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1. Carpet Selection: 4 Things to Consider

   November 2, 2021 6:30 pm Leave a Comment

   Carpet can be a wonderful flooring option and increase the comfort of your house. But with so many different colors, fibers, and manufacturers, choosing a carpet can be overwhelming. Here are a few key things to think about before you start your search.

   Choosing a Color

   Consider the following when choosing the color:

   • Consider your lifestyle. If you are a parent or a pet owner, you may realize that stains are inevitable and white carpet is out of the question for you. 
   • How big is the room? Smaller rooms can feel less claustrophobic and bigger with light-colored carpets.
   • How much use will the room get? Avoid light-colored carpets in high trafficked areas like the living room.
   • Consider the color of the paint and your furniture. Plan out a color theme and what sort of furniture you will be getting or already have. Ask the carpet dealer for a wide range of carpet swatches to match your existing décor.  

   Consider Cost

   Come prepared with a rough estimate of the size of your room and the layout. This will help determine the approximate costs for carpeting your home and help you choose the best carpet and textile for your home. Be sure to take into account cost estimates for padding, installation, seaming, the moving of furniture, and the removal of old carpet and flooring. 

   Consider the Carpet Fiber

   No carpet material is “bad.” Choosing the carpet fiber depends on what you’re looking for in your new carpet. Consider how long do you plan on living in your home? Do you have kids and pets that would require a stain-resistant and durable material? What is your budget? All these questions will help you pick the right material. A few popular ones include:

   • Wool – Wool is known to be extremely durable. Since the wool fibers are coil-shaped, wool carpets tend to keep their shape and color even in heavy traffic areas. The only downside to wool carpets is they tend to shed and need to be vacuumed regularly. Wool can also be an expensive option. 
   • Nylon – Nylon is a durable manufactured material and is the homeowner’s most popular choice. Its shape can also hold up against constant wear and tear. Nylon is also soft to touch for comfort. 
   • Olefin – Olefin is a cheap option for carpets. Its stain and mildew resistance makes it a great good indoor-outdoor carpet. But due to its very poor durability, it usually gets matted down in high-traffic areas. 

   Don’t Forget the Padding

   Even the best quality carpet won’t feel comfortable if you don’t install padding. Don’t ditch the padding to save money as you might end up regretting the decision later. Invest in thick padding to get the most out of your carpets and increase overall comfort. 

2. Which Types of Rugs are Easiest to Clean?

   October 26, 2021 1:56 pm Leave a Comment

   If you’re looking into buying a rug, one of the most questions you may be asking is whether or not it will be easy to care for. No matter how clean you are, you’re bound to run into spills or dirt at some point or another. Luckily, many durable rug materials are easy to clean and maintain. Here’s your guide to rug cleaning with different types of fibers.

   Wool

   Wool rugs are known to be extremely durable. Since the wool fibers are coil-shaped, wool rugs tend to keep their shape and color even in heavy traffic areas. The only downside to wool rugs is they tend to shed and need to be vacuumed regularly. 

   If you run into a stain on your wool rug, dab it with clear dish soap and a wet washcloth until the stain is gone. 

   Cotton

   Cotton is another durable rug material that is also inexpensive. While they are less durable than wool, they are much easier to clean. Small cotton area rugs can be easily washed in a washing machine and left out to air dry. Larger cotton rugs can be spot treated or steam cleaned. 

   Polypropylene

   Polypropylene is one of the most durable, and very easy to clean synthetic materials. The material is also water and stain-resistant and is often used in outdoor and entryway rugs. All you have to do to keep it clean is vacuum and spot treat any stains. 

   Seagrass

   Seagrass rugs are made from natural, stain-resistant fibers. However, you should never soak a seagrass rug. Seagrass rugs should be cleaned with light vacuuming and gentle spot cleaning as needed.

   Jute

   Jute rugs are also made from natural fibers derived from tropical plants. While the material is durable and affordable, it is not water, mildew, or mold resistant. Like seagrass rugs, Jute rugs should be spot treated with a baking soda solution. Keep the rug as dry and possible and avoid using any more water than necessary. 

   Nylon

   Nylon is a durable manufactured rug material that is often used in carpeting. Its shape can also hold up against constant wear and tear. Nylon rugs should be vacuumed 1-2 times a week. Any stains can be spot treated. The biggest downside to nylon rugs is color tends to fade over time. 

   Get Your Area Rug Professionally Cleaned

   In some instances, home remedies for area rug stain removal may not be enough. This is when an experienced, professional carpet and area rug cleaning company like Duraclean should be called upon to remove dirt, detergent, stains, and moisture. The safe patented Duraclean foam absorption process eliminates over-wetting and damage to fibers and fabrics. Soil lifts out, and carpets and upholstery dry quickly.

3. Carpet Care Tips for Winter

   October 25, 2021 5:01 pm Leave a Comment

   As the days grow shorter and colder, people will be spending more time indoors. For homeowners, this increase in foot traffic can increase the risk of carpet stains, damage, and wear. And worse of all, you’re bound to bring mud, leaves, water, and snow into your home. It’s important to develop a proactive carpet care plan to see you through the winter months and keep carpets clean. Consider the following winter carpet tips to keep your carpets and rugs clean all winter long. 

   Keep the outside clean

   The best way to avoid dirt, water, and soils from finding their way onto your carpets and rugs is to keep the outside areas clean and maintained. 

   • Put fencing around grassy areas to avoid walking on soggy and wet grass/mud. 
   • Clean the pavements regularly to avoid bringing in mud and leaves. This will also help prevent potential slip hazards.

   Add matting

   You’re bound to bring in wet snow and ice that can quickly melt and leaves stains and moisture on your carpet. Lay down matting around the house, particularly in the entrance areas, to scrape debris from shoes and trap moisture before it hits your carpets and area rugs. 

   Keep a carpet cleaning solution or ingredients ready for emergency use

   No matter how many precautions you take, you’re bound to run into unforeseen soiling. Keep a carpet cleaning solution close by, or have ingredients ready for DIY carpet/ area rug cleaning. Click here to read our blog on how to clean common carpet stains. 

   Vacuum daily

   Muddy shoes can create unsightly stains on your carpets. To avoid this, remove dirt daily with good quality, high suction vacuum daily to avoid permanent stains. 

   Remove salt stains immediately

   If some salt does get tracked onto the carpet, remove it as soon as possible to reduce the risk of permanent staining. Use a simple mixture of water and dish soap and blot the salty area. Then blot the area again with clean water and soak up any excess moisture with a dry towel.

   Get Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned

   In some instances, home remedies for carpet stain removal may not be enough. This is when an experienced, professional carpet cleaning company like Duraclean should be called upon to remove dirt, detergent, stains, and moisture. The safe patented Duraclean foam absorption process eliminates over-wetting and damage to fibers and fabrics. Soil lifts out, and carpets and upholstery dry quickly.

4. Guide to Cleaning Your Dryer Vent

   October 15, 2021 2:04 pm Leave a Comment

   If you’re finding yourself with damp clothes, it takes longer than usual for a load of laundry to dry or you’ve noticed that the outside of the dryer becomes very hot, it might be time to clean your dryer vent and lint screen. 

   Dryer vent cleaning is an important part of your home maintenance and fire prevention. Dryer vent cleaning may not seem like a priority, but the truth of the matter is that this oversight can be very costly. Over time, lint can accumulate in your dryer ducts and, when mixed with hot air, ignite creating a fire hazard. According to US FEMA, 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. It’s recommended that you clean out the vents at least every 6 months to a year to keep your dryer running properly and avoid a fire hazard. 

   How to clean your dryer vent

   1) Turn off and unplug the dryer. If you have a gas dryer, you’ll need to turn off the gas supply valve while cleaning. If you’re unsure about how to shut off the gas, call a professional or contact your local gas company.

   2) Find your vent and remove the vent clamp. Unscrew the clamp that holds the vent pipe to the wall opening.

   3) Check for clogs and debris in the vent. Remove as much debris with your hands as possible. Use the hose attachment of a vacuum cleaner or shop vac to suck up the rest. You may also use a special dryer duct cleaning tool that you can purchase at hardware and home stores. 

   4) Locate the exterior vent opening. This is usually located outside the wall closest to your dryer or on your home’s roof. Follow the same steps as the inside. Remove any covers or flop, remove any clogs or debris you can with your hands, and use a vacuum or other cleaning tools for the rest. Check for any objects that may be obstructing the exterior vent as well and remove them as needed. 

   5) Reattach vent to the dryer. Sweep up or vacuum debris that fell out while you were cleaning.

   6) Turn the power back on, start the dryer and let it run for a few minutes. 

   Remember: The dryer vent and dryer lint screen are not the same. Your dryer lint screen and trap are usually located on the top of your dryer or just inside the door and should be cleaned after each load.

   If you have any doubts along the way or notice any cracks or deterioration, contact a qualified professional for an inspection and cleaning. Duraclean has the tools and qualified technicians needed to inspect and clean your dryer air vents. Call us today, you’ll be glad you did!