Regardless of how hard we may try to keep our carpets in top-notch condition it seems an inevitable fact of life that we will all be faced with the problem of carpet stains.

Carpet stains are even more unsettling to those who have recently purchased new carpeting. It is very frustrating to have new carpet installed only to find a glaring stain in just a month’s time despite your best attempts to avoid that scenario.

In this article, I hope to provide you with the knowledge you need to effectively tackle common carpet cleaning problems.

First, a little about me, after all, why should you listen to me?

The information I am about to share is backed up by many years of carpet cleaning experience both commercially and residentially.

I was a professional cleaner and cleaned carpets many times for various office buildings in northeast Pennsylvania. Having been exposed to commercial carpet cleaning it seemed natural to me to spend time cleaning my own carpets at home rather than hiring the work to be done.

As you might guess, this article is not based on a bunch of theory. It is based on real-life “in the trenches” carpet cleaning experience.

Carpet Cleaning Problems

Let’s start by taking a look at some of the more common carpet cleaning problems you may face.

Some of the most common, and yet intimidating, carpet stains include barbecue stains, beer stains, blood stains, coffee stains, ink stains, and even candle wax stains.

Rather than try to go into detail in this article on how to tackle specific stains I have decided to cover the critical subject of process.

I realize you might be thinking that you do not want to waste time on these “basics” and just want to get the stain out now but I assure you it is very important that you learn how to clean carpet the right way before taking on any carpet cleaning challenge. When you know how to clean carpet stains these jobs will not seem nearly as overwhelming to you as they do to most people.

Carpet Cleaning Process

Here is a 4 step process you can use whenever you tackle a carpet stain.

1. Remove Solid Particles

Remove all of the loose solid particles that you can. You might want to wear protective gloves when doing this. Here is an example of removing solid particles. Let’s say you are dealing with a pepperoni pizza stain. Don’t begin the stain treatment until you have removed all of the pepperoni and cheese pieces from the carpet fibers. Just pick up as much of the pepperoni and cheese as you can and throw it away.

2. Blot the Carpet Stain

Start the actual stain treatment by finding out if you can blot up any of the mess with a dry cloth. Often you will find that blotting the area will remove a large part of the stain. Use clean dry cloths. If clean dry cloths are not available you should be able to substitute paper towels.

3. Test Your Carpet Cleaning Solution

Although a lot of household items such as club soda and peroxide can help remove carpet stains, it’s important to know first what kind of cleaning job and carpet dye you’re dealing with.

You need to test the cleaning solution on a tiny area, ideally a spot that is hidden out of the way of plain sight.

To test a cleaning solution to determine if it is safe for use on your carpet this is what you need to do: apply a small amount of the cleaning solution of your choice to a very small part of the carpet that no one will see. If your carpet does not discolor in this test area you can proceed to treat your carpet stain.

4. Remove the Carpet Stain

Apply the cleaning solution you’ve chosen into the fibers and blot.

What I am about to tell you now is very important so please remember this. Do not rub when attempting to remove a stain. Always blot. Why? Because rubbing can actually push the stain deeper into the carpet fiber. And you certainly do not want to do that!

Blot the solution onto the stain repeatedly until the stain is removed.

Rinse the area with clean water and blot again until you have removed as much water as possible.

Your last step is to keep traffic away from the cleaned area and let it fully dry.

Carpet Cleaning Solutions

Now that you know the process for cleaning carpet stains I want to share some of the cleaning solutions you can use. When I say solutions I am talking about the actual liquid cleaners you will use to help break up the stain.

Peroxide works well for cleaning carpet stains caused by blood (but always remember to test your carpet first).

For juice stains, ink stains, coffee and other similar stains try club soda or tonic water.

To recap what we covered above in the cleaning process, blot the solution onto the stain repeatedly until the visible stain is removed. When you have removed the visible stain, rinse the same area with clean water and blot again until you have removed as much water as possible. Now keep traffic away from the area and let it fully dry.

I hope you have found this information useful and the next time you are faced with a carpet cleaning challenge you feel better prepared to handle the situation.

If you would like specific carpet cleaning information explaining how to remove several types of carpet stains as well as information on

One of the biggest problem areas in a room is a large blank wall that stares back at you as you enter. These walls create a feeling of emptiness within a room, and sometimes act to disrupt the flow of color and design that’s already in place: or they do not fulfill their potential of creating visual impact in a room.

Wallpaper is an inexpensive and popular way to decorate walls and bring them to life. Depending on the size of the wall, its coverage, and what image it wants to portray, wallpapers lend versatility to a room and allow for your creativity.

Working with wallpaper is easy when you know how to do it, and here some tips.

Preparing a Room for Wallpapering

Wallpaper disasters occur because proper preparation of the wall is not taken seriously. Like when painting a wall or upholstering a couch, a significant amount of time must be dedicated to the preparation of a wall. This extra time spent will save you time and trouble in the long-run.

Measure your wall and purchase wallpaper that will cover the entire surface of the wall (allowing for error and pattern matching). Cut your wallpaper into manageable sized strips when you are ready to use them.

To prepare the wall for wallpapering, remove any switch plates, wall fixtures, and socket covers. Clean the wall thoroughly to remove any dirt and/or mildew, and let it dry completely. Search the wall surface for any holes, depressions, or bumps: these may be repaired using a drywall compound or spackling compound. Apply the compound, smooth it as much as possible, and let it dry thoroughly. Sanding is then required to smooth the surface to make it as easy as possible for the wallpaper to adhere to the wall. Then prime your wall with an acrylic adhesive which is recommended by a wallpaper expert.

The Act of Wallpapering

Once you’ve primed your wall with the adhesive, decide how you want to hang the wallpaper. Go in the direction (right to left or vise versa) that is easiest for you. Cut your wallpaper strips allowing for pattern matching and a small amount of waste at the bottom. Starting from top, apply the wallpaper to the wall. You may want to precut the holes for the switches, other openings, etc. (being very exact with the measurements to avoid error) or cut them as you proceed to hang the wallpaper (the easiest way). Either way you must be precise!
Amateurs often end up with the problem of small air bubbles under the wallpaper, or uneven attachment to the wall. Resist the temptation to use a plastic smoother as it may tear the wallpaper or leave marks if used with improper pressure. Instead, use clean soft cloth and apply gentle pressure with the hand, or a light flexible rubber flap – much like the one used to clean windows.

Designing with that Wallpaper

Wallpaper provides an opportunity for colors and patterns to be incorporated into a design. The appearance of a large wall may benefit from wallpaper with patterns or stripes to break their overwhelming size. Use vertical stripes to add height to the room, and horizontal ones to create the illusion of a wider space. Another option is to incorporate a dual design – using a striped pattern on the upper half of the wall and a solid or floral print on the lower portion to create interest.

Use borders near the ceiling to create visual interest and give the illusion of height to the room, as it calls attention to the ceiling.

When using wallpaper in more than one room of the house, you have the option of creating fluidity between two rooms without having to use the same wallpaper. The fluidity may be achieved by staying different tones of the same colors, contrasting colors, or similar patterns.

Building the Room from the Wallpaper

When designing an entire room, wallpaper create a nice visual palette with which to work. Wallpapers, because they provide various color and pattern in their designs, may create a central mood in the room (formal, informal, etc.); the source of a color scheme (from the colors in the wallpaper); and even a pattern that will flow throughout the room (floral patterns, stripes, or dots).

Wallpaper provides a great opportunity for design ingenuity. Don’t be afraid to use the wall to its full potential – either to enhance the design of the room or build an entire room around it.

Bill McRea is the publisher of home-makeover.24hour-info.com/ Interior Design on A Budget – How to Tips and Tricks 15 separate lessons to help the novice know just how to start their new interior designing efforts. Take a look at what is included

The new buzzwords in the mattress industry are ‘memory foam’. But despite the benefits touted by memory foam mattress manufacturers regarding their superior support, most consumers don’t care for sleeping on them. The truth is that memory foam doesn’t have the ’springiness’ that good, old-fashioned innerspring mattresses have. So, if you’re looking for a new innerspring mattress, how do you make sure buy a good quality innerspring mattress?

Innerspring mattresses, which account for 90 percent of the 21 million beds sold last year in the United States, are pretty much all made the same way: Steel coils are surrounded by padding, and the whole mattress is wrapped in upholstery. The innerspring coil unit is the base of your mattress. It allows for even distribution of your body mass while you are lying down. The innerspring, often called the coil, is helixical in structure and as such should hold its strength and shape for many years. The coils are what offer support to your body where you need it most.

But not all innerspring mattresses are the same. You can determine quality by looking at coil count, wire gauge, and the thickness of a mattress. A retailer should have the manufacturer’s specifications for each model it sells – don’t be afraid to ask. Choosing a Sealy, Serta, Kingsdown mattress, or other top quality mattress, isn’t made any easier as each of these manufacturers offers different combinations of coil count, wire gauge and materials.

Realistically, there are just too many variables in coil design, function, and durability for consumers to understand what they are getting without spending days on coil research. However, you can be assured that all of the premium mattresses like Simmons and Kingsdown have a good innerspring unit. So, if you want a quality mattress that will give you a good night’s sleep you should buy a mattress from one of the big, reputable companies and spend the most you can afford. But each mattress does feel different so you need to be sure that you choose the right one for you.

When you go to a mattress store don’t be shy about testing out the mattress. A good idea is to go wearing clothes that you feel extremely comfortable in. Then, lie down on the mattress to see how it feels. Spend at least ten minutes lying on top of it. A good tip to check if the bed you are lying on is too soft, too hard, or just right is to lie on your back, placing your hand in the small of your back and then trying to move it about. If it moves too easily, the bed may be too hard for you; if it’s a struggle to move your hand, then the bed is too soft. If you can move your hand with just a little resistance, the bed may be just right for you.

Also, don’t just lie on the mattress. Toss and turn as you would do when you sleep. How does it feel in each position? If you normally sleep with a partner, then have them lie down on it too. Have them move and check whether their turning disturbs you.

If the thought of testing out a bed sounds a little too hit and miss you could try the Kingsdown patented computer system – called DormoDiagnostics – that they claim takes the guess work out of choosing a mattress. It scientifically determines your unique body profile, and specifies the Kingsdown mattress that is best suited to your needs.

Whatever mattress you choose, whether it is a Sealy, Jamison or Kingsdown mattress, take your time in choosing it. Buying a top rated mattress is an expensive business and you will also spend a third of you life sleeping on it; two important reasons to make sure your happy with your decision.

Visit bestchoicemattress.com for more information about buying a

When you think of the household items that are most to blame for your high electric bill, chances are good that you pinpoint the usual suspects. Most people think of the television, lights, kitchen appliances, and washer/dryer combos as being some of the biggest offenders. But you would probably be surprised to learn that the number one reason behind your high electric bill is an item that operates 24 hours a day. Your storage tank water heater is robbing you blind, and you may not even realize it. The reason for this is because a standard storage tank water heater is constantly working to keep water heated, even when you are not using it. This leads to increased energy usage and an inflated electric bill. However, many homeowners looking to save some bucks have recently turned to alternative devices known as tankless water heaters. In this article, we’ll examine just how effective these types of systems are, while answering the question: Does a tankless water heater save money?

A tankless water heater works in quite a different way than a storage tank heater. A tankless water heater kicks into action only when you turn on a hot water tap, heating water through copper and brass heating elements. When you shut the water off, the tankless water heater also shuts off. This leads to the preservation of energy and subsequently lowers electric bills. In fact, most homeowners can save on average between 30% – 50% off their current bill. Pretty nice, huh? But this is only one of the more obvious ways in which a tankless water heater can save you money. Let’s turn our attention to some other cost-cutting features that come along with this device.

For starters, the federal government will reward you with a $300 tax credit just for installing a tankless water heater. The government isn’t known for just handing out free cash, so that should tell you that they believe in the benefits tankless water heaters afford. And while purchasing and installing a unit will initially cost around $1800, these units will last for 20 years or more without any need for maintenance. That $1800 investment will certainly pay for itself in a couple years time when you consider the huge savings on your monthly electric bill.

There are two other ways in which a tankless water heater can save you money. First, storage tank water heaters tend to develop leaks at some point. These leaks can end up costing you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. These types of leaks are not a concern with a tankless water heater, thus saving you money down the line. In addition, tankless water heaters are equipped with venting systems that filter out any harmful gasses or impurities. This keeps your family safe and healthy, and free from the concerns that sometimes come with storage tank water heaters.

As you can see, a tankless water heater does save money in a variety of ways. So if you are serious about lowering your outrageous monthly electric bills, why not look into installing this system into your own home? Your wallet will surely thank you.

Jo Williams has an interest in Home & Garden and Tankless Water Heater, for more FREE information and articles please visit inreading.com/2007/04/30/does-a-tankless-water-heater-save-money/ Tankless Water Heater Resources

Houses containing different types of molds are considered “sick houses,” because they are no a healthy atmosphere to live in. Mold and mildew can create respiratory problems as well as allergies. They can cause problems like runny noses and stinging eyes. Mold can be found anywhere making a seemingly healthy atmosphere a sick house. Such houses significantly lead to health symptoms. Adults living in sick houses have many health problems and children living in it are prone to wheezing, cough, cold, fever, headaches and need for medication.

Sickness in houses is mostly created by mold. Some common molds are Hormodendrum which grows on plants, leather, rubber, paper and wool. Aspergillus fumigatus is found in soil, in damp hay, on grain, on sausages and on fruits. They cause respiratory diseases. Phoma grows on magazines, books and other paper products. Penicillium notatum grows on fruits, bread and cheese. Even more common allergies are caused by molds and pollens. All these molds tend to make healthy houses sick.

To save your home from becoming a sick houses you should follow some preventative measures. The first thing is to keep your house dust and dirt free. Keep the humidity level of your house between 35- 50%. Have your furnace ducts and cold air returns, along with dryer vents cleaned at least once per year if not two times a year. Make sure that there is no leakage in any area of house, such as your tub, toilet tank, ceiling etc. Never carpet your bathroom. Avoid foam rubber. Use good quality air cleaner to remove mold spores from the air.

In the homeowner’s policy, damages from mold like rust, rot and mildew are specifically excluded. Sudden and accidental damages are repaid by them but not all the damages. So try to keep your home clean and healthy by keeping it dirt free and dust free.

Make sure that any flood damage is fixed and repaired by a professional company so you don’t have any problems down the road. The most important thing you can do is to check your insurance policy to see what you’re covered for and what you’re not. Mold remediation can be very expensive and for the few extra dollars your company will charge you to have coverage, it is well worth it. Many people who have not been covered have lost there homes because the extra to repair it just wasn’t there. A few dollars more on their policy could have easily saved their home.

For more information about mold please have a look at this link:

The first step is to plan the design – as with kitchens, your local supplier will run off a computer-generated plan based on the room’s dimensions and your particular requirements.

If you’re sticking with the same layout, measure your bathroom suite carefully before you go shopping for a replacement so that you know the new items will fit.

Re-plumbing and re-wiring will push the cost up so stick with the existing service points if possible – although this may be unavoidable if you want to change the position of the bathroom suite.

First decide on the right place for the bath and/or shower. If your loo is in your bathroom, decide where this will go and then position the washbasin.

Once the fittings are planned you can work out how to use the remaining space which, in modern bathrooms, may be quite limited. Some kind of storage, either cupboards or shelves – preferably both – is required for toiletries, cleaning products, toilet rolls and children’s bath toys. If your bathroom is spacious you may also keep clean towels and your linen basket in there.

Choosing the bath and basin can be a time-consuming task. Even if you’re not opting for something like a jaccuzzi or indoor hot tub, baths come in all shapes and sizes – standard oblong, rolltop, corner, curved, wider at one end than the other – and colours. Unless you desperately yearn for a particular colour it’s best to stick with white. It’s clean-looking, inoffensive and will go with any colour you decide to use for paint and furnishings.

Taps, too, come in a bewildering array of styles – choose a design that will complement your bathroom.

Before making your final decision on the bathroom suite it is helpful to check your plans with your plumber to see if there are any potential snags with the designs you have picked.

Even if your window has frosted glass make sure you have a curtain or blind with ‘blackout’ lining unless you want neighbours or passers-by watching the silhouette of you bathing, washing or worse.

When it comes to decoration, remember to use – or specify, if someone else is doing the work – grout that is resistant to steam and water. Similarly, choose paint and wallpaper that will stand up to heat and steam – look in the ever-expanding ‘kitchen and bathroom’ ranges.

Pale colours brighten a small bathroom, especially one with no natural daylight but it’s fun to experiment with colour. And a large mirror across one wall, especially the wall opposite the window, will help make a small bathroom look and feel much bigger and lighter.

Floor coverings, too, come in all types of material and colour – but avoid carpet which is impractical and unhygienic in a bathroom. Vinyl, cork tiles or lino are good choices – warm underfoot and easy to clean. However, if the surface you choose is shiny always use a non-slip washable rug for extra safety.

If you’re installing a shower – either as a separate feature or above the bath – investigate the different types before deciding which to choose. If you have high water pressure you could opt for a thermo shower which is connected direct to your heating system and keeps the water temperature even.

An electric shower system heats the water itself and is mostly used above the bath. Power showers will give you the ultimate shower experience, even if you have low water pressure.

Look for a non-slip surface in both bath and shower. Check with your plumber that the drainage can take the amount of water your shower is producing – an overflowing shower tray can cause serious problems.

Above all, the main thing to remember when redesigning your bathroom is – choose a design that works for your lifestyle.

Barry Dunlop is the Founder of Bathroom-Buyers-Guide.com – The site that promises you lots of tips, advice and help to plan, design and buy your dream bathroom! Find out more at his bathroom-buyers-guide.com bathroom-buyers-guide.com

With the way that the world has been getting blasted by storms lately one may have to reconsider what it is that they are doing to protect themselves and their houses. One item to consider very well could be hurricane shutters. For a long time people have been using shutters as a means of keeping the weather out of your home. This dates back to ancient Rome where shutters were used before glass was placed in windows to keep the weather out. Today many shutters are used as accessories or decorations on a home as opposed to being used for protection, but this may be changing. With the advent of so many storms lately and the large amount of damage that they are causing one may be more strongly considering the purchase and installation of this protection for their home.

Hurricane shutters are shutters that are very helpful in that they will protect your home from many of the flying debris from not only a hurricane, but just about any storm that comes up. These are designed to protect your windows as well as your home from storm damage. Another item that one may want to consider when they are looking for protection from storms would be storm windows. In many homes where there is a single pane window they may have option of installing storm windows which would give a second layer of protection. These items will both work very well in protecting the large investment that you call your home as well as the things that you keep inside of it since it will keep the storm on the outside.

These are things that one must take into account as well when they are home building for the future. Think of where the location is and what the history has been in regards to the severity of storms and how often that they occur. Of course you could just play the safety and have either the shutters or windows installed when the house is being built. This will allow for the ultimate in protection as well as allow for the occupant to feel safe and secure since these items will always be there. As far as the shutters are concerned you can always make more aesthetically pleasing by choosing a color that is appropriate for the color scheme of the home as well as decorate them to look as if they are more natural as opposed to simple safety additions.

Linden Walhard’s informative papers are published on numerous websites tied to information on storm windows and home building. His writings on

To all of us, our home is our palace but in the Chinese Metaphysical Studies, our home is divided into eight palaces or sectors according to the system known as Eight Mansions.

Based on this system, houses are divided into East Group or West Group. There are 4 types of houses within each group. The type of house a person resides in is determined by the compass directions of the main entrance to the house. For instance, if the main entrance faces north, the house belonged to the East Group and the type of house is known as a Li House. If the main entrance faces east, it belonged to the West Group and the type of house is called Dui House.

The core foundation of Feng Shui centers on the existence of “Qi” or life force which is believed to permeate our environment. The life force or energy is dispersed by the wind and gathers at the boundary of water. If the external landform within the vicinity of our house is conducive, Qi will be able to enter the house through the door at the main entrance of the house. Our home is regarded as a container of Qi and the eight sectors of the house are either auspicious or inauspicious depending on where positive Qi or negative Qi collects. The eight sectors, also known as “Property Kua”, are based on the eight cardinal directions of the compass i.e. north, south, east, west, northwest, southeast, northeast and southwest. The auspicious sectors bring good luck to the residents whereas the inauspicious sectors, bad tidings.

To find out the property Kua of houses based on Feng Shui’s Eight Mansion system, please visit
proactive-qi.com/PropertyKua.html www.proactive-qi.com/PropertyKua.html

Using the same example of a north facing house or Li House, the 4 auspicious sectors are
East (Prosperity), Southeast(Health), North(Harmony) and South(Tranquility) whereas the 4 inauspicious sectors are Northeast(Minor Loss), West(Discord), Southwest(Misfortune) and
Northwest(Grave Danger).

If we seek career advancement or business success, we should have our front door located in the east sector of the house where our main entrance is as this represents the mouth of the house for Qi to flow in. The positive energy will bring prosperity to all the residents in the house.

If we want to stay healthy, we should have one of our rooms located in the southeast sector of the house and use this room more often to benefit from the positive Qi collected therein.

If we look for romance or build harmonious relationship with others, we should tap into the positive Qi residing in the north sector or room in the house.

Lastly, if we seek peace of mind or serenity, we should sleep in the room that is in the south sector of the house.

On the contrary, if we do not want bad luck befallen us, we should as far as possible avoid using the sectors which are inauspicious.

Alvin Yap is the founder and owner of the website proactive-qi.com proactive-qi.com which offers free horoscope readings based on the Chinese Astrology known as the Four Pillars of Destiny and free consultation on the Chinese Metaphysical Science of Feng Shui. Visit us for free download of E-Books, tips, articles etc. Get Empowered, Get Energized and Get a Life!