Cleaning Tips for a Fabric Ottoman

Owning an ottoman helps you in a couple of ways. It allows you to revamp a room, and at very little cost, and it also helps reduce wear on your furniture. If your ottoman, or any other furniture, however, is placed near a sunny window it will be affected over the years. You can change this by using an ottoman cover, and by cleaning your ottoman regularly.

There are several things to keep in mind when cleaning your ottoman. It is recommended to clean the fabric as often as needed. A gentle cleaning is preferred to a more rigorous regular cleaning, but you can be more energetic about it if need be. 

Cleaning removes dust that has been accumulating along with any other dirt and grime. Pigmented leathers and semi-natural fabrics should be cleaned using a mild soap that has a neutral pH along with some warm water. Rinse the soap off with a clean dampened cloth to help remove any residue that is left over. Don’t use a soap that is too strong for the skin, as it may also be for the leather. 

You should always test on an inconspicuous part of the ottoman to make sure that the cleaner is adequate. If you are cleaning an aniline leather ottoman, clean it with a damp cloth only. Don’t use soap on the leather. 

Under no circumstances should you expose the fabric to bleach, ink, liquid, traces of fatty skin, strong products (even laundry detergent) or chemicals and sharp objects to avoid damaging the furniture. Never expose the ottoman cover fabric or leather to direct sunlight or bright light sources as this will discolor or distort the piece.

Design Ideas for a Kid’s Ottoman

There are literally thousands of designs that are floating around for kids when it comes to furniture and their rooms. A great example is the kid’s ottoman. In fact, designing a child’s piece of furniture is fun and exciting, plus it brings back some great memories. You can pick a piece that will go along with what your child already has. A desk, tables, bed, ottoman cover and beanbag chair can all be designed with fun shapes and colors.

An ottoman, is a perfect way to bring out your child’s inner personality and it will save you some money along the way.

1.   Animal Shaped Ottomans. If your child is an animal lover, this option is a no-brainer. Design an ottoman that looks like their favorite animal.

2.     Star Wars Ottoman. Almost every young boy loves Star Wars these days, so this would be a great time to build a Death Star.

3.     Artistic Ottomans. If your child loves to paint or draw, let them have at it on their own ottoman. In fact, add a chalk board on it so they can draw on it anytime they want.

4.     Girly Ottomans. Plenty of girls love frilly, pink things so this would be a perfect time to pad an ottoman down with tassels or frills and anything else you can think of. You can also put a make-up kit with a mirror in it which could pull out. You could even install a hidden drawer for some clothes as well.

DIY: Build a Fire Pit With These Tips

Since the dawn of time, friends and families gathered around the fire company, eating, and entertaining. The patio and the garden turned into an outdoor theater as many people are searching for ways to put some flair back into their home. Their favorite choices have become outdoor fireplaces, fire bowl and fire pits for their outdoor spaces. However, not all types of outdoor fireplaces or fire pits will serve a home as well as the other. Here are a few tips for choosing outdoor fireplaces, fire bowls or fire pits:

• Consider your needs. Whenever you decide to buy, think about what things you want from an outdoor fireplace. Looking mainly for heat to expel the moisture in the evening so you or your family can enjoy the outdoors for the colder months?
• Every fire will smoke. Consider a chimney with a smoke stack that runs away from you.
• Iron eventually rusts. Even the finest of quality outdoor iron will do so. Make sure you do preventative maintenance. Using a fire pit cover is smart in this instance.
• Height matters. A fire pit on the ground or in it gives you the sensation of a real fire.
• What does portability mean to you? Having a portable fireplace is what life is all about. You can take a piece of home wherever you go but, at the same time, you can also bring nature to you.

With a little forethought to your intended use, you are able to select the perfect fire pit outdoor fire bowl or fire your needs.

Personalize Your Glider Rocker Chair

Are you in the mood to decorate that old gilder rocker of yours? It may be easier than you think. Unless you are planning to reupholster the whole thing, the process can be as simple as buying new cushions or pillows for the rocker. You can decorate your rocker using your favorite sports team’s colors or you can go all out and use velvet or some other high-end material. In fact, you could mix everything up and make your own thing up but the whole idea is to take your time and do what you want.

Here are some ideas that might help you make up your mind when it comes to making your glider rocker chair truly your own.

1.     Team Colors. This is probably the easiest and the most fun of the decorating ideas. Imagine sitting in your very own “game time” seat every time your team plays. You decorate it the way you want to- the colors, the pillows and even the padding is all up to you! Even a glider cover would go great.
2.     Cushions and pads. This is a very nice way to make a child’s room stand out even more. If you have a glider in your baby’s room (or you want one in there), decorating the cushions and pads with funs things like fire trucks, horses, puppies and frogs will make any child smile.
3.     Decals and detailing. Having a favorite cartoon character or even your favorite sports player on your glider is easy to do and inexpensive as well. In fact, another great idea is getting your child’s name put on the glider because it makes them feel special.
4.     Fabrics. Choosing the right fabric is up to you. Whether you want lace or leather or nice, soft suede, the choice is all yours.

Paint Your Wicker Patio Furniture and Revamp its Look

Owning wicker furniture is a smart move these days both financially and socially. It saves you plenty of money because of the upkeep and it is a great piece of furniture that will look good in any home. In fact, you can use it outside of the home as well. However, if you decide to keep wicker outside the home, it is going to need some regular upkeep.

Painting your wicker furniture is one way to keep the new look fresh but this process is a time consuming one and should be done the right way. You can bypass all the work by just covering your furniture up with wicker furniture covers. However, if you do not want to spend the extra money on these covers, you can follow these simple steps to keep your wicker looking brand new:

-       Make sure you have all your tools and supplies ready. This means your paint, brushes and lacquer.

-       Take your stripper and soften up the wicker so you can strip it down. You can use a hard bristle brush for this step. Remember that the stripper is going to soften the wicker up but once it dries, it will harden again.

-       Once you are finished with the stripping process, wait two days so the wicker can harden again.

-       Now you are ready for the painting process. Spray paints are going to work best with wicker because they spray evenly. It will also reach the crevices a lot better than brushes will. Allow the paint to dry.

-       Once paint has dried, apply a lacquer via a spray. Again, using a spray is best because it does so evenly. You want to use a lacquer that is soft and not hard because the hard lacquers become brittle and will crack.

Choosing and Storing Patio Furniture Covers

When you set out to purchase patio furniture covers, keep in mind that selecting an attractive set is only one piece of the puzzle. Covers need to be cleaned regularly, and stored during the winter months. Before you go shopping for patio furniture covers, decide on the price range that is comfortable for you. Just a few minutes of internet research will give you all the data you need to set realistic price points.

Start by asking a few questions. Are you interested in a parasol as well as covers? What kind of cushion filling is best for your arrangement? Knowing that foam fillings are apt to get lots of mildew buildup, it is wise to think about something like polydacron as filler. Looking for patio furniture and patio chair covers is an enjoyable activity, assuming you have some basic facts before you travel to the stores to make a purchase.

It is always a good idea to begin by finding a matching parasol for your set of patio furniture covers. If you can get one now, snap it up, because later on you will have a tough time locating a matching parasol. Since stores rotate patterns and styles, what is available today might not see showroom floors for several more years. If you buy bright covers, you can really spice up a set of dark, wrought iron patio furniture pieces. Don’t forget to put the parasol into an extremely strong container to prevent tip-overs on windy days. If you adhere to your goals of color coordination and quality filling substances, your patio furniture set will be a true backyard gem.

Your shopping trip should include questions about cleaning. Ask the store personnel how easy it is to wipe up spills from each of the fabrics you are looking at. The natural fabrics, like cotton, tend to stain easier, but are also able to withstand stronger cleansers. Artificial fabrics like vinyl cannot withstand powerful cleaners, but allow for easy cleaning at the moment of a spill. When you do use bleach to clean patio furniture covers, mix it with water at about 20-to-1, water to bleach. Warm water and a bit of dish soap will get most stains out of covers if applied soon after a spill. The real secret to keeping the items clean is getting to a spill as soon as it happens. Once a stain sets in, removal is a chore, and even the strongest cleansers will not do the job.

When the weather changes, make sure you store your patio chair covers away from direct sunlight and wrap them in plastic storage material. Don’t put them away until you have cleaned them for the winter. That way, stains won’t set in during the storage period.

The Varieties of Fire Pits

The huge variety of fire pit styles, prices, and sizes will amaze even the most seasoned veteran of the home amenities market. Whether you want to build your own fire pit or buy one, be sure to do a little bit of research about the types that are available. For homeowners who construct their own pits, the job is neither costly nor exceedingly tricky. For buyers, you can expect to discover a gigantic price differential between the cheapest and most expensive fire pit models. For more than 8,000 years, human beings have been enjoying the community bonding that is engendered by fire. The safest fire pits are topped with fire pit covers.

Wood-burning fire pits are great for cooking. Whether you want to prepare large or small food portions, wood is the way to go. Some wood pits even have rotisseries attached that let you get just the right result from your culinary expertise. Some aficionados claim that wood-cooked food tastes better than any other kind. Portable fire pits are similar to wood pits, but are typically set in huge metal dishes and mounted on wheeled frames for ease of movement. In either case, wood or portable, fire pit covers are an ideal way to enhance the safety of your new backyard appliance.

Among the most popular of all modern day fire pits are cast iron and copper models. Copper obviously costs more than cast iron, and has a shimmering, beautiful appearance. The price differential is justified due to copper’s fantastic look and its long life. Cast iron is not necessarily inferior, but does have a lower melting point than copper and a grainy exterior. Homeowners on a tight budget often opt for cast iron as a first foray into the world of fire pits.

Simple stone fire pits, also known as campfire pits, are probably the most oldest of all yard amenities. The ancients used the hole-in-the-ground system, where wood logs were set aflame and surrounded by large stones. With a bit of elbow grease and imagination, you can even build a makeshift cooking grate or spit to go over the campfire pit. Some users cook rather large portions on these pits, even entire animal carcasses in some cases.

Gas pits are the most convenient style on the market, featuring natural gas or propane as fuel, and obviously no ashes or mess to clean up. Fire pit purists might consider the gas pit a sacrilege, but the gas models are indeed popular with many homeowners. As you begin to search for your fire pit, don’t be shocked when you discover the enormous variety of models available.

Tips on What to Burn in Your Fire Pit

Autumn is here and time to fire up the fire pits! But what can and can't you burn in these trendy new additions to porches and backyards across the country? You don't want to lose the fun of having your own fire in your backyard, yet you want the event to be safe for all. Fear not, however, as we have some great tips to help you out. So whip off those fire pit covers and start grilling, cooking, or just enjoying warmth on a cold evening with these tips!

• Avoid burning solid matter. You don't know what kind of odors or fumes trash will put out when burned, or what you're going to inhale when you and your family and friends gather around the fire pit. 
• Only burn wood. It's safer and more reliable!
• Never burn wet wood. Gathering your own wood might sound like fun, but chances are it will be wet. Wet wood will cause enough smoke to water any eye, and make it impossible to cook anything over the fire pit.
• Choose your wood wisely. You will want cured or seasoned/dried wood. Either season it yourself or buy it done already. Also, be sure you know the difference between hardwood and soft wood. Hardwood burns longer and hotter, ideal for sitting around, while soft wood burns faster and at a lower temperature, making it ideal for cooking.
• Always use fire pit covers when the fire pit is not in use. This will prevent most things from getting inside, such as dirt and leaves, and keep your fire pit read for use!

So get that wood ready, strike up the matches, and bring on the marshmallows, because now is the time to enjoy your outdoor living space via the warmth and attraction a fire pit brings.

Things to Consider Before Buying Patio Furniture

Chances are, you own some patio furniture. And if you own furniture, you know that you have to take care of it in order to keep your furniture looking like new. One of the best ways to do this is to purchase as high a quality furniture as you can, right from the get go.

• Here are a few things to consider when you’re shopping for the furniture that will be gracing your outdoor living area:
• Have your budget in mind when you’re shopping. Purchase furniture as high a quality as you can afford..
• Keep in mind the type of weather your area of the country is faced with. Will you want furniture that can withstand a lot of rain and wind? High sunlight?
• Also look at what kind of wear and tear will your furniture will undergo. Will you be doing a lot of entertaining? Will your children be on and off the furniture regularly?
• Consider protecting your investment as well. Be sure to consider patio furniture covers as you look at sets.
• You’ll also want to know what type of “feel” you want for your backyard. Rustic? Contemporary? Modern? Do you want metal or wood patio furniture? Wicker or plastic framed?
• Look for furniture with sturdy frames that will help you make certain your investment will be with you for many seasons. The cushions you choose for the furniture are usually less expensive to replace and you can also spruce up the look of any furniture by simply slipping on new covers.
• If you have an outdoor living area, chances are you have a barbecue pit or barbecue grill. It’s important to purchase a barbecue grill cover as it will keep your grill from becoming rusted and from being continually exposed to the elements.

Taking care of your patio furniture by using patio furniture covers and periodic cleaning will help your furniture not only be serviceable whenever you need it, but also make your backyard (or front!) look great.

Why Should You Cook Over a Fire Pit?

Why should you consider cooking over a fire pit? Why not! Actually when you’re cooking over the open flame of a fire pit, your food gets that beautiful grill mark and flavor. Because some people are looking to simplify their lives, they are talking to landscape designers to have fire pits built in their backyard living areas. There is no reason to give up your gas grill when you have a fire pit constructed, but a fire pit does add a certain ambiance to your outdoor entertaining that you simply can’t get with grill cooking.

Fire pits, formerly known as charcoal cookers, began as charcoal structures typically made of metal with metal legs that could move from location to location in your yard. Today’s fire pits are permanent structures. Everyone knows that propane grills are fast lighting and heating and are convenient, but they don’t offer the delicious flavor that comes from cooking on the open flames of a fire pit.

Using a fire pit has been inspired by the myriad cooking shows that offer grilling ideas, not to mention that recipes are bountiful on the Internet. From brick and mortar styles with chimneys to open flamed table top type fire pits, you need to decide what kind of fire pit is best for your family’s needs. Regardless of the type of fire pit you decide on you will definitely want to purchase a fire pit cover. These fire pit covers keep dirt and debris from falling onto the rack and into the wood and charcoal. One of the good things you’ll find about cooking on a fire pit is that people tend to linger longer after the meal is over around the warmth of the fire pit – not many people linger around the warmth of a propane grill, do they?

The main difference from cooking on a gas grill to a fire pit is that it will definitely take longer to cook on a fire pit, but what you may give up in time you will make up for in the delicious flavor of the charcoal or wood over which you cook your meat, vegetables or even grilled fruits. Using various woods can add to the flavor of your mean – consider using cherry wood to cook salmon!

You can even consider having the kids cook hot dogs or roasting marshmallows over the fire pit – as long as adults are in strict attendance to keep them safe. You will also find that if your fire pit is constructed next to your swimming pool, you will add exponentially to your outdoor living enjoyment.

5 Must-Have Pieces of Patio Furniture

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The point of having patio furniture is to allow you to enjoy the outdoors, and to create a peaceful, comfortable place to unwind. With that point in mind, comfort is key when choosing your new patio furniture. Consider what you will need to entertain guests comfortably out on the patio. For instance, do you plan on having many large parties on your patio, or will its main use be reserved for your family?

With those questions in mind, here are five pieces of patio furniture that will make any patio a better, more comfortable place!

1. Couch or sectional. If you have the space, use it! These pieces will extend the homey feeling out onto your patio while offering guests or family members a comfortable place to sit, and even stretch out if they so desire. Invest in a good quality outdoor couch or sectional and you can preserve it for many years with an outdoor furniture cover. Furthermore, it will stay clean and ready to serve when kept covered up.
2. Umbrellas. Having to option to open an umbrella up and offer shade on a bright, hot, sunny day can make all the difference in your time outside. Umbrellas can also serve to shield you during a light drizzle if you are one who enjoys the rain without becoming soaked.
3. Barbeque grill. While the chef is at work on the barbeque, the rest of the party can enjoy drinks and still converse with the grill master. This will allow for food to be served outdoors right away, while it is juicy and hot and cooked to order. A great barbecue is not cheap, so look for barbeque grill covers to keep yours in tip top shape and protect your investment.
4. Hammock and porch swing. Both will bring a little fun into your patio set. Porch swings are perfect for long talks, watching children play in the yard or rocking a baby to sleep. Hammocks are inviting for a peaceful outdoor catnap or cuddling up with a loved one under the stars. Either piece will give a patio set a bit of originality and undoubtedly house many cherished memories.