Home & Garden Blog » Hardware

If you live in New England, you don’t need a pressure washer or anything to get in those tough-to-reach places on your home’s roof and shingling–the blistering cold and the constant downpour of rain will keep everything from sticking to the roof and hanging around outside. But if you’re from anywhere else, the fall means a build up of leaves and dead foliage, sometimes even (horrifically) dead animals, so it’s best to start cleaning it off before it gets crusted under the snow, and stays there for good.

What a dramatic beginning! Let me say as well that cleaning up the yard and the house is a perfect way to spend an autumn weekend, enjoying some of the last perfect weather where all you need is a festive sweater and tall leather boots to stay warm. So cute, so fashionable. So, where’s the pressure washer?

Smarter.com helps you find exactly what you need. Here’s some of the top pressure washers with the greatest savings:

Karcher 1850 PSI (Electric-Cold Water) Pressure Washer w/ Induction Motor: $279.99 (marked down from $350!)

Mi-T-M - JP Series 2700 PSI Cold Water Gasoline Pressure Washer: Free shipping today and over a 50% cut on the price! $1,197.50

Shop for discount pressure washers at Smarter.com.

All vacuum cleaners and floor care products are on sale today at Sears.com: Stop in to pick up your newest vacuum cleaner, dust buster, or floor scrubber entities to make your house spotless. With a variety of vacuums organized by upright, canisters, floor cleaners and sticks & handhelds, you are sure to find exactly your favorite brands and styles at the best possible prices.

Top sellers on the market:

Save $75 on the Kenmore Progressive Upright Vacuum with Inteli-Clean System, Slate Blue from Sears.com: $219.99 sale price, this upright vacuum saves your back and breaks up all your dust! With special dust filter and an infrared dirt sensor, you are getting upscale, state-of-the-art quality without breaking the bank.

Through October 31st, use a rebate to cut the price of the Electrolux ErgoRapido 2-in-1 Vacuum at Sears.com down from $109.99 to $89.99. This two-in-one combination stick and vacuum is lightweight to help you reach those tough banisters, windowsills, and tops of door frames without straining your back.

Shop for more deals on vacuum cleaners at Smarter.com.

Ladders are an utmost necessity for the do-it-yourself housewife or househusband. Standing on chairs only works until you’ve broken the prized family heirloom or smashed a lightbulb against your palm as you’ve tried to brace yourself from a fall on an uneven stool. Ouch! The best tool besides a hammer is a ladder, because then you can reach everything you want to hit.

Check out some of the top picks:

1. Deep-step aluminum ladder: $39.00-$249.00, depending on height desired

2. Step ladder with slip-resistant grip from GlobalIndustrial.com: $241.95

3. Telesteps Extension Ladder from Toolup.com: $209.00

Shop for more ladders at Smarter.com.

Clean water is a precious commodity.  The way our culture is gobbling up this resource while damaging the systems necessary to create new clean water is terrifying.  Let’s think about a simple, efficient way to save water from your very home: replace your shower heads with low-flow shower heads.  It only takes a few minutes and does not need professional installation; units cost between $10-20, and considering how much money it will save you in the future, it is definitely worth the investment.

Some statistics:  With a normal shower head, you use 2x’s as much water as is necessary for a refreshing, thorough shower.  Every day, three billion gallons of water flow through shower heads in the United States—half of it being unnecessary.  If that does not inspire you, think about it economically:  Every new shower head pays for itself almost 4-fold in it’s first year of use, saving you an average of $50-75 on water bills and $20-50 on energy bills.  Investing in low-flow shower heads is smart, easy, and saves you money fast.

So what does “low-flow” mean?  Low-flow means that the shower head uses approximately 2.5 gallons a minute (or less) of water.  Look for manufacturers that boast “aerating” shower heads (i.e. the shower head mixes air with the water) for a high-pressure boost, so you don’t feel like you’re showering under a trickle, but you’re still saving water.

One thing to watch out for, is that low-flow showers are more easily affected by toilets flushing, washing machines running, dishwashers, etc.  Pressure will drop quickly if someone starts any one of those things while you are in the shower, and may result in scalding water.  There are products and nozzles in the market to prevent against scalding and stabilize low-flow shower heads in those situations.

Top Low-Flow Showerheads on the Market:

Low Flow Shower Head Chrome: 2 for $15.75(green, stylish, and so affordable!)

Massaging Adjustable Low Flow Showerhead: $29.95 (a bit pricier, but certainly worth the shower experience!)

Installing a shower head in relatively simple.  To remove your old shower head, just make sure you have the necessary tools: most importantly, a wrench.  Take a look at these Expert Village videos on how to remove an old shower head and install a new shower head. While you are on Expert Village.com, check out some of the other self-help videos, such as installing a shower bar or even a handheld shower head.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more low flow shower heads.

While browsing around the web for something else completely unrelated, I stumbled upon these unique door stoppers that look like pumps.  I think it’s a cute idea vs your typical door stopper.  It comes in red or black.

Foot in the Door Decorative Door Stop: $9.99

This inspired me to look around for some more unique decorative door stops.  Here are some of my faves:

Golfer’s Door Stop: $14.99

For The Wizard of Oz fanatics - Oz Ruby Slippers Door Stop: $24

Let this little guy hold the door open for you.

James the Doorman: $20

Shopping Bag Door Stop: £14.99

Flux Door Stop: $10

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more door stops.

It has been my experience when it comes to the realm of interior home design that often “less is more” and that it’s all about the details.

The “details” folks can make or break a room. You could go too far and it begins to look costumey or you can mesh the perfect combination of intricate details together and it will instantly upgrade a shabby room or home into something unique and marvelous.

For example updating little fixtures such as doorknobs and cabinet handles may seem like a minute detail but you would be amazed at the difference it could create.

If you wanted to add a little antique French style to your boudoir, check out the stylish Bedford Knob from Signature Hardware. The knob features satin nickel finish , porcelain handles and solid brass rosettes.

Price $61.95

To shop or purchase for the Bedford Knob Antique French door knob, click here.