Gear up for Summer

18 Jun

The summer months are upon us! That means lots of nice weather, vacations, picnics, and barbeques. So how can Betty Mills help with that? Well we carry thousands of items good for picnics and barbecues, in addition to plenty of snacks!

If you have a big picnic to plan, you’ll need plenty of delicious food. But you’ll also need something to eat all of that delicious food with! That’s where Betty Mills comes in. Thanks to our friends at Dixie, we carry plenty of  disposable dinnerware, cups, and cutlery. In addition we carry plenty of tablecloths, napkins, and as we’ve highlighted before, trash bags to keep your event clean.

Also, if you even need a couple of tables and chairs to seat everyone, Betty has you covered there as well.

So you’ve got all of your equipment and utensils, but what about that food? Good news, Betty Mills carries thousands of snacks for you to try! Not only that, but with our Snack Rewards Program, you can get free snacks just for shopping with us! So grab some dinnerware, tables and chairs, and you can get the food for free!

Buying the right trash can liner

21 May

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On the surface, it may seem that buying a liner for your trash receptacle is simple. As long as it is the right size everything is fine, right? Well there is a little more to it than that. In addition to selecting the right size, you also need to factor in what is being thrown away. This is determined by both density, and gauge.

If sharp items are being thrown away, then you will want a low density can liner. Otherwise you can use a high density can liner.

If lighter items are being thrown away, then you want a lower grade gauge. If the liner will be holding heavy items, then you will want a higher grade gauge.

You can use our Trash Liner Guide to help match you your container with the right liner.

In addition, Heritage carries color coded can liners that can help distinguish the contents of the liner. This is great for industries that have bio-hazard waste, such as health care facilities. But it can be used to separate anything, such as recyclable materials, organic waste, soiled laundry, etc.

Spring Cleaning Tips

19 Apr

Spring is in the air! That means that winter coats are being put away and the weather is starting to heat up. It also means that Spring Cleaning plans are starting to form. Those words could bring a sense of chores and hard work but it doesn’t have to. We’re here to give some tips and recommend some products that can make Spring Cleaning much easier for years to come!

GET THE RIGHT TOOLS

The first thing you will need to get is your cleaning supplies. Figure out what you need and also inspect what you already own to see if it needs to be replaced. Maybe that old broom is a little frayed or the mop is a bit too grimy. Here’s a list of the basic tools you’ll need to get the job done.

  • Broom
  • Dustpan
  • Mop
  • Bucket
  • Rags
  • Towels
  • Scrub Brush
  • Toilet Brush
  • Squeegee
  • Vacuum

Carlisle is a great place to get your broom, dustpan, and brushes. Libman has a wide assortment of mops, buckets, sponges, and cloths. Ettore is world-renowned for their squeegee and scraper collection. And Pullman-Holt HEPA Vacuums are designed for the efficient recovery of asbestos, lead, mold and many other hazardous materials.
GET THE RIGHT CLEANING CHEMICALS

Of course those cleaning tools won’t do you a whole lot of good without the right cleaning chemicals. Luckily we carry plenty of those as well! Here’s a basic list of what you’ll need:

  • All Purpose Cleaner
  • Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Floor Cleaner
  • Stainless Steel Cleaner
  • Furniture Polish
  • Dishwashing Liquid
  • Laundry Detergent
  • Bleach

If you’re looking to celebrate Earth Day and want to be a little more environmentally conscious, Earth Friendly Products has a green version of every cleaner listed above. Procter & Gamble carries nearly every brand of cleaners under the sun, including Bounty, Mr. Clean, Comet, Febreeze, Swiffer, Tide, and Dawn.

GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS

Ok, so you’re armed and ready to tackle dirt and grease. Now what? Well before you dive head first into your Spring Cleaning project, you need a sound strategy so you can get the job done in an efficient and timely manner.

  • Remove Trash & Unwanted Items: This is the first thing you want to do as it will help free up some space, and you won’t be dragging garbage all over your clean house. Go through your closet, garage, basement and attic to find all of the items you want to throw away or get rid of. You can either sell unwanted items online or through a yard sale, or you can donate them to your local charity. When going through items that will be thrown away, be sure to separate recyclable items from garbage. These items include aluminum cans, scrap metal, paper, and electronics. Not only will you be helping the environment but some places will pay you to take them off your hands!
  • Clean From Top To Bottom: Gravity is a cruel mistress and when you clean things that are high up, a good portion of the dirt and dust falls onto things below. So it’s best to start up top with fans, the ceiling, light fixtures, and shelf tops, then work your way down. Vacuuming and mopping should be the last thing you do.
  • Get Help or Get Out: If you have a family, then you can have them help. Give kids small jobs like sorting their toys and taking out garbage. If the kids are being a hassle or the dog is getting in the way, have a friend or relative take them for a few hours to give you an easier time.
  • Make It Fun: Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be all work and no play. It can be quality time with family and friends. If you’re on your own, put on some music or a ball game.

KEEPING YOUR HOME CLEAN

  • Get A Magic Eraser: A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser can clean almost anything. It can clean silver & gold, vinyl, mirrors, suede, pots & pans, BBQ grills, tile & grout, and stove tops. It can remove mold & mildew, soap scum, adhesive residue, hair dye, nail polish, paint, and ink. A definite must have around your house.
  • Reverse The Clothes In Your Closet: If you had trouble clearing out your wardrobe, hang all your clothes so your hangers face backward. When you wear something, turn the hanger around. After a year, if something is still on a backward hanger, give it away.
  • Stay Organized: Continental has different receptacles for recycling and trash so you can sort as you dispose. Akro Mils has plenty of storage and shelving options.

Your Guide To Buying A Shed

12 Feb

Betty Mills Sheds

Outdoor storage buildings free up valuable space in your garage, basement and attic by providing additional, conveniently accessible storage space. Available in a wide variety of durable materials and sizes to fit any budget, outdoor sheds are an ideal solution for safe storage of shop tools, lawn and garden equipment, recreational and sports gear, and even outdoor toys. You can assemble a shed easily with a do-it-yourself kit or opt to have it professionally installed by a licensed, pre-screened, authorized service providers.

TYPES OF SHEDS

STEEL

PROS: Light; easy to assemble; resistant to decay and infestation; cost efficient; reflects heat away to help maintain a cool temperature

CONS: Susceptible to dents and dings which could require touch ups and cause rust if enamel gets cracked; unable to paint; visually ‘industrial’.

Betty Mills carries Arrow Sheds, which is the world’s leader in manufacturing steel storage sheds. Arrow Sheds are the easiest to assemble because of the lighter sheet metal material. Arrow Sheds come with numbered and pre-drilled parts to help make your shed assembly as easy as possible, using basic DIY skills. It is recommended that you either build on concrete or an Arrow Floor Kit for maximum stability.

Sizes range from 4′ x 7′ to 14′ x 31′. A 10′ x 8′ can take up to two days to build, and it is recommended that anything larger should be handled by a contractor.

RESIN

PROS: Durable; low maintenance; Resistant to chipping, rust, rotting, insects

CONS: Unpaintable; heavy; expensive

Lifetime supplies Betty Mills with their high quality resin sheds. 16 different sheds are available, ranging from the 8′ x 2.5′ Sentinel to the 11′ x 26′ Sentinel. Extension kits are available in 2.5′ sections for 8′ sheds, and in 2.5′ or 5′ sections for 11′ sheds. For 8′ sheds, anything larger than 8′ x 10′ is shipped with the 8′ x 10′ base and the necessary extension kits (for example: an 8′ x 15′ shed will be shipped with an 8′ x 10′ base and two 2.5′ extension kits). These extension kits can be added after assembly, so if you decide you need a bigger shed in the future just grab an extension kit or two.

Also available are a variety of shelves to help maximize the space in your shed.

WOOD

PROS: Paintable; wood is pre-cut; sturdy against weather; accommodates hooks and shelving at owners discretion

CONS: Susceptible to insects, mold, and warping; must be painted/treated; most difficult to assemble

Handy Home has partnered with Betty Mills to bring you their high quality wood sheds. With over 40 sheds to choose from, sizes ranging from 8′ x8′ to 12′ x 24′, there is a shed for every homeowners need. Handy Home sheds can be painted and shingled to any design you like, even matching your home if you wish! All pieces are pre-cut so there is no need for a saw, and the wood allows for ultimate customization – you can install hooks, shelves or windows anywhere you desire.

Floors are available separately and are recommended to help keep out moisture. The Phoenix Power Fan is recommended to help maintain an even temperature.

FAQ

What is the delivery process?

Because most sheds are heavy (weighing between 100-300 lbs) carriers only offer curb side delivery, meaning that it is up to the customer to remove the package from the delivery truck and into their yard. This is due to liability issues on behalf of the freight company. Because of this, someone must be present during the delivery. The freight company will phone you 24-72 hours before delivery.

What tools do I need?

A rubber mallet, drill/cordless screwdriver, gloves, safety goggles, level, tape measure and step ladder. Additional tools may be needed for accessories (ex: adding shingles to a wood shed).

Where do I build my shed?

You’ll want to build your shed on a level surface. This will ensure maximum stability and prevent leaking. Leave plenty of room for the shed doors to open. Be sure to check your municipality and homeowner association for restrictions or permit requirements.

Is a floor kit necessary?

It is strongly recommended that the shed is built on a floor kit to ensure maximum stability and prevent leaking.

How long will it take to build my shed?

It depends on a number of factors, including: the size of your shed, whether you hire a professional to build it, and how much help you have if you decide to build it on your own. With two people, an 8′ x 10′ shed is estimated to take 2 days to build. A 10′ x 20′ is estimated to take about a week. It is recommended that you have at least one person help you.

Cleaning Your Smokers’ Outpost Cigarette Receptacle

8 Jan

It is estimated that over 634 million cigarettes are smoked in the United States every day. That is a lot of ash and cigarette butts to dispose of. If you toss them in a general waste can, they can begin to smell or worse, cause a fire if not properly put out.

Luckily the folks over at Smokers’ Outpost were one step ahead and came up with their Cigarette Receptacles. They are durable, weather resistant, and have a sleek and modern design. They are oxygen-restricting so there is no need for water or sand to extinguish cigarettes.

Recently, Betty customer Mike H. from Los Angeles asked how to clean his Smoker’s Outpost Receptacle. We reached out to Smokers’ Outpost and their representative Sandi D. was more than happy to oblige.

  • Remove fastening screw to release the top from the base
  • Empty the pail
  • You can clean out the pail and receptacle with warm water and soap. For tougher build up, a household cleaner or degreaser is recommended.
  • Be sure to check for any cigarette butts blocking the smoke stack
  • Replace the pail and refasten the top with the tightening screw

Smokers Outpost Cigarette Recptacle

The frequency of cleaning is recommended for every 3rd or 4th emptying of the pail, and be sure to always check the smokestack during every cleaning.

Thanks to Mike H. for his question and Sandi D. over at Smokers’ Outpost for her quick and helpful response!

The Betty Chronicles

2 Jan

Welcome to our brand new informative blog, The Betty Chronicles! Here we will answer general questions about our 100,000’s of products with the help of the creators of the products. That’s right – we’re not just cutting and pasting some answer we found elsewhere, we get our answers right from the source! For example if there is a question about a Rubbermaid product, we contact Rubbermaid personally to make sure we pass on the right information to you, our customer. Stay tuned for future posts on your favorite Betty Mills products!

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