Tips on How to Keep your Carpet Looking its Best

Although hardwood floors and tiles are becoming more and more popular to put in homes, carpet is still a very popular flooring material that is available in a wide variety of textures, colors, and materials.  While many consumers still have carpet in their homes, some consumers are afraid of the risk of carpet stains and the maintenance required to keep them looking new.

If you have carpet in your home, it will eventually get stained, especially if children are running around.  There are, however; a few things that can be done to prevent wear and tear on your carpet.  Properly maintaining your carpet can keep it looking great for many years.

Tip One:  Look for colors and textures that will hide dirt or stains
If you are in the market for new carpet, you must first accept the fact that things will get spilled and stains will be made.  The trick is to try and hide these stains.  Try to avoid light colors and carpets without any texture.  Try finding an off-white shade (beige, sand, and other creamy-colors).  Obviously, the darker the color, the better it will hide most stains.  Berber carpets and other textured materials also do a great job of hiding common stains.

Tip Two:  Look for carpet that is stain resistant
Carpet that is stain resistant? Yes, it's true, there are stain resistant carpets and they actually work.  They are a bit higher in cost, but the time and labor it will save you in the long run might just be worth the extra dollars.  Find a good carpet cleaner and keep it handy for those inevitable accidents.

Tip Three:  Try to avoid putting carpet in high traffic areas, and have guests remove their shoes
Try to avoid putting carpet by door entries, especially by the front door, where many feet come and go. Carpet is great for bedrooms, because it is warm and cozy, and not much of your time is spent on the floor.  Also having guest remove shoes will reduce the dirt brought into your home.  You might feel rude asking guests to do this, but it's a simple way to keep your carpets looking clean.  Odds are, you've been asked to remove your shoes at least once before when you were a guest at someone's home.

Tip Four:  Use area rugs
Area rugs are usually used to cover hardwood floors, but why can't they be used on carpet too?  Adding an area rug to your carpet will add focal points and warmth to the area.  When vacuuming, be sure to vacuum the carpet under the rug as well.

Tip Five:  Vacuum your carpet regularly and have it professionally cleaned often
The more you vacuum your carpet, the better it will look.  Vacuuming your carpet, not only removes dirt, but also removes allergens and reduces the dullness.  Vacuuming regularly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your carpet maintains its great condition year round.  When it comes to having your carpet professionally cleaned, shelling out the extra bucks will extend the lifespan of your carpet.  You can also rent a steam cleaner from your local hardware store and do the job yourself.

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Get Rid of Allergens in Your Home

Every year when the flowers bloom, the trees come back to life, and everyone begins to rid their homes of dust, a large portion of our population begins their battle with allergies. Allergens can come from many different types of particles in our environment, but they wreak havoc on our bodies all the same.

If you are a person who suffers from allergies, your home may not even be a safe haven for you, depending on the type of flooring that you have. Carpet has the ability to hold on to particles that cause allergens because they get trapped in the fabric and cannot be lifted by normal vacuuming habits. Pollen, hair, dust, and other particles can bother you all year long if they are a mainstay within your flooring.

To make your home a true escape from outdoor allergens, laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, and ceramic flooring give your sinuses the break you’ve been waiting for. All of these flooring options are much easier to clean than carpet, and they don’t give allergens a place to hide underneath your feet. Hardwood flooring can add elegance to any room, ceramic flooring is great for rooms where a lot of water is used, and laminate flooring is inexpensive and comes in a variety of styles to match your every desire.

Don't give allergens the ability to bother you in your own space. If you are suffering indoors, it’s time to call Stoneridge Flooring Design and discuss your many flooring options that bring you peace in your home. We will find the best flooring to fit your needs and your budget, all while providing top-notch customer service.

Floors, Floors, and More Floors

When deciding on new flooring for your home, you will find as many options as there are flooring stores. If you have decided to upgrade your floor, you are probably looking into wood, tile, laminate, or carpet. Here are a few pros and cons of each to help you find your perfect floor match.

Wood flooring has been around for many years, and countless homes have wood flooring. It adds to the warmth, charm, and value of the property. Wood flooring also lasts longer than other flooring options and can be restained several times to change the look of your floors. However, wood floors are more expensive than other options and can fade in direct sunlight.

Ceramic tiles are a great choice for rooms where water is used often (like bathrooms and kitchens) because tile is not porous and will not take in water like other flooring options. It is also very easy to maintain and makes easy cleaning for high traffic areas like entryways. The downside of ceramic tile is that it has the added work of grout, which has to be periodically resealed, and it tends to be very cold to walk on.

Laminate floors are decorative images printed over fibrous material and make your floor look expensive without the added costs. Laminate floors come in a variety floor designs, and are very easy to clean. Laminate flooring is a great option for large dog owners because it has the look of wood flooring without being susceptible to heavy scratching from pet nails like hard wood. Laminate is also virtually stain-proof and fade-proof as well. However, laminate can be easily warped from water damage and cannot be restained like real wood floors for a different look from time to time.

Carpet covers almost 70% of all flooring in the United States, and it is no wonder when you think about the warmth and softness it adds to any home. Carpet is less expensive than most flooring, comes in a variety of colors and textures, and is very comfortable on your feet when walking around. The downsides of carpet are that it absorbs moisture and can be stained and it usually takes professional installation. However, there are high quality carpets available (like Mohawk) that have built in stain and soil resistants to keep your carpet looking new year after year.

Each type of flooring has its fair share of ups and downs. We hope this information is helpful. When you are ready for new flooring, call Stoneridge Flooring Design and we will help you find the best fit for your needs. We have unlimited flooring options and expert customer service that cannot be beat.