Loving Our Home | Home Tips, Advice, and Easy Recipes

Simple Home Tips and Solutions

Quick Tips

Quick Tip: Avoid Using Bleach Tablets in a Toilet Tank

By Leave a Comment

On a whim one day, I decided to throw a pack of $1 bleach tablets in my shopping basket at the Dollar Tree. I didn’t think much of it when I dropped both of the tabs in my toilet tank.

A few weeks later, the chain in the toilet tank broke. I didn’t put two and two together until recently. The bleach degraded the original chain, causing it to break, and eventually led to other annoying issues. No wonder those bleach tabs are only $1 — don’t use them in your toilet tank!

Instead, use these products to keep your toilet continuously clean:

Lysol Click Gel Toilet Bowl Cleaning Gels

Click Gel for Toilet Bowls

These easily stick to the inside of the toilet bowl and clean with every flush.

 

Lysol Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners

toilet cleaner

These hang from the inside of the toilet bowl, cleaning it continuously.

 

Clorox Toilet Wand System

Toilet Wand

This gets much better reviews over standard toilet brushes, and is pretty affordable.

 

Quick Tip Posted by Jade

 

Images courtesy of Amazon

Chromecast Not Showing Up? Cast to Device Not Working?: Possible Causes

By Leave a Comment

I use my Chromecast so much that I barely even watch regular television anymore. So when my Chromecast isn’t showing up or my cast to screen icon is missing on my device, I will do what’s necessary to get it working again. Here are a few troubleshooting tips that have worked for me in the past:

Is the Chromecast Plugged In?

I know, I know, this is so obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I realized my cast to screen icon was missing because I forgot to plug the Chromecast device in!

Do You Have the Latest Software on Your Phone or Other Casting Device?

Whether it’s an Android, iPhone, or iPad, you should have the latest software on your cellphone or similar device if you want the cast feature to show up consistently. Also, on Android devices, the Screen Mirroring feature won’t work unless you have the latest software updated on your phone.

Is Your Phone, Pad or Similar Device Connected to the Right Wifi Signal?

The cast screen feature only works when you’re on the same network as your Chromecast. It’s possible that your phone or pad dropped the signal and picked up another one. Double check.

Is the Wifi Signal Working Properly?

If you don’t see the cast screen icon AND the Chromecast screen saver isn’t showing up on your TV, there’s a problem with your Wifi connection. If it doesn’t come back online in a few minutes, try rebooting your modem.

Close the App Your Trying to Cast and then Reload It

In some cases, the cast screen icon doesn’t show up because the app you’re trying to play is misbehaving. Also, make sure you have the latest version of the app you want to cast. Sometimes the cast to Chromecast feature stops working on outdated versions of an app.

Reboot Your Phone/iPad/Laptop Device and then Also Reboot the Chromecast Device

Sometimes a simple reboot of all applicable devices will bring your cast to device icon back up. Taking the Chromecast out of the power source reboots it or you could go to Google Home and choose the option to reboot from there. In some cases you might have to do a Factory Data Reset of the Chromecast device (hold down the little button on the circular part of the Chromecast for about 25 seconds until the LED light turns white), but keep in mind that this wipes all data from the device. I’ve never had to do a factory reset to get my cast to device icon to work.

For Screen Mirroring Problems: Is Your Android Device on the List of Applicable Devices?

Visit this Google Page to see if your Android device is optimized for the “Mirror Screen” option. If it’s not on that list, you probably won’t be able to mirror your device. Consider getting an inexpensive, used unlocked Android device from that list (check Amazon or eBay) that you can connect to your WiFi signal and use to cast your screen.


Some Apps Simply Don’t Allow You to Cast to Your TV

There are a few apps out there that simply don’t have the cast screen option. In that case, your best bet is to try to log onto the app or television network using your laptop and cast from there (instructions for how to do that here). Another option is to use the mirror/cast screen option on an Android device (located under “Display” in “Settings”), which sometimes works fine and sometimes is wonky.

If after all of these steps nothing seems to work, it might just be time to get another Chromecast device. With gentle use, it should work for years, but after a very long time of heavy use it may just need to be replaced. I unplug mine sometimes when not in use, just in case.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

Posted by Penelope

How to Cast Screen from Laptop to Chromecast Amazon TV Stick or Similar Casting Device

By Leave a Comment

I didn’t realize until this year that it was possible to cast screen from my laptop to my Chromecast device so that I can watch shows on my television. The option is available in your web browser. The video silently plays in the background and shows up on your television screen while you navigate other things on your laptop.

I’ve tried all three major browsers (Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla) and in my experience Chrome has been the best for casting shows to the TV. Here are the simple steps:

Go to the video that you want to watch in your Chrome browser.You can go to a YouTube video, or a network television channel like FX or AMC and login with your TV provider information.

Cast Screen from Laptop

If you’re properly connected, you should see the cast icon show up on the video as shown above. But if not, try this:

Click the menu button at the top right corner of Chromecast (three dots) and look for the “Cast” option

 

Cast Screen from Laptop

A little blue box will pop up at the center of the screen asking you to choose the device you want to cast to.

 

If you are having problems casting or the cast screen icon isn’t showing up on your devices, read this quick tip article for a few suggestions.

 

Posted by Penelope

 

 

Quick Breakfast Idea for Work: Egg, Turkey Bacon and Cheese Bowl

By Leave a Comment

When you get to work first thing in the morning, sometimes you just want something quick to eat that will give you a boost in addition to your coffee. Buying cheap fast food on the way to work isn’t the right move, because it can get expensive and it’s not very healthy. Here’s a quick breakfast idea for work that you can pop into the microwave and take to your desk:

Microwaved Egg Turkey Bacon and Cheese Breakfast Bowl

What to include in bowl:

  • 1-2 eggs
  • 1-2 slices of turkey bacon
  • 1/2 slice of your favorite cheese

Take all of the ingredients out of the bowl when you get to work. Crack the egg in the small bowl, add a little pepper and stir. Cover it up with the lid or a paper towel. Wrap the turkey bacon in a couple of towels. Microwave both for about 45 seconds or until the egg is fluffy (I love microwaved eggs, so fluffy and delicious). Put the cheese on top of the egg and allow it a few seconds to melt. Then, grab a fork and enjoy! The total cost per week is roughly $7 — $4 for the turkey bacon, $1.50-$2 for the eggs, $1.50 for a quarter pound of cheese at the deli — which works out to a little over a $1 a day.

Make this quick breakfast idea for work a daily habit to give yourself a simple and inexpensive protein boost. Try to pick a turkey bacon that’s nitrate-free. Also choose extra large eggs.

Idea Posted by Jade

Quick Tip: Constipation Remedy

By Leave a Comment

No one likes feeling constipated — that tightness and pressure when you know you’re well overdue for a bowel movement. Here is a constipation remedy tip that may help you get some relief next time you go to the bathroom:

Play the sound of a ticking clock or dripping water.

faucet drippingTick, tock, tick, tock…
Drip, drop, drip, drop…

Close your eyes and focus on that sound while you are trying to go to the bathroom and you may be surprised at the results.

I don’t know exactly why this works, but I’m sure there’s a biological reason behind it. Maybe the repetitive sound stimulates peristalsis and helps with your bowel movement.

Just give it a try, and if it works for you please post your comment here!

Posted by Jasmine

Quick Tip: Rinse Your Bacon Before Frying It

By Leave a Comment

We all know how delicious bacon is — whether it’s with eggs and toast in the morning, on a sandwich with tomato and lettuce for lunch or mixed into a savory sauce for dinner. But as good as it tastes, many brands of bacon contain nitrates (preservatives) that aren’t good for our health — especially in large quantities. Bacon also contains a lot of excess sodium.

Quick Tip: before you fry up your bacon, rinse each slice under warm water to remove some of the nitrates and extra fat on the outer layer. You can feel it coming off on your fingers. Rinsing the bacon also reduces shrinkage when you fry it.

Don’t worry — your bacon will still taste wonderful, maybe even better!

Posted by Jade