We are the first to agree that, when it comes to carpet cleaning, we don’t really think about it that much. If the truth were known, most people don’t even “see” the state of their carpets until it’s time to have some important visitors – such as during the holiday season. However, maybe only men who live alone are guilty of this “absentmindedness” when it comes to their carpets.

Vacuuming

Nonetheless, if you have any carpets at all, you really should make it a habit to clean them with regularity. Now, don’t think it’s necessary to clean your carpets every single month because it isn’t. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to vacuum thoroughly each week. It should be part of your weekly cleaning routine to vacuum your carpets and, if this isn’t automatic for you, you should add it to your cleaning chores.

Water Damage

Water damage to carpets can be a big problem, whether through flooding or water pipes that have burst. If you have been through this, you know what I’m talking about. Either a strong carpet shampooer that can remove the water from your carpets or a shop wet vacuum, are good to have for this type of situation. You can easily find a rug shampooer that is almost as strong as a shop vacuum, but you’ll have to buy one of the more expensive brands available. Water-soaked carpets can lead to health concerns later, so it’s important to get up as much of the water initially as you can. The only recourse you will have if mold develops is to get a new carpet. Unfortunately, when mold begins, it takes over quickly.

Carpet Fiber

Here’s an interesting fact we came across regarding older carpets of ten years or more. Over time, carpets become very heavy when you go to remove them, for example, in order to change carpets. Carpets are heavy, of course, when you first install them; however, as time passes, they become even heavier. Because they get dirt packed into the fibers causes the rugs to become heavier. When you look at your carpets, they may look clean; however, there is still dirt packed into the fibers that haven’t been removed. Those who work in the carpeting industry will attest to this fact! We hope you, too, find it interesting. Well, you can see why you should vacuum frequently and, as a side note, if your vacuum cleaner is not up to the task, you would be better off buying one that is of better quality.

Are their pets in your home? Then you, no doubt, are very concerned with their well-being and take good care of them. When you think about cleaning your carpets, you want to take the needs of your pets into consideration. Just about all shampoos used on carpets will contain harmful chemicals that could be hazardous to pets. You may see rug shampoos at the store that say they are “pet safe”, but don’t always believe what you read. It’s up to you whether or not you think the claims of these products are true. Perhaps some of them are actually safe to use around your pets. Steam cleaning is an alternative method to clean your carpets and doesn’t require any chemicals and, therefore, is safe when there are pets in the household.

Keeping your carpets clean is just a matter of common sense. Pay attention to your carpets and see what they need. This may not be the most fascinating subject to think about; nonetheless, it’s important and deserves some serious contemplation on your part. A thorough weekly vacuuming is the first line of defense, and most efficient way, to keep your carpets clean.

Anytime that you choose to improve the appearance of your home, a window replacement job is a great place to begin. You must understand the complexity of the job before you begin, the cost, and if you will need additional help to complete the undertaking. To be successful, follow these simple strategies to help you as you complete your window replacement project at home.

Glass Windows

Sometimes when you need to replace windows, only the glass needs replacing, and not the entire frame. Only having to replace the glass will make the amount of work, along with the price, much less. If you only need new glass, this is a relatively reasonable and simple job.

Windows can be as costly as you choose when you upgrade the glass to be either argon gas-filled, or glass with triple panes. When you decide to replace your windows, you will want to do the job right, so if the frames are not in good shape, you should replace those as well as the glass. Once you have decided on the windows that you want, and the time of year to start a project, you must consider the frames around your windows. Many people like the traditional look of wood, but this type of frame needs the most maintenance. The best choice that anyone can make, especially in regard to energy efficiency, is to choose vinyl over wood. Vinyl is actually not that much more expensive than your basic frame. Aluminum frames are not advisable, especially if you are trying to reduce sound, heat exchange, and your heating bill. The strongest and most energy-efficient frames of all are those made from fiberglass, though they can be quite expensive.

Basement Windows

It is important that you also replace the basement windows. Your basement might be finished, or used for laundry, or unfinished and used only for storage, it doesn’t really matter. Whatever reason you have for replacing the windows of your house, the same reason should apply to the basement. The whole house can be made cooler when the basement is cold, which happens more often with poor quality windows. Basement windows give easy access to a house, especially if they are of inferior quality. If you are looking for ways to increase the value of your property, then replace all of your windows with high quality ones.

It a common desire to be aware of and try to negate the high cost of energy; replacing your windows with more efficient ones would be a good start. You’ll also be improving the atmosphere of your home, and adding another impressive benefit if you ever put it up for sale. If you plan the job carefully, whether it’s a DIY project or one you’ll be hiring someone to do, it will be a decision you won’t regret.