A quality carpet is an expensive venture. I am not talking about small size but the ones that we use in the living rooms. They range anywhere from 6 to 10 feet long and may be 5 to 7 feet wider. Such expensive carpet need extra attention and regular care like cleaning and vacuuming to extend their life. The length of the carpet's life is a determining factor in the value of the investment. Below are eight guidelines in obtaining a longer carpet life and thereby adding value to the carpet investment.
1. Vacuum frequently to remove tiny impurities that descend into the carpet. Frequent vacuuming reduces wear on the carpet.
2. Purchase a quality vacuum cleaner. Verify that the suction is sufficient to remove the deep grit. The dirt infiltrated into the carpet chafes and wears the carpet materials. A quality vacuum cleaner is much more cost efficient than replacing worn-out carpets.
3. The life of the carpet is extended when the pad is replaced during installation. Use the proper padding for the new carpet type. New padding reduces stretching and sagging and gives the new carpet an enhanced appearance. Evading the replacement of the pad nulls the warranty in addition to decreasing the carpet's life.
4. Use a cleaner at least once a year. High traffic areas may require more frequent cleanings. Grit, grime, stains, and oils should be removed to reduce wear on the fibers. Use only non-residue cleaners. A residue can draw dirt that creates more wear. In addition to extending the life, cleaning the carpet improves its look also.
5. Grit, grime, and oil are tracked in on shoes. Request that shoes be removed when a person enters the carpeted area. The removal of shoes will improve the looks and lifetime of the carpet.
6. Bare feet are as harmful to carpets as shoes. Human skin is covered with an oil film. Bare feet leave an oil residue on the carpets. Socks should be worn to protect the carpeted areas.
7. Use area rugs or runners in high-traffic areas. The can enhance the décor of the area as well protect the carpet. The smaller area rugs are easier to clean and less expensive to replace.
8. When a stain occurs, remove it immediately. Keep a bottle of all purpose cleaner on hand for emergencies. Once a stain is set, it is difficult or impossible to remove. Staining creates the most damaging wear, robbing the carpet of a longer life.
Following the preceding guidelines will provide longer carpet life and better looking carpets. Protect the investment of quality carpet. A little effort can extend the lifeand value of your investment.
Roy is writing great gardening, home improvement, Kitchen remodeling and home decoration on budget articles. Learn great money saving tips on his blog Discount Cabinet Hardware which is full of Kitchen remodeling ideas and Tips on buying cabinet hardware like Satin Nickel Cabinet Knobs. Also Read Reviews on Kitchen Hardware also on his site Decorative Discount Kitchen Cabinet hardware
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Protect your carpet--step by-step
Though with an exceptional quality, but your carpet may look "ugly" long before it "wears" out. Make sure it doesn't, which can be ensured with a comprehensive care program comprising of four stages :
1. Carpet Care: Preventative Maintenance
2. Carpet Care: Vacuuming
3. Carpet Care: Spot and Spill Removal
4. Carpet Care: Overall Cleaning
Carpet Care: Preventative Maintenance - Protect your investment before problems occur.
New flooring represents a substantial investment. These proper steps assure that your carpet shall stay attractive for years to come.
Place walk-off mats at all entrances: Walk-off mats should be used at the exterior of all entrances to absorb the soil and moisture. They can help trap the excessive dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked into the home. Mats should also be cleaned on a regular basis so that they don't become sources of soil themselves.
Use a quality pad: You should always use a quality pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. A good carpet pad not only provides better resilience and comfort underfoot, it extends the life of your carpet. As some carpets carry warranties with specific density and thickness requirements, one should be sure to review the warranty before purchasing the pad.
Occasional moving of heavy furniture: Move heavy furniture occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. You should also use floor protectors designed for carpets under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters without a chair pad designed specifically for carpet which otherwise can cause heavy damage. While moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing a protective barrier of heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
Clean your area rugs: If you use area rugs on your carpet, be sure to clean them regularly. Clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath as well. Also, be sure to check area rugs for colorfastness before placing them on carpet because the color in some rugs may bleed through. After cleaning your carpet, allow it to dry completely before replacing rugs.
Reduce long period exposure to direct sunlight: Protect your carpet from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight with the help of blinds, shades, or awnings.
Carpet Care: Vacuuming - The most important step in caring your carpet.
Vacuum carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Realize that walking on soiled carpet allows the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the carpet fibers. Frequent vacuuming remove these particles from the surface itself before they get trapped underneath.
For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.
The essentials to be observed while vacuuming the carpet are :
Check the quality of your vacuum: A good vacuum cleaner is vital for prolonged beauty and life of your carpet. An inexpensive machine can remove surface dirt but will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile.
Select the best vacuum for your type of carpet: Jaipur Carpets recommends using vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for removal. Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, we recommend a suction-only vacuum or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so that it does not agitate the pile. A vacuum with a beater/brush bar can be tested for excessive fuzzing in an inconspicuous location before regular use.
Pay attention to vacuum bags: Replaceable paper vacuum bags do a better job of trapping small particles than cloth bags. With cloth bags, the particles pass back into the room. High efficiency vacuum bags, also called micro filtration bags, trap even smaller microscopic particles (such as mold and mildew spores and dust mite byproducts) which are often found to be source of allergies. All vacuum bags should be checked often and replaced when half full.
Check the belt and the setting: Make sure the belt is in good condition and that the brush or beater bar rotates when in contact with the carpet. To adjust the vacuum to the correct height setting for the carpet, raise the beater/brush bar to the highest setting and then lower it until it is in enough contact with the pile to slightly vibrate the carpet several inches away from the machine. Do not lower it enough to cause significant slowing of the motor.
Change vacuuming directions: Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and help reduce matting.
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Carpet has it tough. It is subject to a lot of abuse during its life. This is particularly true during the holiday season. Learn about the dangers that your carpet faces during the holidays and ways to protect your rugs.
The first and the most obvious danger is from spills. People are walking around with food and drinks during the holidays. They will inevitably end up on your carpet especially if you serve alcoholic drinks. You may not be able to stop people from eating and drinking but you can be prepared for accidents. Keep a bottle of spotter and rags handy in case of an emergency.
The next danger your carpet faces during the holidays is damage from decorations. Watch out what holiday decorations you put on your carpet. Many items such as ribbons and tree skirts can leak dye onto your carpet if they get wet. You can test decorations by wetting a white towel and rubbing it on them. If the dye bleeds onto the towel you should not place them directly on the carpet. Put them on a hard surface or put something between them and the carpet.
The last danger I will talk about is from the extra traffic that your carpet will face. To limit the damage be sure to place mats at all entrances to your home. This will trap the dirt and keep it off of your carpet. Soil is what abrades and wears out your carpet so by keeping it off your carpet you will be protecting it.
You may not be able to completely protect your carpet but you can at least be prepared for accidents. So enjoy the holidays, be prepared and protect your carpeting. Good luck
Learn about carpet care at the authors site on Greensboro carpet cleaning service. Carpet cleaners in Greensboro.
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Carpet Pad Guide - Why You Need Good Padding to Protect Carpeting
0 comments Posted by ariya at 23:44A 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.
Tag : carpet,carpet pad,protect
You spent a lot of money for your carpeting. It makes perfect sense to take care of it. These days everything seems to be getting better and better… your carpet cleaning chemical is no different.
There are many carpet cleaning chemicals available on the market today, and the correct choice depends on the job you need done. Carpet cleaning chemicals can be loosely divided into four categories, according to their function: cleaning, controlling or counteracting odors, protecting and sealing, and those chemicals designed for special tasks.
Examples are myriad. Here are a few:
Carpet cleaning chemicals for extracting soil are only the most obvious. There's a pre-spray chemical, a carpet spot and stain remover chemical, a dry cleaning solvent and spot remover, the ubiquitous absorbent powder extraction chemical, and even a neutralizer to put everything back the way it was… only better.
Odor control carpet cleaning chemicals, as can be expected, work to neutralize or rid the carpet of odors, usually created by pets. Many have a subtle citrus fragrance.
The field of carpet protectants and sealing is perhaps where the new carpet chemicals really shine. Some are dry and some spray on, all are considered state-of-the-art necessities to protect the look and life of your carpet.
A good example of the specialty items category is the chemical used in professional extraction machines to cut down on the production of foam.
Choosing from the cornucopia of carpet cleaning chemical products can be daunting. But taking the time to research the right choices for your particular situation will be rewarding.
The experts recommend you set up a regular carpet cleaning program. Vacuum daily, they say, dry carpet clean once a week, and use a heavy-duty deep steam (or vapor) carpet extracting machine as often as necessary to keep your carpeting bright, beautiful and healthy.
Jodie Phillips is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Effective-Carpet-Cleaning.com and she provides more carpet cleaning facts, tips and advice on choosing the right carpet cleaning chemical on her website, where you can research in the comfort of your own home.
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One of the largest investments you will ever make other than a house is on the carpets and furniture that you put in your home. These items are very costly to replace especially if you are doing so because of neglect. With the proper carpet care and carpet cleaning tips you can maintain the beauty and elegance of your carpets and furniture for many many years.
When you install carpets in your home there are things you can do to maintain the beauty and appearance of your carpets. There are also some phenomenon that occur that have nothing to do with the maintenance and impossible to do anything about. This article will discuss this phenomenon that occurs as well as carpet cleaning tips that you can follow.
Some carpets can suffer from a phenomenon called pile reversal or in some cases called “watermarking”. This can happen quite quickly after installation or it might not occur for many years. This occurs when the nap of the carpet changes direction and reflects light at different angles giving the carpet an appearance of light and dark shades depending on the direction of the nap. At the edges of where the pile starts to reverse it gives the carpet an appearance of an ugly jagged line running down the middle. Many institutes have done a lot of research to determine the cause of this and nothing has been successful to date. There is no known manufacturing process which can cure this problem and as a result it is not covered under your warranty.
Many carpets shortly after installation will shed loose fibers. This is normal and will reduce with regular vacuuming. You will find that after a year there will be very little shedding in your carpets provided you have followed proper maintenance tips. Occasionally you will find sprouting will occur in your carpets which is a single tuft that extends beyond the carpet's surface. When this happens do not pull it out but just clip it. Also in some situations your carpets will start to wrinkle and develop ripples. The solution for this is to have an installer restretch the carpet to prevent any damage from occurring along the wrinkles. This sometimes occurs because of high humidity, sliding or dragging heavy furniture or improper installation of the carpets. When you have the carpets restretched it is advisable to have the installer use a power stretcher for much better results.
Some carpets suffer from dark black lines that appear along the edges of wall to wall carpet or under some doors. This is caused by air currents in your home which pass through the carpet in these areas and your carpet acts as a filter causing airborne soil and contaminants to attach themselves to the carpet. These soils become permanent over time but in some cases regular maintenance can prevent this phenomenon from occurring but complete removal is difficult. You can reduce filtration soiling problems by keeping the air inside your home as clean as possible. This can be accomplished by reducing indoor air pollutants such as cooking emissions, fireplace smoke, burning candles, cigarette smoke, emissions from cleaning chemicals and by the installation and regular replacement of high efficiency air filters.
If you have ever cleaned a stain just to have it show the next day, your carpet is suffering from a process called wicking. When you use too much liquid to clean a stain and the liquid pools at the bottom of the carpet. Even though you have blotted the initial stain you have only cleaned the surface. This liquid eventually works its way up the fibers to the top of carpet and thus it appears that the stain has come back. To prevent wicking you can cover the area with a thick cloth and weigh it down with something heavy.
The biggest tip you can follow to preserve your carpets is to vacuum 3 to 4 times a week. It might not look like the carpet is dirty but regular vacuuming will remove a buildup of soiling from the carpet fibers. This prevents traffic patterns from appearing and causing damage to your carpets. In addition having your carpets professionally cleaned every year will help to maintain their beauty. Following a little precaution in a routine of regular care can save you thousands in the long run.
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So you are suffering from carpet molds otherwise you would not have opened this page! Mold in carpets often takes a bigger shape. Being fibrous and porous, carpets lock moisture for long and nurture the right conditions for mold and mildew to grow and multiply.
Tell any of your friends or acquaintances that you have mold in carpet and what to do next to get rid of them; most people would answer ‘replace the carpet’. Others may suggest you using bleach to kill mold in carpet.
Basically both the options are similar. If you use bleach to kill carpet molds, chances are the carpet won’t be in a good or presentable condition any more. Hence, you lose your favorite carpet.
Isn’t there any option to save carpet from molds or kill carpet molds? Yes there is. By applying certain preventive methods and using effective mold cleaning products, you can prevent mold and kill mold.
Let’s learn how to protect carpets from mold attack; then we will see how to kill carpet molds.
Prevent carpet mold:
If you have black mold in carpet, chances are you failed to keep your carpet dry. Or, you could not control humidity inside your home.
Water damage is quite common with carpets. Several sources can dampen your carpets. Identify the main sources of moisture so that you can take the right steps to keep your carpets dry.
Leaky roofs, overflowing kitchen sink, improper carpet washing or floor cleaning that leaves the carpet wet for long, poor housekeeping and many other accidental cases can moisten your carpets.
A single drop of water spreads along the fibers of the carpets very fast. As a result, a wide area of the carpet gets damp quickly.
To keep the carpets dry, repair the leaks or the drainage problem that makes your kitchen sink overflow. If water falls on carpets accidentally, make sure it is dried off as soon as possible.
Pets often wet the carpets. Train your pets so that they do not spoil the carpets. And if they do it on carpets, use pet urine removal products to clean the place. So as soon as you get any nasty odor and if you have pets in your home, inspect your carpets carefully.
High humidity often makes your carpets damp. Use dehumidifier to control in-house humidity. Keep your home well ventilated; keep the carpets clean.
Kill mold in carpet:
To kill carpet molds, you need to find out the exact location of mold infestation in the carpets. Extensive mold infection should be treated with proper care; you may need to seek advice from experts to know how to tackle the problem.
Huge mold growth inside house is not at all healthy; children and those with weak immune system may suffer a lot when exposed to black mold and mildews.
Having mold inspection done, clean your carpet with organic mold remover or spray based natural mold cleaning products. Natural products do not have any side effects and kill molds completely.
When you clean molds, make sure the carpets and surrounding places are dry and entire place is well ventilated. Also wear biohazard protection suit to avoid cleaning time mold exposure.
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The dry foam procedure is called dry because the content of moisture is very low – 90 percent air and 10 percent liquid. The dry foam machine has a pressure tank. In this tank you will pour a solution of water and shampoo.
The solution is converted into foam by compressor. Using a revolving cylindrical brush, foam is dispensed all over the carpet. The brush will comb the foam through the piles of the carpet so that every fiber of the carpet is cleaned.
To get the best result, the bubbles being produced must be of uniformed size so the foam can finish the cleaning process before it is dispersed. Once the carpet has dried, it is methodically vacuumed to remove the dried crystals of dirt.
The dry foam procedure:
1. To begin with, vacuum the carpet and remove all the stains.
2. Prepare the dry foam solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
3. Shampoo the carpet; once it has dried, vacuum the carpet.
4. Groom the pile to speed the drying process.
5. Use a furniture leg pad to eliminate furniture stains or rust.
Advantages - The process of dry foam cleaning covers a lot of area in a short amount of time. You cannot over saturate the carpet simply because the moisture content is very low.
Disadvantages - The dry foam procedure can remove average levels of soil. However, there is a possibility of excessive residue and soil build up if the machine has inadequate extraction capabilities.
Dry foam is the perfect procedure if you have older carpet. You can rent a machine if you do not think you will use it enough to buy it.
Protect your carpet against paint drips, snow, mud, dirt, stains, and heavy traffic conditions. Read about plastic carpet protections as well as temporary carpet protections.
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Carpet is one of the most popular flooring options, but it does require daily care to ensure that it stays looking nice. Carpet care is something that should be done regularly to ensure that dirt and other debris does not ruin the surface or the underlying padding of the carpet.
One of the biggest concerns with carpeting is that it can trap dirt and acquire stains easily. Liquids and dirt easily seep into the carpet and can become a permanent problem rather quickly. To avoid staining and damage it is important that a person takes good care of their carpet.
Daily the carpet should be vacuumed to help keep dirt and debris to a minimum and prevent it from being trapped deep into the carpet fibers.
Spills and other stains should be treated immediately. It is important to consult manufactures recommendations on treating carpet stains to avoid damaging the carpet. Most cleaners are suitable for carpets, but certain types of carpet require special care.
Liquid spills should be immediately blotted up and then scrubbed to help get the excess liquid before it seeps too deep into the carpet where it becomes trapped.
For carpets in a high traffic area it can help to stain treat it and also use area rugs. Area rugs will help the carpet in the highest traffic areas avoid wear and tear which can happen quickly and help extend the life of the carpet.
Caring for carpet also requires an occasionally cleaning with a steam vac or other carpet cleaner. This can be done monthly just to ensure that all surface dirt is kept from getting trapped down in the carpet.
Carpet care is something most people are familiar with. Many times people try to avoid regular care by covering up the carpet with rugs or making strict rules about what can be done on the carpeted area, like eating or wearing shoes. While these methods are nice they are not going to 100% protect the carpet and keep it looking new. It also takes a bit of regular maintenance care.
Sources:
www.wrppn.org
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If you have kids you know that they can often have a very negative impact on your carpet. Is it possible to have a clean carpet and kids? The answer to that question is yes, it is possible. There are however some things that you need to know and do to make them live well together. Read this article and learn some tricks to help you keep your carpet clean when you have kids.
The biggest thing you can do to protect your carpets is the most obvious. That is to not let them bring food onto the carpet. This is of course easier said than done but it is possible. Use extra caution when your children have juice or other colored drinks. Even if you put them in a sippy cup they can end up on the carpet. Sippy cups may not spill but they do drip. Solid foods can also be a problem especially when they drop them on the floor and then walk on them, grinding them into the carpet. So if you do choose to allow your kids to have food and drink on the carpet be sure to at least supervise them while they have them. The next tip is to vacuum the carpet more regularly. Once a week is good if you have no children but with kids you may need to vacuum every other day or even every day in high traffic areas. They bring a lot of soil onto the carpet and you need to get it up as soon as possible to prevent the soil from staining and damaging the carpeting. So keep your vacuum handy and in good condition. The last tip I have for you is to keep a good bottle of spotter and some cotton terry cloth spotting towels handy. Have them in a convenient location so that you can get to them quickly to clean up that sudden accident. Having spotter handy will allow you to clean the spots as they happen instead of letting them build up. If you let the spots build up you will have a big problem in no time.
Carpet and children do not have to be at odds with one another. You can in fact live with both if you just take a few moments to do a little maintenance. The effort is well worth the result of a clean and long lasting carpet and a home you like to be in.
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Carpet cutting machines have evolved over the years to where most carpet distributors have one type or another in their shop. Hand held models used in smaller shops are a little bit bigger and heavier than you average circular saw and are operated similarly. The carpet is laid out flat and measured to the length ordered, then the carpet cutting machine is applied just as a circular saw would be and pushed across the entire width giving a clean even cut. Carpet cutting machines built to load rolls onto them are used at bigger distributors. You load the roll of carpet on one side as it comes from the manufacturer. Then thread it through the central part of the machine. You can then program this type of carpet cutting machines to measure out the ordered lengths and roll them up while they are being measured.
The other style of carpet cutting machines is a computer numerically controlled cutter that can cut fancy shapes for specialized uses. One example is those specially shaped carpets used for advertising purposes. Other uses are the rug you put down in your bathroom to protect your feet on cold winter days, mats for your car and just about any other type of specially cut carpet.
The cost of carpet cutting machines may seem high when you first explore getting one, but the amount of labor saved by them more than makes up for the original investment. Take into consideration, the accidents that happen when you manually cut carpet and the savings rise even more. Some of the finer carpet cutting machines can only be leased and not bought. A lease may seem more expensive at first examination, but consider that maintenance contract costs are built right into the lease instead of being added on at the end of a purchase. Then, take into account that when a better model comes out, your expense of switching to it and bettering your production rates and capabilities will be a lesser expense than purchasing new carpet cutting machines. Also, consider that if your carpet cutting machines break down beyond repair on site, the leasing company will bring replacements out to your place of business to keep their end of the lease fulfilled.
Carpet cutting machines have come a long ways from when they were first introduced. Where the first ones would simply cut off the length of carpet needed for the roll to go to the distributors to where they can now make specially designed carpets controlled by computers.
About The Author:
Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on power tools at his website at http://www.improve-home.com
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It can cause rashes, hives, the mold can get in the air, it can get in your furniture, and it can cause you to have breathing problems. This carpet mold can cause serious and permanent damage to your health so you have to make sure that your carpet does not have mold growing in it. If you try to clean the carpet with carpet cleaners or a carpet cleaning machine, it will not get rid of the mold you will have to throw it away and out of your house. If it is not removed, the problem will get worse and so will your health problems.
A lot of people think if you clean the carpet really well, it will get rid of the mold but what they do not know is that the mold locks into the fabrics of the carpet and stays there. You can clean the mold with bleach, but that will ruin the carpet and it will be no good. When wetness or moisture locks in, it will spread throughout the carpet and it will get in the cracks of the floors, which will cause an even bigger problem. Once the carpet is removed from the house, you will need to clean the floor really well to make sure that the mold is gone.
This is to be done whether you are putting a new carpet in or not, and this is to protect your family and their health. You can tell if you have mold by the smell in the air because it will smell moldy or musty. When you take out the carpet, you will need to wear a mask on your face and glove in your hands so you will not be affected by the mold. Mold releases toxins that are very dangerous to humans or pets, and that is why you need to keep your kids and pets away when you are removing it.
About the Author
Aydan Corkern is a writer in many fields, and encourages you to check out cape may water damage and albion water damage.
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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.
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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
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.
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Carpet Pad Guide - Why You Need Good Padding to Protect Carpeting
0 comments Posted by ariya at 20:38A 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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hampton_Jackson
What Benefits Can You Get From Professional Carpet Cleaning Services?
0 comments Posted by ariya at 21:54A 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
It seems it is that time of year again. We always dread it. It's time to clean the carpeting. Well, I have a few tips for you that will hopefully make your carpet cleaning chores a little less of a head ache.
The first thing is to gather all the chemicals tools and equipment you may need. Here's a list of the things I gather to get the job done as easy as possible.
- A carpet steam cleaner
- Carpet cleaning chemicals and shampoos
- A small hand held scrub brush
- A pail and sponge
- Gloves and a respirator
A carpet steam cleaner
Getting a good quality carpet steam cleaner is essential to the cleaning process. Make sure you have one that is of good construction. It is very frustrating to keep fixing a machine that keeps breaking down throughout the process of trying to get the carpets clean.
A good carpet steam cleaner should also provide enough suction to pick up most of the water put down in the process. Your carpeting should be damp, not wet when the entire cleaning process is done. If your carpets are wet it will take a very long time to dry and it is also an indicator that the carpeting is not as clean as it could probably be.
The last thing to look at is the scrubbing action. Most new models of a carpet steam cleaner either use a rotating roller scrub brush or spinning scrubbers. I believe either is good, but I prefer the spinning brushes, because they seem a little easier to remove for cleaning. If you have pets that shed, you will probably be cleaning them several times throughout the project.
Carpet cleaning chemicals and shampoos
There are several good shampoos on the market, depending on the type of carpeting and how dirty it is. There are many different brands and options out there, so I really can't give a good recommendation as to which one is best, but I would start by reading customer reviews.
There are some things to consider that is being considered more and more in the cleaning industry and that is the harmful chemicals that are used many of the traditional carpet steam cleaner shampoos.
The two main ones to be conscious of are Perchlorethylene (PERC for short) and Naphthalene. PERC as a popular solvent used in carpet cleaning solutions and in larger exposure amounts can cause dizziness and nausea, can lead to kidney and liver damage, and is possibly linked to cancer. Naphthalene is also commonly found in carpet cleaners and has been known to harm the kidneys and liver as well as the central nervous system. Both of these chemicals are harmful if the fumes are inhaled; not to mention bad for the environment.
Becoming very popular on the market are nontoxic alternatives that do not contain these chemicals. Make sure you know what is in the products you are buying if you are concerned about possible health problems through exposure to these chemicals.
I would also recommend a good spot cleaner in a spray bottle to help remove stubborn stains.
A small hand held scrub brush
The small scrub brush is to help loosen stubborn stains that the machine has a hard time tackling. I would definitely recommend going over the entire area with the machine before determining the need for scrubbing. Getting on your hands and knees to scrub out a stain is not much fun, so I would avoid it if at all possible.
A pail and sponge
A pail and sponge is usually necessary to clean up small spills and messes.
Gloves and a respirator
If you do decide to use traditional carpet cleaning chemicals, a pair of rubber gloves and a respirator should be used to protect you as much as possible from exposure.
Getting Started
You should start by retreating any areas that you think will be a problem. Coffee or juice spills, heavy traffic areas, or pet mess areas are all potential areas for pretreatment.
One thing to note about pet messes; there are many good enzyme based cleaners that can be purchased at your local pet store that are great to clean pet messes. This usually involves cleaning the area several days or even weeks ahead of time to allow the enzyme formula to work. This schedule should be planned around the date you need to clean the carpet by.
If you really think some areas may be a problem, a little scrubbing with the brush to help release some stains would not hurt.
Be sure and read the mixing direction on the back of the product you purchase. A solution that is too diluted will not clean, and too much soap will leave your carpeting full of suds and will not extract properly.
The nice thing about many new carpet steam cleaner machines on the market is their ability to mix the correct amount of soap right onboard the machine, so you don't have to worry about measuring.
Cleaning furniture and small rugs
I would recommend cleaning furniture, drapes, and small area rugs first. Any over spray from cleaning these will end up on the carpeting and will be extracted later anyways.
Always check labeling before cleaning furniture to make sure that it can be cleaned with water. Also steer clear of soaking down furniture too much with the solution. Because furniture is contoured and uneven it is difficult to create a good seal on the extraction wand which can limit the water removal.
Be prepared, furniture can seem to take quite a while to dry.
Cleaning carpeting
Most carpet cleaners on the market today require a two step process to the cleaning action. Since the solution sprayers are located behind the agitating brush and the extraction head, the solution needs to be laid down first in a forward sweeping motion. Pushing down slightly and squeezing the dispensing lever, dispense the solution along the desired path you wish to clean. Then, following the same path in the return stroke, release the solution dispensing lever and pull the machine back to the point to where you first started the stroke.
The extraction head is in front of the agitator, so on the return stroke the fibers in the carpet are being scrubbed, then the excess water is being sucked up by the extraction head.
Many carpet cleaners intentionally make the front of the extraction tool clear so you can view how mush dirt you are pulling out of your carpeting.
Some people believe it is necessary to clean the carpet in two different directions to make sure that the carpet fibers are being scrubbed from various directions to insure to extract as much dirt from the carpeting as possible. That is really up to you how clean you really will need your carpet.
Caution! Carpet cleaning problems
Here are a couple things to really look out for when using a carpet steam cleaner. especially for the first time.
- Over soaking your carpeting- Be careful not to over soak your carpeting. While getting caught up in the frenzy of getting you carpets as clean as you would like, you may want to go over spots several times until the water extracted will virtually run clean. The problem with this can sometimes be getting too much water soaked into the carpet pad which can then easily mold or mildew. Depending on several conditions that vary from house to house, drying can be a problem for some and not others. I would suggest, if you would like to get your carpets as clean as you can, breaking up the project into two different weekends to allow the carpet ample time in between to dry.
- Loose fibers in the carpet- Watch out for loose fibers in the carpet. These can get snagged on the rotating brush roller and rip apart you carpet; or clog and damage the roller on your machine. If you know you have loose fibers in your carpet the easiest solution is to take a scissors and trim off the loose fibers as close to the base of the carpet as possible. This will hopefully prevent any snagging of the fibers on the roller.
- Have a plan of attack- Planning your route or order of carpets can save some headaches at the end of the project. Carpet cleaning professionals have done this enough times that it becomes second nature, but you should plan your route so that you do not need to walk across already cleaned carpeting until it is completely dry. I usually plan my base of operations as the kitchen and work the entire project to end in the kitchen.
- Cleaning your carpet steam cleaner- It seems one of the biggest problems I see with machines breaking down or not working after the first or second use is not taking the time to properly clean out your machine after use. It is very important to flush out the entire machine with clean water to ensure that no soap ends up clogging the solution discharge system, especially the discharge nozzles. Many manufactures view lack of cleaning as neglect and are hesitant to warranty any mechanical problems that arise because of it.
Carpeting is a nice way to decorate or make your home feel cozy and warm, but an occasional deep cleaning is necessary to keep it looking beautiful. Hopefully by following the list of above steps, your carpet cleaning experience will be a little less aggravating if not even a little pleasant.
Tag : carpet,steam cleaner,cleaner
If you are looking to change the flooring in your home and are considering choosing tile you should read this article. It will give you some reasons why you should choose carpet over tile. Even though carpet may not be for everyone you should read on and see if it is for you.
The first reason to choose carpet is because it is much cheaper. Installation costs are what really kills you with tile. You can carpet the same size area for much cheaper.
Another reason to choose carpet is that it is installed much quicker. If you are doing a large area it may take a week or more to finish tiling it. Carpet can be laid in hours. This prevents the hassle of a long floor down time.
The third reason is that carpet is more comfortable. Do you want to wake up on a cold winter morning and step on tile. Of course not. You would much rather step on a warm soft carpet.
That brings us to reason number four which is safety. Carpet is safe. You will not slip on carpeting and if you fall on it there is a thick cushion to protect you. This is particularly important for the elderly or if you have kids.
The last reason relates to foundations. if you are in an area where foundations tend to shift then carpet is a much better alternative. Tile will crack and break in this situation while carpet will just flex a little. This can save frequent and expensive repairs.
As you can see there are many reasons to choose carpet over tile. Hopefully this article has helped you to make an informed decision on your next flooring purchase.
Learn about carpet cleaning at the author's website on Seattle dry carpet cleaners. Tips on carpet and upholstery care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_C
When your carpet starts to look bad what do you do? You call the carpet cleaner because you want a clean floor. Yes, it is true that clean carpets look much better but there are other reasons to clean your carpet. Read this article to learn about some of the other reasons to clean your carpet that are just as important as looks.
One reason to clean your carpet is to remove dust mites from your carpet. This is especially important if you have allergies as the waste excreted by these dust mites is very irritable to the sinuses. The reduction of dust mites in carpet following carpet cleaning is due much in part to the removal of dead skin and dander from the carpet. This is the mites food and reducing it will reduce the number of dust mites. Complete removal is impossible though since we are constantly shedding skin cells.
Another reason to have your carpet cleaned is to freshen up your home. Your carpet acts like a giant air filter trapping contaminants. This filter needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. Even if it doesn't appear dirty, cleaning it will improve the odor of your home and make your house smell fresher.
The last reason to clean your carpet is to remove hidden soil. Your carpet can hold its weight in soil and this is often not apparent because it is designed to hide soil. This hidden soil will eventually damage your carpet by wearing down the fibers. So to protect your carpet you should clean it on a regular basis even if it does not appear to be soiled.
So you see, there are a number of other reasons to clean a carpet besides looks. If it has been a while since you have had your carpets cleaned, consider calling a local cleaning company today.
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