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.

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.