Author offers ways to reduce costs

Author offers ways to reduce costs

When it comes to cutting down on living expenses, home is where it all begins, according to Bruce Harley.

In “Cut Your Energy Bills Now: 150 Smart Ways to Save Money & Make Your Home More Comfortable & Green” (The Taunton Press; $12.95; paperback), Harley lists the many ways homeowners can reduce energy costs while maintaining a comfortable lifestyle.

Organized in eight chapters that cover common areas of concern, the book offers a range of projects, some of which can be tackled by most homeowners and others that require hiring a pro. Examples include insulating your crawl space, adding weather stripping to old windows, wrapping your water heater and monitoring the temperature in your refrigerator. Find out the truth about common energy myths and learn valuable pointers about green living.

Color photographs and basic drawings illustrate the text.

Goal of ‘Clean Sweep’: Prevent the messes

“Clean Sweep” isn’t just about dealing with messes. It’s as much about preventing them in the first place.

Author Alison Haynes guides readers on setting up and maintaining a home that’s ecologically sensitive and easy to keep clean and clutter-free.

Even if you can’t achieve the ultra-efficient “clever” rooms she describes at the outset of most chapters, she still offers methods and tips for improving on the house you do have.

The book bills itself as “the ultimate guide to decluttering, detoxing and destressing your home.” It’s more than just a cleaning manual, covering everything from making homemade toiletries to deciphering the potential risks of chemical cleaners.

“Clean Sweep” is published by Skyhorse Publishing. It sells for $12.95 in paperback.

Tidy Trax covers help keep dirt off the floors

You know the scenario. You’re working in the yard and need to come into the house for just a moment, but you hate the bother of removing your shoes.

Enter Tidy Trax.

Tidy Trax are covers that fit over soiled shoes to prevent dirty footprints. They’re designed for hands-free use: You can slip into them easily, and you remove them by stepping on a tab in the back with the other foot.

The covers are made of a lightweight foam that’s easy to clean. And while they’re designed to protect floors and rugs indoors, they can also be used to keep clean shoes from getting dirty outside.

A pair of Tidy Trax sells for $29.99 plus shipping at www.tidy-trax.com.

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