When you refinished your bathtub, hopefully, you adopted the mindset that this will not last forever. When your bathtub was born, it began its life like a through-body porcelain tile: its composition and color ran all throughout the tub, top-down. If you had a foam-green tub and were to break it in half and see a cross-section, you would see foam-green color inside, not just on top. But then something happened....

Black Mold vs. Mildew When you see some type of mold, you need to determine if it is mildew or the much more dangerous black mold. Mildew is much more common and is a surface mold that grows in damp places. It begins as a gray or white powder and will turn black if not removed promptly. To test if the problem is mildew, dab the area with a cotton swab dipped in chlorine bleach....

Between these two extremes lies an ever-shifting sweet spot in pricing for which most homeowners aim. Buying tile online affords the opportunity to pick, choose, and weigh options with ease, without pressure from sales staff. Here are a few tricks to help you score that affordable tile online. Avoid Porcelain When Ceramic Will Work Porcelain and ceramic are close in composition, but are not exactly the same product. To earn the name “porcelain,” the tile must have a water absorption rate of 0....

Kitchen cabinets can represent a majority of the total kitchen remodel cost. When you add fixtures and accessories like slide-outs, organizers, and lazy susans, the price climbs even higher. So, paring down the cost of cabinets brings down the total project cost commensurately. One way to do this is to get creative. Buying, bartering, or otherwise obtaining used kitchen cabinets helps bring down the considerable cost of new kitchen cabinets....

Whether the sink is raw copper that will develop a natural patina, pre-treated copper with a developed patina, or shiny lacquered copper, the care is simple if you stay away from harmful cleaners. How Often to Clean a Copper Sink Just as any kitchen or bathroom sink that is used daily, a copper sink should be cleaned daily. If you live in an area with hard water, the minerals in the water will leave water spots on the surface of the sink....

If you’re going to keep a clean nursery, you’re going to need a plan. Wondering where to start? Banish germs and stay on top of nursery grime by following these seven simple steps. Create a Sanitation Station Keep nursery germs in check by storing sanitation supplies at an arm’s reach. Set up a tray near your changing table with antibacterial gel and paper towels. Cleaning your hands before you ever leave the changing table will protect your baby from germs and prevent you from contaminating other surfaces....

Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be challenging. Here are a few ideas, including basic feng shui rules, to kickstart your journey to a happier and more energizing home. Feng shui is not design or decorating; its principles and ideals can inspire you to decorate your space in a feng shui way to bring more balance to your life. So whether you’re new to feng shui room design or an expert, here are nine essential steps to create good feng shui to apply in every room of your home....

Hanging baskets also add privacy to your porch if they are strategically placed and planted with flowing type herbs. There are some tips to be certain your herb hanging baskets stay lovely all season long. Choose A Sturdy Container Hanging planters are heavy. Choose a vessel that will hold up to tremendous weight, constant moisture, winds, and movement. You will want to take the hanging basket down for maintenance, pruning, and health checks....

There are two types of manuals—operating and repair. Most retailers and manufacturers only include the operating manual with the sale of the appliance. If you are handy with tools, you can purchase the repair manual that will guide you through wiring and mechanical systems. It should also offer diagnostic symbols and tools to determine what is wrong with internal computers. To find the correct manual, you must know the manufacturer and model number of your washer or dryer....