Indoor air quality can become 10 times dirtier than outdoor air quality. This can happen if you do not ensure proper and hygienic carpet cleaning. Your home therefore will become a source of diseases and allergies.

A dirty carpet is the ideal place for bacteria and germs to multiply. You may never notice it but there is deeply embedded dirt and dust under your carpet. Dirt and dusts are the primary causes of most allergies. You can never get rid of carpet dirt and dust through vacuum cleaning alone.

That is why you will certainly need help from a professional carpet cleaning service. Here are the most essential benefits you can get from professional carpet cleaning.

Carpet Cleaning Can Effectively Prevent Diseases

By getting the services of professional carpet cleaning, you will be able to effectively prevent the spread of common diseases in your home. Remember, only surface dirt and dust are removed by your regular vacuum cleaning.

But a professional carpet cleaning service will use highly specialized cleaning agents and methods in order to remove deeply embedded dirt in your carpet. Because of this, the air quality inside your home will definitely improve.

Your children therefore will be safe from germs and bacteria that cause allergies, respiratory ailments, and other illnesses caused by dirt and dust. Your home therefore will become a pleasant place free from nasty bacteria.

Restoring the Original Beauty of Your Carpet

With the help of professional http://www.pantip.com/cafe/chalermkrung/topic/C8251652/C8251652.html cleaning, your carpet can be restored to its original quality so you can enjoy your carpet for a very long time. You will be able to save money because you will not have to buy new carpet for your home.

Pet stains, child stains, and tough dirt, cannot be removed by ordinary cleaning powder. You can actually damage your carpet if you clean it inappropriately.

Professional carpet usually use specific cleaning materials for tough stains. These carpet cleaning agents are tough on dirt but will be sensitive to the fabric of your carpet.

Carpet cleaning professionals also employ new techniques in drying your carpet. With the professional methods of carpet cleaners, your carpet can be restored to its former beauty. You can certainly enjoy a nice looking carpet without buying new ones.

Definite Know-how on Different Carpet Types

If you do not know anything about carpet materials and the proper cleaning agents for them, then you should never attempt to clean your carpet on your own.

Professional carpet cleaners have the necessary knowledge about different carpet types. That is why they will know what cleaning materials are needed in order to protect your carpet. They will also know the right procedures of carpet cleaning. Because of this, your carpet will be protected from damages.

You need professional carpet cleaning at least once every six months. You might want to schedule frequent carpet cleaning if there are lots of children in the house. If this is the case, professional cleaning should be done every three months.

You must also schedule immediate carpet cleaning if you will move into a new house. This way, you can effectively prevent diseases and avoid serious health complications.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,discount carpet

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/what-benefits-can-you-get-from-professional-carpet-cleaning-services-815465.html

Changing the carpet in your home is not the most fun experience. Sure, it's nice to have new carpet and it does make a house look completely different but the fact is, it is a lot of work for the homeowner. Finding a good carpet installer can be a very difficult process. Picking out the carpet is hard enough - it can be time consuming and stressful. Making sure that you have to correct person to install it is even more important than picking out the carpet itself. Carpet is so expensive so you don't want it ruined. You want to hire someone that will do the seams correctly and measure it good. If you hire someone who isn't qualified because you wanted to save a few dollars could potentially cost you a lot more money in ruined carpet. Please read the following before you hire anyone.

When hiring a carpet installer, make sure that they are certified. Check their contractor's license and make sure that it is current and that no one has reported them. You can do all of this online. It will even tell you the status of their bond and workman's compensation - if they need it. Many people decide to hire an unlicensed person to install their carpet. This is not a good idea. It could cost you a lot of money if you hire the wrong person. You need to protect yourself. If you hire someone that has good insurance then if something happens you are covered. If you hire someone that is not licensed then you have no real protection.

Get someone that is experienced in installing carpet in residential homes. You don't want to hire someone that is mostly installs in apartments or commercial buildings. This is because it is so different to install in homes rather than other types of buildings.

Get their references. Make sure that you call their references. Get as many as possible and get some from a year ago to see if there were any problems from older jobs. Don't take a chance.

Make sure that the estimate is in writing and that it has everything included on it. Don't be surprised later by hidden costs.

Keep communicating with the carpet installer once he is hired.

Know what is going to happen to the old carpet before you sign any contracts. It can be quite expensive to dispose of old carpet.

Your carpet installer should work out well if you abide by these suggestions. Keep communication open with them throughout the whole process. Allow them room to work and stay out of their way. This makes it much easier for the carpet installer. Remember, too, that old carpet can make people sick. Try not to have your family around it when it is being taken out.

Make the carpet installer you hire work for it. Allow them to prove themselves to you. Get recommendations and try them out. The more prepared you are the better off you will be.

Choosing a qualified carpet installer is an important step if you want to avoid problems. In fact, if you get references before choosing a carpet installer you can expect the highest quality of work.

Tag : carpet,carpet installer,carpet cleaning,discount carpet

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Rodriguez

You're ready, willing and able to purchase a brand new carpet today. You decide to go out shopping but are stressed out by all the different types of carpet fibers, colors and weave patterns. Here is an easy way to shop for carpet. You'll save money and get the carpet of your dreams.

In my line of business people always ask me, "what is the best type of carpet to buy?". While in their homes the answer is easy because I know exactly what they are looking for. I know their needs. But for you, the complete stranger, I may need to dig a little deeper. How much traffic will the carpet receive. What is your budget? Will you be eating in the rooms where the carpet will be? Do you wear shoes in the home? All of these questions will ultimately lead you to the perfect carpet for your home.

Walk into any carpet dealer and you will most likely be faced with four types of carpet. Nylon dominates 80% of the residential market followed by olefin and polyester. Wool is very rarely found and only represents about 1% of the residential market. Some characteristics of wool include it being very absorbent. It can hold as much as ten times it weight in water and hold up to 30% of it's weight in water without feeling wet to the hand. Wool is burn resistant. It is by far the most beautiful and posh of the carpet fibers but is very difficult to clean long term without distortion of the fibers. Red dyes in particular are very difficult to clean from wool carpet.

Olefin is found more in commercial spaces. It's very economical. Some challenges that you may face with olefin include a very low heat threshold. Simply dragging something heavy over the carpet may produce enough heat to permanently burn the olefin and leave a drag mark. Olefin doesn't dissolve in bleach although the color might. It's strong but do not expect long lasting beauty from it.

Polyester is manufactured to look like nylon and is quickly grabbing more and more market value in carpet retail. If you are looking for a beautiful carpet and do not mind a short carpet life, polyester may be the way to go.

Nylon is by far the most popular and in my personal opinion best carpet available. It's colorfast and has excellent memory. As long as it's vacuumed properly, it will automatically spring back to it's original shape once being stepped on. It doesn't mat very easily. 4th and 5th generation nylon include carpet protection to help shield spills and dirt. Make sure your carpet salesman gives you nylon and not olefin. For the untrained eyes it may be challenging the tell the difference. The way to be sure you are getting what you paid for simply take a small strand of carpet filaments and put them into a glass of water. If they sink you have nylon. If they float you have olefin.

So if you are a landlord buying carpet for a tenant or the home owner, but nylon. If you are a tenant only living in an area for a short period of time, buy polyester. If you never walk on your carpets, never eat or drink in the carpeted room, and can afford it buy wool. If the carpet is for a high traffic commercial area definitely buy olefin. Regardless what you decide to own be sure to vacuum as much as possible and have a professional carpet cleaner steam clean the carpets every six to twelve months. This will maximize the life of your new carpet and really compliment the beauty of the carpeted room.


There are a number of carpet cleaning companies, and all of them claim to be the best. In this article I will attempt to help identify the true professionals from the pretenders. Why might you ask should it matter? Aren’t they all the same? Nothing could be further from the truth. If you don’t do a small amount of homework you may have a technician show up at your house in hatchback with a Rugs Doctor and wearing a FBI (female body inspector) hat.

First, you should consider the method you will use to find a reputable cleaner. The best way to find a good cleaner is to ask family and friends. Good cleaners will take care of their customers because they know referrals can make or break their business. If you are new to an area and don’t have many friends or you have been ostracized, you can always call the local Chamber of Commerce or the Better Business Bureau. However, you have to realize these are organizations that have paid memberships. So, they are going to recommend members first, regardless of whether they think they are the best or not. Lastly, you can go to the yellow pages of the local phone directory. Scan the ads for companies that list the services offered and what makes them different from all the others. Stay away from companies that have a picture of their nice vans or their family. Usually, these companies have nothing that sets them apart from the competition.

After you have a couple of good referrals or five or six companies from other sources, you should start calling. You should be aware that many bigger companies have customer service reps that will answer your call live; however, many carpet cleaners are owner operators that have to do everything themselves. It may take them a couple of hours to get back to you. If you call a company and they answer “hello”, it may be a sign that they are not very professional. A cleaning company should answer with they name of the business and give you their name.

Now that you have a live person on the phone I will give you some questions to ask to narrow your search. Ask if the technician will be using a self-contained truck mount. If they say no they will be using a portable, move on to the next company. Almost all portables will not produce the heat or vacuum to properly clean your carpet. Next, ask if they price by the square foot or by the room. Square foot pricing is preferable, that way you only pay for the area cleaned. Room or area pricing is very popular, but you are charged for the entire room, even if you have furniture that can’t be moved. Also, there is usually a maximum size of a room to be considered an area. So, if your living room is 300 sq. ft. and the max is 250 sq. ft., you will be charged for two rooms. Also, a hall may be considered an area, even if it is 50 sq. ft. Next, ask if the owner will be performing the work. Owners generally take much more pride in their work. Having the owner there is a definite plus. Ask if they are a low-moisture cleaner. Low-moisture cleaners use significantly less water than traditional steam cleaning. They specialize in cleaning to the base of the fiber without getting the pad or subfloor wet. As a side note, steam cleaning is a misnomer. Most cleaning methods are hot water extraction, but steam cleaning gets its name from the steam coming off the floor as the super hot water is applied. They do not actually use steam. We recommend low-moisture cleaning because typical steam cleaning uses high pressure water to blow dirt off the fiber and try to suck it back out. The problem is that it blows the dirt into the backing were it is next to impossible to get it back out. Also, you want to ask if the price quoted includes items such as vacuuming, pre-spraying, and furniture moving. Most reputable companies can answer these questions with little trouble. If you get someone one the phone that hesitates or fumbles their words, then that could be a warning.

So again, seek referrals from trusted friends or neighbors to find a good cleaner in your area. If that fails, test the waters of the Chamber, BBB, or yellow pages. Most likely, not all cleaners will meet all the requirements mentioned above; however, you can create a score card and go with the cleaner that scores the highest, good luck.

Tag : carpet,carpet tiles,carpet cleaning,discount carpet

If you have dogs, you know how that unpleasant odor can stick to carpets. It´s not that you don´t love your dogs, you can love them and not the smell! Wet dog odors are particularly stubborn and tend to get right into carpet fibers. Then they release that nasty smell all the time and turn your home into a “dog” house.

Fortunately, you don´t have to live with that smell in your carpets. Carpet tends to pick up nasty odors far easier than any hard floor surface in your home, and it also stores them easier. With a hard surface, you can simply use a detergent that also eliminates odors, but with carpet, you´ll need to put in a bit more elbow grease.

Odor Prevention

The first thing to keep in mind is that prevention is far easier than fixing the problem after the fact. There are several ways to prevent dog odor from seeping into your carpets in the first place.

• Keep dogs away from carpeted rooms. Not always practical, but very effective.

• Vacuum regularly. This keeps odors from really settling.

• Deal with any mess (urine, feces or vomit) immediately and spot clean the area with a deodorizing detergent.

• Dry your dog completely with a towel after coming in from a bath or rain.

• Use a special fiber sealant on the carpet to help protect it from absorbing odors.

However, the absolute best way to avoid pet odors is to keep your dog odor free. Bathe your dog frequently and keep him nice and clean. This will definitely help, but to really deal with the problem, you´ll want to make sure that you actually remove the odors from your dog. There are shampoos formulated especially for pets that will help prevent bacterial growth that causes those unpleasant smells.

Removing Odors

Once you have the dog odor in your carpet, even some heavy duty vacuuming won´t help matters. You´ll need something a bit stronger to get the odors that are actually deep in the carpet fibers. These are the smells that are more difficult to remove.

For short pile carpets, baking soda might be the easiest solution. Simply sprinkle a heavy layer of baking soda over the entire carpet and let it sit for two or three hours. Overnight is even better. You can then vacuum it up. The baking soda will have absorbed the smells embedded in the carpet and by vacuuming it up, you get rid of them. However, some odors are so strong that they require more than one application.

If you aren´t up to waiting and sprinkling baking powder, it might be better to just rent a steam cleaner. This will suck the bad smells and dirt right out of the carpet. It´s also a good option for longer carpets where dirt and hair and dandruff tend to get trapped. The steam cleaner will get rid of just about everything and you´ll be amazed at how clean your floor is afterwards. While you have it, run the steam cleaner over your sofa, as well and get any lingering odors out of the upholstery, too.

Owning dogs doesn´t mean you have to put up with a house that stinks. Keeping your dogs clean and ensuring that any messes are immediately cleaned with a deodorizing cleaner will help keep those odors at bay. And, for the times when things do pile up, a steam cleaner or baking soda will get your house smelling fresh and clean again, without using any nasty chemicals on your carpets.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,outdoor carpet,carpet tiles

We've all had it happen — a mysterious spot that shows up in the middle of the carpet, yet no one knows how it got there. Or perhaps a child drops a marker, or an adult spills a glass of red wine on the carpet. Spots happen, and will remain a part of your carpet forever unless you know how some tips to help you remove the spot.

The Life Cycle of the Spot:

There are actually three different stages a substance takes to become a stain. If you spill your soda on the carpet and ignore it, you'll see that it is first a spill, then a spot, and finally it will morph into a stain that is permanent.

The first step is the initial spill. The substance is still fresh on the carpet and hasn't had time to soak in and attach to the pile. Reacting quickly to a spill is the best solution to avoid a terrible stain. You'll want to blot the spill with a white towel, and be careful not to rub.

The second step is when the spill dries up and becomes a spot. Usually the substance has attached to the carpet pile and is very difficult to remove. You may have to call in a professional service to get the spot out for good. If you have an idea of what the spot is comprised of, you may be able to use a store product or home remedy to get it out.

Last, we have the stain. Stains are not good and tend to be permanent. However, if you have an expensive carpet you can rely on a professional dye specialist. They bleach out the stain then re-dye your carpet to the original color.

So how do you avoid this step at all costs?

Follow the tips below to learn how to save your carpet from the dreaded stain.

1) React quickly:

Your first instinct may be to wait until the party ends or until the kids go to bed to tackle that spill. At all costs, resist! Despite what the salesman told you when you bought the carpet, no carpet is stain-free. Acting quickly is the most important key to keeping the spill from becoming a permanent stain.

- It takes time for a spill to become a stain because the coloration must attach itself to the carpet pile. Most carpet these days is treated chemically to help resist stains, so some substances will take longer than others to set in and become permanent.

- Once the substance settles and soaks in, it may attach itself to the carpet backing. This is bad, since the stain on the backing spreads over a larger area. When moisture in the carpet evaporates, the stain is pulled from the backing back up into the pile, making a once-removed stain reappear!

2) Do not rub at the stain:

As tempting as it may be to scrub stains away, don't. Scrubbing a stain brings about more problems and may make it so that the stain is impossible to get out of the carpet. Rubbing distorts the pile in your carpet and can set stains even deeper into the rug.

- Blot with dry cloth towels or paper towels until the area is dry.

- If you must rub the stain, use a brush and rub ten times in one direction, then rub ten times in an opposite direction to keep the pile from becoming distorted.

- Work from the outside of the stain and move inward. Apply the stain removal solution or water to a white towel and blot. Don't put a solution or water straight onto the carpet because if you get the backing too wet, the backing sections may separate.

3) Do you know what substance is on your carpet?

Knowing what is spilled or spotting your carpet can help you remove it. Different spot compositions react in different ways to a variety of stain removal products or solutions.

The basic spot groups are: protein, oil and dye based.

Protein-based stains are ones like coffee, blood and milk.

Oil-based stains include furniture polish, candle wax and lipstick.

Dye-based stains come from substances such as Gatorade, soft drinks and pen or marker.

- The Carpet and Rug Institute has a spot removal computer to help ease your carpet stain woes. Simply select the stain type and you'll be brought to a detailed section that tells you how to remove the stain, step by step.

- If you call in a professional, let him know what created the spot. They can bring the appropriate cleaning solutions to help clean up your carpet as good as new.

4) How do you remove a spill, stain or spot?

Knowing how to remove the spill or spot is very important. Below are general steps to follow to help you get your carpet clean after a spill disaster.

- Scrape up semi-solids with a spoon.

- If it's a solid spill, break up and vacuum.

- As you read above, never rub the spill. Always blot with a white towel or paper towel.

- If you know what is on the carpet, use the appropriate solvent to remove it.

- Always pretest the carpet solvent or solution in an inconspicuous area, such as under the sofa or a chair.

- Use the solvent until the paper towel or linen towel comes away from the carpet clean and free of the spill.

- After the area is clean, rinse well. Have you ever wiped up a spot and found that it returned the next day? Chances are you didn't rinse the solvent completely from the carpet. Some solvents will absorb dirt, resulting in a new spot in the exact same place as the old one.

- To help absorb the rinse water when finished, put a towel or thick wad of white paper towels over the wet area and weigh it down with something heavy. Change the towel and paper towel as they become wet. Do this until the carpet is dry.

5) Know when to call in a professional.

There are times when you just need to call a professional in to get your carpet back into shape. Some stains, such as blood, ink, rust and nail polish may need professional attention if you weren't able to work on them promptly. Also, an occasional deep cleaning will help rejuvenate your carpet and add years to its life.

- Call a professional for a deep cleaning service if your carpet is looking soiled and dingy all over.

- Call a professional if you've tried to remove a spill or spot and have been unsuccessful. Remember to mention what substance made the spot in the first place.

- Have your carpet protection (i.e. Scotchguard) re-applied every 2-3 years to prolong the life of your carpet.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,outdoor carpet,carpet tiles

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/five-surefire-ways-to-remove-stains-from-your-carpet-601687.html

Carpet is the most practical, fashionable and versatile flooring choice and it accounts for more than half of all flooring purchases made each year. In fact, carpet has outsold every other type of floor covering for many years.

It is the foundation for decorating any room and because it is available in so many textures and colours it creates an unlimited number of possibilities. Carpet introduces colour and texture to your decorating scheme, while generating the feelings of warmth, comfort and Beauty to your home.

One of the most popular types of carpet available for your home today is Berber carpet. Berber carpet is not a specific type of carpet; it is a weave of carpet consisting of dense small loops. It is durable carpeting, constructed of rugged looped pile running in parallel lines. The loop lengths are short so footprints don't show and compressed traffic patterns and wear aren't a problem. One of the biggest reasons that many people choose a Berber carpet is for its ease of care.

One of the best ways to clean your Berber carpet is to develop some habits to keep it clean. The reason for this is that with certain types of Berber carpet they can be very difficult to clean once stains start to appear.

Taking your shoes off at the door is one of the best ways to prevent dirt damage to your carpets. Dirty feet are a major enemy of Berber carpeting because thy can be more susceptible to showing traffic patterns because of the low pile. Shoes are in contact with all kinds of dirt and grime, like oil, mud, and bubble gum, and not tracking that in will keep your carpet clean.

Because of the design of Berber carpet with the tight looped pile, it is easier to keep the carpet clean by vacuuming frequently. Removing the dust and dirt before it embeds itself deep in the carpet make the job of keeping it clean much easier. Make sure that when you use a beater bar that you don't go over any snags in the carpet. They could catch on the beater bar and cause permanent damage to your Berber carpet. Pets with long nails and children with sharp objects, toys or other playthings can easily cause pulls. If you find a snag, do not continue to tug on it. Call a professional and have it repaired.

Berber carpet comes in different fibers and each one requires a different method of cleaning. The most popular Berber today that has all the cleaning problems is made of Olefin. The best way to clean this type of Berber carpet is to use hot water extraction. The biggest complaint is that it turns grayish, yellowish or brownish after cleaning. If you drag a heavy piece of furniture across it, the Berber will have scorch marks left on it, which are impossible to remove. Any oil based stains bond to olefin and become permanent. The only way to make olefin Berber carpets restore to a clean condition is to use cleaning solution with a high PH. This usually means the carpet will get dirty faster.

Nylon Berber carpet is a good choice for those looking for the elegance of Berber carpeting without the expense of wool Berber carpet. It holds up to stains and traffic better than olefin fibers. The first reason is that it resists stains, mold, and mildew. By cleaning a stain to as soon as possible when it happens, it will most likely come out with very little work. It is also crush resistant, which is great for high traffic areas. The best method of cleaning the nylon Berber is a low moisture cleaning method. This will generate better results and the carpets are dry very quickly.

If your budget can handle the cost of wool Berber, you will be thrilled with the performance. Wool as naturally occurring stain resistant and wear resistant qualities that are not found in synthetic carpets. You need to use very low moisture methods of cleaning with wool Berber carpets but they clean extremely well.

With the many choices of Berber on the market today and with a proper cleaning and maintenance program, you will enjoy the benefit of Berber carpets for many years.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,berber carpet,outdoor carpet,carpet shampooer

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/berber-carpet-cleaning-tips-for-the-proper-care-of-berber-carpet-617030.html

Who can deny the elegance and beauty of carpet when you first get it laid? Not only is it beautiful but it is also the most cost effective and versatile flooring choice you can make for your home. Carpet is an effective insulator; it is fantastic for keeping you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. Additionally, it reduces the noise level in your home, but it is also soft underfoot and offers a comfortable walking surface.

No wonder the beauty and luster of your carpet fades so quickly in some homes with the amount of foot traffic from both kids and pets. It is important to be able to clean the carpet yourself; it will save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs by maintaining the carpet on a regular basis.

The problem is if you try to find any information about do it yourself carpet cleaning the only information you manage to find is some professional company telling you that you should hire them to clean it or you risk ruining your carpet. Let's face it though, who can afford to hire a carpet cleaner for every little spill or stain?

Cleaning a carpet yourself is a lot easier than you might think. If you take some care and use a little common sense, you can get great results and it makes more sense than leaving the marks on your carpet too long and taking a chance that the damage is permanent. Follow a few tips to maintain your carpets and cleaning the carpet yourself gets much easier.

Food spills can be a little tricky. Make sure you don't leave any spills for later, it's imperative that you clean those spills immediately as it will prevent stains. When removing spots or spills do not use any harsh cleansers that might permanently damage the carpet.

When traffic patterns start to form on your carpet they can be extremely difficult to clean because the carpet itself is wearing out. You are able to clean the dirt but not the wear. To avoid this problem, try to rotate your furniture so that people will change where they are walking on your carpet.

Your best defense for pet damage is to vacuum your carpets often and make sure you clean any

"accidents" immediately. When you clean these areas, make sure you use a deodorizer specifically designed for pet stains so that the animal will not repeat the accident on the same spot.

The fading of your carpet by the sun is a problem that no carpet cleaner can tackle because the sun literally bleaches your carpet. To avoid this problem make sure you close your blinds in areas of your home not in use and avoid long hours of direct sunlight.

Every doorway seems to have worn out carpet in the opening, or dirt that has been tracked in from outside. Lay mats in the doorways or other strategic areas to prevent wear and dirt. To circumvent crushing from your furniture you can place glides under the furniture and move your furniture around occasionally.

One of the best techniques you can use to maintain the beauty of your carpet is to vacuum as often as possible. Vacuum areas carefully and slow enough to get out as much dirt as possible. The more dirt removed by vacuuming means you will preserve your carpets and the appearance will be much cleaner.

Its okay to steam clean your own carpets but beware of over wetting the carpets as it can cause the carpet to develop mold and mildew. Make sure that when you put your furniture back, if the carpet is not completely dry make sure you put something under the legs to prevent marking the carpets.

It's important that you hire a professional carpet cleaner periodically as well to deep clean your carpets. Try to use a carpet cleaner who uses encapsulation technology. Encapsulation technology is a system that removes the dirt from the carpet and transforms any residue into a crystal. You vacuum this crystal out for a more thorough clean. Using this method of carpet cleaning will prevent your carpet from getting dirty faster and in most cases will leave your carpet cleaner.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,discount carpet,red carpet

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/diy-carpet-cleaning-tips-to-maintain-the-beauty-of-your-carpet-625158.html

Cleaning a wool carpet takes care and attention, in fact just as much care and attention as you would use when washing your real wool garments. Wool is without a doubt the best type of carpet to have in any home, providing many advantages over synthetic alternatives.

Such carpets are not only the most expensive of any kind of carpet you could buy, but as with anything, you also get what you pay for. They have an outstanding natural ability to resist wear and tear, and the ability to resist most stains far better than any synthetic material.

Wool is a luxurious fiber because it is natural, but also because it is soft. However, as with the vast majority of natural fibers, wool has its own particular weaknesses when it comes to cleaning materials, and you have to be careful what you use if you want to maintain your wool carpet properly.

Cleaning a wool carpet is quite different to that of carpets fashioned from synthetic fibers such as nylon, and if you have built up a collection of cleaning solutions for synthetic fiber carpets, you would do well to discard them immediately. Most carpet cleaners will be either too acidic or too alkaline to use on wool. Any cleaning solution for a wool carpet should have a pH value as close to neutral as possible, otherwise it could well cause the wool fabric to break down and dissolve, or at the very least lose its natural softness and become severely discoloured.

The best method of helping to keep a wool carpet clean is to regularly vacuum it, since the wool will resist most stains and dirt for a short while. Whereas with most carpets perhaps weekly vacuuming is perfectly acceptable, wool carpets need to be vacuumed a minimum of three times a week, although it is preferable to vacuum daily in order to make sure that your carpet remains in the best condition.

Should your carpet suffer a spill or spot then it is important to act as quickly as possible. Use an absorbent cloth and dilute the spill using water. Wool is absorbent and so it is important not to use too much water. For best results use a solution which is three parts water to one part vinegar. This slightly acidic solution will not harm your carpet, but it will help to dilute the stain and at the same time will help to keep the wool soft.

Never scrub a stain on a wool carpet as this will almost certainly break down the fibres, which will result in your carpet becoming fuzzy. Never become too eager to use too much liquid as over-wetting a wool carpet can result in discoloration, causing a yellow or brown tinge to appear.

Always lift spots and stains immediately using a ph neutral cleaning solution or a vinegar and water mixture. Vacuum your wool carpet at least every day or every other day and it is important to make sure that once a year, or at least every 18 months, you use a professional carpet cleaner who is able to use methods, which are safe for cleaning wool carpets.

This should involve any of the several wool safe dry cleaning methods. By using a professional dry cleaner, you will help to ensure the longevity of your carpet, and guard against any possible damage to the fibres and unnecessary wetting, which could also cause discoloration.

Wool carpets are the first choice for many homes, at least for those who can afford the expense. Naturally resistant to fire, they are not only extremely comfortable and attractive but also add a significant level of safety. Able to absorb a tremendous amount of moisture they can help to keep the humidity in your home down to a minimum. Wool will almost certainly outlive any synthetic carpet material, and if cared for properly will continue to look and feel in an excellent condition for many, many years.

However, in order to achieve this longevity it is important to follow the above advice for cleaning and caring for your wool carpet. Remember, never use traditional carpet cleaning detergents, never over-wet your carpet, and never scrub it. With regular vacuum cleaning, and annual dry-cleaning, your wool carpet should prove to be the best value for money.

Cleaning wool carpets is neither simple nor as quick as for most other types of carpet, but if done properly your wool carpet will reward the care and attention you give it with many years of faithful and hardwearing service. They are both beautiful and functional.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,wool carpet,empire carpet

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/cleaning-wool-carpets-tips-to-maintain-your-wool-carpets-634952.html

A carpet underlay is the layer under your carpet that both insulates and protects your carpet. It is a support layer that also adds an extra layer of cushion underfoot. It insulates for heat, moisture, and sound, it will also take most of the impact from the carpet allowing your carpet to last longer.

The main materials that can be used for an underlay are rubber, foam and other synthetic material.

Waffle rubber is a common type used, which comes in many different weights and thicknesses. It is best to use the heaviest you can get but thicker is not always better. It can get in the way when you are laying it and it can actually increase how fast your carpet wears. One of the best kinds of underlay you can use is flat rubber. This tends to be the most expensive but is well worth the price since it will last as long as your carpet will. When your carpet needs replacing, this type of underlay may not!

There is another type of carpet underlay that is made entirely out of recycled furniture. It is growing in popularity all over the world which is known bonded polyurethane chips underlay. There is prime polyurethane and then there are bonded polyurethane chips.

There are other types of foam underlay for example:

* Nimbus underlay

* Cirrus underlay

Cumulus underlay

* Silver Lining underlay

* Contract underlay

* Super Contract underlay

Nimbus is an underlay that is easy to handle while the Cirrus underlay is good for reducing sound and keeping heat. Cumulus is good for that extra bit of comfort and cushion that feels so good on your feet. Silver lining is the best for floor that is going to be traversed allot. Contract and Super contract underlay is for those heavy domestic and contract flooring.

When carpet underlay insulates from heat, it does not only keep the heat in but keeps the cold out. During those cold winter nights, a good quality carpet underlay will keep your heating bills down to a minimum. No more cold nights curled up under your blankets, shivering.

Using a good carpet underlay can help to sound proof your home as well.Have rude neighbors that play their music all night? Well say goodbye to them as this will help to keep out all that noise as well as keep IN a lot of the noise you will make. That way you will not be the noisy neighbor!

When you are putting down carpet the right kind of underlay is essential, as this will help your carpet last longer and stay in good shape. If none of the underlay's that are in this article seem right for you then go to your nearest carpet store or log on the internet at home and look into it in more detail. All sorts of different sites will pop up as well as sites that will help you understand the correct way of installing.

Tag : carpet,carpet installing,underlay,carpet cleaners

Carpet tiles are a form of carpeting that has been around for more than fifty years. These tiles of carpeting offer a myriad of advantages of traditional carpeting, and they make it easier than ever to design a floor scheme. Carpet tiles are also referred to as soft modular flooring, or carpeting in a box. They are ideal for creating simple to install and stylish flooring schemes. It is easy to transport, and can be installed over laminate, concrete and vinyl without requiring underlay. If a tile is damaged or cannot be cleaned, it can be easily replaced rather than requiring you to replace the entire floor, and installations can be done temporarily or in small areas as well.

Carpet types are cost effective because underlay and adhesives are not required, and less waste is produced. You can also save a great deal of time and money especially with awkward shaped rooms, because carpet tiles are so simple and straight forward to install. They are certainly much more cost effective than any other carpeting options available to you.

These tiles are ideal for situations where you want to design your own floor, children's bedrooms, situations where flooring needs to be replaced quickly, areas where wear is hard, and in apartments and flats where using broadloom carpet is not always a possibility. They come in simple to transport boxes that make this the ideal form of carpeting for areas that are difficult to get to with regular carpeting.

There are a variety of different ranges available around the world, each offering a unique level of quality and price.

Budget 500 - These are medium contract tiles that offer a low price but their level of quality reflects this. These carpet tiles come in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Montana - These are medium contract tiles that offer a slightly higher price, and a slightly higher level of quality to match. These carpet tiles come in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Chalfont - The Chalfont range offers heavy contract carpeting with a decent price and a high quality product that can handle heavy use and traffic.

Tosca - The Tosca range is a well known range offering heavy contract carpeting with occasional castor use. This wide range can handle relatively high traffic and offers a high quality product.

Resort - This range of tiles has a good price for the level of quality that you can rely on. These heavy contract carpet tiles are excellent for high traffic and frequent use of castors from computer chairs and other rolling furniture.

Viva - Viva is a range that is excellent for high traffic and use such as in children's rooms or hallways. Viva offers high quality heavy contract carpeting for occasional castor use.

Maestro - These come with a price, but is well worth the investment for such a high quality product. These carpet tiles come in a wide range of colours and patterns.

Fresko - These are higher quality and higher priced carpet tiles that can handle frequent castor use and a lot of traffic. The Fresko range is well known for coming in a myriad of colours and styles and providing a high quality product that will last for years.

Tag : carpet,carpet tiles,carpet cleaning,carpet tools

Becoming an expert in furniture rearrangement because you have an ink carpet stain is not the way to go. Ink removal from carpet can be difficult at times but it is worth it to get your carpet looking fresh and new again.

These next few steps will show you how to remove ink from carpet without having to go extremes to do it. One of the first things that you should do is clean up an ink stain the moment that it happens. Leaving the ink to dry in will mean a big headache at a later time.

Always attack the stain immediately and head on.

Remove ink from carpet by starting on a small and hard to spot piece so that you can test any solution before applying it to a large area. If the solution causes damage, it is best that it happen on a spot that is unseen that a large area in the open.

Daub the area of the ink stain with a piece of paper towel or clean cloth and rags. This will allow them to suck up any left over ink. You can also begin to remove the ink from your carpet by using a spoon that is round to scrape away any excess.

In this next step, you will want to use a solution that is not harsh. This will cause the least amount of damage to your carpets when trying to remove ink from carpet. Get a small glass of milk and apply it to the ink stain. Use a small toothbrush or a tiny regular cleaning brush and begin scrubbing the area. When the carpet looks like it is getting clean, repeat each process until all of the ink has been removed. Once you are sure that the milk and brush solution is not removing the ink stain, move on and try the next steps.

The next tip that you can use is a solution of a ½ cup of water that is lukewarm and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl). Stir the solution and make sure that it is completely mixed before you proceed. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and daub the ink stain. Never let the mixtures soak completely into the carpet fibers as it causes damage to the back of it.

Get a wet towel or cloth and use it to remove any left over rubbing alcohol. Keep repeating the process to remove the ink completely. Another tip that you can try if the previous one did not work is a mild soap solution of dish washing liquid. Apply the liquid and then rub it in until it goes deep through the fibers. A toothbrush and a small regular brush are ideal to rub it in. Use a wet piece of towel to pick up the excess dishwashing liquid. Soak the areas with a clean clothe and then repeat the steps to finish up.

One final step that can be used to remove all of the ink involved a mixture of hydrogen peroxide. A solution of 3 percent can be used to get rid of stains on your carpets. After you apply the peroxide, leave it to soak for 1 ½ hours at least. After the wait, get a paper towel or clothe that is wet and use it to daub the ink stain. You can keep repeating the steps until the ink has finally been removed.

Once you have tried each step and you can still see the ink stain very easily, you may want to consult a professional to get your carpets cleaned by an expert.

Tag : carpet,carpet cleaning,discount carpet,carpet tiles,carpet installer

The red wine spill is something that most homeowners fear the most. There you are enjoying a nice glass of delicious red wine when it falls out of your hand or sloshes over the side of your glass and onto your carpet or light colored sofa. Before you start to panic, you should know that a red wine stain does not mean the end of your furniture or carpets. There a few easy steps that can be taken to get that carpet looking new again. It is more than possible to clean red wine from carpet.

Your carpets should be cleaned by a professional at least once a year. A homeowner should also take a few steps to clean up any spots that appear on a weekly basis. Before you buy a commercial cleaner you should always try the less toxic do it yourself solutions that you can make at home.

As with any spill a red wine carpet stain should be work on the minute that it hits your carpet. If you wait a long time before attempting to clean the spots, they will be almost impossible to remove at a later time.

Using a wet cloth, you will need to pat the area so that the wine can be absorbed in the cloth. Never rub at a stain. This will only help to push the stain deeper into the fibers or cause it to get bigger with each movement. You want to pat the stain until no more of it can be lifted by the cloth.

If you have a spill you can erase the red wine from carpet by chasing the spill with white wine. Simply fill a glass of white wine and empty it directly onto the stain. A glass of white wine will make the red wine to disappear from your carpets completely.

When white wine is no available, you can make a solution of water and dish soap and place it in a spray bottle. Spray a small amount onto the red wine stain but make sure that you do not soak the area of the spill. You just want to release enough of the soapy mixture to get the stain removed. Using a new clean towel, gently daub at the spill until you have completely deleted the stain.

Another great solution that you can make at home is a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide. Apply this new mix to the stains carpet. Use only a small mixture of this solution because it will begin to lose its power to clean very quickly.

You will need to make another batch if you should have a stain at a later time. You can find a lot of red wine stain removing instructions online but you will want to be careful when using them. Many of these tips have no proof that they actually work and you could end up destroying the very carpet or sofa that you were trying to save.

Before vacuuming the rug, make sure that the carpet is completely dry. If a stain is still in the carpet, running the vacuum over the area may cause it to spread.

Besides the home remedies, you can find many stain removing products on the market. You can find specific products that will clean and remove any spill including red wine. These cleaners can clean you carpets and sofa but you should only buy and use them if the home remedies fail to get the job done. Many of these products are high in toxicity so you will want to avoid them for as long as you can. This is especially true for homes that have kids or pets in the residence.

Spring has sprung and when this time of year comes around it gives us a chance to revitalize our own lives and our environment. This can be as simple as making a small change in our home and this is when the thought of carpet installation comes up.

The prospect of choosing a new carpet can certainly be a daunting one as there are many things that a person has to consider before they even decide which carpet to get. Also one needs to make sure that they get the most suited personnel for the job. But one should not be intimidated by the prospect as there are some great items that one can check off on a list and if these are all taken into account then choosing a carpet should be that much easier. It is very important to remember though that choosing a carpet should not be rushed.

Firstly one has to decide if you like the color of the carpet you already have in place and perhaps you may want to keep the new carpet in the same color. One has to ensure that the new purchase will suit the room. If current carpet does not really suit the room then it is clear that the new carpet should be a more suitable color. If the current carpet does match up with the rest of the room then perhaps just choosing a different tone of the same color will make all the difference.

The color of your new purchase is the most important thing to think about and you have to make sure that it will complement the room. Different colored carpets can either brighten or darken a room, depending on the effect that you want to achieve. You need to make sure that it goes well with curtains and the walls of your room as these are the other two most prominent features in the space.

Carpet texture is another thing to take into account and one could choose to either go very soft or you could have a harsh material such as coir. There are a myriad options in between these two ranges and make sure you know what you want the room to look like when the decorating job is complete as this will help you choose the right texture.

Decide what size you want the carpet to be as well. This can either be a carpet that touches both walls (it is then going to need under felt) or you might opt for a smaller carpet. The former work brilliantly in rooms with a floor made of wood as the contrast between the two textures really does catch the eye.

Another thing to consider is what the room is used for. If one has small children or animals in and out of the room then it would make sense to get a carpet that is not difficult to clean. Coarser carpets are usually better for this and you do want to make sure that you don't waste money on a carpet that is ruined quickly.

The carpet can be the talking point of the room and if the wrong choice is made it could ruin all of your interior decorating efforts. It is not a good idea to leave this to chance so ensure that you tick off all the items on the check list. Once you have done so then it is recommended that you get experts to take care of your carpet installation so that you know it is done correctly.

Adding carpet remnants to your living room can be perfect for preventing your existing carpet from getting damaged. A carpet remnant is considered to be any remaining strip of carpet that is left-over from your carpet-installation process; remnants will vary in size and shape. They are typically cut down to a specific size in order to help fill in a carpet space that is damaged or that is getting replaced. When buying a brand new carpet for your home, chances are good that you saved all of the extra carpeting that was not used. You may have sold it, but most people choose to save their excess carpeting due to the fact that they know that they may need places of their existing carpet to get replaced.

Every once and awhile, people find that their carpeting has stains that they cannot remove no matter how hard they try. They may also find that high-traffic areas of carpeting look flattened and discolored. When you want to fix the appearance of your existing home carpet with a new one, you should first consider replacing the areas that are bothering you the most. One way to target highly-specific areas of your carpet for replacement, is by utilizing carpet remnants. Replacing your existing carpet with carpet-remnants is very easy to do and will look great once you are finished. The reason that you will end up with an excellent-looking carpet after adding carpet-remnants is due to the fact that the carpet remnants are the exact same color, material, and texture as your existing carpet.

For people who did not save their carpet-remnants, but need certain areas of their carpeting to get replaced, there are still ways to get matching replacement remnants. Many carpet-stores and warehouses carry a wide variety of different styles of carpeting that may match your existing carpet perfectly. It is always wise to shop around for matching carpet remnants before you put up the money to buy a completely new carpet and pay for its installation.

Most common colors of carpeting are relatively easy to find selling as carpet-remnants. If you are able to find a matching carpet remnant, you should know that by using it to replace your existing carpet, you will be saving a lot of money. If you need to replace a small room with carpeting, you should consider shopping for carpet remnants as well. Many times you will be able to find carpet-remnants that provide a lot of extra carpet. On occasion, you will be able to replace the entire carpeting of small rooms with just one large carpet remnant.

Even if you do not use carpet remnants to replace your existing carpeting, you should still realize that they may be useful. Some people cut up their carpet-remnants and use them in order to place under the legs of chairs and tables in order to prevent them from making a permanent indentation in your actual carpeting and the carpet pad. You may have also seen people using carpet remnants as a small mat in their kitchen area or to cover up a stained area of carpet.

Most people can find uses for their carpet-remnants throughout their house. For this reason, it is always recommended that you save your carpet remnants when you initially purchase a new carpet. Do not think that you will benefit from getting a very small amount of money for your remnants. After all, your remnants will match the color and texture of your carpeting, they are not meant to be given to someone else. If you save your carpet remnants, you will surely be able to find a good use for them.

A lot of people know that carpets feel comfortable to lie-down on and provide a nice texture for your feet to walk on. However, you may not be aware of the fact that having a good carpet pad underneath your carpeting makes all the difference in the world in determining whether or not your carpeting feels soft and comfortable or hard as a rock. There are unquestionably some things you should know about your carpet pads in order to ensure that your carpeting provides you with a maximum level of carpet.

First of all, think about carpets that are void of all carpet padding. If you laid down carpeting on a hard floor with no pad between the carpet and the floor, there are a number of unfavorable things that would happen. Most likely, you would quickly notice that your carpeting does not feel comfortable to walk on, let alone lie-down on. There are some carpets designed for little or no padding underneath, but these are not types that are meant for your home. In fact, carpets without padding have are comparable in hardness to hardwood floors; they are both extremely tense.

If you buy a normal living room carpet without the carpet pad to go under it, then it would not take much walking on in order to really wear-out the carpet. Your carpet would wear-down very quickly because it would be rubbing directly on the cement underneath. In order to ensure that your carpet lasts as long as possible, it is recommended that you buy the proper-fitting carpet pad to accompany it.

If you want a carpet that feels comfortable to your friends and family, you will need to get a durable set of carpet pads. The purpose of installing carpet pads along with your carpet is in order to increase the overall durability of your carpet as well as to minimize carpet damage and maximize the comfort-level of people who are walking on the carpet or want to lie down on the carpet. Choosing a good carpet pad is also helpful because it serves as a buffer that allows your furniture to be set on top of your carpet without causing your carpet to damage.

If you are currently looking for a new carpet, you should always make sure that you are able to find good-quality carpet pads to go along with it. You don't want to ever make a big investment in new carpeting only to find out that you are not able to find any good carpet padding to put down before you install it. Always ask the carpet-company for good quality carpet padding to go along with it. Most people are so focused on how their carpet looks when they buy it that they completely forget about getting good carpet pads. They usually opt for having the standard carpet pads installed with their good looking carpet. If the standard pads are of relatively low quality, the carpeting is surely going to wear out much more quickly than it would have if you had remembered to pick out a better carpet pad.

Carpet tiles and Squares are popular but often understood. They were invented to provide an easy replacement strategy for high traffic areas when an area became worn, stained or soiled. The owner could pull up the bad tile or squares and simply lay a new one down with a double faced tape or a slight bit of glue. The concept took off and became rapidly popular. The trend even made it's way into the residential segment as a great Do-It-Yourself project for homeowners. Tiles and carpet squares were now being used not only in offices, hotels, restaurants etc, but also in basements, playrooms, bonus rooms, and even bedrooms. Although Carpet tiles and squares are probably the easiest flooring to install, they aren't always the least expensive option. Some first quality tiles end up costing more than the total price of carpet, padding and installation. That's were the secret lies. If you're considering using carpet tiles and squares, be sure to look at off goods and seconds! They will not only install easily, but will also be a lower total cost for the project than most any other solution.

What is an off good or second in carpet tiles? Any tile that cannot be sold as first quality, will be classified as a second, third, or general off good. These terms can mean several things but here is a pretty good breakdown of what constitutes a non first quality carpet tile or square.

• If the tile has a pattern, the pattern may be slightly skewed, off center, or have an irregular shape to the design.
• If the tile or square is a solid color but is off color or has a streak that is lighter or darker than the rest of the tile.
• Sometimes you will see a plush style that has a thin loop line. This is where the machine did not cut the loop as it was supposed to.
• Occasionally, you will get a tile that has irregularities in the padding or backing. In most cases, this wouldn't cause an issue. If you have a tile that does have a backing issue, just cut the bad part off and use the rest or use it as the tile that is on the outside next to the wall.
• If the backing is separating from the carpet, this can cause a tile to be a second or third quality. Sometimes this is as simple as using a little glue in the spot where it is separating. If it is a significant amount, just cut the bad part out and use the remainder against the wall.

A tip when using off goods carpet tiles and squares is to not only buy extra, but to also consider using two different color tiles. You can create a neat checkerboard look that will really add style to the room as well as hide blemishes in any of the tiles.

Nearly everyone has carpet in their homes and can use a few good tips for the care and cleaning of carpet.

No one like avoiding inviting friends and family over to your home because the carpet has odors or embarrassing carpet stains. Maybe it is because your pets or children track dirt and mud through the home after being outside. Maybe it is because of drink spills on the carpet.

Whatever the reason, you can put an end to dirty, smelly carpet if you choose to with the following tips on keeping your carpet stain and odor free.

The first thing you need to do is routine maintenance to prolong the life of your carpet. Make sure to vacuum regularly because dirt, grime and even pet hair can accumulate within the fibers of the carpet to cause a dirty appearance and in some cases problems for those with allergies. If you leave the dirt to build up it can cause damage to the carpet and make it more difficult to clean when you do it.

Make sure to clean up any spills immediately before the stain sets in or odors spring up. If the spill is of a solid consistency you may use paper towels to remove as much as possible prior to addressing any stain in the carpet. Do not rub the stain but lift it straight off the carpet to keep the staining to a minimum. After the mess is removed you can begin to clean the spot with a paper towel and plain water. At first use a blotting motion in the area followed by a clockwise motion and then a counter clockwise motion to remove any stains. You do not want to scrub at the carpet because that can damage the carpet fibers.

Lastly you should use as mild a cleaner as possible for the stain. If water does not remove it add just a touch of detergent and this should remove most stains that you encounter. If this technique does not take the stain out there is another article with additional stain removal tips mentioned later in the article. You should know that some chemicals may damage carpets so best is to use chemicals that are designed for use on carpet and even then use them sparingly.

Whenever working on stains you should make sure to used gloves to protect your skin and test in a small less noticeable area to make sure the carpet does not discolor. Use circular motions and smaller amounts of liquid, there is no need to saturate the area. When finished rinse with clean water and blot dry with clean white towels to remove as much liquid as possible.

If you can take the time to clean up stains and spills immediately, it will help to prevent odors and persistent stains that can cause embarrassment when trying to get together with friends and family.

Cleaning up spills to prevent stains and odors may not be fun, but it is necessary when you want to keep your carpet looking and smelling its best. For additional tips on carpet care and stain removal visit the link below.

Carpet cleaning sometimes feels like a bigger task than what it really is. We’ve all reached that point in which we’ve used the line, “I’ll get to it tomorrow,” but before we know it tomorrow turns into next week and next week turns into next month. Hopefully next month doesn’t turn into next year, but no matter when you embark on your carpet cleaning endeavors; carpet cleaning doesn’t have to be an astronomical task.

First, you want to start with the vacuuming phase of your carpet cleaning. If you have wall-to-wall carpet that needs to be vacuumed, then divide the carpet up in quadrants rather than go wherever the vacuum takes you. Perhaps this first step can be the beginning of a new relationship with your rug. You can then expand upon this relationship by creating a schedule in which you and your carpet have “private time”. That way the job gets done on a regular basis.

You want your routine or “private time” to take place at least once a week because you’re not only reducing dust accumulation in your carpet, but you are also prolonging the life of your carpet. You also want to vacuum first if you’re going to shampoo because it gets rid of the loose dirt, lint, and other oddities that can get in your way while cleaning.

But the key to making your carpet cleaning tasks easier is to clean up spills when they happen. This can help you avoid an entire shampooing of your carpet for quite some time. You want to do things such as:

A wise first step to cleaning spots and spills is testing an inconspicuous area of your carpet to make sure no discoloring of the carpet occurs.

You then want to scrape or blot the area of the spot or spill before you use a carpet cleaning solution for easier removal.

You don’t want to rub the area because you may spread the problem to another area.

To avoid spreading the stain, work your way from the outside of the stain to the inside with the cleaning solution.

Use a white bath towel to dry the carpet.

If you must shampoo the entire carpet, you want to follow the spot cleaning steps above and then test your shampoo on an inconspicuous area of your carpet. You also want to remove all of the furniture you can to avoid staining of the furniture and to allow even cleaning. Most importantly, follow the instructions of your carpet cleaner to ensure optimal results and make sure the room is well-ventilated.

So how can you stick to your carpet cleaning routine? All you have to do is simple things such as using door mats, cleaning up accidents immediately, vacuuming at least once a week, and using things such as carpet runners in high-traffic areas. By using these care methods and following a routine, your carpet will look great for many years to come.

Because carpet acts as a floor covering, carpeting can be subjected to quite a beating. Over time, carpet can look prematurely dirty or faded, and carpet fibers can actually start to lose their fullness. However, with routine care and maintenance, years can be added to the life of your carpets and rugs. Follow these simple guidelines and learn how to keep your carpet looking its absolute best.

Frequent Vacuuming is Key
Many people may not be aware that frequent and thorough vacuuming is one of the most important (and easiest) things you can do to help retain your carpet's original appearance.

With that being said, choosing the right vacuum cleaner to handle your carpet cleaning needs is extremely important. While household tools such as carpet sweepers can remove surface dirt, vacuuming prevents deep abrasions that can ruin carpet. When shopping for a vacuum, one of the most important things to look for is the vacuum's filtration abilities. Vacuums with dual motors, or those with one motor to provide suction with the other motor powering a beater bar to loosen dirt, are excellent at removing dirt and grit, particularly upright vacuums with this feature. Also, vacuums with beater bars or rotating brushes are better at loosening dirt than standard canister vacuums. In addition, be sure that the vacuum you choose provides the correct height adjustment for your specific type of carpet

Because vacuuming helps remove dirt particles which can degrade and dull the appearance of carpets and rugs, carpets should be vacuumed at least once a week and perhaps even more frequently in heavy traffic areas. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing any buildup of gritty debris that can cut up carpet fibers, and every few weeks, you should use your vacuum's crevice tool to clean the tight areas around baseboards, radiators, and other difficult-to-reach places.

Reduce Traffic and Retain Your Carpet's Texture
To prolong the appearance and overall life of your carpet, reduce the amount of traffic in heavily traveled, carpeted areas, as these areas will receive the most wear. Use rugs under and in front of heavily used furniture such as chairs, and clean these rugs on a regular basis. Furniture and area rugs should also be moved periodically to reduce the wear on these paths.

Heavy furniture can also cause permanent indentations in your carpet, and it is important to use furniture glides or cups under the legs of heavy pieces. Temporary indentations can be remedied by working the carpet back in place with your fingers or with the edge of spoon, dampening the area in question, and heating the carpet with a hair dryer.

Fluffing, Shedding, and Sprouting
You may sometimes find tiny balls of fluff or loose fibers on your carpet or in your vacuum cleaner. Fortunately in most cases, this is not cause for alarm, as it is the normal result of fiber that is left in the carpet during the manufacturing process. Proper vacuuming with a high quality vacuum cleaner will usually cause this shedding this disappear if your carpet is relatively new, and removing these large fibers will not affect the life or appearance of the carpet.

In some cases, you may even notice a yarn tuft or two sprouting above the pile surface of your carpet. Simply snip off these large tufts with a pair of scissors to the level of the carpet, but never pull these out. If sprouting proves to be a persistent problem, contact your carpet's manufacturer or flooring representative.

Address Carpet Stains Immediately
Even with the utmost of care, carpet staining is inevitable. Therefore, it is important to understand that when spills occur, time is of the essence, as the sooner a stain is cleaned, the easier it will be to completely remove. Don't be fooled by stains that appear to be clear, as these can change color and be quite visible over time. For even additional cleaning, look to wet/dry vacuums which not only have the ability to suck up dust and debris, but also liquid spills as well.

The first step in removing a carpet stain is to blot any excess liquid with a paper towel or clean cloth. Liquid stain removers should not be initially added to the stain, as they will only make the spot larger and cause it to sink deeper into the carpet. Once the liquid has been absorbed, if a special cleaning solution is to be used, first test it on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to prevent any possible staining. If the solution proves to be safe to use, try to use the least amount of solution possible and work from the outside of the stain toward the center to prevent any spreading. To prevent fiber damage, don't rub the carpet with too much force, and be sure to dry the area with a hair dryer or fan when you are finished.

Also keep in mind that not all stains can be removed: bleached areas caused by chlorine bleach or sunlight are impossible to get rid of, and liquids like urine, if allowed to dry, will leave permanent stains.

Ultimately, regularly vacuuming your carpet and spot cleaning will prolong the appearance and life of your carpets. Professional carpet cleanings every 18 months are also an important part of a regular carpet care regimen, and investing in a carpet shampooer, wet/dry vacuum, or steam vacuum is also a good idea for interim carpet maintenance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/easy-carpet-maintenance-tips-371797.html

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