Area Rug Cleaning Tips

Posted on by Tim Carter

Everybody spills something on carpeting from time to time. Perhaps it is red wine or cherry Kool-aid on that new off-white plush carpet. Or the dog or cat has an accident. Maybe you walk in with car oil or grease on your shoes. Whatever the stain, you can often remove it if you have a rescue kit handy.

The Rescue Kit

The absolute first thing you need to do is call this number - 800-882-8846 - or visit this website - www.carpet-rug.com right now! You will be contacting the Carpet and Rug Institute. They have - in my opinion - the absolute best literature on how to clean spots from carpets.

Two of their online publications must be kept handy at all times. These two publications are:

  • Residential Customers - Spot Solver
  • Carpet Maintenance Guidelines

These two handy publications list items that cause stains (acid, bleach, catsup, gum, grease, lipstick, oil, paint, rust, urine, etc.) and the appropriate methods and cleaners to use to attack the stains. They tell you the step by step procedure to use in order to minimize damage to the carpet. The Carpet Spot Removal guide is one of the absolute best tools I have ever seen. It must list 300 things that cause stains! You simply locate the cause of the stain in a little window and next to the stain you are told the first, second, and sometimes third steps to take to remove the stain.

Stain Removal Aids

Here are the products you will need to complete your carpet rescue kit:

  • Dry Cleaning Fluid - available at grocery stores
  • Nail Polish Remover (without acetone!)
  • Liquid Dish Soap (No lanolin, No bleach)
  • White Vinegar
  • Ammonia
  • Spot Removal Kit
  • Oxygen Bleach

The first five items on the above list can be purchased at any grocery store. The spot removal kit can be purchased at most high quality carpet stores. Oxygen bleach can be found at some Sherwin Williams paint stores that sell "Cuprinol", home centers that sell Wolman's Deck Brightener, and from ME! I sell it under the brand name Stain Solver. Oxygen bleach is color safe and fabric safe and removes all sorts of carpet stains and odors. Call 513-407-8727 or order at my website.

Related Articles: Area Rugs - Spot a Great One, Area Rug Tips, Area Rug Dealers

Column B256

Area Rug Dealers

Posted on by Tim Carter

Top USA Area Rug Dealers

The following is a partial list of some area rug dealers that were selling high quality products at the time I wrote this bulletin. You can usually identify quality goods by price, fiber type and appearance. Another excellent source of quality area rug dealers is a local interior designer (ID) who is a member of one of the two major ID associations. If an interior designer wants to stay in business for a long time, he/she must consistently recommend high quality products. These individuals know who the top area rug companies are in your town or city. Call and chat with them. Remember that you may be able to negotiate price with some dealers. It never hurts to ask!

Reviewed November 2007

  • Baker Brothers Interiors
    3719 E Bell Road
    Phoenix, AZ 85032
    602-493-5780
  • At Home In The Valley
    16531 Saticay St.
    Van Nuys, CA 91406
    818-780-4663
  • Isberian Rug Co.
    520 E Hyman Ave
    Aspen, CO 81611
    970-925-8062
  • Mussallem Fine Arts Inc.
    5801 Phillips Hwy
    Jacksonville, FL 32216
    904-739-1551
  • Crystal Tree Carpet & Flooring
    1201 US Hwy 1
    North Palm Beach, FL 33408
    561-622-6333
  • Weber Oriental Rugs Inc.
    6157 Central Ave
    St. Petersburg, FL 33710
    727-347-3359
  • Bijar Oriental Rugs Inc.
    761 Miami Cir NE
    Atlanta, GA 30324
    404-351-0013
  • Village Carpets
    1455 W Fullerton Ave
    Chicago, IL 60614
    773-935-8500
  • Rug Cottage
    2566 Hwy 1 SW
    Iowa City, IA 52240
    319-683-2001
  • Suff's Furniture & Oriental
    228 E Main Street
    Georgetown, KY 40324
    502-863-1422
  • Dana Kelly Oriental Rugs Inc.
    870 E High St.
    Lexington, KY 40502
    859-266-9274
  • Khazai Oriental Rug Gallery
    9800 Shelbyville Rd.
    Louisville, KY 40223
    502-327-1499
  • Koko Boodakian & Sons
    1026 Main St.
    Winchester, MA 01890
    781-729-5566
  • Azar's Oriental Rugs
    4265 28th St. SE
    Grand Rapids, MI 49512
    616-957-5666
  • Hagopian Imports Inc.
    14000 W. Eight Mile Rd.
    Oak Park, MI 48237
    248-546-RUGS
  • Gabberts Inc.
    3501 Galleria
    Edina, MN 55435
    952-927-1500
  • Tinnin Oriental Carpets
    2089 Lakeland Dr.
    Jackson, MS 39216
    601-981-5234
  • Avalon Carpet Tile & Flooring
    2209 Dune Dr.
    Avalon, NJ 08202
    609-967-7516

 

 

  • Einstein-Moomjy Inc.
    934 Rt 22
    North Plainfield, NJ 07060
    908-755-6800
  • American Home Furnishings
    901 St. Michaels Dr.
    Santa Fe, NM 87505
    505-988-4502
  • Balian's Carpet
    55 Arterial W.
    Auburn, NY 13021
    315-252-6141
  • A Morjikian Co.
    979 Third Ave #403
    New York, NY 10022
    212-753-8695
  • Warner's Rugs & Carpets
    2205 Sardis Rd. North
    Charlotte, NC 28227
    704-845-1300
  • Miller Residential Interiors
    407 N 4th St.
    Bismarck, ND 58501
    701-222-8601
  • Rug Gallery
    9350 Kenwood Rd.
    Cincinnati, OH 45242
    513-793-9505
  • Haddad Oriental Rugs
    4700 N High St.
    Columbus, OH 43214
    614-267-1177
  • K A Menendian Oriental Rugs
    1090 W 5th Ave.
    Columbus, OH 43212
    614-294-3345
  • Bockrath Flooring & Rugs
    5557 Far Hills Ave.
    Kettering, Ohio 45429
    937-438-0870
  • Oriental Rug Gallery
    5228 Monroe St.
    Toledo, OH 43623
    419-882-7847
  • Moorman's Carpets & Rugs
    3835 NW 63rd St.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73116
    405-848-4888
  • Weisshouse
    5511 Walnut St.
    Pittsburgh, PA 15232
    412-687-1111
  • David Alan Rug Co.
    1009 W 6th St.
    Austin, TX 78703
    512-499-0456
  • Perry Emmet & Co.
    8200 Washington Ave.
    Houston, TX 77007
    713-961-4665
  • Charles Roberts Oriental Carpet
    323 First Ave. S.
    Seattle, WA 98104
    206-621-9580

 

Related Articles: Area Rugs - Spot a Great One, Area Rug Tips, Area Rug Cleaning Tips

Scaffolding Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

There is an alternative for working on ladders if you feel they are unsafe or wobbly. Pipe scaffolding provides a way to work at those heights with stability and a nice flat platform.

Pipe scaffold is a must for carpentry projects or painting your house. Pipe scaffolding can be assembled by one person. Simply start by attaching the diagonal bars between the end pieces. These cross braces lock into place on the scaffolds. The diagonal cross braces keep the scaffolding steady as it goes up in height. Be sure they are locked into place.

You can use 2x12 planks for platforms on the scaffolding. Or tool rental stores will have nice interlocking platforms. There are additional safety features and options available for your pipe scaffolding. They make great, safe and stable platforms.

Pop Rivet Tool Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Some projects, such as working on your aluminum gutters, will require you to connect two pieces of thin metal. An effective method is the use of a pop rivet gun. Most pop rivet tools come with an assortment of pop rivets and some 1/8" drill bits.

To hold the metal pieces while pop riveting them together, use a clamp to hold the pieces in position. Then, an 1/8" diameter hole must be drilled through the pieces. Use your power drill and the drill bits furnished. Place the pop rivet into the pop rivet tool, place the pop rivet head into the drilled hole and squeeze. The pop rivet is similar to a nail with a large head. As you squeeze the pop rivet gun, it pulls the shank of the pop rivet causing the head to mushroom on the back side of the metal.

These are great tools for connecting two pieces of thin metal together. To be politically correct, will they be introducing a mom rivet tool?

Building Construction Cameras Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Home building and home remodeling projects are the number two area of complain to the Better Business Bureau. What happens if during your build or project, things start to go south? You might up with a trip to the attorney's office. You might find out that photographs could save you money. An image on film and negatives is a great picture of what is happening at the job site.

But with most 35MM cameras, you have to wait until the pictures are developed to see if the photos took. By then, it might be too late to take another set of pictures. There are instant film cameras that give you that picture right away. That way you know if you have the photograph you need to make your point. One disadvantage is no negatives. So if you need additional copies, you will have to take multiple pictures.

Look for the film that has a mat finish. This finish will allow you to mark on the picture and make notes.

Remember, digital pictures will not work in this case. Software programs allow you or someone else to modify the picture. You will need prints from negatives or instant cameras. They can't be altered.

House Paint Tips Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

House Paint Tips

To keep the bristles on your paint brush clean while you are painting, dip the paint brush in water before starting, if you are using a latex or water based paint. This will keep the area near the handle moist and keeps the paint from drying out in that area.

Don't make the mistake of opening the paint can and dipping the brush into the can. This will drip paint into the lid groove. The paint will dry down in the groove and the lid will not seal properly. Instead pour some of the paint into an older, clean paint can. Then, clean the top of the paint can so the lid will seal properly. Use a paper towel, folded into a flat swab, and use it to reach down in the groove to remove any paint. This will ensure that the paint can lid will fit properly and the paint in the can won't dry out.

When trimming will another color paint, paint the large section or siding of house first. Don't worry if you get a little paint on the area to be painted that other color. That will actually help you get a better line when you cut in the other color.

These tips will help save your equipment and paint. And help give you that professional look.

Gas Grills Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

It's that time of the year to drag out the grill. Do you still have a grill that uses propane tanks? Think about this - most of the homes in the Greater Cincinnati area have natural gas. If your house has natural gas, why don't you change your grill to a natural gas grill?

Propane grills have a hose that goes from the propane tank to the grill. Gas grills with have a fuel hose also. But this hose will run from the barbecue grill to your house.

You will probably need a professional to run the black iron gas line to the outside of the house. Once the gas pipe is outside the house, a few brass fittings and valves are needed to connect the gas supply to the natural gas grill.

The gas grill orifices will need to be changed to accommodate the use of natural gas. Be sure to check the orifice on your grill before firing it up.

Once connected, you won't run out of fuel in the middle of cooking out again.

Work Clothing Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

There are special socks with material that allow it to wick water quickly away from your feet so they stay dry in cold weather.

Tee shirts are available with a pocket. These t shirts are very handy for holding that pencil or scale on the project. As the weather gets colder, there are t-shirts will long sleeves. These are soft and will wick water away from the body.

Work vests are great to keep your body cavity warm, but allows freedom of movement for your arms. The vests feature pockets inside and out with Velcro flaps or zippers. Again, great for storing or protecting items on the jobsite. The material is extremely tear and rip resistant.

In very cold weather, there are jackets with nice warm fleece linings and are waterproof. The rain will run right off the exterior. You can keep working in the rainy weather.

These clothes are great for your comfort because they are designed and tested by Tradesmen. They will keep you dry, warm and comfortable when the weather is not cooperating.

Pliers Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

Adjustable pliers are the basic type in most everyone's toolbox. They have two positions for the jaws and have teeth on the jaws to grab and hold items. One disadvantage is if your grip slips when holding a nut, the corners could get rounded.

Linesman pliers have a special cutter at the base of the jaws. These are used by electricians to cut through wire or electrical cable.

Channel lock pliers can adjust their jaws in several positions to extend the capacity of what they can hold. The jaws also have teeth to grip that workpiece.

Needle nose pliers have a very long thin jaws. These are great for bending a piece of wire around a screw. Most also have a built-in wire cutter.

Your toolbox must have a selection of these pliers to be complete.

Metal Hole Punch Video

Posted on by Tim Carter

In this project, Tim wants to convert a copper bowl into a bathroom sink. The problem is there is no drain hole in the bowl. To get a perfectly round hole in a piece of metal, you will use a hole punch or knockout punch. Using a series of smaller to larger hole punches is the best way to make a large diameter hole.

First, drill a pilot hole at the center of the desired location. The pilot hole should be just larger than the bolt on your hole punch. Insert the bolt with the one side of the knockout punch through the hole and thread on the cutter side of the hole punch onto the bolt.

Use a wrench on the drawbolt to pull the cutter through the metal. Continue tightening until the cutter breaks through the metal. You can then, just lift the cutter through the hole.

The first hole should be larger then the bolt size on the next knockout punch. Repeat the process with the larger cutter. This will allow you to make the hole in the bottom of the bowl match the size required for your sink drain.