Category: Home improvement

The garbage disposal is an incredibly helpful household appliance that most of all take advantage of.  It reduces the amount of food that you have to throw in your trash which helps cut down on how many trash bags you use and helps reduce odor for the trash can.  But, any garbage disposal that gets used with some regularity is bound to start to smell a little from time to time.  And once that garbage disposal starts to smell, you will notice it when you wash dishes and spend any amount of time in your kitchen.  If you do not do some work to clean your garbage disposal, that smell will stick around and keep bothering you.  Your garbage disposal may seem like a dark place where you cannot really see what is happening so how exactly will you clean it?  But, there are some very easy ways to clean your garbage disposal and keep those nasty odors away.

1. Prevention is Key

You can help avoid odor from accumulating in your garbage disposal by avoiding putting the wrong things down the drain.  Never put things that are not biodegradable down the drain and never put any liquid grease down the drain.  Liquid grease will cool and harden which will cause clogs.  Foods like bread or pasta will absorb water and expand, also causing clogs.

2. Use Cold Water

Turn on the cold water and the garbage disposal and let them run.  It is best to use cold water and let the water run for 30 seconds after you turn the disposal off.  Often, the odor comes from food particles that have been crushed up adhering to the walls of the garbage disposal and eventually starting to smell.  Many times, by running the water and garbage disposal for a minute or two you can get rid of that bad odor.

3. Use Citrus

The peelings from a lemon or orange work wonders when put down your garbage disposal.  The garbage disposal will grind up the peels and they will release their naturally wonderful smell while also helping to clean the blades.

4. Ice Cubes

Grind up some ice cubes in your garbage disposal.  The ice cubes will help remove built up food particles and will sharpen the blades as it grinds.  To give the ice a boost, pour some dish soap in while it is grinding and it will give it some extra cleaning power.

5. Vinegar & Baking Soda

If those pesky odors are still sticking around, some common household items will get that garbage disposal clean in no time.  Pour 1/2 cup – 1 cup of baking soda down the drain and then pour 1 cup of white vinegar down the drain.  Let it works its magic for about 30 minutes and then run  some water down the drain to clean everything out.  The baking soda and vinegar will loosen tough, dried on food and other debris and the water will rinse it all away.

6. Bleach

When all else fails, pour a mild bleach down the drain while cold water is running and the bleach will also help loosen food particles and clean the disposal and pipes.

Every homeowner has one, and for most homeowners, it is probably a mess – the junk drawer.  Everyone needs a place to keep all of their odds and ends – pens, paperclips, tape, matches, note pads, rubber bands, and who knows what else.  Every home is different and every junk drawer is different, making the task of organizing it all the more challenging for most people.  There is no “one size fits all” approach to organizing the junk drawer but, there are a wonderful selection of organizing supplies available for purchase at most stores and there are some basic tips every homeowner can use as a guideline for organizing their junk drawer.  By following these tips, the next time you need a rubber band or paperclip you will not need to waste time digging around and crossing your fingers that you will find what you need, you will know exactly where it is.

1. Start Fresh

You cannot properly organize your junk drawer without completely emptying it.  Take everything out and keep like-items together as you go.  This will make the process of putting everything back much easier.  With everything out of your drawer, wipe it out and start with a completely clean drawer.

2. Throw Things Out

For many people, throwing things out can be a challenge.  They wonder – “What if I will need this one day?”  Or they say, “What a waste to throw out this perfectly good Easter magnet from 5 years ago, maybe I will need to erase something!”  But, here is the rule of thumb – if you have not used it in 6 months to 1 year, throw it out or give it away.  If you have not used it recently, the likelihood of you ever using it is slim to none.  So, why keep storing things in your drawer and adding clutter that you will never use?  Make room for new things you will actually use.

3. Purchase Organizational Items

If you have a lot of small things to organize, you will probably want to purchase some drawer organizational items.  Before making any purchases, measure you drawer and get exact dimensions so that you can know what types of items you need and what will fit.

4. Organize Like-Items

If you have a lot of small office supplies like paper clips, push pins, rubber bands, erasers and more, keep them all near each other in the organizer.  If you have other things like batteries or small tools, keep them in a different section of the organizer.  Separate pens, pencils and markers and give them each their own section if possible.    Put tape in its own compartment and scissors in another.

5. Label It!

If certain compartments work really well for certain items, use a label maker or a sticker label and label the compartment.  That way, anyone who uses the drawer and takes something out will know exactly where to put it away when they are done.  It will help everyone keep the drawer organized.

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We have all been there, something breaks and needs repair or we want to do some home renovation and we wonder – should I try to do this myself or hire someone to do it? To DIY or not to DIY? When it comes to home repair and renovation, there are certainly many things can be done by someone who is fairly competent with tools and home projects. But, there are also many things that should not be attempted. When a do it yourself project or repair goes awry, you may end up creating an even more expensive problem than you began with. So, you have to sit down and really take a good look at your experience, ability and time to determine whether or not you are capable of DIY, or should bring in the professionals to get the job done. First, when considering whether or not to DIY a home repair or renovation, you need to determine whether or not you have time. The most handy person in the world may be very capable of handling a repair or renovation, but, do they actually have the time to do it? If you do not have the time to do it, do not even try to start the project on your own or you will end up with a frustrating, never ending nightmare trying to get the job accomplished. Next, you need to determine if you have the skills needed for the job. If you need to do some basic repairs in your home and have some home repair knowledge, the appropriate tools and feel capable of handling the job or following directions to complete the task, then you are probably quite capable and it is a great opportunity to save some money. But, if you do not have the skills needed for the job or it is outside of your comfort level, it is best to hire a professional. There are many things, such as plumbing or electrical repairs, that need someone experienced to handle the job not only to ensure it gets done correctly, but to ensure it is done safely. When these repairs are done wrong, you will be left with the same problem and possibly, even worse problems. Do not let the abundance of DIY television shows or online tutorials fool you though, not every project is simple and can be done in one day. Many tasks need special tools and require an immense amount of knowledge. It may be very popular to try to DIY everything these days but it is important to know yourself and your abilities. Lastly, it is important to consider the costs. Will you really be saving that much money by doing it yourself instead of hiring a professional? If the savings are minimal, it may be worth the extra money to know it is being done correctly and saving you the time, energy and stress of trying to do it yourself. When you evaluate all of these things, some smaller home repairs or renovations may be very manageable for you. But if something is not within your wheelhouse, it is probably best to hire a professional to get the job done.]]>

As the temperatures climb higher and higher, so do energy bills.  Nobody wants to waste money on energy bills, especially in a home that is not energy efficient. If you have been looking for some ways to make your home more energy efficient, there are actually quite a few. There are certainly a range of options to make your home more energy efficient, from large scale and expensive to small scale and very inexpensive.  Whatever your budget, you can take simple steps to make your home more energy efficient and save on energy bills each month. One of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is to install a programmable thermostat.  There is a programmable thermostat for any budget and they are all relatively easily to install.  If you do not feel up to installing it yourself, it is easy for a handyman to install it for you. SheKnows explains how to best utilize your programmable thermostat to reduce energy consumption, ” Purchase a programmable thermostat and set your temperature to go up while you are away or asleep during the summer and down while you are away or asleep during the winter. By simply setting your thermostat down (or up) you can save hundreds of dollars a year.” The next thing you will want to do when making your home more energy efficient is to make sure there are no leaks.  The seals around windows and doors, over time, tend to wear out.  When they wear out and start leaking air, your home quickly loses energy efficiency.  If you move a lighter around the seal of a window or door, you might see the flame flicker or move.  If you see this happen, it means air is leaking and a repair is needed. The United States Environmental Protection Agency stresses the importance of fixing air leaks in a home to create a more energy efficient space, ” Your home’s envelope – the outer walls, ceilings, windows, doors and floors – may be letting too much air into or out of the home. Hidden gaps and cracks in a home can create as much airflow as an open window, and can cause your heating and cooling systems to work harder. Sealing coupled with insulating your home’s shell is often the most cost effective way to improve energy efficiency and comfort. Windows can also account for a significant percentage of your heating bill in the winter, as cold air can infiltrate into the home through leaky windows and warm air escapes, making your heating system run more. And during the summer, your air conditioner must work harder to cool hot air from sunny windows. If you are replacing or installing windows, doors or skylights, you can reduce energy costs by installing energy-efficient windows, doors, and skylights in your home.” Lastly, another simple way to improve energy efficiency in any home is to add insulation.  If you did not build your home, you may not even be aware of how much insulation you have.  Your home may not have enough insulation to maintain energy efficiency.  Or, if your home is old, it may need new insulation.  If you are unsure how much insulation is enough, hire a contractor to come and assess whether you have enough insulation.  When you improve just these three simple things, your home will be more energy efficient and you will save money on energy costs each month.]]>

Everyone wants a luxurious bathroom that not only meets their needs but is aesthetically pleasing. Also, it’s important that your dream bathroom matches your design sensibilities as well.  If your bathroom does not quite match that description, you may need to consider a bathroom remodel.  Whether you like a more traditional style or want to create a modern retreat, when remodeling, your dreams for your bathroom can become a reality.  When undertaking a bathroom remodel, or any remodel for that matter, there are some tips to follow that will help streamline your remodel, make it less stressful, and help you ensure that you get the results that you want. The first, and probably most important tip in any remodel project, is to set and stick to a budget.  Do research about the types of goals you want to accomplish in your bathroom remodel and plan ahead for the costs associated with them.  Be realistic about costs and give yourself some breathing room in your budget if possible in case any surprise costs may arise.  Your budget will influence what materials and fixtures you choose and play the most important role in your remodel project. The second tip is to plan for your realistic needs.   Think about what will suit your cleaning needs when choosing materials and think about how much storage you will need.  You may love the look of pedestal sinks but if you do not have any other storage in your bathroom, you may find yourself wondering where to keep your toothpaste and deodorant.  Plan to remodel your bathroom to not only be stylish, but also to fit your lifestyle and needs. The third tip is to DIY (Do It Yourself) where you can but know when to hire a professional.  TV shows may make it look simple to DIY just about anything but, it is important to know what you are doing when attempting to DIY a bathroom remodel.  While you certainly could save a significant amount of money if you do the bathroom remodel yourself, it will be far more costly if something goes awry.  Calling a contractor to fix a problem that you created, paying for additional materials, and any repairs will be much more expensive than if you were to have hired a professional in the first place.  If you have the knowledge and skills necessary to do a bathroom remodel yourself, great!  But, if you feel that it would go more smoothly in the hands of a professional, hire an experienced and knowledgeable contractor who can make your bathroom dreams a reality.  When you follow these three basic tips before beginning your bathroom remodel, you can rest assured that many potential headaches have been avoided and that you will soon have the bathroom that you have always wanted.]]>

The kitchen is the heart of the home.  Many people purchase homes because of how much they love the look of the kitchen or because they intend to do a complete overhaul of the kitchen and make it their own. If you are making any changes to your kitchen and are planning to purchase a new cooking range or stovetop, you will soon find out that there are many choices.  But, how do you know what is best for you?  You want something that will last the test of time and that will be able to cook the best meals possible for you and your family. The first consideration when choosing a new cooking range is space.  First and foremost, you need to measure how much space you have and then measure again.  And maybe, measure one more time.  The last thing you want is to order a brand new cooking range and then find out it does not fit properly. Next, you will want to consider the style of your home and other appliances in your kitchen.  If you are only changing your cooking range, you will probably want to try to match the existing style of appliances.  If you are changing all of your appliances, then choose a style and finish that best fits you and your home style. One important consideration is how much or often you cook.   If you have a big family to feed and love to elaborate meals often, you may want a stove with more burners.  If you have the room, consider purchasing a cooking range that has six or more burners instead of the traditional four so that you will be able to create your culinary masterpieces any day of the week.  If you do not cook often or only cook for you or your spouse, you may not need an elaborate cooking range and may be able to get by just fine with fewer burners.  There are many different configurations to suit any preference or cooking style. Next, it will be necessary to determine if you prefer gas or electric.  The debate tends to polarize people as many people often have strong preferences. The Nest discusses the differences between the two options, “You may not have a choice with this one: If you don’t have access to a gas line, an electric range is your only option; if you don’t have a 220-volt outlet, you’ll want to stick with gas. How to decide? Consider the type of cooking you do most.  Baking, low-maintenance cooking: Pros say electric ranges are best for baking because they allow for a more even oven temperature. The drawback: Electric coils stay hot after being turned off, so watch out!  Searing, boiling, frying: True foodies often prefer gas cooktops because they allow for more control of the heat. The flames add to the poetry of cooking, and, more important, the burner quickly cools once it’s turned off.” When you measure and consider your personal style and preferences, it will help you narrow the immense field of cooking ranges or stovetops available and find the perfect one for you and your home. Contact us for more information https://www.platinumhw.com/contact/ or by calling 800.871.2339]]>

Whether you have just purchased a new home that needs a renovation or want to renovate your existing home, it can be a big undertaking.  When you invest additional money in your home, you want it to be a worthwhile investment that not only aesthetically improves that home but improves the home’s worth.    You want a remodel to add comfort and style, convenience and interest.  There are some trends in home remodel design for 2014 that will not only add the upgrades you need but will help your home stay on trend and beautiful. 1.  Classic, Timeless Kitchen Cabinetry with a Modern Twist Rustic is out and modern is in when it comes to kitchen design.  For 2014, rather than rustic wood tones, white or gray cabinetry is in.  It is clean, classic and timeless; a design that will pay off for years to come as it can go with almost any decor or personal style and never goes out of fashion. 2.  Brass is Back For a long time, every homeowner was trying to eliminate every trace of a brass accent or fixture.  It was so out of fashion and much to the shock of many, it is back….with a bang!  It is no longer a faux pas to decorate with brass, it is actually quite fashionable!  Realtor discusses the new brass look for homes in 2014, “Brass made a comeback at home-design and remodeling conventions this year and the trend is expected to pick up in 2014. While brass is nothing new, it has gotten a facelift. Highly polished, bright brass hardware and lighting is gone; rustic, dull and hammered brass is in. The new looks will be incorporated into kitchen and bathroom hardware as well as lighting and door hardware throughout the house.” 3.  Resort-Like Bathrooms Continuing with the modern, light, airy, trend, bathroom remodels are no exception.  The trend for 2014 bathroom remodels will move away from traditional bathrooms and move toward more of a resort or spa-like feel.  Zen and relaxing touches will update your bathroom to stay on trend.  Trulia discusses how bathroom remodels will look for 2014, “This is another trend that deviates from the nostalgia of what’s vintage to focus on the modern. Instead of claw-foot tubs, 2014 will feature resort-style bathrooms that have amenities such as large walk-in showers with multiple shower heads, heated floors or towel racks, and jetted bathtubs. Glass tiles will be a popular feature, as well as neutral and cool colors like ash gray, light blue and off-white.” 4.  Pop of Color When you remodel your home to stay on trend with the modern/white look, you will want to add pops of color for visual interest and personal style.  Pantone’s color of the year is Radiant Orchid and that will be a popular color in home design.  Additionally, jewel tones are very in right now and will be seen heavily in new home design and remodeling.   You do not have to go all out and make a whole room purple.  Choose your accents wisely and infuse a room with a pop of color that fits with your home design and color pattern. Contact us for more information https://www.platinumhw.com/contact/ or by calling 800.871.2339]]>