How To Clean Upholstery And Carpets
There are numerous approaches you can take when cleaning carpets and upholstery. The purpose of the cleaning (is it a general clean or are there specific stains which you want to remove) as well as the type of material you are working with will dictate the best cleaning method to use. If you are the housekeeping type you might be considering doing it yourself but people such as me (I'm lazy) prefer to use a professional service. Here are some basic tips to follow when cleaning carpets, rugs and upholstery.
Methods of cleaning carpets
In a nutshell there are five general methods of cleaning: hot water extraction (steam cleaning), shampooing, quick dry (bonnet), dry foam and dry absorbent compound cleaning.
Steam is the most well known of all the common methods but this is not always ideal because of the long drying time (sometimes over 12 hours depending on the material). By lightly wetting the carpet with a cleaning detergent, the steam cleaner then sucks out the debris with a high powered vacuum.
You can get various different types of shampoo cleaning machines. Many look like an upright vacuum cleaner except that they have two nylon bristle brushes as attachments underneath and a tank which contains the cleaning fluid. The process is similar to that of somebody sitting on their knees with a brush as the carpet is scrubbed with the nylon brushes which loosens the dirt which is then vacuumed when the carpet is dry which, the same as the hot water extraction or steam method, is about 12 hours.
Cleaning using the quick dry method may actually seem to be the same as carpet shampooing but the machine is slightly different in that, instead of brushes, it uses a couple of absorbent pads. A quick dry cleaning detergent is first spread over the carpet and then the machine buffs the carpet clean by absorbing the detergent as well as the dirt. The process is similar to buffing your tiled floors. It takes about an hour to dry so this method is ideal for high traffic areas.
Dry Foam cleaning is a mixture between shampooing and hot water extraction. Foam is introduced to the carpet by a machine with rolling brushes and the carpet is then vacuumed to remove the dirt. The drying time, dependent on the carpet type of course, is between an hour or two.
A powder called dry absorbent compound containing detergents and solvents which are lightly spread over the carpet. Either the professional or you use a machine which brushes the mixture into the carpet fibers after which you leave the carpet for a short time while the powder encapsulated the dirt. Once a bit of time has passed, a vacuum cleaner is used so suck up the dirt as well as the remaining compound. This method eliminates the chance of your carpets going moldy since no water is ever applied.
Options for cleaning upholstery
The upholstery fabric is what normally determines what kind of cleaning method will be used. Velvets and silks, for example, can only be dry cleaned and, unless you really know what you are doing, is best left to an upholstery cleaning professional. Other more durable fabrics can be steam cleaned similar to carpets as they do not suffer any side effects from getting wet. The hot extraction method (steam cleaning) is identical to that which is used for carpets except that the nozzle is a small, hand held version. Hand shampooing can also be used but instead of using a machine the cleaning fluid is agitated into a foam and this foam is then applied to the fabric using a sponge.
Identifying the upholstery material
Most people don?t know what the best method is for cleaning their fabric furniture. If you are lucky you will probably find a manufacturers label underneath one of the cushions which will contain the cleaning instructions and various suggestions and warnings. Mostly you are looking for a code at the top or bottom of the label with a 'S', 'W' or 'SW'. The 'S' means that the material must be dry cleaned while the 'W' means wet cleaning is allowed thus allowing for shampoo or steam cleaning methods. The 'SW' indicates that both wet and dry cleaning methods are acceptable for the material.
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Home Improvement Tools : How to Use a Carpenter Square
Understanding how to use, care for and store a carpenter square arediscussed in this free educational video series. Expert: George A. Finn III Bio: George Finn is an expert in mechanical systems, has a Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and has been felling trees and cutting firewood for over 30 years. Filmmaker: Nick Finn
To Maintain Your Family's Style Between Salon Visits
Tired of dragging the whole family into the salon for high-priced haircuts? You have to round up the kids, pile them into the car - and then make sure they don't destroy all of the magazines as they await their turns with the stylists. What if you could keep their hairstyles looking "salon fresh" between visits? It's easier than you might think. Have everyone in your family follow these simple guidelines to extend the interval between salon visits.Shampoo with cool or warm water. Shampooing with hot water can strip hair of natural oils, leaving you with a dry scalp. Massage and evenly distribute just a quarter-size amount of shampoo into hair, then rinse.
And never shampoo twice unless your scalp is oily. Condition. Hair needs moisture, just like skin does, but your scalp only needs conditioning if it's dry. So apply just a small amount of conditioner from the middle of the hair shaft to the ends. Leave the conditioner on for a few seconds, then rinse thoroughly. Detangle. Use your fingers or a comb to detangle hair; a wide-tooth comb works best. Start from the ends and work up to get knots out a few inches at a time. Never brush hair until it is dry. Cut it yourself. You can save money and time - and maintain your family members' freshly groomed styles - by trimming hair at home. A new tool from Wahl Clipper Corp., a leading manufacturer of professional beauty products, is helping consumers overcome their fears of making hair-cutting mistakes. It's called the Comb'n Cut, and those who use it are doubling the amount of time they're able to wait between hair appointments. The blade's "mistake free" technology is suitable for blending, tapering and shaping hair.You can also request the modification of a child support order by filing a motion directly with the court. Contact the Family Law Facilitator's office in your county of residence for help in filing the motion. See below for a complete list of Family Law Facilitators.
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Methods For Washing Your Duvet Cover
Are you interested in learning more about how to wash a duvet cover? Or rather are you just in the process of purchasing one & collecting all the information you can find to help you make the right decsion? Well what ever the reason simply go through this article and you will read about all the important factors.
I will not lie to you, the washing a duvet cover is not at all difficult. However, most people have been misled by amateur writers who are trying to make a buck online. Let me give you quick and useful facts that will not confuse you. Whether it’s a different colored one like: purple duvet covers, brown duvet covers and satin duvet cover
The first thing you need to do is read the label very well that is the care label, which normally comes with the duvet cover. As you will see you will there are those that will advice you to use dry cleaners. Never take this advice for granted – If you choose to ignore this then you will have to face the fact that your duvet cover will shrink to a size that won’t fit the comforter.
Okay so if you find that the label says nothing about dry cleaners and thus mention hand washing then you are ready to clean it up yourself.
Check to see that there are no stains that you will may have to pre-treat. if there are some stains then you will need to organize a stain remover. Simply pour it on to the stain and live it there to soak for about 10 minutes. You can keep it longer if you want so that you give it enough time to soak into the material. Before you do your pretreatment I strongly advise that you read the label on the stain remover product for some specific instructions. What you must know regardless of what the instructions say, do not let the stain to dry.
After that you can then go ahead and use your home washing machine. Do not stuff it in but make sure that it is well distributed inside the machince. If you simply stuff it then the load will just go off balance and the cleaning process will not be as successful. If that happens anyway just stop the machine and redistribute the cover evenly. I won’t go through the details of setting up your machine here because you probably know it better than me.
After the washing machine is done, pull it out and inspect it before the next step – make sure that all the stains are gone and it looks clean. If there are some traces of stains then try to pre-treat again. Once you are happy with the output then dry it up with your usual dryer but make sure that the heat setting is set to low.
Your Family Will Enjoy The Many Advantages Of Purchasing Trendy Antique Style Engagement Rings
An "antique" engagement ring specifically refers to 1 over 50 years old. An estate ring is something less than fifty years old, and can refer to a second user ring bought purely last year. For the most unique and charming rings, ask to see rings created before 1950. Several jewelers also use the term "vintage engagement ring" which other jewelers mean to use other things. Whereas a good amount of use it as a catch-all term which means "an old ring", others use it to mean a ring which was created to look like it was from another era; as an example, a ring made in 1940 which has the filigree appearance of the Edwardian era. Get antique style engagement rings here.
Victorian Antique Engagement Rings (1835-1900) often set in yellow or rose gold, Victorian rings have both simple elegant designs to terribly intricate ones. With the newfound wealth of the Industrial Revolution, and the overall new discovery of diamond mines in South Africa, lots of Victorian settings feature rows of diamonds, cut with an additional facet on the underside (Known as "mine cut"). Many Victorian rings also included pearls, although these are not suggested for every day wear. The classic Tiffany six-prong diamond solitaire was introduced in 1886!
Edwardian Engagement Rings (1900-1920) When the oxyacetylene torch was invented, platinum became the vogue metal for antique engagement rings. Jewelers began crafting lacy and pierced shapes, milgraining, scrollwork, plus filigree detail on the mountings. Along with rose-cut diamonds, gorgeous sapphires were especially favored during the Edwardian era.
Art Deco Engagement Rings(1920-1930) The 20s were an age of machinery, exploration, jazz, and exoticism. Art Deco antique engagement rings mirror the time along with a streamlined geometric look. They even often mirror fashion trends of the age, with allusions to Egyptian, Asian, and Native American cultures. Early Art Deco rings diverged from pale Edwardian designs with colourful, contrasting gemstones, though soon went to a platinum diamond-packed look for a glittering streamlined appear, ala the Chrysler Building. Art Deco rings are currently the nearly all popular antique engagement rings for newly engaged couples.
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Caring For Granite Countertops
Granite is a popular material to use when it comes to kitchen counter tops 'cause of its hard and non-porous surface. Irrespective of its relatively strong ability to resist stains and chemical harms, even so, proper maintenance is necessary to ensure the longevity of granite countertops. Maintenance for your countertops includes both cleaning & sealing to keep them looking as good as new for years to come. Here are a few tips on how to seal & clean your counter tops without making any improper damage.
Daily Cleaning
Keeping the surface clean from spills is the first step in caring for granite tops. If there's a spill, remove it straightaway & then rinse with warm water. If an acidic substance such as lemon, orange, or vinegar has been spilled, this is even more important.
You should wipe your granite counter tops with a soft cloth using a mild detergent daily. This will ensure any surface deposits are removed & keep your countertops looking new for a long while. Remember not to use strong chemical cleaners, because they can damage the sealant. Powder detergents should be avoided as well, because countertop surface can get scratch by these.
More daily care tips:
- Routinely dust the counter surface - Wash well using warm water after using any cleaners or detergents on the granite - Do not use bleach or ammonia on your counter top - Sanitise the surface with a few drops of a pH-neutral cleaner - Although granite counter tops are frequently marketed as heat resistant, constantly avoid putting hot pots directly on top
Sealing From Time To Time
Another important part of a care routine is sealing granite counter tops, as the seal enables the countertops to retain the beautiful high gloss finish. Every six months, your granite countertop should be resealed. It is often impossible to detect sealant damage, so even if it doesn't seem worn, granite tops should still be resealed 2 times every year.
If you want to avoid the hassle typically involved in granite countertop care, there are permanent granite sealers, or you may wish to consider engineered granite which does not require regular sealing.
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Picking Counter Top Materials|Choosing Different Counter Top Materials|Counter Top Materials – Various Options
A wide range of materials can be chosen from to create your kitchen counter top. When choosing which material you want to use, remember only two things. First is the strength of the material. You will want it to last a long time, without being scratched, broken or stained too quickly before you can replace it. The second is beauty, which, as we know, is in the eye of the beholder. You will have to live with this material for a lot of years to come, so you might want to ensure your choice is something you will like for a long time. One of the latest trends in kitchen decoration is zinc counter tops, which are similar to the coloring of bullet alloys. Other favorite counter top materials are granite, ceramic tile, laminates, wood, stainless steel, marble, engineered stone, solid surface, soapstone, and concrete. A few of them are discussed as follows.
Zinc - As mentioned, it is a popular material now. They are purchased in flat sheets, cut to size, and shaped to fit the space to create the backsplash and front curled edging. It can give your kitchen the look of a professional or restaurant kitchen because of the shiny metal surface. It matches the professional-looking kitchens that have matching ranges & refrigerators a lot of people like.
Granite - Yet another countertop that has been a favorite for the last few years. Lots of people love the natural stone look of a granite countertop. It has the advantages of being hard and durable. It is heat resistant, which overcomes the main problem of several other countertops. The material can almost become maintenance free if you apply a sealer to it. The dull colour & high cost would most likely be its only turn offs.
Ceramic Tiles - Another common choice. Many say ceramic tiles give a kitchen that old-fashioned, retro look. They come in an almost infinite range of colors and textures. Since the tiles are small & installed individually, with some training, you can design and install your own counter top. Ceramic tile is hard, scratch resistant, and heat resistant. The main turn offs are that a tile can be broken if a heavy object is dropped on it. Also, the grout can become stained over time, necessitating a session of cleaning grout.
Formica - A good, old-fashioned laminate choice is Formica. This type of counter top has been available for close to fifty years. Laminate is a good choice because it is inexpensive & comes in many colorings. This range provides another area where you can express yourself using colors. The drawbacks are that the surface can be scratched fairly easily, and it can be tricky to finish the front edge.
Wood or Butcher Block - Yet another beautiful choice that lends a rustic look to the kitchen. This type of counter top is available in a range of natural earthy colourings. It can be sanded and resealed as needed, but it can be damaged by water or heat.
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