Keep Your Fans Happy

No we're not talking about your youtube fans and blog followers, we talking floor fans. During these hot summer days, your fans are in overdrive. While they are circulating that beautiful and welcome cool air around you they are also picking up loads of dust. Take a look, if your fan has some serious grunge this quick task will keep your home cool and your air cleaner.

(Image: Totem Building Supplies)

Turn off and unplug your fan. Never try to clean your fan while it is connected to a power source or running.

Remove the fans front grill by unscrewing it wit ha screwdriver. If your grill is not attached with screws it may be attached with clips. If you are uncertain on how to remove the grill consult your owner's manual.

If your fan has a blade cap, located at the centre of the fan blade, unscrew the blade cap until it is loose and pull it off.

Slide your fan blade off of the back grill. If you are unsure of how this is done on your particular model, consult your owner's manual. Optional: Remove the back grill. Some fans have a back grill nut that needs to be removed first. Consult your owner's manual if needed.

There should now be three pieces for you to clean. A front grill, fan blades and back grill. If there is quite a bit of dust build up, wipe the blades with a cloth to remove any large, easily removed debris before you rinse with water.

Fill a bucket with warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid. Using a rag wipe down all three parts of your fan. Be sure to rinse your rag frequently to prevent spreading dirt around. Warning: Be sure not to get any mechanical parts, such as the motor wet, as they can be damaged by water.

Once all dirt and debris has been removed, dry each part with a clean, dry rag. Place parts on a towel to dry completely before you reassemble the fan.

How To Clean Your Garden Tools

When you think of maintaining your tools, your garden tools are probably not the first ones that come to mind. All tools, regardless of the job need a little maintenance to keep them working properly.

(Image: iStock)

Follow these steps to keep your tools in tip top shape, and prevent weeds and disease from spreading in your garden.

Remove Dirt: Wet soil can cause your tools to rust. Use a stiff bristle brush and water to clean your tools after every use. The brush will help remove any stubborn dirt from metal parts.

Dry your tools: Dry tools with a rag or let them air dry in the sun.

Remove rust: If you find rust spots, cover the area with a lubricating oil such as WD-40, and scrub it with a wire brush. Wear garden gloves to prevent rust from getting onto your skin to avoid irritation. If this method is not successful in removing the rust, use a paste of one part lemon juice and one part baking soda. Cover the rust spots with the paste and allow it ti sit for 10 minutes. The paste helps dissolve the rust, allowing you to easily wipe it away with a cloth.

Repair handles: Check wood handles for splinters, cracks and roughness. Smooth problem areas with a medium grit sandpaper or emery cloth. If the handles are extra rough try rubbing against the grain first.

Sharpen up: Sharpen dull blades on any tools used for cutting or digging. The more you use your tools, the duller they will become. Use a metal file to sharpen edges at a 45º angle. Making long, smooth strokes in one direction. 

Oil tools: Blot lubricating oil onto a clean rag and rub a light coat of oil onto the surfaces of your tools. This will prevent wood from absorbing water or cracking, and protect metal parts from corroding. Fiberglass or composite does not need to be treated with oil.

Store: Keep your tools in a warm, dry place to prevent further corrosion. Avoid storing tools on the ground.

Green Your Clean
5 Eco-Friendly Homemade Cleaning Products

There are many inexpensive, easy-to-use natural alternatives which can safely replace your commercial household cleaning products. Here is a list of common, environmentally safe products which can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household cleaning duties. We've also included some recipes for some greener cleaners to get you started.

• Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
• Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
• Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.
• Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
• White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
• Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use with care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
• Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant.
• Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.

Modern Kitchen design by Toronto Kitchen And Bath SVEA KITCHENS

Laundry Soap

Ingredients
Borax

Baking Soda

Pure Soap or Castile Soap

Essential Oil

Directions
Grate your bar of soap to make a ½ cup. Combine soap with 4 cups of baking soda and 10 cups of borax in a large bowl, whisk together until thoroughly combined. Add three tablespoons of essential oil and whisk again. Fill your jar with your new laundry detergent.

Use 2 tbsp for each load of laundry. Washes approximately 80 loads of laundry.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients
Citrus Peels, Herbs or Essential Oils
5% White Vinegar
Water 

Directions

If you are using citrus peels or herbs to make your cleaner scented, lightly pack a glass jar with your selected ingredient and fill remaining space with vinegar. Be sure not to fill it all the way to the brim, you want a little head space, at least a half inch. Let your vinegar mixture sit in a sunny spot for a week. After a week, strain your mixture and pour into a spray bottle and add equal part water.

Alternatively, you can pour your vinegar into your spray bottle, add a couple drops of essential oils and there you have it! Oils such as Tea Tree, Lavender, Pine and Lemon are the most common and have additional antibacterial properties.

Window Cleaner

Ingredients
Rubbing Alcohol
Vinegar
Corn Starch
Water

Directions
Combine 1/4 rubbing alcohol, 1/4 vinegar and 1 tbsp of corn starch with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.

Shower Cleaner

Ingredients
Dish Soap

Vinegar

Directions

Mix equal parts dish soap and vinegar. Spray down the shower and let sit for 2 hours, wipe down shower with a cloth and hot water.

Pet Odor Eliminator

Ingredients
Mouthwash
Water
Newspaper

Directions

In an empty spray bottle combine 2 parts water to 1 part mouth wash. Spray the mixture onto whatever upholstery is soiled. Lay newspaper over the sprayed area and let dry. The newspaper should absorb the smell completely. If not, repeat the process.

How To Maintain a Fence

A fence is more than just a marker for a property line.  A fence can keep people and pets in or out, provide security and increase value and curb appeal. No matter what type of fencing you have, maintaining it is always important.

Wood Fence

Contemporary Landscape design by San Diego Landscape Designer debora carl landscape design

Wood fences can be the most difficult to maintain but for many it is worth the added charm. Inspect your fence for any boards that are in need of repair. Repair could include repainting or replacing an entire panel. If your fence is stained you will need to restain every few years. Climate is a major factor for how often you will need to restain but the general rule is if water no longer beads of your fence when wet, it’s time.

Vinyl Fence

Traditional Exterior design by Chicago General Contractor Martin Bros. Contracting, Inc.

Vinyl fences are one of the easiest to maintain a quick spray with the hose and a scrub with a stiff bristle brush will generally clean off any grime. For tougher stains, a stiff bristled brush combined with a mix of dish soap and vinegar should easily remove any tough stains. Never use caustic chemicals such as bleach or ammonia to clean vinyl products. These chemicals can weaken vinyl’s bonds and combined with sunlight will cause it to become brittle and weak.

Chain Link, Steel, Aluminum and Other Metal Fences

Contemporary Landscape design by San Diego Landscape Designer debora carl landscape design

Generally for most metal and chain link fence a simple wash with a garden hose will do the trick in removing most dirt and debris.  A stiff bristled brush and a bucket of warm soapy water will easily remove any tougher, stuck on dirt. 


If rust is visible, apply a rust-inhibiting agent followed by primer then paint to match the existing colour. Heavily rusted sections, poles and hardware will need to be replaced accordingly.