Mar
10
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
Other than the countless ‘housewives remedies’, there are generally five recognized methods of cleaning carpets. Steam (also known as hot water extraction), shampoo, bonnet or quick dry and dry absorbent compound cleaning.
Steam cleaning (a.k.a hot water extraction) is probably the most popular of all the different methods but not always the best since the drying time, depending on the material, can be as long as 12 hours. A high-powered pump sprays a cleaning fluid into the carpet which is then sucked out immediately by a strong vacuum.
Any appliance store can offer you a wide variety of carpet cleaning machines. Many of these appliances are upright, free standing units with a solution tank for the cleaning fluid and two or three nylon brushes on the underside. The procedure is the automated version of somebody cleaning with a scrubbing brush in that the dirt is loosened by the brushes and then the dirt and dust is then vacuumed (normally with a separate vacuum cleaner) afterwards. As with steam cleaning, the carpet takes about 12 hours to dry.
The quick dry or bonnet method might seem to be the same as shampooing the carpet, in fact the machinery is very similar. Instead of the two or three nylon brushes, the machine has a couple of highly absorbent buffing pads. A special quick dry cleaning solution is firstly distributed over the carpet and the machine then buffs the carpet clean by absorbing the solution as well as the dirt. It only takes about an hour to dry so this method is a must for high traffic areas.
If you are looking for a method that is between steam cleaning and shampooing then dry foam cleaning is the answer. Foam is distributed over the carpet using a machine which has rolling brushes after which the carpet is sucked clean using the standard carpet vacuum cleaner. It only takes an hour or two to dry.
Dry absorbent compound is a powder which contains solvents and detergents, which are spread lightly on the carpet. You, or the professional you hire, uses a machine which scrubs the mixture into the carpet fibers and the carpet is left to stand for a bit. After a little wait, the vacuum cleaner is then used to suck up the compound (which has by now absorbed all the dirt) as a result the carpet stays as dry as it was when you started. This is probably the best method to use if you have thick carpets which can go moldy underneath if they stay wet for too long.
How to clean upholstery
The determining factor when choosing the best method to clean upholstery is the type of material to be cleaned. Some, for example, can only be dry cleaned (velvets and silks) and the cleaning is best left to a professional while other stronger materials can be wet cleaned. The steam method or hot extraction method is the same as what you would use on your carpets. The only difference is that the nozzle is a smaller, hand held version. You can also hand shampoo most fabrics but it is advisable to shake the cleaning solution and only apply the foam using a damp sponge.
Identifying the upholstery material
Many people are unaware of the best method to choose when cleaning furniture. In many cases you should find a label (possibly on the underside of one of the cushions) which will state the manufactures instructions, suggestions and warning. The most important thing to look out for is the code, either right at the top or right at the bottom of the label with either a ‘S’, ‘W’ or ‘SW’. ‘S’ indicates that the fabric should be dry cleaned while wet cleaning is indicated with the ‘W’. Materials which can be both wet and dry cleaned are indicated by the ‘SW
Office cleaning in Surrey and commercial cleaning services in Surrey are offered by Crystal clean solutions (www.crystalcleansolutions.co.uk) Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
Mar
1
You may be the type of person who readers gardening magazines and daydreams about how to make their garden a paradise. You may just want to boost the value of your home. Either way, garden paving is a great way to do both.
Get together some inspirational pictures and start to brainstorm. Before you get to work you will need a final design. You can pay a professional to draft one up, or you can use specialized software to do this for you. The former will likely be more expensive, but at least you can be assured that your idea will be perfectly captured.
After your design is complete, you will need to make a list of the materials necessary for completing the project. Selecting the type of pavers you use is a big step. Other tools such as shovels, gloves and a wheel barrel will also be necessary. Getting together a complete list will allow you to create a cost estimate.
You can do this project on your own if you so choose. Take out your design and map out where the paving should go. You may need up needing some help from friends or family, but your completed project will be well worth it.
Choosing a contractor is a good idea if you have the money and do the correct research. Try to find one by referral who’s work can be verified. Have the contractor draft up a contract that leave both parties satisfied.
It is a good idea to keep a small emergency fund for unforeseeable expenses. Any number of things such as damaged materials or just simply forgetting to make purchases can occur. Get a contractor to do the work or complete it yourself, but the benefits paving a garden are immeasurable.
Carl Robison is an expert in garden design. If you want further information about garden paving or are searching for a reputable garden paving retailer please visit http://www.clearancepaving.co.uk
Feb
27
Winters are times to have a fireplace gathering inside the house whereas in summers people want to have outdoor parties as they are more enjoyable and more fun. Summer parties can be organised in your porch area, patio or garden area depending on the kind of gathering you want to have-small or large. Like our interiors, we should also have our exteriors well decorated to make the evening more exciting. The right kind of outdoor lighting helps enhancing the exterior look and also provides safety. Even if you do not have enough space still you can have a chance to decorate your pathway to make the exterior look more beautiful and set the mood for party.
When researching for the kind of light you would want for your whole area, you will be surprise to find that the option and variety is endless. You can find them in many shapes, sizes and designs adding warmth and illuminating the area. Depending on the way you mount them the whole looks get impacted. Post mount lights are the one which are mounted on a column or a post. Other kind of mount lights are wall mount, bracket mount, hanging mount lights etc.
How you plan to place the light also has a fabulous affect. For example for a bracket mount you can choose option like scroll brackets, gooseneck brackets, flower brackets and if you want to create a French look you can always go for the moustache bracket with the ends curled up. Using a simple light can also sometime have a much greater impact other than just lighting the area.
Now when it comes to deciding upon how many fixtures are enough many of us just confused and are completely unaware of. It can be pretty tough to decide how many outdoor lighting fixtures will be just enough. Depending on the landscape size and your budget you can accordingly plan out requirement.
You can have the option of either considering a natural gas or an electrical option to light up the area. Keep in mind also that weather places a very important role in kind of option that would be appropriate. For electrical outlet there should be a proper wiring done beforehand this should be safe. For moist climates natural gas light system is a better option.
Depending on the kind of look you want to create modern or antique you can find different lighting to compliment. Modern lighting feature clean lines and are generally are silver or black. On the other hand the antique look is all about aged look with more natural colors like copper and brass.
Just by experimenting a little bit you can give the area a completely new look. The guest will also appreciate your efforts and enjoy it more. Mixing and matching various styles to create a completely different look is a very good way of creating uniqueness
Outdoor lighting can be found in different sizes and styles. Using a natural gas or a liquid gas propane to light the whole evening is completely your own personal choice. When planning to use electrical outlets keep in mind that it should be safe especially for the kids. You can bright up your evening and have a enjoyable time with your close family and friends.
You may want to add beauty into your outdoors by adding outdoor lighting. It not only provides security and safety from the outside but shows the real beauty of your home. Or you may want to try exterior lighting.