Saturday, July 9, 2011

How To Do IT!!

Everyone loves visuals on how to do things. So..here are some videos I thought were good on HOW TO remove stains from clothes and your delicate fabrics. Accidents happen so don't throw out your delicates..  here is how you can fix it!

How to remove Vomit from Clothing and Comforters


How to remove urine from clothing and comforters


How to clean a mattress after a bed wetting


How to remove sweat stains from clothing


 
How to wash and refluff a down comforter

How to remove paint from carpet

Fun Widgets

Here are some fun widgets that I found from Poodwaddle.com that I thought would be fun to share. Try them out!! I took the Life Expectancy Test and it estimated that I would live to be a ripe old age of 93!.. so I got about 51 more years to go.. whoo hoo!! There is also a World Clock widget where you can get real time information on things like: population, metric tons of co2,deaths,births and much more. Also there is a World Calendar with information of what is happening around the world today. Fun stuff hope you enjoy it :)


Poodwaddle.com


Poodwaddle.com



Poodwaddle.com

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Some Fun Silk Facts

Did you know....

Silk was first accidentally discovered in 3rd millennium BC, by the 14-year old bride of the Chinese Emperor Huang Ti when she accidentally found a silken cocoon in her tea.

It takes approximately 2,000 silkworm cocoons to make a pound of silk.

A fiber of silk that is of the same diameter as a fiber of steel is said to be stronger than the steel!

Cultivated silk is more durable than wild silk because silkworms grown in captivity are fed an exclusive diet of mulberry leaves.

A single cocoon of a cultivated silkworm can be up to 1,600 yards long.

Wild silk, is typically called spun silk because the fibers in it are not naturally very long so the filaments are spun together to create length. Because silk naturally tends to adhere to itself, the silk filaments bond themselves making them less likely to pull apart even after years of use.


Sericin, which is a natural protein found in cocoons, as well as several kinds of amino acids. Since the process of turning those cocoons into silk is gentle, the benefits of these natural substances are still present in the silk when you purchase silk bedding.

Natural 100 percent silk, because of its natural fungal repellent is dust mite and mold resistant.

Silk is naturally fire retardant and will not deteriorate over time.

Silk is breathable so it wicks away the moisture from sweat, keeping a person cool and comfortable in hot summer weather.

Silk is also a naturally draping fabric that gently hugs the body eliminating air pockets and holding in body heat thereby keeping a person warm in the winter.

The amino acids found in silk are good for a person's skin by causing delay in wrinkling as well for being good for a person's hair and can be helpful to the central nervous system helping to calm a person.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Popular Throw Pillow Styles

Throw pillows have been around for a very long time, and we use them for all kinds of things, to add a finished look to our room, to tie together the colors in our furniture and artwork. We snuggle with them on our furniture and beds or even on the floor to make ourselves comfortable and sometimes we even use them for a fun family pillow fight. Some throw pillows can be bright and shiny and artistic enough to be whimsical and entertaining focal pieces.


Nowadays, pillow shapes are so very diverse that you really do not need to stick with the traditional square shaped throw pillow as circular, triangular, cylindrical and even uniquely shaped pillows are currently now widely available at boutique stores online and in almost all home décor and specialty stores. Here are a few styles that I found that are currently popular.


EMBROIDERED PILLOWS
Embroidered pillows come in all shapes and sizes. Aside from the traditional floral pillows or damask pillows, embroidered throw pillows are well loved by many consumers because of their intricate pattern and designs. The two most popular options of embroidered pillows are Cross Stitch and Crewel. Embroidered pillows are usually adorned with wool, eyelet, beads, and sequins creating a more durable pillow. If you have heavy furniture at home, embroidered throw pillows will create a stunning luxurious appearance.


MODERN PILLOWS
Modern throw pillows come in all kinds of fabrics, shapes and sizes and make a statement all on their own. They can be plush and soft or stiff and respectable. Some have removable covers for easy cleaning. Some do not and may need to be sent to the dry cleaner on occasion. The most current designs are bright vibrant colors in geometric prints, bold circles and stripes, the most popular prints are in metallic and Indian print fabrics. Bright bold flowers and off-kilter stripes are typical of modern throw pillows, as well as combinations of pink and brown or blue and brown which is very popular as well. Most modern pillow colors include the traditional black and white prints that are usually done in new hip patterns.


SILK PILLOWS
Silk pillows are by far a truly luxurious throw pillow. They are usually made from the finest silk fabrics creating a very soft but smooth-finished look. Charmeuse decorative silk pillows are quite common, this silk can handle embroidery and embellishments. Charmeuse silk pillows often have gems, fringe, sequins and other three-dimensional decorations attached to it. Chiffon silk pillows typically have several layers of fabric since chiffon is a bit sheer and they are relatively easy to clean. Jacquard silk pillows, often features intricate patterns and designs. This type of decorative silk pillow is sturdy, making them a cinch to clean.


 So, whether you are just starting out in your first apartment or dorm and lacking cash or if you have an established home filled with beautiful contemporary art. You will find plenty of throw pillows in different sizes, shapes and patterns that will work right for any pillow idea and the amount of pillows that you use on your sofa, love seat or bed depends entirely on your own personal preference and design instinct.



Clean Your Home Naturally With Simple Homemade Cleaning Recipes

Why spend a fortune on cleaning products when you can use simple home ingredients, such as baking soda, lemons, and vinegar to make effective non-toxic cleaners that work in every room of your house.

Baking soda for instance works as a non-abrasive scouring cleaner on surface areas such as counter tops and ovens, in bathtubs and sinks. It can also rid clothes of perspiration odors when used with laundry detergent in the washer. The cleaning powers of baking soda reach far beyond its role as a fridge deodorizer!

Lemons, everyone loves the smell of lemons! I use lemon remains in my garbage disposal to clean and take away odors. The acid in lemon juice also neutralizes hard water deposits, dissolves buildup and dirt on wood and tarnish on silver. White vinegar can be used in place of lemon juice. The infamous strong smell dissipates as the vinegar dries.

As a disinfectant, you can use grapefruit seed extract and essential oils such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil which have antiseptic properties and operate as natural fungicides.

Here are a few quick and simple recipes to help you on your way to a clean and fresh, non-toxic living space.

Basic Wood Cleaning Formula
In a 16oz refillable container, mix together:
- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid mild soap
- 5 drops olive oil
Combine the ingredients in the container. Use a micro-suede cloth and squeeze out the excess to wash surfaces of tired and dirty wood. The vinegar smell will dissipate. Dry with a soft cloth. This formula is for well-used furniture. The vinegar works to pull dirt out of the wood. It doesn’t leave an oily residue because the little bit of oil keeps the wood from drying out.

All Purpose Cleaner
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle, mix a solution of:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup vinegar
- 15 drops of your favorite essential oil blend (optional)
This will give you a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer.

Air Deodorizer
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle, mix together:
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 10 drops of your favorite blend of essential oil (optional)
Shake well and use to freshen any room in your house.

All Purpose Surface Cleaner
In a 16 oz refillable container, mix together:
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ½ cup salt
Stir with a plastic stir stick. Apply to surface and use a scrub brush or micro-suede cloth to scrub and wipe surfaces clean.

Furniture Polish
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle, mix together:
- 2 cup lemon juice or real lemons
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp water
- 10-20 drops of your favorite blend of essential oil
Shake well and lightly apply to furniture using a micro-suede cloth. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then buff.

Tile and Grout Paste
 In a 16oz refillable container, mix together:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 ½ cups baking soda
Mix into a paste. Works great for cleaning tile and grout. Use a scrub brush to scrub the paste into grout.

Glass Cleaner
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle, mix a solution of:
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups vinegar
Use wherever you would use conventional glass cleaners and use newspaper to wipe clean

Light-colored Clothing Starch
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle:
- Dissolve 2 or 3 teaspoons of cornstarch into
- 2 cups of water
Shake well and use on light-colored clothing when ironing.

Dark-colored Clothing Starch
In a 32oz refillable spray bottle:
- Dissolve 2 or 3 teaspoons of cornstarch into
- 2 cups of water
- 1/2 cup black tea.
Shake well and use on dark-colored clothing when ironing

Prevent Mold
In a 16oz refillable spray bottle
-1 to two-tsp of essential oil
-2 cups of water
or 20 drops of grapefruit seed extract to 1 quart of water
Shake well and use anywhere in the house to keep mold at bay

***Remember, always wear gloves while cleaning and always perform a test for allergies before using new ingredients or essential oils. Simply dab a bit of the item on the underside of your writs and watch for any indication of inflammation. HAPPY HOUSE CLEANING!

Saturday, May 14, 2011

How To Add Some Spice To Your Home With Decorative Pillows

Typically, throw pillows are widely used to decorate in bedrooms. As a focal point in our boudoir, we layer up our beds with  euro shams and other extra small pillows as finishing of tying in the room’s colors. But the bedroom is not the only place where pillows are used to brighten and spice up your decor.
Decorative throw pillows  can rejuvenate any living space in no time at all. Is your couch or love seat looking old and boring?  Pep them up by just placing some brightly patterned throw pillows on the ends giving your sitting area new life. 
For a solid-colored chair try adding  a bright solid-colored cotton or silk throw  down the center. Then place a  medium sized pillow in a fun color or pattern on top of the throw, to give your chair some sassy flair. There is so much you could do with decorative pillows without spending a fortune in redecorating.
But don't just stop with the inside of your house. Step outside of your inner box and carry the fun outdoors. Design of outdoor spaces are just as important as inside. Mix and match different pillow patterns and colors to spice up your outdoor furniture.

My personal favorite is a spa-inspired look. On my patio I have a dark wicker furniture set with white cushions. So, as a accent I added solid pillows in soft tones of  blues and greens and added some candles too. Now, I can have that calm spa atmosphere in my own backyard! My  outdoor retreat gives me a feeling of peace and serenity a Zen feel that lasts beyond the moment.