Top Eco-Friendly Flooring Options to Choose from

One factor most people consider when deciding which type of flooring to install is the environmental impact of their choice. Fortunately, there are now several green options available in the market. Here are some of the best:

Linoleum Flooring

Average price: $2 – $5 per sq foot. Linoleum is made from oxidized linseed oil which is produced naturally from flax plants. This material is widely available and highly renewable. Production does not have a significantly negative effect on the environment and Linoleum floors can last for 25-40 years. When the material is no longer used it can be burned as fuel. The energy produced by burning one square foot of linoleum is roughly equivalent to the energy required to make the same amount of the material, making its life cycle a closed loop system. Source: TheSpruce

Natural Fiber Carpet

There are a wide range of sustainable carpets and rugs sold at competitive prices across the nation. Look for carpets made from natural fibers with little or no chemical treatment. Also, purchase carpets with natural-fiber backing attached with less-toxic adhesives.

Many carpets and carpet paddings contain plastics made from petroleum, an unrenewable and energy consumptive resource. Choose a carpet with lightweight backing that requires no additional padding, or use padding made from recycled materials. Look for 100 percent recycled cotton padding or recycled “rag pads.” Source: GreenAmerica

Glass Tiles 

Ever wonder what happens to the wine bottles and beer bottles that are shipped to the recycler?  They are converted into beautiful glass tiles. This renewable source is fast becoming a wonderful option for floors as well as bathroom and kitchen walls.  Glass has similar benefits of other eco-friendly materials. It is non-absorptive and won’t mildew or mold in damp environments.   It is easy to maintain and won’t stain.  Glass comes in a limitless array of colors, patterns and finishes suitable for most design schemes.   Unlike ceramic tiles, glass will reflect light rather than absorb it, adding that additional layer of light some rooms need. Source: Freshome

Carpet will still be the most comfortable material out there. With tons of variations that can suit your lifestyle and budget, you’ll surely find a design that will last a long time. We can even help install it for you. Call us!

 

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3 Reasons to Love Carpet

Over the years, hardwood flooring is getting more and more popular, especially with millennial homeowners. But, there are actually a lot of benefits in choosing to go with carpet compared to hardwood. Here are some:

More comfortable

Now, I realize that there are areas of a home where hardwood and tile and vinyl make sense (like in entryways, hallways, bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms). Obviously, these are high traffic areas that punish carpets, and get dirty really fast or would be just too unsanitary for carpet. Solid flooring makes sense. But living rooms, dens, bedrooms, family rooms, should all have carpet. These are areas of the home where we relax, take our shoes off, and play. Carpet is the right choice for giving a sense of peace and rest to these favorite areas of a home. Carpet makes a home feel lived in, and not so much like a furniture museum. Source: DenGarden

Less prone to allergies

With all the time people spend in the bedroom—albeit much of it sleeping—air quality is an important consideration, especially for people with asthma and allergies. Numerous studies over the past several decades have shown that carpet reduces the number of allergens in the air as compared to hard flooring. Carpet prevents allergens from becoming airborne by trapping them in the fibers of the carpet, helping to keep them out of the air and out of your lungs. Vacuuming the carpet then removes the trapped allergens completely. Source: TheSpruce

Safe for everyone

Carpeting is ideal for cushioning our footsteps, reducing slips and falls, and minimizing injuries when falls do occur. It can provide safety protection for the whole family, but especially for toddlers and seniors.

And don’t forget about your pets. How many times have you winced as the dog or cat tried to take a corner too fast and skidded into the wall? Do pets a favor: Give them some traction. Source: Houzz

Are you thinking about getting carpet for your home? Call us!

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3 Things to Consider Before Carpet Removal

Are you thinking about removing and replacing your carpet all on your own? Before you do, you might want to check out these pieces of advice:

Minimize hazards

Before you begin tearing up carpet, remove any doors that swing into the room, including bifold closet doors. Doors that swing into adjoining rooms can stay in place. Then clear the floor completely, removing all the furniture from the room. Slip on a pair of gloves to protect your knuckles from the abrasive carpet backing and the needle-sharp tack strip. There’s a lot of dust trapped inside old carpet. So if you’re sensitive to dust, strap on a dust mask, too. Source: FamilyHandyman

Determine whether to DIY or let a professional handle the job

Carpeting is “big, heavy, and bulky,” Lincon says, “and just the act of pulling it up is more difficult than it might seem at first.” For starters, carpeting attaches to the floor along the edges of the walls via tack strips, narrow strips of wood covered in hundreds of sharp nails that have enough grip to keep carpeting taut and in place. Once you’ve managed to pry the carpet from these tacks (a job best saved for someone with a strong back), the tack strips must then be pried from the floor and the old carpet pad removed. Carpet pads are typically installed with either staples or glue; if yours used the latter, you’ll have a fair amount of scraping ahead of you to get the old glue off. Source: BobVila

Think about disposal

• If you want the installers of the new floor to haul away the old carpet, make sure they know in advance and figure it into your price. Also, make sure that they know not to charge you for the time to tear out the carpet or move furniture.
• Call the dump where you usually take or send your trash and find out what they charge for disposal. Some may charge a different rate for carpet, so be sure to mention that it is carpet.
• Make sure you have some way to haul away the carpet you will discard. Hauling services are often available, as are rental trucks. Check out your phone book and see what you find. Source: WikiHow

If you want to just sit back and relax as you leave this heavy labour task to a professional, call us today!

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How to Determine Carpet Quality

Are you looking at buying new carpet for your home or replacing your old one? Here are some factors to consider when choosing which type will suit your needs:

Density

Density describes the amount of pile in the carpet and how close the tufts are to one another. In general, the more dense the carpet the better the quality. Check density by pressing your fingers on the carpet and trying to reach the backing. It will be difficult to reach the backing of a very dense carpet. With the tufts facing outward, bend the carpet into a U shape to see how much of the carpet backing shows. The less backing you see, the more dense the carpet. Source: HGTV

Fiber

The type of fiber the carpet is made of is a huge factor in the carpet’s quality. Different fibers have different characteristics, and some fiber types work better in certain situations than others.

Common synthetic carpet fibers include nylon, polyester, olefin (polypropylene) and triexta. Natural carpet fibers such as wool and sisal are used less often, but still, play a role in the carpet industry.

Style

The style of the carpet can influence its performance. The most common residential carpet styles include Saxony, Berber, frieze, and cut-and-loop. Of course, each style of carpet is available in a range of qualities, but some styles are better suited for high traffic areas than others. Source: TheSpruce

Twist

The twist of the fiber is the way the fiber filaments are spun into yarn, and how the yarn is in turn twisted upon itself. Twist is usually locked into the fiber with a steam or heat-setting. The tighter the twist, the more the carpet will resist changes in appearance and texture.  Source: DIYNetwork

Do you need help replacing your old carpet? Give us a call and we’ll help you out!

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Tips on Keeping Your Home Safe from COVID-19

Every country is on high alert as coronavirus spreads across the world. But don’t let fear and panic hold you down because you can do something to stop the virus. Simply follow these easy steps: 

Don’t take your shoes inside

Keep a designated shoe rack for the kicks you used outside of the home.  The soles of your shoes collect all the germs that they have touched throughout the day.  It is best to keep a shoe rack where you can leave the shoes you used outside.  Keep another slipper rack near it so you can change into your home slippers immediately before going into your living areas.  Next to this, keep a bottle of disinfectant handy so you can spray the soles of your shoes with disinfectant. Source: Metro.Style

Disinfect common touch points

Cleaning experts say it’s wise to first tackle common touch points, such as tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets and sinks.

“That’s where you’re going to find most of the contaminants, and that’s where you’re going to have a recurring problem,” said Warren Jacobs, the CEO of MCL Green, a cleaning product supplier in Toronto. Source: Toronto.CTVNews

Don’t touch dirty clothes directly

Wear disposable gloves to handle dirty clothes, towels, linens and other items that go in the laundry. Do not shake dirty laundry. Use the warmest water setting and dry items completely. Clean and disinfect clothes hampers. Source: Local10

Use strong household cleansers

For disinfection, use diluted household bleach solutions, alcoholic solutions with at least 70% alcohol or common EPA-registered household disinfectants. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and ventilation. Make sure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Prepare a bleach solution by mixing 5 tablespoons or 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water or 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of water. Source: SeattleTimes

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5 Deep Cleaning Tips Even the Laziest Person Can Pull Off

Spring cleaning is only an annual activity, but for some, it’s still so difficult to get it over with. That’s why we created a list that will help you thoroughly clean the most annoying places in your home. Check it out below:

Put anti-microbial doormats at the entrance

Take a cue from infomercials everywhere, and invest in an anti-microbial doormat. This wondrous invention will trap any dirt coming from outside before it even enters your home. Better yet, enforce a no-shoes policy to avoid having muck tracked across your carpets and tile floors. The less dirt, the less cleaning you’ll have to do later. Source: RD

Clean the bathroom without effort

After you are done showering, take a plastic bag and fill it with vinegar. Wrap the bag over your shower head and secure it. Make sure the shower head is soaked in the vinegar solution. By the time you wake up, most of the work will be already finished. Wipe with a cloth, and you’re done! Source: DIYEverywhere

Let your microwave clean itself

The microwave will almost clean itself when you boil one cup of water and one cup vinegar inside. Once the water and vinegar create a grease and grime busting steam, all the iciness wipes away easily with a rag. Source: DenGarden

Don’t let moisture in

Fight mildew growth by understanding why it forms in the first place: consistent moisture. This is an issue particularly in bathrooms. Make a point of drying out bath mats, tub liners, and shower curtains thoroughly. Leave your washing machine’s door ajar. Hang damp kitchen and cleaning rags to dry if you’re not laundering immediately. It helps to crack open a window in the bathroom or run a fan when showering to prevent moisture accumulating.

Source: TreeHugger

Use refrigerator liners

Spills are going to happen in the fridge. It’s best to take precautionary measures. Simply line your shelves with liners or plastic wrap. Then, you can clean them as needed and not worry about pulling whole shelves out of the refrigerator. Source: HomeHacks

Or you can have us deep clean your carpet so you won’t need to worry about any build-up of dirt. Give us a call so we can reserve a cleaning for you!

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3 Tips to Make Spring Cleaning More Effective This Year

Springtime means a time of change. And it is the perfect time to reinvent your space by tidying up. Drive away any remaining hint of the winter blues by following this easy guide:

Deep-clean your carpet and upholstery

Fabrics that have absorbed a winter’s worth of dirt, body oil, and germs will need a deep spring cleaning to get them ready for another year of wear—and for that close inspection by your relaxing guests. When you’re shampooing carpets or cleaning upholstery with a rented carpet cleaner, practice first in an unobtrusive area to make sure you have the knack of the machine and that the treatment won’t discolor fabrics or cause dyes to run. Move furniture just slightly—not out of the room or against the wall, as the old rules dictated—and place the legs of each piece back on top of small wax paper squares after shampooing. The wax paper will protect your carpet and keep the furniture legs from getting wet as the carpet dries. Open the windows to speed the drying process, which can take a day or more. Source: RD

Disinfect the cleaning tools you’ll use

Before you get started, consider giving your cleaning supplies an overhaul. Tossing the toxins is the first step to creating a cleaner, healthier, and safer home, says Marilee Nelson, co-founder of Branch Basics. According to the American Lung Association, it’s particularly important to avoid air fresheners and choose products that do not contain (or have reduced amounts of) VOCs, fragrances, irritants, and flammable ingredients. Source: OprahMag

Don’t forget the hidden areas

Spring cleaning is all about giving yourself a fresh start. It’s the perfect opportunity to go above and beyond your usual cleaning regimen, taking care of all the hard-to-reach, rarely thought-of areas that normally don’t receive much attention.

Some of these areas include:

• Between refrigerator coils
• Over ceiling fan blades
• Inside the washing machine
• Around your HV/AC vents
• Inside light fixtures
• On and around the windows
• Around door frames and crown molding
• Inside light fixtures and track lighting
• Behind the toilet Source: Freshome

Keeping your carpet clean and looking pristine all year-round takes so much effort, right? So why don’t you just sit back, and let us take care of it? Call us today!

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