Expert Tips and Advice

As the days get shorter and the weather turns crisp and then cold, many of us experience a strong desire to burrow in and snuggle up in a comfortable, indoor environment. As much as we anticipate the big meals and thoughtful gifts, most of us look forward to the warm, familiar feeling of spending time with loved ones at home even more. While you prepare to entertain, make the most of the season with these 5 ways to make your home cozier for the fall and winter holidays. A little bit of effort will pay off all season long, filling...

Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent useful for removing stains from both laundry and hard surfaces like ceramic tile. But, can you put bleach on a wood floor? It may sound tempting. Bleach can remove tough stains because it is a highly caustic agent that breaks down chemical bonds. Unfortunately, these same chemical bonds are present in all types of wood. In other words, if bleach is applied to hardwood flooring, decks, or furniture, it typically deteriorates the structure of the wood at a chemical level. This causes changes in color and weakens the material, making it more porous and...

Does it ever feel like the wooden cabinets in your kitchen need a facelift? Replacing kitchen cabinets all together can be surprisingly expensive, so it’s in every homeowner’s best interest to extend their cabinets' lifespan as long as possible with regular care and maintenance. Below, we’ll look at 5 tips to get the most—and longest—use out of your cabinets and what you can do to brighten them up when it’s time for a refresh. 1. Regular Care & Maintenance is a Must Here's where proactivity makes a huge difference. At least twice a week, wipe down all exterior kitchen cabinet doors,...

Hardwood floors are a great investment for any home or business. If treated properly, they have a potential lifespan of a few decades. During that time, you can refinish and restain your hardwoods a number of times, but how do you know when it’s time to replace them entirely? Here, we’re breaking down the most common signs to look out for.  Thin floors One of the benefits of having hardwood floors is that if it’s time to refresh them or change the color, you simply refinish them. With a polyurethane finish, each time you do, it requires sanding them down to...

What’s worse than a dirty floor? A floor that’s stickier after mopping than it was before. Not only does a sticky sheen cause your floors to collect dirt and grime like a magnet, but it’s also downright unpleasant to walk on. If you’ve ever worked hard to clean your hardwood floors only to find them sticky after mopping, you know how frustrating it can be. The first step in finding the right solution is understanding the cause. This guide takes you through the four most common reasons for post-cleaning stickiness and the best fixes for each sticky situation! Your Water...