You see mosaic tiles in living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, on patios and sometimes even in backyards. The versatility they offer works with just about any style of decorating. But, it is essential to clean mosaic tiles thoroughly because they have uneven surfaces which can trap dirt. This is not only unhygienic, but it can shorten the lifespan of the tiles. So, here are some cleaning tips that you might want to remember: Indoors: To clean spots or dirt off indoor mosaic tiles, soapy water works well. Remove the dirt by wiping the surface with a damp rag. Outdoors: If...

There are many products available to help you manage and lower your electric bill. Here are three suggestions: Plug-in meter (also called a kilowatt meter). These devices are very simple to use. The best type for the average person plugs directly into the wall socket. Devices are then plugged into the meter and it records exactly how much power the device draws. Although the meter will not directly save money it makes you aware of the worst culprits for energy use in your home so you can use these items sparingly. Most people are surprised when they realize how...

Energy saving bulbs. One of the simplest and cheapest ways to save power in the average household is to replace all the regular (incandescent) light bulbs with energy saving CFL (compact fluorescent light) type bulbs.   Unplug appliances when not in use. Many modern appliances, audiovisual products and computers and related devices do not fully switch off when not in use. Mostly they go into a standby mode and are still drawing small amounts of power. A lot of devices drawing a small amount of power each can add up to a lot of power over time. The basic...

Mosaic tiles have a long history. The art of embedding pieces of hand-cut tile, foil-backed glass and stone in a bed of mortar goes back to the days of the ancient Romans. Because producing these works of art was so labor-intensive, mosaics were exclusive to the homes of the very wealthy or for public spaces. Mosaic tiles are still hugely popular. Thanks to technological advances, machines do most of the work today. Small pieces of tile, natural stone and colorful glass are cut and attached to a mesh backing for easy installation. Mosaic borders or insets can be used...