• Green Seal™ certified dry extraction cleaners
• Water-based and same pH as skin
• Certified BioPreferred℠ by USDA – 100% biobased
• No wet surfaces = control of microbial growth and reduces slip & fall accidents
• Removes mold, dust mites, cat dander and other allergens
  Made in EPA-registered facility
• No dry time = energy and money saved
• No water heating = energy saved
• Reduces chemical use
• Non-marring machine surfaces
• Keeps carpet on the floor instead of in the landfill
• No other “green” cleaning chemistry has recycled content

*Offer applies to same-day and overnight rentals and the following cleaners: 2.5 lbs (1309764), 6 lbs (1309749), 12 lbs (1309731), Kit (1309756. Due to high demand, we cannot reserve rentals. Customer still pays refundable $10 deposit and late fees if applicable. Store locations.

This is a nice replacement for that incandescent glow. $9.99 (3268935)

That darn government done took away 100 watt incandescent bulbs. They aren’t gone yet, but lighting manufacturers won’t be making them anymore (starting…right…NOW) and this will force the issue of consumers transitioning to CFLs. And now we’ve arrived at the Sophie’s Choice of our free and capitalist society: Freedom to Choose Your Own Dang Lightbulb v.s Saving Money in a Cruddy Economy. Choice or $$$. Choice or $$$.

Watch Lou Manfredini on The Today Show break down everything you need to know about the transition to CFL. He has the facts.

We say: This is a no-brainer folks. Give up the glow of incandescent bulbs. Switching over the six most-used bulbs in your home to CFLs can save $60 a year in energy bills (a typical house has about 50 bulbs total). Keep in mind you will replace these CFLs infrequently; 1 CFL equals 8 standard bulbs in life of the bulb. The trick with purchasing is to go for the name brands. They are engineered well and will last a long time.

Watts v. Lumens: This is the new measurement for lighting. Here’s a conversion chart:

40 watt bulb: 400-500 lumens
60 watt bulb: 700-800 lumens
100 watt bulb: 1500-1700 lumens

We recycle CFLs. Bring them buy. Free. Any location.

Step 1: Choose a container. Any clear container will work, like a vase, aquarium, or Mason jar.

Step 2: Add first layer of coarse sand or pebbles. This bottom layer allows for good water drainage.

Step 3: Add second layer of activated charcoal or carbon. Charcoal filters the air in the terrarium and assists with gas exchange. It can be found at any aquarium supply store. A must with closed containers, but can be skipped with open containers.

Step 4: Add third layer of spaghnum moss. Moss allows water to move through the terrarium but prevents soil from falling to the bottom. A very fine screen would also work but needs to be replaced once rusted.

Step 5: Add soil. Regular potting soil will do, but quick draining soil used for cacti or palms works best. Good drainage is key to happy plants! Try Miracle Gro Garden Soil For Palm, Cactus and Citrus Trees.

Step 6: Add plants. Place the plants so they are set in the soil. Cover any exposed roots with soil. Succulents, moss, mushrooms, air plants, cacti, and many other varieties of plants do well in terrariums. You could even collect moss from outside for decoration!

Step 7: Decorate. Personalize your terrarium by adding rocks, gems, figurines, or anything else that brings joy and happiness to you!

Step 8: Enjoy your terrarium! Allow soil to dry between watering.

Kim at our Glover Park location went bold and a little wild with her countertop re-do in zebra print Duck Tape ($6.99). If we knew what kind of sound zebras made, we’d make it!

No laminate required. Just press down firmly and go over with the edge of a credit card so you don’t get snags. Straight lines = ruler.

Mix it up with a varied design.

Yellow walls are a bold complement (that’s Pratt & Lambert 12-7 Sutter’s Gold). And we love the floral arrangement – it’s a lovely juxtaposition to the geometric animal print.

Duck Tape also comes in leopard, camo, pink zebra, paint splash, fire, dragon and skull designs, as well as bold solid colors.

25% off Schulte freedomRail at 5th Street Ace to get you started on your decluttering journey. Through 2/5/12.

1. Purge

Ger rid of that junk. Purge baby, purge. Go through closets, drawers and shelves to get rid of everything you don’t need. Not sure: If you haven’t used/worn it in three months, it’s time to give it the old heave ho. Give to charity, pass on to friends or family or someone at freecycle,  or sell on eBay or UsedEverywhere.com.

2. Add storage solutions

You’ll want some kind of storage for every room. Invest in bookshelves and try out floating shelves for trinkets. Decorative baskets and trays are perfect for kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom storage.

3. Invest in double-duty furniture

Think coffee tables with storage inside. Or beds with storage underneath. You get the picture. Any piece of furniture that allows you to stow away toys, throw blankets, pillow–all of your essential clutter.

4. Use wall space

Hooks are your go-to when it comes to storage climbing up your walls. You can hang chairs, laundry bags, coats, even plastic tubs for recycling or hat and scarf storage. 3M makes adhesive hooks that don’t require drilling and that can hold up to 5 pounds. (The company has some creative ideas on how to use them here.)

5. Commit to being organized

Instead of letting your clutter pile up and drowning in your mess, be consistent with your organization. Do a little bit every day. Actually use your storage solution and rid yourself of what you don’t use. Time yourself – 10 minutes each day. And next year you can concentrate on another resolution!

DID YOU KNOW: There is a link between clearing clutter and losing weight. Two resolutions. One stone.

• Know your pipes’ limits. Understanding how your plumbing works will help you to better diagnose a problem and either solve it yourself or resort to calling a professional, if necessary. Invest in a do-it-yourself book on plumbing to help “un-complicate” your home’s plumbing system.

• Use the correct tools. A good plunger is a must for both toilets and sinks, and should be tried and exhausted before resorting to other means. A plunger will unplug most clogs, especially in the toilet, but there is a right way to use one: When plunging, compress the plunger slowly, then pull it vigorously toward you on the upstroke. This draws the clog upward.

• Opt for a snake. If the plunger isn’t doing the trick, another option to try is a snake. Made of bendable steel, a snake is maneuvered into a drain with a crank handle that can sometimes be attached to a power drill. It can reach clogs up to 25 feet away and break them apart with a gentle twist or tug. While this may sound like advanced plumbing, a snake is extremely easy to use and will cost you about $30.

• Use caution with chemicals. If elbow grease and conventional methods aren’t solving the problem, you may need to try a drain-clearing chemical. Most of these are made for hair and grease, but will do the trick on a slow-moving kitchen sink, too. Just be careful not to get hurt when you use them and keep them away from children. Follow the instructions on the bottle exactly to avoid damaging the pipes.

• Turn to a plumbing pro. Some plumbing problems are caused by a bigger, more complex issue, so if your efforts aren’t making things any better, calling a pro is the next best route. A good plumber should be able to identify the problem and take the necessary course of action. Check your local phone listing for plumbers in your area and be sure to ask questions about licensing, insurance, fee structure and experience when you call.

This workerbee light is on sale for $19.99 (40% off!) through December.

The Craftsman LED work light might look a bit on the industrial side (that or perhaps you could slay Darth Vader with it), but you don’t have to be a professional contractor to enjoy its many uses. It’s great for:

1. Working under the hood. Car maintenance suddenly got a whole lot easier. The swivel hook on top and magnet make it hands free.

2. Camping. When fully charged, the LEDs give off some serious spotlighting. Car charger included.

3. Black outs. There’s the distinct possibility of losing power this winter. Be ready for it. We recommend one for each occupant in the home.

4. Cleaning out the closet. How far back into the recesses of your closet does your junk go? This device will illuminate every piece of clutter.

Stocking stuffer? Yes please.

Hunter Douglas Duette blinds will block light and insulate from heat and cold. Two birds. One stone.

Did you just move? Have you been thinking about custom blinds? We hooked up with our in-house blinds expert Roslyn Ashford of ra reD0es rooms about the questions she gets most when talking to clients about choosing and installing blinds — and we had her answer them. If you still have more questions, get in touch with her or stop by 5th Street Ace, Old Takoma Ace or Tenleytown Ace to check out the options.

Q: What is going to determine the type of blinds that I will need?
A: First, you’ll want to assess your window treatment situation (or lack thereof). Are you suffering from too much sunlight, intrusive view from the street or neighbors, not enough insulation, or a combination of these?  How much will your décor play into the occasion? The answers to these questions will begin to point you down the road of picking out blinds that fit your specific needs.

Q: It is way too bright in my space. What is the best product to blackout the sun?
A: Either roller or honeycomb shades. These are both simple treatments yet do the best job of blocking light. Duette line of honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas does a fantastic job of blocking the sun and provides a number of lifting and corded options for a true custom fit. Hunter Douglas also sells roller shades (both fabric and screen) with blackout functionality. The best way to ensure no light comes into the room is to request that shades are mounted outside of the frame of your window. This means the treatment would hang 3 to 4 inches wider than the window itself if possible.

Q: What do I match the blinds to – furniture or walls?
A: When windows have no trim or molding, which is common in new construction and condos/apartments, matching to the wall has the effect of the blinds fading into the wall. Conversely, if you match blinds to your décor, then the blinds will typically stand out against the wall. If the windows have window trim or molding, then you can match to either the molding or to the walls. If you match to the molding, then the entire window stands out, but if you match to the walls, then just the molding will stand out.  Either way, keep in mind that window treatments come in lots of colors but not as many colors as paint. So if you are thinking of painting a bold color, factor in the window treatments before you paint!

Q: How long would it take for custom blinds to arrive, once ordered?
A: Blinds ordered from our Ace Hardware stores in DC typically take seven to ten business days for completion, although it is common for us to receive blinds in as quickly as three days.

Q: It’s cold out! What should I be looking for if I want insulation with my window treatments?
A: Duette’s honeycomb shade with Architella provides the most insulation with three insulating air products as well as an extra inside cell to block out cold air in winter and hot air in summer.

Q: What do custom treatments cost?
A: Custom window treatments are priced higher than off-the-shelf treatments because they offer more functionality and options. You can order shades that will drop down from the top of the window (as opposed to only rising from the bottom), manual cordless shades, remote control shades, shades that let you manage the light between sheer and blackout — and so on.

Based on these options, pricing for custom shades typically starts around $200 and goes up from there. However, what you end up paying is completely dependent upon the size of your window and the product, fabric and options chosen.  We also offer on-site installation by a professional installer, should you need those services.