Selecting the "Right" Carpet
Appearance: The appearance or the aesthetics of the carpet can be described
in terms of pattern, color scheme, shape and size.The only criteria for this
is what pleases you. Needless to say, the size, shape and color scheme should
be in harmony with the intended surroundings also!
Durability: Durability is an important quality to look for in the carpet that
you plan to buy. Some of the questions that you need to ask about your carpet's
durability are: Can the carpet take abuse? Has it been treated with soil retardants
, stain repellants etc.? Can it resist mildew and other microbial attacks? How
cleanable is the carpet? Are the colors fast? Is the carpet flame resistant?
Cost: The total cost involved can be divided into the following categories:
Purchase Price: It is usually given in dollars per square yard for carpet only
/ cushion only/ for assembly. Remember, you might need to purchase extra material
for pattern matching.
Installation Cost : The installation charges may include charges for removing
old carpet, repairing cracks and worn floor. Additional treatments like reducing
moisture or alkalinity, charges for installing the carpet, charges for installing
the cushion.
Maintenance Expenses: This is essentially the cost of cleaning (largely the
labor involved) and any repairs that might be required..
Maintenance
Like all textile materials, the beauty and life of a carpet depends largely
on the care that it is given. Proper maintenance can add years of attractive
life. Specific maintenance procedures for carpet are determined by where the
carpet is installed. In general, proper maintenance involves regular vacuuming
and periodic cleaning by methods such as hot water extraction, shampooing, bonnet
cleaning, foam cleaning, etc
Regular vacuuming is essential as it removes particulate soil that damages the fibers. Vacuuming maintains the surface appearance of a carpet and keeps the level of soil in the pile at an acceptable level. Vacuuming should be done at least once every two weeks, preferably once each week and even twice per week in soiled or heavily trafficked areas. It is important to use a well-maintained, good quality vacuum. Vacuuming removes only particulate soil and surface dirt; therefore, other methods of cleaning are periodically required to improve the appearance of the carpet. Wet cleaning methods are better for removing oils, greases and other forms of matter that cause soiling on carpet. These methods are mostly used by professional cleaners and trained personnel, but smaller, less powerful units, can also be rented for use by customers.
Carpet, rugs, upholstery, and draperies are probably among your most important possessions. Chances are you have spent a good deal of money acquiring them. Protect your investments. Take the time to find the right cleaner. You will be surprised at the number of problems that can develop from a poorly performed cleaning job. Even though choosing the right cleaner won't guarantee the complete absence of problems, it will greatly reduce the chances. Selecting a good cleaning firm will insure the highest level of satisfaction.
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Tips
Pull up carpets and rugs and drape them outdoors.
Hose carpets down. Use a stiff-bristled broom to work a low-sudsing, disinfectant carpet cleaning product deep into soiled spots.
To discourage mildew and odors, rinse with a solution of two tablespoons bleach to one gallon water. DON'T USE THIS SOLUTION ON WOOL CARPETS.
Dry carpet and floor thoroughly before replacing carpet to avoid future mildew problems and shrinkage. Use fans, vacuum cleaners and dehumidifiers to speed the drying.
Waffle weave and foam or rubber-type pads may be dried and reused.
Sections of subfloors that separate must be replaced to avoid buckling. When floor coverings are removed, allow subfloors to dry thoroughly, even though it may take several months.
In wood floors, remove a board every few feet to reduce buckling caused by swelling. Ask a carpenter for tips on removing tongue-and-groove boards.
Clean and dry floor thoroughly before attempting repairs.
In vinyl floors with wood subflooring, the floor covering should be removed so the subflooring can be replaced. With concrete floors, removal isn't necessary except to hasten drying of the slab.
Loose tiles may be replaced individually if the floor hasn't been soaked. If water has seeped under sheet flooring, remove the entire sheet.
While cleaning, wash exposed skin frequently in purified water. Wear rubber gloves for extra protection against contamination.
Methods of cleaning carpets
Hot water extraction cleaning, Dry fibre shampooing, Dry compound cleaning
Some jobs dictate that we dry clean e.g. coir jute antique rugs and delicate fitted carpets some dictate that we use a more robust system e.g. industrial carpets
Sick Building Syndrome has been blamed for reduced worker efficiency and general ill health among occupants of modern insulated and climate controlled buildings and homes. Research has shown that healthy carpets and floor coverings can significantly reduce the level of contaminants such as formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, and other volitile organic chemicals.
Most commercially produced carpet is filled with a toxic soup of chemicals.INCLUDING
Formaldehyde
Stain Repellent
Flame Retardant
Moth proofing
Dyes
pros & cons of Carpets and wood floors
We have wood floors downstairs and carpeting up. The wood floors are so much easier to keep clean. I just use a dust mop once a week or so. Vacuuming the upstairs rarely gets done, because it is such a chore.
Worn spots on carpeting either have to be patched or the whole thing replaced. I recently noticed an area on the wood floor where the finish was looking worn (a high traffic area). I just oiled a rag with a little mineral oil and wiped the area down. mineral oil is a very good wood protector. It's what wood workers use on wooden kitchen products because it's not toxic It now looks great. I used to buy special cleaners and all that--I found that I rarely used them, and the olive oil trick works better anyway.
Also, spills that would stain a carpet are simply wiped up from the wood--though you don't want to leave it wet for any amount of time. We don't use area rugs, except one small one near the front door. We live in Michigan and I don't really notice that the floor is excessively cold either--though we do have some insulation in the basement under most of the area.
In addition to being easier to clean, Hardwood floors give you a lot more control of allergens and bacteria in your home. We built a house a couple of years ago and we have hardwood and tile almost throughout the house. We have area rugs to cut down the noise, but they can be easily changed and sent out to be really cleaned when they need it.
Carpets are more economical to maintain than most smooth flooring.
Carpets have certain acoustical values :absorb sounds and thus provide a good
environment in homes & workplaces, specially in this age of noise pollution
caused not only by vehicles and heavy machinery but also by numerous equipment
like phones, computers, air-conditioning systems etc. he factors that affect
a carpet's acoustic value are:
Nature of pile: height, cut or looped pile
Method of installation
Carpets provide energy conservation because of their insulative properties.
They provide a warm and cosy indoor environment.
Carpets provide comfort because of their shock-absorbing properties and anti-skid
surface, unlike hard flooring which may become very slippery when wet.
Carpets improve interiors for people with handicaps.
Low-pile, high density carpet provides a good surface for people using wheelchairs.
For people using crutches or canes, firmly anchored carpets provide a non-skid
surface.
Textures and shapes of carpets may provide sensory clues to blind people or
people with limited sight.
vacuum cleaner is one of the most common pieces of cleaning equipment found in a school custodian's supply closet. The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recommends that whether the floor is hard surface or carpet, schools should use vacuum cleaners that have powerful air flow, adjustable brushes, an enclosed vacuum bag — and that a high filtration, disposable bag (less than 1 micron filtration) be used. A high-efficiency bag is essential to hold vacuumed dirt in the bag instead of blowing it back into the room.
“A vacuum that has an extremely high airflow (suction) has very little value if dust and other contaminants pass through the vacuum bag and become airborne,” the institute says.
Another key to increasing the efficiency of vacuuming is changing the filtration bag frequently. A bag that is too full can reduce a machine's airflow and its ability to remove soil.
Entrance or barrier mats help remove soil before it gets tracked into a building. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Indoor Air Quality Tools For Schools program, recommends that schools vacuum each barrier mat daily using a beater-brush or beater-bar vacuum, and vacuuming in two directions — in line and side to side.
The CRI suggests an alternative. Rather than trying to clean those heavily trafficked mats, the institute encourages schools to change the barrier mat regularly rather than trying to clean the same mat continually. In a climate such as a Minnesota winter, where moisture is high and tracking is constant, schools should rotate their entrance mats as often as twice a week. In other times, rotate them every week to two weeks.
Buffers are another indispensable tool for keeping school surfaces clean. Depending on the attachment used, a buffer can clean or shampoo a carpet, or strip and polish hard-surface floors. The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) says an important consideration is making sure the machine's size matches the workers who will be using it.
The association also suggests that before using a buffer, maintenance workers familiarize themselves with the machine by practicing in a garage or a large open area where nothing can be damaged if the machine veers off in its own direction.
Clean or replace your carpets and floors.
Nothing turns off a prospective home buyer than filth and stench. Dirty carpets and floors make your whole home seem dirty and dingy.
Before you make the decision to replace every floor in your home, examine the less expensive alternatives: Consider buffing and waxing wood floors, or stripping off the old polyurethane and restaining them. Try steam-cleaning your carpets and using stain remover to bring back their old brightness.
If that doesn't work, investigate inexpensive but attractive carpeting. You might also put down new, and inexpensive, vinyl tiles.
The Indian carpet industry has established a mechanism to certify
children have not been involved in the making of rugs. Manufacturers who comply
with the rules are entitled to put the 'Rugmark' label on their carpets, signifying
child-labour-free.
Many of the world's children work in dangerous or hazardous conditions making
carpets.
Millions of children 14 and younger are full-time workers, many toiling under hazardous conditions, according to a Labor Department study of child labor made public.
Carpet fetishes?
Ever since when me and this girl had sex on the carpet and well ever since I
have wanted to have sex on the carpet with everyone else.