Have you heard it said that anyone can do any job if they have the right tools? That might be a stretch but it is safe to say anyone can do a better job with the proper tools.
Important vacuum cleaner facts:
Heading this list of carpet care tips is having a proper vacuum. Getting yourself the best vacuum you can afford is the single most important step you can take in providing the care your carpeting needs. The carpet industry is now rating vacuum cleaners to help you make an informed buying decision. Criteria has been set for soil removal, air filtration, and damage to carpet fibers. Machines that pass the test can display the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label seal of approval.
Have you ever heard of a carpet groomer? Probably not, but there are a few of them on the market for about twenty dollars. A carpet groomer will help you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner by preparing your carpets for cleaning. Work a carpet groomer over your carpeting to raise deeply embedded dirt.
Because there is more contact with the carpet, it is tempting to set the rotating power brushes of your vacuum’s cleaning head to a low level. That might seem reasonable, but did you know the contact is more damaging than helpful? The integrity of the carpet fibers can be destroyed, causing wear areas to look dirtier than they really are.
If you have Berber carpets don’t vacuum them with the power cleaning attachment. The rotating brushes can catch on the looped pile and pull long strands away from the carpet backing. This is especially true if there are any seams in your installation.
Check the condition of your power head at regular intervals. Loose or worn brushes, gouged or otherwise damaged plastic parts, or other obvious problems can cause abrasive damage to carpet fibers. Carpet fibers that have been nicked and cut loose luster, are more easily pressed down under traffic, and allow increased dirt penetration of the fiber.
By vacuuming the pathway from entry doors daily, other areas of the home will need less frequent care. Now that may seem to you to be a lot of extra work, but it could actually mean less. By concentrating on the dirtiest areas the cleaner ones won’t need to be vacuumed as often. Your whole carpet will look better.
Did you know regular and thorough vacuuming with a quality, air filtering vacuum will rid your carpeting and upholstery, of more than 80% of the dirt and allergens lurking about?
The make up of household dirt:
Do you have any idea what kinds of dirt and grime are being harbored in your carpeting? Several reliable sources have done breakdowns, and it looks something like this:
Sand 40%
Oxides 20%
Organic and synthetic fibers 20%
Oils and Resins 9%
Carbon 5%
Animal fats 4%
Moisture 2%
Vacuum cleaning can take care of the first three and some of the carbon and moisture. Other cleaning methods have to be used to get after the others.
Always use your range hood to reduce the amount of oils, fats and carbon that make it into the air and land on your carpet. Pet dander and feathers are major allergens. Keep forced air heating and air conditioning system filters clean and efficient by changing them regularly. Are you aware most major carpet manufacturers require professional carpet to be performed every 12 to 18 months in order to maintain your warranty?
A foul smelling carpet makes your whole house smell bad. There are many natural enzyme deodorizers on the market that actually gobble up the organic matter that is the source of the odor.
Other enzyme compounds combine with cleansers to consume organic stains such as blood, juice, wine, coffee, urine and other pet stains. You may have to make several applications of hungry enzymes to take over for the inactive ones that have become full, but keep at it until your carpet is fresh and clean. Always use white towels for cleaning. With colored towels you run the risk of transferring the dye to your carpet.
Always clean up fresh blotches by scraping from the outside edge inward toward the center. This way you will not be extending the soiled area. Hot water helps to set stains not remove them, so never use it. For nail polish, carefully blot as much as possible while still in it’s liquid state. If it is too late, slowly apply nail polish remover, blot then apply more remover, alternating back and forth until you get it all. Greasy or gummy splotches clean up best when cold. Put some ice in a plastic bag and hold it to the blotch until it sets hard through. Scrape the hardened mark and then clean the remains with a liquid cleaner.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
How to De-clutter Your Space
Sure, I can find a million reasons for keeping all the great stuff that I have, but when you get right down to it, things hold us down. They hold us back and they clutter up our minds and our lives. Getting rid of the unnecessary baggage in our lives..those cluttered attics, hallways and spaces that we've come to fear the most, is truly one of the best things we can ever do for ourselves.
Things You’ll Need:
The ability to leave memories and sentiment at the door
Some large garbage bags
A list of charity shops you'd like to help
A willingness to change
Cleaning supplies
A big friend
Step 1 Take a deep breath. Are you well rested? Your energy levels need to be pretty high before we begin. Okay, now that you're ready, let's start. I think that in any organization, de-cluttering scheme we must first pick a room. Sure you could take on the whole house, but this is liable to be daunting and overwhelming, so for the first choose a room. If you only have the one room then this step shouldn't be too difficult.
Step 2 Set aside a full day. If it's a very large job then you may want to set aside one day a week to work on this. You must commit yourself to this time. This is the only way you will be free. So give yourself a day a week, or in my case a day a week a season, to get the job done.
Step 3 Set yourself amidst the mess with a huge garbage bag and go through the items that surround you. Ask yourself, "do I really need this?" Throw out things like old bills, garbage, food. Anything that you haven't worn in three years should be put in a bag for clothing to be donated into one of those bins. They also take old shoes. Any old appliances, walkmans, televisions, adding machines, etcetera. Lose them! I don't care if Alan bought you that old microwave..into the trash. You may even be able to take them to some kind of recycling place that will melt it down and reuse it. Don't cry, it's only an appliance. Things aren't like people. We need to PURGE PURGE PURGE!
Step 4 Give yourself a reward. Say that if you get rid of the old smelly sofa you can replace it with something new and sleek from Ikea or Target. Remember out with the old and in with the new! And as for old greeting cards, letters, etcetera...if you find you're holding it in your hands for more than a minute and can't remember who or what sent it to you -toss it. After awhile you'll get the hand of it. Tossing can be fun!
Step 5 Old posters, etc from your college dorm, high school..trash it. If you really find you're having trouble parting with some of the junk and gunk give it to a friend or have a yard sale..but don't be suprized when the only person who values your stuffed snuffaluffagus is you! Three categories: Keep (and be careful what you keep!), Donate, and Throw away.
Step 6 It might seem like a hard thing, but getting rid of all the cutter and junk in your life is actually healthy for you. Old things not only carry old thoughts which keep us buried in the past, but they also carry germs and dirt and filth. A clean home is also a healthy home. Don't hang on to any bills older than 3 years unless there's some kind of lifetime warranty, but if you don't remember where you left the warranty chances are the receipt won't do you any good without it, and if it's for that old toaster oven you used sophomore year, baby lose it.
Step 7 When you are done and the room is clean, give yourself a treat, like a day jogging in the park, or having a nice sundae. You deserve it. Every time you throw something away, visualize some clutter in your mind or life as going away as well. Believe me, when the work is done you are going to feel a whole lot better and it might just shake you from any kind of rut and getting you moving into a whole new wonderful direction. If you don't use it - Lose it!
Things You’ll Need:
The ability to leave memories and sentiment at the door
Some large garbage bags
A list of charity shops you'd like to help
A willingness to change
Cleaning supplies
A big friend
Step 1 Take a deep breath. Are you well rested? Your energy levels need to be pretty high before we begin. Okay, now that you're ready, let's start. I think that in any organization, de-cluttering scheme we must first pick a room. Sure you could take on the whole house, but this is liable to be daunting and overwhelming, so for the first choose a room. If you only have the one room then this step shouldn't be too difficult.
Step 2 Set aside a full day. If it's a very large job then you may want to set aside one day a week to work on this. You must commit yourself to this time. This is the only way you will be free. So give yourself a day a week, or in my case a day a week a season, to get the job done.
Step 3 Set yourself amidst the mess with a huge garbage bag and go through the items that surround you. Ask yourself, "do I really need this?" Throw out things like old bills, garbage, food. Anything that you haven't worn in three years should be put in a bag for clothing to be donated into one of those bins. They also take old shoes. Any old appliances, walkmans, televisions, adding machines, etcetera. Lose them! I don't care if Alan bought you that old microwave..into the trash. You may even be able to take them to some kind of recycling place that will melt it down and reuse it. Don't cry, it's only an appliance. Things aren't like people. We need to PURGE PURGE PURGE!
Step 4 Give yourself a reward. Say that if you get rid of the old smelly sofa you can replace it with something new and sleek from Ikea or Target. Remember out with the old and in with the new! And as for old greeting cards, letters, etcetera...if you find you're holding it in your hands for more than a minute and can't remember who or what sent it to you -toss it. After awhile you'll get the hand of it. Tossing can be fun!
Step 5 Old posters, etc from your college dorm, high school..trash it. If you really find you're having trouble parting with some of the junk and gunk give it to a friend or have a yard sale..but don't be suprized when the only person who values your stuffed snuffaluffagus is you! Three categories: Keep (and be careful what you keep!), Donate, and Throw away.
Step 6 It might seem like a hard thing, but getting rid of all the cutter and junk in your life is actually healthy for you. Old things not only carry old thoughts which keep us buried in the past, but they also carry germs and dirt and filth. A clean home is also a healthy home. Don't hang on to any bills older than 3 years unless there's some kind of lifetime warranty, but if you don't remember where you left the warranty chances are the receipt won't do you any good without it, and if it's for that old toaster oven you used sophomore year, baby lose it.
Step 7 When you are done and the room is clean, give yourself a treat, like a day jogging in the park, or having a nice sundae. You deserve it. Every time you throw something away, visualize some clutter in your mind or life as going away as well. Believe me, when the work is done you are going to feel a whole lot better and it might just shake you from any kind of rut and getting you moving into a whole new wonderful direction. If you don't use it - Lose it!
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