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Feb-20-2015

Remove the Oil!

Posted by creatingyourspace under Carpet

Cooking is a joy in the home – the scents, helping one another and of course, the eating!  But what happens when cooking leads to a mess or even a spill? 

 

Inevitably when we are cooking or eating with oils there are bound to be accidents. It always happens when you are wearing your favorite white sweater while you are cooking and the oil jumps off the pan right onto it. Or when children are eating a salad and the bowl is accidentally knocked off the table and right onto the beautiful new carpet.

 

Luckily these little life accidents can be reversed if handled in a timely manner and save the carpet from permanent damage. The most important thing to know about these kinds of stains is that acting immediately is extremely important. The longer a spill remains on carpet, the harder it will be to remove.

 

The first step is to use a spoon and carefully scoop up any solid food that may have also fallen in the spill.  Next, gently blot the stained area with white paper towels. Test a spot remover on a hidden area of carpet to ensure the spot remover does not discolor the area.

 

For spot remover, combine ¼ teaspoon of liquid dish detergent with 1-cup lukewarm water.  Do not use automatic dish detergent (the kind used in a dish washing machine) or laundry detergent.  These will not help the stain and may damage carpet. 

 

Once you have confirmed your spot solution is not going to stain your carpet further, spray the spot solution onto the white paper towels and gently apply moving from the outer part of the stain inward, so as not to spread the stain further. Let the solution set for a couple of minutes and then blot to remove. This step may need to be repeated several times if the spot does not lift on the first try. Don’t use more than necessary, however.  More is not better!

 

Once the stain has been removed rinse the area several times with lukewarm water. Spot removal solutions can leave residues that soil can be attracted to. Use a bottle that will spray the water over the affected area so as not to oversaturate and blot with white paper towels. Repeat this process several times to be sure to remove everything from the carpet.

 

Don’t hesitate to ask the staff at Carpets N More any questions you may have about your carpet!  

Jul-31-2014

You Spilled What?

Posted by creatingyourspace under Hints and Tips

A dreaded cry comes from another room — “Oops!  I’m sorry!  I didn’t mean to spill that!” 

 

Is your first reaction to panic?  Will you ever be able to rid your carpet of the stain?  

 

Every spill is different.  Our post today deals with handling catsup when it comes in contact with carpet.  Hopefully this will help many with family get-togethers that have become a bit messy!

 

Catsup

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. 

Overall, be sure to be careful around carpet, but remember there is no need to panic with a loud “Oops!” Acting quickly and with the correct attack strategy, the scariest spills can be overcome.

 

Mar-21-2011

Trending Now: Porcelain Tile

Posted by creatingyourspace under Tile

Porcelain tile is the hard working chameleon of the tile world. Known for its durability, porcelain tile is denser than ceramic tile, making it more resistant to stains, chipping and temperature changes. It is a great choice for flooring throughout the house and is a popular choice for kitchens and baths.   Porcelain tiles come in an almost infinite number of sizes, surface textures, and colors.

Size

Porcelain tiles range from 1in. x 1in. to 20in. x 20in. squares, the classic 2 x 3in subway tile to uniquely shaped modern tiles.  When considering what size tile to select, think about how the tile will function in the space. Do you want a strong pattern? Choose smaller tiles. Do you want a more uniformed look? Select larger tiles so there will be fewer grout lines.  You may want to do a mix of sizes, large squares with smaller accent tiles to give more interest to your floor or backsplash.

Texture

Porcelain tile is available in everything from high gloss to matte faux-travertine textures.  Rough textures faux-stone porcelain tiles are a great option for a shower or bathroom floor. Porcelain tiles are a popular option for a kitchen floor because of their durability and easy maintenance.

Color

Like ceramic tile, porcelain tile comes in a rainbow of hues.  Solids, speckled, and stone patterned tiles mean that you will easily find a porcelain tile to match your home’s style and décor. Many of today’s porcelain tiles are almost indistinguishable from stone.  You can find choices from travertine to marble to linen in a variety of colors.

Mar-10-2011

Protecting and Cleaning Tile Grout

Posted by creatingyourspace under Care and Maintenance, Tile

Q:  How do I know if the tile grout in my kitchen is protected and how do I remove stains from it?

A: If you happen to have ceramic tiles, good news because ceramic tiles are relatively easy to clean given that it has a glossy or semi-glossy finish. Even latex paint that has dried can easily be removed with a fingernail. However, there is a major difference between the tile surface and the tile grout. Grout happens to be porous that is why it is more prone to stains. This is where grout sealants come in. Grout sealants are applied to your tiles after installing them. This can help reduce the porosity of your grout. It also helps prevent the settlement of moisture underneath the tile and protects the surface from stains.

To see if your grout is still protected, test it. Simply put a few drops of water on the grout joint. The water drop should not soak into the grout. If the grout absorbs the water, then it means it isn’t working. Usually, grout sealant lasts for one to two years at the most.

Two of the best mild cleaners you can find in your home for grout are simply baking soda and water. Apply the mixture with a soft toothbrush. This can be helpful in removing food, wine and coffee stains. But as for difficult stains, it is always best to apply grout colorant. Before attempting to do this yourself you’ll want to consult with one of our tile specialists.