Get Your Car in Shape for Summer
Client Testimonials
As the weather gets warmer, there
are some steps you can take to
protect your car and keep it running
its best. Take time to give your
vehicle a summertime checkup
before things really heat up!
“When Jeff mentioned we cleaned
ceramic tile and grout, I thought
I would try it. I was absolutely
amazed. No more hands and knees
for me. Thanks Jeff.”
– Bridgette S. Colesville, MD
}} poorly tuned engine can
A
increase fuel consumption by up
to 50 percent. With gas prices
rising, you can save more than a
few bucks by giving your car a full
tune-up, including an oil and oil
filter change. You will also save on
engine wear and tear.
}} heck your tire pressure. Be
C
sure to wait until your tires have
cooled down (at least three hours
or after it has been driven less
than 1.5 miles). If you test your
tires when they are warm, you will
get a false reading. Fill your tires
to the recommended pressure.
Underinflated tires wear faster,
waste fuel, and are unsafe. Having
just one tire underinflated by
eight pounds per square inch can
reduce the life of that tire by over
6,000 miles and increase fuel
consumption by five percent.
The Good Life
}} ive your air conditioner a check
G
up. Check for leaks and other
needed repairs. Remember that
using an air conditioner in stopand-go traffic can increase fuel
consumption by as much as 20
percent.
}} on’t top off your fuel tank when
D
filling up, especially during the
summer months. Fuel naturally
expands as it heats, causing excess
fuel to spill out. Save money and
protect the environment by only
filling your tank until the pump
handle stops automatically.
Laugh Your Way
to Lower Blood
Pressure
Even a small drop in blood pressure
can make a significant difference. A
drop of just five points is linked to a
ten percent lower risk of death from
heart attack or stroke.
Food Tip
Although mushrooms often are
packaged in plastic wrap in grocery
stores, this is not the best way to
store them. Mushrooms need some
ventilation to keep from decaying.
Do not wash them before storing.
Place them in a paper bag and keep
in the refrigerator.
Home Tip
The findings of a study presented
at the American Heart Association
meeting in Atlanta in March revealed
that listening to your favorite tunes
or hearing a good joke could have as
much effect on your blood pressure
as cutting salt in your diet or losing
ten pounds.
In the study, a group of people
participated in bimonthly sessions
that focused on music and laughter.
Their systolic blood pressure dropped
by an average of five to six points
after three months. A control group
showed no change in that time period.
Quick Tips
When remodeling, it is tempting
to pick out the latest styles, but
consider that many of these types of
materials need to be special ordered.
This can take extra time and
sometimes special order fees. Take
a look at all the available in-stock
materials before jumping straight to
the special order section.
Green Living Tip
Of course, music and laughter alone
are not sufficient to treat high blood
pressure. But for anyone looking
for a way to increase their overall
health, it is important to remember
this mind-heart connection. It is a
natural way to improve health and
could eventually lead to a reduction
in medication.
Instead of buying more books
and magazines, check out your
local library. You can find books,
magazines, DVDs, CDs, and audio
books. By using these and then
returning them, you reduce the
manufacture of these items.
Borrowing instead of buying is
green!
A CLEANER CARPET CHRONICLE