Top tips to get rid of common carpet stains this Christmas

Ah, Christmas - the most fun and festive of all seasonal events is nearly upon us! But with it comes an influx of visitors to the home with family members and friends bringing food and gifts. It’s a great time, but there’s a much higher chance of your carpet becoming a victim of spilt drinks and mess!

Whether it’s gravy, red wine or mud from dirty boots – don’t panic – here are some easy ways to help you banish all manner of stains and dirt from your carpet in just a few easy steps…

How to get mess out of the carpet 

The most important thing with spills and staining is to act fast. So, the first thing you should do as soon as something has spilt is to dry and dab up the excess as much as possible. Do not rub the stain! Instead, gently dab and blot the moisture away using a slightly damp cloth. Start from the outside, carefully working inwards. Continue this process until you are no longer picking up color or moisture from the spill. 

If you’ve spilt a liquid that will not stain or damage the carpet, such as water, it’s easy to clean up. Just put a tea towel or kitchen roll over the wet area and press firmly to transfer the liquid to the towel. Keep pressing until no more water is picked up, and then leave it to air dry. 

If your spill is likely to stain, there are further steps to take to save your carpet or rug…

Removing red wine or darker liquid stains

There are many different ways to tackle red wine stains, from old wives tales to deliberately spilling white wine on the stain to counteract with it, but here are a few popular methods:

1. The club soda method

The club soda method is a simple one. The idea is to repeatedly soak the stain with club soda and blot until the stain is gone:

- Start as normal blotting up the excess wine.

- Then pour on soda water, and gently dab and blot until dry. 

- Keep repeating this process and pouring on soda water until the stain starts to lift. 

Do not ‘rub in’ the soda water, simply allow it to saturate the stain and dab it up – let the bubbles do the hard work! 

2. The washing up liquid & vinegar method

After blotting up the excess liquid, mix half a teaspoon of washing up liquid with half a teaspoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water. Using a sponge, carefully dab the mixture onto the stain and blot with a clean cloth until dry. Finally, spray with cold water to rinse the area and blot dry again. You can repeat these steps a few times if it’s being stubborn - remember to be gentle!

3. The hydrogen peroxide method

Hydrogen peroxide is a home-cleaning powerhouse, but it should be used with caution – especially if there are kids around. For safety, wear some protective gloves and a mask, and keep everyone away from the area. To produce the solution, mix three parts hydrogen peroxide with one part washing-up liquid and let it sit on the stain for 30mins to an hour. After this time, blot out the mixture before rinsing with cold water and blotting dry.

It’s a good option, but there are other, more environmentally-friendly and safer methods. Hydrogen Peroxide is also technically a bleaching agent, so maybe only use it if you have a white carpet?

4. The salt method 

Salt is naturally drying and absorbs moisture incredibly well through osmosis, so it’s ideal for drawing out unwelcome stains. Blot up the excess liquid as normal for this method, but then fully cover the stain with salt. Don’t rub the salt in, but let it sit within the fibres covering the stain generously for at least half an hour. If you can, leave it on for several hours or overnight to boost the cleaning power. When you’re ready, vacuum up the remaining salt using a pole attachment as you don’t want to rub anything in. You can repeat everything if the stain remains, just leave the salt on a little longer. 

If none of the above methods work or the stain has set in, there’s always carpet shampoos, steam cleaners or local specialists who will have years of experience and well-tested products to help get the job done.

Main takeaway: Be gentle, consistent and don’t panic! Vigorous rubbing will only spread the stain and cause fibre damage, so proceed with care.

Coffee or tea stains

Because tea and coffee stains are majority water, the easiest thing to do is blot up the liquid as quickly as possible. As with other stains, blotting is the way to go and will likely sort the mess. If there is a dark stain left behind, one of the above methods should help.

Mud and dirt stains 

The key difference between mud stains and most others is that the muddy area should be allowed to completely dry before you treat it. Once it is, scrape off as much as you can and then vacuum carefully and thoroughly. Some vacuums have attachments with deep bristles that may help with this. 

If you’ve removed as much dry residue as possible and there is still a dark stain, use one of the methods above. 

Stains from pets 

If you have a four-legged friend, urine stains are a real worry! Luckily, they are fairly easy to remove. Now, before you get started, don’t forget to put on some gloves as you will be dealing with animal waste. Next, make a solution using one part vinegar to one part water and pour the solution on the affected area. With these stains, you can gently agitate the fibres with a soft brush to ensure you get all the mess and smell, then blot the area dry using a clean towel. If the smell remains, repeat the process to completely rinse out the area. 

How to prevent stains and maintain a clean carpet 

The easiest way to avoid stains is prevention! Here are a few steps you can take to protect the carpet from all manner of festive accidents:

• Purchase a stain protection treatment and apply it to your carpet.

• Have doormats at each entrance.

• Ask your guests to remove their shoes.

• Move area rugs into carpeted rooms to catch the spills.

Hopefully, this will help you easily remove all sorts of stains from your carpet this festive season, so you can continue your celebrations without worrying about the drinks, pets or muddy shoes.

Guest Post - How To Bring Charm To Your House Exterior

No matter how your interior looks, the exterior of your house will be the carrier of first impressions. Your experience is the biggest dictator of your house's personality. That is why you need to make the appropriate alterations to your exterior. If you are looking to improve your house exterior and bring some charm and personality, here are some of the best ways.

Add Some Potted Plants

There is nothing that will add more curb appeal and character to your home exterior than adding potted plants. It will provide you with instant curb appeal. You can find many different places you can find plants from a garden centre to a hardware store. But the key is to spice it up and get some amazing decorative planters. Make sure to arrange them so taller plants are in the centre while smaller and medium ones surround the big ones. That way, you will create a focal piece. If you are looking for something bold, you can choose a unique planter that will draw attention to it. 

Hang A Cute Lantern

If you think that your facade is a little flat and boring, then there is no better way to add some dimensions and depth than a cute lantern. Depending on what look you are going for, you can choose a transition gas lantern or a nautical-style one if you are going for a more cottage core style. 

Change Your Front Door

Another great thing that you can do is to change the look of your front door. This way, you can add charm to your home. Moreover, you can buy new doors that are of a different style and colour, or you can take it as a fun DIY and paint the door yourself. Also, opt for a colour that will resemble your style and give it the character that you are looking for. 

Hang Window Boxes

There is nothing more charming than seeing a house that has cute window boxes. Instead of having just plain ones, make sure to choose ones that will suit your home best and give off the look that you are striving for. Another thing to keep in mind is that you should use flowers that will enhance the whole look, instead of choosing plain simple ones. 

Add an Arbor

Not so many people will think about adding an arbour when they lack charm in the exterior department. As it's not that simple to install and plan out, you should look into professional house rendering. So you ensure that it is perfectly done and that you have the most charismatic house in the whole neighbourhood. 

Dress up Your Garage Doors

If you have garage doors that you can see from the street, try to match them to your house architecture style as best as you can. Doing something as simple as matching the door to the rest of your house will make a huge impact. If you want to take it a step further, you can replace the whole door with something that goes well with the rest of the house. 

Choose The Right Roof 

Just like your driveway, if your roof doesn't look right, you will be able to notice it no matter where you are stating. That is why you need to make sure that your roof looks pristine and that matches your house perfectly. Even though your options are not that vast, you can choose a colour and style that will bring more charm to the whole exterior. While you are fixing up your roof, make sure that you are waterproofing your home. So you ensure that it has both charm and no water damage. 

When you are making you're exterior look more charming, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars on it. Doing little things here and there, such as adding decorations and flowers will do just as good of a job as painting the whole facade. But a crucial step, no matter how big or small you go, is that you come out with a layout plan, as well as your budget to execute it perfectly. 

Author bio:

Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, and her ultimate passion is art and architecture. She is also a bibliophile and her favorite book is "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.

Cleaning Up: Signs That It's Time to Have Your Roof Washed

There is both science and engineering that go into the construction of your home’s roof. It is the first defense in protecting property and contents and the most vulnerable to the elements. Despite playing a major role in completing the building envelope, the roof is also one aspect of the home’s construction that tends to get overlooked. There are, though, certain signs you can look for that indicate when it is a good time to have your roof cleaned.

Growth

Moisture is the primary undoing of the structural integrity of your roof. When left to its own devices, moisture promotes the growth of moss, lichen, and black algae. Depending on your roof's material construct, you may find that moss and lichen root into shingles, undermining the protective barrier. Roots create channels for water to penetrate. Over time, leaks can develop, and black algae can thrive leaving unsightly black streaks. This degree of moisture damage can drastically reduce the lifespan of your roof.

Nature’s Debris

Depending on the landscaping around your home, the weather can end up depositing the debris from nature upon your roof. Given the way the roof tends to be taken for granted, debris can collect and rest upon your roof long enough to create an inviting environment for bacterial growth where other organisms can also thrive.

Both wind and rain will deposit debris that can also clog up your gutters, which may also cause roof damage. The gutters must be kept clear to allow the water to be channeled from the roof down and away from the structure. Clogged gutters participate in water damage, rotting fascia boards and soffits, which can lead to roof deck damage.

Talk to a Roofer

Roofing materials have quickly expanded to include new styles, materials, colors and a wide range of attachments from solar panels to media antennae. Some roofs are even used to harvest water.

At any point that you have concerns about the condition of your roof, a roofing contractor who specializes in roof cleaning will know the best method of approach after a thorough assessment of your roof. They can check the pointing and capping, the gutters, flashings, and skylights as well as look for signs of cracked or broken tiles. They will also know the best pressure washing for your particular roof.

Choose the Chemicals to Use on Your Roof

Even ammonia and bleach that one might think are simple solutions for cleaning must be considered for their toxicity. Overuse of certain antibacterials and disinfectants can contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacterial growth. Many of the generally accepted cleaners can present a threat to the nervous system, kidneys, and liver.

Phosphates pose a threat to aquatic life and phthalates can disrupt hormones due to their complex synthetic ingredients. You can see why it is better to leave this cleaning to the professionals, aside from the risk of falling off the roof if you try to do it yourself while the surfaces are wet.

Aside from plant and pet protection, there are valuable and vulnerable areas of your roof that will need to be protected before washing. A soft wash solution may be used to prevent damage to an expensive color membrane, should that be an aspect of your roof's construction. A chemical is applied and allowed to activate with further applications as needed. With the correct chemicals and pressure applied, the qualified roofer will rinse away the mold, algae, dirt, debris, tannins and lichen.

Keep a careful eye on the appearance of your roof so you can count on its continued capability to shield and protect the dwelling below. Be mindful of the fact that while the roof is there protecting you year-round, you must protect your roof by ensuring it receives a proper cleaning whenever it needs it. These small measures are what saves you from the great expense of roof repair or replacement from simple neglect.

How to Clean Up Various Damage in Your Home

Whether your home was flooded by a hurricane or a broken pipe, or there was a fire or collapsed foundation, taking care of your home is always a priority. There are some things within your home that have a sentimental value and need saving, others can be replaced without worry. Nonetheless, making cleanup a priority is a key to salvaging everything you can after disaster strikes. Homes suffer various degrees of destruction every year, you are not alone. Here are ways to clean up various damages in your home.

Remove Debris

Whether it be from wind or a tornado, dirt and grit gets into your home and invade every crack and crevice. This causes worn floors, dusty walls, and can even prematurely wear out electronics. If your home hasn’t withstood any large disaster, take the time to clean up frequently and dust often. If you are dealing with heavier storms, investigate the damage the best you can wear protective gear and take notes of what is or isn’t salvageable.

Find the Mold

Mold is a homeowners' worst nightmares as it can start to grow within 48 hours. Focus on areas where water can get trapped. Whether it be a corner on the floor or ceiling, make sure everything is clean. In the case of flooding, use fans on the wet floor to help dry more quickly, and do your best to even wipe up water with rags or towels to help speed up the process.

Discard Food Items

A pantry is a favorite place for most people, and it’s a favorite place for water and mold too. Check your perishables that are not well sealed, and discard everything that is no longer edible. Unperishable that are on the floor and are protected inside containers need cleaning using one-part water and one-part chlorine. And use a fan if needed. 

Remove Drywall

At times damage to the drywall other porous materials can be extensive. Remove what you are comfortable with and confirm damage to it and any porous material inside the home like baseboards or molding. Inspect behind these materials to ensure there isn’t any other damage lurking. Although it may not have had extensive damage, it will be cost-effective in the long run to replace now while everything else is being worked on. In many cases, it is much more efficient to call in a professional like 1-800-BUSY-DOG to ensure everything is up to code and done in a timely manner.

Inspect Roof

The roof of the home usually takes the brunt of it when natural disasters strike the home. If the roof's sealing was not adequate, check for excess moisture in the attic and around the shingles, focusing energies on potential weak spots such as joints. Repair the locations if the damage is minimal and you are comfortable doing so. However, it may be wise to have everything checked by a professional who deals with these types of things every day. 

Clear structural damage on the outside of the house, such as a tree on the roof with a structural engineer or building inspector. Shut off all electricity into the home entering the house. If you are unsure where to start, call a local professional to get the needed guidance.