Easy DIY

Friday, March 27, 2015

Blood Stain Removal Tips

I hope that you will not have to deal with blood stain removal from your carpets. However, if an accident happens then you will need to know how to deal with the problem.

Ideally, you will not be dealing with a severely injured person. Obviously, the carpet will have to wait!

Here are the steps for blood stain removal:

Rinse the spot with cold water
Apply a little a time so the stain does spread across the carpet
Do not use hot water as it could set the stain thereby making it permanent
Blot it up with a paper towel or cloth or shop vacuum
Once you have finished blotting, use a mild dish detergent diluted with cold water
Gently work it in so you do not spread the stain
Blot again with a paper towel or cloth; be careful not to rub as that could damage your carpet
Repeat these steps as needed

Be sure to remove all excess water so the carpet does not start to form mold or mildew. If you have a good, strong fan then turn it on and let it dry out the area. Alternatively, you can place a stack of paper towels on the stain and leave something heavy on top of the paper towels to sop up the remaining water in the carpet. These are some of the basic steps in blood stain removal.

If you happen to have an article of clothing that does not require dry cleaning and it requires blood stain removal then here are a few tips if the blood is fresh:

Put article in a container and pour peroxide over the spot and allow it to foam
Wait until foaming stops
If stain is still on clothing repeat these steps
If it is clean, rinse it with water

There are many people that swear by the soda club method of blood stain removal. Alternatively, if all other methods fail then try soda.

DIY Resources:

Teds Woodworking
Created by Ted McGrath, "Teds Woodworking" is one of the most popular woodworking plans and projects packages online today.
More info here

Furniture Craft Plans
Over 9,000 premium woodworking furniture and craft plans that you can easily follow at home.
More info here

Home Made Power Plant
There are some other guides for DIY wind and solar generators, but all of those that I've read don't get into the same details.
More info here

My Boat Plans
My Boat Plans is a comprehensive collection of 518 boat plans, 40 videos and about 500 pages of boat building guides.
More info here

Chickens 4 Wealth
Absolutely everything you need to know to get started with backyard chickens and produce your own eggs.
More info here

Saturday, March 21, 2015

How to Remove Rust From a Rusted Iron Wall Plaque

There is no doubt that iron is a very versatile material due to its strength and malleability. It has found many uses in construction such as cables, I-beams, and re-bars.

Aside from being a sturdy construction material, iron can be used as a decorative medium. It can, for example, be used to create wrought iron tables and chairs that adorn lawns. It can be made into iron grilles serves as a decoration and a security measure for windows. For Victorian themed homes and establishments, iron can be used to make decorative dividers.

But even if iron is a durable material, it cannot stand the onslaught of rusting. Eventually, iron will rust but the pace depends on the kind of iron.

What exactly causes rust? Rust in an oxide, a usually reddish substance that is produced when iron chemically reacts with air moisture or water. Rusting is a form of corrosion. Eventually, all the iron in a structure will turn into rust and disintegrate. Irons such as steel rust quickly; just a few days in the open and rust splotches will show. On the other hand, aluminium and stainless steel rust very slowly. This is due to the properties of its oxide, which actually forms a protective passive coating.

Since rust destroys the original beauty of a decorative item such as an iron wall plaque, it is important to get rid of rust Yes, getting the rust out is tough but easy. Here is a simple method of taking the rust off a decorative piece.

1. You would need a few rust-removing materials-a soft bristled paintbrush, a commercial rust cleaner that has oxalic acid, a small amount of water, a wire brush, an old toothbrush, and a sponge. Rust cleaner is a strong chemical thus you should wear rubber gloves and eye protection.

2. First clean the rusted piece with a paintbrush to remove surface rust and dust.

3. Mix a solution of water and commercial rust cleaner. The mixture depends on the severity of the rust if the rust is particularly severe, you will need more rust cleaner in the solution than water.

4. Dip the wire brush in the solution and start scrubbing the rust off the piece. Scrub the piece in a circular motion. It really doesn't matter where you should start, but be sure to cover the entire piece. A missed splotch usually spreads eventually.

5. Continue scrubbing until all the rust is removed and the bare metal shows on the piece. You can brush off the residue off the iron wall plaque using an old toothbrush.

6. When all the rust is removed, wipe the piece with a sponge dampened with water. You may also wipe the piece with a dampened sponge while scrubbing. Then dry it using a soft cloth.

7. To prevent further rusting, apply a coat of rust resistant primer on the piece. Then top it off with a two coats of rust resistant paint. You can get these from do-it-yourself shops.

DIY Resources:

DIY Wind Power - What You Need to Know

If you're looking for ways to save money on your utility bills this winter and were wondering if DIY wind power is really a viable option, this article is for you. I will briefly explain what wind power is and what a wind turbine can and cannot do.

First of all a simple explanation of a wind turbine is that it converts energy from wind into electricity which can than be used immediately or stored for later use.

Technology will continue to advance and make this process even more efficient in the years to come, but even now the process is efficient enough to allow this form of energy to be used for households. Many people who have installed their own wind turbines have seen savings on their utility bills of up to 80%. Take that amount out over the next 20 years and you can see that the savings will be huge.

When it comes to a small, household wind turbine your only real option is to do it yourself. Buying one and paying to have it installed just isn't cost effective and it will take you years to recoup that investment. But if you build it yourself you can recoup your investment in a matter of months. There are manuals you can buy that will walk you through the process of building your own turbine and you don't need any special skills or knowledge.

The parts you need to build your own turbine can be purchased at any hardware store for less than $300. The whole assembly process will take anywhere from a few days to a week depending on how much time you can devote to the project everyday.

All in all diy wind power is a great way for you to save money on your utility bills as well as have the feeling of pride and independence that comes from doing something yourself.

DIY Resources:

Friday, March 20, 2015

Time Saving House Cleaning Tips for Working Women

If you are juggling a busy work schedule during weekdays and your weekend consists of running all sorts of errands and catching up with your girl friends, then you're probably one of those women who have no time to clean and organize the house. When you're always on the go, you tend to neglect your house and the last thing that you probably want to do is to clean it after a long and tiring work day. Fortunately, there are ways that you can do to save time while cleaning your house. Let me share to you some of them.

1. Clean As You Go.

You don't really have to allot one full day of cleaning and organizing to keep your house in good shape. The mere habit of putting things where they belong instead of leaving them somewhere random can help prevent clutter from accumulating. Cleaning small messes is the still the best. You should not let your mess build up or else it will be more time consuming to clean up.

2. Schedule Your Cleaning.

There are several house chores that only need to be done only once or twice a week, while there are some that only need to be done once a month or even once a year. For example, bathroom cleaning can be done twice a week, tops, while cleaning the refrigerator and pantry can be done perhaps once a month. It's very important to schedule these tasks so things don't get out of control.

3. Get Your Kids Involved.

As soon as your children are big enough, they should be given chores that they should do everyday. You can start by making them make their own bed or clean their own room. It can be simple as that, or you can assign them to do other household tasks such as taking out the trash, cleaning the dishes or sweeping the floor. But most importantly, you should be able to instill the value of neatness to your children. Teach them to put their things in their rightful place and soon enough you'll see less clutter in your home.

4. Purge Weekly.

One of the main causes of clutter in many homes is having too much stuff around the house. It's hard to determine what's trash and what's not if you have so many piles of stuff in almost every corner in your home. Purging stuff is an important step in cleaning your home so it's good to set aside perhaps two days every month to go over your things and throw stuff that you don't need. You'll definitely be amazed at how much cleaner and neater your home will be after getting rid of things that you don't need and use.

DIY Resources:

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

How to Clean a Washing Machine

Like any other appliance or equipment which is regularly used, a washing machine also requires periodical cleaning to remove all the dirt and grime accumulated in it. It is a prerequisite for the efficient functioning of the machine and also for its durability. But many of the users are not aware of the importance of the internal cleaning.

Internal cleanliness of a washing machine is very important. The clothes washed in an untidy machine will cause health problems to the users. Impurities in the water and the chemicals present in the detergents create thick deposits in the interior portions of the machine. In the long run they will make adverse impacts on the texture of the clothes. Regular and systematic cleaning will help to sustain, if not improve the efficiency of the washing machine.

The easiest way to clean a washing machine is to allow hot water mixed with a bleaching substance to flow through the system. Allow the mix to circulate in the machine for about thirty minutes. This can be done at least once in a month. All the dirt and grime will be removed by this process. Another method is to use white vinegar with water to clean stubborn deposits. Some washing machines are provided with filter, which should be taken out to clean. Suspended impurities in the water will be collected in the filter and block the free flow of water. The white vinegar is a good antidote against soap residues or grimes.

Soap with sponge or mild scrub can be used for cleaning interiors. If thick crust is formed in the interior parts, lemon juice is an effective cleaner. If the fabric softener is in a very bad condition, it should be cleaned with hot water and detergent. The bleach dispenser and wash tubs are also to be cleaned thoroughly. There are other areas and parts deep inside the machine which are not easily visible and there is possibility of omitting them during the cleaning or servicing. As such special attention should be taken to locate and clean areas where dirt and grime tend to accumulate.

A very common problem is the bad odour emitting from the machine if it is not cleaned periodically. If the bad odour persists even after cleaning, use perfumed detergent for washing. But care should be taken not to use synthetic laundry detergents. A phosphate free detergent is ideal for washing machines.

After thoroughly cleaning the machine interiors, the exterior can be wiped with a soft clothe dipped in vinegar. If necessary, polish the surfaces to regain its glow. During the process of cleaning the interior parts of the machine, it is better to check the hoses. There are chances of leaks developing in the hoses in the course of time. If necessary, replace the hoses. Cleaning washing machines is a time consuming process. It is a sensible proposition that the preventive maintenance can also be done during this time. While dismantling some parts for cleaning, minor defects may be noticed. Such defects even though minor in nature may develop and cause breakdowns, if left unattended. The user can contact the manufacturer to avail the services of their authorized mechanics.

DIY Resources:

Build Your Own Bird Feeder!

Spring is on its way and all our backyard birds are hungry. With daffodils blooming and crocuses beginning to pop their heads out of the soil, we tend to forget that food sources of seeds from autumn plants have long been blown away by winter winds and new growth hasn't yet begun.

There's about 2 acres of wooded land adjacent to my property for the birds, raccoons, possums and the occasional coyote. This area has been left in its natural state, free from lawn mowers, chain saws and weed eaters. It's pretty much as God designed it.

We only have three bird feeders in the woods and two next to the house, but that is enough to keep us on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to keep wild bird food in our five home made bird feeders full is not an easy job. It seems as if it is the goal of every bird to do its part to empty the entire feeding station of all of its contents.

I once thought birds really cared about the appearance of their cafeterias, but I've learned that it doesn't make much difference whether it is made of plastic, wood, or aluminium.

If you want to feed finches though, you need a tubular Finch feeder because it is designed to hold and distribute those tiny thistle seeds. Almost any other feeder can be made of wood.

When I first had the idea to get something to feed birds, I went to my local bird store to buy a couple of bird feeders. I changed my mind when I saw the prices of the simplest they had to offer. I decided to build my own.

I went to my computer and found pictures of birds happily pecking at bird seed on a very plain looking rectangular piece of wood, with a two inch wall around it to keep all the food from falling to the ground.

The drawback to the platform type of feeder of course, is that the feed is exposed to the weather. Put a wall on each end and a roof over the container and you have a hopper type feeder. Searching on the internet I found blueprints to build one of these, but after reading 5 pages of detailed drawings, I built my own wild bird feeder without even printing the directions.

This type of feeding station wasn't a good idea because the seeds strewn by the birds and fell to the ground made the perfect set up for predators, like my cat Spike. He waited behind a bush and pounced on the ground feeding birds when they flew in to gobble up the treasure that had fallen from the sky.

Now that he's older, he just sits on a step from the deck and watches the birds, no doubt remembering the days of his youth back when they were afraid of him. Now they just go about their business of eating the bounty on the ground without worrying about the threat of annihilation from an old yellow cat.

I went back to the computer and came up with a plan to build a bird feeder with a roof that wasn't complicated. There is never a shortage of building materials because someone in the neighbourhood is always tossing something away. I just drive around searching for old fencing left for the trash man. For one feeder it doesn't take a lot of wood or other materials. As for design, there are many free blueprints and instructions on line.

It's all worth it when I'm looking through my kitchen window at Cardinals, Chickadees, Titmice, Wrens and numerous other colorful and cheery friends I welcome on a daily basis.

DIY Resources:

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

How to Remove Urine Smell From Your Carpets

Does your dog (or cat) often pee on your carpet? If so, you may need to remove pet urine odour from your carpets. Doing this is easy but you have to act right away. Dry dog urine will stain your carpet and provide a favourable environment for bacteria to grow faster. Given below are three easy methods to rid your carpets of pet urine odour with ease. Read on.

Club Soda Method

Sprinkle some club soda on dog urine area. Now, dab the area with a sponge where the club soda was poured. Make sure to dab the area rather than rub the area since rubbing will cause the urine to go deeper in the carpet.

To extract moisture from the carpets, you should use a paper towel for dabbing the area.

Get a quality air freshener; now, start spraying the area with it. That is it.

Vinegar and Baking Soda Method

Get a solution ready by using equal quantity of white vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural cleaner and works well when it comes to treating the urine's ammoniac smell.

Spray or pour the solution on the target area. Now, wait for at least 15 minutes to allow the vinegar solution to soak.

Use a paper towel or sponge for dabbing up the solution. Now, hang on for a couple of minutes to let it dry.

Once the solution is dry, you should sprinkle the area with a small amount f baking soda. Baking soda is a great solution when it comes to absorbing odour. Let it stay put for around 15 minutes.

Remove the baking soda by vacuuming after 15 minutes. This will remove the dog urine completely. That is it.

Peroxide and Detergent Method

Cover the stained area up with a solution of equal amount of water and vinegar.

Sprinkle some baking soda on the vinegar solution on the carpet. Baking soda is great when it comes to neutralizing pet urine odor.

Mix dish detergent and hydrogen peroxide to make a solution. Get ½ cup of peroxide and mingle it with a tbsp of dish detergent. Make sure to get a detergent that is colorless if you are using the solution on a light color carpet.

Pour or spray the solution on the baking soda. Now, make use of a soft brush in order to let it treat the urine in fibers of the carpet.

Now, let the stains dry out.

Get a vacuum cleaner and vacuum up the rest of the baking soda.

You can choose any of these three methods to rid your domestic carpets of urine smell.