How to Clean Vinyl Tile

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

If you have vinyl tile as your flooring, you need to spend some extra time getting it clean. This type of tiles tends to look dirty quite easily. Dirt hides in the joints between the tiles. Vinyl tile is subject to scuff marks. And what makes it worse is the tile is prone to scratching. Sure, there are many commercial cleaning products that you can buy in the market, but you also need to know how to clean your vinyl tile to effectively use these cleaning products. There is no hurt in trying several cleaning products and just go with what work best for you. Here are the basic things you need to do to clean vinyl tiles.

First off, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust and dirt on your floor tiles. Make sure that you clean the grout lines too. Use a toothbrush to loosen tough dirt in the lines.

Start with the mildest cleaning solution. If that doesn’t get your floors clean increase the power of the solution. A quick mopping with plain water and drying with a towel may be all you need. If that does not leave your floors sparkly clean, you can mix a tablespoon of dish washing liquid unto a gallon of water. Use this cleaning solution and with a rag or mop, wipe your tiles.

Next mix a tablespoon of ammonia product with water and soap mixture and use this solution to wash your vinyl floors. Leave it for a couple of minutes to allow the solution to loosen up the dirt on the tiles. Start on the corner farthest away from the entry to the door and work your way out of the room. Turn on the fan or open the windows so the ammonia fumes don’t bother you.

Don’t scour the tile with a rough pad. That has a tendency to scratch the tile. Scratches can’t be repaired so the tile will have to be replaced. When moving appliances over tiles place the appliance on a cardboard sheet so the legs don’t rip the tile.

Make sure to rinse off the ammonia, soap and water solution because it can leave unsightly residue. Drying the tiles with an old towel helps prevent slips on wet tiles.

If you are not satisfied with the result, your last resort is to use self cleaning cleanser that you can buy at your local DIY or home improvement store. Apply the cleaning product using a fresh, damp cloth. Unlike other home product, self cleaning cleansers do not leave any wax build up or residue.

Clean your vinyl tile every week and the dirt won’t have a chance to build up. You’ll avoid a major cleaning job.

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How to Clean Curtains

Posted on January 31, 2012 by

Curtains on your windows tend to have a lot of dirt and dust. Over time, you need to replace them. But you can also clean them to maintain their beauty. It is fairly easy and all you need to have is a vinegar and a mild soap or a dish washing liquid.
To get you started, the first thing to do is to bring your curtains down. Check the condition of the curtain. Look for side and back of the curtain and check for sun-rotting. If you signs of sun rotting, they need to be replaced and not cleaned.

If you have unlined curtains, you can check the cleaning instructions on the product label to make sure you clean it right.

If you have lined curtains, have a professional dry cleaner clean it for you. Else, you can possibly ruin and damage this type of curtains.

For bigger curtains, you can wash then in your bathtub instead of washing them in your washing machine. This can help prevent possible damage.

If you see rust in your curtains, you can boil them in vinegar to restore their luster and get rid of rust.

To bring back the smoothness of your curtain rings, clean them with soap and scrub when needed.

To add great fragrance to your curtains, you can put them in a dryer and some good smelling fabric softener. Allow them to dry naturally. You will love the great fragrance of your curtains and the beauty of freshly cleaned and washed curtains.

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Strange Weather Keeps Restoration Contractors Busy Year Round

Posted on January 30, 2012 by

This year has seen an abundance of blizzards, floods, storms and mudslides. Keeping your family safe is first and foremost. Before tornado and hurricane season hits this year, get yourself, your family and your house ready.

A restoration contractor can inspect your home before bad weather sets it for insecure roofing, cracked tiles and loose windows. Repairing those items before a storm may mean less expense later. For example, a roofing shingle that comes loose during a storm may lead to an entire section being lifted off during heavy winds.

Keep your car with a full tank of gas in case you have to leave your home quickly. Stock it with sealed gallon containers of water, heavy blankets during the winter, flares, flashlight and a stockpile of nonperishable food.

Practice evacuation drills with all family members. Keep bags packed with a change of clothing and personal care necessities so you can grab and go. And don’t forget your pets. They’ll need a supply of food and water as well.

Know where the emergency shelters are ahead of time or at least where you’ll be going.

When you return home, inspect the house for damage. Don’t wait to call your insurance agent. Further damage to the interior may be caused by rain and wind.

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Security is important for your home.

Posted on January 22, 2012 by

When you think of your home you most likely feel safe. The four walls provide protection against the elements and intruders. Unfortunately that feeling of safety is somewhat of an illusion. Break ins, house robberies and home invasions happen every day. You don’t have to stay helpless. There are steps you can take without getting a full-fledged security system.

Attach deadbolts or chains to the insides of any exterior doors. They act as a deterrent to someone who could strong arm his way in. The deadbolts won’t do any good if you don’t make a habit of fastening them every time you enter the house. Don’t take the deadbolt or chain off to answer the door. You may feel rude talking through a crack in the door but you’ll stay safer.

Windows are an invitation to break ins. The window can be slid open from the outside if it’s open even an inch or two. Prevent that with window locks. Install the locks on every window, especially if the locks are visible from outside. The one window you miss will be the one that used to gain entry.

Keep the view to any entries and windows open to view by clearing out brush and trees. If the window or door is hidden from view it gives a thief time to break the lock. The exception would be if you have cactus or other spiny thorny plants under the windows.

Don’t think your automatic garage door will keep people out of your garage and home. The doors work on radio signals. There is an apparatus that automatically and quickly dials through random signals until the door opens. If you leave the door to your home unlocked from the garage, the intruder has an easy entry. Lock that door when you leave your home. Install a deadbolt on that door as well.

Take a few extra precautions and keep you and your loved ones safe in your house.

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How To Make a Shaded Patio Cove Part Three Patio

Posted on January 10, 2012 by

Patio
Dig up the area for the patio to a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Rake smooth. Place the stepping stones on top of the soil. Dig out an outline of each stone to 1 inch deep, just so the top of the stones are slightly above soil level when placed in the outline. The stones don’t have to be touching but don’t place them more than 2 inches apart.

Sweep excess dirt in between the stones. Hose off the stones so they settle. Readjust any that are crooked or not level by filling underneath the stone with dirt or removing dirt if they jut up too much.

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