Archive for the ‘Bathroom’ Category

Keeping Your Mirrors Specklessly Clean

Sunday, February 27th, 2011

Mirrors are essential to every household, thanks to their aesthetic and functional properties. Have you spent crazy minutes trying to clean a mirror and never succeeded, making it look worse than it was already? Mirrors are very difficult to clean and removing the white spots and stains on it is a Herculean task. It is a very vital article in your home that you use to groom yourself and dress up, but also used as a decorative item. If trying to make the mirror spotless is your dream then read on to learn how to realize it.

img credit: baycibi

Some companies or individuals try to market expensive products that claim to clean mirrors. These may contain harsh chemicals that might damage the mirror’s surface and make it lose its shine. However, keeping your dressing and bathroom mirrors clean is a simple and inexpensive job. While buying the mirror, you must make sure that they do not contain ammonia or vinegar. Do not make the edges wet as they damage them and cause ‘black edges’ to be formed which makes the mirror look ugly. Using lint free cloth or newspapers will make the cleaning process more effective.

img credit: lydiafizz

Here are some simple ways to clean mirrors:

Using a cloth dipped in warm water and wrung thoroughly to clean the mirror and immediately using a dry cloth to wipe is a good way to clean.

Taking one cup of vinegar and three cups of water and using the mixture as a cleaning solution will be effective.

Another alternative is using one cup alcohol with four cups of water.

Put the cleaning solution in a spray bottle, that is available in your local drug store and spray it across the mirror and wipe with a newspaper.

Wipe away the liquid entirely so it doesn’t leave drip marks later.

A fabric softner sheet can also be used to wipe the soap foam away.

While using framed mirrors, see to that the water doesn’t seep into the edges by holding a newspaper against the frame on the inside edge.

Ensure that you wipe the entire mirror in the same direction as the joints so the cleaning fluid doesn’t get collected at the joints.

Using these simple suggestions to clean the mirrors and glass objects in your home will make them spotless and long lasting.

Breathe your Bathrooms Fresh

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

A lively bathroom helps people to relax and shrug their worries off and be stress free. To begin with, the choice of wall color can create wonders. The choice of a bathroom fitting that match the color of tiles and side walls is essential. Usage of Contemporary lighting elements gives an elegant and luxury look. The flooring should be non-slippery, non-porous and clean. As far as possible try to avoid placing the bath tub and toilet very close to each other. Some mild portraits with little artwork can be placed in the room. Maintain the habit of cleaning the bathroom after every use. Spray water throughout the surface and lather the place with some mild soap powder. Rinse it after a few minutes. This will help to maintain freshness all time. While cleaning avoid using coarse cleaners and steel wool cleaning pads to prevent scratching. Use a gentle and effective floor cleaner which effectively kills germs without causing damage to the fittings.

img credit: 52914122@N05

Bathroom mirrors form the most important part of the interior. Large sized plain mirrors are usually preferred due to ease of cleaning and simplicity. Maintaining the mirror dirt free is essential to avoid blurring of image. Hence clean it at least once in three days. Porcelain, fiber glass and steel bath tubs are generally used. Do not use acid or alkaline cleaners over these delicate structures. They may not have resistance to acidic particles as they may erode the surface of the fittings making it rough and unpleasant to touch. Never forget to remove hairs from the drains to avoid clogging. Use commercial rust removers periodically to maintain the fittings clean. Shower curtains and the bath mats are also an essential part of bathrooms. Once in a week clean rinse the curtains and mats. Use a disinfectant spray to get rid of mildew.

img credit: stregishotels

While cleaning toilets avoid mixing up the chlorine bleach with ammonia-base products. Be cautious while using chemical base toilet-bowl cleaners. Use gloves, mask and long handled brush. Use vinegar to remove hard water strains from the bathroom tiles. Use a pleasant and mild smelling sanitizer after every use and flush properly. Maintain the flush water tank always filled. Use of solid air fresheners maintain keeps the air fresh to breathe. Towel and cloths hanger should be kept at a place away from the taps and water flowing areas. Cased soap stands are preferred. By doing all these, you will be able to breathe your bathroom fresh.

Taking a bath - your relaxing time [recipes]

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Every woman (and man)  knows what a nice bath can do to soothe a tired body. The heated water relaxes aching muscles, calms the mind, softens the mood. This fact was well known even back in the ancient times, we all know that Cleopatra, the most beautiful woman of her times, was fond of bathing in goat milk which softened her skin and made her look vibrant and fresh. Today, not many of us have the possibility to use milk to bathe in but there are many ways of preparing a miraculous bath.

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6 Simple Ways to Conserve Water in the Bathroom

Friday, October 30th, 2009
Bathroom Bokeh 4
Image by John “K” via Flickr

Many litres of water are wasted daily in most homes across the country. Much of this precious water just disappears down the bathroom drain. Follow these simple tips to prevent wasteful water use in your bathroom.

Top Priority
A dripping faucet wastes valuable water around the clock. Check bathroom faucets for leaks and repair or replace, if necessary. To further reduce waste, install a faucet aerator and low flow showerhead.

Toilet
Older tanks or cisterns use much more water than necessary. In toilets installed before 2002, a displacement device is effective in reducing water waste. Either purchase a device or make your own by placing a plastic jug of water inside the tank. Use the largest jug possible that still allows an adequate flush. (more…)

Clues in the Laundry Basket: Signs of Hard Water

Friday, August 28th, 2009
Messy laundry
Image by Tym via Flickr

Doing the wash at home is a convenience that many people easily take for granted. However, even a generation ago, washing machines were not standard appliances in homes. The UK Statistics Authority showed that in 1981, only 78% homes in the UK had a washing machine. By 2008, this number increased to 96% . However, these washers prove less effective when a home has hard water. The minerals running through the laundry cycle leave deposits on clothing, while the scale can build up within appliances.

Some people might not realize that they have hard water, but laundry can show the signs. Coloured clothing dulls easily, while white clothing turns yellow or grey. Clothes feel dingy and stiff. Using liquid fabric softer might seem like an answer, but this is no substitute for water treatment. Even with a large amount of fabric softeners, the minerals in the water still run through the wash cycle, leaving deposits on clothes. (more…)

Bathroom Design for Small Bathrooms

Thursday, July 16th, 2009
Bathroom Design
Image by juhansonin via Flickr

As the fields of interior design and home improvement have become more popular in recent years, the formerly often neglected bathroom has been getting more attention than ever. Many people are turning their plain bathrooms into lush getaways or sophisticated spas. Small bathrooms, however, pose unique challenges when it comes to design.

While the lack of space may make it impossible to install a large garden tub or double sinks, there are still ways to give even small bathrooms a much needed facelift.

Often the biggest problem in small bathrooms is the lack of storage space. To create room for storage, it is necessary to get creative. Look for storage units that are wall mounted. A cabinet over the toilet or a shelf over a bathtub can add valuable space for storing bathroom essentials. Some storage solutions, such as a large basket for holding rolled up towels, can double as design elements. (more…)

9 important things you can do to save water

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Saving water might be pretty easy and not only money saving task but also friendly to the environment. If you are aware of water saving problem and have a lot of information about take a look at the bullet point below and make sure that you know and have done everything to make usage of water as much efficient as it can be.  (more…)

Choosing a Tub or a Shower: Think it Through

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
Two children bathing in a small metal bath tub
Image via Wikipedia

Remodeling the bathroom can be especially difficult task, since most bathroom projects involve gutting the space and starting over. Homeowners who venture down this road are often faced with a tough choice: bath tub or shower? There are a few things to consider when making this choice.

At the top of the list is functionality. If the bathroom is the primary or only one in the house, consider whether anyone in the family prefers bathing over showering. Not having access to a bath tub may leave the family wanting in the future. Should you decide a bath tub is necessary, you can chose between a fiberglass unit that includes a shower head or a more elegant pedestal tub. Remember that a pedestal tub does not normally have a shower head. (more…)

Hard Water in the Bath

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
Small bathroom
Image via Wikipedia

Hard water can cause problems throughout the home. If severe enough, it leads to the chemical salt residues clogging faucets, clothes and dishwashers, and refrigerator icemakers. One of the most annoying manifestations of hard water, though, is the ugly deposits it leaves on your bathroom fixtures.

Sinks, tubs, and toilet bowls, in hard water locales, eventually accumulate ugly stains and deposits that require special attention. Commercial cleansers will do the job, but most of them are loaded with chemicals that can poison the environment. In most cases safe, inexpensive, and readily available household products are a more responsible solution. (more…)