INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Carpet pads don't just make your carpets more comfortable to walk on, because they can also protect your carpet. When you place a heavy piece of furniture on the carpet, the pad will help absorb the weight, and help prevent dents from forming. Carpet pads come in different thicknesses, and it's important that you choose the right pad for the type of carpet you have. Typically, household carpeting pads should be between inch and 7/16 inch (6.3 and 11 mm) thick, and should have a density of about 6 pounds (2.7 kg) per cubic foot (30 cm). Furniture dents form because heavy furniture compresses the same fibers in the same way for too long. An easy way to stop this from happening is to move the furniture often so that it doesn't sit on the fibers long enough to compress them. Move the furniture by about an inch (2.5 cm) every one to two months to stop dents from forming. This method works best with small furniture and furniture that's on casters. Furniture cups and gliders are pads that you place under furniture feet. These spread out the weight of the furniture more evenly among more fibers. That way, the furniture isn't just compressing a few fibers, so dents don't form. Cups tend to slide under furniture feet, and don't get attached to the actual feet. Gliders are also designed to help furniture slide without causing scrapes. They often have sticky backs that attach to the feet, or screws or pins that get inserted into the wood. Carpets with shorter pile (shorter fibers) are generally easier to maintain and clean, and they aren't as dent-prone as carpets with longer pile. When it comes time to re-carpet or change your rugs, look for shorter fibers as opposed to longer and shaggier ones.

SUMMARY: Use carpet pads. Move furniture regularly. Use cups or gliders. Choose carpeting with a shorter pile.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Toilets can account for up to 30 percent of your household water usage. Older toilets use much more water to function and the extra water winds its way into your septic system, causing wear and tear. Replace your toilets with high-efficiency toilets to increase the lifespan of your septic tank. Have a certified plumber install your toilet so it's done correctly. High-efficiency showerheads and flow restrictors will help reduce the amount of water you use in the shower. The reduction of water volume entering the tank will keep your septic system healthier for longer. Some regions will provide low-flow showerheads to you for free. Contact your local government or go online to see if there's a program near you. Washing multiple small loads of laundry in your washing machine wastes both water and energy. Setting your machine to the appropriate load size can reduce water waste. Grease can seriously clog up your pipes and add to the scum levels in your septic system. Don't pour grease down the drain. Instead, pour it into a separate container and throw it away in the trash. Use a container you can seal so the grease doesn't spill.

SUMMARY: Install high-efficiency toilets to reduce water use. Use showerheads that conserve water. Select the proper load size on your washing machine. Dispose of grease in a container in the garbage.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you find yourself thinking about your job after leaving work, try to avoid this. Think to yourself, "I did what I could today, and now I can relax." When you're not at work, focus on things like your hobbies, friends, family members, pets, and other aspects of life outside the office. You work hard and are entitled to unwind at the end of the day. Try to avoid talking or complaining about your job after work. This only exacerbates the issues, and it's best not to bring work into your home life. If you're unsatisfied at work, you may internalize these feeling and start feeling negative about your life overall. Strive to remind yourself you are not your job. You have other things going on, like friendships and family obligations, outside the office. Place your focus here when you feel discouraged. Not everyone can work a job that fulfills their dreams. If you're not in the exact field you love, pursue your passions outside of work. Volunteer at an organization that could use extra help. For example, if you're working an office job, but your goal is to work with kids, volunteer at a daycare, library, or school to help tutor kids. Work doesn't have to be your only outlet in life. Think about your passions and find ways to indulge them on the side. Form a band with friends if you're interested in music. Join a local theater troupe if you're interested in acting. There are many things you can do to feel fulfilled outside of work. Sometimes, it's not the job that's the problem, and it may be that underlying issues are making you unhappy. Talking to a therapist can help you work through these problems and pinpoint if you are suffering from anxiety or depression.

SUMMARY: Switch off when you leave. Remember you are not your job. Volunteer on the side. Indulge your hobbies and passions. Consider speaking to a therapist.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Meat tenderizer powder, sold in grocery stores, can break down the proteins found in blood stains. While it is recommended by some silk experts, meat tenderizer does have the potential to break down silk and wool fibres as well. Test this method on a small corner of these fabrics first, to see if damage occurs. Put about 15 mL (1 tbsp) unseasoned meat tenderizer into a small bowl. Gradually add water while stirring until a thick paste is formed. Do not use seasoned meat tenderizer, as the seasonings may stain your fabric. Spread the paste on the dried blood stain and gently rub it with your fingers. Let it sit for about an hour. After the hours is up, rinse the paste out with cold water. Wash the fabric as usual, but air dry rather than using a drier, since the heat can cause remnants of the stain to set permanently.

SUMMARY:
Use this on any fabric, but cautiously on silk and wool. Wet unseasoned meat tenderizer. Rub the paste gently into the fabric. Rinse out the paste before washing.