Since I avoid the use of harsh, toxic chemicals in cleaning, I often use vinegar in cleaning. However, Consumer Reports says it shouldn’t be used in nine cases: Clothes irons. Vinegar could damage the inside of the iron. Countertops: Vinegar is an acid, and it can etch and dull natural stone such as marble and limestone. For granite, it can break down sealers. Read more →

I’m approaching the 200th issue of my newsletter Helpful Money Tips for You. This week’s newsletter tips are especially valuable, so I’m posting a copy of the newsletter below. You can sign up for my newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/makeyourmoneywork. It’s free, so get it now and tell your friends about it, too. Read more →

The recall of about 8 million The Laundress laundry and household cleaning products is the largest recall announced by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last week. Testing has identified bacteria in some of the recalled products, including those produced between January 2021 and September 2022. The recalled products can contain bacteria. Read more →

Big product recalls from last week included an exploding aerosol air freshener for linens, an exercise bicycle with loose pedals, canvas shoes with toxic chemicals, and a garment cleaner that can cause burns. I’m sharing details about the largest one, the garment steamer that has burned 32 people. Read more →

Babies are among the most precious things in the world. I was fortunate to have two wonderful daughters, and luckily, they survived childhood although not as much was known back then on child safety. Here are 10 top tips that parents, grandparents, and caregivers need to follow to keep babies safe: Read more →

Generac Power Systems is recalling about 53,000 electric start pressure washers in the United States and 1,750 in Canada. The electronic start/stop button on the pressure washer can malfunction and self-start, posing a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if the unit is in a confined space.  Read more →

Spring is here, and while April isn’t the best month for bargains, you’ll probably be able to find savings. The key is to compare prices. DealNews.com suggests looking for discounts on these items: Spring apparel. Usually, you can’t find sales for clothing until the end of the season. Read more →

Protect your kids, teens, and elders from poisonings by locking up potentially harmful household products and medications. Nearly nine out of 10 unintentional poisonings occur in the home. Thirty-one children under the age of five die in the U.S. each year from consumer products found in the home Read more →

It’s a question that comes up frequently these days. Where’s a cheaper place to live? Using safety, affordability, quality of life, health-related factors, and more than 40 other categories, WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared the 50 states to help retirees find the best way to retire. Read more →

Walmart is being charged with illegal disposal of hazardous waste by the California Attorney General’s Office and 12 district attorneys. For six years, Walmart violated the state's environmental laws by disposing of hazardous waste products at local landfills that aren’t equipped or authorized to receive this waste. Read more →