Make Bathroom Wall Mirrors Part Of Remodeling A Small Bathroom

Too often homes are built with bathrooms that are far too small. If you've got one of those home you can make bathroom wall mirrors part of remodeling.

There are several ways you can make your bathroom look a lot bigger than it is including the use of mirrors. Here are some great tips.

1. Wallpaper
Wallpaper can add a nice touch to a bathroom but you need to make sure you keep the patterns nice and small especially in a small room. Borders are a great way to give the illusion of larger and there are some great ones to choose from.

2. Paint
Light colors in cool shades work best in a small bathroom. It will give the room an airy feel and create an optical illusion. Consider combining two colors.

3. Lighting
Your bathroom lighting can play an important role in creating the feeling of space. Space your fixture so that they provide the optimum lighting and effect. Natural lighting is always a great asset if available. Consider installing a skylight.

The lighting above the vanity should not be overpowering. You don't want to be blinded by too harsh of lighting.

4. Bathroom Mirrors
Placing mirrors opposite each other is an age old trick that gives the illusion of space especially when it is combined with plenty of light. If your bathroom has a window and you place a mirror opposite at the correct angle you will give the illusion of an additional window.

You vanity mirrors should be adequate to be used for what they are intended for and you might also consider choosing fogless glass. You can add a shower mirror to the bathroom as well and of course wall mirrors are a great investment.

5. Bathroom Wall Mirror
Just like reflective surfaces this is an excellent way to make your room look much larger but you need to be careful with the lighting. Too much lighting around the mirror can cause headaches.

If you have lots of mirrors in the room the light fixtures can be just too overpowering. If you have a mirror that covers the entire wall or above the sink use track lighting with the opaque bulbs for a softer yet very functional lighting. And it's much easier to take first thing in the morning.

Angle the mirrors to get the most out of them. The angle of the mirror can give the illusion of larger room. Strategically placed it can reflect a floral bouquet on the opposite side of the room or it can reflect another mirror.

If you will be using your bathroom as your dressing room consider placing wall mirrors so that you have 360 degree viewing.

6. Bath Mats And Racks
Avoid heavy use of towel racks and bath mats. Keep it light and simple. In a small room it doesn't take much too suddenly feel crowded and a common mistake is too many mats and racks.

7. Reflective Surfaces
Bathroom cabinets and countertops that have a shiny reflective surface help make the bathroom look much larger.

A small bathroom will always be small but there are many ways to create the illusion of a much larger room and using bathroom wall mirrors is one of the ways.

Janett has worked as a home interior decorator for more than 10 years, so she knows the importance of a well placed mirror in your bedroom or your bathroom. Janett will give you a list of answers to questions on http://www.mirrorguide.com , in order for you to find the best contemporary mirrors that is best suited for your room.

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10 Tips for Keeping Your Ceramic Tiles Looking Great

You1A7B enter the bathroom. You turn on the lights. You dream of having a nice, relaxing bath or a cold, invigorating shower. What you get instead is a strangled shriek and despair.

Yes, ceramic tiles sure brighten up any bathroom or kitchen with their artistic and wonderful designs. We all love that glossy finish and the pearl-like shine. But moldy and dirty ceramic tiles are a big turn off, especially to those who have a fetish about bathing in a spotlessly clean bathroom.

What about your kitchen? Can you bear placing your food atop a surface that looks dubious? Can you imagine the germs sticking themselves to your favorite vegetable? Ewww

Alas, help from professional cleaners may cost us hundreds to thousands of dollars. That money can be better spent on other worthwhile items. All we need to know is how to properly care for our ceramic tiles so theyll keep looking clean and brand new.

1. Wipe Em Daily

Keep this as a mantra to yourself. This is easy enough to do, especially on kitchen counters, and it wont take you more than 15 minutes. All you need is a wiping cloth and some water. Always wipe surfaces after use. This is the best method from keeping dirt and debris from piling up. Dry tiles with a cloth or a sponge to prevent mildew formation.

2. Felt and Pads

Do you have heavy furniture made of wood, metal, aluminum or even plastic? Try to place felt or similar pads to their legs. This will help reduce the wear and tear on the tiles and will also facilitate easier shuffling and movement.

3. Protection with Mats

All houses have spots where heavy pivoting occurs. This could be your doorstep, or in front of the kitchen sink or the bathroom door. Situate mats of good quality to protect your tiles from pressure, weight or friction. These mats can also reduce dirt, grit, sand and oil that is deposited in your tiles since the fibers of the mat trap them nicely.

Make sure to wash the mats every once in a while to remove the deposits. Replace worn mats if possible.

4. Weekly Appointments with the Damp Mop

Aside from the daily regimen of wiping them, your ceramic tiles can also benefit a great deal from mopping them with a solution of vinegar and water. Mix cup of vinegar to a gallon or so of water and use this to mop your floor.

Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then mop the floor again with tap water to remove most of the vinegar and odor. The mild acidity of the vinegar will promote the death of mildew. Also, refrain from using soaps on the tiles as they will dull they surface.

5. Kiss Grime Away With Bleach

Ooh, your neighbor tracked his mud-soiled boots on your spotless white tiles. Even though you want to beat him up bad, you might want to hold in the urge because you need to act on that dirt, fast! Wipe off most of the dirt with a wet cloth. If there are stubborn streaks remaining on your beautiful tiles, its time to bring out the bleach.

Add about half a liter of bleach to a bucketful of water. Make sure you have your rubber gloves on, since bleach is very harsh on the skin. Mop the floor with the solution and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After that, try rinsing it with water.

If stains still remain, repeat the process until you get back your shiny, sparkly tile. Remember to wipe it dry with a clean cloth after the procedure.

6. Clean that grout!

Grout is the cemented space between your tiles. White tiles usually have a white grout and white grout is a breeding ground for mildew, molds and dirt.

If you already spot mild discolorations on your growth, its time to mix about of a mild detergent to a bucketful of water. Splash some on the grout and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. After that, try scrubbing the grout with a soft cloth. The color should fade away quickly. Again, wipe your tiles with a dry cloth after the procedure.

7. Abrade me not

NEVER use abrasives and harsh soaps on your tiles. They reduce the shine and polish as well as make cracks and pits that would be a more ideal ground for dirt and grime to settle in. Use only mild soaps and detergents. Always dilute strong acids before using them on your tiles.

8. Can you hand me that toothbrush?

Stubborn dirt and grime in your grouts? Well its time to give them a little push. This will involve getting down on you hands and knees but its all worth it when you see your tiles looking like theyre newly installed.

Again, make a mild detergent solution from cup of detergent to a bucketful of water. You can add a small amount of bleach if you want, but remember to protect your hands and knees. Let it sit for a few minutes.

After that, get a used toothbrush and start scrubbing your grout. Be careful not to damage the side of the tiles. The ugly dirt should give way even with only a little force. Rinse with water and wipe dry.

9. Stock on Drying Cloth and Sponges

You might have noticed that every procedure call for wiping your tiles dry. Thats because there is no sense in performing the task yet leaving molds and mildew for a chance to attack. Remember that these organisms grow best in moist surroundings.

With all that cleaning going on, youll get tired from washing and drying the same cloth everyday so stock up for convenience.

10. Be Patient.

The thing is, people look up handy tips and tricks to cleaning their tiles. But some mail back, feeling very unsatisfied with the results. The usual problem here is PATIENCE. If a specific procedure tells you to wait for 15 minutes, its best to follow it. See, waiting allows the solution to seep into the layers of dirt and grime. The solution loosens up impacted dirt and facilitates removal. This is the key to a successful cleaning venture.

With that said, have fun in cleaning and remember: Always wipe it dry.

Lee Dobbins writes for http://tile.pagechic.com where you can learn more about types of tile and tile installation.

Ladders - How Using The Right Ladder Can Make Those Jobs Easier

Ladders come in a variety of styles and heights, and it's important to choose one that meets the needs of the task you're performing. Safety should always come first when using a ladder, so it's necessary to make sure you use the right ladder for the job. For instance, an extension ladder is suitable for reaching those high spots when decorating or cutting tree branches. But trying to reach up too high on a step ladder can be hazardous and lead to accidents. On the other hand, step ladders are ideal for those odd jobs round the house, from changing a light bulb to hanging curtains.

Extension ladders are used for all kinds of outside jobs, from professional window cleaning to painting gable ends of buildings. Aluminum ladders are commonly used, being lightweight and easily portable. However, a fiberglass ladder, although much heavier to move, is safer to use in the vicinity of electrical cables. Well-known manufacturers that sell a range of quality ladders include Werner Ladders and Wing Enterprises.

Inside the home, ladders come in handy in a number of situations. For instance, if you have high book shelves, fitting a rolling library ladder makes it quick and easy for you to reach those top shelves. Library ladders are generally made from wood, and come in a choice of colors and finishes to blend in with your dcor. Another place where a fitted ladder comes in useful is in a loft hatch. An attic access ladder makes it simple for you to utilize that extra storage space in the roof.

Whatever your requirements, from doing DIY in the home or garden, to reaching high shelves, there's a ladder to meet your needs. Choosing the right ladder for the job can help make your task much simpler.

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to GetLadders.com - an online resource offering a range of ladders including attic ladders, the Little Giant Ladder and more.

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Taking Knife Sharpening To A New Level

Everyone uses knives. Knives exist in our kitchens at home, in restaurant kitchens, in butcher shops and in medical and veterinary clinics. And every one of these knives gets dull with use. Most people do not know how to effectively sharpen their own knives, and even professional chefs need to get their knives professionally sharpened on a regular basis. Knife sharpening can become a very profitable business for someone who learns the proper techniques for sharpening and honing an edge.

At home you can learn to use a whetstone. This is a good place to start when you are first learning how to hone an edge. Whetstones come in several varieties: Arkansas stone, Washita stone and Japanese and Greek waterstones. Originally quarried from natural stone, today's stones are usually manufactured from natural substances and they are very effective at sharpening a slightly dull knife. Some people prefer to use guides while using a whetstone to help them keep the knife at the proper angle.

The next level of sharpening uses a rod guided stone system. This system mounts the knife on a stationary base, and then the whetstone is attached to a rod that is guided through one of several holes located above the knife. This puts the whetstone at the proper angle to the knife blade to achieve a good edge.

You've probably seen slot gadgets and electrical sharpeners at your local store that carries kitchen equipment. The knife is run between wheels made of ceramic or other material, with the theory that this will sharpen the knife. The quality of these sharpeners runs from really bad to good enough to keep a home kitchen equipped with decently sharp knives. If you are only interested in sharpening your own knives, one of the higher quality slot gadget or electrical sharpeners will probably do fine for you.

Once you've mastered the techniques of sharpening though, you can open up a whole new world of opportunity. By learning the proper techniques, you can not only sharpen your own knives, you can start your own small business within your community. It is easily possible to make over $100,000 a year sharpening knives. Even if your community is small, everyone needs sharp knives.

The professional sharpener has specialized equipment for sharpening. Belt sharpeners can hone a blade in less than fifteen minutes, and if you are equipped with all the major sharpening tools, you can not only sharpen knives, but scissors and manicure tools as well. Other tools that need sharpening include chisels and planes used by woodworkers, clipper blades used by pet groomers and shearers, hoof knives and snips used by farriers... the list is endless.

It is true that you can learn the techniques to keep your own knives sharp easily. But with a little more time invested, you could also learn a trade that will help you raise your standard of living. Even if you only did sharpening on the weekends, you could easily make good money by making the rounds of the local restaurants or medical facilities. Most places need to ship out equipment for sharpening, since sharpeners are getting fewer all the time. It's worth thinking about. Knife sharpening is a skill that everyone needs to have handy at some point or other. And many are willing to pay someone to professionally sharpen their knives rather than try it themselves.

If you are interested in learning more about knife sharpening on a professional basis, we invite you to take a look at: sungoldgroupinc.com

Make Clothes Dryer More Efficient by Recycling the Heat

As the cost of electricity continues to skyrocket consumers are looking for new ideas to help get the most value out of their appliances. This includes the electric clothes dryer.

Although consumption cannot be lowered there is a device to take advantage of the heat it produces. It is called a dryer heat recycler. It has proven to be a winner in the fight to be more energy efficient.

A heat recycler does just what its name indicates. It allows the warm air from the household electric clothes dryer to be redirected back into the laundry room. This is an added bonus if the laundry room is in a cold basement. Plus the heat is free.

The theory behind the recycler is simple. It uses the hot air from the electric dryer to heat the laundry room. In this way the room vent can be closed down. Hence lowering your heating costs.

The element in an electric dryer is approximately 5000 watts. This is equivalent to a couple of baseboard heaters. The temperature of the air leaving an electric dryer is about 130 degrees Fahrenheit. So why waste it - instead, put it to work for you.

For an investment of about $15 the hot air your dryer normally dumps outside can be directed back into the house. We have been successfully suggesting these to clients for years.

There is a plastic handle on the side to direct the air either inside or outside. In the winter months the handle is adjusted to direct the hot air into the house. In the summer the air is directed back outside.

The heat recycler is easy to install. It is usually mounted (screws are provided) to a wall or beam behind, and slightly above, the dryer console area. Once mounted the dryer venting can be cut and reattached to the device. Follow the instructions to maintain proper airflow direction. The recycler does have an "in" and an "out". Always mount the recycler for easy access by all family members. If mounted in an awkward place no one will clean the filter.

Before purchase make sure the model you buy comes complete with two venting clamps. Some less expensive ones don't include the clamps. Clamps are vital for a proper installation. Do not be tempted to attach the venting sections to the recycler with duct tape. It will dry out and cause the venting to fall off. If required invest in two good quality metal vent clamps. A couple of four-inch clamps will cost about three dollars.

The recycler has a built-in filter screen that needs to be cleaned just like the one inside the dryer. We prefer the type that has a mesh screen filter as opposed to the one with a sock-like filter. It is a couple of dollars more but the metal filter is more durable and a lot easier to clean than the cotton type.

So once the recycler is mounted and secured give it a test run. Set the temperature selector to hot and start dryer. Allow dryer to run a few minutes. Test that the air comes inside when the handle is in the winter position. Next, move handle to summer position. Air should then be seen to go outdoors. Go outside and confirm air freely escapes outdoors. If not the screen in the outdoor vent cap may be blocked with lint. Or the vent cap flapper valve may be sticking. Go back indoors and test all joints for air leakage. If leaking air, tape joints with duct tape.

From then on all that is required is to clean the heat recycler filter every few laundry loads. Plus, twice a year turn the handle to redirect the airflow. Not much work to get all that nice free hot air for your home.

Note that throughout this article I have been using the term electrical clothes dryer. The heat recycler cannot be used with a gas clothes dryer. The venting pipe of a gas dryer must not be opened or redirected. Small amounts of gas vapour and carbon monoxide may be present in the outlet air of a gas clothes dryer. Therefore, for safety reasons, the heat recycler cannot be used with a gas dryer.

TECHNICIANS HINT: Experience has taught us not to mount the recycler directly above the start switch of the dryer. This avoids the recycler giving you a blast of hot air in the face every time the dryer is started.

Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. Donald Grummett has been in the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn more invaluable information about your appliances.

Teak Makes Patio Furniture Chic

By: Kathy Moran
Every year, teak garden benches, patio tables, chairs, dining sets, lounges, sun beds, and planters, are becoming more popular choices for furnishing porches, patios, decks, gazebos, gardens, and backyards. It’s easy to understand this trend, because teak makes the most gorgeous, exquisite outdoor furniture available. However, even though this may seem to be a recent development, our fondness of teak is nothing new.
For centuries, teakwood, which comes from the Tectona Grandis tree, has been prized for its radiant beauty, as well as its ability to endure climatic extremes. Indigenous to Asia, particularly Myanmar, Thailand, and India, it is also grown in Indonesia on plantations that were established by the Dutch in 1816, and are now managed by the government agency, Perum Perhutani. Its strict policies regarding the number and the size of trees that may be cut down, as well as its reforestation practices, help these plantations to produce some of the highest-quality teak in the world.
The rich soil in which it is grown infuses the teakwood with a high concentration of oils and minerals, including silica, that make it waxy and rubbery, thus rendering it naturally waterproof and invulnerable to insect invasion. They also make the straight-grained wood dense and thermally stable, which prevents warping. Usually golden to dark brown, but occasionally having a reddish hue, teak may be treated with an annual coating of oil to preserve its natural tones, or left unfinished, to weather to a silvery gray.
In the 18th century, teak was one of China’s major exports to Europe, where it was used for flooring, cabinets, closets, paneling, roofing, and more. It was also sculpted into art objects, although its abrasive properties could quickly dull a cutting edge, making intricate carving tedious. During the Victorian era, advances in technology made it easier to work with teak, and craftsmen began using it to manufacture ornamental furniture.
Teak has long been a favorite of the ship-building industry. Its natural resistance to salt water and spray keeps it from cracking and checking, while its peerless strength and durability enable it to withstand heavy cargo and foot traffic. While dismantling World War I warships, members of the British Navy noticed that the teak decks were still in pristine condition, and decided to save them. When some of the wood was used to construct garden benches, many of which are still in use, the tradition of making teak outdoor furniture began.
A similar example lies aboard the Charles W. Morgan, a historic wooden whaler that has been harbored at Mystic Seaport, in Connecticut, since 1941. Constructed in 1841, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, its 165-year-old deck, having survived over a dozen long voyages, countless crew members, and tons of whale blubber, bone, and oil, still looks like new.
Unrivaled in beauty, strength, and durability, teak has proven itself, time and again, to be the ultimate hardwood for making outdoor furniture.
At www.TeakDesigns.com, a division of www.CedarStore.com, our fantastic selection of teak outdoor furniture is made exclusively from top-quality Tectona Grandis Perum Perhutani plantation kiln-dried teakwood. Expertly crafted, using mortise-and-tenon construction, along with solid brass and stainless steel hardware, our stunning collection features many award-winning designs. Visit our website and browse through an amazing assortment of teak outdoor furniture that will bring you years of enjoyment. For more information, call 888-293-2339, or e-mail contact@teakdesigns.
About The Author
Kathy Moran - writer for www.TeakDesigns.com.