Are you are looking to bring new life to old furniture or complete a do-it-yourself project? If so, you are probably thinking of heading to the big box store for some commercial stain. Many of these products are expensive and contain synthetic chemicals and pesticides. Their smell and toxic fumes may also deter you. Did you know staining wood has been a practice for thousands of years? Long ago, they didn’t have hardware stores with cans of synthetic stains. People relied on things around their home and garden such as fruit, vegetables and plants to color their wood and furniture. Best of all these all natural items did not contain chemicals and unsafe fumes. Here are a few hints when using all natural stains: Always test the stain first on a scrap piece of wood. Wait several days before applying a sealant over the stain. Here are a few things you can use to stain wood: Plants-The juice of fruits, vegetables or plants, give off great color. Try things like beets, blueberries, carrots and turnip greens. You may want to add some alum (potassium aluminum sulfate) to your stain to help the colors hold. Alum is used in pickling and can be found in the spice section of your local supermarket. Try 1 teaspoon of alum per gallon of juice. Metal-Take those old rusty nails, a jar of pennies or even steel wool and soak them in white vinegar. Let them sit for four days in the brine and you will have an extremely effective stain. You may want to let the pennies sit for longer (even a few weeks) to achieve your desired color. Beverages-This is quite popular for fabric but can be used on wood too. Coffee and tea will give you a nice tone that will deepen with multiple coats. Nuts and Spices-There is a reason so many of the commercial stain has names like walnut and turmeric. Soak walnut hulls in water for a week to yield a rich, dark stain. Just a tablespoon of turmeric added to 2 cups of water produces a yellowish stain. Have you tried any natural stains? What is your favorite? ]]>
How To Remove Wallpaper Borders
They were all the rage in the 80’s and 90’s but now wallpaper borders are an annoying eyesore and can also be difficult to remove. Here are four quick and easy steps to follow to get your home back into a newer decorating millennium. Step 1 – Get out the hairdryer First, heat the border with a hairdryer. Gently pull at the border to see if it will come off. If the border doesn’t budge move on to the next step. Step 2 – Mist and scrape Mist the border with warm water in a small spray gun. Next, scrape it gently but firmly with a plastic scraper. If it is still difficult to remove use more warm water and a sponge. Once the border is moist, it should feel soft to the touch and should be easier to scrape off. Step 3 – Using a Steam Wallpaper Stripper If the above steps still are stripping a stubborn border. Use a steam wallpapers stripper. Steam from the bottom of the border to the top. You may need to use the wallpaper scraper to remove any excess. Step 4 – Clean Down the Surface After the border has been removed, clean the surface and check that the wall is free from any trace of adhesive. Leave the wall bare overnight so that the surface can dry out before new paint or paper is applied.]]>
Repair Your Home's Deck
The heat of the summer and the cold winter temperatures can do a job on your outdoor deck. A little prevention goes a long way. Caring for, cleaning and repairing your outdoor deck is essential to proper maintenance. Here are some steps you can take to make sure you will enjoy your outdoor space for many years to come: Here are some tools you will need:
Did You Know? Common Household Remedies
Jazzing up Your Bedroom
Is your bedroom in need of a slight makeover? Surprisingly enough, many people don’t spend too much time thinking about how their bedroom looks. How many times have you been on a tour of a friend’s new home, and the tour stops short of their sleeping area? If you don’t want to fall into the trap of feeling like your bedroom isn’t a “show off” room, then take a few steps to jazz it up a bit. By paying a little attention to a few areas in your bedroom, you can leave that door open with no shame. New Bedding – Depending on your sleeping preferences, your bed may well be the biggest piece of furniture in your home. Coincidentally, your bedding may also be one of the largest decorations in your home. Do you like your bedding? Does it match your home and personality well? If it leaves you wanting, then consider outfitting your bed with a new bedding set. With this one improvement, the entire mood of your bedroom can change. If you can manage to find curtains or drapes that complement your bedding, it will tie your bedroom together in a big way. Floors – Bedrooms may have the least amount of floorspace visible, but that doesn’t mean that they should be neglected. Consider buying a decorative rug for your room. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, consider installing a new carpet or flooring. The sky is the limit here, and any change made is likely to be an improvement. Laundry – Piles of unfolded or dirty laundry can be an eyesore. Even a visible laundry hamper is enough to be a distraction. Consider outfitting your closet door with a hanging laundry basket, or instituting a “no dirty laundry in the bedroom” rule for yourself. Lighting – If you rely solely on overhead lighting in your bedroom, then consider buying a lamp or two. Lamps will serve to highlight your furniture, as well as create a more relaxing environment.]]>