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An Area Rug or Oriental Rug is more than a significant furnishing investment . . . As Dude taught us in The Big Lebowski, it can really tie a room together.

In order to ensure the longest possible life out of your Area Rug or Oriental Rug, and to keep them looking their best, you should follow some basic tips we have prepared.

Do:

• Vacuum rugs regularly
• Remove spots and stains immediately
• Stroke the rug fibers with a hairbrush to lift pile
• Hang rugs outside once a month, and shake or beat out dust and dirt using a carpet beater
• Have rugs professionally cleaned once a year

Do Not:

• eat or drink wine and beverages on the rug
• set potted plants on the carpet as they can leak and cause extensive damage to carpet foundation
• wear outdoor shoes on the rug

When choosing a Professional Area Rug or Oriental Rug Cleaner:

Area rugs are the fastest growing segment of the carpet manufacturing market. They are typically made of more delicate fibers, questionable dyes, and woven constructions that can easily be damaged by do-it-yourself procedures or even professionals without adequate training and experience.

Certified professionals are trained to recognize different fibers, constructions and types of rugs, along with their potential problems. They are able to respond with custom cleaning techniques and procedures that minimize problems on area rugs before they arise, while returning them to the clean, sanitary state that enhances the interior decor of any home or office.

Now that summer has unofficially begun, you have more than likely already started your annual outdoor preparations, including lawn maintenance, gardening, and deck care. Decks are an extremely popular and economical means to add living space to your home, making it convenient to enjoy sitting outside both day and night; but how often do you think about the important steps needed to upkeep your special outdoor oasis?

Decks are subject to damaging effects of weather, including: dirt, discoloration, moss, splitting, loose boards, and fading finishes. Homeowners typically know they ought to strip, stain, and seal their wood deck every few years to keep it looking good and safe, but what else needs to be done in order to preserve your favorite summer hangout?

Below, you will find some helpful hints to ensure you maximize the life of your deck:

• At least once a month during usage, completely clear your deck of everything (furniture / plants / etc) and sweep all debris
• Inspect your deck for protruding nails / screws – this is more than just a safety hazard, as loose boards typically follow protruding nails
• At least twice a season, power-wash your deck with a non-chlorine bleach base or oxalic acid to protect from discoloration and eliminate stains
• Re-seal you wood deck once every couple of years! Ensure that you first follow the preceding steps and allow your deck to thoroughly dry –  Next protect plants and anything else in the ‘line of fire with [plastic and tarps. Then apply your sealant . . . Sealant can be brushed on, rolled on with a paint roller, or sprayed on. Spraying is the fastest by far, but this is also the hardest to control –  some sealants have color that will stain surfaces to which they are applied.

If you are having difficulty maintaining your deck on your own or are looking to have a new deck installed, please contact your local home repair and remodeling professionals.

Do you remember when you first moved into your home and it looked as if there was enough room to actually fit your vehicle?

If you are like up to 70% of American homeowners, you use your garage for just about everything except your automobile. Tools, seasonal items, older clothing, sports equipment, a second refrigerator, paint cans, patio furniture, books & magazines, or some of the other STUFF you have accumulated through the years has more than likely taken over! Are you at the point where you need to regain control?

Although the best solution might always be to make the tough decision to get rid of things, below are some ideas of how you can make the most out of your space (if you decide to keep everything), and get better organized:

Reduce the load

There are numerous charities that survive on donations much like your unused belongings. Stop putting off the packing, loading, and transportation of these items to your local charity of choice, whether it is Goodwill, a homeless shelter, or the Boys and Girls Club, among others.

Install Shelving and Racks along each sidewall of your garage and at the front

Be sure to accurately measure the available space with both vehicles in the garage and leave room to open their doors.  In terms of the type of shelving and racks to install, keep your needs and lifestyle in mind; if you have multiple bikes that need storing, consider adding racks on which you can hang them, perhaps an area for your woodworking projects is what you desire, and a built-in work bench makes sense. If you prefer keeping everything behind closed doors, consider cabinets. Sketch out a design based on your needs, and either get to work, or simply tell your professional handyman your wants  and leave the designing and building to them.

Install Ceiling Storage

If you have the clearance above your vehicles, installing shelves that hang from the ceiling further expands your storage space. Consider having a professional handle the job. The last thing you want to have happen is for shelves — and the items they hold — to fall on your car because they were not properly secured to the ceiling

Stay Organized

During the process, be sure to properly label where everything is, and ensure that items are stored based on your usage. You certainly have seasonal items which only require limited use, and these should not be obstructing those possessions which have more frequent usage.

Additionally, you will inevitably have more success with sustaining your new storage organization if you take a few moments on a regular basis to maintain the tidiness. Ten minutes here and there will always be better than allowing clutter to take over once again.

Contact us if you need assistance moving your vehicles back to their home!