removing paint from brick

Removing Paint from Brick – Best Practice Guide If you have tried removing paint from brickwork you will know just how tedious a process it can be! Depending on how large the area is, it could take you several hours to days to completely remove it. Considering the time and effort involved, this is almost … Read more

Tips For Painting A Room

How To Prepare a Wall For Painting Planning to paint your walls and ceilings but don’t know where to begin? Just starting can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With some preparation, you can paint your walls like a pro. Painting Planning & Preparation Before you start painting a wall, it is crucial … Read more

Kitchen Remodelling

Remodelling Your Kitchen Ideas (using what is there)

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It is where families gather, where holidays are celebrated, and where many of life’s most memorable moments begin. And for most of us, it’s one of the most important rooms in our homes. So if you are thinking about remodelling your kitchen, it’s important to make good use of the space you have and design a kitchen that works for you.

If you are looking to remodel or as some will say, upcycle your kitchen, read our step to step guide with lots of tips and ideas to get you started.

Step 1: Have a Strategy when you are Remodelling

The first step to any kitchen remodelling is creating a plan. This step is especially important if you’re working with a limited budget; knowing exactly what you want and need will help you make the most of your resources.

Sit down and think about how you want your kitchen to look and function; consider what kind of layout would work best, what appliances you need, and the type of cabinetry that will suit your needs. If you’re not sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available online, in kitchen retailers or in home improvement stores that can give you lots of ideas for designing your space.

When you have a general idea of what you want, it’s time to start getting into the details. Make a list of everything that needs to be done and in what order to complete your remodel, these should include big-ticket items like new cabinets as well as smaller details like hardware and lighting fixtures. Knowing exactly what needs to be done will help keep costs under control and ensure that nothing is forgotten during the renovation process.

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Products for Commercial & Trade Use

Eco Solutions Products for Commercial & Trade Use Eco Solutions has developed leading water-based paint strippers, coatings removers and associated products for both domestic and trade use across the UK and internationally. Our products have all been researched, developed and manufactured in the UK. They are a safe and effective alternative to conventional hazardous solvents, … Read more

Graffiti, Paint and Permanent Marker Remover

Best Ways to Remove Graffiti, Paint and Permanent Marker

Any sort of graffiti paint or permanent marker on your own property or in a public place is unsightly and often quite upsetting so we’ve put together some hints and tips on the best methods to Remove Graffiti, Paint and Permanent Marker, as well giving you examples how our quick, safe, water-based and non-toxic specialist Graffiti Go product can help.

If you can it’s best to remove and clean graffiti away as quickly as you can (within 24-48 hours) as studies have shown that this is the best prevention strategy for any budding vandals.

How can you prevent Graffiti vandalism?

  • Report any graffiti immediately to your local police (Call 101)
  • Remove and clean graffiti away quickly as this shows you care about your property. It also discourages a graffiti artist from doing it again as it doesn’t give them the recognition they are looking for
  • Choose darker colours for walls and fences as this means their graffiti won’t stand out less and doesn’t give them the quick and easy recognition they are looking for
  • Install motion active lights as these are a real deterrent in the evenings
  • Install motion active cameras, again these are a positive deterrent
  • Plant thorny plants and vegetation in front of walls and fences offer easy access for people to spray graffiti on or plant even vine plants that attach to your walls or fences
  • Install gates, locks and fences wherever possible to prevent graffiti vandals from accessing your property
  • Work with your local community, police, local authorities and schools to discuss how graffiti can be prevented and how it impacts your community
  • Ask the local schools to talk to their pupils about graffiti and the negative impacts it has on homeowners, businesses and their local community
  • Get involved with, or even start a neighbourhood watch scheme for your area and work together to agree on how you can prevent graffiti as well as highlight how graffiti impacts the community negatively

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Garden DIY

Garden DIY During Lockdown discussed by Eco solutions

Sorting your garden during lockdown will make you feel better when the nice weather comes back to us again. The weather forecast is a bit cooler over the next week or so, so it’s the ideal time to get your garden DIY done so you can sit back and enjoy it when the hot weather returns. Read our “Garden DIY During Lockdown” and it will not only give you ideas of how to spruce up your garden but also give you the best way to do it with lots of hints and tips.

It might be cleaning your patio, decking, upcycling & revamping your garden furniture, stripping and painting external door frames, doors and woodwork. Weeding, cutting back, deep cleaning your BBQ, planting, painting your fence or creating a compost, the options are endless and there’s no time like the present to tackle your outdoor space or Garden DIY.

Starting and finishing Garden DIY or a cleaning and tidying project will give you a sense of achievement and purpose which is a really positive thing in these different times. It will keep your mind and body active and give you a huge amount of satisfaction when you’ve finished each job.

First of all, you should plan your garden whether it’s big or small. It’s a good idea to walk around and see how you can divide it into different areas and spaces, much like you have in your home and then make a list of the Garden DIY jobs that you need to get done. Don’t start adding things to your space until you’ve got your existing jobs done otherwise it will get cluttered and you won’t feel like you are achieving the result you want even though you will be progressing.

Garden Zones

Gardens always look better when they have strong landscaped lines and by having different areas and zones within the space. Use different materials like wood, stones, patio slabs to create interesting and interlocking zones. If you have a grassed area within your garden then why not change its shape into a circle, square, rectangle or even zig-zag stair-like edges. Mark your shape out with string, leave it and keep going back to it to make sure you are happy with the size and shape and then use a spade to cut away the excess grass. It’s not a massively difficult job, however, it will be much harder if the ground is really dry so always take this into consideration when starting. When you’ve finished and you have the shape you are happy with then edge the area with stones or patio slabs to make a distinct edge.

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Upcycling Mistakes

Upcycling Mistakes to Avoid discussed by Eco Solutions

Upcycling is getting more and more popular and there are lots of reasons for upcycling; it’s better for the environment, it’s a cheaper option compared to buying new and you can turn a classic piece of furniture into something special which is hugely satisfying. When starting your upcycling journey you will make mistakes along the way and learn new and better ways of doing things as you go. Our Upcycling Mistakes to Avoid article will reduce the number of mistakes you make, removing frustration and the possibility of ruining an item, along with making the whole experience more satisfying for you, always resulting in you wanting to do more and try different things and techniques.

The most amazing and satisfying thing about upcycling is there are no restrictions to what you can use and how you can change something to give it a new lease of life. The only limit will be finding the products and finding new and better ways to use them or having the imagination to decide what you want them to look like.

What are the Benefits of Upcycling?

  • Reduces the strain on the environment – reducing CO2 emissions by using old materials instead of making new ones (for every ton of discarded textiles used again, 20 tons of CO2 is prevented from entering the atmosphere)
  • Reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfills
  • Conserves limited resources
  • Reduces the cost of reproduction to replace items that have gone to landfill
  • Supports local industries and businesses
  • Encourages creativity and innovation
  • Saves you money
  • It can make you money if you decide to sell
  • Keeps the products you love

Upcycling Mistakes to Avoid

Upcycling Mistakes – Not Finding the Right Product to Upcycle

Buying the wrong product to upcycle will end up with you not being happy with the end result so if you don’t already have something at home you want to try with then you should firstly think about what additional furniture or the furniture piece you are looking for. Look on the internet and look at different designs, styles and colours you would like. When you have done this look on eBay, Gum Tree, local Facebook selling sites, in charity shops, at car boot sales and your local recycling centre shop to find your perfect first project. Also, ask your family and friends if they have any old furniture they no longer want that you could start your upcycling journey with.

Upcycling enables you to create your own bespoke look and feel in your home. Lots of people now mix and match decor styles; adding chic boutique furniture with modern and contemporary decor and upcycling furniture enables you to take an old sideboard, strip it back and paint it a bright colour, neutral tones or wax it so you see the natural grains and older wood. Add some new handles and you’ll have a brand new furniture piece that is individual and stands out at a much cheaper price compared to buying new or something which has been upcycled by someone else.

You can incorporate what you already have in your room by picking up on an existing colour and using it for your upcycled furniture piece and this creates a cohesive colour scheme. Decor styles can use flat finishes and velvet depths by using milk or chalk paint which complements a shabby chic look. Traditional decor can be achieved by waxing and varnishing which gives a natural wood finish, and for modern decor, use high gloss paint with glass or glittery handles and knobs.

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DIY During Lockdown

DIY Ideas During Lockdown discussed by Eco Solutions

During this lockdown more and more people are using their time to revamp their homes, decorate, do some DIY, sort out their gardens and give everything a deep clean, and these are often the things that we don’t have the time to do. We’ve got loads of ideas and inspiration for you for all your DIY Ideas During Lockdown. So there’s never been more opportunity to take on some of those interior and exterior jobs yourself that you’ve been meaning to do for so long. Starting and finishing a DIY or cleaning project often gives you a real sense of achievement and purpose which is a really positive thing in these strange and different times. It will keep your mind and body active and give you satisfaction when each job is done.

DIY Jobs During Lockdown

DIY – Decorating – Painting, Wallpapering & Freshening Up

Have you been meaning to decorate a room for ages? If so now is the ideal time to get started, maybe repaint and freshen up a bedroom, bathroom, hallway, lounge, dining room, kitchen toilet, utility room, conservatory or teach yourself how to wallpaper using youtube videos to help you.

Use the internet to search for different room ideas, colour combinations and inspiration, Pinterest is a great site for this and you can see colour, wallpaper and furniture ideas.

Some DIY shops are delivering and some are offering a click and collect service at this time so if you get your painting and wallpapering done now you can always replace your flooring and furniture if you need to when lockdown is lifted.

If you just need to freshen up up your skirtings then Grime Go is a great product to use, just spray it on, leave it for 10 minutes, wipe it clean with a damp cloth and all those dirt and scuff marks will disappear. If you want to freshen up your sofa, armchairs or carpets then again Grime Go is a brilliant product for cleaning fabric and carpet and removing stains that may have been there for years. Just spray it on leave it to work its magic for 20 minutes and then wipe away with warm water, giving any hard to remove stains a scrub.

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solvent free artex remover

Trade Must-Have Products discussed by Eco Solutions

Whatever trade you are you will always have your ‘go-to’ products that will make your job easier, but do you have everything you should do and need? Our “Trade Must-Have Products” article will tell you everything you need to know about the products you should have in your everyday toolkit.

Cleaning & Maintenance Trade Must-Have Products

Whether you are a cleaner or have a maintenance business keeping windows looking clean and fresh is an important factor for any business or home and UPVC Cleaner is one of your Trade Must-Have Products. 

Window Frame uPVC Maintenance and Cleaning

uPVC Window frames should be cleaned a minimum of twice a year to keep them looking good and ensuring they last a lifetime. The more regularly they are cleaned the easier it is next time. Start by opening the window and using a soft paintbrush to loosen any dust, dirt and cobwebs, then use a vacuum to remove anything you have dislodged. Next spray the insides of the window with Super Strength PVCU Cleaner, trying not to get too much of the product on your window seals. Leave for a couple of minutes and wipe it clean with a soft damp cloth. Repeat as you need to, although in our experience one spray will clean a really dirty window easily. Wipe it clean with a soft dry cloth. Next, close the window and repeat the same process with the Super Strength PVCU  Cleaner and the window frames will look brand new again. If the window frames are extremely dirty and they haven’t been cleaned for a long time then you may need to repeat this process again, although we have used the product on moss, mildew, dirt and mould build-up which has been there for years and the Super Strength PVCU Cleaner has cleaned them the first time. Super Strength PVCU Cleaner can be used on the insides and outsides of your uPVC Windows.

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Upcycling Furniture

Upcycling Furniture FAQ’s discussed by Eco Solutions

Upcycling furniture becoming increasingly popular with new upcycling businesses starting and people doing it at home as something they enjoy and as a hobby. Our Upcycling Furniture FAQ’s will tell you everything you need to know when you find that first piece you want to upcycle.

Everyone wants their home to look amazing and upcycling furniture is a cheap and fun way of doing this, the options and possibilities when it comes to upcycling really are endless. Upcycling is a growing trend as it gives you the ability to produce unique one-off pieces which no one else has, giving the finishing touches to a room in your home or business, and this is why so many more people are trying it out.

Whether it is reclaimed timber or an old cabinet or chest of drawers there really is a beauty in upcycled wood as it can show its natural grain, markings of paint or etchings from its previous life. It’s endless what you can upcycle and the most stand out pieces are normally the most unusual ones.

There are more and more television programmes being aired giving people ideas of how they can upcycle furniture for their homes and gardens and inspiring them to give it a go.

With a little bit of time and by using the right products, you will be amazed how quick and easy it is to transform an old piece of furniture into a chic boutique one-off.

There are some important things to think about before you start and our Upcycling Furniture FAQ’s, Hints and Tips and how you can use our non-toxic home use products will all help you when you start your Upcycling Furniture journey.

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