Materials That U Regret Using/ Installing

[stardust205 0]

Simple and effective solution. I didn't install hood in my new hse too

Most probably will use your method if there's heavy cooking. =)

I have a open concept kitchen as well with no hood. And yes, we cook everyday.

The smell will travel for sure. What i did was to have a stand alone fan that i switch on to blow the smoke towards the kitchen window. Have a wok cover which i use to coverup during simmer cooking. That more or less reduce solve the issue.

Same! we chose the matte tiles for the same reason.

Hopefully the matte surface don't trap too much dirt!

I dun have the issue of oily flooring as I uses "rough" type tiles in my kitchen, although i do wash it often

[Glymaxx 0]

My mum has one mop, can only be found in Tangs Orchard, if not wrong, not sure if Isetan or OG has it. Its called Roman magic mop. The mop has a pulling system that will dry the mop without using your hand to squeeze. And it is really dry. Its a little ex about $50 for the mop with sponge plus extra piece of sponge, given the mop can use for 2 to 3 years for a sponge. When the sponge is dry out, it is very hard, and after soaking it will turn soft.

The mop is good, ever since my mum has this mop. I always help her to mop the floor. Reason, using the old kind of mop, i couldn't squeeze dry the mop at all, and it become the hardest chore to me. Now mopping is a lot easier for us.

Maybe depends on the brand of mop you purchase also, some are not that efficient.

Hi, I agree to that Roman Magic mop too! I've been using that since I moved in my new place, about 4 years!!! Yes, still using it! Only need to change the sponge

[Glymaxx 0]

I have a open concept kitchen as well with no hood. And yes, we cook everyday.

The smell will travel for sure. What i did was to have a stand alone fan that i switch on to blow the smoke towards the kitchen window. Have a wok cover which i use to coverup during simmer cooking. That more or less reduce solve the issue.

I dun have the issue of oily flooring as I uses "rough" type tiles in my kitchen, although i do wash it often

Hi, I suggest you fix the ventilator fan type then (from KDK). Very effective. it really can suck the cooking smoke out of the window. But one thing is, have to install t the window there, and your stove is near the window, then it's effective. I've seen this from my friend's place. Really good...

[SeahMummy 0]

My mum has one mop, can only be found in Tangs Orchard, if not wrong, not sure if Isetan or OG has it. Its called Roman magic mop. The mop has a pulling system that will dry the mop without using your hand to squeeze. And it is really dry. Its a little ex about $50 for the mop with sponge plus extra piece of sponge, given the mop can use for 2 to 3 years for a sponge. When the sponge is dry out, it is very hard, and after soaking it will turn soft.

The mop is good, ever since my mum has this mop. I always help her to mop the floor. Reason, using the old kind of mop, i couldn't squeeze dry the mop at all, and it become the hardest chore to me. Now mopping is a lot easier for us.

Maybe depends on the brand of mop you purchase also, some are not that efficient.

[SeahMummy 0]

Yes, it was the "Roman" brand Magic Mop, I bought at BHG cost $50/=.

It can't be 90% dry with one squeeze but about 50% dry only, and you can see lots of water mark left....

My mum has one mop, can only be found in Tangs Orchard, if not wrong, not sure if Isetan or OG has it. Its called Roman magic mop. The mop has a pulling system that will dry the mop without using your hand to squeeze. And it is really dry. Its a little ex about $50 for the mop with sponge plus extra piece of sponge, given the mop can use for 2 to 3 years for a sponge. When the sponge is dry out, it is very hard, and after soaking it will turn soft.

The mop is good, ever since my mum has this mop. I always help her to mop the floor. Reason, using the old kind of mop, i couldn't squeeze dry the mop at all, and it become the hardest chore to me. Now mopping is a lot easier for us.

Maybe depends on the brand of mop you purchase also, some are not that efficient.

[MingzhuAng 0]

Yes, it was the "Roman" brand Magic Mop, I bought at BHG cost $50/=.

It can't be 90% dry with one squeeze but about 50% dry only, and you can see lots of water mark left....

for us, we have no issue, as it is dryer then the normal conventional mop after manual squeeze. Yes, there are water mark, but the water mark dries out after few minutes. i guess there are no mop after squeezing the water out, that has no water mark.

Is it really that bad that it is 50% dry only? Perhaps was are still using the 2nd piece of sponge when we bought the mop, and we have 2 such mop. And my grandma has one too. Or perhaps is the make of the mop itself has problem since it is a new one?

[Glymaxx 0]

for us, we have no issue, as it is dryer then the normal conventional mop after manual squeeze. Yes, there are water mark, but the water mark dries out after few minutes. i guess there are no mop after squeezing the water out, that has no water mark.

Is it really that bad that it is 50% dry only? Perhaps was are still using the 2nd piece of sponge when we bought the mop, and we have 2 such mop. And my grandma has one too. Or perhaps is the make of the mop itself has problem since it is a new one?

Yup, I agree with you too. 50% is really doubtful. And I think there is no such mop that wipes and leaves no water mark. For sure after squeeze dry should be damp. Unless the new mop is fautly (possibility of production fault).

@SeahMummy, maybe you can try change the sponge and try again. If it's still as bad, maybe it's the mop-stick fault from the spring that is not functioning properly. This is what I can think of... Also, water mark can be easily seen on different material surface. If smooth homogenous / marble tiles, it's more obvious. For ceramic or with fine texture surface, the water mark will not be so obvious. This is what I notice when I mopped my house...

[SeahMummy 0]

Yup, I agree with you too. 50% is really doubtful. And I think there is no such mop that wipes and leaves no water mark. For sure after squeeze dry should be damp. Unless the new mop is fautly (possibility of production fault).

@SeahMummy, maybe you can try change the sponge and try again. If it's still as bad, maybe it's the mop-stick fault from the spring that is not functioning properly. This is what I can think of... Also, water mark can be easily seen on different material surface. If smooth homogenous / marble tiles, it's more obvious. For ceramic or with fine texture surface, the water mark will not be so obvious. This is what I notice when I mopped my house...

As I had been used the magic mop before, the earlier product was very satisfactory. I remember how they advertised before, after each mop, placed a tissue on the floor, see its dry! Somehow no more,....... I think the sponge nowadays too soft or what, ...

[stardust205 0]

I regretted not re-wiring the resale flat we bought. We done some modification ourselves to the electrical wiring/switches (as my FIL worked as an electrician before).. and run into alot of constraints.

There were many points which we cannot relocate/add.. existing lamp holders in L-box cannot dim.. certain switches cannot be replaced to the new ones we bought.. etc.

Should have just spent the money to re-wire the house in the first place!!

Wasted alot of time and effort, yet things turned out not to my pleasing.. :bangwall:

Edited July 4, 2011 by stardust205

[stardust205 0]

Agree.. We probably will re-wire the whole hse when we change our aircon.. since it's gonna be a big mess to our hse anyway.

Dunnoe how many more yrs our existing 8 yr-old aircon system can last though. haha

rewiring is important part of reno

especially if your resale flat is old house >20yr, better change all wirings and pipings to new ones

[musicbox 0]

haha, regarding IKEA items:

I only buy decoration items from IKEA, I always tell ppl don't buy furniture from IKEA as they are not durable. My brother bot the shoe racks from IKEA, within a month it collapsed. When I bot my first house, I bot many IKEA items as they are cheap and nice, but most are spoilt or replaced not even after a year.

Regarding stainless steel, you'll be surprised many stainless steel do rust. There's once I bot a pot from OG, there was rust on the top after 1 usage, I brought back for refund. The guy told me the rust is becoz in our water, it contain steel element, any stainless steel left with water for long term, will get the rust, which he said is not from the stainless steel but from the water. Although at tat time I don't buy his explanation and insisted on refund, now I do see my other stainless steel item get rusty. But strangely this rusty level is like, get worst for those not so good quality stainless steel. Anyway now I'll just clean the rust away if possible. But the rust on the IKEA item is really too much, I don't believe those products are truly stainless steel, i think they're chrome.

Btw even my Rinai stainless steel hob get rusty. So in a way i start to believe wat the salesman from OG told me.

Edited September 20, 2011 by musicbox

[musicbox 0]

I regret using black colour solid surface.

[zer0sg 0]

Very useful!!!

Thanks Lawry for sharing. Most appreciated.

I used white glossy laminates, so far still white. <img src="http://203.142.16.149/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

As for the insides of the cabinets, try to see if you can get grey or black instead of the common white.

REGRETS

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1. Anything -stainless steel- from IKEA, they either tarnished or rusted! I can provide you with all the photos if needed.

2. Fountain tap, it's a hassle to keep it clean and shiny all the time, too much surface area. But if you're diligent in keeping it clean, that's fine.

3. Sink with an attached dustbin compartment, unless the dustbin area is rubber sealed tight, if not please don't get, water will seep through the gaps.

4. Tell your ID you are getting your own switches and door knobs/lever handles, minus off the cost of those from the quote. If not, they must let you choose, they don't suka suka install some cheap ugly ones for you. For switches, you can buy nice clipsal ones at wholesale prices at Choo Chiang (Veerasamy Road)

5. Open concept walk in wardrobe, this can be a nightmare for maintenance. I didn't do this, but some of my friends did, it was right outside their toilet, moisture attack, dust attack. I had my close door walk in wardrobe outside my toilet also. Some of my things turn mouldy. One tub of hungry hippo once a week is not economical.

6. Window grills, largely redundant, it restricts your view. Unless it's facing corridor, then it's needed for security purposes.

7. Some so-called energy saving ceiling lamps, uses 2 tubes of 36W each. If you have 2 of such lights, it's 144W if you switch both them on at the same time. Even switching on 1 is 72W. Hmm?

8. I'll add on if I can think of more. <img src="http://203.142.16.149/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Lastly, get a proper ID/Contractor with good workmanship, that's one regret you can't afford to have. <img src="http://203.142.16.149/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

[neubie 2]

haha, regarding IKEA items:

I only buy decoration items from IKEA, I always tell ppl don't buy furniture from IKEA as they are not durable. My brother bot the shoe racks from IKEA, within a month it collapsed. When I bot my first house, I bot many IKEA items as they are cheap and nice, but most are spoilt or replaced not even after a year.

Regarding stainless steel, you'll be surprised many stainless steel do rust. There's once I bot a pot from OG, there was rust on the top after 1 usage, I brought back for refund. The guy told me the rust is becoz in our water, it contain steel element, any stainless steel left with water for long term, will get the rust, which he said is not from the stainless steel but from the water. Although at tat time I don't buy his explanation and insisted on refund, now I do see my other stainless steel item get rusty. But strangely this rusty level is like, get worst for those not so good quality stainless steel. Anyway now I'll just clean the rust away if possible. But the rust on the IKEA item is really too much, I don't believe those products are truly stainless steel, i think they're chrome.

Btw even my Rinai stainless steel hob get rusty. So in a way i start to believe wat the salesman from OG told me.

there's different grades of stainless steel. if u see songcho Welmi's bathroom products, they are REALLY rust-free, so good that they provide LIFETIME warranty for all their products. downside is it is expensive, but you do get what u pay for.

[xaleysan 2]

I'm using the super mop from 3m. It's the microfibre type of cloth that you use on the stick. I usually can squeeze it dry and it doesn't leave any water mark. I uses those type of floor cleaner with wax on my glossy homogeneous tile. It leaves the floor looking shiny and feels good on the feet too!.

I use this too, with the green micro fibre cloth. It is good. My only complain is I have to take the cloth out, rinse by hand, and put it back again. I like to rinse the cloth often and this waste a lot of time. So I like to use it for cleaning windows and wall tiles in the kitchen and toilets.

For mopping the floor, I bought the Spinning mop from Robinsons(shown on TV media) for my mum and we like it a lot. Rinsing the mop is a breeze. No more bending down to hand squeeze mops. Mopping now is so much faster.

Stainless steel items

My bathroom corner shelf from Poh Joo also rust. I had expected it, since it was cheap.

But scrubbing with green wool once in a while removes the rust.

IKEA items

Generally, things that I want them to last, I will NOT buy from Ikea.

I only buy things like crockery, boxes, non important stuff like batteries and light bulbs.

Most of the furniture are good to look only.

A note on roller blinds.

I love my roller blinds, have been using roman and roller blinds for the past 15 years. Just do not get from Ikea please. Get those from reputable curtain shops. This is an area which cannot save on, IMO.