When selling hardwoods floors to interested consumers, an all too common issue is long-term maintenance. From refinishing to deep cleaning, hardwood floors carry some unique issues that consumers may be wary of.

First and foremost, try to communicate to the customer that refinishing hardwood floors should be a last resort and to avoid excessive cleaning, as this could hurt the finish. Traditional hardwood floors can be refinished many times in their lifespan, but newer varieties have a thin veneer of finished wood, which could be detrimental after multiple touch-ups.

Another selling point of hardwood floors is that they are one of the few options that can look better with age. Well-worn or lightly distressed flooring has become wildly popular over the last decade, so the occasional nick or scratch could actually wind up adding depth and personality. Instead of a full refurbishing, a simple deep-clean and a coat of finish could be enough for customers wishing to renew the look of their hardwood.

Tips on How to Keep your Carpet Looking New

Although more and more people are putting hardwood floors and tiles in their homes, carpet is still a highly popular flooring material that is available in a wide variety of textures, colors, materials and styles. While many consumers still have carpet in their homes, some consumers are afraid of the maintenance required and the risk of carpet stains.
While carpet can very easily become stained, there are a few things that can be done to prevent heavy wear and tear of your carpet. If your carpet is properly maintained, it will look great for many years.

Tip One: Look for colors and textures that will hide dirt or stains.

If you have young kids, your carpet is going to get stained. It is pretty much guaranteed. If you’re in the market for new carpet and are looking for ways to keep it looking fresh, try to avoid light colors and carpets without any texture. Try finding an off-white shade (beige, creamy-colors, sand and other neutrals) that will hide dirt and stains. Of course, 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 such as juice, crayons or markers and certain food spills.

Tip Two: Try to avoid putting carpet in high traffic areas if possible.

In order to avoid heavy foot traffic and stains, avoid having carpet in high traffic areas. Try not to have carpet installed by door entries, especially by the front door, where many feet (oftentimes with dirt, mud and wet shoes) come and go. Carpet is great for bedrooms, because it is warm and cozy, and not much of your time in spent on the floor.

Tip Three: Look for carpet that is stain resistant

We’ve all heard of those amazing carpets that are stain resistant, and the truth is, they really work. While they may cost you a bit more money up front, it will pay for itself in the long run. Stain resistant carpets are great in living rooms, kid’s rooms and rooms where much of your time is spent. Find a good carpet cleaner and keep it handy for those accidents that are sure to happen.

Tip Four: Vacuum your carpet regularly

The more you vacuum your carpet, the better it will look. Vacuuming your carpet removes dirt and helps reduce the affects of foot traffic. It also helps remove allergens and reduce the dullness of the carpet. Vacuuming your carpet regularly is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your carpet continues to look great year round.

Tip Five: Use area rugs

Somewhere along the way, it was said that you can’t put an area rug on carpet. But why not? Adding an area rug to your carpet will add focal points, create texture and add warmth to the area. To keep the carpet underneath the rug looking nice, be sure to move the rug and vacuum the carpet often.

Tip Six: Have guests remove their shoes

You may feel like this is rude, but turn the tables for a moment. If you were at guest at someone’s home and they asked you to remove your shoes, would it bother you? Odds are, probably not. Having guests remove their shoes at your door will reduce the dirt brought in to your home. To sweeten the deal, keep a nice basket full of cozy slippers or fun flip flops for your guests to replace their shoes with. It will be a nice way of making sure your carpet stays clean.

Tip Seven: Have your carpet professionally cleaned often

No matter what you do, your carpet is going to need to be cleaned at some point. Paying a little extra to have a professional cleaner come in and do the job will extend the lifespan of your carpet. Do a little online research and find a reputable cleaner in your area with good reviews. You can also rent a steam cleaner from a local hardware store and do the job yourself. You’ll appreciate the look of your carpet once the work is done.

FlooringNews.com. Tips on How To Keep Your Carpet Looking New. March 25, 2011.
http://www.flooringnews.com/tips-on-how-to-keep-your-carpet-looking-new/

Here are some general floor-care tips that are handy to know. But if you would like detailed care information, such as how to treat particular stains, go to shawfloors.com. You will find specifics for almost any kind of stain removal or cleaning procedure needed to help keep your floors looking their best.

CARPET AND AREA RUGS
Both carpet and rugs are relatively easy to care for, if you follow these simple but important guidelines:

• Don’t track dirt inside. Use mats at all outside entrances.
• Vacuum often with a good vacuum cleaner.
• Remove spots and spills as soon as possible with R2X Stain & Soil Remover.
• Use a high quality pad because it can extend the life of your carpet.

And these additional steps are crucial for carpet:

• Though it is not needed often, overall cleaning with a professional-grade system should be done regularly.

HARDWOOD AND LAMINATE
Routine maintenance for hardwood and laminate includes the following:

• Blot up spills immediately with a damp cloth. Never allow liquids to remain on the floor.
• Sweep, dust, or vacuum regularly to keep dirt and grit from scratching the finish.
• Use entry mats to collect dirt, sand, grit, and other materials.
• Periodically clean with R2X Cleaner made especially for hard surface floors.
• Do not wash or wet mop the floor with liquid cleaners or water.
• Do not use steel wool, abrasive cleaners, or ammoniated or chlorinated cleaners.
• Do not use a buffing or polishing machine.

You can purchase R2X Cleaner and R2X Stain & Soil Remover from your retailer.

If you want a problem-free installation – - and we all want that!

Here is a checklist of things to do before the installer arrives.

• Make sure you know who’s removing your existing flooring. If you wish, the installer will do it. If not, you should make arrangements to have it removed. To minimize dust, vacuum your old carpet before it’s removed and, after its up, vacuum the floor thoroughly.
• Who’s moving the furniture? Decide in advance if you want to take on the responsibility or if you want the installer to handle it. Either way, be sure to remove all fragile items from the room. Also don’t leave anything such as drapery, pictures, or plants hanging over the installation area.
• Measure door clearances before you have your flooring installed. If the new floor is thicker than your existing floor, door bottoms may rub. Plan in advance to have someone shave or saw the correct amount off the bottom of each door so it does not drag.
• In general, hardwood and laminate should run parallel to windows, in narrow rooms, to the longest wall. Added stability is achieved by installing planks perpendicular to floor joists.
• Paint first. If you are planning to paint, wallpaper, or do any other remodeling in the room, it is best to do it before your carpet is installed. Keep extra paint to touch up any post installation nicks.
• It is also a good idea to check with your retailer directly to find out if there are other actions they recommend before installation.