Pre Holiday Cleaning

Holiday time is busy for everyone. We need to come up with holiday gift ideas for our family, romantic fun ideas for our loved ones, we make lists, do more shopping and wrap kids toys and games to put under the Christmas tree later. Holiday menu is a concern if you have a party and need to meet certain needs of your guests that keep to a special healthy diet. With all this going on, home owners can only pray that they have no malfunctioning and no emergency repairs during holiday season.

Pre holiday cleaning is a big part of holiday preparation routine in every house. Making a list of things to consider is the first step to make holiday preparation a success. Here’s a list of things to check off during pre holiday house cleaning:

Wash windows and window screens

Washing windows brightens the whole house. Mix 1 tablespoon dish washing powder (or ½ cup ammonia) with 1 gallon hot water; use a squeegee or some lint-free cloths to clean windows and screens. Don’t forget to wipe frames and sills, too.

Refresh Furnishings

Vacuum curtains or have them dry-cleaned. Rotate mattresses and pillows (air them outside for a day, if possible). Air out chair and sofa cushions, wash or dry-clean slipcovers, and vacuum all furniture. Inspect wood finishes; buff and polish as needed. Whenever possible, open windows and doors to let fresh air circulate.

Shampoo or deep clean rugs and carpets

Vacuum and machine wash area rugs (or hang on a clothesline and beat dust with a tennis racket). Shampoo rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting or call carpet cleaning company and do professional carpet cleaning.

Of course, if you have just taken care of building repairs and detecting water leaks or called carpet cleaning company for upholstery cleaning, you have less to take care of than others.

Wash and wax floors

Always vacuum first. Then, depending on the type of floor and the finish, mop and wax (or reseal). Before returning furniture to newly finished floors, attach felt or nylon glides to legs. Vacuum frequently – dirt can scratch floors.

Kitchen cleaning

Empty refrigerator and freezer; wash interior with baking soda and water. Empty drip pans, and clean. Vacuum coils. Replace shelf liners in cabinets, restock, and reorganize.

This kitchen remodeling blog has useful ideas on kitchen cleaning. Check it out.

Renew bathrooms

Do routine tub, and sink cleaning. Wash shower curtains, clean out medicine cabinet. Throw away expired medicines and old cosmetics and sunscreen. Restock first-aid kit.

Perform appliance and safety check

Wash or change air-conditioner and furnace filters. Replace batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Make sure fire extinguishers are in the kitchen and bedroom and near the fireplace, and that everyone in the house knows how to use them.

Call a chimney sweep

Clean fireplaces at least once a year. Remove soot and debris from the hearth into a metal bucket and then have the chimney and firebox cleaned professionally.

Straighten closets and drawers

Donate old clothing to charity. Bring out out-of-season garments, organize them and store (make sure clothing is clean and mended before storing). Check silver drawers: polish flatware and serving pieces, and store in tarnish-inhibiting cloth.

There are so many aspects of bathroom cabinetry to consider! Be prepared to spend an inordinate amount of time making your choices. Bathroom cabinets can end up being the most expensive aspect of your bathroom as well as have the biggest impact.

Here are some basic cabinetry features to consider when choosing bathroom cabinetry:

Layout. What will work best in that particular space given its dimensions, and who will be using it? If there’s ever the time to work with professional designer, now would be it.

Wood characteristics. Every wood has its own signature and, of course, price. For instance, maple is characterized by its smooth and even grain, whereas pecan is known for its dramatic color variations. Walnut runs about twice the price of, lets say, white oak.

Finish. Stains will enhance the wood grain, opaques provide a solid-body color, and glazes highlight deep crevices or all visible cabinet parts. Distressed techniques provide a vintage warmth and charm. No matter what the finish, it must be able to protect the wood and wipe up easily with a damp cloth.

Door styles and pulls. Proportions, shapes, and details all need to be considered, especially since doors and pulls are such a prominent part of the look of the cabinets.

Quality. Bathroom cabinets should be solid wood construction and hardwood framed. Hardware, guides, and joints should all be top quality. Smooth operation of drawers is a must. Check to see if the manufacturer offers a limited lifetime warranty on bathroom cabinets of your choice.

If you must have a lock on the bathroom door, instal a doorknob with an outside lock release. This will prevent children from getting locked inside accidentally.

Prevent bathroom falls by laying scatter rugs with nonskid backings and by providing tubs and showers with suction-backed rubber mats or adhesive decals.

Grab bars in the bathtub or shower and next to the toilet are a help for all and a must for the elderly. Fasten the bars to the wall studs.

Avoid using electric appliances, such as space heaters, hair dryers, or radios near water. All bathroom outlets should be equipped with GFI’s (ground fault interrupters) to prevent the possibility of fatal shock. Even then, you should take the precautions mentioned.

Ceramic tiles, Mosaics, Paint or Wallpaper?

Ceramic tiles are tough and waterproof and ideal for bathroom walls. You can use them sparingly for features such as splashbacks and countertops, or make them a key feature by tiling whole areas of walls and floors. There are a multitude of styles – colored, textured, matt, glossy – and unusual materials such as glass and metal as well.

Mosaics are also great choices for bathrooms and create a fresh, stylish, color coordinated finish which lends itself to contemporary and more unusual schemes. Mosaic tiles come in a multitude of colors and textures and are available singly or in sheets, which can simplify laying them. For a completely individual look, make your own mosaic designs using broken tiles, china or glass for a stunning, unique effect.

Paint is the most popular choice for bathroom walls as it is more durable than wallpaper in a damp area. If you prefer wallpaper, however, try using a vinyl one which will be more water resistant; you can find wallpapers specifically designed for use in bathrooms, too.

An oild-based paint is a good choice for bathrooms as it will resist water and create a seal. However, many paint manufacturers now produce emulsion paints (water-based acrylics) specially formulated for use in damp, moist areas like bathrooms. Anti-condensation paint can be used to treat areas which suffer a damp problem and ares which are prone to steam, such as the walls and ceiling around or above the shower.

Wall Colors In Bathrooms

The colors you choose for your bathroom depend on the bathroom style and the look you want to achieve – white creates a fresh elegant look that can be combined with practically any other color. Blue and white is another real winner in bathrooms, giving a fresh, nautical theme. Combine it with natural wood and soft creamy shades for a slightly warmer touch.

Aqueous, watery shades work wonderfully in bathrooms – use soft aqua or turquoise to create a fresh, cool and calming pallette. Bold colors give a vibrant look which is ideal for family bathrooms. Think about combining them with white as bold colors alone can feel heavy, dark and overpowering.

Neutral tones, from cream and buttermilk to shades of beige and mushroom, create a stylish, natural feel and should be combined with natural materials for the best effect.

In fall I was invited to Japan to teach classes in aromatherapy and spent two weeks totally immersed in a Japanese culture in which the ritual of bathing plays a special role.

The Japanese bath has deep spiritual roots, originating with the ancient Shinto religion, a religion that honors nature and emphasizes purification. Originally, the bath was part of a healing and purifying ritual. The water was infused with medicinal herbs and oils. The combination of hot water, aromatic oils and herbs, along with the intention of healing was very powerful.

The bath is still an integral part of Japanese culture. It can be found everywhere from small country inns and large hotels to communal bathhouses and hot springs in beautiful settings. In each Japanese house there is a deep tub for hot water baths. Each person showers before entering the tub. Herbs, flowers, or leaves are added to the water. There is often a beautiful scene of nature or objects of beauty to contemplate when bathing.

Ceremony is a strong part of Japanese life. One Japanese man described his feeling about the bath as a time to let down all defenses, to be infused with the spirit of the water. He further explained that the Japanese word for God is Kami, which is broken down into two words: Ka, meaning “fire”, and mi, meaning “water”. When these two elements are mixed, warm water is born. As the Japanese bathe, they feel the warm water transforming their spirit and healing their body. In this context, the bath can bring renewal and spiritual awakening.

How To Take Buttermilk Bath Like The Japanese

Add a quart of buttermilk to your bathwater to moisturize and beautify the skin. The lactic acid in buttermilk acts as a gentle exfoliant to soften the skin. Buttermilk softens the skin and soothes it without a sour smell.

Remodeling a bathroom or kitchen can cost thousands, especially if you have to replace appliances or fixtures. But if the finish is your only problem, a technique called “reglazing” can help save money. A grungy old bathtub can be restored to as good as new in about 2 hours for a lot less than the cost of replacing it. Here is how it works.

First, thoroughly clean the tub. Then the workman etches the surface by applying an acid based solution. This prepares the old surface for the new finish.

A primer coat is applied next, which will help the new finish stick to the tub. After that the two coats of the new glaze are sprayed on the surface. Fresh caulking finishes off the application and within 24 hours the tub is ready to be used.

Reglazing probably won’t last forever but the glaze has a pretty long life. Most professionals will guarantee the work for 5 years or so, but some tubs still look good 10 and more years later.

The technique of reglazing also works good on appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. If a new color is all you need, it can be a lot less expensive than buying one. Colors can be custom blended to match almost any color in the rainbow.

Finding a professional who can help with reglazing and caulking is not a problem. Check local cleaning companies that offer caulking services, they might give you a free estimate for this service of recommend another company who can do reglazing and caulking for you.

You might find it surprising, but the bathroom actually isn’t the most bacteria-laden room in your home – it’s the kitchen. Still, bathrooms naturally harbor their fair share of germs found both in places you’s expect (the toilet) and lurking in less obvious locations such as showerheads, faucets, and drains.

Clearly, your first instincts to decontaminate the bathroom with plenty of antibacterial products. But you could be doing more harm than good: bathroom cleaning products can be acutely toxic. Follow these tips to get your bathroom clean and sparkling without nasty side effects.

Toilet Cleaners

Toilet bowl cleaners contain corrosive ingredients that can cause severe eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. Some toilet bowl cleaners contain sodium bisulfate, which may trigger asthma attacks in people with asthma. And bathroom cleaning products containing sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), or phosphoric acid can irritate lungs and burn eyes, skin and, if ingested, internal organs. As with ammonia, mixing toilet bowl cleaners can contain acid with cleaners that contain chlorine will form lung-damaging chlorine gas.

Mix baking soda with water to foam a paste and use it to scrub toilet bowls. Lemon juice will remove stains from porcelaine, while regular icospropyl alcohol is an effective disinfectant.

For tougher toilet jobs, you can use borax, provided you are in situation where it doesn’t come into contact with infants, pets or pregnant women. Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, is water soluble and could remove stains, deodorize, inhibit growth of mold and mildew, and boost the cleaning power of other gentle soaps.

Pour one cup of borax and one-quater cup of distilled white vinegar or lemon juice into the toilet bowl. Let it sit for a few hours and then scrub with a toilet brushand flush. Ordinary vinegar can kill 99% of bacteria.

The Egyptians seem to get credit for everything these days, makeup, mirrors, medicine, pyramids (OK, that one is a given), even empiricism (it means discovering the nature of reality through the senses rather than through legend, myth or tradition. It’s the basis for Scientific Method, Sherlock Holmes and CSI.)  How many of us would have guessed that it may very well be the Egyptians that gave us wicker patio furniture? Alright, maybe not wicker patio furniture specifically.  Furniture was a luxury item in Ancient Egypt, but the people of every status level used woven wicker baskets for multiple tasks. They carried their market purchases in them, cats and babies used them as beds, they sorted grain with them and occasionally, a wealthy Egyptian would have the seat of a chair woven with reeds, a luxury indeed.

This type of wicker has been found nearly everywhere, most cultures seem to have discovered it at some point. The popularity of wicker furniture here in America can be traced to the docks of Boston where Rattan was used to tie down cargo. Dockworkers and volunteers were taking the stuff home and weaving strong baskets and seats from it. An enterprising grocer took some, discovered how well it held up and started ordering Rattan and Cane wholesale and building furniture from it. It grew quite popular through the Victorian era of fancy designs and Japanese influences until the early 1900’s when central forced air heating and “Arts and Crafts” style’s simple lines engendered a changing tide of opinion. In the 1990’s wicker patio furniture came back into popularity and fostered the development of many new materials for “caning” seats and “weaving” chairs.

Modern wicker patio furniture can be made from the wooden cores of any number of palms, but originally a “vine palm” from Indonesia and Philippines was used as it was plentiful, cheap and simple to harvest. Simple, but not easy. The leafy parts are covered with barbs which must be removed, and the vines grow up into the jungle canopy in search of unrestricted sunlight. When pulling them down, workers can sometimes bring down dead branches, hornets’ nests, angry marsupials and more.

More than one company has moved into “all weather” wicker patio furniture made from a plastic resin. This wicker can be molded into more exotic shapes or it can be made to look very like the traditional wicker patio furniture we are used to seeing in Victorian photographs. It is often made from recycled plastics, so its environmental impact isn’t as bad as you might at first think. If you don’t mind putting your patio furniture away at the end of its season, and treating it occasionally to resist damp and mildew, traditional wicker patio furniture can last for decades. If you are looking for wicker patio furniture that can withstand any weather, take a look at the newer resin wickers. There is a outdoor patio furniture set out there with your name on it, you just have to go looking for it.

Bathroom is where mirrors are, it is also sometimes the most convenient place to do a makeup. But here’s what bathroom is NOT: a place to make a mess with all your skin and salon hair products.

Here are some tips on how to keep makeup organized:

Read the rest of this entry »

Creating a fun and safe bathroom for kids should be an exercise in indulgence and restraint. You need to focus on creating something cool for kids, but you may not let your inner child run the whole project. What you are likely to end up with is an over-the-top, theme park looking space that will quickly lose its novelty. Before doing any home renovations, think twice. And consider the following:

When remodeling a bathroom for your kid, child-size vanities, cabinets and fixtures can be perfect for little kids. That goes for accessories (towel rack, soap holders) and switch heights as well. However, a mini-me bathroom might not fare well for resale value.

Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before any bathroom remodeling:

How long do you plan on living in the house?

How old is your child? Do you plan on having more children?

Will this bathroom be shared by adult guests?

Combination of Features

Depending on how you answer these questions, you may realize that a combination of adult- and kid-size features may make more sense. For example, you can easily replace a smaller kid-size toilet when the child grows out of it. If you plan to move in a few years, maybe you are better off just adding kid-safe features and decorating for kids. Take time to make these decisions before going wild over all the adorable kid-size fixtures available today.

Bathroom Theme

I love the idea of having your child help choose the theme of the bathroom. Then it’s up to you to make sure not every single article under the sun is purchased to match the theme. And remember: what’s hot at the moment could fade into oblivion, along with interior design and décor of your bathroom.