Your key to a long-lasting car

Here are 10 basic maintenance procedures can help keep your car operating at its best for the long haul. Read more

Save time while cleaning

The secret to effective cleaning is to make the best use of your time. Read more

How to throw a stress-free pool party

While a pool party can be a great way to spend an afternoon with friends and family, taking a few extra steps can help your event sparkle as much as your pool. Read more

Protect your house and family

A few easy electrical safety steps can help ensure that your home continues to be a safe haven for your family. Read more

Making your kitchen healthy and close to carefree

Nobody wants to spend more time cleaning their kitchen than they need to. So what's the secret to creating a carefree kitchen? Choosing durable kitchen products that are easy to use and nearly maintenance free. Read more

People food: pet poison

They say that a dog is a man's best friend. Just like best friends, people tend to do daily activities together with their pets, such as sleeping, exercising and even eating the same meal with them. Little do pet owners know, some foods can actually be harmful to the health of their canine and feline companions. Read more

Proper feeding: An essential part of responsible pet ownership

Your pet's nutritional needs are different from the needs of people, so pets should be fed the appropriate amount and type of food, not leftovers of human food. Read more

Chinese New Year traditions (and some do's and don'ts)

Here are some of the more practical and sensible Chinese New Year traditions that we can practice or pick up tips from as we usher in the Year of the Water Snake on Sunday, February 10. Read more

Avoid odometer fraud

Before you buy a used car, look to see if the wear and tear is consistent with the number of miles on the odometer. Read more

A day with the atom

Something too small to see can have a big influence on your life in surprising ways. Read more

When to do home improvements yourself and when to call in the pros

For some home repairs, getting professional help may be less expensive than trying to do it yourself. Read more

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September 5, 2012

Tasteful ways to make your kitchen last

A durable, reliable and beautiful sink can be one way to give your place staying power.

For many, it's important to make sure the home they're in—and particularly the kitchen—is built to last. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to do that. For example:

•When you get down to it, a porcelain floor may sound fragile, but because these floor tiles are fired at an extremely high temperature, they're remarkably durable, lasting for decades and impervious to water, foot traffic and other things that can floor a floor.

•Take your counters for granite. These not only look good, they're resistant to heat and stains, very low maintenance and last for a very long time.

•Consider laminate for your cabinets. Laminates are low in cost, nonporous—which is important when it comes to safe food preparation—easy to clean and available in a rainbow of colors and styles.

•It's great to be good to your grout. If your backsplash is tile, seal the grouting so it can stand up to water.

•Up against the wall, it pays to put the best paint possible. The higher the quality, the longer it's likely to last.

•Be smart about the sink. It's probably the most-used appliance in the house and often has to take a lot of abuse—but it can still be stylish. For example, you can get a stone composite sink made of a patented material that resists chips, stains, heat and the effects of everyday kitchen use and comes in attractive shades.

Tasteful ways to make your kitchen last

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