Often when washing machines are moved to a new home, an odor can be noticed shortly after. Washing machines can develop a foul odor over time, and placing the machine in a different environment sometimes makes these odors more noticeable. As with any home appliance, washing machines require regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure optimal performance. The following steps will help eliminate odor and are intended for top-loading machines, not front-loaders.

Step 1 - With your machine empty, run it full of hot water to the largest load setting. When the tub is full and begins to agitate, add 3 to 4 cups of distilled white vinegar to the water. Then add ½ cup of  baking soda. Allow the machine to agitate for a few moments, and then turn off the machine. Let the water sit for one hour.

Step 2 - After allowing the vinegar/baking soda mixture to penetrate the grime in the washing machine tub, restart the machine, allowing it to complete the wash cycle. At the end of the wash cycle, when the tub begins to drain, advance the washing machine to the spin cycle. On many washing machines, this will cause the washing machine to spin as it drains, which can help to further loosen any residue. If yours doesn't do this, simply allow it to drain, then turn off the machine.

Step 3 - Wipe the inside of the washing machine tub with a wet cloth. If desired, use a cloth soaked in a solution of half hot water and half white vinegar. Be sure to wipe all inside surfaces, including the bottom and blades of the agitator and the top of the tub just under the lid. If the washing machine has a fabric softener and/or a bleach dispenser, remove these and clean thoroughly before replacing.

If after following these steps the odor remains, repeat treatment. The washing machine may have build-up in some of the inner parts. If your washing machine is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer for a repair person to check it out. If not, contact your local appliance repair shop, and they should be able to clean the machine for you.

How to prevent build-up in your washing machine

To keep your washing machine looking and smelling cleaner, follow these simple steps to reduce build-up:

- Use less detergent. What detergent manufacturers don't tell you is that you can often get away with using half the recommended amount (or possibly even less), and your clothes will come out just as clean. Experiment to find the optimal detergent amount for your washing machine.

- Use vinegar instead of commercial softener. Adding ¼ cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle is just as effective as using commercial softener and won't leave oily residue on your washing machine. As an added bonus, vinegar is much less expensive than fabric softener, and will help to remove stains and brighten whites and colors. Don't worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar - any odor will be removed in the rinse and during drying.

- Rinse clothes thoroughly after washing. If you find that your rinse cycle produces a lot of suds, your clothes are not being rinsed thoroughly, and therefore neither is your washing machine. Following these tips will ensure long life from your washing machine and cleaner smelling clothes.

(credit for portions of this article go to Amy Weekly of associatedcontent.com)

    Don't get burned
Be sure you and your family are well protected anytime you are outdoors by wearing plenty of sunscreen all year long.

How much is enough? Scientists generally recommend using an amount ranging from a handful to the equivalent of filling a small glass. Seems like quite a bit, but the body will absorb some of this naturally. You'll want to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to heading out in the sun's rays, that way your skin has adequate time to soak it all in. A good rule of thumb is rub in the lotion till it almost disappears, then apply more. When the lotion doesn't disappear as fast, that is a good indicator that you've applied enough sunscreen.

Don't forget to protect the areas that are most subject to getting burned, like the tops of the ears, cheeks and the back of the neck. Also, reapply sunscreen often especially when swimming or doing aerobic activity. And watch out while on the water, as the UV rays can reflect off the water and expose you to additional UV rays. Even waterproof sunscreens need to be reapplied every 80 minutes or so to continue their effectiveness.

Here's a true or false question:
When the body receives too many harmful UV rays from the sun, it damages the skin cells and causes mutations in the DNA.

True

Some of the damaged cells will die off right away, which causes the redness and burning sensation we see when we get sunburned. Some mutated cells may survive, and over time with enough repeated exposure may grow out of control and cause skin cancer.

It's also a good idea to wear protective eyewear and keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water during the hot summer months. If you can, avoid being out in direct sunlight between 11am and 4pm when the sun's rays are the most intense.

Following these steps will guarantee your friends won't be calling you "red lobster", and it will also reduce your chances for skin cancer and melanoma, which can be fatal.

   The words "Hard Drive"
can refer to different topics nowadays.
It may refer

Which one will we be discussing today?
Actually, both.
Let's start with your computer first. Your computer's hard drive is a delicate instrument which acts as the "brains" of the computer. It's a fact that all hard drives will eventually fail sometime down the road, however there are precautions you can take to prolong the life of your hard drive.
If you are packing your items yourself in preparation of a move, a great way to pack a computer is to suspend it in bubble wrap or crumpled paper within a box. You'll want to make sure there is enough cushioning inside to protect against any shock, and the computer should not be touching the walls of the box. Your computer