Retractable curtain shades roll up and down, providing a neat and simple window covering with little to no overhang. If an understated but functional window covering is the goal, a retractable shade is the way to go. As long as the appropriate hardware has been purchased, curtains can be made to match any décor. A heavy, home décor fabric is best because it will hold the bottom curtain rod without tearing a seam.
Painting the exterior of your home represents a considerable investment in time and money. A quality paint job, though, will last at least five years and can increase the resale value of your home. Expect to spend at least $500 in paint supplies, including rollers. Splurge on high-quality materials and clean the siding properly before painting it so the new paint adheres to the siding.
Roller Nap Prime the siding before painting it to create a moisture-resistant surface.
When installing plumbing in your home, the simpler you can make it, the easier and cheaper the project will be to complete. That doesn't mean you can skimp or cut corners, however. If you are installing plumbing for a laundry room, you need to add a trap on the drain line for the washing machine.
Drain Trap Your washing machine's drain line needs to have a trap. A trap on the drain line in your plumbing system is a specialized piece of pipe with a unique shape.
A deck provides a decorative and functional outdoor lounging area, but it can also cause erosion problems in your yard. As water runs off your deck or through the deck slabs, the impact of the falling water and the resulting runoff can erode the soil under the deck. This can cause the supports of the deck to become unstable. There are steps you can take to prevent erosion of the stabilizing soil under your deck.
A fireplace is often the focal point of a living space. Conveying both comfort and sophistication, the addition of tiles around a fireplace can make the area even more appealing. Tin tiles are traditionally used on ceilings and backsplashes in Victorian-era houses. Faux tin tiles are now made out of PVC and other plastic materials and then embossed, painted and finished to look like real tin. Faux tin tiles are easier to place and install, making them available for many home improvement projects.
A concrete slab may be used as a base for a patio or shed, or may simply be used to finish a basement floor. No matter what you're using it for, the basic construction of the slab is the same in most residential applications.
Estimate the cost of a concrete slab before beginning construction. By understanding how the slab is built from start to finish, you can create an estimate for this work based on material prices in your area.
Although sterling silver salt shakers are beautiful on a kitchen or dining room table, salt and sterling silver actually do not mix. Salt corrodes silver rather quickly and simply scrubbing the corroded areas does not remove the stain. Removal usually involves soaking the salt shaker in ammonia for a short period of time. The ammonia eats away the corroded areas without damaging the silver.
Step 1 Ventilate the area by opening windows and turning on fans, since ammonia is highly toxic in enclosed spaces.
Trapped inside the limited confines of wood walls, odors in drawers have nowhere else to go. From hidden treats that someone has forgotten about to that musty old wood smell common in antique furniture, smells in wood drawers can be problematic and sometimes unhealthy.
Eliminate drawer smells quickly. Things You Will Need + Wood soap or laundry detergent Sponge Clean cloth If the wood has been exposed to moisture, the smell may be a result of mildew, which can also damage the wood.
How to Wash an Oversized Comforter. Many homeowners use oversized comforters for large beds or cold winters, but they have trouble washing them in their household laundry machines. You may use a duvet cover that is easily taken off and cleaned but often a comforter is already too large and fluffed on its own.
If your bedroom comforter is too large for your washing machine, follow these steps to keep your blanket clean.
Spandex is a strong, durable fabric that is lightweight, soft and resistant to perspiration and body oils, making it a popular material for bras. As with any other type of fabric, spandex will get dirty and require cleaning.
Whiten spandex bras with the right products to avoid damaging the fabric. If your white spandex bra has become dingy in color, whiten it properly to avoid damaging the material.
Things You Will Need + Bucket 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide Mesh garment bag Mild laundry detergent Oxygen bleach Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of lukewarm water.