Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Gasoline and two-stroke oil are both petroleum-based products that can be cleaned with non-polar-based solvents such as acetone or mineral spirits. However, using such solvents on upholstery can cause damage to fabric and vinyl seats, as well as leaving an unpleasant smell. Dish detergent with grease-cutting capabilities is a better solution to removing the gas smell and oil residue from the upholstery with minimal risk of discoloration or further damage.
A floor-mat alarm is an ingenious device, useful in security situations, and also as a safety measure to monitor vulnerable patients at risk of falling or wandering, when used in health-care facilities. The alarm operates on a simple electrical circuit, but can be integrated with an elaborate security system.
Vehicle owners protect the carpet of their vehicles by placing car mats in the footwells. When the driver or passenger enter the car with muddy footwear, dirt transfers to the mats instead of the carpet. As well as keeping the interior of the vehicle clean, it is remarkably easy to remove floor mats for washing. Unfortunately, machine washing distorts the shape of the carpet to create creases, but removing them is simple. The method also works for new car mats rolled up while they have been in storage.
It’s one of those household discoveries that warrants a double-take: a crease on your leather upholstery. Most likely, something or someone exerted a great deal of force or weight on the upholstery to create the crease. Still, all hope is not lost. Leather is pliable, and there are a couple of ways to remove creases from it. Try one or both remedies to get your leather looking crisp and new again.
Dura fabrics -- which include Durapella, Durablend and Duraplush -- are signature synthetic suede and leather fabrics trademarked by Ashley Furniture Industries. Dura fabrics are specifically designed to be stylish and durable, yet easily cared for and cleaned using water and a mild, water-based soap. As with most living room furniture fabrics, spills and stains will happen. Attend to any cleaning issues promptly to help keep the Dura fabrics looking neat and fresh.
Leather upholstery is a strong but supple material that does not stretch out of shape. It has a comfortable feel that stands up to daily use with minimal care. In the tanning process, dyes and a protective finish are added to reduce fading, cracking and peeling. Leather upholstery will last a lifetime, although without a protective coating it will scratch. For natural beauty, choose pure aniline leather. However, for more durability and scratch-resistance, pigmented leather is a better option.
Vacuum functions as a fundamental dynamic air flow of the internal combustion engine. Without the proper vacuum, a car would starve of the air and fuel mixture required to produce combustion. Vacuum is the difference in pressure, usually measured in inches of mercury, between the interior of the intake manifold and the outside air pressure.
Automobile air conditioning and heater vents allow conditioned cool and warm air to circulate throughout the passenger cabin. Over time, or during certain conditions of contaminant exposure and weather, the vents can accumulate dust, mites, mold, mildew, tobacco smoke, pollen, smog, soot and bacteria, all of which can produce foul or irritating odors. Some contaminants in the vent system can cause allergic reactions or nausea. You have several options to rid your vent system of odors and unwanted contaminants.
If you're a water recreation enthusiast, you're no stranger to Sea-Doo's line of sporty personal watercraft. These vehicles allow for hours of fun on the lake or the open sea. If you use your Sea-Doo often, the handlebar grips can quickly become stained with dirt, perspiration, sea salt or muck from the lake. The grips are removable, allowing for quick and simple cleaning. Once you're finished, your grips will look and feel good as new.
Caring for your vehicle is an essential component of maintenance. As a vehicle owner, you should invest time and money into the generally upkeep of your car. This includes protecting the leather interior. Tears, or rips, in a leather seat can severely lower the value of your vehicle. Learn how to care for your leather seats to prolong the life of the interior of your vehicle.
Keeping your car windows clean will avoid things like mists that can impair visibility while you drive. Clean car windows to avoid mists with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.
Deodorizing a leather interior is a bit different from deodorizing a car interior made from different material like vinyl. Find out how to deodorize a leather interior with help from an expert in the automotive industry in this free video clip.
Computer floor mats can protect the floor or carpets from dirt carried on office chair casters and shoe soles, but they are susceptible to dirt themselves. Since this type of mat — also called chair mat — is made out of plastic, primarily polycarbonate or polypropylene, the method of cleaning them resembles more the process of removing dirt from window films, which are made from the same material. Dirty computer floor mats have a distinguishing yellowish look, in addition to the dirt bits and bytes stuck on them, so cleaning the mats regularly is essential.
Air vent cleaning is an important part of HVAC maintenance for your home. A dirty vent can cause several different problems for your entire house, and roof or eave air vents may be the likely culprits. These are difficult to reach and can collect a large amount of dust due to wind and other conditions. You can clean vents yourself, but for a more thorough cleaning you may want to consider hiring a specialist in duct work cleaning.
Manufactured by Schluter Systems, Ditra mats are installed under floor tile to help offset substrate movement, which can crack tile and dislodge grout. Ditra is secured to the floor with cement-based thinset mortar, which is also used to set tile. Installation is largely the same, regardless of where you install it. You can use Ditra over wood, concrete and some vinyl flooring.
Whether you are a driver on the go who applies a lot of hairspray while in your car, or you’ve had a container of hairspray leak onto your leather car seats, you know it’s difficult to remove the sticky mess. Some products for cleaning car upholstery are not safe to use on leather, and most leather cleaners aren’t strong enough to get dried hairspray off the seats. You can remove the hairspray using a few simple materials.
Tin ceilings have been a standard ceiling treatment since the Victorian era when they were quite popular. Ceiling panels are stamped in shallow molds in the shape of intricate designs. Often such panels were made of tin, which is how the term "tin ceiling" became common. Metal ceiling panels are now made in a variety of metals, but the basic process for making the panels and trims and installing the ceilings remains simple. Most ceiling panels are designed to be brushed metal finish or painted.
Every house has windows, but the truly special ones also feature skylights -- a beautiful way to provide natural lighting, and from an unexpected vantage point. Velux makes some of the best skylights in the industry, including a line of venting skylights that are particularly well-suited to rooms that need natural ventilation, such as bathrooms and kitchens. Learn how to clean your skylights to ensure that your view of the outside world remains as clear as it can be.
Leather car seats endure a lot of use and are susceptible to scratches, scuffs, tears and abrasions. Keeping leather seats looking new requires some routine maintenance and care. Shallow or deep scratches can detract from the aesthetic appeal of fine leather, regardless of the kind of car. Depending on the depth of the scratch, most leather repair kits have the necessary products and tools to reduce and even eliminate leather scratches. Repair kits can be purchased at hardware or auto parts stores.
Air conditioning is a necessity in just about every part of the United States, depending on the time of year and how far south you live. However, air conditioning units such as the Frigidaire can easily become breeding stations for mold as well as harbor dirt and dust, especially if you are just bringing your unit out of storage. While it's long been known that cleaning parts of the unit, like the filter, can increase the efficiency of the air conditioner, one area that often gets overlooked is the air vents. This integral part of the unit can easily be…
In the late 1800s, travelers used steamer trunks to carry and store personal belongings during trips abroad or for extended stays away from home. Those covered in alligator leather were among the most stylish options. Steamer trunks have flat or slightly curved tops and are distinguishable from regular storage chests by their solid, durable construction. Today, collectors can purchase these trunks as antiques. A beautifully maintained alligator steamer trunk can be used as a coffee table or as a decorative storage unit for anything from linen to family memorabilia. These trunks may require some cleaning and repair after they are…
As the weather gets colder, you shut your windows and doors to keep in the heat. Although this helps you save money on your heating bill, it can create a stuffy home. The smells from cooking, pets and dirty laundry all combine to make your home smell and feel stale. One way to freshen your home is to open your windows and let in air from the outside. Using your bathroom exhaust fan helps to speed up the circulation of fresh air. As the outside air is pulled in, the exhaust fan moves it out.
Recover a vinyl seat on a chair with a new piece of vinyl to create a fresh look that increases the life of the chair. The plastic texture of vinyl can crack or tear with age, so it is essential to replace if you want to keep the seat comfortable and attractive. Replacing the vinyl is lower in cost than purchasing a new chair, which makes this an economical furniture refurbishment project. Vinyl fabric is available at craft or upholstery supply stores in a variety of colors to match your home decor.
Cooking food results in more than just a good dinner — it also leaves behind moisture and grease in the kitchen. The air vent over the stove pulls much of this away from the room and sends it outside. But some always remains behind, trapped in the vent. Over time, the moisture can begin to rust the vent. It is important to inspect the area every few months and clean any rust away as soon as you find it.
Leather seats are attractive and resistant to damage, but that does not mean they cannot be damaged at all. Excessive moisture affects leather over time and the material punctures if struck with something sharp enough. Seats get worn as well from the constant friction of people sliding on and off the leather as they get up and sit down. Leather is expensive to replace so improving the look of the seats you already have helps save you money. Redoing leather seats in this way requires some attention and the proper tools, but the results revitalize your leather chairs.
Alumawood patio covers mimic the look of real wood without the extra maintenance. Made of textured aluminum, Alumawood patio covers resist fading, rust and corrosion. In most cases, rainfall is enough to keep the patio cover clean and free from debris. If dirt, stains or mold affect your Alumawood patio cover, scrub it clean with a long-handled brush. Clean the patio cover early on a sunny, dry day to allow for plenty of drying time.
"Car and Driver Magazine" has named the Honda Accord one of the 10 best cars 25 times as of 2011, which is more than any other car. It could be one reason so many people drive Accords and do their best to keep their vehicle in tip-top shape. Cleaning your Accord shouldn't take more than an afternoon, but ensure you do it correctly to extend the life and look of your vehicle.
Your car’s interior collects third-hand smoke if you smoke cigarettes while driving or allow your passengers to do so. Third-hand smoke is the remaining residual materials from tobacco smoke, even when no one is actively smoking. A car interior regularly exposed to cigarette smoke suffers several negative effects. The interior sustains damage that eventually affects the car's resale value. Depending on the extent of the damage, you may lose hundreds of dollars.
Leather is well-known for its durable surface and attractive appearance, both of which make it ideal for use as seating in cars and household furniture. Unfortunately, leather has a tendency to smell, either due to the tanning process that is used to create it, the chemicals it was treated with during manufacturing, or because the fabric has absorbed odors from the people and items around it. In any case, getting odors out of a leather seat can take some patience and effort on the part of the seat's owner.
No matter how spill-proof your travel coffee mug is supposed to be, accidents happen. Because it's not possible to clean up a coffee spill on your floor mat while driving, coffee has time to spread into the fibers and make a smelly stain. Once you've arrived at your destination, you can get the coffee stain out while keeping the floor mats in good condition. Similar to when you clean other carpeting, you must use the right supplies and techniques to avoid damaging the floor mats during the coffee stain removal.
The Maltese has a particularly high-maintenance coat. The low shedding, fine hair grows long if not cut and can easily tangle. Tangles and knots, if not attended to, can cause matting. Mats are uncomfortable for dogs because the larger they get, the heavier they are and the tighter they pull on the skin. Matting underneath the eye can be especially dangerous because the pulling on the skin can cause inflammation and infection of the eyes. Mats underneath the eye should be detangled as soon as their formation is noticed. Prevention, through daily grooming, is the best way ensure the health…
Maytag's official name for its refrigerator vent is the base grille. The base grille runs across the front bottom of the refrigerator. It looks like a vent and hides the inner workings of the refrigerator while allowing heat generated from operation to escape the appliance. The base grilles can become dirty, given their proximity to the floor. After you remove the vent for cleaning, use only nonabrasive products to return the base grille to its original shine.
You love to cook and at least once a day you prepare something delicious for you and your family. After the meal is eaten, however, you may notice your house smells like what you have just cooked. Even the clothes in your closet may smell. The odors may seem to be trapped there. A few simple solutions for eliminating food odors can keep your closet isolated and fresh no matter how fragrant that next meal is.
Leather car seats that have not been cared for properly are quick to show their wear and tear and can cost you money when it is time to sell the vehicle. Short of replacing the seats, there is no real way to make severely damaged leather seats look new. However, if you take care of your leather seats and maintain them properly, you can maintain that new car appearance for years to come.
Reupholstering the inside of your car is a significant job that is often best left to professionals. Reupholstering the side panels of your car doors is much easier, however. Car doors can undergo a significant amount of wear and tear. Freshen up your car's interior by replacing the upholstered side panels on the door. Most car doors are only partially upholstered, requiring you to remove the door, then pull out just the section that is upholstered. Once you do this, the section to be reupholstered becomes a helpful guide for shaping a new piece of auto door upholstery foam.
Excessive heat poses a serious threat to electronics since the internal components are so tiny and can melt or short out. The iMac is especially susceptible to overheating since all components are packed tightly together. Factors that contribute to excessive heat include using your computer in a warm environment, blocking the vents where the fans circulate air or dust, clogging the vent. Clean the vents on a regular basis to prevent dirt and dust buildup and to keep the internal temperature of your iMac within safe levels.
Flocking is a technique for applying nylon fibers over a surface to give it a durable, velvety finish. The technique was developed to coat the dashboards of rally cars to reduce glare. It quickly became popular as a cheap and effective way to restore the interior of a vehicle. You can pay to have this process done, or you can do it yourself at a much lower cost.
When mold begins to grow on interior brick walls, it will fill your home with a moldy, musty aroma and leave unsightly stains on the surface. In addition, the mold will feed off the brick and eat away at the wall surface if proper care isn't given. A few inexpensive products will safely remove the mold from brick walls.
Ceramic tower heaters are easy to transport and require a minimum of floor space because of their upright design. Electricity flows into a heater through ceramic plates to heat the air. The heat is absorbed by aluminum baffles and then it blows into a room with a fan to distribute warm air. According to Danny Lipford of Today’s Homeowner, “Ceramic heaters tend to be more energy efficient and safer than many heaters, so even though they heat up quickly, their plastic casings stay cool.” The vents must remain clean in the rear of a ceramic heater -- where air is…
The sewer vent — or plumbing vent — is a key component for proper plumbing function. It allows oxygen to flow into the house's plumbing system and vents out dangerous gases from the sewer. When a sewer vent becomes clogged, it interferes with your home's plumbing and can possibly cause sewer gases to leak into your home. Because of the vent's location, most clogs are caused by rocks, sticks and other common outdoor objects. Luckily, cleaning out these obstructions will restore your plumbing to normal function.
Many homeowners choose to paint their concrete block wall instead of installing drywall over it. However, they still need to hide the seam, where the floor meets the concrete block wall, with molding. Instead of using screws or nails, use construction adhesive to hold the molding in place. Construction adhesive holds the molding tightly to the concrete block wall without the hassle of drilling pilot holes.
A damaged PlayStation 3 -- sometimes referred to as a bricked PS3 -- can be quite frustrating when all you want to do is do battle in a virtual world. A PS3 can become damaged for a variety of reasons, most of which are preventable. The more you know about taking care of your PS3, the longer it will last.
The odiferous scent of moth balls is a natural way to repel moths from making their way to your kitchen drawers and pantry, but the smell of the moth balls can linger long after the moths are no longer a threat to your food. To dissipate the smell of moth balls, the area must be cleaned with a cleaning agent that neutralizes the odor, followed by proper ventilation to clear the area of the cleaning product's smell.
Dirt, bacteria, grime and fungus all contribute to bathroom odors. These odors fill the bathroom air and drift throughout the home turning your living quarters into a stinky mess. Fortunately, several inexpensive products will remove the unpleasant odors from the various areas of your bathroom and restore your home to its once fresh smelling state.
If you are looking for a finished yet durable style for a seat, consider neatly pleated vinyl. The pleats need to be straight, and you give form and depth to the vinyl by gluing on a layer of polyfoam and a layer of muslin. The polyfoam and muslin thicken the material and hold the stitches for the pleat better than vinyl would on its own.
Several types of homemade natural odor eliminators rid your home of odors. Some give your home a fresh smell, depending on the ingredients used. Others have no smell but act to "surround" the odors in fabrics. Place all of these odor eliminators in spray bottles, setting the dial to "fine mist." Test your homemade spray on a hidden spot to make sure it does not stain the fabric. Label all bottles clearly.
When stepping outdoors for fun in the sun, keeping the sun out of your children's eyes may help them enjoy their playtime more. Although you can purchase sun visors in a variety of colors and styles, children may enjoy the process of making their own instead. Make a children's sun visor out of basic crafting supplies. Children may even enjoy personalizing their visors out of various materials.
Microwaves manufacturers produce at least two microwave designs -- one for built-in cabinet holes and another for countertop or open-concept settings. The design of each differs in terms of vent placements, as countertop microwaves do not have a wooden frame that surrounds the unit like built-in microwave designs. It is possible to install a countertop microwave in a cabinet unit if you do so cautiously.
Found in many homes, mold is a fungus that can ruin the object it grows on and cause heath complications including respiratory problems. Mold spreads quickly via spores it releases in the air. Even if the mold in your home is not the toxic strain, removing it will help reduce the chance of costly repair bills caused by the mold's destruction. The method of extracting mold from the interior of a home depends on where the mold is growing.
Food, mud, gravel, spilled beverages -- the interior of your car can get dirty fast. You do not often think about the traffic into and out of the interior of your car, just the traffic you find yourself stuck in. The money you spend having your car professionally cleaned and detailed can add up quickly. Save money by vacuuming your car interior with your Kirby vacuum. Kirby is similar to most household vacuums, attachments and other accessories will differ from model to model.
