Senin, 31 Mei 2010

Can I Do My Own Furniture Cleaning?

Furniture cleaning helps maintain your good health. Dust, harmful microbes can pose health hazards upon contact. A set of clean furniture helps extend its life. Depending on the materials and type of furniture you have, there are many ways to clean them.

Upholstery cleaning can be done in few ways. You can use a duster to dust off dirt and debris from the upholstery furniture. Using a damp cloth, an ample amount of cleaning solution can be poured over it, and wipe all throughout the upholstery.

Vacuum is also needed in cleaning furniture, as it reaches the areas which are otherwise are hard to reach with ordinary cleaning methods. With vacuum, all surfaces of the upholstery are cleaned including the back, sides, arms, skirts and the platform beneath the cushions.

If you choose to use cleaning solutions with a strong agent, it is best to do a test to see if it can fade the color of your upholstery, cause discoloration, or shrinkage. You can also seek professional help on furniture cleaning.

Vinyl or leather upholstery may do well with spray on solutions, which are recommended by the dealer or manufacturer of your furniture. Spray on solution is easy as you would only need dry cloth to clean the material.

If the upholstery has chewing gum, you only have to peel it off after freezing the substance. First, you need to get an ice cube wrapped in a thin piece of cloth. Apply it directly to the chewing gum for few minutes. As it hardens, the chewing gum becomes easy to peel off.

After cleaning, it is recommended drying the upholstery. Only a small amount of residual moisture can cause mold and mildew, which makes it difficult for a furniture restoration.

Some furniture may have aluminum as an accent. If your furniture has aluminum, you can use mild detergent mixed with warm water, as your furniture cleaning solution. Using a sponge or washcloth, dab it with your solution and rub the aluminum legs and arm rests.

After rinsing, you may want to add protection to it by applying a thin coat of car wax. However, it is a rule to allow the aluminum to dry thoroughly before coating it with wax. If the condition of your aluminum calls for abrasive pads, apply baking soda on its surface and rub with moistened cloth. This will work effectively on stubborn dirt without scratching the material.

Sofa cleaning is among the common tasks in household chores. A sofa comes in several materials, however, the regular fabrics are leather, and cushion wrapped in specialized cloth.

Shampoo that fits the fabric of your sofa is the best furniture cleaning solution. Avoid cleaning solutions with strong agents as they can ruin your furniture. Soft damp cloth or sponge is your tool in removing germs and dirt.

Cushions are part of you furniture cleaning. They can be washable and non-washable. Look for its tag or ask the dealer if the materials used can be wash cleaned. If it is not, then you can use mild detergent solution and washcloth to rub the dirt and stain. Dry them under the sun.


Source : besttoread

Comfortable Bean Bags

Today bean bags are much more comfortable and durable than those of the 70's. The products are typically made with a fabric outer cover, which can be unzipped for washing. The inner cover still contains the beans, so there is no worry about spilling. Products are filled with small, round pieces of Styrofoam pellets, which are all the same size. This means they will move around each other better for a more desirable shape when you sit. The newer products offer a much greater selection in color, style and size.

A bean bag sofa is great for watching TV, gaming or doing just about anything you would normally do in the living room or family room. They can range in size from 5 feet to 8 feet. This makes them more comfortable for lounging and great for a teen's room, for sleepovers. Because there are more color options, you can find one to go with any decor, even those bright neon colors that kids often prefer.

They are ideal for large or small rooms. A unique benefit is that they are lightweight and can be moved very easily. This is not something you can do with more traditional furniture. A bean bag chairs can come in different sizes as well. So you can find one suitable for a toddler or a teen. They help keep kids off the carpet, which many contain allergens and chemicals. There is so much variety that you are likely to find bean bags for nearly any purpose in your home.



Source : ezinearticles

Finding the Right Conservatory Furniture

Today, there are some homeowners who think that finding conservatory furniture could be a bit of a challenge. However, it could actually be quite easy as long as you know what you need to consider in the furniture that you would be buying and where to look for them. Here are some tips that would help you find the most suitable pieces for your conservatory.

First off, you need to know that conservatory furniture pieces are made from a wide range of materials. One of the most popular choices would be rattan or cane conservatory furniture. This is because rattan is not easily damaged by too much sunlight and has the ability to resist extreme humidity, making them perfect for the typical weather and temperature conditions in a conservatory. Some of the other materials that many conservatory furniture pieces are made of include wicker, teak, metal, glass, stone and iron. To make sure that you would be picking the right type of furniture for your conservatory, it is advisable to do some research online on the materials available and how they measure up in terms of durability and design.

Another tip when finding conservatory furniture would be to visit websites and read magazines or books which offer valuable information about conservatories and how to design them. As you go through pictures and ideas, you could list down some of the furniture pieces that you feel would best suit your needs and your style. You could then use this list as you shop later.

Decide on a budget that you would be working with. The prices of conservatory furniture pieces widely vary, depending on their material, design and the quality. You can browse some online stores so that you would have an idea on how much tables, armchairs, sofas and other pieces would cost.

Once you have a budget and an idea on what pieces would best suit the theme you have in mind, you could then start your search. A good place to start would be the internet. Since more and more online stores that specialise in conservatory furniture are being set up, it could be a convenient and a practical way to look for the pieces that you need. As a matter of fact, buying online could allow you to save more since many furniture shops are offering competitive prices and even special offers and discounts for their customers. You could go through the pieces and items that a number of stores are offering and compare their prices, including the delivery or shipping fees.

If you are on a limited budget but still want to get quality pieces, you could always try searching in sites such as eBay and Craigslist. These websites usually have pieces which are either new or used and are offered at low prices. However, before buying from these websites, make sure that the seller is credible through checking his or her feedback from previous transactions.

You can also try checking your neighbourhood for people who are holding garage sales. There might be other homeowners who no longer need furniture pieces that would be perfect for your conservatory.

Lastly, make sure that you know how to care for your new conservatory furniture pieces. Remember that different materials call for different ways of maintenance and care. Ask the store or previous owner about how they should be cleaned and maintained.

Finding conservatory furniture that would allow you to enjoy and relax in your conservatory could be easy by following these simple tips. Through some patience and comparison shopping, you should be able to choose quality and stylish pieces that would last for many years to come.



Source : ezinearticles

Minggu, 30 Mei 2010

Outdoor Furniture Trends

For some time now outdoor furniture has gone beyond being just items for relaxation and enjoyment, and even though these are still major points to consider, design and style are the driving force of today's trends.

One of the many interesting things that happens when designers experiment and enjoy their creative forces is that they do begin to work with other materials. And this usually means a much wider variety in styles, colors and shapes. When combining materials a whole new world is opened.

Just think of the following:

Take an outdoor table for example.

  • It could be square, rectangle or with a round top.
  • It could be waist high or chest high.
  • It could be for four, six, eight or even 12 people.
  • It could be made from wood, and that also means the series of colors and finishing.
  • It could be with a glass top, a wooden top, from metal alloys or a ceramic top
Wicker, aluminum and wooden beds  had been used for quite some time now but there are new materials and ideas coming along. These ideas will include different types of fabrics for outdoor use, wrought iron, plastics and more.

Some of the styles will include Wicker, bistro furniture, styles taken from the classics (Greek and Roman), country style, European, modern, contemporary, etc.

At the forefront of the design trends for outdoor furniture are colors that are either simple or vibrant. The standout and make a statement. It's not just a question of the blending into the outdoor scene but of actually making a statement that adds to the lifestyle.

Another important part of outdoor furniture today is weather resistance. This includes fabrics and materials. A chair deckchair or any seating furniture will have cushioned seats and pillows and these must be able to withstand demands made by the weather- and this means more than just the rain, includes the wind and the sun.



Source : ezinearticles

Rabu, 26 Mei 2010

Where Can You Use Shelves In The Home

Many homeowners and renters alike neglected using shelving. That is a big mistake. And those who do use them, often wonder where can you use shelves in the home and if there are any limitations. They are in fact a great addition to any home and can be used very tastefully throughout.

In the past, many homeowners believe that shelving belonged only in the den or the office. But that can be no further from the truth. In fact, every single room in the house can benefit from shelving. They serve as convenient storage spaces, especially in homes that don't have modern storage design. For instance, older homes with original bathrooms are screaming out for more storage space. Shelves can easily solve problems of putting each family members consumables on.

The kitchen is also another place where shelves have worked their way back into. Nowadays, many North American homes that are being renovated and built are using shelves as open stock cabinets. Of course, this doesn't appeal to everyone, but look beautiful nonetheless. Regardless of whether they are being used to store glasses and Crystal and the like, they also look and perform great to rest certain items on, such as plants or spices. In the hallway or vestibule, you know, they look great, but also provide a service for any family member looking for a place to leave the keys and what not.

Truly, the living room and bedroom at enough from shelving. This is especially true in a place that suffers from limited space, and especially storage space. And the best part is, the more limited placing only one shelf. You can place two or three shelves, that are placed equally apart on one wall. Not only can showcase picture frames, artwork and other collectibles, you can also rest pocket change, jewelry, and the like. In addition to that, you're reading material can also be displayed there.

Matter which room do decide to place shelving in, and ensure that goes with the rest of the room. In other words, go for a unified look. For instance, a cheap looking melamine shelf would have no place in a country setting. You should take a look around, because you'll find numerous styles and finishes that will suit any style home and decor. For example, for easy installation and for the ease of changing the height, you can purchase shelving kits, such as those that come with metal angles, metal slotted rods and the shelves.

Newer kits are also available that look incredible in almost any decor. These actually come with metal edges that are secured in to the wall, and the board sits inside of them. They actually give the illusion that they are floating. In addition to that, they look incredible, either on their own, or when two or more are stacked vertically against one wall.

Whatever type of shelving you are choosing, the most important thing is that they are safely secured into the wall. Not only should you ensure that it is stable and secure on its own, but also with the amount of weight that you will be placing on.

Regardless of what type of material or finish that you are choosing for your shelves, there is no doubt that they will look great, no matter what room they will be placed in.Many homeowners and renters alike neglected using shelving. That is a big mistake. And those who do use them, often wonder where can you use shelves in the home and if there are any limitations. They are in fact a great addition to any home and can be used very tastefully throughout.

In the past, many homeowners believe that shelving belonged only in the den or the office. But that can be no further from the truth. In fact, every single room in the house can benefit from shelving. They serve as convenient storage spaces, especially in homes that don't have modern storage design. For instance, older homes with original bathrooms are screaming out for more storage space. Shelves can easily solve problems of putting each family members consumables on.

The kitchen is also another place where shelves have worked their way back into. Nowadays, many North American homes that are being renovated and built are using shelves as open stock cabinets. Of course, this doesn't appeal to everyone, but look beautiful nonetheless. Regardless of whether they are being used to store glasses and Crystal and the like, they also look and perform great to rest certain items on, such as plants or spices. In the hallway or vestibule, you know, they look great, but also provide a service for any family member looking for a place to leave the keys and what not.

Truly, the living room and bedroom at enough from shelving. This is especially true in a place that suffers from limited space, and especially storage space. And the best part is, the more limited placing only one shelf. You can place two or three shelves, that are placed equally apart on one wall. Not only can showcase picture frames, artwork and other collectibles, you can also rest pocket change, jewelry, and the like. In addition to that, you're reading material can also be displayed there.

Matter which room do decide to place shelving in, and ensure that goes with the rest of the room. In other words, go for a unified look. For instance, a cheap looking melamine shelf would have no place in a country setting. You should take a look around, because you'll find numerous styles and finishes that will suit any style home and decor. For example, for easy installation and for the ease of changing the height, you can purchase shelving kits, such as those that come with metal angles, metal slotted rods and the shelves.

Newer kits are also available that look incredible in almost any decor. These actually come with metal edges that are secured in to the wall, and the board sits inside of them. They actually give the illusion that they are floating. In addition to that, they look incredible, either on their own, or when two or more are stacked vertically against one wall.

Whatever type of shelving you are choosing, the most important thing is that they are safely secured into the wall. Not only should you ensure that it is stable and secure on its own, but also with the amount of weight that you will be placing on.

Regardless of what type of material or finish that you are choosing for your shelves, there is no doubt that they will look great, no matter what room they will be placed in.



Source : content4reprint