Well-preserved hardware, such as dazzling stainless steel fasteners, elegant polished metal knobs, and ornately carved drawer handles, helps a great deal toward increasing the beauty of your cherished furniture items. Most individuals, however, become discouraged by corrosion, rust, and grease and end up purchasing new hardware. With our simple cleaning solutions and effective home fixes, this guide will show you how to clean kitchen cabinet hardware.

Wooden Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Wooden hardware works well with classic and rustic styles to give character and charm. Wash handles and knobs with a gentle detergent solution or a water-vinegar solution to keep them looking elegant. In any case, do not allow water to rest on the equipment for an extended period of time, since this might cause the wood to distort or expand. To get rid of harder stains, gently massage with a toothbrush. Finally, wipe the surface dry with a soft towel.

Ceramic and Glass Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Although ceramics and glass knobs and pulls appear to be high-maintenance, they are very simple to clean. Cleaning the hardware with a moist towel will suffice for the former. To avoid streaks, spritz with a cleaning solution or a mix of white distilled vinegar, then wipe thoroughly with a newspaper.

Metal Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Metal hardware is pricey, but it adds a bit of sparkle and glam to any area. They’re a popular choice in Indian households, particularly in the kitchen, wherein they collect a thick, persistent coating of dirt. To clean and disinfect metal kitchen cabinet hardware, immerse it in a soapy liquid overnight to soften and remove the bulk of the grime. With respect to metal hardware, corrosion is also a prevalent issue. It will, however, be as fresh and new if you soaked it in vinegar or a mix of lime juice and borax.

Other Metal Cabinet Hardware

Different metal variations, on the other hand, require special attention for harder stains.

• To remove grease off of copper, rub it with a lime or a solution of salt and vinegar.
• Chrome as well as steel equipment may be cleansed with a vinegar-soaked rag, but rusts should be scrubbed with a tin foil soaked overnight in water. Steel fiber or coarse cloth should not be used on stainless steel because they could scratch the surface. Pour baking soda over rusted parts and clean them with old bristles dipped in vinegar until they are not rusted anymore. Wash thoroughly to ensure that nothing has been left behind, which would likely result in increased rusting after several days. If you require a long-term remedy, you should use a protective barrier to paint the hardware on the kitchen cupboards.
• Brass is lovely, but it sullies quickly. A combination of vinegar (half cup), salt (1 tsp), and flour might be used to cure this. You could also use a commercial cleanser like Brasso.
• Pewter, however, rarely tarnishes and could be treated using a mixture of vinegar, salts, and flour.
• To tidy silver kitchen cabinet hardware, use 1 tablespoon ammonia and 1 quart water and massage with a microfiber sponge.

What Is The Best Way To Remove Crayon Marks from Kitchen Cabinet Hardware and Hinges?

Crayon smudges might be difficult to remove without causing damage to the entire cabinet. To cleanse them, soak a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and massage the markings away until they disappear. Exfoliating lightly with a soft toothbrush is another option if you wouldn’t want to scrape or harm the surface of your kitchen cupboards. Furthermore, if feasible, try using an eraser so you wouldn’t have to fret over damaging something else. If the crayon markings are on steel material, clean them with hot soapy water (dishwashing detergents), then a clean towel. Ammonia could harm your cabinets, so avoid using it.

What Is The Best Way To Remove Paint From Kitchen Cabinet Hardware and Hinges?

Here’s what you’ll require:

• Crockpot
• Water
• Gloves made of rubber

Step 1: Place the original painted fasteners and knobs into the crockpot.

Step 2: Submerge them in water.

Step 3: Reduce the heat to low in the crockpot.

Step 4: Take a step back.

Step 5: After some hours, inspect to see whether the paint has started to peel away. They may require some assistance, but the color should largely come off on its own.

Tips on How to Clean Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Once we’ve gone over cleansing solutions for a wide range materials, here are a few pointers on how to maintain and clean your kitchen cabinet hardware quickly and effectively:

• Always disassemble your cabinetry completely to properly clean the handles, knobs, latches, and other components.
• If you’re immersing hardware in cleaning fluid, make sure it’s completely immersed for the greatest results.
• To conclude, wipe away any remaining detergent or water with a washcloth and polish for shine.

Use a Toothbrush

• Toothbrushes are wonderful for scrubbing cracks and crevices that your fingertips can’t reach. This is particularly true if the knobs are decorated with complex features. 

Use a Jar to Store Small Equipment

• Keep screws, knobs, and other tiny bits in a separate container while cleaning. Nothing is lost in this manner.
• Utilize a newspaper rather than a towel to prevent streaking.

If you’re cleaning, use gloves

• When scrubbing, avoid direct contact with materials since oils from the hands could cause fingerprints.
• When re-mounting the cabinets, always allow the hardware pieces to dry fully.
• Hardware would not tarnish quickly if a light coating of liquid lacquer or beeswax is applied to it. You could also restore the original sparkle with polish and a clean cloth.

Conclusion

Kitchen hardware could swiftly turn into a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms, necessitating regular cleaning. You must restore your cabinet hardware’s gleam with many of these simple procedures and minimum resources for a livelier and healthier kitchen area.

The post How To Clean Kitchen Cabinet Hardwares? appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

It’s that season of the year yet again! Despite the fact that many of us have had a rough year, we cannot help looking forward with hope to 2022! There’s still plenty to hope for in terms of end-of-the-year festivities and goals! In light of the pandemic, we should avoid elaborate gatherings and get-togethers in favour of modest house parties with friends and family. So, here are a few last-minute new year décor suggestions to make your end-of-year parties really LIT!

1. Declutter Your Home

The very first step to planning a successful party is to clean your house! Organizing ahead of time can provide you with a new start and an invigorated feeling in your house (and thoughts). Ensure to conceal all of your extra items in inaccessible nooks and crannies. This socially-distanced party season, add some bright decorations to your house!

2. Vastu-Approved Hues

New bedding, coverings, as well as other accessories could give your house a refreshing change. Colors like yellow, blue, or green, according to Vastu, represent happiness and wealth, whilst earthy tones may enhance your style quotient. These hues might also serve as inspiration for the motif of your celebration.

3. Add Some Flora

Don’t limit your party decorations to streamers and lighting. Throw in a few flower arrangements too. Daisies and daffodils signify fresh starts and will easily fit into your party’s themes! If the party is too large to accommodate in your house, you can always transfer it onto the terrace while following the pandemic’s social distancing protocols. This makes it much more spectacular and allows you to decorate in more imaginative ways.

4. Get Fancy

New Year’s Eve gatherings demand opulence, therefore your fine china should be found on the tables now, particularly if it’s a small gathering of family members and friends. With well-placed silverware and exquisite centerpieces, add a touch of refinement to your dining room setting.

5. Be a Smart Host

Do you enjoy throwing parties but detest cleaning up afterwards? It’s all exciting until the next day, when we return home to a complete disaster. So, follow our suggestion and shift the celebration to the terrace, which is located upstairs! If the weather is this beautiful, having a terrace party is always a smart idea. You may also have a barbecue or even a buffet! When throwing a party on the terrace, ensure to use disposable cutlery and ensure that your guests are duly vaccinated. Isn’t it true that it eliminates a bunch of problems?

6. Pay Attention to the Lighting

Without some gorgeous illumination, your New Year’s décor would not be finished. Why not throw an outdoor event on your terrace and decorate it with beautiful twinkling lights to create a fantastic atmosphere? If you favor indoor events, some pendant lights could simply brighten up the corners while keeping the atmosphere intimate.

7. Wall Decor

Your new year’s celebration may be dramatically transformed with magnificent décor. Consider adding some 2022 ornamental lights to your Holiday decorations for the social gathering. You may also go for an exquisite black and silver style for the house party instead of flashy décor. Every event requires a conversation-starter, so get creative with that blank wall in the living room. Put black-and-white photographs of your attendees on the wall to make a photo collage. Assemble the images in the pattern of the new year’s digits and secure them with putty so that you can simply remove them after the celebration. Attach beaded garland wreaths or simple black-and-white pictures on other surfaces.

8. Party Games

Your New Year’s Eve celebration isn’t complete without some entertaining team games! While traditional new year’s celebration games such as drinking games, truth or dare, and blackjack are popular, you could also pull out a few of your favourite board games that make your house party family-friendly. Of course, do remember to follow the COVID-19 social-distancing norms while you party.

9. Incorporate Kid-Friendly Activities

A New Year’s Eve event does not have to be an adults-only affair. If you have children, non-alcoholic beverages, party food, and new games may be used to make your house party kid-friendly.

 10. Living Room Accessories

Arrange clocks on the mantelpiece to represent the passage of time; some should be placed diagonally or at an inclination to draw attention. Spray-paint barren tree limbs white or even use dry aspen twigs for a console table arrangement, then stack those into a vase. To produce a fantasy ambiance, take out the Christmas decorations and drape white twinkle-light strings around the spray-painted twigs and any large indoor houseplants or trees.

11. Set an Elegant Dining Table

Foods and beverages are usually the focal points of parties. Wrap the tables with black tablecloths; for table centerpieces, assemble crystal candleholders, load each with white and silver candles, and arrange them on a silver tray. Use inverted champagne flutes as an alternative. Utilize platinum mats or chargers, golden cutlery, and white disposable cutlery for each table setting to juxtapose with the black. Spray-paint pinecones golden using one as a table card-holder at the center of each table setting. Beads, silver-pearl garland, or rhinestone strands can be wrapped around black napkins. With a napkin in the centre of each dish, place silvery blossoms or plumes next to the napkins.

We’re almost prepared to embrace 2022, and we’re giddy with anticipation. Make the most of every second and ring in the new year with a blast! Have a fantastic New Year’s Eve celebration, but ensure to be cautious and take all necessary measures like wearing masks, getting vaccinated, and so on. Keep the above new year decorating ideas in mind if you want to be a great host! Remember, the greatest way to greet your visitors is with a grin!

The post How to Decorate Your Living Room for This New Year 2022? appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

A tidy, uncluttered kitchen has something refreshing and life-giving about it. For the house, it sets the scene and culture. This conveys peace and order. It encourages change and possibility. This saves time and guarantees cleanliness. The kitchen is really your home’s center. What kind of clutter comes to mind when you think about your own kitchen? Are you seduced by shiny devices or specialized instruments that really aren’t needed? Do you have many duplicates of your kitchen supplies when you got married and combined with your spouse’s? Have you acquired an extensive selection of cookbooks even though you occasionally use only one or two favourite cookbooks? For decluttering & organizing a small kitchen, follow these tips.

Set Your Kitchen Goals

The kitchen is probably one of the most difficult places to keep organize in the house. There are many justifications for this: 

• Usually, the kitchen is situated in a high-traffic area of the house. 
• During its use, the room’s function almost encourages messes to be made. 
• As a storage area for odds and ends, the kitchen is often used (such as mail). 

It is important to be specific about your kitchen objectives. Since your priorities become your rules. Every time you ask them, you use them. Do I really need this? 

For instance, if your goal is to cook meals without a lot of hassle, do you really need the Bluetooth-enabled meal dehydrator, four-attachment pasta processor, and decorating kit for cake? What about a lettuce scissor, banana slicer, or silk remover for corn? 

Choose a time, maybe start your project first thing in the morning, when you have at least a couple of hours.

Test and Evaluate Appliances 

Cooking activities can be made simpler by kitchen appliances and gadgets. But if you have limited space in a small kitchen, storing it can be more complicated than it’s worth. Consider the cooking tasks that can be performed with another tool you already have when determining which appliances and gadgets you need. A specialized apple slicer, for instance, might be cool, but you probably already have a knife that can cut your apples. Also, make sure to regularly test them to see if they still work with the appliances and devices you have. Fix any broken appliance you still like promptly, so it doesn’t just take up room. Donate or discard anything you will no longer use.

Downsize Tableware

Source: Wikimedia

Only keep as many pots, cups, mugs, glasses, and utensils in your daily life as you use them. Although tableware can be fun to buy and pieces are often given as gifts and souvenirs, the cupboards can end up being crowded. Thus, unless you also have big meetings, hold just what you need. If you host an occasional event, if necessary, you can always borrow additional tableware. However, if you have special tableware for parties that you would like to hold, consider moving it outside your kitchen to a storage place to free up cupboard space.

Multitask With Pots and Pans 

Depending on how complicated one’s cooking style is and how many individuals there are to cook for the number of pots and pans you need varies. Even fewer pots and pans are always required than you would expect. Small pots can be less washable, for instance, but a medium pot will do the same cooking tasks and more. The same is the case for pans. So instead of trying to make room in your small kitchen for many pots and pans in different sizes, choose only a few pieces in medium and large sizes that should be flexible enough to fulfill the most common cooking needs.

Limit Bulky Items 

Many kitchen items are decorative and bulky, but more functional items are needed for a small kitchen. Although a massive, whimsical cookie jar in a large kitchen can be a nice touch, in a small kitchen it takes up precious counter room. This doesn’t mean giving up something enjoyable in a tiny kitchen. Cool fridge magnets, attractive pot holders, and paintings on the wall can be decorated without taking up too much space.

Check for Duplicates 

Make sure that your kitchenware is not self-cloning. Have you obtained a nice new blender, for example, but are you keeping your old one just in case you may need it? Usually, a tiny kitchen can’t handle duplicate things like this. If it’s been many months and you haven’t needed the duplicate item yet, consider recycling it or at least storing it outside the kitchen in storage.

Know Your Culinary Strengths 

Source: pikrepo

Keep things for what you are now cooking, not for what you dream of one day learning to cook. If you never bake, for instance, don’t let cupcake tins clutter your kitchen cabinets. And if you’ve never made a plate of cheese, you don’t have to hold on to the special board that you received as a present. Instead of letting them take up precious space in your kitchen, you can always borrow unique cooking items as needed.

Choose Products With Multiple Uses 

Kitchen shops with niche items are fun to browse, such as cookie presses. But for a small kitchen, these one-job things usually aren’t practical. Instead, search for things in the kitchen that can perform many functions. You probably either need a hand mixer, for example or a stand mixer, not both. Also, you can use them as storage containers to avoid holding loads of plastic storage containers if your cooking dishes are both ovens and fridge-safe.

Clear Out Groceries You’re Not Going to Eat 

You probably do not have a lot of cabinets or a separate pantry if you have a small kitchen. This also means that you can store food in your cupboards next to your things in the kitchen. Regularly check all of your food to make sure it has not expired. Toss up something you can’t consume, and donate healthy food you don’t plan to eat. This will save food products from cluttering your cupboards unnecessarily. 

Notice Physical Boundaries

All over your kitchen, there are physical limits: drawers and cabinets that provide specified, restricted storage spaces. Using their limitations as helpful guidance for how much stuff to keep inside these rooms, rather than stuffing in as much as you can.

The post How To Declutter & Organize Your Kitchen In This Christmas appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Diwali is an Indian festival of colors, lights, and sweets. It is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Ram over the evil Ravana. Houses are decorated and lightened up during Diwali to spread positivity. People pay a visit to their relatives to exchange sweets and have feasts. For illuminating and decorating your home this autumn Diwali season, make use of the below-mentioned decor ideas, starting from handmade lights to beautiful rangoli designs. You can also innovate your decor ideas and save on a huge amount of unwanted expenses.

1. Paper Lampshades

Paper lanterns are quite popular decor items that can be utilized to decorate your homes during Diwali. The good part is that you can either buy them from thrift shops or create them yourself by using variously patterned and colorful papers. Take a rectangular piece of paper, further perforating it with a compass. After this, envelop the piece of paper into a circular shape and glue the two ends together. You can decorate the lantern with sequins and sparkles. 

2. Hula Hoop Chandeliers

You can tie the flickering fairy lights at different places around a hula hoop. Hang these beautiful lighting chandeliers on the doors of your home or in your living rooms. Hula hoop chandeliers are astonishing for providing party decorations to your home.  They are easy to make, as well. All you have to do is twine the colorful lights around the hula hoop.

3. Glass Jar Lanterns

You can use the flickering fairy lights to decorate almost anything. If you have unused glass bottles or jars at home, then you can insert the lights into the transparent glass containers. Similar to hula hoop chandeliers, you can hang mason jars or bottles anywhere in your home to make it look splendid as well as appealing.

4. Beautiful Rangoli Designs

Enhance the floors and pathways to your home with colorful rangoli patterns. They are also known as the teeka or bindi of mother earth. Rangolis add importance as well as uniqueness to a place. A wide variety of designs can further add up the distinctiveness to rangoli designs. Combine the Rangolis with rice, flowers, diyas, earthen pots, and even hand paintings.

5. Flowers decoration

Flowers add color and fresh aroma to the Diwali celebration. Use simple strings of vibrant flowers to beautify your homes. Tie these strings on the walls of your houses. Floral decorations look spectacular on railings and staircases as well. 

6. Colorful candles decor

Colorful candles can be put on tables and drawers. You can keep these in tin shaped containers or water-filled flower bowls to add a warm ambiance to your guest room. Candles are pretty common to use for Diwali decoration. So, you can share this idea with your loved ones as well.

7. Sweet smelling fruit candles

The sweet aroma of candles and flowers brings happiness and positivity around us. Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation in your home. Use sweet-smelling fruity aromatherapy and scented candles to get an additional appeal.

8. Coasters for Diwali

Surround your home in a mystic cover of authentic designs. Coasters are much-needed for table-setting. You can choose a unique and appealing Diwali coaster, a beautiful vase, and create a flower centerpiece to place it on the coffee table.

9. Earthen diyas

Diwali is incomplete without Diya decorations. With the help of diyas, you can enhance the appeal of your complete house. Paint your plain Diyas to make them festive and lively. You can also make use of beads and sequins to decorate the Diyas in various colors and patterns. 

10. Diwali torans

Traditional torans are wall hangings that make use of a variety of decor materials such as rhinestones, mirrors, and sequins. You can use these to enhance your doors, ceilings, or walls during Diwali. If you love crafting, then you can make torans with crepe paper and flowers as well.

11. Thread lanterns

Using decorative lamps for enhancing homes is an ongoing trend. Small lights and lanterns look pretty, also enhancing simplicity in an area. Furthermore, you can uplift the aura of your house by tying threads around a globe of fairy lights. You can use simple as well as colorful lighting tones to further illuminate the lanterns. 

12. Creating hanging paper diyas

On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, why settle with plain diyas? Kids, as well as adults, can make fabulous paper diyas with crepe paper and tie the diyas in a string. Decorate your walls with unique decor designs such as flowers Diyas.

13. Lampshades with bangles

You can decorate the interiors of your house with broken bangles. Use fairy lights and disguise them with broken bangles; these lamps can bring an amazingly glowing effect to your pooja rooms.

14. Wall hangers

You can use different artistic and creative designs to make Diwali hangings. Wall hangings help to redesign the entire atmosphere of your home. You can use paper diyas, wooden sticks, flowers, seashells, art paintings, among others, to elegantly create picture frames or wall hangers.

15. Sticking wallpapers

Painting the walls of your house can add glow to your home. But, painting the entire house is not budget-friendly. However, there are plenty of wallpaper designs available on online platforms. You can choose your favorite designs that will make your walls look exceptional, even without the paint.

16. Drape lights for windows and doors

Diwali decorations mean adding lots and lots of lights to your home as lights bring positive vibes. You can drape twinkling lights around your doors and windows to add a soft and mesmerizing glow to your home.

17. Ribbons and balloons

Tie balloons with colorful ribbons; balloons are perfect in drawing the attention of children as well as adults. You can combine them with colorful flowers, further, adding them to the doors of your houses. You can also paste colorful balloons on lamps and chandeliers.

18. Tinkling bells

Sounds of tinkling bells and wind chimes dispels evils and welcomes divinity. Bells are also used in prayers to control the wandering mind, making them perfect to use for Diwali decorations for your puja rooms. Be creative and combine the bells with colorful ribbons.

19. Paper cup lights

Believe us – this Diwali, make use of paper cups to decorate different corners of your house. You can add your creativity by cutting and polishing the paper cups into a variety of shapes and sizes.

20. Reusable unwanted items

Many reusable items are often lying around your house as waste materials. Collect them together this Diwali to devise something beautiful. For instance, you can use old tin or glass bowls for lighting diyas, keeping flowers, and candle stands.

Conclusion

Aforementioned are some of our favourite tried Diwali decoration tips for your homes. You can further blend and innovate these ideas to create new artistic designs to illuminate your homes. Moreover, experiment with beautiful colors to add that glamorous spice to your home without buying expensive decor items and burning a hole in your pockets.

The post 20 Diwali Decor Ideas for Your Home appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Rugs and carpets are perfect for adding that extra charm to your home. However, they also tend to accumulate plenty of unwanted dirt, dust, stains, and if you have pets, then animal hair too. Also, according to many microbiology experts, rugs are home to a plethora of microorganisms, like, mold, bacteria, pathogens, pollen particles, among others. This reason is the cause of why frequent rug cleaning is absolutely necessary. There are specific solutions that you should keep in mind to maintain the cleanliness and freshness of your rugs. Read on to find some of the best rug cleaning hacks that can leave the carpets at your home looking fresh as well as beautiful.

Vacuum clean the rugs frequently

This step is the most obvious step for keeping the rugs and carpets clean. Vacuuming the carpets once a week can keep debris, dirt, and dust away. If the debris penetrates deep into the carpet, then it becomes difficult to remove it. However, before you start your vacuum, make sure to give your carpet a shake to unroot any trapped debris within the fabric of the rug. It is advisable to use the suction-only feature instead of the rotary brush to avoid any damage to the fibers of the carpet. You can also sprinkle antibacterial powders on the rugs to get rid of the disease-causing germs. Also, make sure to dust the carpet underside as well – at least one time in a month.

Leave your shoes away from your rugs

After laying down your rugs and carpets, start using doormats diligently. Completely avoid wearing shoes inside your house, particularly on your floorcloth, as shoes could ruin the fabric of the rug over some time. Studies also show that the chemicals used to build roads is toxic for our homes; our shoes pick up these chemicals and leave them on the fabric of the carpet. In fact, your carpet acts like a magnet collecting everything that your shoes pick up from indoors as well as outdoors.

Use DIY hacks to get rid of tough stains

Few of the Do-it-yourself hacks are pretty popular in getting rid of the toughest of stains.

• Shaving cream

Using shaving cream to remove stains is a trick recommended by professional cleaners. Normal shaving cream works brilliantly in removing even heavy stains from the surface of rugs and carpets. Apply a plentiful amount of shaving cream on the affected area and leave it to dry for almost 30 to 45 minutes. After the area dries up, take a white cotton cloth and blot the region to get rid of the stain from the surface of the carpet. 

• Warm water and vinegar

Mix equal parts of white wine vinegar and warm water. Use this solution to wash up tough stains such as red wine, mud, and coffee. You can also use club soda instead of warm water. Spray the solution on the surface of the stained rug, leave it for 15-20 minutes, and then with the help of a sponge or white cotton cloth, blot the affected region. For cleaning mud, it is best to leave the area to dry and vacuum it later on.

Take care of stains and spillages immediately

The more time you give to a stain or coffee spillage to set in on the fabric of your floorcloth, the harder it gets to remove it. Also, always make sure to blot the spot – and do not scrub. It is advisable not to use a colored cloth, as it might transfer the dye to your beautiful carpet; further, aggravating your problem. You can take a white cotton cloth, dampen it a bit, and blot the concerned area till the time all the liquid gets absorbed. After cleaning the stain, leave the rug to dry for a minimum of 3 to 4 hours.

Consider washable rugs

The best method to lower your worries is to buy washable rugs. Machine-washable rugs can be regularly cleaned, keeping your rug always clean. Also, if your carpets are placed in a room full of sunlight then make sure to rotate them from time to time as due to the sun’s light their patterns would fade out. This step is especially crucial for rugs that are antique or royally handmade, as they are delicate and more susceptive to wear and tear.

Protect from pets

Pets get attracted to the soft and smooth fiber of the rug. Cats and dogs chew the fabric and inflict bite marks additionally. You can limit the damage caused to the material of the floorcloth, by buying rugs and carpets that are specially manufactured for pet owners. Buying dark-colored materials can also help in disguising the damage caused by the pets. Make use of professional carpet cleaning and spraying products that can immediately take care of pet urine odor, mud, pet hair, among others. When it comes to caring for carpets and rugs, getting rid of the smell of pet urine is the toughest job. If you do not have a pet odor remover at home, you can use a mixture of ammonia and water in a 1:1 ratio to get rid of the smell. Spray this solution on the carpet and leave it for 5-7 minutes. Use a hard brush and clean the spot outwards. 

Conclusion

Carpets add style and decor to your home; however, they become a necessity during the winters to keep your feet away from the cold floors. Apart from the aforementioned tips, you would want to get the help of professional cleaning experts. We agree that professional cleaners could be expensive, but the deep cleaning carried out by them is worth all your money. Hence, you can call professional cleaners for help at least once a year to give your rugs and carpets a clean and shining appearance.

The post 6 Home Tips To Keep Your Rugs Clean appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Cleaning your house and preparing for Diwali go hand-in-hand. As a part of Indian tradition welcoming the goddess Lakshmi in a clean home is quite fundamental. According to old sayings, the goddess blesses only the houses that are clean, well-lit, and decorated during the festival of lights. Another reason behind the beginning of the celebration of Diwali was to mark the victory of Lord Ram over evil and to welcome him home after 14 years of exile. Indians excitedly decorate their houses and light it with a wide variety of lights. Keeping the religious tradition to one side; the home cleaning ritual helps in taking care of all the uncleaned and decluttered spaces at your home. However, even the thought of cleaning the entire house can be overwhelming. Here are some simple house scrubbing tips that you can start with to ensure that your home sparkles as intensely as the lights in your home.

1. Division of the house area

Cleaning an entire house is not at all a simple task. It’s not just about cleaning and polishing only one section of the house, but there are many sections that you have to think about including, your kitchen, bedroom, living room, and pooja room. One of the trouble-free ways to do it right is to divide your cleaning schedule into 2-3 separate sessions. For instance, you can clean your bathroom and restroom in one day, living room and bedroom the other day, and the kitchen in one day. Finally, you can do the final touches as a part of another session. Prepare a schedule as per your convenience and start cleaning as early as you can. Also, to make the procedure of disposal easier, decide on an area where you wish to keep all your garbage.

2. Get ready with your pre-Diwali cleaning equipment and tools.

You must start with Diwali cleaning at least two weeks before the festival. Before you begin, make sure that all your Diwali cleaning tools are ready. For overall cleaning of your house, you will need simple things like a good disinfectant, cloth wipes, scrubs, brushes, brooms, garbage bags, among others. If you are allergic to dust and dirt, it is recommended to keep a scarf or mask handy.

3. Declutter all the things

One of the essential steps to the Diwali cleaning ritual is to get rid of the unwanted clutter from your house. Remove all the unnecessary things from your home that you have not used for a very long time. These items do not have any purpose at your place, and they make your space look untidy as well as small. You can donate the clothes that do not fit anymore, sell the gadgets that don’t function anymore and dump broken toys that have accumulated over the years.

4. Wash the curtains and covers

Fabrics such as curtains, carpets, and sofa covers are often neglected at the time of routine cleaning as these do not come in the way of daily house chores. Nonetheless, they start smelling and accumulate a lot of dust over a period of time. The best method to clean these is to wash them room by room. You can use a fabric softener and a stain remover to keep the cloth material soft as well as stain free.

5. Decluttering the wardrobe

Our wardrobe is a space which is not always well-organized. Well, it is high time that you take care of that. Start with removing old clothes or newspapers from the shelves. Rearrange and fold all the cluttered-clothes properly. Consider donating your old clothes for a good cause as, during the festival season, more and more NGOs require donations for underprivileged children. Do not forget to put the dirty clothes for washing.

6. Kitchen cleaning and scrubbing

Scrubbing the kitchen is tiresome, but it is not that hard. Make sure to gather ingredients such as vinegar, dishwashing liquid, baking soda, and warm water. Start by collecting all the kitchenware in one place. After that, begin by wiping boxes and racks, followed by bowls, dishes, and everything else. For cleaning kitchen appliances, use a dry cloth along with a cleanser. If there are any glassware, use a duster cloth to avoid any scratches.

7. Plan your decorations

It is a standard custom to buy beautiful decorative items during Diwali. You can decorate a few of them yourself, such as hand-painted candles and diyas, new vases or flower bowls, paper lanterns, among others. There are a wide variety of decorative items that you can choose from during the festival of lights. You can also use flickering lights to decorate your entire house.

Home Cleaning Tips – Conclusion

Diwali house cleaning is quite a tedious task. Planning makes all tasks easier so you can schedule your cleaning over a weekend. During this time, you can take the help of other family members of the house as well. To make things easier for you, assign tiresome tasks such as removing cobwebs or cleaning fans to the male members of your family. If your house is too huge, then consider the option of calling professional house cleaners that distinctively undertake cleaning at the time of festivals and special occasions.

The post 7 Home Cleaning Tips for Diwali 2020 appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

The COVID 19 pandemic has brought a myriad of problems for people worldwide. Plenty of get-togethers like festivals and marriages had to be either canceled or cut short. Durga Puja that is one of the most popularly celebrated festivals of India – is also just around the corner. However, this year the festival will have to be celebrated with many precautions due to coronavirus. Besides, this year many people are considering celebrating the Durga Puja at their homes only. Hence, we are bringing to you some of the best home decor ideas that you can use this Nav Durga to decorate your home.

1. Use the diyas to decorate the space

Lighting Deepak and diyas is one of the most prominent ways to decorate cultural spaces in India. Diyas are an essential part that manages to light up the entire place with brightness and beauty. With the help of diyas, you can enhance the appeal of your complete house. Hence, keep the diyas not only near the goddess Durga but at different places around your home. The symbolic diyas can also enlighten the beauty of Rangolis. Paint the Deepak in different colors of blue, yellow, red, orange, gold, and others. You can also design them with creative shades. Another creative idea to use diyas is to hang them on your walls. You can use an old tin box for hanging the diyas. The lightened up tin boxes look classy as well as fancy. If you live near the seashore, then you can use seashells by adding cotton balls inside them.

2. Lighting lamps and lanterns

Nowadays, LEDs of various shapes and sizes are available online as well as offline. Using beautiful lanterns for decorating pandals is an ongoing trend. Compact lanterns appear pretty, also adding simplicity to an area. Moreover, they enlighten the aura of the Durga idol and your house as well. Simple as well as colorful lighting tones are also available for use in LEDs as well as lanterns. You can buy a few strings of LED lights to hang them from the roof. Hang a thread of lanterns from the temple area, enhancing the beauty of the idol. A single click can fill your entire house with radiance.

3. Decorate the area with flowers

Flowers are a must for decorating Indian temples and gods. Their purity and delicacy are beyond compare. Use long strings of flower garlands to decorate the walls around the idol. You can also place flowers in floating water with scented candles in between them. Turn the house into a real flower mansion by filling the air with the earthy scent of flowers. For doing something out of the ordinary, you can make carpets with flower petals for the room of the idol.

4. Use natural Earthen pots

Pottery is an Indian festival that is quite popular. However, earthen pots and materials are the most underused materials at the time of festivals. Earthenware, like mud vessels, earth pots, or other things made of clay, provides an eccentric look to a place. Use the earthen materials for placing flowers, as floating candles, designing clay gods and goddesses, and other things. You can paint the earthen pots into fancy designs, further using them for placing puja stuff. Convert them into incense stick holders or lamp holders by tying them from the roof.

5. Display the fairy lights

Do you remember the small lights that you use at the time of Diwali? Use those fairy lights to illuminate your house this Navratri as well. Transform the lights into lanterns by putting them into transparent glasses or bottles. These bead-like lights can radiate the beauty of your place of worship. Besides, they can also be used as chandeliers.

6. Design with rangoli

Occasionally, known as the teeka or bindi of the mother earth, rangolis add significance as well as uniqueness to a place. There are plenty of designs that you can make on all days of the Durga Puja. Adding colors make the place vibrant; moreover, they are fun to make as well. Blend the Rangolis with rice, flowers, diyas, earthen pots, and even hand paintings.

7. DIY decor with paper

Colorful papers are available easily in the market these days. They are reusable, easy to make, and biodegradable as well. Create beautiful designs like paper lanterns, diyas, flowers, so on. Origami art has become quite popular in India now; you can design various fascinating creations with the aid of origami paper. These paper designs can be put together in a string and tied down a roof or the walls around the Nav Durga. Use this time for experimenting with danglers and door chimes for your homes.

8. Use colourful balloons

Balloons are exciting to draw the attention of children as well as adults. You can blend them into a crafty decor by adding them to the gates of your houses. Stick the colorful balloons on chandeliers and lamps.

9. Get crafty with reusable items

There are plenty of reusable items lying around your house. Bring them together this Navratri to design something exquisite. For instance, you can use old bowls for lighting diyas, keeping flowers, and candle stands.

10. Make use of colorful fabrics

The different colors and patterns of fabrics can add a tinge of personal touch to your temple. A wide variety of clothes such as lungis, sarees, drapes, bed sheets, among others, can be used to make the idol stand to look mesmerizing as well as appealing.

Conclusion

Similar to Ganesh Utsav, celebrating Durga Puja this year will be more of a virtual errand. The biggest annual festival will be a low-key affair. To ensure safety, more and more people will be celebrating it amongst family and distant relatives only. Use the aforementioned tips to make your Nav Durga idol this year socially attractive as well as magnificent.

The post 10 DIY Home Decor Tips During This Durga Puja appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Cleaning your kitchen chimney is a very difficult and time-consuming task. Most of our Indian cooking involves a lot of spices and oils which generates a lot of smoke. The oil and grease from the smoke can get stuck in between the filters and can decrease the efficiency of the chimney. If your filters are not cleaned then the grease/oil drops from filters may drop on the open flame of the stove and cause a fire. It may also fall into the food you are cooking and contaminate it. So your chimney must be cleaned regularly.  You don’t need to spend a fortune to hire a professional cleaning service. You can use some commodities found in your kitchen to clean your chimneys such as caustic soda, vinegar, dishwashing liquid, salt, and more. Read on to find out how.

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1. Dishwashing Liquid

The liquid surfactants present in dishwashing liquids can easily unblock and remove the grease and oil deposits on the filters of the chimney. The cleaning agents in dishwashing liquid work well with chimney filters. Carefully remove the filters present in the chimney. And apply some dishwashing liquid over the filters using a sponge. Now, fill a bucket with hot water and place the filters gently inside the water and leave for 1-2 hours, remove them from the water and scrub using a scrubber. Finally, wash with plain water and let it dry completely.

2. Vinegar

Vinegar is probably already in your kitchen cupboard. Vinegar can be used as an all-purpose cleaning agent. Apart from its acidic and mild abrasive properties, vinegar also has disinfectant properties. Vinegar can make your kitchen germ-free. For a quick clean of the kitchen, dip a paper towel or tissue in the vinegar solution and simply wipe the surfaces clean. To thoroughly clean filters using vinegar, fill a small tub filled with hot boiling water, add 1-2 cups of vinegar, and mix well. Now, immerse chimney filters into this solution and leave it for 1-2 hours. Remove the filters and scrub them with a non-abrasive scrubber. Next, wipe them with a wet cloth and let it dry completely before placing them back into the chimney.

3. Caustic Soda

The acidic nature of caustic soda will remove the grease or oil stains with ease. It’s an inexpensive but powerful industrial cleaner that can dissolve oils, grease, fats, and other organic compounds from industrial equipment. Caustic soda mixed with hot water works very well for cleaning kitchen chimney grease. Take a small tub filled with hot boiling water, remove the filters from the chimney and place them on a tray now, power boiling water over them as soon as you do this, fumes will come out. Let it stay for 2 – 3 hours without disturbing it. after completion remove them and gently scrub them and wash them with plain water let them dry completely and place them back Note: Don’t touch caustic soda with bare hands as it can cause chemical burns. It is preferred to wear protective gear while following this procedure.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda is an acclaimed all-purpose cleaning solution. The mild alkaline and abrasive properties of baking soda remove the grease and oil stains easily without causing any harm to the surface. All you have to do is make a thick paste of two tablespoons of baking soda by adding a little amount of water. Apply this paste over the surface and allow it to stay there for 5-10 minutes. Clean it off with a wet cloth to remove the grease. Another way to use baking soda is to take a big tub, fill it with hot boiling water and add 2-3 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 cups of vinegar, and 2-3 tablespoons of salt into it. Now immerse the filter into the solution for 1-2 hours after removing the filters gently scrub them and wash them with plain water and dry them completely before replacing them.

5. Paint Thinner

Paint Thinner has the capability of removing stubborn grease and oil stains with ease. Paint thinner contains powerful cleaning agents that contain organic solvents such as Acetone, Toluene, Turpentine, and other mineral spirits. To remove oil and grease on the filters, soak the thinner in a piece of cloth and rub on the chimney. It will easily break up the oil and grease stains giving you amazing results. In case you don’t have paint thinner you can also use nail polish remover. After scrubbing the grease stains, use a cloth immersed in nail polish remover to clean the filters.

6. Detergent powder

Detergent powder mixed with boiling water helps to remove the oil and grease stains. The surfactants present in Detergent easily removes the grease. To clean the chimney first remove the filters and then take a metal tub and fill it with the boiling water, pour 3 tablespoons of detergent powder and boil the water once again. Now, put the filters in boiling water. Oil and grease will automatically disappear. Place filters under running water and scrub them with a wet cloth and let it dry completely before placing the filters into the chimney.

How often should you clean the filters?

It all depends on how often you cook and the type of food you prepare. However, it is advisable for chimneys to be cleaned once every 2-3 months at the least. If you prepare a lot of oily and spicy food, it’s best to clean the meshes and filters once a month. Also, the frequency of cleaning depends on the type of filters present in your chimney.

• Cassette Filters – These filters are made up of multi-layered layers of aluminum. These filters contain small pores, grease sticks, and block them. So, it is important to clean them once in 8 – 10 days.
• Baffle Filters – These filters have the technology of separating smoke and grease. They don’t get clogged regularly. So, clean them once in 2 – 4 weeks.
• Charcoal Filters – The charcoal granules present in it absorb the smoke, odor, and grease. They cannot be cleaned so they should be replaced once in 3 – 6 months.

Kitchen Chimney Cleaning Tips – Conclusion

Cleaning your kitchen chimney could be something you dread doing. But it can be done effortlessly with just a few kitchen products. So think twice the next time you pick up your phone to book an expensive cleaning service. All it takes is some elbow grease and some underrated kitchen products to make your kitchen look sparkling.

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The monsoon season is probably the most pleasant and much-awaited season of the year. The rain is calming, the greenery is lush and the ambience is beautiful. And of course, there is nothing more heavenly than sitting in your balcony and sipping on ginger tea and snacks. This splendid weather lasts in India from July to September, relieving the people of the scorching summer heat. But it also has its downsides and these can take a toll on your house, resulting in lasting damages. So, here are some easy-to-follow monsoon care tips for your home.

Disinfectants Are A Must

The humidity and excess moisture allow all species of bugs and insects to breed in the crevices of your home- cockroaches, leeches, flies, and more. The possibility of sickness and bug-bites becomes very high. Hence, it is crucial to use disinfectants to clean your house. Keep your floors as dry as possible and thoroughly scrub any or all cobwebs that you may find hanging in the corners.

Check for Leaks

There will be innumerable cracks and crevices hidden all through your house, plus small slits along the walls and ceiling. Bloating on the walls is the most common sign of broken internal and external pipes. These need immediate fixation if you want to avoid water dripping on your head and prevent mould growing on walls. You can either call a professional or use a quick DIY method-

1. Pat dry the area around the leakage,
2.  Apply putty over the cracks and cover them up, 
3.  Taper the edges with some industrial tape.

Protect Your Books

Only an avid reader would understand the damage that moisture can do to their collection of paperbacks. One of the easiest and effective hacks is to place the books on shelves and cupboards and shut them in tightly with a box of moisture absorbents. Place alongside it some naphthalene balls, this also keeps away any foul smell.

Keep The Drains Unclogged And Vicinity Clean

The heavy rainfall brings with it chunks of debris and silt, often clogging up the drains. The excess moisture also becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects, and subsequently, rodents as well. Make sure to keep your drains clean and unclogged. Sprinkle bug and rodent repellent for extra measure.

Waterproof Your Roof

Our roofs bear the brunt of torrential rains. Therefore, you should thoroughly examine your roof before the incoming monsoons and repair any damages that may result in seepage if left untreated. Scrub and clean your roof and then use an effective waterproofing agent such as MasterSeal, Krytonite or Dr. Fixit to prevent rainwater from seeping in through the crevices. These agents also prevent the growth of moss along the walls.

Avoid Fungus

Monsoon is the season wherein fungus and mould thrive promptly. Therefore, it is essential to identify and fill all the gaps that may become a home to them. You can use putty for the same. This includes gaps in the door hinges or windows. Bathrooms are the wettest places in our homes. In order to prevent fungus growth, fill up the gaps and cracks in the floor and wall tiles before the advent of the season.

Wrap Up Rugs And Carpets

Monsoon season is not the time for rugs and carpets, however aesthetic they may look with your décor. Wet footwear and moisture-laden environment encourage the growth of mould and moss, making way for a foul odour. Therefore, it is better to wrap them up and put them away for three months.

Umbrella Stands

One of the most convenient hacks for the monsoon season is to get an umbrella stand for your home. Place it near the front door or the entrance of your home, so that when you return or anyone comes over, they can simply put their raincoats and umbrellas in the stand without dripping them across the entire floor.

Remove Heavy Curtains

Monsoon days are cloudy and gloomy enough. You don’t need heavy curtains to block the limited sunlight that pours in through the windows. So, wrap them up and replace them with lighter, more translucent curtains, preferably in bright colours that give a nice hue to your rooms.

Use Shades On Windows And Balconies

Windows and balconies are the easiest way for water to pour in during torrential rains in this weather. In order to prevent that, align your windows and balconies with strong and well-built shades.

Use Bamboo Or Cane Décor

It is recommended to use bamboo furniture during this season. Replace all your wooden furniture with bamboo ones as they absorb less moisture and are less vulnerable to moss and mould growth. You can find a variety of such furniture crammed in markets during this season.

Place Fragrant Candles All Over Your Home

Rains bring with them a foul, grimy smell that you just can’t avoid. One of the best ways to combat them is to place small, fragrant candles, preferably with citrusy and mild scents, all over your home. When the odour becomes unbearable, you can just light them up for the most peaceful, yet lively aura.

Use Waterproof Paints

A wide variety of moisture-resistant exterior paints are available in the market today. These come in different shades. Not only do they keep your house resistant to rain damage but even help in reducing the temperature of your home by upto 5 degrees. Some available options are Asian Paints Apex Ultima Waterproof paint (approx. Rs. 450/litre), Dulux Weathershield (approx. Rs. 250/litre), and Berger Weathercoat Kool and Seal (approx. Rs. 300/litre).

Take Care Of Your Furniture

If you have renovation plans in mind, keep them aside or on hold for these few months. Do not take any new woodwork. The dampness in the air because of rains adversely affects your furniture. Ensure that all your wooden furniture stays a couple of inches away from the wall so as to avoid any moisture contact.

Conclusion

The monsoon season, however heavenly and peaceful, brings with it some drawbacks- water through cracks, clogged drains, fungus and mould and all sorts of bugs and insects. But you can still enjoy the splendid season by following some simple hacks. These may require some maintenance, but they prevent your home from any lasting damages.

The post 14 Home Care Tips For Monsoon Season appeared first on ZAD Interiors.

Ganesh Chaturthi – one of the most looked forward festivals which celebrates the birth of The God of Beginnings – Lord Ganesha is tomorrow. And our homes never get filled with festivity without some delicious sweets and dishes. So, here we present some quick and easy-to-make sweets and recipes that can be made at home for this Ganesh Chaturthi. Also, check out our simple DIY puja ideas to do more things by yourself for celebrating the birthday of beloved Ganesha.

Some Sugary Sweets and Scrumptious Recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi

Modak

Ingredients

For the filling: 1 cup coconut (grated), 1 cup jaggery, a pinch of nutmeg, a pinch of saffron
For the shell: 1 cup water, 2 tsp ghee, salt, 1 cup rice flour

Method

Filling:

1. Firstly, in a hot pan add the grated coconut and jaggery and stir for about a few minutes.
2. Now add the nutmeg and saffron and mix them well.
3. Keep cooking on a medium flame for another five minutes. Then turn off the flame and keep it aside.

Modak:

1. In a large kadai, boil water with ghee. Further, add salt and rice flour and mix gently.
2. Cover and cook till it’s half done. Then, allow it to rest for 5 minutes.
3. Now transfer the contents to a large bowl and start to knead the dough.
4. Take a little dough and roll it into a small ball.
5. Flatten the ball well and shape the edges into a flower pattern.
6. Stuff a spoonful of the filling onto the dough and seal it.
7. Now put them in a muslin cloth and steam them for 10-15 minutes.  And your Modak is ready.

Puran Poli

Ingredients

For mixture: 1 cup Chana Dal (washed), 3 cups Water, 1 cup Sugar, 1 tsp Cardamom Powder, Nutmeg (grated)
For dough: 2 cups Maida, 1 tsp Salt, 2 tbsp Ghee, 1 cup Water

Method

Mixture

1. Pressure cook the Chana Dal for about a few minutes (3-4 whistles).
2. Once it gets cooked, drain the water and mash it coarsely.
3. Now in a pressure cooker add the mashed dal and sugar and cook slowly by mixing it.
4. Add cardamom powder and grated nutmeg to it and stir thoroughly.
5. Until the mixture gets dry, continue stirring on low flame.
6. Now turn off the flame and allow the mixture to cool down.

Dough

1. In a large bowl, add maida, salt, ghee, and little water. Mix them well and make a semi-soft dough.
2. Wrap the bowl with a damp cloth and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes.

Puran Poli:

1. Take a little dough and roll it into a ball. Now flatten it well just like you make for chapatis.
2. Now place a little mixture in the centre and cover the edges.
3. Roll it out again gently so that it takes a round shape.
4. Heat a non-stick tawa and place the puran poli over it.
5. Flip, and cook with lots of ghee till both sides turn equally golden. And your Puran Poli is ready to serve.

Coconut Ladoo

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup grated coconut, 1 tbsp Ghee, 1 cup condensed milk, sugar, cardamom powder, 10-15 cashews and almonds, Desiccated coconut (for coating)

Method:

1. Heat a pan, add the grated coconut and toast it slightly.
2. To this add condensed milk and sugar. Mix them well.
3. Now add ghee and cardamom powder and mix well.
4. Once the mixture turns slightly sticky, turn off the flame and keep it aside.
5. Heat a small pan, add ghee and fry some cashew nuts and almonds.
6. Add the fried nuts to the mixture and roll out the mixture into small balls by greasing your palm with some ghee.
7. Finally, roll these balls over some desiccated coconut. And your coconut ladoo is ready to serve.

Chickpea Pepper Sundal

Ingredients:

Chickpeas – 1 cup, salt to taste, finely grated coconut (optional), black pepper – 1 tsp crushed
For Seasoning: Oil – 1 tbsp, mustard seeds – 1 tsp, urad dal – 1 tsp, dry red chilli – 2, asafetida/hing – 1/4 tsp, curry leaves

Method:

1. Soak the chickpeas in water overnight.
2. Drain the water and add it to a pressure cooker.
3. Add some water and salt and pressure cook it for 4 whistles.
4. Drain the water and set it aside.

Seasoning:

1. Heat the kadai, add oil and all the seasoning ingredients and saute well.
2. Now add the chickpeas, salt and crushed pepper and mix them well.
3. Add coconut (this is optional) and mix well. And your chickpea pepper sundal is ready to serve.

Medu Vada

Ingredients:

Urad dal (soaked atleast for 4 hours) – 500 gm, finely chopped green chilli- 2-3, finely chopped ginger- 20 gm, grated coconut- 100 gm (optional), curry leaves, hing, finely chopped coriander leaves- 50 gm, whole black pepper- 10 gm, cumin seeds- 10 gm, refined oil- half litre, salt to taste.

Does this long list of ingredients worry you?  Try installing a modular kitchen as it can keep everything close to your hand and save a good deal of time which you usually spend walking between the zones of your kitchen to reach your ingredients. An added benefit is this kitchen is easy to clean and maintain.

Method:

1. Add the soaked urad dal, salt, green chilli, and little water to blender and grind them to smooth paste.
2. Now, transfer it to a large bowl and add ginger, hing, curry leaves, black pepper and grated coconut. Mix them well.
3. Heat oil in a pan.
4. Wet your hands with water and take a small ball out of the paste.
5. Slightly flatten the ball and make a small hole at the centre using your thumb.
6. Drop it carefully in the hot oil.
7. Keep the flame in medium and flip the vada. Cook till it turns crispy and golden on both sides.
8. When done, remove it to a kitchen tissue and serve it hot with coconut chutney or sambar.

Some DIY Ideas For Puja Needs

Eco-friendly Ganesha

Materials Required:

Clay, Water, Toothpicks, Knife

Preparation:

1. Mix water and clay and prepare the dough.
2. Split and roll the dough into different pieces to form body parts like torso, hands, ears, trunk, face and legs.
3. Attach or join the body parts ( Referring to any Ganesha picture or statue)
4. Now the rough layout of the idol is ready, use a knife or toothpick to make intricate designs.
5. When done, allow it to sit for a while.

Note: If you wish to paint your Ganesha, avoid using chemical colours and try organic colours or just turmeric from your kitchen. It’s more eco-friendly and less harmful to mother Earth.

Bandhanwar or Door hanging Toran

It is usually hung at the entrance of the house as decoration during auspicious occasions.

Materials required:

Chart paper, scissor, glue, light-weight beads, golden ribbon or thread, watercolour and brush.

Preparation:

1. Cut the chart paper into any shape like mango, leaf, bell, etc. with the help of the scissor (counts depending on the breadth of the entrance).
2. Use some bright and shining colours like red, yellow, green, etc. and paint the cutouts and allow it to dry.
3. Paste the beads on the painted cutouts to make beautiful designs and decorate it carefully.
4. Now paste or staple all the decorated cutouts on the golden ribbon at equal distance. And your door hangings are ready.

DIY Lamps

Materials Required:

Old glass jars (shorter ones preferably), small LED bulbs/candles, glitter paste.

Preparation:

1. Take a clean old glass jar and beautify it with glitter paste.
2. Allow it to dry for a while.
3. Now, place small LED bulbs inside the jar. If LED bulbs are not available, try using thick and short candles.
4. Try keeping one lamp on either side of the idol or Keep them in different corners of the Ganesh mandap to enliven it.

The post Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi 2021 At Home Using DIY Puja Items & Recipes appeared first on ZAD Interiors.