You can find air filters at home improvement stores and most big box stores. If you're not sure what to buy, look at the size you already have after you pull it out. Basic air filters take care of things like dust and dirt. You can also buy filters to help reduce allergies, as they filter out more particles. However, the more they filter out, the less efficient they are because AC has to work harder to get the air through the filter. Usually, the return air is located near your thermostat, either on the same wall or nearby. It's often near the floor on the wall and looks like a vent/grate. However, it may also be in the floor, ceiling, the furnace, or even the air conditioner. Find the fasteners to pull open your grill work. Often, you'll have little fasteners that pull out and allow you to open one side of the cover. Lean the cover out towards you. Take the old filter out, being careful of the dust. Most filters will have a buildup of dust that will shake off everywhere if you're not careful. Place the filter in the trash. Check for the airflow arrow on the vent. The arrow should point inward towards the duct not outward towards the grill. It should set right into the frame of the vent, as long as you have the right size. Wipe down the grill with a damp rag to remove buildup of dust and hair. You can also use a vacuum cleaner if it's particularly dirty. Run the hose along the vent on the outside and inside to clean it.

Summary: Purchase a new filter. Look for the return air duct. Pull open the return cover. Remove the old filter. Place the new filter in the vent. Clean the grill.

In a spray bottle, combine 1 teaspoon (5 g) of baking soda, teaspoon (2.5 ml) of liquid dish soap, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vinegar. Shake the mixture and allow it to bubble and settle. Then, fill the bottle the rest of the way with warm water. Always shake the bottle before using. This spray can be used in the kitchen and bathroom, on floors and walls, to clean the sink and refrigerator, and to wipe down appliances and other surfaces. Baking soda is slightly alkaline and mildly abrasive, so it can be used effectively as a cleaner around the house. For stains, tough jobs, and baked-on foods, make a baking soda paste by combining equal parts baking soda and coarse salt. Then, add a few drops of liquid dish soap and just enough water to stir the mixture into a paste. Apply the paste with a clean cloth, soak for 10 minutes, and then scrub the area before rinsing. This paste can be used to scrub a number of surfaces, including: Dishes with baked on foods Storage containers with sauce stains Teacups, coffeepots, and teapots with stains Microwaves and ovens with baked-on foods and grease Dirty grills Grimy showers and sinks You can use baking soda to absorb grease and oil in the kitchen, on dishes and appliances, and even in the garage floor or on the driveway. For oil and grease spills outside, sprinkle baking soda over the spill and leave it to absorb for about 10 minutes. Scrub the area with a brush and rinse it with a hose. Inside, sprinkle baking soda over the spill and wipe it with a clean cloth after 10 minutes. To remove grease from dishes, add a scoop of baking soda to the soapy dishwater and soak the dishes for 10 minutes before scrubbing clean. Baking soda can get your laundry cleaner by cutting grease, whitening, and eliminating odors. Just add 1 cup (220 g) of baking soda to the washing machine drum and wash your clothes using your regular detergent and washing settings. Baking soda is particularly good for deodorizing gym clothes, sports gear, cloth diapers, baby clothes, musty towels, and other stinky fabrics.

Summary: Make an all-purpose spray cleaner for the house. Make a tougher scrubbing paste for multipurpose cleaning. Use baking soda to absorb grease and oil spills. Boost your laundry detergent.

. You are a complex human being who is faced with many complex experiences daily. Because of this, you may forget to focus on your inner-self, and pay attention to how your words and behaviors not only affect you, but others as well. Becoming more self-aware of your current personality traits and how they affect you and others will help you to identify areas you may want to change. The primary areas of self-awareness include: personality traits, values, morals, and beliefs, habits, emotional and psychological needs. Self-awareness of your personality can help you navigate your world better by gravitating towards situations that provide you with positive experiences and rewards, and avoid those situations that can be destructive and cause you too much stress. In other words, self-awareness of your personality will help you analyze how you react and feel about things to help you make better choices in life. These can be traits you already possess to some degree. They can also be traits you don't currently have, but wish you did. For instance, you might be a naturally shy person who wants to become more outgoing. If you're already a creative person, you could decide to work on applying your creativity in more areas of your life. Don't work on too many personality traits at once. Choose just one or two at first, so you don't get overwhelmed. If you have any qualities that you don't like, write them down. Traits that bother you or make your life more difficult are good candidates for this list. For instance, if you have a tendency to interrupt people, you might decide you want to break that habit. Personality traits are constructs that make up who you are as a person. These traits are further broken down into daily habits. Keep in mind that your habit change should involve the overarching personality traits that influence negative habits. For example, you might dislike your habit to disrupt people. This habit aligns with the personality trait of self-centeredness. Such a trait may show up in other habits like throwing tantrums when you don't get your way or gossiping. Look closely at your habits to find the bigger trait. Then, try to identify other similar habits indicated by that trait. Look over your lists and think about how you can make them a reality. Make a new list of specific actions you can take to improve your personality. Make sure your actions are focused around everyday situations you deal with frequently. After you have devised a list of feasible actions, start implementing them into your everyday life. New habits are developed by replacing the negative ones with more positive, adaptive choices. Add in more positive habits, and you'll gradually extinguish the old. For instance, if you're trying to become more punctual, you could commit to leaving for work every morning five minutes earlier than you currently do.
Summary: Become self-aware Make a list of personality traits you want to develop or strengthen. Jot down some habits you want to minimize. Go from small to big. Create a plan. Put new actions into practice.