Home Maintenance

Leather dye is not easy to remove once it has been applied. Unlike paint or other topical colorings, it is a stain and is designed to permanently soak slightly into the leather. There are,...

If your house is infested with rats or mice (or you're just keeping those rodents as pets), chances are that you have had to deal with the smell of rodent urine in your house. As overpowering as...

Refinishing wooden stairs seems like a a difficult endeavor for many homeowners. However, refinishing wooden stairs is not that daunting of a task. The name of the game is patience, as refinishing...

Staining a deck shields the wood from sun and moisture damage. Stain protects the wood from cracking and fading, and increases the longevity of the deck. Although several application methods...

Love the look of a stained door but fear your fiberglass door is unstainable? Fear not: A fiberglass door can be stained. Although standard wipe-on stain normally applied to wood cannot be used...

Marble counter tops are a durable and beautiful addition to any home, available in highly polished or honed [natural finish] styles. Because of its absorbency it needs daily care. Marble is...

Black water stains result from iron reacting with wood furniture. The wood essentially rusts, causing unsightly black stains. They can be removed with some elbow grease and a simple solution, but...

Trex decking combines recycled plastic and wood fibers to create a material that withstands moisture, rotting and UV damage and provides a low-maintenance, splinter-free building material....

After eight years in the high-pressure cleaning industry, I have seen many home owners clean and seal their wood decks in a variety of ways. Many of these do-it-yourself enthusiasts were...

Wooden decks are common on many homes and cabins. Because the wood on decks is subjected directly to the elements, periodic maintenance is needed to ensure the wood lasts. Untreated wood will...

Wood decks can make for a great home addition, but untreated wood is vulnerable to the elements. Wood stain bonds to wood, creating a protective layer that prevents the boards from absorbing...

Staining a deck is important to keeping your deck looking nice and in good shape. Staining a deck in the heat of the day can be a tiring, sweaty task, so you may want to wait until the late...

Cedar siding is a good option for homeowners who are concerned about the environment, as well as those who love the look of wood. Cedar is a renewable, biodegradable resource, making it...

Wooden cabinets add beauty and grace to any home, but over time even the most lovingly cared-for cupboards can start to show signs of wear, or just become outdated or simply too familiar. Giving...

Decks made of wood are very susceptible to the elements because plain wood may absorb water, which can lead to deterioration of the wood. One way to protect a wooden deck from rain and give the...

Cleaning and staining your deck is a lot of work but worth the effort. Wear old clothes, safety glasses and rubber gloves to keep from staining your hands. Choose a fair weather day for the task. ...

Stains can disrupt the aesthetics of any fabric, material, or household item. If they are not treated and removed properly, stains can singlehandedly ruin a garment or piece of décor. Because...

Refinishing cabinet doors can be done in two ways. You can completely sand them down and reapply the stain. Or you can revitalize the color and shine that is already there, without doing a...

The removal process is not that difficult as other food colored beverages. Removing coffee & tea stains can be accomplished with some basic household products! If the stain has set in from...

Without a doubt, one of the most beautiful floor coverings is hardwood flooring. It has been around almost as long as the dwelling itself, and if the cavemen could have figured out how to use it,...

It is natural for the stain on your kitchen cabinets to look worn and dull over time. Kitchen cabinets take a lot of abuse over the years from being touched and wiped down on a regular basis....

One day you walk into the room and an ominous stain has blossomed on your carpet. You hesitate to tackle it yourself because what if you do something wrong? Here are a few carpet cleaning facts...

Tung oil is an age-old alternative to varnishes and glosses and gives shine and protection to floors, trim and other wood surfaces. Unlike modern protective glosses, tung oil works not by sitting...

Paint on a carpet is one of the toughest stains. Quick thinking and faster action are required for the best results. With a little luck, some advanced planning and quick action, disaster can be...

Since the staircase in your house is generally one of the first things people see, it's important to maintain the look of your stairs to make a good first impression on visitors. Although it...

One little oil leak in your car can stay with you forever on your driveway. But it doesn't have to. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get most if not all of an oil stain out of...

Cedar is a beautiful wood, and a cedar deck is an attractive addition to any home. However, the wood can lose that beauty if left unprotected from the weather. Select a color and type of stain...

Marble is an elegant, expensive stone used for floors, countertops, baths and showers, among other uses. It looks very sleek when used in entryways and lobbies. The stone can be colored or white,...

Oil and grease can cause unsightly stains on concrete in your driveway or in your garage. This simple trick can keep your concrete looking great, no matter how much you work on your car. Even...

Whether your fence is new or needs a touch-up, these steps will explain how to prep and protect your fence so that it gives you years of use.

Marble is a natural stone that is cut and polished to a shine. Marble has a hard surface, but it is naturally porous, and will stain easily. The surface can also be harmed by acids found in many...

Kitchen cabinets are constantly exposed to heat and steam and even grease from cooking. This adds up to a lot of wear, making the cabinets look dull. Moreover, they make the kitchen, as a whole,...

Concrete porches are prevalent throughout the United States, and, for that matter, across the globe. A concrete porch will outlast a wooden porch by 10 to 20 years and, with proper care and...

Cement patios can outlast wood patios by 10 to 20 years and with proper care and maintenance, provide a beautiful atmosphere for evening barbecues. They can be designed to fit almost any need or...

Granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because it's attractive and durable. Most acids won't harm it and it's hard enough to avoid most scratches. Natural stones can be found to match...

Old decks can come back to life just by applying stain. All you need is a few tools, ladder, deck stain and a nice dry day. Here's tips on making the your project go smoothly.

When glass gets wood stain on it, it is sometimes necessary to remove the stain. Unfortunately, removing the stain can scratch the glass. With careful work, though, the amount of time for you to...

Cedar fencing has a tendency to turn gray, or even black, after a few years of exposure to the elements. When installing new fence, protect it with a layer of staining within the first 3 to 4...

A blue carpet can easily become dingy and stained with normal wear and tear. To maintain the life of your carpet, it is important to have your carpet professionally cleaned at least once per...

A wood stain can make a finish seem cheap or elaborate depending on the brand of stain. Choose a good wood varnish to make it an easy process with tips from a heating, ventilation and air...

A wood stain can make a finish seem cheap or elaborate depending on the brand of stain. Choose a good wood stain to make it an easy process with tips from a heating, ventilation and air...

Homeowners often find themselves faced with the prospect of removing dried egg from the paint on their house. Since mischief of this type often happens in the dark of night, it is rarely...

Sticky rubber adhering to your carpet can be a nightmare to remove. A small patch of rubber from a shoe sole, the foot of a couch or another source, can often be removed with a bit of time and...

Spring is the best time to think about pressure washing your house, decks, driveways, walkways and/or stoops. Hop on it before your shrubs and blooming plants are big enough to be susceptible to...

Blood stains are the most challenging type of stains to remove from a carpet. The moment you spot even a drop of blood on your carpet, clean it right away. The fresher the stain, the easier it is...

When cleaning blood from a hardwood floor, it's imperative to treat the area as soon as possible. Blood can soak into hardwood floors, particularly the small cracks between the planks. Once it...

Mineral spirits is a low-odor petroleum distillate that is a pure-grade solvent. It is less combustible than turpentine or other solvents, making it a favorite for removing varnishes. Kitchen...

Adding fresh stain and varnish to your cabinets can go a long way in updating your kitchen without having to invest in a costly remodel. Staining and varnishing generally takes up only a part of...

Got a dark oil stain in your concrete that you cant seem to get out? This incredibly easy process will do the trick

The best way to stain a fence is to use a roller and a brush for larger areas, where a spray applicator is usually best for lattice work and other fencing spaced wider apart. Stain a fence three...