Add Your Personal Touch With Custom Shower Curtains

Custom shower curtains are an excellent way to get your shower curtains just the way you want them. The only restraint is what your mind can dream up, what you are capable of putting together, and what length your tailor is willing to go to. To help you choose what type of curtains you would like to put in your bathroom, here are a few things for you to think about before making any concrete decisions.

What style of curtain are you looking for? Style is a big part of the decision making process. Do you want something that has some type of special meaning to it? If so, you can get portraits of your family members put on your curtain or maybe a picture of an item that is part of an inside joke, for example. Or if you are designing one for your kids' bathroom, you can put their favorite cartoon character along with their own picture; bath time will no doubt become much more fun for your kids after that! The possibilities are endless when it comes to a custom shower curtain because you are the one who holds the power to decide what your finished piece will look like.

What type of fabric do you want to use for your custom piece? Do you want something completely functional or just for looks? If you want something completely functional, you may consider getting one made of plastic for example. If you want something that is only for looks, you can have it made with any fabric you choose. You can also have a little bit of both worlds. If you are looking for something that is for looks but also want it to function in your bathroom, you can have a custom shower curtain made in any fabric that you choose and pair it with a plastic curtain liner so that you can enjoy your custom shower curtain while keeping it protected at the same time. Keep in mind though that the steam from your shower may still have some impact on the quality of your curtain. If you are looking for something easier to clean and maintain you may want to choose a fabric that is of a lighter weight and of a fabric that will not be likely to fade quickly over time.

The great thing about a custom shower curtain is that you can really let your personality shine through. You should take your time and make sure that it fits your needs and expectations before making any decisions.

Bathroom Designs and Upgrades

Are you looking for some ideas to beautify your bathroom by renovating it? Well, this article is just right for you. First thing to consider in renovating your bathroom is to know which areas in your bathroom you want to be renovated. It is also a good idea to discuss this matter with your interior designer before you start to work on them.

There are many available modern bathroom fixtures in which you can replace with your old ones. Replacing old bathroom fixtures like knobs, handles, faucets, and towel bars with new ones really give your bathroom a completely new look.

Adding beautifully designed suitable tiles and painting the walls also give your bathroom a new look. If you want, you can add some furniture and accessories that would really enhance the beauty of your bathroom. Adding shower curtains, rugs, new towels, and window treatments will give your bathroom a modern feel. The flooring of the bathroom should also be considered for it is one of the most important parts in a bathroom. For a bath tub with a classic look, choose the modern ones. There are different types of tubs that you can choose from which are available in the market. You can select the size of the tub you want to buy and you can compare it with your bathroom theme.

Upgrading your old shower is a very good idea. Currently, there are many available bath tubs with built-in showers. A steam shower is good to those people who want to have a spa relaxation experience right inside their bathrooms. Lastly, if you want to make your bathroom look bigger, you must properly install lights and mirrors.

Nowadays, bathrooms are used by people to release all their stress. So it is really important to spend a little time, effort and money to make it better.

A Parents Guide to Toilet Training (Potty Training)

Toilet or potty training can be a frustrating time for parents and toddlers. My wife and I are getting to the end of toilet training with our son, but I wish we had prepared a bit earlier to make the process easier for all of us.

Most children learn to begin their bladder and later their bowels, between two to three years of age. Girls often before boys. Most parents, (well at least my wife and I!) only really start to think about toilet training when their child reaches around two.

But there's a lot of preparation that can be done before this age to make a child feel comfortable and acclimatized to the idea of going to the toilet before the experience begins.

Discuss with your child when they need to go to the toilet. "Are you doing a wee? Are you doing a poo?" Teach them through encouragement to tell you when they are emptying their bladders or moving their bowels.

Nappy time is ideal for these discussions. "You've done a poo. Soon you will go to the toilet to wee and poo like a big boy/girl." Talk about it weeks or months before putting them on the toilet.

Read stories and watch children's programs or DVD's about toilet training (such as Elmo's Potty Time)




Let them watch adults or older siblings when they go to the toilet and see that it is a natural and regular occurrence.




Let the flush the toilet




buy a special seat and foot stool for the toilet and sink so they feel safe and are able to easily wash their hands afterwards.

Around the the age of two your child should be well prepared and able to sit on the toilet at every nappy change. At first it's usually quite easy as they enjoy the thrill of being a big boy or girl. After the excitement wears off it can be hard to encourage them to sit.

Praise them for sitting on the toilet, regardless of their success. Give them a clap, a cheer a high five, stamp or sticker everytime they sit on the toilet, no matter how briefly. Then put them back in a nappy (reuse the same nappy if dry), then follow the toileting routine of using a small amount of paper, flushing the toilet and washing hands.

Praise them in front of others about how grown up they are for sitting on the toilet. They love that! Our son loved to show visitors how he could sit on the toilet all by himself.

To encourage success while they're on the toilet, they'll need to spend some time there at first. It's a good idea to keep a little basket of books in the bathroom so you can sit and read to them while they're sitting there. That first wee in the toilet is a big deal to parent and child!

Put them on the toilet at normal "go" times, such as after waking up, after meals, before a bath and before bed.

After sufficient preparation (weeks or months depending on the child), they will start to show signs of toilet readiness. Tugging at nappies, sometimes with words, stamping of feet etc. Now is the time for training pants.

To begin with take them to the toilet every hour. Don't give them the option by asking them, just tell them, "It's toilet time," and take them by the hand. Sooner or later most two year olds begin to object when they realise they have to stop playing for a little while to go to the toilet. At this time, don't let them leave the toilet until they've sat down and "performed". They know what to do by now. Encourage them by saying things like "As soon as you've weed we can go and draw, play with your favourite toy etc."

Be positive and praise small successes. Accidents happen. Don't scold them. Talk to them and say "Whoops, you peed on the floor. We pee in the toilet don't we? Next time we'll make it to the toilet." You can also encourage them to tell you when they need to go. After accidents complete the usual toilet routine - sit on the toilet, paper, flush and wash hands. If they don't go through the routine they'll soon see the advantages of peeing in their pants.

Once your child is in pants during the day, don't go back to nappies except for sleep periods. It is too confusing to children to work out when they're in a nappy and when they're in pants. After an accident, it's back into pants. Sorry!

Of course there are times when pants aren't convenient. Huggies "pull ups" are great for going out when toilet training. Don't use them like a nappy. But they offer peace of mind in case children don't make it to the toilet in time.

To limit accidents while out:

take your child to the toilet before every outing

take your child to the toilet between shops

take a potty with you in the car for emergencies

take spare clothes with you.

The hourly routine must still be maintained while you're out.

Most children will wet the bed at night long after they're dry during the day. Keep them in nappies at night and take them to the toilet as soon as they wake up.

Consistency between home and day care or other carers is very important. Remember to be positive and delight in your child's every success. Best of luck and I hope this guide will help you through this sometimes challenging process!

This article was compiled with the help of our local childcare centre - The Village Early Learning Centre.

Going 'Green' with Environmentally-Friendly Home Improvement Products

Over the last few years, buying environment friendly products for the home has become an increasingly important consideration for homeowners looking to make "green" improvements to their living space. To address this growing need, products such as flooring, lighting and paneling, as well as materials like paint and varnish are now readily available for virtually every remodeling project and every room in the house.

Numerous States have now also adopted legislation that limits the use of products that contain harmful fumes or chemicals. The good thing about this is, other than the obvious Green benefits, that many of the products that adhere to the new legislation are also becoming more affordable and are therefore more likely to be found on the shelves in our local hardware and home improvement stores.

See The Light! And Still Save on Energy Bills

It's no secret that energy prices have soared and if you are planning a home improvement project, one of the simplest ways you can protect the environment - as well as save money - is to use less electricity.

Lighting and major appliances consume the most electricity; simply by switching to fluorescent bulbs, you can save up to 30% a year on your electricity bills. You can save a noticeable amount of money on your lighting costs by painting walls a lighter color, thus distributing light more effortlessly as well as making rooms appear brighter.

Leaking ducts can account for a surprising amount of wasted energy - up to 30%. If you are planning to caulk around ducts, vents and windows be sure to use a product that complies with recent regulations concerning the use of less VOCs in its manufacture. These are volatile organic compounds which contain pollutants that damage the ozone layer, and also contribute to producing smog.

Paint may be your biggest cause of concern if you are planning a home improvement project. Read the small print on the tin to make sure it complies with VOC standards - almost 30 brands are now readily available. Typically, lighter colors of paint tend to contain fewer VOCs.

Tip-Top Countertops

Kitchen countertops are an area where it is possible to help the environment. A recent innovation is a countertop made entirely of recycled paper and water-based resin. You can also install countertops made of paper and cement so that the production involves no quarrying that damages the land.

The bathroom is one of the most important areas where you can help protect the environment. Around 75% of all water used in the home is used by the bathroom shower, toilet and sink combined. Low flow or adjustable showerheads are easy to install and a dual flush toilet - offering a full or half-flush - can potentially lower a typical water bill by up to $75 a year. An estimated 4 trillion gallons of water would be saved every year in the United States if every household installed a dual flush toilet.

The Japanese are well known for their inventive labor-saving and technologically advanced devices. One of their latest innovations may soon be commonplace in the United States - an ingenious combination toilet/bathroom sink - you wash your hands in water that is then used to flush the toilet.

Get Floored! In The Utmost Style of Course

And one of the biggest trends in home improvement? Many people, especially those moving into a new home, consider installing a new floor covering as one of their most important projects. Cork, bamboo and reclaimed wood flooring all have a strong visual appeal as well as helping the environment, and in recent years, these alternative materials for flooring have become popular.

Cork flooring has excellent insulating qualities and can save on energy costs; it also reduces noise and can help keep a home free from allergens. What's more, it is surprisingly tough as well as being water resistant.

And one other thing to keep in mind if you are "going green" when remodeling or improving your home. Always dispose of old or unwanted materials safely - many materials can be donated for people to reuse, or otherwise recycled. If in doubt, check with your county recycling program.

The next time you are making improvements to your living space be sure to do your bit to protect our precious planet... Go Green!

How to Unclog a Toilet Without Calling a Plumber

Toilets are one of the things those of us in modern society tend to take for granted, until they don't work. Since most of us have eliminated the outhouse as an option (no pun intended), when our toilets don't work things can get ugly in a hurry. The good news is that unclogging a clogged toilet is something anyone can learn to do.

There are a lot of different shapes and styles of toilets but, with a few exceptions, they all work about the same. Water is released from the tank (many commercial toilets use a special valve instead of a tank) into the bowl to flush the waste into your drainage piping. Basically pretty simple, right?

The two main problems that happen with toilets are the toilet running (the water not shutting off after flushing) and the toilet bowl plugged (not draining or stopped up). While a running toilet wastes water and can be annoying, if you have a toilet bowl plugged it's a little more urgent. On a scale of 1 to 10, maybe a 12! In fact, one Google search term study calls most people's #1 plumbing problem a plugged toilet.

Anyone can learn how to unclog a toilet. It just takes a little patience and the right tools. The first thing you need to fix a plugged toilet is a toilet plunger. These are a little different from a sink plunger, which is looks sort of like a rubber bowl on a stick.

A toilet plunger is designed specifically to direct the force into the waste outlet of the plugged toilet bowl. The business end of a toilet plunger looks sort of like a ball with an opening to fit into the waste outlet of the toilet. One type that is very effective has an accordion like design and is all plastic, including the handle.

The way a toilet plunger works is by filling up with water and then pushing that water through the stopped up drain. When unclogging a clogged toilet, the idea is to plunge up and down a couple of times so the plunger fills with water and then jam the open end, sometimes called a force cone, into the waste outlet in the plugged toilet and start plunging. You may have to pump the plunger up and down several times to clear the blockage.

When you are learning how to unclog a toilet you may need to be fairly aggressive with the plunger. The key is to force the water in the plunger through the waste outlet of the toilet, dislodging the blockage in the process. If you don't splash a little out of the bowl you probably aren't plunging hard enough. Ever wonder why plumbers charge so much?

This will usually be all you need to do to fix a plugged toilet. Sometimes, however, a plunger just won't do the trick. If you've plunged a while with no success you might need to try another approach. It's time to pull out the closet auger.

A closet auger is a special tool that can be used to clear an especially stubborn plugged toilet. A closet auger has a short drain cable, or snake, inside a metal tube that is bent on the end to aim the cable into the waste outlet of a toilet bowl. The cable is just long enough to get through the toilet and is connected to a handle the same length. You can get one of these at your local hardware store for as little as $10.

The way to use a closet auger is to pull the handle all the way out, insert the business end into the outlet of the toilet bowl that's plugged and crank it down into the bowl, making sure the cable goes into the drain. When the bowl drains, flush the toilet while you're pulling the cable back to help clean the cable. It's a good idea to flush some toilet paper through a couple of times before you put your auger away just to be sure.

With the growing focus on water conservation more and more communities are requiring toilets that use less water per flush. In spite of the best efforts of the toilet manufacturers to increase performance, this is likely to continue to make our most common plumbing problem a plugged toilet. So you might as well go ahead now and learn how to unclog a toilet yourself. You'll be glad you did.