Play areas can be a great addition to your yard but they need to be safe. To reduce injuries:

• Examine the ground to make sure it is smooth and even to prevent tripping.
• Add a foot of mulch or sand under play equipment.
• Check the hardware on play equipment. Cut off any protruding bolts and use pliers to close open “S” hooks.
• Be sure there are enclosed railings around any play equipment that is raised off the ground. Limit the open space between balusters to either under 3½” or over 9” to keep children from being trapped between them.
• Do not allow young children to play unattended.

Regardless of whether the outdoor furniture on your patio or deck is made of wood, aluminum, wrought iron, or plastic; it takes a lot of abuse from the elements including sun, rain, snow, and extreme changes in temperature.

Here are some tips on how to clean and protect the furniture on your deck or patio to keep it looking like new.

Wrought Iron and Metal Furniture

How to Clean:

• Mix up a squirt of dishwashing detergent with a bucket of warm water.



• Scrub surface with a scrub brush.
• Rinse furniture and allow to dry.
• Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove any rusted spots down to the bare metal.
• Wipe off any metal reside with a clean cloth dampened with mineral spirits or naphtha.
• Spray bare spots with a primer made for metal, such as those made by Rust-Oleum following the directions on the can (wear an approved respirator). Allow surface to dry for recommended time.
• Spray furniture with paint made for metal of the desired color, following the directions on the can (wear an approved respirator).
• Allow paint to dry thoroughly before using furniture.

Aluminum Furniture

How to Remove Oxidation:

• Option #1: Remove light oxidation by rubbing the surface with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water.



• Option #2: Rub the surface with automotive rubbing or polishing compound to abrade away oxidation.
• Option #3: Clean the surface with dishwashing detergent and water using a plastic scrubbing sponge or very fine steel wool. NOTE: Try first on hidden area to see if it scratches the aluminum.
• All options: Rinse off the cleaning solution with a garden hose, and allow to dry.

How to Prevent Oxidation:

• Apply a coat of automotive paste wax to the surface.
• Allow the wax to dry for a few minutes.
• Remove residue and polish surface with a clean cloth.

Plastic and Molded Resin Furniture

How to Clean:

• Dip a sponge in warm water, and squeeze out any excess.
• Sprinkle baking soda on the sponge to act as a mild abrasive.
• Scrub furniture with sponge.
• Rinse furniture with garden hose.
• Allow furniture to dry.

How to Remove Mildew or Mold:

• White Furniture: Apply a solution of one part bleach to four parts water in a pump up sprayer. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, rinse with a garden hose, and allow to dry in full sun.
• Colored Furniture: Apply a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar to one quart water in a pump up sprayer. Leave on for 10-20 minutes then rinse with a garden hose, and allow to dry in full sun.

How to Restore Shine:

• Apply a coat of automotive paste wax to the surface.
• Allow the wax to dry for a few minutes.
• Wipe off any residue with a clean cloth.

Natural Wood Furniture

How to Clean (Redwood, Cedar, Pine):

• Option #1: Scrub surface with soft scrub brush using special wood cleaner or brightener following the directions on container (wear protective clothing and rubber gloves). Rinse with hose and allow to dry in full sun.
• Option #2: Scrub with mixture of 1/4 cup ammonia and two tablespoons white vinegar in one quart water. Rinse with garden hose and allow to dry in full sun.

How to Clean (Teak):

• Option #1: Apply teak cleaner, following the directions on the container.
• Option #2: Apply mixture of 1/4 cup laundry detergent and one quart bleach to one gallon water. Allow to remain on for 10-20 minutes. Scrub with soft bristled brush and rinse with garden hose.

How to Refinish Teak Furniture:

• Gray Patina: When left unfinished, teak will develop a natural silver patina over time.
• Natural Color: To retain the natural brown color of new teak, apply a special teak protector, teak oil, or teak sealer following the directions on the can. Reapply as needed.

Fabric Cushions

How to Clean Removable Covers:

• Remove covers and follow machine washing instructions on tag.
• Put covers back on cushions while still damp and allow to dry.
• Allow fabric to dry in place to reduce shrinkage.

How to Clean Attached Covers:

• Dissolve a squirt of dishwashing detergent and a teaspoon of borax in one quart warm water.
• Wet down the fabric with the solution and scrub lightly with a sponge or soft bristled scrub brush.
• Allow to soak for 10-20 minutes.
• Rinse cushions using a garden hose with sprayer.
• Allow cushions to fully dry.

How to Remove Mold and Mildew:

• White Fabric: Remove mildew by applying a solution of one part chlorine bleach to four parts water. Allow to soak for 10 minutes, then rinse off with garden hose, and allow to dry in full sun. If cushions are machine washable, add recommended amount of bleach to washer. NOTE: Do not use chlorine bleach on colored fabrics.
• Colored Fabric: Wash in machine or soak with diluted color safe, non-chlorine bleach or oxygen bleach. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry in full sun.

Related posts:

• How to Clean Outdoor Patio Furniture
• How to Clean, Sharpen, and Maintain Garden Tools
• Exterior Multi-Surface Cleaner

Over the weekend, Hannah, my daughter, was upstairs in her room cleaning when suddenly I heard a loud crash and her scream. Sprinting up the stairs and nearly colliding with our huge cat, Carter, I arrived to find magazines, books and pictures scattered everywhere, along with her stereo receiver and cable box upside down in the all the rubble.

What happened??? She explained that as she was trying to shoo Carter away from the fish bowl he freaked out, darted away from her, and jumped onto the flimsy bookcase, pulling it down.

Lifting the crumpled bookcase and steadying the receiver, I decided the frail piece of furniture had to go! So, off to Target we went to pick out a new one. I agreed to get whichever one she wanted as long as she agreed to put it together.

With the help of some friends, we got the bookcase upstairs and Hannah began taking all the parts out of the box. Spreading them out on the floor and grabbing the instructions, she went to work.

                    Hannah ready to tackle assembling her new bookcase!

The nice thing about the bookcase was that it required very simple tools so Hannah wasn’t intimidated. The hardware was pretty simple as well. Inserting the cams into the holes on the side, Hannah made sure that the arrow on each cam was pointed towards the outside edge of the pieces.

Once the cams were all in place, the dowels were inserted in each cam and locked in place with a Phillips head screwdriver to create a nice, tight fit.

                Inserting the cams                             Locking the dowels in place

Now that the sides were ready, it was time to align and tighten down the two bottom shelves that would serve as the drawer compartment. This was a bit tricky for Hannah to do on her own, so I helped steady the side while she tightened the cam to draw the two pieces together. Moving to the top of the bookcase, Hannah aligned the top shelf and locked it into place.

            Attaching the bottom and top shelves to the sides of the bookcase

Turning the bookcase over, Hannah attached the back panel with the tiny brad nails. Since the back panel had a cutout for TV and stereo cables, she had to make sure the panel lined up perfectly with the frame before nailing it down.

            Nailing on the back panel                         Assembling the drawers

Next came assembling the drawers. She was almost there and still had a smile on her face! I was impressed!

After sliding the drawer into place and installing the two remaining shelves, Hannah jumped up and down, twisting in a sort of jig at her accomplishment!

Here is the finished bookcase with all her things back in place! I am so proud of Hannah. This is really the first project she has taken on by herself. There just might be a future in home improvement for her yet!

This is only an overview of the main steps involved in assembling a bookcase from a kit. The actually procedure will vary depending on the brand of bookcase you purchase, so be sure to read the instructions that come with it thoroughly.

Related posts:

• Space-Saving Bookcase

The return on your investment for any home improvement project, including remodeling your kitchen, will depend on the real estate market in your area as well as how large a renovation you have in mind. You can find detailed information on the Cost vs. Value website compiled by Remodeling magazine. Watch this video to find out more.

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• Home Improvement Projects Rate of Return on Investment
• (698) 10 Step Kitchen: How to Remodel Your Kitchen
• (708) $1000 Budget to Remodel Your Home

Cleaning and repairing the outside of your home doesn’t have to be a spring project, though it is nice to get outside and enjoy the warm weather after a long, cold winter spent inside. Here are some often neglected outdoor maintenance projects you might want to consider tackling.

Clean Exterior

A pressure washer can make quick work of cleaning the outside of your home, but be careful since the extremely high pressure can damage wood and other softer materials.

While scrubbing is not necessary with a pressure washer, adding detergent to the reservoir on the machine serves to loosen stubborn dirt and get the job done faster. Be sure to use a cleaner that is made for pressure washers and intended for the type of surface you’re cleaning. Cleaners are available for specific applications such as siding, decks, and masonry surfaces.

If mold or mildew is present, spray it with a product such as SporiCLEAN or Concrobium. A mixture of 1 part bleach to 4 parts water can also be effective on mold on nonporous surfaces. Wear protective clothing and rubber gloves when working with bleach or other harmful chemicals, and cover or wet down any plants or grass with water before applying. Allow the bleach mixture to remain on for 10 – 15 minutes, then wash it off with a hose or pressure washer.

Repair Driveway

Driveways and sidewalks need periodic maintenance, too.

• Start by removing any grass or weeds that are encroaching on the driveway or growing in cracks.
• Follow this by a thorough cleaning with a pressure washer to remove dirt and grime.
• Next, patch any cracks or holes in concrete surfaces with a concrete resurfacer.
• Worn asphalt drives can be restored by applying a coat of latex asphalt sealer to make them look good as new.

Clean Deck

Wood decks take a lot of abuse from the elements, and they need a good cleaning from time to time to look their best.

• Start by applying a specially formulated deck cleaner in a pump up sprayer.
• Once it has had time to work, clean the deck with a pressure washer—being careful not to damage the wood—or a long handled scrub brush.
• Rinse the deck, and allow it to dry.
• If refinishing is needed, apply a sealer or stain with a pump up sprayer, going over it with a brush to smooth it out.
• Allow the sealer to dry thoroughly before using the deck.

Clean and Repair Screens

Window screens can be cleaned by soaking them in a child’s wading pool filled with soapy water, followed by a gentle scrubbing with a soft scrub brush on a flat surface. As a final step, rinse the screen with a garden hose using a fine spray setting to keep from damaging the screen.

To repair small holes in screens, flatten the fibers out and brush on several coats of clear fingernail polish for a seamless repair. Large tears or holes are best fixed by removing the rubber spline from the screen frame and installing a new piece of screen using a screen spline roller tool.

Repair Roof

Spring is also a good time to examine your roof to see if winter snow and ice have caused any problems that need attention.

• Look for torn or missing shingles that might need replacement or repair.
• Pay particular attention to flashing around chimneys, plumbing vents, and other openings that are prone to leaks. Seal any gaps with roofing cement.
• Cover exposed nail heads with a dab roofing cement.
• Remove leaves, sticks, or other debris that has built up in valleys and against chimneys, porches, or dormers.

Ready the Grill

Whether its charcoal or gas, spring is a good time to get the grill ready for action.

• Use a wire brush and degreasing detergent to clean the wire racks and inside of the grill and remove any rust that has formed over the winter.
• Inspect burners on gas grills for deterioration from rust, and clean the surface. Make sure the holes in the burners aren’t clogged. If necessary, use a small piece of wire to clean them out.
• If the outside of the grill needs painting, prepare it first by lightly sanding the surface and washing it thoroughly to remove all grease. Once it’s totally dry, coat it with a high heat spray paint (often called barbecue and stove enamel).

Clean and Repair Gutters

Gutters are an often overlooked project that needs special attention in the spring. To clean and repair them:

• Make a homemade gutter scoop by cutting down a narrow plastic container such as an antifreeze jug, and use it to remove the bulk of the debris.
• Rinse out gutters without leaving the ground, by making a U-shaped gutter spray wand from ½” or ¾” PVC pipe and couplings. Glue a cap to one end of the pipe with several small holes drilled in it, then use two 90° elbow fittings to create the proper shape, with a threaded adaptor on the other end attached to a garden hose.
• Downspouts have a tendency to clog, so check them by running water through them, and use a plumber’s snake to unclog if needed.
• Check for leaks at gutter joints. When dry, repair gutter leaks from inside the gutter with gutter sealant.

Clean Windows

Spring pollen and dirt can work a number on your windows, so take the time to wash them down and clean them once the pollen has settled.

• Work in the shade to keep the cleaner from drying out too quickly.
• A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water makes a great natural window cleaner.
• Use crumpled up newspaper, rather than paper towels, to clean and dry your windows.

Watch Danny’s CBS Early Show segment on:
Save as You Prep Your Home for Spring

Related posts:

• How to Clean a Gas Grill
• How to Clean Outdoor Patio and Deck Furniture
• How to Clean Outdoor Patio Furniture

Read on to find out how to take action against some of the common household dangers in your home.

Fire Prevention

Smoke Detectors

There are two main types of smoke detectors:

• Optical: Best for low heat, smoldering fires.
• Ionization: Best for detecting hot, flaming fires.

Detectors are also available that combine optical and ionization sensors in the same unit to give greater warning for either type of fire.

How to Install a Smoke Detector:

• Install smoke detectors on the ceiling or near the top of the wall and away from corners of the room.
• Make sure to install one or more smoke detectors on each level of your home.
• Be sure to install a smoke detector in or near the bedrooms in your home.
• Replace the batteries in your smoke detector every six to 12 months.
• Gently vacuum or use canned air to blow out the unit once a year.
• Discard and replace smoke detectors after 10 years of use.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

This silent killer is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that strikes without warning. It is formed as a byproduct of the burning of fuels such as natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, or diesel fuel as well as from the combustion of materials like wood, paper, and cloth.

Improperly vented or defective heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and generators are the main cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. Since carbon monoxide doesn’t rise to the ceiling like smoke, detectors can be mounted anywhere in the room.

Carbon monoxide detectors are available that plug into wall outlets or are powered by batteries. Detectors should be cleaned and the batteries replaced at least once a year.

Fire Extinguishers

Every home should be equipped with at least one multipurpose ABC fire extinguisher that can be used on combustible materials, flammable liquids, and electrical fires. Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible, and that all family members know how to use it.

To use a fire extinguisher:

• Pull out the pin
• Aim at the base of the flames
• Squeeze the trigger
• Sweep from side to side

Escape Ladder

Two-story houses should have an escape ladder stored on the upper floor. Make sure the ladder is easy to get to, and every family member knows where it’s located and how to use it.

Hazardous Chemicals

Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that can seep up into your home from underground. Exposure to radon gas over time can result in health problems. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to radon gas in homes accounts for an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year.

Due to geologic conditions, the presence of radon gas is more prevalent in some areas than others. To find out if you’re at risk, check out the Radon Zone Maps on the EPA website. If your part of the country is at risk, use a radon test kit to check the air, and take steps to reduce your levels if needed.

Water

If you live in an older home that used lead solder to join copper pipes, the tap water passing through the pipes may contain elevated levels of lead. Water testing kits can detect if lead or other contaminants are present in the water in your home. If they are, consider installing a water filter designed to remove them. Change the filter regularly as recommended by the manufacturer.

Lead

Houses built before 1978 may have been painted with lead based paint which can result in lead poisoning if paint chips are ingested or the dust inhaled. If the original paint isn’t peeling and has been painted over with a layer of lead free paint, the lead probably doesn’t represent a health concern. However, if the paint is peeling or demolition is taking place in your house due to renovation, you should test to see if the paint being disturbed contains lead using a home lead testing kit.

Mold

To prevent mold in your home, keep the humidity level under 50% and repair any plumbing, wall, or roof leaks as soon as they occur. It’s also important to cover the crawlspace under your home with a layer of 6 mil plastic to keep moisture from filtering up from the ground.

Child Safety

Kitchen

Anti-tip bracket for stove.

• Attach childproof latches to cabinet doors, drawers, and the refrigerator.
• Install an anti-tip bracket on your stove to keep it from turning over.

Bathroom

• Lower the temperature of your hot water heater to 120° F to prevent scalding.

Electrical

• Cover electrical outlets with childproof inserts or install special Swivel Outlet Covers.

Pool

• Fence your pool and install a childproof lock on the gate.
• Install a pool alarm to detect if a child falls in the pool.

Other Tips from This Episode

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• How to Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Your Home
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When deciding whether to buy a new tool for a DIY home improvement project, take into account whether you will need to use it on a regular basis in the future. If you find that you will use it rarely, consider renting the tool instead. This is particularly true of expensive specialty tools, like tile cutting saws and floor sanders. Watch this video to find out more.

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• Tools Used to Cut Ceramic Floor Tile
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Retractable awnings on a patio or deck allow you to control the amount of shade or sun either manually or with the touch of a button. They can be installed on the side of your house in a few hours to provide a shade canopy for up to 10 feet. Here’s how to go about installing a retractable awning:

• Mark the location of the awning on the side of the house, making sure it is level.
• Pop a caulk line to mark the position for the support brackets.
• Attach the brackets to the house even with the chalk line, making sure they are plumb.
• Lift the awning into place and bolt it to the brackets.
• For motorized awnings, plug the cord into an electrical outlet and use the remote control to extend and retract the awning.

Hummingbird feeders have to be cleaned and refilled regularly, since the sugar solution ferments quickly outdoors. Some bird experts recommend going to extra lengths – such as boiling the solution – to make it last longer. But I find that during a hot summer, the stuff goes bad (or gets buggy) in 3-4 days no matter what.

Instead of spending time trying to make the perfect nectar, I set out to develop a system that gets fresh nectar to my birds in five minutes flat. And I don’t mean those tricks on TV, where it only takes five minutes if you’ve laid out and pre-measured everything beforehand. I mean FIVE MINUTES, from start to finish. And yes, I timed it! With this system, you can refresh the nectar as often as needed.

Got your stopwatch ready? It’s as simple as:

Further Information

• Hummingbird Migration Maps (hummingbirds.net)
• Hummingbirds in the Garden
• Hints from a Hummingbird
• Landscaping Tips for a Bird-Friendly Yard

Related posts:

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Building a wood deck makes a great DIY project for your home. Here are some tips when laying the deck boards.

• When using pressure treated wood that’s still saturated with preservative, install the boards without a gap between them. As the wood dries, it will shrink, leaving a small gap between each board.
• Orient the deck boards so the growth rings in the end grain have the arc facing up.
• When nailing into the end of deck boards, turn the nail over and tap the point with a hammer to blunt the nail and prevent splitting.

Related posts:

• How to Choose and Install Wood Floors in Your Home