Does carpet protector really work?

You know as a professional cleaner I get asked that question all the time. In short the answer is yes, they do work. But not all protectors are created equal. If your carpet cleaning company is using a product like Scotch Guard or Teflon, then you are in the clear. As a consumer you shouldn't expect to get your carpet protected for next to nothing. Quality protectors are not cheap. So if it's too good to be true price wise, then it may be just that. Protecting your carpet is like insurance. You hope you don't need it but when you do it's there for you.

How To Prevent Bed Bugs

• Avoid second-hand furniture if possible. If not possible, check the furniture thoroughly, especially mattresses and sofas, before bringing them into your home. Learn the signs of bed bug infestation from the CDC.
• Use a high quality protective cover for your mattress and box springs.
• Reduce clutter in your home.

READ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT BED BUGS FROM THE CDC

The Benefits and Advantages of Carpet

This is a great article from www.House-Blueprints.org...

Carpet is a popular floor fitting, prized for its warmth, versatility, insulation abilities and the protection it provides unfinished floors. If you’re considering installing carpeting in your home, keep reading to learn about the benefits and advantages of this practical and fashionable product.

Safety: First and foremost, a carpeted floor is a safer floor. The soft surface and cushioned under-padding not only reduce the impact of a fall, but also the likelihood of it happening in the first place. Carpet is inherently slip-resistant, meaning it’s harder to slip and fall.

Sound Reduction: If you live in a busy home with lots of traffic, you know how loud wood or laminate floors can be. Carpet stifles noise and reduces echoes in three ways; absorbing the impact of foot traffic, soaking up room sounds and echoes and finally, by blocking sound from carrying between floors (especially helpful in condo apartments or multi-family homes).

READ 5 MORE BENEFITS OF CARPET

6 Things You Shouldn't Do To Your Vacuum Cleaner

CHECK OUT THESE GREAT TIPS WE FOUND ON THE CARPET AND RUG INSTITUTE'S BLOG:

1. Not Change the Bag: When your bag or bin (for bagless vacuums) is 1/2 full, suction power is reduced by at least 50%. This means you need more strokes over an area to clean it and it is making the motor work harder. It is best to change the bag or empty the bin when 1/3 to 1/2 full.

2. Use the Brush on Bare Floors: A powered brush is critical for deep-cleaning carpets. But the revolving bristles can scatter debris while scratching the finish on hardwood and the plastic wear layer on laminate floors.

3. Vacuum Hard, Sharp Objects: Nails, screws, coins and even paper clips can rip bags and damage the machine. Either pick them up or sweep them up with a broom before vacuuming.

4. Suck Up Water or Wet Messes: Had a flood? Avoid the risk of electrocution by leaving your upright or canister in the closet. Use a wet-dry vacuum with a ground-fault interrupter for standing water or even damp debris.

5. Toss It When It Loses Suction: Full bags are not the only reason a vacuum's suction can suffer. Check the hose to see if it is clogged. If the hose is clear, check the filters found on bagged and bagless vacuums. Also, if the brush roll barely turns, check it and the drive belt for tangled string or hair.

6. Assume the Motor has Blown: Many models have a thermal switch that cuts current to the motor if it begins to overheat. If your vacuum shuts off during use, check for a full bag or bin or a dirty filter. The switch should reset itself, though some models have a reset button for that purpose.

SOURCE: http://www.carpet-and-rug-institute-blog.com/

National Disaster Preparedness Month 2012

September is National Disaster Preparedness Month. Check out this video from ready.ga.gov about how to prepare...

Being prepared for an emergency can mean the difference between life and death. Are you ready? This video highlights the facts about emergency preparedness in Georgia. Which demographic is most prepared? Are Georgians prepared at school and work? What about families who have members with functional needs? This informative video will answer these questions and more.

The Great Southeast ShakeOut: October 18, 2012

You are invited to join thousands of people who will Drop, Cover, and Hold On on October 18th at 10:18 a.m.* in the 2012 Great SouthEast ShakeOut!

More than 12.5 million people were registered to participate in ShakeOut drills worldwide in 2011. Participating is a great way for your family or organization to become better prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes.

Start here to be included in the 2012 ShakeOut!

What Are The Benefits of Carpet Over Hard Surfaces?

Here are some great reasons to love your carpet from The Carpet and Rug Institute...

 

1. Provides warmth and comfort

Carpet provides actual thermal resistance, or R-value. In colder climates or seasons, it retains warm air longer, an energy conservation benefit. Carpet also provides a comfortable place to sit, play or work and gives a room an overall warmer feeling.

2. Adds beauty and style

You can choose from many thousands of carpet styles and colors. That means your ultimate choice will reflect how you want to personalize your living space. Carpet can be a neutral foundation, or it can be a focal point with vibrant colors and stronger bolder patterns and textures.

3. Softens slips and falls

Carpet is ideal for cushioning our footsteps, reducing slips and falls and minimizing injuries when falls do occur. Carpet provides safety protection for the whole family, but especially for toddlers and older individuals.

2 MORE REASONS TO LOVE YOUR CARPET

How Can I Keep My Home Smelling Fresh?

Everyone wants their home to smell fresh and clean. But with pets, kids, food and other day to day smells, how is it possible. Here are a few tips from the IICRC...

"A survey commissioned by the IICRC indicates that 81 percent of U.S. homeowners agree that the health of their family is directly related to the cleanliness of floors in the home. While a key component to improving air quality is eliminating carpet and rug odors, which in many cases requires regularly cleaning these surfaces, only 15 percent clean their carpet at least once a year.

According to the IICRC, the following four-step process is the best way to successfully remove odor from your carpet:

1. Remove the source of the odor, as practical (absorb liquids, scoop solids)
2. Thoroughly clean odor-affected surfaces and materials. Cleaning is basic to deodorizing
3. Treat the odor source with an appropriate odor counteractant (sanitizer, disinfectant, enzyme)
4. Seal restorable surfaces, such as subflooring, if practical

Many sources of odor, including pet urine and tobacco smoke, require specialized procedures and techniques and are best addressed by a certified professional."

How to Stay Cool In Extreme Heat

What to Do After a Fire

To return your residential or commercial property to its pre-loss condition requires professional restoration Here are some tips from the The CleanTrust...

For results you can have confidence in, The CleanTrust recommends hiring a certified restoration firm. Restoration to a property can be complex. Proper smoke and odor removal are tasks that require technicians certified in these specific areas.

When selecting a certified restoration firm several factors must be considered:

• Formal and up-to-date specialized training
• Health and safety certifications
• Experience in a wide range of restoration projects

The CleanTrust provides the following tips for fire victims facing clean up:

• Practice safety first. Use a dust mask (like painters use) and gloves as you work.
• Ventilate the home. Place a box fan in an open window to draw the air and dust out.
• Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceilings, walls and fixtures, and work your way down to the contents of the room, then to the floor.
• Vacuum floors and upholstery. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high efficiency filter. Otherwise, you risk blowing soot back into the air.
• Some draperies, clothing and machine-washable items may be laundered. Use a mild alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid in the soot. Fine clothing should be dry cleaned.
• Most exterior walls (brick, stone, wood, paint, siding) and eaves can be cleaned by spraying with a detergent, agitating soot with a soft-bristled brush, pressure washing from bottom to top, then rinsing from top to bottom.

READ MORE TIPS FROM THE IICRC