Thursday, January 20, 2011

How to Avoid Being Pressured into Buying a Kirby Vacuum Cleaner


Kirby salespeople go to people's homes to demonstrate how to use the Kirby cleaning product (a vacuum cleaner) to deep clean their carpet, furniture and more.
Set Limits

If you have agreed to an hour long presentation with a free carpet shampooing toward the end of the demonstration of how the Kirby product works, make sure that this is exactly what you get when you open the door to the Kirby salespeople. In all fairness, if you have agreed to listen to a demonstration in exchange for a free carpet shampooing, it would be unfair of you to insist that they shampoo your carpet and then leave within a few minutes. But if the salesperson goes beyond the prescribed time limit that you have agreed to, you have a right to ask them to leave.

Haggling Tactics: The "Manager"

A popular pressure tactic of Kirby salespeople is to interrupt their demonstration as they "call the manager", giving them an update of what you think of the Kirby products so far and how you are not willing to pay $2000 for a vacuum cleaner. At this point, the pressure will likely be increased and you will be given an "incentive" to walk away with a Kirby vacuum cleaner at a fraction of the cost.

Mean No!

The ultimate way to avoid being pressured into buying a Kirby vacuum cleaner is to say no and mean no. If you show the slightest hesitation or interest in the product, they will play on your emotions and try to convince you that unless you buy a Kirby, you will never be able to keep a clean house using a Bissell or other such cleaning products. Unless you do not mind spending around $2000 on a vacuum cleaner and you can afford to do so, you should not allow anyone to persuade you to part with your hard earned money.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


WOMAN'S CARPET BUSINESS KEEPS FAMILY UNDERFOOT PSYCHIATRIST OPTS TO FOLLOW IN HER MOTHER'S FOOTSTEPS.


LYNNHAVEN - In a colorful sea of woven fabrics, Monica Deitell sits sifting through pictures and dreaming up designs. Swirls of color and hand-drawn patterns add highlights to Deitell's day.

As owner of D'Vora Fine Oriental Carpets, Deitell surrounds herself with the best carpets she finds. Stacks of carpet line the walls of the small shop in Chambord Commons.

``Working with these carpets is so exciting because there are so many design possibilities,'' said Deitell, of Innlynnview. ``It is endless.''

But life hasn't always been exotic carpets and rich colors.

Deitell's family had been in the import business for 30 years when their mother …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


How to Recycle a Vacuum Cleaner Bag


Vacuuming is important to keep a home clean but buying vacuum cleaner bags is not always something that you think about when you are out shopping.
When you are vacuuming and you realize that your vacuum cleaner bag is full you may need to stop vacuuming or you can take some time to recycle your old vacuum cleaner bag so you can continue vacuuming your home.

To recycle a vacuum cleaner bag you will need some tape like masking tape or duct tape. A thicker tape will work better then a thinner tape will.

Take out the vacuum cleaner bag and you will see that there is a folded part of the vacuum cleaner bag. The fold is usually as the bottom of the vacuum cleaner bag. You may be able to unfold this fold and empty out the contents of the bag into a garbage bag. Or you can cut a slit into the vacuum cleaner bag if you can't unfold the fold and empty the contents of the vacuum cleaner bag from the slit you cut.

Once you have emptied the vacuum cleaner bag into the garbage you will need to cover the slit or refold the fold of the vacuum cleaner bag. Take the tape and cover the fold or the slit to keep the bag together again. Make sure you put the tape on so that it will hold the vacuum cleaner bag together well since the bag will be holding all the dirt your vacuum will be sucking up.

Place the vacuum cleaner bag back into position and you can continue vacuuming up your home. A recycled vacuum cleaner bag will not hold as much dirt as a new vacuum cleaner bag but it will allow you to keep vacuuming up your home. You can finish vacuuming your home with a recycled vacuum cleaner bag. Then when you remember you can buy new vacuum cleaner bags to replace the recycled vacuum cleaner bag.

You should only use a recycled vacuum cleaner bag once before you place it with a new vacuum cleaner bag. Do not try to recycle a recycled vacuum cleaner bag because the vacuum cleaner bag gets fragile when you recycle it. The tape will eventually stop sticking and it can break when used too much.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Green carpet care: keep your carpets green, no matter the color, by using these green-cleaning tips.


Building managers, working with their custodial crews, are transferring to environmentally preferable cleaning systems and products in record numbers. What started as a trickle just a few years ago is now beyond a trend. For many building managers in many industries, having their facilities "green-cleaned" is a given.

However, the situation gets a bit more complicated when it comes to tasks such as carpet cleaning. Maintaining carpets can require frequent cleaning, sometimes using very powerful cleaning chemicals, making "green" a challenge. The following are some key steps building owners and managers can take to reduce carpet cleaning's impact on the environment:

Prioritize carpet cleaning. Many facilities …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Reasons to Use a Bagless Vacuum Cleaner


Anyone who has had a bagless vacuum cleaner knows how convenient they can be to use. Not having to buy bags for your vacuum can save money over time. People who own their own homes and businesses prefer this type of vacuum over the type that takes a bag. These vacuum cleaners come with many good benefits such as long cords to move around freely without disrupting your cleaning. They have great suction for picking up hair, dirt, dust and other particles off the floor. One of the best things is that you will never have to buy bags again for your vacuum cleaner. This can help save a lot of money and pay for the cost of the vacuum itself. If you ever have had a vacuum that took bags, sometimes it could be difficult finding the right bags to fit your vacuum. With a bagless vacuum cleaner, you do not have to worry about finding bags to fit your vacuum.

When you use this type of vacuum cleaner all your dirt goes into a canister on the vacuum. When the canister fills up with dirt, you simply take it off the vacuum and empty it out. This makes vacuuming so much easier and you always know when it needs emptying out by being able to see through the plastic canister. A bagless vacuum cleaner comes with some very useful attachments to clean more efficiently in your home. After emptying, the canister if you choose you can easily wash it out for the next time you vacuum.

Some types of bagless vacuum cleaners may need to have their filters cleaned on occasion to keep the vacuum running smoothly. This is very simple all you have to do is remove the filters from the vacuum and follow the instructions that you got with your vacuum to properly clean them. Then all you do is replace them back on the vacuum when you are done. If you can find a bagless vacuum with a HEPA filter, it will clean better with catching more dirt in the air. These vacuums have become very popular and that is because of all the good benefits that they offer. Many places sell these types of vacuums for your convenience and you can also purchase them online if your choose.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care



Ximian Releases New Red Carpet Client to Enhance Linux Software Management Functionality.


Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 2003

Version 2.0 Improves User Interface and Allows Integration

With Red Carpet Enterprise Deployments

Ximian, Inc., the leading provider of desktop and server solutions enabling enterprise Linux adoption, today announced the availability of Red Carpet(TM) 2.0, a new version of its desktop client software that allows users to manage Linux software installed on workstations and servers. Users will benefit from a streamlined user interface, powerful new functionality for finding installed packages and recording installation history, and the ability to manage software on systems other than their own. With the new features, Ximian(R) customers will be able to deploy more flexible software management solutions that reduce the total cost of Linux installations.

Red Carpet version 2.0 incorporates the Red …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care

Improve the he Vacuum Cleaner By Adding a Magnet


In general, there is nothing that is miraculous about the vacuum cleaner. It helps to clean our floor with attachments can clean other products. The amount of time it saves us from having to pick up each individual crumb, or strand of hair or anything else it picks up, is invaluable.

But, there is something that we can add to this "SUCKER" to help it help us, a simple magnetic strip just under the front lip, in front of the rollers. "AAA YES"! A great idea that helps the vacuum cleaner help us, so we don't have to let all those paper clips or nails or nuts and bolts, rip through the bags, and make a mess. Or, let those metal pieces make that incredibly annoying "TUCK, TUCK, TUCK" noise as they spin around in the holding chamber of those bag-less Vacuums. Not to mention, losing the screws, nuts or bolts that are needed, for the item that they fell off of in the first place.

There is an easy way to add this to your own existing Vacuum. Go to your local hardware store, and purchase a sticky back magnetic strip (Strong). You may have to cut it down to size, and clean the vacuum surface really well before you stick it on, but one or two of these strips work wonders, are a great way to fix this problem.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care



Appeal of `Flying Carpets'


New Straits Times
10-31-2002
Appeal of `Flying Carpets'
Edition: 2*
Section: Home Sweet Home

BUYING a carpet may seem easy to a layman, especially when there are so many outlets throughout Klang Valley selling carpets of different patterns and sizes.

This is easier said than done, said Flying Carpets' managing director Mohammad Anees.
"When buying a carpet, one must first determine its quality and not just look at its price. "Quality is the best irrespective of where the carpet is made.

Mohammad said carpet prices depends on factors like quality, colour and size.

"Quality is the main thing while the design is secondary. There are a …
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Keep Your Vacuum Cleaner Performing Properly


The Experts

The manufacturer's recommendations are the best guide for proper upkeep so be sure to keep the manual that comes along with the vacuum cleaner handy. There are certain procedures unique to particular makes and models so careful attention to the owner's manual is the best starting point. In addition, it is wise to make use of any on-line services or telephone help provided by the manufacturer.

The Filters

The function of the filter in a vacuum cleaner is crucial to the overall performance of the vacuum cleaner itself. The vacuum will quickly lose suction when filters become clogged. Take care to clean the filters often, possibly even every time you vacuum, but at least as often as the owner's manual suggests. Filters will most definitely need to be cleaned following the cleanup of something that is especially prone to clogging a filter. Very fine particles from things like flour, baby powder, etc. have the potential to do this. Most filters are not designed to last indefinitely so don't ignore the guidelines listed in your manual for when to change the filters.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Bangsar's silk carpet dealer



"DEMAND for high quality Persian carpets is forever."

With this theory in mind, silk carpets dealer M.K.Z. Amir came to Malaysia 10 years ago to try his luck, setting up the Malaysian Oriental Carpet Palace Sdn Bhd at Jalan Telawai in Bangsar.
A big step indeed for the 71-year Afghan, who has been selling carpets for more than 50 years. It was a bold move to transfer the business here from Singapore.

Amir believes there is a demand for silk carpets in Malaysia despite their high …
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Best Vacuum Cleaner for You


Everyone's home is the resting place after coming fully stressed and tired from office. Vacuum cleaner is the ideal tool for cleaning dust from your beautiful home. They make the home unhygienic and worst place to live after sending so much money on decorations and interior designs. This article can help deciding the best Vacuum cleaner for you.

One of the basic things is to check your home surface that required proper cleaning before buying a suitable Vacuum cleaner. Your home would have many kinds of products to clean such as furniture, carpet, blinds, drapes, hard floor surface, hidden places near bed and furniture. Bad cleaned surface can disturb your positive thinking and good feeling. You can't really concentrate in such atmosphere.

You should check if someone from your family suffers from asthma like allergies because such infections always come mix into the home airs and then start infecting family members. The vacuum cleaner capacity depends on the surface of your home.

Your home cleaning style also depend on buying any vacuum cleaning available in market such as upright vacuum cleaner and canister vacuum cleaners. So both kinds of vacuum cleaners are suitable for different home surface. If your cleaning requirement is hard kind of surface floor then consider vacuum cleaner with hard floor connected. If you are looking for thorough cleaning of hard kind of floor then should buy with lots of attachments attached with.

Check out the vacuum cleaner review first before moving forward to buy from store or online selling sites. This is very important otherwise you would be feel guilty after buying wrong one. Do some research at store, check on all kinds of surface before buying. Check out the comfortable and portability kinds of matters as well. Check out the motor noise installed inside the vacuum cleaner, it might disturb if someone studying or working in cool mind. Many buyers frustrate with motor noise.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care



Carpet & area rug market report: carpet still a dominant force, but competitive pressures abound.


Not everyone is thrilled by the rapid rise of hard surface flooring. Those focused on the industry's soft side--the carpeting and areas rugs that still account for the lion's share of total flooring volume--say their end of the business is being challenged on a number of fronts. While the segment remains firmly entrenched as a core category in flooring, our survey of retailers and contractors suggests that it is an area that is also undergoing a number of significant changes.

Apart from the growing popularity of laminate, hardwood and other non-carpet options, the universe of carpet sellers is expanding. Most noticeably has been the influence of big box retailers. While there has also been a groundswell of Internet options for buying carpet, they typically do not come from brick and mortar retailers. Those participating in the survey mostly use the …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


How to Decide What Vacuum Cleaner is Best for You


Have you noticed lately all the 'new improved' commercials there are on TV toting the acclaims of the newest vacuum cleaner designs on the market?

First and foremost consider the job you expect your new vacuum cleaner to handle. Are you a single apartment dweller with Berber carpeting at work all day and little traffic? Then you may not even need much more than a simple non-motorized carpet sweeper. However most of us have at least a moderate amount of traffic, ground in sand and maybe even pet hairs to contend with.

How often do you vacuum and how much dust dirt and grime actually gets collected with each use?

If you only use your vacuum cleaner occasionally, say once a month or less, than a bag-less vacuum cleaner may be a good option as the amount of use as well as the quantity of messes you need to clean up is probably not a large issue. You probably would only need to empty the canister once per use and clean the filter as directed replacing it every 6 months (or less).

Do you suffer from allergies, have numerous pets or a pet that sheds heavily? Are you finding yourself reaching for the vacuum at least weekly or maybe even several times a week?

If so, consider sticking with the tried and true bag type vacuum cleaner. The newer bags are made nearly dust free and will hold a larger amount of debris between changes. Bag-less vacuums often leak dust when in use and there is no way around handling the dust and being exposed to the contents when emptying the canister. Most allergy specialist recommend the use of a bag-style vacuum with triple lined bags and a hepa filter for use several times per week to reduce expose to known allergies to dust and dust mites.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


INDIA-LABOR: CARPET LOOMS RUN AWAY FROM CHILD LABOR CAMPAIGN



Mahesh Uniyal
Inter Press Service English News Wire
05-01-1997
NEW DELHI, Apr. 30 (IPS) -- A not-made-by-children labelling
scheme for India's exquisite hand woven carpets is producing
results, but not always to the advantage of young workers.
Anti-child labor activists and the New Delhi-based Rugmark
Foundation which issues the child labor-free label, say that some
rug factories have shifted out of the main carpet weaving region
of Mirzapur and Bhadohi in north India, to get around the
restrictions on hiring children.
"Reports from Mirzapur-Bhadohi say that some units are moving
out to other areas where there is greater poverty and no …


Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Vacuum Cleaner Smell and How to Get Rid of Bad Odors


The burning rubber smell. Vacuums smell like burning rubber when the belt breaks or the beater bar can no longer roll due to an obstruction or a loose belt. It's really easy to tell when a roller bar isn't working properly. All you have to do is tilt the vacuum backwards while "on" to see if the beater is rolling. If it's not, then unplug the cord and examine what's preventing the roller from rotating.

Sometimes pet hair, bits of yarn or string can bind around the ends of the beater bar which prevents it from rolling smoothly. These strings should be cut or pulled away from the bar.

But, if it's the belt that's broken or if the belt has too much slack, the vacuum cleaner will need a new belt. Vacuum cleaner belts are available at all discount department stores. Remember to jot down the brand name and model number of your vacuum cleaner since belt sizes differ by brands.

The mildewy, stinky sock smell. Certain vacuums can pick up mildew smells. These include models that use washable bags, or use water in their filtration systems such as a Rainbow brand vacuum. Mildew happens when filters are placed back in the machine wet, or the machine isn't allow to "air dry" thoroughly before being put back into storage.

To prevent mildew smells, always dry bags and filters thoroughly before installing.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


HSL switches from carpets to mattresses


Carpet market meets hard times

As noted earlier, the European carpet sector is in a time of change. Consumers have followed the fashion trend and replaced carpeted floors with hard surfaces made from wood or laminate. Tufted carpet production reached a peak in Europe in 1997, and has been declining at around 3.5 percent annually ever since, said Van't Klooster (see chart below).

The decline in latex foam as a backing material for carpets has been even more severe, he said. Van't Klooster showed a chart indicating that total latex foam carpet-backings for tufted carpet declined from a peak of 380 million m[sup.2] in 1991, to just under 150 million m[sup.2] a decade later.

He said this story reflected the decline in quality of the carpet-backing material, as manufacturers added more and more filler-rising to a maximum of over 180 phr-to reduce cost. This in turn …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


How to Improve the Performance of a Vacuum Cleaner Beater Bar


A vacuum cleaner beater bar is the roller that is located beneath the vacuum's power head. The bar spins as the vacuum cleaner is pushed along, and literally sweeps up dust and debris into the machine itself.
1. Check the belt. Vacuum cleaner belts are what propels the beater bar. One end of the belt is wrapped around the roller bar itself, and the other is looped over a steel rod. A vacuum cleaner belt is nothing more than a large, thick black rubber band and is easy to find. To access the belt, you'll have to flip the machine over and remove the plate (or base) which covers the beater bar assembly. This plate is usually attached with four small Phillips (X top) screws. Once the plate has been removed, check the "play" of the belt. If it loose or sloppy, replace it with a new belt.

2. Remove the roller and clean. The idea behind a beater bar is that it acts as a small broom that continually sweeps up dust and debris into the vacuum cleaner. And just like a broom, the beater bar needs to be shaken out occasionally to knock off any lint. To clean, first remove the base plate as instructed above. Slip the belt off the metal rod. Lift the vacuum cleaner beater bar out of the machine.

The bar is cleaned in several steps:
Step a) Cut off all twine, string, and hair wrapped around the bar.
Step b) Brush the lint out of the bristles with a small wire brush.
Step c) Wash the beater thoroughly in warm soapy detergent (such as Dawn).
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Dream weaves Carpets and rugs can be a stunning design item in your home


CARPETS have come into their own: a design item that can become the stunning centrepiece of your room. The third in the series of Homes and Property/V&A lectures, Inspiration for Interiors, is in praise of carpets and rugs. You might think that in this age of minimalism that floor coverings would take second place to hardwood but rugs are the way to bring warmth and decorative focus to the living space, as those lucky enough to get one of the ever-popular lecture tickets will find out.

The V&A has a sumptuous collection of Oriental carpets in its collections including the magnificent Ardabil carpet, which can be seen in the Museum's Islamic gallery on the ground floor. It also …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


How to Fix a Vacuum Cleaner: How to Improve a Vacuum's Suction


Low vacuum suction fix: Check for clogged tubes.

Here's another fix for loss of vacuum suction power. Check all tubes on your vacuum for clogs. Clogs can be hard to find. Our vacuum tube has had clogs from pet fur, human hair, and shredded paper. Dry material can accumulate over time. Excess moisture can cause clogs to form from dust or powder like baking soda.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


Double benefits to carpet sale prices


With winter nights closing in and temperatures beginning to plummet, now is a good time for homeowners to look at updating their carpet and in the process create a warmer cosier living environment. Carpet Court Christchurch at 309 Cashel St is well placed to help homeowners achieve this thanks to their Red Hot Winter Sale.

Marketing manager Laura-Jean Fitzgibbon says never before has Carpet Court Christchurch had such an extensive selection of top quality carpets on sale at prices normally only associated with low budget loop pile carpets.

"There are so many amazing specials in store at the moment so it is the best time ever to buy carpet from us. You can buy a …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care


7 Things to Consider when Buying a Vacuum Cleaner


Types of vacuum cleaners
If you have shopped recently for a vacuum cleaner you no doubt noticed how many different models of vacuum cleaners are available for home use. This in itself can make the selection a bit difficult but don't let the variety of choices discourage you. Although there are other types of vacuum cleaners available, for most cleaning jobs around the house you will choose one of four types, as briefly described below.

Canister Vacuum - This is a popular style vacuum cleaner which is as efficient as the upright vacuums for regular carpet cleaning. It is a better choice for bare floors, drapes and furniture and is usually not as noisy as the upright vacuum cleaner.

Hand Held Vacuum - These small, lightweight vacuums are great for quick clean-ups and small jobs. They don't have a lot of suction power but work well and can reach into tight spaces. Many hand held vacuums are cordless with a rechargeable battery.

Broom Vacuum - Broom vacuums or stick vacuums are nice for quickly touching up a small area but are not really good for deep cleaning. They are lightweight though, which is advantageous and are generally less expensive. The long handle keeps you from having to bend your back.
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care



Monday, January 17, 2011

Don't sweep it under the carpet

Linda Holmes

So I don't write about carpet at all for years and all of a sudden here it is two weeks in a row. While selecting carpet is one important phase of the carpet story, there is another that is equally, if not more, valuable.

Maintenance. Maintenance is always an issue and should be a serious consideration with respect to any changes you are making in your home. I have often stated that I don't believe anything is maintenance- free. There is low maintenance, easy maintenance, and even minimal maintenance, but everything requires some maintenance.

You have to be pretty tough and sturdy to be a floor covering. Think of what needs to be endured day after day. …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Cleaning high-traffic carpet areas: as society evolves, so do priorities and technology.

The same challenge confronts every carpet-care professional: How to extend the life of carpets in high-traffic areas.

The tasks associated with maintaining carpeted floors have been well documented, primarily because methods of cleaning have not changed. The traditional carpet maintenance program for years has consisted of:

  • Using walk-off mats and dry vacuuming daily.
  • Performing a consistent spotting program, and
  • Occasionally using restorative, hot-water extraction to refresh the carpet's condition.

Today's Dilemma

In today's fast-paced society, customers demand businesses accommodate their schedules, whatever the day, whatever the time. Businesses have responded by opening their doors and offering services 24 hours a day. As a result, carpet-care professionals face tighter cleaning schedules and shorter turnaround times.

To deal with these time constraints, the carpet-cleaning paradigm has shifted. No longer is the focus, "How do we effectively clean carpet?" The focus now is, "How do we get carpets cleaned, dried and returned to foot traffic as quickly as possible?" Understanding this shift is the first …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 


Dream weaves Carpets and rugs can be a stunning design item in your home, says Corinne Julius, who introduces the third Homes & Property/V&A lecture H

CARPETS have come into their own: a design item that can become the stunning centrepiece of your room. The third in the series of Homes and Property/V&A lectures, Inspiration for Interiors, is in praise of carpets and rugs. You might think that in this age of minimalism that floor coverings would take second place to hardwood but rugs are the way to bring warmth and decorative focus to the living space, as those lucky enough to get one of the ever-popular lecture tickets will find out.

The V&A has a sumptuous collection of Oriental carpets in its collections including the magnificent Ardabil carpet, which can be seen in the Museum's Islamic gallery on the ground floor. It also …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Appeal of `Flying Carpets'

New Straits Times
10-31-2002
Appeal of `Flying Carpets'
Edition: 2*
Section: Home Sweet Home

BUYING a carpet may seem easy to a layman, especially when there are so many outlets throughout Klang Valley selling carpets of different patterns and sizes.

This is easier said than done, said Flying Carpets' managing director Mohammad Anees.
"When buying a carpet, one must first determine its quality and not just look at its price. "Quality is the best irrespective of where the carpet is made.
Mohammad said carpet prices depends on factors like quality, colour and size.
"Quality is the main thing while the design is secondary. There are a …
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Caring for your carpet

New Straits Times
05-11-2001
Caring for your carpet
Edition: 2*
Column: Home improvement
Memo: (STF) - Your carpets can look as good as new if you take care of them.

CARPETS can to do many things for a room. They can hide ugly flooring, complement the rest of the decor and help create a warm or luxurious ambience. They can also change the whole look of a room, uplift its tired decor or simply be an aesthetically-pleasing warm covering for a floor laid with cold marble or terrazzo. Of course, they can only do this if they are well maintained.
Whether they are inexpensive or cost a bomb, you can prolong the lifespan of your carpets by cleaning them …
Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Encapsulation and carpet cleaning. (Carpet Cleaning Basics).

It appears that the old adage, "what's new is old and what's old is new," is once again proving true in the carpet-cleaning world. Encapsulation, also known as crystallization, is one of the hottest "buzz words" in the market today, especially in commercial carpet maintenance. It's also a trip down memory lane to when I entered this field some 30 years ago.

When I first started "steam cleaning" carpets in 1970, there were only three extraction machines in the entire county. At that time almost all carpets were maintained using a "shampoo" process. As steam cleaning began to gain acceptance, we would sell against the shampoo cleaners by showing clients the dirty water containing the soils we had extracted from their carpet.

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Carpet maker looks East

HUGH R. MORLEY, STAFF WRITER
The Record (Bergen County, NJ)
08-04-2006

Carpet maker looks East -- Fort Lee-based Couristan building a factory in China to stay competitive
By HUGH R. MORLEY, STAFF WRITER
Date: 08-04-2006, Friday
Section: BUSINESS
Edtion: All Editions

Couristan Inc.'s road to success runs through China.

Seventy years ago, the rug and carpet manufacturer turned to China for handmade rugs to import into the U.S. The company returned there in the mid-1970s, contracting with Chinese rug manufacturers.

Now, the Fort Lee-based company is again looking East — this time to stay.

The company, in a joint venture with China's …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines
Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care

FROM CLEANING TO SALES ; Carpet cleaner, retailer marks 30th anniversary with Milton showroom

JAY KENNEDY - SOUTH SHORE INSIDER

MILTON

Jay Kennedy started his carpet cleaning business 30 years ago with 100,000 fliers and a machine he built in his mother's driveway using tubes and two lawnmower motors.

Today, the 54-year-old Norwell resident's Kennedy Carpets employs 75 people, after having expanded from cleaning carpets 12 years ago to selling them as well. Last year, his company's revenue from carpet sales for the first time outpaced that of his carpet cleaning division. He also has a carpet restoration division.

Kennedy is celebrating his Weymouth company's 30th anniversary this year by building a 4,500-square foot retail carpet showroom on Granite …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Article: Myths and misconceptions. (Carpet Cleaning Basics).

As I sit and think about my 30-plus years in the carpet cleaning business, I am fascinated by the old wives' tales, or OWTs, that persist and, in some cases, thrive within the industry.

Consumers make up the vast majority of those asking questions founded in OWTs, questions usually involving misunderstandings from years ago that have passed down through generations. The cleaning professional must deal clearly and directly with the consumer when these questions are asked. If the company representative is able to respond to questions intelligently and correctly, it will boost the consumer's confidence in your company and help them to select it as the right choice. …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Self-limiting beliefs and carpet protectors:

It's worth pointing out that nothing can hold you back more than your own firmly held self-limiting beliefs. Remember, whether you think you can or you can't--you're right.

That said, let's look at another one of the biggest reasons that cleaners don't offer protector to their customers: the cleaner thinks the customer thinks that the carpet was already adequately protected at the mill.

Now, it makes sense to believe our customers think that way--especially if you've heard some of the promises made by the carpet mills and retailers to their customers. If you didn't know better, you'd think carpet is bulletproof.

But we also have to remember that consumers are pretty smart and naturally skeptical. As a carpet cleaner, you have a unique position with your customer as an independent third party to provide them with the truth about their carpet and what is necessary for them to properly care for it.

Now, some of the confusion comes from some of the technical issues. The majority of carpet is made using nylon fibers. And when most nylon fibers are made, the fiber is extruded and the dye is applied, followed by acid dye blockers.

This is where many carpet retailers as well as …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Healthy carpets: it all comes down to proper care.

Carpet is Good wants to set the record straight. A coalition of carpet manufactures, Carpet is Good wants everyone to know that if properly maintained, carpeting is a healthy, viable flooring choice for nearly any commercial facility.

"Building managers must take responsibility for the maintenance of their facilities and quit blaming indoor air quality problems on carpeting," said Alison Woolford of DuPont Antron, a carpet manufacturer and member of Carpet is Good. "Proper [carpet] maintenance will keep allergens out of the breathing zone."

Although many of the IAQ concerns about carpeting have subsided, some persist and have …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

HSL switches from carpets to mattresses:

Carpet market meets hard times

As noted earlier, the European carpet sector is in a time of change. Consumers have followed the fashion trend and replaced carpeted floors with hard surfaces made from wood or laminate. Tufted carpet production reached a peak in Europe in 1997, and has been declining at around 3.5 percent annually ever since, said Van't Klooster (see chart below).

The decline in latex foam as a backing material for carpets has been even more severe, he said. Van't Klooster showed a chart indicating that total latex foam carpet-backings for tufted carpet declined from a peak of 380 million m[sup.2] in 1991, to just under 150 million m[sup.2] a decade later.

He said this story reflected the decline in quality of the carpet-backing material, as manufacturers added more and more filler-rising to a maximum of over 180 phr-to reduce cost. This in turn …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

Trends & innovations in carpet expanded in 2003.

This year has seen a continuation of the trend in patterned and textured carpets, along with continued innovations in carpet protection, softness, odor resistance and cushion.

On the softness front, DuPont introduced two new lusters of its Tactesse fiber: Tactesse Vibrant, a high-level luster, and Tactesse Natural, a low-level luster. Solutia's DuraSoft is constructed with extra fibers per square inch to give it a soft texture and provide a seamless appearance. DuraSoft's luster provides a rich look without a sparkle effect, and its advanced nylon 6,6 technology allows it to stand up to wear. Beaulieu Residential's Hollytex label introduced a new collection with 15 products, Ultimate Performance, which marked the launch of PermaSoft solution-dyed nylon. Mohawk's new Perfectly Soft collection features its Lisse soft fiber technology and DuPont Tactesse fiber in a variety of friezes, soft loops, cable and staple products. Shaw's soft-fiber offering is EverTouch, which is composed of fine-denier filaments that produce a supple touch, while advanced yarn engineering gives it durability. Shaw also manufactures carpet styles made from DuPont Tactesse, Anso Caress and …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care 

This Comprehensive 2009 U.S. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services Industry Report Contains Timely and Accurate Industry Statistics, Forecasts and Dem

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9eff4e/2009_u_s_carpet) has announced the addition of the "2009 U.S. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services Industry Report" report to their offering.

The U.S. Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Services Industry report, published annually, contains timely and accurate industry statistics, forecasts and demographics. The report features 2009 current and 2010 forecast estimates on the size of the industry (sales, establishments, employment) nationally and for all 50 U.S. States and over 900 metro areas. The report also includes industry definition, 5-year historical trends on industry sales, establishments and …

Ref: Carpet & Rug Institutes Carpet Maintenance Guidelines Products I Like To Clean My Carpets: Febreze Carpet care