President’s Day dates back to 1800, following the death of President George Washington in 1799. His birthday on February 22 became a significant day of remembrance. At the time, Washington was recognized as the most important figure in American history.
While Washington’s Birthday was unofficially observed for most of the 1800s, it was not until the late 1870s that it became a federal holiday. The shift from Washington’s Birthday to Presidents’ Day began in the late 1960s when Congress proposed The Uniform Monday Holiday Act which sought to shift the celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series of predetermined Mondays.
The Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968 and officially took effect in 1971. Washington’s Birthday was then shifted from the fixed date of February 22 to the third Monday of February. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act also included a provision to combine the celebration of Washington’s Birthday with Abraham Lincoln’s, which fell on the estimated date of February 12 as a way of giving equal recognition to two of America’s most famous statesmen.
This President’s Day, Consign Furniture is celebrating by giving you 20% off all dining room furniture and home decor. That’s 20% off all dining sets, tables, chairs, lamps, wall art, mirrors, vases and area rugs! The President’s Day Sale is Feb. 12 -17th. Stop by and see what we have in store for you!
Consign your furniture and household items today! It’s fast, safe and easy and we’ll even pick up your items for you! Go to www.ConsignFurnitureNow.com, click on “Consign” and follow the quick and easy instructions.
KEEPING IT CLEAN UNDER FOOT
Front door mats are your first line of defense against dirt coming uninvited into your home. So this month, shake ’em, wash ’em, and swat ’em with a broom. Give them the toughest cleaning they can take. They’re your front line against tracked-in dirt—so keep them clean enough to function at peak efficiency.
Indoor rugs, carpets and upholstery have had months to absorb a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs so it’s important to give them a deep spring cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear. When shampooing carpets or cleaning upholstery with a rented carpet cleaner, practice first in an unobtrusive area to make sure the treatment won’t discolor fabrics or cause dyes to run. Move furniture just slightly—not out of the room or against the wall, as the old rules dictated—and place the legs of each piece back on top of small wax paper squares after shampooing. The wax paper will protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet as the carpet dries. Open the windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more.
Regular cleaning is important to keep outdoor furniture looking good, but it’s never more necessary than after a long, messy winter. Harsh weather can leave patio or lawn furniture looking dingy, tired and less than inviting. These tips for cleaning outdoor furniture of all types are helpful for keeping that deck furniture looking good all year long.
Getting Started
Start your cleanup by using a brush or dry cloth to wipe away dust, leaves and other loose debris. Wood, metal, plastic or fabric may be sprayed down using a garden hose with a spray attachment to dislodge lingering surface debris.
Plastic
Plastic and resin furniture is inexpensive and comes in a wide variety of styles, making it the most popular choice for deck and lawn furniture. It also happens to be the easiest to maintain. Skip the abrasives (which can scuff the surface) and simply spray with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe down with a sponge or damp cloth to keep plastic furniture looking good.
Metal
Wrought iron and stainless steel patio furniture will easily return to “like new” condition by using a sponge or brush to clean surfaces with a quarter cup of mild dish soap added to a gallon of warm water. The greatest enemy of metal furniture is rust. Although metal patio furniture is often painted or coated with a rust-resistant finish, these will wear away over time. If rust is detected, use steel wool to remove oxidation and consider re-painting the furniture to prevent future problems.
Wicker, Teak and Other Wood
Use a mild oil soap or soapy water and a soft brush or sponge to remove any grit or grime from wicker furniture. It may require a toothbrush to get into the weave and can be time-consuming so to ease this chore, clean regularly to reduce build-up. Hard woods like teak will clean up nicely when you use a weak solution of laundry detergent or a commercial product available specifically for the job. Work in small sections and dry thoroughly when finished.
