If we didn’t think you could do it, it wouldn’t be here! So except those of you who suffer from acrophobia (an abnormal fear of being at a great height, not of being swung around on a trapeze by a monkey), read on — you will thank us.
There is nothing worse than getting home in the pouring rain only to be showered once again by an overflowing gutter as you’re struggling to get the key to go in the front door! The solution? Clean it (the gutter, not the key!). (more…)
When you start planning how to decorate a room, you are probably thinking mainly of the walls. These are what gives the room its overall effect, by providing a background colour. The individual rooms and on colour and pattern offer advice on the best options for specific areas, but you’ll have a basic choice to make between paint and wallpaper.
Painting is cheaper, quicker, easier and gives you a more versatile range of colours — all you have to do is make sure that you pick the right type for the job. Paper has the advantage of adding pattern if you want it, and gives a better- looking finish to a less-than-perfect wall surface. (more…)
Equally as important as the quality of our water is the quantity we consume. Most of us have become accustomed to using a lot of water everyday and take it for granted that supplies are limitless (or at least put to the back of our minds the fact that they are not). This attitude is particularly in evidence in North America where an average family of four can use on average up to 1000 litres (220 gallons) a day – between two and four times average consumption for a family in Europe.
Before water even reaches your home, huge amounts are often lost through old and corroded underground distribution pipes. This waste can be as high as 40 or 50 per cent of valuable, processed drinking water. On top of this, an additional 5 to 10 per cent can be lost through leaks in the home, mostly from faulty toilet cistern valves and worn tap washers – a steadily dripping tap can lose 90 litres (20 gallons) per day. Hot-water leaks increase your energy costs, too. As a first priority, run a regular check on all your tap washers and cistern valves. You can also fit a check valve to the incoming main water supply. This valve shuts off the flow if a predetermined rate is exceeded by either a sudden or slow, steady loss. (more…)
Use bread, squeezed into large pellets, or a clean india-rubber to remove dirty marks. Rub gently. Dab greasy marks with a pad slightly moistened with carbon tetrachloride or any proprietary brand of dry-cleaner. Wise to test first in a corner. Don’t rub or the pattern may come off. You can replace badly- damaged patterned paper by tearing an irregular patch (hold the paper pattern- side down) from a left-over piece. Paste over damaged area, carefully matching pattern. If paper is plain you will have to replace at least a complete length.
Muraweave : Muraweave, grass paper, bamboo wall coverings, etc., should be dusted with a vacuum cleaner attachment. For stains, use a good upholstery fabric dry-cleaner. Test first.
Washable: Washable doesn’t actually imply sluicing down or scrubbing. Wipe them with a damp sponge; don’t wet them more than necessary. Work up and down to avoid lifting at seams.
Always rinse off all detergents and cleaners after use. Read instructions. Don’t use too strong a concentration of any cleaner, otherwise you will remove gloss, and paintwork will get dirtier more quickly in future. A little furniture polish helps protect window sills and areas that get heavy wear. (more…)
Ideally these should be cleaned immediately after use before soap and grime have a chance to harden. If you do it then, no special cleaners other than hot soapy water are needed.
Prevent lime forming round waste hole, by making sure taps don’t drip.
Change the washer in time. To clean cast-iron or vitreous enamel or porcelain appliances, use mild abrasive paste, rinse off and dry. For difficult stains, rub with a little vinegar—but rinse away thoroughly as quickly as possible. (more…)
A stain resistant finish provides a good barrier to liquid stains such as spilt coffee or Indian ink and prevents major accidents from causing permanent staining provided, of course, that spillage is mopped up as quickly as possible.
Regular care: If the carpet is reversible, reverse from time to time because the colours on the underside are always fresher. Hard, dry brushing will not harm the carpet but too much water will, and could cause shrinkage. (more…)
A percentage of nylon is generally used to give additional toughness and abrasion- resistance to other fibers, wool especially.
The most important other use for nylon in upholstery is for stretch covers. These were invented for nylon, because it has a high degree of elasticity and is given a two-way stretch when knitted. It can be so knitted into plain or textured fabrics in one or more colours. It is eminently washable. The one snag is finding the ready-made cover to fit your chair in the colour/pattern you like. And there are problems in making up stretch fabrics at home.
Care: On its own, nylon can he washed. In a blend, follow instructions.
The Acrylic family of fibres has not been used for woven fabrics. Knitted fabrics may become more common as the rising prices of other fibres make acrylics comparatively cheaper. (more…)
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