Consumer Corner
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Hardwood Floors
(Family Features) Hardwood floors come in a variety of types. Before diving into the cleaning process, it’s important to recognize the type of floor – and its finish – in your home.
Whether solid wood or engineered wood (multiple layers of wood veneer), each flooring type has specific cleaning needs. The same is true for the type of finish used, including durable and water-resistant surface finishes like polyurethane and polycrylic or penetrating finishes such as oil or wax, which require more meticulous care to ensure longevity and maintain shine.
Transform your hardwood floors from dull to dazzling with these cleaning tips.
- Prepare the Area: Remove furniture and rugs from the room to ensure you can clean every inch of the floor. Check for any debris or dirt that can be swept away with a soft-bristle broom or vacuumed using a hardwood floor vacuum attachment.
- Dust and Sweep: Thoroughly sweep the floor to remove dust and dirt. Use a microfiber mop to capture finer particles the broom might miss.
- Spot Clean: Identify any stubborn stains or spots. Use a damp cloth and small amount of hardwood floor cleaner to gently scrub these areas. Avoid harsh chemicals (including vinegar and ammonia), abrasive scrubbers and soaked cloths to prevent damage to the wood or finish.
- Mop the Floor: Fill a bucket with water and add a few drops of pH-neutral hardwood floor cleaner. Dip the microfiber mop into the solution, wring out excess water and mop the floor following the grain of the wood. Work in small sections to prevent water from sitting on the floor too long. Note: Excessive water can seep into the wood and cause swelling, warping or mold growth.
- Dry the Floor: Immediately after mopping, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the floor to remove any remaining moisture and streaks before walking on it.
- Prevent Long-Term Danage: Place doormats at entryways to catch dirt and moisture before they reach your floors. Use area rugs in high-traffic areas, felt pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches and a dehumidifier to control humidity levels, which can impact wood stability.
- Maintain the Shine: Apply a hardwood floor polish every few months according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Test the polish in an inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility with your floor’s finish.
For more home maintenance guidance, visit eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
eLivingtoday.com
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Consumer Corner
What to Know Before You Remodel Your Home
Planning a home remodel involves defining goals, setting a budget, gathering inspiration, planning a timeline, selecting a contractor, finalizing design choices, and preparing the home. A clear plan helps manage costs and expectations, allowing for a smoother renovation process while minimizing stress for the household.
What to Know Before You Remodel Your Home
(Family Features) Planning a home remodel is as much about your vision as it is your preparation. With a thoughtful plan, you can refresh your living space, stay on budget and enjoy the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Consider these steps to get the process started:
- Define your goals
Decide what you’re looking to accomplish with your remodel, whether it’s improved functionality, updated style, higher resale value or a combination. Make a simple list of “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves” so you can prioritize upgrades if costs start to climb too high.
- Set a realistic budget
Determine how much you’re comfortable spending then add a cushion of 10-20% for additional material costs and any surprises behind walls or under floors. Get rough price ranges for materials and labor, which allows you to adjust the scope of your project before the work begins, if necessary, instead of mid-project.
- Gather ideas and inspiration
Collect photos, paint colors and product ideas in a single place, such as a digital folder or photo album on your smartphone. Pay attention to recurring themes in your inspiration – such as cabinetry, flooring and fixture styles and colors – so it’s easier to choose finishes when the time comes.
- Lay out the project timeline
Think about the best time for your household to live through construction, especially if kitchens or bathrooms will be out of commission during the renovation. Talk with potential contractors about timing for each phase so you can plan for temporary living arrangements, if necessary.
- Choose the right construction crew
Interview a variety of potential contractors, being sure to ask for references and verify licenses and insurance. Once you’ve narrowed your list, request written estimates that include labor and material costs, timelines and payment schedules so expectations are clear before choosing a service provider and signing an agreement.
- Finalize design details and materials
Make as many design decisions as possible before demolition, including choosing fixtures, appliances, flooring, tile, paint, hardware and other details. Ordering key items early can help avoid delays and keep the project on schedule once work begins.
- Prep your home and family
Before construction begins, clear areas where work will be completed of furniture and decor, covering anything that cannot be moved out of the room with plastic sheeting. So everyone knows what to expect while your home is in transition, talk with family members about the impending noise and dust, and make necessary schedule changes to avoid interrupting work.
Visit eLivingtoday.com for more resources and home renovation guidance.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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Consumer Corner
Littlest Pet Shop Partners With Like Nastya to Bring Collecting—and Storytelling—Back to the Spotlight
Littlest Pet Shop names Like Nastya as an official brand partner, launching a new YouTube content series and teasing more fan experiences through 2026.
LITTLEST PET SHOP is leaning into a very 2026 reality: kids discover brands as much through screens as they do through toy aisles.
This week, the iconic collectible toy line announced a new partnership with Like Nastya—one of the world’s biggest child creators—signaling a major push to connect LITTLEST PET SHOP’s long-running “tell your own story” DNA with today’s digital-first families.
A creator partnership built on imagination
According to the announcement, Like Nastya has more than 409 million subscribers across YouTube and reaches billions of views each month. Her content is known for positivity, imaginative play, and family-friendly storytelling—an easy brand fit for LITTLEST PET SHOP, which has always centered quirky characters, customization, and kid-led narratives.
The collaboration is positioned as a “meeting of two creative worlds,” with both Nastya and LITTLEST PET SHOP encouraging kids to express themselves, dream big, and celebrate individuality through play.
In a statement included in the release, Like Nastya said she’s excited to partner with the brand to inspire kids everywhere to tell their own stories.
What fans can expect (starting now)
The partnership begins this month with a content series on Like Nastya’s YouTube channel featuring LITTLEST PET SHOP toys. Beyond the initial videos, additional pieces of the collaboration will roll out throughout 2026—described as new experiences, surprises, and fresh ways to play.
For toy brands, that “reveal over time” approach is increasingly the playbook: keep the community engaged with ongoing drops, creator activations, and new touchpoints that extend beyond a single product moment.
A legacy brand with a modern relaunch
LITTLEST PET SHOP is no newcomer to fandom. The brand first launched more than 30 years ago and has sold over 1 billion pets to date. Its staying power has always been tied to collectability—plus the way kids (and collectors) build personalities and worlds around each pet.
The release also highlights the brand’s recent momentum: LITTLEST PET SHOP was relaunched in 2024 under a licensing agreement between brand owner Hasbro and Basic Fun!, the global toy marketer behind the current line. The Generation 7 pets quickly returned to best-seller status, driven by a new wave of young fans and longtime collectors who never really left.
Why this matters for toy marketing right now
This partnership is a clear signal that toy marketing is no longer just about commercials and endcaps—it’s about creators who can make play feel immediate, shareable, and story-driven.
Basic Fun!’s Maureen Dilger, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing, emphasized that Like Nastya reflects what LITTLEST PET SHOP stands for: imagination, self-expression, and “scroll-stopping stories.” Hasbro’s Marianne James, Senior Vice President of Global Licensing, framed the partnership as a way to connect the brand’s legacy with today’s digital generation—while still honoring collectors who have supported the franchise for decades.
In other words: this isn’t a pivot away from the core fanbase. It’s an expansion of the storytelling ecosystem.
Where to follow LITTLEST PET SHOP
Fans can find more information about the LITTLEST PET SHOP brand and product line at LittlestPetShop.com and by following the official @LITTLESTPETSHOP social channels.
Important links:
Follow on social:
- Littlest Pet Shop on Instagram
- Littlest Pet Shop on TikTok
- Like Nastya on YouTube
- Like Nastya on Instagram
- Like Nastya on TikTok
Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!
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Consumer Corner
The Luxury Letdown: Why Features Alone Don’t Deliver the Full Car-Buying Experience
Full Car-Buying Experience: The article discusses the “luxury letdown” in car buying, where consumers desire more than flashy features; they seek comfort, quality, and an enjoyable driving experience. While many prioritize special features, true satisfaction comes from thoughtful design and connection with the vehicle. Additionally, safety and value without excessive costs are crucial for buyers.
The Luxury Letdown: Why Features Alone Don’t Deliver the Full Car-Buying Experience
(Family Features) In a world where everyone is juggling busy schedules and endless choices, it’s only natural to want more from your vehicle. Not just more features, but more comfort, more quality and more enjoyment every time you get behind the wheel.
According to recent survey data from Mazda, 74% of car buyers said special features are “very” or “extremely important,” but 30% admitted they don’t have any features worth showing off to friends or family. This is the “luxury letdown;” the excitement of new features fades, leaving you wanting something more meaningful from your car.
People are looking for more than just bells and whistles. They want a car that feels good to drive, that is thoughtfully designed and that brings more joy and satisfaction to everyday life. It’s not about having the most options or the flashiest tech. It’s about all that and quality, comfort and a sense of connection that lasts long after the new car smell fades.
Beyond the Surface
Forget what you think you know about luxury vehicle features. The most memorable cars are typically built with an incredible attention to detail – a craftsmanship you can see and feel. Smart, thoughtful innovation makes driving better, not more complicated. From the shape of the seats to the way the materials feel under your fingertips, every detail is designed to enhance the experience. In fact, 80% of survey respondents said thoughtful design that makes the driving experience better is extremely or very important during the car-buying process. These subtle touches elevate the everyday and make a car feel truly special.
The Joy of Driving, Reimagined
Driving should be more than a means to get from point A to point B. The most rewarding vehicles are often those that make every journey feel intentional and enjoyable. Responsive handling, intuitive controls and a cabin designed for comfort can transform even the most routine commute into a moment of enjoyment. When a car is engineered to connect driver and road, it brings back the pleasure of driving many have forgotten. For some, this feeling gets lost beneath features and digital overload, but it’s possible to rediscover harmony between driver and car – making every trip feel intentional and rewarding.
Confidence Comes Standard
Safety is more than a feature – it’s a foundation. Advanced safety technologies and strong crash-test ratings provide peace of mind for drivers and their families. With an industry-leading number of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+-awarded vehicles – including the Mazda3 Sedan and Hatchback, CX-30, CX-50, CX-50 Hybrid, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV – Mazda is committed to keeping safety at the forefront. Features like active safety systems, robust body structures and intelligent alerts help keep everyone protected, allowing drivers to focus on the road ahead.
Value That Surprises
Many shoppers believe a premium experience comes with a premium price tag. However, value is found in vehicles that deliver quality, innovation and comfort without the luxury markup. The materials, craftsmanship and driving dynamics often surprise those who expect to pay more for such an experience. It’s not just about what’s included, but how it all comes together to create a sense of satisfaction and pride in ownership. The result is a driving experience that feels special, accessible and built to last.
A New Standard for Everyday Driving
In a world that constantly demands so much, there is a kind of more that stands out. Not just in features, but in the feeling, the craftsmanship and the sheer joy of driving. This is the more of Mazda – a more that is intentional, meaningful and designed to enrich every journey.
When you’re ready for more from your next vehicle, visit Mazdausa.com.
SOURCE:
Mazda
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