Courtesy of Yirka Twardek

BATHROOM VENTILATION IDEAS Most bathrooms come equipped with an exhaust fan to help extract moisture from the room. But what if the new home you love has bathrooms without this seeming essential element? What can you do to ensure moisture doesn’t damage the room? First, if at all possible, hire a professional to install an exhaust fan. That would solve the issue quickly and in the best way possible. However, if that’s not possible for any reason, the next best option is to shower or bathe with the door and window (if there is one) open. This will allow moisture to escape and disperse into other areas of the home. For privacy reasons, leaving the door open may not be an option all the time. In this case, use a fan to help circulate the air and prevent the room from turning into an instant and unwanted sauna. Utilizing a portable dehumidifier in the bathroom during and after a shower can also help wick away excess moisture and prevent damage from occurring. A portable heater left on for 10 to 20 minutes after a shower can also help dry the air. Something else to consider is towels and bathmats made from microfiber will absorb moisture quicker than a typical towel which will help you and the room dry faster. Wiping or using a squeegee on the shower walls after each use will prevent moisture from sitting and evaporating throughout the day, and be sure to keep that shower curtain closed flat which also helps it dry. Plants that thrive in humid conditions can also be brought into the bathroom to help absorb excess moisture. Regularly monitoring moisture levels with a hygrometer is also a good idea. Relative humidity should be between 30% and 50%. WASHING YOUR PILLOWS You use it every night yet how often do you wash your pillow? Not the pillow case (those should be washed at least every two weeks) but the pillow itself should be washed every six months or so and replaced every couple of years. You can wash it based on the manufacturer’s instructions by simply locating and following the directions on the care tag on your pillow. If your tag has been cut or torn off, then here are some tips to follow based on the type of filling in the pillow. Feather or down filled pillows can be washed on the gentle cycle in warm water. Use just a small amount of detergent; powder is ideal as it won’t leave a residue whereas liquid detergent might. Use an extra rinse and extra spin cycle to ensure all of the detergent gets rinsed out. If your pillow is filled with polyester or synthetic foam, you can wash it just the same as a feather or down pillow. Unfortunately, latex or memory foam pillows can’t be washed in the washing machine. Instead, you’ll need to spot clean them with a damp cloth and then use a vacuum to suck out any dust, debris and dead skin that has accumulated inside. After your pillow is clean, you’ll need to dry it thoroughly to prevent mildew from forming. Use low heat if you toss them in the dryer as some materials used in the production of pillows can pose a fire hazard if exposed to high heat. For the safest option, let them air dry on a laundry line. Regardless, be sure to fluff them occasionally to help promote even drying.

FALL RIDDLES

Q: It's autumn and there is a bush, a pine tree and an oak tree in the yard. What direction do the leaves on the pine tree fall when the wind blows from the west? A: A pine tree doesn't have leaves. It has needles. Q: What breaks but never falls, and what falls yet never breaks? A: Day and Night

Q: Why did Humpty Dumpty have a great fall? A: To make up for his lousy summer. Q: Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team? A: She ran away from the ball.

Q: What did the light bulb say to its mother? A: I love you watts and watts.