Inexpensive Home Decor Project - New Rug(s)

One of our favorite home decorating techniques that can be accomplished for minimal cost is adding or changing out your ornamental rug(s). When you change a large feature of a room, it impacts the rest of the room. An ornamental rug is such a feature. Changing the color of an area rug and perhaps some pillows or other accent items, you can create a whole new look for the room for very little cost. And if you happen to find a nice area rug at a flea market, consignment shop or yard sale you can even get a better price.

It is always a good idea to have a used rug professionally cleaned before introducing it into your home. Pets and other factors can be a good reason to have this service performed. Having the rug professionally cleaned will ensure that the colors will be vibrant and achieve your intended purpose - livening up the room.

As we've seen over the course of the last couple of weeks, achieving a new look or refreshing a room in your home can be accomplished for very little cost. It just takes a bit of creativity and little some 'elbow grease' to give your room a makeover.

Carpet Research Resources - IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)

In this post, we will consider the third resource for finding information regarding carpet. The first post discussed a resource for general information about carpeting while the second post, featured a resource that can help in additional aspects of carpet information including choosing carpet, cleaning carpet, and Eco-friendly carpeting. This post will focus on a resource that can help you make decisions regarding carpet care professionals.

After you have spent the time, money, and effort choosing and purchasing your new carpeting or rug, you will probably want to know how to keep it in its best condition and get the most wear with the longest life possible. If so, that is where the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) can help.

As the name suggests, the IICRC specializes in certifying carpet cleaning professionals so you do not have to wonder if the individual that is cleaning your carpet or rug is qualified. This can be important since there are some companies out there that aren't completely honest about the fees involved with their services. In fact, to help make consumers aware of the danger, we recently wrote about the tactics that some carpet cleaners use to run up the price.

If you would like to learn more about the IICRC, be sure to check out their web site.

Carpet Research Resources - CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute)

Recently, we wrote a post about a resource that many people are familiar with for learning more about carpet - Wikipedia. Continuing along the trail of good resources for information regarding carpeting, we thought we would provide a couple of more resources that many might find helpful. We will consider one in this post and the other in the next.

One resource for carpet is the CRI (Carpet & Rug Institute). Regardless of the kind of research, whether commercial or residential, you will find areas of the site designed to provide information about it. The CRI provides information on:

• Carpet Types
• Carpet Research
• Rugs
• The Carpet Industry
• Carpet Care and Maintenance Tips

So if you are looking for information about carpeting, one of the first places you will no doubt want to look is the CRI.

Carpet Research Resources - Wiki

For consumers, knowing what products are available is important in the decision making process.
but, where does a person go to find information that can help them to choose the right carpet for a specific area or room?

One place that can provide a good deal of information on carpet is Wikipedia. Most people are probably familiar with this online collection. One nice thing about this resource is that it is a result of contributions by a diverse group of individuals and the reader can get a variety of perspectives.

So if you are wanting a variety of information from a variety of sources, the free encyclopedia might be a good place to try.

5 Questions to Ask Your Carpet Cleaner

Choosing a carpet cleaning professional to clean your carpets is a decision that you need to make based on information and not just based on first impressions. Making that decision can be easier if  you learn a bit about the company and its process first. A good way to learn this is to find out how the company or its representative answers the following questions:

1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend for my needs?
2. What training or experience do you have?
3. Are your technicians members of the IICRC?
4. Are you insured?
5. Do you have a guarantee?

These questions might seem simple on the surface, but you might be surprised at how many customers forget to ask or just don't know to ask. Besides finding out the skill level of the person that will be handling this service for you, you will also be learning about the individual. These types of conversations can go a long way toward your getting to know the service provider.

We have provided a great deal of answers to common questions on our official web site. Don't wait until you need your carpet cleaned to begin choosing a company to care for your carpet, rugs, or upholstery, jot our number down now and give us call. Then when you are ready for a cleaning, you won't have questions about what you are getting in a carpet cleaning company.

Beware of Unscrupulous Sales Tactics

A while back I wrote a blog post discussing three reasons you should not choose carpet cleaners on price alone and one of those reasons was the topic we are hear discussing. Bait and switch tactics consist of different specifics, but no matter how they vary, each has a common purpose - lure you in with a low price and change the details implied to increase the cost of your bill.

Cheap Carpet Cleaning Comes at a Price

We have all seen the ads or coupons in newspapers or magazines offering a great deal on carpet cleaning. In fact, some of those specials appear to be too good to be true. This article is meant to point to out a specific tactic that unscrupulous carpet cleaners use that make their offers 'to good to be true'.

How this tactic works is the customer schedules an appointment to have the carpet cleaned for the advertised price. However once the 'service technician' arrives, the customer discovers that the coupon does not apply to their specific job. That is when the selling starts based on different rates. these charge can climb rather quickly to a price that is very different from the price you originally saw advertised.

Services do vary and it is possible that you could prefer services in addition to the ones that come with an advertised price, but be on the lookout for a ridiculously low price in an ad. Many of those ads advertise prices that simply cannot be met if a carpet is cleaned appropriately.

So if you want a professional carpet cleaning service and you live in the Branson or Kimberling City area, contact Lakes Area Carpet Care for more information.

Why the End of Summer Can Be a Good Time to Have Your Carpet Cleaned

Many people wonder what time of the year is the best time to have carpets cleaned. The simple answer to that question is, “Any time can be the right time to have them cleaned, depending on your individual circumstances.” In this article, I will consider why summer’s end is a good time for many people to have this necessary service performed.

Summer is a very active time of the year. The kids are out of school, the family is busy with all kinds of events and social functions. Also, entertaining in the home is often times ramped up in the summer time. With the increase of activity, there is often times more traffic in and out of the home and with more traffic, there comes more dirt. Furthermore, when everyone is busy the time needed to thoroughly clean after every occasion is just not there. This mark of the summer season is one of the reasons some choose to have the carpets cleaned at summer’s end.

Since it is recommended that carpets be cleaned regularly, many choose this time of the year as one of the times to have their carpets cleaned. Since the children go back to school at the conclusion of the summer, it can be easier to keep traffic off the freshly-cleaned floors according to the recommended 8-12 hours following a carpet cleaning.

There are other times of the year that can also be good times to have carpets cleaned, but if you have a busy summer schedule, a nice way to wrap up your summer activity is with a good, thorough carpet cleaning.

Three Reasons You Should Not Choose a Carpet Cleaner on Price Alone

One of the biggest factors for many people when trying to decide on a carpet cleaning company is the price. This is for good reason, no one wants to pay more than they need to for a service. However, when it comes to making a decision on carpet cleaning professionals, there are other factors that need to be kept in mind. Here are three factors that can affect the price of the service. 

 

Bait and Switch Tactics

The first reason to avoid choosing a carpet cleaner on price alone is that some companies use low prices to get you hire them and then once they are at your home or business, they begin trying sell you more services or products. Remember the old saying, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

 

Reputation and Customer Service

Another important aspect of choosing a carpet cleaner is the company’s choice of service policies. Prices might be low, but how is the service. Do they have a guarantee of some kind? If a business is willing to guarantee the work performed, they are showing that they are confident in their ability to do a great job. What about their reputation? If the company you are considering has been in business for many years, then you may know someone that has made use of their services. This can be a valuable resource to you. Consider asking around to get an idea of the reputation of each carpet cleaner you consider hiring. 

 

Cleaning Methods and Equipment Quality Varies

There are a variety of methods that are used to clean carpeting. Since this is the case, it is wise to get some clarification on what type of cleaning methods each company uses. Some cleaning methods do not get your carpeting as clean as others do. This differentiation can affect the price. Additionally, cleaning equipment comes in a variety of forms and not all machinery is the same in quality or performance. Professional cleaning machines are more costly than other machines and as a result, they can cause variations in prices.

Questions to Ask a Carpet Cleaner You Are Considering

It seems simple enough, call a carpet cleaning company and ask for the price so you will know what it is going to cost. Yet there are other factors to consider when hiring someone to clean your carpets. Here are some things you might want to ask when interviewing a company fro hire.

What method of carpet cleaning do you use? There is more than one way to clean a carpet  and each method has advantages. You want to be sure that you are aware of the method used and ask appropriate questions to determine if your objective will be met.

What training have you had in cleaning carpets? Listening closely to the answer to this question can help you to determine whether the 'specialist' has the skills necessary to accomplish your goal.

What certifications do you possess? A professional that has been certified is one that has been educated in the proper areas and will be more familiar with the best practices of the industry. This is a great question to ask any carpet cleaner you are considering hiring.

What sort of a guarantee do you provide? If the company offers a guarantee, you are most likely not going to need to use it. However, if a company will not guarantee the service it provides, it means that they do not have confidence in their technicians. Be sure to ask this question.

So, although it may seem easy to choose a carpet cleaning company, the reality is that your conversation while interviewing potential professionals can shine some light on what you are actually getting.

Evironmentally Safe Flooring Choices - Carpeting

As mentioned in the previous post, I am kicking off a series of floor covering posts in which I will discuss how to locate floor coverings that are safer for the environment. I'll give you three guesses as to the first material.

Carpeting

Shopping for 'green' carpeting does not have to be a big event. With a few simple guidelines you can find the perfect carpeting that is environmentally safe and a durable, lasting addition to your home.

Specifics can be daunting when you want to locate an environmentally friendly carpeting. Rather than going through the detailed list of what to look for, it might be more beneficial to just cover the certifications to look for and what those certifications mean for you, the purchaser.

• Global Organic Textile Standard
• Directly quoted from their web site:

Our mission is the development, implementation, verification, protection and promotion of the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).  This standard stipulates requirements throughout the supply chain for both ecology and labour conditions in textile and apparel manufacturing using organically produced raw materials. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic, persistent pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, organic production relies on adequate animal husbandry and excludes genetic modification. | Visit the site

• Scientific Certification Systems
• The site from this body makes the following statement:

We partner with companies, government agencies, and stakeholders worldwide to identify and drive practices, policies and processes that advance the goals of sustainable development and give innovators a competitive advantage. Working with capable leaders across the forestry, green building, energy, agricultural, fisheries, and consumer products sectors, we proudly provide services in every corner of the earth. These services are enabling policy-makers, procurement officers, company decision-makers and consumers to make informed decisions based on the highest level of environmental, ethical and quality accountability. | Visit the site

• Carpet and Rug Institute
• And this organization has this to say about their efforts:

CRI applies science to make carpet better and last longer. CRI works with its member companies, allies in the field, independent testing laboratories and government agencies to continually improve its best practices in product improvement, environmental responsibility and customer care. The result of this pursuit of excellence means that CRI exceeds industry standards and meets customer expectations. | Visit the site

 In short, keep an eye open for labels that specify an approval of one or more of the above organizations and you will be on your way to improving the environment.

Evironmentally Safe Flooring Choices One by One

 Two things seem to be available in abundance. 1) Individuals wanting to protect the environment. 2) Floor covering materials. With so many choices out there for both of these groups, I thought it would make a great topic for a blog post. So, In the next few days I am going to be sharing some tips. These tips will discuss a couple of main concepts.

The first type of information is finding floor coverings that are environmentally friendly. The second is what information you may want to consider when making your decision. Each new post will be for a specific type of floor covering. Here are the listed types of covering materials this series will consider (not necessarily in this order):

• Bamboo
• Carpet
• Cork
• Stone
• Tile
• Vinyl

Common Carpet Questions

We regularly get questions about carpeting, carpet cleaning, and related topics. Some of the questions we often get are listed below, if you would like to get the answer to one or more of these questions why not check out our FAQ page on our web site?

Here are some common questions people ask:

• How much time will it take to clean my carpet? 
• Will water ruin my carpet?  
• How much time will it take for my carpet to dry?  
• I've heard that cleaning makes my carpet soil faster, so why have it cleaned?
• Do I need to move my furniture before the cleaning crew arrives? 
• Do I need to remain home while my carpet is being cleaned? 
• Will the cleaning agents used to clean my carpet harm my children or pets?
• How much time do I have to wait after cleaning to let my children or pets on the carpet? 
• Is it possible to have both my area rug and the carpet that it sits on cleaned at the same time? 
• What should I do in the event that the stains that were cleaned reappear? 
• Do you guarantee customer satisfaction?
   

If you do not find your question listed here, why not give us a call?

3 Reasons You Might Need to Replace Your Carpet

Reasons for replacing your carpeting vary. One reason some decide to change the carpet in their home is because they have grown tired of the color or texture of it. Others choose to replace the existing carpet in a newly purchased home, condo or business because you prefer a different color or type. However, there is a time when changing out your carpeting is needed due to more than just style. In this post I will cover three reasons why it might be time to replace your existing carpeting.

Accidental Damage

As the saying goes, "accidents happen", and carpeting is often times the place at which accidents occur. From pet stains to spilled drinks, carpeting can take a pretty heavy "beating". Some stains cannot be removed and some can. Even cleaning carpet stains repeatedly can add to the damage of your carpet if it is not carried out cautiously and in the appropriate manner. Taking preventative steps to protect your carpeting can go a long way in making it last longer.

Wear and Tear

Over time - and in specific areas of your home or business - you will find that the carpeting gets traveled more frequently. These high traffic areas can wear down faster than other parts of the room. The pile may become packed down or even begin to wear through. Using a rug over the areas that receive more traffic than others might prevent the wear and tear, yet the weight can still crush the carpet underneath and cause the pile to become packed down.

Old Age

Even if you prevent stains and minimized the traffic on your carpet, it will still eventually need to be replaced. This is because carpet and the padding underneath, like everything else, ages. Over time, even with regular professional carpet cleaning, the carpet will lose its 'springy' full feel and the padding can begin to stiffen and crack.

In closing then, your carpeting will most likely be subjected to damage, normal wear, and age to one degree or another. Each situation will depend on how strongly each of these affect your carpet.

The Pros and Cons of Loop Pile Carpeting

Advantages and Disadvantages of Loop Pile Carpets

When looking to replace carpet or add carpet to a room in your home, you may discover that there are a number of options when it comes to selecting a carpet that suits your specific needs.

In a previous post, I discussed the pros and cons of cut pile carpet types. I am going to continue the consideration of benefits one can expect from various carpet styles. This post will focus on the loop pile  group. If you are not familiar with the different types of carpeting as specified by the pile, you might find it helpful to take a look at my post discussing the various carpet types.

Loop pile carpets are generally talked about as a group because each of the three kinds - Berber, Level-Loop, and Multi-Level Loop - carry similar benefits.
Loop pile carpet is somewhat traffic resistant and it is not as subject to crushing under foot. Because of its loop, vacuum marks are not as noticeable and if the right pattern is chosen carefully, it can hide spots and marks.

Berber carpet differs from the Level-Loop and Multi-Level Loop in that it is constructed with one continuous thread from beginning to end. This construction feature can be a problem if a tuft gets pulled because it can cause a run along the whole length of the carpet. Because Berber's fibers are tighter packed, it can be more difficult to clean and vacuum and because it is not a Plush carpet it may not feel as comfortable on the toes.

All in all, Loop pile carpeting is a nice choice for traffic areas and is becoming more and more popular. If you are seeking a carpet that is relatively durable yet attractive appearance, it might be the right choice.

Are You Allergic to Carpet?

Is Carpeting Allergenic?

That is a fair question and one that should be taken seriously because it can be a health factor for several years since the average wear of carpeting is between five and ten years according to some researchers. So, should you be concerned about carpet allergies?

The short answer to that question is yes. Being concerned about allergies only makes sense, however, some might be surprised at what causes the allergy problems.

Carpeting by itself is, for the most part made from the same materials that clothing is constructed from. Materials such as nylon and polyester. These substances are inert and most people wear them fairly regularly. However, the substances that people are allergic to get trapped in the carpet fibers and can irritate allergies. Yet, there are ways to control and minimize these allergens.

Carpeting is often treated with chemicals designed to adversely affect the particles that many people are allergic to. By asking about low VOC carpet you can reduce the amount of allergy-aggravating gases that can develop from carpet chemicals over time. And don't forget the other chemicals that can contribute to your discomfort and ask about alternative kinds of glues and padding substances.

Choose a material that is effective at controlling allergy aggravating substances. Nylon is the most effective material for this. However, you might want to stay clear of other fibers that are not as allergen repellent.

Above all, be sure to regularly vacuum your carpet and you might look into a HEPA filter. And of course, have a professional clean your carpet regularly to get the tougher stuff that you will miss with a regular vacuuming routine.

Cut Pile Carpeting Benefits

Advantages and Disadvantages of Cut Pile Carpet

To say that there are across-the-board advantages to cut pile carpeting would not be accurate. Just like there are many different 'grades' of equipment and service, there is also a variety of quality in carpet. Even within a specific grade of carpeting there will exist variance from type to type. These variances, depending on how each person views them, are what can be viewed as advantages and disadvantages.

I my previous post, I covered a simple breakdown of carpeting types and described the various aspects of a standard carpet. This post will consider the carpets of the cut pile family and mention very briefly some of the features that people are drawn to according to the carpet type.

Saxony

The first carpet type of the cut pile carpet type that we will consider is Saxony. Saxony cut pile carpet is often described as 'lush' by those that describe it. By lush we mean that the carpet feels plentiful and substantial to the feet. This comfortable feeling is considered an advantage when the feel of the carpet is the priority. Keep in mind though that there is always a trade off. And the sacrifice here is durability. However, for some that is a trade that is well worth it.

Frieze

This cut pile carpet is a hardy, or tough type of carpet. In general, it is shorter than other types and because of this tendency, a disadvantage to the Frieze would be that it is not as appealing to the senses as the Saxony that we mentioned in the previous section. However, it is more durable than other types of cut pile carpet and because of the way the yarn is twisted, foot prints are less noticeable on a Frieze.

Plush

These carpets are very soft. Hence, the term plush. The fibers in a Plush carpet are lightly twisted to contribute the 'soft' factor and like the Saxony, Plush carpeting carries the disadvantage of being delicate - even more delicate than the Saxony. The advantage though, is that it is extremely soft to the touch and is a pleasure to stand on.

Textured

Like the Frieze carpet, Textured carpet is a durable floor covering that is versatile too. Because the pile is shorter and densely packed, it, like the Frieze carpet hides foot traffic very well, yet is elegant and classical. These advantages make the Textured cut pile carpet very popular.

So there you have it. A brief description of the various kinds of cut pile carpets
and what to consider in the way of advantages if you are thinking of choosing a new carpet for your home. No matter what carpet you choose, it will last longer with regular cleaning and care. But as we have discussed, some are more durable than others while the comfort factor may be something you want to consider.

Carpet Types Simplified

Understanding Carpet Types

Often times, people think of carpeting in terms of how it looks or how it feels on the feet. In the carpet industry though, carpeting is classified in terms of its construction. This post will serve to breakdown the carpet types into groups. Each carpet type has specific features and setbacks associated with it. However, these details will be covered in later posts on a style-by-style basis.

Carpeting has two basic parts. First, the 'pile'. Pile is the part of the carpet you see and feel. Second, the 'backing'. Backing is part of the carpet that the pile is attached to and is what is attached to the floor during the installation process. Carpeting is generally classified by its pile type and then sub-classed accordingly.

• Loop Pile
• Level-Loop
• Multi-level Loop
• Berber
• Cut Pile
• Saxony
• Plush
• Friezé
• Textured
• Cut-Loop Pile

From the breakdown list above you can see the three main pile types. A loop pile has yarn that is looped at the visible end. The cut pile is a carpet with the loops cut so that the ends are straight. And finally the cut and loop pile is one that has both kinds of ends on the yarn.

Carpet Care Blog

Carpeting, Tile, Upholstery, and Rug Information

The purpose of this post is to say hello to everyone that will choose to follow the information in this blog. The site will be a companion to our main website which talks about some of our services. Some of these services include:

• Carpet Cleaning
• Tile & Grout Maintenance
• Upholstery Cleaning in Branson
• Branson Area Rug Cleaners

Since our specialty is to help you keep your walking surfaces in tip top shape, this site will provide tips and education information that can assist you in choosing, installing, and learning about the various surfaces in your home or business.

Thanks for tuning in and supporting this blog with links and references in your facebook accounts and tweets (twitter posts).!