OAK BROOK, IL--(Marketwire - Jul 23, 2012) - Ace Hardware, the largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative in the industry, has declared July 23 as National To-Done List Day. With one month of summer left, Ace wants to help homeowners quickly and easily take care of their homes so they can get their weekends back. However, many homeowners put off routine home maintenance projects because they seem daunting and time consuming. In recognition of National To-Done List Day, Ace is providing the expert advice and tools needed to show homeowners how easy it is to turn their to-do list into a to-done list.
"Summer is the perfect time to knock out many home maintenance projects that will enable you to enjoy the season more," said Lou Manfredini, Ace Hardware's Home Expert. "Our goal is to help turn our customers' home maintenance to-do lists into to-done lists. At your neighborhood Ace store, you'll get top notch service from your 'in-store wingman' with the knowledge and know-how to help you get the job done right, the first time."
To help homeowners complete their home maintenance tasks, Manfredini offers these quick and easy solutions to some of the most common summer projects:
Pest Control - The first step is to make sure there are no food sources around to attract household bugs and keep counters and floors clean. Use bug spray to keep bugs at bay, such as Ortho® Home Defense Max® Insect Killer. Spray in corners along baseboards and openings under the sink. To stop ants before they come into the house, use Terro® Outdoor Liquid Ant Baits by placing them where ants are seen traveling.
Tackling Interior Painting Projects - About 90 percent of a good paint job is preparation and that just got a lot easier with Clark+Kensington® paint+primer in one, which eliminates the need to prime and paint surfaces separately. First, use a lightweight spackling compound to fill cracks and nail holes. Next, lightly sand those areas, and then wipe down the walls with soap and water to make sure they are clean and dry. Finally, apply Clark+Kensington to brighten up both the walls and the trim.
A "New" Grill - Spending just 10 minutes to clean a grill can improve its cooking performance and its overall appearance. With gloves on, take all the parts out of the grill and use a wire brush with soapy water to clean them. Also use a scraper to help remove the food build up at the base of the grill. Then use a cleaner like Krud Kutter® or Spray Nine® Cleaner and a Scotch-Bright™ Scour Pad to clean the exterior surface of the grill. Finish by rinsing the grill with water.
HVAC Projects - During the hot summer months, the air conditioning system can work overtime. Help it to work more efficiently by keeping the filter clean and changing it when it gets dirty. Dirty filters cause less airflow throughout the home and use more energy to keep cool. Typically, filters should be changed every 30-60 days. The outdoor condensing unit may also be working overtime, so use a spray nozzle on the hose to spray the sides down to keep the coils clean and running at peak efficiency. When temperatures are over 90 degrees, switch the fan on the thermostat from "Auto" to "On." Leaving the fan on will help keep the indoor air more comfortable while saving money on the condensing unit outside, which will be running less.
To help homeowners turn their July to-do list into a to-done list, Ace Hardware is celebrating National To-Done List Day with a special promotion, from July 23 - 27, 2012, customers can receive $10 off any $50 purchase at participating stores*.
For more tips and advice on how to turn your to-do list into a to-done list, go to www.acehardware.com.
*$10 off $50 coupon valid 7/23/12 thru 7/27/12 at participating Ace stores or on acehardware.com for one transaction only. Limit 1 coupon per household. Offer valid only on in-stock regularly priced merchandise. Any other use constitutes fraud. Not valid on sale and clearance priced merchandise, power tools (purchased online), power equipment (purchased online), water heaters (purchased online), grills (purchased online), EdenPure heaters (purchased online), rental, in-store services, Ace Gift Cards, city stickers, previously purchased merchandise or in conjunction with any other coupon. Can be combined with Rewards (in store only). Offer applies to merchandise subtotal. Any purchase minimum is calculated after applying Reward redemption and before tax. Coupon may not be sold or transferred. Void if photocopied or duplicated and where prohibited. No cash value.
About Ace Hardware
For more than 85 years, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful hardware store in thousands of communities across America. Customers depend on Ace to help them take care of their homes quickly and easily so they can get on with their lives. In 2012, Ace ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Stores for the Sixth Consecutive Year," according to J.D. Power and Associates. With over 4,600 hardware stores locally owned and operated across the globe, Ace is the largest hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace and its subsidiaries currently operate 14 distribution centers in the U.S and also have distribution capabilities in Shanghai, China; Panama City, Panama; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Its retailers' stores are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and approximately 60 countries. For more information on Ace, visit www.acehardware.com.