INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Lowering the blinds makes them easier to spread out for cleaning. After lowering them all the way down with the pull string, use the turning rod to adjust the angle of the slats. Position the blinds completely closed, like you're going for maximum privacy. Lowered blinds are bulkier than ones that are wide open, but it's necessary to have them this way. Just be careful if you plan on moving them. Pull them to the side so they don't get in the way while you're cleaning. Wrap billowing curtains up in a band if they keep falling back in front of the blinds. You could also take them off the wall so you're better able to access the blinds. Move away any nearby furniture, toys, and other obstacles that could trip you up.  Consider washing or vacuuming curtains to clean them up. It's easy to forget that they collect plenty of dust as well. Give yourself plenty of room to move around the blinds and set up a stepping stool if you need it. Nothing else needs to get soapy while you're cleaning, so keep it all away from your cleaning supplies. Check the blinds for problem spots. You never know when random stains happen. Whether that is food, bug splatter, sticky spots, or spills, wipe up as much of the debris as you can so it doesn't spread while cleaning. Dry towels are enough for now. Try to clean spills and other issues when they're fresh so they don't have time to settle on the blinds. It makes routine cleaning much easier!

SUMMARY: Lower the blinds and shut the slats to make them easier to clean. Tie back curtains and other furnishings around the blinds. Wipe away any noticeable debris with paper towels before cleaning.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Cellular shades with multiple cells may provide even better insulation than the common single cell styles. Some companies include a metal core inside of cells to help the shades retain heat.  Specialized shades may only be available through special producers or online. Search for “Energy efficient cellular shades” online to research other energy saving features. Some kinds of cellular shades are installed with tracks that run up and down the sides of your window. These form a flexible seal that cuts down on drafts. Cellular shades with tracks may cut the heat loss of your shades by half.  The long sides of tall windows, especially, are excellent candidates for cellular shades with tracks. Many kinds of cellular shades use glue to hold its fabric in the shape of a cell. Too much exposure to water can cause the glue to weaken or dissolve. Even when spot cleaning your shades with a dampened rag, try to avoid wetting the part of the shade where the front and back fabric are held together by glue.

SUMMARY: Install improved shades for more energy saving. Prioritize shades with side tracks for reduced drafts. Avoid getting the fabric of your shades wet too frequently.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Once the apples are dissolved, taste a small spoonful. If the apples aren't sweet enough for you, add a bit more sugar and stir it in. Keep adding sugar until the apples are as sweet as you want.  You can check the new level of sweetness as soon as you stir in the added sugar. If you don't want to add too much sugar, try sweet spices like nutmeg or cinnamon instead. Remove the apples from the heat. Let them cool for at least five minutes before serving. You can put your apples in a large casserole dish to serve at a party. Guests can serve themselves apples with a ladle or large spoon. If you want, you can garnish the apples with a little cinnamon or serve them with a side of vanilla ice cream. Boiled apples should be refrigerated in an airtight container. They will last up to a week when stored in this fashion. Label the container with a date so you'll remember when you made them.

SUMMARY: Taste test the apples. Let the apples sit for five minutes before serving. Serve your apples. Store leftover apples.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Giving a baby a bath in a hotel room can pose all sorts of problems, so it is always best to call ahead to know what you will be dealing with.  For example, the bathroom may not have enough floor space for you to comfortably kneel beside the tub to bathe the baby. In addition, although most bathrooms contain a bathtub, some hotel rooms have only a shower stall. When making reservations at a hotel, you should ask about the bathroom to be sure that it is appropriate for giving your baby a bath. If it doesn't sound like the originally planned hotel room will work, you can ask for a different room or make reservations at a different hotel. While the tub is filling, you should set up the bath essentials before your baby is put in the tub.  You should put yourself where you will be while bathing the baby and make sure that everything is easy to reach. If the tub is set up differently from the one at home, you should have a plan for getting the baby in and out of the tub smoothly. After everything is ready, you can undress the baby and proceed with the bath just as you would at home. It might seem like a strange thing to do at a hotel or relative's home, but it may ease your mind if you at least put some water in the tub and wipe it down with a separate washcloth before giving your baby a bath.  This is because you have no real knowledge about when the tub was cleaned last, how thoroughly it was cleaned, and what type of chemicals were used to clean it. Wetting the tub and wiping it down with a washcloth removes any surface dirt and chemical residue that might be present. Along with the actual physical arrangement of bathrooms, at both a relative's home and a hotel, there may also be a difference in how quickly the water becomes hot and the temperature that it reaches.  This is something you won't know until you are actually getting the bath ready, but it needs to be done for every bath that the baby is given while away from home. The bathwater may vary in temperature from one bath to another, due to high demand from other users in the building, an old or faulty water heater, or any number of other reasons. Although it isn't very common, there is also the possibility that the water might not be as clean and clear as it is at home. For example, some older homes, and possibly hotels, may have pipework that is rusty and the rust may cause the water to be cloudy or tinged. This is usually cleared up by letting the water run for a few minutes before plugging the drain in the tub.

SUMMARY:
Call ahead to your hotel to determine the best way to bathe your baby. Prepare the bathing supplies to make the bath easier. Rinse the tub before bathing. Check the water to make sure it is safe and comfortable for your baby.