Removing Stains from Oriental Rugs

Coffee, soda, wine, nail polish and pet urine are all likely candidates for rug stains. You've probably encountered at least one of these stains on your rugs in the past. Removing spills and stains from plain carpeting is difficult enough, but stains on Oriental rugs require special removal methods.


1. Remove as much of the stain from your Oriental rug as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the stain will set, making it harder to remove and possibly damaging your rug.

2. Press the stain with a soft, white, absorbent cloth such as a towel or napkin. Keep blotting until you've soaked as much of the liquid as possible.

3. Dilute the spill with water. Use enough to wet the stain but not to soak the rug.

4. Continue blotting with a white cloth to remove as much of the diluted stain as possible.

5. Use a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled white vinegar per 1 cup of water to dilute pet urine stains. As with other stains, keep blotting until you remove as much of the liquid as possible.

6. Consider taking your rug to a professional Oriental rug cleaner as soon as you can if you just can't get the stain out yourself. You want to preserve your rug as best as you can.

Other tips and techniques:

Once set, pet urine begins to change the chemical composition of rug dyes, so try to check your Oriental rugs often if your pet frequently urinates on your floors.

If you notice an old stain on your Oriental rug, vacuum first before removing the stain in the same way as you would a new stain.

Don't rub stains on Oriental rugs, as this only spreads them around. Remember to blot instead.

Don't use spot removers made for wall-to-wall carpeting on Oriental rugs. They'll damage the rug's wool pile.

Don't use urine removers containing enzymes on Oriental rugs, as they feed on wool.



This article was provided by EHow.com

Removing Scuff Marks from Walls

"Do you have the scuff marks on your wall?? Tired of frequently painting walls to remove them? Try the Wall Buddy to protect your walls from scuff marks.



To Remove Scuff Marks From Walls

1. Try removing the scuff from the wall as soon as it happens, using a large pencil eraser first. While it may take several tries, see if the scuff mark relents at all

2. If the scuff mark doesn't start to disappear, use a soft-heeled shoe like a flat orthopedic shoe, on the wall in the reverse way the scuff was made. Try using a test piece of the scuff first before spreading it across the entire abrasion of the wall. Sometimes, the rubber can act as an eraser or other times it can make it worse. So use with caution.

3. Using a wet washcloth or sponge, scrub the wall for about 30 seconds to see if the scuff begins to disappear. Usually, if a wall is easy to scuff, it will be easily cleaned with water. Another hint this tip will work is if the wall paint feels gritty but does not have a gritty composition.

4.Use a small amount of non-abrasive soap on the wall, with your wet sponge. Sometimes, a little soap on flat paint or semi-gloss will remove the scuff mark without removing the paint.

5. If you have a textured wall or ceiling, gently use a wet Brillo pad instead of a washcloth for wall-washing.


If none of these tips works, chances are you have a deeper scratch instead of a wall scuff. This can best be fixed by painting or calling a maintenance professional.

If you have another color under your paint, be very careful while scrubbing as it may reveal itself. Also be aware if paint comes off on your sponge, washcloth, or Brillo pad as this may make paint lighter in that particular area from now on."


To prevent black marks from hoses of the vacuum and other cords pulled around in your home, use the Wall Buddy



Information provided by Ehow.com

Carpet Fiber Primer

What to Know Before Buying Carpet - Part Three


A carpet's appearance, texture, and longevity also are determined by its fibers. The pile can be natural, synthetic, or a blend of several fibers.


Wool is strong, static-resistant, and pleasing to the touch.
What to know: It is the fiber that most synthetic fibers are meant to imitate, and it is more costly than those materials. Wool is resilient and also naturally stain-resistant and flame-retardant. Note that a wool carpet will shed a bit initially.


Silk carpet is largely produced in India, China, and Turkey.
What to know: Carpets made from silk are soft and luxurious. Silk dyes better and is more durable than any other fiber. Because of silk's high cost, the fiber is often blended with wool.


Cotton carpeting was popular in the United States before World War II. Today, it's made almost exclusively in Belgium.
What to know: Cotton carpet, like cotton clothing, wears well and has a natural feel. A magnet for dust and dirt, it should not be used in high-traffic areas.


Linen yarn is made from flax. Most linen carpeting is produced in France and Belgium (the latter is generally considered the better quality).
What to know: Linen carpet is lustrous and can help absorb humidity. However, it can be quite costly, and with age, linen carpet will reveal traffic patterns.


Sisal comes from the agave plant; the highest-quality fibers are from East Africa.
What to know: Sisal is strong (second only to wool). It is one of the more pricey plant fibers. Sisal is particularly prone to fading in direct sunlight and can be stained even by water.


Jute flooring is made from the jute plant, which also is used to make burlap and twine.
What to know: Jute is softer than sisal but also less durable. Like sisal, it can be damaged easily by sunlight and liquids.


Coir is the fiber taken from the hairy husk of coconuts.
What to know: Coir is durable, wiry, and mildew-resistant. In other words, coir makes the perfect doormat.


Sea grass carpet is made from a variety of reedy plants and has a greenish tint.
What to know: Although durable, sea grass carpets are not very absorbent; they should not be used in moist or humid rooms. Sea grass costs less than sisal and jute.


Paper carpet is made from paper cords coated in a protective wax.
What to know: Paper carpet is, in fact, quite strong. It is more water-resistant than carpets made from other plant fibers, but liquid spills should still be blotted immediately.


Polyester has a wool-like appearance and is often used for cut-pile carpets. It dyes well, so it's available in a range of vibrant colors.
What to know: Polyester carpet is soft, stain-resistant, and affordable. It's not as resilient as other carpet fibers, and may mat down in a short period.


Olefin is a glossy synthetic fiber usually sold in muted colors.
What to know:Olefin is one of the less expensive synthetics. Water-and stain-resistant, it's often used outdoors. However, the fiber crushes easily.


Nylon is the most popular carpet fiber in the United States.
What to know: Nylon is durable, resilient, and stain-resistant. It is one of the more expensive synthetic fibers. The fiber comes in many hues; look for solution-dyed nylon, which is colorfast



From Martha Stewart Living, September 2005

Kinds of Carpet

What to Know Before Buying Carpet - Part Two



How a carpet's pile is cut and shaped contributes to its look and feel -- short or shaggy, soft or nubby -- and to how well the product wears.

Sisal-like carpets are meant to imitate the look of sisal or other plant fibers and are made from wool or a synthetic.
What to know: These mimics are softer underfoot than the real thing, and they release stains better. However, many people prefer the appearance of real sisal.


Wilton is considered the premier woven carpet. It is made on a jacquard loom and can have cut, loop, or cut-and-loop pile.
What to know: These carpets are tightly constructed, making them dense and durable. Worsted-wool Wiltons are some of the best carpets available.


Saxony carpet yarns have a soft twist or curl; the pile is often cut at an angle.
What to know: Saxony is not quite as textured as frieze but it still effectively conceals marks, making the carpet a popular choice for children's rooms and family rooms.


Velvet carpet is soft, like the fabric for which it's named. The pile is short, uniform, and dense.
What to know: The carpet has a matte finish, giving it an understated appeal. Velvet pile generally holds up well but, like plush, its uniform surface exposes indentations and tracks.


Frieze is a cut-pile carpet with twisted yarns and a crimped, textured appearance.
What to know: The twisted strands of a frieze carpet obscure footprints and vacuum marks well, and the tousled look complements an informal room.


Shag has pile so long it doesn't stand upright, giving a carpet a "shaggy" look.
What to know: No longer just a throwback to the 1960s and '70s, today's shags come in contemporary colors and have an inviting feel. But those long yarns can still get caught in the rotating head of a vacuum.


Axminster is a cut-pile carpet that is woven by definition. It is often called "pub carpet," a reference to the carpet's frequent appearance in restaurants and hotels.
What to know: Axminster tends to be the most affordable of the woven carpets and is available in a wide range of colors. Like a Wilton, it is long-wearing. But it is not as refined and may appear industrial.


Berber once referred specifically to an undyed Moroccan rug. Today the term is used broadly to describe most loop-pile carpets.
What to know: Because loop pile has no exposed tips (unlike cut pile), it is especially durable. This makes berber a good choice for high-traffic areas, such as family rooms, hallways, and staircases.


Ribbed cut can be a cut-and-loop pile or a cut-pile carpet that is trimmed in areas to create carved designs; it may also have color variations throughout.
What to know: Because its textured surface can camouflage marks and stains, ribbed cut is another good choice for children's rooms or other high-traffic spaces.


Plush pile is cut to a smooth, level height. It is higher and less dense than velvet.
What to know: Plush carpet is comfortable underfoot, making it a cozy covering for a bedroom floor. But its pile is easily crushed, revealing indentations.

Go to Part Three of What to Know Before Buying Carpet

From Martha Stewart Living, September 2005

What to Know Before Buying Carpet

Great tips from Martha Stewart on What to Know Before Buying Carpet.

A walk through the basics of choosing the perfect floor covering...

Carpet tends to be underfoot and out of mind. But when it's time to choose a new one, all thoughts turn to the floor. Here are the pros and cons of common carpet styles and fibers as well as a translation of some showroom lingo.

The carpets here can be installed wall to wall or ordered in a specific size with bound edges to be used as an area rug -- a good solution for large or oddly shaped rooms. (Specialty area rugs, such as Orientals, have their own considerations and are not included here.)

One of the first choices to make is between tufted and woven construction. Most carpets are tufted, consisting of rows of machine-punched yarns held together by adhesive and a backing. They generally last between five and seven years. Woven carpets, made on a loom, are known for their long life span -- 20 to 30 years. You'll pay significantly more for the higher quality. Most of the styles and fibers listed here are used for both woven and tufted carpet. So start looking -- and you're on your way to kicking off your shoes.

Get in the Loop
Identifying styles of pile -- the yarn that makes up a carpet -- becomes easy when you see samples up close. Pile is sheared for "cut pile" or left intact for "loop pile". A combination is called "cut-and-loop pile."

Dive into the Pile
Seeing and touching carpet samples will drive home their differences -- and your preferences. Pile heights include short velvet piles and longer plushes; deeper pile has a more luxurious feel, but short pile tends to be easier to care for. A carpet label is required by law to list fiber content and country of origin; some will include additional helpful details.

The Next Steps
As you shop, take the opportunity to ask questions, read labels, and find out how to install and maintain the carpet you buy.

Price and Particulars
Bear in mind that carpet is often priced per square yard, not square foot. (To calculate the price per square foot yourself, divide the price per yard by nine.) Be aware, too, that when you look at a carpet sample, the color might differ slightly from what would be delivered to your home. Consider asking for a roll-cut sample -- a piece of carpet cut from the lot you would actually purchase. This is particularly helpful when it comes to fibers with a tendency to fade, such as sisal or jute.

Padding
The pressure a carpet withstands results in crushed pile and ground-in dirt. Some of that can be alleviated by padding, which also absorbs sound. Not all paddings are suitable for all carpets, so ask before you buy. For instance, "hard" carpet, including those made from most plant fibers, can be damaged by ultra-cushiony padding (the space it creates invites shoe heels to puncture the carpet).

Installation
"Installing" an area rug is easy -- just be sure to lay down the proper padding first. But wall-to-wall can be quite tricky. To make sure carpet stays put and the seams are inconspicuous, leave the job to professionals. For large rooms, ask your retailer if the carpet you're buying will "seam well." No seam is invisible, but some carpets disguise them better than others.

Maintenance
Before cleaning, check the manufacturer's instructions. Cleaning methods for carpet vary by fiber, but a weekly once-over using a vacuum with good suction and a rotating head keeps many carpets looking their best. (For delicate carpets, such as hand-woven or hand-tufted, use a vacuum without a rotating head.) A professional can steam-clean synthetic and wool carpet, if needed.

Also see Kinds of Carpet and Carpet Fiber Primer

From Martha Stewart Living, September 2005

5 Carpet Cleaning Tips

As carpet cleaning professionals we are always asked for tips on how to keep carpets looking great. That is why we have put together 5 basic tips to help keep your carpet looking clean and fresh.

Carpet Cleaning Tip 1 - Create a Schedule

Dust accumulation is the biggest culprit in giving carpets that old, grungy look. A regular vacuum and shampoo schedule helps to reduce the dust level in your carpet. We recommend a quick vacuum every day (at least in the heavy traffic areas)to remove dust and a shampoo every 6-12 months. Be sure to buy all supplies beforehand (vacuum bags and/or belts, shampoo).



The combination of these methods when done properly will remove oils, greases and whatever stains finds itself on your carpet.



Carpet Cleaning Tip 2 - Clean Spills Immediately

The longer that you let spills and stains remain on your carpet the harder they are to clean. Take care of spills and stains as soon as possible (For a stain guide chart, click here) before you're faced with a permanent stain on your carpet.



Carpet Cleaning Tip 3 - Use Mats at the Doorway

Doorways are the most heavily trafficked areas and should be protected with a mat. This will reduce the amount of dirt and dust that end up on your carpet, and hopefully throughout the house. Don't forget to regularly vacuum the mats.



4. Carpet Cleaning Tip 4 - Stock Up on Carpet Cleaning Supplies

Carpet cleaners can be mild or very strong. Always read the ingredients, and ventilate the room well when cleaning.

When using these products please read the manufactures instructions carefully and take the necessary precautions like wearing gloves and using goggles.



Carpet Cleaning Tip 5 - Hire a carpet cleaning professional

Let someone else worry about deep cleaning the carpets!

To choose a carpet cleaning professional be sure to ask for references. You shouldn't trust your carpet just anyone. See our post How to Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner.



We hope that these tips are helpful to you and your carpet. Take good care them.

Benefits of Protecting Your Floor with Carpet or Rugs

Having a hard time deciding what type of flooring to put into your home. Below is a list provided by the Carpet and Rug Institute on the Benefit of Carpets and Rugs.



Provides warmth and comfort
Carpet provides thermal resistance, or R-value. In colder climates or seasons, it retains warm air longer, an energy conservation benefit. Carpet provides a comfortable environment in which to work and gives a space an overall warmer feeling.


Carpet and rugs add beauty and style to your home

You can choose from many thousands of carpet styles and colors. That means you can choose vibrant colors or heavier patterns and textures to represent a company’s corporate culture, or you can use a neutral foundation and calming colors to provide a good environment for healing or learning.




Cushions slips and falls
Carpet is ideal for cushioning our footsteps, reducing slips and falls and minimizing injuries when falls do occur. Carpet provides safety protection for everyone, but it is particularly helpful for youngsters at schools or the elderly at such facilities as hospitals or nursing homes.

Reduces noise
Many offices today have open area systems where phone conversations and frequent employee interactions can be distracting. Carpet helps increase employee productivity by absorbing sounds. Adding cushion beneath a carpet reduces noise even further. Carpet also works as a sound barrier between floors by helping to block sound transmission to spaces below. Plus, carpet on stairs helps mask the sound of constant foot traffic.


Maintains appearance
Carpet will maintain its life and beauty for many years when properly cleaned and maintained. However, it is important to follow carpet manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for the type of carpet and application you have. Keep your carpet looking great over time by following these additional steps:

* Preventative maintenance — protect your investment before problems occur.

* Vacuuming — the single most effective way to keep carpet clean.

* Spot and stain removal — use CRI seal of Approval products.

* Professional deep cleaning — a periodic must.


Improves indoor air quality
Carpet helps improve IAQ by trapping allergens and other particles so they can be vacuumed away. Plus, carpet is the lowest VOC emitter of common floor choices, and requires fewer cleaning chemicals than other floor coverings.







Saves money over time
The sum of the initial cost of carpet, plus the maintenance costs over the total time of the life of the carpet, is usually less than hard surface flooring. Plus, cleaning carpet is less labor intensive. A survey of commerical buildings that had maintenance programs for hard surfaces and carpet demonstrated that carpet cost less to maintain. The study found that hard surface floors require two and one-half times more cleaning time than carpet, and cleaning supplies were about seven times more expensive for vinyl floors than for carpeted floors. While upfront purchase and installation costs are more expensive for carpet than hard flooring, carpet expenditures prove to be more cost-effective over the full life cycle of the product.