Tag Archives: Clean

Clean Up To House Up: Your Credit History And You

July 07, 2024   Matt

Clean Up To House Up: Your Credit History And You

Blemishes and events we’d rather not remember have one thing in common: they can be wiped off. Whether the blemish is on your shirt, furniture, or credit history, it can be cleaned up. Clearly, a tarnished credit history should not prevent you from owning a house. Late payments, repossessions, write-offs, and bankruptcy are sure to leave stains in your credit history the size of a crater. The good news is that they can be cleaned. The bad news is that it cannot be done overnight. In fact, cleaning up your credit history would most likely take you a year at the very least.

You Can’t Clean House Without Cleaning Up Your Credit History
A home mortgage lender is a businessman who will not fork out any sum without the assurance of getting it back. This is why home mortgage lenders verify would-be homeowners’ credit history before granting them their loans. Credit history is as good an indicator as any of a borrower’s willingness to pay off debts on time. For the same reason, blemished credit history make home mortgage lenders nervous – and with good reason, too! Think about it. If you are a home mortgage lender, wouldn’t you quail in your shoes at the possibility of not getting repaid?

Spotting the Spots
While home mortgage lenders would rather have borrowers with pristine credit history, they don’t shut the doors on borrowers with smudges on their ratings. In fact, home mortgage lenders are very understanding when it comes to late payments and reporting errors. They are not as forgiving, however, of unpaid debts or loans that have been written off as bad debts by creditors.

So, what kind of spots do home mortgage lenders look for in your credit history? They’re on the look-out for old, outstanding debts and bad debts incurred anytime during the last 12 to 24 months.

Spots No Maid Can Clean
If your credit history is riddled with old, outstanding debts and recent debts, don’t call the maid or a credit repair company. Many credit repair companies promise you miracles. They swear they can clean up your credit record overnight. Always take claims like this with a grain of salt. The only person who can clean up your credit history is you. How do you go about this mission?

* Pay your current bills on time. Continue doing so because this will reflect favorably on your credit history.

* Avoid borrowing anything while you haven’t fully paid off your debts. Not only should you work at getting out of debt, you should also focus on staying out of it.

* If you have many loans to pay off, work out a schedule for eliminating as many of them as you can. Many home mortgage lenders do not grant loans to people who owe too much. As a rule of thumb, mortgage payments should not go over 36 to 38 percent of your monthly obligations, the amount of which is a combination of your credit card payments, child support, alimony, student loans, and the like.

Blemishes are seldom permanent. If anyone with a rag can wipe smudges off a coffee table, you can do the same, too, with your credit history.

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How To Clean Your Throw Rugs

February 23, 2023   Matt

How To Clean Your Throw Rugs

Throw rugs are a handy way to cover wear, spruce up a room, or add warmth and comfort to hardwood floors. They are affordable and easy to find and you can choose from all types of patterns, designs, colors, and materials. Here’s how to clean your throw rugs and keep them looking fresh and new.
Throw rugs are very easy to care for. They require no special treatment or attention, unless of course you’ve purchased wool rugs or the manufacturers instructions give you specific directions for cleaning.
1. Vacuum
The single easiest way to keep your rugs looking fresh and new and extend their life is to vacuum them on a regular basis. Vacuuming pulls dirt away so it cannot get pushed deep into the fiber and wear the rug.
2. Check Tag
Read the tag for any special washing instructions. If you find none you can assume that our instructions will work.
3. Pretreat
If your throw rug has any stains pretreat it with any of the laundry stain removers or pretreatments available. Apply as you would with any other item. Then let soak for a few hours so that it can penetrate deep into the fiber.
4. Wash
Toss it in the washing machine in cold water. Use a mild laundry detergent and be sure it does not have any bleaching agents. These could fade the color of your rug. Even the bleach free ones can be harsh on some fabrics and are not recommended for your throw rugs if you want to keep the new looking. If your rug is too large for your washer locate a laundry mat that has the commercial size washers then take it there to wash.
5. Hang to Dry
Never throw your throw rug in the dryer. Always hang to dry. Hanging over the shower door works great as any water left in the material will drip into the shower. You can also hang over any other style of door, or lay flat to dry. If you lay flat to dry be sure to flip and move regularly otherwise the water will be wicked into the surface and it will take forever to dry.
6. Brush
Not only do you have to brush your pets, now you have to brush your rugs. Once your throw rug is dry take a comb or brush and gently work it through the rug brushing against it’s natural grain so it becomes full again.
A quick search online will reveal there are thousands of throw rug choices out there. You can also buy throw rugs at local carpet dealers. Stores like Walmart or Target offer some great prices on these style of rugs so be sure to check them out too!
Throw rugs are the perfect way to add to your home decor. As you can see from how to clean your throw rugs process they are not difficult to maintain. There also great because normally they are of a small to medium size so you can mix it up every now and then and rearrange them in your home.

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Plumbing Tips, Tricks, And Techniques To Keep Your Pipes Clean (2)

January 16, 2022   Matt

Plumbing Tips, Tricks, And Techniques To Keep Your Pipes Clean

If plumbing is something that you find difficult or intimidating, you are not alone. Many people can’t solve their own plumbing problems, which means that plumbers can charge a lot of money for even simple and quick repairs. Don’t let this happen to you, read on to learn how to solve your own plumbing problems!

It’s important to remove any burrs you create when cutting pipes so that they will fit into their joints cleanly and tightly. You can use a plumber’s cloth on copper or a primer on plastic. Make sure to clean any pipe which is dirty or feels greasy before you apply a primer to it.

If you are the kind of person who likes to listen to music when you work, then you should be sure to avoid using headphones. A radio is a much smarter choice, as it will allow you to hear the music you want, without distracting you from hearing important sounds.

Avoid plumbing problems! Do not stop up the toilet! Some common items that will stop up a toilet include: toys, hair, paper towels, birth control items, and feminine personal products. Do not flush these items down your toilet – unless the instructions say otherwise! These can stop up your toilet – to the point that nothing else will work – except calling a plumber!

Make sure to never leave any flammable liquids near your water heater. Certain liquids like gasoline, solvents, or adhesives are flammable, and if left too close to the water heater, can ignite. If you have to have these liquids in your basement, place it far away from your water heater.

Sometimes you have to make the choice between replacing or repairing. If you have an old appliance, that uses a lot of water or electricity, it may be best to replace. Sure, it will cost more initially, but it will save you money in the long run. The other thing is, you can’t be sure how well a repair will work out, whereas with a new appliance you’ll at least get a guarantee.

To compare the quality of your pipes or sewers over time, create a video for documentation purposes. Several months later, make the same video so that you can see if there are any new cracks or holes that require fixing. This can serve as a great way to analyze your infrastructure.

If you have bad water pressure in the shower, the showerhead might be clogged. Take a plastic baggie, fill it with regular vinegar, and tie it to the showerhead so that the showerhead is covered. Leave it overnight. In the morning, take the baggie off and use a small toothbrush to scrub away any mineral deposits.

As you can see, many plumbing problems are very easy to solve on your own if you have the proper knowledge. Don’t let a professional plumbing service charge you a hand full for something that you can do on your own! Try the tips in this article next time and see the money you save!

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Hand Held Vacuum Cleaners Don’t Clean Home Without It!

November 30, 2021   Matt

Hand Held Vacuum Cleaners Don’t Clean Home Without It!

Do you have one special tool around the house that you simply couldn’t live without? A gadget or gizmo that makes your life a whole lot easier simply because it exists. Most people have one little thing they simply cope without when it comes to keeping house, and for many, the portable practicality of a hand held vacuum cleaner makes this the tool that trumps the lot.

Regardless of your home environment, a hand held vacuum cleaner can make your life a whole lot easier. Whether you’re in a tiny apartment or vast mansion, these little cleaners are the ideal way to cope with those unexpected spills without having to drag the full-grown vacuum from out of storage. For anyone with messy kids or a crumb-creating spouse, a hand held vacuum can help you stay clean and tidy without losing your sanity.

Because the truth is that very few of us do housework for the sake of it. Perhaps there are a few dedicated souls who enjoy all the stretching and bending and lifting the whole process involves, but for the rest of us, it is the result that counts. A tidy home is nice, it is relaxing, and nothing is more frustrating than achieving one only to see your hard work shattered by the falling of crumbs on your newly vacuumed floor.

A hand held vacuum allows you to enjoy the same results without any of the hard work. Those of us who find peace in an organized home usually hide the tools we use to create it out of sight, and so dragging out that vacuum cleaner can be a chore all of its own. But for small spills and messes, a pint-sized cleaner can help you retain your sense of peace, because it helps you realize that the small stuff, well, really is just small stuff.

The tools we use to perform our household tasks should be things we love to use; this is the best way to ensure that housework actually gets done! A small and portable cleaning device is the ultimate in user-friendly cleaning equipment, cleaning up small messes before they loom large. You don’t have to work all the time to achieve the tidy home you want, you simply need the right tools to help you work quickly and easily. Pick up a hand held vacuum cleaner, and see how something so small can make a big difference.

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Plumbing Tips, Tricks, And Techniques To Keep Your Pipes Clean (4)

October 03, 2021   Matt

Plumbing Tips, Tricks, And Techniques To Keep Your Pipes Clean

Look no further than this article for the greatest plumbing advice that you will ever find. You are concerned about either current issues that you are having or things that might occur in the future. Read the advice carefully in this article and you will be more than satisfied.

You don’t need to add anything to a correctly installed septic system to ensure it’s working properly! In fact, chemicals being dumped down the drain can cause more problems by killing off the good bacteria needed to digest the waste. The best treatment for your system is to have it pumped at regular intervals.

When you’re going away on a vacation, you should consider shutting off the water supply to your home. This can help stop many problems before they start. If you don’t do this, you should have someone stop by your house regularly to check that nothing has gone wrong and that your home isn’t flooded.

Periodically, make sure that the sump pump in your house is working to full capacity. Pour a few gallons of water into the sump pit, and your pump should drain that water out with minimal issues. Checking that your devices are working throughout the year can pay large dividends in the event of a crisis.

To keep the pipes in your kitchen in tip-top shape, avoid pouring fats or cooking oils down the drain. These liquid fats solidify in the pipes and create clogs. As an added protection, wipe congealed grease from pots to further avoid creating clogged drains. By following these tips, you can help avoid a plumbing disaster.

To be successful in any plumbing project, make sure you turn the water off before you start unscrewing pipes. This tip might actually sound insulting, but you are probably getting caught up in having the right tools and parts and being dressed right. Double check that there is not a splash waiting for you. Then triple and quadruple check.

Rigid copper is used for main water lines in many homes. You cannot bend rigid copper, so joints and tees must be soldered on. When soldering, always apply flux (also called soldering paste) to both surfaces. Flux retards oxidation when the copper is heated. Always use lead-free or nearly lead-free solder when sweating a copper joint.

If water is flooding your home, immediately switch off the main electrical power. If water comes into contact with any electrical components, it can become a fatal situation. Once the power is off, then deal with the flood water. Put your own and your family’s personal safety first, and show each member of the family how to shut off the power.

Certain things shouldn’t go into your plumbing system. By knowing what you can and cannot flush or throw into the garbage disposal and sink, you can save yourself from a costly repair or disaster. A plumber can usually get your plumbing back into working condition, but can be avoided if you know how to dispose of items correctly.

In conclusion, there is a lot to know about plumbing and not all of the advice available is useful. Ideally, this article either provided you with new knowledge or it allowed you to solidify current knowledge. Use this great information today and you will be set up for success with any plumbing project.

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Tips on How to Clean Vinyl Siding Without Really Maintaining It

October 01, 2021   Matt

Tips on How to Clean Vinyl Siding Without Really Maintaining It

Yes, we know that vinyl siding is the most durable and may be the most lasting siding material next to brick and stone. But don’t treat it like Iron Man, because it isn’t. It is somewhat brittle and heavy objects unceremoniously propped onto its side will cause it to break and sport holes that will only be repaired by replacing, at worst, the entire area.

Aside from that, vinyl siding is very maintenance free. You’d only have to periodically wash its surface to remove dirt, dust, and stain that may have gotten on its surface. And just like any plastic, it can be cleaned with a regular soap and brush. Vinyl is also remarkably durable; it only needs to be replaced every 30 years minimum. It outlasts aluminum for that span of time; it is highly probable that aluminum by then will be sporting dents, holes and depressions here and there. Barring coloring problems, vinyl can withstand easily any force.

However, there’s always a set of commandments that should be followed to ensure that these vinyl sidings last that amount of time. Here’s a countdown.

* Vinyl is a hard plastic that can be brittle. Avoid plunking heavy objects onto its face. If necessary, prop it with care.

* Earlier models are poorly rated for colors that cover the surface. This is evident when scratches upon the face reveal lighter colors. In today’s manufacturing, however, colors are baked into the depth of the vinyl siding. When scratched, those lines will often be invisible since colors are now true and uniformly the same underneath. Still, it is best to avoid scratching the siding even if only to retain is natural glossing.

* Since its construction only involves in snapping the edges together, vinyl sidings tend to leak a lot. So, check periodically channels and punch holes into bottom siding to allow penetrated water to escape.

So, the next question would be how to clean vinyl siding. As was discussed, soap and water can do the job. Even casual rinsing with a moderately powered hose will be enough as long as you take care that water won’t be entering forcibly through the gaps.

There will be time when stains appear and conventional detergent can’t remove them. So, how to clean vinyl sidings with this kind of dirt is our next point of interest.

Using Restora® Heavy Duty Cleaner available at www.flood.com is an immediate answer. This cleaning agent removes deep stains such as mildew, oxidation, chalk, and even algae stains. You ca use it in junction with the Restora® Lo-Lustre Vinyl Revitalizer. This product restores vinyl surfaces to a “brand new” surface and shine.

Be very careful though, on using strong cleaning agents. Some agents will completely remove coloring of vinyl or severely damage it.

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