DIY Life

It seems there is a cleaning solvent for every material in the world, but how do you tackle your lackluster aluminum and stainless? Without frequent maintenance, both metals can become dull and grimey. Here's a breakdown of aluminum and stainless steel products in your home to keep an eye out for, and how you can make them top-notch again!:

Aluminum Screens
DAILY DUTY: For frequent and light cleaning, wipe down with vinegar and water.
HEAVY DUTY: If your screen is badly soiled, try an automotive cleaner intended for wheels. Don't forget your rubber gloves and a soft brush, as aluminum is easily scratched!

Stainless Steel Sink & Countertops
DAILY DUTY: Wipe down with white vinegar and water using a soft terrycloth or microfiber rag.
HEAVY DUTY: Sprinkle baking soda on the surface and scrub with microfiber to avoid scratching your stainless steel. Rinse well, dry and repeat if necessary.

Stainless Steel Appliances
DAILY DUTY: For fingerprints or light cleaning, use a mild window cleaner.
HEAVY DUTY: Try white vinegar with a damp terrycloth. If the stain is more resistant, I'd recommend Method's stainless steel cleaner (it smells divine!).


Aluminum Cookware
DAILY DUTY: Let dirty cookware soak in warm, soapy water and rinse.
HEAVY DUTY: For more soiled cookware, try a boiled solution of 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice (or vinegar) and 1 qt water. Let solution rest in cookware for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. Softly scrub the soiled areas with a gentle washcloth and rinse again. Towel dry and repeat if necessary.

Aluminum Patio Furniture
DAILY DUTY: For regular cleaning, wipe a damp, soapy cloth over the patio surfaces and rinse clean. Be sure to dry thoroughly!
HEAVY DUTY: For a more soiled patio set, start with a mildly abrasive cleaner (I like SoftScrub), and scrub softly with a washcloth or soft brush until stain is lifted. Rinse clean with a garden hose and dry with a soft towel. For an extra boost, dab a bit of baby oil on the set to maintain its shine and protect the aluminum surface.

Remember, steer clean from any cleaning agent that seems moderately abrasive, and always rinse and dry thoroughly to avoid spotting and/or soap residue. Avoid cleaners containing chlorine, and never approach your metal materials wit a steel wool soap pad, as this will lead to scratching and eventual rusting of your decor and/or appliances.

Last tip? Like wood, clean with the grain of stainless. The shine will speak for itself! Happy cleaning!

In the past there were only a few choices for fence materials. You could put up a stone wall, block wall, brick wall, wrought iron, wood, or chain link. If you got creative you could combine a couple materials and get a fence/ wall by putting wrought iron on top of a brick base or wood panels between pilasters of block or stone.

Today the number of choices and alternative materials has exploded. Plastic, aluminum, and man made stone have given the homeowner a plethora (see, a college education can pay off!) of choices to choose from.

I am going to try to sort through some of the more popular choices for you based on affordability, difficulty of installation, looks, and durability. Hopefully this will make your choices clearer and easier to make.

I am so excited that spring finally came yesterday. I spent most of the day outside picking up aluminum cans that were blown all over the yard, and my daughter, husband and I played in the dirt, soaking up the sun of a glorious 70 degree Sunday. I should have cleaned the grill, and cooked outside.

Now is the time to save money on the electric bill and start cooking outdoors. Even cooking with a grill can cost a ton of money, especially if you do it on a weekly basis. Ecobites has a wonderful alternative for us, featuring an article with instructions showing us how to make a solar cooker.

The solar cooker was made out of recycled plywood and recycled aluminum; items that were readily accessible, could soak up solar rays, and give a high enough temperature to safely cook food. Almost anything would work though, like the cardboard oven shown in the picture. Happy cooking!

I would not recommend gluing aluminum foil to a cooking surface. The chances of the glue leaking through to the food and contaminating it are too great. Try to find some other shiny reflective surface to cook with, or just don't glue the aluminum foil to the surface. To avoid injury to your eyes, wear sunglasses, and do not look right at the cooking surface. As always, safety is the number one priority for a DIY project.

Everybody knew those guys in high-school or college who would crush cans on their heads in some pathetic attempt to prove how cool and tough they were.

Maybe you were that guy? If you were, I suspect that there was very little technique involved, and you probably just built up your pain tolerance.

If you've moved past the self-torture stage, but still think it would be fun to impress your friends (and make them cringe), then take a lesson from this can crushing technique.

The trick is to have finger pressure pinching inward at the same time as your palm and head are crushing it from top to bottom. Instructables contributor suggsugg takes us through four simple steps to painless can crushing.

Have a great weekend, and enjoy your new party trick.

Enhance your summertime meals with fresh herbs picked right from your window-sill garden. Better yet, make that garden from old tin cans.

If you're imagining sloppy looking herbs spilling out of rusty cans, think again. This tin can herb pot tutorial will show you how to make beautifully decorated aluminum pots.

Intended as a family project, your children will enjoy painting their own patterns on the can. You can tie in lessons about recycling, plant life and sustainability; as they re-use tin cans, grow their own herbs and use them for cooking.

After the break you'll find more details on creating these tin can pots.

Depending on where you live, it may be time to set up your outdoor furniture and enjoy the changing season from your deck or patio. If you're responsible and motivated, you probably cleaned all your furniture before packing it away. If you're like me, you ran out in the rain and quickly moved things to the shed, intending to go back and put them away properly, but never actually did it.

You organized folk will have an easier time getting your furniture ready this year, but I'm not entirely out of luck either. How to clean outdoor furniture is a great resource with cleaning tips for all types of outdoor furniture. Here are all the materials that can be cleaned using these instructions:

1. Aluminum
2. Cushions
3. Hammocks
4. Cast and formed iron
5. Resin plastic
6. Sun shades and patio umbrellas
7. Wood

Our umbrella is in terrible condition. Follow me through the break and I'll share their advice on bringing it back to life.

Check out this de-lightful Valentine's Day idea: lovebird votive holders. Is this not an adorable idea? Discovered on the site Ready Made (homepage of the magazine Ready Made), they are cleverly constructed from two aluminum beer cans. Yes, beer cans. Wait! The final result is classier than it sounds. You simply cut the cans open, flatten them, then trace on the lovebird design. Cut out the lovebird shapes and fasten 'em to a couple silver metal ashtrays or votive holders. Voila! When the lights are out and the candles are lit, your lovebirds (placed so they face each other, of course) will cast romantic shadows on the wall. Perfect for canoodling.

I love this candle holder concept for a bunch of reasons. It makes a nice alternative to candy, yet is doesn't involve shelling out lots of money, as you would for higher-end Valentine's Day gifts like jewelry. Yet its low-sheen metal look is hip. It's ideal for the budget-conscious couple, too -- just be absolutely certain your partner is on board with low cost romantic gestures, or you could end up sleeping on the couch! It's also a perfect little token for the very new, very casual relationship where something lighthearted is called for -- something that won't scream "let's shop for engagement rings!" Finally, you have to drink two beers in order to carry out this project. Sound like fun? Yes, it does! Do we have lots more DIY Valentine's Day ideas? Yes, we do!