About Carpet

Proud Momma asked:


We just bought a house. The bathroom is carpeted. I find that a strange choice. I believe they also had cats who may have spent time in the bathroom. Everytime I spend time in there getting ready for the day my nose gets very itchy, which is a sign of my cat allergy. We’ve cleaned the room, but perhaps cat dander is just too imbedded in the carpet. We know we want to replace the floor eventually, but if it’s not TERRIBLY expensive, maybe we’ll so it sooner rather than later. Or would a professional cleaning do a better job??

By the way, the room is not big… it’s an average size. The carpeting might cover 12×6 or so…
Good answers so far. I have never torn up a carpet or anything like that. I am also 8 mos pregnant, so I’d have to convince my hunny to do it for me… This is our first house, so it’s all new to both of us…

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Jim Thornton asked:


Finding the right carpet for your home isn’t easy so it is important to have it look brand new at all times through a proper maintenance program. Let’s face it, you know carpet is not inexpensive, and a dirty spot can stand out in the room. With any spill and there is a possibility of permanent damage you like to remove it as quickly as possible. Pets and kids can be the biggest culprits to messing your carpets. Sometimes every time you turn around, a new stain can cause permanent damage. However, not to worry; there is an easy solution for these marks. Getting odors, spills and spots out of your carpets can seem overwhelming but there are a few tips and tricks you can learn which helps to keep them looking beautiful.

When you get odors in your carpet from pets and people smoking in your house, an odor remover sprayed on the carpet or carpet fresh can sometimes work fantastic. On the other hand, there are times when excessively strong odors are too overwhelming for a light spray or sprinkle of carpet fresh. For these times, you need a different solution. You can mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a bottle and spray the carpet to get rid of the odor. Vinegar is amazing because it is a bactericide and it absorbs the odors and leaves the carpet free of odors.

When you have pet odors in the carpet from urine, you should try to eliminate the uric acid, which can be the cause of the smell. If you are contending with dried urine, there is a good chance it has crystallized in the carpet under pad. After you spray a mixture of vinegar and water on the carpets, you can apply baking soda to the area, and work it into the carpet pile with a brush. After you leave it to absorb into the carpet you then vacuum the carpet. If it’s a tough stain, it may take more than one treatment. If these homemade solutions don’t work, there are great products on the market that eliminate odors. These products will remove urine odors. Most people find it works for them. Just make sure to follow the instructions thoroughly to avoid any new problems popping up.

Larger stains can be harder to eliminate. Even though there are great stain removers on the market, you can find some great home remedies that work for a small portion of the price. Salt can help you remove a stain and at the same time leave your carpet brighter. With any stain, pour some table salt on it after you have cleaned it and let the salt soak up the residue. When this dries, you simply vacuum away the salt. This step gives your carpet a look of being fresh and new.

Occasionally the stain penetrates down to the under pad, and you need to treat it. This is a solution when you work from the bottom up by lifting the carpet. Use a mixture of dish detergent and water, and clean the under pad. Let the dirty water run out of the carpet, and when the under pad is clean you turn the carpet over and use the same method from the top. Using baking soda or salt after you have cleaned the spot will pull any residue of the stain out of the carpet.

If you remove spots on your carpets immediately when they appear and don’t allow the odors to remain, you can keep them looking and smelling good for years to come! You will get many more years out of the carpets following this procedure.



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Rob Williams asked:


Why do some fail and others succeed when it comes to carpet cleaning? The previous just do not know the dos and don’ts to carpet cleaning. You don’t really have to be a flooring expert to know it. Even before you decide to buy one, you should already know how to become a responsible owner. But just in case you’ve forgotten the cardinal rules or you still don’t know about them, here they are, listed for you:

What to Do in Carpet Cleaning

1. Vacuum the carpet regularly. You just don’t know how 5 to 10 minutes of vacuuming can increase the lifespan of your carpets. It can get rid of the dust and dirt, which are considered to be certified enemies of your flooring. It’s also going to be good for the family too, as dirty carpets are breeding grounds of harmful microorganisms. They can potentially harm your health, causing asthma and skin allergies. Regular vacuuming can also let you save on carpet cleaning service costs.

How many times you vacuum will depend on the type of carpet and how much dirt is has already accumulated. You may have to do carpet cleaning more often if the flooring is utilized in high-traffic areas such as in living rooms, patios, porches, and offices. You also need to use the vacuum cleaner that is made specifically for carpets. It normally doesn’t have brushes that may cause loose carpet pile.

2. Hire professional carpet cleaners. When there is stubborn stain or a more serious carpet problem, you can’t leave the solution into your hands. You need to get the best carpet cleaners. Fortunately, there is an abundance of carpet cleaners. They don’t only have the equipment, but they also have the experience and the expertise to settle out the problems for you. What’s more, these carpet cleaners are so good at what they do that they can even give you tips on carpet maintenance.

Nevertheless, you still have to make sure that you’re dealing with the right carpet cleaning company. This means that you need to verify if they have certification from Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration. The company must also have considerable amount of experience.

3. Create a plan. Carpet cleaning should not be treated as a random project. It is not something to do only when you feel like spring cleaning or only when you have the time. If you want to increase the life span of your carpet, it is necessary to find time carpet cleaning. Creating a plan will help you organize your calendar. But for it to be successful, you have to factor in certain things, such as how much you’re willing to spend for the cleaning materials.

What Not to Do in Carpet Cleaning

1. Use any cleaning agent you like. Carpets can be very delicate when it comes to chemicals, so you cannot simply use just any floor cleaner that you’re going to find. It should be very specific to the carpet that you have. If you don’t know, you can ask the manufacturer or refer to your manual. Better yet, call a carpet cleaning service for some tips and advice.

2. Experiment on cleaning agents. You could have researched on the Internet, and have seen how to create home-made cleaning products! Unless you do have some background in chemistry or you know your carpets too well, you should avoid doing that. Again, you may want to leave it to the carpet cleaning experts.

3. Pull the fibers from the carpet. Always resist the urge to pull the loose fibers of your carpet if you don’t want to end up creating a gaping hole in the middle of the floor! What you can do, though, is to cut the pile. Professional carpet cleaners will tell you to never pull fibers from a carpet.



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Marlon Dirk asked:


In all actuality, dry carpet cleaning is used to describe carpet cleaning without the actual use of a cleaning agent or liquid-based detergent. After cleaning, it prevents moisture retention. Normally, it is used to clean carpets that are created from fine fibers, and prevents these fibers from becoming damaged. All-in-all, the process that is involved with dry carpet cleaning is a fairly simple one. Dry carpet cleaning requires a solvent, and a cleaning agent that is powder-based.

In order to begin this process, the solvent is sprinkled upon the carpet, and there are some that are sprayed. Then by using a brush, the solvent is spread out evenly all over the surface that is carpeted and then on into the base. At this time, it is left to work for roughly a half of hour or more, based on the brand that is used.

After the solvent has already been sprayed, and the brush has already been used in order to reach every part of the surface that is carpeted, the solvent is going to attract dirt which dissolves within the solvent so that once the carpet is vacuumed; all of the dirt that has dissolved is then removed. Before you ever use this method of carpet cleaning, it is very important that you take a couple of precautions.

In a situation where there is any solid dirt within the carpet, like dry residues that are caused by split liquid once they dry, it needs to be removed manually from the surface of the carpet. In simpler terms, the carpet should be scanned in order to check for solid chunks or pieces that may be present. In the event that these are left within the carpet, they may dissolve once the solvent that is powder-based has been sprayed, which may cause even further damage to your carpet.

Before the dry carpet cleaning process is started, the carpet should also be as dry as it can be. For example, if there is a liquid spilt on it, the liquid needs to first be manually absorbed by using a soft kitchen towel or cotton wool. The actual presence of moisture may dilute the overall effect of the cleaning agent that is currently being used, and because of that it may dilute the impact of cleaning.

The exact same thing applies to stains. In the event that the stains are removed before the carpet is ever cleaned, there isn’t any risk of the stains dissolving again and having a damaging effect on the carpet, once the powder-based solvent has been sprayed. Even though dry carpet cleaning is a very popular method of carpet cleaning and it involves much fewer risks than all of the other methods that are involved, the use of each of the cleaning methods that are liquid-based, the recommendations that are offered by the carpet manufacturers serve as the absolute best guidelines to follow.

This is mainly because the method of dry carpet cleaning may not even damage your carpet during the time that it is being cleaned, but it may not effectively be able to clean your carpet in the event that it isn’t the cleaning method that is recommended for your carpet.



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BRIAN K asked:


TheSeveral carpet installors charge extra per hour to moving items. Is there a trick to move things if I don’t have a lot of friends to Help? How do I move heavy furniture to install new carpeting?

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jacsbac99 asked:


My housekeeper spilled honey mustard sauce over an area of about a square yard of tan carpeting. Has anyone ever gone to the mat and got mustard out? I a crippled and can’t try much, she feels worse! Naturally it isnt my house.

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Barbara G asked:


We live on a boat, and there is always some degree of mositure inside the boat. There is carpeting on the walls, so I need to remove the mildew, but I don’t want to use a cleaner that may change the color of the carpeting. Any ideas?
We live on a boat, and have carpeting on the walls. There is moisture constantly inside the boat, and mildew stains have grown. I need a home made remedy, as we are traveling on the Meditterean sea, currently in Spain. So USA store products are not available here.
We live on a boat, and have carpeting on the walls. There is moisture constantly inside the boat, and mildew stains have grown. I need a home made remedy, as we are traveling on the Meditterean sea, currently in Spain. So USA store products are not available here.

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Alex Levin asked:


There are lots of good reasons to love a clean plush carpet, from the way it feels between your toes to the aesthetic appeal it brings to your home. But these benefits come at a cost – carpets are virtual magnets for nuisances like dust, dander, stains and mold. Fortunately, carpets wear well when properly maintained and can retain their beauty for many decades. So arm yourself with these tips to help you navigate the sea of options out there, and you can be sure you won’t end up with another carpet cleaner that does shoddy work or overcharges.

Here are some questions you should ask your prospective carpet cleaner before letting them into your home:



What equipment do they use? Reputable cleaners use equipment that utilizes the Hot Water Extraction method, the only technique that’s classified as deep cleaning and the best way to remove soapy or toxic residue. In addition to providing a more thorough clean, a truck-mounted Hot Water Extraction system will send exhaust outside your home instead of recirculating it.

Are they certified? While many uncertified carpet cleaners perform good work, certification provides extra assurance that the company knows how to clean carpets effectively and without damaging them. The two most widely recognized certifiers are the RIA (Restoration Industry Association) and the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification).

Are they insured and bonded? A company that’s insured is covered for injuries, damage and other liabilities that may occur on your property. The last thing you want is to get stuck with someone else’s bills. Bonding provides a monetary assurance in case the job isn’t performed correctly or to your satisfaction. A company that is neither bonded nor insured isn’t likely to stand behind the quality of its work.

Do they guarantee their work? A competent company will have a guarantee on its services. In case you are unhappy with their work, they will usually offer to clean your carpet again before they offer a money back guarantee. Take note of how long their work is guaranteed for, as stains can take up to two weeks to resurface after a cleaning, if they exist.

How do they determine pricing? Do they charge by the hour or by the job? If they charge by the project, they are more likely to try to get it over with as soon as possible and make their way to the next job. Most carpet cleaners consider a room that’s over 200 square feet to be two rooms, so if the company determines cost according to rooms, make sure to ask how they measure a room. If the company charges by the hour, they are more likely to do a thorough, if slower, job. If you are unsure about the company’s pricing policy, ask them to come by and give you an estimate, but do not let them pressure you into buying their service on the spot!

Do they have references? Carpet Cleaners get asked this question all the time, and any reputable company will have this information on hand. Don’t hesitate to ask.

Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? If they are, it is a good sign that the company cares about customer satisfaction. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to inquire the BBB about any grievances filed against them.

Will they help you move furniture and vacuum before cleaning? For a more thorough clean, you should move furniture that may be sitting on stains. Many carpet cleaners will perform this service for you free of charge. An absolute must, vacuuming before carpet cleaning helps prevent dirt from embedding into the fabric. If they don’t vacuum first, RUN!

Do they use safe products? Some of the more powerful carpet cleaning products are toxic and can pose a hazard to your health if they are not thoroughly cleaned out of the fabric. If you have pets or small children you may want to ask the cleaner to use non-toxic products. (If you vacuum and clean your carpet regularly it will require less powerful cleaning products). Some cleaners also stock eco-friendly products.

How long have they been in business? A company that has been in business for a long time probably managed to stay in business by providing quality service. Lower your chances of hiring a fly-by-night company by choosing someone who’s been around for a while.



Finding a good carpet cleaner shouldn’t have to be a chore, but unfortunately it sometimes is. So remember to take your time when choosing a carpet cleaner. Don’t let anyone pressure you into accepting their service before you find out if they meet your criteria. And if you follow these guidelines, you can rest assured that you’ll find a carpet cleaner you can trust.



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gerri asked:


I am looking at getting new carpeting and have always found when researching nylon vs polyester to always go with nylon. a store is saying that the new polyester bcp carpeting will not mat down. anyone have any comments about that??

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Mibbsy asked:


Hi, Is layign down carpeting something that best left to the professionals or is it fairly easy to do? We would consider ourselves to be a very handy couple of have a fairly extensive set of tools (and have ready to access to Home Depot / Lowe’s). Both areas to be carpeted have no angles or would require any strange cuts. Any help / guidance would be appreciated! Thanks.

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