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.

Dust Mite Fight - Using the Right Vacuum

Last but certainly not least in our consideration of general household tips that can be used to battle dust mites is using a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

If you are wondering why this is an important thing to consider, there are two big reasons. 1) HEPA filters trap small particles that may affect allergy sufferers and dust mites certainly fit that description. 2) HEPA filters are tested and carry documentation right on them so you can see exactly how effective the filter is and to what degree it removes the targeted particles.

In addition to using the proper kind of vacuum, regular vacuuming is also recommended.

This series of posts has attempted to provide readers with some suggestions on how to control dust mites in the home. However, these practices have not been mentioned or recommended as a replacement to regularly having your carpets and upholstery cleaned by a professional. Rather, using these suggestions in conjunction with the regular professional cleaning will ensure that you are doing everything in your might to win the fight against dust mites.

Dust Mite Fight - The Dryer The Better

keeping the moisture level low is a practice that can keep dust mites from thriving. As counter-intuitive as that may seem, taking this step will help you in the 'dust mite fight'. Why is that the case? Well, dust mites prefer warm, moist environments, so if you can eliminate moisture in your home, then the conditions are not favorable for the enemy to thrive. So, what can be done to contribute to this dryer atmosphere?

One big thing that you can do to try to keep the moisture at bay is to utilize a dehumidifier in your home. These appliances remove the moisture from the air. This can be an effective way to remove dampness not just from one area specifically, but to keep all areas of a particular room dry. The dry air makes it more difficult for mites to live.

Dust Mite Fight - Keep Stuffed Toys Clean

In this series of posts, we are talking about practices that you can take to help with combating dust mites in your home. These regular methods for prevention in addition to regularly having your carpet cleaned by a professional carpet care company can be very effective.

In the last post we talked about the need to keep bed clothing protected and clean by washing and drying them in temperatures higher than 130 degrees along with covering them up appropriately while using them. Here we will briefly consider other items that regularly accompany your young ones that can be overlooked if not specifically mentioned.

Many children have a favorite stuffed toy that they prefer or perhaps yours is not so picky and just likes having something soft to 'cuddle with'. As result, your youngster might spend just as much time with there eyes ears, and nose against a stuffed toy as they do against their bedding. Since this is the case, the cleaning of these childhood favorites is just as necessary as as it is with there bedding.

However, not all stuffed toys are washable. Choosing washable stuffed toys for your little tykes will allow you to keep them clean and unappealing to mites.

Dust Mite Fight - Keep Bedding Clean and Covered

In this series on how to fight dust mites, we are considering a few practical steps that families can take in order to combat the effects of dust mites. While one way that we will discuss in a later post has to do with carpet care, our specialty, there are some other locations in your home that need to be given consideration. In the last post, we took a brief look at the need for bedding that is allergy resistant. However, just having hypo-allergenic bedding is not all you can do to protect you home from dust mites.

How you take care of the bedding can also work to alleviate the effects of these irritating microscopic pests. There are covers for pillows, mattresses, and box springs that can be used to prevent dust mites from taking over the bed.

Additionally, washing your pillow cases, sheets, blankets and mattress pads in hot temperatures assist with eliminating mites that may be in the bedding. The key is the heat so drying the bed clothes in temperatures higher than 130 degrees are beneficial.

These basic laundering and covering methods can go a long way toward helping with dust mite prevention.

Dust Mite Fight - Hypo Allergenic Bed Clothes

There are  a few key places that dust mites can lurk in your home in addition to the carpeting. Knowing these areas and taking some action to make conditions unfavorable for the little nuisance the better your family will literally feel.

One of these additional locations is the bed. Dust mites can live in bedding that provides a proper climate. One of the precautions that you can take is to use hypo-allergenic bed clothes and bedding. There are a number of locations on the internet that offer this kind of bedding. Making sure that the materials the bedding is construct of is not conducive to dust mite multiplication can be beneficial and you might be surprised at just how many companies are providing hypo-allergenic bedding. There are even crib mattresses that can be purchased that are made from materials that can help you in your efforts to ward off this 'micro-nemesis'.

The Fight Against Dust Mites

While most have never seen these little (microscopic) pests, many have observed the effects of them in one way or another. Whether you or a family member suffers from allergies, how dust mites affect your home can be noticed by the response of the human body. Some of the detectable symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
• Postnasal drip
• Cough
• Facial pressure and pain
• Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
• In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose

With a list of symptoms like that, you might be thinking how to protect your family from these icky little critters. In the next few posts we will consider some tips that you can employ to help combat the uncomfortable effects of the dreaded dust mite pest.

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.

Inexpensive Home Decor Project - Rearrange

Perhaps one of the least expensive home improvements that can be made is the re-purposing of current furniture. With just a little creativity, you can change the presentation of your home simply by moving the items around or changing the functionality of one item into that of another item all-together.

For example, one person that had an old wooden bench that was being used outside for seating grew tired of it serving as a bench. They decided that they would move it into the house and use it for a decorative piece to add to the appearance.

Some furniture may not need to have its purpose changed, it might just need to be relocated. By placing furniture in a certain arrangement, you can create the impression of more or less space. It is even possible to make one area into two areas without the need for walls. Moving your furniture around regularly has another benefit. If you  have carpeting, moving the furniture will allow your carpeting to wear more evenly and you may even lengthen its life. Incidentally, if you are rearranging the furniture in your home, that would be the perfect time to have your home's carpet cleaned.

By using this technique of changing your home's appearance, or by combining it with one or more of the other ideas we've mentioned in previous posts like adding crown molding or painting, you can give your home a makeover for a really low price.

Inexpensive Home Decor Project - New Fixtures

Another inexpensive home decor project that can add to the appearance of your home is adding new fixtures or updating the exiting fixtures.

Can you improve the quality of the lighting fixtures? Many times a new home will have bargain priced lighting. Whether this is because people do not notice or they do not want to spring for the added fees, the light fixtures in a home can have an impact on the room.

What about adding ceiling fans? Ceiling fans also can add to a room's overall appearance. Additionally, ceiling fans can contribute to other aspects of the homes appearance and operating costs. Utilizing fans can keep the temperature in the room stable by circulating cool or warm air. The temperature of the room contributes to the room's 'appearance'. And who knows, maybe you will even save a few bucks on energy costs as well.

So keep your eyes open for a great deal on home fixtures. If you can get your hands on lighting that is on clearance, it can be translated into a home decor project for cheap.

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 - Tile

In a previous post, I explained that I am writing a series of floor covering posts in which I will be discussing environmentally safe flooring options and in the last post I talked about the factors that make stone flooring a green choice for protecting the environment. Here I will discuss some of the things to consider when choosing tile as a floor covering material.

Tile flooring can be made up a variety of materials. To gauge the degree of environmental friendliness, the buyer needs to know what is in the tile. You will want to be sure to research the materials that comprise the flooring so that you can make an educated decision regarding the company and the product.

If you are wondering what types of things can contribute to the 'green index' of the tile, here are some ideas I found on a web site that sells tile flooring:

One aspect of environmentally friendly tile flooring is the process of manufacturing the tile. Gaining as much information as you can on the the manufacturing process can help you to see if the end product is something you would choose to use in your project.

An additional aspect of measuring the tile's 'friendliness' to the environment is the material itself. There are many substances that can be added to the 'mix'. Knowing what materials are used in the tile's construction an help you decide which tile to choose for your home or business. For example, is the tile constructed of partly recycled material? If so, what material was used?

As with many of the substances that I have considered in this series of posts, tile comes in a variety of kinds and the more information you have about the process and the substances as well as the rate at which the material is replenished, the more comfortable you will be with your decision.

What to Consider When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner - Trustworthiness

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a carpet cleaning professional is the reputation of the company. This is not always easy to determine. However, there are some indicating factors that you can look at to help you get a feel for the degree of trust you can feel toward the company.

The Company's History Can Foster Trust

While history alone does not necessarily reveal the degree of trust you can invest in your carpet cleaning service, it is a good indication of how long that particular company has been performing the service. The company's history can give an indication of how long the company has been in business. Additionally, you may be able to determine if the carpet cleaner has been working in your area or if they have recently started serving your neighbors.

If the company has been in business for a number of years, most likely you can find a friend or family member that has heard of or even used the services of the company you are considering. This can be a valuable resource to you in making your decision.

Advertising Can Play a Part

If the carpet cleaning company advertises through television or print, the message conveyed in the ad can ad a sense of security or throw up a red flag. If marketing message is solely focused on price and that price sounds extremely low compared to other pricing you are familiar with, you may want to beware. Often times companies will use a low price to get into the home and then the team will try to sell additional services or even worse, change the deal altogether. Our official web site features a news video that demonstrates bait and switch tactics being done in one area.

Up front pricing that may seem like higher prices could end up costing less in the long run and a company that is honest with you about pricing will most likely be honest about other aspects of the service.

In conclusion, when choosing a carpet cleaning company, make sure you have a good indication of what the company is focused on and if they have a history of treating customers honestly.

Evironmentally Safe Flooring Choices - Bamboo

As mentioned in a previous post, I am writing a series of floor covering posts in which I will discuss floor coverings that are safer for the environment. In the last post I talked about techniques that manufacturers are using to decrease the environmental footprint of their vinyl flooring and in this post, I will discuss the material Bamboo.

Bamboo is an environmentally friendly floor covering for two primary reasons. Namely regeneration and carbon absorption. Bamboo, after it is established, can grow new shoots every year. Additionally, it can grow at a rate of 1 foot per day! This fast regeneration rate means that more floors can be produced with fewer plants. 

As for carbon absorption, bamboo absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees and it produces more oxygen. These characteristics mean that bamboo contributes less to the greenhouse effect and are more Eco friendly than trees. 

These key aspects, as well as the visual appeal of the material, itself can be a huge factor for many.

Evironmentally Safe Flooring Choices - Vinyl

As mentioned in a previous post, I am writing a series of floor covering posts in which I will discuss floor coverings that are safer for the environment. In the last post I covered cork and in this post, I will discuss vinyl.

Some may think that the possibility of an environmentally friendly vinyl flooring is out of the question. This post will provide some information that will allow you to decide whether vinyl floor covering is a viable choice for you.

What makes it a challenge? Well there are multiple things that make vinyl flooring more difficult to produce in an earth friendly manner. many would think of the material itself. Being a form of PVC, vinyl coverings contain chemicals that are difficult to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner.  Another aspect that makes vinyl flooring a challenge to the environment is that it has to be bonded to the sub-floor with an adhesive. These bonding agents also can be environmentally unsafe.

What that means is that to increase the safety index of vinyl flooring, one would need to lower the factors in the material and then figure out a way to minimize waste so that less of these chemicals get to a point that they can affect the earth. 

You may be surprised to learn of some of the advancements that are being made in these areas. Here is an article from a flooring dealer that explains some of those methodologies of making vinyl flooring safer.

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.

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.