Met Gala red (pink) carpet. (Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images)

You also help spread that message through Pose. How has that role affected your life?

Im so grateful to have lived long enough to see the day where my story is being told. I lived through the AIDS crisis. Im 50 years old, I know exactly what that was. So its beautiful to be a part of the retelling of that story for a generation that wasnt there to be able to live long enough to be the representation, to be the change that I never saw.

Billy Porter with costar Indya Moore at the FX Network's "Pose" Season 2 Premiere on June 05, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Weve heard rumors of a Kinky Boots movie musical. Would you be a part of that?

Would I be a part of it? No, Im not gonna be a part of the Tony-award winning, Grammy-award winning role I created, Im going to let somebody else do that. Yes! Theyre trying to make it happen. They better hurry up, cause I aint getting no younger. [Laughs]

So whats your message about spring cleaning?

The one time a year that I get in the trenches and do my own cleaning is spring cleaning because thats rebirth, thats when everything blossoms again and also, the decluttering is a self-care mechanism that I landed on a few years ago and realized my brain is free when my space is decluttered. If I havent worn [something in my closet] for a year, I have to donate it. Im good about that about 80 to 85 percent of the time. It should be one year, but sometimes its three

Finally, what we really need to know: Does Billy Porter actually clean his own toilets?

I do not. Thats the thing I hate the most.

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Billy Porter speaks out on fashion choices amid criticism that men shouldn't wear dresses: 'These people are human, just like you' - Yahoo...

Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning Logo

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (PRWEB) February 27, 2020

Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning, a Birmingham carpet cleaning company, recently discussed the benefits of professional carpet cleaning. Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning is the premiere eco-friendly carpet cleaner in the Birmingham area, providing modernized and unique services. Safe-Dry is rated five full stars by over 80 customer reviews, and strives to provide above satisfactory services.

Using the correct ingredients is crucial in a carpet or upholstery cleaning. Old-fashioned solutions, those that contain chemicals or are soap-based, prove to be harmful instead of helpful. They soak carpets and surfaces, promoting the buildup of mold, mildew, and other damaging bacteria. At Safe-Dry, we pride ourselves with using an innovative all-natural solution. The eco-friendly mixture allows for our quick drying to finish within the hour, never leaving behind any harmful toxins. This unique solution is non-toxic to both humans and pets, posing as the best choice for any cleaning.

Carpet cleanings should take place every 12-18 months. Utilizing the help of Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning, youre able to exceed this measure. Our technicians are trained and equipped to clean a wide variety of furniture and upholstery. Whether it's the traditional carpeting in a home to car interiors, Safe-Dry is up to the challenge. No stain or odor will be up to par. Our specialized solution targets those intense smells, such as pet odors. By penetrating the carpet down to the fibers, Safe-Dry is able to attack the problem directly at the source.

If you are in need of an eco-friendly carpet cleaning, make sure to contact Safe-Dry Carpet Cleaning. You can contact the leading environmentally friendly carpet cleaners today by calling (205)-619-6305, or by visiting their website at https://www.1800safedry.com/alabama/carpet-cleaning-birmingham-al/.

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Birmingham Carpet Cleaning Company Discusses Benefits Of Carpet Cleaning - PR Web

A MUM who spends seven hours-a-day cleaning says Mrs Hinch has made her proud to be a housewife.

Amanda Knowles, 42, from Beckenham, Kent, is a stay-at-home mum to Holly, 15, Oliver, 12, and Harriett, nine.

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Speaking exclusively to Fabulous, the married mum-of-three said: "I spend a good seven hours-a-day cleaning and tidying.

"My favourite trick on a weekend is to get up early when the kids are asleep, about 6am. That way, I can get a good three hours in before the kids are even awake.

"I've got a carpet cleaner, so once-a-month I'll give the carpet a clean. I sound obsessive talking about it, but it is so rewarding.

"I know it sounds like the most boring thing in the world and there are some bits I don't like, like ironing.

"But I like pretty much all of it, just spraying things, smelling things. When the kids smell nice in the morning, I know I have done my job."

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Amanda, who works part-time as a photographer, has always loved cleaning - but says she's ramped things up since discovering Sophie Hinchliffe over a year ago.

The cleanfluencer, who has 3.2 million followers on Instagram, has encouraged thousands of Brits to show off their homes of social media, taking cues from her glam grey Essex pad.

Amanda said: "I've always been pretty organised but since I started following Mrs Hinch on Instagram, it's been another level. You get so much inspiration out of it.

"She's lovely too, I've met her. Mrs Hinch has made me comfortable being a housewife.

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"I feel lucky I can spend my day preparing food, organising and labelling.

"I'm lucky not to have to go to work and I can make sure the family have everything they need, when they need it.

"Stuff like tidying and cleaning my bathroom, I've never enjoyed it as much as I have since following her.

I used to say 'I'm just a housewife' but Mrs Hinch has made it trendy. I'm the lucky one because I don't have to work

"I used to say 'I'm just a housewife' but she's made it trendy. I'm the lucky one because I don't have to work. I am always, always busy.

"We've got quite a big house, it is five bedrooms and three bathrooms and I do it all alone.

"I am the queen of organisation, I am a maniac. We got our kitchen done in July and I designed the whole thing.

"It's not OCD, it's just an enjoyable hobby to have. I love, love, love it. I would live in my kitchen if I could."

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A typical weekday sees Amanda waking at 6am and making croissants for the family breakfast, before taking her youngest to school.

Then she does a daily food shop, before coming back to start her cleaning and food prep.

She said: "I have lists for every day, you can't do all of this in one go. I do as much of the house I can do, then prepare the suppers.

"My family always have nice food, I spend a lot of time cooking.

"I make everything myself, my own candles, diffusers, wax melts and plug-ins. If I can make it, I will instead of buying it."

It's not OCD, it's just an enjoyable hobby to have. I love, love, love it

Amanda is also training for her 10th marathon, in Brighton in April, and spends a lot of time walking her dog - a puggle.

She said: "Every room has got pink, grey or white baskets with a label on. They're everywhere and I love it.

"Before, if I was running late for school and wanted a hair tie, it would be like 'ahhhh!'

"Whereas now there's a pot for everything. I've even got a school shoe shine box.

"I've got loads of tips off Mrs Hinch, like washing make-up blenders in a sock, and washing out the machine with vinegar.

"Some things are just common sense. Throwing Zoflora down the sink, then when you walk into your bathroom it smells lovely."

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Despite her love of tidying, Amanda insists she doesn't stop her kids enjoying their home.

She said: "I occasionally have worried about them messing the house up, but I have to stop myself.

"Time goes by too quickly, I think you have to look at the bigger picture.

"They are messy in the sense they will come in and chuck their shoes or their bag, but they wouldn't spill something and not clean it up.

"I have all day to cram and when they go to bed, especially if my husband's away, I'll carry on into the evening, until about 10pm.

"I tell them 'leave it as you find it' when they go into certain rooms. But they are good, they don't really cause me any problems."

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Amanda says she's suffered from anxiety in the past, but cleaning and running help keep her calm.

She said: "Some days, I'm just in a groove, then I'll go into my toilet and scrub it and make it all lovely. When I leave, I feel like I'm lifted.

"I haven't officially got a diagnosis of anxiety, but I do get myself into a fix.

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"Before a run, I would get myself into such a pickle I would not even want to go.

"I worry about the kids when they're not home too, I do worry about things I can't control."

We recently revealed how The Range is selling cupboard organisers Stacey Solomon uses to store her crisps for just 1.99.

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Mrs Hinch super-fan says she cleans for SEVEN hours a day and get up at 6am on weekends to tidy - The Sun

Looking for a home appliance that will clean up what gets spilled and sort out the stains that are already there? The Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer might just have grabbed your attention as the perfect solution for your home and car.

I've tested a range of the best vacuum cleaners on carpet, hard floors, and upholstery, and challenged it with new spills and old stains to give you the lowdown on how efficiently it will get rid of them, how easy it is to use, and how much space itll take up in your cupboard.

Those with young families and messy pets facing lots of spills and wanting a ready-to-go solution.

Simple to operate, this handy machine is easy to prepare for action and tackle spills with.

(Image credit: Vax)

I challenged the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer with both old stains and new spills in my testing. I inherited marks from an unknown source on a carpet in one of the bedrooms when I moved into my home, and with new carpets on the horizon now I had suspended my (unsuccessful) efforts to remove them. Using the SpotlessGo was the ideal opportunity to see if they could be removed after who knows how long in place.

The result? Yes, the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer cleaned up these marks effectively and with little effort on my part.

It was also a winner on hard flooring, sucking up a tea spill in a trice and leaving white tiles white, and worked equally well with a spill on upholstery.

The machine comes with a multipurpose attachment in the form of a brush that slots easily onto the wash tool on the hose and helps you work into carpet fibres. Theres also a pet attachment designed to pick up (yes, youve guessed it) hair and fur that was easy to swap into place. You also get a squeegee thats handy for the shower screen.

I found the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer to be an effective worker on all that it was challenged with once I got into the swing of using it. It came with a starter bottle of the brands Multi-Floor Solution. A measured quantity of this had to be added to the tank (which lifts easily out of the machine), along with water, and there are markers to indicate how much of each you need. The Multi-Floor Solution cleaner is antibacterial, and promises to remove up to 99% of bacteria.

Once youre working on a spill or stain, the key to using the machine is knowing that the floor head sprays the cleaning solution forward when the trigger is squeezed, so I needed to position it a small distance away from what I was tackling. Once this is done, the flooring could be agitated with the appropriate attachment. Releasing the trigger and re-angling the head was necessary to suck up the solution and dry the floor. It took me a couple of tries to get the hang of all this, and it would have been handy to have this information in the instructions and skip the learning curve.

Once I was in the swing, I was impressed by how dry the machine left the floor, which obviously makes things safer than cleaning up with cloths and buckets then leaving the floor wet, and is a huge plus point for the machine.

The machine has a run time of 15 minutes when the batterys charged, which was enough for me to tackle plenty of problems, and I dont think would prove insufficient for most households because its a machine for immediate clean-ups rather than the whole house (as a vacuum is). Charging time for the battery (see more on this design below) is a swift one and half hours.

The dirty water tank, like that for the cleaning solution, was fuss-free to remove from the machine. Its transparent so you definitely get to experience the yuck factor even before you pour the filthy contents down the sink.

The Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer is part of the ONEPWR family along with cordless vacuum cleaners the Vax ONEPWR Blade 3, and Vax ONEPWR Blade 4, as well as the hard floor cleaner the Vax Glide. The lithium-ion ONEPWR battery can be shared between appliances so the battery from your Blade 3 or Blade 4 vac, for example, will work in this spot cleaner. Then again, you can buy an additional battery so theres always a charged spare for your Vax appliances.

Lithium-ion batteries do come to an end of their lives, but the ONEPWR version can be replaced when this happens, which means your cleaner isnt redundant for want of a functioning battery. This isnt the case with all appliances, so its worth bearing mind when youre purchasing a cordless.

(Image credit: Vax)

With dimensions of H21.6 x W28.9 x D32.4cm, the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer shouldnt be a nuisance to find storage space for after all its not much bulkier than a bucket and the shape makes it easier to accommodate than one of these. The hose coils neatly round it, too, so it didnt get tangled with other items when I put it away.

The Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer wasnt heavy and it was comfortable to move around the house with as well. Although I had teething troubles with positioning of the wash tool, it wasnt hard to put in the right place nor to use once I had the knack.

The ratings of reviewers on the Vax site give this spot cleaner an average 4.3 out of five rating. Ease of use and cleaning results receive the highest ratings, but value for money isnt far behind. Users say its cleaned up spills and mud effectively. They also acclaimed its light weight and easy portability. Negatives from these reviewers included that it left some surfaces more wet than theyd like.

There arent a whole lot of similar cleaners although users of these machines definitely see the value of a portable machine for homes with kids and pets. The price of this version puts it head to head with other designs, but it is more compact and lighter than others factors that might well put it at the top of your list if storage space is short and weight crucial.

Sarah Warwick has specialised in homes and interiors for over 20 years. She was Executive Editor of Ideal Home magazine, and has written for nationals, magazines and websites including Real Homes, Homebuilding & Renovating, Grand Designs, Homes & Gardens, Houzz, The Guardian, House Beautiful and Country Homes & Interiors.

She put the vacuums through their paces all round the house, on all sorts of dirt and debris, and a variety of flooring and surfaces.

@SMWarwick

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Read our review on the Vax ONEPWR SpotlessGo Spot Washer cordless vacuum cleaner - Real Homes

The video camera visibly shook in the nervous hands of Rashawn Bass as he entered an Ocean County burger restaurant on Sunday looking for a bearded man sitting at a table with a chocolate milkshake. Bass said he knew the man as Steve Chase, a Skout app user who had spent the last day arranging a meeting with someone he believed to be a teen girl.

The confrontation at the Toms River restaurant was a first for Bass, the YouTuber behind the Minority vs. Predator channel he started four months ago. Bass continued filming as he followed Steve Chase outside and peppered him with questions about why he was trying to meet a teen for sex.

I was thinking I hope everything goes smoothly and thankfully it did, Bass told NJ Advance Media. I was scared to no end, but had to hold my composure as best as I could."

The YouTube video posted Sunday by Bass, an Ocean County resident who works at a carpet cleaning service in Toms River, quickly circulated on social media. After people recognized the man and shared his real name, Bass went to law enforcement.

By Monday evening, Phillip Stone, a 34-year-old real estate agent from Lacey Township, was facing charges of luring and attempted sexual assault. Attempts to reach Stone by phone and email were unsuccessful. It was not immediately clear if he had retained an attorney.

Bass said authorities appeared appreciative of his effort. But they warned him against doing it again.

This is a dangerous thing for private citizens to do, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer told NJ Advance Media on Tuesday. "Anything couldve gone wrong there. It couldve turned violent. Innocent people couldve been hurt. Were fortunate in this case that it didnt go wrong.

Bass posted the phony profile of a teen girl on the messaging app Skout about a week ago, using photos of a childhood friend. The first messages from Steve started on Saturday.

"Do you like older men, or are you just here to chat? the man said. The conversation, detailed in numerous screen captures on Basss video, quickly turned sexual and led to the in-person meeting less than 24 hours later, Bass said.

The video has now been viewed more than 150,000 times.

Bass said he started the YouTube channel to raise awareness about the dangers of online predators and teach parents to keep open lines of communication with their kids. He hopes his videos - there are 15 in total so far - help victims feel more comfortable reporting incidents to authorities.

It is very difficult to keep a child safe with guys who are expert child groomers, Bass said. "They are the ultimate sociopaths. They know what to say, theyre very charming. You have to teach children early on to not trust everyone they come across. Parents, build a rapport with your child.

While the Ocean County Prosecutors Office filed charges in this case, this type of sting by private citizens could be problematic, Billhimer said.

Text exchanges leading up to the meet-up may not be admissible in court if a defense lawyer successfully argues entrapment." Entrapment means a law enforcement agent induced a person to commit the crime, but professionals are trained to avoid that, Billhimer said.

These are very delicate and intricate investigations, Billhimer said. "People that work in our Special Victims Unit and our High Tech Crime unit... theyre trained to say the right things so that when ultimately the case goes to court, we have a case we can win.

In this case, though, Billhimer said he is confident Stone will be convicted. But the safety concerns remain. During undercover operations, there is back-up law enforcement nearby in case the suspect is armed or turns violent.

It would be better for civilians to turn over text message evidence to the prosecutors office rather than meet with a suspect in person, said Elie Honig, executive director of the Rutgers Institute for Secure Communities.

If (civilians) were to take information, take the names of individuals they had identified, to take transcripts of chats they had had, to take evidence they generated into law enforcement and let law enforcement handle it from there, I think that would be a way better model here, Honig said.

Bass said he turned over his footage to the prosecutors office on Monday. While he is laying low for the time being, Bass says he plans to continue his vigilante work at some point.

With caution, I plan to continue. Itll be a day-by-day decision, he said. Parents need to know about stuff like this.

Avalon Zoppo may be reached at azoppo2@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AvalonZoppo. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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The YouTuber who exposed accused child predator says he will continue stings in exclusive interview - NJ.com

If youre a sucker for a cleaning hack then youre in luck, because theres a new one on the scene which will remove all of the unwanted hairs from your carpet, and you can achieve it simply by using a 1.99 window cleaner 'squeegee'.

Taking to the popular Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook page, one woman posted a video of her hair-ridden grey carpets, writing: Window cleaner (squeedgy) really works to lift stubborn dog hairs from stairs! Thank you to whoever shared this tip. [sic]

In the clip, the woman can be seen dragging a window cleaner, better known as a squeegee across her carpets and, as a result, a whole host of pesky hairs are lifted off.

Fans of the hack were quick to share their love for the cleaning tip.

I need to buy one of these, one person wrote, with another adding: Oh my days, Im off to B&M tomorrow to get one of these!! Genius idea, [sic].

A third wrote: I love this tip, and a fourth added: I love it! Know what Im buying next !!! [sic]

The comments for the hack rolled in thick and fast with members of the Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips Facebook group eager to get their hands on the carpet cleaner.

And it turns out the tool is extremely cost-effective, and can be found online at B&M for just 1.99, named the Addis Premium Squeegee, in grey.

Famed cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch has also been known to rave about this carpet cleaning hack, taking to Instagram to share the tip in 2019.

The Essex-based cleaning pro shared images of herself scraping the squeegee over the carpet to lift away hair, dust and more, causing her fans to take to their Instagram stories to show themselves doing the same.

One wrote: Oh my - when you think your floors are lovely and last night try a new trick and this happens. 'Major squeegee cleaning after work tonight on ALL carpets and stairs. [sic]

Meanwhile another penned: Im so shocked at this! I Squeegeed my stairs which I hoovered before this and look at how much fluff I brought up. [sic]

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Woman's amazing hack removes hair from carpets in seconds all you need is a 1.99 'squeegee' - OK! magazine

Even the thought of cleaning tires me out, and I usually have to spend a few hours (okay, more like days) mentally preparing for the chore.

However, Ive found that once I start cleaning one of the rooms in my apartment, I get into a productive groove that whisks me from the bathroom and kitchen to the living room and bedroom with montage-like ease. Having both the mental strength to clean and a proper toolkit of products on hand helps me reach this cleaning groove and get the chore over as quickly and seamlessly as possible.

If youre equipped with thorough, durable, and easy-to-use cleaners and appliances, you can clean your entire home and barely break a sweat in the process.

So what products should you fill your cleaning basket with? We looked to the top-rated ones first to see what everyone else swears by to catch dust bunnies, clear out clogged drains, and make their countertops sparkle as much as when they first moved in.

Though the price is a lot to pay for a vacuum, the V10s powerful and thorough cleaning capabilities make every dollar worth it. The battery only runs when you push on the trigger and it lasts for up to 60 minutes, letting you clean your whole apartment more efficiently than ever before. It comes with two cleaner heads (one for hardwood floors and one for carpet) and four additional tools so you can reach every inch of any surface.

If you absolutely hate cleaning, let a robot vacuum do the work for you. While youre outside of the house, it can make use of all that empty time to clean your home and even automatically return to its docking station to recharge. It senses where there are concentrated areas of dirt and moves around your furniture so you wont return home to find it jammed in a corner.

The app lets you schedule cleaning sessions anywhere, while Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility integrate it seamlessly into your smart home set up.

Check out our guide to the best robot vacuums for more options.

Youll see these bleach-free wipes in nearly everyones cleaning cabinet because theyre thick and durable, kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, and come in three fresh scents. They dispense easily out of the canister and dry quickly, plus theyre safe on hard and nonporous surfaces like finished hardwood, sealed granite, and stainless steel.

This soft, fluffy duster captures all the dust settling on your shelves and countertops in one fell swoop. Flexible and lightweight, its comfortable and easy to maneuver around tight, tricky spaces. Its reusable head is machine washable, though its best if you simply handwash it in cold water.

If you need something to reach tall surfaces, OXOs 3-in-1 Extendable Duster is also highly rated. It extends to 8 feet, collapses to 3 feet, and comes with three interchangeable brush heads.

Whether youre dealing with thick pet hair or a slippery spill, this dual-use broom can handle it. The 100% natural rubber attracts hair and debris like a magnet from hardwood, linoleum, and traditionally difficult surfaces like carpet and rugs. Then use the built-in squeegee edge if you need to wipe off liquids from windows, showers, tile, and hardwood. It can extend out to 5 feet.

This well-designed system allows for hands-free wringing. The bucket has a special spinner, activated by a foot pedal, that spins your mop and keeps water splashes contained.

The mop head itself rotates 360 degrees and is shaped like a triangle to better clean the corners of your home. Microfiber is equally effective on hardwood floors and tiles, like the ones in your kitchen, when used wet or dry.

Natural cleaning brand Mrs. Meyers makes this plant-based multi-surface cleaner that cleans as well as traditional chemical-laden ones but doesnt leave any harsh odors behind. Instead, after its removed dirt from your countertops and surfaces, it has a sweet, pleasant, and flowery honeysuckle scent. Other nice scents from the brand include Basil, Lavender, and Lemon Verbena.

Rather than stick your head in your microwave and hack away for half an hour at the food crud that has been in there since 200 heating sessions ago, use this accessory to loosen it up first.

Add vinegar, water, and lemon juice to the fill lines on the body and microwave the Angry Mama for 5 to 7 minutes, after which any stains will be loose enough to wipe down quickly. It should cut down your cleaning time in half and make your microwave usable again in time for dinner.

People rarely ever wipe up their oven messes immediately, but they come to regret it weeks later when the baked-on spills and grease dont budge. Make your oven look brand new again with this affordable, fume-free cleaner, which works on ovens, oven doors, broilers, broiler pans, and stainless-steel surfaces to clean up those tough messes. Spray it and leave it on for at least 5 minutes and up to 40 minutes, then wipe down with a cloth or paper towel.

Living in a house involves the constant battle of unclogging pipes and drains. If youre not fishing out bits of food from the sink, youre probably unraveling a never-ending string of hair from the shower drain.

Green Gobblers clog remover clears your drains by liquifying everything in its path grease, hair, scum, food, and more. It comes in a dual-chambered bottle and you use one chamber for sinks and tubs and both chambers for toilets.

This multi-use cleaner can be used all over your house, including exterior parts like driveways and patio furniture. As a powerfully concentrated degreaser, its especially useful for your kitchen because it can take out food and drink stains, grease, oil, gum, and soap scums. Dilute one part concentrate with 10 parts water and you can cover up to 75 square feet of surfaces.

People who have tried this glass cleaner, available in both aerosol and spray form, never go back to any other products. Your mirrors and glass surfaces will emerge sparkly clear and streak-free since it doesnt contain any soaps, scents, or dyes. Its also ammonia-free.

Once all your bathroom and living room glass surfaces are clean, feel free to use on your car to remove the stains, droppings, and other dirty casualties of driving outside.

While far from being super plush or thick, these basic cleaning cloths are absorbent and durable enough to get the job done. The pack includes cloths in three different colors, so you can separated them by cleaning tasks. If youre on a budget, its hard to find a better deal than this value pack.

If you have the double whammy of a pet (or pets) and carpeted floors, youll want this specialized Hoover cleaner. The under-$100 appliance both cleans and offers antimicrobial protection, and it comes with a removable nozzle so you can rinse off dirt and grime.

It also has a dual-tank system that keeps your clean water separated from the dirty water, and its signature HeatForce technology means your carpets will dry faster.

The fresh Eucalyptus Mint scent of this cleaner might motivate you to actually use this cleaner every single day to prevent scum and grime build-up. Its made from non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients that you can feel better about going down your drain. Other than in the tub itself, you can use it for chrome faucets and shower doors.

The ToiletWand comes with disposable sponges that are preloaded with Clorox cleaner, eliminating the need to buy a separate toilet bowl cleaner. The sponge pad clicks securely onto the wand and gets into areas of your toilet that a brush cant, and once youre done cleaning, it comes off with one click so you never need to touch anything beyond the stick itself. This system also means you wont have a dirty toilet brush sitting in your bathroom at all times.

Getting into the tiny lines of your bathroom is difficult without a specialized, narrow brush like this. It has sturdy, angled brushes to reach the soap scum, grime, and mold stuck in your grout, but its equally easy to wash afterward in hot, soapy water. The thick 1-inch handle is fairly comfortable to hold, which certainly helps as you dig into the floors and walls of your bathroom.

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17 top-rated products to clean every room in your house - Business Insider

Metal framing for new residential homes and remodeling projects has grown in popularity over the last few years. For many years, metal construction framing has been more popular on commercial jobsites where there is more consideration for fire protection and the integration of red iron metal construction.

No doubt, metal framing is a proven method of structural building. There are pros and cons to consider when considering metal framing for your next construction project

The transition of metal framing to residential construction has been occurring over the last two decades with a lot of starting and stopping. One pro in using metal framing in residential construction is the ability to make a straight wall.

By nature of the growth rings in a tree, lumber is a product that naturally crowns, which can create minor bows and cups in the wood. Normally, a wall run of 2x4 wood studs will not be perfectly straight, especially in this day and time, because few carpenters understand how to site and crown lumber.

On the other hand, metal framing is true perfectly straight. A straighter wall can make a slight improvement on the installation of drywall, moulding, and doors.

Another pro of metal framing is that metal is rot and termite resistant. Thus far, there is not a termite alive that can eat a metal stud. In addition, other pests find metal less inviting to inhabit.

Metal does not preclude termite protection, because there is still a lot of wood that termites can enjoy in the doors, windows, and trim of a residential home. Metal framing can be more forgiving in case of flooding, and it can help limit the spread of a fire.

The first con with metal framing is the limited number of tradespeople who are skilled to install it on residential jobsites. Most residential framing crews are skilled to build wood walls and install wood trusses. Few of them have the experience to do this in metal framing.

In fact, some framing crews have abandoned installing any metal framing, because they cannot find the labor to do so. When you cant find labor, that means the price of that labor will be more expensive.

Another con with metal framing is the pricing. Until the trade wars of 2019 and the uncertainty of steel pricing in the world markets, the price of steel framing was growing more competitive with wood products not so much now. Typically, metal framing runs about 20 percent more and future pricing continues to be uncertain as the United States discourages lower-priced steel from overseas.

One of the more aggravating cons of metal framing for homeowners is its serviceability after the home is built. Lets face it, a lot of homeowners armed with a hammer or drill hang a lot of pictures and knick-knacks on the wall. Hanging a picture on a wall with wood studs is easy, because the nail can hit the stud edges in the wall and usually hold.

On the other hand, metal framing requires special fasteners that can cut through metal or pre-drilled holes so that metal screws can be installed. If you have ever installed a picture on a metal stud wall, you understand the frustration.

Wood framing is very forgiving during construction and remodeling projects. It is easy to plane, shave, cut, and modify when slabs are off a little. Because metal framing is true in its measurements, it takes more effort to adjust and modify, which is why metal framing installers are harder to find in the residential construction market.

Most homeowners give little consideration as to what is in the wall. Although metal framing is a great product for building a home, expect to pay more and understand the issues involved with its use. This is how you determine if the investment is worth the pros and cons.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply. He is also the host of the Around the House TV show on LSTV and LakeSumterTV.com at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and at 7 a.m., Noon and 6 p.m. Saturday.

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Around the House: The pros and cons of residential metal framing - Daily Commercial

Facing robust opposition from Old Church Lane residents, the Lewisboro Town Board has dropped, at least for now, any plans to pave over that mile-long stretch of dirt road.

The board, which had already approved borrowing as much as a half-million dollars for the job, agreed last week to forgo the paving this year.

Scrapping the initiative was a setback for Supervisor Peter Parsons, who had labeled the South Salem road a disaster and made its rehabilitation a key project in his capital improvement budget. But board members enthusiasm waned after contentious, back-to-back meetings this month and Parsons concluded that the town would delay any decision [on the road] until next year.

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The people who live along the rustic byway filled town hall on Feb. 11 and again on Feb. 24, dismissing Parsons stated concerns about the roadways costly and recurring drainage fixes and the damage it inflicts on vehicles such as school buses.

There are alternatives, and good alternatives, to paving that road, one resident, Dr. James Jones, told the board at last weeks meeting. Paving is not the answer to the drainage issues that you have.

After the boisterous Feb. 11 meeting, which included a public hearing on borrowing for the project, Parsons had considered three approaches to dealing with the road: not paving it, paving the entirety of that road or a middle way...unlikely to satisfy anybody.

That compromise solution, tackling the most difficult parts of that road in terms of maintenance, called for taking the three quarters of a mile nearest the Pound Ridge border and paving that stretch.

While most residents who spoke at the Feb. 24 meeting opposed any paving, some, like Luis G. Formoso, supported any measures that would address the roads drainage woes.

I cant use my garage for its intended purpose, to park cars, he told the board. Thats ridiculous.

Formoso offered to help pay to solve the drainage problem.

If borrowing this money and using some of it to fix this has to happen, if I have to spend money out of my pocket...then so be it.

But right now I cant even spend money on my two cars and my driveway to fix the problem because thats just washed away. I got quotes of $30,000 to do somethingand all thats going to do is divert it from coming into my garage.

Another of the roads residents, Marjorie Samuels, was less enthusiastic about paying for a fix.

I would just like to know what this is going to cost me, she said. Anything?

Parsons has estimated the town would spend about $370,000 to pave the entire 1.3 miles of Old Church Lane and make other repairs, including to its faulty drainage. Others, including Highway Superintendent Peter Ripperger, however, have put the cost at closer to $500,000. So at its Feb. 11 meeting the Town Board authorized borrowing of up to the higher number, with the understanding that it could seek less than that amount or not borrow at all.

Parsons told Samuels her taxes would pay a share of retiring the bonds cost. But we believe that will be less than what youre currently payingwell, not you, what the town is currently payingfor maintaining the road as it is, he said.

I just want to know, she said, that its not going to cost me any more than what I am paying now.

Samuels went on to say she was concerned that I may have to sell my house at some point down the road, and I am very distressed to hear that the property values are going down in our area. I would feel that by paving that road its going to erode the property value even more.

Parsons told her, Ive got no crystal ball, and I dont know.

The supervisor cited numerous complaints by school officials and others about the roads condition, saying, I get phone calls, phone calls, phone calls.

But critics in the crowd challenged him to quantify the calls and Jones insisted that a majority of the residents on the road...do not want this paved. But we continue to hear about your phone calls, phone calls, phone calls.

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Opposition Thwarts Plans to Pave Old Church Lane - TAPinto.net

N. 1st Street is closed between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue in both directions to install track, beginning on March 2. The track installation process will take about 10 weeks. During this time, crews will install two sets of tracks, the platform for the Stadium District station, and new sidewalks and driveways. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

The Division Avenue and S. J Street intersection will be closed for utility work on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Please follow detours on I St., N. 3rd St., 6th Ave., and MLK Jr. Way.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Way from S. 18th Street to S. 15th Street, the contractor is installing track. Crews plan to lay asphalt on Wednesday, March 4, which will close MLK Jr. Way in both directions between S. 16th St. and S. 19th St. Please follow the detour on S. J St. After the asphalt work is completed, the contractor will open MLK Jr. Way between S. 18th St. to S. 16th St. to two-way traffic. Crews plan to install underground electrical vaults between S. 15th St. and S. 14th St. as soon as March 5.

In other areas on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, crews are installing stormwater structures at S. 13th Street and underground utilities near S. 3rd Street. On Division Avenue, crews are installing foundations for Link power poles between Yakima Avenue and I Street.

Construction and traffic restrictions on N. 1st Street, Division Avenue, J Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Way, S. 13th Street, S. 16th Street, S. 17th Street, and Stadium Way

Week of March 3

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N. 1st Street closes between Tacoma Avenue and Yakima Avenue for track installation - The Suburban Times