Carpets are great. They provide warm and comfort to cold, dull rooms. But, how can you tell it’s time to replace your old carpeting and get something new installed?

My Affordable Flooring has been in the flooring business for years. We know when an old carpet needs replacing. Let’s take a look at some of the sure signs your carpet’s way too old.

Your Carpets Are Stained

This is the number one reason you should replace an old carpet. If there are multiple, obvious stains in your carpeting, you should replace it. For one, stains are ugly. Whether it’s the result of an accident or a messy house pet, stains embarrass most people. Even professional cleaning cannot remove tough carpet stains sometimes. We also know that many at-home cleaning supplies can make the problem worse.

If you’re covering up massive carpet stains with furniture or rugs, it’s time to replace the carpets for something fresh. You cannot hide blemishes forever. There comes a time when you need to purge and replace.

The Carpets Are in Poor Condition

Is there excessive degrees of wear and tear on your carpet? If so, it’s about time to replace that old carpet for a new one. Rips and tears in carpets look bad. They also get much worse once you start to notice them. If you notice them early, there may be a chance to preserve the carpet’s lifespan a bit. However, often times once you get a snag in the carpet, it usually just gets worse.

Tears and snags on the stairs of main walkways? If yes, that’s dangerous. You cannot risk the safety of family members and house visitors forever. Eventually, accidents can happen. Someone may get their shoe caught in the snag and trip. If that’s possible in your home, it’s time to get the carpets replaced.

Your Carpets Smell Bad

If your carpet is noticeably smelly, then you need to replace it. Carpet cleaning can help some. However, if you’ve tried carpeting cleaning services and still smell the carpet when you enter the room, replace it ASAP. It could be molding or worse underneath in the carpet pad. Carpets can also be a source of increase allergy symptoms. Older carpets catch and trap allergens more easily, which can cause spikes in allergies.

Contact My Affordable Flooring Today

We offer full-service carpet installation in Milwaukee, Chicago, and all surrounding areas. With access to exclusive, high-volume discounts on high-quality carpeting, we’re sure that we can meet or beat the prices of any of our competitors for comparable premium carpeting.

Call us to learn more about our installation services or visit our floor showroom in Kenosha to see a sales consultant in person.

You’ve gained a new canine friend, congratulations! Now comes the part where you learn how to take care of him. And more than that, you’ve got to learn how to take care of your house now that a dog has joined the family.

Whether they live outside most of the time or not, dogs can leave messes wherever they go. Dog hair alone can make your carpets messier.

Carpet cleaning with a dog in the home doesn’t have to be a hassle, though. To help you adjust quicker, here are three tips for new dog owners.

1. Use Masking Tape

Masking tape is great for all sorts of crafts, but did you know it’s great for cleaning, too? Depending on the type of dog you own, you may end up with lots of hair on your carpet. Large amounts of carpet can clog your vacuum like nothing else.

To save your vacuum the extra strain, go over your carpeting with masking tape first. All you’ll need is a paint roller and a lot of tape.

Wrap the tape around the roller with the sticky side facing out. Then roll your new tool all over the carpet to pick up hair before you vacuum! If you’ve ever used a lint roller for clothing, this works essentially the same way.

2. Clean Stains Quickly

If you’ve purchased a puppy, there’s a good chance he’ll have some accidents. Before your dog is potty trained, be prepared to clean urine from your carpet.

Urine left too long can permanently change the color of your carpet, so act as quickly as you can. First, absorb as much moisture as you can. Once you’ve done that, use a solution to help clean your carpet. This can be a urine remover purchased from your local store or you can use soap and water.

To use the soap and water method, mix 1/4 teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid with one cup of tepid water. Apply to the affected area, then dry with a clean towel and rinse with tepid water. You may need to go through this process more than once.

3. Scoop Up Solids

There’s more to picking up solids than you may think. Don’t just use a paper towel or rag to pick them up. When using that method you apply a squeezing motion, which may force the substance into the carpet.

Instead, use something solid, like a putty knife or other dull knife. Scrape the solid into a dustpan or onto something else, then lift it from the carpet.

To clean stains where solids were left, try using an oxygenated bio-enzymatic cleaner. It will take time for the cleaner to do its job, but it will help remove the stain.

Try These Tips for New Dog Owners

Having a dog is tons of fun, but it’s important to know how to clean up after them properly. When bringing a new dog home, your carpets are one part of your house that will take the biggest beating. Luckily, there doesn’t have to be any lasting stains or damage.

These carpet cleaning tips for new dog owners will help you keep your carpets in tip-top shape. Keep them in mind when bringing Fido home. You’ll be happy that you did!

Followed these carpet cleaning tips for new dog owners but your carpets still need a good, deep clean? Contact us for a free estimate! We offer professional carpet cleaning in Milwaukee, Racine, and northern Illinois.

Decorating the interior of a home is exciting because there are so many creative decisions you get to make.

And flooring is one of the biggest interior design decisions you can make because it fills every inch of the home. On the surface, choosing flooring may seem simple and straightforward, but there’s actually a lot of designs to choose from. And, personality can show in a person’s home depending on how they choose to design it.

When you pick carpeting for rooms in your home, there are several factors to consider. Here is your guide to different types of carpet so you can make the best decision for your home.

Types of Carpet Designs

Although there are lots of different carpets you can choose from, there are really only two main categories of carpets: loop pile and cut pile. Each of these two categories has a few different carpet styles to consider.

Loop Pile Carpet

Loop pile carpet is defined by having the ends of the carpet in little loops. This type of carpeting is more durable and easier to clean if you spill something on it. However, it is also less soft and doesn’t give as much cushion as cut pile carpeting.

You can choose from two types of loop pile carpeting: level loop and multi-level loop.

• Level loop means that each loop end of the carpet is at an even level. This style works best in high-traffic areas of your home because it is the most durable.
• Multi-level loop carpet has loops that are not uniform. Some loops are higher than others, giving it a more textured pattern.

Although they don’t provide as much comfort, loop pile carpets are great for high-traffic areas in your home because they last much longer and require less carpet cleaning.

Cut Pile Carpet

Cut pile carpet means the ends of the carpet have been cut, so there is no loop at the top. This style of carpet lacks the durability of loop pile carpet, but it is much softer and provides more cushion.

There are several types of cut pile carpet, including plush, textured, saxony, frieze, and cable.

• Plush carpet has a smooth and even texture that can give any room a more formal appearance.
• Textured carpet has an uneven surface length, giving it a more rough-textured look than plush carpeting.
• Saxony is similar to plush, but the carpet fibers are longer and twisted to give it more body than other carpet types. The main downside with this carpet style is that footprints tend to linger for a while.
• Frieze carpet, also known as shag, has much longer fibers than the other carpet types. This style isn’t best in high-traffic areas because it is the least durable and becomes dirty very easily.
• Cable carpet has long, thick fibers making it more durable than other long fiber carpets. This style of carpet is not only durable but very comfortable as well.

For More Information

Choosing the right carpeting for your home is an important first step in interior design. You can opt for durability, comfort, or a little bit of both when deciding on a carpet.

If still not sure which type of carpeting is best for you, feel free to call us for help. We’re experts on the different styles of carpeting from which homeowners have to choose. So, please feel free to contact us for advice or an estimate.

Carpeting starting to show its age? Over time your carpets can start to look stained, discolored, and just plain dull. Whether you have just installed new carpeting or are looking for ways to jazz up your existing carpets, there are some easy ways to do it.

Here are some helpful tips on how to make carpet look new, and how to keep your new carpeting looking new for years to come.

How to Make Carpet Look New

Proper maintenance for your carpets will keep them looking like new for many years, and keep them looking fresh and clean.

1. Professional Cleaning

Get your carpeting cleaned by professionals. This will really help get the deep dirt out. Plus, it will remove stains, pet hair, and pet and other odors. Professional carpet cleaners use a deep cleaning or steam cleaning method that gets down deep into the carpet.

Professional cleaning is recommended for all synthetic carpets because the dirt gets embedded down in the carpet. It’s great for odors, ground-in food particles, and other dirt and debris that gets tracked in.

This will also remove fleas, mites, and any other type of insect that make be making itself at home.

2. DIY Carpet Cleaner

These are perfect for keeping the professional cleaning you get up to date. The in-between steam cleanings keep the carpets fresh and clean, and they extend the results from the professional clean.

You can rent or buy the carpet cleaners, and depending on how much traffic your carpet gets, you can decide on whether owning your own is worth it. If you have kids, pets or entertain regularly, then you may want to buy one.

3. Treat Stains When They Happen

Spilled food or drinks, pet accidents, mud, and other accidents can permanently stain the carpet. You need to act fast to get it cleaned. And if it’s food or a pet mess, you need to get it up without digging it into the carpet further.

Use a stain remover, either one from the store or one you make yourself, and let it soak into the stain. Then, dab at the stain to absorb it into your cloth. Never rub at it.

If it is candle wax, simply place a tea towel or other cotton cloth over the top of it and run over it with a warm iron. The heat will draw the wax out of the carpet and into the cloth.

4. Start with a Little Prevention

There are things you can do to preserve your carpeting, such as:

• With new carpet or once your carpet has been professionally cleaned, you can have it treated to help stop stains from soaking in.
• For the heavy traffic areas, you can put down runners or throw carpets.
• You can refrain from eating and drinking over the carpet.

5. Rotate Your Furniture

Try moving your furniture around regularly to prevent discoloration and dirt build up. Keep drapes closed against the direct sun, and use coasters under the feet of the furniture to stop further damage.

Clean for Life

Taking care of your carpets not only makes them look better, but it’s just healthier for babies, toddlers, and pets alike.

If you need more information on how to make carpet look new, please contact us. We offer professional carpeting cleaning in Milwaukee, Racine, and northern Illinois.

With so many choices in color, style and thickness, properly maintained carpet can be a great choice for homeowners. Installing it on your own can be challenging, however. So, before you take the leap, here are a few important details on carpet installation and maintenance.

Carpet Installation Pre-Laying Checks

Before considering a carpeted floor, you have to see if your floor and your home are indeed suitable for it.

First of all, your carpet installation contractor should verify that your floor is suitable for the carpet product you have chosen. This pre-laying check should include quality tests on color, texture, and thickness.

There are several other considerations as well, such as:

• Direction
• Pattern
• Cut
• And, if your carpet comes in “tiles,” your contractor will have to decide on specific tile patterns on the carpet’s layout according to your house’s floor plan.

Installing Your Carpeting

Before installing the carpet, you should also test the subfloor for moisture. Excessive moisture will prevent adhesives from sticking to the floor, which can cause wrinkling and other carpet problems. Humidity should stay between 30% and 75% during installation and for two days after.

After the carpet has been laid down, you need to maintain the temperature of all rooms between to allow the adhesive to become fully fixed. Heat and cold should not deviate from normal room temperatures for at least 48 hours after the installation.

Proper Carpet Cleaning

Carpet care has evolved into a whole science, but the basics remain the same. You need to keep your carpet clean to prolong its lifespan.

There are several methods to clean your carpet. These include:

Hot Water Extraction

Also known as steam cleaning, this method involves shooting hot water with a cleaning agent into the carpet. The solution is then sucked out with a powerful vacuum, which removes dirt and debris from the carpeting. The hot water also destroys bacteria and allergens.

Dry Vacuum Cleaning

The most conventional method, dry vacuum cleaning is precisely that. It’s perhaps the only method you can do by yourself without the help of a professional, but it does not allow for a deep clean that removes allergen and all dirt.

If you have pets or are concerned about getting “deep down” clean, consider hiring a professional.

Long-Term Carpet Maintenance

In addition to keeping your carpet clean, you should also take into account a few other considerations, such as:

• You should ventilate your rooms adequately and avoid moisture on your carpets. A wet carpet can develop bacteria and mold, which are notoriously hard to remove and pose a health risk.
• Mold can spread from your carpet to other areas of your house, including the subfloor, potentially causing costly damage.
• You’ll want to avoid leaving heavy furniture on the same spot on your carpet for long periods of time. This can cause the carpet’s integrity to deteriorate, so move your furniture just a few centimeters every now and then.

A Flooring Expert You Can Trust

If you’re ready for new carpeting but aren’t confident in your ability to install it properly yourself, give us a call. When it comes to ornate hardwood floors or full-service carpet installation in Milwaukee, Chicago, and all surrounding areas, you just can’t go wrong with My Affordable Flooring.

With more than two decades of activity, we’ve installed some of the Milwaukee area’s most beautiful floors. Contact us today to get started on installing your new carpet flooring.