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Chemical-Free Ways to Clean Your Oven at Hardrock Canyon

March 17, 2016 by

You’re always on the hunt for chemical-free ways to clean your home, but when it comes to really heavy duty cleaning in areas like the oven, it may seem almost impossible. Luckily, it is possible to clean your oven without using chemicals—it just takes a bit of ingenuity and a few smart tips from the pros.

  1. Take out the oven racks and let them soak in a tub of hot water.
  2. Make a paste of ¼ cup of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of coarse salt and just enough warm water to create a thick consistency.
  3. Using a durable sponge, scrub the paste into the stained parts in your oven. Concentrate on areas that see a lot of spills and drips, such as the bottoms and around the racks.
  4. Let the past sit on the stains for an hour or two, depending on their severity.
  5. Using the same sponge rinsed out with clean water, wipe away the paste and give it a second good scrub. You may also want to use a finer grade steel wool for difficult stains.
  6. For extra cleaning power, spray the entire oven with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, then wipe it away with a clean cloth.
  7. Before replacing the oven racks, scrub them using simple steel wool and an all-natural dishwasher detergent to break down grease.

How To Clean an Oven Without Harsh Chemicals [Apartment Therapy]
Natural Oven Cleaning Recipe [Wellness Mama]
How To Clean an Oven With Baking Soda & Vinegar [The Kitchn]

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How to Breathe New Life Into a Basic Bulletin Board

July 23, 2015 by

A bulletin board is a practical part of your kitchen or office, but it might not be the most attractive element in your decor. There are quite a few ways that you can take your drab bulletin board and turn it into something fabulous, and these simple tips will help!

  • Add a chevron border. Use simple acrylic paint to paint the entire frame, then create a bold chevron design across the bottom using the same bright color.
  • Cover it with fabric. If you’re more partial to prints and patterns, cut a piece of fabric into the same size as the bulletin board’s surface, then affix it to the board with basic spray adhesive or pushpins.
  • Turn it into a travel map. Purchase a frameless bulletin board and turn it into your own custom travel map. Use a craft knife to cut it into the shape of the United States, then attach push pins and photographs at all of the places you’ve visited.
  • Dress up your pushpins. If your basic plastic or metal pushpins are too plain for your taste, dress them up by gluing colorful pompoms to each end. Use all one color or choose a variety for a rainbow effect.
  • Use an embroidery hoop. Instead of using a traditional bulletin board from an office supply store, cover embroidery hoops in varying sizes with your favorite fabrics.

10 Ways to Update & Decorate a Basic Cork Board [Apartment Therapy]
13 Fun Ways to Decorate a Bulletin Board [Babble]
Craftykins // DIY Pom Pom Pushpins [Babiekins Mag]

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Stylish Storage Solutions for Kids’ Toys and Games

June 4, 2015 by

You love to see your kids happy and playing, but all of those toys and games can make quite a mess in your home. Here are a few smart ways to store and organize your kids’ toys, even if they’re not great about cleaning up after playtime.

  1. Under-couch storage. If your children usually play in the living room, invest in some under-couch storage drawers that you can simply tuck away once playtime is over. These drawers are flat enough to store under just about any sofa, and they make cleaning up a breeze.
  2. Bookcases. While you might only consider bookcases for storing, well, books, they also make a great way to store your kids’ games and toys. Simply add some large storage bins in coordinating colors to create a cohesive look.
  3. Bath toy storage. Keep all of those rubber duckies tucked neatly away after bathtime by installing a metal storage rod next to the bathtub. Hang metal buckets or plastic bins from the coordinating hooks to keep the toys out of the tub.
  4. Shoe organizers. Use cheap, plastic shoe organizers to keep smaller kids’ toys neatly organized. You can even hang them in the closet just like you would when storing shoes.

Hide the mess with style: 9 creative D-I-Y toy storage solutions [Today]
Genius Toy Storage Solutions You Can Make [HGTV]
50 Clever DIY Storage Ideas to Organize Kids’ Rooms [DIY & Crafts]

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Want to Make Your Own Bedroom Headboard? Check Out These DIY Tutorials!

May 7, 2015 by

Purchasing a new headboard can get pretty expensive. Luckily, there are a number of creative ways to craft a headboard — or at least something that resembles one! Try out one of these awesome DIY tutorials for unique headboard alternatives.

Under $40 Wooden Headboard [echoesoflaughter.ca]
With a few pieces of scrap wood and some keen measuring skills, you can create this rustic, designer-inspired headboard in less than one afternoon. It’s also easy to customize to your specific bed size.

DIY Ruffled Fabric Headboard [bhg.com]
If you’re looking to add a sweet, feminine touch to a bedroom, this fabric-covered headboard is the perfect DIY project. If you’re not an expert seamstress, don’t worry: you don’t need to have any sewing skills, because this project only requires a simple hot glue gun, spray adhesive, and a drill.

Simple DIY Headboard [starsforstreetlights.com]
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, this classic design is the perfect choice. A cardboard base makes this project inexpensive, but cutting the board into an elegant shape and covering it with a luxurious fabric makes it look anything but.

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