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Home Garden

Cleaning garden furniture quickly and easily: the best tips and tricks

Cleaning garden furniture quickly and easily: the best tips and tricks

Whether it’s a comfortable seating area, chic lounge sets, chairs and tables made of wood, plastic or metal, sunshades, beach chairs or swing chairs – garden furniture comes in a wide variety of shapes, colors and made of a wide variety of materials. But almost all outdoor furniture has one thing in common: they need a lot of care so that they still look good years later. And that not only applies to older models, but also to new items, even if you paid attention to quality when buying new garden furniture. But what is the best way to clean and care for the garden furniture? What can be done against heavy soiling, brittle wood and unsightly discolouration? And why should one completely do without both the wire brush and strong cleaning agents in the best case?

Intensive UV radiation, rust, moisture, dirt and frost – as we all know, our beautiful garden furniture has to withstand a lot and defy wind and weather at any time of the year. But before you tackle the outdoor furniture with heavy equipment and the chemical club, you should consider that not all materials require the same care. For this reason, we show in the following list how garden furniture made of plastic, wood and metal can best be maintained and even protect the environment at the same time. And a little tip first: if you clean your garden furniture on lawns or near the flower beds, you can use the water directly to water the plants.

Plastic/plastic garden furniture:

Probably the biggest problem with plastic garden furniture is the discoloration of the material caused by UV radiation. In addition, the sun’s rays can also quickly lead to cracked and brittle areas in which the dirt can settle more easily. A commercially available protective film is recommended here, with which you can easily cover the outdoor furniture as soon as you are no longer using it. In order to remove the dirt and at the same time to take action against the unsightly formation of algae and moss, it is usually sufficient to wash the plastic furniture several times a season with lukewarm vinegar water, a little washing powder or a pinch of baking soda. Insider tip: A little toothpaste can work wonders for particularly stubborn dirt. And of course the garden furniture can also be cleaned every now and then with the practical high-pressure cleaner – but you should definitely make sure that the nozzle is at least 40 to 50 centimeters away from the furniture, otherwise damage can unfortunately occur quite quickly .

Wooden garden furniture:

First of all, it should be said that the same applies to cleaning wooden furniture as to spring cleaning in the house or apartment: The cleaning agents do not always have to be chemical – because it is well known that wood in particular does not really go well with the synthetic club. Instead, the tables, chairs and loungers made of teak, rattan or acacia should be cleaned with homemade soapy water (made from natural soap) and a microfibre cloth or a commercially available washing-up sponge. If the soiling should be heavier, you can use a mixture of soda and cornstarch, which you apply to the affected areas, leave for a few hours and then wash off with (luke)warm water. Important: After cleaning the wooden furniture, it should be treated with a suitable, natural-based care oil. The light film of oil is quickly absorbed – especially when the furniture is left to dry in the sun – and protects it from dirt in the long term.

Metal garden furniture:

Even if garden furniture made of metal – whether stainless steel, cast iron or aluminum – is basically very robust, it also has to be cleaned at regular intervals. When it comes to cleaning metal furniture, however, you can always be a little rougher, as it is quite stable and hard-wearing. However, emery paper that is too coarse, which can be used to remove rust, leaves unsightly sanding marks and scratches. So caution should be exercised here. Otherwise, mild soapy water, ecological detergent and a root brush are also excellent for removing all dirt in no time at all. And if the hinges squeak, the slide rails are dirty or screws can no longer be loosened so easily, a natural silicone spray can provide a quick remedy. So cared for and cared for, there is practically nothing standing in the way of a wonderful garden season with shiny metal garden furniture.

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job

How important are foreign languages ​​in the working world?

How important are foreign languages ​​in the working world?

Worldwide communication

Mankind is better connected than ever before and globalization is constantly being pushed forward. An important point when it comes to networking and communication are the different languages. Because mutual understanding is the basic requirement for all treatises, contracts and discussions.
Being able to specify one or even more foreign languages ​​when looking for a new job has always been a big plus. Nowadays it is often even a requirement to have at least a good command of the English language.

language as a profession

Many people are now studying subjects such as German, linguistics or Romance studies. All of these subjects are related to learning, understanding and analyzing languages. A degree in this area is often smiled at and dismissed as useless. But you shouldn’t let that unsettle you.
If you are well versed in languages ​​and ideally have a degree in the same field, you can go in many different directions professionally. For example, graduates of German studies often go into the cultural sector or journalism. Magazines are always looking for good writers. But the possibilities go far beyond that. You can also work as a translator, become an author or go into marketing.

Getting started in the world of work

Languages ​​are not only important if you want to work directly with them. For many other professions, especially in the business sector, companies require trainees and new employees to have good and wide-ranging language skills. There are a few reasons for this. Large companies have customers and partners all over the world. If meetings or similar events take place, in most cases they will not be held in German. You can get help for this in the form of commercial translations. English is the standard here. Sometimes they switch to French or Spanish. Depending on which partner you are working with, additional languages ​​may be required. In general, you usually have a better chance of being accepted into a company if you can show more than just German and English in your personal profile.

Other tasks in everyday working life

Not only meetings await you in other languages. There are many other things that one is confronted with in everyday working life. Telephone calls often have to be made and lectures given. This means that you can quickly switch between different languages ​​and have to respond to questions spontaneously.
E-mails or letters that go abroad usually have to be written in English. When working with websites or developing them, you also have to adapt to foreign languages.

How to learn new languages ​​fast?

German and English are usually taught at school. Most of the time you can choose another foreign language from a certain age. French, Spanish and Latin are usually offered here. Sometimes offers like Greek are added.
If you want to expand your skills or repeat what you have forgotten, language courses are a good idea. These can be attended at universities and night schools. Language courses can also be provided directly by employers.
The best option is a stay abroad in an area where the language to be learned is spoken.

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Home Garden

5 reasons for a garden house – that’s why garden houses are so practical on the home green space!

5 reasons for a garden house – that’s why garden houses are so practical on the home green space!

Reason 1: Garden houses can be used in many ways

A garden shed does not only have to serve as a tool shed or storage place for garden tools. The garden house can be used according to your own wishes. Whether as an additional place of retreat, as a wellness oasis or as a location for family celebrations and parties – garden houses can be used according to your own requirements. In order to get an overview of the different models and sizes, it is worth taking a look at the internet. The gartenhausfabrik.de platform offers a good overview of very different models of garden houses. For example, a garden shed can be used as additional outdoor living space, which can also serve as a guest house in the summer months. Of course, the seating area can also be set up in the garden around the garden house, so that you can spend a relaxing time there with the family. If you also have a desire for wellness and relaxation, you can also set up a sauna or a relaxation zone in the garden house.

Reason 2: Different models fit harmoniously into the overall picture of the garden

Of course, the shape and size of a garden also influence the choice of a garden house. In narrow and elongated gardens, it is more likely to build a small garden shed, while you can build very large garden sheds if there is plenty of space. The selection of garden houses ranges from mini garden houses to wellness temples that can accommodate up to eight people. A garden house can also be made to measure. However, these models are often a bit more expensive than ready-made kits.

Reason 3: A garden shed is easy to maintain

Most garden sheds are made of wood. Because wood is a very robust and natural material that blends harmoniously into the natural setting of the garden. By impregnating the wood, the garden house is protected from the weather, mold and insects for many years, so that the maintenance and care of a wooden garden house is very low.

Reason 4: A garden house has a positive effect on health

Wood as a natural material creates a very healthy room climate, so that you can relax in a garden shed. Allergy sufferers in particular can enjoy relaxing hours in a wooden garden house and benefit from the natural building material. Because unpleasant smells, excessive humidity and pollutants are immediately absorbed by the wood, so that you can switch off from everyday life perfectly. Accordingly, garden houses made of wood are also suitable as a good place to sleep in summer.

Reason 5: More order in the garden

Of course, a garden shed can also be used to finally create order on the home green space. Garden tools and equipment no longer need to be stored in the garage or basement. A garden shed can be extremely practical to get the garden ready for the summer and upcoming garden work. In this way, all important utensils and tools can be stored in an orderly and space-saving manner.

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Designing the home office for little money? That’s how it works!

Designing the home office for little money? That’s how it works!

Working from home is the absolute dream of many people, but it also comes with a few problems. How are you supposed to motivate yourself every day? How can you be as productive as possible when working from home? Our home office also plays an important role here. We would like to explain to you here how you can get this going again with the help of a small budget.

Why is the look of the home office so important?

Especially when we want to take on tasks that aren’t our favorite pastimes, it’s easy to find ourselves looking for every possible distraction. We tidy up our office, start decluttering our drawers and look for any chores that aren’t part of our job. At the same time, drab offices do not encourage people to work. We enter the room and the motivation vanishes in a seemingly magical way. However, when we enter our office, where we feel comfortable and which spreads a good mood, then the work almost works as if by magic. The best thing is that we don’t have to constantly invest huge amounts of money to design a beautiful home office. We explain exactly how this works here!

The 5 best tips for designing your own home office

Would you like to spruce up your home office again, but don’t feel like investing a lot of money for it? Then we have the 5 best tips for you here on how you can set up your home office beautifully and on a small budget.

“From old to new!”

It’s a misconception that we have to keep buying new things just to keep our home office modern and beautiful. Just cleaning our furniture and carpet can work wonders. Hard to believe, but with a professional cleaning of the carpet, it will look as if it were brand new in no time! Try it yourself, for example with the help of https://jl-clean.de/ and you will be amazed at how quickly and easily your home office will shine in new splendor!

DIY is the key

Ever heard of DIY? No? This abbreviation stands for “Do it Yourself”, which should encourage you to get creative and simply make decorative items and furniture yourself. So you not only get very individual pieces of jewelery for your home office, but you can also save a lot. There are many guides out there on how to recycle and decorate everyday items that would normally be thrown away. Do you collect plenty of empty bean jars in everyday life? Then make beautiful tea lights out of them! DIY really knows no bounds!

Go for colour!

A fresh coat of paint is cheap and can also be easily implemented. A new color and maybe even a new color choice can make the home office appear like a whole new office. Just try it yourself and coordinate your decoration with the wall color.

Second hand is also an option

Is your desk almost falling apart or has your lamp been a thorn in your side for a long time? Then you don’t have to buy these pieces of furniture for expensive money here either, but can help yourself to “new” furniture thanks to second hand. Sometimes small repairs have to be carried out, but you save money either way.

fresh flowers

Would you like to bring a little freshness to your home office without a lot of budget or effort? Then plan a little visit to the florist and buy yourself a beautiful bouquet. Put it next to you on the desk and enjoy the beautiful colors and the fresh smell.

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Home Garden

Renovate bathrooms – with little money

Renovate bathrooms – with little money

1. Planning is for preparation

Only with the right planning can the costs be kept within reasonable bounds. First of all, it is necessary to determine which elements are broken and need to be replaced. Is something specific missing in the bathroom that hasn’t been there yet? The condition of the furniture also needs to be reassessed. The first costs can already be estimated and limited here. If the planning becomes too expensive, things should be crossed off the list.

2. Contribute your own contribution

Another adjustment screw in the cost plan is the manual work. Whether tiler, plumber or painter – every trade has its price. Do-it-yourselfers should participate in the renovation and do small jobs themselves. The preparatory work is particularly important when old silicone joints have to be removed or sinks have to be dismantled. All other services performed by the craftsmen are at least tax deductible. This applies to the costs for wages, travel and material. A total of 20 percent must be offset in your own tax return.

3. Clear lines for a modern bathroom

With the furnishings, even older bathrooms become a modern place of rest and relaxation. Clear lines and the minimalist style are popular. That means: less is more. The room does not need a lot of furniture and should be reduced to its function and the bare essentials. Perhaps the cupboard can be saved in one place. In addition, sinks, toilets or bathtubs do not always have to be replaced. Ceramic is an easy-care surface that shines again with water and detergent. Timeless bathroom furniture, uniform colors and clear lines survive every trend and will not require expensive renovation work in a few years.

4. Set stylish effects

A bathroom becomes particularly homely with light effects, fittings and special extras. Modern LEDs are no longer expensive to buy and save electricity in the long run. Indirect light creates a cozy atmosphere in the room. This works via hidden light strips or a light construction behind the mirror. There are also water-saving fittings and shower heads. Not only do they look stylish, they also have a lasting effect.

Decorative items and extras give the renovation a special touch. Not much effort or money is needed here to create more order and get a clean look across the room. This also includes hooks on the wall or towel rails at the right height. The openly visible textiles make the bathroom more homely and prevent unnecessary noise. The designer towel rails from frabox follow the modern style, are permanently installed and are also suitable for small bathrooms. The company stands for quality from Germany and, in addition to the beautiful design, pays attention to durable workmanship. Towel holders are required, especially next to the washbasin, the bathtub and the shower. The choice of model always depends on the size of the bathroom and where the bracket is to be mounted.

5. Good quality saves in the long run

With all new products, not only the price should be in the foreground. The quality determines the longevity and saves permanently. For example, the faucet lasts 5 or 10 years and does not leak. The washbasin does not crack and the furniture remains easy to care for despite the damp room. The same applies to the brackets and small elements. While stainless steel is more expensive than plastic, it suits the bathroom and lasts much longer. If you buy cheap, you haven’t really saved.

Tip: Designer pieces often have a high price. However, the high-quality manufacturers and brands also offer simple products that do not demand that much from the wallet.

6. Paint tiles and redo joints

Tiles are often still okay in terms of quality and durability. The old-fashioned design is often annoying and collides with modern ideas. However, the backsplash does not need to be replaced to create a different look. Tile paint or tile varnish will help. The agent can be easily applied to large areas with a roller, and the joints can be traced with a brush. The base coat dries for about 12 hours, depending on the agent. This is followed by a final coating. This is initially very sensitive and must harden properly. The tiles are only ready for use again after about 5 days. At the same time, a new silicone joint can be drawn. Old silicone quickly discolours or looks unclean. Even older bathtubs and showers appear in new splendor with a fresh silicone joint. With a little manual skill, this work can be done without much effort and creates an immediately visible effect.