Fall Cleaning Checklist
Fall is here: Time to get your house in shape for the cooler months ahead. Although autumn can be one of the busiest seasons for homeowners preparing for winter, it’s also the best time to take advantage of the moderate weather to repair any damages, get your rugs and carpets cleaned, among other areas of the home, before the first frost sets in.
Click here for ideas that will keep your home running in peak condition all winter long, inside and out:
https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/fall-cleaning-checklist
Heirloom cares for the finest to the most basic rugs from around the world. We will pick-up and bring your rugs back to our special cleaning facility where they will go through our thorough cleaning process for maximum soil and spot removal.
Dye Bleeding – The Effects of Bad Area Rug Cleaning
If you have beautiful area rugs spread throughout your home or workplace, you may have tried DIY area rug cleaning, or you hired someone to clean them only to find that you now have damage to your beautiful rug.
Dye bleeding can happen on many area rugs when they are not cared for correctly. You may find that the dyes bleed into one another, changing the colors, patterns, and overall look of your rugs. This happens when dyes in your rugs are not colorfast. Incorrect area rug cleaning causes these colors to run into one another. Red dyes are the biggest culprit when it comes to not being color-fast, however this bleeding can happen with any color.
Another reason your rugs might bleed is due to the fact that additional color was added to the rug after it was woven, this additional dye will likely run when your rug is cleaned incorrectly, especially if the area rug cleaning is not completed by a professional.
When you call in a cleaning company you expect them to clean your rugs without causing damage. The problem comes when you call a company that does not have the right experience. This is due to the fact that it is important to use the right solution and the right application when it comes to area rug cleaning. A dye test should be performed on your rug to determine which cleaning solution is going to work best for each particular area rug. There are many different ways to clean a rug and using the wrong solution and wrong application can cause excess damage to your area rug.
It is important to consider that saving a few dollars by attempting area rug cleaning on your own may actually cause damage to your rug that cannot be repaired. This may lead you to have to keep a rug that now looks less than perfect, or you may have to buy a brand new area rug.
Area rug cleaning is important to keep your rug in good condition and to prevent a build-up of dirt, allergens, and even toxins. The thing to remember is that your area rug cleaning should be completed by an experienced professional. A professional that has the knowledge and experience to use the right product and the right application to clean your rug without causing damage.
If you are looking for an experienced team to perform your area rug cleaning, Heirloom Oriental Rug Cleaning can help. Contact us today to find out more about our area rug cleaning services.
What Is Abrash And Why Do Oriental Rugs Have It?
Hand knotted rugs possess certain inherent characteristics which aid in their uniqueness. Color variations in the field and or border, known as abrash, are a beautiful example of such a characteristic. The term abrash, from the Arabic word for mottled, is typically used to denote color changes or striations running horizontally across the face of a rug. These color changes will appear within the same color ie., a light blue field may have striations of darker blue. However, abrash can also refer to a more general variation of color throughout a certain field of color causing the area to have a mottled appearance.
Abrash results from variations in the dyeing process. Most commonly, different dye lots may not result in a perfect match, particularly if small dye batches are used. The weaver runs out of one batch and restarts with another which may result in a shade difference. Differences within the same dye lot are also possible. Variations in the yarn density and twist, especially with hand spun yarns, allow for different absorption rates of dyes. In addition, the time spent in the dye bath may also affect absorption rates since the yarns on the outside of the skein will absorb color faster than the yarns on the inside of the skein.
Occasionally abrash may appear more apparent following a professional cleaning. Sometimes the true colors are obscured by soiling, and often the rug owner will very closely inspect the rug noticing slight variations which were pre-existing, but have long been forgotten.
Although some may prefer consistent and precise coloring in their rugs, abrash is often prized as a beautiful characteristic of an oriental or hand knotted rug. Many machine made rugs often incorporate abrash in their designs to enhance their appeal. It is often discussed in the rug community how much of abrash is an “accident” of the dye process or how much is intentional by the weaver. The question only adds to the mystique of oriental rugs.
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Cleaning Tips To Help Save Time
You love a spotless house—but you don’t want to spend the bulk of your time actually cleaning. With time always of the essence, we need to be able to find ways to clean-up more quickly. Luckily, there are shortcuts, tools and methods that will help you efficiently and effectively clean in a shorter amount of time.
Stop Clutter at the Front Door: Mount a plastic or cloth shoe rack inside your front entry closet door, and use it to stash all kinds of living room and family room miscellany—toys, hats, gloves, magazines. You can even designate one of the pockets for mail you do not know whether to save or toss.
Circle Your Way Around The Kitchen: Always begin on the right side of your stove, then move clockwise around the room. The stove is typically the dirtiest part of the kitchen, so ending with it keeps you from spreading dirt and grease. (First, soak drip pans and knobs in warm soapy water. By the time you’ve worked your way around, they’ll be easier to clean.)
Make Pick-up Quicker: Put all items that do not belong in the room in a container. Do not try to pick up each item and place it where it belongs. Even if you don’t get distracted you will waste time running to all ends of the house multiple times.
Sweeping Solutions: Cleaning should always be done top to bottom. That way, any crumbs or dust that fall to the floor while you’re working get picked up last. And believe it or not, there’s a right way to sweep.
Get Swept Away: To sweep, hold the broom like a canoe paddle, with one hand on top of the handle and the other toward the middle. Push your hands in opposite directions to get the most out of every sweeping stroke. Sweep from the outside in so that you don’t miss any spots, and move the dirt to the center of the room, where it will be easy to pick up.
Shower Doors Will Shine: Rubbing a teaspoon of lemon oil on glass shower doors twice a month causes water to bead up and roll off. Or, try Rain-X Original Glass Treatment, a car-care product made to keep rainwater off your windshield. Use it twice a year.
Use Bedtime as Bathroom Clean Time: While the kids are washing up at night, wipe down the tub, toilet and mirrors, and toss out clutter. When they’re finished, quickly wipe down the sink and floor.
Address Your Drawers: Most women have drawers full of clothes they don’t wear, and their dresser tops then become repositories for things they can’t store. Get rid of things you haven’t worn in a year and vow to put away your clean laundry each week.
Conquer Laundry and Stave Off Static: Since fabric softener and dryer sheets can strip towels of their absorbency, add ¼ cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle or throw two (new, clean) tennis balls in your dryer to get rid of static electricity, soften fabrics and eliminate the need for dryer sheets.
Time It: If you actually time how long it takes to do certain chores, you won’t mind doing them as much. Believe it or not, most chores only take 10 minutes.
A Few Benefits of Houseplants
Your rugs and carpets are the biggest filter in your home and just like your air conditioning filter they filter out airborne soils that pass through them. Keeping these objects properly cleaned and maintained is vitally important to your health. What about bringing plants into the home as well, to assist with this filtering process?
When you embellish interior spaces with houseplants, you’re not just adding greenery. These living organisms interact with your body, mind and home in ways that enhance the quality of life.
Breathing Easier
When you breathe, your body takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Adding plants to interior spaces can increase oxygen levels.
At night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans, absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. A few plants – orchids, succulents and epiphytic bromeliads – do just the opposite, taking in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Place these plants in bedrooms to refresh air during the night.
Releasing Water
As part of the photosynthetic and respiratory processes, plants release moisture vapor, which increases humidity of the air around them. Plants release roughly 97 percent of the water they take in. Place several plants together, and you can increase the humidity of a room, which helps keeps respiratory distresses at bay. Studies at the Agricultural University of Norway document that using plants in interior spaces decreases the incidence of dry skin, colds, sore throats and dry coughs.
Setting the Mood
A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology reports that people who have plants in their home have higher mood levels and experience less stress and fatigue. Cheerful moods follow houseplant growers to work, where they have better attitudes toward their work and their coworkers. Interiorscape designers take advantage of the effects of plants on people to make hard surfaces and sharp corners seem softer, resulting in a feeling of comfort and well-being in living spaces with plants.
Plants bring natural beauty to our living spaces. They also help clean the air we breathe by absorbing toxins and acting as little oxygen factories. Plants simply make us feel better!
Heirloom Oriental Rug Cleaning Customer Review
Reviewed on Customer Lobby:
Excellent workmanship – very professional!
This was my first time using Heirloom Oriental Rug Cleaning, and they were very professional and very polite. They came to pick up the rug when they said they would and brought it back when they said they would. They gave detailed explanation of all charges so I could make decisions and they did a beautiful job!
Jane P.
Daytona Beach, FL
06/25/2015
Knowing What Size Rug is Best for Your Seating Area
There are plenty of factors to consider when buying a rug and it can become overwhelming. Knowing how to choose the right rug size for your space is one of the most significant details.
In general people buy rugs that are too small because 5×7 and 6x9s are so much cheaper than 8x10s or 9x12s. However, it is often going to make the whole space look chopped up and accidental looking so in a way you’ve just wasted that money.
Measure the size of your SEATING AREA before shopping and get the closest size up from that. If your budget is tight and your room is small you can have a smaller rug that floats in front of the furniture. (This is especially ok if your sofa is backed up against the wall.)
You don’t need to waste the rug real estate under the sofa if you can’t even see that it’s there. But if your furniture is floating (furniture with legs) or if the room is big, get a larger rug or it will make the room look smaller and totally out of proportion.
One of the principal functions of a rug is to pull the room together. We hope these tips will help with navigating through the various sizes of area rugs for your seating area.
Stay Cool Summer Cleaning Tips
Summer’s here, hot, high and sweaty. Vacations beckon. The garden takes on a life of its own. Busy families don’t have much time for home chores these months. School’s out, travel’s in and it’s easy to let life slide on the home front. Still, summer will run more smoothly if you keep tabs on these important areas in and out of your home, while staying cool!
The Inside Story
Make the season count. Late summer is a slow time for home maintenance and cleaning companies. Look for summer discounts from carpet and rug cleaners, gutter installers, and window washing firms, and get the jump on fall cleaning!
Think ahead to fall’s cold weather. Schedule furnace maintenance now and beat the October rush. You’ll be snug and warm that first cold night–and your HVAC specialist will thank you!
Prepare the medicine chest and first aid kit for summer’s little medical emergencies. In the bathroom, dispose of outdated medication as recommended by local health authorities. Be sure the first aid kit has ample adhesive bandages for scrapes, calamine lotion for insect bites, and hot/cold packs for strains or sprains.
Make an emergency list for babysitters and school kids on vacation. Print an emergency information page to post by each household telephone and/or place it on the fridge. Include phone numbers for the fire department, police, poison control, and ambulance. Don’t forget numbers for parents at work, a family contact, and nearby neighbors. Be sure to write the home address on the list; it will aid rescuers if help is needed.
Tackle patio and sliding door tracks. Summer is open-door season, so be sure your doors open smoothly. Grab a bottle of all-purpose (degreasing) cleaner, a screwdriver and lots of rags. Spray the tracks generously and let sit for a few minutes to soften. Wrap the screwdriver with a rag, and make several careful passes along the track to get out the gunk.
Check washing machine hoses. Replace them if you find cracks or bulges–or if they’re over two years old.
Hold a garage sale. Declutter house and garage to turn cash to trash!
About the House
Pest patrol is important. Inspect yard and garden for carpenter ants or termites. Call an exterminator if you see signs of infestation. Beware of fire ants in the South! If you see telltale mounds, treat with grits or borax. Keep borax away from children.
Keep tabs on decks, siding and trim. Will you need to perform touch-up work before winter? Order paint and be ready for the first cooler days of early autumn.
Control garbage can odor with a can clean-out. Rinse garbage cans with a hose, dump the water, then spray with disinfectant. Let the cans sit for 10 minutes, then rinse again. Turn upside down to dry.
Inspect gutters, and clean out any leafy debris. Summer thunderstorms won’t faze you if your gutters are in good working order.
Make a safety inspection of children’s outdoor play equipment. Tighten loose bolts and cover with plastic protectors.
Home Staging Tips: Do-It-Yourself
If you are intending to put your house on the market this summer or just want a more “put-together” look, here are some tips to help you along with achieving those goals.
Welcome visitors with an inviting porch. Even if you have only a tiny stoop, make it say “welcome home” with a clean doormat, potted plants in bloom and — if you have room — one or two pieces of neat porch furniture. Keep your porch lights on in the evenings, in case potential buyers drive by. Illuminating the front walk with solar lights is a great extra touch, especially if you will be showing the house during the evening.
Get your house sparkling clean. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. This is the easiest (well, maybe not easiest, but certainly the cheapest) way to help your home put its best foot forward. You may want to hire pros to do some of the really tough stuff.
Style your dining room table. The dining room is often a blind spot in decorating the home. Between dinners, a dining room table can look bare and uninviting, so styling it up with visitors in mind can increase the appeal. An oversize arrangement can look too stiff and formal, so try lining up a series of smaller vessels down the center of the table instead.
Take a good look at your floors. At the bare minimum, give all floors a thorough cleaning, along with carpet and rugs. Consider having wood floors refinished if they are in poor shape. If you don’t want to invest in refinishing floors, the strategic placement of area rugs can go a long way.
Beware pet odors. If you have pets, get all carpets/rugs cleaned and be extra vigilant about vacuuming and washing surfaces. Also do not forget to keep any extra-loved pet toys and doggie bones hidden when tours are scheduled.
Rearrange your furniture. In the living room, symmetrical arrangements usually work well. Pull your furniture off the walls and use pairs (of sofas, chairs, lamps) to create an inviting conversation area.
Entice people to explore the whole house. By placing something that draws the eye to the top of the stairs, in hallways or in corners, you can pique curiosity and keep potential buyers interested throughout a whole home tour. A piece of artwork, a painted accent wall, a window seat, a vase of flowers, a hanging light or even a colorful rug can all work to draw the eye.
Benefits of a Professional Rug Cleaning
Some people consider rug cleaning to be a DIY activity. However, there are some things you should consider before attempting to clean your rug yourself:
A professional rug cleaner provides high quality cleaning
Professional rug cleaning goes further than your regular vacuum or home steam cleaner can do. The equipment and tools used will disinfect and clean your rugs, creating a hygienic environment for you and your family.
The rugs in your home can harbor dirt, grime and allergens brought in from outdoors. If someone in your family has any allergies, rug cleaning can help to reduce the amount of allergens in the air.
Professional rug cleaners have training and experience
There are many types of rugs on the market. Some require different cleaning methods from others. Using the wrong technique can damage the rug fiber and in time ruins the rug.
Rugs can be expensive if you have to replace them. A professional rug cleaning can help extend the life of the rug. Dirt, sand and grime over time can permanently damage rug fibers. This damage results in wear and discoloration of the rug.
Professional rug cleaners can help with trouble areas
Pets, children and walking traffic can leave your rugs stained and worn. A professional rug cleaner can help you freshen your rugs, eliminate odors and prevent rugs from matting from use.
The rug cleaner can also assess your rugs use to determine how often you should get your rugs cleaned. Regular cleaning can help eliminate some of these issues and keep your rugs in shape so that they last longer.
Professional rug cleaning frees up your time for other things
Rug cleaning can be a time and energy intensive process. By hiring a qualified company, you can leave it in their hands. This allows you to spend your time doing things you enjoy or to spend time with your family.
Experience The Difference!
The difference between Heirloom & other "rug cleaners" is our specialized equipment that safely & gently cleans your valued treasure.
Our Service Area
We are proud to service Daytona Beach & surrounding areas... more >
- Daytona Beach - De Leon Springs
- DeLand - Deltona
- DeBary - Ellinor Village
- Edgewater - Glencoe
- Holly Hill - Isleboro
- Seville - New Smyrna Beach
- North DeLand - Oak Hill
- Orange City - Ormond Beach
- Pierson - Ormond-by-the-Sea
- Ponce Inlet - Ponce Park
- Port Orange - Samsula
- Lake Helen - South Daytona