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One of the most important things to consider when buying upholstered furniture and home furnishings is its maintenance. A beautiful and expensive upholstered furniture can easily look old and dirty without proper cleaning and without proper maintenance. Dust, direct light and sunshine, constant wear and tear, not to mention kids activities such as drawing crayons on the living room’s upholstered sofa and on your expensive coffee tables are just some of the most common factors that hastens the aging of your upholstered furniture. Furniture should be cleaned and maintained not only for it to look its best but also to preserve it and make it last longer, allowing the homeowner to save on more furniture expenses.

Furniture maintenance and furniture cleaning is important. However, not every housewife know just how to go about it. And if they did, they sometimes don’t know just what materials to use in cleaning their furniture.

Here are, therefore, some tips on cleaning and maintaining the new, expensive and luxurious looks of your upholstered furniture that your home simply deserves and on maintaining your furniture’s functionality for a longer period.

Upholstered Furniture

When kids and guests spill wine or colored drinks on your sofa and upholstered furniture, it is always best to clean it right away. The longer the stain soaks into the material such as cloth or leather, the harder it is for you to remove it. If there are dirt, lightly brush the dirt first before using clean, cold water with white tissue paper to blot the liquid spill. It is not advisable to rub or scrub the stain with a brush as this will definitely cause damage the leather or the fibers of your furniture. Regular vacuuming in light mode is also recommended to maintain your furniture.

When the need calls for chemical solutions as means of cleaning your furniture, always use the lightest and weakest solution first on a small and hidden part of the furniture. This way, you will be able to observe the chemical solution’s effect on your furniture: if it has cleaned it or damaged the fibers or leather instead. A 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution is one of the most common treatment used on stained leather furniture. 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is used as a cleaner by dabbing it on the stained area. Afterwards, when the stain has disappeared, it may be dabbed with clean, cold water, using white tissue.

When it comes to the furniture in your home, the line “prevention is better than cure” is sometimes impossible especially with rowdy kids and careless guests around. When it comes to furniture, sometimes it is better to know the stain cure when stain prevention is impossible.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.fashionandfurniture.com For more product links, product reviews, product information, furniture buying tips, articles, information and guide on furniture, please visit http://www.fashionandfurniture.com

[tags]furniture, furniture stains, upholstered furniture, cleaning furniture, furniture maintenance, clean[/tags]

Hiring a professional to replace your rollers could cost you around $100 not including the cost of the replacement parts. Below are detailed steps containing all the information you will need to know to replace your patio sliding glass door rollers yourself.

* Before you start, understand that you need to take the sliding glass door out of its frame to work on the rollers. The sliding glass door is heavy. You may need the assistance of another to help you remove the door.

1) Your patio glass door will have two separate glass units. One unit is the door that you slide and the other unit is stationary. First, stand outside your house and look at your sliding glass door. If the stationary unit is between you and the sliding unit you will most likely have to remove the stationary unit so that you can get to the glass sliding unit.

Before you go through the trouble of removing the stationary unit, first try to go inside your house and see if you can remove the sliding unit. Usually you cannot because there is a lip along the bottom of the patio glass door frame (it keeps moisture out of the house) that prevents the sliding glass door from being removed from the inside.

If the rollers on the bottom of the door are difficult to get over the lip, you can adjust them to help you create more room (go down to step 2). If it is not the rollers but the sliding unit’s frame preventing you from pulling the sliding unit out of the door frame, you are going to need to remove the stationary unit first before you can remove the sliding unit.

To remove the stationary unit, you first need to take out your screen door (if you have one). Lift one end of the screen door frame and use a screwdriver to lift the roller on the bottom of the screen door frame off of the track. Do this to both ends of the screen door and your screen door will pull out of the door frame.

The stationary unit is held in place by a metal piece that runs along the bottom of the track from the corner of the stationary unit to the bottom of the side jamb (there is a chance this piece is missing but if you do have one remove it from the track). After you have removed the metal piece, look for screws holding the stationary unit frame in place. After removing all of the screws try pulling the stationary unit out of the door frame. If you are having trouble pulling out the stationary unit, try placing a screwdriver between the stationary unit’s bottom frame and the track it is resting on. Lift up on the screwdriver while you have a helper pull out the stationary unit from the door frame. Be careful not to use too much force with the screwdriver so that you do not damage the door track.

2) You may need to create more room when you attempt to remove the sliding unit from the door frame. To create more room you can adjust the rollers on the bottom of the sliding unit. By turning the adjusting screws on the rollers clockwise the wheels move up into the sliding unit’s frame giving you more room. The adjusting screws are located either at the bottom of the sliding unit’s frame or in the sides of the frame. There is a chance that there are plugs covering the screws.

After you adjust both rollers (one on each side of the sliding unit’s frame) try to remove the sliding unit from the door frame. If the unit is still getting stuck you may need to get someone to help you. Have your helper lift one side of the unit and pull outwards while you try to pry the other side of the unit over the track.

3) To remove the rollers from most sliding unit’s you need to remove the bottom of the sliding unit’s frame. Most likely the screw that holds the roller in place is the same screw that holds the frame together. Remove the screw from both sides of the unit. Then try to remove the bottom piece of the frame off of the sliding unit; you may need to use a rubber mallet or a piece of wood and tap on the bottom of the frame until it comes off of the sliding unit.

Now that you have removed the bottom of the frame you can take a close look at your patio glass door rollers. Remove one of the rollers and match it up with one of the rollers on this page http://www.swisco.com/page/SI/CTGY/patio-glass-rollers-wheels-axles or bring the roller to your local hardware store.

It is a good idea to replace both sliding door rollers at the same time to prevent extra wear-and-tear to one new roller, which will have to work twice as hard when paired with an old roller.

4) After your new rollers come in, replace your old rollers with the new ones. To make it easier to install the sliding unit back into the door frame, adjust the rollers to be all the way up into the frame. Once you have the sliding unit back in the door frame you can adjust the rollers for optimal performance. Keep adjusting the rollers until the door is sliding back and forth easily.

I am part of the third generation of the family business. Our business Swisco supplies and manufactures replacement window and door parts. To be helpful to our customers we have to be very knowledgeable about the parts we sell and how they are installed. Visit our Web site at http://www.Swisco.com

[tags]patio, glass, sliding, door, rollers, screen, repair, fix, home, improvement, swisco, wheels, axles[/tags]

When you live in old house like I do, remodeling is always a challenge and a surprise. I am currently involved in a major kitchen remodel. Our kitchen like many kitchens, has seen better days. It was installed in the house was built back in 1945 and I’m sure it’s has served its previous owners well. However, modern kitchens are large and open. This kitchen, like most kitchens of its era, a small enclosed off. We decided to open the kitchen out by removing part of the wall, removing old tile from the walls, and updating the entire kitchen with new cabinets and appliances.

Our first surprise came when we moved the refrigerator from its current location.
The refrigerator sat up on a platform about 1 inch off the kitchen floor. We never
gave it much thought and assumed that it had always been like that. When I move
the refrigerator and lifted up the old flooring, I discovered why. Plumbing from the
sink did not go through the floor to join a drain pipe in the basement. It did,
however, run across the floor and under the refrigerator. This required some major
engineering to move the drain line for the new sink and dishwasher.

Surprise number two was the ceramic tile on the walls. The ceramic tile wound up
not being ceramic tile at all! It was tin tile that was glued to a masonite backing
board. The backing board was itself glued to the plaster walls and nailed every eight
to 10 inches. So while the tiles came down very easily using just a screwdriver,
getting they masonite backing board off the plaster was a nightmare. Not only were
the plaster walls full of holes from the nails, big globs of glue was smeared all over
the walls. At first I tried sanding. All that did was create a cloud of dust. After two
hours of creating dust clouds I had only managed in clearing off a 2′ x 2′ square
area. I talked to a number of contractors who only shook their heads and offered me
luck in removing the glue from the walls. Someone suggested I use glue remover
but I didn’t want the fumes in the house. Someone else suggested a strong scraper
but I wasn’t strong enough to remove this glue. Finally, someone suggested a heat
gun. I was skeptical. How would a little heat gun remove 60 years of hard and glue?
Much to my surprise, it worked! Now it didn’t work easily. It was still a lot of hard
work, but by working slowly, and steadily, I was able to remove all remnants of glue
in about four days.

I hope this tip and technique helps you if you ever encounter a similar situation. I
know what I first started removing the glue from the wall, I would get discouraged
thinking it would never end. However, by working slowly and steadily, I managed to
get a little bit done each and every hour. I took frequent breaks, and went outside
for a breather every couple of hours. It didn’t help that I was doing this in the
middle of summer when the temperature was in the 90s. However with
perseverance, this task can be finished easily. And if you do it yourself, you’ll save
all the money that you would pay contractor to do the exact same thing.

Dean Novosat is an avid do-it-yourselfer and remodeler. He writes for http://build-decks-patios.com, http://for-gadget-guys.com, and http://www.the-kitchen-designer.com

[tags]remodel,kitchen remodel, old house,removing tile,removing glue,construction,remdeling[/tags]

In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in the use of computers among children. As a direct result of this, manufacturers of computer furniture are now modifying their products to meet the demand for computer furniture that are suitable for young users. Apart form the main requirement that computer furniture for children should be lower in height, there are also a number of modifications that have been made to make ergonomically designed computer furniture that gives both comfort and convenience.

Some modifications

Some of the modifications that have been applied to computer furniture for children consist of modified designs that would make your child comfortable while using the computer. One of these modifications is that computer tables have been designed to keep the monitor at eye level, which greatly reduces neck and eye strain. Desks have also been designed to allow the mouse and the keyboard to be placed at the ideal height, which makes using them more comfortable. In addition to the design, modifications in color, shapes, and materials used were also made to make the furniture more appealing and easier to use.

Other modifications include providing wider spaces where your child can put his books, pencils, paper, and other items, which adds to the convenience of using the furniture. Some computer tables have also been designed to accommodate more than one child, which would make it possible for your children and their siblings or friends to experience using the computer at the same time. Lastly, one very important modification is that these tables have been designed to “grow” with your child as their height and other features can be adjusted as your child grows.

The need for ergonomically designed computer furniture now also extends to children as more and more kids are learning how to use computers. Given this, manufacturers have modified their designs to be able to cater to the special requirements that children have in using computers. These modifications have made it possible for your children to have a safe and convenient way of exploring the wonders of using a computer.

Computer Furniture provides detailed information on Computer Furniture, Home Computer Furniture, Office Computer Furniture, Kids Computer Furniture and more. Computer Furniture is affiliated with Patio Furniture.

[tags]Kids Computer Furniture[/tags]

Gazebos can be a vital solution for those who love nature and want to see its beauty in the open. Most people would like to sit outside of their home to enjoy nature. A gazebo will also make being outdoors more comfortable. It is just like adding another room to your house, and its structure offers a 360

When it comes to many home improvement projects a lot of people are fearful or apprehensive about doing them on their own just because they have never done it. When it comes to installing your own shutters this doesn’t need to be the case, installing your shutters isn’t a difficult process at all. The main thing to remember here is to work with shutters that are specifically built for each individual window opening in unison with the detailed instructions from the manufacturer.

The first thing you need to do is measure the window opening where you want to install the shutters. Depending on whether you will mount them on the inside or the outside this is where you will need to measure.

If you are going to mount them on the window jamb on the inside of the window opening, which is the preferred method, you will need to know the width and height across the inside of the window framing. The reason this is the preferred method is because it makes for a cleaner installation and doesn’t require additional hang strips or frame strips, you just have to be sure the window you are working with is square and has a solid window jamb to screw into.

Next you need to determine the depth of the window by measuring from the front plane of the window back to the nearest obstruction that will obstruct the louvers and keep them from rotating. If you prefer, the manufacturer you bought your shutters from can also tell you the window depth for the style you ordered. Sometimes the manufacturer may suggest an alternative installation method to use in case the window is out of square or if it has a drywall opening without a solid wood jamb using rear hanging strips concealed behind the shutter panels that will allow adjustment up, down, left, and right for easier alignment.

If you choose to mount outside of the frame you will attaching to the wall or existing trim just to the outside of the opening of the window. Usually the frame will surround the shutter panels on three or four sides, depending on whether or not a lower sill exists.

Hanging strips are used if you decide to install a cafe type shutter style, the hanging strips will be screwed directly to the wall or trim, and the hinge of the shutters attached to the frame or the hanging strips.

The old adage of measure twice cut once applies here too, also be sure to use a steel tape for the most accurate measurement possible.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Shutters Plus at http://www.shutters-plus.com.

[tags]shutters, home improvement[/tags]

Decorate any home, office, or outdoors with our exquisite topiary plants. Our plants are crafted with great work and contain great detail to replicate the natural plant. We have a wide selection of beautiful artificial topiary plants. Each is designed for a specific setting, or for a more general setting. We have a selection wide enough to satisfy your needs and demands. Use our topiary plants and trees to create wonderful gardens in your outdoors or breathe the outdoors into your home with well thought out decorating.

Our wide collection of topiary trees, topiary plants, and topiary flowers, will satisfy your desires for the perfectly decorated home or garden. Our plants range from the subtle hanging plant, which easily evokes old-world Europe, to the upright and lush artificial orchid plant which is perfect for the modern home or office. You’ll love our realistic artificial citrus fruit trees with realistic lemons, oranges and cherries. Place these around your garden and create yourself a wonderful Mediterranean orchard.

If you like staying original or conservative, then you’ll love our cone and ball shaped topiary plants. They resemble the most common and most loved topiaries. We have various sizes and shapes and colors, and even styles, to fit your decorations. Use them to bring a sense of royalty in your gardens. Did you know that a lot of topiary work was done for royal people and for the upper class centuries ago when it was recognized as an art? Bring the same sense of royalty and majestic atmosphere to your gardens, and even your interiors.

Don’t forget to look at our beautiful spiral topiaries. Our collections of Canary Ivy, Pond Cypress, Fiscus, Boxwood, Melon Seeds, and many more will be a delight to look at in your home or garden. Each is well designed and trimmed to show forth its loveliness. Their luscious color will please your eye every time you look at them.

Visit us online at http://www.artificialplantsandtrees.com

[tags]silk topiary, topiary plants topiary trees, trees, topiary flowers, artificial, artificial topiary p[/tags]

If you would like to make your existing home more energy efficient and get some help paying for the improvements, you need to know about the Energy Tax Incentives Act of 2005. The new law provides a $500 lifetime credit against your federal income tax for the cost of certain energy-saving home improvements that you make to your home after December 31, 2005 and before January 1, 2008. Up to $200 of the tax credit may be applied to windows.

As you may know, a tax credit is far more favorable than a deduction of the same amount. Deductions only reduce the amount of income that is subject to tax. A tax credit, on the other hand, is a dollar for dollar reduction of the tax due when you file your income tax return. So, if you are in the 28% income tax bracket, the new $500 credit is equivalent to a tax deduction of nearly $1800!

Here are highlights of the new provisions:

There is an overall lifetime cap on the credit of $500, and a maximum of $200 of the credit may be applied to qualified window expenditures. Subject to those limitations, you may receive a credit for the sum of the following:

Building Envelope Components. Ten (10%) percent of your expenditures for so called “building envelope components” will qualify for the tax credit. Building envelope components include the following:

• any insulation material or system which is specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat loss or gain of a dwelling unit when installed in or on such dwelling unit,
• exterior windows (including skylights),
• exterior doors, and
• any metal roof installed on a dwelling unit, but only if such roof has appropriate pigmented coatings which are specifically and primarily designed to reduce the heat gain of such dwelling unit.

To qualify for the credit, the building envelope components must be installed in or on a dwelling unit (including a manufactured home) located in the United States that is owned by you and used by you as your principal residence. Installation of envelope components in a second or vacation home or rental property therefore will not qualify for the new tax break.

Only new components are eligible for the credit and the components must reasonably be expected to remain in use for at least 5 years.

Energy efficient property expenditures. Amounts paid for “residential energy property expenditures” will also qualify for the credit up to the following specific limits:

• Up to $50 for any advanced main air circulating fan;
• Up to $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane or oil furnace or hot water boiler;
• Up to $300 for any item of “energy-efficient building property.” This includes certain qualifying electrical heat water pumps, electric heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, central air conditioners and natural gas, propane or oil water heaters.

Expenditures for labor costs for onsite preparation, assembly or original installation may be included. Improvements must be installed in or in connection with a dwelling unit located in the United States that is owned by you and used by you as your principal residence.

There are energy efficiency standards described in the new law that your home improvements must meet, so some investigation on your part will be necessary to be sure that the improvements will qualify for the credit. For this reason, if you hire a third party to do the work, your written agreement with the contractor should include the contractor’s guaranty that the installed property will meet the energy efficiency standards of the new law.

There is one potential trade-off, if you use the credit. Many improvements to your home will increase your “tax basis” in the property, and this increased tax basis may, in turn, reduce the amount of capital gain that is realized if you sell your home at a profit. The increase in tax basis that would otherwise result from energy efficient improvements that qualify for the credit will be reduced by the amount of the allowed credit. Since the tax credit decreases your tax basis, you are likely to have more capital gain at the time of sale. This will not affect you if all of the capital gain realized at the time of sale is protected by the $250,000 exclusion ($500,000 for married couples) for gains realized on the sale of your principal residence. But even if there is an increase in the taxable capital gain realized when you sell your home, it will almost certainly be outweighed by the advantage of using the new income tax credit currently.

Like so much of the Internal Revenue Code, the new provisions encouraging energy efficient home improvements seem unnecessarily complicated, but we have to consider the source - Congress! However, a bit of patience and careful planning will bring you some very real tax savings and help the environment to boot!

John Pollock is an attorney practising in Detroit, Michigan and the webmaster of http://www.forms-free-4-all.com

[tags]energy tax incentives act,, energy saving home improvement, tax credit, residential energy property[/tags]

New couch covers can work wonders at giving tired looking furniture a much-needed new look, for not much effort or expense. If the upholstery on your couch is looking worn or outdated, then fitting a sofa slipcover over the top can instantly give it a fresh lease of life. Couch slipcovers are designed to be really easy to stretch into place for a snug-fitting appearance, and most can be machine-washed, which means there’s no need to stress about pets or children getting dirty marks on your favorite sofa!

Couch covers are not just incredibly simple to change, they are affordable too, so if you’re looking to give your room a makeover without blowing your budget on new furniture, fitted slipcovers could be the solution! Many people like to buy more than one set of slipcovers, so they can change the image of their room to suit the occasion or to match the seasons. Furniture covers come in a huge variety of colors and patterns, from classic floral designs to bright and bold modern prints, so there’s something to complement all kinds of d

Spa treatments in your own home? Sounds to good to be true?
In everyday life we are all continually faced with stress, aches, pains or just plain fatigue. In response to this modern day problem, , the largest product distributor in the United States, is pleased to offer the greatest collection of computerized multi-functioning luxurious and , all in one unit for your . These ergonomically designed, user friendly, attractive, efficient, and affordable, bathing systems are the answer to today’s overstressed and limited personal time world. For years people all over the world have benefited from the invigorating effects of steam, and the therapeutic effects of massage. Today’s are more than just about bathing and showering. It’s all about escaping from the daily grind, relaxation, tranquility, quiet time and pampering oneself.

The products that Acquinox offers, makes it possible for even the smallest bathroom to have a place for rejuvenation and relaxation. These free standing, plug in, self contained units which can be placed anywhere in the home, backyard, office of even your boat, can be installed in place of your existing tubs and showers without the added expense of remodeling the entire bathroom. What makes these units so unique is that your bathroom will transform into a in a matter of hours.

The Product

Made out of the best acrylic the industry offers, reinforced with hand laid fiberglass for stiffness and durability, incorporating all metal framing and tempered glass, in an exquisite Italian design, placing great attention to ergonomics and details, these units offer not only style but so many features such as whirlpool massage, acupressure body massage jets, , height adjustable hand held showers, all controlled by a state of the art computerized digital panel, that also incorporates an FM radio with station memory, hands free telephones with programmable numbers, LCD TV’s, and a home stereo hook up port. All units are supported by tubular steel undercarriage with leveling feet for ease of installation right over your finish floor. Being of a modular design they are easy to transport, fit through just about any door and can be installed in any location that could provide a drain, hot and cold water and 110V, 20 amp dedicated circuit. Once installed these units offer the luxury of very low maintenance having an Ozone disinfectant system that keeps the unit odors free by eliminating the mold and bacteria that usually thrive in a wet and warm environments. Occasional cleaning with mild detergent is all that is needed to keep these units sparkling. The upscale look and the escape to another world in your own home, is just one of the benefits Acquinox offers with these . is just one more feature that these units offer. By adding a few drops of essential oils to the steam outlet, you can turn your steam bath into a holistic and therapeutic oasis that will leave you invigorated and stress free. Many of Acquinox units also offer , which although ancient in use, as a therapeutic practice, has seen a renewed interest in modern day upscale day spas. By selecting one of the seven color spectrum lights within the unit, you can benefit from mood uplifting, relaxation, stress reduction, and a number of other overall health improvements possible by consulting the chart provided with each unit. These affordable units come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate just about any size requirements.

Product#: (59.04 x 59.04 x 84.84 in)

(1500×1500x2150 mm)

This beautifully designed unit can be installed in a corner of your bathroom. The 6 back massage jets with seating for 1, height adjustable hand shower with different massage settings, thermostatic mixer, for continuous water temperature, steam generator for invigorating steam, LCD TV, FM radio, CD player hook up, Hands free telephone, Speaker, fresh air circulating Fan, Blue LED background lighting, Foot massager, Ozone sanitizing system, to keep unit free of mold and bacteria, Control panel, both internal and external, for one touch programmable features, fog free Mirror and accessory Shelves are all integrated into the back panels of this elegant unit. The shower enclosure which rests on top of a whirlpool massage tub, is spacious and cozy, while the curved contours of the tempered glass doors comfortably leaves room for you to move around. The invigorating rain fall top shower and circular accent light gently trickles over your body leaving you refreshed. The 2 person whirlpool massage tub has been designed to offer a vigorous body massage that can be enjoyed while listening to music or watching your favorite show on the LCD TV. The anti-slip accent marble step makes it comfortable when entering and exiting this home spa. Escape to your own oasis and enjoy an Acquinox experience.

For more information please visit our website http://www.Acquinox.com or call Acquinox at 866-407-7400.

[tags]steam showers, massage tubs, shower enclosures, bathroom home improvement, panels, sinks, saunas[/tags]