DIY Life

A great-fitting swimsuit is well worth some TLC. Quality suits don't usually come cheap, so protect your investment! And, hey, even if you got your favorite swimsuit for a song, you'll still want to make it last, summer after wonderful summer. Here are a few tips to keep your suit looking brand new!

1. Avoid sitting directly on concrete or other rough pool-surround materials. If you must, at least don't ever scoot forward or back on your butt. Try sitting on a towel to protect your suit's seat.

2. Keep your favorite suit out of the hot tub. Heat damages the fabric, reducing its elasticity. Use an older suit for soaking in the hot tub and reserve your favorite/s for beach and pool-side fun.

Are you one of the millions of Americans celebrating Veteran's Day today by flying the flag? There's more to properly displaying Old Glory than just running it up the flagpole, so here's a refresher course on what you need to know.

• Learn the proper way to fold the flag. Once you take it off the pole, you can't just wad it up and stuff it in the closet. Grab another person and take a minute to fold into in the familiar triangular shape you've probably seen over the years. If there's no one else around to help you, lay the flag on a clean flat surface (not the floor), and fold.

• Contrary to popular belief, it's not necessary to destroy a flag that has touched the ground. It's possible to wash or dry-clean a flag that is dirty or soiled.
  

• Though many people prefer not to fly the flag during inclement weather, many flags are made of all-weather material these days. They're meant to be used during rain, sleet, snow. Just remember to take your flag indoors during high winds so it doesn't become tattered.
  

• A damaged flag must be disposed of properly but burning it isn't always practical. Simply take it to your local VFW post or American Legion hall and they'll make sure your flag is disposed of properly.

• Flying your flag at night? The Flag Code specifies that it should be "properly illuminated" but doesn't offer specifics. A strong porch light or a spotlight on the ground underneath should suffice.
  

• If you're displaying more than one flag, make sure the American flag is always higher than any other.

• Teach your kids about the American flag with any of the great resources from these sites. Feeling creative? Make your own flag.
  

Your vacuum works hard, picking up crushed fishy crackers from under the couch, sawdust shavings from your latest DIY endeavor, and everyday particles of dust and dirt that find their home in yours. With a little love, you can keep your vacuum working stronger and longer. It doesn't take much, just a bit of consistent maintenance.

This article about how to maintain your vacuum cleaner takes you through the steps of proper at home vacuum cleaner maintenance. Check it out for in-depth instructions and instructional pictures. Here is my summary of their main points and the most important things to keep on top of:

A few months ago, a reply to an Ask Metafilter post about goldfish (mildly salty language warning!) blatantly stated an upsetting fact: the majority of pet goldfish die by drowning in their own... er... urine. Mistakes made by even well-meaning pet owners include overfeeding, feeding the wrong kind of food, putting the fish in a bowl that's too small (goldfish do better in a filtered tank), and not letting water de-ionize for at least a day or two before putting the fish in it (without this waiting period, the goldfish are likely to suffocate). It seems like most goldfish -- even ones loved by the kids who own them -- live short, unhappy lives.

I had goldfish as a kid: since I lived in a small apartment, and my mom hated rodents, goldfish were pretty much the only pet I could have. There was Frank (named after Anastasia Krupnik's goldfish) and, eventually, Spike, who each lived for about a year or two. We thought we did pretty well by Frank and Spike, both won from school carnivals, but as it turns out, the poor little fellas went to an unnecessarily early grave.

The Ask MeFi link is a sad one, but fortunately, I can balance it with a happy one. It turns out that, when given proper care, goldfish can live for at least a decade! Some of the suggestions at WikiHow's wonderful How To Make A Goldfish Live For Decades page include feeding food made just for goldfish (not generic "fish food"), making sure that the tank has at least 10 gallons of water per fish, and making sure that the tank stays "interesting" for the fish by giving them lots of places to explore that change every month or so.

With these instructions, you can have happy, healthy goldfish for years to come!