Green Cleaning Tip 

Homemade Orange Cleaner

Ingredients:

• Clean glass jar with lid
• Lots of orange peels
• Distilled White Vinegar

Directions:

Cut orange peels into strips with shears or a knife. Place them in the jar and firmly pack. It will take quite a few.

Pour distilled white vinegar into the jar with orange peels. Use enough vinegar to cover the peels.

Tightly put your lid on the jar.

Let your jar sit for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.

In 2 weeks, decant the liquid from the jar and enjoy your concentrated cleaner!

Depending on your level of dirt/grease dilute as needed.

Happy Cleaning!

Photo of the Month

This Bellevue homeowner, checking off her list to put her home on the real estate market, remodeled the kitchen. We installed Ice White granite countertops and backsplash to brighten up and enlarge the space, stainless backsplash at the range for a contemporary and clean look, and new sinks and faucets to finish it off. Her family now loves the new cooking, eating, and entertaining space so much that they have decided to stay.

We build our client's vision with integrity

As the weather warms up, so does the opportunity for crime

Some tips on security at home:

• Remember to always lock your doors and windows. It may be tempting to leave them open in warmer weather, but burglary rates actually increase this time of year.
• If you have a security alarm, set it. (make it a habit) The most frequent feedback our security company's get from homeowners is, "if only I had set the alarm." It just takes a second and could save you thousands.

Seasonal crime information and Summer Security Tips are available from the Seattle Police Department.

We do have a dump truck, but manage our waste and recycle when possible

As a 5 star King County EnviroStars rated business, we are committed to reducing hazardous waste and materials to protect our employees, the homes we work on and the environment as a whole. Not only do we recycle whenever possible, but we have a recycling plan for each work site. 

Chronic exposure to chemicals in our homes and businesses is a significant health risk as well as very costly to businesses and society due to increased costs associated with health care, environmental degradation, insurance and liability.

EnviroStars certification helps businesses, like Irons Brothers Construction to focus on a wide variety of ways to operate more efficiently, with fewer hazardous materials and wastes, and to put systems in place that are environmentally responsible and sustainable. 

What does 5 star EnviroStars certified mean? 

Five star certification demonstrates the business is a proactive leader, spreading an ethic of environmental stewardship and greener practices. It shows that the business practices go beyond others in the industry, even educating other industry leaders and is involved in the community.

By choosing local EnviroStars certified businesses, you reinforce better business practices - which in turn creates healthier, safer communities and motivates more businesses to "work green" to attract new customers like you. 

 

Rampathon 2012  

"It's Going to Improve my Life Amazingly"   

Saturday, May 19th a team of over 20 volunteers from Irons Brothers Construction and the Home Depot Foundation came together to change a family's life and home.

As part of the Master Builder's Care Foundation, one of 15 ramps was built in Shoreline ,WA for the Lunak family. Mother, Jan with multiple sclerosis has been unable to leave her home without assistance from family or friends. Now using her motorized scooter she has regained mobility and can use the new wheel chair ramp to leave the home independently and enjoy the outdoors on her own.

Check out this amazing video from KOMO 4 NEWS showcasing the ramp construction from Saturday.

Since 1993, more than 320 ramps have been built by MBA builder captains for neighbors in need as part of the Rampathon event. This year 15 builders, including Irons Brothers Construction have joined efforts to build free wheelchair ramps for those with a disability and financial need. 

Joseph Irons and his company have been building ramps for the Rampathon program since 2006 and continue to do so as their personal and company mission is to give back to the communities where they live and work.

The recipient, Jan Lunak beams with gratitude for the volunteers and her new ramp, "I am so humbled by all of this, it makes me realize there is goodness, everywhere."

Thank you to the generous donors and volunteers who helped us make this year's ramp possible: The Master Builders Care Foundation, The Home Depot Foundation for its materials grant and volunteers from the Aurora Village and Bitterlake locations, Plywood Supply, Aurora Rents, Irons Brothers Construction, its employees, colleagues, and friends for volunteering, and Tom Redner for photography.

To learn more about the Master Builders Care Foundation and Rampathon click here.

 

Aging in place means living in one's home independently regardless of age or ability. Joseph Irons, is a certified aging in place specialist (CAPS)and is trained to address homeowners remodeling needs as they age in place.

Some of you may assimilate bathroom and ADA modifications as aging in place. However, this encompasses just a small spectrum of the aging in place changes that can be made to improve your home and lifestyle.

Here are some examples of what your home should contain if you plan to age in place:

• A master bedroom and bathroom on the first floor
• A low or no threshold entrance to the home with an overhang
• Lever style door handles
• No changes in floor levels on the main floor
• Bright lighting in all areas, especially stairways
• A low maintenance exterior
• Non-slip flooring at the main entry
• Handrails at all steps

Some techniques that CAPS professionals use in home remodels include:

• Lighting from multiple directions to reduce glare and shadows
• Light sockets with more than one bulb, for redundancy in case one bulb burns out
• Contrasting colors for depth perception, i.e. different color on counter than floor or darker edge of lighter steps
• Convenience shelf at the entryway to place heavy items/bags while using or locating keys
   

Planning for future modifications will save you money

when they need to be put into place. Some examples of these may include: grab bars, comfort height toilets, wider doorways, curbless showers, ramps or low-thresholds, and task lighting. So we suggest you consider incorporating aging in place or universal design principles in your next remodel.

Contact us to schedule a project consultation and learn more about aging in place.

May has been a beautiful month and I have enjoyed watching our exterior projects take shape. If you're planning a project to enjoy this summer, remember so is everyone else - so plan ahead and act fast.

I hope you've enjoyed this month's newsletter. The Rampathon edition is always my favorite as it is so heartfelt. My team and I truly enjoy giving our time and expertise each year to give these home owners mobility again. Please pass along this valuable information to your family, friends, and colleagues.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!