Olga

House cleaning isn't just an inside job. Your siding, driveway and garage floor get dirty, too. And just as a freshly cleaned car seems to drive better, a spic-and-span exterior feels great to come home to.

Siding:

You can clean it the tried-and-true way, rinsing with a hose, using a long-handled brush to scrub with soapy water (laundry detergent works) and then rinsing well.

To remove mildew or algae, consider a hand-pump ...

How much will it cost to rewire my home?

The answer, as it is so often with major home projects, is that there's a big potential cost range.

You can expect to pay $8,000 to $15,000 to rewire a 1,500- to 3,000-square-foot home. The precise cost will depend on the size and age of your house, the ease with which an electrician can access old wiring, and the quirks that abound in older homes.

But how can you be sure your home ...

Lighting your kitchen properly has many rewards. Reason No. 1 being so you don't cut your finger when chopping things, but also for the overall look and feel of your kitchen, proper lighting is important. Even interior designers are seeking the help of lighting designers to help them provide functional and beautiful lighting for their clients' kitchens.

So what are the lighting experts saying? Four types of lighting for any room, including the kitchen, ...

When heat, humidity and dry days take a toll on your flowers in July and August, given your yard a fresh look with pots of tropical hibiscus and mandevilla. Although they are not cold hardy in much of the country, these plants add tropical touches to any summer decor. Costa Farms, a major hibiscus and mandevilla grower, features these stunning, sun-loving bloomers at garden centers, including Home Depot, Lowe's and Wal-mart nationwide, $19.99-$35.99, depending ...

Done right, landscaping can do much more than attract compliments and boost your property value. It can help you repel intruders, both human and natural.

Landscaping experts say that overgrown bushes and shrubs are like welcome mats to burglars. Keep plants and trees trimmed. Place thorny but attractive bougainvillea or barberry bushes under windows, sending would-be thieves a sharp message to go elsewhere.

Other ideas for enlisting your ...

Beat the heat - with an early start. Make the most of cool mornings. Do yardwork early in the day. Keep yourself hydrated; drink water.

- Water your garden early, too, preferably before 8 a.m. Mulch around plants to help conserve moisture, but don't let the mulch mound around stems or trunks, in order to avoid crown rot.

- Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants are at risk of blossom-end rot. This malady is due to low levels of calcium available ...