Kathy Zengolewicz

Anyway, I have come across a few things that seem to take the stains out and I thought I would share them with you. Please let me know through the comments section if you have a better way to remove the stains.

For stubborn stains I tried soaking some paper towels in distilled white vinegar and letting them sit over night on the stains. You may need to do it a couple of times, but it does work. You can also mix ¼ cup of salt with ¼ cup of baking soda and a little bit of warm water to make a paste. Spread the paste on the stain, scrub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly.

For the rust stains, I sprayed them with lemon juice and a sprinkle of baking soda, then scrubbed with an old toothbrush that I use for cleaning. To prevent stains and rust on you tub, try giving your tub a coat of wax, the kind you use for a fiberglass boat. The wax will give the tub a great shine, protect the surface and prevent any more deep penetrating stains.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

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Do you know what’s in your medicine cabinet? When was the last time you checked the expiration dates on any medications that you have? I can’t say that I ever thought about it before, but I took the time recently to to do just that and I was surprised to find that so many of my over the counter medications were expired. I don’t mean recently expired, I’m talking being expired for some time.

Aside from any prescription medications you may be taking it is a good idea to have some of the following items on hand.

Aspirin, for use as a painkiller and a fever reducer.  Although it is not wise to give aspirin to children, you should still keep some on hand for when it is needed.

Ibuprofen like Advil and Motrin and naproxen like Aleve and Naprosyn are also effective painkillers for adults and children over 12 years.

Decongestans and over the counter cold medicine is another must. Cough syrup for adults and children are sometimes needed in the middle of the night, so keep those handy. The same thing goes for antihistamines and allergy medications.

Keeping antacids tablets, calamine lotion, antihistamine cream and cortisone creams available is smart.

Bandaids, bandages, gauze pads and medical tape should be in every medicine cabinet. As well as an oral thermometer, toothpaste, floss and a spare toothbrush.

We don’t always think about things like medicine cabinets and what should be in them. Don’t be unprepared and make sure to check for any expired medications which can make you sick, and replace them with brand new supplies. You’ll be glad that you did. Make it a point to check your medicine cabinet regularly.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

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Toilet Bowl:
If you find that commercial toilet cleaners are too expensive then there is a cheaper way to get a spotless toilet bowl. Just put a cup of vinegar in the bowl and swish it with your toilet brush.

Hard Water:
To get water stains off of the bottom of your tub, use a paste of vinegar and baking soda. Don’t use this on fiberglass as the baking soda could scratch but on porcelain and cast iron tubs it is great! If you have a fiberglass tub try a Mr. Clean eraser and a lot of elbow grease.

Chrome Fixtures:
You can clean chrome fixtures by rubbing on a bit of vinegar and then drying and buffing with a clean cloth. If you don’t have any vinegar on hand you can clean your chrome in the bathroom using rubbing alcohol in the same manner.

Shower Heads:
To clean your shower head place some vinegar in a baggie and place the shower head inside. If you don’t want to unscrew the head, just use a rubber band to hold the baggie on the head. Leave it sit overnight and you have a clean, unclogged shower head.

Shower Curtain Liners:
If you have mildew on your shower curtain liner and it never seems to get clean in the washing machine, try this. Fill the tub with about 2-3 inches of water and ½ of liquid bleach. Remove the liner from the curtain bar and drop it into the tub. Let it sit for about 20 minutes and rinse. Hang it back on the curtain bar and let it dry before putting the curtain back on. All of the mildew will be gone. It not only cleans, but deodorizes too.

Take care. I’ll talk to you soon!

Post from: Keeping the Castle

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition designer Michael Moloney recently teamed up with Domino Magazine to stage the Domino Bazaar Modern Bathroom Design class, sponsored by Oral-B’s Pulsonic electric toothbrush. The event was held at H.D. Buttercup on October 17, 2008 in California.

Anybody here who was able to attend the class – raise your hand, please.

Lucky for those of us who weren’t there, we can still learn from Michael’s bathroom design tips, straight out of the master class.

Michael’s approach in designing for the home is both eclectic and fresh. He blends the new and trendy with the practical to create a home that is both comfortable and, functional, uniquely suited to each family’s personality and needs. He applies this rule of thumb to all rooms in the home, including the bathroom.

Here are Michael’s picks as the latest fashions and trends in bathroom design:

• Surfaces – Choose natural materials like stone, bamboo, organic fibers paired with clean, metallic finishes and sleek, uncluttered surfaces.

• Form and function – From the vanity to the sink and showerhead, everything in the bathroom should be clean, sleek, functional and incorporate great design.

• Lighting – Use lighting appropriately. Plan for the type and placement of your bathroom’s lighting to bring about the greatest impact.

• Less is more. – In the bathroom, clutter is never in style. To keep your space clutter-free, throw out one item each time you go into your bathroom drawer.

• Accessories - Even in bathroom accessories, use items that are functional, look great and don’t take up a lot space on the bathroom counter.

• Clean lines - Today’s design is cleaner and more contemporary, even in limited spaces. When designing, think of function and multi-purpose items.

• YOU - Most importantly, design your bathroom for you! Start with the layout, then choose your decorating materials and accessories to fit. Design your space around what you like and what your needs are.

image and article used with permission via MSL

Post from: Keeping the Castle

For a while now, I’ve seen a dingy looking area in our vinyl bathroom floor. It’s hardly noticeable except when I remove the bathroom rug for washing. And there, in all its un-glory, was brown beside the almost pristine floor that was protected by the rug. I figured the light brown stain was made by years of hair-spray use in front of the mirror. Particles of hair spray would settle on that area and attract dirt. No amount of sweeping or regular mopping would remove it.

Finally, I stumbled on a solution. Scrubbing Bubbles! I sprayed some on the vinyl, and let it soak for a few minutes before wiping away with a paper towel. Repeat as needed. Now the entire floor is spot-free, rug or no rug!

Note: My bathroom floor is vinyl and there seemed to be no harmful effects from the use of Scrubbing Bubbles. However, I will not be held responsible for any damages that result from this tip. If you’re not sure, test Scrubbing Bubbles in a small out-of-sight area first.

Post from: Keeping the Castle