Secrets to Effective Tile and Grout Cleaning

With the advent of tiled bathroom and floors, grout cleaning has become an essential part of household chores.  It has also become a big industry since people demand effective tile and grout cleaning product today more then ever. Many manufacturers have developed cleaners that are safe, cheap and effective. They are just sitting on the supermarket shelves waiting to be discovered by you.

Is  having the right grout cleaner the only thing required for successful tile and grout cleaning? Not so, but it is only the first step to achieving sparkly clean tiles and grouts. I would like to share some secrets about effective tile and grout cleaning.

Secret # 1 – Always rinse the area to be cleaned with plain water. Although some labels specify this but more often the person will just proceed to applying the cleaner without this first and important step. Why? The tiles or grouts may contain chemical residue from soaps or shampoos. The cleaner will react to this instead focus its cleaning power to the dirt and grime. The unnecessary reaction between the cleaner and these chemical residues lessens greatly the cleaner’s effectiveness against dirt or stain.

Secret # 2 – You must follow formulation specified in the label for effective results when you clean tile grout. The directions written on the label are products of intensive research. They have already tried it that way in the laboratory and if you want to achieve similar results, you must follow their steps.

Secret # 3 – Unless specified in the label, soak your tile or grout overnight. Give more time for the cleaner to work deeply into the stains in the grout. Then using the right tools, proceed to the entire steps in cleaning tiles and grouts.

Secret # 4 – Use nylon brush instead of mops or sponges. The bristles can reach into places where mops and sponges cannot.

Secret # 5 – Dilute a weak solution of your cleaner and put it in a spray bottle. After the soaking time has expired, scrub the tile or grout while spraying the spot you are cleaning with the solution. This will give more strength to the applied cleaner. Just wear gloves to avoid damage to your hands.

Secret # 5 – Be sure to mop or wipe the area dry after cleaning or after every use. Maintenance is the key. Fungi and bacteria grow very well in damp places so keeping your tiles and grouts dry will help minimize them.

Secret # 6 – Use door mats in highly traffic areas so that your floor tiles and grouts are protected from the dust carried inside by shoes or slippers. You may also provide slippers inside your bathroom and making it a rule that shoes or slippers worn outside are not allowed inside.

Secret # 7 – Lastly, the secret to effective tile and grout cleaning is a cheerful heart. This beats all the best cleaners and tools available. Have one and you will realize that grout cleaning is half  done even before you have started.

Owning a hand blender is becoming more and more common in a typical kitchen. Soups and baby food are that much simpler to puree with the simple stem blender. What most people don’t realize is how versatile this appliance can be. The Braun multiquick hand blender, for example, comes with a number of accessories that allow you to blend, chop, whip, slice, shred, and even knead. All with one simple Braun handheld blender. Depending on the model you choose, from Professional to Classic, you’ll have all the Braun hand blender parts for every dish, every time.

The Braun Professional hand blender, the top of Braun’s Multiquick line, performs all the functions of a full food processor with one minimalist tool. It even includes a kneading hook that handles heavy doughs. It is supposed to knead as evenly as hand kneading. Of course, the Professional will also blend, puree, whip, beat, and stir. It is equipped with an anti splashing shaft to keep all the food in your bowl. With an additional bowl accessory, you can chop, slice, crush, or shred, as well!

Other Braun hand blenders on the market are the Braun Multiquick Harmony/advantage and Classic. These models come with fewer Braun hand blender accessories, but are still powerful and versatile. The Harmony performs as a Braun hand blender chopper whisker. It does not knead or crush like the Professional. It also extracts air and keeps it out to ensure tasty, fresh food. The Classic is slightly less versatile, and doesn’t have the additional fresh feature.

The best thing about these hand blenders is the amount of space you will open up in your kitchen. When you are serious about whipping up great meals in short time, you don’t want to lug out large appliances that require high levels of attention, space, and clean up. With the hand blender, your counter tops remain spacious and neat. That means more space for the food, less spent on machinery.

Braun is making a continuous effort to increase ease and enjoyment in the kitchen. With style and class, any serious cook can have the time of his or her life, without having to work in a professional hotel kitchen. In fact, with a Braun hand held blender and other Braun appliances, the food that leaves your kitchen can be comparable to any five star institution. Give these beautiful little machines a try, and you won’t be disappointed.

Some home renovations are relatively simple, so that nearly anyone with a little bit of time could do the remodeling themselves. Like an easy closet system. Other projects wouldn’t be undertaken by anyone less than a licensed contractor. Like digging a pool in the backyard. There are, however, renovations that fall in between. Believe it or not, with spiral staircase kits, spiral staircases are a fairly simple DIY project. With some basic tools and the right kit, any DIY enthusiast could take this one on.

A proper stair kit should include landing, railings, balusters, and treads, as well as easy to follow spiral staircase plans. Many manufacturers have a demonstration DVD or video, as well. With these things and the basic home shop tools, you should be good to go. It’s not a joke. The only question is, what is the spiral staircase design for you? Indoor, outdoor, spacious rooms, tight spaces, wood finish or metal…?

For the contemporary home, a metal spiral staircase with steel treads and clean lines is a perfect choice. The classic black and white contrast is a common buy. PVC hand railing to match the risers (or, steps) complete the look. You can find them in varying stair widths for different sized rooms.

A more classic look, of course, lies in the wooden spiral staircase. Solid Beach wood treads with black balusters or cherry wood with white balusters, oak on oak…don’t feel limited here. The wooden staircase you dream of has to be available somewhere.

From the patio to the second floor, you’ll want materials that are made to guard against rust and weather. An outdoor spiral staircase is constructed specifically to manage rough elements while still complementing the garden design in place. Subtle colors are the key here.

For stairs leading to attics and lofts, remember that you don’t have a lot of room to play with, especially as you reach the upper landing. Buy a kit with spiral staircase dimensions that will comfortably suit your needs. Slim treads and single side railings are common features. In awkward spaces or more complex designs, you can also buy stair kits that have a certain amount of flexibility. Both in stair height and rotation. This is more than do it yourself. It’s design it yourself.

Whatever the case, the DIY renovator ought to be thrilled with the prospects of a stair kit. All in one packages that can be completed in less than a day, and last a lifetime. This is productive creativity.

Pergolas are the beautiful way to cover outdoor living spaces.  Pergolas are particularly beautiful when installed in a garden or over a patio. There are many different pergola plans and designs to choose from. By following pergolas plans, you can easily save a lot of more money because you will be able to choose your own materials.

Most homeowners prefer freestanding or a partial pergola for decorating and sheltering their walkways, patios, and decks.  Freestanding patio pergola plans are an excellent option because they are simple and cheaper to construct. It is always a good idea to have a professional builder look over your pergola plan to ensure that it is a safe and durable design. For bigger patios or long walkways, installing series of smaller pergolas is an excellent option.  There are many DIY pergola plans available for free or sale on the internet which make pergola installation easy and inexpensive for homeowners.

The two basic types of pergolas are freestanding and attached. The freestanding types are supported by poles and the common or preferred shape for this design is rectangular. Climbing vines or draping fabric materials can be added to give more coverage. Attached pergolas are attached to an existing structure. There are also many other types such as a walkway pergola which can be used to highlight particular spaces in your landscape or a swing pergola which contains a swing so you can sit and relax in your outdoor oasis.

If you have decided to purchase a kit, you will still have to decide on which pergola designs or types will work best for your property.  You will also have to choose which building material is best for pergolas. There are many materials to choose from but aluminum and vinyl are by far the most affordable. Aluminum pergolas are very easy to maintain, pest proof, and do not rust or deteriorate like many other materials. These pergolas may lack traditional feel, but many come with faux wood grain designs that make the aluminum look very much like wooden materials.  Powder coating the aluminum structure increases the lifetime of the pergola and also gives luxurious finish.

Vinyl pergolas are just as popular and very cost-effective options. These require even less maintenance than the aluminum and typically come with lifetime warranty. Vinyl is flexible, contains a softer feel, and looks almost similar to wood depending on the appearance that you choose.

Most of us enjoy a sharp drink once in a while. Many of us enjoy it more than once in a while. And then, there are those who dream of having a continuous and fully stocked home bar set at all times. It is certainly a fun idea. Now, you don’t have to just entertain the thought. Home bars are simple additions to your home. Whether it is merely designating a kitchen display cupboard as the liquor cabinet, or building a full in home bar down in the basement, it is easy and enjoyable to do.

The first step is to decide how much time, energy, and money you can invest. The minimal investment would only require you to do the research on what the top spirits and mixer recipes are (and what you like best), and then stock up that kitchen cabinet! One step up would be to install a special display cabinet for your liquors. A wooden cupboard with glass doors will go far to turn a “liquor stock” into a home bar. And that is all without looking at home bar furniture.

A miniature home wet bar, which you can set up in the basement, a recreation room, or even at the end of a large and casual dining room, includes only a few essential pieces for a perfect setting. The primary piece, of course, is the bar itself. With a quick glance at any online home bar store, you’ll notice a few basic designs. Rolling bars, bars with extension counters, alcohol display areas, etc. Most come in a variety of wood finishes. Some are metal. The design and color choice is purely a decision of personal taste.

The next essential point of home bar sets is the seating. Home bar stools can be purchased individually or in sets of two, three, four, and more. A miniature wet bar will usually not seat more than four comfortably. Of course, you can strategically place extra stools around the room for socializing.

Beyond that, you can invest in additional pieces to make your bar more luxurious and more permanent. If you have a large stock of liquors and mixers, you might be interested in a larger cabinet or hutch for behind the bar. Towel racks, racks for glasses, even a sink are possible if you’re up for the extra work. Take a look at some home bar accessories to get an idea of everything that’s out there and how much it might cost.

Even building your own bar is not difficult for the real do it yourself project lover. You can buy a great home bar design for under thirty dollars. Read up more on this DIY project if you want to take it seriously. It is fun and reasonably simple, but will most definitely be more than one day’s work!

Do you have black mold in your bathroom? Once you start getting bathroom mold, treat it like an enemy. Black mold can produce harmful toxins that can lead to health problems in people, especially children. Once you have identified the mold location, it is time to get started getting rid of that black gunk.

First of all, clean the fixture where the black mold is located. This seems simple, but quite often, the reason the mold is there in the first place is because no one has cleaned the shower, tub, or floor in a while. This needs to be done first, and any normal bathroom cleaner will work fine, but stay away from ammonia-based cleansers for this job.

Second, dry the area with paper towels, paying particular attention to the black mold areas. The reason you use paper towels is to throw the mold residue in the trash instead of leaving it in the house on a normal cloth. The goal is to remove all molds from the household, and kill what cannot be removed.

Third, make sure the area you are treating is dry. Remember; do not use ammonia cleaners for any of these parts, because the next step is bleach solution. One part bleach to four parts water is a dilute solution of bleach, and it is still very strong, so mix up some in a bucket or spray bottle, and attack the mold.

Once the mold has been killed, dry the area with paper towels again, and look at the grout and caulk. If you notice any holes or cracks, those need to be filled. A simple waterproof caulk gun can take care of the caulking that has mold growing under it; simply strip off the old caulk, clean under the area, and dry. When the area is dry, re-caulk with the waterproof caulking. If it is a tile problem, clean the area as good as possible, and re-grout the tile.

Once you have gotten rid of this mold, make sure you are cleaning your bathroom on a more frequent basis. When taking a hot shower, leave the little fan on until all of the steam in the bathroom has evaporated. After all, this is what that fan is for.

Items made from stained glass have been used for more than hundreds of years for decorating churches and cathedrals. Now a days stained glass supplies are being used by even common people for decorating their homes. In this article we shall look at how stained glass windows, stained glass panels and stained glass lamps can be used together to get an exotic look for the home within the budget.

The use of stained glass items for decoration can start at the entry way of the home itself. It gives a great first impression to anyone coming into the house. Make use of stained glass windows and stained glass panels to continue the awesome look in the living room as well. The best thing about stained glass windows is that they allow the rooms to be lighted perfectly without compromising on privacy.

Stained glass lamps do a great job of lighting the room without making it too bright. If multiple color glasses are used, then it creates a combination of lights to provide a n interesting ambiance to the room. Please remember to buy stained glass lamps that will complement other items already present in the room.

A stained glass chandelier can be used for decorating the dining room. The looks of the bathroom can be enhanced by using stained glass mirrors. The bed room can be made romantic by using lamps made from stained glass.  A stained glass vase on the central table will add to the look of the room even further.

Yo do not need all these items to decorate your house. Please go through your house carefully to identify which of these items are actually required. Finally do not make the mistake of buying the stained glass items for your home in bits and pieces. Buying all the items simultaneously will help you to get better discounts and you can get a comprehensive look for your entire house.

A make up vanity table is a woman’s private place, where she can start the day relaxing as she gets herself made up and lets her natural beauty shine. It’s a place where you let your personality come out, so why not have one that really reflects your individuality and your unique tastes?

The problem with most make up vanity furniture is that they’re mass produced, thus they have no ‘soul’. To have a truly unique looking vanity you need slightly more than just a good one from your local store. There are gorgeous make up vanity sets that can be used while applying your make-up, but to have that extra touch in this piece of furniture, you need to go a bit further. Why not let your creativity and artistic talents come out by decorating your vanity with mosaic tiles?

You’ll find that you can purchase mosaic make up vanity tables online, but they all have their issues. First of all, they’re as expensive as solid gold, and they’re not available everywhere. They also come in only in a select number designs, which is not something you’re likely to accept if you take pride in being a creative person. Sometimes you need to do things on your own if you want to get them done properly, so the best thing is to just do it yourself.

Fortunately, a mosaic makeup vanity can be made at home and is fairly easy project even if you’ve never done such a thing before. You’ll have a piece of furniture that is just what you wanted; one that is beautiful, one-of-a-kind, and a work of art you’ll be proud to show off.

It’s easy to find the materials needed to get the results you want. Try to pick a white make up vanity set so that you don’t ruin a hardwood surface if everything goes wrong. They also cost a little less than the other types. You also need something you can use as tiles. Old tinted glasses, plates you don’t mind breaking work well, but you can purchase geometric shaped ceramic tiles in any hardware store. Make up vanities look good with a colorful mix of tiles, but you can use one single tone as well. You can create intricate designs with the tiles for a more sophisticated look. You can get stencils for these if you’d like, or just go freehand.

Besides the tiles, you also need to have some adhesive, which will be used to keep the tiles in place until you add the grout. Grout is a material used to hold bricks or tiles together. It comes in black, white, beige, and other colors, so make a choice that compliments the tiles and design you have in mind. It’s also used to seal the hole between elements, like your pieces of mosaic.

Get the tiles you want to use. Break the glasses and plates in a padded bag. Always wear safety gloves and goggles to protect yourself from the little shrapnel that can cut the bag from inside. Pick the flattest pieces as they work the best on any flat surface. Think about a design you can live with, and arrange the little pieces so that they compose an aesthetically pleasing formation. You may want to make your design out of bought geometric tiles that are clean cut and use the irregular broken ones as a border.

When you’re satisfied with the result, glue the pieces to the clean surface, and wait until the adhesive starts to do its job. Mix the grout with some water, and fill the gaps between the edges. Don’t care if it gets on the tiles just yet, you can even smear it in a 1/2 inch thick layer so that it covers everything. The most important thing is to fill the holes.

Once it’s dried, which would happen in ten to twelve hours, you can use a wet sponge to clean the surface. Use a hard, dense one that can tear off the excess dried grout easily. Make sure that the surface is clean and there are no white spots left on the tiles. You can apply a layer of lacquer to protect it from metal objects, scratches and dents. An alternative is to have a piece of glass cut to fit the top of your vanity, giving you a smooth surface to work on, and protecting your work from damage.

It’s that simple, and it doesn’t need to be applied to an expensive antique make up vanity either. Mosaics do look good on intricately crafted old furniture, but the price of those pieces is usually too high to modify them in any way. Have fun, come up with a design that you think would be an asset to your room, and you’ll have a stunning vanity that will be a real personal oasis that you can enjoy starting your day with for years to come.

Are you among the thousands who had to give up on your dream of selling your current house and moving to the home of your dreams when the real estate market basically imploded? Lots of people have decided that some dreams are just too important to abandon. Unwilling to simply wait and hope that housing prices and valuations soon stabilize, they have decided to try a different approach. If this sounds like you, then laminated wood flooring might be something you’ll be seeing in your near future.

Many of the features that people want can be obtained by remodeling right where they are instead of taking on a huge new mortgage by buying a more expensive house. There is a certain amount of hesitancy, though, about the economy and how careful they should be with the funds they are earmarking for renovations. In light of the recent catastrophe in the Gulf, resulting from the explosion of BP’s oil rig, the Deepwater Horizon, consumers are concerned about the long range effects. Taking a more conservative approach than in the past, many people are making lists and choosing those things most important to them, rather than simply trying to do it all.

Unless a house already has wood flooring, it is usually close to the top of most priority lists. There’s just something about the classic beauty of solid oak flooring or the unique richness of walnut. Plus, if the day does come when it is time to put the house up for sale, few things add more market value than hardwood floors.

If there are any negatives to wood flooring it is the fact that it is costly. Some of those other things on that wish list may not make it if the remodeling fund is overly stretched because of the floors. If you can’t give up finally having a Jacuzzi bathtub or upgrading the counter tops and cabinets in the kitchen, then it might be time to explore other options.

One alternative that has become fairly popular is that of laminate wood floors instead of solid wood. These products have been greatly improved in recent years and are actually preferred in some areas that get a lot of traffic or abuse. Make no mistake, however, the amount of real wood in wood laminate is zero. A photo of a type of hardwood is applied to a composite of fiber board and resin.

Laminate wood flooring will save you a considerable amount of money. Whether you choose solid planks or oak or walnut laminate flooring will, in the end, depend upon your own priorities and your budget.

Do you intend to give your kitchen a really good refurbished look? Are your cabinets looking dingy and out of date? You may not know that it is extremely easy for you to get started refacing kitchen cabinets. You may have not done anything like this before, but you really can do it if you take it step-by-step. Who knows, it may become fun for you and encourage you to explore further refinishing projects throughout the home.

Remember that kitchen cabinet refacing is really rather easy to; all you need is a little bit of time. First you need to collect some easy to get items like sandpaper, wood putty, screwdrivers, sanding blocks and then a really stylish varnish or paint.  Sounds like a trip to the local hardware or big box store.  The makings of a great afternoon.

Back to the project. Remove the doors from their hinges, and unscrew the metal parts. It is much better to take off the cabinets and work in a place where you can sit on some newspapers and scrub off the old finish. You need to remove the grease from the cabinet first. The paint and the old finish can be removed by using mineral spirits, turpentine, denatured alcohol, lacquer thinner depending on whether the finish is wax, latex, shellac, or polyurethane.

It is always a good idea to thoroughly sand the rough areas to provide a smooth foundation and remove any leftover finish. This is imperative since the cabinet will not be as smooth if you don’t take the time at this step.

Wipe off the accumulated dust with a cheese cloth. Fill in the dents with wood putty and sand the puttied areas. Apply paint or stain using bonding agents following the instructions of the manufacturer. Staining kitchen cabinets will add a deep accent that will bring out the beauty of the wood. Apply a good polyurethane to protect the cabinets and let dry thoroughly.

Now is the time to rehang the doors, sit back, and enjoy your hard work.  When it is done, the major difference your cabinet refacing project has made will be apparent, and you will know it was worth it.

Kitchen cabinet refacing is pretty simple when you break down the steps, plan, and slowly work through the steps.

a guest post by Caitlin Murtagh

An enclosed patio is a great place to use for relaxing on a warm day or entertaining your guests on a summers evening. Most people already have a good sized patio area that can be easily enclosed and transformed into a relaxing space, even on a tight budget. All it takes is a little preparation work and some furnishings to create the perfect space for you and your guests.

Preparing Your Patio
The amount of preparation work that you will need to do before enclosing a patio will depend on its current state. You may only need to make slight improvements and give the area a good clean or you might need to lay concrete or paving to create the area from scratch. It is also a good idea to think about putting in patio sun shades or covers to protect the area, and the people using it, from the elements. These come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, which can be a permanent or removable fixture depending on your needs. You could also use patio screen enclosures to create a permanent or semi-permanent closed-in area, which is like adding another room to your house.

It is a good idea to draw a design of the area that you want before you start doing any major work and if you are doing a complete makeover it might be worth hiring a professional designer for the job. If you’re not 100% sure of what you want, consider looking at some enclosed patio designs online or at some pictures of completed jobs. This can give you some great ideas that you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. It is also important to know that any major building work needs to be approved in most jurisdictions.

Furnishing
There are many different options for furnishing enclosed patios and you can be sure that there will be one to suit your budget. Outdoor settings can include; dining tables, chairs, outdoor lounge, kids play areas, outdoor kitchens and much more. When buying patio furniture it is a good idea to make sure that it can stand up to the harsh treatment (wind, rain, snow etc) it will take from being outside. If you plan on packing away the furniture every winter it is also a good idea to make sure that the furniture is light enough to move easily.

With a little bit of thought and effort a patio can be turned into a great area for relaxing or entertaining guests. Once you start thinking about enjoying those warm summer nights it isn’t too long before planning your new patio area becomes inevitable!

a guest post by Gordon Cressey

Whether one is building their home, or just remodeling, they are likely to have an unfinished basement that they would like to put to good use. A basement offers a great deal of space that can be used for a number of things. There is no limit to what can be done with the space. Many people choose to make a recreation room for fun and relaxation. The area can simply be used as an organized storage space, or maybe one would like to install a home gym. Whatever you decide to do with it, you should come up with a clear plan before beginning your basement construction project.

Having a solid plan in mind or even in writing can help one to save money and time in the construction of their basement. The type of room one would like will cause the building materials and procedures to vary greatly. There are quite a few different types of basement construction methods, and not all will work well in each home, so it’s best do do some research before you get started or before you hire someone. You can do the work yourself or hire a local contracting company to complete the job. It is a good idea to meet with the builders (if that is the case) before beginning so that everyone is on the same page.

Insulation may be necessary if one plans to use the room frequently and would like it to be temperature controlled. Electricity needs will vary, as will lighting. You can do a number of things with the walls in your basement. Traditional sheet rocking, wallpapering, and painting can be used if one would like to use the room as a living area. If not, cement, plywood, or other types of walls are an option for the basement wall construction. If the basement is above ground or partially above ground, one may want to look at windows to add natural light and reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Making sure the basement is properly sealed is very important. A reliable contractor should do the work, or if one is doing it themselves they should be experienced in this area. While it might add to your total basement construction cost, it is one step that you’ll be really sorry if you skip.

a guest post by Kurt Doman

To get the most out of your pressure washing jobs around the home, always remember that power washing is made up of three very separate elements; water pressure, temperature, and detergents or chemicals. By changing the level and intensity of either three, you greatly affect the overall washing process. Moreover, if not controlled you risk damaging the very surface you’re trying to clean and/or protect.

Depending on the type of surface, you’ll almost always want to use some type of pressure washer detergent.  For wood, particularly that which you’re trying to get rid of the green mildew or mold, simple oxygen bleach and water combination works pretty well. You can also add laundry detergent to the mix as well if there’s a lot of mud and dirt on the wood surface. A good general mixture is ¼ cup bleach, ¼ detergent and the rest water in a small or medium sized bucket. I use one of those three gallon buckets that our pool chlorine comes in and the mixture works fine.

On concrete or areas covered with grease, you’ll most likely want to use a detergent made especially for cutting through grease. You may also opt for a heated pressure washer with a type of soap that cuts through grease. Remember, grease and water don’t naturally mix so just hitting it with hot water will not give you optimal results.

As far as temperature is concerned, this will mostly depend on the surface your cleaning. Most power washers do not heat the water and those are generally used for more commercial type applications. Regardless, it’s important to read the directions on your detergents and chemicals to know how they’ll react with different water temperatures.

The amount of pressure you’ll want to use depends on the surface in which you’re washing (obviously). The type of fan or spray tip you use will help dissipate the pressure giving you the best spray width for the job. For wood, a tip of 40-60 degree’s is usually preferred as you don’t want to splinter the wood. With concrete you can use thinner fan width but always want to be cautious of cracks and broken areas of concrete. If the pressure is too high you risk making the cracks worse. It’s always best to error on the side of caution. Personally I use a 40 degree tip for just about everything.

There are many ways in which pressure washing can be dangerous also, not only to the materials and surfaces you’re cleaning but to human skin as well. Never point the spray nozzle directly at anyone. Always start the sprayer pointing away from any surface and move it in slowly to the desired angle. It’s also recommended to start cleaning or spraying on a little area to see how the surface will react. I had a co-worker whose husband completely ruined their 3 year old deck when he did a pressure wash on the entire thing to only realize a few days later after it dried that it was totally splintered.

What I like to do with wood such as decks and fences, is apply the detergent in a small area around 4 to 5 sq feet in a corner or someplace not real noticeable, wait the recommended time (usually 10-15 minutes) then rinse. Basically I do the entire process in an area not visible. Then I let it sit for two or three days to dry out. So if I want to do my entire fence or deck on the weekend I’ll do this on Tuesday or Wednesday. That way I can tell if it’s doing any damage before I treat the entire surface.

If you are concerned about doing a good job, you may want to consider hiring a pressure washing business to do the job for you. Most have pretty reasonable prices, so it’s worth making a few phone calls to find out. This is one job that it’s really best to skip over if you’re not 100% comfortable with the idea of doing it, so make sure that you are familiar with your pressure washing equipment before getting started, and that you are fully aware of all the steps involved.

by Harriett Greenstein

Have you ever eaten a bad chocolate chip cookie?  Many sweet treats are always delicious, but it is actually very easy to destroy a perfectly good recipe.  While it may seem easy to bake tasty cookies, if you don’t bake a lot, there are some tips you need to remember.  Whether your baking your favorite chocolate chip cookies or you’re trying a new recipe, keep this ideas in mind to avoid bad cookies.

Part of the biggest outcome of your cookies comes from the dough.  If you mess up the dough, your cookies are doomed.  Unfortunately, there are many ways to mess up the dough.  The good thing is that simply by following the recipe closely, you can avoid many of these mistakes.  That means reading the ingredients list and instructions in full before you start.  You should do this before you get the ingredients too so that you don’t get the wrong ingredients or make the wrong substitutes.

photo credit: Kasey Albano

Don’t skip around in the instructions and don’t make substitutions unless you know they are correct.  Better yet, don’t make substitutions period because it rarely comes out as good.  If the instructions say to sift the flour, sift the flour.  If it says to mix the butter and sugar and then add the eggs, don’t mix the eggs and flour and then try to mix in the sugar and butter.  It won’t come out the same.  Most recipes are fairly easy to follow, and if it’s not, you can always find a better recipe.  Follow what it says.

When it comes to cookies, how you bake them has a big effect on the outcome.  Make sure the oven is completely preheated.  Do not put the cookie dough on a warm or hot pan.  Make sure it is room temperature.  Watch the cookies carefully.  If you overcook them, even if they’re not burnt, they will be hard and crunchy.  Follow these simple tips and you can have great cookie results.

by Darren Edgell

No matter what project you are contemplating, there are two ways to do it. You can assume you know what needs to be done, or you can take the time to really plan it out and make sure the job is done right. While the first way might seem faster, it rarely is. There is certainly nothing wrong with going to your local home improvement warehouse or lumber yard with a materials list and just going for it, but you will save yourself a lot of time and effort with the proper planning.  My grandfather used to say, measure twice, cut once.  The way he would get away with this was that he did a lot of careful measuring and before that, designing.  He was a carpenter before there were all sorts of licensing and tests.  He just learned how to do it and spent his lifetime refining his craft.  This is not something that you can learn in a moment’s notice, but you can learn one of the big lessons.

Save yourself time when building your covered patio and get the right patio design in mind first.  You can do this in a variety of ways from browsing through a stack of fine home building magazines or from where you are right now, in front of your computer surfing the web.  Read up on what you like and click around to check out sites and pictures of stuff that catches your eye.  Take some notes, draw some rudimentary sketches.  If you are so inclined, you can even look for patio cover plans online.  Yes, they are available.  Some of them are free and others cost a few bucks.  If you have to spend a little to get your favorite plans, don’t fret, it will all pay off in the end.

Mind you, the end is not far.  Once you get the right patio cover designs figured out, either you or a hired professional can tackle the job in a few weekends.  Depending on the complexity of your designs, of course.  If you have some more simple or classic designs in mind, a pergola, for example, then a few weekends should be plenty of time for construction.  With a small crew, a contractor can make this a completed project in a couple days.  While many of their plans are in their heads, remember, they still made those patio cover plans at some point, saving them countless hours.

Any carpenter will tell you that bar stools are fairly easy to build. The various designs are relatively simple and you always come out with a fun product. If you’re not up for building from scratch, however, but you would like to invest at least some of your creativity into the extra seating at home, then it’s time to seek out unfinished wood bar stools. Unfinished furniture gives you complete discretion to choose stains, finishes, and polishes that will fit your fancy. And your home.

Think about it. You can buy a set of wooden bar stools all of one finish. That’s six stools that fit one room’s décor. But your kitchen can only house four. The other two stools don’t suit your rec room, and now… you’re left with extra stools, useless until a chair breaks. What if you finish them yourself? You can have two finished in walnut for the patio, one painted onyx for the basement sports bar, and three cherry wood bar stools perfect at that kitchen counter. The versatility is yours.

Even if you do want a full set of identical stools, not all the dealers will carry the design you love in the finish you dream about. Go to the unfinished furniture, and choose swivel wood bar stools precisely to your taste. Then, make your way to the wood finishes and, again, precisely to your taste. This is especially relevant when looking for specific wood and metal bar stools; such designs are often only available in light wood finishes like oak or maple. Buy them unfinished. Broaden the possibilities.

Unfinished furniture may also often be less expensive. Since the factory did less work, you pay less. Buying the finish yourself can be a minimal cost, as well. Even if you pay for a professional to do the finishing job, you may pay no more than you would have for finished stools…that you didn’t even like. Search out vendors online or look up a dealer in your local phonebook. Get an idea of the selection readily available, and confirm quality pieces.

Now the doors are wide open. Select any size, height, and style of bar stool you can imagine. Western backless wood bar stools, in any finish you’d like. Rustic wood bar stools in the color you couldn’t find anywhere. Even those contemporary wood bar stools can be had in sophisticated, elegant wood finishes that nobody thought of. And every moment of it is your pure creativity. Your style, your taste, your home. What more could anyone ask for?

If you live in a house or condominium, you’ll quickly realize that as twilight sets in and the sky gets dark, your home can look very dreary, lonely, even unwelcoming. Unless you have proper exterior lights, that is. A home really comes alive at night with tasteful exterior lighting; it’s a design feature that should not be passed up. There are plenty of lighting options between design and cost, so you shouldn’t feel stifled, either.

Who is the light for, you ask? For everyone. In the wintertime, your kids might come home after basketball practice long after the sun has set. Nighttime pool parties are common enough. Visitors who come in the evening hours, or even you yourself, returning after a night out, will feel all the more welcome and safe when those exterior light fixtures are aglow. They may even scare away thieving threats. Whether you’re home or away, it’s best to leave something lit as soon as night sets in.

Exterior wall lights are a common design. Wall lights can be recessed into your home’s exterior for a sleek and modern style. Dusting the light covers of recessed lights is easy, so that keeping your outdoor lighting bright is no problem at all. Using a sconce as an exterior wall light is another great choice. Sconces are sophisticated, even Victorian in style. Though today you can find them in light covers that are more new age than that. They are beautiful when set on either side of a front door, porch entrance, or next to windows.

If you’re looking for something to illuminate your lawn and dress up the beautiful flowers, fountains, or delicate shrubbery, then exterior landscape lighting is what you need. These fixtures can be anything from underwater lights to mushroom style stubs placed along the walkway. Tall lamp posts at the lawn entrance are also considered landscape lights. You might even realize that some of your exterior Christmas lighting can double function as decorative lights throughout the year. Rope lights, for example, look delightful around a pool edge, no matter what night or season.

The two important technical aspects to remember when shopping for exterior lighting fixtures are energy cost and installation. Be aware of how much the electricity cost will add to your purchase. Consider solar LED bulbs as an excellent alternative. Make sure you understand what installation will be required, as well. Will you need to hire a specialist, or is this a simple DIY task? Beyond that, enjoy the bright selection!

If you think you’re one of the trend setters for using upside down Christmas trees in your living room this holiday season, think again. It seems that the upside down Christmas tree is actually the originally tradition. The people who instituted a Christmas tree at all wanted it to be clear that it was for the celebration, not just a floral home décor addition. Now, the original tradition has become a fad. You’re joining the oldies!

Even if you aren’t one of the first to hang the tree from your ceiling, you can enjoy the tradition tremendously. Since today it’s not the norm, you’ll be adding a level of fun and excitement to your holiday festivities. Decorating an upside down tree can be tricky, though. Make sure your lights and ornaments will stay on once the tree is hung. Or, better yet, hang it first and then add the glamour. That’s really the best way to have successful decorated upside down Christmas trees.

Another pointer is not to buy just any tree. Look specifically for upside down Christmas trees for sale. These trees will usually come with the stand or base that will more easily install at your ceiling. Most people also prefer upside down artificial Christmas trees. Think of the mess. With an artificial tree, needles won’t shed and drift into your holiday soup or eggnog. Neither will your presents get showered with detaching pine sprigs. An upside down artificial Christmas tree should also be lighter than a real one, making hanging it much more practical.

Speaking of which, before you decide to go with the upside down thing, make sure your living room ceiling will handle the attachment. To get a good idea, check out some pictures of upside down Christmas trees that detail how to hang a tree this way. You’ll want to be sure.

One of the most popular attractions at every theme park are their night time light shows. As with fireworks, we have a natural draw and awe of light shows. For Christmas, it’s become popular to build your own amazing Christmas light show right on the front lawn. While it does require some dedicated time to set up, light show vendors make it a great project for anyone with a little bit of techie knowledge.

The basic equipment necessary for Christmas light shows are the lights, controllers to synchronize music and lights, audio equipment, and then accessories like snow machines. Lights include everything from basic rope lights to stars, icicle lights, statues, and more. Depending on the music your show is going to perform to, you might want solid color lights, multicolor lights, or even a mere abundance of clear and white lights. A classic Amazing Grace Christmas light show, for example, would probably just use white and amber lights. Turn it techno, and more color would come in.

If you don’t have an idea of where to begin, check out a Christmas light show video or two. Or three. Or four. Run a search on best Christmas light show 2008, for example, just to get started. Once you begin looking at these videos, you are going to get sucked in; there are so many, and they’re so much fun. Some are slow, some are fast. Some focus on tree lights, some on house lights. Make sure you see a shooting star effect. No one can tell which crazy Christmas light show will be the one to inspire you.

It could be that you’d love to make use of a Christmas lights show at your holiday party, but aren’t really skilled enough to do the work yourself. Don’t sweat. There is no shortage of light show techies out there who will be happy to do the work for you. He or she might even be willing to do the shopping and installation as well as synchronization for you. For a price, obviously. Investigate a number of prospective techies. Ask for portfolios. Get an idea if this person can create the effects you’re looking for…and if you can pay what he’s asking. One idea to minimize costs is to narrow your production to a Christmas tree light show. Focusing your show on a mega tree and all that it can do means you can have a center stage without spending money on strobes and other decorations all over the house and lawn. Ask your techie for cost cutting ideas, as well.

Let the party begin!

It’s incredible how far from tradition we will go to entertain a spice of style and striking home décor. As people feel more comfortable moving away from “how grampa did it,” more and more colors and styles of Christmas trees make it on the market. Or perhaps it comes from a need to “self express” on this festive holiday. In any case, the artificial black Christmas tree is outselling traditional green ones on some tree lots across the globe. Bare branched trees, pink trees, and white trees are not doing too badly either. It might frighten your grandmother, but the holiday parties seem to love it!

Black Christmas trees have taken such hit because of their dramatic character. Whether your holiday décor is sophisticated or funky, black deepens the effect. Both multicolor and white lights look great on the black. In fact, all black Christmas tree decorations seem to come more alive on the dark backdrop. Green is softer, more natural and subdued. Black makes a statement.

For that elegant holiday cocktail party, you will most definitely need a striking centerpiece. A tall, slim black Christmas tree surrounded with mock gifts and lit with elegant lights, stars, and ornaments will fill the position beautifully. Your guests will be proud to strut their evening dress in its presence. Perhaps you can even buy a pre lit black Christmas tree, minimize your work load, and still have a stunning visual focus for the occasion.

If your Christmas bash is for the young and daring, you can make use of black artificial Christmas trees just as easily. Their drama can go elegant or funky. Decorate it with large, colorful black Christmas tree ornaments and strobe like lighting for a miniature light show right on the party dance floor. The night will be unforgettable.

Even when your main living room Christmas tree is the traditional green, these trees can take backstage positions. For the tabletop, you can buy a very small black Christmas tree. Place it on the piano, perhaps, or in your entryway. Strategically rested on a buffet table or reflected in a hallway mirror. You can use it as a delicate patio tree. Your home will come alive with Christmas charm.

Don’t let tradition get in the way of the total Christmas spirit. As a main centerpiece, or secondary décor, find a way to bring the black Christmas tree into your home. These onyx treasures deserve to play at least a small role in your holiday decorating plan.

Sometimes you just feel totally dry on Xmas gift ideas. It’s a normal, natural part of the seasonal gift shopping process, but can be incredibly frustrating. To ease the stress, here are the top 10 Xmas gifts ever. There’s something for every gender, age, and personality.

1. Men, of course, love tools and gadgets and electronic things that make their “everyday” life more exciting and high tech. Top Xmas gifts for men like the newest Apple iPod Touch (8GB, 16GB, 32GB) will win his heart in a beat.

2. If you have a bookworm on your gift list, then the Kindle 2 or Kindle DX are a perfect Xmas gift. A slim, cool, reading device that uses electronic paper simulating the appearance and readability of paper, these gadgets can instantaneously access hundreds of thousands of books of any genre. Wow. It’s a handheld home library.

3. Have an amateur photographer to gift? Check out this Xmas gift idea. The Canon PIXMA Wireless Inkjet Photo All-In-One Printer.They can print that stunning photo art right at home. Beautiful quality, guaranteed.

4. For some people, you can get away with simplicity. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you might like the idea of giving homemade presents. Putting together you own Xmas gift baskets is the way to go. BBQ condiments or home baked cookies, scattered with some personal notes can be the most heartwarming of holiday gifts.

5. There are others that expect luxury in their gift. The top of ladies Xmas gifts in practical, expensive luxury is the designer perfume by Jean Patou, JOY perfume. The thank you you’ll receive will be worth every cent.

6. The perfect way to spruce up any item, is to go with personalized Xmas gifts. You can take any army knife, photo frame, pair of shoes, purse, cigar humidor, or child’s rocking chair and make them the best presents ever with an individualized engraving or monogram.

7. Unique Xmas gifts are fun for the giver and receiver both. My favorite are the recycled LP record bowls. Unwanted records turned into functional art. These are great for fruit, dry snacks, and upbeat decoration in absolutely any room of the house.

8. Educational gifts for the kids are an absolute must, as well. Shop at the Discovery Store or Learning Center for fun, creative, and educational gifts for everyone: baby, toddler, teen, or adult. These places are bursting with great Xmas gifts.

9. Nintendo Wii or PlayStation 3. For the boy, the teen, and even some of your video game freaks all the way into adulthood. If you’re up for feeding the obsession, they’ll love you for this one.

10. The universal remote. Especially for a grandparent with too many appliances or accessories, this single remote can be set to control the TV, DVD player, stereo system, air conditioner, and heater.

It’s hard enough to invest in holiday decorations without having to fathom the electricity bill you’ll receive in the mail. If you want to drastically reduce your electricity costs, and make light installation easier, then it’s time to get yourself some solar Christmas lights. Solar powered Christmas lights charge during the day and light up at night. To buy the best lights, be sure to read solar Christmas lights reviews on whatever brand you’re considering. Remember that solar LED Christmas lights are the most energy efficient, compact, and long living. The LED bulb filament can’t break or die. Most companies offer a generous warranty on their life.

What do you want to look for in a solar Christmas light? Here are some design and installation points to look out for:

1. Solar Christmas lighting means that you need a light (bulb) and a solar panel to soak up the sun’s energy in daylight hours. Some lights, like figurines and statues, come with their panels attached making installation tremendously easy. Generally without wiring. Solar Christmas string lights, however, need a separate solar panel. Compare panel sizes and installation options before buying these. Know what space you’ll need (like the roof).

2. Companies will state how long their bulbs will be lit for according to how many sunlight hours they receive. For example, 3 nights of light per day of full sunlight. That’s a high call, but your best solar Christmas lights might be able to live up to it. Depending on how much sun you usually receive in Christmas season, you might be able to buy less expensive versions, too.

3. Also, some lights begin to blink out as their power runs low; this often does not mean they’re broken. They just need more sun. Don’t assume your lights are broken until they don’t recharge again. That’s when your warranty comes in handy.

4. Solar Christmas tree lights will work just like other string lights. You’ll probably need a separate solar panel. Ornament lights, figurines, and stake lights, can be used to decorate around the tree itself. These usually require no extra wiring or panel installation.

5. If you’re looking specifically for solar Christmas candle lights, then check the lighting description on your package. The original LED bulb design gives off a bright light; that’s typical white solar Christmas lights. For solar candles, you want a warmer glow. Recently, warm LED bulbs and amber LED’s have come on the market. Just make sure before you finalize your purchase.

So make your way to that solar Christmas lights sale without worries or qualms! You can decorate your entire home and lawn with beautiful, inexpensive lighting.

Let’s face it. No matter how much you love the holiday season, it is difficult to find time to buy, decorate, and design an entire Christmas tree. Especially if that sort of creativity is far away from your left brain thinking. That doesn’t mean you should sacrifice any holiday spirit, however. Christmas tree sellers are making it easier all the time. The latest solution? Buy pre lit Christmas trees! Pre lit artificial Christmas trees come in variety of sizes, tree styles, and lighting effects. Best of all, artificial trees leave you with no mess to clean up after, or decorations to repack. Choose the tree that will suit your holiday mood best, and cut out the effort!

First thing to decide is what kind of tree you’d like. Among your choices will be Scotch Pine, Noble Fir, Norway Spruce, Fraser Fir, Black spruce, Douglas Fir, and more. If you’re tight on space or like the trim look, consider slim pre lit Christmas trees like a Rockefeller Pine or Adirondack Evergreen. Some trees look more manicured, others more natural. The pine needles might point vertically up, down, or more horizontal. Colors range from deep pine green to frosty white pre lit Christmas trees.

Next, decide how tall your tree should be. Most vendors’ height selection varies according to the tree type. But you should be able to find anything from a 4 ft to 9 ft pre lit Christmas tree, or even taller, fairly easily. Think about your other furniture and decorations, and how prominent you want your tree to be.

The final and most exciting decision is the lighting color. This will really determine the mood of your entire holiday living room. Clear lights are classic, cool, and elegant. Multi colored lights are fun and festive. You can also find remote controlled lights that allow you to choose clear, multicolor, or both at the touch of a button. Large companies like the GE pre lit Christmas tree sale should offer you all the options.

For an outdoor pre lit Christmas tree, you have one more decision to make. Traditional incandescent bulbs are expensive to run. If you had a more budget friendly option in mind, then go for one of those energy efficient, cost saving pre lit LED Christmas trees. LED bulbs are great. The filament doesn’t break or burn out, and their batteries are solar rechargeable. LED’s used to be available only in bright white lights, but now you can find them with warmer glows, as well.

In the home or on its exterior, don’t let your busy schedule get in the way of holiday decorating. You can buy your favorite tree with festive lights entirely hassle free. Plug it in, and voila! Christmas cheer!

You have the tree. The decorations are out of the box. But it’s the Christmas tree lights that really bring out the magic of the holiday. And of course, there are so many ways that you could do it. How to light a Christmas tree best is probably one of the most hotly contested topics of the season. With so many options, its hard to decide just what look you want to go with.

Christmas tree candle lights are the most traditional. While real candles can be a bit of a fire hazard, there are battery operated Christmas tree lights that look just like candles. These are a great alternative if you want to have an authentic looking tree. And you won’t have to worry about candles tipping over or dripping wax all over the floor.

If you want a different look, the first thing you should think about is color. White Christmas tree lights are the classic choice, but blue, red, and green are other colors that keep with the holiday spirit. Sticking to one or two colors of Christmas tree light bulbs will produce an elegant effect, but you can also go all out with flashing multicolor lights if that suits your fancy. The choices are endless.

If you are planning on decorating trees in your yard, or in getting a tree that’s just for outdoor display, then you’ll want to make sure to get outdoor Christmas tree lights. LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are a good option. They are perfect for outdoor use and consume less energy than other lights, so you don’t have to feel guilty about leaving them on the whole night. LED Christmas tree lights are available in every size and shape you can imaging, the most popular being string lights.

Another great option for lighting outdoor trees and bushes is to use solar Christmas tree lights. These will stock up on the daylight in order to provide you with inexpensive light at night.

Once you know what kind of lights you want, the next step is to go out and buy them. You can find Christmas tree lights for sale practically everywhere you turn–on the Internet, in the drugstore, at the mall. Tis the season after all, and taking care of your Christmas tree lighting needs is a cinch once you know what you want.

Well, it’s a cinch until you actually try to light the thing. The challenge of how to put lights on a Christmas tree without loosing the tree, the lights, or your mind is one that every family has to wrestle with this time of year. (Yes, I did mean wrestle!) But that’s part of the holiday cheer, isn’t it? So grad a ladder, a bit of patience, and a lot of perseverance, and a good sense of humor. Once those lights are up you will have a tree that is lit to perfection. Enjoy!

You’d love join the Christmas light decoration fun, but are unsure where to begin? Want to know about different lighting choices? For the six top questions you’ll have about Christmas lighting, read on!

1. What is the most popular of outdoor Christmas lights?
Icicle lights, hands down. Versatile, beautiful, fun, charming…with icicle lights you never get old and it’s impossible to go wrong.

2. Are there other kinds of Christmas rope lights?
You bet! Rope lights can be set up on frames to create lit up Christmas figures and images. Rain deer, elves, Santas, trains, snowmen, and much much more. You can also string rope lights through garlands, fences…wherever a sprinkling (or shower) or lights might look good, give those rope lights a shot. They’re easy to take down, too.

3. What about setting Christmas lights to music?
If you want to go all out, you can get yourself some battery operated Christmas lights that will play the best Christmas carols around. Even popular radio songs. You might be able to set it up with your own stereo, and be the maestro yourself. With the right set of lighted figurines, draping lights, and music, you’ll have a Christmas light show on your own front lawn.

4. How do I save money on electricity with so many lights?
That’s what LED Christmas lights are for. LED’s are basically solar Christmas lights with bulbs that last longer, are more compact, and much less expensive. The batteries recharge in the day, and can automatically turn on for you when night sets in…and then off again when morning comes!

5. What about Christmas tree lights?
Nearly any light from outdoor Christmas light displays can be brought inside for that tree, as well. Christmas bubble lights, star lights, and ornament like lighting look great scattered around your tree. Ornaments that don’t light up themselves will take on a charming glow under other dainty tree lights.

6. How can I have control over what my lights do and when?
Buy yourself a Christmas light controller. For lights that have both solitary and blinking options, you can decide when you’d like them to perform. Music can easily be controlled this way as well. And most importantly, you’ll have an easy access on/off switch!

There is a tremendous variety of Christmas light decorations available. Any department store. Any lighting store. Any one stop shop. Anywhere online. Now you get to use your creativity, style, and knowledge for the perfect holiday home décor.