Home And Gardens

Many homeowners are searching for ways to get the perfect lawn.  In recent years, there have been advancements in the production of artificial grass lawns.  The brittle and incredibly fake appearance of turf in years prior has been replaced with a new type of faux grass.  Today, there are a myriad of reasons why it’s a great option to choose artificial grass over real grass.  Below are some of the advantages offered by artificial grass:

1)      Little upkeep: Natural grass takes an incredible amount of maintenance.  Not only does it need to be regularly watered and mowed, but it also requires expensive fertilizer.  On the other hand, a fake lawn doesn’t have to be watered, mowed, or treated with fertilizer.  Therefore, fake grass doesn’t require as much of a time or financial investment to maintain.

2)      Allergy relief: Allergy sufferers can experience welcome relief through selecting artificial grass.  Another benefit of artificial grass products is that they are non-toxic.  Therefore, they’re harmless for both pets and young children.  

3)      Elasticity: One of the pitfalls of natural grass is that it’s often heavily impacted by traffic.  Every time people walk on natural grass, the grass can easily develop ugly “bald” patches.  Luckily, that’s not an issue with artificial grass which can easily handle a significant amount of traffic. 

4)      Aesthetics: In addition to all of the other benefits listed, synthetic turf can be much more visually appealing than real grass.  Artificial grass has more of a uniform appearance which can make it much more attractive.  Unlike real grass, synthetic turf is not impacted by the weather or pet accidents.  Many of the synthetic turf products on the market today possess an incredibly natural look. 

5)      Environmental benefits: We live at a time when it’s crucial to consider the impact we have on the environment.  One way to help Mother Earth is to simply choose artificial grass. A majority of the synthetic turf products today utilize sustainable and often recycled materials.  In addition to that they help to conserve water and they don’t require toxic pesticides which are very bad for the planet. 

If you want to achieve a flawless lawn, think about a synthetic lawn.  There are numerous advantages of choosing an artificial lawn over a natural one.  Not only will you achieve the look you desire, you’ll also save money and help the environment in the process.

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Guest post is provided by CCGrass Landscapes, a leading artificial grass supplier.  If you’re interested in either commercial or residential artificial grass, check out their website.

When spring and summer make their annual appearances, stashing your cold-weather clothing away can seem like a celebration. For clothing like sweaters, long johns, or mittens, this can mean folding them neatly and placing them in a winter clothes bin or a dedicated dresser where dirt and insects won’t have access. Other pieces of winter garb, such as boots, can benefit from a less obvious maintenance method.

Tall boots, whether designed for fashion or function, are often tossed to the floor of a closet, where they get mashed, folded, and crushed over time as things get added, removed, and adjusted in the closet. This kind of abuse can lead to creases, and, in the worst case scenario, damaged leather. To keep cracks, wrinkles, and other deformations from happening, polyethylene foam is the perfect protection product. Ever-present in the form of pool noodles in the summer, foam cylinders can make a substantial difference when slid into boots. Rigid enough to stand the boots upright, the foam tubes mimic an actual wearer. Not only does maintaining this boot shape help prevent accidental damage, it makes organization, displaying, and even polishing and cleaning much easier.

Foam cylinders are very easy to cut, and just one tube, trimmed to size, can provide enough foam to protect multiple pairs of boots, based upon their height. Available in various diameters, your ability to find a size that works well for you is all but guaranteed.

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Article submitted by The Foam Factory, an online source for all sorts of DIY craft foam. Whether you need thin foam sheets or a thick foam roller, you can find it there.

Every homeowner wants an emerald green lawn. But what if you own a dog? Although they are considered man’s best friend, dogs are notorious for ruining grass and natural landscapes. Dogs not only dig and chew just about everything, they also go to the bathroom outside. This causes dead, brown patches in natural grass. You might also see areas of grass that have been overgrown. But just because you own a pet doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice yard, especially if you install artificial grass.

Artificial grass is a great way for you to enjoy a green lawn that is suitable for you and your dog. In fact, it is the only type of grass that is not susceptible to dog urine, digging, and chewing. But with so many options on the market, how do you know which type of fake grass to buy? There’s synthetic grass for playgrounds, residential use, commercial use, and more. Here’s a look at how to choose the best artificial grass for dogs.

The best artificial grass for dogs is synthetic turf designed with pets in mind. When you contact your artificial grass manufacturer, make sure that they offer more than just pet-friendly synthetic grass. It must be created for pets. This means that the synthetic turf comes with special features, such as antibacterial elements. Artificial grass for pets is also designed to drain urine easily. This means that your beautiful grass system will be free of odor.

In addition to being designed for pets, artificial grass for dogs is also created with the owner in mind. Synthetic turf is ideal for homeowners with pets because it is easy to maintain. It doesn’t have to be watered, mowed, or fertilized. When it’s time to clean the grass due to urine or feces, all you need to do is hose down the turf with a little water. It should drain easily without leaving any stains.

Another benefit of synthetic grass for pets is that there is no dirt involved. Dogs can’t dig up synthetic grass. What’s more, when it rains, synthetic grass does not produce mud. This keeps your dogs and your home free of dirt and mud.

If you own a dog but don’t want to sacrifice a beautifully landscaped yard, consider installing artificial turf grass. It is healthy for pets, people, and the environment. It’s also cost-effective in the long run, saving you money on maintenance and water.

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This article was provided by CCGrass Landscapes, a professional artificial grass manufacturer with worldwide installation in more than 72 countries. Visit CCGrass Landscapes to purchase artificial grass for dogs, homes, or playgrounds. 

So you have already decided that purchasing a synthetic lawn has its benefits and would like to install it in your front or back yard. Now what?

To start your research,  decide where you will buy your artificial grass. Does this company provide the style of grass you are looking for? Will they provide any help that you may need? And will they provide the labor to install it? Or were you looking for DIY instructions? All the same, it is important to find a company that will give you the synthetic lawn materials and help that you are looking for.

Once you decide where you are getting your lawn from, it is time to choose which type of grass you want to buy. There are many different choices. It helps to narrow down what type of grass you may need by focusing on how often people will be walking or using the lawn. When you pre-determine the use of the grass and where it is going, it helps to focus your search.

If you have a pet or children, artificial grass lawns that are chosen can offer antimicrobial and non-toxic options. Oftentimes, the company you are purchasing from will offer a self- help guide to selecting which type of grass that best fits your needs.

After this, you will need to measure the area that you want to cover. Having your measurements ready will enable you to get a quote from various manufactures. This lets you choose the one that you like the best. Your artificial grass cost might seem pricey at first, but over time, it will pay itself back in your landscaping costs and water bill.

Now you are ready to buy. You will have to decide if you want to install your lawn by yourself or if you want to hire a professional to do it. Oftentimes, if the company you are purchasing the lawn from doesn’t offer somebody to do the installation for you, you can hire them from outside the company. It is also recommended to purchase a warranty, if available. Synthetic lawns, depending on the company, can last anywhere from eight to ten years. If something happens that is outside of your control or due to the manufacturer, you want to have the option of getting it replaced or fixed at no extra cost to you.

These are a few things to consider when looking to purchase artificial grass for your new lawn design.

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Guest post sponsored by Artificial Turf Supply, provider of artificial lawn selections and synthetic grass for many different events. Visit their website at www.artificialturfsupply.com for more information. 

Technology often seems like it’s flying by at the speed of light, while many of the common things in our lives seem to have stayed the same for years. Textiles and fabrics are one example of something that has become stagnant, remaining the same for a while. To many people, the latest innovation in fabric is the polyester jumpsuit of the 70s.

Standing contrary to this view is microfiber, a utilitarian material that can be used for everything from cleaning to upholstery.

Microfiber, micro suede in particular, is a synthetic fabric that excels at mimicking costlier and more expensive suede leathers. It replicates a luxurious feel that millions of people love, while providing more durability and functionality over the original, all at a fraction of the price. Most often seen being used as upholstery fabric for couch cushions or seats, micro suede is dyed into bright, vibrant colors, giving people every option in the world for decorating their home. Resistant to staining and discoloring, micro suede is a great choice for indoor/outdoor patio furniture fabric. It has also been growing in popularity recently as an alternative to traditional vinyl bean bag covers, which can be uncomfortably hot and don’t always present a “mature” look.

In addition to comfort and support purposes, many DIY audiophiles and acousticians have found micro suede useful in their sound treatment projects. Bass traps utilizing fiberglass insulation can be wrapped in micro suede to encase the product with an attractive covering that won’t look out of place in your listening room or workspace. Micro suede’s durability makes it easy to clean cushions when the material is used for couches and seats, whether you choose to use a lint roller or do a little spot cleaning. If you’re on the lookout for a fabric that blends durability, comfort, and aesthetics, micro suede is where you can end your search.

Memory foam products are becoming more popular for sleeping products, and with internet shopping slowly replacing traditional in-store commerce, many people now wonder how their big, soft foam products get to where they need to go. Because of the sizable dimensions of large products like mattresses, people often imagine a worst case scenario when thinking about the cost of shipping such a large item. Fortunately, foam manufacturers have perfected packaging foam as economically as possible. One packaging method, typically used on bulk orders by larger manufacturers, is tightly rolling with heavy machinery. The other method, and the one more commonly used, particularly on individual purchases like mattresses or pillows, is vacuum packing.

Vacuum packing is one of those rare things that is as simple as it sounds. The item that needs to be shipped is attached to a vacuum that pulls air from the sealed package, substantially reducing its size. The reason this works so well is due to the fact that the majority of foam filling is air. With all the cells in open-cell foam being interconnected, you can quickly shrink a product down in size.

While it may seem as if it would take a very powerful machine to achieve the compression foam needs to economically ship, many companies don’t need or use a vacuum any more complicated or powerful than a simple wet/dry shop vacuum. Once the foam to be shipped is reduced by as much as 75 percent, it is sealed, wrapped, packaged, and sent on its way, cost-effectively.

So you’ve finally gotten your hands on the coveted electric chain hoist, and you’re ready to put it to some good use. However, have you taken some time to familiarize yourself with the safety information concerning it’s proper use? Be sure to read through and fully understand all of the safety instructions located in your manual. With that in mind, please allow us a few moments to share some examples with you.

The electric hoist is a powerful device so make sure that you fully understand how to use it properly.

Most contemporary hoists come with many safety features such as shock protection and emergency stop switches. Know their location and how to use them. While hoists may seem indestructible and reliable, they should never be used to lift or transport personnel. If the atmosphere is filled with flammable fumes or explosive chemicals, do not operate your electric hoist. And make sure that the load being lifted is secure and properly attached.

Be sure to take some precautionary measures as well before using this device. Maintenance is a must so be sure to inspect your hoist on a regularly, looking for frayed and corrosive wiring. In addition, be sure to check that the gear box is properly lubricated before use.

While this information may seem like common sense, in the midst of operation and the rush to get a job completed on time, things can get missed. This information is just a fraction of what needs to be heeded. Be sure to take the extra time! 

This information has been brought to you by your friends at Hoists Direct Inc., where your safety is our number one concern. Click on the hyperlink to see our line of hand chain hoists and other fine products.

Including fresh fruits and vegetables in our everyday diet is important, as their vitamins and nutrients fight for your body, rather than working against it. The hardest part about eating these healthy foods and not falling back on salty, sugary, processed food is keeping them fresh, since a peach or pepper will always spoil more quickly than cookies or chips. Surprisingly, foam can play a meaningful role in keeping many fruits and vegetables fresh, saving the money wasted when we throw out rotten food, and the time saved by not having to make a daily trip to the grocery to stock up.

In stores, fresh produce is kept in shelving units that chill and mist the food. Keeping this food from rotting or drying out is important so it doesn’t go bad before it gets sold. Cushioning foam materials are often included as part of these shelving displays, as they’re non-absorbent and soft enough to keep the food from bruising or rotting due to pressure. The idea of food packaging pads is applied outside of the cooling shelves as well, seen in the polyethylene webbing sleeves that individually wrap around delicate fruits that don’t require refrigeration.

Fruits that easily bruise require shipping foam-style eggcrate displays that keep them in place and prevent them from easily rolling around and damaging one another as people make their selections. The easier a fruit can bruise, the greater the chance of in-store loss as people refuse to buy them. Holders often feature a layer of polyethylene foam over their convoluted forms to reduce the impact of fruit tumbling into a vacated spot.

In the home, excessive moisture can also hasten rotting, especially for fruits like berries that are packaged in plastic tubs. Thin sheets of reticulated quick-drying foam can be used as a layer between fruit and the shelf or tub will that allow air to pass while keeping pressure and excess moisture away from the fruit, keeping them fresher, for longer. Paper towel under the foam layer makes cleaning easy too!