A bed full of stuffed-animal friends provides a comfortable, imaginative environment for children. Unfortunately, stuffed animals can also harbor dust mites and other allergens that may trigger allergies in children and adults in the house. Clean and disinfect stuffed animals every few months to reduce allergens. Clean and disinfect stuffed animals every few months in order to keep allergens at bay. Always check stuffed animals for manufacturer's directions before you clean them.

Backyard pools are most fun when they are crystal clear and full for happy swimmers. An Intex pool, though inexpensive compared to pools installed by a hired team, requires the same kind of maintenance and care. Plan on spending several hours of your time per week keeping the pool in swimmer-ready condition. Intex pools are easy to set-up, but require serious attention. Scrubbing the inside wall, vacuuming the bottom and skimming the surface are just some of the tasks that need to be routine to keep the pool clean.

Many need a hot cup of coffee to start the day; however, the morning rush often necessitates taking that cup of coffee on the go in a thermos. Unfortunately, repeated use can leave your thermos stained with a seemingly permanent coffee stain. Use a homemade mixture to rid your thermos of coffee stains. If your daily coffee ritual is starting to discolor your thermos, it is time for a little maintenance.

A folding closet door that won't fully close leaves the area looking unkempt and doesn't keep your clothes hidden. A stubborn bifold closet door often simply needs a few adjustments to get the door working properly so you are able to open and close it freely without obstructions. Identifying the cause of the door's closing problems is an essential step in the process. Learning how to deal with common causes of a folding door that won't shut allows you to tackle this home improvement project on your own.

If you want to paint a fireplace surround, consider a few important factors before starting. Because most fireplace surrounds are ill-suited for adhesion, they require special preparation. Since all surrounds are not composed of the same materials, each requires a slightly different preparation strategy. Satin and flat paints are not resilient to smoke stains. Things You Will Need + Heavy-duty fabric dropcloths Blue painter's tape 220-grit sandpaper Acrylic latex primer Galvanized metal etching primer 3- to 4-inch latex paintbrush Semi-gloss or gloss acrylic latex paint You also must choose the proper base coat, depending on the nature of the surround, or you'll end up with a finish that eventually sheds and peels.

Safely removing glue from a painted surface can be an intimidating task. The wrong amount of pressure, harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaning supplies can easily damage the paint. Glue can form a bond strong enough to chip or tarnish paint during an attempt to forcibly remove it, so certain precautions must be taken. Fortunately, there are household cleaning products available that can easily lift the glue from a painted surface without harming it.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a great concern for families living in homes with furnaces and other gas-powered appliances. Home installation of carbon monoxide alarms is recommended by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Carbon monoxide alarms may need to be replaced if displaying an error message. Carbon monoxide alarms will display an error message if the internal wiring or sensory equipment is malfunctioning. If your alarm is displaying an error message, some troubleshooting procedures can tell you if the message is displaying incorrectly or if your unit needs to be replaced.

Deck blocks are preformed concrete blocks used as a rest for the placement of wooden frame planks or posts. The deck is set into a series of the blocks, which sit flat onto the ground, supporting the deck above the surface. While the blocks help to dissipate the weight of the deck over a wide area, unless the blocks are anchored down, the deck can still suffer blow-away from extreme winds.

Wood floors are recognized for their warmth, value and long lasting durability. However, they are not imperious to dark stains from water spills, pet urine and other liquids. Dark spots are especially apparent on lighter hardwoods, but spots can ruin the appearance of any wood floor. Cat urine can leave dark spots on wood floors. Things You Will Need + Protective clothing Rubber gloves Portable fan Broom Large plastic bowl 1 cup cool water 1 cup household bleach Cotton ball 2 soft non-dyed cloth Terry cloth towel Fine-grit sandpaper Wood stain 2 clean rags Wood floor wax Microfiber cloth Liquids continue to seep into wood the longer they remain on floors, making them more difficult to remove with time.

Paint splats are usually the sign of sloppy work, but when artfully crafted they can be a desirable design element. Nickelodeon Networks based their logo on a paint splat for many years, and Jackson Pollack made an entire career in art with spattered paint. Things You Will Need + Pencil Eraser Paint of any color If you have a spot that needs a messy accent, draw a paint splat to catch your viewer's eye.