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No matter how stylish the garment, if it itches or makes you feel uncomfortable, you will not enjoy wearing it, even for a few minutes. People who have sensitive skin may even find scratchy clothing irritating, causing redness or chafing. By using a few household products, you can soften rough textiles, making them cozier and wearable. Always read the clothing labels before washing or hand washing. Adhere to the washing instructions, especially if they call for dry cleaning. Consult your dry cleaning professional about treatments to soften scratchy clothes.
Getting your perm without chemicals requires you to actually curl your hair. Get a perm without chemicals with help from a New York City-born hair and makeup artist in this free video clip.
Just because a room is designed well doesn't make it guy-friendly. Make your room guy-friendly with help from a designer and interior decorator in this free video clip.
Arab dhows are a classification of ship that sailed the oceans hundreds of years ago. Although Europeans began using dhow as a generic term for an Arabian ship, an actual dhow has long triangular sails. Records of early dhows come from Greek and Roman text, and despite the name, it is believed many of them were built in India. For model builders, a few companies make kits that will allow you to put together your own scale model of an Arabian dhow.
Direct sunlight and decaying leaves encourage algae growth in outdoor fountains. Wildlife -- and fish, in the case of fountains with koi or other fish -- can be harmed by certain chemical products used to clean or prevent algae. Using vinegar to clean algae from outside fountains is an environmentally safe and effective method. Simple changes in the location of your fountain and your fountain maintenance routine can help to prevent or reduce algae to keep your fountain water clean.
The more organized your comedy material is, the better chance you'll have of surviving on stage. Organize comedy material with help from a professional stand up comic in this free video clip.
From the kitchen in her home, Diana McHale can look into the adjoining children's playroom and see when things have gotten out of hand. That’s when her children -- Eamon, 4, and Brendan, 2 -- have let the toys spill out of that room and into the rest of the house. “Eventually it will start creeping into the kitchen," said McHale of Denver, "and I’ll say, ‘All right, I can’t cook with these Legos at my feet.’ ” Usually, though, with help from her husband, Padraic, the family keeps the toy situation under control. They have their own system: no…
Wood preservatives protect wood from fungi, mildew and insect damage. Heavy-duty preservatives for home exteriors commonly contain copper arsenate, penta and creosote. However, according to the public policy non-profit Beyond Pesticides, these chemicals, along with other wood preservatives, are responsible for contaminating over 2,000 hazardous waste sites across the country. Fortunately, it's possible to make homemade wood preservatives from natural ingredients that aren’t as toxic.
Making lemonade with organic blue agave sweetener is almost as easy and enjoyable as drinking the lemonade when you're done. Make lemonade with organic blue agave sweetener with help from a nutrition expert and food educator in this free video clip.
You can make organic hummus by following a few easy-to-manage steps. Make organic hummus with help from a nutrition expert and food educator in this free video clip.
When implementing green practices in the home, your kitchen provides an easy starting point for creating an eco-friendly household. Whether you choose large or small changes, know that your actions will positively affect the environment in your corner of the world.
Limescale forms inside your teapot thanks to the presence of “hard” water. Hard water contains substantial levels of dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals accumulate along the interior of your teapot, and lend the water inside an unpleasant, earthy flavor. Removing the limescale requires a process called decalcification, using a mild acid combined with water to break down mineral deposits.
Glare is a potential issue on any monitor. Many LCD screens are built using matte-finish screens, keeping unwanted glare and reflections to a minimum. However, some models use a clear protective shield over a more delicate acrylic screen. The unintended consequence of this protection is potentially higher screen reflectivity. To combat the increased propensity for glare that the glossy shield would normally bring with it, manufacturers place an anti-glare or anti-reflective coating on the shield to retain a matte finish while protecting the scratch- and impact-sensitive acrylic beneath.
Vinegar is a great cleaning tool to use, especially when cleaning your espresso maker. Clean an espresso maker with vinegar with help from a cleaning coach in this free video clip.
Scorched areas in the interior of a microwave often occur because of a container that gets too hot, such as a bag of microwaveable popcorn. The burned areas look unattractive and also result in foul odors every time you use this handy appliance. Repairing the scorched areas requires patience since the marks are often stubborn. If you use the right type of cleaning solutions, you can get rid of the black marks if you are persistent.
If you have missing, chipped or damaged bricks, you'll want to replace them with bricks that match the rest of your home's facade. Matching the exact color and texture of the brick can be difficult since bricks are manufactured in lots, depending on the time and region the clay was extracted from the earth's surface. The lots can run out or be replaced with newer styles and colors. A few options are available that will allow you to match your new bricks with the old.
Designing and developing websites to appear in several different browsers, including Internet Explorer, Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, requires knowledge of cross-functional design support. Each browser processes website code differently. Firefox provides free built-in development tools and support in the form of add-ons. The HTML Validator add-on ensures that your template is Firefox friendly.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. The color of brass is altered by changing the proportions of the two chemicals, and red brass tends to contain more copper. Jewelers and other artisans often used aged red brass in their work to create a vintage-looking piece with an other-worldly feel. You can easily age red brass without the use of toxic, smelly or expensive chemicals. Several options are available to achieve various aging effects on red brass.
Collectors of vintage bronze pieces usually don't mind the patina of aged bronze, but most people prefer the look of polished bronze. Polished bronze features a rich warm glow that can be dulled from prolonged exposure to air and moisture. Your bronze lamp base can be restored to its former luster by giving it a gentle cleaning and polishing with a few readily available products.
Making dryer sheets is a good way to trim your household budget and prevent the sheets from adding to landfills, but the benefits of homemade dryer sheets go much deeper. According to Science Daily, scented laundry products -- including dryer sheets -- contain several toxic chemicals. Even dryer sheets touted as being environmentally friendly often contain substances that aren't listed on the label. The chemicals invade your home, and because they are emitted through the dryer vents, they also pollute the atmosphere.
Transmitting a SQL Server Reporting Service (SSRS) report for a BlackBerry user entails more than just sending him a URL link. BlackBerries are small, handheld devices with a fragile operating system that cannot handle the complexities of traditional desktop- and laptop-based applications. As such, you need to modify your report's appearance and submit it directly to your clients.
Hockey players use special helmets with visors, face cage shields or a combination of both to protect themselves from injury during games. Hockey visors are made from a thick and sturdy plastic with shock-resistant properties. They are designed to guard against facial injuries from pucks, hockey sticks and rough contact with other players. Hockey is a fast-paced and technical sport, and players must have a clear field of vision at all times. Plastic visors clean up quickly and easily with a minimum of expense.
Getting the most out of your deck means keeping the wood in good condition and protecting it from weather. A variety of commercial finishes -- stains, sealers and water-proofers -- can color wood while lengthening its life. As part of the green living trend, homeowners have sought out effective but less toxic solutions to preserving the deck than commercially available. Homemade deck finishes come from historical research and new experiments, from boat enthusiasts and owners of log homes.
You can make your own natural flea repellent using a few very specific ingredients. Make your own natural flea repellent with help from the operator of a pest control business in this free video clip.
A deck resurfacer is a product that you can apply like a stain, but it offers a thicker coating to help restore the deck. Properly applied resurfacers feature smooth, even finishes that banish wood deck splinters. Select a deck resurfacer that is waterproof for added protection. The specific instructions for application will vary, depending on the brand that you select. Always follow the manufacturer's directions. The manufacturer may recommend that you apply the resurfacer on a day with specific weather conditions.
Egg slicers are convenient devices for professional chefs and home cooks alike. A typical design consists of a hinge and a series of steel wires, but slicers are prone to breaking from time to time. When one of the wires breaks, you may get a replacement wire. Many types of egg slicers allow for easy wire replacement. In fact, many egg slicers come with extra wires when purchased. You may find the appropriate wires to replace broken ones from a few other sources.
The Schott Ceran Eco-Friendly cooktop surface is a part that is manufactured without the release of hazardous materials, and it can handle high temperatures without cracking. It is featured on various models of Whirlpool stoves and can also be purchased separately. If you have a damaged Schott Ceran cooktop surface, you can replace it at any time with a new part.
A propane refrigerator requires regular maintenance. As with any propane appliance it's a good to have an experienced technician inspect the refrigerator annually for propane leaks or parts that should be replaced. Safety is a primary consideration when using propane gas in the house. Between annual visits from the technician you can perform basic maintenance every three months to keep your refrigerator looking great and operating properly.
Ponds add ambiance and style to a landscape design, but they also detract from the overall appearance of your yard when layers of thick algae form over the surface of the water, creating a green, murky façade. You can keep your pond water clear and inviting without using a lot of caustic chemicals and expensive treatments.
Dissolving hair stuck in your sink is important so that it doesn't build up and completely block the drain. A common mistake is to pour powerful chemical cleaners down your drain. This is typically a mistake because they're unlikely to work, can damage the plumbing and may produce a room full of toxic chemicals. Instead, use a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar and then combine it with boiling water and a plunger to remove the stuck hair.
Throwing away your old button-down shirts is a waste of fabric and money -- adding unnecessary trash into your local landfill. Yet you may be throwing away button-downs because you do not have any idea what to do with them, or you may think repurposing is time-consuming or difficult. Some repurposing ideas are very simple and practical, requiring no special equipment or skills, while others require only basic sewing skills.
Environmentally friendly cleaners help cut down on the use of industrial chemicals that can damage our water supply when flushed down drains. Eco cleaners feature natural ingredients and fragrances, which are less likely to trigger asthma attacks, allergies and headaches, and are biodegradable. By mixing up your own cleaners at home with inexpensive supplies found in the kitchen, you save money while being environmentally responsible.
To reduce plastic bag waste, you can purchase reusable grocery bags in most grocery stores. But if you want to be even more environmentally conscious, you can make your own cloth bags out of recycled materials such as an old T-shirt. This prevents the shirt from going to the landfill, and it reduces the amount of raw materials that a manufacturer would use to make the bags. If you are handy with a needle and thread, you can make a bag in less than 30 minutes.
Whenever silver objects, such as sterling silverware, come into contact with anything, they develop a chemical reaction and silver sulfide forms on the surface, darkening the silver and developing into tarnish. For a light coating of tarnish, wipe the item with a soft cloth. For severely tarnished sterling silver, take more drastic steps to restore the silver to its former shimmer.
Slate is a type of porous natural stone made from sedimentary deposits along river beds. Slate is used in items such as countertops and flooring, and in landscaping and gardening projects. Cleaning your slate countertop regularly with warm water and a soft cloth is one of the best ways to maintain the stone and keep it free of grease and grime buildup. It will also help make restoring the stone easier, as you won't have to work as hard to prep the slate for restoration.
Garages are a common place for storing infrequently used equipment essential for home repair and maintenance or simply those items that you love but cannot always keep around the house. Everything from old children's toys to Christmas trees, lawnmowers to drills wind up being stored in the average garage, making it difficult to find anything when it is needed. Making garage organizers is an excellent way to combat the problem of finding a hammer when you need one.
Fireplaces provide more than warmth on a cold winter’s night; they also give the space a focal point and an interesting architectural feature. However, after years of use and abuse, the fireplace will begin to look more like an eye sore than eye candy. Your issue might also be that your fireplace is out-of-date or out-of-place in your modern décor. There are several ways to redo your existing fireplace to help it fit in with your home’s look.
Rookwood fireplaces are fireplaces and mantels that are made from a certain ceramic tile. If your home has a Rookwood fireplace, regular cleaning is necessary to maintain its aesthetic and quality. Unlike a stone fireplace that you could clean with heavy scrub brushes and soap, cleaning the ceramic fireplace tile is a slightly more delicate procedure, which utilizes cleaning equipment that you may already have in your home.
Mildew is a fungus. More specifically, mildew represents an early or premature manifestation of mold. It appears as small thin spots or patches that grow on wet surfaces, sometimes containing an aroma best described as sour or musty. Effective mildew removal requires you to deprive the fungus of its fundamental needs while attacking it with a natural, fungicidal solution.
Hard water contains high concentrations of calcium and magnesium that deposit on bathtubs, shower doors, sinks and dishes to form lime scale. Faucets and showerheads clog with lime scale and can slow or even stop the flow of water. Lime scale will make your tub feel gritty and your coffee taste bitter. Don’t spend money on expensive lime scale removers. The white vinegar you keep under your kitchen sink and the baking soda you keep in your cupboard act to dissolve and scrub away lime scale without introducing dangerous chemicals into your home.
While the refrigerator rarely needs much in the way of attention, strongly scented foods, such as onions, garlic, cheese and fish, can fill the fridge with odoriferous aromas that linger long after the offensive materials have been removed. Neutralize the odors with alkaline products, overwhelm the fumes with an acid or use naturally absorbent materials to soak up the odors.
Both slow drains and those that are clogged completely can often be cleared without the use of expensive chemicals or a call to the plumber. Clogs often occur when food, hair or soap residue builds up inside the drainpipe so the water drains slowly or not at all. Making your own declogger from readily available and safe household products saves money and time while eliminating the need for chemical agents.
Natural remedies for dry, cracked lips are sought by those who are either allergic to factory-produced remedies or those who try to live an all natural lifestyle. According to Health Talk Plus, the lips will need exfoliation before applying natural remedies. Exfoliation is simply done by applying baking soda to a toothbrush and gently rubbing the brush over the lips.
Vinegar and water are great tools to use for cleaning dirty tiles in your bathroom. Clean tile with vinegar and water with help from an experienced construction worker in this free video clip.
You don't need harsh chemicals to remove tough soap scum on bathtubs, showers and sinks. In the modern world, store shelves are stocked with multiple chemical cleaning agents designed to remove the soapy, filmy buildup left in the bathroom from normal hand and body washing. For those who prefer to live eco friendly, these chemicals may be undesirable. Leave the costly cleaning supplies on the shelf, and go for a simple eco recipe to leave the bathroom scum free.
Without proper hydration, an Italian leather jacket will dry out and start to crack or become stiff. Instead of using store-bought moisturizers, hydrate your Italian leather jacket with common natural household products. Natural products are those made from ingredients created by nature. Linseed oil and white vinegar are both natural products that will keep your Italian leather jacket smooth and fresh-looking.
An exposed brick wall that is found in the interior or even the exterior of your home can add an ambiance of charm and warmth. However, it may be the case that the exposed brick wall is old, dirty and unattractive. If so, it is not very difficult to restore the wall to its former glory by following a few simple steps. The restoration process involves cleaning the brick wall and restoring the cement that holds the bricks together, called the mortar.
The default layout for most websites and blogs is designed for Web browsers on high-resolution computer screens, and these don’t always transfer well to the much smaller screens on Apple iPhones and other mobile devices. BlogSpot -- now called Blogger -- offers a solution to this problem with a mobile template feature that automatically detects the blog visitor’s smaller iPhone, or Smartphone screen and displays the blog in a mobile-optimized format. To enable this feature on your blog, you’ll need to change Blogger’s settings.
Mildew is a type of fungus that can have a brown, pink or black appearance. This type of growth occurs most frequently in areas that are consistently moist and warm. If have a fanny pack that you have left in a warm, damp place, you may see mildew stains on the pack. Remove mildew from your fanny pack by using a natural, non-toxic cleaner that won't hurt your body or your wallet.
The metallic composition of pennies has been almost consistent throughout the years. Pennies have been made out of a mixture of copper and zinc and, at times, tin. With the exception of a steel- and zinc-coated version in 1943, however, all pennies are coated in copper, which like other precious metals will tarnish when exposed to oxygen. To restore a penny's shiny appearance, experiment and dip the coins into different solutions.
