How to Get Rid of Ground Squirrels in Illinois

Most squirrels range from 7 to 8 inches long and weigh about 8 to 14 ounces, according to the ThinkQuest website. In Illinois you can find ground squirrels like the thirteen-lined ground squirrel and the Franklin ground squirrel, which live in burrows underground. Ground squirrels can populate quickly and cause a great deal of damage to the land and plants around your home and some can even penetrate your house.

How to Remove Baked-on Carbon

Baked-on carbon in your oven can cause anything you bake in the oven, as well as your kitchen, to have a slightly burnt and unappetizing smell. These deposits result from grease and other food particles which have all the water inside of them baked out over time. The end result is a hard, crunchy crust of black carbon. Before cooking your next meal, try a simple method to remove baked-on carbon.

How to Remove Rust Stains from Leather

Rust creates a reddish brown stain that can cause discoloration if left to sit on your leather goods. Leather is a porous material, and stains, sweat and dirt get into the pores of the leather. Rust stains can be removed from leather, and the sooner you remove them the better. Many products are made with leather. Use supplies from home and your local store to restore your leather to its pre-stained condition.

How to Remove Stains in a Cast Iron Bathtub

If you have a cast-iron tub, chances are it is somewhat “long in the tooth,” and like most older things, probably showing a bit of wear and tear. It is important to remember that even though tubs may be cast iron, they are coated with porcelain, which scratches rather easily, so staining can be particularly troublesome. Older fixtures generally have a degree of surface wear that makes them even more porous and hard to clean than new versions.

How to: Peroxide in the Hot Tub

Just like swimming pools and whirlpools, the water in hot tubs needs to be kept clear and sanitized. You can simply buy and use chemicals from a local pool supply store to do the job. But, they have their drawbacks. They're costly, smelly, and they can dry and irritate your skin. Sometimes the instructions are complicated as well. Instead, you can clean the water in your hot tub by using a common household product.

Removing the Front Vent Cover on a Kenmore Refrigerator

Cleaning under the Kenmore refrigerator, adjusting the front legs or emptying the drip pan requires removal of the front vent cover. The front vent cover is the grill at the bottom of the unit. The grill serves as a decoration while also allowing air circulation under the refrigerator. Removing the front vent cover on a Kenmore refrigerator is a simple process and requires no tools. It is a good idea to clean the back of the vent cover while it is off the refrigerator to remove dust and debris buildup.

Homemade Concrete Pool Table | HomeSteady

Building a pool table from a weatherproof material such as concrete enables you to enjoy a game of pool outside, regardless of the weather. Casting a homemade pool table is a monumental task, requiring several days of labor, but in the end you’ll have a unique and permanent addition to your backyard. Forming the Legs The surface of a regulation pool table is eight feet long and four feet wide.

Homemade Vinyl Floor Sealer | HomeSteady

Vinyl floors are usually made with vinyl tile, an inexpensive type of tile that can withstand wear and is very easy to clean. Vinyl tile is prized by do-it-yourself homeowners who want to tile kitchens or bathrooms. It is related to linoleum and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. Vinyl floors only rarely need to be sealed, but can benefit from stripping or homemade cleaning solutions.

How to Change the Oil in Ironrite Mangle Irons

In the 1940's and 50's, a businessman required from five to seven clean shirts every week: at least one for every day and Sundays too. These cotton shirts looked best when starched and ironed crisply.The laborious chore of ironing the shirts fell on the homemaker with her ironing board and iron. The marvelous mechanical ironer reduced both time and labor involved, and while it excelled at all flat ironing, the mangle ironer could produce a perfect-looking shirt in minutes with minimal effort.

How to Convert an Old Building Into a Loft

Increasingly, cities looking to revitalize their derelict or abandoned industrial areas are turning to private purchasers who convert those old warehouse and factory buildings into apartments. Old brick warehouses are excellent for converting to loft apartments. Trendy and cost effective, loft apartments in abandoned industrial districts have the benefit of being near to urban centers, public transportation and frequently waterways, making them ideal locations for young professionals to call home.