DIY Home Improvement Tips » Cleaning Tips

Mold Mildew Removal Safety Tips

James Halpert — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:36:21 +0000

Did you know that molds are an important part of the environment and without them Mother Nature would falter? Even so, that doesn’t mean the fungus isn’t harmful to our homes or our bodies. And of course when molds grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, wallpaper, carpets, drywall and other precious materials in our home it’s time to get into action with a little mold mildew removal scrubbing.

But before you begin you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing gloves, a mask and a pair of goggles to protect you. You’ll also need to make sure you’re working in a well-ventilated area. Then you’ll need a mop bucket, trash bags, a scrub brush, a wet-dry shop vacuum, a broom, a mop, sponges, rags, detergent and a mold and mildew remover product.

Next, be sure to repair any leaks if the mold was caused by water damage. Once you’ve repaired the leaks, you can then dry up the water using the wet-dry shop vacuum, fans and dehumidifiers if you have them.

You’ll then want to remove all wet items such as carpets, rugs, furniture, toys, etc. If the carpet is contaminated with mold beyond repair, it’s best if you just throw it out. Then you should clean and disinfect any remaining items that can be salvaged.

You can then use the stiff brush on hard surfaces where the mold is present. Then, apply the mold and mildew removal product according to the manufacturer’s directions. For delicates surfaces, wash the affected area using the detergent and hot water instead of scrubbing with the brush, then apply the product.

Allow the surfaces to dry and repeat if necessary. If you find that the mold mildew removal steps are not working, you should consider seeking a professional mold remediation company who can remove the molds for you.

The Cleaning Expert’s Guide To A Central Vacuum System

James Halpert — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:31:43 +0000

There are a lot of central vacuum systems sold each year. However, it is not just the central vacuum system itself that is important. An expert in cleaning systems will know the secrets that will optimize the use of a central vacuum system in a residence. I have discovered a few of those secrets and I am happy to share them with you.

Most people are aware of the strength of suction from a central vacuum system. Facts and studies show that a central vacuum system will far outperform a mobile vacuum system with regard to suction. This is because there is a much stronger motor and fan driving a central vacuum system. What an expert knows is that this base unit should be stored in the service area of the residence, thereby making it pretty sound proof to the people living in the residence.

In addition to cutting down on sound emissions, having the base unit in a garage or basement means that dust particles get no chance to recirculate in the living areas of the home.

Another tip that an expert will be aware of and will try to ensure is that the base unit will be in a room that has an exterior wall. In that way the central vacuum system can be vented to the exterior of the residence and this allows for excellent filtration of dust mites and other allergens.

Most people do not realise the amount of accessories that can come with a central vacuum system. Most of these accessories are for specific cleaning tasks within the home and are very useful. A cleaning expert will tell you that these accessories should be stored in the centre of the cleaning area and not out in a storage area, where most owners of central vacuum systems are inclined to store them. If you want to find out more about central vacuum accessories have a look at http://the centralvacuum.com.

These are a few secrets that people that know how useful a central vacuum system is are aware of. If you make sure that your central vacuum base unit is located in a service area of the home, that the room it is in has an exterior wall that allows for external venting and that your central vacuum accessories are within easy reach, you will be well on the way to getting the most from your cleaning system.

Environmentally Friendly Tile and Grout Cleaning

Bathroom Remodeling Tips on a Budget

James Halpert — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:19:27 +0000

DIY bathroom remodeling projects can be a great way to add value to your home, with the struggling economy people are less likely to move and more likely to remodel and repair the house they currently own. The first thing you need to do is determine a step by step process you are going to take in fixing up your bathroom. If you have a second bathroom you can gut the bathroom you are remodeling without having to worry about not having a place to shower or use the restroom.

After gutting your bathroom, look around for any mold or mildew. For small spots you can usually kill it with a bleach/water solution. If it is a large amount the drywall should be removed, and if it is on the wood it should be scraped off (while wearing proper safety equipment) and cleaned with the bleach/water solution. Read more about black mold removal.

Plan for all the material needed for phase one of the re-build. Make a small scaled diagram and go to your local home improvement store and pick out and purchase all required materials.

After this, you are ready to start the construction on the space . Once everything is back together you can then pick out your bathroom design items such as paint colors, shelves, fixtures and bathroom furniture. This also includes bathroom area rugs, toilet skirts and tank covers.

You can save a significant amount of money if you buy your bathroom accessories and fixtures online, there are endless amounts of choices and you can get some great deals. I bought everything except my elongated toilet online, the toilet was an important piece in my bathroom and I wanted to ensure everything was perfect with it so I bought it locally.

After you project is finished you should evaluate the project and make notes of where you may have went wrong so the next time you remodel you don’t make the same mistakes.

You should also take pictures for insurance reasons in the event of fire or natural disaster. That way you have records of the bathroom remodel and the associated costs for replacement value.

Lawn Mower Repair Tips

James Halpert — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 23:39:32 +0000

Lawn mowers can break down just like any other machine can. Sometimes it can be a real pain, especially in the summer when you need it most. If your mower does decide to pack up there are a few common problems you can check out to get you going again. One of the most common lawn mower repair problems is the pull rope snapping. This rope is what you need to start the mower so if it snaps you are kind of stuck. The first thing to do is gain access to the point where the rope is attached to the mower spool. This is just a case of getting a screwdriver and opening up the casing. Once you have removed the casing you will need to take the rope off the spool which is very easy to do. Go and get another length of rope and attach this to the spool. Make sure the new rope is the same length as the one you have taken off. Put everything back together and pull on the rope to start your mower.

If your mower will just not start when you pull on the rope then take a look at the oil and air filters. These can get clogged up with dirt over time. A blocked oil filter will stop the fuel from getting to the engine, so take it out and give it a good cleaning if it looks dirty. You can use a pressure hose if it’s really clogged up. If it looks beyond repair then you will need a new one. Places like Argos online carry lawn mower parts and sell replacement filters for next to nothing, or if you need it right away then just go to your local hardware store.

It may sound like common sense, but make sure there is enough fuel in the tank. You would be surprised how many times this happens. Even the spark plug can become dirty over time and cause breakdowns. Take it out and give it a thorough cleaning or buy a new one, they are very cheap to buy. If your lawn mower is not cutting through the grass as good as you expect then you may have blunt lawn mower blades. Turn the mower upside down and place a block in between the blades to keep them steady while you remove them. You can sharpen them with a good file, or get a specialist to do it for you. The last resort is buying a new blade, but again places like Argos sell them at cheap prices. Finally, check the wheels and tires are turning properly. A quick turn of the wheel nut should keep everything in place and avoid any nasty accidents. If you follow these simple tips you should have trouble free mowing all through the year.

Environmentally Friendly Tile and Grout Cleaning

James Halpert — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:46:22 +0000

To improve both the home environment and the outdoor environment, it helps to switch to green cleaning practices. Using baking soda to clean your grout is a great alternative solution to harsh chemical cleaners.

For example, this how to clean grout article offers tips and tricks to cleaning grout without using messy chemicals. Grout is very hard to clean because it is famous for attracting mold and dirt. Traditional grout cleaners are full of chemicals because grout is so hard to clean, but there is a better solution. In addition, there are many helpful online resources to learn more about green solutions and human-safe remedies to tackle tile and grout cleaning.

In order to use baking soda as your active cleaning ingredient, first pour water over the grout that is to be cleaned. Then take your baking soda and shake it over the grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub the grout lines. Allow this to site for approximately ten minutes then rinse with clean (boiled) water. The baking soda acts as both a disinfectant and deodorizer.

Cleaning grout with products that are safe for the environment and humans, like baking soda, are often effective and cheap. Commercial cleaning products are manufactured with toxic chemicals, are often expensive, and sometimes are not very effective so it only makes sense to try and find a green solution. The call for greener products has been answered by many manufacturers today that now offer green solutions for some of their household cleaning products.

Grout cleaning is necessary but never on the list of high priority “things to do” lists. For this reason, the buildup causes cleaning it to be harder than if maintenance cleaning were practiced. Save yourself some time by using greener solutions, such as baking soda, on a regular basis. This solution is not only cheap and effective, but also great for the environment, your home, and your family.