Bleach – Our Reliance On It Is A Mistaken Belief; Part3

From the first two articles it has hopefully become obvious that bleach does exactly that. It bleaches coloured pigments so they are transparent. It doesn’t clean by removing. I was trying to explain this to my son-in-law who said he swore by bleach and used it for many things. Only that morning he said he had used it to clean the tannin from stained teaspoons. Again I attempted to explain that the tannin was still there it had just been bleached so he couldn’t see it. His answer was I cannot see it so it has gone and the spoons are nice and shiny once again.. Defeated yet again by the power of bleach!

Having thought about this for some little time now perhaps I should reconsider my quest to re-educate people about the use of bleach. The power of what people perceive to be true using their sight and smell is too great to overcome. On top of that I myself have succumbed to the power of bleach. One of my cleaners was having quite a lot of trouble removing the tannin stains that had developed on the kitchen worktops of a well used office kitchen. In the end she called me in and said she had tried everything. The stain had embedded itself in the worktop and all remedies had only succeeded in dulling the stain. Not to waste any more time and effort on this particular problem I furnished her with some bleach and a few minutes later the work surfaces were looking ‘as new’. So even in my own world there is a place for bleach!

None the less there are far too many instances of young children drinking bleach that individuals should not simply leave a bottle by the toilet as seen in so many households. Keep it out of reach, preferably in a cupboard that youngsters cannot get into. Secondly never use bleach with any other cleaner. We had an instance quite recently where we had been called into a nursing home to descale all the toilets. Limescale deposits had built up on these toilets over the last 15 years. So a team of six cleaners set to work using phosphoric acid descaler. A few moments later the toilets had to be evacuated by the cleaners as the fumes were overpowering. Without our knowledgethe nursing home cleaners had earlier been round to clean all the toilets and had simply poured bleach around the bowl. Result a very nasty reaction between the bleach and the acid producing toxic fumes. So there is a cautionary tale to take note of. When the manufacturers say do not use with any other cleaning product they actually mean it!

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Posted in: Kitchen

Best Way To Tackle Cleaning

Do you have one of those really big, filthy, completely disorganized cleaning jobs to get after? It it that one client you really dislike? Worse yet, is it your house?

Either way, you can tackle it quickly and efficiently is you are organized and know "how" to approach cleaning a big job, room by room and through each room. Here's how!

First, make a checklist. Put on there everything you need to do. If it looks to long just keep adding items. Take it with you in your pocket to every room and a pencil, too. The idea is to cross off everything you finish so you get a great sense of accomplishement as you move through the house. It also reminds you of things you might forget so you never have to go backwards.

Always start at one end of the house and work your way to the other. If its multiple stories start at the top and work your way down. If its one level, start in the bedrooms and work you way to the kitchen.

In each room, always clean top to bottom. Start at the ceilings with cobwebs and spider webs and work your way down the walls, windows and to the floors.

Wash walls, windows and then vacuum. After vacuuming dust. When you dust, start at the top and work down.

Be mobile and prepared. Take all your cleaning tools with you into each room. Avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.

Unplug the phone and turn off the T.V.

Eliminate clutter as you go, too. An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn with odds and ends.

A house that smells fresh will give the impression of cleanliness. Leave baking soda on carpeting for the night to absorb musty odors, vacuum in the morning. Place natural soy candles scented with oils around the house. Lightly scented but not overpowereing cleaners will give your house that special "nose sparkle" clean, fresh scent.

Keep a big mat on both front and back porches to cut down on tracked in dirt.

Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper, car keys to help with clutter.

Keep a hamper in every bathroom and in each child's room.

Check your checklist off at this point and your finished!!

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Posted in: Kitchen

Baby Boomer’s Demand Alternative Style

(ARA) - This is a story of passion and passionate differences, experienced by couples facing the strategic and often wrenching shifts taking place on the home front. One aspires to live in a home filled with the warmth, beauty and romance of a log home, while the other agonizes over the concept.

Why are people drawn to log homes? According to surveys, nine out of 10 people who choose a log home say they made their decision because they liked its distinctive look. Given the weight of the aesthetics, why do so many couples agonize over the details?

For some, a little research can give pause. That’s how it was for John and Katherine Overbee, who had long dreamed about building a log cabin as a retirement home. “We backed off a little,” he said. “Unless you have a lot of time and money, the intricacies of solid log construction can be worrisome.”

Even with all their uniqueness, there are basically two different types of solid log home construction: handcrafted, the most extreme log home, which may take years and millions to complete; and the milled D-log, in which the top, bottom and one side of the log are milled flat. With both methods, one log is stacked on top of another to form a wall, and then the roof is built off the walls. Proper allowances must be made around windows, doors, stairs, and cabinetry to allow the log walls to settle through the years.

“I love the look,” says Katherine. “But it seemed like everyone we spoke with has had problems.” The problem is the way cold air finds its way through the solid log wall. “During the first three years the log walls can actually shrink and settle,” John says, as he shows how he held a piece of paper by a log wall and watched it move from the air infiltration. “If a guy likes to caulk there’s less of a problem,” he adds with a smile.

So . . . should you go out on the limb? For many, like the Overbees, building a solid log home was not a logical decision. The solution came when the couple discovered a hybrid form of log home construction.

It was more than two decades ago when David Janczak, founder of Wisconsin Log Homes, began testing new-energy-efficient designs and introduced the Thermal-Log building system. To eliminate heat loss and stop the settling problems, Janczak designed a super-insulated, 6-inch thick-framed wall. Just as important, he also originated the precut half-logs with full log corners. In essence, he created an entirely new category of log home construction.

The insulated log home construction not only satisfied John but also gave him the peace of mind to build the home they dreamed about. “I absolutely love it,” says Katherine. “We’re at home -- it’s a place of peace.”

Just under 2,000 square feet, it’s a home of pleasures for Katherine and John. “We were surprised at how well this space accommodates our daily activities,” Katherine says. The people at Wisconsin Log Homes suggested they look carefully at their lifestyle and how they really live.

“We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to work with a team of people who want to help you build your dream home,” says John. “They guided us through every step of the process.” He credits Wisconsin Log Homes for making their home a better place to live.

Katherine admits that she did get ahead of the process when she selected a 3,666-square-foot floor plan within 10 minutes of paging through Wisconsin Log Homes planning guide. The 144-page catalog is filled with color photos and over 100 floorplans but most importantly, helpful building information to guide people in a logical sequence.

Upstairs, two bedrooms flank the bathroom. The loft doubles as an office. The open downstairs contains a kitchen, living and dining room, plus the master bedroom. Just off the dining area is a cozy room that Katherine uses as her art studio.

The Overbees were also delighted when they discovered that Wisconsin Log Homes had a Design Center and an in-house interior designer for creative support. Working with an open floor plan, it was important to integrate the kitchen. Wood flooring connects the kitchen with the living and dining space. Lighting, cabinets and unique furnishings complement the elegant yet rustic log interior.

“It all came together so nicely and it’s so beautiful. The end result is a home that emphasizes who we are,” Katherine says. “Friendly, relaxed, nothing fancy, nothing extravagant. It fits us like a glove.”

Oh, one other thing: It wasn’t the large floor plan that Katherine loved, it was the large custom-tailored window wall -- it makes a striking statement and frames a special view from the great room.

If you would love living in a log home but have concluded that the intricacies of solid log construction are depriving you of your dreams, then perhaps you should contact the people at Wisconsin Log Homes. And if your choice is this hybrid form of half-log construction it will not only satisfy, but also delight you. For more information about designing and building log homes, call (800) 678-9107 or visit www.wisconsinloghomes.com.

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Posted in: Kitchen

Attention Homeowners: Replacing Your Faucets Will Make a World of Difference

(ARA) – A lot of people would love to have a new kitchen or bathroom, but once they learn about the costs involved, they may get discouraged.

Cabinets alone can run you in excess of $10,000, and that’s not including the cost of installation. Add in fixtures, appliances, electrical work, and the like, and before you know it, you’ve almost spent enough money to buy a new condo. According to Remodeling Magazine, the average cost of a major kitchen remodeling job is now $40,000.

The average cost of turning a worn-out bathroom into a new space is about $10,000. That figure includes the cost of replacing the bathtub, toilet, vanity, sink, medicine cabinet, ceramic tile floor and vinyl wallpaper.

“Most people don’t have thousands of dollars lying around to spend on remodeling projects, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some simple changes that will have a big impact,” says Keith Kometer, Faucet Marketing Manager at Kohler Co., a global leader of products for the kitchen and bath.

Instead of replacing toilets and showers, these days, a lot of people are painting their kitchens and bathrooms or putting up wallpaper, and accessorizing to get a new look. But those are only a few of the simple changes homeowners can make on a tight budget.

“Changing out the faucet can also make a big visual impact,” says Kometer. Kohler has just rolled out two new faucet lines that can be installed in minutes by do-it-yourselfers and won't break the bank in terms of cost.

The Forté faucet, for both the bath and kitchen, features a high arch spout that allows for a completely customizable look with traditional handles or sleek, sculpted handles. Its top-mount installation system, preassembled valves and handles allow for easy installation with minimal tools, saving time, effort and money. The only tools required to secure it firmly in place are a screwdriver and wrench.

The more traditional Devonshire design also features pre-assembled flexible supply lines, valves and handles. Flexible lines, available on the Forte faucets as well, are a lot easier to work with when installing the faucet than the standard bulky, rigid copper tubing. The Devonshire faucet also requires just two tools to install.

“These faucets are for homeowners who don’t want to spend top dollar on a remodeling project, but still want to create a look that’s dramatic and stylish,” says Kometer. ”You don’t have to repaint; simply replacing the faucet is all it takes.”

To add a little more fashion to the bathroom as a finishing touch, accompanying decorative accessories are available -- including towel racks, glass shelves, soap dishes and toilet tissue holders. They come in several finishes that exceed industry durability standards, and boast distinctive color and texture selections, including polished chrome, brushed chrome, brushed nickel and French gold.

For more information about Kohler products, log onto www.kohler.com or call toll-free (800) 4-KOHLER.

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Posted in: Kitchen

A Review of the Top Six Dishwasher Brands

When choosing a dishwasher, look for quietness, quality of wash, reliability, economy, and durability. Here are six abbreviated dishwasher reviews to look over; each brand has its unique features.

Bosch Dishwashers
Weighing in at 49 dBA (a decibel measure), this is one quiet machine. It’s efficient and features a variety of settings, including a “delicate” setting for china plates, and a tougher setting for pots and pans. It washes completely, and dries totally. However, a Bosch dishwasher costs about $1000, which is a bit on the pricey end, and the control panel tends to break down easily. Also, their service technicians are a bit standoffish, by some accounts. If you run into problems with your Bosch dishwasher, check out the Aquastop function at the back of the machine. Pull the machine back to drain it, and then tighten the water inlet valve.

KitchenAid Dishwashers
KitchenAid dishwashers are unique in that they offer four levels of quietude, depending on how you want to wash your dishes. For a more vigorous, faster wash, you won’t mind the louder settings. On the other hand, if you’re having an intimate candlelit dinner, you will want to opt for the quieter settings. Fun fact: in 1949, KitchenAid became the first brand name to introduce dishwashers.

Maytag Dishwashers
Maytag dishwashers are quiet – about the same noise level as the clothing section in a department store. The bottom shelf is big enough for the largest kitchen items, and the top shelf is big enough for large glasses. It has four settings for different types of washes, also features a timer that automatically turns the machine on at a pre-set time. (A good time to set the timer is when energy rates are lower – usually at night.) Best of all is its ease of use -- the buttons are touch-sensitive.

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Posted in: Kitchen