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Posts Tagged ‘oil<’
Posted in Cleaning Services on Jan 25
It’s annoying, isn’t it, how you find stains on the lounge carpet the day after you have good friends around for a party. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt and get on with sorting out the mess. If they’re  badly soiled, you’d best Get a Cleaning Quote on Mr-Skill. If not, the following hints should prove helpful.
- Chewing Gum Freeze the gum with a few blocks of ice in a plastic bag. After it’s gone hard, pick it off with a knife.
- All Stains (Step 1) Get rid of the source of the problem by mopping up any remaining liquid. DO NOT WORSEN THINGS BY RUBBING.
- Grass / Cool Drink Stains Dab the area with a cloth moistened with diluted detergent.
- Oil and Grease Stains Dab with a cloth soaked in a non-flammable dry cleaning agent. TEST AN
 INCONSPICUOUS AREA FIRST.
- Coffee Stains Sponge with a solution of borax. Some London Cleaners believe that more resistant stains may respond to beaten egg-yolk.
- Lipstick Stains Treat with methylated spirits or salad oil. Afterwards, soak the stain in lemon juice, which must be diluted 50:50 with water unless the carpet is pure white.
We provide this information in good faith as it was passed on to us.
If in any doubt, we’d far prefer you to Find a Cleaner on our Website instead, because we are unable to guarantee it. Either way, it’ll be nice to have the lounge carpet back in good condition again thanks to Mr-Skill.
Tags: borax, carpet, chewing gum, cleaning quote, coffee, cool drink, detergent, dry cleaning, egg yolk, find a cleaner, freeze, grass, grease, gum, ice, lemon juice, lipstick, liquid, london cleaner, methylated spirits, mop, oil, rub, salad oil, stain, test
Posted in Cleaning Services | Comments Off
Posted in Locksmith on Nov 07
There’s nothing quite as unnerving as arriving home from holiday, and finding you’ve either lost your key or the front door lock refuses to budge. This unfortunately boils down to a lack of care or just stupidity. I can say that, because I’ve been guilty of these oversights myself when I was younger.
 Lost Keys – The solution is as simple as people’s failure follow it is incredulous. Leave a spare set of keys with a good friend you trust, so they can visit your home from time to time too. That way, you may never need to Find a Locksmith at such an inconvenient hour.
Jammed Locks – It’s a funny old thing, isn’t it? We update our ant-virus databases and we even sometimes mow our garden lawns. Yet we leave our essential door and window locks to take care of themselves completely, when all you need to do is the following:
• Lubricate all your exterior door locks with a puff of graphite powder (not oil because that will attract the dirt and dust). Lock and unlock them several times to work the lubricant in. If the lock is exposed to the elements and seldom used, consider taping over the outside keyhole with a piece of weatherproof tape to keep the moisture out.
•  The advice of every London Locksmith and all others lock repairers too is to take action as soon as a lock starts giving trouble. If you can open the door or window you could change the lock yourself. At the least you could possibly avoid paying overtime rates.
• Inspect your keys monthly for signs of damage, and never, ever use worn ones. That’s because a broken piece of key can be impossible to remove, necessitating an expensive repair.
Whatever else you do please do not overlook the need to maintain your locks. Did we mention you can get Locksmith Quotes on Mr-Skill too? You’ll find the rates more than competitive and our service exemplary. Isn’t that good to know. Remember that in times of trouble we’re here for you.
Tags: break, broken, budge, care, change, damage, door, element, find a locksmith, friend, graphite, inspect, jam, key, lock, locksmith quotes, london locksmith, lose, lost, lubricate, maintain, moisture, oil, powder, rate, remove, replace, solution, spare, stuck, tape, weather, window, work
Posted in Locksmith | Comments Off
Posted in Cleaning Services on Oct 12
Outdoor garden furniture bears the brunt of weather when left outdoors throughout the year, and if neglected soon loses its showroom gloss. This is especially true in larger cities where airborne pollution can be quite severe. In fact I know of several London Cleaning Services who make a living out of dealing with the consequences.
 It is not always necessary to request a Cleaner Quote on Mr-Skill though. Regular attention along the lines below can help avoid unnecessary expense, assuming you have the time available and the will to do it.
• Wash wooden furniture that has been coated with exterior grade varnish with soapy water and then rinse it clean. If possible store it in a dry place for winter or at least wipe away accumulations of rainwater regularly. Once a year apply a proprietary cleaner followed by a protective coat.
• Machine-wash fabrics from cloth chairs and hammocks using a gentle wash cycle. Stretch the cloth back into position before completely dry, to avoid it shrinking.
• Clean aluminium, wrought iron and mild steel frames with soap and rinse. Coat metal furniture with a protective coating, or else it will definitely rust.
•  Umbrella covers need machine washing and the frame joints need lightly oiling too. As with chair seats, refit the covers before completely dry.
• Remove acrylic seat-covers and wipe them clean, using a bleach solution to remove any mildew. Let the mixture stand for 30 minutes before wiping clean again.
• Clean wicker furniture using water under pressure from a hose or pump, using soap if necessary. When dry, the application of a paste wax will restore the shine.
A lot of work perhaps for something we may not use every day, and that stands idle in the winter. Why not get a Cleaner Quote from Mr-Skill instead? Then you can put your clean outdoor furniture away for winter, and have it ready to use again in the spring. Now that makes sense.
Tags: acrylic, aluminium, attention, chair, clean, cleaner quote, cloth, coat, dry, expense, find a cleaner, frame, furniture, Garden, hammock, london cleaning service, mould, oil, outdoor, pollution, protect, regular, rinse, shrink, soap, stain, store, stretch, summer, time, umbrella, varnish, wash, water, winter, wood
Posted in Cleaning Services | Comments Off
I have noticed something interesting about the Gardeners in London that I come across, and that is the super condition of their tools in general. No doubt they do a better job with them that way,  and of course they also have to replace them less frequently. I have to admit though that mine used to be a total disaster, but only before I discovered these useful tips.
You will need a bucket with a lid, enough sand to almost fill it, new or used engine / cooking oil, and a few old rags. The bucket lid is to keep out the dust and dirt, so almost anything will do.
• Make a habit of keeping the bucket in a dry corner of the garden shed or garage
• Fill the bucket with the sand except for the last four inches. This helps keep it stable while sprucing up your tools. I agree that this can make it heavy, but at least your wallet won’t be lightened by the cost of Gardening Quotes after your tools all rust away.
•  Top up the bucket with the oil, and watch it as the sand absorbs it. If you spilled some, well… that’s a further use for the old rags…
• Take each garden tool in turn and shove the working edge in and out of the sand until it is cleaned. Four or five repetitions should do the trick.
• Wipe the tools with the rags as you go along, remembering to leave a thin film of oil behind.
How’s that for something different from us? Should you need to Find a Gardener on Mr-Skill (which is easier than you think), you could leave your tools out in the garden for them to admire while working (but not to borrow, naturally). It’s a funny old world isn’t it. The cleverest ideas are often the simplest too.
Tags: absorb, better job, bucket, condition, cook, corner, cost, dirt, dry, dust, edge, engine, fill, film, find a gardener, garage, Garden, gardeners in london, gardening quotes, lid, motor, new, oil, rag, replace, sand, shed, spill, stable, tool, used, wipe
Posted in Gardening & Landscaping | Comments Off
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, tasteless odourless gas that is the product of incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels. These fuels include gas, oil, coal and wood, but all are however safe when used correctly. According to the Health and Safety Executive, approximately twenty people die in Britain every year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by wrongly installed gas appliances, and flues that  have not been properly maintained and cleaned. If there ever was a reason to Find a Heating Engineer, then surely this is it.
These people all probably died from a sudden intake of the deadly gas that prevented their blood from carrying oxygen to their tissues, skin and other organs. The gas may however also kill almost imperceptibly over a longer period of slow leaks. These are the sensible precautions you could follow to avoid this happening to you and your family.
o Make sure that any work carried out in your home is done by a Gas Safe registered engineer who is competent to do the particular job. You can get Gas Fitting Quotes right here.
o Arrange for regular inspections by a Gas Safe registered firm as recommended by them.
o Ensure that any room containing a gas appliance is adequately ventilated, and that any chimneys, vents and flues do not become blocked. If you have one, get your chimney swept annually,
o  Never use any heating appliance that burns carbon-based fuel without a flue installed by a Gas Safe registered fitter. Paraffin and cabinet heaters are never completely safe and should not be used.
o Fossil-burning appliances outside the remit of Gas-Safe registered fitters should be regularly inspected by another person competent to do the work.
There could hardly be a London Plumber who does not also recommend the installation of audible carbon monoxide alarms in every room, although these are no substitute for proper maintenance. This is because in the event of sudden failure, carbon monoxide could kill you in your sleep. Sobering words today from Mr-Skill.
Tags: alarm, appliance, audible, carbon monoxide, check, chimney, clean, CO, coal, colour, competent, danger, die, find a heating engineer, fitter, flue, gas, gas fitting quote, gas safe, inspect, install, installation, kill, london plumber, maintain, odour, oil, poison, register, registered, safe, service, smell, sweep, swept, taste, vent, wood
Posted in Plumbing, Heating & Gas | Comments Off
Posted in Handyman Services on Apr 18
Every weekend is an opportunity for a handy person to find tools and sort out all the irritating things that spouse has  been complaining about lately. It can be more efficient to do similar jobs on the trot instead of searching endlessly for things. If your partner runs of patience and you run out of time too, then there is no need to stress. That is because Mr-Skill is on standby to help you Find a Handyman.
o Dripping taps are a great source of irritation and can wake the family up at night. Why not lay in a stock of washers, dig out the spanners and tackle the whole lot as a project. You will be popular too, because everybody will appreciate the change.
o Now that the worst of winter is over, it is time to oil squeaky hinges and sticky locks. These days, oilcans have turned into aerosol cans that end up  spraying in the wrong direction. I for one agree with a Handyman in London I met the other day who still swears by his can of light machine oil.
o Why not fix all the rattling windows and doors too. If yours are wooden then they could warp. If uPVC, the rubbers could be worn or cracked. Door and window seals are not expensive, and in no time at all your home could be airtight and snug again.
How does that feel for a productive Saturday? No more dripping taps and no more squeaky hinges and sticking locks. With the house all snug again, my guess is that it is time to be rewarded with a traditional Sunday lunch at home. No cheating though. We would hardly be suggesting you get Handyman Quotes from Mr-Skill while spouse is out with Mother.
Tags: aerosol, door, drip, find a handyman, handyman london, handyman quote, hinge, irritate, job, lock, machine, oil, reward, seal, snug, spanner, spouse, tap, time, tool, warm, warp, washer, weekend, window, winter
Posted in Handyman Services | Comments Off
Some say that uPVC Windows are the greatest thing since sliced bread, and I for one do not miss the annual chore of sanding down and sealing wooden window frames. While some suppliers may claim that their uPVC windows are maintenance free, I still believe they need a hand kept to them.
That does not mean that you need to rush off and Find a Window Fitter, provided you perform these simple tasks from time to time.
o Glass – Wash when necessary by hand with a mild detergent solution or proprietary glass cleaner. Remove hand jewellery first and use a soft cloth to avoid scratching. Rub repeatedly to loosen stubborn dirt, and never be tempted to use a scraper.
o Gaskets and Seals – Clean with a mild non-abrasive detergent every three months. Make sure they are correctly located. If damaged, or otherwise in need to replacement Get a Window Fitter Quote to do what is a specialised job.
o Frames – Wash by hand with a mild detergent solution quarterly. Never use abrasives, scrapers or chemicals either. While doing so, make sure that the external drainage slots are clear.
o Moving Parts – Inspect and clean all hinges and locks once a year and lubricate these with light oil. Remove all traces of oil from the glass and uPVC frames immediately.
Specialists in Window Fitting London increase the frequency of inspections because of the grease and grime born by the air pollution. This applies equally to other large cities as well. Look after your uPVC windows as circumstances require, and you should not need to replace them ever. This is just as well, because uPVC windows are expensive to replace.
Tags: chemical, clean, cleaner, damage, detergent, dirt, door fitter quote(s), door fitter(s) london, door fitting london, door fitting quote(s), drain.moving, find a door fitter, find a window fitter, frame, glass, grease, grime, hinge, lock, lubricate, maintain, oil, pollution, replace, rub gasket, seal, service, uPVC, wash, window, window fitter london, window fitter quote quote(s), window fitting london, window fitting quote(s)
Posted in Uncategorized, Window & Door Fitting | Comments Off
Posted in Cleaning Services on Mar 09
Wood is a beautifully natural medium that can last forever if correctly cared for. Because it is natural though, it starts to decay as soon as a tree is cut down, which means it must be looked after all its life. If you have especially valuable  antique wooden furniture you should consider getting Housekeeper Quotes from those specialised in the field.
The first step to caring for wood it is to determine which finish was applied to it
Expert Tip: Test in a less obvious place first.
Step 1: Rub a few drops of boiled linseed oil into the wood. Is the oil absorbed? Is yes, the wood either has an oiled finish, or it is natural wood – if neither, read on.
Step 2: Rub a little acetone over a spot in a gently circular motion. Is the acetone repelled? Then the finish is polyurethane. Is the acetone dissolved? Then the wood is lacquered – if neither, read on.
Step 3: Try a few drops of denatured alcohol. If the finish dissolves quickly it is shellac. Does it react slowly instead? Then the wood has been varnished.
 Generally speaking, wood that has been oiled will benefit from a monthly application of a little good furniture oil to prevent it from drying out or cracking. Check to make sure that the oil will not make the wood go darker first. With this exception, you can keep all your furniture in tip-top condition with a general-purpose surface cleaner once a month, and a dusting once a week between.
Never expose wooden furniture to harsh chemicals or bright sunlight. Do not allow moisture to lie on any piece of wood for long, or else it may stain it permanently. This includes plastic or rubber objects that can generate their own humidity because they do not breathe.
If your wood furniture becomes water stained, a rated Cleaner in London may be able to provide some expert advice. Our advice is not to take chances with things you do not understand – rather Find a Housekeeper on Mr-Skill.
Tags: acetone, alcohol, antique, care, chemical, clean, cleaner london, cleaner quote, dust, find a cleaner, find a housekeeper, furniture, housekeeper london, housekeeping quotes, lacquer, linseed, natural, oil, polyurethane, rub, shellac, stain, sun, sunlight, surface clean, test, tree, varnish, water, wood
Posted in Cleaning Services | Comments Off
New Year is the right time to implement plans to make your home safer for the whole family, and that includes making sure  that you can all sleep peacefully at night too. This includes checking that the windows and doors all lock tightly, and that any alarm systems are working as they should. You also need to make sure you have spare keys inside the house in case somebody is trapped and needs to escape, and a spare back and front door key kept with a friendly neighbour, just in case too.
In case you were wondering how to do all this it’s really easy. Simply find a locksmith recommended by Mr-Skill to do it for you at a low, low rate. Before you start though, take a sober look at what is really necessary.
o Do all the locks turn easily? If not, try oiling them with a spray can and see if they improve. An old trick I learned when dealing with sticky Yale-type locks from a pal who once worked for Locksmiths London, is to oil the key and slide it in and out a few times to see if this may help. Remember to dry the key afterwards and to tell your partner what you did too – it not you may get dry-cleaning bills for dirty skirts and pockets.
 o How secure really is each lock? If you could kick in a locked outside door it is time to get quotes for an upgrade. Don’t wait for trouble to happen before you take action here.
o How strong are the doors and windows themselves? There is no point in locking them if the hinges are weak or the panels and panes are paper-thin. Remember, security is a holistic subject and the weakest link commands the entire chain.
o Is it time to install a security alarm or upgrade an existing one? The secret to being secure is to be a tougher target than your neighbours – find out what they are doing and keep a jump ahead of them.
Now that you have thought about what you really need to do to make your Home your Castle, you could go ahead and get locksmith quotes from Mr-Skill. Does that sound like a good idea?
Tags: alarm, back, castle, door, family, find a locksmith, front, hinge, home, key, lock, locksmith quotes, locksmiths london, neighbour, oil, safe, secure, sleep, spare, stick, turn, window
Posted in Locksmith, Project Advice | Comments Off
A decent paintbrush can cost a lot of money and is well worthwhile looking after. Buying cheap ones on a throwaway basis is false economy, and your work will show this too. I learned these things from painters in London where I had my decorating business.
HANDYMAN’S TIPS: Begin by working smart. When you dip a dry paintbrush into paint, capillary action draws the liquid all the way up to the handle where it congeals and ruins the brush. Soak if first in water, turpentine or oil, then shake it dry before you start. Use different brushes for oil and water-based paints because these media repel each other. Wear disposable gloves so you do not have to clean yourself as well.
 o First, wipe away any excess paint from the brush with paper towel or a lint free cloth (if there is a lot of it and it has not yet begun to dry, scrape this back into the paint tin first). Squeeze the bristles gently as you work the paint towards the tip where you can remove it. Be careful not to damage or distort the bristles – you want your expensive paintbrush to wear in nicely, and last for years. Wipe the surface of the paintbrush again.
o Rinse the paintbrush in turpentine or oil, or lukewarm fresh water, depending on the type of paint you have been using – the instructions on the paint tin will tell you which is right. When done, gently squeeze the brush dry inside several sheets of newspaper. Never shake a paintbrush dry, unless you want your house or garden to change colour.
o After wiping the paintbrush again with paper towel or your lint free cloth, dab the bristles gently against a piece of mild, soft bath soap (not dish-washing liquid, which is harsh). Work up a nice lather in a small clean container. Rinse and repeat until your brush is completely clean, and free of any remaining soap.
o Re-shape the brush with your fingers, and leave it to dry at room temperature. Never rest a wet paintbrush on its head. If you do, it will dry misshapen, and you could ruin it.
Do you prefer to find a painter to do your painting work for you? A good website to get rated painter quotes is Mr-Skill.
Tags: bristle, bristles, brush, clean, cloth, decorator quotes, decorators london, different, different brush, dip, dishwashing liquid, find a decorator, find a painter, lather, liquid, newspaper, oil, paint, paintbrush, painter quotes, painters london, paper, paper towel, rinse, scrape, soap, squeeze, turpentine, water, wipe
Posted in Painting & Decorating | Comments Off
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