No Foolin’: Improve Indoor Air Quality With These Simple Terrariums

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With spring finally finding its way to Chicago, many people are excited to tend to their fall planted seedlings start to sprout. They pull out their garden gloves and tools, ready for another spring of planting, pulling weeds and pruning. But what about those doomed to apartments? No greenery or garden patches for miles. Well, this project takes old glass jars and creates green terrariums to not only add pretty plants to a home but also vastly improve indoor air quality.

First locate a jar. This should be a clear, empty glass jar, nothing too large. If there’s none available in the home, jars can be picked up from any local secondhand store.

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Then decide on the plants. They should be tiny plants that fit comfortably into the jar. For the greatest success, put succulents with succulents, ferns with ferns, etc. Buy the proper soil for each type of plant. This soil, activated charcoal and some rocks will be on the bottom for a false drainage layer.

Start cleaning the inside and outside of the container, removing any residue. Following this step, fill the bottom of the container with rocks or pebbles. Depending on the size of the jar, the depth of rocks should range from 1/2″ to 2.” Cover the rocks with the activated charcoal and then fill the jar with enough soil to so each plant will have enough room for the plant’s roots.

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Finally, plant your plants, gently breaking the soil ball until reaching the roots. Dig into the soil with a spoon to create holes to place the plants in and then compact the soil around the plant.

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Just as with any other plant, make sure to maintain the plant by watering it regulary with just a shot of water.

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Breathe in the fresh air of the home with these new terrariums!

For a more complete guide, check out Inhabitat’s step-by-step directions. 

Save The Earth & Money: Pipe Insulation

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Want hotter water for longer? Want to save on energy bills? Want to spend less time adjusting the temperature of the water heater? By insulating pipes in a simple, inexpensive process, all of this and more is possible.

Begin by acquiring these materials:

  • Pipe insulation (foil or fiberglass)
  • Mild cleanser
  • Rag
  • Duct Tape
  • Plastic Wrap

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The first step, as in most projects, is making sure the pipe surfaces are completely free of debris and dust. Using the mild cleanser, clean the pipes thoroughly and allow drying time before installing the selected insulation.

Once clean, start to wrap the insulation around the pipes fully, allowing a 1/2″ overlap for foil or fiberglass insulation. For an easier (but honestly unnecessarily expensive) option, get tubular-sleeve insulation which only requires cutting to size and sliding on.

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If using fiberglass insulation, make sure to wrap it in plastic wrap to avoid any dripping condensation.

Once all the pipe surfaces are covered, secure the corners and bends with copious amounts of duct tape. Take special precaution with T-Joints, which may require slits in the insulation for a proper fit.

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This project may not be very glamorous, guest won’t even notice it, but could save anywhere from $400-$600 on energy bills and result in warmer, longer showers needed after a hard day’s work.

For a step-by-step guide, check out DIY Network’s instructions.

Have more plumbing needs? Contact Chicago Handyman for a quote today!

Enhancing Your Bedroom For Just $50!

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Finished product by immaverb

Not everyone can afford to create a luxurious, top-of-the-line bedroom oasis. However, for those of us renovating on a budget, there’s a simple way to add some indulgence to your master or guest bedrooms. With just a few simple steps, you can make your own extravagant headboard and add some hotel flair at a motel cost.

And all you need is $50! These are the items you’ll need: a particle board fitting the width of your mattress frame, five 2-by-6 boards, spray adhesive, painter’s tape, a durable fabric of your choosing and to add some glamour, like this Reddit user, immaverb, purchase some strip beading to define a border for your headboard.

This task is also amendable for any skillset. From a contributor to Better Homes & Gardens to someone who just mastered how to hit a nail with a hammer, anyone can create their own lavish headboard.

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Constructing the frame by immaverb

Once you’ve measured your particle board to size, adhere the five 2-by-6 boards to function as the supports frames and legs. Apply spray adhesive to the front of the head board, add a layer of foam and keep adding until you reach the consistency you desire. Don’t forget to wrap it around the frame or you could end up with a pretty sloppy design. Once all the foam has been added, go ahead and staple it to the frame for extra support. Add the fabric and staple it to the back of the board’s frame, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric. And presto, you got yourself a headboard!

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Prepping for beading by immaverb

Don’t think I forgot about you classier DIY-ers: To add the strip beading, all you need to do is secure painters tape around the edges of the headboard to ensure a straight line and add the beading as directed.

And installation? That’s the easiest part! Place it behind your bed frame and let the weight of the bed do the rest.

Take a step back and admire your work. In less than a day’s time, you’ve added sophisticated to the adjectives that could be used to describe your bedroom.

And if you’re still looking to add more glitz to your bedroom after this project, check out Chicago Handyman’s deals on home improvement.

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Beading by immaverb

Click here for a step-by-step photo gallery for this project.