32 The Courier sun • at home • september 17, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com at home CARPET CARE TIPS By Tresa Erickson Carpet remains a popular option in flooring, especially in bedrooms where bare feet are more likely. Who relishes the thought of sliding out of bed onto an icy cold tile floor in the dead of winter? Carpet can feel great underfoot but can take a real beating over the years. It is important that you clean your carpet on a regular basis to keep it looking its best. Frequent vacuuming is a must to remove loose dirt and debris. Generally, the more pets and children you have in your household, the more often you will have to vacuum your carpet. Weekly vacuuming may not be enough, and you should always vacuum up messes right away. Tracked-in mud or spilt coffee grounds can easily get ground into the carpet if not removed right away. There are several vacuum cleaners on the market. You want one with enough suction power to pick up a lot of debris. Experts recommend a top-load vacuum cleaner that will allow the dirt to fall inward. You should empty the canister frequently and change or clean the filters regularly for optimal suction. Regular cleaning is a must to remove any oily, sticky residue your vacuum cleaner misses. Several methods are available. Most experts recommend the multi-step process of steam cleaning. During this process, the carpet is first pretreated with cleaner and then agitated to loosen the dirt and debris and work in the soap. Finally, it is rinsed and the water extracted. our can steam-clean your carpet yourself, but most experts advise you hire a professional. Not only will they have all of the right equipment for the job, but they will know how to use it. Shop around for a good service, and when you find one, set up a regular cleaning schedule. Most experts recommend a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months depending upon the number of people who live in your home and the amount of traffic it receives. Most carpet cleaning services charge by the room. Jobs can run $100 on up depending upon the number of rooms you have done. Many services offer specials. If the cost is still too steep, you may want to look into renting or purchasing a steam cleaner. Just be aware that most doit yourself cleaners will leave behind cleaning residue that will attract dirt. In between steam cleanings, you may need to spot-clean your carpet from time to time. Purchase a good cleaner and clean up spills immediately. DonÕt leave the stain to set in. Blot up the excess liquid and clean up the spill according to the manufacturerÕs directions. Do not rub or scrub the spill. You could cause the carpet to fray and twist. Beyond all of this, what else can you do to keep your carpet in good shape? Take off your shoes and walk around your home in your socks. Ask those who live with you or stop by for a visit to do the same. Limit walking around barefooted. The natural oils in your feet will attract dirt. Give your carpet the care it deserves, and it will last you for a long time. When you are ready to purchase new carpet, shop around. Find out where the best brands are, consult with the experts and make the right choice for your home. Your Homeownership Partner The State of New York Mortgage Agency offers: • Competitive , fixed-rate mortgages for first-time homebuyers • Downpayment assistance available up to $15, 000 • Special program for veterans, active-duty military , National Guard and reservists • Funds available for renovation 1-800-382-HOME(4663) www.sonyma.org REAL ESTATE SERVICES JERRY FINK REAL ESTATE Serving Queens, NY 2.5% LISTING SPECIAL OFFICE # 718-766-9175 CELL # 917-774-6121 EMAIL Jfinkre@yahoo.com
SC09172015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above