The best way to prevent the accumulation of pet hair is to vacuum your pets, or have them groomed regularly. There are some great brushes on the market and your groomer also has a few methods of removing hair efficiently.

Be sure to vacuum and dust often and keep your clothes away from where pet hair accumulates. Wash throw rugs and blankets that pets have contact with.

If removing hair from a low pile carpet, barely dampen a regular kitchen sponge. Rub the carpet with the sponge. The pet hair will ball up and you can pick the clumps off by hand.

Fabric softener sheets make the best dusters. They pick up pet hair really well.

Rub a balloon along the surface of your carpet. The static this creates will pick up the pet hair. Putting on a pair of rubber gloves and rubbing them on the carpet will do the same thing.

Use a rubber broom or a squeegee and push it along the floor. The rubber will pull up the pet hair and make it easier to vacuum.

At the end of the day, pets shed. But the love, laughter and joy they bring to our lives make it worth the extra cleaning effort.

So for those of you who love watching instead of reading – here you go:

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Just another way we try and make your life a little less complicated.

Thanksgiving has come and gone but the holidays are still in full swing. While we spruced up our homes for turkey day, tree trimming, caroling and Christmas dinner are right around the corner. It’s time to take a look at our dining room and make sure that there are no remnants of your Thanksgiving feast on your carpet.

Area rugs with pattern can sometimes hide stains, spills and spots. Even though they can be hard to detect it is very important to maintain your area rugs so that they stay looking nice for years and years.

During the holidays spills are bound to happen. If water is spilled on an area rug use a blow dryer on a warm setting to dry the top and bottom of the rug if at all possible. If wine or soda is spilled use salt or baking soda to absorb the color of the spill, then vacuum. Use a clean damp towel and gently rub the stain using care to go in the direction of the nap.  Be gentle, no vigorous scrubbing.

If you missed a spill, a professional rug cleaner should handle the stain. Do not try to clean old stains by yourself. In theory you should have your area rugs professionally cleaned every two to five years. Do not trust general carpet cleaning companies, as solutions used for wall-to-wall carpets are not the best for handmade area rugs.

Remember to vacuum your area rugs as much as you do your regular carpet, but be sure not to suck up any fringe that borders your rug. Also, rotate your rugs often. This helps colors stay bright as the sunlight is evenly distributed. Rotation also helps with traffic; as all parts of your area rug should be exposed to the same amount of wear.

Following these simple tips will help keep your area rugs looking good for all seasons! If you have more questions please visit us here, we’re always willing to help.

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846.

If you want your contemporary home to take on a more old-style look, molding is one way to add architectural character without spending a lot of money. Crown molding, window and door frames and baseboards can be replaced in just a few days. The molding in this photo is common in older homes. It is about twice the height of newer baseboards and has more character along the top.

Painted molding such as this will work with virtually any floor, even wood as you can see from the photo. It’s more important that your molding is consistent throughout the house than that it matches your floors. White painted molding – generally in a glossier finish than the wall paint – has a classic look that sets off a traditional decorating style.

In modern homes, baseboards are better when they’re simpler and less noticeable. Often homes with tile floors will have baseboards actually created from the tile cut into three or four inch strips. That way the baseboard has a natural connection to the look of the floor and doesn’t demand attention. This style works well with the clean lines of modern furniture.

What look do you want your home to have? As you plan, consider details such as baseboards to ensure that your rooms are design-consistent throughout your home.

1. Has the room’s purpose changed or will it change in the future? If so, you need to choose flooring that will work for its current and future purpose. Good flooring will last for a long time so make sure you think long-term.
2. Do you have specific expectations or goals for the flooring when it comes to performance? Should it be low maintenance or water resistant? Will it experience high traffic or relatively little use? A list of requirements will be helpful as you start shopping.
3. Does the room’s current style match your future plans? If you intend to transition the room to a more modern or more traditional approach, plan for flooring that will work well with the future style goals.
4. Do you have a budget in place for the new flooring? If not, take the time to determine a range in your comfort zone. As you decide, remember that some flooring may make a difference in resale value, so your choice can be an investment as well as an expense.
5. Finally, are there any colors in the room or planned for the room which might affect your flooring choice? If possible, bring samples with you when you go shopping.

Taking the time to answer these questions before you go shopping could save you time and frustrations later. Asking yourself these questions may also bring up other issues for you to consider. Spend this time up front and you could end up with a much more enjoyable purchasing experience.

Do you want to replace flooring, put in window treatments or paint? If you have the time and the budget, you’re going to be better off getting those things taken care of before your moving date.

This couple already has a beautiful ebony wood floor. What kind of flooring do you want? If you’re replacing carpeting, it can really create a lot of dust when it’s removed. You’re better off having that cleaned up before your furniture is in your house. It’s also easier to install flooring before your move.

Window treatments eliminate the need for that tasteful sheet look when you first move in. Installing your window treatments also helps you define the right paint colors for your home. With these three elements in place, your home will feel like it belongs to you even before you move your furniture into place.

Before your moving date, take the time to measure your rooms and make a plan for furniture location. Even though you may make changes later, having an initial plan helps keep the move smooth and efficient. Label your boxes with the appropriate room also to reduce the headaches of unpacking.

Once you’re settled, consider taking some time before adding any furniture or hanging pictures. Your home will become more familiar and this will help you make the right decisions to finish your unique space.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846.

Here’s his first advice on how to get chewing gum out of carpet:

1. Put an ice cube on the gum for 5 minutes.  (This will harden the gum so you can hit it with a table knife handle and  break it up. Once it is broken into smaller pieces the back of a table knife works well. Firmly slide the knife across the effected area always going the same direction. DO NOT try to cut the gum out.

If you didn’t get all of the gum out:

2. Now reach for the peanut butter jar.  Place a 1/2 tsp of peanut butter on the gum, let it sit for 20 minutes.  This will soften the gum and
dissolve it.  Using a clean white cotton rag, gently pick up the peanut butter.  Usually the gum comes with it.  If not, squeese each remaining fiber that has gum on it with the rag and slide the rag up the fiber starting as close to the base as possible.
3. To remove the peanut butter residue. Have Fido lick it:)  Seriously,  put 1/2 tsp of dawn (or other mild liquid detergent)  into a cup of cold water, dip a clean rag into the mixture and gently message the peanut butter out of the carpet.  DO NOT RUB! This creates heat and distorts the carpet fibers.  Treat your carpet as though it were your skin. Go one direction carefully then go another direction carefully. I usually take 3-4 strokes per direction.  The detergent mixture will remove the oils and residue from the peanut butter.
TaDa…. no gum!

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together.  Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.)  Care should be used in selecting a detergent.  Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution.  It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change.  Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills.  Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.  Carpet & Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846