Category Archives: Guest Post

The 3 Tech Breakthroughs That Changed Garden Lighting for Good

In the last few years, there has been a real spike in the popularity of solar garden lights.  There are many reasons for this.  They are simple to install, are comparable to traditional garden lights with recent increases in technology, AND they save you copious amounts of money off your power bills.

People like the fact that there is no wiring that you have to navigate through during installation.  Until recently, this type of light was not in the same ballpark as others that required wiring installation.  The lighting was less bright, the batteries didn’t last long enough, nor did the solar panels transform enough of the sun’s light to last very long after dark, so they just didn’t really justify purchasing this type of garden lighting.

In the last 5 years, there have been a number of technological breakthroughs which have made solar lighting much more efficient, and yet still cost effective.

The first was LED technology.  These greatly increased the brightness of any garden light, while using a lesser amount of power, which obviously plays right into the hand of any solar technology which needs to store power, as it lasts for longer.  It also moves them into direct competition as your regular outdoor lighting.

The second technological advance was in power storage.  Batteries which these lights use to store the power they receive from the sun have become much more cost effective, while becoming more functional.  Once the batteries are fully charged, they are able to last longer until they need recharging, and can handle more charges.

The third breakthrough is in the solar panels.  These have become much better at photosynthesizing the light (turning it into power), and the panels themselves have become much more competitive price-wise.

When you add these three factors up, you can see why solar lighting is now making significant inroads into the outdoor lighting market, as it is now a product that has comparable quality to normal lighting, and will actually pay you back for as long as you have them on your property.

There are many other interesting facts on Boneblogger. Look around.

How To Polish Stones By Hand

Ever asked yourself how it was that people two hundred years ago used to get their rocks and gems such as clear quartz to be so clear and perfect when they didn’t have rock tumblers available? It’s not like they could toss a few rocks into the sea and then sit back for a few decades waiting for for the water and sand to do its thing.

No, they did it all by hand. And if you’re interested in giving it a try, you might it to be a rewarding – if somewhat labor-intensive – undertaking.

So how exactly does one go about polishing rocks by hand?

Ideally, you should start with a soft stone – something that registers 3-4 on the Mohs hardness scale. This isn’t an absolute rule – you can work on harder stones, but the time and energy you have to expend is going to rise considerably. Start with something like onyx, or perhaps a calcite or dolomite.

Don some safety goggles, gloves and even an air mask. Rock dust is nothing to sneeze at, if you’ll pardon the pun. Using a small hammer and chisel, remove any chunks from the stone that stand in the way of its ideal form. Once the larger ones are gone, briskly grind the stone against some concrete. This will wear away the smaller protuberances.

When you’re pleased with the general size, get yourself some 50 grain sandpaper and begin to work over the entire stone. Concentrate on consistency – again, what you’re doing here is slowly grinding the stone into a final shape.

Once it’s there, you can start working with a finer grade sandpaper – say 150 grain. Again, simply get comfortable and work away at the stone. You are soothing the marks that were left by the concrete and the 50 grain sandpaper. It’s about this stage that your stone will start to resemble something finer and prettier than you see out in the field.

At this point you can move up to a finer grade of sandpaper – depending on the rock, anywhere from 300 to 600. This is the refinement stage. Any remaining blemishes are going to be smoothed away.

The final stage is working with ultra fine sandpaper – or even better, a soft cloth like denim. Slowly clean and rub the stone. Let it air dry, then apply a commercial stone polish – you can find this at just about any good hobby store that knows a thing or two about rock hounds.

You’ll notice that the final result looks a bit rougher than the stones you get through your tumbler. But take heart – you’ve worked really hard. You might find that a stone polished by hand means a bit more to you now!

How to set up a Cage for Rabbits

There are many misconceptions when it comes to keeping pet rabbits. One of them is that they can happily live in cages for long periods of time. While it is true that rabbits will definitely need to have a cage, you should always remember that they are the happiest when given some freedom to roam around as well. As such rabbits should be given a designated area for them to get some exercise while having a good cage to serve as a home base. Setting up a cage can be a simple matter of buying one from the store. But more careful consideration should be taken if you want your rabbit to stay happy and healthy.

Indoor rabbit cages come in all shapes and sizes and you can usually find one at a decent price in any local pet store. Standard varieties will come in rectangular shapes with a door latch that will either be on the top or the side. In general, the larger your cage is, the happier your pet bunny rabbit will be. They enjoy having space to roam around, especially if they are housed with another rabbit. Also remember that the cage will contain much more than the bunny itself. You’ll need adequate room for hay, bedding, and a food source. Water bottles can also be attached to the sides of cages or you may prefer to drop a water dish down for the rabbit.

Some people choose to combine two cages together using wire mesh. This is a great idea as long as you make the structure secure. The most important use you will have for your cage is to use it for litter training. With a good litter box you can train your rabbit to do its business in the given areas while keeping the mess to a minimum. Whenever possible, let your rabbit out of its cage to get some exercise. Make sure to supervise your pet to keep it out of trouble and with time, it will know how to go back to its own area when it’s time. As you can see, a good cage will serve as a home away from home while your bunny enjoys the other areas of your house.

Mold Remediation

Mold Remediation is not merely cleaning the molds. It involves the elimination of the source of moisture; containment of the molds to control its further spread; removal of dead molds and spores from infested areas; and the treatment of the area to avoid future occurrence of molds.

During the course of mold remediation, the contractors wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid contamination. They wear gloves to avoid contact with allergens and cleaning solutions; and a respirator with HEPA filter to prevent entry of small particles. Disposable protective clothing is recommended too to forestall the transfer of mold and to prevent skin contact. The PPE should be worn all throughout the process to protect the entire body.

In all mold remediation processes, the goal is to remove the contaminated materials in a manner that will discourage its recurrence. During the process, one or more of the methods may be utilized: Clean up with anti-microbial agent; application of organic-based enzyme or fungicide or mold encapsulator; and sanding or painting. Though professionals have different strategies, the procedure boils down only to three steps.

The first method employed is identifying and cutting off the source of water. Wet vacuuming is utilized to collect accumulated water from the area but only if it is still wet. If the affected surfaces are already dry, the molds will be wiped out or scrubbed with water and detergent. Afterwards, the place has to be dried quickly.

The second process is to spray the infested area with biocide. Biocide is a liquid which eradicates mold. It is Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved to kill the molds. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum is recommended for the final cleanup of the dust that settled on surfaces beyond the remediation area.

The last step is to encapsulate the molds. This is done by spraying the moldy area and its surrounding with paint or whitewash. This ensures that the remaining spores do not spread and no more molds grow.

All the materials damaged by molds are removed and sealed in a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting before bringing outside the containment area. This is a way to contain the spores and prevent its release into the air before final disposition.

Upon completion of the process, post-treatment testing is conducted to find out if the remediation was successful. It involves evaluation of the area to detect any airborne spores. Passing the clearance test is an indication that the contaminated area was completely treated.

How To Choose a Quality Camping Bed

Now days camping can be equaled to enjoying a night in the comforts of home with new technology and luxuries that are available that have not always been in years past. Though campers and hikers in previous times pursued the outdoors for the experience of nature and all that it has to offer, campers now can choose to still smell the fresh air and rest comfortably in spacious tents with their heads off the ground in a camping bed.

Types of Beds
In the past, camping mattresses have either been the type you have to either blow up with your own lungs or have an external pump, or just a foam pad, but now there are more options. Camping beds range in size from twin to full. If more than one person is camping and does not mind sharing a bed, then a bigger camp bed and mattress can be obtained. A double camp bed or camping bunk beds can be easily found at an outdoors store or even a large chain store. For more convenience and easy travel, some campers prefer air bed camping, which is done with an air mattress and a portable pump. A folding camp bed is also more fit for travel and hiking. No matter the type of mattress or pad that is used, the bed is supported by a lightweight metal or plastic spring frame and is usually easy to assemble. This allows for a cleaner sleeping environment and more comfort and stability for the camper.

Things to Consider
Buying a camping bed requires an adequate amount of consideration before a final decision. Weather is an important factor because the mattress and frame need to be weather resistant. It also needs to meet the standards of the camper for comfort levels and possible health issues like back problems and arthritis. Price is a factor. Though the cheapest equipment should not be the first option, the most expensive should not be the only consideration for best quality. A look at the features of the bed and maybe a consultation with someone with more experience could be helpful in finding a quality bed for a reasonable price.

An uncomfortable bed can lead to sleepless nights and an overall unpleasant camping experience. However, a quality camping bed could brilliantly intertwine the joys of home and the great outdoors. A decrease in stiffness and discomfort is an increase in a pleasurable camping adventure.