New Lights from Nebo
- , by Trudy Chuoke Trudy Chuoke
Have you ever reached for a flashlight and then when you tried to turn it on you are reminded that the batteries were dead the last time you picked it up. That doesn’t happen to me anymore because I only purchase Nebo flashlights and they are all rechargeable. I have a charging station in my kitchen and along with my phone and iPad, there are my flashlights. We don’t lose power that much in San Antonio; however, I take my dog Max for walks late in the evening and I always want to see where I’m going. The newest one is the Mini Larry 500. It’s about 4 inches long and only about an inch wide, it will fit in the palm of my hand or in the pocket. It works like a regular flashlight and a work light. It comes with a magnetic base so if you are working on the car it can attach to any metal on the car and light the way for you. On low light it will run for four hours, and on high one hour. I made the mistake and turned it on, and I was facing it- it’s super bright. The other light that they have that is so convenient is a Blackout Backup Emergency Bulb. For homeowners that want disruption-proof illumination to prevail against power outages and blackouts this bulb is perfect. This bulb functions just like a standard bulb using a wall or lighting fixture, but its rechargeable internal battery stays charged and ready to provide your home with up to 12 hours of emergency lighting during outages. You can use it in damp locations. So, you can use them outdoors. They would be great for the kids' room, and I think I’m going to put a couple of them in mom’s house for “just in case.” You can also walk around with this bulb and use it like a flashlight.
I have a bunch of questions that I want to answer, I hope some of them are a help to you.
Now to the email….
Question: I want to wash down my deck and clean off all the dust and grime that it collects. My neighbor power washes his deck and has offered to do mine. But it seems that you and your dad always said not to power wash – is that what you still think?
Answer: Yes, power washing is not my favorite. There are other ways to clean that don’t require special equipment. I would use 30 Seconds Outdoor Cleaner. They have a concentrated gallon that you mix with water, and it makes two gallons. Use a two gallon pump up sprayer and keep your garden hose nearby. Spray the deck, let 30 Seconds work for a bit and then using your garden hose and a high-pressure hose nozzle rinse with clear water. This is what I like to do when I clean my deck. You can also clean the sidewalks and driveways.
Question: I pick up my grandkids during the summer from all the outdoor activities. My daughter complains about the smell in the closets from all the tennis shoes and athletic equipment and so I thought I would ask you if you had a simple answer.
Answer: For kids shoes and backpacks I would use Fresh Wave packets. Fresh Wave now comes in a few different fragrances. Lavender and Lemon are a part of the Fresh Wave Selections. I really like both of them. I like Fresh Wave for kids' shoes and closets because it is all natural ingredients and has no synthetic fragrances and its dye and sulfate free.
Question: During the winter I forgot to open the flue on my fireplace for a couple of fires, and it smoked up the stone surrounding the fireplace. How can I clean the stone? It was white, but it looks dark and ugly now.
Answer Some TSP and water will do the trick. Scrub the solution on the stone with a stiff brush and rinse with a sponge. Your fireplace will look clean again. When cleaning make sure you wear gloves and protective eye wear. Use hot water to mix up the TSP. I like using the granule over using the liquid. I think it cleans better. Just remember this product is strong, and not just a wimpy cleaner. So be careful when cleaning.