But what about food storage for freezing or vacuum-sealing smaller items to protect them from tarnish and rust? Here's how:

To vacuum-seal small stuff such as food (for freezing), or to prevent tarnish or rust, put the item in question in a plastic zip-top storage bag. Insert a drinking straw as far to one side as is possible, then zip the top, suck out the air and quickly zip the bag closed as you pull out the straw. After one or two practice sessions, you'll be a regular vacuum-sealing machine. Taking command over that last bit of snow

Toro has added oomph to the single-stage snow thrower with its new Snow Commander.

The Snow Commander is lightweight and maneuverable, but it has a 141-cubic-centimeter engine - equivalent to about 14 horsepower, a company spokesman said - and a large funnel that can move a large quantity of snow. The machine clears a path 24 inches wide and throws the snow up to 35 feet.

Two models are available, retailing for $859 to $959. To find a Toro dealer, call 866-336-5205 or visit www.toro.com . Stressed ficus may be overwatered

Q. I have a ficus tree in my office that's about 5 feet tall. The leaves, which are green, are dropping off. I recently changed the soil and put it in a larger pot. What's wrong? - C.H., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

A. Kim Summers of House of Plants Florist in the Merriman Valley said it's very common for a ficus to become stressed and lose leaves after being repotted or moved. It will become acclimated to its new situation eventually, she said.

However, Summers said it's also possible the plant is being overwatered. She recommended making sure the soil is on the dry side before you water it. Forget your keys? No problem

The "touch" system is making it easier than ever to open entry doors, with numeric pads that replace keys. Tired of fumbling for house keys in the dark? Or looking for (and replacing) lost house keys? Keyless entry locks let you open doors by the numbers.

There are a few basic types to consider. Some are mechanical, wherein you punch in a code. Others are electronic and more sophisticated - with multiple codes or multiple persons, and with temporary settings for guests and service people.

Recent offerings also include electronic "keyless" deadbolts. And, if you want the ultimate in new lockset hardware technology, check out those with miniature fingerprint readers. They scan hundreds of stored fingerprints in a nanosecond. Detergent saves energy by working in cold

Tide Coldwater is formulated to provide deep cleaning in cold water, saving the energy needed to heat water for warm-water washing. Laundering with cold water can save up to $63 a year, according to figures provided in connection with a joint promotion of the product by the manufacturer and the Alliance to Save Energy.

The product comes in both liquid and powder forms in two scents, with a suggested retail price of $6.99 for 100 ounces.

Consumers can request a sample at www.coldwaterchallenge.com as part of the ColdWater Challenge. Turning floor to stone

Q. Do you know where a do-it-yourselfer could buy materials to make a floor like a Nature Stone floor? - H.K., Barberton, Ohio

A. I know of a company in Florida, Epoxy Systems Inc., that makes a two-part epoxy adhesive used for bonding stone for floors. It sells the pea gravel, too, but it might be cheaper to buy the stones from a local supplier, company President Norm Lambert said.

Epoxy Systems can be reached at (352) 489-1666. The company also has a Web site, www.epoxy.com . The product you want is simply sold as Epoxy Systems Product No. 17.

- Wire services

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