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A majority of how your interior looks and feels will
depend on your floors.  Houses that have carpet
give off an undeniable warmth, vibrancy, and an
aesthetic appeal.  There is a wide range of colors,
textures, materials, and designs available that can
transform your home and give every room a chance
to be unique.  Your carpet installation has a long
term perspective, so it’s important that you select
the best one for your needs and install it right the
first time.

Once you have picked out your material and design,
you’ll need to it install it.  Professional carpet
installers can do the job for you, or you can choose
to do it yourself.  Even though doing it yourself
is cheaper than hiring a professional, it isn’t
recommended if you don’t have the right tools, lack
time, or have no experience.

A great way to ensure a professional installation
of your carpet is to buy from an authorized carpet
retailer or dealer.  Most of the time, your carpet
retailer will have an installation staff that is
very experienced with installing carpet.

If the retailer doesn’t offer an installation
service, they can still guide you to a reputable
and experienced installer.  Even though installation
by a retailer is a bit more expensive, it offers
several advantages.  The experience will show in
their work and you’ll come out better in the long
run.  You can also approach them if you aren’t
satisfied with anything they have done.

However, if you are looking for low budget carpet
installation services, you’ll also have the option
of hiring independent contractors, architects,
builders, or interior designers.  You should
always remember to get their references and inquire
about their experience, where they received their
training, and any certification they may have.

You can also visit homes that the installer has
previously worked on, as this will give you an
idea of their work before you hire them.  If it
isn’t possible, you should at least make it a
point to see some pictures of their work.

Even though private contractors may offer a lower
rate for carpet installation than your retailer,
the services of post installation may be very
poor.  If you encounter a problem, you’ll find
that your options are limited.  No matter what
happens, if you choose an independent carpet
installer, you should always make sure that the
installer follows the standard for installation
of residential carpet CRI 105.

Choosing the right installer for your carpet will
entirely depend on your specific needs.  If you
like to change your carpet type every few years,
you may be better off to choose an independent
carpet installer.  If you want carpet that will
last for a long time, you should get a follow up
from a retailer, as this will ensure that you
have a trouble free experience with installation.

No matter who you choose, you should ensure prior
to installation the carpet is power stretched
so wrinkling and rippling will be minimized.
It is also important that your rooms are
measured before laying any of them and the sub
floor has been cleaned.

You should also vacuum the old carpet good before
it is removed, to help eliminate dust.  Once
the new carpet is down, the edges should be
trimmed and sealed with hardwood.  You should
always inspect the carpet, and make sure that
nothing looks out of the ordinary and that
everything pleases you before you finish the
deal.

You should always keep in mind that no matter
how expensive or exotic your carpets may be, it
is the installation process that makes or breaks
the look of your home.  Therefore, it pays off
to invest a bit of time, money, and effort when
you choose the right installer for your carpet.

The carpet that is made today is a mix of old world
craftsmanship and a touch of 21st century innovation.
By combining the two, carpet is able to become the
household feature that we all know and love – and
get tired of cleaning.

Carpet can be manufactured in one of two ways;
weaving or tufting.  Carpets that are woven are
primarily wool and are very durable, and very
expensive as well.  The woven carpet types can be
hand produced, as it has been for centuries, or by
machine.  No matter what method is chosen, the same
procedures are followed.

The yarn for the carpet is woven through or around
vertical fibers known as warps, and then locked
into place with horizontal strands known as wefts.
The woven carpets can utilize a variety of colors
as well to create intricate patterns in the
highest quality of carpets.

Tufting machines can also be utilized as well, as
they use computers to determine the patterns, styles,
construction, and density.  No longer does someone
have to do everything by hand or mentally, as the
tufting machines will take all of the guesswork out
and make things easy on the operator.

Once the fibers have been locked into place, the
carpet is dyed using a variety of methods that
will create patterns or effects.  For cut pile
carpets, the final stage is stretched,
cutting the pile loops.  This is an important
stage, as it will determine the softness and
feel of the carpet.

The carpet will also receive a secondary stretch
backing as well to give it stability and allow
it to be stretched during the installation
process.  Most of the carpets of this day and
age will receive stain protection as well, which
happens during the manufacturing phase.

The way that a carpet is made will greatly affect
how the carpet is installed.  In the past, the
creation of carpet was a very complicated
process, as there were no computers or technology
to do most of the work.  Back then, it was all
done by hand.  The carpets were great, although
there wasn’t any colors or textures that we
have to choose from today.

The carpet manufacturers of today have a lot of
technology at their disposal, which makes life
at the plants easy.  Operators can watch and
operate machines to do a lot of the work, which
makes their job a lot easier.

The continuous fibers found with carpet are heat
set and twisted at the mill to give a tightly
twisted product that is commonly found with
frieze carpets.  This type of yarn is less
bulky although it will hold its shape for a long
period of time, which is great for those who
don’t like to replace their carpet every couple
of years.

The dry foam procedure is mostly rather than dry as
the name infers, although the content of moisture
is so low that it can actually be referred to as dry
foam (90% air – 10% liquid).  The dry foam machine
is equipped with a pressure tank, which you will
pour a solution of water and shampoo into.

A compressor will work to convert the solution into
foam which is then dispensed all over the carpet
using a revolving cylindrical brush.  The brush will
work to comb the foam through the piles of the
carpet so that each individual fiber of the carpet
is cleaned.

To achieve success, you must make sure that the
bubbles being produced are of uniformed size so the
foam can complete the cleaning process before it
is dispersed.  Once it has dried, the carpet is
then thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dried crystals
of dirt that have been left behind.

Below, are the steps to the dry foam procedure:
1.  First of all, vacuum the carpet and
remove all the stains that you possibly can.
2.  Mix the dry foam solution according to
the directions of the manufacturer.
3.  Shampoo the carpet then once it has dried,
vacuum the carpet.
4.  Depending on the type of carpet you
have, groom the pile to speed the drying process.
5.  Complete the work by using a furniture
leg pad or block to eliminate furniture stains
or rust.

Advantages
The process of dry foam cleaning is capable of
covering a lot of area in a very short amount of
time.  There isn’t really any danger involved in
saturating the carpet simply because the moisture
content is low.  This will also help you to
minimize the problems that are commonly associated
with over wetting.

Disadvantages
The dry foam method is capable of removing average
levels of soil.  There is however a possibility of
excessive residue and soil build up if the machine
you are using has inadequate extraction capabilities.

Dry foam is the ideal method of choice if you have
older carpet if you want to get your carpet as clean
as possible.  You can rent a machine at your local
department or carpet store if you don’t think you’ll
use it enough to buy it.  They don’t cost that
much to rent, which is great for those who just
want to give it a shot and see what happens.

Dry foam carpet cleaning isn’t that hard to do,
as you’ll be fine even if you have no experience
with these types of machines.  The above information
will help you greatly, and if you follow it, you
shouldn’t have any problems.  Dry foam can make a
carpet look spectacular, as long as you follow
the manufacturers directions on mixing the dry
foam solution.  Once you’ve finished cleaning your
carpet with dry foam, you’ll probably find yourself
falling in love with the results.

Choosing an effective carpet cleaner is easier said
than done.  There are many carpet cleaning companies
out there, each one claiming to be the best.  With
each one claiming to be the best, it can be very
hard deciding which one is the best for you.  If
follow the tips below, you’ll have no problems finding
your ideal carpet cleaner.

First of all, you should know what your choices are
in cleaning methods and you should also know which
one is the one you’ll want to choose, as there are
several available to choose from.  A dry extraction
type of cleaning will use a compound that contains
detergents what will free stains and dirt which will
then allow them to be vacuumed up.

Dry foam on the other hand may be used by applying
foam to the carpet and then vacuuming it up with a
wet vacuum.  You can also choose a vacuum that uses
stronger chemicals and a stronger suction to get
dirt up.  For your needs, you should choose the
vacuum accordingly.

Once you know your options, talk to family and
friends for their recommendations.  There are several
places on the internet that offer reviews for
local as well as nationwide carpet cleaners.

You can also get estimates as well.  Find out
what the professionals charge and what is considered
to be extra.  You should also find out what
chemicals are going to be used, how long the
process will take, and whether or not they plan to
move any furniture.

You’ll want to make sure that chemicals used are
going to be safe for you, your children, and
also your pets. If you are using a professional
company, you’ll want to let them know what type of
carpet you have.  If you don’t let them know and
you have a type of carpet that will shrink or
change color during cleaning, you’ll probably be
in trouble.

Probably the most important thing, is to know who
is coming to your home.  You should always make
sure that you know the history of the carpet
cleaner as well as inquire if background checks
are performed by the company.  These steps will
help to keep you and those you love safe.

Follow the above tips, and you’ll have no problems
with finding the right carpet cleaner.  There are
many types to choose from, as well as professional
cleaning companies.

If you are considering whether or not to use a
professional carpet cleaner, you should consider
the alternatives as well.  First, spot removal
isn’t the only necessary carpet cleaning that you
need to do, nor is the vacuuming.

Even home carpet cleaning machines won’t do as
good of a job as a pro can do.  When you use these
types of carpet cleaners, you can help to preserve
your carpeting for years and years to come.

Last, professional cleaning can help many people
who have allergies to feel better once they have
clean carpet.  If you have allergies, a professional
cleaning may be the ideal way to solve just about
all of your carpet problems.

In a nutshell, it makes the most sense to have your
carpet professionally cleaned.  It doesn’t really
cost a lot of money, yet it will give you the
peace of mind in knowing that your carpet is very
clean.

If you’ve been looking to clean your carpet or
have it cleaned, professional is without a doubt
the way to go.  You don’t have to bother with it
yourself, yet you’ll know that your carpet is going
to be cleaned right – by someone who knows exactly
what they are doing.

When it comes to carpet for your home, you may want
carpet that you install yourself.  There are ways
that you can carpet a room very cheaply, without
having to spend a lot of money.  Carpet can get very
expensive in a hurry, which is why saving money is
so very important to those on a tight budget.

One very cheap way you can carpet a room is by using
carpet samples.  This is actually considered new
carpet, as samples aren’t considered to be used.

You can buy samples of carpet for .25 cents a piece
at closeout sales or at your local hardware or carpet
store.  Depending on the size of the room you are
looking to carpet, how many samples you’ll need
will vary.  You’ll also need staples as well, which
cost around a dollar or so.  Most of the time,
you can expect to pay a dollar or so for each square
of carpet, which is still considered to be cheap
carpet.

Keep in mind that using samples or square is a very
unusual style and you have to think about the resale
value of your home.  If you have a trailer or mobile
home, then the style is probably going to be unusual
and cheap to start with.  If you have an expensive
or mid priced home, then you may decide to use
cheap carpeting in the basement, playroom, or in
a children’s playhouse.

If you are doing a children’s playroom, using
multi-colored carpet is perfect.  It is very colorful
and if a spill stains one of the squares of carpet,
you can quickly and easily pull it back up and
install a new one.  This is a great advantage to
doing a playroom this way.

Installing your cheap carpet
The only things you’ll actually need when you
install carpet samples or squares in a room is a
carpet knife and a staple gun.  The 5/8″ staples
seem to work the best for squares and samples.

All you need to do is put the carpet peice in
place and staple in two or three staples along each
side.  Make sure you wiggle the head of the
stapler down deep between the fibers, or between
the border and the fibers, so you can hide the
staples as much as possible.

If you are carpeting a basement floor, you can
use carpet tape instead of staples.  With either
case, this is best to do when padding isn’t that
important.  You can use padding as well if you
don’t mind the complications, although without it,
its pure simplicity.

You may also choose to lay out your pieces of
carpet first, then decide where each individual piece
will go.  When you reach walls, heating sources, or
other obstacles, you can quickly and easily cut the
pieces to fit. If you happen to make a mistake, it
will cost you around a dollar, instead of costing
you a fortune.  When you make a mistake, all you
have to do is start over a new piece of carpet.

Before you begin to put the carpet down, you should
always estimate how many pieces you will need,
and then call around to find a store that has
enough samples for the room.

Although the samples will range in size at different
stores, the average is 18 X 18 inches.  If you
use pieces that are the same size, you’ll find
things to be much easier.  Even though you may be
paying a dollar a piece, it rounds out to less
than .50 cents per square foot to carpet your room
of choice – which is really cheap carpet!

Anytime it involves your floors, you shouldn’t limit
yourself to just carpet, but try the newer carpet
tiles instead.  Carpet tiles are available in an
array of designs and a great choice of materials
as well.  Bordered, geometric, contemporary, or
bamboo – will give your floors a complete makeover
and a great look as well.

When you go out to buy carpet tiles, you’ll need
to think about where you plan to install them.
The tiles will vary in density as well as thickness.
Carpet tiles with more thickness have a cushion
so that it’s soft on the surface, making them ideal
for homes.  They will also provide a degree of
thermal insulation as well.  The thinner types of
tiles are best for offices, gyms, and other high
traffic areas.  All carpet tiles are easy to
maintain and will last you for a long time.

The tiles will come in a variety of materials and
patterns.  If you choose, you can make your home
a greenhouse by using bamboo carpet tiles, or you
can choose terracotta carpet tiles that will
give your interior an earthly feel.

You may just want to liven things up a bit or
play down your floor, depending on the look you
are going for.  Carpet tiles that are made from
foam, rubber, linoleum, and vinyl are best for
children’s rooms, office spaces, or other high
traffic areas.  The cost for the tiles will
depend on their thickness and density, which
means that the prices can range from 1$ per square
foot up to 40$ per square foot.

Tiles for carpet will offer you several advantages
when you compare them to wall to wall carpets.
They are easy to install and easy to transport,
as you can install them without having to move
any furniture!  They are very durable as well,
and will last longer than most types of carpet
even when they are used in high traffic areas.

You can also unleash your creative side as well
with carpet tiles.  You can mix and match
different tiles, or use a color for the border
and even create a distinctive look using
various patterns.  Unlike wall to wall carpet,
you don’t need any professional help in case
of tear, wear, or staining.  If they become
torn or stained, just replace that tile with a
new one.

There are carpet tiles available to fit each
and every taste, even budget and furnishings style
as well.  As they are less expensive, they will
offer you the chance to experiment with your
interior.  Pretty much the same with carpets,
the installation of tiles is very important.

They must be installed on hard surfaces, such as
stone, cement, or ceramic tile.  The surface has
to be smooth and clean, so the adhesives will
last and your floor will have a well finished
look.  The carpet tiles will normally have cushion
or padding already installed, which will reduce
the cost and extend the life of the carpet.

Anyone who has experience with carpet knows the types
of accidents that can happen.  Carpet is very common
with most houses these days, making the risk for
accidents and spills higher than ever.  No matter
what the spill may be, mud, blood, or milk – there
are ways to clean everything.

At your local department store or grocery store,
there are several products that you can pick up that
will work great.  The only problem with these products
is the fact that they are normally very vague with
how you should use them.

The first thing you should know is that if you
have a red stain on your carpet, you shouldn’t try
to get this out yourself, but instead leave it to
a pro.  There are certain procedures and very
effective methods that your local carpet cleaning
company can do to save you from ruining your carpet.

Keep in mind that red is the toughest stain to get
out.  A professional carpet cleaner is the way to
go, as he is properly trained and equipped to
handle them.

For everything else, there is always an effective
and cheap way to clean spots on both your carpet
and the upholstery.  If you are only buying the
products that work for you, then you aren’t paying
much attention to the label or the technique in
getting the stains out.

The first thing to do is go to your local Auto
Zone or auto parts store and pick up the auto
upholstery and carpet cleaner in the can.  Tuff
Stuff is one of the best you can get.  Almost
all cleaners that come in a can are foaming
cleaners, which will make your work a lot easier.

The foam in these canned cleaners will penetrate
the fibers upon contact and as it foams, it will
release and suspend the stains and soils.  You
may need to lightly scrub the areas with a
towel or soft bristled brush.

To help you clean the spots, the tips below may
come in handy:
1.  You should only use white rags or
towels when you clean carpet and upholstery to
reduce the risk of ruining colors or color
transfer.
2.  You should use foaming cleaners to
clean your entire upholstery, even though it may
state to dry clean only.
3.  You should always test your product
of choice first on a hidden area to save yourself
heartache and embarrassment in case things don’t
turn out the way you hope.
4.  If you need the help of a professional,
you shouldn’t hesitate to contact one.

As long as you don’t have a red stain in the
carpet, you shouldn’t have any problems getting
it out.  Stains and spots are a carpet’s worst
enemy, which is why you should always get them
out as soon as you can – to prevent things from
getting any worse.

How often you need to repair your carpet depends on
you.  There are instances such as burns, crushing,
fading, furniture, bleeding, sprouting, and carpet
beetles where you’ll want to take action.  Most of
the time, you can finish a repair job without needing
a professional, although there will be times when
you will need professional assistance.

Burns
Burns occur when a cigarette butt or flame comes
in contact with the carpet.  If the burn is small,
the burnt fibers of the carpet can be cut out with
scissors.  If the burn is large, you’ll need to
replace the area with a new piece of carpet.  You
can do this yourself if you know how, or have an
installer do it.

Fuzzing
This occurs when loose fibers come out on the edges
of the carpet.  To fix this, simply cut the fibers
that are sticking out.

Furniture marks
Heavy furniture can result in indentations being
left on the carpet.  To get rid of these nasty
marks, you should sprinkle your carpet with some
club soda, place a towel over the area, then iron
it.  Do this a couple of times and you will see
your carpet begin to re-fluff.

Shading, crushing, and matting
A lot of traffic on the surface of the carpet will
cause it to flatten, which may give some types of
carpet a shaded appearance.  If this happens, you
should brush and vacuum the area.  If you can’t
fix the problem, you may need to hire a professional,
as this can sometimes be very tricky.

Shedding and snagging
Shedding is a problem of usage, as the fibers will
surface on the carpet.  This isn’t a defect in
manufacturing, but a normal problem.  To fix it,
you’ll need to vacuum the area.  The snags on
the other hand are tufts that have pulled out of
the surface of the carpet.  They will occur more
often with loop pile than cut pile carpets.  You
should never pull them off, but instead cut them
off neatly with a pair of scissors.

Sprouting
A carpet is known to have sprouts only when there
are tufts on it, which are longer than the rest.
As pulling on them will only damage the carpet
more, you should trim them off with scissors and
level them down to the rest of the pile.

Static electricity
This depends on the carpet material, construction,
and padding.  Humidity will play an important role
as the moisture in the air is absorbed by the
carpet fibers.  A humidifier will help to retain
moisture, and you can also spray the surface of
the carpet with an anti static agent.

Carpet beetles
The best way to deal with carpet beetles is with
a strong vacuum suction.  You should always avoid
spillage and keep the surface of the carpet clean
of food.  The carpet beetles are quite annoying,
as they feed on wool, hair, hides, fur, grain,
seeds, and flour.  If the carpet is infested bad,
you professional cleaner is the way to go.

Bleeding or crocking
Bleeding of the carpet is the loss or transfer
of the color from one section to another.  Good
underlayments can help to prevent bleeding to
a certain degree.  Crocking on the other hand is
the loss of the carpets color when it is rubbed.
To avoid this, simply avoid getting your carpet
wet.

A carpet installation job that is one right can
help you reduce your repair worries to quite
an amazing degree.  You can always call a pro as
well, as their services will often end up being
much cheaper than if you were to go ahead and
replace the entire carpet.

Tip 1
Make sure that you get a deep cleaning of the carpet
as often as it is needed.  To achieve a clean carpet,
you’ll need to have it cleaned by a professional or
you’ll need to use a deep cleaning machine.  There
are advantages and disadvantages to this method,
although a thorough cleaning is needed every six
months or so.

Tip 2
Keep your eye out for spills and take care of them
in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean.  Simply
using water on a spill will help most of them.  If
that doesn’t work, simply expand your search.  You’ll
find several products out there on the market that
can help you get rid of spills quick.

The products range in use and can be helpful when
matching them with the different types of spills.
You can also use a mixture of water and vinegar to
help you keep stains out.  By taking immediate action
you can prevent spills from becoming stains that
leave you with a dirty and messy carpet.

Tip 3
A clean carpet is a carpet that has been taken care
of very well.  You should always take the time to
vacuum your carpet often and make sure you do a good
job.  This means going over the floor in several
directions to allow the vaccum time to pick up all
it can.  High quality vacuums are the best choice,
as they get up the most debris.

Tip 4
The proper use of entrance will greatly help to
clean off people’s shoes and keep most of the
tracked soils off the surface of the carpet.  You
should always use entrance mats outside of your
doors and make sure that anyone who enters your
home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off
of their shoes before they enter.  You can also
take off your shoes and request that guests do the
same, prior to entering your home.

Around 80% of the soils that enter a building or
home are dry.  The remaining 20% are greases, oils,
and starches.  The dry soil types are easily
removed by vacuuming.  As long as they are removed
on a daily basis, it will help to minimize the
damage to the carpet.

Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than
just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the
life of the carpet.  If you have just laid the
carpet, you are already aware of the expenses
involved with doing so.

Even if you haven’t had this done, you probably
know the benefits of keeping a clean carpet.  A
clean carpet will add value to the home if it is
maintained well.  It will also help to keep the
home free from odors as well.  Also, it will help
to make a comfortable living area for your friends
and your family.

Although vacuum cleaning can remove a majority of the
dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet
on a frequent basis to remove the oily, sticky soil
that builds up in the pile as a result of odors and
dirt that is tracked in from outside.

If you can clean the carpet before it becomes too
bad, the cleaning chore will be easier to do and a
lot more successful.  There is a myth that is totally
false, which states that cleaning the carpet before
it is necessary will get it dirtier faster.  The
carpet with the typical household should be cleaned
every 12 – 18 months depending on the number of
people living there and the amount of traffic that
walks on the carpet.

The choice of the right vacuum is important as
well.  There are some vacuums that will leave
residues behind, which will promote re-soiling and
basically defeat the whole purpose of household
cleaning.

Professional carpet cleaners
It is in your best interest to use professional
cleaners simply because their experience will enable
them to do a much better job than you can do yourself.
The equipment they use has more extraction power
than the units available to you, and the carpet
will dry faster as well.  They know the cleaning
agents to use, and they know the differences in
carpet construction and fibers.

Doing it yourself
If you have made the decision to rent a steam
cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you
should check on several systems before you make a
selection.  Most of the units available for rent
don’t clean well enough and may end up damaging
your carpet.  Therefore, you should always consider
the following:
-  Several rental companies offer cleaning
equipment that is similar to what the professionals
use.  The equipment should have enough vacuum
power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours
of cleaning.  You should always avoid rental units
found in retail and grocery stores that don’t
have the power to extract the cleaning solution
from the carpet fast enough, as it can actually
damage the carpet due to over wetting.
-  Make sure you avoid over wetting the
carpet.  Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew
growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a
seperation of the backing.  A wet carpet that stays
this way for longer than 24 hours can develop
problems.  You can control this by using proper
equipment and the right training.
-  Carpets that have stain resistant
treatments have to be cleaned with products that
are formulated for this very purpose, or the stain
resistance will be impaired and the warranty will
be voided.  Never use cleaning or spotting solutions
that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color
of the carpet.
-  Never use any silicone based treatments
on the carpet.
-  You can help to reduce the drying time
by using several fans to move the air around the
carpet.  You can use a dehumidifier as well, as
it will pull moisture from the air.

Hot water extraction
The hot water extraction system is highly recommended,
as it considered to be one of the best methods
for carpet cleaning.  Also known as steam cleaning,
the process consists of spraying a mixture of water
and detergent into the pile and recovering the
water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it
into a holding tank.  You can use a truck mounted
unit or a portable self contained unit as well.  This
method is easily one of the best, and is ideal for
soiled carpets or pet stains that you have yet to
get out of the fibers.