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Stains and Smells On Leather

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Written by Dwain Berlin

A leather stain can be easy or nasty depending on circumstances. First, there are two things you need to pay attention to:

What type of leather you have
What type of stain is on it

General cleaning of aniline and pigmented leathers can be done using a good leather cleaner followed by a conditioner and a leather protector if you wish. This works on makeup, baby formula, and chewing gum, vomit, just about anything with the exception of pen ink, bodily oils and other grease stains.

Grease and Oil

If the leather stain is from cheesy pizza, body oils, or other grease stains on the leather, you should use a de-greaser as the first step, then clean and finally, condition.

For suede or nubuck, the procedure to remove a leather stain is much the same except that you'll use a cloth especially made for suede and nubuck leather.

The best approach to dealing with any leather stain, especially leather furniture is to prevent it. If you must eat or drink on your leather furniture sit forward, and if you are wearing a leather garment while eating, protect it! However if an accident happens, there are cleaning methods you can use depending on the type of leather stain you are dealing with.

If the leather is pigmented, you can use leather cleaner to try to remove the leather stain. Spot cleaning a leather stain is always difficult because water and all other chemicals react with it.

Dry Clean - As Little As Possible

Written by Nick Vassilev

"Dry Clean Only" says the label. So, of course you pop down to your nearest dry cleaning agent, drop the garment in question off, and pick it up and pay for the service a day or so later. It couldn't be simpler, right?

Well, it may save you a lot of time, having your clothes dry-cleaned, but stop and think for a moment. Dry cleaning isn't done by magicians who wave a magic wand over it and make all the dirt and grime just disappear. Dry cleaning is done using a degreasing solvent called perchloroethylene (known as perc). Perc is recognised as an environmental pollutant (it doesn't biodegrade easily) and, what's worse, a probable carcinogen. In short, it's not what you want to have on your clothing and things next to your skin. Let's not even start on what it's doing to the professional cleaners and to the environment!

This will leave some of you in a dilemma. Your favourite clothes have that label "dry clean only" on them but you don't want to ruin them or your health (or the environment). So what are you going to do? Not buy silk, suede and cashmere? Let them get grubby?

What you are going to do is handwash these items. Silk, wool and leather-based products such as suede have been around for centuries - much longer than drycleaning solvents. And if they disintegrated on contact with water, nobody would have bothered making clothes out of them and they wouldn't be the luxury fabrics we know today.

In many cases, the label "dry clean only" is put there to protect the manufacturer, not the garment.

Hints To Get Toddlers To Listen

Written by Andy Guides jr

Toddlers are busy little people. Focusing on a parent for even a minute can be hard for them. But in an emergency situation, not listening is not an option.

Sometimes it's absolutely critical that they listen, so here are some ideas to use to help them focus on you.

Use a keyword or phrase - Use a consistent signal that tells your child it's time to listen. Make it generic and make sure everyone in the household uses the same word. Make it fun! Try 'listen up' or 'yoo-hoo' or even a sound, like 'Bing!' Pretty soon they will use it on you, so get ready to start listening right back!

Eye contact - When you need your child to listen, make eye contact. Get on their level, hold their chin and use your catch phrase. Soon they will automatically look at you when you use your catch phrase.

Yes, Yes, Yes - not No, No, No. A parent's job is to set boundaries and keep their kids safe, and that means a lot of No's. To make listening more fun, something they want to do, make sure what they hear is positive. Try, 'Bing! Thank you for putting away your toys! Good boy!' or 'Bing! Good girl! You ate all your lunch!'

Turn the TV off - And the stereo, and the annoying talking toys! If your child can actually hear you, they will be able to listen. Eventually, you'll want your toddler to listen despite distractions, but at first make it easier and move away from the noise. When you're out in public, find a quieter spot, or cover your child's ears with your hands.

How to Pack for a Move

Written by Wendy Moyer

Packing is one of the most important yet one of the most difficult things to get right when you're moving. Although most people pack their belongings themselves some hire a moving company to pack for them.

Perhaps that's because not only will they not have to deal with what may seem to be an overwhelming venture, but this also makes sure that their insurance policy will be honored should something go awry.

Let's assume, though, that you going to pack for your move. The hardest part of packing for a move is when you begin to pack. It could seem overwhelming, but it doesn't' have to be. To make it as easy and efficient as possible start in one room and pack everything there before moving on to the next room.

The first things you'll need are a packing book and packing materials. A packing book makes it much easier to unpack after your possessions are delivered because you will label every box you pack with a letter and a number and write a brief description of the contents in the book next to the same letter and number.

This way the movers will be able to put the boxes in the apropos rooms and you will know where to go for what when you unpack. If you want to make it even easier get colored stickers and also color code the boxes.

So, for example, red might mean the box should go into the kitchen and blue could mean it should go in the master bedroom. Upon arrival at your new home, put the apropos colored sticker on the door that the boxes belong to.

Written by Keith Barrett

Moving to a different country can be a great way to add some spice to your life. It can be a daunting change, though, as you’d be, effectively, saying goodbye to your former life, your friends, and your loved ones. Still, the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages. This article will list 5 reasons why you should think about starting a new life overseas. #1 - Experience a new culture and a new way of life

Each country has its own unique culture and its own unique way of life.

For example, in Spain and other mediterranean countries, life is more relaxed than in other western countries. Days start later, workers enjoy an afternoon siesta, or nap, and people stay up until late drinking and enjoying the company of friends.

By moving to another country, you’ll be able to experience a new culture and a new way of life. You’ll be able to see how other people choose to live their lives which can be an eye opening experience.

However, when looking for a place to live long term, it’s important to find a place that best fits your personality. If you’re a workaholic, the mediterranean way of life may be too laid back for your tastes. Likewise, if you have a relaxed personality, the hard working Asian lifestyle may not fit you well.

Try to visit a few different countries to experience the way the locals live their lives before committing to a place to move to. That way, you’ll greatly increase your chances of moving to a place with a culture that is a good fit for you.