Carpet Types

Cleaning Your Carpet

There are plenty of carpets to choose from, so it can be difficult to make a decision on what type of carpet is best for your home. From nylon, to olefin, polyester and wool, there are plenty of choices that can fit the different types of homes/ apartments/ condos out there.

Out of all the types of carpet there are, certain types, based on the fiber and construction, are easier to clean and maintain than other carpets. So, depending on how much time you have, what style you’re looking for and what feel you want under your feet, you should choose a carpet that covers your needs/wants.

Types of carpet:

Nylon: This is the most popular type of carpet fiber to get, and rightfully so. It’s a bit more expensive than the other types of fibers, but it is highly resistant to mildew and does well in high traffic areas. Nylon is more resistant to the wear and tear of everyday life and does well with the weight and movement of furniture. It’s a durable fiber that works for the everyday family.

Polyester: This fiber is stain-resistant to a variety of water-soluble stains, and can be easily cleaned. The down side is that it doesn’t do as well as the other carpets with the wear and tear. For those thinking “green,” this carpet may be the perfect choice since some polyester carpet is made from recycled soda bottles.

Olefin (polypropylene): This type of carpet is good at resisting stains, moisture, color fading and abrading. It is also attracted to oily soils. This type of fiber may be a perfect option for a playroom or basement because of its resistance to moisture.

Wool: This type of fiber gives off the feel of luxury, and so does its price. The price tag matches the performances, as this is a good all-around carpet fiber. Wool is resilient to high-traffic, wear-and-tear, while being soft for your feet. The only downsides are that the wool doesn’t do well with stains and turns a yellow color when left in direct sunlight for long periods of time.

Home Cleaning Help

Cleaning. Most believe that it’s a boring, tedious job, but it just has to be done. Yes, some people say that cleaning actually relieves stress and helps you relax, but others say cleaning just gives them a headache. Not all of us have the budget to get maid service or even a bi-weekly professional cleaning team to come in and do the job while we relax or tend to the long list of other things we need to get done. So, what’s the solution to get cleaning done quicker? Have your children help you clean! (Obviously, this doesn’t apply to those without children).

There are many ways your children can help you clean, and it will get them in the habit of knowing that cleaning is essential to life. Living in a dirty house isn’t the way to live. A clean home is a happy home. You’ve heard it many times before because it’s true! The only problem: getting your children to help you clean and do so in an efficient manner.

First of all, you have to have a designated day to do weekly cleaning for at least a couple of hours (Sunday usually works best). Once your children can get into this routine of cleaning, it will become just part of the week, like school and play time. Cleaning will build good characteristics in your children and also provide for more bonding time.

Here are some suggestions on how to encourage your children to help you do the chores around the house:

  • Act happy while cleaning, don’t make it seem like a chore.

  • Ask for their help for short periods of time, and do not make them do chores for more than half an hour.

  • Give them a payoff for doing the chores, like small treats, extra TV time, allowance, etc.

  • Turn it into a game

Upgrade Your Vacuum

vacuum

If you’re allergies are getting worse while in your home, the cause can be rooted to your vacuum. The problem may be that you’re not vacuuming your home often enough (once a week is the minimum) or your vacuum is an older model that needs to be upgraded.

If you have an older vacuum, it’s quite possible that the model you have may not be working as well as it used to. The older vacuum you have may be releasing more dust, dander and bacteria than it is removing. What happens with some of the older vacuums is that the vacuum will pull in the particles and dirt out of your carpet and release them back into the air. The efficiency of the vacuum really all depends on the brand and age. It’s been said time and time again, but you truly do get what you pay for. Tests show that older vacuums and cheaper models release most dust and bacteria back into the air.

In reality, all vacuums release at least some dust and bacteria back into the air, and there’s no escaping that. This doesn’t mean vacuuming is a bad thing to do; it’s still very effective and is one of the best things to do to reduce air borne particles and improve your home environment. The key is to use a well-reviewed vacuum made by a reliable brand. So if you have an older or cheaper model, shell out the money to upgrade your vacuum.

In addition, you can do other things to reduce dust and debris in your home, such as washing throw rugs in hot water, replacing carpet with wooden floors and cleaning behind your furniture. Also something to note: vacuums with HEPA filters perform nearly the same as vacuums without HEPA filters.