When deciding what type of floor to install the question that needs to be answered is ‘What do I want to accomplish with my flooring?’ Below are some questions to help answer what you want to accomplish.

• What kind of look do you want for the room?
• What kind of feel do you desire for the room?
• What is the main purpose of the room?
• What is the main purpose of the flooring in this room?
• Who durable does the floor covering need to be?
• What is your personal preference? (this is usually the most important)

When considering these questions we thought it best to consider choosing two rooms; the kitchen and living room. These two rooms usually serve different purposes. It is important to keep these purposes in mind when selecting your new floor covering. While there are many different types of floor coverings the most common are carpet, hardwood and tile & grout.

Let’s start in the kitchen. In some older homes you may actually be removing carpet from the kitchen. Yes, I know, why would someone put carpet in the kitchen? You can imagine the stains on the carpet from food, grease, drinks etc. The only reason I can think why someone would put carpet in their kitchen is for warmth in the winter as carpet is much warmer then tile or wood.

A wood floor in the kicthen has many advantages. The rich colors of hardwood will make a room feel more inviting then tile. If you choose a hardwoord floor for your kicthen or any room, remember to install it with a coat of polyurethyene.  The hardwood floor will hold up to daily wear and tear relatively well and the floor would be much easier to clean. However, if moisture is allowed to dwell or stand in one place over a long period of time, the wood floor will begin to warp or buckle and the water will actually stain the wood. Be sure to clean up stains quickly and make certain there is no water accumulating around windows, doors or refrigerators. When compared to tile & grout, hardwood requires a little more maintenance.

Tile & Grout is much more durable then hardwood or carpet. When your children or guests spill or drop something on the floor there is less of chance of permanent damage. When the grout lines are properly sealed with a sealant yearly the floor is easier to clean as well. Is there an entrance from the outside into your kitchen? If there is, tile & grout will withstand the dirt that will be tracked in from shoes much better then hardwood. Having a rug or walk off mat inside the door is always a good idea to catch as much dirt as possible.

So, you have decided what type floor to install in your kitchen. Now what about your living room? There are very few homes with tile & grout in the living room except for a small section at the entry way. This area acts as a place to take off shoes to prevent moisture from rain or snow, dirt and other debris from being brought further into your home.

Usually living rooms are either carpet or hardwood. Installing carpet in the living room will make the room warmer, softer, quiter when walking and will absorb noise. Carpet helps with keeping the air in your home cleaner. The dust in your home will settle in the carpet where it gets trapped unlike hardwood floors where the dust will continue to blow around the room. Keep in mind, with carpet your furniture will need to be rearranged periodically to prevent high traffic lanes from appearing. Traffic lanes are the result of walking in the same area over an extended period of time where the carpet fibers are matted down.

With a hardwood floor there is no need to rearrange furniture unless of course that is your desire. When you do move furniture you will need to be careful not stratch the floor. A hardwood floor may not be as warm on your feet but it does create a richer feel in the room then carpet and can always be accented with various types of rugs. Hardwood also holds up better to spills and is easier to clean than carpet.

Remember, in the end, it all comes down to what you want to accomplish with each room. How do you want the room to feel, to look? What is the purpose of the floor, the room? The biggest point consider to when selecting a floor covering is your personal preference.

Be sure to contact Heaven’s Best and we will assist you with selecting your floor covering needs.

During the investigation of a burglary forensic law enforcement specialists will dust for finger prints using powder composed of an array of complex ingredients. Most black finger print powder contains rosin, black ferric oxide and lampblack. Many also contain inorganic chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, silicon, titanium and bismuth.  If law enforcement gets this powder on your carpet (and they will) you as the home owner will be none too happy. While their intentions are honorable, law enforcement officers are not carpet cleaners. Whatever you do, do not take their advice to vacuum the powder from your carpet using your home vacuum cleaner.

To remove finger print dust from your carpet follow the guidelines listed below.

1. Ensure the powder remains in a dry state.  For this reason DO NOT wet the powder with any water, cleaner or other type of moisture
2. Vacuum the finger print powder using a vacuum hose ONLY such as a wet/dry vacuum. DO NOT use any type of vacuum brush or bristles as this will only serve to embed the powder further into your carpet fibers.
3. Using the vacuum hose, vacuum from the outside of the powder area working your way towards the middle. This will ensure the powder does not spread to other areas of your carpet. At this point all of the loose powder should be completely vacuumed off the carpet leaving behind residue that attached itself to the carpet fibers.
4. Call your local professional carpet cleaner, such as Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning, who has successful experience in removing complexed stains such as finger print dust.  They should have products that will ensure the safe and complete removal of the finger print powder. In the meantime ensure the area(s) remain in a dry state.

A word of caution…There are many ” do it yourself ” remedies on the Internet for removing finger print powder from your carpets. All of them, in this author’s professional opinion, will not remove the powder stain. Most involve using products such as 409 Cleaner or Scrubbing Bubbles. Using  any of these products on your carpet involve significant risk including bleaching and discoloration.

If you live in the Inland Empire area of Southern California be sure to call Mark at Heaven’s Best Carpet Cleaning at (909) 856-5353 or (760) 952-7544 for all of your carpet and upholstery cleaning needs.

Believe it or not, your carpet is just like your swimsuit. According to the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, nearly 80% of all carpet soil is easier to remove with dry soil extracting. In other words, vacuuming. The fact is, sand, hair and many other primary sources of carpet soil are insoluble in water.

In an ideal world, you should vacuum your carpets daily, especially the areas of your carpet that receive high traffic such as entry ways and hallways. However, with our busy lifestyles today Heaven’s Best recommends vacuuming at least once a week.  Soil particles act like sandpaper in between your carpet fibers and will quickly and permanently wear out your carpet’s appearance.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while vacuuming your carpet.

1. Move the vacuum slowly. The slower the vacuum moves, the more the brush agitates each carpet fiber, and the more opportunity for the airflow to grab each soil particle.
2. Use overlapping strokes. The amount of suction can vary between the right, center and left side of your vacuum. Overlapping strokes will maximize the amount of dust removed.
3. Empty the bag or cannister when it is 1/2  – 2/3 full. Very fine dust clogs the pores in the bag long before it is full, reducing suction.

Happy Vacuuming!!

For your Carpet Cleaning Needs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Highland & Inland Empire, Contact Heaven’s Best at (760)952-7544!

Well maintained carpet and upholstery help to ensure a healthy home by reducing the amount of dust and allergens that are present. Simple modifications to your daily routine may help you keep germs that cause infections, like the cold and flu, and allergens at bay. Heaven’s Best ensures your carpets and upholstery are as beautiful, clean and healthy as possible all year long.

Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Home:

1. Clean and/or replce air filters frequently
2. Keep the humidity in your home below 50% by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner. This will prevent the growth of mold.
3. Aviod using fans whenever possible as they are sure to stir up dust.
4. Sweep entrance mats regularly to reduce the amount of dust and soil tracked inside.
5. Vacuum your carpets, floors and upholstery at least twice a week. Frequent vacuuming prolongs the life of your carpet by preventing the build up of gritty particles that cut the carpet fibers.
6. Wash bed linens and coverings weekly in hot (130F) water.
7. Have your mattreses and box srpings professionally cleaned and then encase them in allergen impermeable covers.
8. If you have pets, consider keeping them outside if possible. Animal dander and saliva are allergens for many people. Be sure to bathe your pets often.
9. Do not allow smoking in your home.

By doing these simple things you can make your home environment healthier and safer for you and your family.

For your Carpet Cleaning Needs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Highland & Inland Empire, Contact Heaven’s Best at (760)952-7544!

For your Carpet Cleaning Needs in Riverside, San Bernardino, Highland & Inland Empire, Contact Heaven’s Best at (760)952-7544!