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Basic Carpet Maintenance

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Carpet care tips
As a floor covering, carpeting is subject to quite a beating day in and day out. Most carpets have to be replaced prematurely because of inadequate care. Without proper care the carpet begins to look dirty and faded and the fibers start to lose their fullness. High traffic areas become limp or flat.


Vacuuming carpets frequently and thoroughly is probably the most important factor in carpet care. Dirt works its way down into the fibers of the carpet where it acts like sandpaper, grinding away at each tuft, leaving it limp and dull. Dirt also combines with oil residues carried through the air and eventually glues itself to the carpet.
Regular vacuuming prevents both problems. Most experts agree that carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed about once a week, with heavy traffic areas being vacuumed more often.

Carpet Stains

Whenever spills occur on carpet, time is of the essence. The sooner it is cleaned up, the easier it will be to do so. Don't be fooled by spills that are clear or are the same color as the carpet: these can change color over time and become visible stains.
The first step in spot cleaning is to blot up the liquid using white paper towels or tissues. Do not add any liquids at this point, as they will only make the spot larger and help it sink deeper into the carpet. Absorb as much liquid as possible.
If a special cleaning solution is involved, test it on an inconspicuous part of the carpet first. Place a few drops of the cleaning solution on the stain and then place a white paper towel on top. Wait 10 to 15 seconds and check whether any of the carpet dyes have seeped through to your towel. If this happens, it's best to call a professional.
Assuming nothing went wrong with your test, keep in mind these additional stain-removing tips:

If your efforts are unsuccessful, call a pro right away. Failure to act quickly will increase the odds of a permanent stain.
Keep in mind that not all stains can be removed. Bleached areas, whether caused by sunlight or liquid bleach, cannot really be addressed. In theory, a professional can re-dye those sections, but don't count on a perfect color match.
Urine, if allowed to dry, also leaves a permanent stain. Stains from foods that have a lot of food coloring, such as Kool Aid, mustard or grape soda, are often impossible to remove. The only chance you have of avoiding a permanent stain with these colored food items is to act very quickly when the spill occurs.
Many stains containing sugar attract dirt so effectively that if the attracted dirt is similar in color to the carpet, the underlying stain is completely hidden until cleaning. Then, with all the camouflaging dirt removed, the underlying stain becomes obvious and appears to be "new."
Remember, even if you vacuum regularly and spot clean as needed, you will eventually need to have your carpet cleaned. Ideally, your carpet should be professionally cleaned every year to 18 months.

David Hollies is a remodeling industry educator and consultant. He is also the founder of Washington D.C.-based Home Connections, Inc.


Source: http://www.servicemagic.com/article.show.Checklist-Spring-Cleaning.10498.html?oids=8c1c23

Checklist: Spring Cleaning
The joy of emerging from your home after a few cool months can quickly be negated when you see the things in need of repair. This list can help keep your spring cleaning projects in order. And, if you're still feeling overwhelmed, consider calling on professional help in the form of an organizer, maid service or interior decorator.
Indoors
Check the walls and woodwork. Repaint dark woodwork with a brighter color.
Make a list of anything that needs painting or staining.
Have your air conditioner or evaporative cooler serviced and replace all filters.
Have ducts and vents professionally cleaned.
Identify the small things like leaky faucets or loose cabinet doors. Hire a handyman to make all repairs at the same time to avoid multiple visits.
Clean or replace grout or caulk in bathrooms.
Get your carpets professionally cleaned.
If you incurred ice dams on your roof in winter, call a roofing contractor to install new roof vents.
Dust and clean light fixtures and ceiling fans.
An attic or whole house fan might be an appropriate solution for drawing warm air from the lower levels of your home.

Outdoors
Inspect the entire exterior of your house.
On wood siding and trim, look for paint that is lifting or peeling, for splitting wood or areas where the wood grain is separating ("checking") from water getting into the wood.
Hiring a professional painter to waterproof and paint your house now will fill gaps and help your wood siding and trim last longer, saving you money in the long run.
On stucco, if you can rub a chalky residue onto your hand, oxidation of the paint or color coat is reducing the stucco's insulating value.
Sweep off all spider webs and dirt from the exterior window sills and clean the glass.
Remove storm windows or doors, and replace with clean screens.
Power wash, sand and reseal your deck before it is exposed to the heat.
Replace splintered or worn deck boards.
If you are thinking of adding a porch or deck, now is the time to call a professional before the rush of the season causes them to get booked up.
If necessary, make plans now to install a new sprinkler system> or walkway.
Attend to landscaping by spreading mulch around shrubs and flowerbeds for a clean looking yard.
Remove debris that may have settled in gutters during winter.
Ensure that the downspouts are directing water away from the foundation> of your house.
Look at the roof for loose or damaged shingles and contact a roofing contractor for repairs.