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Top 7 Spring Cleaning Hacks

Most Oklahomans associate spring with sunshine, the start of baseball season and severe weather. But it’s also a time to shake off the cobwebs, and give the house a good scrub and a declutter. While it’s no one’s favorite chore, spring cleaning can give you that wonderful, fresh-start feeling. Here are our seven favorite spring cleaning hacks:

  1. Get Rid of Garbage Disposal Smells

Most of you have seen viral videos on social media claiming that a bit of ice and hot water will flush grime out of the pipes. However, a plumbing expert recently warned that running your disposal with hot water can loosen grease and make clogs worse. One way to clean a garbage disposal: 

  • Fill the disposal with ice cubes, a sprinkle of coarse salt and a few lemon wedges to give the disposal a fresh scent. 
  • Turn on the cold water and run the disposal until the ice has cleared. 

Voila! Enjoy a lemony-fresh garbage disposal… at least until you wash your next batch of dirty dishes. 

  1. Clean Your Microwave the Easy Way

If you have a few lemons left over after cleaning the garbage disposal, use them to loosen up the grime in the microwave. Yes, really! 

  • Squeeze the juice of one lemon into 1/2 cup of water and drop the rinds into the mixture. 
  • Microwave for three minutes and let it stand for five minutes without opening the door. The trapped steam will loosen those pesky stuck-on food bits, so you can wipe the microwave clean with less effort.

  1. Let Go of Old Clothes

“I plan on wearing that when I lose weight!” 

“My vintage jeans will totally be back in style soon!” 

If you’ve made similar excuses when cleaning out your closet, this next hack is for you. Take all of your clothes on hangers and place the hanger on the rack, but with the ‘hook’ facing you. Then set a calendar reminder for 6 months. Every time a piece of clothing is worn, hang it back up with the hanger facing the correct way. At the end of 6 months, donate all of the clothing still facing the wrong way. Let’s face it – if it hasn’t been worn in a year, it will probably never be worn. 

  1. Fix Your Clogged Shower Head

Have been meaning to fix that shower head that sprays water in all directions? Now is the time! One way to clear the mineral deposits that could affect water flow is with white vinegar, a plastic bag and a rubber band. Simply fill the bag with vinegar and use a rubber band to secure the bag to the shower head. Let it soak overnight. To avoid the smell of vinegar all day, remember to let the water run before hopping in the shower!

  1. Get Rid of Old Electronics and Accessories

Electronic waste is the fastest-growing waste stream globally. Rather than throwing away your old gadgets and accessories, consider some more useful ways to get rid of that tangled box of cords accumulating dust: 

  1. Retail Drop-Off. Big box electronics stores often have kiosks for recycling old electronics and accessories. A few places like Best Buy, Fry’s and more!
  2. Sell and Recycle. Metal recycling centers will sometimes pay you for your small electronics – especially cables with copper wiring.
  3. Give away. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Electronics that are old, may be an upgrade for a friend or family member. Find out if anyone would love to have that older generation iPhone, Xbox or even GameCube.
  4. Donate to STEM Programs. Schools and nonprofits with STEM programs may be highly useful for educational purposes. 

  5. Clean the Inside of a Dishwasher (the easy way!)

You may think that because a dishwasher cleans dishes, that the inside must be sparkling. But dishwashers can actually accumulate grimy buildup and cause unpleasant smells. Here are a few ways to keep a dishwasher fresh with only two ingredients and a few easy steps. 

  • First, inspect the drain and remove any debris. Give it a scrub with some vinegar and an old toothbrush. 
  • Next, place a bowl of white vinegar on the top rack and run the dishwasher on the hottest setting. 
  • When it’s finished, sprinkle baking soda on the bottom floor of the dishwasher and run for a short hot water cycle. 

*For an extra clean dishwasher, add 1 cup of bleach to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a full wash cycle. 

Performing this process as needed can help eliminate clogs and help avoid costly repairs.

  1. De-Gunk Your Oven

Did you know that dryer sheets can help clean the gunk off oven racks? It may seem strange, but it really works. Here’s how to try it out for yourself. 

  • Place 6-8 dryer sheets in the bathtub and lay the oven racks on top. 
  • Fill the tub with hot water until the oven racks are covered. 
    • For extra-greasy racks, add about ¼ cup of Dawn dish soap.
  • Let the racks soak for several hours or overnight. 
  • Use the dryer sheets to wipe away the gunk. Thanks to the antistatic in the dryer sheets, the grime should wipe away easily. 

Along with cleaning and decluttering with our spring cleaning hacks, this could also be a good time to check in on your Home Insurance coverage. Contact your local OKFB agent to discuss any updates or planned renovations to ensure your coverage is up to date.

3 Ways to Show You Care

Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to show your loved ones how much you care. This year, don’t just get flowers and chocolates. One gift that can truly last is insurance. It may not be as romantic as a dozen roses, but it can provide protection for life. 

  1. Protect Your Valuables

Home is where you usually feel safest and where you keep your most prized possessions. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, both insurance lines offer personal property coverage. Personal property coverage covers personal belongings inside a home in the event of damages or theft that may not be covered under a general Homeowners or Renters Insurance line. 

Personal property coverage can provide a sense of security and help in recuperating valuables. Reach out to your local OKFB Agent and see if the jewelry you have or are planning to give for Valentine’s Day is covered.

  1. Travel With Confidence

Planning a weekend getaway for the weekend of love? Whether you’re fishing at the lake, racing ATVs or cruising Route 66 in an RV, one way to protect your loved ones from the unexpected is with Recreational Insurance. We offer a wide range of coverage options that could help you when making new memories wherever your travels take you. 

  1. Support Your Employees

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that small businesses have to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly. Many Oklahoma businesses have suffered from lost revenue, staffing shortages or have had to close their doors completely. One way to show you care for your employees is to give the gift of insurance. Our fully-customizable Business Owners Insurance includes Loss of Income coverage that could help cover a loss of net income due to suspension of operations and help pay for continuing payroll expenses. 

BONUS – How We Care: Drive with Peace of Mind

One auto-related gift to offer a loved one, and no, we’re not talking about buying a car, is Roadside Rescue. As an OKFB member or policyholder, we give you the gift of Roadside Rescue. This is a free service that provides 24/7 assistance wherever you or your loved one is nationwide. Enjoy the gift of traveling with confidence and peace of mind wherever and whenever this Valentine’s Day.

Insurance coverage is a great way to show you care and to provide loved ones with protection and safety. Reach out to your local OKFB Insurance agent if you have questions about your existing plan or purchasing a new one. We’re here to help!

Quiz: How Well Do You Know Your Insurance Policy?

Are you familiar with your Oklahoma Farm Bureau Insurance policy?

“Yeah, I practically have it memorized!”

“…well, kinda.”

 

Answer the following questions to test your OKFB insurance policy knowledge. The prize for a perfect score? Major bragging rights. (Scroll down to see the answers!) However, if your score isn’t what you expected and you have some questions, don’t worry! Your OKFB agent will be happy to answer any questions you have – no matter how big or how small. We’re here for you.

  1. What is “umbrella coverage”?
    a. Coverage that only goes into effect during inclement weather
    b. Coverage that provides higher limits of protection
    c. Coverage that protects your umbrella against damage and/or theft
  2. Which of the following is NOT considered a ‘dwelling?’
    a. A home
    b. A mobile home
    c. Any shop that sells food or drink items
  3. If you want to contact your local agent, what do you do?
    a. Visit the Find An Agent page on the OKFB website
    b. Holler real loud
    c. Call the operator
  4. What is a CD?
    a. One of those tiny records kids are listening to these days
    b. Celine Dion’s initials, of course
    c. A certificate of deposit – a low-risk money management tool that provides you with a fixed interest rate
  5. Can a jet ski be placed on a boat insurance policy?
    a. Yes
    b. No
    c. Yes, but only if it’s really cool
  6. I’m building a home. Can I insure a home that’s under construction at any time throughout the construction process?
    a. Yes, as long it doesn’t have more than 5 bedrooms
    b. No, the policy must be put into effect before construction of the home begins above ground level
    c. Maybe, but your contractor will decide
  7. How many Oklahoma counties have OKFB Insurance offices?
    a. 5
    b. All 77
    c. 56
  8. What animals can be insured on the 4H/FFA policy?
    a. All animals, besides dolphins
    b. Any animal that walks on 4 legs is eligible
    c. Show animals belonging to club members of the insured 4H or FFA club
  9. Does General Liability cover me if my employees are injured?
    a. No, you will need a Workers Compensation policy to cover your employees
    b. Yes.
    c. Only if you’re at fault
  10. Are my farm employees allowed to drive my insured farm automobiles?
    a. Only if they drive under 10 miles per hour
    b. Yes, if their driving record is acceptable
    c. Yes, but off-road vehicles are excluded

 

ANSWERS

  1. What is “umbrella coverage” anyway?
    Answer: B. Umbrella coverage provides higher limits of protection against bodily injury or property damage claims by a third party.
  2. Which of the following is NOT considered a ‘dwelling?’
    Answer: C. A dwelling is a house, apartment or other place where you live.
  3. If you want to contact your local agent, what do you do?
    Answer: A. Visit the Find An Agent page on the OKFB website.
  4. What is a CD?
    Answer: C. A certificate of deposit – a low-risk money management tool that provides you with a fixed interest rate. When you deposit your money into the account, however, you agree not to make any withdrawals for a certain period of time. You get your money in addition to whatever was earned in interest back at the end of that time.
  5. Can I place a jet ski on a boat insurance policy?
    Answer: A. Yes. Boat Insurance options and features include:
    Liability
    Medical payments
    Physical damage
    Ask your OKFB agent about insuring your jet skis on a Boat Insurance policy.
  6. I’m building a custom home. Can I insure my home at any time throughout the construction process?
    Answer: B. No, the policy must be put into effect before construction of the building begins above ground level. If you’re a builder, then check out available coverage options for builders.
  7. How many Oklahoma counties have OKFB offices?
    Answer: B. You can find OKFB agents in all 77 Oklahoma counties. Use the Find An Agent tool to locate an agent in your area.
  8. What animals can be insured on the 4H/FFA policy?
    Answer: C. You may insure show animals belonging to club members of the insured 4H or FFA club. Raising a lamb, pig or other farm animal for 4-H or FFA club exhibitions or contests requires not only skill, but hard work and lots of dedication. Therefore, consider insuring your animals with 4-H and FFA insurance from a company that understands the effort you put into your show animals.
  9. Does General Liability cover me if there are injuries to my employees?
    Answer: A. You will need a Workers Compensation policy to cover your employees. However, if you don’t know what kind, or how much coverage you need, contact your OKFB agent. We’re happy to help!
  10. Are my farm employees allowed to drive my insured farm automobiles?
    Answer: B. Yes, farm employees may drive your insured farm automobiles however, their driving record must acceptable. You can easily provide their driver’s license information to your OKFB agent to add them as approved drivers.

 

 

5 Affordable Ways to Weatherproof Your Home

As we enter the winter season and the cold begins leaking into our homes, it’s important to find affordable ways to stay warm and weatherproof your home. There are a few affordable steps you can take to ensure the cold stays outside the house – right where it belongs. Enjoy the dual benefit of staying warm and toasty and the possibility of saving a few bucks on your energy bill with these steps. 

1. Stop Leaks With Weatherstripping

There is a clever trick to help you determine if cold air is coming through the small cracks around your doors and windows. Hold a lit candle near the area where you think there may be a leak. If it flickers, air could be coming in. 

Weatherstripping is a popular winterization method because it’s affordable and easy to install. A roll of weatherstripping could cost around $5 at your local hardware store. 

2. Stop Leaks With a Door Sweep

The small gap under your door could let in as much cold air as an open window. Using a door sweep could help weatherproof your home by keeping out the cold air and – bonus – keeping out the bugs too! A door sweep is a small barrier you can install at the bottom of a door with just a few screws. Here’s one way to see if you may need to invest in a door sweep: 

Lay a sheet of paper on your door frame and close the door on it. If you’re able to pull the paper out easily without it tearing, the space under your door may be big enough to let in cold air. 

Door sweeps come in many styles and materials, but can usually be found in a hardware store for as low as $10.  

3. Insulate Your Hot Water Heater

Lots of heat can be lost through a hot water heater during colder months. Insulating the tank can help retain heat and reduce your monthly energy bill. But don’t try to cover up a hot water heater with an old comforter – a fire could start, and no one wants to be that toasty! Investing in a water heater tank cover could definitely pay off in the long run. 

4. Install a Programmable Thermostat

Fun fact: for every 1°F you turn down your thermostat, you use 1% less energy. ENERGY STAR estimates that up to $180 each year can be saved if a programmable thermostat is installed and properly used. 

Programmable thermostats allow you to automatically adjust the times your heat turns on and off, depending on when you’re home. This could save the hassle of trying to remember to adjust the temperature. And, if you have family members who love changing the temperature, this gives a great excuse to say, “hands off!”

5. Cover Your Windows With Plastic

Sure, weatherstripping is a great way to keep out the cold air. But if you prefer going the nuclear route, covering windows completely with plastic will definitely help weatherproof your home! Plastic heat-shrink window coverings are typically cheap and easy to install. They keep the cold out and let the sun in – a win-win situation. 

Check out even more ways to save money and energy this holiday. However, even with these tips, it’s important to check in with your local OKFB agent and take some time to review your Home Insurance policy to ensure everything is updated and covered.