Baking soda is a great household cleaner. Here are ten ways to clean your home with baking soda:
1) Make a paste of baking soda and water and rub on insect bites to relieve itching.
2) Remove coffee and tea stains by scrubbing pots or cups with baking soda and a plastic scouring pad.
3) Add 1/3 cup baking soda to a wash cycle as a bleach booster or to the rinse cycle for cleaner smelling laundry.
4) To remove black scuff marks from floor, rub them with a paste of baking soda and water.
5) Clean fiberglass showers and tubs with baking soda sprinkled on a sponge. Sponge clean and wipe dry.
6) Soak sour smelling dishcloths and sponges in water and baking soda solution.
7) Use a solution of water and baking soda to clean and deodorize the inside of your microwave.
Put a few spoonfuls in a cup of water in the microwave, boil for two minutes, then wipe down the inside with a sponge.
9) Sprinkle a little baking soda into the laundry hamper to minimize odors.
10) Remove crayon marks from walls by scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush and a paste of baking soda and water.
Originally published at Suite 101. Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom who is the author of What’s for Dinner?, an e-cookbook containing more than 250 quick easy dinner ideas. For recipes, tips to organize your home, home decorating, crafts, holiday hints, and more, visit Creative Homemaking at creativehomemaking.com creativehomemaking.com
Security and convenience are usually delicately balanced. If something is secure it isn’t convenient and vice versa. It’s convenient to leave your keys in the ignition, but it isn’t secure. Keyless access products offer both aspects in an attractive package.
MECHANICAL KEYLESS LOCKS
· All pushbutton locks use a code instead of a key to unlock the door. Older mechanical pushbutton locks work, but they are limited to one working code at a time.
ELECTRONIC KEYLESS LOCKS
· MULTIPLE USERS These keyless locks offer the ability to have dozens or hundreds of individual user codes. Each user can be added or deleted without affecting others.
· SETTING CODES Adding, deleting or changing user codes is quick and easy. Basic models are programmable at the keypad. You can manage large groups of user codes with software on a laptop or PDA.
· AUDIT TRAIL AND TIME ZONES Some models will keep an audit trail of who used or attempted to use the lock and when they used it. Time zones can be set up that tell the lock who is authorized to enter and when they are authorized. Time zones can be set up for specific hours of specific days, shifts, opening and closing times, or to exclude weekends or holidays.
· USE EXISTING CREDENTIALS Some units can be equipped to accept various credentials such as swipe cards, proximity cards or fobs, even your own credit card. This allows the integration of Stand Alone Keyless products into existing access control systems, without the expense of changing existing credentials, or added separate credentials for only that lock. This feature can also allow the use of dual credentials for high security applications.
· WIRELESS Most stand-alone keyless access units operate on four standard AA batteries, eliminating the need for costly additional wiring and bulky external power supplies to activate the unit. However some can optionally be hardwired when battery power is not practical.
· EASY RETROFIT Keyless access products are designed to quickly replace existing lock hardware. The existing holes in the door are re-used and lock designs and finishes complement the existing commercial hardware in your facility.
· COMPATIBILITY Keyless locks are made for use with most brands of exit devices, mortise locks, knob/lever locks, deadbolts, etc. Most units allow for emergency key override. This feature can be utilized with a restricted (or high security) key or keyed to match your existing master key system.
· I/C PREP The popularity of interchangeable core locking systems (BEST-type) fits right in with these locks. Use your existing control keys and cores to maintain system integrity.
· GRADE 1 DEPENDABILITY Heavy-duty commercial locks are rated as Grade 1. Keyless access products in the market today allow you to meet Weatherproof, Grade 1, ADA and Fire Life-Safety requirements. Others are rated Grade 2 for use in standard-duty hardware applications.
Contact your local Locksmith or other Security Professional for complete information.
Jim Newell
Please visit SecureYourStuff.com SecureYourStuff.com for links to manufacturers sites and crime prevention sites, many of which have additional security tips.
Jim Newell a Security Professional and Consultant for over 35 years, operates a web site who’s mission is to bring you information about security systems , security devices and security hardware. To help you to make informed and educated decisions about securing your personal property, your home and your business property. Visit secureYourStuff.com secureYourStuff.com for more info.
No commuting, no fixed times, no office politics– working from home is everyone’s dream. But the reality of working long hours in the same surroundings makes an inviting workplace essential. An unwelcoming room makes it hard to generate enthusiasm for work, so think about what you would like in your home office as well as what you need; after all, you are the boss.
Technology is what makes working at home a possibility, but as the list of must-have equipment grows, so does the pressure on living space.
If you have a study, the problem is solved, but if you have to adapt space elsewhere, consider all the implications. Before you opt for the obvious–a spare bedroom, say–try to visualize yourself. Will it be a welcome retreat or will you feel shut off? If so, is there a more central place where you could work– perhaps a conservatory or a dining room? Or would you prefer to sit with a laptop and cordless phone wherever the mood takes you, keeping the printer in a cupboard or under the stairs?
It’s difficult to think of any business that does not need a computer, for accounts and data if nothing else. Unless you opt for a laptop, which is not ideal for full-time use, you will need a monitor, hard disk, keyboard, printer and possibly a scanner for sending images electronically. There is an ever-increasing range of clever workstations designed specifically for home use, which can store all the components of your computer. Try one out before you buy it, to make sure there really is enough room to use the keyboard and that the computer is at a comfortable height.
e-HomeOfficeFurniture.com Home Office Furniture provides detailed information on Home Office Furniture, Discount Home Office Furniture, Contemporary Home Office Furniture, Home Office Desk Furniture and more. Home Office Furniture is affiliated with i-officefurniture.com Wood Office Furniture.
It can be an exciting time getting wooden furniture for the house as it can help to add charisma and personality to any room. There are so many great benefits to using wooden furniture in the house as it really does add something special. The best part is that there is such a wide range of different wooden products to choose from too.
Do you know About Proper Wood Furniture Care?
The furniture can be an expensive thing to get in the first place so you are ideally going to want it to last as long as possible. To ensure that this happens you need to know exactly how to look after it properly and one thing that needs careful consideration is the type of products that you use on the wooden furniture in order to help care for it. Also, it is worth keeping in mind that some products may be harmful to your health, so you should always do your research.
There is a lot more to caring for your wooden furniture than just cleaning it with any old cloth. You need to take the time and effort to get all of the right equipment to make sure that you do not cause any damage and that you help to protect the furniture for as long as possible. The wrong use of products and using things such as rough cloths etc could scratch or damage the wooden furniture in the long run.
Another method that you can use is to quickly clear up any spills with a cloth or anything else that may be of use. This prevents the spill or leak from soaking into the wood and causing water damage. Water on laminate flooring can cause it to expand and it can make it start to rise up. If you have a wooden table then you can use things to prevent spills and leaks such as using place mats and pads for plates and cups to stop things from getting on there. If you use candles then use something to put underneath such as a plate, tray or anything that you want in order to stop wax from getting onto your furniture.
If you get some tough stains on the table then make sure that you read the instructions and if there is anything that you are not sure about then you should look for an alternative. It may seem like a lot of bother but it helps to keep your furniture looking as good as possible without causing damage. Also, something that will help is to keep any wooden furniture away from direct sunlight to avoid it getting damaged from the UV rays.
There are quite a few different potential hazards that can cause damage to wooden furniture, so with a bit of consideration and care you can help to keep your furniture looking as great as possible for many years to come.
Adam Peters is the author and editor of many tables, chairs, loungers articles and newsletters published at home-decorating-reviews.com home-decorating-reviews.com . You can find more information and resources on home-decorating-reviews.com/magazine/wood-furniture-care.html wood furniture care at his website.
A window treatment of curtains can add a special touch to a room or a window and can also add a measure of privacy. Whatever you end up choosing, a window treatment of curtains can not only add some color or texture to a room, but also can sometimes solve problems you may have with a window.
A Wide Selection
There are many types of curtains and drapes to choose from. One of the most common is the box pleated curtain or drape. These curtains are pre-gathered into pleats at the top of the curtain so that they always have a neat, tailored look. These can be a little more expensive than just a plain curtain, but the extra fullness can add a nice touch to your window treatment.
Another type of curtain is a valance. A valance is a short piece of fabric that only decorates the top fourth of the window. They can come in many colors and patterns, and are usually used along with blinds so that there is still a way to close the window off and have some privacy. If drapes are like a long skirt, a valance is closer to a tutu.
Drapes and curtains can also be used to completely block out light for those who need it completely dark or sleep during the day. These are known as blackout curtains and have a special liner that does not allow any light to penetrate through the curtain itself. The only light you may need to worry about may come around the edge or top of the curtain.
Thermal curtains are a good energy saving method. These keep the temperature more constant in the house, whether you want it cool or warm. This can save on energy costs since cool or warm air is not lost out through the window.
Thermal curtains and blackout curtains can also be good sources for noise blockage. If you live on a noisy street or have to sleep during the day, sometimes outside noise can be disturbing. These types of curtains can help reduce the noise level as well as the light level.
A simpler type of curtain is a cafe curtain, which you usually find in a kitchen. These curtains are usually of light material and often have decorative designs that go well in a kitchen. These are the kinds of curtains you often imagine blowing in the wind in a kitchen.
Whatever type of curtain or window treatment you need, finding one that you like and that goes with your decor can sometimes be a challenge. In addition, if you need bigger drapes or curtains, they can cost quite a bit. However, drapes and curtains are often a longer term investment since you don’t usually change them out every year, so find the ones that you like, and hopefully you will soon have a lovely window area to enjoy.
Finding the right coveringyourwindows.com window coverings is tough. We’re here to help you with unique coveringyourwindows.com window treatment ideas. Find out more today: coveringyourwindows.com coveringyourwindows.com
Your kitchen is the most important room in your home. It’s like the hub where things begin and then lead out from there. But if you live where you are dealing with smaller spaces you need to make the most out of that space. Now’s a good time to learn the benefits of a drop leaf table.
Drop leaf tables are a great choice for a smaller dining area or kitchen. Why you ask? Well because they can be small taking up little space and then suddenly they can be transformed to a table that’s twice the size. And it’s no trouble at all.
No dragging out table leaves that have to be stored somewhere. Just flip the leaf up or leaves up and you’re ready to use. How much additional space you gain will depend on the size of the table to start with. Drop leaves are available on both round, square, and rectangular tables.
And you can choose from a variety of manufacturers offering a great selection of styles. Most tables are wood or a laminate style table. The designs are modern and trendy and the look is refreshing.
Formal dining room that’s a little on the small side? The Berkshire pedestal table is an example of a table that would look great in even the most formal environments. It has beautifully curved legs that add a very classy look to the table. Leaves up it’s oval, leaves down it’s round.
Traditional styling? Then the Cherry Windsor table is made from hardwood and provides elegant seating for your guests. The simple lines and cherry stain will ad elegance and class to your room.
Do you have a modern kitchen? Then the trendy and stylish café pub will look great. The beautiful ebony finish is ever so eloquent. Why not bring that look and feel of your favorite café into your home?
What is your favorite wood type? Whether you love maple, oak, pine, mahogany, or cherry it’s available. So no matter what the grain is you prefer you can find the table that will look perfect in your room.
Your table is actually the most important element to your dining room or kitchen. It has the most impact on your room’s décor so you should take shopping for the right one seriously.
Start by measuring your room so you know what size table will comfortably fit. Then decide how many people maximum you will need to serve. That way you can decide what size table and how many chairs you need to buy. Drop leaf tables are available in all different sizes.
Lastly set your budget. Decide what you can afford to spend. That will help refine your searches. There is a terrific selection available online and you can save a great deal of money just by purchasing online.
So whether you have the most formal or the most trendy room there is a drop leaf table that will fit your room and look fabulous. In fact it’s the perfect choice for that smaller room.
Eugene’s family has been in the carpentry industry for generations. During weekends when he has free time, he opens a small workshop in his garage for his local community where he specializes in oftheearthfurniture.com folding dining room tables. Visit oftheearthfurniture.com oftheearthfurniture.com to get Eugene’s weekly tidbits on selecting and maintaining various styles and makes of solid wood tables.
Today, there is a large, very important need for home-security. There seems to be no limit to what the ‘bad guy’ can accomplish. They can come in when you are right there sleeping. They can monitor your home in ways in which you will simply never be able to tell. And, they can provide you with a terrifying approach to life each and every day after they have attacked you. By using effective home-security, you can really cut down on the times and the abilities of these things happening to you.
Home-security is quite versatile. There is something out there for everyone on any budget. In fact, simply putting a home-security tag in your window from a company can be a deterrent for robberies itself. Nonetheless, there are many things to consider. First, consider probably the best option and that is monitoring systems that work to monitor the home when you are not there. Should something trigger it, it will react and someone can see just what is happening or can send someone down to look at it.
Other options in home-security including home alarms that when triggered can call police or emergency services. You can also use a variety of locks that can not be broken into as well. There are so many ways in which you can effectively protect your home that there is no reason not to.
When it comes to protecting your family and your home, nothing should stand in your way. You need to safeguard all aspects of that home so that you can sleep easy every night knowing that someone or something is out there looking out for you. And, when you are away from your home, you need to know that it and all of your possessions are safe as well. Home-security can do these things for you.
for more information please see home-security-help.co.uk home-security-help.co.uk
Does your home make you feel happy, energized, and at the same time bring you peace? Or, do you feel unhappy, depressed, or distressed in your home, and you don’t know why?
Many people design and decorate their home following traditional interior design methods only to feel unsatisfied with the results. Perhaps you’ve repainted, reduced clutter, and updated your home, but you still feel something is missing. It’s time you learn the principles of Design Psychology so you can purposefully choose design elements that promote positive emotions and well-being.
Imagine revisiting the most memorable, joy-filled home you’ve had the pleasure of spending time in. What made this home special to you? The people who lived there? Were they happy, enthusiastic, and enjoying life? What features in the home and furnishings instilled joyful memories in you?
Envision your own joy-filled home. What feelings does this home conjure in your imagination? Do you seek joy and happy activities? Or, do you yearn for peace, tranquility, and rest?
We want our homes to provide and promote comfort, relaxation, inspiration, refreshment, laughter, and happy moments. You can intentionally design your home to foster joyful feelings when you apply the principles of Design Psychology. How? Choose design details, such as lighting, colors, patterns, textures, and furnishings specifically to support your emotional needs.
First, jot down the activities you desire to take place in your rooms. Second, make a list of the feelings you want to support in your specific spaces. With these wishes in mind, you’re ready to tackle your home makeover by deciding new design details that support your emotional requirements.
You can use fresh interior design ideas for your home makeover to make your home feel great and look fabulous.
Jeanette Fisher teaches home makers ten ways to makeover their homes for happiness. Get the designer’s touch on a budget. Free Interior Design Psychology Information Ebook. designpsych.com Interior Design Psychology Information
There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have designs made to appeal to the imaginations and interests of young ones. There is a wide selection of children’s ceiling fans from many different manufacturers. Some fans have themes like sports, rockets, or airplanes. Other ceiling fans have translucent designs or other unique features. Children’s ceiling fans come in a variety of sizes, from petite to large.
Many popular kids’ ceiling fans have designs on the blades and lights. Sports are a common theme. Many ceiling fans have paintings of baseball bats on the blades and have lights bulb covers shaped like baseballs or soccer balls. Other themed ceiling fans are made to look like space rockets. They are often made out of silver colored metal and are painted to look like the same rockets that are sent to outer space. Other ceiling fans for kids are painted to look like classic airplanes, with the blades as propellers.
Other unique children’s ceiling fans have clear blades or neon colors. Some even have lights actually built into the fan, rather than hanging down separately. These fans are smaller and less bulky than standard fans, and the entire fan is glows when the fan’s light switch is flipped on.
Children’s ceiling fans come in all of the different wingspans of standard fans. Although many kid’s fans are small, some with a wingspan of 30 inches, they are available in wingspans ranging up to 55 inches.
Ceiling fans for children can appeal to people of all ages. Any sports fan could want to show their love for the game by purchasing a baseball-themed fan. Others may be enchanted by translucent or neon ceiling fans.
i-ceilingfans.com Ceiling Fans Info provides detailed information about outdoor, tropical, discount, and kids’ ceiling fans, as well as ceiling fan blades, lights, manufacturers, and more. Ceiling Fans Info is affiliated with growthink.com Business Plans by Growthink.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people are afraid to decorate their homes. Over the years I’ve heard a lot of negative self-talk that breaks down to three basic sentiments:
“I’m not a creative person.”
“Others won’t like it.”
“I’ll screw up.”
The result? What I like to call Designous Paralysis — the fear of being “wrong” or” not good enough.” However, when it comes to home decor, there are never wrong choices, only poor execution of good choices. And they are always fixable. Always.
Think about it: If you’re able to get dressed every day and look reasonably presentable, then you are just as capable of decorating your home. When you think about it, there’s really not much difference between dressing ourselves and our spaces.
I’m fond of saying to my clients, “It’s just color!” Decorating your home should be fun, not an exercise in medieval torture. It’s a chance to personalize your space, to let your personality shine.
So let’s debunk the negative self-talk of Designous Paralysis.
“I’m not creative.”
I get a lot of resistance when I disagree with this one. I firmly, unequivocally believe that everyone is creative. It’s just that the expression of creativity comes more easily for some people than others.
However, like any skill, the more you practice the easier it becomes. To help overcome Designous Paralysis, I sometimes lead self-proclaimed non-creatives through a little exercise.
I begin by showing them a handful of colors — red, blue, brown, pink, purple, etc cetera. Then I ask which colors they like, don’t like and are ambivalent about.
Next I show them different shades and tones of a few colors and ask them again which they like, dislike or are indifferent to. They invariably surprise themselves by being able to make selections within these finer nuances of color.
And lastly, I show them different applications of color combinations to the same room and ask for their feedback. I find this step the most fun because my alleged “non-creatives” discover that they have a strong sense of what they like and don’t like — and why.
Aha! Now they can’t hide. My non-creatives do have a creative perspective and can now start to build confidence and refine their viewpoints.
“Others won’t like it.”
Decorating your home should be a true reflection of you, not your idea of how you want others to perceive you. You’ll never be comfortable in a home that you aren’t personally connected to.
I bought a pair of skinny jeans this year because it was the “in” thing. I was miserable. I’m a boot cut kinda girl. I was self-conscious and uncomfortable because it didn’t feel like “me.”
It’s for this reason that I love watching actresses walk the red carpet. You can instantly tell by their body language when they love their dress or they regret their choice. People sense when we’re being disingenuous to ourselves.
The moral to the story here is, love the skin (and room) you’re in and people will appreciate it, too. It’s okay that your “style” isn’t other people’s style. You’re unique and your space should be a celebration your individuality.
“I’ll screw it up.”
As a residential color consultant, I hear this regularly from friends, family members and clients. They all have sad tales of color choices gone bad. I’ve heard about countless room makeovers where homeowners hate the result. They feels like they’ve been burned and are afraid of making another “mistake.”
When I probe further, I discover that they bought three gallons of paint on the merits of a tiny 1’x3” paint chip and then painted the entire room. Or they selected a countertop, wood finish or carpet in the showroom. When their selections are installed they exclaim, “It didn’t look like that when I picked it out!” Of course it didn’t. You didn’t look at it in your home, with your lighting and with the other elements in the room that influence its appearance.
All colors interact and appear differently based on their surroundings. The underlying greens in your taupe sofa may become more predominant in your home’s yellow lighting. Your tan countertops may appear dramatically lighter when paired with dark maple cupboards.
The lesson here is try before you buy. Before painting an entire room, purchase just a quart of paint and try it out on a piece of scrap wood that you can move around the room. It may sound like more work and a greater expense, but in the long run it may prevent the aggravation of repainting the room.
Bring home several samples of countertop color options, wood finishes, carpet samples and fabric swatches. Look at them within the environment where they’ll ultimately reside. Mix and match different combinations of your take-home samples to see how the colors change when paired with different shades and color combinations.
Look at your selections during different times of day. As the sun shifts, so too will your colors.
By taking your home décor elements for a test drive before making a financial commitment, you are far less likely to have surprises down the road.
P.S. Mistakes do happen.
Despite the best of efforts, from time to time home decorating projects will go awry. It happens to the best of us, including the “pros.” Sometimes ideas that seem great when we envision them don’t translate well for one reason or another.
The good news is that anything can be fixed or changed — and it doesn’t have to blow your budget. The secret is to be open to creative possibilities, not to think, “I blew it.” That’s self-defeating talk.
Even if you don’t get it right on the first try doesn’t mean you won’t get it right eventually. Enjoy the process and see it as a playful exercise in problem-solving that you can have fun with. And in the end, remember, it’s just color!
Put a few spoonfuls in a cup of water in the microwave, boil for two minutes, then wipe down the inside with a sponge.
