Category: Garden Maintenance Dublin

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Washing the dirty walls around your house can be a huge chore. Not only is it a time consuming project, it s physically exhausting. If you want to spiff up every nook and cranny, washing walls requires an enormous amount of reaching, stretching, contorting, and bending to clean off the layers of dust, dirt, grime, cobwebs, finger smudges, and/or greasy soot that have accumulated. Luckily, there are a few tricks that can make it easier.

spring cleaning, ladder uses, cleaning tips, washing walls

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Washing the dirty walls around your house can be a huge chore. Not only is it a time consuming project, it s physically exhausting. If you want to spiff up every nook and cranny, washing walls requires an enormous amount of reaching, stretching, contorting, and bending to clean off the layers of dust, dirt, grime, cobwebs, finger smudges, and/or greasy soot that have accumulated. Luckily, there are a few tricks that can make it easier.

Cleaning Solutions

Your choice of cleaners is very important and should be based on the type of wall that you are cleaning. A solution of clear ammonia and water works very well. It has a terrible odor, but ammonia is cheap and has superlative cleaning capabilities. Nevertheless, if you can t get past the smell, there are other options.

Most painted walls can be cleaned with warm water and a gentle, non-sudsy detergent. Still, you should always test the cleaning solution that you will be using on an inconspicuous area of the wall. Make sure that the solution is removing just the dirt, not the paint.

Cleaning Strategy

When washing walls, dripping and streaking is inevitable. To avoid rewashing something that you have already cleaned, you should always start at the top of the wall and work your way down. Don t forget to catch corners, trim, and baseboards as you go.

To get to those hard to reach places, use a sturdy stepladder or a small portable ladder. Make sure that you choose a ladder that is both stable and appropriately sized. If you will be working in a stairwell, use a ladder that is made for uneven surfaces. Try to center the ladder directly in front of the wall that you will be washing. Over reaching or leaning too far to one side could cause you to lose your balance.

Cleaning Tips

Here are some final tips that can be used to make the job of washing walls a little easier.

Rid the walls and baseboards of cobwebs and dust bunnies before you begin washing.
If you are using ammonia or another strong-smelling cleaning solution, make sure the room is well-ventilated.
Change your cleaning solution often. When you are washing walls, the water gets dirty very quickly.
To avoid streaking, wipe the walls with a dry towel after they have been cleaned.
To avoid ruining the paint job on your walls, stay away from abrasive cleaners and steel wool. Use a toothbrush for small stains that need gentle, but abrasive action.

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The way people clean their homes and what they use to clean them have changed for the better.

Spring Cleaning For The 21st Century

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The way people clean their homes and what they use to clean them have changed for the better.

Spring cleaning-which no longer has to happen in the spring-is a good example. In the Victorian era, warmer weather meant you could stop burning coals and start cleaning the blackish coal dust off the furnishings. Today’s methods of heating are cleaner and don’t require such a dramatic seasonal cleanup.

Pungent cleaning chemicals were introduced in the 1940s for removing tough stains both on white textiles and in ovens. The experience of spring cleaning was harsh on noses, eyes and throats.

Now, more organic and environmentally-friendly cleaning solutions are emerging. For dust stains on cotton curtains and drapes, use white vinegar and water to remove discoloration. Shine chrome furniture with cider vinegar, which is also great at removing pet odors.

Pour half a cup each of baking soda and vinegar, followed two minutes later by two quarts of boiling water, down kitchen and bathroom drains to keep them clean. Pour vanilla on a cotton ball, simmer cinnamon in water or use an herbal bouquet for a spring-scented home.

One of the latest updates is in trash cans. Most Americans begrudgingly take out their trash more than twice a week. More than 50 percent would rather wash dirty, piled-high moldy dishes than take out the trash. Since trash is an inevitable fact of life, it may just be a good idea to invest in a new type of trash can that is durable and more sanitary. For example, a new type of trash can, developed by Magikan, comes with a gently yet unobtrusively scented continuous liner that puts an end to pulling heavy, messy trash bags out and, most importantly, from touching germy, repulsive old garbage.

This new trash can is made from industrial-strength plastic and features a self-sealing lid that eliminates odors and a spill-free rim that ensures that all trash and liquids fall into the garbage bag. This means never having to lift a garbage bag up and out of the trash can again.

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Spring is the time of the year that a good yard and house clean up is necessary for good house maintenance.

driveway,year,gravel,clean,concrete,repair

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Time was when most houses were approached on foot up the garden path and entered through the front door; the horse or carriage presumably was left by the front gate. The advent of automobiles and busier roads has left the front doors of many older houses high and dry, blindly facing a busy highway on which it is no longer safe for horse or automobile to tarry. Many of these older houses are now entered by what was once the back or side door, and a new approach has been necessarily created, often involving some form of driveway and parking space. Modern houses are designed with their main entrance oriented to the automobile’s requirements, usually up a private driveway. In the suburbs, it may be a short suburban tarred strip; in the country, a longer shaled driveway leading to the house.

Whether you have a short or a long driveway, it will need certain maintenance from time to time. Make your inspection after you are sure the last snow has come and gone. If yours is a gravel driveway, clean up and rake back any gravel that may have been snowplowed off (usually onto the adjoining lawn).

If you have a blacktop driveway, check for cracks and holes. If these are minor, they can easily be repaired with special tars available from hardware stores and lumberyards. Occasionally, the whole driveway can benefit from a coat of blacktop sealer that creates a new wearing surface.

Similarly, minor repairs to concrete driveways are easily made at this stage using a concrete mix that can be bought in small sacks from building suppliers, lumberyards, and many hardware stores. (See pages 21-24 for more information on concrete repair.)

If yours is a longer driveway made of shale, crushed stone, split rock, or gravel, it will probably require more regular maintenance than either blacktop or concrete. Snowplowing, if necessary in your area, can exact a heavy toll by removing surface material along with the snow.

Any hole or rut-even a small one-will be enlarged by the action of rain and runoff and eventually become a major hazard. No matter how carefully a graded driveway is originally graded, sooner or later it will develop ridges and depressions that begin to collect water. The holes seem to grow of their own accord; in attempting to skirt them, drivers gradually change a smooth, straight run into a winding obstacle course.

This process, however, can be slowed greatly by a little rake-work now and then. When all the frost is out of the ground and any heaved sections have subsided-and the ground is reasonably dry-fill in holes and depressions with material raked from the high spots. If permanent ruts across the driveway persist from heavy rains and runoff, consider installing new or additional culverts to carry off the excess water.

Even though it is important not to begin to level your driveway or parking area until you are certain that cold weather has subsided and all the frost is gone, early spring is the best time of year to do this kind of work, especially if you are undertaking more extensive repairs like major reshaling or adding additional parking space. Spring repairs allow the driveway to be compacted firmly (by use) during the summer, minimizing the amount of loose surface material that snowplows may later scrape away.

Much of what has been said about driveways is pertinent to paths. Paths and walkways that are not well drained or that are constructed over bases unsuited to their climate can suffer considerable e-raised paving material, loosened bricks, and misplaced flagstones. Before attempting any repair, wait for the effects of winter the rainy season to subside.

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Do-it-yourself home improvement is all the rage these days. Just flip on the television and you’re sure to run across a program to teach you everything from how to paint a room to how to replace your shower stall. But, let’s face it, even if you make those home improvements yourself, they can be quite costly. I’ve got a great solution that’s far less expensive than a complete home makeover flowers!

flowers, flower arrangement, home decor

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Do-it-yourself home improvement is all the rage these days. Just flip on the television and you’re sure to run across a program to teach you everything from how to paint a room to how to replace your shower stall. But, let’s face it, even if you make those home improvements yourself, they can be quite costly. I’ve got a great solution that’s far less expensive than a complete home makeover flowers!

When you think about homes you’ve been in that you found truly appealing and welcoming, you probably noticed small touches that you recognized as perfectly fitting the style and personality of the person who lived there. Those small touches made that space, no matter how big or small, belong to its occupants. Flowers can do the same for you.

Depending on their color, type, and arrangement, flowers can express anything and any style. Which of these fits you or the mood you’d like your home to convey?

Soft and natural: Loose arrangements in bowls or vases consisting of flowers of just one color or of many colors will achieve a very natural feel. Calm: Scientific studies have proven that the color blue produces a calming effect. Blues that mimic the colors of the sea and sky best achieve this feeling. Sensational and spirited: Choose bright colors like orange, red, and vibrant yellow. Outdoorsy: Combine flowers with seasonal grasses, leaves, or branches in a basket or clay pot.

Your florist can help you to accomplish any look or mood you desire. Even if your goal is just to fill up one of those large, empty, awkward spaces in your home, your florist can help you pick the perfect tall or full blooming shrub or arrangement of branches.

There’s no need for you to put an enormous amount of thought into exactly what you want in your floral arrangement, just what you want from it. If you have a specific goal in mind and can describe that goal to your florist, he or she can create exactly what you need. There’s no need to provide details about which flowers you want or even exact colors. Instead, talk to your florist about your favorite colors and color themes in your home. Ask to see pictures of floral arrangements and discuss which ones match your style. Your florist can keep your likes and dislikes on file. Then, you can arrange to have flowers delivered at regular intervals so that your home always has your personal touch.

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While you won t need a lot of products to make your home spa experience as luxurious as its more expensive counterparts, there are a few products that every home spa supply should include.

spa, spas, day spas, spa resorts, spa covers, spa equipment, spa supply, home spas, health spas

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We ve heard it so many times from all walks of life; Americans are over worked, over stressed and much deserving of a refreshing break. And we all know that one of the best and most popular ways to relieve stress and tension is a visit to the local day spa or better yet a week-long stay at a luxury spa resort. But, unfortunately, all of that rest and relaxation takes time and money. So, what can you do to unwind if you find that you are lacking in both of these precious commodities?

The answer might be as easy as creating your very own spa experience at home with inexpensive products purchased from your local or online spa supply. With products like facial masks, foot massagers and exfoliating body creams at your disposal, you will have no need to shell out money for a masseuse or to cover travel expenses. All you will have to do to get all of the pampering and luxury that you need is delve into your private spa supply collection.

While you won t need a lot of products to make your home spa experience as luxurious as its more expensive counterparts, there are a few products that every home spa supply should include. Here is a brief look at just a few of the products that you will want to have on hand:

* Massaging foot bath – When you come home from a long day s work it seems like everything is aching, especially your feet. So, why not come home to your very own foot spa? Many of these spas come with heat and massage features and can do wonders for aching joints and weary feet. And the best part is that you can purchase one of these babies for as little as $25.

* Paraffin wax system – These home systems are also very inexpensive and are great for people with arthritis. The warm wax relieves aches and inflammation in the hands and feet and leaves skin supple, smooth and soft. Also great for people with dry, cracked or chapped skin. The system costs around $40.

* Facial sauna – With a home facial sauna you can steam away the impurities of your skin just like the pros do. Combine this product with your favorite cleansers, toners and moisturizers to create the perfect salon experience at home. You can purchase one of these for about $45.

* Hot oil manicure set – This is the ultimate luxury and will leave your hands and nails feeling and looking great. The soothing heated oil will help repair damaged and dry nail cuticles and will also help condition and strengthen your nails. These are hard to find, but can be purchased for around $30 at most beauty supply stores.

In addition to all of these great spa supply ideas, you might want to consider inexpensive massage oils and creams. Aromatherapy bath gels and lotions also do wonders for a tired and weary body.

You see, it only takes a little bit of money to have the spa experience of your life. And the best part about having your very own spa supply at home is that there s no commute and the spa is always open for business.

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Spa filters are one of the most important parts of the spa, although they are generally forgotten about. It is very important to change your filter on a regular basis, because that is what keeps bacteria, dirt, bugs, and all other kinds of nasty things out of your spa.

spa, spas, day spas, spa resorts, spa covers, spa equipment, spa supply, home spas, health spas, spa filters

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Spa filters are one of the most important parts of the spa, although they are generally forgotten about. It is very important to change your filter on a regular basis, because that is what keeps bacteria, dirt, bugs, and all other kinds of nasty things out of your spa. The spa circulates all of the water through the filter to trap these contaminates. How often you change your filter depends on the type of filter you use, but normally you should replace it every year or two. Below are the three types of filters you can buy, however you should check with the manufacturer as to what type of filter they recommend you should use with your particular spa.

The most common type of spa filter is the sand filter. As the name suggests, this type of filter uses a specific type of sand (and gravel) to remove contaminate particles from your water. The only problem with a sand filter is that it will not remove all particles on its own. To help, you have to add something to the water to cause the smallest particles to clump together into bigger particles, thereby allowing the filter to remove them. You should also note that the sand in the filter should be replenished every few years of regular use. These filters must be backwashed to be cleaned.

The second type of spa filter is the cartridge filter. The cartridge filter uses a folded polyester mesh or paper material to trap the particles contained in the water. The more mesh that is used and the more folds used, the more thoroughly this type of filter cleans the water. You can often buy cartridge filters right from the manufacturer of your spa, or you can get filters made by third parties, usually at a discounted price.

The third type of spa filter is the Diatomaceous Earth filter. This type uses fine mesh AND Diatomaceous Earth (DE) particles (which is simply ground up fossils). This filter works the same way as the others, trapping contaminate in the mesh and DE. Some places have laws governing the removal of DE, so you need to take that into consideration. The DE filter has to be backwashed to be cleaned, and then a new coating of DE has to be applied to it.

To make sure the water in your spa is properly filtered, you should run it EVERY day for at least an hour. That way, even if you aren t using the spa, the water is still being thoroughly cleaned.

Finally, to add to the life of your filter, you should make sure that all individuals using the spa are relatively clean before getting in. The more contaminates you put in, the harder the filter will have to work, thus shortening its lifespan. These contaminates may include hairspray, sweat, deodorant, hair, skin lotions, dirt, and even dead skin cells. In fact, people themselves are the major source of spa contaminates. Insist that those intending to use the spa shower beforehand. This can lead to a large savings on spa filter maintenance and replacement.

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As expensive as it is to buy and install a home spa, many spa owners look for ways to cut costs. One of the most obvious places they look is with the spa equipment itself, and for good reason. While many spa extras can be trimmed away to save a little bit of money, one of the places that consumers should not skimp is on the spa cover.

spa, spas, day spas, spa resorts, spa covers, spa equipment, spa supply, home spas, health spas

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As expensive as it is to buy and install a home spa, many spa owners look for ways to cut costs. One of the most obvious places they look is with the spa equipment itself, and for good reason. By opting out of premium spa accessories like a wireless remote control system, consumers can save thousands of dollars on their spa purchase. While many spa extras can be trimmed away to save a little bit of money, one of the places that consumers should not skimp is on the spa cover.

Even though spa covers can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,000 or more, choosing to not buy one can cost you all of that and much more. The reason why is because spa covers save energy, chemicals and lives.

No matter whether your spa is outdoors or indoors, the majority of the energy it takes to run your spa goes toward heating your water to just the right temperature. As with any water that is left to sit, the water in your spa will cool down to room temperature or the outdoor temperature when the spa is not in use. This means that you will have to use even more energy to heat it up again before using it a second time, and a third, and so on. The colder you let your water get, the more energy that it will take to heat it up.

Spa covers help conserve energy by keeping your water temperature consistent. You see, the spa cover is made with a layer of foam insulation that works the same way that a thermos does. It keeps the cold air out and the warm water, well warm. This means that it will only take you a little time and a little bit of energy to heat your spa to the desired temperature before use.

Another way that spa covers help save you money is by conserving chemicals. Did you know that a gallon of chlorine will evaporate in a few hours on a hot day? With this in mind, just imagine how much chlorine you will waste if you leave your spa uncovered for the entire summer. A spa cover also helps keep rain, leaves, bugs and other undesirables out of your spa. This not only saves you money on chemicals but saves your back as well because you will not spend near as much time cleaning your spa as you would if it was left out with no barrier to protect it from the elements.

Safety is another concern around any type of water. In fact, the leading cause of death for children less than five years of age is drowning. Sure, you can be diligent about not letting any children near your spa, but snapping on a cover takes away the risk and your worry. You may even be held liable if a neighbor s child falls into your spa.

So, let the remote control go; let the built-in snack bar go; but make sure that you purchase a spa cover and use it whenever the spa is not in use. You may save more than just a few dollars.

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Spa Covers are an economical solution to saving power and retaining the heat in the water.

spa covers, hot tub covers, spa pools, hot tubs

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Spa Covers are an economical solution to saving power and retaining the heat in the water.

By using a spa cover the heat that would normally dissipate from the water when left uncovered, is captured under the cover and due to this, there is a lot less power required to reheat the pool.

There is a big range of spa covers and also a big variance in their prices. The higher quality spa covers can cost quite a lot more than their cheaper alternatives, however they might work out more economical over time as they are better at retaining heat and saving energy.

As well as the obvious power savings that can be gained by having a spa cover there are the additional benefits of cleanliness and safety.

By having a spa cover the water in your spa will remain a lot cleaner when not in use and this will save money on chemicals. Spa covers also add safety to your spa with most covers able to hold the weight of a small child should they ever venture onto the cover.

Many authorities are now insisting that spas are either fenced or covered to help with child safety and a spa cover is often a cheaper and more appealing alternative than fencing off the area surrounding the spa.

There are many accessories that can be purchased for the premium model spa covers such as remote control systems that will cover the spa at a touch of a button. These accessories can add considerably to the cost of the covers but make the use of them very simple and convenient.

Most spa covers are made from vinyl with added support from a steel or aluminum frame. The premium covers have additional heat saving insulation materials to help retain more heat in the water and reduce power costs.

When you are buying a spa cover it is wise to check the consumer comparison sites on the Internet to see what is available in the price range that you can afford. By shopping around you might be able to get a higher-grade spa cover for the same price as the budget models, particularly if you are buying direct from the manufacturer.

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How many times have you wished that there is a way to prevent your in-tray from overflowing? Or do you often wish that family gatherings and reunions would happen less frequently because you’re tired from scrambling around looking for your misplaced recipes? Do you hate school projects because looking for craft papers is a waste of your time? If you are a woman with a demanding career and an equally demanding home life, you know the value of being organized. And yes, there is…

organizing ideas, space savers, binders, book binders, loose leaf binders, home improvement

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How many times have you wished that there is a way to prevent your in-tray from overflowing? Or do you often wish that family gatherings and reunions would happen less frequently because you’re tired from scrambling around looking for your misplaced recipes? Do you hate school projects because looking for craft papers is a waste of your time? If you are a woman with a demanding career and an equally demanding home life, you know the value of being organized. And yes, there is an efficient but simple trick to being organized and it’s very inexpensive. Do you remember those binders, book binders, loose leaf binders, and other binder clips you used in college? They are not just for school anymore. With a bit of creativity, use them to organize your home and office.

Let’s start with your different odds and ends. Collect the photos you want displayed but had no time framing and put them between acetate sheets. Having them laminated is also an option. Clip on a binder clip at the base and you have an instant picture holder. Those binders, book binders, loose leaf binders, clear book pages, and loose leaf pages are good for preserving paper memorabilia, scrapbooking and making journals. Newspaper clippings you intend to keep (news about your son’s team winning a Little League game, news about your father receiving an award) can be placed in a loose leaf binder with clear book pages. Another option is to paste them on scrapbook pages, add a few captions and bind the lot with a book binder. A great gift idea is a journal. Make it by binding colorful loose leaf pages with a loose leaf binder. Adding designs on the cover is an interesting option. Binders are also great for keeping magazines intact. Arrange them in piles according to title and bind old volumes together. Label binders with magazine names of the and publishing dates of the issues inside.

Moving on to more important matters; binders, book binders, loose leaf binders, and file boxes are great space savers. Old office documents which you think might be handy for future reference can be kept in file boxes. Remember to bind them first in a book binder and label them with the contract or project name. Brainstorming session results can be kept in loose leaf binders. Arrange current documents in book binders or loose leaf binders. These binders can also save you time and space at home. Collect your favorite family recipes and keep them in a file box in the kitchen. Placing them in binded clear book pages is another idea. Pasting them in a homemade album of loose leaf binder and scrapbook pages is also a great idea. Adding pictures and anecdotes will make your collection more personal. Another time saver is to keep all art supplies in a big file box.

Organizing need not be an expensive or time consuming activity. With a few binders, book binders, loose leaf binders and creativity, you can have more space in less time. The less time it takes you to find your stuff, the less stressful your life will be.

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There are many people today that are interested in sound proofing. This can be either for one room, or an entire home or building. Some people want it to drown out the noise of the city. Other people want it so they can’t hear the sounds of their home theater or music room. Some people just need it to block out the sounds of their noisy neighbors. Whatever your reasons may be, sound proofing can be the answer to a quieter environment. But what exactly is sound proofing?

sound proofing,sound proof,soundproof paint,acoustics,noisecontrol

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There are many people today that are interested in sound proofing. This can be either for one room, or an entire home or building. Some people want it to drown out the noise of the city. Other people want it so they can’t hear the sounds of their home theater or music room. Some people just need it to block out the sounds of their noisy neighbors. Whatever your reasons may be, sound proofing can be the answer to a quieter environment. But what exactly is sound proofing?

Sound proofing is a way of using certain materials to either block sound waves from entering or to absorb sound waves reflecting in a room or location. Sound waves (noise) are measured in decibels (dB). An example: A whisper is 20 decibels, normal conversation is 60 decibels, city traffic is 80 decibels, and a lawn mower or leaf blower is 103 decibels. Guess how high decibels from a jet are?

Sound proofing materials are measure by how much sound they block or insulate. This is called the sound transmission class or STC. The higher the STC rating, the less sound that can be transmitted through it. An example: a standard wall has an STC rating of 20 to 25. This means that you can still hear normal speech through any standard wall. If you want the sound of someone talking to be barley a murmur, you would need a wall with an STC rating of at least 42.

There are many sound proofing materials available for purchase. Sound proofing foam is one of the least expensive ways to go. Sound proofing barriers made with vinyl are quite popular and very effective. Sound isolation clips can be placed between walls and floors. You can also by sound barrier carpet inlays to block sound through separate floor levels. There is even a sound proofing paint now available.

The prices for sound proofing materials can vary. You first need to decipher how big of an area you want to get sound proofed. You then need to decide what kind of noise you need to block. All of these factors combined will help you determine how much you are going to spend.

Now that you know a bit about sound proofing, you can almost consider yourself an expert! Well, maybe not. But you can now determine what your sound proofing needs are and you should have a bit of understanding about the nature of sound proofing!

Copyright 2005 Gavin Sanderson.
This article may be republished as long as this section is included and all links are left live.