Cleaning Natural Stone Tiles and Stones

It’s hard to resist the look of natural stone tiles. Contrary to the popular myth, natural stone, as hard, dense and durable as it is, is porous and nothing that is porous is stain proof. For this reason, sealants are used on both interior and exterior stone tiles. You wouldn’t use a harsh abrasive cleaner on your polished timber dining table, yet that’s exactly what many homeowners try to do on their natural stone tiles, only to regret it when they see the damage they’ve done. Cleaning natural stone tiles is easy and effective if you do it right.

The Right Way to Clean Natural Stone Tiles 

            Prevention is always better than cure. The best way to preserve the sealant on your stone tiles is to sweep or vacuum the floors regularly and sweep up dirt or sand that’s brought into the house immediately. Dirt and grit on stone tiles acts like sandpaper, quickly “sanding” off the sealant when stepped on. Sweeping or vacuuming should be followed by periodically mopping with a well-diluted pH balanced detergent. Your choice of detergent is important, so either use a product recommended by your tile supplier or a home made solution using just enough mild dish washing liquid to help remove oily residues.

            You can be a little rougher on outdoor natural stone tiles because these are often not sealed or have a matte – finished penetrating sealant. Since they are often soiled, start by sweeping off as much dirt as you can and then use plain water and a shiff, natural bristle brush or broom to remove the ground-in dirt. Rinse off with a house and you’re done.

            There’s only one trick to preventing stains from occurring in natural stone tiles: act fast. If wine or any other liquid is spilled on your floor drop everything and clean it up immediately. Start by using paper towels or another highly absorptive material to remove the surface absorptive material to remove the surface liquid. After that use a mild detergent and water solution to finish the job. Work from the outside in to prevent spreading the stain. If there is any sign of deep stain, a 10 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide and water may work. For organic stains, a water and ammonia solution may work better. Never mix chemicals together. In some cases, such as ammonia and bleach, chemical interactions can have hazardous consequences.

Furniture Ideas for Small Bedroom

The bedroom is a place where you relax after a long tiring day. So it should be furnished in such a way that it feels like a welcome abode. It is a place which should be tranquil and where you can pit your feet up and forget all tensions and worries. Although all of us would like t have a big bedroom with a king sized bed and pretty bellowing drapes, it is not always possible. Most apartments have very small or tiny bedrooms that require a lot of creativity and ingenuity to fit all necessary furniture and furnishings. Choose furniture that is in scale with the dimensions of the bedroom. One of the biggest mistake that home owners make is to cram a small bedroom with large furniture pieces. This makes the bedroom appear smaller than it actually is. Also, make sure that the style of furniture is minimalistic with clean lines and is not overly ornate.

            Before choosing furniture for a small bedroom, you should first remember some basic elements of interior design. As lighter shades reflect more light, paint your bedroom in muted and light colors to make the room look more spacious. You can also use sheer curtains in pastel and neutral hues in materials such as chiffon and muslin which will provide you privacy and also help to give the room an airy feeling.

            The Bed

            The most important furniture in a bedroom is the bed. You simply cannot get a large king size bed with a huge headboard and make it the focal point of the bedroom. This will take up the entire space of the bedroom and you will have lots of difficulty in placing other essential pieces of furniture. It will also make the bedroom appear cluttered and will ruin the relaxing atmosphere. So you have to choose the bed with care. Choose a bed whose dimensions matches that of the small bedroom and whereby after placing it you can still move around the room comfortably and still have space to place your wardrobe.

            You can use a platform bed that has a low height, as this makes the bedroom appear larger that it is. You can also choose a box bed that has ample space for storing bed lines and other knickknacks. If your bedroom is really tiny, and you do not have the lexury of opting for night tables, the design a headboard that has an inbuilt shelf to store your books and also has a recessed light for reading.

            The Wardrobe      

            An essential bedroom furniture that any homeowner can’t do without is the wardrobe. Avoid using wardrobes that takes up an entire wall. Instead opt for armories and wardrobes that are vertically inclined. This not only minimizes the amount of floor space used but also is very useful for hanging such items like long dresses and suits without any fear of creasing. The top shelves can be used for storing handbags, rain gear, shoes and other items that are not used frequently. You can also used mirrors on the wardrobe doors to act as your dresser and it also helps to open up the space. Always think of innovative ways in which you can use bedroom furniture styles to enhance the look of your bedroom.

            Other Essentials

            You will also need to furnish the bedroom with other essentials like a dresser and chest. Opt for dressers and chest that have a simple design and without too many carvings. One of the most useful small bedroom furniture plans is to opt for furniture such as the bed, side tables, wardrobe and chest in pure white. If you have pale colored walls like a mint green or icy blue, white colored furniture can give you a dramatic look with a spacious feeling. You can then provide assents of color in the bedroom by using colorful rugs, pillows, lamps and picture frames. This will give your bedroom a romantic and ethereal look and you can further heighten the appeal by using soft sheer drapes.

            Small bedroom furniture arrangement should be such that it creates an illusion of space. The best furniture layout for a small bedroom is to place the bed on one corner of the room instead of placing it bang in the middle. This will give you more floor space and let you place another furniture item like a comfortable armchair or a love seat. If you have the space, you can also group together a couple of small chairs with a low coffee table along the window to create a cozy nook. Whatever be your style aesthetics, remember to keep your bedroom neat and clutter free.