(BPT) - There’s no better way to enjoy the summer than by lounging by the pool. Unfortunately, this backyard family oasis requires regular maintenance throughout the summer that can include expensive and sometimes unhealthy chemicals. Have you ever wished there was an easier way you could clean your pool, that was also more eco-friendly?

(BPT) - Few things are as exciting as bringing home a new puppy. Whether Chihuahua or Great Dane, a pup’s playful antics delight people of all ages. Having a dog can bring many years of companionship and precious memories, but before you ask, “How much is that doggie in the window?” consider a few expert tips for positive housetraining.

(BPT) - When you’re done with spring cleaning, you may assume you’ve eliminated any allergy triggers that were lurking in your home. But the truth is, if you don’t clean the right way, you might be making the problem worse.

(NewsUSA) - When it comes to delicate fabric and dry-clean-only clothing, washing your favorite items can be quite a hassle. Picking things up from the dry cleaner isn't always a quick stop, especially if any unexplained marks or stains appear on your clothes.

(StatePoint) Household pets are adorably curious, but they can’t read labels or plant their own gardens.

Americans have embraced recycling and are enthusiastic about cleaner energy sources. Yet when it comes to caring for their outdoor environment, many people still use less earth-friendly tools and techniques. So what’s standing in the way of Americans going green in their gardens and landscapes?

(BPT) - It’s a serious problem with a simple solution. Nearly 1 million children under the age of 5 are exposed to potentially poisonous medicines and household chemicals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is no better time than now to learn more about preventing accidental and unintentional poisonings.

You have seen it before, and we all get it from time to time. No matter how many cleaning sessions we give our bathrooms, mold is an enemy that just won’t go away. You know what I am referring to. Just look at the corners of the tub that you have a daily love/hate relationship with. When was the last time you had your bathroom cleaned? Less than a week ago I am sure. It is crazy how quick mold disappears and reappears. Did you know that mold only needs a gestation period of 24 hours to germinate and grow? Let us start with the basics.

Mold loves damp, dimly lit and isolated areas in the bathroom, i.e., behind toilets. The bathroom is one area of the house that remains wet for a period of time. It is just enough for mold to build up. Did you know that ventilation or lack thereof has a lot to do with the growth of mold? There are other traps like rugs, grout, sponges, faucets and shower curtains that retain moisture. So what do you do about it? You may want to consider a ventilation fan for starters. They are relatively inexpensive. Rule of thumb is to allow at least 30 minutes of running time to combat the moisture in the bathroom after usage.

(BPT) - When you clean your house in the spring, you really want it to be clean. Dirt, dust and germs are banned, and all appliances, floors and walls are scrubbed clean. But is your house really clean, or have you traded dirt and germs for caustic and toxic chemicals found in most conventional cleaning products?

(NAPSI)—Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their kitchen than they need to. So what’s the secret to creating a carefree kitchen? Choosing durable kitchen products that are easy to use and nearly maintenance free.

(BPT) - With spring on the horizon, airborne allergens and pollutants can cause much grief to homeowners who suffer from breathing problems such as asthma and seasonal allergies. With the potential for increased irritation, allergy sufferers typically seek long-term, consistent relief any way they can.

(BPT) - With a brand new truck decorating your driveway, you’ve probably got plenty of ideas of how you’re going to use it for towing a boat, transporting large and heavy loads and conquering rugged terrain. Or maybe you just want to feel powerful while driving it down the road.

City Comptroller John Liu wants to expedite the removal of PCBs from city schools by raising money.

The potential mayoral candidate said last week he would seek to establish a program called Green Apple Bonds, which will be sold to raise $380 million to fund quicker removal of PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, the dangerous colorless and odorless chemicals found in lighting and linked to cognitive diseases and other health problems such as cancer and heart disease. PCBs exist in most schools built between 1950 and 1978, when the chemical was banned.

(BPT) - You might think that by the time the holidays arrive, allergy season is long gone. However, for millions of allergy sufferers, the reality is that allergens still abound. From pet dander to volatile organic compounds, indoor allergens can cause discomfort and health issues as bothersome as when pollen is in season.

On Sept. 10, with the school year only a few days old, a custodian at IS 204 in Long Island City walked into a counselor’s office, looked up and noticed something frightening — a clear liquid dripping from an overhead light fixture. He immediately alerted school officials. The light was removed and replaced that same day.

But it was three days later that parents found out about the incident — the escape of toxic chemeicals called PCBs or polychlorinated biphenyls — when letters went home with students stating that the dripping liquid was the chemical that was commonly used in fluorescent lighting in the

mid-20th century, and the school’s lightnng would be completely replaced over the next nine years. Many parents expressed concern about the risk to their children and some kept their kids out of the school. The Department of Education said the room was empty when the leak was discovered and a full review of the lights in the building is being done.

Going out on your own is never easy, whether it be as a freshman in your first dorm, or leaving your folks’ home for your first apartment. There are a number of consumer goods out there to make your life a bit easier.

Damage to tiles is often done with the most minor and ignorable of actions: Erosion from constant wear, scrapes from furniture and other harsh edges, dirt rubbed and ground in, dropped items both weighty and sharp, and certain chemical cleaners. Naturally, replacing damaged tiles is something that comes up frequently, especially in kitchen floors and bathrooms. You’ll need the following items:

As you get older, most things around the home become less like a chore and more of an act done for pride. At least that’s how it was for me. Not but five years ago, the piling up of dirty dishes was more a challenge than a chore: just how many of my soiled plates, cups, utensils and cookware could I fit into a kitchen sink without causing a real catastrophe? Maybe its laziness, or maybe you just get more aware of what attracts rodents and pests. Either way, these days, it’s hard for me to go a day without cleaning the dishes and, at this point, the sink as well.