Marty Lamar Home

STINKY FRIDGE

My fridge is filled with take-out plates;
The stench, it simply infiltrates.
My kitchen has a funky scent
Of pizza, way past its descent.
I must defrost and wipe it down
Before they throw me out of town!

REFRIGERATOR, SCENT CREATOR

A refrigerator is handy for keeping food fresh and preventing spoilage. An airtight fridge keeps cold food items cold and seals them against the elements.

Unfortunately, the refrigerator can also be a breeding ground for odors and germs. How can you prevent icebox odors and keep your fridge clean and fresh?

TOSS THE TAKEOUTS.

Those restaurant take-out boxes have got to go. If you must keep the contents, repackage them in sealed plastic or glass containers, or put them in zippered plastic bags before placing them in the refrigerator. Keep an eye on those leftovers. Eat them or throw them away before they get fuzzy and funky and stink up the fridge.

BRING ON THE BAKING SODA.

Purchase a box of basic baking soda. Remove the top, and place the entire box in the back of your refrigerator to absorb odors. Some brands of baking soda offer vented boxes, with spaces for writing dates on the outside.

During the long, hot days of summer, greenhouses can become extremely warm and plants do not grow well in hot temperatures. There are several factors to consider when preparing a greenhouse for summer. Should the greenhouse be full of plants during the summer? Or, should the greenhouse be closed and not used?

Most plants grow best at temperatures lower than 90 to 95 degrees F. Because greenhouses are enclosed structures covered in glass, fiberglass or plastic, they can become much warmer than 90 degrees during the summer. If the greenhouse will be used during the summer, plans must be made to keep the interior temperature at the optimal growing temperature for the plants.

There are several methods of cooling the interior of the greenhouse 10 to 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. Vents or louvers that can be manually or automatically opened will allow outside air to enter the greenhouse. Exhaust fans can be installed on one end of the greenhouse and intake shutters installed on the opposite end. The fans blow hot air out of the greenhouse and bring cooler air inside. A misting system installed along the top of the greenhouse can be used in conjunction with the fans. If the greenhouse is a hoop-style, usually PVC pipe covered in polyethylene, the sides can be rolled up on warm days. The use of shade cloth will also reduce the interior temperature.