Posts

How Removing Stains with Lemon Juice or Vinegar?

/in /by


Apply lemon juice or vinegar to any stained areas. These mild acids are especially effective at removing rust stains. If you use lemon, you can either squeeze the juice onto the stain or gently rub the stain with a lemon wedge. Alternatively, pour a little white vinegar on the stain.


Allow the cleanser to sit for a while. While lemon juice and vinegar are both fairly gentle, they should not be left sitting on your ceramic for too long. Allow the stained area to soak only as long as necessary, or you might risk etching the surface or your sink, which will make it harder to clean in the future.


Try wiping the stained area with a gentle sponge or cloth after half an hour or so to see if the stain is ready to come off. Wipe down the stained surface. Don’t use anything too abrasive. The soft side of a kitchen sponge or a washrag should work for this purpose. While it may be tempting to reach for a Magic Eraser, melamine sponges actually work like a very fine-grained sandpaper, and can scratch up your sink.


Rinse thoroughly. After using any kind of acidic cleanser on your sink, you should carefully rinse it away with water. Make sure there isn’t any residual lemon juice or vinegar sitting in your sink, gradually eating away at the ceramic.


Pull the end of the duct pipe through the hole until 3⁄4 inch (1.9 cm) extends beyond the edge of the roof or sidewall. Secure in place with sheet metal screws and seal around the edges with caulk. Secure the new vent cap over the end of the duct pipe. If the vent pipe is on the roof, replace any shingles that may have come loose.

How to Paint a Bathroom?

/in /by

If your bathroom is due for a makeover, breathe new life into it with a fresh paint job. Since bathroom paint has to handle lots of moisture, go with a durable, mildew-resistant product. Before you get to work, lay down drop cloths to keep paint off of the floor and fixtures. Then use a good angled brush to tackle the trim, and cover broader surfaces with a paint roller. With the right tools and a little effort, you can brighten up your bathroom in no time at all.

Use wood filler to repair any holes or nicks in the baseboard, chair rails, or trim around windows and doors. Allow the filler or drywall compound to dry for 6 to 24 hours (check the instructions for specific drying times). Then sand the surface with fine, 320-grit sandpaper until it’s smooth and level with the surrounding surface.

Place drop cloths on the floor and over bath fixtures. Tuck or tape the edges of the drop cloths against the baseboard to protect the floor. Canvas drop cloths are best for the floor, but you can tape sheets of plastic over the sink, tub, and other fixtures. Canvas is heavier and less slippery than plastic. It also absorbs paint, which makes it less likely that you’ll step in a spill and accidentally make tracks around your house.

Check your product’s instructions if you’re not sure about the recommended drying time. Apply a second coat for best results. Use the same techniques to apply the second coat of paint. Paint around the edges of a wall with a brush, then use a paint roller to finish the wall. Remember to paint 1 wall at a time to avoid painting over dried paint.

Wait 24 hours to replace wall hangings, curtains, and socket covers. After the paint has dried completely, cut along the edge of the taped trim with a utility knife, then pull back the tape. Fold up and store the drop cloths, remove the coverings from the bath fixtures, and replace any wall art, curtains, electrical covers, and towel racks. If necessary, replace the toilet and turn on the water supply. If you pull up the tape without cutting it, you might peel off dried paint from the wall that’s bonded with the tape.