Heating up Ceramic Floor Tiles

Ceramic tiles are beautiful to look at and the fact that they are available in a variety of colours, textures and designs is any interior designer’s delight. Additionally, they can be installed in any room in the room with the same desirable effect. However, they are known to be very cold underfoot and especially in cold seasons. To counter this undesirable feature, most home owners put area rugs and carpets on top of tiles, which more often than not hides their beauty and translates to an added expense in terms of flooring. Their being very cold is due to the fact that they conduct heat very well, which is a feature that can be used to reverse the cold effect by installing heating mats underneath the tiles. The heating device can then be controlled by a thermostat.

Installing a Floor Heating Pad

Usually the heating pad comes in different rectangular shapes that are pre-cut and cannot be resized. It is therefore important to know the exact measurements of floor space that needs to be heated and to get a pad that is slightly smaller than this. The measurements also help to determine the number of tiles needed. It is prudent to get up to fifteen percent more tiles than the exact dimensions to compensate for broken ones and those that will be cut.

The heating mat should be laid on the floor before tiles are installed being careful to not damage the wires that connect it to the thermostat. The edge that contains these wires should be laid next to the wall with the thermostat outlet. The tiles should then be laid in the usual way. The thermostat should be tested before the cement and grout set and switched off for about a month to allow the cement and grout to harden and cure completely.

Appropriate Carpet Care Techniques

Most interior decorating will include a carpet or two in some rooms in the home mostly due to their beauty and also to add warmth to the room. Carpets come in a variety of colours, textures and designs and proper care will ensure that they maintain their beauty for many years. Most carpets can last up to ten or fifteen years with adequate care. The first step in carpet care is to vacuum regularly and to clean any spillages as soon as possible before they set onto the carpet using the right cleaning products. It is also helpful to reduce the dirt that reaches the carpet by using indoor mats and also asking people removing their shoes before entering the house, which will also reduce the wear and tear on the carpet.

Vacuuming and Dry Cleaning Carpets

Carpets should also be professionally deep cleaned using steam machines at least every twelve to eighteen months. Smaller rugs that are machine washable can be shaken outside and put in the washing machine at the recommended settings. Some rugs and carpet are dry clean only so it is important to know which cleaners do carpets as many do not. When vacuuming area rugs that have a fringe, care must be taken to not catch the strands in the beater bar of the vacuum cleaner. Oriental, Turkish or Persian rugs must be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s specifications to keep them in good condition for longer.

A clean carpet is a reflection of a healthy home and appropriate carpet care must be adhered to for a long lasting carpet. A good vacuum cleaner is an essential investment that keeps the carpet dirt free. For quick cleaning of spillages and spots, so as to maintain a home’s interior decorating, consider investing in specially manufactured and readily available carpet cleaning products. 

Cleaning after the Christmas Party

A Christmas party is fun and practical as friends and family are free and comfortable to enjoy and have a memorable time together. However, most floors in the house especially the in the living room and the kitchen will suffer greatly from the increased human traffic and after party debris. It is therefore to do a thorough cleaning after the Christmas party to restore the floor to its intended glory for the coming year, before the next big party. With proper planning this task need not be that daunting. Not all the cleaning need to be done right after the party. It is important to rest and do the major clean up the morning after when fully energized and well rested. However, spills must be cleaned up immediately to prevent them from setting into stains.

Restoring Floors after the Party

For starters clear any debris in the form of plastic party utensils, decorations and gift wrappings into a garbage bag. Be sure to cover all the rooms including the bedrooms and bathrooms. Next, wipe off any major spills before they set and stain the flooring, then sweep or vacuum the floor. For a carpeted floor, thorough vacuuming is necessary and maybe steam cleaning to restore the carpet. Wooden and laminate flooring may need polishing especially if this was not done before the party and if the floor is due for a polish.

The kitchen floor will definitely need a thorough cleaning and possible disinfecting after the Christmas dinner preparations. All spillages, wet and dry, must be cleaned up immediately to prevent slipping and possible accidents. Most kitchen floors are easy to clean, such as ceramic tiles and a thorough mopping with suitable cleaning agents and disinfectants will leave the floor spick and span, ready for sumptuous meal preparations, including party favourites, in the coming year.

Tips for Wooden Floor Care

More homes are installing solid wood or parquet floors as part of their interior decorating procedures, for their sense of richness, warmth and natural beauty at first glance. When well taken care of wooden floors can easily maintain the good looks for a long time while adding value to a home. Dampness seriously damages wooden floors and the greatest care should be taken to ensure that this surface stays dry, aside from the occasional damp mop for cleaning. Thus wooden floors are unsuitable for the kitchen due to inherent spillages, unless it is laminated or covered in linoleum to protect the wood. Another factor to consider in wooden floor care is the effect of dirt and grit which act as sand paper to the floor, leaving unsightly dents and scratches. They also damage the floor surface when tracked into the floor. Floor mats can be placed at entrances to trap dirt and grit and removing shoes at the entrance also helps.

Valuable Wooden Floor Care

When moving furniture on a wooden floor, consider lifting it as dragging can leave scratches on the surface that may be very hard and expensive to remove. Effective wooden floor care includes protecting it from direct sunlight by use of sheer drapes to keep off harmful ultra violet rays that discolour this floor. Regular polishing and sealing of wooden floors ensures that the surface is protected from moisture apart from the attractive shine that this produces.

It is imperative to place area rugs or mats in areas that heavy traffic is likely to occur on a wooden floor. Regular inspection to ascertain the condition of the wooden floor will most certainly guarantee that problem areas are caught early and the necessary measures taken. Successful wooden floor care adds value to interior decorating while adding aesthetic value to a home.

Appropriate Carpet Care Techniques

Most interior decorating will include a carpet or two in some rooms in the home mostly due to their beauty and also to add warmth to the room. Carpets come in a variety of colours, textures and designs and proper care will ensure that they maintain their beauty for many years. Most carpets can last up to ten or fifteen years with adequate care. The first step in carpet care is to vacuum regularly and to clean any spillages as soon as possible before they set onto the carpet using the right cleaning products. It is also helpful to reduce the dirt that reaches the carpet by using indoor mats and also asking people removing their shoes before entering the house, which will also reduce the wear and tear on the carpet.

Vacuuming and Dry Cleaning Carpets

Carpets should also be professionally deep cleaned using steam machines at least every twelve to eighteen months. Smaller rugs that are machine washable can be shaken outside and put in the washing machine at the recommended settings. Some rugs and carpet are dry clean only so it is important to know which cleaners do carpets as many do not. When vacuuming area rugs that have a fringe, care must be taken to not catch the strands in the beater bar of the vacuum cleaner. Oriental, Turkish or Persian rugs must be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s specifications to keep them in good condition for longer.

A clean carpet is a reflection of a healthy home and appropriate carpet care must be adhered to for a long lasting carpet. A good vacuum cleaner is an essential investment that keeps the carpet dirt free. For quick cleaning of spillages and spots, so as to maintain a home’s interior decorating, consider investing in specially manufactured and readily available carpet cleaning products.