5 Good Reasons to Replace Your Shower Head

When was the last time you took a shower? If you’re anything like the majority of people in the UK, jumping in the shower before work each morning is something you do without really thinking about it. Most of us have a daily shower, and we don’t spend much time thinking about how efficiently it’s working. If your shower has slowed to a trickle or is temperamental in other ways, it’s easy to think that the only option is to rip out the whole unit and replace it. Often though, issues with the shower can be resolved by changing just the shower head, and there are lots of benefits to be gained from making the switch.

1. Save Water

Yes, showers are more economical than baths, but modern power showers can used just as much water as the average bath, especially if you’re one of those people who likes to shower for 10 minutes or more. Water saving shower heads work by mixing the flow of water with air, giving the feeling of a power shower but using a lot less water. Eco shower heads can cost you as little as £25, and although savings will depend on how often you shower, it’s an investment worth making.

2. Tackle Limescale

If you live in an area with hard water, limescale can build up over time and can clog up the nozzles of your shower head. If the damage is not too severe, you could tackle the limescale by unscrewing the shower head and soaking it in white vinegar overnight. If the shower head is too far gone for that, replacing it can hugely improve the performance of your shower. Look for special “limescale resistant” shower heads which have plastic or rubber rather than metal nozzles. Clean them regularly to stop limescale from building up again.

3. Quick and Simple Job

Modern showers may differ in appearance, but most are made to conform to the same sizes and standards. That means that in most cases, when you want to replace a shower head all you have to do is unscrew the old one and screw the new one into its place. An older or more usual shower might prove more complicated, but replacing a shower head is never going to be a major plumbing job. With plenty of guide videos on sites like YouTube and “how to” factsheets on manufacturer and retailer websites, there is lots of assistance out there to help you complete the job with the minimum of fuss. 

4. Improve the flow

A sudden deterioration in the performance of a shower is something you will notice, but usually the shower head starts to get blocked or clogged over time and it’s only when we’ve stayed in a hotel or at a friend’s with a particularly efficient shower that we realise just how poor our shower has become. Swapping over your shower head for a new one can dramatically improve the feeling of power from your shower. Shop carefully to make sure you get a shower head which is appropriate for the rate of flow from your hot water tap; there is lots of information online to help you work out which product is most appropriate for your needs.

5. Improve the Prospects of Selling Your Home

Most buyers look for a shower when they are buying a new home and replacing the shower head and putting up a new shower screen rather than a tired curtain is going to make your bathroom look far more appealing. This is considerably cheaper than investing in a whole new shower, but should have the same effect. It also gives a prospective buyer an indication that you have taken care of your home and undertaken maintenance, rather than neglecting the bathroom and not doing basic DIY jobs. Make sure that buyers know that a shower head is new when you’re showing them around too.

Since writing this article we have been fortunate enough to be able to test a few shower heads on the market and there are two which we can recommend. First up is the Mira Eco Three Spray Showerhead - Chrome 2.1605.112available from Amazon . Your plumbing system will need to be a minimum of 0.5 bar pressure but if you can tick that box then this could be the perfect shower head for your home. It's incredibly easy to fit and Mira report that you can save up to 75% water. All you need to do is choose your ideal spray from the 3 available options and away you go.

The second is a lot more expensive that the Mira one we mentioned but it seriously provides an intense showering experience as well as saving you water. The Hansgrohe Raindance Select E hand shower with push button selector 26520000. A minimum operating pressure of 1 bar is required to get the optimum performance from this shower head, so would only be suitable for a high pressure system.

Our personal choice would be the Mira 

13 Must-Know Mould Busting Tricks

Mould or mold? However you spell it it’s undoubtedly one of the most irritating things that can happen in your bathroom. If left untreated it can spread like wildfire and you’ll end up with a major problem on your hands, so getting rid of it should be a priority when it comes to bathroom care.

We recently covered how to first prevent mould and how to tackle it if you’ve already got it. We are, however, aware that there are many more methods to tackling a bathrooms worst nightmare, so Ant decided to use the ease of the DIY lovers website Hometalk to create a board featuring 13 different methods (including our own!) to eliminating mould.

Click the image above to see all the methods; including 10 natural solutions to making mould vanish, a method that employs cotton to tackle the problem and how you can get rid of mould that’s plaguing your bathroom ceiling.

Black Mould: How to Get Rid of it and Prevent it

Black mould or mildew in the bathroom isn’t just unsightly, it can be a real health hazard too. High levels of mould in the bathroom can cause a range of health problems as they produce a toxin which we breathe in every time we go into the room. In some people these problems can be mild allergy type symptoms, but in other people or when there are high levels of mould and mildew, the spores can cause permanent lung damage. Many households are involved in an ongoing battle against the mould and mildew, but there are a few things you can do to get rid of the mould, and to stop it coming back.

Getting Rid of It

Black mould is obviously not pleasant and whatever method you choose to try to get rid of it, it is important to protect yourself by using a face mask to prevent breathing in the spores. You're going to have to get out the big guns to get rid of the mould and mildew as using soap and water just isn’t going to be effective enough. You can look on the supermarket shelves for specialist mould and mildew removing products and follow the instructions on the bottle, or use stronger chemicals like ammonia or hydrogen peroxide. These chemicals are strong and can burn, so make sure you use rubber gloves, open the window for ventilation, and keep the kids and pets clear as you work. Pay special attention to the corners of the room or the grout between the tiles.

Baking soda mixed with vinegar does wonders when tackling bathroom mould!

There’s another method you can use without having to go out and spend money on chemical packed products. Simply mix baking soda with vinegar to create a thick paste. Use a toothbrush to dip into the paste and scrub the affected areas. For more stubborn areas, leave for 15 minutes before scrubbing off with warm water. If any sealant, such as around the bath, is badly stained then you’ll have to peel it off and replace as no amount of scrubbing or bleach will completely remove it.

If you have mould and mildew on your shower curtain, wash it on a hot cycle with some added bleach. If the mildew is hard to remove, swap your soft fabric shower curtain for a stiffer plastic one which is both less welcoming to the mould and easier to keep clean.

Ventilation

Once you’ve done the hard work of getting rid of the black mould, the last thing you want is for it to come back a few weeks later. Mould prefers to grow in warm and damp atmosphere, so getting air flowing through the bathroom is going to hinder its growth. Keep the bathroom window open whenever you can, especially when you are having a bath or a shower, and if you don't have a bathroom window or can’t leave it open for security reasons, the other option is to invest in a powerful extractor fan which will help the air to circulate. Leave the fan on for 5 or 10 minutes after you have finished in the shower, or get a fan fitted with a timer which switches on and off automatically with the light switch. There are even models that only operate when they sense moisture in the way, so you can leave it to suck all the moisture out of the bathroom before it switches itself off.

If you're getting a lot of condensation in your bathroom then it's a good bet that mould will eventually follow. As such it's worth having a read of this guide on avoiding bathroom condensation.

Mould Resistant Paint

Although it’s tempting, don't try to get rid of the black mould in the bathroom by just painting it over. It might look not too bad for a week or two, but the mould will eventually be back. However, once you’ve removed the mould and your walls are clear, you can then treat it with special mould resistant paint which will prevent the mould from starting to grow again. The downside is that the paint is a bit more expensive than regular emulsion and is available in a limited range of colours, but it’s certainly effective at stopping the mould, as long as you remember to keep the room ventilated. If you have had to scrape out all of the grout from between the bathroom tiles due to mould, replace the grout with a special mould resistant anti-bacterial and anti-fungal version too.

Heating and Insulation

A heated towel rail will bring both style and heat to your bathroom. 

Mould grows more quickly in rooms which are cold, damp or not well insulated. If you are living in an older property which has poor insulation, addressing this can help stop the mould coming back. Investigate whether you can have cavity wall insulation, or if your bathroom is upstairs, whether loft insulation will help. There are often government grants available to help pay for this sort of work (take a look here for help in finding exactly the grant you need), and most types of loft insulation are easy to install yourself (we wrote an article about the different types of insulation). Think about replacing an old, draughty single glazed window with a double glazed unit, and if your bathroom is unheated, ask a plumber to quote for installing a simple radiator or heated towel rail to help keep the chill off the room and stop the mould from growing.

How to Get Rid of Dust Mites

Dust mites are the bane of many people’s lives, but most especially those with asthma or other breathing issues. Dust mites are minute creatures which thrive off the dust and debris which is left behind by most human’s daily lives. Much of what forms the diet of the average dust mite is rather horrible to contemplate; they eat the tiny flakes of skin which are shed by humans and left behind on many surfaces but most especially within soft furnishings, bedding, rugs and soft toys. Because dust mites can cause extreme irritation to those who have breathing problems already, it is very important that you deal with the issue should it arise in your home.

If you do find that you have to get rid of dust mites then the first thing to do is to target each room as a separate entity; this helps you to ensure that you do not miss one single item in your battle against dust mites.

Tackle the problem room by room.

Begin in the bedroom by removing all of the bedding and washing it on the hottest wash possible. The carpets are most effectively removed by using a commercial carpet cleaner which again is set to the hottest possible setting. Carpet cleaners may be hired relatively cheaply from large superstores.

With soft toys and cushions, a two pronged attack is necessary as they are thick and dust mites may be harboured deep within the body of them. Use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly remove as much dust and mites as possible and then wash the items on a very hot setting. Hang them out to dry and then vacuum then once more, before washing them once more again. This may seem over the top but it is the only way to be certain that any dust or mites are really removed.

You will also need to be careful when you dispose of the bag from the vacuum cleaner; if you are planning on an attack of the entire house, you should change the bag of the vacuum cleaner outdoors and often. Do not do it indoors or you will be at risk of releasing the mites again.

As with the bedroom, you will also need to use a commercial carpet cleaner on the other carpets in your home. If possible, clean them twice. Heavy curtains and drapes are renowned for harbouring dust mites and these should be sent away to be cleaned professionally. If your curtains and drapes are made of cotton and are lightweight then you will be able to clean them in your own washing machine on a very hot setting. Again, do this twice.

All hard surfaces such as laminate and hardwood floors should be cleaned with hot water, ensuring that you reach under all furniture so that you get to every dusty spot. Cleaning a house to free it from dust mites is a long process, but it is best to be extremely thorough so that they don’t keep coming back.

You should clean soft toys and cushions on a weekly basis if you have an asthma sufferer in the house, as this is the only true way to avoid the infestation getting a grip on your home.

Top image by Gilles San Martin.

How To Get Tough Stains Out of Carpets

It’s every home-owners nightmare: a glass of red wine spilled across their beautiful cream carpet. Stains on carpets can be very hard to remove, and there is no end to old wives’ tales about salt, using water, not using water and so on.

Although there is no one way of treating every stain, it’s worthwhile learning how to deal with the most common stains so that if that glass of red wine is spilled, you’ll know what to do about it.

General Principles

Although there are no miracle solutions which will work on every single stain, there are some general principles to bear in mind.

Firstly, take action promptly. The longer you leave the stain, the harder it will be to treat. If the spill is liquid such as blood, coffee or red wine, use kitchen paper to soak up as much of the liquid as you can right away. Don’t scrub at the stain; just blot up as much of the excess as you can. It’s also a good idea to keep a stock of stain removing sprays or powder in the cupboard.

Red Wine

Wine is one of the hardest stains to deal with, and time is of the essence it dealing with it. Get to work with the kitchen paper blotting up as much as you can, and forget the story about pouring white wine on the top.

Sparkling water or soda water does the job far better, so treat the affected area with the water, blot again, and repeat the process until the stain is gone. Once you have got the majority of the stain out, treat the area with carpet shampoo to remove any last traces.

Failing that, try this:

Blood

If you have children, or are just particularly accident prone, drips of blood on the carpet are more common than you may think. Washing up liquid is good at getting blood out of your carpet, so mix one tablespoon of washing up liquid with two cups of cold water, and use an old toothbrush to work it into the stain. Keep blotting the carpet and repeating the process.

If there is still a stain once you have repeated the process several times, use a solution of ammonia. Ammonia is available in DIY and traditional ironmonger shops, but needs to be used with caution.

Just a note that it's best to put on gloves before you start dealing with blood stains, but you'd be safer to wear gloves when dealing with any stains on this list anyway.

Mud

The one exception to the “act quickly” rule is mud. If someone has trampled mud over your white carpets, then let the mud dry before trying to remove it. Once it has completely dried up, try to vacuum up as much as possible.

If there is still some mud left, mix up some washing up liquid or washing machine detergent with water, and sponge it onto the stain. Blot up the muddy liquid and repeat the process as often as you need to in order to remove the stain.

Nail Varnish

Again, start by blotting up as much of the spilled nail varnish as you can with some paper towels, kitchen paper or even loo roll. Then use tiny amounts of acetone nail varnish remover to blot onto the stain and remove the polish; the easiest way to do this is with a dropper or pipette. Acetone can react with some artificial fibres and cause them to melt, so take care if your carpet is not pure wool.

Apparently hair gel also works. Let us know if you successfully manage to give this one a try!

Nail varnish is one of the hardest stains to remove, and if you regularly have a problem with spilled nail varnish, have a specialist removal product on standby.

General Staining

If you have moved into a property where the carpets have more general old staining, it can be tempting to rip all of the carpets out and fit new ones. Before taking that step, getting the professionals in to clean your carpets can be well worth the expense. It will cost around £500 to get the carpets professionally cleaned in the average three bedroom house, and if you want to do the work yourself, carpet cleaning machine hire is about £40 for 24 hours.

Deep cleaning the carpets with detergent and steam can give them a whole new lease of life and may allow you to put the expense of replacing them off until later.

How to Get Rid of Gum in Your Carpet

It’s one of those things which make the heart of every house-proud homeowner sink; the sight of a big blob of sticky chewing gum ground into their beautiful carpet. Many people make the mistake of trying to tear the offending gum out with their fingers whilst it is still fresh and because of the nature of chewing gum this is one effort that will simply lead to frustration!

The gum will cling to each and every fibre whilst it is still soft and no amount of picking, pulling or poking will convince it to leave. There are many solutions to the problem of gum in your carpet and perhaps one of the most well known remedies is that of freezing the gum with a piece of ice and then chipping it away once it is frozen solid. This remedy can also work with clothing; the idea is that you place the clothing in a plastic bag and pop it into the freezer to become solid and then remove it manually.

The ice method is quite reliable but there are some even more effective methods out there; one of which includes quite bizarrely, peanut butter! Peanut butter contains an oil which will dissolve the chemicals in gum and make it more of a liquid consistency, which is excellent for stubborn remnants of gum which may remain after you have removed the main body of the gum.

Simply smear a little peanut butter on top of the gum and leave it for ten minutes to work its magic and then with a clean, damp cloth firmly lift the peanut butter and gum out of the carpet. If you do take this route you will also need to use a commercial carpet cleaner on the spot afterwards. Simply clean the area which has been covered in peanut butter according to the instructions on the carpet cleaner package.

Other versions of the peanut butter remedy are just as effective and they include peanut oil, olive oil and WD40. Dab a little of the substance on top of the gum and then remove with a clean, damp cloth. Once again it is important to use a commercial carpet cleaner on the spot afterwards.

The best remedy for gum on your carpet is of course to avoid the situation altogether as it is very awkward to get every last piece out, but if you have children or teenagers in your household then you will know that a blanket ban on chewing gum is not so easy to maintain!

Try to get to the chewing gum as quickly as possible because it is much easier to remove fresh chewing gum than it is to remove gum which has sat in place for any length of time. Always use a commercial carpet shampoo or spot cleaner after you are certain that you have removed all gum plus any residue that may have been left behind adhering to the fibres, if you find that one method does not work to your satisfaction then it will do no harm to try another.

From a personal opinion, I do chew gum but would never throw it on the street as some people do. Quite surprised really that the government haven't heavily taxed the makers yet..... because I would.

How to Clean Tile Grout

However well ventilated you keep your bathroom, the warm and wet atmosphere can allow mould and dirt to start building up on surfaces. Keeping tiles and other hard surfaces clean is simple, and there are lots of cleaning products which will help you do this – and even products that you wouldn’t necessarily think could be used for cleaning.

One of the trickiest places to keep clean is the grout between the tiles. Many homeowners think that once the grout starts getting grotty or develops mould that there is no other option but to replace it all. This is a time consuming and messy job, but can be avoided with some simple tips to clean your grout and get it looking as good as new.

Over the Counter Products

There are some products on the market which promise to remove mould and mildew from bathroom surfaces, and these can work wonders on grout too. They have the dual action of killing off any mould spores in the grout, and bleaching it to return the colour back to its original white. The downside to these products are that they can smell very strongly of chemicals, can be expensive to buy, and they are not particularly kind to the planet.

If you are short of time though they are worth a try, but always follow the instructions on the back of the bottle about opening windows or using gloves if recommended to do so.

Bicarbonate of Soda

Bicarbonate of soda, also sometimes called baking soda, has a huge number of uses around the house. When mixed with water, bicarbonate of soda forms a paste which is slightly alkaline, and this makes the ideal thing to kill off any bacteria and clean out your grout.

Use an old toothbrush to work the paste into the grout, and scrub gently. If you think that there is also mould growing in the grout, mix the bicarbonate of soda with some bleach to make the paste instead of water, and wear gloves to protect your hands. Remember to rinse well once you have finished going around all of the grout.

This is a cheap way of cleaning the grout which will not cause environmental damage either. Here are 51 more ways to use bicarbonate of soda.

Vinegar

The other product which is invaluable for cleaning around the house is plain old white vinegar, exactly the same as the stuff you put on your chips. Vinegar is an acid, and this natural property means it will kill off any bacteria and germs growing on your tiles or grout.

Mix your vinegar up with a little water and put it into a spray bottle. Spray it generously all over your tiles and grout, and leave it to work for 15 minutes before wiping the solution away. As this is a “less effort” way of cleaning your grout, it’s worth trying the vinegar first before scrubbing with bicarbonate of soda.

If you don't have any vinegar, you can get the same sort of results by using lemon juice instead.

Cover It Up

Something like this Wickes Grout Whitener works well for cover up.

If after trying vinegar, lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda and the commercially available products, then the final option before replacing the grout completely is one of the grout reviver products on the market. These clever inventions cost anything between £2 and £12, but the cost is far less than replacing the grout.

Grout reviver comes either in a tube like toothpaste or with a small brush to apply it and you just paint it over the top of the existing grout and leave it to dry. Most of them also have anti-mould properties to them and this sort of product is definitely a good way of brightening up the grout as a quick fix.

Stopping the Grout Getting Dirty Again

Once you’ve cleaned up your grout and got it looking as good as new, try to stop the mould or dirt from building up again. Always keep the window open when you are having a bath or a shower as mould loves the warm, steamy environment. If it’s the middle of winter, open the window as soon as you have finished bathing. Try to wipe away any excess water on the tiles or the grout if possible.

Using any household or bathroom cleaning spray on your grout regularly should stop it getting dirty again in the future.

5 Tips to Reduce Dust in the Home

Dust is unavoidable. However much you clean and use the vacuum cleaner, dust is going to accumulate as we go about our daily lives. As well as being unsightly, dust can affect your health too, especially for those who are prone to allergies or suffer from asthma. We might not be able to cut out dust completely, but there are several things which can be done to reduce the amount of dust in your home, none of which are particularly expensive.

Organise your Wardrobes

Dust and fibres from your clothes can quickly build up in your wardrobe, and it’s not easy to get the hoover out and get rid of dust in awkward corners. Think about how best to organise your clothes inside your wardrobe and consider things like buying clear plastic boxes or tubs to store t-shirts or underwear rather than having them loose on shelves. Having everything in plastic boxes also makes dusting very simple as all you have to do is wipe down the boxes with a damp cloth. Keep the floor of your wardrobes clear to make it easier to get in with the hoover, so invest in some wire shoe racks.

Think about Flooring

Carpets and rugs collect far more dust than solid floors, so if you are thinking about replacing flooring in the home anyway, choose something like solid wood, laminate or tiles which are easy to keep dust-free with the vacuum cleaner or mop instead of a carpet. If someone in the house suffers with dust mite allergy, consider replacing the flooring in the main living rooms and bedroom right away. If you are stuck with carpet or rugs, clean them regularly and take rugs outside to be beaten free of dust whenever possible.

Soft Toys

If you have a child who is sensitive to dust or who has a dust mite allergy, yet their room is stuffed with soft toys, it is time to have a clear out. Soft toys are notorious for hoarding dust, and are often difficult to keep clean as they cannot be washed in the machine. Cut down the number of soft toys you have in the house to the absolute minimum, and try to choose cloth teddies rather than plush ones. Many modern toys can be washed, so look for the care labels when buying something new. 

If your child has a teddy or other soft toy which they are particularly attached to, you can kill off the dust mites by putting it in the freezer. This won't damage the toy, but it is best to put it in a plastic bag before popping it into the freezer and leave it there for at least 24 hours. Scientific studies have shown that freezing soft toys is a much more efficient way of killing off dust mites than washing.

Ventilation

Image by glasseyes view on Flickr

It's easy to see how dust can build up during the cooler months when we keep the windows and doors closed, and have the heating on full blast all of the time. It is very important to keep the house ventilated as not only will this introduce fresh air into the house, it will make breeding conditions for dust mites less favourable too. You don't have to keep windows open all of the time, but make a point of opening them in the morning for 30 minutes or so.

Keep duvet covers pulled back as you air the room to allow the fresh air to circulate around your sheets and mattress, and try to keep the temperature in the bedroom down too.

Buy a New Vacuum Cleaner

A good vacuum cleaner is our main weapon against dust and dirt, and it really is worth investing in a new one if you have had yours for several years. Ask for advice in the showroom or research online to find the model which is most appropriate for your needs, and have your machine serviced regularly too. Most modern cleaners have removable filters which trap the dust, so get into the habit of removing the filters and cleaning them on a regular basis as this will help your machine work efficiently. 

When cleaning, don't be tempted to skip the bit of floor under the sofa or behind the television, as this is where dust is most likely to build up.

How to Deep Clean Your Home

Whatever the season, there's nothing quite like spring cleaning your home. Of course spring is possibly the best time to indulge in a deep clean because that bright sunlight isn't the most forgiving when it comes to showing up cobwebs lurking in corners and dingy paintwork. The other reason to choose springtime to indulge in a deep clean is that you will possibly need to utilise any outdoor space for certain tasks such as beating rugs; which can’t be cleaned in the washing machine.

Whether you live in a small flat or a large house, deep cleaning can be a formidable task but it's well worth it for the results! It's best to start at the top of the house and work your way down, so begin with the bedrooms. Before you start, make sure you have all the supplies which you will need; including plenty of cleaning materials, new vacuum cleaner bags and if you can, a steam cleaner and a carpet cleaner to ensure that all of your soft furnishings and carpets are included in the big clean!

De-Junk!

Each room must be tackled as an individual space so before you begin any cleaning, you must have a good clear out. In the case of bedrooms this will inevitably include sorting out old or out of season clothes; a good rule of thumb to remember when deciding which things to get rid of and which to keep, is to think about whether you have worn the item in the past year. If the answer to that question is no, then you should give the item away or sell it. Each bedroom and each wardrobe should be carefully sorted through and if you have children then the same should be done with toys. If they've not played with the toy in question for a year or more, then it should be sold or donated.

Once you have lightened the load, it’s time to get down and dirty. Begin by dusting and wiping all surfaces, and remember to get the tops of wardrobes and bookcases! Once there is no dust or dirt present, it's time to think about washing curtains or, if they are heavy, steam cleaning them. Bedding should also be changed, at least once a week is healthy. Go through your linen closet and ensure that there are no neglected eiderdowns or holey sheets. Wash everything so the entire closet smells sweet. At this point it is a good idea to add some moth repellent to your linen storage and wardrobes. Check the walls and paintwork for dirty marks or chips, followed by a quick wipe down with a mild bleach solution and, if they need it, a touch up with paint.

Carpets are next on your list, but only once you have thoroughly cleaned and steamed each bedroom should you tackle the carpets. Use a carpet cleaner: you can hire them at many major supermarkets and they are excellent at tearing out any ground in dirt and dust. If you can't manage this, then a good alternative is to liberally spread bicarbonate of soda all over the carpets; leave it overnight and then vacuum as normal. Bicarbonate of soda is an excellent odour remover and once this is done, your carpets should smell sweet.

In the bathroom, look at your grout; does it need refreshing? Try to remove marks and stains with a bleach solution and if this doesn't work, then it could be time for a re-grout. Again, check paintwork and touch it up if it is looking worn.

Windows should be thoroughly checked for any signs of damp or mould. If you spot any at all, then buy a commercial mould remover and keep a close eye on the area in case professional help is required.

Upstairs, Downstairs!

Once you are satisfied with the upper floor then it's time to move downstairs. The same routine should be carried out with close attention being paid to sorting through unwanted or unused items which are attracting dust. Have a clear out and begin the process of cleaning surfaces and walls as well as soft furnishings. Again, check windows for signs of damp and mould and in the kitchen, clean all white goods. Fridges should be emptied and cleaned out, washing machines and dishwashers should be included in the big clean up as should cookers and microwaves.

Your sofas can also be cleaned. Remove any loose covers and wash according to instructions; if you do not have removable covers then use a steam cleaner to refresh the fabric. Check paintwork in all rooms, touch up any chips or stains with paint and your home will soon be fit to face the spring!

Deep cleaning isn’t an easy task but if you set aside a few days to tackle it with no interruptions, you'll find that it’s not as disruptive as it sounds. Deep cleaning will also increase the longevity of your furniture and help you to keep the clutter down.

The Best Way To Clean Carpets Without Damage

Food, drink, dirt, dust, dead skin flakes, cigarette smoke, dust mites and animal dander are some of the most common forms of dirt residing in your carpet. The longer your carpet remains unclean the higher the chances are that it becomes dangerous to be around. This is along with the fact that the typical human body sheds a good 1.5 million flakes of skin every hour. These skin flakes are nourishing and encouraging food for dust mites which is all the more reason to clean your carpets daily.

Deep cleaning large and small carpets is very important

If you want to have and maintain clean carpets it is imperative that you invest some time and money in deep cleaning the dirt and microscopic allergens. Vacuuming your carpet helps to eliminate most of the dirt and contamination on the surface but it cannot remove everything. This is why depending on the age of your carpet and where you live you should decide to deep clean all carpets in your home once a month.

Carpet cleaning tips

Generally, all carpet cleaning should be done on a pleasant day. The last thing you will want is for family members and pets to track mud and dirt after you’ve done all that hard work on your carpet.  

• Start by always vacuuming your carpets twice. The more dirt you can extract via a vacuum cleaner the easier it will be to clean.
• Regardless of what carpet cleaning fluid you use it is important that you test the fluid and process on a small portion of the carpet, ideally in an inconspicuous area. This may help you avoid larger problems which is caused by your cleaning.
• Make sure to clear all the furniture and other furnishings on your carpet. This will make the cleaning job much easier.
• If you are using a wet carpet cleaning method you should avoid over saturating the padding and carpet. This is probably one of the biggest mistakes that newbie cleaners make. That said if your carpet sits around wet for over 24 hours then it’s too wet. You should then try to dry it using a dehumidifier and a few fans to speed up the process.
• You should either use a furniture tool or wand if you have a machine equipped with it in order to clean the edges of your carpet situated near the wall. This same tool works for area rugs and furniture.
• You should never use a cleaning product directly in your machine unless it is specified as being safe for it. Using the wrong product may not only damage the machine but will also harm the carpet.
• You should use shampoos which are specifically manufactured for cleaning carpets, which helps to prevent them being dirtier than when you had started.
• You shouldn’t use more product or shampoo than what is recommended.
• You should pre treat stains and spots prior to commencing deep cleaning.
• Make sure to rake the carpet after you have cleaned it to lift up all the fibers.
• Refrain from walking on your carpets until they are dry
• Use a protective product on your carpet which will help to keep it fresh for a longer period of time.

Hire an expert carpet cleaner

There are times when regardless of what products you may use and how hard you work your carpets may not look as good as new. This often signals that you need to hire an expert cleaning service that uses high tech equipment and specifically designed chemicals to clean carpets. You can decide to hire a service either once a month or once every two months depending on how much foot traffic your carpet receives.

Before you hire a cleaning company you should find out what cleaning process they use. You should ask the company questions as to what type of cleaner they use, machines, etc. if your carpet is made from a special fiber make sure to mention this to the cleaning company. There are some exotic fibers that require a totally different approach to cleaning and using chemicals. However, most comapnies should be able to identify your carpet’s fiber and then map out a cleaning procedure accordingly