If you notice the caulk between the tiles or around the edges of your tub or shower showing cracks or damage, it should be replaced. These damaged areas are not only breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, but allow moisture to seep between the spaces and cause further damage. Tiles will loosen and the wall beneath begin to degrade.
It is not hard to do this and you don't need to call a handyman to get a nice job providing the caulk used is white. If your grout or caulk is colored, you might actually want to call a Mr. Fixit to be sure it is matched and patched properly. You will need a tube of water based tub and tile caulk (size depends on how much damage you have), a sharp knife and a little patience. The caulk may be purchased at any home hardware store and the clerk should be able to show you the correct product.
The first step is to clean out the damaged caulking. Using your knife scrape or pick out the area that is discolored and damaged. If there is extensive damage between tiles, remove only a couple of inches at a time to prevent the possibility of loosening them. Once the area is cleaned out rinse any powder out of the gaps with a little water or a damp rag.
If you need to replace a large amount of caulking it is a good idea to fill the tub while you are working. A full tub does expand slightly and caulking around it when empty will encourage hairline cracking of the caulk when it has dried and the tub is later filled.
Make a slanted cut across the uncapped 'nose' of the tube of caulk. Keep this fairly small to make it easy to insert the amount you need into the gaps without overfilling. Dampen your finger and use it to smooth the new caulk into place. Make sure it is slightly rounded to the inside and matched the other grout or caulk level and look.
That really is all there is to it except for the cleanup. Some people wait until the caulk has dried and go back with a razor knife to scrape or trim off any excess. Personally, I like to use a damp, lint free cloth and lightly wipe the excess off right then. You will have to be careful not to score the wet caulk, but if you do just add more and smooth with your finger again. Simple!
Now, step back and admire your work. It is surprising how much difference a little bit of new caulking can make!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Marvelous, Magical Vinegar! Part 1
We've all left something-or-other sitting around with water in it until it evaporated. Those hard water rings left behind are nearly impossible to scrub out. The trick to getting them out without harsh chemicals is vinegar. Fill the container to just past the rings with warm to hot white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes and the rings come right out. It may take longer for the likes of dog bowls and other items that have very heavy deposits.
Save the vinegar to use in other cleaning tasks and watering.
If you live in an area with alkaline soil and water just dilute the vinegar at a rate of 1/4 cup or less to 1 gallon of water and use to lightly water your plants. I usually do this along with the regular watering on my house plants about once every couple of months. This may be sprinkled on the lawn before watering also. Be careful to do so in the cool of the evening or early morning though. Doing this during the heat of the day seems to 'activate' the vinegar and will burn the grass.
Mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with water, vinegar makes a great glass cleaner! Use on a rag or in a spray bottle and dry the glass with old newspaper. It doesn't streak and is faster than the ammonia cleaners.
Clean steam irons and coffee makers with it too.
_Fill coffee maker reservoir with 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water, use an empty filter in the basket and turn it on. Run a clean fill of water through before using to actually make coffee.
_Fill the iron with water/vinegar mixture, turn to steam setting and place on a cake rack in the sink or other heat and water proof pan. Let steam until the jets operate freely. Shake, empty and repeat if necessary. Rinse reservoir well before letting dry.
Want spot free dishes from your dishwasher without the expense and chemicals of commercial additives? Use vinegar in the rinse dispenser! Works just as well and helps keep the washer build-up free too.
Vinegar is wonderful to degrease that nasty pot left out after the last barbecue. Sponge vinegar on gooey, dried on grease and let sit for a few minutes. Washing with a vinegar soaked scrubby makes the job a breeze.
One of the best uses I have found is documented here, in an article published by Judy Stouffer. She points out that vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, used separately on counters, cutting boards and almost any surface requiring an antibacterial or disinfectant, actually works better than commercially prepared products. They should never be mixed, but kept full strength in their own spray bottles. It doesn't matter which one you use first, but use them both. Works better and without potentially toxic, environmentally questionable chemicals! It costs a good bit less too.
There are so many uses for vinegar around the house and yard that to note even a reasonable portion of them will take more than one post! Once you start using it, you will want to buy it by the gallon. Yes, it is that handy!
Save the vinegar to use in other cleaning tasks and watering.
If you live in an area with alkaline soil and water just dilute the vinegar at a rate of 1/4 cup or less to 1 gallon of water and use to lightly water your plants. I usually do this along with the regular watering on my house plants about once every couple of months. This may be sprinkled on the lawn before watering also. Be careful to do so in the cool of the evening or early morning though. Doing this during the heat of the day seems to 'activate' the vinegar and will burn the grass.
Mixed 1/2 and 1/2 with water, vinegar makes a great glass cleaner! Use on a rag or in a spray bottle and dry the glass with old newspaper. It doesn't streak and is faster than the ammonia cleaners.
Clean steam irons and coffee makers with it too.
_Fill coffee maker reservoir with 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 water, use an empty filter in the basket and turn it on. Run a clean fill of water through before using to actually make coffee.
_Fill the iron with water/vinegar mixture, turn to steam setting and place on a cake rack in the sink or other heat and water proof pan. Let steam until the jets operate freely. Shake, empty and repeat if necessary. Rinse reservoir well before letting dry.
Want spot free dishes from your dishwasher without the expense and chemicals of commercial additives? Use vinegar in the rinse dispenser! Works just as well and helps keep the washer build-up free too.
Vinegar is wonderful to degrease that nasty pot left out after the last barbecue. Sponge vinegar on gooey, dried on grease and let sit for a few minutes. Washing with a vinegar soaked scrubby makes the job a breeze.
One of the best uses I have found is documented here, in an article published by Judy Stouffer. She points out that vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, used separately on counters, cutting boards and almost any surface requiring an antibacterial or disinfectant, actually works better than commercially prepared products. They should never be mixed, but kept full strength in their own spray bottles. It doesn't matter which one you use first, but use them both. Works better and without potentially toxic, environmentally questionable chemicals! It costs a good bit less too.
There are so many uses for vinegar around the house and yard that to note even a reasonable portion of them will take more than one post! Once you start using it, you will want to buy it by the gallon. Yes, it is that handy!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Defrosting Meat Safely
We all know frozen meat Should be thawed in the refrigerator. This keeps it at or below 40 degrees while defrosting so critters, like bacteria and microbes, can't multiply and increase the risk of illness. I rarely remember to take out what I want to prepare far enough in advance though. A good size pot roast can take a couple of days to thaw this way! I don't usually plan meals that far ahead... Too much can change between now and then.
There are safe ways to hasten thawing. The preferred method is to soak in cool water, changing the water every 30 minutes until suitably thawed. Be sure to place frozen meat in a water proof container... a zipper bag or fresh trash bag works fine as long as you can fix it where the water won't touch the article being thawed. Soaking meat directly in water will leach out most of the juices that give it flavor. You can also use a microwave. Follow the manufacturer's instructions because each unit is a bit different. When thawed in the refrigerator, the meat can be refrozen if necessary. If you 'force' thaw meat, all of it should be cooked that day, preferably right away. The cooked meat may then be frozen safely. Something else to remember is thawing or partially thawing meat and refreezing it takes moisture out of it. Each time this is done the quality, texture and flavor, drops... noticeably.
There are safe ways to hasten thawing. The preferred method is to soak in cool water, changing the water every 30 minutes until suitably thawed. Be sure to place frozen meat in a water proof container... a zipper bag or fresh trash bag works fine as long as you can fix it where the water won't touch the article being thawed. Soaking meat directly in water will leach out most of the juices that give it flavor. You can also use a microwave. Follow the manufacturer's instructions because each unit is a bit different. When thawed in the refrigerator, the meat can be refrozen if necessary. If you 'force' thaw meat, all of it should be cooked that day, preferably right away. The cooked meat may then be frozen safely. Something else to remember is thawing or partially thawing meat and refreezing it takes moisture out of it. Each time this is done the quality, texture and flavor, drops... noticeably.
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