A 'Do It Yourself' Habit

A home is always ‘work-in-progress’ - an organic ecosystem where things are in a state of flux. Devices need to be fixed, accessories need installation, appliances need repair, and things in general need to be maintained or replaced. There was a time when there were handymen who could be summoned on a call but these days, it is quite a thing to get an efficient resource that is reliable, not to mention affordable (as they often charge exorbitant rates these days for small servicing, even if they come on time). 

This means things that need immediate attention don’t get it or you need to just Do It Yourself (DIY) or face the consequences of not addressing it (which you know can be very unpleasant!).

DIY has been a well-established concept in the west for several decades - with shortage and high costs of labour, self-reliance, ease of addressing things at one’s own time and pace, the pleasure of doing things or a combination of it all contributing to the trend. This has resulted in a strong DIY culture across several areas - electrical, automotive, electronics, furniture with kits available to create toys, furniture, electrical/electronic gadgets, gizmos and appliances.

Imagine the pride of being able to fix something on your own. Imagine the awe you could evoke in your child and the admiration you could receive from your wife (which is possibly not very often as you know). Imagine the satisfaction you get from fixing it and the opportunity to impress your friends by talking about the tools, parts, and technology behind it. Imagine how you could get even with your friends by advising them to fix things on their own in the presence of their better halves!

 The opportunities are of course endless. But, but… before all this happens, you do need an excellent set of tools. Fortunately Black & Decker is a world leader in the DIY tool segment and offers the widest range of tools for a variety of applications. Just choose a kit depending on your aptitude or visit our site for more details. Happy fixing!

Kitchen DIY Projects for the Beginner

The kitchen is a great space to look for ideas for your DIY projects, and there are many options even for beginners to try their hand at. Do remember though, that you must take your skill level into account when choosing your project, and know when to call in the professionals as well! Here are some easy ideas to add your DIY personal touches in the kitchen:

Wall mounted storage options: The secret to a clean looking kitchen slab is to get all your appliances and knick-knacks off that level. The solution is easy – just hang them up! There are a lot of great options available for wall mounted storage solutions, and with a drill kit like the one below, you can easily put them all up yourself.

Tiling a wall portion: The area close to your cooking stove or hob should be designed in such a way that it is easy to wipe off oil stains and other cooking related spots and splashes. Tiles are one of the good options for it, and you can put them up quite easily by yourself for a small area. Measure the space and plan the layout well according to the size of the tiles, and use cement for attaching to the wall and a sealant for the joints for a professional looking finish.

Paint cupboards or cabinets: You no longer have to redo your cabinets to give your kitchen a fresh look. It is easier to just paint them with the shade you like, and they will start looking as good as new. With the effort-saving tools like our RapidRoller now available, you can complete this project quickly and with a minimal amount of splattering or mess.

For more on B&D and our appliances, do check out our website:

http://www.blackanddeckerindia.in

De-clutter your home this season and re-energize the place - Black & Decker, India

Is your home over-flowing with unwanted items and forever looking like a tornado-hit place? Does the thought of de-cluttering send you scooting under cover or feeling lost as you don’t know where to begin?

Do not despair. We have a few easy tips for you to achieve the best results of your cleaning spree and it will also leave your home much cleaner, organized and bursting with positive energy.

For the clothes:

Discard, donate, and re-use: The rule of the thumb is to discard clothes that are lying unused for more than 6 months. Categorize the stuff into three main piles: one that needs to be discarded since they are not in a good condition, one that can be donated away and the third that has stuff which can be re-used for other stuff.

Sort and arrange: Arrange the clothes in the manner you use them; often worn at a place that is handy and easy to reach and seldom-worn ones at the back. Small clothes like socks, handkerchiefs and underwear can be arranged in neat piles in a basket that can be kept under short hanging wear.

Re-examine every few months: do not wait till the closet is brimming over to begin cleaning. Make an audit every few months to see if the clothes are lying in a disorganized pile and if you are buying more than you are using.

In the kitchen:

Check for the expiry for food items: check all the items in the fridge and cabinets for their expiry and also the frequency of their use. Throw away all that have superseded the expiry date. Also view all the items objectively and see if you use them as often. If not, it is best not to clutter your shelves with such products.

Store items effectively and make a list while shopping: It is best to check the shelves before making the monthly grocery shopping, so that you don’t end up buying the stuff you already have. Also, stick to the list while shopping so that unnecessary items do not land up in the kitchen.

For paper, medicines and cosmetics:

Check for expiry: Medicines that have surpassed their expiry date need to be thrown away. Arrange the medicines in a neat transparent box and keep them in a handy location. The same rule applies for cosmetics too.

Paper: it is best to opt for e-bills but if you still get a lot of paper bills, a basket can be maintained near the doorway for easy storage and every time, the basket is full, the old ones can be filled away in a folder.

Check out our range of cleaning appliances to help you keep your home always clean: http://www.blackanddeckerindia.in