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Archive for November, 2011

The kitchen cabinets are located in one of the most dirt prone areas of the home, the kitchen. Grease, food spills and splattered food result from cooking. In addition, dirty or sticky hands from both children and adults can be disastrous for your cabinetry.

Choosing Cleaning Products

Regular cleaning can help reduce the build up on cabinets and makes it easier to remove. The cleaning method you will use depends on the materials in your kitchen doors. Painted surfaces, vinyl or metal can be cleaned with detergent and warm water. Be sure to rinse well with plain water and dry with a lint free cloth.

All purpose cleaners can generally be used on these surfaces. Read the label carefully before using any product on your cabinetry. Information is included for consumers regarding surfaces where a cleaner is safe and those it can damage. To be sure, always test the cleaner on an inconspicuous area before using on the entire cabinet. Rinse and dry to remove any residue.

Sensitivity to chemicals and concern for the environment has some people concerned about using household chemicals. There are environmentally friendly alternatives right in your own kitchen. White vinegar or lemon juice can be mixed with water to clean grease from cabinets. Baking soda or club soda can be used to remove staining. Rinse with water and dry with a lint free cloth after cleaning.

Cleaning Wood Kitchen Cabinets

Spray cleaners that are made for wood furniture can be used on cabinets. Check to be sure the product you purchase is safe for your finish. Follow the directions carefully when using any cleaning product. It’s always a good idea to test a spot before using the cleaner, even if the can states that it’s good for your finish.

Some wood cleaners are flammable. This information will be included on the warning label. Don’t smoke cigarettes when using these products. Keep them away from flame or other heat sources. Pay special attention to this warning if you have a gas stove or other appliance with a pilot light. A spark could be ignited, causing a fire in the kitchen.

Cleaning wood cabinets can sometimes dull the finish. If this happens, you can restore the shine with furniture polish. Furniture wax can also be used to fix a dull finish. Some of these products will require buffing. It’s a good idea to polish wood cabinets regularly to preserve the wood and keep the shine.

Cleaning Hardware on Kitchen Cabinets

The hardware on your cabinets can get the same build up of grease and grime from foods. Remove the hardware before cleaning the cabinets. Clean the cabinets and then clean the hardware. When both have been cleaned, replace the handles on the cabinets and drawers. This will give your whole kitchen a lift.

The cleaner you should use for your hardware depends on the material. Cleaners and polishes are commercially available for every type of metal. Be sure the one you choose is suitable for your hardware. Using the wrong cleaner could damage the handles and cost you money in replacing them. Follow the directions on the label for cleaning.

One of the best ways to increase the value of your home is to improve the bathrooms. Here’s a primer on things to consider.

-Sinks

Villeroy and Boch makes a sink that mimics a boulder worn into a bowl by water flowing into it. It can be quite handsome in a minimalist home or a rustic one.

Concrete Jungle makes some dramatically simple concrete sinks and vanities that surprisingly look very modern, or very farm-house.

Walker Zanger’s designs include a perfectly simple sink in white marble for a dressier look. They also have a sturdy dark wooden “table” base that gives it dramatic contrast.

-Showers

A shower separate from the tub is one of today’s favorite luxuries. Some of them have been designed to feel like rain (at least part of the time).

Large frameless (or nearly frameless) glass shower enclosures are showing up in more and more homes. MAAX makes a line of showers with features like overhead “waterfall” systems, hand held shower heads, and body sprays coming from the side that work well in a frameless enclosure.

I helped a family sell a home with a very interesting master bath not too long ago. It had a shower much like the one described above, but it was designed for two people. It looked like a glass room “floating” inside the large bathroom.

-Tubs

As for tubs. Well. Would you believe a tub in an arched tile niche with a gas log fireplace at its foot? Believe it. Can you imagine a nice long soak while listening to flute music and sipping chilled champagne?

Then there are the Acryline tubs which employ warm air hydro-massage to counter the effects of the daily rush-grab-dash of life. Explore their therapy theory.

You get the idea. Updated means simple. It does not mean blah. It does mean coddled. It can give you and your family pleasure and comfort while you live in your home. It can increase your home’s sale value. You’ll be tempted, but don’ overbuild your neighborhood with the Taj Mahal of bathrooms if you want to be pleased with the result when you sell.