Wooden Garden Furniture Maintenance

The lovely appeal of your garden furniture located in a stylish section with well-done lawns and blooms makes your home have the appeal of a real paradise. The wooden garden furniture makes you miss the next weekend so that you can invite friends to a barbecue.

image:pixabay.com/en/garden-garden-furniture-sit-table-831995

However, the outdoor environment can take a toll on the future and make it lose the original appeal in no time. From the extremely low temperatures of winter to the hot weather in summer, you can only be assured of the extended attractiveness of the furniture by caring it appropriately.  Here are some useful tips to help you.

Treat the furniture with oil before using it

After unpacking the outdoor reclaimed wood furniture, it is advisable to treat it with oil before installation. Though the wood was already treated by the manufacturer, it is difficult to know how long it had taken in the store. Therefore, the original treatment could be weak already.

The only way to ensure that the wood is in top shape is treating it again. Unlike the modern living room furniture, the antique outdoor furniture might have taken longer in the market and a new treatment would come in handy. Make sure to oil all parts including the hidden areas around the joints and crevices.

Clean the reclaimed furniture and oil it progressively

Unlike the indoor furniture, the wooden garden furniture is likely to attract dirt fast. Dust, pollen, and falling leaves are likely to fall into the furniture surface making it dirty. If this dirt is not cleared fast, it can corrode the wood and make the furniture unsightly.

It is important to ensure that the furniture is cleaned as immediately as it gets dirty. Consider dusting the furniture every day and cleaning it thoroughly at least once every week. But this is not enough. You also need to occasionally oil the furniture. The best schedule to oil the garden furniture is after major seasons such as summer and winter.

Disinfect the wood to protect it from fungal and mold attack

Even if you regularly treat the wooden garden furniture, the wood is still prone to molds and fungal attacks. You can tell when these attacks take place because they form some dark and black areas especially on the under sections. To treat molds and fungal infection, here are the recommended methods:

·         Wash the furniture thoroughly using wood cleaner.

·         If the dark spots are still visible, was the furniture with a strong liquid chlorine solution.

·         If chlorine treatment fails to clear the dark spots, consider scrubbing with sandpaper and then apply a layer of finish.

Retighten the furniture when loose

When wood furniture is left out to battle the elements of weather, alternate cold and hot seasons can cause the joins to loosen. Loose joints can also be caused by regular use of outdoor antique furniture.

Make sure to check the state of the furniture regularly to note the need for retightening or repairs. Such retightening should be done immediately to prevent the problem from deteriorating. If you are unsure of how to handle such retightening or minor repairs, consider working with an art décor furniture expert for assistance. 

Cover the outdoor reclaimed furniture when not in use

When the cold and hot seasons interchange, your furniture tearing accelerates at a fast pace. However, you do not have to watch the high-value British furniture fade under the heavy impacts of natural elements. Consider covering the furniture with PVC backed polyester material.

The cover should be waterproof and also feature breathable openings to reduce the danger of molds development. Note that the covers should only be used in extreme weathers such as very hot days, cold season, and at night. However, you should allow the furniture to remain open and give the garden a paradise appearance.

Tips before Getting Started with Your Home’s Redesign Project

There are few things more rewarding - and as frustrating - as redesigning your home. It isn’t something to be taken lightly, and some will even tell you that it isn’t something to be undertaken without a lot of money to back it up. However, it isn’t necessarily the budget you have that will dictate the success of your home redesign project. It’s the amount of preparation you’re willing to put up with as well as how creative you can be.

After all, there are some individuals who are quite successful with their redesign project without having to break the bank. It’s all about perspective and making sure that you don’t set your expectations too high. On the same note, you don’t need to set your expectations too low either. Here are just a few tips that you can follow to ensure that your project is a resounding success.

Understand the budget rules that come with a home redesign

For example, there are certain aspects of home redesign where you don’t need to spend too much money. Elements such as decorations and the like can be spruced up with novelty items as well as plants. You can also do a bit of painting around the house to improve the overall look of your home without necessarily having to install anything too expensive.

On the other hand, if you’re going to be tackling flooring, don’t think that low-quality materials will do. Instead, check out options like www.firmfitfloor.com where you can get laminate and water-proof flooring. It will ensure that you don’t have to pay for repairs or replacements anytime soon, saving you money in the process.

Always consider the practical application

Similar to the flooring being made of quality materials, you must always consider the practical application when it comes to redesigning your home. For example, a kitchen countertop is an excellent way of improving your kitchen without necessarily spending too much. The materials you can choose from are varied and will serve you well, allowing you to make that choice while on a budget. Even the use of plants will not only improve the look of your living space but can be practical because of their healthy properties such as the ability to absorb pollutants.

Shortcuts aren’t necessarily reductions in quality

Last but not least, it’s essential to understand that taking the cheaper alternative here and there doesn’t mean that you’re reducing quality. For example, do you want the living room to be comfortable and have that luxurious feel? Add a rug for the hardwood floor! It isn’t incredibly expensive, and it improves the look dramatically.

To conclude, redesigning your home isn’t as difficult as it might seem. All you need is a bit of creativity, and you’ll be surprised at how effective simple home decorating and overall design can be. Consider the practical applications, understand when compromise is a good thing and make use of clever shortcuts. These tips are all you need to ensure that your project ends up as a success.

Protect Your Family With These Post-Flu Cleaning Tips

Winter is almost here and with it the dreaded flu season. While it’s difficult to predict when the flu season will come or go, in most cases it begins somewhere between October and early November and can last until May.

Of course, the flu is not the only transmittable disease. Dangerous microbes are always on a prowl and if you live with your family, the disease can catch up to every single family member. Unless you stop it.

If you want to save your family members from catching whatever has been bugging you for the past week or so, you have to make a cleaning checklist in order to make sure your home is germ-free. Germs are always multiplying and waiting for someone to infect.

In this article, we are going to share some of the professional post-flu cleaning tips we received from Maids of Jacksonville, an experienced cleaning company. Read on to learn what you can do to cut disease down before it strikes from reputable house cleaning maids.

The Bedroom

When we are sick, we often stay in bed. This makes us feel better but also helps contaminate the bedroom. Fortunately, it does not have to stay that way.

First, you need to disinfect all the light switches, bedside tables, door handles and other surfaces you frequently touched. You can use a store disinfectant or a homemade vinegar cleaning remedy.

Make sure to wipe down all these surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Then proceed to clean all the other door handles, light switches and surfaces you touched throughout the house.

One thing you need to pay more attention to are the beddings and blankets. Sick people tend to sweat more, meaning you will have to wash all the sheets and blankets after you’ve gotten better. Make sure to leave nothing behind and use the highest appropriate temperature for the fabrics.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is also a fertile breeding ground for germs, as some people with the flu tend to develop a strong appetite (while for others, the opposite is true). Again, make sure to disinfect any areas you’ve come in contact with such as the fridge door handle, drawers, and cabinets and other surfaces.

You can use store disinfectants or disinfectant wipes as well as a home-made remedy or the steam cleaner. Let the cleaner sit on the surface for a while before wiping it away with a microfiber cloth.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is always a high-risk area, especially if you or any of your family members were sick. Since your entire family shares this area, the chance to infect other members of the family is extremely high. That said, make sure to thoroughly clean the entire bathroom including the toilet, the sink, the flush handle, door and vanity handles and other areas you frequently touched. Make sure to also wash all the used towels.

Electronic Devices and Appliances

One thing most people tend to forget is disinfecting the electronic devices shared by all the family members. This includes TV remotes, mobile phones, keyboards, computers and other devices your sick family members touched. If you haven’t cleaned these devices in a while, now is a good chance to use a disinfectant wipe or a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean them. Make sure to take care not to get any water or alcohol near the electronic core of the device.

11 Facts About the Air Bed

Air beds have become popular because of their affordability and convenience. They are especially great for camping because they are lightweight and easy to store.  At home, you can use them as a pop-up bed for your guests or even as a permanent mattress, perfect for city living. It is no surprise that more people are ditching their foam mattresses and switching to air beds.

Before you join the trend, here are a few facts about air beds that you should know.

1. The air bed is an ancient invention 

Although they are vastly different from the ancient prototype, air bed designs have 

existed for a long time. The earliest depiction can be traced back to a military manual written by Konrad Keyser in the 14^thCentury. 

2. It is an alternative to hair-stuffed bed 

The first modern air mattress was invented in 1989  by Pneumatic Mattress and Cushion Company in Massachusetts, United States. It was initially created as an alternative to stuffed mattresses which often used chicken feathers and animal hair. Ships prefer air mattresses because they’re easier to store and inflate, compared to regular mattresses. They also serve a dual purpose as an emergency raft given their buoyancy.

3. Yes, it floats

Air mattresses are naturally buoyant. They’re usually made of waterproof rubber-like material similar to rafts which trap the air inside. 

4. It remains virtually unchanged from the initial design

Despite the advancement in technology and the century that passed since its creation, newer models of air mattresses still closely resemble the initial designs. The difference is that manufacturers today are able to create models with built-in inflators. Instead of using rubbers, they prefer using polyvinyl chloride or texture-reinforced plastic. 

5. There’s a weight limit to its capacity

Air beds are great at providing support to prevent back and body pain. However, they impose a weight limit on occupants. Single air beds can support weights up to 300 lbs,whilst queen beds can support 500 to 600 lbs. It’s not advisable for those on the heavier side to sleep on air mattresses because such weight can make the air bed deflate and tear more quickly than regular spring mattresses. 

6. It takes a longer time to deflate than inflate it

Blowing air into a mattress is faster than letting it out. Because the air trapped inside the mattress only has one exit, it takes more time. Don’t rush it by folding the edge of the mattress and forcing the air out. It could cause the seams to stretch and break. 

7. More than one is a crowd

Compared to foam mattresses, air beds are prone to motion transfer. That means every time you move, the person on the same bed can feel the movement, too. So, if you’re someone who fidgets a lot in your sleep, sharing an air bed may not be a good idea. 

8. You’re never truly alone in bed

People practically sweat continuously and shed skin cells as they sleep which makes the bed a breeding ground for dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that thrive on moist and dark environments which can multiply within the air sockets on the mattress. There could be anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites in a single bed. That’s about 10 percent of a pillow’s entire weight. 

Don’t be too alarmed, though, because dust mites are non-parasitic and harmless, unless you’re allergic. If you are, you may experience common symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose. 

9. Making your bed makes dust mites worse

When you make the bed and cover the mattress with a duvet or blanket, the dust mites can thrive more. It is best to leave the bed unmade or at least fold the blanket away and expose the mattress to open air. It also helps to remove moisture from the sheets to dehydrate the dust mites. 

10. The size changes depending on the room temperature 

Have you ever thought that your air bed seems deflated in the middle of the night? Don’t worry, it’s probably just an effect of the cold air. Low temperature causes the air inside air beds to compress and become condensed, making it appear deflated. Once the temperature rises, the air will expand, and it would look fuller again. 

11. Full is not always best

You may be tempted to inflate your air bed to its maximum capacity, so it won’t start losing shape as you sleep. However, blowing too much air can cause extreme stress on the seams and it may eventually rupture.  Remember to fill your air bed not more than 90% of its capacity. This allows it to have some wiggle room and prevents strain from building up on the edges.

Air beds are convenient, very portable, and require little maintenance. Unlike regular mattresses, air beds allow you to have control on how soft or firm the bed is to fit your comfort level.  At the same time, you won’t have to worry about dragging a bed around when you move because it can easily be deflated and stored in a bag.

Whether you’re going on a camping trip or simply looking for a budget and storage-friendly bed, air beds are a great investment.To find the best models, visit OutbaxCamping today.