Episode 20: Wonderwall

Wallpaper used to be a lot more like regular paper than the easy clean scrubbable stuff we know today, and in the industrial era, it got really dirty.  It turns out that the beloved kid's toy Play-doh was originally made as a wallpaper cleaner.  In this episode learn about Play-doh's long journey from cleaning supply to worldwide toy sensation.

Episode 20 is is a bit shorter than the typical Episode of Hang Your Hat, and covers only one topic (most shows cover 3 or more related topics).  Why the change?  Between my full-time job, kids and wanting to have a life, I am finding it hard to find enough time to do as much research for the show as I would like.  So this week I am experimenting with a shorter show format.  If you have an opinion on the length of the show or its frequency, I would like to know about it.  Please fill out the survey below.

Sources:

• http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2011/11/play-doh-was-originally-wallpaper-cleaner/
• http://www.businesspundit.com/10-accidental-discoveries-that-generated-great-wealth/
• https://www.thoughtco.com/who-invented-play-doh-1992323
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Play-Doh
• http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/w/health-and-cleanliness/
• http://www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Wallpaper.html

Episode 12: The War on Bugs

Is something bugging you?  Bugs are bugging me.  I can't enjoy my yard without something trying to eat me.  In this week's episode I discuss ways to keep mosquitos, ticks, and cockroaches out of the yard, some common bug repellants and their efficacy, and a super gross fact about roaches.

Sources

• http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/g101/how-to-rid-your-yard-of-mosquitoes/
• http://bugofff.com/how-to-rid-your-yard-of-mosquitoes/
• https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/4078342/list/4-good-ways-to-get-rid-of-mosquitos-in-your-yard
• http://www.mosquitomagnet.com/articles/backyard-mosquito-control
• http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dph/programs/id/epidemiology/ticks/ticks-in-yard.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/in_the_yard.html
• http://www.naturallivingideas.com/keep-ticks-out-of-garden/
• http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/lawn-garden/how-to/g863/6-simple-tips-to-get-rid-of-ticks/
• http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/bugs-fl/
• http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2014-01-18/news/os-florida-pest-university-fast-facts-bugs-20140118_1_bed-bugs-species-orkin
• http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/os-dangers-of-florida-pictures-photogallery.html
• http://www.floridahealth.gov/%5C/diseases-and-conditions/mosquito-borne-diseases/index.html
• http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resources/vector288to301.pdf

Updated on 5/25/2017 to add sources.

Episode 9: Smells Like... Teen Spirit?

Episode 9 is all about smell.  In this episode learn why you can't tell if your house stinks, why teenagers don’t care that their bedrooms reek, as well as odor removers, stinky feet, and why linen closets smell funny and what you can do about it.

Sources:

• http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/anatomy/question514.htm
• http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/foothealth/Pages/smellyfeet.aspx
• https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2011/acs-presspac-january-26-2011/small-particles-show-big-promise-in-beating-unpleasant-odors.html
• https://www.reference.com/home-garden/baking-soda-absorb-odors-343bf6aff96eada#
• https://www.reddit.com/r/askscience/comments/28go3p/how_does_baking_soda_absorbremove_odors/
• http://chemistrytwig.com/2014/03/20/why-does-vinegar-kill-odors/
• http://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/8512/can-activated-carbon-eliminate-odors-in-a-bedroom
• http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-deodorize-your-closets/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildew
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiccant
• http://www.damprid.com/moisture-odor-control-center/how-damprid-works
• http://blackmold.awardspace.com/black-mold-clothes.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olfactory_fatigue
• http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/08/why-cant-you-smell-your-own-home.html
• https://parenthetical.wisc.edu/the-real-stink-on-adolescent-body-odor/
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4146226/Teenagers-t-smell-sweat-don-t-notice-it.html

Episode 8: Wax On, Wax Off

Has the coming of spring left you with an inexplicable urge to clean and organize?  In this episode of Hang Your Hat I will give you some insight on why that might be, and what you should do about it.  I also talk about how not to kill yourself with cleaning supplies, and a couple of the more helpful cleaning hacks I found during my research for the show.

Sources:

• http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/cleaning-stain-removal/how-to-incorporate-effective-cleaning-techniques/
• http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/cleaning-stain-removal/how-to-make-bathroom-cleaning-easier/
• http://www.dummies.com/home-garden/home-improvement/cleaning-stain-removal/how-to-make-a-day-of-cleaning/
• http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/cleaning-techniques
• http://www.thekitchn.com/10-ways-to-clean-your-kitchen-less-often-and-enjoy-it-way-more-195852
• http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Dust-in-Your-House
• http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/g1238/15-secrets-to-cleaning-your-home-in-half-the-time/
• https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/15-remarkably-easy-ways-to-create-a-dust-free-home-47177/all-natural-cleaners
• http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/clean-smarter
• http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/clean-smarter-not-harder/
• http://www.livingonadime.com/clean-smarter-harder/
• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/work-smarter-not-harder-our-best-cleaning-tips-strategies-advice-225562
• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-keep-your-home-looking-clean-longer-224935
• https://www.simplemost.com/19-simple-ways-keep-house-cleaner-longer/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_cleaning
• http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/household-hints-tips/cleaning-organizing/spring-clean-in-spring2.htm
• http://mentalfloss.com/article/78273/get-swept-away-these-8-facts-about-spring-cleaning
• http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/a_767-Soaps_Vs._Detergents
• https://www.thisoldhouse.com/how-to/how-to-clean-windows-pro
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-windows/
• http://www.marthastewart.com/265525/washing-windows
• http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-remove-pet-hair-everywhere-from-furniture-floors-and-more-199660
• http://www.thriftyandchic.com/2011/12/best-way-to-de-hair-your-couch.html
• https://brightnest.com/todos/use-a-rubber-glove-to-remove-pet-hair
• http://www.tishflooring.com/2014/01/can-vacuum-carpet-much/
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/12/how-to-clean-carpet_n_6135402.html
• http://reliable-carpet-cleaning.com/how-often-should-i-vacuum/
• http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a20505/dont-use-vinegar-cleaning/
• https://www.tcnatile.com/faqs/39-grout.html#faq37
• http://www.healthyhomecleaning.com/truth-about-cleaning-with-bleach/
• https://www.thespruce.com/is-bleach-a-great-choice-as-a-cleaner-1900778
• http://chemistry.about.com/od/toxicchemicals/a/Mixing-Bleach-And-Ammonia.htm
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleach
• http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/07/06/sodium-hypochlorite-bleach-swimming-pools-cleaning-products/
• http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/your-money/13shortcuts.html?ref=general&src=me&_r=0
• http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2016/11/03/why-your-washing-machine-smells-and-how-clean/93252222/
• http://www.horizonservicesinc.com/reference/tips-articles/plumbing-drain-cleaning-garbage-disposal-dos-donts

Update 10/20/2017:

Since creating this show Smartvacuums.co.uk published a great article on pet hair removal.  They go into detail on the removal of pet hair from multiple surfaces both inside and outside the home.  If you have a pet hair problem and are in need of a solution you should check it out.

http://www.smartvacuums.co.uk/guide-removing-pet-hair-from-your-home/