SoyGuard Premium Stain and Sealer by SoyClean (641-522-9559, www.soyclean.biz) is a new soy-based green deck stain and sealer. It is child and pet safe and recommended for old and pressure-treated exterior wood surfaces. Priced at $39.99 per gallon it is available in Cedar, Redwood and Walnut; and carried in our market at Anderson Paint ((248) 476-2926) in Livonia and Ann Arbor, Barco Paint ((586) 949-8884) in Chesterfield township, and North Cromwell Paint ((248) 669-9754) in Walled Lake.

The Styletto Brush ((800-363-9396, www.styletto.ca) has already conquered Canada, now it is coming to the US. Styletto is a detail brush like none-other. Its V-shaped bristles let you pin point paint application. The Styletto comes in 1, 1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2 and 3-inch widths. According to the manufacturer it works great for molding, detail work, French doors and mullions, around toilets and fixtures, trim and cutting-in work. Styletto brushes have not come to Michigan yet but are available online at amazon.com and at select Ace and Lowe's stores in other states.

OTHER FUN HARDWARE STUFF

The new upright washers and dryers use very little water and are extremely efficient. Unfortunately the earlier models of these machines had so much vibration that they danced all over the place. Now Kellett Enterprises has developed little 4 or 5 ply rubber blocks called Shake Away Plus Pads. The pads act like miniature shock absorbers and isolate the washer, dryer or other vibrating equipment from the floor. When installed, the dancing stops. Sold in groups of four 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1-inch thick pads. The price is $29.95. They are available at some Lowes stores (not in Michigan) and at the company retail web site, www.keshakeaway.com.

If grease and rust stains are more the problem, Enviro Buddy Mats ((888) 239-3332, http://shop.envirobuddymats.com,) could be the solution. These protective mats are made from recycled rubber and plastic. They have a smooth top finish and vented bottom surface. The black mats will not fade, are light weight and roll up for easy transportation. The 3-foot x 4-foot: Big Buddy Mat costs $29.95; the 3-foot x 3 foot Little Buddy Mat costs $24.95; and the 2-foot x 3 foot Tail Gate Buddy Mat: 21.95. Buy direct on the web site.

If you work on your knees you are in hurt city without kneepads. Kneeblades, LLC of Lancaster, PA ((866) 885-6337, www.kneeblades.com) developed kneepads on rollers called Kneeblades. Each Kneeblade consists of a super-comfortable gel kneepad (that can be worn separately) and an outer 3-roller plastic Kneeblade. There's no need to stand up, you can zoom all over the deck or other work site on the blades. Cost is $89.99 per set and is available on the web site.

If working on a computer is more your style, the Fire-Safe gives you 80 or160 GB of waterproof, fireproof back-up storage capacity. Just download before you go home at night and your data will be safe and on site even if the building isn't. The Fire-Safe was a Best Innovations winner at this year's Consumer Electronics Show. The 80 Gig costs $199 and the 160 Gig is $299. You can buy right on the site, www.sentrysafe.com ((877) 736-8794).

Speaking of fire, Touch'n Foam ((800) 325-6180, www.touch-n-foam.com) introduced Fire Break, a highly flame resistant, fireblock penetration sealant. Priced at just $7.97. Start looking for it at Wal-Mart's, Do-It-Best and Tru-Value stores.

Simple Man Products' introduced 5-inch, 6-inch and 9-inch Dust Control Sanding Pads. The innovative pads use a hook-loop inner ring to make any vacuum sander more efficient and almost dustless. They should be in stores this summer. Call (888) 471-22EZ, www.simplemanproducts.com) for details.

You know how some 3-prong plugs are so big that they take up both sides of a 2-plug outlet? 360 Electrical (www.360electrical.com) has solved the problem with rotating plugs.

Just rotate the plug until there is room. The 360 electrical, revolving wall plug (15-amp) costs $ 12.00 at local Ace & ACO hardware stores. Revolving 4-plug outlets should be out this summer.

Hug-A-Plug lets you nestle appliances right against the wall which makes the electrical safer and eliminates needless wasted space. Developed in Brighton, Michigan, the plugs start at $5. Call (810) 626-1224 for availability or look them up on the web at www.hugaplug.com.

Remember how the doorknobs on folding doors always seem to get loose and are impossible to tighten. Sooner or later you start to pull them through the door and then you have a time consuming and very expensive repair. PLR Solutions, LLC, another Michigan group (from Clarkston) developed an ingenious plastic cylinder that holds the knob fast. Easy step-by-step directions are on the web site. The fix is inexpensive and only takes a couple of minutes. The price is $3.25 each in an 8 pack direct from the manufacturer ((248) 625-5169, www.plrsolutionsllc.com).

Water damage must be on everybody's minds. Here are 3 of the solutions I saw at the show.

For a mere $3,225 plus installation, PFP Property Flood Protector will monitor all plumbing including leaking toilets, faucets, refrigerators, AC cooling lines, etc., detect any leaking plumbing within walls, ceiling, floors, basement and attic in a 4 bathroom home. They guaranty that water loss within the entire system will be no greater than 5 gallons. It seems quite complicated but every water source is monitored. If you have real expensive digs you might want to check this out. Call (877) 832-1277, or check it out on the web at www.pfpfloodprotector.com.

Protected Home, a division of Control Products, Inc., ((800) 880-6000, www.protectedhome.com) introduced the Deluxe Freeze Alarm to monitor homes and cabins. It will let you turn the temperature up or down by phone. It automatically calls up to three phone numbers if the temperature gets out of your safety range or the power goes out. It will also allow you to check the current temperature, power and back-up battery status with a simple 15-second phone call. Pretty good for just $350. Order on the web site.

Flo n Stop ((800) 757-2990, www.flo-n-stop.com) is a wireless remote controlled water security system. Once installed, it lets you completely shut off all water in the house with a push of a button. Priced at just $199, it gives good basic water protection and peace of mind for home and condominium owners.

Tara's father, Bill O'Keeffe was a rancher. He loved the work but hated the wear and tear on his hands. Daddy's little girl became a pharmacist and spent years formulating a cream that would relieve her poor dad's sore hands. O'Keeffe's Working Hands is the result. It doesn't contain any oil but contains ingredients that attract moisture and help it penetrate the skin. If you work hard and have cracked, dry hands you might want to give it a try. A 3.4 ounce can costs $6.99 on the web site, www.okeeffescompany.com.

There were many more new things at the show, but we just don't have the time to add them to the web site. All we can say is, "You shoulda been there."