Fireplace Cleaning Instructions

It does not get any better than sitting by a warm fireplace during the coldest days of the year . If you have a wood-burning fireplace , there are several important steps you need to take to get your fireplace safe and ready before you start burning wood . Here are our tips to get your fireplace and radiant in a state with the help of the Chimney Safety Institute of America ( CSIA ) and goodhousekeeping.com .

Safety First !

According to the CSIA , your wood -burning fireplace should be inspected annually by a certified professional . These professionals will sweep the chimney and check for any structural problems and eliminate the buildup of creosote to help prevent chimney fires and other safety issues . This step is a must and should not be skipped .

Even if you do not use your fireplace very often , objects such as birds' nests can block the inside of a chimney fire that leads to the chimney when the fireplace is lit .

Now that we have dealt with security , let's see how you can get your fireplace looks clean and welcoming . Let's face it : dirty fireplace , but little ash and wood debris left part of the charm . It's when the soot and stains covering the fireplace glass doors and it's time to give your fireplace a good cleaning.

Ash Removal

Leaving a one inch layer of ash is actually a good thing , but rather act as an insulator and makes it easier to build a fire next . When the ash is too thick , but you will want to wipe the inside of the furnace . Always wait at least 24 hours after your last fire has burned before removing ashes , to give time to cool completely . Once completely cooled , sprinkle the ashes with wet coffee grinds to help control dust during removal . You also can spray ash with water . Scoop ashes in a metal container and place it 100 % . Take the container outside , away from the house and garage .

Soot Shoo !

To remove the black , cloudy film coating your glass door - aka soot - grabbed most household cleaners you versatile - white vinegar . Mix a solution of equal parts vinegar and warm water , dampen the cloth with a solution of water / vinegar and a damp cloth dipped in a little ash ( that's right , the ash acts as a mild abrasive ) . Gently rub the glass clean . Finish by wiping the glass with a clean cloth and a little more than a solution of water / vinegar .

fireplace façade

Over time , the material around the front of your fireplace can become stained and dingy . To tidy brick , spray the area with water , followed by a mixture of all -purpose cleaner and water . Rub the area with a brush , rinse with a clean cloth or sponge . For brick older than 50 years , avoid rubbing the cleaners as they may damage the brick . To marble or other stone , spray the soiled area with water and wipe with a soft cloth dipped in a gentle dish soap . Rinse and dry .

Choosing Bamboo Cabinet

Bamboo kitchen cabinets will attract those homeowners who may be thinking about having a more eco-friendly home . Bamboo is an eye-catching replacement for conventional forest , and has been used in the manufacture of kitchen cabinets and other home furniture for several years . It includes a floor that has been there since the last few decades and now the materials used in other areas of the house , such as kitchen cabinets .

What is Bamboo ?

For those of you who do not know , bamboo is not actually wood , it is actually a type of grass and if harvested correctly will grow back in about three years , compared with oak that will take at least three decades later you can immediately see the difference on the environment . Bamboo kitchen cabinets is actually stronger and more durable than many hardwoods and has proven that in fact up to 25 % harder than oak .

Bamboo has the same color as the pine forests and bright with a slight yellow color which is usually known as the " blonde " . However , it can be tarnished means that you can have almost any color you might think .

Things You Need to Know About Bamboo

As with most things , there will always be some negatives to having bamboo kitchen cabinets although it is quite small and can be easily overcome . Because it is a grass and not a wood , it is much more fibrous than wood and can therefore create more pieces than you would expect to find the wood , however , this can be overcome by ensuring that the surface is sanded properly .

In addition to providing an explanation to the question why only use bamboo has increased over the years is that it is much more stable than wood . It gets its strength from the fact that every strand completely straight , giving great strength compared to wood that does not have such a straight grain .

When you opt for bamboo kitchen cabinets , you can give your kitchen look outside and make the kitchen seem exotic at the same time . Bamboo stronger and far more environmentally friendly than wood and can give your kitchen a fresh new look without sacrificing necessary durability and style .

How to Design a Perfect Kitchen Layout

As with the summer months fast approaching , many people are heading out on the grill . Many grilling enthusiasts decided to take things one step further and create their own kitchen outdoors . Has an outdoor kitchen makes grilling out more comfortable and can add a lot of value to your home if you make a thoughtful layout that follows the rules FFCC - Function , Flow , Convenience , and Comfort .

The first thing you should do when planning the layout of your outdoor kitchen is to find the perfect location . Because the outdoor kitchen is often used for public meetings are great, it is best to choose a location that is private , has a lot of color , and far enough from the house to prevent the spread of smoke , fire or strong odors into your home . Placement should take other nearby features into consideration . For example , if you have a swimming pool or outdoor dining area outside the kitchen you might want you to be a certain distance from these features , depending on how you plan to use them together .

This can help to plan your outdoor kitchen if you split the area into zones . There should be a Zone Entertainment , Serving Zone , Zone Prep and Cooking Zone . Each zone should be in order of proximity to each other and that makes sense for the space . FFCC keep in mind will help you figure out where to put each zone . You want the area drains well , function efficiently , be convenient for the cook and the guests and a comfortable place for everyone to hang out .

It is also important to consider how you will use the kitchen . If all you need is a simple kitchen for the occasional summer grilling , then you will want to choose a design that makes sense for the intended function . The kitchen is more complicated to include special cooking utensils or equipment depending on your needs and intended use of the space . Place all the elements of your outdoor kitchen in a layout that makes sense for people who will cook in it most often . Everything should be easy to obtain in the order that they will be used . Avoid placing elements of the kitchen in a haphazard layout that will require cooking to zigzag back and forth to complete basic tasks .

Every kitchen outside exposed to the weather . Choose your location , appliances , kitchen cabinets and other features based on the weather outside your kitchen will need to survive . If you live in a hot and sunny climates , choose a sheltered location or install a canopy or roof over the area . Any furniture in climate facing the harsh winter with lots of snow will need some kind of protection from freezing temperatures and water damage . Be sure to properly protect your kitchen during all seasons . Having a storage shed or garage can provide a safe place to put the equipment during the season when they are not used . If you live in a mild climate , you can probably get away with putting a waterproof tarp or cover over the outside of your kitchen .

Tips for Installing Your Cabinet Knobs

Installing knobs on your cabinet should be the finishing touch to install a new kitchen . A closet door is made of 5 pieces of basic , middle panel , top and bottom rails , and two side stiles . You may be asking yourself " where do I place the button and how ? " The answer is simple place the button where it looks the best . When we install a kitchen that most stocks , we continue to answer the easy and drilled a hole 3 inches from the bottom of the door and was centered in the stile . For your own cabinets might be better to drill a hole in a different place . Hold the key to the door and see where it looks best . It might work better to drill a hole in the side stile and rail junction below . Sometimes it is best to have the bottom button on the bottom rail . Hold your keys in a place that you want and make a mark where your holes will be placed . Use 3/16 " drill to make a hole . Use painters tape on the door and measure from the bottom and sides to make your mark to drill the hole . Having marked all the doors open the door and holding a piece of plywood behind the door . These will keep the drill bit of ripping wood when he went through the hole . Take the tape off and install the screw you turn the knob to knob and hold steady . Standing back and enjoy a job well done and enjoy your new kitchen .

Great Closet Design Ideas

If you feel like your home is not as organized as you want it to be , it is possible that the ideas of the modern cabinet design can help . Although custom cabinets and shelves are expensive for many people in the past , more and more do it yourself option that allows even those on a tight budget to create a beautiful and functional storage . The key to overcome such do it yourself projects creating a solid plan and availing ourselves of all the pre- made ​​options that have been introduced to the market .

Making Plans For A Space Customized

Using ideas closet design professional as a jumping off point , homeowners can now design the space perfectly suited to meet their unique storage needs . Before you invest in extra shelves and other improvements , it is important to make a detailed list of what you want to hold the closet given .

For example , those who put up the pantry for dry food products will be able to not have to buy a rack that holds a lot of weight or large objects . However , those who install space for appliances and cleaning supplies may need to invest in materials that are heavier duty racks and space them farther apart to provide adequate clearance for their supplies .

Selecting Materials To Run Your Closet Design Ideas

When looking for an option to install the rack , the buyer will be faced with a variety of options . Of heavy metal racks for stacking plastic containers can be , each of these options is suitable for a particular task .

Metal racks offer the greatest amount of flexibility , as they are well equipped to support a lot of weight and can be spaced in any way that homeowners choose . If you go with this option , the installation itself will generally require you to use a drill , screwdriver and level . Each of these tools can be bought relatively cheaply , and generally requires little skill to operate .

Those who prefer to avoid using the tool will be able to find that stack rack is a better choice for them . Unlike metal rack , which is affixed to the wall , free-standing models , and can only be placed into the closet . They are more often recommended for those who are housing lightweight items , such as pairs of shoes . To give you more variety , invest in a few different sizes and styles that can be easily mixed and matched .

Tips to Make the Perfect Kitchen Design

The kitchen has long been seen as the heart of the home . A place where families gather after a long day , where all the food is made and everyone seems to always end up at a party .

Designing a kitchen is based on personal preference and usage . Some households just cook basic meals per day , while other households will hold regular dinner parties and entertaining almost weekly . This needs to be considered when creating the perfect kitchen design .

The most important aspect of any kitchen is the overall design and use of space . First there is the magic triangle . Anyone who tries to help you with your kitchen design will tell you to make a triangle to make sure your kitchen is as practical and functional as possible.

Triangle consists of a variety / your stove , refrigerator and sink . The reason for the triangle is to make cooking experience easy and hassle free . Has three items in a triangle , allowing you to move around the kitchen with ease , taking stuff from the fridge , wash them in the sink before throwing them in a skillet on the stove .

Once you choose a place to put your triangle and what equipment is going where , you can start concentrating on your storage . Storage is essential in any kitchen design , a place to store pots and pans , utensils and even cans .

When you buy kitchen cabinets you want to make sure you are buying quality . You do not need to break the bank when you buy kitchen cabinets and you can buy them online at the ready to assemble cabinets design , with the use of a screwdriver you can quickly have a cabinet in place .

Bamboo has become a firm favorite for kitchen cabinets , due to the fact that it allows you to design the perfect kitchen without damaging the environment . Bamboo is rapidly evolving , but it is as strong and sturdy as wood . Harvesting bamboo does not strain the environment in any way , which is why it is a top choice for anyone looking to buy kitchen cabinets .

Cabinets come in a variety of designs and colors , choose the color and style that best suits your kitchen . This will depend on whether you want to create a modern kitchen or a more traditional design .

Remember not too thick for your kitchen cabinets . Buy kitchen cabinets to give you the storage you need , but still leave your workspace , enabling you to prepare delicious meals for family and friends .

Plant spacing is essential for any kitchen design . You need to make sure you do not compromise your floor space by adding too many center island cupboard or put you too close to the side of your rack . Always make sure you leave enough room to move around the floor with ease in your kitchen .

While you may want a central island and it is a dream , sometimes it's not the most practical solution when designing a small kitchen space . Concentrate more on filling the kitchen with quality appliances and storage cabinets , rather than trying to fit too much into a small area .

The color scheme you choose should be based on the overall style of your home . If you are working with an open kitchen design , make sure that when you purchase kitchen cabinets and paint you use in the kitchen , all of which increase the overall open design plan property .

White kitchen with beautiful natural wood cabinets are always a welcome addition to any kitchen design . Keep it simple , keep it practical and make sure that you add your personal touch to your kitchen design to make it stand out and be something you can be proud of .