Known Articles

A spill on the kitchen carpet can be anything from
a child’s cup falling off the table to muddy footprints
around the room.  Properly dealing with the kitchen
spill is what seperates the professionals from everyone
else.

With a little bit of common knowledge, many of the
spills that occur can be cleaned up and corrected fast
and easily.  Knowing how to react to spills in the
kitchen are what makes things easier than ever.

The first thing to do, is use a bit of common sense.
Its important for you to take very quick action and
be smart about the first steps you take in cleaning
up your kitchen carpet spill.  To put it in other
terms – don’t let the spill sit.

The longer the spill or product sits on your carpet,
the deeper in it will go.  A larger spill that has
time to seep into the carpet and into the padding
and reaches the floor boards is one type of spill
that will need extensive cleaning.  Therefore, you’ll
need to move quickly and effectively.

You can take different steps to remove spills from
your kitchen carpet.  One thing that remains the
same throughout every spill you encounter is that
you shouldn’t rub them.  Most often, rubbing the
spill will rub them into the fibers of the carpet.
This will make them less likely to come off.  Instead
of rubbing, you should consider blotting.  Blotting
puts small amounts of pressure on the stain to
allow the cloth or paper towels to soak it up.  This
doesn’t work the stain deeper into the carpet.

As far as getting the spill out of the carpet, you
can use several methods.  First, you should try
and remove as much debris from the floor as possible,
wiping as much as you can up.  Then, there are
several routes that you can take.

If you own a carpet cleaner, this will be your
best option.  Last, there are several products on
the market that you can use.  This will help when
it comes to difficult spills.  Unless you have
them on hand, waiting isn’t an option.  Spills in
the kitchen needs to be handled in a quick and
timely manner.

Since the kitchen spill happens in one of the most
used rooms of the home, you’ll need to make sure
that you do a great job in cleaning it up.  Because
spills can happen frequently, it is important
that you do a complete cleaning of the carpet on
a regular basis.

Even though kitchen carpet spills are nearly
impossible to prevent, you can protect yourself and
your carpet by knowing what to do.  If you keep
your carpet clean, you’ll have no problems cleaning
up spills as they occur.

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.

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.

When you select carpet for your home, you have many
things to consider and many different options to
weigh as well.  Carpets come in many different colors
and styles, textures and fibers, and there are many
different qualities to choose from as well.

The two most popular choices of carpet today are the
loop pile and cut pile.  Loop pile has individual
strands of yarn pulled through the backing of the
carpet twice, which creates a small loop.

The cut pile has the loop cut at the top, leaving
tufts of yarn that stand straight up. Cut pile is
normally more durable than looped pile.  Cut piles
come in many styles, such as shag, textured, saxony,
and velvet.  Loop pile choices include berber,
cable, or sisal.  For high traffic areas, loop pile
is an excellent choice.

One of the factors with choosing your carpet is the
cost.  Even though there is nothing more luxurious
than having wool carpeting in your home, most of us
can’t afford wool.  If you are able to afford wool
carpeting you’ll find that even though it costs more
to install, it will prove to be far more superior
than any other type of carpeting.  There is no man
made carpet fiber that come close to the durability,
rich look, or even the feel of wool – which can also
last for 30 years or more.

Acrylic carpeting is very similar to wool, and
sometimes referred to as man made wool.  It is
resistant to moisture, fading, mildew, crushing, and
staining, although it isn’t recommended for high
traffic areas.

Nylon carpeting is also popular, as it is recommended
for high traffic areas.  Nylon is one of the most
expensive types of synthetic fibers, although it
is still cheaper than wool.

Olefin is a low cost carpet material, often used for
indoor or outdoor carpeting.  Olefin is colorfast
and strong, very easy to clean.  One of the draw
backs to olefin is that it can easily be crushed.

Another consideration you’ll have is the color and
patterns of the carpet.  Light carpeting colors
help to create a spacious effect, making the room
appear to be larger.  Light color carpets will of
course, show much more soil than dark colors.

If you have pets around the house or little kids,
dark colors may be your best bet.  There are many
different varieties of dark colors, which is great
for those interested in style.  Dark colors are
ideal for stains or pets, as they don’t show soiled
areas near as much as light colored carpets.

If you end up selecting light colors around pets or
little kids, you’ll find yourself having to work
twice as hard to make stains less noticeable.  It
would be easier and also smarter to select a dark
color and make it easier on yourself.

In the past and even today, carpet is very popular
with home owners all across the U.S.  Carpet is
the most practical, fashionable, and versatile
choice of flooring out there, as it also accounts
for more than half of all flooring purchases that
are made each and every year.  The fact is, carpet
has outsold every other type of flooring for more
than 60 years.

Carpet offers you several advantages that other
flooring options can’t compete with.  Below, you
will find many of the features that carpet will
add to your home.

Warmth
Carpet is the best choice you can make for your
bedroom, family room, and other areas where you
need warmth underfoot.

Insulation
Both carpet and carpet padding will provide an
extra layer of much needed insulation between the
floors of your home.  Depending on the density and
weight of the carpet, it contributes to the R-value
of your home, which adds to the energy efficiency
as well.

Safety
Carpet offers a slip resistant surface that will
prevent accidents along with a natural cushion
in the event of someone falling.  For young
children and the elderly, this is very important.

Reduction in sound
Carpet will also reduce noise better than any
other type of flooring.  Carpet works to dampen
noise in three ways:
1.  Reduces surface noise from foot traffic
2.  Absorbs airborne sound
3.  Blocks transmission of sound
These qualities are valuable in apartments as well
as semi-detached homes.

Surface
Adding carpet to a room can also disguise any
existing damage to the floor and also hide any
other problems such as warped floors.  The thicker
density the carpet is, the more problems it will
be able to hide.

Easy to care for
The carpets of today are more stain resistant
than they have ever been in the past, which makes
cleaning even the worst possible spills easier
than ever.  No matter type of spill it may be,
there is always a way to clean it up.

Clean air
Research has proven that carpet can indeed improve
the quality of air by trapping allergy causing
dust and allergens if it is properly cleaned and
maintained.

Variety of use
Carpets aren’t only for floors anymore, which is
a really great thing.  You can easily add carpet
to steps, stairs, walls, posts, and other non
level surfaces, without having to worry about it
slipping, lifting, or buckling.

Flexibility
Carpet is the primary foundation in almost any
room.  Because it is available in a variety of
different colors and textures, it helps to
create an unlimited number of possibilities for
decorating.  From the neutral tones to rich
solids, carpet is the first step you can take
to make your home look better than ever.

Low cost
Carpet doesn’t cost a lot of money, as it offers
an economical alternative to the other types of
expensive flooring.  Even with professional
installation, you won’t pay near as much as you
would for hard surfaces.  Unlike hard surfaces,
carpet can keep you comfortable if you decide
to lay down on it.

Life span
The carpets of today are very durable and can
outlast most other types of flooring available on
the market.  All you have to do is select a
type of carpet that has a life span of 5 – 30
years or more, which is very common now days.

Warranty
With most manufacturers, you can get great
warranties with your carpet purchase.  This way,
you’ll be protected when you install your new
carpet.  Once installed, all you have to do is
enjoy it – as the warranty will ensure that you
are very well protected.

Antique type carpets help to add a touch of grandeur
and glamour to your home or office, speaking greatly
about your rich and extravagant tastes.  Antique
carpets are beautiful home furnishings and solid
art investments.  They aren’t just decorative items,
but pieces of tradition, ethniticity, and true class
that dates back thousands of years.

Antique carpets represent enormous range in motifs
and color harmonies and you’ll simply lose yourself
seeing the diverse combinations of rich antique
colors and heavy intricate weaving.

The diverse range of antique carpet pieces that you’ll
encounter while shopping for them are mostly Oriental
carpets and rugs that portray the mystery and legend
of the far off lands of the Orient.

Antique carpets and rugs are imported mostly from China,
Persia, India, Afghanistan, Caucasus, and Turkey.
Some of the famous weaving areas of such antique carpets
include Kashan, Agra, and many other locations.

Antique carpets have a more artistic integrity, as
they are exclusively hand woven.  They are sold all
over the world, with clients more than willing to pay
whatever they have to in order to redefine their home and
decorate in style.

If you are looking to add luster and glamour to your
home or office and are ready to spend a fortune on the
exquisite pieces of art, then you shouldn’t wait a single
minute.

The first thing to do, is contact one of the several
reliable, knowledgeable, and genuine art dealers
and galleries who deal in antique carpets and
have profound knowledge about the various aspects
of a good and genuine antique carpet.  They can
guide you in selecting the best one per your
budget and tastes.

You’ve got a bit of work to do as well.  You should
visit a lot of dealers and educate yourself
about dyes, wools, design quality, and the many
styles of weaving as well.  Touch the carpet and
scrutinize them carefully.  Beware of the machine
made synthetic carpets that some dealers will
tell you are antique carpets.

Below, are some tips to help you when buying
antique carpet.
1.  You have to remain careful and thoughtful
while analyzing each piece of antique carpet.
2.  You’ll also need to try and understand
the age and origin of the carpet that will in
turn give you a much better insight about the
overall quality of the carpet.
3.  You’ll also need to look and see if
the edge and borders are there in the antique
carpet you intend to buy, as the end and edge
borders are sometimes lost or even cut out on
purpose.  Keep in mind that the borders will
determine the overall value of your carpet.
4.  Keep an eye out for holes and moth
attacks that are both common when dealing with
antique carpets.  These problems must be attended
to before you buy the carpet.
5.  You should always deal with dealers who
have the prices marked on the carpet.  See to it
that your dealer sticks to that price.