Home and Garden Diva

You are here: Home / Archives for Home Improvement / Kitchen

Time to use the steam cleaner in the bathroom

by

In early January I bought a general purpose steam cleaner. It’s a Shark model. I’ve only had a chance to use it once so far and the results weren’t quite as good as I was expecting.

One my first attempt using the steam cleaner I went after the backsplash tiles in the kitchen, the stove and the fridge. The cleaner worked great on the stove and the fridge. It really got the grime out of the corners and crevices on both appliances.

The backsplash tiles in the kitchen were another matter. I used the scrubbing attachment on the steamer to try to clean the grout area between the tiles and while the grout did look cleaner where I worked at it they didn’t look anywhere near as clean as I’d hoped.

I guess I was hoping that using the steamer once on the tiles would remove years of grime that had built up on the grout. I guess I’m going to have to get some kind of grout cleaner to clean the grout between the backsplash tiles and then I can use the Shark Steamer to maintain the clean look.

One my next attempt to use the Shark steamer I’m going to tackle the bathroom. The grout in the bathroom isn’t that bad, but it could use a good cleaning. What I really want to clean in there is the silicone seal between the tub and the shower wall tiles. It looks like it has mildew in some areas and the steamer should at least help kill the mildew … and hopefully remove it too.

Actually almost all of our upstairs bathroom is tile of some kind or another. The tub/shower area is tiles up to the ceiling and then the walls have tile that goes from the ground up to about 4.5 feet in height. (our Kitchen is like that too .. I guess the former home owners really liked tile?). The bathroom floor has those tiny square floor tiles and yes, the grout between those tiles could use a very good cleaning too.

Hopefully I’ll find the time this weekend to get the steam cleaner out and try it out in the bathroom. It’s a shame that I’ve only used it once since I bought it.

Do you have a general purpose steamer that you use to clean the bathroom, tiles, appliance and perhaps even the floor? If so, what kind do you have and are you happy with it’s performance?

Easy Ways to Make Your Kitchen Look Like New

by



Completely remodeling your kitchen is not a cheap undertaking. It’s not just the expense, either, but the amount of time it takes to complete. In addition, there are lots of possibilities for things to go wrong. Therefore, the amount you end up paying might be considerably higher than what you anticipated.


But you can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your kitchen for much less time and money with the right kitchen remodeling ideas. All it takes is a modest amount of cash and some time and effort on your part. Here are some ideas that can update the look of your kitchen, and you can do them yourself.

1. Add some light. You might find it incredible that a new lighting unit could make such a big difference to the look and feel of your kitchen. Be creative in your choice and choose something truly eye catching. A fixture that incorporates a fan will be both practical and a focal point of the kitchen.

2. Grab a bucket and a brush. Your kitchen will seem like new if you give it a new layer of paint. The look of the room will be livened up considerably with a change in color. By selecting the color carefully, you can also enlarge the appearance of the room.

3. Add some tiles. You can find tiles in a huge assortment of patterns, colors and materials that will add instant style to your kitchen. Try adding some tiles on the wall around the countertops. You can also use tiling on your floor. It’s not that difficult to install flooring tiles yourself if you follow the directions.

4. Spruce up your cabinets. Many people simply can’t afford to replace their kitchen cabinets; it’s just too expensive. However, you can achieve a similar effect and shell out less money if you just refinish what you already have. Your cupboards will look like new with a coat of paint and some new handles. Be certain that the paint you’re using is appropriate for the type of cabinets you have.

5. Buy a fridge. Buying brand new appliances may not be cheap. But it’s amazing how much of a difference it can make to the appearance of your kitchen, at much less expense than a total makeover. Also, if you purchase energy efficient appliances, you might recover some of your money through lower utility bills. Try a completely different finish, like stainless steel. Simply changing the color can also make a big difference.

A few simple changes like these can make a remarkable difference in the appearance of your kitchen. Only you will know just how easy and cost effective your DIY home improvement project actually was.

Things To Keep In Mind When Hiring a Home Improvement Contractor

by

Now that you’ve decided to remodel your home, you’ll need to make sure that you’re choosing the right contractor to do the job. If you’re having difficulty trying to find contractors for your home improvement project. A good place to start is looking on the web where you can find a multitude of helpful websites.

One of the first things you’ll want to do is find home improvement contractors that can check your house for the right wiring procedures that are required for a new heating or air conditioning system. This is quite important especially if you are going to be remodeling. Your basement or adding a family room or entertainment room. An inspector from EnergyStar will most likely be able to come to your home to let you know how safe the remodeling you’re considering is, and these home energy raters will also be able to give you a computer analysis of which types of wiring you should avoid. An air leakage test will also be performed to let you know whether or not duct work needs to be done. When these home improvement contractors come to your home, you’ll also be able to request that the contractor will leave a list of possible improvements that you need to have fixed before you begin the renovation process.

You can also check out any number of websitesto help you find contractors that would do a great job of renovating your home. You can simply click on the link that describes the services that you need, so you can have your swimming pool built or remodeled, or get an estimate on landscaping as well as learn which builders are best for renovating bathrooms and kitchens. You can also use the cost estimator tool, which will let you know just how much you’ll need to save before you start having your home improvement work done. You can also research many other articles on this site and find out more information to help you find the best home improvement contractors and use the right questions when looking into their work history.

Another idea may be to find a home improvement contractors at work by implementing eco-friendly techniques that will work in your renovation project, this will allow you to continue living green. Even during the construction period of your home. This could be more expensive in some cases, but if you’re planning out your budget the right way, you should be able to get the renovation and supplies you need. An eco-friendly contractor can uncover additional savings for you during your project and after. By using materials and appliances that are more efficient. Good luck!

 

Meta

Tags

basement bed bedroom clean cleaning clutter dog exercise family fitness flowers friends Furniture garden Health help home house husband ideas Kitchen laptop Lighting money Music neighborhood neighbors party plants room Shopping sick skin spring summer tips tired Toronto Travel tv Vacation walking warm winter work

Pages