Ask the Expert: What About Professional Carpet Cleaners?

Question:  

What kind of carpet cleaning should I choose? My carpets are very dirty and have lots of stains on them. I haven’t hired a professional cleaning company before, so I’m not sure which type of cleaning I need. I’d like a product which will clean thoroughly, dry quickly, and does not involve moving all my furniture out. I asked several carpet cleaning companies, but their suggestions were all different.  Can you help me sort this out?

 

Answer:

I would suggest looking at the original carpet maintenance manual which should have been provided when you purchased the carpet.   This manual will have a wealth of information in it, relating to cleaning techniques and product recommendations.  If the manual isn't available to you, the next step would be to call the technical department of the carpet manufacturer.  They will be able to help you determine which cleaning is best for you.  

 

Finally, if you bought the house with the carpet already in it you may not know the manufacturer.  In that case I would say that in general, hot water extraction is very effective.  I would suggest also pretreating stains with a spot remover, such as Folex.   Should you decide not to remove the furniture, please take care to cover your furniture to protect it from water.

Ask the Expert: DIY Floor Refinishing Techniques

Question:

I just tore up the carpet in my living room and found that I have hardwood floor underneath of it.  I plan to fix it up myself. I want to stain the wood and also put a polyurethane coat on it. I see that there are some stains that come with the polyurethane mixed with it already.  Is it alright to buy the “2 in 1” products or do I need to buy them both separate?

 

Answer:

If you've found a stain product with polyurethane in it, that is just fine to purchase. You’ll also save yourself an extra step in the refinishing process.  You may want to consider the Dura Seal products as they have a line of products available for staining, sealing and patching. 

[image by DerrickT]

What If I Don't Like My Flooring? #CarpetWagon #NoRisk #Guarantee

Avo Barsoumian, owner of Carpet Wagon, addresses the FAQ: "What if Carpet Wagon installs my floors, and I'm still not happy?"

Check out other Top Flooring Questions here! http://topflooringquestions.com/lp/

Ouch! My Hardwood Floor Gives Me Slivers!

Question:

My hardwood floor gives me slivers when I walk on them.  Can you tell me an inexpensive way to fix this problem myself?  

Answer:

It’s easy to fix the occasional splinter in your wood floors, especially if the splinters are of a medium or large size.  Here is an easy fix in 6 steps:

1. Lift up the splintered piece of wood with a utility knife.

2. Place some wood glue on the underneath side of the piece of wood.

3. Push the splinter back into the floor.

4. Wipe the area with a damp cloth.

5. Place a weighted object such as a book on top of the splinter. Leave the object on the splinter for 24 hours.

6. Lightly sand the splintered area and refinish the floor.

Please note that if the wooden plank has severe splintering it will most likely have to be replaced.  If you are experiencing very small splinters in different areas of your floor, you may need to take a fine grade sand paper to the rough areas to smooth out any imperfections.  Refinish the sanded areas when you are done.

(Image by Dan Zen; special thanks to ehow.com)

Help! I Have a Spill on my Brand New Carpet! What to Do? #ask #expert

Question:  

Help!  I spilled food on my brand new carpet.   I cleaned it with my regular carpet spray and got the stain out, but now it's flat in that spot.  The texture of the cleaned area is sort of brushed and fluffy and it doesn’t have the body or stiffness of the rest of the carpet.  It’s very noticeable.   How can I make that spot look like the rest of the carpet?

Answer:

Don’t worry!  This is an easier solution than you would think.  You can simply and easily spray Scotch Guard (TM) to the affected area to restore body and stiffness. Use your fingers to shape the carpet back to it’s original form.   

I also recommend calling the technical department of the manufacturer of your new carpet as they may have recommended products that you can purchase for spot cleaning that can help you avoid this problem in the future.  

Bonus: this trick also works for carpet that has been pressed down due to heavy furniture sitting on it.  Good luck!

[image by anokarina]

Ask the Expert: How Can I Care for my Laminate Floor on the Cheap?

Question: Can you use a steam mop on laminate floors?

Answer: Laminate floors are extremely durable, and can withstand a lot of rough and tumble living, but for cleaning purposes you never want to use a steam mop on a laminate floor.

Laminate floors react the same as wood floors to moisture. Even if you don't see immediate damage, over time, you will see damage to your laminate.

The Good News?  You don’t need an expensive cleaner.   A simple sweep or dust mop does an amazing job.  Plus it’s a lot more eco-friendly than the harsh chemicals on the market.   Or for a deeper clean you can use a damp mop.  I recommend adding a couple of drops of ammonia to a warm water solution and make sure you thoroughly wring out your mop before use.

Ideas for Using Blue Hues for Effective Home Decorating

Blue isn’t just for a baby boy’s nursery anymore.  With so many different shades, the possibilities and color combinations are nearly endless.  Use it in your breakfast nook, on your favorite chairs, or use it on the spindles in your stair case--each spindle a different shade, even??

 

Choose the right hue of blue to set the mood in your bathroom.  Use light blue on the wall to evoke the sky setting in.  A pale aqua stool can evoke a more tropical theme, especially if a citrusy yellow item is introduced.

 

Pick blues that are more neutral then primary and you’ll be able to get away with alot in a space.  Undertones of gray and beige help patterns to easily mingle, and still work together.

Feel free to pick a curtain divider in a shade of gentle blue- evoking the tropical feel of the ocean in your own living room.

 

Paint pots sea blue and incorporate them onto the outside of your house to bring the ocean to your backyard.

 

In a relatively neutral room, pop in some pieces of color with a blue bedspread, shelving unit, and chaise lounge.

 

If you’re feeling brave, paint the glass of your linen cabinet to match another shade of blue in the house.

[Image by ZioDave]

How to Make Your Backyard Perfectly Lit for BBQs and Parties

With summer in full swing, it’s time to get your backyard ready for entertaining.  Whether it’s a fun neighborhood dinner barbeque, or a glitzy evening cocktail party, here are some tips on making your space luminous.

 

-To bring the beach to your backyard, arrange large clam-type shells (can be purchased at a souvenir shop) in a shallow tray and fill with a little sand and tea light.

 

-When you need lighting, but there are no electrical outlets to be found, try filling some vintage bottles with oil and wicks (can be purchased at any craft store).  Arrange the bottles in a large hurricane for protection, and watch them glow.

 

-Hang some small, quilted jam jars from your outdoor arbor.  Place tea lights inside.  For a more dazzling effect, hang crystals from the bottom of each jar, and enjoy the refraction of light.

 

-For a Hawaiian themed party, line a backyard walkway with tiki torches.  Anchor in buckets filled with sand, if need be.

 

-Have your kids help create “sand candles” for your next back yard bash.  Place a candle inside a glass container and pour different colors of sand around the candle in varying levels.

[image by madmolecule]

New Carpet Wagon Customers Gushing over our Low Prices! [Video]

Clever, Cheap, and Cool Ways to Decorate Your Space

Here are some more helpful ideas for decorating on a budget!  

 

Living Room:

Use a shade to hide your television when not in use.  

When you do want to use it, just roll up and, voila!, ready for the next marathon of Desperate Housewives.

 

Bed Room:  

Hang a heavy tapestry behind a dresser for an elegant, yet oh-so-chic touch.  Make sure the fabric has some weight to it to pull off its 15th century flair.

Make a “Quilt Headboard” by hanging grandma’s wedding gift on a wooden rod securely fashioned behind your mattress.

 

Kitchen:  

Think Curtains.  Cabinet curtains to be more specific.  Highlight the things you want on display, cleverly hide the things you don’t.

Knobs aren't just for drawers anymore.  Convert some into dish towel hangers by choosing large glass ones that can be tightened snugly to the wall.

 

Home Office:  

Don’t be afraid of industrial metal shelving.  To make it more you, pick cheery fabrics and clothespin your choices to each side of the unit.

Get creative with office supplies: a scrap of leather converts nicely into a track pad, a beaker holder can be a fun pen holder, or design your own mason jar for stashing paperclips, pushpins, etc.

 

Bathroom:  

Make your own shower curtain with terrycloth bath towels: stick the long sides together and include reinforced holes at the top to hang from the rod.

 

[image by Anton Novoselov ]

Using Color to Re-fresh the Home: 6 Simple and Easy #Home #Deco Tips

Using color to refresh your home's interior landscape is easier than you might think. Here are more simple tips to give any room a brand-new look!

 

1. Paint any room a dark color to add richness.

 

2. Paint a piece of furniture the same color as the wall and set it near the wall for a dramatic effect.

 

3. Make sure all the lampshades in a room are complementary colors.  Changes ones that aren’t.

 

4. Decorate your mantle with colorful flowers to help it stand out and add life to the space.

 

5. Add accessories to complement the dark colors in a room- like pictures with black frames and white matting to make them pop!

 

6. To add a bit of flavor to a room, take several colorful objects and place them on flat surfaces throughout.

[Image by Aunt Owwee]