Home & Garden: Page 37

To remove grout from a tile patch area, use a scouring pad on a sponge to gently go ontop of the tiles to remove grout and see where you need to rub harder, but dont rub hard on the actual joint. Don't get your sponge too wet. Once you have everything off the tiles, work on the grout. Make sure you get the grout lines to make them look neat and clean. Make sure the seams are tight and flush, run your sponge over it to clean it up a bit. If you have a missing tile filled with grout, use a wet...

This video is a demonstration of how to make environmentally-friendly homemade laundry detergent. This recipe uses soap flakes, soda crystals, and borax substitute. You may also add oxy-action bleach if you like. Put half the back of soda crystals (500g) into a container, or more if you have hard water. Add a 500g pack of borax substitute and 2 tablespoons of soap flakes. If you like, add 2 tablespoons of oxygen bleach. Put the lid on the container and shake it up. This laundry detergent...

In this video, we learn how to make homemade laundry soap! To do this you will need: one bar of ivory or handmade lye soap, borax and washing soda. First, grate your bar of soap and place into a large plastic container. Next, add 1/2 cup of Borax to your shredded soap followed by 1/2 cup of washing soda. Now you will need to mix this thoroughly, making sure everything is well combined. Now put this into a container with a lid on it and store for future use. You will use one tablespoon per load...

Want to lay a hardwood floor yourself? It's easy. Provided, that is, you have all of the following materials: wood panels (preferably with built-in foam underlay), plastic sheeting, duct tape, tapping blocks, a hammer, a crowbar, a straight edge, a miter square, a pencil, string line, some spacers, and a saw. For complete instructions on putting it all together and installing your own custom wooden floor using panels, watch this free DIY guide.

True's Owner Maintenance Video Series shows us how to set the defrost time clock on a True freezer, and also how to cut the shipping band on the compressors of all larger freezers. The time clock is behind the grill at the base of the unit, behind a gray box. There are instructions in the inside of the lid for setting the time clock and for setting the defrost settings, and the video goes through the entire process, as well. Next, the man shows how to remove the shipping band protecting the...

In this video, Ruth Greenhouse teaches us how to process native plants for eating. The Mesquite desert plant is a great fuel as well as good for beans in the summer months. One way to use the beans is to pick the dry beans when they are ripe (they will be tan) and you can grind the pod into a fine powder, which will make a flour that is healthy. You can mix this flour with water and it can be a healthy beverage. It can also be added to cookies and breads to make them sweeter. Another plant is...

This video demonstrates how to fold a newspaper seedling container using a simple origami method. This is a free idea that incorporates recycling. Not only do these paper containers stand up well to moisture, they also will break down in the soil if you place it directly into your garden. Begin by using one half sheet of black and white newspaper. Lay it out length wise and fold it in half from top to bottom. Then fold it left to right. Next turn the paper so it is horizontal with the...

This video tutorial outlines a number of quick and easy tips for installing a porcelain tile backsplash in your home kitchen, from checking the substrate (that is, the surface to be tiled) to the application of the tile itself. For a complete, step-by-step overview of the DIY process, watch this free video guide.

Southwest Yard and Garden shows viewers how to prepare the soil in order to plant Irises. You can see if your oil needs to be prepared because it would look like it need nutrients. Irises deplete the oil they are in so you need to restore their nutrients to the soil. First, you should get your soil tested to see what nutrient should be added to the soil. First loosen the soil. Next, add in the nutrients. Start with alfalfa pellets to add Nitrogen. Add a little bit of sand to loosen soil - don't...

In order to make Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent, you will need the following materials: A dutch oven or a large pot, a grater, a spoon, ¬O cup of Borax, ¬O cup of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda, a bowl, a measuring cup, 3-5 gallon cleaning bucket, empty plastic detergent bottles, and Fels-Naptha soap or Ivory bar soap (grated).

Let's face facts: Upholstering a cushion can be difficult. However, it can also be easy. So easy, in fact, that this video guide can present a complete and thorough overview of the entire process in just over a minute and half of time. Watch to learn a simple upholstery method that will insure your cushion turns out perfect every time!

Do you have an old furnace that just won't stay lit? Are you constantly relighting your pilot light? Then this tutorial is here to help you. In this three part video series, learn how to diagnose the problem with your appliance and either fix it or ditch it. This professional video will show you all of the necessary steps for lighting your pilot light and getting your furnace up and running again. By following along, you will be able to avoid a future filled with daily relighting, and you...

Need to iron a shirt for an important occasion? Smooth out your ironing technique with this housekeeper's how-to, which demonstrates the proper technique for pressing a men's dress or sport shirt using an electric iron and ironing board. For more information, including a step-by-step breakdown of the process, watch this free video tutorial.

To make a french spiral bouquet you first start with straight stemmed flowers such as roses. It is very important that you rid the stems of foliage such as leaves as well as removing all the thorns. You can do this by using a gardening glove or washcloth and sliding it down the stem. Once that is completed it is time to begin the bouquet. The first step is to pick a base flower. It is important to use a flower that has a straight stem. From there you begin to add flowers by crossing them with...

Instructions for building wall panels and posts using Alan Block materials. This is How-to Sheet #190, for the Courtyard Collection. Combine walls and posts in a three step process: build a post, build one wall off the post, then build a second wall off the first. Corner blocks help make perfect corners, and have one long and one short side. Offset the vertical seems by alternating. Blocks used for the wall include Dublin center-split, Dublin end-split, and York center-split. You will...

In this video, we learn how to control flies around your home with Rick Steinel. The common house fly can be found everywhere in the house and are full of disgusting germs. We can now make a type of liquid that attracts flies and kills them. These are safe for humans so it won't hurt your home or you. This liquid can also be placed inside of a container which will collect the flies outside, before they have a chance to enter your home. They are also very easy to install and it's very easy...

A whole is drilled into the cap of a barrel with a 3 1/4 inch bit and another one an inch or more below the top and one of 3 inches width on the next side. Spreaded adapters ends are wrapped with plumbers tape; to prevent water leaks. The ends are then screwed together and placed into the top hole in the barrel. The spiget is held into the side hole with a piece of pvc pipe and a garden hose is attached. A funnel is made with a piece of window screen mesh slightly bigger than a pvc pipe it...

In this tutorial, we learn how to install a new shower head and remove an old one. You will need a wrench, toothbrush, rags, replacement shower head, teflon tape, and pliers. First, remove the old shower head with your pliers, wrench and cloth to remove it. Twist this counter clockwise until the shower head comes off. Now, clean the threads with the toothbrush and place the teflon tape over them. Now, screw your new shower head on by hand until it fits snugly onto it. Finish screwing this on by...

Rick Steinau with Ask the Exterminator demonstrates how to prevent yellow jackets from nesting in your home's walls. In mid to late summer yellow jacket populations increase. Yellow jackets can find spaces in the veneer or in cracks in bricks or siding. You can hear scratching noises in your walls as the wasps move. Observe wasp activity late in the day when they return to their nest for the night. Treat reachable holes with pesticide dust and a bellows. Leave the hole open to let the wasps...

Cymbidium orchids are beautiful flowers. They are perfect decorations for spring time, Easter and many other occasions. If you are thinking of using these lovely flowers around your home or garden, check out this tutorial and learn how to care for them properly so that they last a long time.Cymbidium orchids are actually very easy to care for if you know what you are doing. So, before you grow these delightful plants, make sure you watch this video and know all of the tips and tricks needed...