Removing Stains from Your Carpet

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Shaw R2xDo you have carpet stains? Do you know how to treat them? 

When treating a carpet stain there are several things to remember.   Spray lightly with the cleaner.  If you use too much cleaner it will soak into the pad and cause the stain to come back again and again.  If you happen to overspray, get your shop vac and suck up the extra fluid and begin again.   Spray the carpet with the stain remover and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes.  Then blot do not scrub the stain using a white cotton towel as it is more absorbant. Scrubbing can cause the stain to set in.  Start from the outside of the stain and work your way to the middle to eliminate spreading the stain.    If needed repeat the process but just remember to spray lightly and blot instead of scrubbing.   Shaw Carpet has an excellent Spot Remover called R2X.  Our customers love it and keep coming back to buy more. My husband even uses it to remove stains from the upholstery in our cars.  Happy cleaning!

Filed Under: Carpet, Stair Runner
3 October 2013 What is the best floor for my basement living space?

What is the best floor for my basement living space?

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Basements generally have some moisture so the flooring must be chosen carefully. It is important to understand the moisture level in your basement and how you want to use the space.　 Here are some of the options:

  • Carpet is a warmer solution but can absorb the moisture and may mildew over time. Loose laid carpet squares are a great option because they can easily be removed and re-installed before mold occurs.
  • 36032100022-Tigerwood-ExoticHardwood and laminate are not ideal products because they are moisture sensitive. Before these products are installed it may be necessary to seal the concrete. With carpet, hardwood and laminate it is essential to run a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier in the summer to keep the moisture level constant.
  • Cushion vinyl is another option because it can be loose laid over concrete. It doesn’t absorb moisture and can easily be removed or peeled back to dry.
  • Porcelain tile is a great option because it is water-resistant but can be cold on the feet. Add an area rug for warmth and design.

There are positives and negatives for each flooring so before choosing a floor, come in to see us so we can guide you to the best floor for your style and the conditions in your space.

Filed Under: Flooring
13 September 2013 Vinyl Flooring? Really?

Vinyl Flooring? Really?

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026Vinyl has come along way. This is not your mother’s vinyl floor! Some of the newest products are cushion vinyl and groutable vinyl tiles.

Are you renting an apartment and hate the floor? Cushion vinyl such as Tarkett’s Fiber Floor is a great option because you can loose lay it over your current floor. When you leave you can take it with you to use in another room in your new place. Lots of great styles: wood grain, tile look, black and white, etc.

If the ceramic tile look appeals to you but think it’s too hard or cold, then groutable vinyl tiles are for you. The grout is acrylic so it will not stain. There are some great styles that look like stone, ceramic or slate.  This is a great option for active families or rentals because not only is it durable but if a tile is damaged it can easily be replaced.  No need to live with the offending dent or stain.

Vinyl can be installed in laundry rooms, entryways, kitchens, bathrooms, sunrooms or any room you need a durable, stylish floor.  It’s not for everyone but it is a great option for the new homeowner who does not want to live with the previous owners floors, seniors who need a floor with a little “give” or rentors who would like to freshen up their floors without breaking the bank.

Mention this blog post when you come visit and you will get 10% off on your vinyl order (materials only).

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized, Vinyl

Radiant Heat Mats

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Crawl Space[1]I sleepily walk to the bathroom and then realize I forgot my slippers.  Ugh!  I hate it when I forget to put them by the side of the bed.  The tile floor looms before me.  There’s only one thing to do—hop from rug to rug on my tip toes.  Have you ever stepped on a tile floor in the middle of a winter night without slippers on?  The word that comes to mind is chilling!

If our bathroom remodel hadn’t taken on a life of its own, we might have thought to add an electric radiant heat mat under the floor.  The truth is I was so excited to get rid of my 60’s bathroom with the blue green tile (everywhere) and gray fixtures that I completely forgot how cold tile can be.  We do this for a living, right?  How many customers have told us this?  What do I tell them?

Well, there’s no help for our bathroom but there is hope for yours.  We can install radiant heat mats in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement family room or any room you want to be a little cozier.  Now you can walk bare foot on your tile floor no matter what season it is.  No more tip toeing around the subject!

Filed Under: Ceramic Tile

How to Clean Hardwood Floors

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Bona Cleaner

I hear people talk about using vinegar to clean their hardwood floors. It is a great inexpensive, eco-friendly cleaner for tile floors or other surfaces but not for hardwood. Vinegar is acidic and can cause discoloration and/or break down the finish.  Stick to products that are recommended by the manufacturer such as Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner, a Greenguard Certified Product. It is easy to use and will help protect the finish without leaving a dulling residue. For a light cleaning I just spray a little bit of the cleaner on a mop head, for more in depth cleaning just spray the floor and wipe up with a mop. It’s easy and painless. Just the way I like it!

 

 

Filed Under: Flooring, Hardwood Tagged With:

Shopping Tips

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Before you shop for flooring we would like to offer some suggestions to ease your shopping experience.

Put together a bag or folder and include all or some of the following items:

• Swatches of fabric (or a pillow) from your sofa, curtains or bed linens

• A sample of your desired or existing paint color

• A sample of your kitchen counter top and/or cabinets

• Colors and/or flooring from an ajoining room

• Pictures of flooring that you’ve seen in a magazine, online or friends or family member’s home

• Room dimensions, including closets, hallways, and stairs (incude width and number of stairs) to assist us in providing you with an estimate for the flooring you are considering

Keep the entire bag or folder in your car for your spur of the moment shopping opportunity!

The more you bring, the easier it is for us to help you find the right product, style and color to match your decor.

Filed Under: Carpet, Ceramic Tile, Flooring
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