Choosing Low Maintenance Patio Furniture
When it comes to outdoor furniture, it’s a good idea to go with something that doesn’t require constant upkeep. There are usually more than enough other patio chores to be done without having to worry about treating wood furniture or other high maintenance items.
The ideal patio furniture can be left out during just about any kind of weather and doesn’t rust or rot from moisture. It should also be available in the look you want and add to the ambiance of your deck without making the place look cheap. There are several options that fit this profile.
Aluminum
This is a very lightweight metal that has been used for years as the base of patio furniture. While you may be imagining those hollow tube lounge chairs that are laced with plastic lacing, aluminum has come a long way. These days, it is available in more sophisticated designs that are easy to move and maintain.
Plastic
While plastic never really looks high class, there are definitely some nice sets of plastic patio furniture out there. Plastic tends to be more fragile than metal options, however, so if you do decide to go this route, be sure to choose nice sturdy furniture.
Plastic resists rain, but it can’t be left out in freezing weather, so it will need to be brought inside during the winter. Fortunately, most patio furniture of this type stacks very well for storage. It’s also very easy to wipe clean and usually doesn’t stain.
Wrought Iron
For a truly low maintenance material for patio furniture, nothing beats wrought iron. It’s strong, beautiful and requires nothing but the occasional cleaning. It can be left outside all year round without ill effect, too, meaning there is no lugging furniture around and trying to find a place to store it during the winter.
Wrought iron is also crafted into some very nice furniture and comes in several colors, with black being the most common. It is extremely easy to clean, as well.
Teak
Most wood isn’t appropriate for year round outdoor use, but teak is a rare find. You’ll pay more for it, but it’s well worth the investment. This is a wood with a protective oil that helps keep the wood in excellent condition, no matter what the weather. It was originally used on ship decks, since it would withstand any element and once the ships were torn down, the teak was in such great condition that it could still be reused as furniture.
If you just don’t like the look of metal or want something softer, teak is an excellent choice. It has also been successfully combined with wrought iron to create some truly beautiful furniture that is still amazingly low maintenance.
Fabric
If you choose to go with one of these materials for your patio furniture, you have the option of adding cushions to make the furniture a bit more comfortable. Cushions require a bit more care, so many people opt not to use them with their outdoor furniture.
However, there are some cushions that are actually quite low maintenance and can help you sit more comfortably on metal chairs. These cushions will need to be brought inside during winter, but you can get ones that have been sealed, or seal the fabric yourself with a spray and they will resist most rain and won’t mold like other fabric left outside.
Choosing the best outdoor furniture for your patio might take a little time, but in the end it will be worth it. You’ll have furniture that can withstand the elements and requires nothing apart from the occasional wiping to get rid of dust and fallen leaves. Low maintenance patio furniture is the best way to go.
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Taking Good Care Of Your Coffee Maker
Cleaning a coffee maker isn’t a “maybe” task, but rather an absolute must. To get great tasting java, you should clean your machine on a regular basis. Your coffee drinking guests will appreciate this as well. To learn how, keep reading.
Clean It Every Time
While you don’t need to clean out the entire machine every time you make a pot of brew, you definitely need to clean out the pot and the filter holder. If you use a reusable metal or mesh filter, it should be thoroughly washed before being used again. Otherwise, leftover residue from staleness will be noticeable in the next brew.
Easy Soap, But Soap
Don’t simply rinse your pot out with water. Coffee contains strong oils that can only be washed away with mild soap. Refrain, however, from using too much and make sure you rinse it out thoroughly to avoid a soapy taste on your next pot.
Remember, even if you’re dumping out one pot and simply throwing on another, the leftover oils from the previous brew can taint the next and negatively affect the taste. So, wash your pot with gentle soap after every use.
Clean the Machine Every Few Uses
You should give your coffee machine a thorough cleaning at least periodically. Doing so will prevent the build-up of calcification, lime or other mineral deposits and keep the machine running at peak capacity.
Do a basic weekly cleaning by running a pot of water and vinegar or water and lemon juice through the machine once and following it up with a plain pot of pure water.
Then, once every few months or once a year, depending on how hard your water is, get rid of mineral deposits using a coffee machine descaler or decalcification solution.
Replace the Water Filter
If your machine has a built-in water filter, be sure to replace it as needed. A dirty water filter can taint every pot of coffee and deposit dangerous molds or bacteria that have built up inside the filter unit. This caution is no different from the changes you would make on any other water filter – for instance, in your refrigerator.
Replace Your Filter
If you use a reusable metal or mesh filter, consider replacing it about once a year. While metal or screen filters are designed to be washed and reused, fine grounds of residue can get stuck inside. This not only clogs the filter, but can also affect the overall taste of your java.
If the flavor of your drink is important and you don’t want it to taste like it was made by a local auto shop, then some level of reasonable and minimal care must be given to your coffee maker.
Keeping a clean machine benefits you two ways – it will last much longer and your coffee will taste great pot after pot. Remember, wash it after every use, use gentle soap, rinse well, decalcify the machine regularly, and replace the water filter and your grounds filter on a systematic basis.
Clean Your Coffee Maker in 9 Easy Steps
Let’s face it, we live in a dirty world. Dirt, dust, molds, bacteria…You name it, and it’s out there. What’s worse is that it’s lurking in one of the most treasured, hallowed places on earth: Your Coffee Maker!
Test your coffee maker. Pour a clean pot of water into the reservoir and ‘brew’ it.
Now, taste the water. Does it taste like water? Or does it have a strange ‘dirty’ flavor to it?
Ok, so you know that your coffee maker is dirty. How do you clean it?
Here are nine quick, easy and inexpensive steps to clean your coffee maker with what you already have (most likely) on-hand.
What you’ll need:
* Vinegar (regular distilled/white vinegar is best, but I’ve even used cider vinegar)
* Dish Soap
* Water
Nine steps to a clean coffee maker:
1. Fill your coffee pot with 1 part vinegar and 3 parts cold water
2. Pour the mixture into your coffee maker’s reservoir and ‘brew’ the mixture
3. When the brewing is finished, let your coffee maker cool for 10 minutes
4. For coffee makers that are exceptionally dirty (you know who you are), repeat steps 2 and 3
5. Discard the vinegar mixture
6. Now, ‘brew’ two full pots of clean water letting the coffee maker cool for 10 minutes between each brewing
7. Wash the coffee pot with dish soap
8. Wash the filter basket (the basket comes out of some coffee makers making it easier to clean)
9. Finally, clean the outside of the coffee maker.
There you have it: Nine Steps to a Clean Coffee Maker…and better tasting coffee.
Now, celebrate! Brew a pot of coffee.
The author’s web site Best Coffee Maker dot Us provide information about coffee makers especially braun coffee maker and keurig coffee maker.
Caring For Wooden Antique Furniture
Antiques are valuable investments that should be treated with care. While amateur collectors spend a great deal of time researching particular names, pieces and designs, learning about preventative measures is equally important. There are so many types of antiques, a different method of care is best-suited to each, allowing owners to maintain as much value as possible.
Antique furniture looks beautiful and can sometimes be functional, but because the items are often quite large in size, protecting it from damage is tricky. Almost all antique furniture pieces are constructed of wood, which is highly susceptible to moisture. Wood pieces should never be stored in damp environments as it may warp the wood. Likewise, overly dry conditions may result in a tightening of the wood.
When moving antique furniture, always pad and cover the item. Ensure that all moving parts, such as drawers, are removed, and wear protective gloves when handling each piece. Inspect each item before moving to check for loose parts. Furniture should always be lifted during transport, since joint may weaken over time and become quite fragile. Tables should always be carried by the legs – never by the table top.
All types of wood pieces should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent any changes in colour or finish. Surprisingly, artificial light can also have an adverse effect on wood surfaces, so proper placement of antique furniture is critical. Blinds can be used to minimize sunlight but this is not always the most practical solution. Common sense is key; storing a piece in the garage to prevent it from being subject to light will only work if the garage is kept at a proper temperature. It’s also important to keep potential water damage in mind, leaving basements, garages and sheds in question.
It is best to use a soft cloth for regular dusting, as even feather dusters can scratch delicate finishes. To clean intricate details, a small, very soft brush is ideal. To keep antique finishes in tip-top display condition, many experts encourage the use of furniture polish. Beeswax polishes are ideal and should be used once or twice per year, depending on usage requirements. Only a small amount of wax is required, applied with one soft cloth and then polished with another. Silicone-based products are not recommended because they often create a stubborn film that holds dust and dirt, producing a dull effect.
Amateur collectors often consider having antique furniture restored but many experts strongly disagree. Regardless of the scratches or nicks in the finish, it remains an important component of each piece and is better left intact. Antique furniture is almost always most valuable in its original state.
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for pottery, antiques, and figurines. When shopping for pottery, antiques and figurines, we recommend these online stores for pottery, wooden antiques, and figurines.