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How to Choose an Ionic Ceramic Hair Straightener

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:28:34 +0000

This review of 3 types of ceramic hair straighteners should put you on the path to choosing the right one. Let’s examine the Chi GF1001 1 Inch Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener, the Pro Select Ionic Ceramic Hair Straightener, and the Pro Chloche Ionic Ceramic Hair Iron Straightener, right now! Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow Does a Ceramic Ionic Hair Straightener Work?Straighteners That Make Your Hair SoftPrint this articleInstructions 1Research the Chi GF1001 Original 1 Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener. Word has it that the Chi is suppose to be one of the most versatile Hairstyling Irons on the market today. However the reviews are mixed.Some users report that the iron is awesome, while others write that it’s all hype, and isn’t any better than the cheap models on sale locally. Those who were dissatisfied claimed the Chi was awkward to hold, and didn’t offer a temperature control setting.Satisfied buyers cited the Chi iron to be effective when use prior to a dry haircut, and loved the straightening results and quick heat up time. According to an affiliate of Chi, "The ceramic coated paddles help prevent scorching hair color and helps reduce styling product build-up."One more great feature about the GF1001 Original 1 Ceramic Ionic Flat Iron Hair Straightener is that the ceramic heating plates are sunken from the edges, to help prevent burns. With only one temperature setting, between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit, this is a great feature.The tangle free cord is super long, and swivels like the competition models, however the Chi has a hidden on/off button inside the handle, so that you don’t inadvertently turn the iron off while using it.2Review the Pro Ceramic Ionic Hair Straightener. This is a highly sought after choice, used by professional hair stylists worldwide. It leaves your hair extremely smooth and silky, and is a very safe iron to use. You are able to flick, curl, and straighten your hair in a reasonably short period of time.The plates are made of 100% solid ceramic, and the iron has temperature settings that adjusts on 5 levels, between 80 and 200 degrees Celsius. These irons go for about $150.00 brand new, and include a tangle free cord, that swivels 360 degrees, with a hang up loop.3Examine the Sedu Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Hair Straightener (1½"). This iron is available with ultra smooth ceramic tourmaline plates, and will not break your hair by unnecessary pulling or snagging.The negative ions, combined with new infra red heat technology, refreshes the hair to a soft shiny state. This process locks in the hair’s moisture, and lessens the frizz. All of this, for around $140.00.When compared to other ceramic irons, the Sedu smoothed the hair three times better, and 50% faster. .The Sedu’s 1 inch ceramic ionic flat iron hair straightener is lightweight, long lasting, and has a quick heat up time! Under thirty seconds to be exact.It doesn’t matter which temperature you set the control on, the heat stays consistent over the plates. You can decide between 240 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit.If you have dyed, thinning, or damaged hair, use the low setting. Use the high setting for thick curly hair, to speed up styling time. This ceramic iron is available in 1" width for short to medium hair, and 1 ½" for medium to long hair.Other features of the ionic flat iron ceramic hair straightener, are its IDCI plug, and it provides extra safety to prevent electrical shock. This iron is for use in the United States and Canada, and has 120 V 60 Hz Voltage. The nine foot cord swivels 360 degrees, and is tangle free.4Consider the Pro Chloche Ionic Ceramic Hair Iron Straightener, which is beautiful and lightweight. The iron heats up fast, to a top temperature setting of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat is spread out across the ceramic plates, to achieve the best results.The Tourmaline ceramic plates are 100% authentic, and will give astonishing smoothness to your hair! The cord is about 3 meters, swivels, and is tangle free.The 1 inch ceramic plate is awesome, and the iron also comes with an instruction manual. If traveling overseas, or outside of the United States, you are going to need to buy a separate voltage converter that is suitable to your region.5Make a purchase. If you have never bough a flat iron before, take time to compare the different types of ionic ceramic hair straightener irons, so that you will be happy with your investment.

How to Clean Ceramic Tile Floors With Vinegar

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:28:28 +0000

Ceramic tile is a popular flooring choice because if its beauty, durability and easy maintenance. There are numerous ways to keep your tile clean, however, many cleaning products are loaded with harsh toxic chemicals. Not only can these chemicals cause severe illness if consumed, they are also known to create mild to severe skin irritations. In addition, store bought cleaners can be very expensive. Using vinegar to clean your ceramic tile is not only eco-friendly, it is also budget pleasing. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Use Vinegar & Water to Clean Ceramic Tile FloorsHow to Clean Tile Floors with VinegarPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedVacuumTwo bucketsWater1 cup measuring cupVinegarSoft cloth or spongeToothbrushDry towelsStiff bristled brushRubber glovesShow MoreInstructions 1Remove all furniture in the area the will be cleaned.2Vacuum the floor to remove any loose dirt and debris.3Fill one bucket with clean water. In the other bucket, mix a solution of 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of warm water.4Start in the far corner of the room. Working in small sections, use a clean cloth or sponge dipped in vinegar and water solution to wipe the tile clean.5Use an old toothbrush to clean the tile grout lines.6Wipe vinegar solution from floor using clean water and a cloth or sponge.7Use a towel to dry clean the surface and move on to the next area until entire floor has been scrubbed and dried.8Replace furniture once the entire area is scrubbed and dried.

How to Decorate a Tabletop With Ceramic Mosaics

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:28:18 +0000

Anyone who enjoys poking through yard sales can attest to the fact that it is easy to find a cheap table. However, you may spy a piece with a great shape or the perfect size but whose overall aesthetic is lacking. Fortunately, tables can be one of the simplest pieces to refinish. While you have many options for giving a table a new look, mosaic tiling may allow for the greatest creative expression. Ceramic mosaic tiles are available inexpensively at craft stores or online. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Build Ceramic Top TablesHow to Do Mosaic Tile on a TabletopPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedTableConcrete backer boardUtility knifeConstruction adhesivePadded C clampsCeramic mosaic tilesCameraSpongeThinset mortarStraight-edged trowelMasonry sealerPaintbrushGroutGrout floatShow MoreInstructions 1Choose the correct table for your project. Select a metal table if you want to put it outside. A sturdy sealed wooden table is a good option for a more formal indoor piece.2Trace the shape of the table top onto concrete backer board with a pencil. Score along the pencil line with a utility knife. Gently break off the excess backer board along the scores.3Attach the backer board to the tabletop with construction adhesive. Clamp the board to the table top and let the adhesive dry 3 to 4 hours.4Arrange your ceramic mosaics on the lined tabletop, placing them no closer than ¼ inch apart. Adjust the design until you are pleased with the appearance. Take a picture of the design so you can recall where each tile goes.5Remove the tiles from the backer board. Mentally break the table top into sections that you can cover with tiles in 10 to 15 minutes. Lightly moisten the first section of board with a dampened sponge.6Apply a scant layer of thinset mortar all over the first section with a straight-edged trowel. Arrange the tiles as desired, keeping the top edges as even as possible. Finish each section of the table top in this way.7Let the mortar dry overnight. Apply masonry sealer over the tiles with a paintbrush; ceramic tiles may be porous, and grout can stain them. Allow the sealer to dry three to four hours.8Spread grout over the tiled table top with a grout float. Press the grout well between the tiles and turn the float 45 degrees to scrape off excess grout with the edge. Wipe individual tiles clean with a dampened sponge.9Wait 24 hours for the grout to dry completely. Apply another coat of masonry sealer, including the grout lines. Let the sealer dry completely before using the table.

How to Use Egyptian Paste

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:28:10 +0000

Egyptian Paste is a type of clay inspired by artwork from the time of the pharaohs. According to the manufacturer AMACO, Egyptian Paste was recreated by observing jewelry and clay pieces found in the excavated tombs of ancient Egypt. The product comes in a dry powder form and it is also self-glazing, which means it does not need to be painted or glazed after it is fired in a kiln. Use Egyptian Paste like other clays while paying attention it is unique characteristics. Other People Are ReadingHow to Wash Egyptian CottonHow to Make an Egyptian Mask Out of CardboardPrint this articleThings You’ll Need1 cup Egyptian PasteMixing bowlLatex glovesKiln stiltsKilnShow MoreInstructions 1Mix 1 cup dry Egyptian Paste with 1/2 cup water in a mixing bowl. Wear latex gloves when working with the clay because it contains soda which can be harmful to your skin. Use your hands to mix the clay together. You want a consistency like thick porridge to work with the clay. Add more water or powder if needed.2Form a ball roughly 4-inches thick to create a small bowl. This material is best for smaller hand-building projects, such as pinch pots or jewelry beads, according to Ceramics Today. You can throw pots with Egyptian Paste but it is has low plasticity, which means it is stiffer than other clays.3Press your finger into the center of the ball to form a cup shape. Press around the rim of the cup to pull it into a bowl shape.4Smooth the interior and exterior of the bowl with your fingers. Allow it to dry completely. This may take 48 hours.5Place the dried bowl on kiln stilts inside your kiln. Egyptian Paste is self-glazing, which means it has glaze all over. When you fire it, it needs to have the kiln stilts underneath it so it does not stick to the floor of the kiln.6Turn the kiln to 1855 degrees Fahrenheit. Once it reaches the temperature, fire for 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and open the door to the kiln to let it cool down. Remove your bowl from the kiln once it is completely cooled.

How to Remove the Ceramic Top From the Range and Change the Element

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:28:03 +0000

The ceramic glass cooktops on electric ranges are a sleek and easy maintenance choice in kitchen appliances. Like all electrical equipment, however, the heating element under the ceramic glass can occasionally fail. When the range is still in otherwise good working order, it pays to simply replace the heating element to a single burner and restore the range cooktop to full function. Replacement heating elements can be purchased from the maker of your range and installed on your own or with a work partner. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Remove a Whirlpool Ceramic Electric Range TopInstructions on How to Replace a Sears Kenmore Range Top ElementPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedPhillips head screwdriver1-inch diameter or larger wooden dowel, roughly 28 inches longNew replacement heating elementShow MoreInstructions 1Disconnect the range from the electrical outlet. If the ceramic top range is hard wired, turn the electrical power to the area off at the circuit breaker.2Remove the two side screws that hold the ceramic cooktop onto the oven range base unit. Find these on the front of the range just inside the upper edge of the door frame. Set the screws aside.3Lift up the front edge of the ceramic cooktop and prop it up with a wooden dowel to free your hands or have a partner hold the cooktop up so that you have easy access to the underside where the heating elements reside.4Note the position of the element connections as you need to position the new element identically. Unscrew or unclip the connectors that hold the heating element in position and connect it to the power source.5Pull the old heating element out by sliding it gently sideways. Set it aside.6Slide the new element into the same exact position. Screw down or clip the fasteners to hold the element in place. Reconnect the power by slotting the wires back into the clips or by screwing the power wires down snugly as before.7Hold the ceramic cooktop at the front center with one hand for support and balance and then gently pull the wooden dowel support out. Set the dowel aside.8Grasp the front edge of the ceramic cooktop with a hand on either side or corner, and gently lower it back into place so that it rests evenly on the range base.9Replace the mounting screws at the inside top of the oven cavity.10Reconnect the power and test the operation of the new heating element by turning the corresponding knob for the replaced burner.

How to Clean Urine from Ceramic Tiles

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:27:56 +0000

Pet or human urine on ceramic tiles presents two problems: the stain and the odor. While various products can easily remove the stain from the tile and the grout, the odor can seep into the grout and be particularly tricky to remove. Removing only the stain will cause future problems for pet owners in particular–animals use their sense of smell to decide where to go to the bathroom and the residual odor of a previous accident will encourage them to continue to use that same spot. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Remove Cat Urine From Ceramic TileHow to Get Dog Urine Stains Off Ceramic TilePrint this articleThings You’ll NeedEnzymatic cleaner, such as Nature’s Miracle Just For CatsBleachScrub brush or spongeShow MoreInstructions 1Spray the enzymatic cleaner on the tile as well as the grout to fully remove the urine odor.2Wait 30 minutes to an hour for the enzymatic cleaner to break down the uric acid and dry. Do not proceed to the next step until the cleaner has dried; mixing it with another cleaner while wet will reduce its effectiveness.3Mix 1 cup of bleach with a bucket of water and pour the mixture on the stain.4Scrub the bleach into the stain, then let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes.5Rinse the floor with warm water. If the stain remains, repeat the steps.

How to Decorate Your Own Ceramic Coffee Mug

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 02:27:43 +0000

Decorating your own ceramic coffee mug can add a personalized touch to a traditionally simple and plain household item. Creating your own personalized mug can be extremely easy and inexpensive. The design can be as simple or complicated, and you can use templates found in stores for a professional touch. Other People Are ReadingHow to Create Your Own Coffee MugHow to Customize Ceramic MugsPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedAcrylic paintTemplateGloss finishing sprayShow MoreInstructions 1Use a plain colored ceramic coffee mug that has a smooth surface. You can use mugs with minimal decoration or rippled surfaces but you will have to work around the ornamentation. Rppled surfaces can make adding designs difficult and can ultimately affect the final design.2Wash the ceramic mug with warm, soapy water and dry with a towel. Place on a counter or table and allow to air dry for at least one hour to make sure all the remaining moisture has been removed.3Create a design for your mug, and draw the design on a piece of paper or create a template if desired. Or purchase templates from your local craft store to use (which can be helpful when creating letters). If you use a template make sure it is firmly in place before painting.4Paint the design onto the surface of the mug using acrylic paint. Read the instructions to ensure the paint is suitable for ceramic surfaces. Apply one layer at a time if applying multiple colors unless you want them to blend. Allow at least one hour for the paint color to dry to prevent colors from mixing. With complex designs, work on one area at a time, which prevents you from accidentally putting your hand or finger in the wet paint.5Allow the paint to cure (air dry) completely by placing it on a table or shelf in a location where it will not be disturbed. This process can take up to 48 hours. Read the instructions on the paint for detailed information.6Apply a clear coat or gloss finish that is usable for mugs and other food surfaces. Allow the finish to air dry and cure. Wash gently with warm, soapy water before using.

How to Cut Small Ceramic Wall Tile

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:34:03 +0000

Cutting unusually small ceramic tiles–say, two inches across or less–can be a challenge for pieces that will go into tight corners. Platform tile cutters work well for bigger tiles, but the prongs that come down and snap the tile in two are too widely set for very small tiles. You can score the piece with the platform cutter, then use a hand-cutter to actually snap it. This two-step process takes a little more time, but you’re sure to get nice, clean breaks for your small tile pieces. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Install a Ceramic Corner Piece in a Tile ShowerHow to Cut Ceramic Wall TilesPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedTape measurePencilCeramic tilePlatform tile cutterHand-held tile cutter (looks like pliers)Tile adhesiveNotched trowelShow MoreInstructions 1Lay all the full tiles that will fit on the wall, using your tile adhesive and notched trowel. Work from the center of the wall out toward the edges, so you’re left with a border of untiled space where the wall meets the inside corners of the adjacent walls.2Measure the space between the edge of the last full tile and end of the wall, where the cut piece of tile needs to go. Subtract a quarter inch from the measurement to account for the grout line and to leave space from the wall. Mark a piece of tile at that measurement.3Lay the tile on your platform tile cutter, with the overhead track going in the direction you want the cut to be and your pencil mark lined up with the blade. Set the blade down on the piece and slide it forward on one smooth motion, pressing down firmly to score the piece.4Take the tile off your platform tile cutter and hold it in one hand. With the other hand, position your hand-held tile cutter so that the thin metal brace is under the piece, and the two flat prongs are sitting on the top, on either side of your scored line.5Squeeze the cutter firmly until the tile snaps in two at the line. Hang it with the cut side facing the inside corner of the adjacent wall and the factory edges facing the other tiles. Repeat with all the other tiles until the wall is done.

How to Mix Mortar for Ceramic Tile

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:33:50 +0000

Ceramic tile makes a durable and beautiful flooring material, and it is relatively easy to install yourself. After you have selected the right ceramic tile flooring for the room and installed or cleaned a smooth cement substrate, you are ready to mix mortar for your ceramic tile installation. Mixing mortar is a fairly straightforward process, but there are some tips you should keep in mind while mixing ceramic tile mortar. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Mix Quikrete for Ceramic Floor TileHow to Remove Ceramic Tiling From a Cement FloorPrint this articleThings You’ll NeedThin-set ceramic tile mortar (avoid quick-drying type)Acrylic latex additive (optional)Large bucket or wheelbarrowTrowelShow MoreInstructions 1Choose the correct color of mortar for your application. If you will be applying a light-colored grout, choose a white thin-set mortar. For dark-color grouts, choose a gray thin-set mortar.2Determine the amount of thin-set mortar to mix. Thin-set mortar contains methylcellulose, which slows the drying time and gives you a chance to position the ceramic tiles properly. The mortar, however, will begin to cure in about 45 minutes, so you should only mix the amount of mortar that you can apply in that time. If you have never installed tile before, start with one-eighth of a 50-lb. bag of thin-set mortar–this will make enough mortar to cover approximately 12 square feet.3Consult the mortar manufacturer’s directions for the correct mortar-to-water ratio, and to see if an acrylic latex additive is required to increase the bonding strength of the mortar. Add the mortar to your mixing bucket or wheelbarrow first, and then slowly add the water to the mortar, mixing well with a trowel.4Use cool or cold water when mixing thin-set mortar–warm water will speed up the drying time of the mortar, giving you less time to position your tiles.5Mix the mortar thoroughly, until no lumps remain. The consistency of the mixed mortar should be smooth and creamy.6Allow the mortar to sit for 10 minutes after mixing. This resting time is necessary for the mortar to “slake,” or stiffen slightly. The stiffer consistency resulting from slaking will make the mortar easier to apply.

How to Cover Existing Ceramic Tile

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 01:33:47 +0000

One option for people with ceramic tile floors who want an affordable way to install new flooring is to cover the existing ceramic tile. By covering old ceramic tile with new flooring, you can add a whole new look to a room in one afternoon, without having to deal with the extra work of removing the old floor and the mess of disposing of many pounds of ceramic tile. Does this Spark an idea?Other People Are ReadingHow to Adhere Ceramic Tile to Ceramic TileHow to Cover Existing Ceramic Tile With MarblePrint this articleThings You’ll NeedVacuumSpongeHousehold cleanerLatex modified thinset mortarTrowelFlooringShow MoreInstructions 1Inspect the floor to make sure there are no loose or broken tiles. Broken tiles need to be replaced and loose ones need to be secured with tile adhesive before you cover the floor.2Vacuum the ceramic tile you intend to cover thoroughly, making sure to get any dirt or dust that is on the surface.3Use a sponge and household multi-surface cleaner to thoroughly clean the ceramic tile. Give the tile adequate time to dry.4Spread a layer of latex modified thinset mortar over the ceramic tile with a trowel.5Press the new flooring you are using to cover the ceramic tile into the mortar. Allow it time to dry.