One Stop Shop for Home & Garden Advice

Advice Genie

Clean Marble The Right Way

Posted by GuestPoster on July 29, 2010 in Flooring with No Comments


Cleaning marble may sound like a huge chore, but using the proper techniques and products is half the battle. Marble is a stone that is very beautiful but you need to be careful in choosing the proper cleaning products. Using the correct techniques are also important so that you do not cause damage to the stone. Keeping it up on a regular basis will also enable you to have an easier time when cleaning.

Before starting to clean your marble, you should get a few supplies which will aid and protect in your clean up. A sponge, soft cloth, and a chamois, as well as a nonabrasive cleaner such as hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. A marble polish will also come in handy.

You should thoroughly wipe down your marble with a sponge and warm water. If it is dull or has streaks, it may be due to soap residue. If so, rinse sponge in warm water, and rinse again. The marble should be dried, with a chamois if possible. Do not let the surface air dry.

Occasionally, the surface should be cleaned with a nonabrasive cleanser in order for dirt and stains to be removed easily. Once again rinse with warm water and sponge and then dry with a chamois.

Occasionally a marble polish should be used on the marble. This can be used to restore the luster. Make sure when purchasing this polish, that you follow all of the recommendations of the manufacturer and make sure you purchase what is safe for marble. In addition, you should ask your local hardware store for tips on how to clean marble surfaces to make sure you do not damage your marble surface.

Cleaning marble floors can be a bit tough but is possible. Once again, regular cleanings are recommended, which will make it easier in the long run. Grit and dirt can be highly abrasive to marble flooring, so it is best to have friends and family go shoeless as much as possible. Cleaning with a mop and hot water works well, with an occasional non abrasive cleanser. Rinse well and it is best if you dry the floor with a soft towel or cloth. Sealants and polishes are recommended on an occasional basis to seal the floor from spills and dirt. Polishes will add to the beauty of the marble by making it shine.

Overall, go easy on your marble surfaces with harsh cleaners. Cleaning your marble correctly will let your enjoy the beauty of your home for years to come!

The Pros and Cons of Cheap Laminate Flooring

Posted by GuestPoster on July 21, 2010 in Flooring with No Comments


Cheap laminate flooring is usually the first choice for people wanting to dabble in laminate wood floor installation. The fact they’re installing the laminate material by themselves means they want to save on costs so it would be only natural to select cheap laminate flooring. So what are the pros and cons of using this cheaper material?

Pros

1. It’s durable.

Laminate flooring is perfect for households and environments where the floor is going to take a bit of a battering. The material doesn’t break easily and this is perfect for certain rooms where there is a lot of wear and tear, for example, in a kid’s play room or in a kitchen where chairs and tables are moved over the surface regularly.

2. It is Easy to clean

Laminate floors have a smooth surface which makes them easy to clean. So not only are they durable but if they succumb to the spills and accidents of every day life then you can just get out the brush or mop and clean the surface in a matter of seconds.

3. Easy installation

This is why many people decide to install laminate flooring themselves to save on labor costs. Easy step by step guides can be found online or in books or even on the packaging itself and it can be done in a matter hours.

4. Doesn’t Stain Easily

The non-porous laminate surface makes sure that stains are rare and then even when you get a stain, it’s simple enough to wipe off.

5. Perfect for Moist Areas

The humid environment of bathrooms or toilets won’t damage the flooring like it would a carpet or real wood floor. So this makes laminate flooring the ideal choice for such rooms.

Cons

1. Too hard

Some people just prefer the soft and cozy feeling of a carpet rather than a laminate or wood flooring.

2. Cannot be Sanded

If the laminate flooring does take a nasty bit of damage on the rare occasion then it cannot be sanded down. It has to be totally replaced.

3. Slippery

It might be good for moist rooms but the flooring carries the danger of being slippery as the water gathers.

So overall the pros do outweigh the cons but it is worth considering all aspects because some of the cons might be more important to you than the pros.