INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Reupholstering a piece of furniture is an extensive and time-intensive process. If you attempt to do so on a piece of furniture that is poor quality, you'll experience two things: increased difficulty with the process, and an increased likelihood that the furniture won't last long (making your time/money investment pointless). Start out on the right foot by selecting furniture that is high quality with an ugly 'skin'.  Look for furniture that is made of solid wood, not veneer or plywood. Solid wood will maintain its value and last a very long time, while veneers and plywood furniture aren't quality enough to last very long. Check the furniture for any squeaks, noises, or imbalances. Move the furniture around a bit - if it wobbles or makes noises when you do, it's not in fantastic shape and probably isn't worth reupholstering. Look at the overall construction to determine if there is any major damage or problem areas. Nails/screws that are sticking out or missing, broken boards/pieces, or sagging areas may be a sign that the furniture will require more work to fix up than you want to put into it. Although you can technically reupholster furniture with any kind of fabric, most fabrics won't be thick and sturdy enough to last for many years. Look for special upholstering fabric, which is thicker and made to stand against wear-and-tear better than other types of fabric. Keep in mind that the type of furniture you use will depend on the placement of the piece; you can get away with using regular fabric on a piece of furniture that won't be frequently used, but you'll definitely need upholstering fabric for pieces that are used often (like a couch).  Because reupholstering is such a time-consuming process, try to select a fabric that is relatively neutral and will stand the test of time in terms of style. That way, it will fit with your interior design preferences for more time than a bold or trendy fabric choice would. If you get a patterned fabric, try to choose one that won't require you to match specific sections of the pattern (like wallpaper) when you cut it into sections. You can still use a cut-specific pattern like this, but it will take much more time trying to lay the pattern out so that each piece is going the same direction as all the other pieces. There aren't any special tools required in reupholstering furniture, but you will need some for the job. Get these in advance to make work easier. You will need:  A flat-head screwdriver (or a butter knife - this will be for prying) Pliers A hammer A staple gun with staples (the length of the necessary staples will depend on how thick the fabric you're using is) Sewing machine with associated supplies. You may not need the following supplies depending on your specific project, but they may come in handy for certain reupholstering projects. Scan through the list and see if any might be applicable for the piece of furniture you're working on:  Cleaning supplies (specifically for old couches) Fabric piping for seams/edges Cotton batting for added padding Buttons (with upholstery needle and thread) Cushion zippers Replacement feet/legs

SUMMARY: Choose a quality piece of furniture. Get plenty of quality upholstering fabric. Get all your tools ready. Prepare extra/optional supplies.

In one sentence, describe what the following article is about: Before you start digging, make a decision about the size and shape you want the garden to be. If it will be three or more rows, make sure you account for extra space to walk between the rows. For only two rows, you can tend the garden from the outside of each row. Stick four stakes into the ground to form the rectangle of the garden plot. You need to use a shovel to slice up under any grass, moss, or weeds that are currently growing where you have planned your garden. Make sure to dig deep enough to get weeds out at their root. You may want to go about four inches deep for this step.  All of this can go to the compost pile for later use, but shouldn't be incorporated back into the soil until it has composted.You may also want a bin ready just for composting this layer outside of other composts you might have. If you have a tiller, you don't have to dig up the existing plants; instead, till in whatever is currently growing. After you till, you should be able to remove the plants, roots and all, from the broken up soil. This is better for the soil because the remaining dead plants and roots will break down and contribute organic matter to your soil. For new plots, you’ll want to turn the soil over about 12-18 inches deep. You may want to dig that deep into the soil with a shovel, and then go over the plot a second time with a tiller to break the soil up.  As you dig through the soil, remove any large stones, along with any roots or debris (eg, bits of metal, plastic etc) you encounter. You may need to make more than one pass to break up very compacted soils. This may be the most time consuming part of the project, especially if you end up finding a lot of rocks or other debris. It’s good to have a garbage can nearby in which you can throw anything you find in the soil.
Summary: Stake off the perimeter of your garden. Dig up the top couple of inches of sod. Turn over the soil using a shovel or motor driven rotary tiller.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Note that this method is intended for pillow covers that are machine washable only. Most covers made out of cotton, linen, or polyester will be machine washable. Check the tag to make sure. If the cover is made out of wool, velvet, silk, or upholstery, it cannot be washed. You should take it to a dry-cleaner.  Anything with intricate beading and trim should be dry-cleaned or spot-cleaned. A washing machine will be too rough on the details. Leather and suede pillow covers cannot be washed. They should be spot-cleaned only. If you do not have one, you can make your own. Choose one of the following ingredient sets below, put everything into a plastic spray bottle, and shake. Spray the mixture onto the stain before continuing.  2 parts 3% hydrogen peroxide and 1 part dishwashing soap.  2 parts water, 1 part hydrogen peroxide, and 1 part washing soda.  2 cups (475 milliliters) warm water, 2/3 cups(160 milliliters) dishwashing soap, 2/3 cups (160 milliliters) ammonia, and 6 tablespoons baking soda. This will help protect the original texture of the fabric. It will also help prevent the colors from fading in the wash. Use cold water and a mild detergent. If the pillow itself is dirty too, you will need to wash it on a separate cycle. Click here to learn how to clean feather and fiberfill pillows, and here to learn how to clean foam pillows. If you don't have any mild detergent on hand, try using less of what you have, or baby shampoo. The longer something sits in the washer, the mustier it will smell. The safest way to dry the covers would be to hang them on a clothesline. If you are in a hurry, however, you can toss them into the dryer on a low or no heat setting. If you put the cover on the pillow too soon, the damp fabric will pick up more stains. It may also begin to smell musty, or cause the pillow itself to smell musty.

SUMMARY:
Remove the fabric cover. Treat heavily stained areas with a stain removal spray. Turn the pillow cover inside out. Wash the cover on a delicate cycle. Remove the cover from the machine as soon as the cycle has ended. Dry the covers with care. Put the cover back on the pillow when it is completely dry.