Posts Tagged ‘home and garden’
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010
Just moved into your dream house, huh? Feel kinda strange and unfamiliar, does it? Maybe the carpeting could use a face lift. Because a great way to liven up the place is by replacing the floor covering. Trust me the affect can be dramatic. And I’ll just bet the following tips will be useful for carpet buying “virgins” like yourself.
Before buying new carpet consider where it’s going to be installed. If you have kids and pets running around as well as non stop guests make sure your carpet borders on bullet proof. Stuff like this must be considered in your carpet buying plan. If you have a big and busy household get better quality carpeting rather than cheap, base grade.
What type of home is this? If this is a starter house you may not be there until retirement. Which is to say the anticipated length of your stay in a house affects the kind of carpet you should buy. If it’s just a few years you can go cheaper. If longer buy the best that you can afford.
It’s inevitable. Kids or pets or adults for that matter means spills are bound to happen. Coffee, spaghetti sauce, soda to your dog’s rare accidents can spoil your brand new carpet. The only way to make challenges like these easier to manage is to get stain resistant carpets.
Choosing the right colors is critical but only further complicates your carpet buying decision. Trendy colors or patterns may look great today but may come off as completely dated in a couple of years Light colors may easily show stains while darker hues can shrink how a room appears visually.
So what’s the best color choice for carpets? For my money neutrals like beiges, browns and earth tones. They make your room seem bigger. They’re durable. Plus they go with the most any lighting and furnishing choices you make. Now or in the future.
Now the right padding can add years to the life of your carpet. It absorbs the effects of foot traffic while preserving and protecting the texture. For that reason if you need to chintz anywhere, get the best pad and a lesser grade carpet. Ideally a 6 to 8 pound pad is a good choice. Just be aware that while the most durable it’s not exactly budget friendly. But it will be a good choice for protecting your investment.
Carpet buying is an investment. That’s why it’s important to have a budget and stick to it. Don’t be like others who get so excited they get carried away. There are different grades of carpet. Your job is to find the best that’s within your budget.
Finally be sure to specifically find out what your installer will do. This is important. Probe to see if they will remove the old carpet and haul it away. Will they move the furniture or will you be expected to? What kind of guarantee is there on the labor? Knowing this will avoid surprises later.
If what you’ve just read really stoked your desire to replace your carpet, hold your horses! This is a huge decision that needs to be thought through. It’s like moving without moving out. Don’t get too eager and excited. Impulsive carpet buying leads to mistake you will live with for a long time.
And for those curious about the best Dyson vacuum cleaner there’s a site you should know about. It’s AskTheVacuumGuy.com. You’ll find it loaded with vacuum cleaner ratings that may tell you just what you need to know. Why not check them out now?
Tags: carpet and upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, carpets, cleaning, consumer goods and services, floor care, flooring, home and garden, products, vacuum cleaners
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Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
Coffee Spots in Rug – Depending on the color of a person’s carpet, coffee splatters might be totally disastrous. Start by blotting up as much excess coffee as possible using a cotton or paper cloth. Then sprinkle the coffee spot with hydrogen peroxide, allowing it to sit for 4 to 6 hours. Blot as much of the hydrogen peroxide as possible after which reapply more, however this time around allow it to sit overnight. The next day, rinse location with tepid to warm water and make use of a fan to speed dry. You will need to note that the faster the spot is taken care of the less likely it will set permanently in the rug.
Carpet Odors – You’ll find nothing worse than a smelly rug. This formula works like a charm. Use one scoop of Oxi-Clean, a single cup of white vinegar and 3 cups of very hot drinking water. Saturate the region and let it take 15 minutes. And then allow it to dry and vacuum. This eliminates all smells. You can even make use of this solution in carpet rental machines. Remember that in the event that the smell is coming from the carpet pad then absolutely no level of rug cleaning can help. Do not worry about applying vinegar, the smell will vanish when carpet dries.
Bicycle Chain – Before too long bike chains get stuffed with soil and mud so it’s recommended that you thoroughly clean them every once in awhile. The first thing you want to do is remove the chain. If you have never performed this previously consult a skilled buddy that can help. Next you want to soak it in a container of degreaser for around 5 minutes. After that work with a rigid brush and scrub all the unwanted accumulation off the metal. If is really bad duplicate the process. Clean the chain down by using a rag and put it back on the bicycle. It is usually a good idea to apply a special cycling chain oil for peak operation.
Microwave Oven Splatter Stains – Nobody wants the spots caked on the inside of a microwave by soups or sauces. Abide by the following tip to get it nice and clean. It is best to clean primary spots with a hot wet washcloth with some drops of dishwashing detergent. The hotter the better. For stubborn stains clean with a product made from plastic, for instance a credit card. Do not ever scrape with metal items because they may cause scratching. When there is a turn table, take it out and wash independently or perhaps wash in a dishwasher.
Photographs – Occasionally photos might get coated with dirt, finger prints and a layer of muck. If the photo lacks a lacquer finish, try a cotton swab with distilled water and carefully rub to eliminate the marks. Never rub too hard since it can easily remove the emulsion and destroy your photo finish. When water does not work, try rubbing alcohol. Know that if the photo becomes damp, it will change coloration slightly. Take it easy it will return to normal right after it dries.
Grease Stains On Home Wall – Start by wiping the location using a moist washcloth or paper towel to eliminate as much of the oil as you can. Work with a combination of hot water and a grease-fighting cleanser to carefully scrub the area. It is best to utilize a delicate sponge or cloth so you never remove any of the paint or even texture. Then simply wash the area using a clean moist towel and let it dry.
Wide Leaf Plants And Flowers – Of course, indoor plant leaves get mucky and dirty the same as anything else at your residence. Utilize a moist cloth or feather duster to wash away dust. For more severe problems, mix a treatment of 1 quart warm or hot water with 1/2 cup nonfat milk. Wash every single leaf individually with a gentle towel or sponge. Do not make use of anything abrasive as you can harm the plant. You need to clean both sides of each leaf. There are also plant cleaning products you can buy which make the plants appear green and bright.
Ceiling Fans – While cleaning fans you want to ensure and wash each side of the blades. The most effective way to accomplish this is to use a U-shaped sweep. You can find them at many hardware retailers.
For more cleaning solutions visit Tulsa carpet cleaning at this helpful website www.tulsacarpetcleaningpro.com. Here you will find lots of videos, photos and how-to demonstrations.
Tags: advice, carpet cleaning, cleaning, cleaning tips, family, home, home and family, home and garden, home cleaning, home family, home garden, House, house cleaning, how to
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Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Many people do not like to spend money on carpet cleaning services because they believe that they can do an adequate job themselves. For simple stains or regular upkeep this may absolutely be the case. However, for some tough cleaning situations, it is best to hire a professional and know that the carpets will be as clean as the day they were purchased.
Anyone who has ever kept a pet in their home knows that they are not always gentle on carpets. Many cats and dogs are constantly shedding and getting their hair out of a carpet can be a nightmare. In the event that the pet has a particular ailment such as fleas, getting them out can be nearly impossible. Hiring a carpet cleaner is the best way to take care of these delicate issues immediately and put them to bed for good.
According to Murphy’s Law, whenever there is a glass of red wine and a white carpet in the same room, the wine will spill. Red wine stains are some of the hardest to get out of any fabric, especially delicate and precious carpets. When people try to treat these stains at home they often do not know what they are doing and make the problem worse, so it is really a good idea to use a cleaning service.
There are few times of year that are worse for many people than springtime allergy season. All someone needs to do in order to be covered with pollen is step out of their front door. This means that the pollen is then all over their home, especially in the fibers of their carpet. At the end of allergy season, the only way to really be relieved is to have the carpets professionally removed and make sure that every trace of pollen is removed from the home.
Even the carpet that is maintained flawlessly will eventually show signs of aging simply from being vacuumed and tread on. Over time, the colors will not be quite as vibrant as they once were and the texture will begin to appear flat. Instead of getting rid of a beautiful carpet for a newer one, simply give it a little tune up with a deep cleaning by a carpet cleaner.
It is true that most people can clean their own carpets for general upkeep. However, some stains or special circumstances require the care of a professional. Instead of trying many home methods that do not work, get the job done the right way the first time by hiring carpet cleaning services.
Click here for more information on Carpet Cleaning Phoenix or Tile Cleaning Phoenix
Tags: carpet cleaning, home and garden, household cleaning, odor removal, stain removal, tile cleaning
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Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Imagine that you’ve just spilled something on your clothes or carpet. Well, there’s no need to panic. That’s because most ordinary stains on clothing, carpet, and tile can be removed without much sweat, using items that most homeowners keep in stock.
Removing Stains on Clothing
Antiperspirants cause the most common stains on white dress shirts, T-shirts, and blouses. If the white clothing is washable, pour boiling water over the stained area, and then scrub the stain with a mixture made of 1/3 water, 1/3 baking soda, and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide. After scrubbing the stain, wash the clothing as you normally would, adding bleach to your load of wash. Another way to treat antiperspirant stains is to sponge the stain with ammonia. However, it is crucial to remember to never mix bleach and ammonia.
Tea and coffee are another typical source of stains on clothing. If the stain is still fresh, try blotting it with a rag or paper towel soaked in cold water. If you find that some of the stain is still left, spot clean it with a mixture of one pint of warm water and one ounce of borax. After that, wash with detergent.
What if it’s a really tough tea or coffee stain? If the fabric is durable, stretch the stained portion of the garment over a large basin. Then slowly pour boiling water over the stain from a height of around two feet. (Needless to say, if small children are present, don’t pour boiling water anywhere near them.)
Very important: Don’t use this procedure if the stain is anything but coffee and tea. That is because hot water can set many stains, such as blood stains. The result will be a ruined garment.
What happens if you scorch a skirt or blouse when you iron it? Depending on the severity of the scorch, you may be able to remove the scorch stain. Here’s a method that has worked well for many people: Make a mixture of one ounce of borax for every one pint of cold water. Soak the clothing in the solution. Next launder.
Handling Carpet Stains
Frequently people walk on carpet with dirty feet or spill food or drink on carpet. How should you treat the carpet? If you have modern, stain resistant carpet, cold water alone should remove most fresh stains. But you need to act quickly.
If cold water alone is not sufficient, use a solution of two cups lukewarm water, one teaspoon of white vinegar, and one teaspoon of liquid detergent. This should not discolor any carpet, but to be safe, try it out on a part of the carpet that is not visible.
What about removing blood stains from carpet? Well, this is a bit more difficult, especially if the blood has already dried. First, sprinkle salt over the blood stain. Second, spray the area with a mixture made with equal parts of water and hydrogen peroxide. Finally, blot with tissue, paper towels, or a cloth rag. Remember to spot test the mixture first, particularly if your carpet is a dark color.
Tile Stains
Chlorine bleach will remove the majority of stains on floor tiles. Use a mixture of three-fourths cup of bleach with one gallon of water. Be sure to wear rubber gloves. If you prefer, you can use white vinegar or ammonia instead.
Susanah Eastridge, the author, is the mother of three children. She has written numerous articles of interest to wives and mothers through the years. She likes to share with others any household tips that have saved her time. For free reports on cleaning blood stains, just visit her website at www.easybloodremoval.com.
Tags: blood stain removal, Carpet, carpet cleaning, cleaning, clothes, clothing, home and garden, homemaker hints, homemaking, homes, household hints, laundry, removing stains, stain removal
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Friday, June 4th, 2010
You have not decided if you had a moment of delusional thinking, or had completely lost your mind, when you asked your brother to bring his family up to your dwelling for the Memorial Day weekend. He must have adopted his three children from a band of wild billy goats, for they trampled in and out of the house, all weekend long, dragging dirt all through your carpets, and now you are stuck with a huge mess! Now, you understand, why you need a carpet cleaning service which will do the job quickly and inexpensively.
Not all carpet cleaning businesses are the same. Unfortunately, that is the world in which we live, and we must take measures to carefully choose what company will do the best. The following are simply a few suggestions that can be utilized to assist you in finding a reputable company, for your needs.
List, on a piece of paper, those requirements which are most important to you about cleaning your rug. If you have allergies to any chemicals, that should go on your list. Maybe you prefer to have more concentration appointed to heavily travelled areas. Will your carpet hold its color once application has been applied?
Always check out businesses which have been around for a good number of years. Besides the amount of years, find out how they usually charge their customers. If they make mistakes do they handle them in a timely, and friendly, manner? Ask friends, family, and co-workers, who launders their carpets and if they would recommend some business for you.
Now, no offense but, you may be a hermit and choose not to socialize with any person. This is perfectly fine, it just makes it a little bit more challenging to find the knowledge you pursue. The public library has many resources you can utilize to find a good, honest establishment. If you can not be helped there, try the chamber of commerce for your town or county.
The Internet will have online commentaries about the services of different companies, and you will gain knowledge through these forums. The phone directory has a list of businesses which you may call to inquire about their cleaning practices. Speak to the staff, or management, of each establishment and ask about length of time they have been in business, their price ranges, types of equipment used, and their propensity for being punctual. If the answers are not to your satisfaction, seek another company.
Additionally, not many individuals realize that the term “steam” is a misnomer when it comes to laundering any carpet. Steam is not really used but, hot water and an emulsion to wash the carpet. If you prefer true steam to be utilized, find a company which uses “vapor” cleansing mechanisms as their cleaning devices.
Click here for more information on Carpet Cleaning Phoenix or Phoenix Tile Cleaning
Tags: carpet cleaning, home and garden, household cleaning, odor removal, stain removal, tile cleaning
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Monday, May 3rd, 2010
When we think about carpet cleaning services, things like upholstery cleaning and mattress cleaning are usually the furthest things from our mind. However, these services are at the core of what carpet cleaning services are all about. These services are what can make our homes clean and prevent serious health issues.
The one service that they offer and that everyone knows about is simple carpet cleaning. Unfortunately for most, this is the only service that they use. Someone spills something and we call the guy with the steam cleaner or rent something from Home Depot to make it look better. There is quite a bit more to carpet cleaning services than just this though.
Upholstery cleaning is another service that should be available. Our couches and chairs can get to look gnarly if they are ignored for too long and cleaning them at the same time as the carpets will ensure that you enjoy a longer lifespan and that they look and smell fresh all the time. People often forget how great their furniture looks until it has been professionally cleaned.
Another service that can often go overlooked is steam cleaning. What most people do not know is that the machines that most carpet services use are very effective in treating mold and mildew. Rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom can have some pretty nasty spots that we simply cannot clean. Let these guys have a go at it and you will be amazed at the outcome.
Mattress cleaning is a service that should be used yearly, but many people are not even aware that it actually exists. The fact of the matter is that a mattress can weigh about 10 pounds heavier after a decade of use and no cleaning. What exactly do you think is inside that mattress that weighs about 10 pounds? It is our little friend the dust mite.
The dust might is a disgusting little nuisance that can cause some serious issues. These little creatures are unnoticeable to the naked eye, but they live deep in our mattresses and furniture, feasting on dead skin. They can cause permanent health issues in young children and may be the reason that you are waking up every morning congested and feeling like you have a bad cold.
If a home is really going to be clean, carpet cleaning services are going to have to be used. Surface cleaning is hardly enough to keep out dust mites and other allergens that can cause health issues. Allow the professionals to do what they do best and give you some allergy relief and actually make your home truly clean.
Click here for more information on Phoenix Carpet Cleaning or Tile Cleaning Phoenix
Tags: carpet cleaning, home and garden, household cleaning, odor removal, stain removal, tile cleaning
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Monday, March 15th, 2010
Are you tired making excuses for the ugly carpeting in your living room? Did you overhear a not-so-flattering remark about your bathroom floor from a guest? Embarrassing isn’t it? Or are you remodeling and looking for easy care flooring options?
Yet when it comes to replacing flooring you’ll soon discover there are many choices. Yes choice is good. Within reason. But anymore the flooring options can also leave your head spinning. All this only makes the final decision harder. And given this is a choice you’re going to live with for years to come can only add to the pressure to get it right.
Let’s try to make it easy to give your floor a face lift.
Getting a new carpeting that lays down a sea of color from wall to wall can be exciting. You likely want to go with a nylon. Mid grade should be good enough. All the more so provided you go with the pad upgrade. Since it’s the pad that will determine how long lasting the carpet is and how long it retains it’s fresh new look
Then there’s the classic beauty of wood. You can choose a solid wood installation or you might consider one of the newer products like engineered hard wood. Gleaming laminate flooring is another way to go. Complete with a shiny prefinish it will run you less than solid wood and likely be easier to keep looking sharp.
And we’re not just talking oak anymore. You might consider African hardwoods to exotics. Bamboo is even gaining quite a following for being an environmentally friendly flooring option.
You’ll find ceramic tile has it’s place too. Like in the kitchen, bath, or your entrance ways or anywhere water might be an issue. Stylish and durable the range of colors can boggle the mind.
If you are watching your pennies then you can’t go wrong with vinyl. It is easy to install, easy to clean, long lasting and available in a host of different styles and patterns. You can lay down a solid color or opt for eye pleasing patterns. Vinyl comes in sheets or tiles. Some really appreciate the no wax finishes available anymore.
Finally don’t forget how area rugs can tie the colors of a room together. Or serve as the focal point. Some home owners swear by area rugs because they are extremely versatile. They’re easy to maintain and beautify your home wonderfully!
Of course changing your flooring may require a sizable investment – depending on the size of the job. But the shimmering color or beauty of hardwood will instantly transform the decor of your home. Giving you something to be proud of for many years to come.
And for those wanting to find out more about Dirt Devil vacuum cleaners, or lightweight bagless vacuums or who just want to read some helpful vacuum cleaner reviews then how about AskTheVacuumGuy.com? In no time you’ll find out which models are high-tech in looks and suction power and which are just big on looks.
Tags: carpet and upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, carpeting, cleaning, consumer goods and services, floor care, flooring, home and garden, products, vacuum cleaners
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2010
Is free flying pet hair getting the better of you? Lack solutions for this furry problem that don’t involve shaving the cat or giving the dog a buzz cut? Is there anything that can be done about the pesky problem of pet hair?
First, if it helps, you’re not alone. About 150 million pet enthusiasts have similar complaints. Your pet’s hair doesn’t spare any thing, any place or anyone. It’s found everywhere. Embedding into the carpet, sticking to furniture and even hanging on your clothing. But what can you do?
Since you likely can’t stop the shedding eliminating those tumbleweed-sized fur balls can be a full time task. Luckily many solutions abound for dealing with this furry mess.
Let’s start with a very easy way to get the situation under control. Take the time to brush your ever shedding pet daily. Or at least as frequently as you can. This way you can make sure that most of your pet’s hair lands in the trash and nowhere else.
You might also look into getting yourself one of the useful tools on the market for this purpose. Like pet hair rollers, wipes and mitts found in pet stores to remove the hair from your car seats or sofa cushions. Also, a wet sponge, fabric softener sheets or rubber gloves can do the trick for you. These gadgets allow you to roll the hair into manageable balls to be tossed into the trash.
Vacuum manufactures feel your pain too. And most brands anymore, or so it seems, have a vacuum designed specifically to extract the hair from the carpeting. So if removing the wall to wall carpet isn’t an option, maybe such a wonder machine is. Although if you’re looking for a consensus as to which is clearly best you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Now it may not be an option to choose furniture colors that go along with the color of your cat’s hair. But why not see if you can find cushion covers that can be thrown into the washer. Or at least make easy care micro-fiber fabric your first choice.
Finally if you’re tired of cleaning your carpets and running out of patience, then you can choose to have wood flooring. Alright, not the best solution in all cases. But for sure, sweeping away the tumbleweed-sized hairballs will be a lot easier.
Anyway it’s a fact that your doggie hair problems might drive you crazy sometimes. But having your pet’s companionship is definitely worth putting up with it, right? So, instead of relegating your pet to life on a tether outside see if any of these ideas might work for you. Weighing how much time and money you want to devote to dealing with your pet’s lost hair.
And for those struggling with how to decide on a vacuum maybe a good vacuum cleaner review or two would help? You don’t have to look further than AskTheVacuumGuy.com. This popular site provides vacuum shoppers Miele Capricorn reviews, weighs the pros and cons of a Roomba vacuum, and covers vacuums from A-Z. Have a look and get yourself the perfect vacuum for your home.
Tags: Carpet, carpet and upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, cleaning, consumer goods and services, floor care, home and garden, products, vacuum cleaners
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