Home Resource Page
Blogs
Home and Garden Blog Roundup
General
Decorating
Appliances- Air Conditioners
- ConsumerSearch -- a meta-review of air conditioners -- scroll down for a table giving the number of BTUs you need for a given room size.
- Air Purifiers
- Allergy Buyers Club -- only reviews HEPA filters, as the other two kinds aren't that useful for allergies.
- Air Purifiers America -- conducted their own tests, has an extensive buying guide w/ FAQ.
- ConsumerSearch -- extensive information summarizing many different reviews; detailed information about many models; describes in detail the lawsuit brought by Sharper Image against Consumer Reports for a series of bad reviews for the Ionic Breeze line of air purifiers.
- Sharper Image -- response to the poor reviews for the Ionic Breeze in Consumer Reports. Doesn't respond to the Air Purifiers America review.
- Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Irons
- ConsumerSearch -- reviews of irons and product recommendations.
- Extreme Ironing -- the latest sports craze started in the UK. You have to see it to believe it.
- Ovens
- Lowe's -- simplified guide to the important features.
- Choice -- Australian guide to buying an oven -- still applicable in US, except for dimensions given in centimeters.
- Aki's Kitchen -- an amateur chef with an extensive opinion on buying ovens.
- ConsumerSearch -- a review of the reviews of specific models.
Arts and Crafts
Cleaning
Furniture- Lighting
- How Stuff Works -- Learn all about how different light bulbs work (as well as lots of other science).
- Mattresses
- ConsumerSearch -- Good mattress comparisons.
- Simmons -- They have several articles on "better sleep basics".
- Mattress Hotline -- A giant comparison index of brand name mattresses.
- Better Sleep -- A primer on the main mattress terms.
- What's the Best -- Another intro to mattresses with a handy instructional on mattress production, sorted by brand, price, and quality.
- A Bed -- What's best, depending on your sleeping preferences.
Home Decor
Kitchen- Coffee
- Sally's Place -- learn about different kinds of coffee makers.
- Capresso -- online manual if you lost your print copy.
- Egg Coddlers
- Martha Stewart -- She knows how to make coddled eggs for four. Don't doubt her.
- Teri's Kitchen -- This lady looks like she knows her way around coddled eggs. Impressive.
- Fondue
- About.com -- Many links to recipes for all kinds of fondue.
- Juicers
- Macrobiotics -- Interested in learning more about the health benefits of juicing, especially as part of a macrobiotic diet?
- Microwave Ovens
- Epinions -- All about buying a microwave.
- Wikipedia -- History, workings, risks of a microwave.
- Water Filtration
- ConsumerSearch -- Reviews of all the major types of water filters.
- Kinetico -- Company that specializes in reverse osmosis filters. Check their website for dealers near you.
Tableware- Chopsticks
- How to Use Chopsticks -- Still confused about how to eat with chopsticks? Follow this how-to guide. It also has Japanese eating etiquette tips.
- Wikipedia - Chopsticks -- For usage, trivia, and more general information
Kitchen Storage- EHow -- More tips on how to free up counter space!
Linens and Bedding
Outdoor Accessories- Grills and Smokers
- Patio Heaters
Power Tools- Lathes
- Mini-Lathe -- A very detailed photo schematic of a lathe. It's a few years old, but makes the whole lathe process very clear.
- Sawdust Making -- Explains the parts of a lathe with a nice picture.
- Wikipedia -- Introduction to the lathe
- Mini-Lathe -- An in-depth documentation of all the things a lathe can do to metal.
- Pressure Washers
- ConsumerSearch -- Full Story -- The most comprehensive discussion of pressure washers you could want, with brand recommendations, detailed buying tips, safety tips, recall information, and loads more.
- Lowe's -- A more generalized buying guide.
- Popular Mechanics -- Another buying guide along with product evaluations (only six products tested, however).
- General Power Tool Resources
Utility Closet- Duct Tape
- Duct Tape Guys -- they are wise in the ways of the Force (of duct tape).
- Wikipedia -- history of duct tape -- be sure to check out the links at the bottom, too.
- 101 Uses for Duct Tape -- the count isn't accurate, but then, some of these shouldn't be tried at home.
- I Did It With Duct Tape -- did you know you can fix turtles with duct tape?
- First Aid Kits
- REI -- outdoor supplier with useful info about buying first aid kits.
- House Painting
- Paint and Coating Resource Center -- Hundreds of "Ask the Expert" questions about house painting
- Al's Net Biz -- House painting tips, techniques, tutorials, and how-to. Apparently, with paint quality, you get what you pay for.
- FactsFacts -- Listings of some of the best paints for specific interior jobs (How to cover other paint, water resistant, etc.)
- Painting Your House -- How to pick the right paint
- Do It Yourself -- Why you should spring for the higher quality paints
- Al's Net Biz -- Dozens of FAQ's about fixing, improving, remodeling, and decorating your home.
- Do It Yourself -- Even more FAQs about finding the proper brush, etc.
- Do It Yourself says that all you need is a 2 inch angled brush, a 2 inch trim brush, and a roller brush with an extension pole (to make it super long).
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