When selecting a new carpet for your home or business, there are a lot of considerations to be taken into account. Pattern, texture, thickness and many other factors play a role in the decision, but one stands out more than the rest: color.
Color is the determining factor for most carpet installations in South Amboy, NJ for a few reasons. Obviously, you want the color of your carpet to match your home and furniture. Color is also important, though, when working to conceal the effects of heavy foot traffic and stains.
Most home and business owners cringe at the thought of white carpeting, and for good reason—white carpets are guaranteed to show any and all dirt and stains that accumulate over time. But is white easier to clean stains from? And what color carpet is the best at hiding the most common stains?
Dark or light?
White carpet is easier to remove stains from than dark carpets because you can more easily use chemical agents, like bleach, to lift the stain’s color. Using bleach on a dark carpet will cause discoloration that will stick out.
However, dark-colored carpets are better at concealing stains. Dark brown carpet, in particular, is the best color to have if you need to conceal any number of stains, from red wine to dirt. Be wary when cleaning these stains, though, so you don’t accidentally lighten the carpet and make the areas that are the most frequently soiled suddenly more obvious to guests.
Choosing colors
If you’re looking to install a colored carpet in your home or business, darker versions of the color will hide stains better than lighter versions, especially colors like plum or navy. However, you’ll want to keep in mind that colored carpets can be extremely difficult to maintain, with or without stains, as cleaners can reduce the vibrancy of the color and leave it looking washed-out.
Consider patterns
Solid-colored carpets tend to be popular in most homes and businesses, but that doesn’t mean a patterned carpet won’t look good, too! Patterns can help draw the eye away from dirt or stains, unlike solid colors, and may also help stains blend in if there are multiple colors in the design.
A bold-patterned carpet may be the ideal choice if you expect a lot of foot traffic or heavy staining in a particular area. The intricate designs and multitude of colors can draw the eye away from stains.
A speckled-style carpet may also help conceal stains better than a solid color. Dirt may blend in more easily because of the random pattern of the specks.
Speak with the experts
Before your carpet installation, make sure you consider what type of stains you expect in that particular area of the home or building. Will red wine be a consistent issue, or are you more concerned about mud from outdoors? Once you know what stains you’ll probably need to conceal, you can make a more informed decision.
Additionally, newer rugs come with stain-resistant fibers that make them last longer and look better. Ask your carpet provider about what kinds of rugs and treatments will help you avoid stains, so you can even go with white carpeting if you so desire.
If you’re interested in new carpet installation in South Amboy, NJ, call Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. We offer a variety of carpet services, including installation, stretching and cleaning. We also clean hardwood flooring, tile, grout and much more! Call today for a free estimate.
Cleaning your carpet, rugs and upholstery takes considerable time and care to avoid damage. Improper cleaning techniques—and worse, the use of incorrect chemicals—can lead to irreversible staining or wear. This level of care is even more important when dealing with oriental rugs, which are much more precious and sensitive.
Oriental rugs are typically hand woven from silk, cotton and rayon natural fibers, which makes them different from other types of rugs commonly seen in the average American home today. One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make when attempting oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ is to use certain chemicals on them.
Some chemicals will discolor the beautiful, rich dyes in your rug, while others can damage the natural fibers. Be wary of using these types of chemicals on your oriental rugs
Bleach
Bleach is extremely bad for oriental rugs because it has the power to damage their delicate fibers. Additionally, even though oriental rugs are known to be resistant to fading, they stand no chance against bleach and its discoloring powers.
Many household cleaning supplies contain sneaky amounts of bleach, so be sure to check labels before applying any cleaners on stains, and stay away from those that are bleach-based.
Ammonia
Ammonia is another strong chemical that can damage your rug. This is because it has a high pH that does not bode well for natural fibers like silk, wool or cotton. Although ammonia may be used to treat other kinds of rugs, owners of oriental rugs should steer clear.
Non-neutral detergents
Any detergent or cleaner that is above an 8 or below a 6 on the pH scale is probably not ideal for your oriental rugs. Extremely acidic or extremely basic chemicals will damage the natural fibers in the rug and potentially discolor them.
Instead of choosing cleaners, find a mild detergent that is as close to neutral on the pH scale as possible.
Hot water or steam
Although it is not technically a chemical cleaner, water can be as dangerous to your oriental rugs as bleach or ammonia can. Hot water and steam have the ability to damage the natural fibers in your rug, which is why you should not steam the rug or put it in the washing machine. Cold water is the correct choice when cleaning oriental rugs.
Additionally, water can cause other damage if you don’t dry the rug thoroughly. Water sitting in an oriental rug can cause mildew to form. Use a shop vac to remove excess water after cleaning, or lay the rug outside in the sun to dry completely before putting it back inside your home.
Choose a professional cleaner for the best care
Rather than take a risk on household cleaners or detergents and attempt to clean your oriental rug on your own, trust the professional cleaners at Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. Our team of carpet cleaners is adept at oriental rug cleaning in South Amboy, NJ, so you know your precious rug will be in good hands. Trusting a professional is a safer and more convenient way to get your rug back into pristine condition.
We also offer carpet, upholstery, tile, grout and hardwood cleaning. Call today for a free estimate!
Your pets bring joy to your life each and every day. Though you love your pets, they can be a problem if your home is carpeted. From knocking over drinks to having accidents on the floor, pets can cause a lot of headaches. What are you going to do, though? It’s not like you can just get rid of your cat or dog! Don’t get mad at your pet the next time he has an accident on the floor. Instead, follow these simple cleaning instructions from professional providers of carpet installation and repair in South Amboy, NJ.
First things first, get a white paper towel or cloth and start blotting the urine spot as soon as you see it. You’ll want to keep blotting the stain until it’s as dry as possible. Your goal in doing this is to dry the area without grinding the stain further into the fibers of the carpet. Make sure your paper towel or cloth isn’t colored, as that coloring could bleed onto the carpet.
After the area is dry, mix together a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. Mix enough of the solution so that it can get down into each of the carpet’s fibers. Pour the solution onto the stain and scrub it with a toothbrush. The vinegar should work to neutralize the ammonia in the urine without also discoloring your carpet. Once you’ve sufficiently scrubbed the stain, get out the paper towels and start blotting the area dry again.
Next, get out the baking soda and sprinkle one or two handfuls over the stain. Once you’ve covered the stain with baking soda, mix one half-cup of hydrogen peroxide with a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and pour that on top of the baking soda. Get your toothbrush out again, and once again start scrubbing. This mixture will do wonders to lift the stain while deodorizing it, as well.
Once the stain is dry (and hopefully gone), go over the area with your vacuum. Remember, timing is everything when it comes to stains—especially pet stains! The sooner you’re able to get in and start working on it, the better your chances that the stain will come out. The longer that urine sits untreated on the carpet, the deeper the liquid will soak in, and the worse your carpet might end up looking.
If all else fails, you’ll need to bring in professionals to clean your carpet. Luckily, the pros can remove practically any type of stain, regardless of where it came from or how big it is. And the best part? Our services are affordable for any budget. Give us a call today to learn more about our pricing and services.
At Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center, we specialize in carpet installation and repair in South Amboy, NJ, so you can trust that we’ll be able to get rid of that stain once and for all. We have years of industry experience removing stains and getting carpets back to looking good as new.
Everyone loves a room with comfortable carpeting—a carpeted room just feels warmer and cozier! The only downside to that carpeting is the fact that it’s susceptible to staining, especially if you have kids and pets running around. Thankfully, there are types of carpeting out there that are better at repelling stains than others. Continue reading to learn a little bit more about stain-repelling carpeting.
Stain resistance vs. stain treatment
If you’re shopping for carpet, you’ll likely see carpets that are labeled as being “stain resistant.” This label means that the fiber itself repels the absorption of liquid. Wool and some types of polyester carpets are stain resistant. “Stain treated” carpets, meanwhile, have been sprayed with a substance that makes the fiber resistant to stains. If you’re looking at a stain treated carpet, make sure it offers whole fiber stain resistance, and not just topical treatment. A topical treatment won’t last very long and will leave you poorly protected against stains.
Choose wool
If you don’t mind paying extra for carpeting, choose wool. Wool is naturally stain resistant, so you’ll never have to worry about stain treatment wearing off. Though wool is typically two or three times more expensive than synthetic fibers, it’s guaranteed to last you for years and years. You may never have to replace your wool carpet as long as you maintain it with regular carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ.
Get a spill trap
Can’t afford a wool rug? That’s okay—you can still have a perfectly clean carpet if you lay down a spill trap. A spill trap is a barrier between the carpet and the carpet pad that prevents moisture from reaching the pad. It’s much harder to get odors and stains out of the pad than the carpet itself, so having a spill trap in between the two can go a long way in protecting your carpet from unattractive stains.
Be smart about spills
It’d be nice to say, “Just don’t spill anything on the carpet,” but we all know that’s not a real possibility. Even the most careful people spill things from time to time. When that happens, though, be smart about the spill and clean it up as soon as possible. Even if you have a wool carpet, letting a spill sit for too long will leave a stain. Immediately blot the spill with a white paper towel or cloth until it’s dry. After that, treat the carpet with a carpet cleaning product. Be sure to use the product as directed, as carpet cleaning products can do more harm than good if used incorrectly. If the stain is still there, you may need to bring in the pros for a professional cleaning.
Remember, no carpet can go without being cleaned every six to 12 months. Be sure to give Lov ‘N Kare Carpent Center a call today if it’s been a while since you’ve had professional carpet cleaning in South Amboy, NJ. We guarantee that your carpets will look brand new as soon as we’re done with them!
If your carpet gets a lot of traffic over the course of the day, you might be struggling to keep it clean. Between dirty shoes tracking in mud and spilled drinks from family members and visitors, it might seem impossible to maintain a carpet that looks great. Short of restricting access to your carpeted flooring entirely, you probably can’t prevent stains and spills altogether. However, you can prevent lingering stains that permanently damage your carpet. Follow a few simple steps to keep your carpets looking as fresh as possible for years to come:
Treat your carpet: Invest in a stain-preventing carpet treatment that you can apply yourself. These treatments prevent spills from leaving stains and make it easier for you to clean up carpet messes. If it’s been a long time since you’ve applied carpet treatment, it might be a good idea to apply it again.
Consider carpet runners: If you have pets or small children in your home who tend to track messes over your carpeting, carpet runners can be very helpful to prevent staining. A few strategically placed runners in the highest traffic areas of your space can go a long way. You can even use small rugs in these areas that you can simply run through the washing machine when they get dirty.
Keep up on cleaning: You should vacuum regularly to lift dirt and debris from your carpet flooring in South Amboy, NJ. Leaving this debris in your carpet can lead to staining and permanent damage to your carpet fibers.
Respond to spills quickly: Don’t leave spills unaddressed for any longer than you have to. Respond quickly by blotting the stain with a towel or cloth. You can use diluted vinegar to help lift the stain. Getting to spills before they dry is essential if you want to avoid permanent staining in your carpet.
Get help from a professional: Sometimes, you need a little bit of assistance to keep your carpet looking its best. Regular carpet cleaning service from a professional can make a huge difference when it comes to the appearance of your carpet. Regular cleanings can also boost the longevity of your carpet. The key with carpet maintenance is consistency. As long as you make an effort to prevent stains, respond quickly to spills and have a regular routine when it comes to cleaning, you can keep your carpeting in good shape.
If you want to restore the appearance of your carpet, consider a professional cleaning from Lov ‘N Kare Carpet Center. We’ve specialized in floor cleaning and carpet maintenance since 1948. Over that time, we’ve developed a wealth of experience working with flooring of all kinds to provide customers with the most thorough and dazzling cleaning service possible. We offer comprehensive services, including carpet repair, tile and grout cleaning, rug alterations, carpet re-stretching, furniture cleaning, drapery cleaning and much more. To get started today with a free service estimate, simply reach out to us by phone or online.
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