Dog Days

Dogs are loveable pets and a great companion, but if you need some help cleaning up after her or just need some handy tips, I may have just what you're looking for.

1. If you have dog hair on your furniture, pull on a pair of rubber gloves. Run your hand over the fabric. The rubbery surface will pick up the hair and rinse off easily. You could also try a damp sponge.

2. To prevent her from jumping on the furniture, lay some aluminum foil on the cushions. When she jumps the sound the foil makes will frighten her and she will learn not to jump on it.

3. If you're leaving your dog during the day, turn a radio or television on. The noise will make her feel less lonely. If you're going to be gone past dusk, set a light timer.

4. If you ever have to leave your dog in a kennel, sleep with a towel for a couple of days before you leave the scent will make her feel more secure.

5. If your dog smells a little less than fresh sprinkle some baking soda on her coat and comb it through. This dry shampoo will leave your dog with a clean fresh coat.

6. For a full bath, stuff a nylon shower puff into the drain. It will catch the hair and prevent your pipes from getting clogged.

Cobweb Catcher

If you have cobwebs in your house in hard to reach places, you don't have to put up with it any longer because I have an easy way to make a cobweb catcher. All you need is an old nylon shower puff and a broom or mop handle.

1. A shower puff is the perfect tool for grabbing cobwebs, all of its layers and textures help get in and grab those webs. Pull an entire layer of the puff down and around your broom handle, and secure it in place with some duct tape. Using this whole layer rather than just the hang string will give your catcher more stability when you're reaching high above your head.

2. Once the puff is secured, go to work. This tool reaches easily into high corners and doorways and conforms itself to tight spaces.

3. Tap the puff on the side of a garbage can to toss the webs. Another neat trick is to pull a leg of a nylon stocking over the puff, that way if you get those sticky cobwebs you can just peel off the stocking and toss the whole thing!

A handy cobweb catcher that is sure to become a favorite tool in your house.