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Let The Doctor Solve Your.
DIY Dilemmas: This Week: “Always enjoy your DIY “ |
By now you've probably broken all your New Year resolutions. Ok we would all like to lose some weight, quit smoking, and bring about world peace. So in celebration of another New Year and your desire to do lot's more DIY-ing. Let's get started, over the comings months I will offer you lots of suggestions and ideas on DIY home improvement projects.
Carpet Cleaning
I get so many questions about DIY carpet cleaning and related stain problems; there is not a standard simple answer. But this is kind of a guide of action to be taken; DIY carpet cleaning is easy and will help to reduce carpet wear. Using this method will, save you money, many people alternate between the DIY carpet cleaning and hiring a professional cleaning company.
Spills and Stains
Most carpets are now factory-treated with a coating that helps the carpet fibers shed water and spills. The key here is cleaning up the spills or stains as quickly as possible.
Carpets
While your carpets may not require the same regular cleaning that other types of flooring may demand, your carpet should be cleaned once every year to 18 months, even if you vacuum regularly. Regular carpet cleaning extends the life of your carpets and contributes to better air quality, reducing allergies and illness.
Professional Advice
Professional advice says that cleaning of carpets done every year will keep carpets looking fresh and prolong their useful life. More DIY-ers are finding that doing the carpet cleaning themselves better suits their schedules and budgets than hiring a professional carpet cleaning company. If you now decide to take on this challenge of cleaning your carpets, consider the following to make sure your end results will meet your expectations.
Carpet Cleaning Machine
The carpet cleaning machine can be rented, from you're your local hire centre. Most hire centre now offers a huge range of hiring equipment for the DIY-er. They range in product from a carpet cleaning machine to the likes of a mini digger, and are constantly adding to there range. Tool Hire is a practical, easy way to use equipment for special projects or when your normal equipment breaks down. Ask also if the hire centre offer a delivery and collection service this can save you time and money.
Golden Rule
When you are in the process of hiring any type of tool or machine for the first time, look for a complete demonstration on how to use the tool safely and correctly. Staffs in most of these outlets have been trained to offer you professional advice on the right tool or machine required for your DIY project. Never ever leave with a tool or machine that you do not properly understand the correct use off. Remember this is the time to ask the questions, in my book no question is stupid but it is stupid not to ask them. If the hire centre has literature on this machine or the detergents required take them with you and read carefully before starting the cleaning process.
Vacuum
First step, before beginning the carpet cleaning process, remove as much furniture as possible from the room, and do a thorough vacuuming. The more soil or other materials that you removed before cleaning your carpet, the better your results will be.
Using the Machine
The next step is the carpet cleaning machine itself, and is generally used to remove soil or other materials from the carpet to clean and freshen same. So now go to work on those carpets the demonstration you received from the hire centre will now be put to good use.
Avoid the Pitfalls
The most common pitfall in this process is over wetting your carpet. Too much moisture can cause damage to the carpet or its backing, and prolonged dampness may encourage the development of mildew and bacterial. Most of the problems from DIY carpet cleaning can be traced from using too much water or detergent.
Detergent
This is where most people go wrong in this process the excessive use of detergents is a common problem experienced by DIY-ers doing carpet cleaning. Increasing the detergent beyond the recommended solution strength does not enhance carpet cleaning effectiveness. Using a concentration stronger than the recommended strength may leave excessive detergent residues in the carpet. These residues may allow your carpets to re-soil more rapidly.
Check First
Always check with your carpet manufacturer or retailer who can recommend which products are best suited for your specific carpet. If your carpet contains wool or other natural fibers, then chose a cleaning solution specially formulated for them. A clear water rinse after the cleaning process should remove any remnants of the cleaning solution.
Stain Resistant
Also check is your carpet “stain resistant,” it must be cleaned with products formulated for that purpose, or the stain resistance will be impaired and the carpet's warranty may be voided. Also note: the warranty may be voided if not professionally cleaned regardless of the stain protection. Do not use any cleaning solutions that contain bleaches or brighteners, since they may discolor the carpet.
Tip
The easiest way to check “stain resistant” or whether carpet re-treatment is necessary is to place a few drops of water on the carpet in the questionable areas and see whether the drops bead up or are absorbed quickly into the fibers. If they are absorbed, it's time to retreat the carpet. Once a carpet is five years old or so, you may need to have it retreated, at least in the high traffic areas.
Drying Time
Ideally, the carpet should be dry within twelve 12 hours this is a reasonable time to expect the drying process to be completed. If your carpet is allowed to remain wet for more than twelve 12 hours this situation may develop mold and mildew growth. If in the process you have saturated the carpet, remove all excessive moisture as soon as possible. To help to speed drying time you can turn the heating on or alternatively open doors and windows until the carpet is completely dry. The quicker your carpet dries the better.
Doctors Advise
Here's hoping that all of your New Year's home DIY improvement resolution and solutions are successful. So until the next time I have the pleasure of your company take the Doctors advice and remember “Always enjoy your DIY”
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