Mineral spirits are a distillate of petroleum, though a gentler form than strong solvents such as turpentine. Artists often use mineral spirits to clean paintbrushes, and mechanics use the solvent to soak grease off of engine parts. The solvent can be used in place of turpentine when stripping furniture and woodwork. Things You Will Need + Goggles Gloves Shop cloths Using mineral spirits after stripping paint helps clean up any stray bits of paint, especially if you are using oil-based or alkyd paints, which cannot be dissolved with water.

Learn how to wash a chenille rug, whether you need to spot clean it, run it through a washing machine, or wash it by hand. Chenille takes some care, but it's nothing a pair of willing hands can't manage. Learn tips and tricks to keep your chenille rugs looking fresh and colorful for years. Spot Cleaning Chenille Vacuum the rug, if needed. To get up any dry dirt or powdery stains, vacuum the rug before using a cleaning method.

Spring is here and many homeowners are thinking about building storage sheds to store their yard and garden equipment. Many of the more knowledgeable do-it-yourselfer will build their shed from scratch while less knowledgeable DIYers will buy a prefabricated shed and assemble it on site. Electrical outlet mounted on pegboard The one thing that even prefabricated shed kits lack is the wiring for a light and a receptacle or two.

Concrete blocks are a relatively inexpensive, durable building material. They hold up well in most climates and can be installed with minimal expertise. Concrete block costs vary somewhat according to the type of block, the distance from the manufacturer and the area where the block will be installed. Split-face concrete blocks look like stone. Learning the costs of basic building materials can help you make smart decisions about your next project.

You like the look of leather, but you don't like its cost. You found the next best thing—bonded leather. Composed of scraps of leather and polyurethane fixative pressed together, bonded leather has the look and feel of leather but lacks the endurance and strength of leather. Things You Will Need + Small bowl Lukewarm water Latex gloves 3 soft cloths Leather conditioner Bonded leather has an ultra-soft feel and a leathery texture.

Soot and smoke produced from a gas heater can cover the walls with an oily residue that is difficult to remove. This residue will give off an unpleasant odor and -- if not removed in a timely manner -- will stain the walls permanently. Fortunately, you do not have to live with smoke-stained walls. With a few common and inexpensive household items, you can successfully remove the smoke and soot, restoring the look of the walls.

When you must bond Styrofoam to wood, you are actually bonding a plastic material to a wood material, as Styrofoam is a plastic product. Because Styrofoam is plastic, remember that using an adhesive that contains solvents may create toxic fumes. Glue styrofoam to wood and clamp it while the glue bonds. Styrofoam is also a nonporous material, which means that it will not absorb adhesive. Select a strong adhesive and give it ample time to set before you test the bond.

A saltwater pump, or chlorine generator, is the extra equipment needed to run a saltwater pool. Installing the chlorine generator is simple and can be done in about 20 minutes. A chlorine generator uses salt, dissolved in the water, to produce chlorine that cleans the water. Get crystal clear water with a saltwater pump. Once installed, a saltwater system will rarely need additional salt to keep the water fresh. Convert your above ground chemical pool to a saltwater system and start saving money.

Refacing the front panels of mobile home cabinets can dramatically improve the appearance of a kitchen. Resurfaced cabinets can revitalize a home. Things You Will Need + Drill or screwdriver Drill bits Rags Sandpaper Brush Paint or stain Polyurethane Refacing the front panels of mobile home cabinets can dramatically improve the appearance of a kitchen. The simple act of cleaning, sanding and resurfacing the cabinets will change the first impression of those who walk into the home and can subsequently improve the impressions of the rest of the home and the comfort of those living in it.

Brick flooring, when used inside, is installed much like tile. A bed of adhesive is spread on the floor, the bricks are set and then the space between the bricks is grouted. Whether the brick is cracked and damaged or you are simply tired of the way it looks, you can remove the bricks. Remove brick flooring. The job is straightforward but does require some muscle. Ask a friend to help you to finish the job more quickly.