Places You Forget to Vacuum

Your home is your fortress. Protect your family from any threat or hazard caused by germs or viruses by making sure that every inch of your home is safe. Remember to cover the following areas on your next cleaning schedule: 

Carpeted stairs

Dirt also has a tendency to accumulate on carpeted stairs, where the step meets the next step. “The edges and the crevices get extremely dark from dust,” Sardone says. “It’s because the usual hand vac doesn’t get deep into the crevices and the edges where it collects.” But targeting the area can really help. Source: MSN

Blinds

Wooden and metal blinds can both become dirt magnets if you’re not cleaning them regularly. “If you dust them every week with a flexible duster, then they stay clean, but most people don’t.” She recommends using your attachment to vacuum the blinds at least a couple of times per year to remove heavy dust. Source: RD

Mattresses

Vacuuming your mattress will reduce the risk of dust mites (or bed bugs!) moving in. If you have one, use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to make the task easier.

Make sure to focus on all the nooks and crannies, and don’t forget to turn your mattress every few months. The GHI recommends flipping them over every six months to ensure even wear and maintain the shape of the mattress. Consult the manufacturer’s recommendations for best practice.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions first, because not all mattresses should be vacuumed. Source: GoodHousekeeping

Need help deep cleaning the carpet in your home? We’ve got you! Contact us today!

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How to Disinfect Your Carpet Without a Steam Cleaner

If you’re stuck at home right now with no tools to deep clean your carpet, then this article is for you. Keep any virus from putting you and your family in danger by taking note of the following tips:

Follow these simple steps

Cleaners needed: Baking soda or dish soap (alternatively, you can use the same product used in steam cleaners)

Tools needed: Old toothbrush, brush, clean rag or towel, and bucket

Here are the steps for how to clean your carpet without a steam cleaner:

1. Get a bucket of warm water and your preferred cleaning tool ready.
2. Vacuum the entire area you wish to clean to get rid of dirt and dust.
3. If using baking soda, sprinkle the stain until completely covered. If using dish soap, measure the stain’s size, and use 1 tablespoon per 6 to 8 inches of stain.
4. Swoosh it around until you see bubbles.
5. Using an old brush, toothbrush, rag, or towel, gently scrub the stain with warm water.
6. Do not completely soak the floor, just make it wet enough to scrub away the dirt/stain.
7. Turn on any fans, or open nearby windows to allow carpet to air dry.
8. Once dry, vacuum again. Source: FirstForWomen

Be cautious when using natural products

Many sites recommend sanitizing carpet by spraying it with distilled white vinegar. Vinegar is not an EPA-recommended disinfectant. The acetic acid in vinegar does break apart soil and has some disinfectant qualities by changing the structure of germ cells. However, it is much more effective on hard nonporous surfaces than carpet fibers.

While it will help reduce the number of bacteria on the carpet if used along with the high heat of a steam cleaner, it will not leave your carpet sanitized or disinfected.

If you choose to use vinegar, select Cleaning Strength White Distilled Vinegar that contains six percent acetic acid rather than another lower acid vinegar.

Source: TheSpruce

Don’t forget to use disinfectant spray

For areas like your couch and carpet that can’t be wiped down, you can use a disinfectant spray, like Lysol, to go after unseen germs. I suggest spraying in a sweeping motion to cover the entire surface, then let it completely dry before sitting down or walking on the surface.

You can also spray down countertops, mattresses and tables. If you’re out of wipes, you can also aim your disinfecting spray into a paper towel to wipe down sink handles and other smaller surfaces.

Products like 409 cleaner are not on the EPA’s approved list of products, so we suggest using products that come from the list, like Lysol spray, Clorox spray and Sani-Prime spray. Source: CNet

As you can see, making your home safe is possible even without tools. But it takes so much time and effort to do all this on a regular basis. So if you’re looking to free up your schedule so you can work from home or do more relaxing activities, contact us and we’ll take care of the carpet cleaning task for you! 

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Design Tips for Your Home Office

Is your company enforcing a work-from-home policy due to the pandemic? Creating a separate space for your work area is a must so you don’t get burned out from your new setup. Here are some tips to help you out:

Choose the right carpet

A carpet with a low profile is ideal for office environments. A short pile provides easier movement for an office chair on wheels and better accommodation for heavy office furniture and equipment.

Looped berber styles can be ideal for home offices, as they are generally lower profile than residential cut-pile carpets. If you are considering a berber, I would consider a level loop (where all the loops are the same size) as opposed to a style with varying loop heights, which can increase the potential for snagging.

If you prefer something with a more cozy, residential look, you may want to consider a cut and loop. Most cut and loop styles feature short cut fibers paired with small, tight loops. Often, the placement of the loops forms a pattern in the carpet. Source: TheSpruce

Go green

Studies suggest that we can make our workspaces happier and healthier through the power of nature. Viewing countryside scenes such as trees or water can reduce stress, anger and exhaustion while increasing levels of happiness, energy and cognitive function. Try popping an indoor herb garden or bonsai tree on your desk. Alternatively you could select a piece of wall art which depicts the natural environment. Source: CountryLiving

Stay organized

It’s no secret. Home offices can get messy – fast. To keep the piles at bay, it’s tempting to stock up on organizational bins, drawers, etc. There are about a million great options on the market to help you keep your home office in top shape. The only problem is that it’s all too easy to bring a bunch of them home without actually implementing them.

Before you start stocking up on drawer organizers and filing cabinets, put some thought into how you actually organize. What works well for you in the rest of your house? If you’re already in the habit of scanning your receipts and keeping things digitally, why buy a filing cabinet for your home office? If you have a single favorite pen you always use, why buy a pen cup? Don’t get sucked into the office organization hype. You have the flexibility of creating your own workspace. Do it in a way that will work for you long term. Remember, decorating a home office in a way that doesn’t feel too sterile is much easier when you’ve avoided accumulating piles of bins, folders and organizers. Source: Freshome

Your home office will be more comfortable if you have carpeting beneath your feet. Don’t forget to contact us if you have any carpet needs!

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How to Get Rid of Wet Carpet Smell

Did your carpet recently got soaked? Whether it’s caused by water damage or spillage, you have to take care of it immediately to eliminate the foul odor and avoid further problems. Here are the steps you need to take:

Remove excess water and dry the carpet

If you are unable to remove the carpet from the floor you will need to rent or buy a commercial size wet dry shop vac. This will allow you to suck up most of the water out of the carpet. It’s a slow process but quite an effective process.

Remember that your carpet most likely has underlay and this is one of the biggest problems for odor. It’s also the cheapest piece to replace so if at all possible remove the old underlay and replace with new pad. If you aren’t able to remove it then use your shop vac to pull out all the water and moisture.

Once you’ve removed all the water from the carpet you’ll need to clean the carpet. You can do this yourself or you can have a professional cleaner do it. You will want to use a good quality cleaning detergent as well as a sanitizer. An industrial strength product is preferred to ensure all mold, mildew, and bacteria is killed. Ammonia works well and is very cheap to buy. Source: SelfGrowth

Use baking soda to neutralize odor

Sprinkle baking soda on dried carpeting. Use a broom to work the baking soda into the carpet. Allow the baking soda to sit on the carpet overnight. Baking soda is an all-natural deodorizer that will remove carpet odors and is safe to use around children and pets. Remove the baking soda by vacuuming it up. Source: Hunker

You can also add vinegar to kill molds

Plain white vinegar is extremely acidic, which gives it antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties. Not only can it kill mold and mildew, it can also help loosen and lift other debris from your carpet. To make a cleaning solution, mix 2 cups (0.47 L) of warm water with 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of baking soda in a spray bottle. 

• Shake the mixture thoroughly and apply liberally to your carpet. Make more as needed.
• Note that the room will smell strongly of vinegar until the mixture dries.
• Once the mixture has dried, vacuum the room completely. Source: WikiHow

Removing the carpet and padding, then reinstalling it takes so much work. If you don’t do it right, you might even end up having more problems than when you started. Let us help you avoid this daunting task. Call us for an appointment!

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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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