Lisa Dingman

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Stories By Lisa Dingman

  • What Is A Rosewood Tree?

    The rosewood tree (Dalbergia spp.) is milled for its beautiful red, rose-scented wood. Hardy in USDA zones 10-12, the fine-grained hardwood is coveted by instrument and furniture makers. It is also used to produce a rose-scented essential oil.

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  • The 5 Most Common Types Of Ceiling Texture

    There are many different ceiling textures to style your ceiling and express your style preferences. While some have easy applications such as popcorn ceilings or orange peel finishes, other techniques like slap brush or knockdown ceilings can leave a bit more of a mess.

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  • How To Fix Holes In A Chain Link Fence

    To fix holes in a chain link fence, you'll usually need to replace the broken fence portion with a new section of fence. Remember to secure the fence to the top rail for maximum stability. You can also place a patch over the hole and secure it in place with chain link fence ties.

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  • How To Tighten A Toto Toilet Seat Lid

    Tightening a Toto toilet seat lid is very similar to its initial installation. Find the plastic bolts under the protective covers and insert a screwdriver. Locate the nut on the underside of the toilet and turn it clockwise to tighten.

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  • How To Get Rid Of Broken Small Appliances

    You can donate or sell functioning small appliances and take nonfunctional items to recycling centers to be broken down into materials that can be reused in future manufacturing. You may also wish to have a junk collection service come to your home and remove the appliances for you.

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  • How To Build A Deck Without Joist Hangers

    It takes a lot of consideration and planning to build a deck. An important detail is deciding how the joists will hold into place. The most popular option is a joist hanger, but options other than hangers may need to be considered depending on what kind of deck is being built.

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  • How To Remove Discoloration From Stainless Steel

    A quick wash with vinegar and a nonabrasive cloth should rid your stainless steel of the discoloration it may have developed. Using tomato sauce is another method. Help prevent future discoloration by drying your cookware immediately after washing it.

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  • How To Remove Glue From Leather

    You can try to remove glue from leather using a pencil eraser and if this doesn't work, you can consider applying acetone or rubbing alcohol to the area. This should soften the glue, making it easier to remove. You may want to condition your leather after removing the glue.

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  • How To Remove Dry-Erase Marker Stains From Walls And More

    Rubbing alcohol is one effective way to remove dry-erase marker stains, whether they are on walls, upholstery, or whiteboards. When removing stains from upholstery, use the blotting method to lift the stain. Whiteboards and walls need a gentle cleaner and a sponge or soft cloth to remove the stain.

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  • How Can I Get Chiggers Out Of My Couch?

    Chiggers can be removed from your couch by vacuuming all the surfaces and crevices of the couch. Wash the couch with hot water and spray peppermint oil onto the couch to make sure all the chiggers are gone.

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  • How To Remove Rust Stains From Paint

    You can remove rust from painted surfaces, such as home exteriors or cars, with products like WD-40 o CLR rust remover. If you want to use household items, you can apply baking soda, vinegar, and lemon help remove rust buildup.

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  • What Dissolves Rust?

    White vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are all household items that can be used to remove rust. Chemical rust removers, such as WD-40 and oxalic acid, will also work if used according to the label directions. Cola is known to dissolve rust too but leaves a sticky residue in its place.

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  • How To Remove Detergent Residue From Carpet

    Re-rinsing your carpet using a carpet shampooer may remove detergent residue. If it still has a sticky feeling, add vinegar to the machine instead of shampoo and run the machine over the trouble spots. You can also apply a vinegar solution by hand if a machine is no longer available.

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  • How To Root Gardenias In Water

    Rooting gardenia cuttings in water is simple. Take a healthy 5-inch cutting and remove the bottom leaves. Fill a bottle with tepid water and place the cutting in; then put the bottle in a bright window. Maintain humid conditions and roots should appear within one month.

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  • How To Keep Blankets From Balling Up In The Dryer

    Knot the corners together to keep blankets from balling up in the dryer. You can also add dryer balls or tennis balls to prevent balling or implement the pause-and-shake method. Regardless of the method you choose, ensure that you properly shake the blankets before placing them in the dryer.

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  • How To Restore Plastic Lawn Chairs

    Plastic lawn chairs can get a good cleaning by using diluted vinegar or a scrub solution of baking soda. Discolored chairs can be revived by applying a coat of WD-40 to the plastic surface. Avoid using bleach cleaners on white furniture as this may damage the material.

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  • How To Clean Soot With Vinegar

    When cleaning some surfaces with vinegar, dilute it with water to avoid any unwanted reactions due to its acidity. In certain cases, like painted walls, you can let the mixture sit and lift the stain. When cleaning brick or wood, don't let it sit on the stain as it could stain the surface even more.

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  • How To Get Rid Of A Burnt Rubber Smell In The House

    Opening windows and doors will work wonders for getting rid of a burnt rubber smell. To deal with lingering odors in curtains or sofas, clean them by washing with detergent and vinegar or spraying the surface with a diluted vinegar and water mix. Baking soda will also lift odors in carpets.

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  • How To Clean Grease Off Wood

    To clean grease off wood, first soak up any excess grease with paper towels or talcum powder. Then clean the area using dish soap and water or equal parts vinegar and water. If the stain or residue is proving difficult, consider using a commercial degreaser or all-purpose cleaner.

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