Store Your Outdoor Furnishings to Make Them Last
In many parts of North America, the end of "porch season" has arrived. Whether you're clearing out for some oncoming bad weather, closing up the cottage for the season, beating the vandals on devil's night, or just retreating to your nest for the winter, you'll want to store away all of your outdoor items with maximum care. Dirt particles can settle deep into fabric and wood fibers and making tiny cuts that hasten their deterioration. Untreated soiled spots can become irremovable stains. Moisture can breed mold, mildew and rot.
Rust will spread, eating through metal. So proper storage will not only make your spring set-up more pleasant, it will prolong the life of your furnishings and d?cor. The first step is to clean and dry all pieces.
- Remove any loose dirt and dust from all pieces. For cushions and wicker furniture, use a vacuum or a soft-bristle brush.
Then attack any specific problems.
- If there are mildew spots from a humid summer, remove them with a bleach and water solution (1/4 cup bleach to 3 gallons of water).
- Remove rust spots on metal frames; sand the area lightly to remove as much as possible.
- Use toothpaste applied with a dry cloth to get rid of scuff marks on vinyl furniture or strapping.
- Once specific areas have been treated, wash all pieces with mild soap and water and rinse well. If you have cedar furniture that is dingy, you can use a pressure washer set on low to help restore its lustre. Umbrellas covers may need to be scrubbed with a bristle brush.
- Wipe down all pieces with a dry cloth and then leave to thoroughly air dry. This is probably the most important step.
- Apply vinyl protectant to vinyl straps.
- Oil moving parts such as wire umbrella frames and hinges by spraying silicone on the joints.
- Use furniture paste wax to polish wooden umbrella poles.
- Apply car wax to non-textured metal finishes, and baby oil to textured ones. This will help maintain the surface.
- If there were rusted spots that you have cleaned up, apply touch-up paint or clear lacquer.
- If you live in a climate with long snowy winters, seriously consider indoor storage of your furniture & decorations for the season, whether that's in your back shed, a neighbour's garage, or a rented storage facility.
- If you cannot store your items inside away from the brunt of winter's fury, then do cover them - but make sure the furniture is dry before you cover it! If it is not, the plastic tarp can promote mold growth. Inspect the tarp carefully for tears so that water and snow do not leak in.
- Some furniture, such as teak benches, cedar chairs and wrought iron table sets are designed so that they can be left in the elements year round. If you have some of these furnishings and will not be using them in the winter, bring them in if you have the space.
Yes, they will endure the winter, but winter protection will extend their life.
A Good Bedroom Closet Design Will Eliminate the Need For Space
You can transform a bedroom closet design quickly, easily, and inexpensively by installing a modular closet system. There are many competing storage systems and products, so take a look at several systems before deciding.
There are two main types of do-it-yourself systems; those made of ventilation coated-wire components, and those made of solid particleboard components with a high pressure-plastic laminate.
Mixing solid-wood components with wire shelves and rod makes sense some cases, for instance?there are some items they want to look at and other they would like to store.
If you plan a system carefully, you can double the amount of storage area available.
It's a good idea to have a few hooks but not too many or your closet will look messy.
Slide-out drawers may not be worth the cost; simple and cheap shelving usually work just as well.
In addition to the usual bedroom closet design, think about under-the...
Bedroom furniture > A Good Bedroom Closet Design Will Eliminate the Need For Space
Bar Stools
Bar stools serve their purpose in commercial bars, restaurants and game rooms, as well as kitchens and home bars. They are often referred to as counter stools and more households are adding them to the
d?cor every day.
Bar stools come in various styles, shapes, materials, sizes, fabrics and prices. Before purchasing a bar stool, it is important to know exactly why is it required, where is it going to be kept, who is going to use it most often, how often it will be used and what is the budget. If the answers to these questions are clear, then the selection of the right bar stool becomes very easy.
First decide if the bar stool is meant for the kitchen, outdoors, bar or game room, then can decide how many are needed and of what durability.
When buying bar stools for outdoors, avoid the wooded variety, since they won't last when exposed to the elements. The size and comfort can be decided when it is known who is going to use them and where...
Bar Stools
Bedroom furniture > Bar Stools
How to Make Sleep Your Weight Loss Buddy
Copyright 2006 Mary Desaulniers
My friend, Gail, has been a restless sleeper since childhood. "It's rare that I get a goodnight's sleep," she confided in me several years ago. Her weight has been a problem as well, spiraling upwards of 60 lbs within the past 20 years. Like most of us, her exercise and diet plans begin with enthusiasm but fizzle out within the first month. "Just too tired to keep them going" is her excuse.
It wasn't until her doctor referred her to the Sleep Specialist that things began to change. Within 6 months, she lost 25 lbs. She began exercising and now she feels much more optimistic about her future. "I'll get down to where I want to be," she said. "But the great thing is I can sleep like a baby at night."
Gail's situation points to a distinct connection between sleep and weight.
Recently, sleep deprivation has been identified as one of the major problems of our internet culture. Not coincidentally, obesity (despite the many...
How to Make Sleep Your Weight Loss Buddy
Bedroom furniture > How to Make Sleep Your Weight Loss Buddy
Outdoor Furniture fit for Royalty
It has often been said that a person's home is her or his castle.
Whoever first made the remark may have intended some deep, metaphorical meaning ? or, may actually have lived in a castle.
Either way, the saying has endured.
With a 21st century spin, it could refer to the countless modern conveniences that allow us to live like royalty.
From the rooftops, to the basements, our homes are equipped with state-of-the-art electronics, appliances that practically run themselves, and furniture that cradles us in comfort ? and sometimes even massages us.
Now, our kingdoms have expanded to the point where they can no longer be contained within the walls of our houses; and that's why outdoor furniture has become a castle's crowning glory.
Although adding on to a home has always been a popular way to acquire more space, the preferred method these days is to add an outside room that will still be a part of the home.
...
Bedroom furniture > Outdoor Furniture fit for Royalty
Skylight Blinds
Blinds make a great way to control light and energy at the same time. They help with privacy and climate control.
Available with manual or motorized options, these are easy to install and give you instant flexibility with your skylight.
The manually operated blinds can be operated with a detached wand, while a wall switch can operate the motorized version. The motors are powered by batteries or by a regulated low-voltage power supply.
There are several styles of blinds that you can choose from, depending upon your requirements. Some commonly available styles are Venetian, Pleated, Blackout, Roller, External, and Awning. Blinds have many utilities. They can be used to diffuse, adjust, or block the light and heat.
If your requirement is to filter the light and reduce the glare so that the precious art in your room can be protected from UV fading, the best option may be to use translucent white blinds.
If you wish to control...
Bedroom furniture > Skylight Blinds
Bedroom furniture
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