How to Care for Wood Flooring
Care: Due to the fact that wood is a natural, soft material, a wood floor will eventually scratch-there is no way around this! However preventative care can minimize this. Use throw and area rugs. Remove shoes before entering the area. Avoid wearing high heels, which can leave divets. Use furniture pads. Daily sweeping to remove dirt is one of the best ways to keep your floor looking its best. A humidifier in the winter can help prevent shrinkage.
How to Care for Cabinetry
Care: Wipe up any water or liquid as soon as possible. Do not slide objects across finished wood to avoid scratching. Do not leave newspapers or other printed materials on finished wood-inks can bleed into finish. Always use coasters or hot pads on wood surfaces.
Care: Laminate is not heat or stain resistant. It is recommended to clean up spills as soon as possible. Always use a cutting board and trivets for hot items.
Care: Solid Surfaces are not heat resistant; always use a hot pad or trivet. Always use a cutting board to avoid seeing scratch marks. While stain resistant, wipe up spills as soon as possible.
Care: Quartz is heat and scratch resistant, but not scratch proof, it is recommended to use a cutting board and trivets. While stain resistant, wipe up spills as soon as possible.
Care: While heat resistant and scratch resistant, always use a cutting board with knives. Be cautious with hot objects-trivets are not necessary but recommended.
Welcome to Summer
Today it is more than 90 degrees outside, and the funny thing about when it is this hot is that you all get really grumpy. Thankfully, by the time you read this it will be 10 degrees cooler, and hopefully we all will be a little more rational because the message I have for you today is a bit counter-intuitive. Here's the message: A properly designed house could have intentionally been DESIGNED to not be comfortable on days like today. What a shocking statement, can you believe that I said such a thing? I am a huge comfort snob yet I have modified my own expectations.
Most of us hate being cold in our homes. There are many many reasons why this happens during the heating season, but there are 5 that I think would be immediately helpful.
Paneling is fungus food
...as you know, all you have to do is add water. This link to the EPA has their guidelines on how to handle your mold problem. This will help you determine whether your problem is small or large - one to DIY or have professional help. I would suggest removing the paneling down there after the water source & remediation is handled.
Walk-off Mat (defined)
Walk-off Mat: (def.) - 1) A mat that you put at all entrances to your home to wipe your feet and trap dirt. 2) The most effective way to maintain your hardwood floors, keep them clean, and reduce allergens in the home.
