October 20th, 2008 — Bathtub, Clean, Handy Man, Refresh, Sink
Whether you have a fiberglass tub or sink or vitreous china, it doesn’t take long before stains start to appear. This is particularly true if you have hard water. While these unsightly stains can be frustrating, there are actually a few ways that you can easily get rid of them, without resorting to harmful chemicals. Thoroughly cleaning a tub or sink is the first step in restoration, so let’s start there.
One of the easiest ways to remove old stains from a tub or sink is by using drywall sandpaper. This is typically black in color and will look like a fine mesh. While its normal use is to smooth out rough patches in drywall, it is also incredibly useful for tubs and sinks. Because the mesh is fine, you won’t be scratching your tub’s finish and it is incredibly effective at getting out those stains.
This will require a fair amount of elbow grease. Take a small square of drywall sandpaper and start scrubbing it in a circular motion on the stain. Take care not to involve water in this process. Keep scrubbing until you start to see some results. You may end up with some black residue on the stain but don’t panic. This is normal and is simply residue from the sandpaper. Once you think the stain has been completely removed, rinse the area. If it is still there, dry it thoroughly and start again.
For shampoo and soap stains that are stubborn, or just simple grime, there is a very easy solution. Take a grapefruit and cut it in half. Put some salt in a bowl that is large enough to fit the grapefruit in. Dip the fruit into the bowl, cut side down and then begin scrubbing the stain with it. It is best to wear gloves for this procedure.
The acid in the grapefruit interacts with the salt to create a very powerful compound that can blast through nearly any stain. This is a little known trick, but it is incredibly effective. Other citrus fruits, such as lemons, will also work, but none are as effective as a grapefruit.
Once all the stains are gone, it’s time to take a look at your handiwork and see if anything additional needs to be done. If the finish is dull, or no longer feels slick, you may need to repaint the tub. Go to the hardware store and look for tub and sink paint – making certain whether or not you are dealing with vitreous china or fiberglass. There are quite a few options available and you may even be able to get tinted paint that will allow you to change the color of your tub and sink.
Since your tub or sink will already be cleaned, simply make sure that it is completely dry and begin painting. Follow the instructions on the paint closely and make sure that you give the area plenty of time to dry. If necessary, make the bathroom off limits until the paint is done drying. Once it is, you should have a beautifully restored tub or sink.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Articles
Related Stores
June 16th, 2008 — Clean, Handy Man, Pest Control
Whether you live in the country or a big city, chances are you’ve dealt with rodents a time or two. These little critters may be cute but they are a huge health risk to you and your loved ones and they need to go. There are more than a few methods of getting rid of rodents, but for this article we’re going to focus on the more eco-friendly methods. Poison should never be used since it is too dangerous, especially if you have children or pets. Rodents that eat this poison usually don’t die right away, and end up expiring in your walls or in hard to find places. The stench can be unbearable and can take weeks if not months to dissipate.
Instead of using harmful chemicals, let’s talk about some other ways to get rid of rodents that are just as effective. The first is the live trap, a favorite among those who cannot come to terms with dealing out death to small creatures. Keep in mind that there are some health risks involved with these traps, since you will be able to breath in the fumes or dust from their excretions, but if you simply cannot kill them, this is a humane way of getting rid of rodents.
You’ll need to place your live trap in an area that is frequented by the rodents and then you’re going to need to check it often. There’s no point of going to the trouble of trapping them alive if you let them starve to death. Keep in mind however that once you have one rodent in there it’s a lot easier to attract others. Never leave them in there alive for more than two days. Once your trap is full, you can take it to a wooded area or open space and release them. Never release them too close to your home, since they’ll just move right back in.
If you don’t want to handle live rodents (and not many people do) there are numerous different kinds of traps that can be used. Glue traps are common, but not recommended. They are actually pretty cruel and too often family pets end up trapped in them as well. It can take days for the rodent to die a very painful death in a glue trap, or they may chew off their own limbs to escape. Not pretty. This leaves quick death traps which are highly recommended and the safest to use.
The simple smack ‘em on the neck traps are the cheapest and with the right type of bait, work very well. You’ll still have to handle the dead mouse though and there is the potential for spreading disease. The best trap is the type that looks like a live trap but will electrocute the rodent as soon as it enters. This is the quickest and most pain free death for the rodent and you don’t have to touch the body to dispose of it.
Rodents may be cute but they are also deadly. If you’ve got an infestation, it’s vital to take care of it right away.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Articles
Related Stores
June 5th, 2008 — Bathroom, Drain, Fix, Handy Man, Shower
If your showers are starting to feel more like a bath, thanks to the amount of standing water you have in your tub, it’s definitely time to address some clogs. Bathtubs and showers have to deal with a lot of hair on a daily basis and it doesn’t take much for a clog to appear. Even with the best maintenance, chances are you’ll have to fight one or two every year.
There are a lot of different methods for cleaning a clogged drain, and we’ll cover the ones that are most effective. However, since using drain cleaners is not only bad for the environment, but also for your health, we won’t be covering that method. It is possible to end up with drain cleaner coming back up into your shower and the health risks from breathing the fumes are injurious to the health of your whole family. There are plenty of other easy ways to clean a clog that don’t involve harmful chemicals.
Now, before we get started, you’re going to need a few tools. We recommend:
- a screwdriver
- a pair of pliers
- a coat hanger
- a plumber’s snake (for serious leaks - they’re available at most hardware stores)
- some gloves (if you don’t want to get slimy)
First, you’re going to have to remove the top part of your shower drain. Most are screwed in, so gently loosen that screw with the appropriate type of screwdriver. You’re not going to want to crank on this since you can damage your tub. If it won’t budge, try a little WD40 if necessary.
Once this top part is off you should be able to get a better idea of the kind of clog you’re dealing with. Most clogs will be in this part of the drain, so you can simply pick the hair out until the area is cleaned up. If you don’t see much hair or anything else clogging this area, you’re going to have to go a little bit further. Most modern drains have a pattern inside that is made of hard plastic, so you can’t exactly go sticking your hand down there. We don’t recommend prying this part out since you can permanently damage your tub.
Unwrap that coat hanger and try feeding it gently down the drain. Probe around until you feel like you’ve hit the clog. You can try to pull it back up towards you or push it down further until it reaches a larger area of the pipe where it can be flushed away. For serious clogs we really recommend a plumber’s snake since they are easier to use than a coat hanger. Get rid of the clog and then put the drain back together again and you’re set.
If you have frequent clogs there’s an easy little recipe that you can use to make safe drain cleaner. Get some baking soda and put it down the drain. Then, grab some white vinegar and pour it in. The chemical reaction will clean out the pipe and keep it clean for you. You can do this once a month as a preventative. After you use the mixture, run some hot water down the drain to flush away any excess power.
Photo Credits: 1
Related Articles
Related Stores
June 3rd, 2008 — Handy Man, Safety
Whenever you’re fixing anything around your home, it’s easy to let clutter take over and pretty soon, your workspace is not only crowded, but it’s potentially unsafe. The key to doing things yourself the right way is safety. Let’s go over some tips on how to keep your work area safe.
1. Ban the kids and/or family.
Kids and home improvement projects rarely mix. Create a zone where they cannot enter and enforce it. Too many heartbreaking accidents occur as a result of failing to enforce these guidelines. Be strict - it’s better than reaping the consequences. Family members may need to keep away too, especially if they are the type that cause mini-disasters wherever they go.
2. Remove all flammable objects.
If you’re working with a torch or anything that involves flame, you will need to remove all flammable objects from the area. This includes rags soaked with flammable chemicals, dry materials, paper towels or basically anything that could catch fire. It’s a lot better to be safe than sorry! Remove any chemicals that are flammable before you turn on that torch.
3. Always make sure you have enough air flow.
Solvents and paints can be dangerous when used in close spaces. Never, ever work in an area that does not have a window or some source of ventilation. If necessary, put an exhaust fan in the room so that the fumes are not going right to your brain. It’s no fun working when you’re destroying your brain with harmful chemicals.
4. Check all equipment before turning it on.
Cords get frayed, wires get crossed and tools age. Check all cords and wires before you plug them in. If you’re working in an area that has standing water or actually any water, make sure that you are using the proper electrical equipment that will trip the breaker if the tool comes into contact with water.
5. Always, always turn off the power before attempting any repair.
It is so easy to make excuses and take shortcuts when it comes to turning off the power. Yes, it’s inconvenient to trot down and flip the breaker. It’s a lot more inconvenient to get fried. Accidents are called accidents because they happen without any warning. Too many people are electrocuted every year simply because they were lazy and didn’t turn off the power. Always triple check that whatever you are fixing is not connected to a live source of power.
6. Protect your eyes.
Again, this is an area where a lot of us skimp. Goggles are annoying and they get in the way, but they are absolutely necessary. You’ll feel a lot less inconvenienced if you can avoid having a shard of glass in your eye. Remember, you only get two eyes - protect them! This includes work that involves any flying particles, dust or sparks.
7. Be smart.
Most accidents are preventable. Take the time to do things the right away and don’t cut corners. It could save a life!
Photo Credits: 1
Related Articles
Related Stores
