Keeping the carpet clean
- Source: http://www.essortment.com/home/keepingcarpetc_spcz.htm
For those of us with carpets in our homes, it’s an ongoing struggle to keep them looking clean. Not only does it make a room look bad to have a dirty carpet, but if not properly maintained, a dirty carpet can present a multitude of health problems, especially for those with asthma or allergies.
Keeping a carpet clean is a much nicer option than ripping out a dirty carpet and replacing it every couple of years. In fact, a little preventative maintenance will do wonders for the life expectancy of your wall to wall. It’s not difficult to do, and if practiced regularly, will soon be part of your regular cleaning routine. Keep in mind that family members are going to have to cooperate with your carpet maintenance program, but most are happy to comply.
If you want to keep outside dirt from being tracked in on the carpet, leave all shoes and boots at the front door. Not wearing shoes in the house will protect all floor surfaces from dirt and grit tracked in from the out of doors. It will also prevent dirt from being ground into the carpet.
To keep crumbs off the carpet and avoid spilling, you might want to enforce a “no food or drink in carpeted rooms” rule. If this isn’t to be, you might want to explore some other options.
1. Vacuum regularly. It’s best to vacuum every day or every other day, but for today’s busy homemaker, this isn’t always possible. Instead, try for once a week. This should be enough to remove all accumulated dirt, dust and food particles. Be sure to properly maintain your vacuum as well and replace the bag often. A full vacuum bag means not enough suction, which also means a carpet that stays dirty.
2. Freshen once a month. Sprinkle carpet deodorizer or baking soda on the carpet once a month before you vacuum to keep the rug from accumulating an odor. Leave the deodorizing powder on your carpet for at least thirty minutes before vacuuming. When the carpet is vacuumed clean, the whole room will smell fresh!
3. Clean stains immediately. If an accident happens, react right away. Don’t wait until later. Put a marker in your book and pause the movie if you need to, but don’t give that stain a chance to spread or further embed itself into the fibers of your carpet. Blot any spills immediately and use vinegar, dishwashing liquid or club soda for more stubborn stains. For a really wet stain, cover with a thick towel and weigh down with a book or other heavy object. This will prevent “wicking” and keep the stain from reappearing.
4. Steam cleans every six months. Most supermarkets and home improvement centers will allow you to rent steam cleaners. By steaming your carpet every six months or so, you’ll be ensuring it always looks its best.
Many people still like to call in a professional carpet cleaner once a year to maintain the integrity of their carpets. If you don’t mind the expense, by all means do so. Otherwise, the above mentioned tips should keep your carpet looking fresh and new for years to come. A few minutes of cleaning every week will mean a healthy looking carpet for years to come. Isn’t that worth the extra work?
19.Source: http://www.essortment.com/home/removingmakeup_spca.htm
Removing make-up stains from clothes
No matter how careful we are accidents happen. Mishaps involving clothing are the worst; no woman likes to be a walking advertisement for her clumsiness. Even more important, no one wants to throw away clothes marred by stains and splatters. Every woman has had to contend with makeup stains on clothing because let’s face it, it’s easy to smear lipstick on a favorite blouse. These stains are not so easy, however, to remove. Don’t let your clothes fall victim to faulty makeup applications. Below are tips to prevent, as well as remove, stains due to makeup mishaps.
If you’re wearing makeup, it’s best if you apply it after you get dressed, especially if you’ll be pulling a shirt or blouse over your head which can cause the makeup to smear. Once you’re dressed, you might want to protect your clothing with a towel or cloth for worry-free primping.
If you smear or spatter makeup on your clothes, don’t panic. The worst thing you could do is grab a cloth and begin furiously rubbing at the stains as doing this will only make matters worse. Take your time and identify the product. Is it an oily type of makeup, such as lipstick or eyeliner? Or is it a non-oily powder, such as blush or eye shadow?
If the stain is caused by lipstick or another oily type makeup, first try using makeup remover specifically formulated for this type of stain. Be sure to check the label, you want to make sure it won’t cause further damage to your garment. If you’re unsure, test the product in a hidden area of your clothing to make sure there will be no stains or discoloration. Chances are, however, if you’re applying it to your face, it’s safe for your clothes.
If you happen to be in the possession of some baby wipes, you’re in luck. These are great, not only for lipstick, but for all makeup stain removal! In fact, it’s safe to say no woman should leave the house without a small packet of these in her purse. Gently blotting the stain with the wipe should remove all traces. If baby wipes and makeup remover isn’t an option, use a non-gel toothpaste to lift the oily stain.
For powdered makeup, first try the baby wipe method. If this isn’t an option, a mild detergent, such as dish soap or shampoo should get the stain out. Apply the soap and blot gently with a clean cloth or sponge until the stain is removed. Blot again with a slightly damp clean cloth to remove the soap.
There are also many stain removal products on the market. All of these should take the stain out of your clothing with little effort. Most require laundering your garment afterwards, however, so this is not a good option if you’d still like to wear that item of clothing throughout the day or night. Unless the product label indicates otherwise, apply the stain remover directly to the garment and let sit for a while before laundering. If needed, use a toothbrush and gently rub in circular motions until most of the stain is removed. Once an item is laundered, don’t throw it in the dryer or use an iron until the entire stain has been removed. Heat will only lock in a stain, rendering your garment useless.
Also on the market are stain removal wipes. These handy packets can be tossed into a purse or briefcase until needed. In most cases, blotting with a stain removal wipe will remove all traces of makeup. Read the label before purchasing, however. If you’re going to be carrying stain removing towels, make sure it removes makeup stains in addition to other types of stains.
Makeup removal doesn’t have to mean the end of a garment. It’s easy to remove; all you need is a little patience and know-how.
Commercial Cleaning
