Home Blog Page 54

Use Old Coffee Grounds in the Garden

Michael Klements
-
1
Use Old Coffee Grounds in the Garden

Next time your make a pot of coffee, think twice before throwing out the used coffee grounds. They are rich in minerals such as nitrogen and potassium which are critical for plant growth and improve the quality of the soil. Here are some uses for your spent coffee grounds.

garden-soil

Composting

Mix your them into your compost bin, they are a naturally high source of nitrogen, which is a natural fertilizer, try making a liquid fertilizer as mentioned below before throwing them into the compost.

Pest Control

Snails, slugs and some insects don’t like the smell or taste of them. Sprinkling a bit of coffee around the stems of plants will help deter pests.

Fertilizer

As mentioned with composting, they are a great natural source of nitrogen. Additionally, they increase the acidity of the soil which is beneficial for roses, gardenias, holly etc. You can also make an easy liquid fertilizer by mixing them with water and allowing it to brew overnight to draw out the remaining nutrients. Strain out the coffee grounds and you have a great liquid fertilizer. You can then throw the further spent grounds into the compost pile.

Coffee Grounds As Mulch

Use them as mulch to prevent and control weed growth as well as lock moisture into the soil during the heat of the day. Although you probably won’t be able to mulch your own garden with your spent coffee grounds (unless you drink A LOT of coffee), you could always go down to your local coffee shop and ask for theirs. They have no use for them and will usually be happy to get rid of them.

If you are a avid coffee drinker, why not build a coffee station in your home? Do you have any other uses for your used coffee grounds? Let us know in the comments section below.

Share This Guide

Amazing benefits Of Using Old Coffee Grounds In The Garden

Make Your Own Fabric Softener

Michael Klements
-
0
Make Your Own Fabric Softener

Save money by making your own fabric softener easily at home using only three ingredients. This recipe leaves your clothes smelling and feeling great!

What You Will Need To Make Your Own Fabric Softener

  • 3 Cups of White Spirit Vinegar
  • 2 Cups of Hair Conditioner
  • 5 Cups of Hot Water
  • Fabric Softener Container

How To Make Your Own Fabric Softener

Making the fabric softener is actually really easy. When choosing your hair conditioner, get the cheapest and most basic one you can. There are often large containers of conditioner available at dollar stores or discount wholesalers, these are perfect for this recipes.

The first step is to dissolve the conditioner in the hot water, mix the two together in a large bowl and stir until the conditioner is dissolved entirely, do this step with a spoon or whisk and stir it slowly to avoid foaming the mixture. Now add the vinegar and again stir or mix with an electric mixer until the mixture is smooth and consistent, the mixture should still be quite thick and have the consistency of fabric softener. If it is too thick then add a bit more hot water, if it is too thin, add a bit more conditioner.

fabric softener in spoon

Your homemade fabric softener is now complete, just use two tablespoons in your washing machine softener tray for a large load and one tablespoon for a smaller load.

The fabric fragrance comes from the conditioner so try out a range of different fragrances and types of conditioners to find one you like.

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also enjoy making your own natural cleaning wipes, they’re cheap to make and chemical free.

Have you tried making this recipe or do you have any other recipes for homemade cleaning products which you love? Let us know in the comments section below. We love these alternate uses for baking soda around the house.

Share This Guide

Make Your Own Fabric Softener Easily At Home

Easy Oatmeal Crunchies, Quick To Bake

Michael Klements
-
2
Easy Oatmeal Crunchies, Quick To Bake

A crunchie is the perfect side for the mornings hot cup of coffee or afternoon tea. This easy recipe makes about 20 of the tastiest crunchies without a huge amount of effort and you’ll be done in half an hour.

Makes About 20 Crunchies, Prep Time 12 Minutes, Cooking Time 15-20 Minutes

  • 200g Salted Butter
  • 2 Cups of Raw Oats
  • 1 Cup of Flour
  • 1 Cup of Shredded Coconut
  • 1 Cup of Sugar
  • 1 Tbsp Syrup
  • 1 Tsp Baking Soda

How To Make The Oatmeal Crunchies

Melt the butter in the microwave taking care not to burn it. Once the butter is fully melted, stir in the syrup. In a separate bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients together thoroughly. Add the melted butter mixture and mix until well combined. Press the  mixture out into a greased or lined flat baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Check them regularly in the last five minutes as the edges burn quickly.

If you have a thermofan oven, place the baking sheet on one of the lower racks in the oven and shorten the cooking time by two or three minutes otherwise they will burn on the edges.

Remove the sheet from the oven and cut them out before they cool, the crunchies will crisp up on cooling making them difficult to cut without breaking. Cut them into small squares about 50-70mm (2-3″) wide by cutting a few rows in each direction with a sharp kitchen knife. Be careful not to touch the pan when it is hot, use a tea towel or oven glove as required.

pre cooked oatmeal crunchies

Have you tried this recipe or do you have any suggestions for ingredients to add to your favorite crunchies recipe? Lot of people enjoy raisins or nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pecans. Let us know your favorite additions in the comments section below.

Start Collecting Rainwater

Michael Klements
-
0
Start Collecting Rainwater

Rainwater collection is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to make the most of your properties natural resources. Rainwater collection may sound complicated and expensive but in actual fact, if you have a house with a roof and gutter system then you have already accomplished a major step in harvesting your own rainwater.

Houses with a gutter system generally divert the water to one location on each side of the roof. These are the points at which you will be placing a barrel to collect the diverted rainwater. If you are on a tight budget then start with the larger side of the roof first.

rainwater collection in use

Choosing a barrel is quite simple, to start you need about a 200-500 litre (55-130 gallon) barrel or drum. The barrel needs to have an external pipe and valve so that you can connect a hose in order to water your garden or decant water into a bucket for use around the house. It also needs to have a hole in the top or the lid into which the gutter down-pipe can be channeled in order to fill the barrel.

When considering the location for your collection barrel, firstly look at which portion of your roof will provide the most collected water (if you cannot collect from the whole roof), look for the largest area of the roof which is channeled to a single down-pipe. Secondly look at the height of the barrel, you want the barrel to be as high as possible relative to your garden where the water will be used. The higher the barrel the higher the water pressure will be at the hose outlet. You could build a frame or stand on which to mount the barrel so that it is higher up off the ground and closer to the roof.

rainwater collection modification

Now you need to install the barrel. Remember that a full barrel of water is quite heavy and therefore the surface on which it is sitting needs to be sturdy. Use pavers or gravel to create a level surface. Place the barrel next to the down-pipe and mark off on the down-pipe where the diverter will need to be installed. Install the diverter on the down-pipe and place the outlet into the top of the barrel.

Your rainwater collection barrel is now complete and ready for your first rainfall. Remember that while rain water is generally quite pure, the roof and gutter system contaminates the water as it is collected, the stagnant water in the barrel is also a breeding ground for algae and small bacteria so you should never drink your harvested rainwater without suitable processing first. A water purification system can be bought online which processes and filters collected rainwater in order to make it safe to drink.

rainwater barrel

Do you have a rainwater collection setup? Let us know how it works for you in the comments section below.

Laundry Sign for Lost Socks

Michael Klements
-
0
Laundry Sign for Lost Socks

Anyone who has done laundry in their life knows that with every load, one or two single socks seem to escape to some sort of sock island for a get together. The monthly loads of laundry always result in a collection of sock singles. How about making a board to pin up the sock singles in the laundry in case their friends come looking for them again? This is a really easy project and can be customised to suite what you have available, there are a few different ideas at the end.

What You Will Need To Build A Socks Laundry Sign

  • A Sheet of Wood (Plywood works well around the size of an A3 page)
  • Paint (For the background)
  • Lettering (Either stickers, cutouts or stenciling)
  • Some Clothes Pegs (5-10 depending on the board size)
  • Small Wood Screws (The name number as clothes pegs)

How To Build Your Socks Laundry Sign

Start out by painting your board with the background colour, this colour should work well with your lettering so that it stands out. Try a dark background with light lettering or light lettering with a dark background.

paint board

When the paint has dried, you can stick on the lettering. Stick the lettering to the top two thirds of the board so that there is space for a line of pegs to be screwed onto the board below them. You can also modge podge lettering onto the board or use a stencil and paint the lettering on.

screws in pegs

Finally, you can screw the pegs onto the board. Drill a small hole through each peg and then screw through them and into the board to secure them. If you are not comfortable with using a drill or screw driver, you could also use double sided tape or a glue gun although screws will be the most robust.

sock board option 2

Your pin up sign is now ready to be hung up in your laundry. Hang it up using a screw in picture hanger, a string tied across the back, screw it into the wall or again use double sided tape and tape it to the wall. All of your single socks can now be pinned up to wait for their better halves to be found. Here’s a guide to hanging pictures.

Here are some more ideas:

This article was adapted from: 100 Things to Do

Get Rid of Unwanted Wall Anchors, An Easy Trick To Hide Them

Michael Klements
-
0
Get Rid of Unwanted Wall Anchors, An Easy Trick To Hide Them

A common problem encountered when remodeling is removing the wall anchors used for mounting shelves, racks and accessories. If they can’t be covered with new accessories then you either need to pull them out (which has its own complications) or hide them. Fortunately there is an easy way to hide them so that they are virtually invisible.

What You Will Need To Hide Your Unused Wall Anchors

  • Hammer
  • Philips Screwdriver
  • Crack Filler or Drywall Compound
  • Sandpaper – 180 Grit

Hiding Your Unused Wall Anchors

Once you have removed the screw from the wall anchor, you’re left with the plastic or metal anchor stuck beneath the surface of the wall. Before you try to cover it up, its worth trying to grab it with a long nosed pliers first to try to pull it out. If it is stuck or there’s no easy way to grab it then you’ll need to cover it up.

First you will need to sink the head of the wall anchor below the surface of the wall. To do this, seat the tip of the screwdriver over the centre of the wall anchor. Now hammer the screwdriver lightly so that the anchor is pushed deeper into the wall. Eventually you want the top of the anchor to be about 2mm (1/8″) below the surface of the wall. Be careful not to hammer too hard as the drywall may dent or crack which will require a repair. Follow this link if you do need to repair your drywall.

Once the anchor is sunk, you can patch the hole over the anchor with crack filler or drywall compound, wait for it to dry and then sand it flush. Paint over it with your new paint (or a bit of the old paint if you are not changing colours) and your unsightly wall anchor have been hidden, its that easy.

Do you have any tips and tricks for removing or hiding wall anchors? Let us know in the comments section below.

Create a Home Coffee Station, Enjoy Takeout Coffee At Home

Michael Klements
-
1
Create a Home Coffee Station, Enjoy Takeout Coffee At Home

For most people, the day doesn’t really start until they have had their first cup of coffee. Imagine being able to walk down the passage and grab a nice hot cup of coffee from Kimbo Coffee without even having to leave the house. Creating a coffee station in your home is actually quite easy, all you really need is a coffee machine, some accessories and a place to put them all together, so lets get started.

home coffee station

Step 1 – Find a Location For Your Coffee Station

The first step to your home built coffee station is to find a location. Its quite typical to set up a mini coffee station in the kitchen; a small tray in front of a coffee machine, the milk is right in the fridge and your have ample drawer and cupboard space for your accessories. However, it is no longer conventional to have your coffee station in the kitchen. A well placed coffee station is both functional and creates a decorative feature for a passage, unused corner or wall. All you really need is somewhere you can place a shelf or sideboard. Most houses have a corner or area in a passage which is too small to be used as a study or reading nook, a coffee station is the perfect addition to use that wasted space.

home coffee station 6

Step 2 – Choose a Coffee Machine

Coffee machines are like cars, they come in thousands of ranges and sizes and each one is designed for a specific purpose. You first need to decide on how much you are willing to invest in a coffee machine and then what type of coffee you will be primarily drinking. You can choose to brew espresso, cappuccino, filter coffee or coffee from convenient pods, each has it’s own pros and cons. What’s also important is that the coffee machine will be the centre of attention at your coffee station so choose one that suites your styling and color scheme in the room it is going to be placed. You don’t want a vibrant red coffee machine shining in the corner of your pastel colored room.

home coffee station 4

Step 3 – Accessorize

This is where you bring everything together! No coffee station is complete without a large sign, which you can get from tradesignshop.co.uk, quote or lettering spelling out something along the lines of coffee being the most important part of your life. Stylish canisters can be used to store your coffee, sugar, spoons etc and this is the perfect place to display your artsy mug collection. Consider mounting a line of cup hooks below your shelf or sign board on which to hang a row of mugs. You could even add a book or two on how to brew the perfect cup.

home coffee station 3

Home coffee stations help to make your mornings a bit more enjoyable for you and all of your household residents. Have you created your own home coffee station? Let us know and share your ideas in the comments section below.

Before throwing out your used coffee grounds, consider using them in your garden. Read this guide on using your coffee grounds in the garden for more information.

home coffee station 2

Have you built a coffee station at home? Let us know in the comments section below.

Turn an Old Tyre into an Amazing Pond

Michael Klements
-
0
Turn an Old Tyre into an Amazing Pond

Do you have old tyres lying around your garage or garden? Put one to good use by using it to create a beautiful pond or water feature. Not only will you attract birds and wildlife but you’ll also create a space for you to kick back and relax in a tranquil environment.

What You Will Need To Make A Tyre Pond

  • An Old Tyre
  • Tarpaulin or Plastic Sheeting (A Bit Bigger than the Tyre)
  • Rocks, Pebbles
  • Shovel or Spade for Digging

How To Make A Pond Out Of A Tyre

tyre pond

First you’ll need to find an old tyre. We all know that tyres come in a range of sizes so pick one that suits your needs, smaller ones suit water features and fountains while larger ones make good ponds for pebbles and fish. If you have a tyre lying around your yard or garage then your decision on tyre size is already made for you!

Next comes some manual labour so grab a water bottle and shovel. You need to dig out a hole for the tyre to lie in. Make sure that the hole is large enough for the outside diameter of the tyre, deep enough for the width of the tyre and finally make sure that the bottom of the hole is level so that you don’t have a sagging pocket in your pond.

Place the tyre flat into the hole as the pond frame. Now lay the plastic sheeting over the tyre and press it into the hollow. Make sure that the edges of the plastic sheeting are all on the top surface of the tyre so that you don’t have any problems with leaks.

tyre pond example 2

Lastly add your decorative rocks and pebbles. It is best to use smooth pebbles inside the tyre to hold the sheeting down so that the sharp edges do not puncture the plastic. If you are going to be adding fish then you will need some sort of pump or filter to keep the water moving around and aerated. Also remember to pre-treat the water to remove any chlorine or toxins before adding fish.

If you are turning the tyre into a water feature with a fountain, anchor the submersible pump with some smooth pebbles to create a solid foundation for the water spout.

tyre pond example

This article is adapted from: Homesthetics

Naturally Get Rid of Rats & Mice

Michael Klements
-
0
Naturally Get Rid of Rats & Mice

Rats and mice in your home are both a nuisance and a health risk. They burrow and build nests which damage furniture and walls, create a mess and produce unpleasant smells. Ridding your home of these rodents can be dangerous if you have children around and you are using toxic poisons and chemicals. Rather use this simple guide to get rid of them naturally without any toxic products.

Keep Your Home Clean

Rats and mice are looking for two things when they enter your home: food and a place to build a nest. If there is an abundance of food lying around, rodents will be encouraged to stay. Keep all of your food stored in proper airtight containers in cupboards or areas which are not easily accessible for rodents. Additionally, keep old cloth, papers, towels and clothing packed away or stored in proper lock tight containers so that they cannot be shredded and used as nest material.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is a natural deterrent to rodents. The smell is intense and they will avoid it as far as possible. Peppermint oil is available at most pharmacies and grocery stores and is relatively cheap. Place drops on a ball of cotton wool and leave them around your garbage, food storage areas and any other area which could be used by mice as a source of food or a place to shelter. Replace or re-drop the balls every week or so.

Get a Cat

A household cat can solve a mice problem quite effectively. Cats are natural predators to mice and usually their scent and presence alone is enough to deter mice.

Move your Trash Cans

Mice can smell garbage and the smell of your trash can may attract them to your home. Move your trash cans away from your home as far as possible and mice will be less inclined to take up residence.

Get an Owl Box

Owls are also natural predators, encourage owls to move into your garden with an owl box. Owls provide a long term solution and will not be able to get rid an infestation as they only eat two or three times a week.

Do you have any tips and tricks for getting rid of rodents in the house naturally? Please share them with us in the comments section below.

How to Make Your Own Kitchen Island

Michael Klements
-
2
How to Make Your Own Kitchen Island

All small kitchens could do with some more cupboard space and another work surface. A kitchen island gives you both of these and makes a stylish accent piece to fill the unused space. Whats best is that you can make your own kitchen island from up-cycled elements without spending much money. Here is a general guide on what to look for, how to bring them together and some ideas and inspiration to get your creative juices running.

Once you’ve built your island, become a master of your kitchen with these kitchen tips and tricks and while you’re at it, free up some space by organising under your kitchen sink.

Making Your Kitchen Island

A kitchen island is basically three things, a base, a work surface and some accessories.

kitchen island 1

Start With The Base

First you need to find a base. If you are looking for an open island which has hanging space for utensils and some shelving, then an old desk is ideal. If you are all about storage space then look for an old kitchen cabinet set or a set of drawers. The only limit is that the height should be an inch or two lower than your kitchen counters, this is usually around 75-85cm (30-34″). If you desk or set of drawers is much lower than this, you could put castor wheels underneath it to raise it a bit and allow it to be mobile.

kitchen island 4

Now Your Need A Counter Top

After you have found your base, you need a counter top. Ideally this should match your kitchen counter, however, you could make a wood surface for chopping or use a concrete or stone top for a more industrial or rustic feel. Importantly, the top shouldn’t be too heavy for your base.

The top is usually attached to the base with silicon caulk as it is easy to apply and stops movement, squeaking and vibration between the base and the surface.

kitchen sland 2

Personalise Your Island With Some Options

Lastly, you can add your options. Options include wheels to make your island mobile for convenience and for cleaning, shelves give your island more storage space, hooks and racks allow space for towels and utensils to be hung up or create a pot rack and save some drawer space.

Now that you know the basics, here are some inspirational ideas for your next DIY project:

kitchen island 3

kitchen island 8

kitchen island 7

kitchen island 5

kitchen island 6

Have you made your own kitchen island from scratch or recycled components? Send us some pictures or leave a comment so that we can include them.

1...535455...62Page 54 of 62