Christmas Gifts c/o Formosa Covers

Already feeling the cool breeze of December? That means Christmastime is just around the corner. And if you’re still fretting about what’s the best gift to hand over this Yuletide season for everyone, Formosa Covers will “cover” all your holiday gift needs, because that’s what we do best!

And to specify, we give you some items that we thought would be the perfect gift for each family member! Ready to gift wrappers, ribbon, scissors and adhesives!

For Dad: Vehicle Cover

Car aficionado? Or perhaps, golf enthusiast? Maybe, watersports guru? Whatever the case may be, dad can surely use a reliable vehicle cover to protect and maintain some of his leisure investments, such as sports car, golf cart, bike, ATV or snowmobile. He’ll thank your for it!

For Mom: Patio Umbrella

Because mommy likes to chill out and relax by the patio after a long day of garden sprucing and patio decorating, a brand new patio umbrella will be the perfect gift for her, so that she can easily lounge to a laid back afternoon with matching pitcher of lemonade and a garden music on the side!

For Sassy-Savvy Sister: Mobile Phone Cover

Aww, your ever busy sister, always fumbling her precious smartphone. Thank heavens for these smartphone protective cases, your sister doesn’t have to worry about another dent on her phone! And did we mention how neutral yet stylish and sleek these cases are? This is going to complement your sister’s everyday fashion statement.

For Outdoorsy Brother: Sleeping Bag

Since your brother likes to go out camping, hiking, or the occasional sleep over with friends’ cabin, why not give him the gift of comfort in the form of sleeping bag? This snuggly present the ideal present if you have a sleepyhead sibling in the house as well.

For your pet, Buster: Pet Throw

And because you don’t want your pets to feel left out this Christmas, we’ve got something in-store for your furry house fixture as well. Since winter season is slowly breezing its way through, let your pet feel the warmth by giving him a nice, comfy pet throw.

We told you, we’ve got everything you need to complete your Christmas presents. Now, you can pretty much enjoy the rest of the holidays!

Winter Wonder-ride: Is Your Car Winter-Ready?

Cars in general are there to provide convenience in getting us from point A to point B. However, it seems that it’s not merely the case during winter season. And for some, this convenience can easily turn into sheer disaster, as their cars usually experience the worst case of winter-related car breakdowns.

In most cases, drivers and motorists tend to take car winterization for granted. That’s why bad riding experience happens. To be able for you to maintain not only the performance of your whip, but also to retain its handsome looks for the upcoming winter season, here are some useful “to-dos”:

Tune Up

This includes checking the oil’s viscosity and condition. If the oil’s color has gone from bright amber (red, orange or green for some) to dark brown/black, that’s your indication that you should drain your motor oil. In addition, as part of the tune up, inspect the spark plugs, timing belts, braking system, and tubes. If you see leaks and other damages, it is highly recommended to call a mechanic for immediate repair.

Inspect your Tire’s Condition

One major factor of winter-related accidents is worn or wrong set of tires. Tires have different specifications in terms of use. Using the wrong set of tires during winter may compromise the car’s handling and braking. More so, worn out tires could do much worse, so make sure to install the right tires, especially for this slippery-icy season. Moreover, 4WDs have this specific function to improve traction, handling and overall driving performance during harsh conditions.

Check and Put Ample Amount of Antifreeze to your Radiator

In most cases of engine breakdowns are radiator-related causes. This is either due to overheating or too cold to function. This is where antifreeze comes in handy. Antifreeze or radiator coolant serves as your engine’s thermostat. It keeps the water to stay fluid from your radiator during cold season, while maintaining its “cool” when operating at high temperatures during summer. To ensure efficiency, make sure to mix 50% of antifreeze and the other 50% is clean distilled water.

Battery Charge

Winter season is notorious for killing off battery’s power, so it’s better to check its charge religiously and inspect the terminals for possible corrosion. In relation to this, when starting a car during cold season (especially for diesel-powered vehicles), it is best to let the engine warm up a bit to be able for the battery to recharge. If the installed battery is 3 or 4 years max, replacement is in dire need. And as an assurance, keep a set of jump cable and a charging pack in your back compartment in case you need a quick jumpstart.

Apply Wax/Winter Sealant to your Car’s Body

Cosmetics-wise, your car’s number one enemy is road salt (sodium chloride + magnesium chloride), while the actual snow is just number two. This de-snowing method may be helpful in de-icing roadways, but it is also infamous for degrading your car’s paint and underbody. As a solution, make it a point to wash your vehicle regularly with soapy warm water, then dry. If you happen to own a power washer, this will be useful in flushing off salt residue and buildup underneath the car’s body/chassis. Next is to apply wax and/or winter sealant to maintain its glossy look.

Make some Room for Your Car in the Garage

And during this coming winter, using your garage as an “actual” car garage will be a big help in maintaining the mint condition of your ride. As an added protection, cloak it with your trusty car cover to shield it against dust, excess water, snow and other particles that may degrade your handsome heap’s overall cosmetics.

Got any other “cool” ideas on how to winterize your car? Let’s discuss by leaving a comment below!

Make Your Home Winter-Ready for the Cold Season

In the lane, snow is glistening… And it’s going to be more evident by the time snowflakes start to fall. Depending on your area, cold season is a great dilemma. For one thing, you have to re-organize almost the entire house just to be ready for the temperature drop.

So much for building a snowman, it is a-must that you should winterize your home above all, to uphold convenience even in the midst of the gloomy and oftentimes harsh weather.

Here are some quick, useful and easy steps on winterizing your humble abode this cold season:

Garage and Driveway

Garage is basically the frontliner of your house, so it is understandable and pretty basic to winterize this part of the house first. First thing to do is to check the working condition of the garage door. That includes quick repair for minor dents, holes and seal gaps. Next is to ensure your tools are well-stored, complete with silica gel to prevent rusting. Snow salt is notorious for its power to give the worst case of rusting, so better keep your tools and garage equipment safe. In addition, lube up door hinges and brackets by applying grease or oil on it to.

As for the driveway, keep a trusty shovel or ice blower in handy to blow off snow accumulation. Moreover, if pavements and concrete surface have cracks, make sure to fix it weeks before the start of the season. Lastly, clear off your roof and gutter from leaves and other debris that may and can block off snow and water buildup.

Above all, keep in mind to ready your trusty vehicle cover to protect your ride from the harsh snow-and-salt as well.

Inside the House

Homeowners tend to take this task for granted, but believe us when we say that doing this detailed task will benefit you in terms of saving money for far more extensive after-winter repairs and pest controls. Initially, keep your house a bit warmer by installing additional insulations. Next is to check the walls and ceilings for leaks. Snow can be nasty, especially when it melts away and seeps through small gaps of the house.

And speaking of leaks, might as well check your pipeworks for cracks and leaks. It is during this time that most pipes –especially the metal ones – are prone and vulnerable to breakage and rusting. And while you’re at it, you might want to extend an extra effort of adding extra protection to your pipes by wrapping them up with heating tapes.

Additionally, make sure to close all shafts and windows in the basement and attic to prevent insects and other animals to invade your warm space.

Patio/Backyard

Another vulnerable part of the house, you might say. Although, much simpler to winterize this part of the house. All it takes is to give it a nice, efficient sweeping. Next step is to blanket your cozy furniture and fixtures with heavy-duty furniture covers, including the patio umbrella, barbecue grill and air conditioning system.

Chimney and Fireplace

Finally, this is also the perfect time to gather wood fuel and brush off backyard debris to your fire pit, fireplace and chimney for the cold season. But before sparking a match on it, it is vital to inspect your fireplace and/or chimney for excess creosote deposits and other fire hazards that could impose accidents. It’s quite obvious you will be using this quite a lot for the next coming months, so it is recommended to go through with this preventive maintenance to avoid unwanted winter disasters.

Setting Up a Warm, Cozy Lounge Spot for Your Pet for the Cold Season

Just like us, humans, cats and dogs are also vulnerable to extreme cold, especially during winter season. And it is fair and just that you should give them a nice, warm spot to take refuge as the cool breeze lingers on.

Forget about taking your pets outside. And don’t even think about leaving them out in the cold. To tell you the truth, that’s not “COOL”! (Pun intended)

Better yet, go and set up a sweet spot that’s warm enough to accommodate your furry little friends this frosty season. Here are some easy tips and steps:

Prepare your pet’s indoor sanctuary

First thing to do is to prepare the necessary stuff to use in setting up a temporary shelter for your pet. This includes a pet basket furnished with a pet throw or an old quilt, toys, feeding dishes and drinking bowl. If you happen to have an outside shelter for your pet, you might also want to spruce it up in case your 4-legged companions prefer to stay outdoors for a while after a nice, short cold walk. Install proper insulation if needed. In addition, be mindful that it is still best to let your pets slack off in your humble abode for a few weeks or so – or at least until the ice melts – to keep them warm.

Spot near by the fireplace, in the garage or in the basement

Make sure to set up the “pet lounge” in an area where warmth is adequate to keep them cozy and snug. Moreover, the garage can also be a perfect spot for your dog/cat to spend the entire winter, provided that their lounge should have a safe distance away from any vehicular or tool hazards.

As for using the basement, it is suggested that before pimping your underground space, you must ensure that there’s a pet flap installed onto the door to prevent incidents of pets getting trapped downstairs.

Get them pet sweaters and jackets

Because their own fur, and even when cloaked with their favorite pet cover, is still not enough to block off the intense cold. Besides, it seems that most pet owners nowadays are fond of dressing up their k-9s and feline friends. So, might as well put something functional on them to maintain and regulate their body temperature. Additionally, it is better for your pets to wear booties to protect their paws from snow and salt when taking a walk.

Keep the drapes open during daytime

Get the most out of the daytime by keeping the drapes and window curtains open, especially when there’s enough sunlight to fight off frigid winter gust. For most house pets, it is quite automatic for them to follow the sun’s path by the window, so it is also advised to set up your pet’s lounge anywhere near glassed hole.

Finally, make sure to always keep an eye on your cuddly pets, as they tend to become uneasy, especially if it’s their first time to stay indoors for a stretched amount of time. Check their temperature regularly and yes, an occasional belly rub helps a lot in giving your pets comfort.

Time to Tune-Up Your Snowmobile!

Cold season is here! No wonder quite a number of people have been too busy caving into their own backyard parking and garages getting their winter beast all warmed up and ready for the ice build up… Err, snowmobile, that is.

But hold your tauntauns for a sec! Just before taking of the snowmobile cover and kickstarting the good ol’ winter warrior, you must see to it that everything is all prepped and checked. Remember, your snow vehicle just woke up from a long hibernation so relatively, your “sled” still in the state of “atrophy”. Doing otherwise will only cause you some unexpected engine troubles that eventually lead to an avalanche of expenses.

Is your snowmobile ready to hit the cold?

To save yourself the hassles and embarrassments while giving you a solid snow-riding experience, here are some tips on tuning up your snowmobile for the season!

Rely on your user’s manual

Before checking up on any part of your snowmobile, it is highly advisable to rely on your user’s manual for tune up instructions and steps. This will apply greatly to those rookie riders. This is to avoid unnecessary alterations and tweaking that may cause serious damage to your snowmobile overtime. It is also fine to call a serviceman to facilitate the tune-up in case you’re not yet familiar with the parts of the sled.

All lubed up

Ensure the oil level of the snowmobile if it’s still sitting on the right level. In addition, you may also want to inspect the viscosity and the color of the oil if it is still applicable for use. If the oil filter needs to be replaced, then please do so. Same goes with the oil pump, as these components maintains the integrity of the oil and distributes it to the engine’s most part for lubrication, respectively.

Tank and carb clean

And since you’ve stockpile your sled for nearly a year, it is also a-must to check and replace the gas inside the tank. Gas tends to accumulate varnish and other chemical residue that can and will block of your carburetor’s jets. Speaking of which, this also goes with maintaining your snowmobile’s carburetor. A clean tank and carburetor not only will give you a smooth ride, it will also promote the fuel efficiency of your ride.

Keep it cool

Just because it’s snowing, it doesn’t mean your snowmobile’s engine will be invulnerable to overheating. That’s why it is still advisable to add coolant to engine’s radiator. If it requires water as well, then don’t think twice about pouring some on it.

Chain, chain, chain!

Aside from checking the chain case’s oil level, you must ensure its calibration if it has the right tension, wear as well as the condition of the components that go with it. This also goes well with the track and belts.

Full charge

Battery, that is. As said earlier, your ride has been out for a long season of hibernation. This equates to idled battery, which can be discharged even when not in use. Especially when connected to the vehicle even when not in use. It is best to check the charge level of the battery.

Spark of connection

Spark plugs are essential for delivering electric current to produce electric current to ignite the fuel, which is responsible for producing power to your snowmobile. That’s why practically all mechanics always recommend to change spark plugs every once in a while. As for usage in snowmobiles, it is advisable to change every season of usage.

Brakes and lightings

Last but not the least, and probably the most important thing to inspect are the functions and condition of the brakes and lightings. Like other vehicles, these integral parts and elements should be well-maintained to ensure safety and to further prevent vehicle-related accidents.

Once you’ve checked all of these, you’re now ready to mount and hit the snow!

Snowmobile Trailerable Storage Cover by Formosa Covers

Moreover, visit Formosa Covers’ official website to check out our line of vehicle covers including for snowmobiles!

Patio Umbrella Maintenance This Cold Season

Patio umbrellas are there to keep us refreshed and protected from the sun’s UV rays and scourching heat as you chill by the backyard. On the other hand, rain, snow and cold season is a different story altogether. And since it’s starting to feel a bit chilly, looks like you won’t be needing much of a shade anytime soon.

Protect your patio furniture investments with Formosa Covers

And since your umbrella will be on a season-long hibernation inside its umbrella cover, you may want to clean up as well before closing it and zipping it off until spring comes. So, to help you prep up your umbrella before sending it off to a long vacay, here are some maintenance pointers:

Wipe ‘N Wash

Outdoor umbrellas are obviously vulnerable to practically all kinds of dirt. And this includes dust particles, eroded earth, leaves, tree sap, fruit nectars, bird droppings and insect leavings. This accumulation of nasty stuff may and can leave unwanted damage to your umbrella if left overtime. To avoid this, the first thing you need to do is to wipe off the frame of the umbrella – including the ribs and finial – using a smooth cloth. Never use towel or any rough, abrasive cloth for cleaning, as it may leave noticeable scratches. Regardless if the frame is made of aluminum or wood, make sure to place it on a rubber matting when laying it down on your garage driveway to prevent any unwanted scratches when dusting.

Easy on the soap and chemicals

On a normal basis, cleaning patio umbrellas can be done using water, alone, although in some cases, the need to use soaps, cleansers and other chemical-based cleaning agents is required to effectively wash off hardened dirt patches and stains coming from sap and droppings. These cleansers may do damage to your umbrella such as discoloration, detergent staining and tarnishing. For detachable covers, if you wish to use machine washers (industrial grade laundry-mats), you may do so, provided that you’ll use mild soap. In relation, when using these cleaning agents, make sure to thoroughly rinse the umbrella’s frame, then wipe it dry using a soft cloth. As for the fabric covers, it is advisable to leave it for a while to drying it out completely.

Everyday is not always a sunny day

As said earlier, patio umbrellas are not built to withstand rain and other harsh conditions. Come bad weather or snow/cold season, it is recommended to store the umbrella in upright position for the time being. Also, when safekeeping, make sure that the umbrella is in “DEADLOCK” to prevent it from opening accidentally.

Finally, once your patio umbrella is all prepped up, encase it in a resilient umbrella cover to shield it off from insects, pests and dirt accumulation.

And what better way to do it than to protect your investment using Formosa Covers Patio Umbrella Covers, right? Visit the official site to check out wide range of furniture, car and pet seat covers.

Why The Need to Cover Your Air Conditioning System

There has been a long clash of expertise between seasoned air conditioning maintenance specialists, as to whether or not you should cover our air conditioning system’s outside unit, especially during the cold season. Some say YES because it protects the condenser from elements and dirt particles, while others say NO because it will accumulate moisture from the inside.

So to answer this once and for all, here are some key points to consider and the proper way to cover your air conditioning unit:

Air conditioner covers act as shield against elements and harsh weather

Air conditioner covers are made from the finest heavy-duty water repellent fabric materials like denier polyester to ensure the mint condition of your home cooling system by preventing it from being weather-beaten. So much for accumulated ice that will eventually melt and may “flood” and damage your unit’s inner components, snow water may also cause rust, wire deterioration, freezing of mechanism or worse, short circuit.

In addition, aircon covers deter other dirt elements and substances that may damage its metal casing, and even the inside mechanism once these damaging agents enter through the grills, such as tree branches, leaves, dust, eroded earth, even animal droppings. Quite nasty, right?

Cover it. But don’t leave it entirely there!

It is very important to take note of this. For one thing, your air conditioning unit releases heat accumulated by the compressor and condenser. This becomes an instant VIP access to rodents, insects and other animals lurking around the area to find warmth. What’s more, leaving the cover entirely could cause moisture to be trapped, and cause condensation which may also damage the internal components of the air conditioner.

To avoid such occurrence, just make it a point to take off the cover every once in a while, especially during daytime, and it’s not that snowy. During the summer, you may want to keep your covers for a while, as it won’t be any much of a need during this season. As a stand-in, you may instead put plywood on top of the unit during the day, and dress it by night time.  This will also allow the condenser and the compressor to “breathe”.

YES or NO?

The final verdict? Yes, it is still recommended to use a trusty cover to retain your air conditioning system’s cosmetics and overall working form, provided that owners have to take into consideration the status of the weather and the general condition of your location according to seasons. Moreover, they also need to know the right time and circumstance to strip off the unit from its cover.

Most aircon experts would probably dispute this, as they’ll say it is not really necessary to put a cover to your unit because the components are made from impervious materials. For us, we beg to disagree, because our bottomline is: It is in our best interest to protect and prolong the longevity of your air conditioning system. And these heavy-duty outdoor covers by Formosa guarantees total protection for your home and leisure investments to ensure convenience and carefree living.