How to Make a Baking Soda Carpet Cleaner

 If you are not keen on using chemicals when it comes to cleaning your carpets, you will find that an effective one can be made from baking soda. By combining it with other substances, you will be able to create a cleaner that will leave no residue or harsh aromas.

What You'll Need:

• Empty spray bottle
• Funnel
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Water

Step 1 - Materials

Start by determining the quantity of carpet cleaner you will need, which will help you to get the correct amount of raw materials. For this step, you will need to think about how often you intend to use the carpet cleaner and the surface area that the carpet covers. Once you know how much you need, you will be in a position to gather all the materials that you need. An empty spray bottle can be bought from a hardware store and should be of a large enough size to hold the entire quantity of carpet cleaner. You should ensure that it can be closed with a watertight seal. Baking soda is cheap and easy to obtain, while white vinegar should be chosen over any other types as it is less likely to leave a strong odor.

Step 2 - Experiment

Depending on how you intend to use the carpet cleaner, you may find it prudent to do some experimentation on the concentration levels. For carpet cleaner that will be used on stains and heavy soiling, a mixture of straight white vinegar and baking soda will be most beneficial. However, for general cleaning, the solution can be diluted with water and still be effective. A quarter cup of baking soda should be combined with a pint of white vinegar as a base. From this point, the levels of ingredients and concentrations can be adjusted to create small test examples.

Step 3 - Test

Before committing to a combination of white vinegar, baking soda and water, you should test different examples to ensure that it works with carpet and that it does the job it is intended for. Make up different amounts by reducing the amount of ingredients to scale. Apply a little of the solution to an inconspicuous section of the carpet where cleaning is required and determine how well and how quickly it works.

Step 4 - Combine

Once you're satisfied with the levels and concentration of the ingredients, you will be in a position to combine them to make a full amount. If necessary, use a funnel to deposit the soda into the bottle. The entire quantity can be put in. If the carpet cleaner is to be diluted, the vinegar and water should be mixed together before being added to the bottle. This will create a reaction, so it should be done little by little, allowing the solution to settle between each additional amount of liquid. The spray top of the bottle can then be tightly screwed back into place before the bottle is gently dipped back and forth to thoroughly combine the components.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

Best Sealers to Use When Sanding Hardwood Floors

 When it comes to sanding hardwood floors, there are a number of different sealers that you could apply when you are finished. The quality of the sealer has a lot to do with the overall performance of the wood floor after you are done refinishing it. Here are some of the best sealers that you can use when sanding a hardwood floor.

Oil-Modified Urethane

Oil-modified urethane is a type of hardwood sealer that is commonly used in the industry today. In fact, more people use this type of sealer than all of the other types of finishes that are available. With this type of urethane sealer, you can expect it to dry in about eight hours after applying it to the wood floor. You can also get this type of sealer in different levels of gloss. This type of finish is also very easy to apply to the floor.

Moisture-Cured Urethane

Moisture-cured urethane is one of the most durable types of hardwood finishes that is available. This type of finish is a little bit more difficult to apply for the average person. Professionals often apply this type of finish. One of the big benefits of this type of urethane is that it does not turn yellow or amber over time. This type of floor can also take a long time to cure depending on the amount of moisture in the air.

Water-Based Urethane

Water-based urethane is a type of finish that is considered to be a little bit nicer to work with. It will dry in as little as two hours. Water-based urethane is resistant to moisture and it is also very durable. This type of finish usually costs a little bit more than some of the other finishes that are available on the market.

Penetrating Oil Sealers

Penetrating oil sealers are another type of sealer that you could use for finishing hardwood floors after sanding them. This type of finish often comes with a color in it and is used by individuals that want to seal and stain the floor at the same time. Using this type of sealer can significantly speed up the process of staining and refinishing as everything is done in one step.

When you utilize this type of sealer, you need to put it on the floor and then allow it to absorb and penetrate down into the wood. This will fill up the pores in the wood and make it a more dense structure. Many people like this type of finish because it helps the wood become a bit harder on the surface which limits the number of scratches.

Wax

Wax is another type of finish that you could use on a hardwood floor. This type of finish has been used longer than any of the other finishes that are available. You can easily apply this to the hardwood floor and it is also one of the least expensive finishes on the market.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com

How to Patch and Repair Damaged Carpeting

 If your carpeting has suffered permanent damage due to a burn or stain, you don't have to hire a professional to repair the damage. People often hire professionals to mend damaged carpeting, and after observing the repair, they realize they could have easily completed the job in a matter of minutes.

Repairing a Burn

If you've discovered a burn, try to locate a piece of carpeting with similar wear as the area surrounding the damage. A piece of extra carpeting that was used for a runner is usually a good match for a moderately worn location.

If you don't have a piece of leftover carpeting and can't locate a match through a dealer, consider removing a section of carpeting from an inconspicuous area such as a closet. As a last resort, carpeting can be removed from under a piece of furniture that you don't plan on moving.

Begin by cutting away the damaged area with a sharp carpet knife. Cut all the way down to the surface of the padding, and remove a rectangular or square shaped piece surrounding the burned area. If the padding isn't damaged or burned, try to keep it intact.

Remove the piece you cut away, and use it as a stencil to create the patch. Pay careful attention to the direction of the pile, and trace the damaged piece on the back of the new carpeting with a marker. After cutting it out, you should have an exact replica of the damaged piece you removed.

Once you obtain a perfect fit, apply an even layer of carpet glue on the back and edges of the new piece. Carefully press it into place like a puzzle piece, and gently brush the fibers with your hand to blend and camouflage the repair. Let the glue dry for several hours before vacuuming or walking on the repaired area for best results.

Removing a Small Stain

If a small stain can't be removed with carpet cleaner, you can still get rid of it. If you have an extra piece of carpeting, or if you can obtain one from a dealer or from an inconspicuous area, it's possible to repair the damage. For best results, this meticulous method of repair should only be used for smaller stains. A larger stained area should be patched or replaced.

With a sharp pair of scissors, trim away the stained fibers, all the way down to the base of the carpeting. Once the stained fibers have been removed, trim off new fibers of the same length and shade from an extra piece of carpeting. The new fibers will be used to fill in the bare area.

Using a small paintbrush, carefully and thoroughly apply carpet glue to the bare spot. Using a pair of tweezers and a toothpick, position the ends of the new fibers into the base of the carpet until the area is entirely filled in. Allow the glue to dry completely before walking over the repair, and before vacuuming.

Source: www.DoItYourself.com