Home Management

Posts Tagged ‘washing’

Carpeting can be made of a bewildering range of fibers though these fall into two categories manmade and natural. Totally synthetic carpeting, though very hard wearing, can give rise to static electricity, which gives shocks. One hundred percent nylon is the worst offender for this, though the problems are being researched. It is extremely tough, but a dropped match will leave a market. Acrylic fiber is more like wool; but is not fire resistant. Polyester is soft and tough, and also waterproof. Polypropylene is usually used as a backing or blended with something else. Of the natural fibers, wool has the most luxurious feel and if blended with nylon, it can be extremely hardwearing. Other animal hair is not so soft warm. The vegetable fibers feel harder still, though they can be tough attractive and relatively inexpensive compared to wool. As with types of fiber there are numerous methods of carpet construction.

There is a great variety in price as the quality depends on how much fiber is used in each square centimeter. The best blend is 80 percent wool and 20 percent nylon. Carpets made with continuous yarn are most suitable, which limits the number of colors usually to five, but many carpets are plain. Tufted carpets are set into a backing and then secured by latex. Cord carpets are cheaper and have a rigid appearance; they are often extremely hard-wearing. Needle loom is also inexpensive and tough utilizing synthetic and vegetable fibers enmeshed in an acrylic backing. Bonded carpets, that is pile glued to a backing, are being developed rapidly and are now available in many varieties and prices. Carpet tiles are also available in a bewildering assortment of materials and colors to get the best out of them; you must change them around regularly. Sisal coir and rush matting is cheap, attractive and very good on cold floors.

Cracks or splits in wood can be glued, providing the glue can be spread fully on the meeting surfaces. The glue should be the strongest obtainable if the trouble is not to recur. Avoid general purpose glues. Buy one intended for boats and follow the directions, as these glues are strong as well as water proof. If good penetration of the glue into the split is doubtful, screw across head comes inconspicuously on an inner surface. Always drill a clearance hole for the neck of the screw, then a smaller hole for the threaded part. Use a countersink bit to let the screw head in level. If a glued joint has come apart, does not put new glue on top of the old as it will not bond. Scrape through the old glue to expose wood fibers. It helps to draw a fine saw sideways across the wood to roughen it before regluing.

Modern glues do not require tight cramping, but the surfaces have to be brought closely together. With framed furniture, such as a chair, rope tied across and twisted with a piece of wood to tighten it, can act as a cramp. If a joint has loosened, but cannot be opened enough to clean and reglue, a strengthening bracket can be screwed on, inside the framing where it cannot be seen. A triangle of wood could be sued at the corner of framing under a life out seat. Slope the screw holes towards the corner so they draw the bracket in. Metal repair plates can be bought, or an angle bracket, like a small shelf support, can be used in a corner instead of a wood bracket. For a flat repair there are straight and L-shaped plates, already drilled.

Since the well being of the family may be said to revolve round the kitchen, some basic ground rules are essential for maintaining it in as hygienic a manner as possible.

Large Appliances

Depending on the size and space available, the age of the kitchen and the money to spare, large appliances will usually consist of cooker, sink unit, refrigerator\freezer, a washing machine or some appliance for assisting in the laundry process. There may also be items in the luxury bracket such as a dishwasher, tumble drier or freezer. All these are potential germ traps even, surprisingly, washing machines, and a regular routine is required to keep them clean.

Cookers – Turn off electricity or gas. Half-fill the sink with very hot water and enzyme detergent – marvelous for dissolving burnt-on-food. Remove all shelves, trays, grill pan burners and soaking sink. Rinse, dry and replace. Wipe all enamel parts with damp cloth and cream cleanser. Rinse well. For inside oven, use one of the good quality products. If oven is very dirty leave cleaner on all night. Rinse off thoroughly and dry. Toughened glass in oven doors can be cleaned with a nylon scourer and cream cleanser.

Solid fuel Cookers – Wipe spills at once. Use cream cleanser on all enamel parts. Rinse off carefully. If enamel is really dirty, try soap filled pads, but avoid using on plastic or aluminum. Brush out oven regularly.

Kitchen sinks

Hot water and washing up liquid is enough for general cleaning. Stainless steel and enamel sinks should be cleaned with a cream cleanser or special stainless steel cleaner to avoid scratching surface. A handful of soda and a capful of liquid bleach washed down the drain at regular intervals will help dissolve grease, kill germs and reduce smells.

When choosing equipment for washing clothes from the very wide range available, there are a number of points to consider:
Space: What is available? Will the machine fit under a working surface? Will one appliance stack on top of another?

Cost: How much can you afford to pay? Do you want to pay outright or by a hire purchase arrangement?

Size: How many members in your family? Do you have a large wash every week or several times a week?

Time: How much can you give to the job? Here, the choice between single, twin tub and automatic would be important.

Before buying Inspect various models in each type and compare prices, finishes, etc. Many shops offer good discounts on electrical goods. Enquire about after sales servicing and owners club schemes they will save you money

Washing Machines
There are three main types which include single tubs, twin tubs and automatic machines.

Single tubs washing machines are semi automatic and they are e the cheapest. These compact machines remove the bulk of the water, but do not get clothes dry. Twin tubs are also semi automatic. Combine wash tub and spin drier. They can be quite expensive and do not take large loads or very bulky items. Automatic machines come in two types like top loading with central paddle and horizontal drum automatic which can be front or top loading. Both types carry out all the washing processes.

Drying Equipment

Wringers – Hand operated or electrical. Do not get clothes dry enough for ironing.
Spin driers – can extract 80 percent of water from clothes. Their loads must be distributed evenly.
Tumble driers – Before use, consider the time and the heat required for drying and the movement of clothes – do not overload. Wipe them out and remove fluff from filter after use.

Laundry is not usually the most popular of household tasks. It can be made much more bearable by using any of a whole range of appliances and sophisticated detergents that are available and which make the task easier, and by investing in clothes, etc. made from the wide choice of easy care fabrics. However, in spite of all these aids, people often achieve poor results, which can be discouraging and expensive. There are several reasons for this. People are often confused by the wide range of detergents – why isn’t there just one for everything? In addition, every time you look, there seems to be a new fabric on the market, often needing special treatment, which can mean that it shouldn’t be washed in your normal load of laundry. And with so many washing machines, tumble driers and irons and sale, it is often difficult to decide which the best is for your purposes. Frequently the reason for poor results lies in not bothering to read instructions on detergent packs, care labels and manuals that come with washing machines or driers. The task then is to achieve satisfactory results with the weekly wash, and to attempt to reduce to minimum disasters such as baggy, faded acrylic sweaters and graying nylon underwear.

How much powder to use

Don’t ignore the quantity recommendations on packs. They are there as guide and not to encourage you to use more powder than in necessary. Everyone’s circumstances differ, and you need to adjust amounts accordingly. for soaking and hand washing use ½ cup of powder of 4.5 liters (1 gallon) water, 1 ½ cups per sink, ½ – ¾ cup per bucket.