by Melany Love; Edited by News Gate Team
If you take a walk around the neighborhood, you’re likely to see holiday decorations and flags. But some people will be using colorful porch lights to help draw attention to certain social issues. For example, green porch lights bring awareness to veterans’ issues, and red porch lights show support for American Heart Month. But that’s not the only spotlight on the block! Here’s a closer look at the purple porch light meaning.
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What does a purple porch light mean?
If you ever see a purple porch light, pay attention. It’s there to bring awareness to incidents of domestic violence. The situation can go undetected for far too long, especially if victims feel they cannot leave due to a dangerous response from their attackers.
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The Purple Light Nights movement not only aims to increase awareness of domestic violence but also show those who suffer that there are safe spaces and people who stand with them. The movement’s motto is “shine a light and save a life.” Sometimes victims themselves will use a purple porch light to stand in solidarity and show it can happen to anyone.
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Sleeklighting Led A19 Purple Light Bulb Ecomm Via Amazon.com
Sleek Lighting Purple Light Bulbs
Feit Electric 25 Watt Equivalent A19 Medium E26 Base Dimmable Filament Purple Colored Led Clear Glass Light Bulb Ecomm Via Homedepot.com
Feit Electric Dimmable Purple Bulb
It’s not the only color for a cause
Purple probably won’t be the only porch light color you’ll see. People use red porch lights to highlight women’s heart health. And blue porch lights, like blue Halloween buckets, are to help bring awareness to people with autism.
You may find that some neighbors use colored lights just for seasonal decoration or to add some flair, but remember that each color can also stand for something more meaningful. That’s a spotlight we can get behind! Next, find out what it means if you see a purple-painted fence.
Nowadays, cleaning products take up an entire aisle in the grocery store. But before many of these supplies existed, our grandparents and great-grandparents came up with their own cleaning solutions. The tricks they discovered are gentler and cheaper than modern commercial cleaning products, not to mention more conveniently located—since they call for items that are probably already in your house. So, don’t let the innovations of previous generations go to waste! Here are nine of their best tried-and-true tricks to keep in mind.
Make your own glass cleaner
Combine two tablespoons of ammonia with two quarts of warm water for a mixture that gets smudges off of windows and mirrors without leaving streaks. Bonus tip: wipe it away with old newspaper instead of using paper towels. “You will get ink on your hands,” says Reader’s Digest research editor, Genevieve Looby. “But I’ve always found it very effective.” Find out more uses for ammonia.
Dust with diapers
While it may sound strange, think of a Swiffer duster: soft and absorbent. Cloth diapers have the same properties. They also have the added benefit of being more eco-friendly since you can launder and reuse them. And if protecting the planet is your thing, here are other great green cleaning products. If you aren’t already buying diapers, you don’t need to start. Old t-shirts (or any cotton-based clothing, really) will also work well.
Replace bad smells with your favorite brew
Coffee beans not only neutralize unpleasant odors but also replaces them with warm, inviting aromas. “Put a small cup of beans by the garbage can, or just leave an opened bag of them in the kitchen,” advises Lariza Diaz, owner of Sweeping Dimensions, a Chicago-based cleaning service. “It’s very simple, very effective, and really inexpensive,” she says.
Toothpaste polishes more than just teeth
Before you replace tarnished silverware, try restoring its former luster with toothpaste. The key here is to use a plain white paste—not the newfangled gel stuff. Once applied, take (what else?) a toothbrush and gently scrub the silver until you see it shine. Here are some other surprising ways to use toothpaste.
Conquer soap scum with soap
It may seem counterintuitive, but “soap scum is primarily made of body oil, a.k.a. grease,” says Smith. “Dish soap is made for grease!” Smith recommends squirting it straight on shower walls, but her praise for dish soap doesn’t stop there. “It’s an amazing safe-for-all-surfaces general-purpose cleaner,” she says. “It works wonderfully on everything from floors to glass to stainless steel.”
Sprinkle salt on spills
It’s important to attack stains quickly. And while there are a few different homemade stain removers, try sprinkling salt atop a spill before you reach for a rag. Let the salt sit for a few hours, then brush it away and wash what’s left of the stain with soap and water. This trick even erases stubborn messes like those from mustard and red wine.
Sources:
- Lariza Diaz of Sweeping Dimensions
- Laura Smith of All Star Cleaning Services
by Melany Love; Edited by News Gate Team
