Category: All Design’s Favourite DIYs

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During these times of fuel price volatility, it’s important to keep a close eye on the relationship between fuel prices. Any homeowner who uses a wood pellet stove to supplement their gas furnace could be losing money and not even know it

fuel cost comparison,effective cost,wood pellets,natural gas,fuel efficiency

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I recently updated the Fuel Cost Comparison Chart at Alternative-Heating-Info.paving and the results were surprising. As of 3/20/06 it was actually cheaper in Metro Boston to heat with natural gas than with wood pellets!

During these times of fuel price volatility, it’s important to keep a close eye on the relationship between fuel prices. Any homeowner who uses a wood pellet stove to supplement their gas furnace could be losing money and not even know it..

If you can use a calculator, you’re only minutes away from figuring out which fuel is the cheapest to burn at any given time.

When you compare fuel heating costs make sure it’s apples to apples. The standard quantity used for comparing residential fuel costs is 1,000,000 BTUs of fuel heat content.

Cost To Burn Wood Pellets

Since a wood pellet stove needs only 125 lbs (1/16 of a ton) of pellets to generate 1,000,000 BTUs, divide the cost per ton by 16. At $198 a ton for wood pellets it costs $12.38 to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

Cost To Burn Natural Gas

The price per therm (look at your gas bill) of natural gas in Boston is $1.1813. When you multiply that by 10.30 (10.30 cubic feet) it costs $12.17 to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

It’s easy to see that natural gas heat now costs about $0.21 less per 1,000,000 BTUs than wood pellets.

Here are the quick fuel cost comparison formulas for wood pellets and natural gas:

Price per ton of wood pellets divided by 16 = Cost to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

Price per therm of natural gas x 10.30 = Cost to produce 1,000,000 BTUs.

The quick formulas are useful only for comparing natural gas to wood pellets since their fuel efficiencies are similar.

If you are comparing fuels with different efficiencies, all you have to do is find the coefficient of the fuel efficiency percentage rating. Please don’t run screaming out the door because I said coefficient. Just divide 1 by the percentage’s decimal equivalent to obtain the coefficient.

For example: The fuel efficiency rating for natural gas and wood pellets is 85%.
If you divide 1 by .85 you get a coefficient of 1.18. Now plug this into the quick formula to obtain the effective, or true cost, of the fuel you are burning.

Wood Pellets: $198 divided by 16 x 1.18 = $14.60

Natural Gas: $1.1813 x 10.30 x 1.18 = $14.36

By expanding the quick formula to include the effective cost calculation, the spread between the two fuels has now widened to $0.24.

Assuming fuel prices don’t go crazy, you could save as much as $75 during the remainder of this heating season by switching from wood pellets back to natural gas.

When prices do change, you have armed yourself with two simple, yet powerful tools to help you quickly and confidently determine when one fuel is more cost effective than the other.

These are the coefficients of commonly used percentages:
60% = 1.67, 65% = 1.54, 70% = 1.43, 75% = 1.33, 80% = 1.25, 85% = 1.18, 90% = 1.11, 95% = 1.05, 100% = 1.

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While redecorating your home’s interior is an expensive project, there are some simple ways for you to cut costs just by making some items yourself. For example, did you know that it is possible to make perfect curtain rods that look great and save you money? If you think that making curtain rods will be too difficult or time-consuming, you may want to think again. In this article, we’ll give you all the necessary steps on how to make perfect curtain rods. You may be surprise…

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While redecorating your home’s interior is an expensive project, there are some simple ways for you to cut costs just by making some items yourself. For example, did you know that it is possible to make perfect curtain rods that look great and save you money? If you think that making curtain rods will be too difficult or time-consuming, you may want to think again. In this article, we’ll give you all the necessary steps on how to make perfect curtain rods. You may be surprised at just how simple this project can be.

The first step in making perfect curtain rods is to make perfect measurements. Use a standard tape measurer above your intended window to find out how long of a rod you will need. It is important to measure 2-3 inches beyond the actual width of the window. This will ensure that your curtain rod provides sufficient coverage.

The next step involves driving to your local home improvement store. These stores (such as Lowe’s and Home Depot) have all the supplies you will need for making perfect curtain rods. Don’t forget to bring your measurements and tape measurer along with you. This will prevent you buying ill-fitting materials.

So, what exactly are you going to need to make perfect curtain rods? The first item you need to purchase is the rod itself, and the best fit is usually a dowel (these are very inexpensive and can usually be found in the lumber section). This is where it is important to know the proper measurements of your window, so you can choose a dowel of proper length. Remember, it is always better to buy a dowel that is too big as opposed to one that is too small. A bigger dowel can always be cut down to size. Once you have selected a dowel as your curtain rod, you will also need two large hooks (to support your curtain rod), screws to apply the hooks, and two decorative attachments to put on each end of the rod (these are known as finials). Depending on the color of your interior, you may also need to buy a paint or finish to apply to the curtain rod after completion. Usually, browns and tans work well for curtain rods, but the decision is strictly yours. You now have all of the necessary items needed to make a perfect curtain rod.

Now that you are back at home, you can begin the simple task of putting up your curtain rod. The first thing you want to do is to screw both large hooks above the window according to your measurements. There should be atleast an inch of room on both sides for the curtain rod to comfortably rest. This will reduce the likelihood of the rod falling down. The next step is to sand down your dowel and apply your chosen finish to the rod. After a period of drying, you can then slide your curtain onto your new curtain rod (make sure the rings are big enough!). The last step is to attach the finials you have selected to complete your curtain rod’s look. Hang on the hooks you previously attached, and there you have it! You have made a perfect curtain rod!

Wasn’t that easy? By following these steps on how to make perfect curtain rods, you can create a cheap alternative to standard curtain rods while giving any room in your home a truly unique look.

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A steel garage is a perfect addition to any home. Steel garage doubles as a shelter for your vehicle, storage for tools and equipment, and can even serve as a working space for a do-it-yourselfer. Steel garages have become a favorite among savvy homeowners, as they are flexible, easy to build and very affordable. With a steel garage, you can store one vehicle or even a truck or a boat, even though you cannot accommodate a guest apartment or an office there. In any case, you c…

garages,steel garages,metal garages,garage plans,garage building,storage

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A steel garage is a perfect addition to any home. Steel garage doubles as a shelter for your vehicle, storage for tools and equipment, and can even serve as a working space for a do-it-yourselfer. Steel garages have become a favorite among savvy homeowners, as they are flexible, easy to build and very affordable. With a steel garage, you can store one vehicle or even a truck or a boat, even though you cannot accommodate a guest apartment or an office there. In any case, you can always choose a garage building plan that suits your needs without sacrificing space or look of your property.

When built according to garage building plans, a steel garage can cost you up to 40% less than conventional garages. With a steel garage, you can add a roof of your choice, install the doors and windows right where you want them, and of course, you can pick materials you can afford.

When picking a garage building plan, you must decide what your family needs. Would that be a two-car garage or a simple tool shed? With a clear idea in mind, take a look at your property and find a suitable space. You need to make sure that the garage has an accessible driveway and connection to the house for water and electricity. Avoid damp areas, if your property has them. To find the balance in form and function, you can add a steel garage to the side of your house. In fact, most garages today are attached to the house. Check your building permits and local building codes to make sure you don’t violate any of them.

Steel garages are fairly easy to assemble, but even with the simplest plan, you need to consider if you have enough time and expertise to build the garage by yourself, or maybe you need to hire a contractor to finish the job. As for the tools, most of them you might already have. If not, you can always rent them instead of buying. The garage building plan will list all the tools you need. Expert constructors recommend having all tools on site before beginning construction.

Steel garage building begins with precise marking of the excavation area. Most likely you will need a contractor to excavate the area and build the garage foundation with anchor bolts enclosed.

When the foundation is ready, you can raise walls. Before lifting the steel sheets into place, make sure the bottom is correctly positioned. At this stage ensure you have some help with lifting and holding the wall in place while fixing it in.

The roof must be built immediately after you have finished constructing the walls to avoid any weather damage inside the steel garage. Roof trusses will sustain loads only when they are vertical. Carefully lift the trusses and set them in place. Now you are ready to add roof sheathing. Polyurethane or particleboard is the most common material.

Steel garage building plans allow you to build exactly the garage you have in mind to fit in perfectly in whatever style home you have. Best of all, complete steel garage building plans are available for any project with blueprints and detailed walkthrough for every stage of the construction.

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Ever wonder what kind of equipment your carpet cleaner will use. This article will explain the various kinds of equipment that steam cleaners use.

carpet cleaning, cleaners, flooring, carpeting, floors, home improvement, home repair. clean floor

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Carpet steam cleaners use a variety of different carpet cleaning equipment. There are gas powered truck mounted machines, electric truck mounted machines and electric portable machines. This article will provide you with the basic differences between these machines.
The first machine is a gas truck mount carpet cleaner. This is one of the most common machines used in the carpet cleaning industry. This machine uses either the trucks engine or a separate gas engine to drive a vacuum blower and water pump. These machines have the capacity to provide the greatest amount of vacuum and the highest heat. They are the preferred piece of steam cleaning equipment because of their power, speed and efficiency. With this machine, the cleaner only needs to bring 2 hoses into your home. This eliminates the need to bring bulky equipment into your hose and decreases noise in your home.
Electric truck mounted cleaners are another type of carpet cleaning machine. They are similar to gas truck mounts but they use an electric motor to drive a vacuum blower and water pump. They are nice because they are a little more environmentally friendly and they are much quieter to run. They do not provide as much vacuum power as gas powered machines but do an adequate job. With this machine a cleaner also only needs to bring 2 hoses into your home.
The last machine I will discuss is a portable carpet cleaning machine. This machine uses electricity to power a vacuum motor and water pump. All of the equipment is located in a portable assembly that the cleaner will bring into your home. This machine is great for areas not serviceable by truck mounted machines like apartments and high rises. It does not provide as much power as the the truck mount machines but it has enough power to get the job done. The drawback of this machine is that the cleaner must bring it into your home and it can be loud and cumbersome to use.
While there are other carpet cleaning machines, these are the 3 most common steam cleaners. Remember, carpet cleaning machines are just tools. Even the best machine will not get the job done with a bad operator. You should choose your carpet cleaning service based on the skill, ethics and motivation of your carpet cleaner.

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Home improvement can be defined as modifying the existing structure of one’s home by making additions and making changes

Home, improvement, professional

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Home improvement can be defined as modifying the existing structure of one’s home by making additions and making changes. Mostly a professional technician is recruited however, sometimes; the home improvements is done on a non-professional and an amateur basis by the homeowner.

As mentioned above, there are two ways of going about the process of home improvement. The first id the professional and the second is the do it your self (DIY) method. In the professional method you could hire a general contractor to be in charge of the whole home improvement project. On the other hand you could do away with the contractor and ‘do it yourself (DIY). You will need to hire the plumbers, electricians, roofers etc yourself.

There are endless types of works in that you could do. To begin with the walls could be wall papered, or painted. Wood paneling can also be installed on it. New flooring, such as linoleum, hardwood flooring, and tiling can be installed. The kitchen and bathroom sink, cabinets, and pipes can be replaced with new ones. The electrical and plumbing systems could be upgraded. As also the heating and the air conditioning systems.

Similarly other home improvements projects that t could be undertaken are the tearing and replacement of the roof, repairing the foundation and the chimney if required, waterproofing the basements etc. these are only a few of the home improvements projects mentioned here.

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Home warranties have been around for years. However, until recently, home warranties were a well kept secret. Today, home warranties are much more common and are steadily rising in popularity. Although now, many people just don’t know much about home warranties including what ‘standard coverage’ is for a home warranty and what they can expect for coverage from a home warranty.

Home Owner Warranty, Home Buyer Warranty, Home Seller Warranty, Homeowner Program, Air conditioner Repair, Furnace Repair, Appliance Repair

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Home warranties have been around for years. However, until recently, home warranties were a well kept secret. Today, home warranties are much more common and are steadily rising in popularity. Although now, many people just don’t know much about home warranties including what ‘standard coverage’ is for a home warranty and what they can expect for coverage from a home warranty.

A home warranty is exactly like the warranty you have on your appliances for the most part. It works similarly, some things are covered and some things are not. When you buy a new dishwasher, you check out the warranty before you purchase it to see what is covered by the warranty and what isn’t. You wouldn’t purchase a dishwasher without a decent warranty – so why would you purchase a home without one?

A home warranty can be purchased by either the buyer or the seller of a property. For the seller, a home warranty is used as a sales feature that will help secure a higher price for the home. For the buyer, a home warranty is used as a safety net for older homes so that any major repairs are covered.

For the most part, you can expect some standard coverage from your home warranty. Be forewarned though – it’s important to read all the details of the home warranty before you sign up for it.

Most home warranties will cover:

• The air conditioning system
• Central heating unit
• Duct work
• Electrical systems
• Ceiling fans
• Plumbing systems
• Water heater
• Refrigerator
• Built in dishwasher
• Built in microwave
• The oven or range
• Garbage disposal unit
• A built in trash compactor
• The washer and dryer

This is based on ‘standard coverage’ for an average sized home, less than 5,000 square feet. However, when you are choosing a home warranty, it is important to discuss all the intricacies of the policy with the agent before you sign up. You need to know if anything is left out of the main list above and why. Quite often, you will find that the garbage disposal or trash compactor isn’t covered with the warranty.

Home warranties vary in price from state to state and from company to company. However, you have to weight the cost of the home warranty to that of any repairs that may need to be done after you’ve moved into your home. If the seller is offering a warranty, it’s usually a good deal. If the seller of the home you are purchasing isn’t offering a home warranty, then you may want to purchase one.

It can be quite costly to replace major appliances and in many cases, having a home warranty means that you don’t have to worry about those upfront costs. Let’s look at some examples of costs to replace major appliances in your home.

A furnace will cost between $1,250 and $3,500 to replace, plus any other work on the ducts and heating system that needs to be done at the same time. Air conditioning units run from $700 to $3,275 for replacement, and once again that number could be higher if there is any other work on the air conditioning system in your home that needs to be completed. An oven or a range costs anywhere from $700 to $2,000 to replace, and although you can install one on your own, or have the delivery guy install it for you, there may be electrical work that needs to be done when your stove or range breaks down. Refrigerators can start as low as $300 but rise up above $2,000, depending on the type of fridge you want. Built in dishwashers can run from $200 to $1,000, washer and dryer sets, from $200 to $2,000 each piece. A water heater can run you anywhere from $375 to $525, as well as any other work that needs to be done on the plumbing and water system in your home. One broken water pipe replacement and fix can cost $100 to $600, not to mention the damage that it can do to your home and your belongings.

When you compare those costs to that of a home warranty, you can easily see that a home warranty may be a great idea when you are purchasing an older home, especially one that you don’t really know that much about yet. Always be sure to look into all the nuances of your home warranty before signing on the dotted line so you can be sure you are getting what you are paying for.

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No matter what type of carpet stain remover you are using, follow these instructions to prevent the unmentionable.

stain removal tips, carpet stain removal, blood stain removal

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No matter what type of carpet stain remover you are using, follow these instructions to prevent the unmentionable. First of all try scraping out the stain with a dull knife. Sometimes the stain only affects the surface of your carpet. By scraping it out you’re saving time and money. If the stain is too deep, then the risk of scraping might be too high. Next up, carefully read the instructions that came with the commercial remover. These substances are heavy duty stuff so it is highly recommended to follow their instructions to the letter. Be sure that there’s nothing inflammable near by.

Carpet stain removers must be handled with care. Since these products are chemical based you should protect your hands. A couple of dishwashing gloves are perfect for protection. Try to keep any pet away from the action zone. These creatures are curious and would eat about anything in sight. Inform everyone in the vicinity that a stain removal procedure is underway. This way you avoid any potential accidents. Many carpet stains won’t go off with the first pass. In that case keep repeating the process until satisfied.

No matter what type of carpet stain remover you are using, always finish with water. This benign liquid is a universal cleaner known for its unique properties. The trick is to stack up a series of towels and immerse them in water. Then take them and put them on top of the remaining stain. Apply some sort of weight to pressure downwards. Let it press for a few minutes. It should suck up the rest of the stain. If it doesn’t, then try to soak the towels in warm or hot water and repeat the process. An important thing to note: use white towels. Colored towels may discolor and make things worse.

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Stainless steel cleaners and polish are divided into three categories. These three categories are stainless steel cleaners, stainless steel polishes and stainless steel polish cleaners. Each type of stainless steel maintenance product is used for a specific stainless steel maintenance task.

stainless steel polish, stainless steel cleaner, stainless cleaner, stainless polish

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Stainless steel cleaners and polish are divided into three categories. These three categories are stainless steel cleaners, stainless steel polishes and stainless steel polish cleaners. Each type of stainless steel maintenance product is used for a specific stainless steel maintenance task. There are also different types of commercial and residential stainless steel types. The main two types of stainless steel are satin stainless steel and polished stainless steel. Satin stainless steel has a duller finish than polished stainless steel but resists oil markings such as fingerprints much better. Polished stainless steel has a mirror like metal gloss look.

Stainless steel cleaners are used to cut through oil marks and dry, streak and shine free. Stainless steel cleaners are sometimes referred to as stainless steel maintainers and are meant to clean your stainless steel before applying a polish. Maintainers are also perfect for removing grease buildup from stoves, and cooking ranges. Stainless steel cleaners are often used in residential and commercial kitchens. Types of products stainless steel cleaners can be used on are dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, escalators, tile and chrome. Some stainless steel cleaners come with scents built in to leave a long lasting, pleasant aroma.

Stainless steel polish is used to give your stainless steel a wet gloss look shine. Stainless steel polish also protects your stainless steal as well as making it look great. Fingerprints are usually the biggest headache when using stainless steel products, stainless steel polish creates a thin barrier between the stainless steel and fingertips preventing markings. If you are constantly having to dust off your stainless furniture or appliances stainless steel polish can actually help repel dust. If you are using polish in a food service are make sure to check that the stainless steel product you are using contains no chlorinated solvents which contaminate food.

Stainless steel polish and cleaner blended together is a quick way to clean your stainless steel products. Polish and cleaner combos will remove fingerprints and dust and leave a shine on any type of stainless steel. Stainless steel polish and cleaner does however require more elbow grease than using the separate cleaner polish method but it is usually quicker to use and is great for touch ups.

When purchasing stainless steel cleaners and polish be sure to find out the type of nozzle that is fitted to the can. The two main types of stainless cleaner can nozzles are oval and round hollow. An oval nozzle is generally better when you have smaller areas to clean and polish.

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Natural wood is widely considered one of the most appealing looks for a home. The possibilities it offers to create individual expressions are nearly limitless.

Staining Reveals Wood’s Personality-And Yours

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Natural wood is widely considered one of the most appealing looks for a home. The possibilities it offers to create individual expressions are nearly limitless.

The personal satisfaction of interior staining is simple to understand. The process is also easy. It doesn’t take a lot of materials or technical expertise. It’s inexpensive and the rewards are great for a modest investment of time.

Today, the popularity of flea market bargain hunting amplifies the value of staining. When that perfect piece of furniture is found with an unsightly coat of chipped paint masking its beauty, an afternoon staining session can transform an ugly-duckling piece into a family treasure.

Often, the natural beauty of wood is hidden under paint or disguised by years of use. With just the right stain, you can turn a seemingly ordinary piece of furniture into a treasured possession. “Consumers can now choose a look that fits their personality, the room or both,” says Khristine Selelyo, marketing manager for Olympic Stains.

If the wood has been covered before, a stripper or wood refinisher may be necessary to remove old paint, varnish or unwanted stain. These products are readily available in the interior stain sections of hardware and home-improvement stores. You’ll also need:

• Natural bristle brushes

• Soft, lint-free cloth

• Sandpaper

• Stirring device

• Latex or vinyl gloves

• Mineral spirits/paint thinner

• Drop cloths

The process of applying stain is relatively unchanged from its historical beginnings. Work the stain into the wood using a brush, foam applicator or lint-free rag. The longer the stain is left on the wood, the deeper it will penetrate, and the darker the resulting color.

Once your exact color is achieved, it’s time to protect that beautiful finish with a covering of polyurethane. There are options in polyurethane, including an oil-based topcoat for a warm, golden tone or a water-based option for a clear, shiny finish. Either way, it’s always best to protect your interior staining projects with a polyurethane finish.

Stains today come in a wide variety of colors. Selecting just the right color used to be a process of trial and error for the do-it-yourselfer. Now, in addition to considering lighting and what the object will be seen with, you can try a color out before you make a commitment. Thanks to new convenient trial size samples of Olympic Interior Stains, you can test the various colors to select the exact finish you’re looking for without purchasing a stain that may not be right for your project. Keep in mind that it’s important to look at an object throughout the day, as different light conditions will give it a different look.

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Spring-cleaning can seem like such a chore. You spend all day, or even a few days getting the entire house sparkly clean. As a busy mom, you will appreciate some of these cleaning tips that will make the job a little easier and faster. You’ll have more time to enjoy the nice spring weather outside.

Start out by taking a quick look through your cleaning supplies a few days before the big spring clean. Make sure you have plenty of paper towels and cleaning rags. If your mo…

spring cleaning

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Spring-cleaning can seem like such a chore. You spend all day, or even a few days getting the entire house sparkly clean. As a busy mom, you will appreciate some of these cleaning tips that will make the job a little easier and faster. You’ll have more time to enjoy the nice spring weather outside.

Start out by taking a quick look through your cleaning supplies a few days before the big spring clean. Make sure you have plenty of paper towels and cleaning rags. If your mop or broom is really worn out, this is a great time to invest in a new one. Check all bottles and containers of cleaning supplies that you like to use and see if you have plenty of them. There’s nothing worse than having to clean yourself up during your big spring cleaning to run to the store for a new bottle of Windex.

Get everyone in the family to spend some time with you the day before the big spring cleaning to pick up around the house. You don’t want to spend time picking up toys or washing dishes the next day.

Get up early and put on some comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Dress all the way down to your shoes and put your hair up. Take a few minutes to gather all your cleaning supplies and get going.

Tackle one room at a time. This works much better than trying to do 10 things at once. It will also give you a great sense of accomplishment to see each clean room.

Start at the top and work your way down. Use a broom or a mop with a soft cloth wrapped around it to get any spider webs and dust out of the ceiling corners. Dust the light fixtures. Keep working your way down cleaning counters, windows and windowsills, furniture. Finish by dusting the baseboards and giving the carpets a good vacuuming. Take the time to vacuum under the bed and move furniture to clean the floor under it whenever possible.

When you get to the bathrooms, start by spraying some all purpose or bathroom cleaner on all the appliances, especially anything that may have some build up on it, like the soap dish in the shower. Pour some Clorox in the toilet. Allow the cleaner to soak in while you get started on the ceiling, windows and counters. By the time you get around to the sink, shower and toilet, all you need to do is wiping them down and give the inside of the toilet a quick scrub with the brush.

Make sure you take some breaks, and drink plenty of water. Cleaning is a touch job. When you are done, enjoy a long shower, put on some clean clothes and put up your feet. Give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done and get some rest. You deserve it.