All posts by Dave

Cleaning Wicker

How to Clean Wicker Furniture

Wicker furniture is constructed to withstand water barrages and heat, but it can only take so much. Too much sun can dry out wicker and too much rain can make it damp and soggy. Cleaning wicker furniture periodically may be required to combat some of these issues. If your wicker is indoors, like in a sunroom, you’ll probably only need to worry about dust. You may want to check out some other sunroom pictures  if you’ want to decorate your sunroom with a clean and classy look. Continue reading How to Clean Wicker Furniture

Homemade furniture polish

Homemade Furniture Cleaner & Polish

Cleaning and polishing your furniture everyday will give it a glowing and lively look. There are many kinds of furniture polish, both commercial and homemade. Although it is may be less of a hassle to just buy a commercial polish there are still many advantages to knowing how to make your own homemade furniture polish. Continue reading Homemade Furniture Cleaner & Polish

Tung Oil vs Linseed Oil

Difference Between Tung Oil, Linseed Oil, Danish Oil & Polyurethane

Tung Oil

Tung oil is a non-toxic penetrating oil that is used in refinishing furniture. It usually dries and penetrates slowly but you can add mineral spirits or turpentine to it if you want to quicken the drying and penetrating time. It comes from a deciduous China tree that grows heart-shaped leaves and fruits called Tung fruit. When these fruits are dried and compressed they can produce around 20% of Tung oil. Continue reading Difference Between Tung Oil, Linseed Oil, Danish Oil & Polyurethane

mineral spirits vs paint thinner

Difference Between Mineral Spirits, Paint Thinner and Lacquer Thinner

Mineral spirits, paint thinners, and lacquer thinners are all solvents used in finishing and refinishing furniture. They are designed to momentarily change paint’s chemical structures and then evaporate when the paint dries. They can also be used in dissolving resins, cleaning up, and making mediums. Although mineral spirits, paint thinners and lacquer thinners are all considered solvents, they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading Difference Between Mineral Spirits, Paint Thinner and Lacquer Thinner

Remove Smoke Smell From Furniture

How to Remove Smoke Smell from Furniture

Smoke, whether from cigarettes or other burning things, can leave an unpleasant odor in your home. What’s worse is that this smell can stick to your furniture, leaving your house smelling rotten. Fortunately, there are many ways to get smoke smell out of furniture. Listed below are a few tips to help. Continue reading How to Remove Smoke Smell from Furniture

Sherwin-Williams

Best Paint Brands

We all want what’s best for our furniture. When it starts to wear and tear you may want to consider doing a quick makeover. It’s really not that expensive, but you do need to make sure you choose a quality paint to make it worth your time. It is important to distinguish which of these brands are the best paint brands if we want our furniture to have that excellent professional look. Continue reading Best Paint Brands

chalk paint for furniture

DIY Chalk Paint

Chalk paint has recently become very popular in the U.S. It gives a chalk matte look with more depth than ordinary white paint. It usually comes in white but you can add any color tint to make soft shades of different colors. This kind of paint works best on soft and porous woods such as ash or pine, and is an excellent choice for detailed furniture. It is a wonderful background for detailed paint and it can even be sanded, built up, or carved to give details or a distressed look. Continue reading DIY Chalk Paint

tack cloth

How To Make A Tack Cloth

A tack rag or a tack cloth is used to clean the surface of wood furniture before refinishing. It works better than an ordinary rag because it has a sticky surface that allows it to pick up even the tiniest dust particles. Furthermore, unlike an ordinary rag, tack cloths do not leave any residue behind. They can be purchased at an affordable price or you can make your own. It is important to know how to make a tack cloth Continue reading How To Make A Tack Cloth

cat urine odor removal

How to Remove Cat Urine Odor

Having a pet is fun but it also comes with a lot of complications. One such complication, especially if your pet is new, is urine. Unlike people, pets tend to pee wherever they see fit. This may be remedied through training, but it may take a while for them to learn where the proper place to pee is. Of all pets, the smell of a cat’s urine is probably the most distinct and unpleasant. It can linger in furniture, carpet, and flooring for days. Fortunately, there are many different cat urine odor removal methods available to help you get rid of the smell.

Cat Urine Odor Removal Home Remedy

simple solution stain & odor removerIf you’re on a tight budget you may want to try some of the cat urine odor removal home remedy methods below before buying a commercialized spray. Otherwise, just grab a bottle of  Simple Solution Extreme Stain and Odor Remover for under $10. It will do the trick.

1.)    Hydrogen peroxide and Listerine. Any detergent that contains peroxide can be used on the affected area. To mask the odor try mixing the detergent with some Listerine. Wait for the affected area to absorb the mixture (this will take around 5 minutes) and then rinse and soak up with warm water and a rag or paper towel. Repeat the process until the odor is completely gone. You can also just pour the mixture directly over the affected area if you don’t have a spray. If you choose to do this, let the mixture dry before rinsing it off.

2.)    Listerine. As mentioned above, Listerine is a very effective ingredient in eliminating the odor of cat urine, probably because of the amount of alcohol that it has. It can either be mixed with peroxide, water and vinegar, or plain hot water. When working with a water and Listerine solution, simply dab the area with it and let dry.

3.)    Baking Soda. Baking soda is used to eliminate many different odors. It might eliminate the cat urine smell on the surface, but it won’t likely do anything about odors that have deeply penetrated. To use this method, simply dampen the affected area and scatter some baking soda across it. For best results, try aggressively rubbing the baking soda into the area with a rag. Once the area is dry, use a brush or a vacuum to clean the surface.

4.)    Baking Soda, Detergent/Soap, Peroxide. A mixture of ¼ cup baking soda, one quart of peroxide, and some drops of detergent or liquid soap can do wonders in removing odors. Using a spray bottle simply spray the mixture onto the affected areas and let it get absorbed. If the areas you are working on are porous, more quantities should be sprayed on. Rinse the area with warm water after.

You can also mix these ingredients in a plastic container using a plastic spoon and then apply it on the smelly or stained areas. However, you should remember to discard the materials after use.

When using detergents or liquid soaps, make sure never to use one that is based on ammonia. Since ammonia is also what cat urine is based on, using it will further encourage a cat to pee in the same area again.

Cat Urine Smell Remover with Vinegar

VinegarVinegar is another effective ingredient in removing different kinds of stains and odors. White vinegar, in particular, has been used to eliminate odors for a long time. There are many ways to remove unwanted odors using vinegar:

1.)    Vinegar and Water. Combining one part white vinegar with two to three parts warm water will create a strong solution capable of removing cat urine odor. Absorb as much urine as you can into a paper towel and then apply the solution with a spray bottle. If you don’t have a spray bottle you can try leaving a cloth soaked with the solution on the affected area overnight. You may want to place a heavy object over the cloth to make this more effective. Let the area dry and then wipe with a clean cloth and warm water. If the odor or stain is still there, you can repeat the procedure using a weaker mixture. To make sure that the solution won’t damage your furniture, test on an inconspicuous area first.

2.)    Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Soap. Like with vinegar and water, the first thing to do is to get rid of as much cat urine as possible without any solution first. Then, make a 1:2 mixture of white vinegar and water. Add a little soap along the way. Use a clean rag to apply the mixture to the affected area and press firmly to soak up the excess urine. Do this until the area is dry and then repeat the method but this time using fresh water. After the area dries, spread baking soda and leave there for 24 hours. Remove the baking soda by brushing or vacuuming.

3.)    Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Cornstarch. This mixture, which involves combining equal amounts of baking soda, cornstarch, and white vinegar, is a pasty one. To apply, simply rub it on the affected area using paper towels or a scrub brush that is soft.

Cat Urine Odor Removal from Wood Floors

wood floorCat urine isn’t just an odor or stain problem when it comes to hardwood floors; it is a harmful substance that can produce rot on your floor if it is not cleaned up promptly. Because it is very expensive to replace floors, it is important that you know how to remove cat urine from them. Working on the problem while it is still fresh can do wonders, so it is best to clean the urine as soon as you smell it.

Here is one good method to get rid of the smell of cat urine:

Step 1:  Get rid of excrements.

Step 2: Firmly blot the affected area

Step 3: Use white vinegar to wash the area but make sure to do this several times. Once may not be enough to remove the odor

Step 4: Use warm water to thoroughly rinse the stain

Step 5: Blot the area dry using paper towels.

Step 6: If you have one, apply a commercial odor and stain removing cleaner. It is important, however, to read the instructions and test on an inconspicuous spot of floor first before using the product.

You can sand and reseal the flooring if there are stains that can’t be removed. Please refer to these posts for assistance:

Sanding / Refinishing Wood Furniture

Staining Furniture

Cat urine is no joke. It has a very unpleasant odor that lingers for days. Removing the scent is important if you want your house to smell fragrant and not unpleasant. Removing the scent will also discourage your cat from urinating in the same spot.  There are many ways to remove the odor of a cat’s urine, and many of them don’t involve spending a lot of money.