Image: iStockphoto.com/Ashok Rodrigues
About This Quiz
Though we often think of spring as the time to thoroughly clean our homes, fall is the time to put away that summer gear and start looking for the umbrellas and snow shovels you will soon need. The more you do in the fall to clean and arrange your space, the more pleasant it will be during those cold winter days and nights. To discover five great tips for cleaning for fall, take our quiz.
What's a good reason to do fall cleaning in preparation for winter?
It's more pleasant to clean when the weather is nice.
It's more pleasant to clean when the days are longer.
both of the above
It's a lot more pleasant to do major cleaning while the weather is still nice outside and you can open a window to air out the house. You'll also have more energy in the fall when the sun sets later.
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Falls from _____ are among the leading causes of work-related injury and death.
ladders
Falls from ladders are among the leading causes of work-related injury and death according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the United States Department of Labor. Make sure you know about ladder safety and observe safe ladder practices.
roofs
terraces
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Clogged _____ gutters can cause problems with water on your roof, walls and foundations.
roof
If your roof gutters are clogged with leaves, you may have problems with accumulated water on the roof itself or on your walls and foundation. Fall is a great time to clear them out before the heavy rains and snow begin.
wall
window
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What equipment will you need for a day of roof gutter cleaning?
an axe
a big shovel
a narrow trowel
Before you start on your roof gutter cleaning project, you will need to prepare a narrow trowel, a stiff brush, safety goggles, work gloves, a plastic garbage bag and a hose with a pressure attachment.
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In which part of the gutter should you start your cleaning job?
near the drain outlets
Start your gutter cleaning project near the drain outlets, where you should find the heaviest concentration of leaves and gunk. Use a narrow trowel to scoop the mess into a plastic garbage bag.
near the drain pipes
near the drain faucets
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When is the best time to clean your roof gutters?
after a heavy rain
after a light rain
The best time to clean your gutters is the day after a light rain. The slightly damp leaves and dirt will be easier to remove.
after a snowstorm
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Use the _____ with pressure attachment to remove remaining silt from your gutters and to check if your downspout is clear.
hose
After you have manually cleared your roof gutters of large debris, use a hose with attached pressure attachment to remove any remaining silt from your gutters and to check if your downspout is clear. Use a plumber's snake to clear any obstruction.
wire
cable
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What's the best way to reroute water from the roof gutter's downspout away from your foundation?
Dig a trench.
Dig a hole.
Buy a sloped splash box.
If water collects under your roof gutter's downspout during a heavy rain, think about investing in a sloped splash box that will reroute water away from your foundation.
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What's the main reason to give your kitchen a good scrubbing once in a while?
It keeps the germs under control.
It keeps the grease buildup under control.
both of the above
A good kitchen scrubbing once in a while keeps germs and grease buildup under control and makes everything smell fresher and look brighter.
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What type of cleaner should you use to clean your refrigerator?
acid
all purpose
antibacterial
To clean your refrigerator thoroughly, remove all of the food as well as the shelves, racks, bins and trays. Rinse everything with an antibacterial cleaner and be sure to clean the door gasket, which provides an air-tight seal.
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Which refrigerator cleaning job can help you save energy dollars?
cleaning the vegetable bin
cleaning the egg holder
cleaning the condenser coils
Be sure to pull out the refrigerator and vacuum the condenser coils thoroughly. Clean condenser coils will save you energy dollars by keeping your refrigerator running efficiently.
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Which common baking ingredient can be used to clean and deodorize your dishwasher?
corn flour
baking soda
To get your dishwasher really clean and fresh-smelling, use some baking soda on a damp sponge to wipe down the interior .
sugar
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What items should you keep in your car during the winter months?
an ice scraper
Fall is the perfect time to stock your car with essentials you might need during the cold and snowy winter months, such as an ice scraper, an umbrella, a blanket and warm gloves.
a beach blanket
a portable ice chest
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Carrying extra weight in your car wastes:
money
gasoline
both of the above
Fall is as good a time as any to empty your car and trunk of excess junk that you don't need. Carrying extra weight in your car wastes gas and money.
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What should you store in your glove compartment?
your car registration
Make sure you have easy access to your current car registration and proof of insurance by storing it in your car's glove compartment. Never keep food in your car for any length of time.
snacks
chewing gum
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What should you store in your garage?
your car
If your garage is so full of junk your car hasn't fit inside in years, it's time to make a change. Garages should be used to protect your car from thieves and from the elements.
every piece of junk you've ever collected
old newspapers and bottles
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What's the first step when organizing your garage or any space that is full of clutter?
Take everything outside.
The first step in organizing your garage is to take everything outside. You can then sweep or clean the floor with a wet-dry vacuum and install new shelving or bins.
Throw everything out.
Give everything to charity.
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What's the second step when organizing your garage or any space that is full of clutter?
Decide what you want to throw away.
Decide what you want to keep.
both of the above
The first step to organizing your garage is to decide which things you want to keep, which things you can throw away and which things can be given away to others who might appreciate them.
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At what temperature should you wash bedding in order to kill dust mites and bacteria?
80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius)
100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 Celsius)
130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 Celsius)
To prepare bedding for winter, use very hot water --130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 Celsius) or higher -- to kill dust mites and bacteria.
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Which common household product is great for cleaning mold and mildew?
bleach
Bleach can kill virtually every type of indoor mold it comes into contact with. Before winter starts, clean surfaces that tend to stay moist, like shower enclosures and sinks, with special mold cleaners or with a weak solution of bleach and dishwashing liquid.
lemon juice
vinegar
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You Got:
/20
iStockphoto.com/Ashok Rodrigues
