Comfort with Bedroom Carpet

With its soft surface and welcoming warmth, it’s not hard to understand why carpet is the most popular choice for bedroom flooring. The last thing your feet will feel at the end of one day and the first thing they’ll feel at the start of the next should be surface that maximizes comfort.

While bedroom carpet offers the benefit of comfort, it has also, in recent years, earned the reputation of adding a “dated” effect to a home’s décor. While the coziness of carpet does often cause a sense of nostalgia, there are many cuts and styles of carpet that still have a decidedly modern flavor. Both plush and pattern (cut and loop) carpet offer the most on-trend marks, thanks to their neutral tones and distinct designs.

Believe it or not, bedroom carpet can also simplify cleaning and overall maintenance. Many modern carpet products are crafted with enhanced stain and soil protection, making it easy to take care of all sorts of messes—including pet accidents. These styles are perfect if your four-legged friends call your bedroom home too.

Hardwood’s Natural Beauty

With a warm, natural look that stands the test of time, hardwood is an ideal flooring choice for a bedroom. Made from real wood, solid and engineered hardwood floors are available in many species, such as oak, hickory, or maple, that can each add a special character to your floors. And the warmth goes beyond just aesthetics—walking across genuine wood in the middle of the night can be much more comfortable than many other hard surface floors.  Another great benefit of hardwood? It doesn’t trap dust, pollen, or other allergens, and it’s easy to clean those up when they do occur. Keeping the floors clean in your bedroom can help keep you breathing easier at night.

Laminate: Less Money, Less Maintenance

While genuine hardwood is great, it can be a bit pricey for some renovations. Wood laminate is a budget-friendly bedroom flooring option that provides realistic hardwood visuals at a much more attainable price point. Laminate flooring can also mimic the textures, grains, and feel of genuine wood—all in a product that’s easier to maintain than the real thing.

An added perk of laminate floors is that they are available in both water-resistant and 100% waterproof options. So if you accidentally knock that full glass of water off your nightstand, you won’t end up with nightmares about liquid-damaged floors. Cleaning up a spill is a simple and easy affair, avoiding permanent damage to the floors.

Versatility of Vinyl Flooring

Over the years, advancements in the manufacturing of vinyl flooring have led to increased durability and stunningly realistic wood and tile looks and textures. What used to be a last-resort choice is now one of the industry’s most popular products.  Vinyl plank, vinyl tile, and sheet vinyl are available in a vast range of styles, designed to complement everything from ultra-modern bedroom décor, to old-timey rustic looks. Plus, they all offer advantages that will make any homeowner happy: some of the best durability compared to other flooring options, easy maintenance, and an increase in underfoot comfort compared to real tile and many hardwood floors.

In the end, choosing the best bedroom flooring requires finding your ideal balance between comfort and style. Are you more interested in feeling warmth underfoot when you hop out of bed in the morning or are do you prioritize a modern design scheme? The good news is, you can often achieve both goals with the same floors!

This post only scratches the surface of what you should consider when trying to find the best bedroom flooring options for your home. Traffic volume, kids, pets, and how often you’ll be in your bedroom are all important factors that are specific to you and your household. For a more detailed rundown of flooring that fits your needs, contact us to schedule a free in-home estimate and a flooring professional will walk you through a wide range of options—all in the comfort of your own home.

The post The Best Bedroom Flooring Options appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Stretch-In Carpet Installation

This is the most standard and practiced technique for installing carpeting in homes, which is typically called residential carpet. Strips of wood, called tack strips are nailed around the edges of the room. These strips have very sharp pins, or tacks, that will grip the back of the carpet and hold it in place. Padding is used in this type of installation to make the carpet feel softer underfoot, and to protect the back of the carpet from wear. One tack strips and padding are place, the carpet rolled out and then stretched to the edges and attached to the strips. There are special tools professional installers use in order to properly stretch a carpet, such as a knee kicker and power stretcher.  Carpet will not stay flat without getting lumps unless enough tension is place on the carpet to pull it close to the wall and fix it to a tack strip.

Your professional installer with Empire Today has the essential tools and expertise to properly complete stretch-in carpet installations.

Glue Down Carpet Installation

Used commonly in commercial spaces or special areas like your basement, a glue down installation is when the carpet is glued directly to the floor and without a pad. While this provides a solid base, the lack of a pad means less comfort and less durability. Also, the floor that the carpet is being glued to needs to be completely smooth otherwise you will feel (and maybe even see) imperfections through the carpet.

Wood Flooring Installation Methods

Nail Down Wood Flooring Installation

This flooring installation method is how it sounds, flooring is nailed or stapled to a subfloor. Solid hardwood is typically nailed down, while some engineered hardwood options may be stapled. In order to nail down a floor, there must be a suitable subfloor underneath. A floor cannot be nailed down to concrete, and the subfloor must be dry, level, and flat. This type of installation is considered to me more permanent because it is difficult to remove planks once their nailed down. 

There are also special tools needed to property perform a nail down installation, such as a specialty flooring nail/staple gun, jamb saw, and router. Your Empire Today installation contractor will have all the necessary tools to complete a nail down installation.

Glue Down Wood Flooring Installation

Like carpet, engineered hardwood and vinyl flooring can be glued down. This leaves no space between your floors and the subfloor, creating a cohesive surface. It also helps reduce bounce on the floor and helps deaden the sound of footsteps. Keep in mind, that while it’s possible to glue down laminate, it isn’t common since most laminate was built for a floating installation, which we will discuss next.

Floating Wood Flooring Installation

A floating floor installation does not require the floor to be nailed or glued down. Instead the floor planks are connected together using a click-and-lock system. The planks have tiny groves along the edges that allow them to be strongly joined together. An advantage of a floating floor is that it allows the floor to adapt by expanding and contracting to alterations in the room’s humidity.

Installing floors is a big job that requires tools, experience, and knowledge. Empire has been installing floors in homes for more than 65 years – it’s what we do… everyday. Avoid a DIY disaster and leave flooring installation to the pros.

The post Carpet and Wood Flooring Installation Methods appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

When on the hunt specifically for carpet like this, there are four main factors to consider: carpet that resists stains, carpet that helps hide stains, a product that resists overall wear and fading, and one that doesn’t easily show footprints and traffic marks. Some homes may need only one of those traits, while many homes—especially those with pets or children—will benefit greatly from carpets that offer some measure of each of those features. One type of carpet may be better with one feature than another, while some carpets excel in every aspect. Here is a closer look at how each type and style of carpet holds up to stains and wear marks.

How Carpet Materials Handle Stains, Wear, and Footprints

Polyester Carpet

Polyester carpet provides some of the most beautiful color variations, because the fiber material is easier to dye. And because it is usually solution-dyed (the color permeates the entire fiber, not just its surface), it has excellent fade resistance as well. Finished polyester fibers are hydrophobic, meaning they will not absorb liquids-and that in turn makes them more resistant to liquid stains. Polyester carpet is often made from recycled materials, making it eco-friendly, and tends to usually be budget-friendly. Its main downside is that it’s not as durable as other common carpet materials, which means it may begin to show wear earlier than, say, nylon carpet.  So if you’re not terribly concerned with physical wear but are looking for the best carpet to resist stains, polyester carpeting is a safe bet.

Nylon Carpet

Nylon is one of the other most common carpet materials, alongside polyester. Nylon carpet shares many traits with polyester, including its overall soft feel and ability to be woven into many different styles of carpet. It’s crafted from very durable, elastic fibers that tend to bounce back into their shape. This trait gives it superior resistance to wearing and matting compared to polyester carpets. Nylon fibers’ main downside is that they are absorbent, which means it’s more likely for an untreated stain to stubbornly set in a nylon carpet. In short, the pros and cons of nylon carpet are almost exactly the opposite those of polyester carpet. These features make it the best carpet for those whose primary concerns are long-term wear and minimizing marks from furniture or daily traffic and have fewer worries about stains.

Polypropylene Carpet

Polypropylene, commonly known as olefin, is a material that’s growing in popularity for certain residential carpeting applications due to its affordability and high resistance to mold and mildew growth. Like polyester, olefin fibers repel moisture and dry quickly, which is what gives the carpet its mold and mildew resistance. Those same properties also make it resistant to liquid stains. However, the polypropylene material can actually be more susceptible to oil-based soiling, like those that might happen if a piece of food is dropped on the carpet. Olefin is also not as durable a material as nylon, which makes in unideal for high-traffic areas. Overall, polypropylene/olefin carpet is best suited for rooms like the basement, or areas that get light to moderate traffic, and where liquid spills are the greatest stain concern.

Dark and multicolor carpet

Most homeowners have come to accept that when daily life meets carpeted floors, stains are going to happen. And despite the best intentions to deal with these stains, they’ll often happen quicker than they can be treated and may end up hanging around for a while. If that sounds like a likely situation for your floors, prioritizing a style that disguises stains may end up being the best type of carpet for your home

When you just know that stains are going to happen regularly and probably linger, a dark or multicolored carpet can be the key to staying sane. The typical carpet stain will be much less visible, or even completely undetectable, on a darker carpet like black, dark blue, or a deep brown. Of course, those hues may not match your home’s aesthetic. If that’s the case, we recommend a multicolor carpet. These styles can have an overall lighter look, but with a mottled design that includes flecks of darker color throughout. While today’s stain-resistant carpets and powerful carpet cleaners can get most stains out, opting for a carpet that simply makes them less visible can save you significant stress.

Carpet Construction Types

Plush Carpet

Plush carpet is known for its clean, classic look. Also often referred to as Saxony, velvet, or texture carpet, plush carpeting features a smooth, level surface that provides a blend of soft comfort and traditional style. This soft, springy construction helps to hide footprints in high-traffic areas, while the dense, twisted fibers help keep dirt near the surface—making for easier cleanup. If you are looking for a great “whole house carpet,” a plush carpet can be the best choice due to its universal style and versatility.

Frieze Carpet

Frieze carpeting is made by tightly twisting fibers together to create a casual, shaggy look. This shaggy style can do more than just give your home a fun look—it also makes frieze one of the best carpets for hiding stains and footprints. Many frieze carpets are multicolored, so individual stain spots are less likely to be seen. And because frieze fibers are of varying length and look slightly disheveled by nature, footprints, vacuum marks, and other temporary impressions don’t obviously stick out.

The one catch is that the properties that make frieze great for disguising stains and footprints also make it more difficult to clean. If dirt does make it down into the depths of those shaggy fibers, you may need quite a powerful vacuum cleaner to reach deep enough into the carpet to get it fully clean.  Overall, frieze carpet is a great choice for common rooms that will see lots of activity and will have to deal with the typical small spills that happen in daily life—but probably not in rooms that will see heavy amounts of crumbs, dirty shoes, or other solid contaminants.

Berber Carpet

Berber carpet’s low profile and dense construction make it the best carpet type for all-around resistance to stains, wear, and footprints. Because its fibers are short, thick, and tightly packed, it resists matting and compacting better than high-pile carpets. That means furniture marks and footprints are less likely to linger. This dense construction also keeps stains near the surface, making for easier cleanup. Berber’s main downside, however, is that its resilient build can be less underfoot cushioin than other carpet styles. Overall, Berber carpet is a great choice for practical performance in rooms that see the most activity in your home.

When searching for a carpet that hides stains and footprints, there are quite a few variables to consider. And like just about any subjective choice in home renovation, there’s not really one “best” carpet for all situations—rather you’ll have to find the best carpet for your particular needs. But that’s where Empire Today® comes in. We’re here to guide you through the carpet shopping experience and ensure you end up with floors that fit all the requirements of your life. Schedule a FREE Empire® In-Home Estimate today to find out which carpet type is the right one for your home.

The post Best Carpets That Hide Stains and Footprints appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

How much time will you spend in your office?

If your home office is where you will be spending a lot of time or eating and drinking, it is important to have flooring that is easy to clean if you eat lunch at your desk, or even drink a cup of coffee, spills can happen. Look for a floor that is easy to clean. The good thing about   is that it is very easy to keep clean and can be even be 100% waterproof! This means you won’t have to worry if you spill your water bottle during your conference call.

If you prefer a cozier office space, and want a carpeted floor, look  for  stain-resistant carpet.

What kind of furniture do you have in your home office? 

Will you be using a heavy desk or a light table? Do you have a rolling chair or stationary one? The weight of your furniture can damage your floors if you don’t choose a floor that is suited to handle your office furniture.

Look for scratch resistant floors or a low profile carpet style. Not only can low profile carpets offer durability, but they make it easier to maneuver if you have a rolling chair.

No matter what flooring you choose, you should still protect it by adding furniture pads to the feet of your office furniture and using a chair mat for rolling chairs.

While functionality is always key, you also have to love the style of your floor. You can virtually try on floors in your exact room with our room visualizer tool. Simply upload a photo of your room, browse and sort by color, type, and more to find a floor that fits your style, then see how the floor looks in your space. You can even save it or share it.

Are there others sharing your office?

With many kids doing virtual learning and perhaps a spouse working from home as well, there’s a high chance your home office isn’t just for you. One of the biggest considerations for sharing your home office space is acoustics. Footsteps, moving chairs, and closing doors can all be distracting when on a conference call. Yes, you can have rules, but we all know there will eventually be exceptions. That’s why it’s best to think ahead and just get flooring that can handle you and “co-workers.”

Carpet offers much better acoustic properties compared to hard surface flooring, and with noise being one of the biggest working from home complaints, installing carpet can make a noticeable difference. It is known to help reduce the transmission of impact sound, whether from foot traffic or moving chairs. Carpet also helps absorb airborne sound that typically comes from people talking, speakers, and electronics.

When choosing your home office flooring, it is best to focus on your personal needs. You can read a million blogs, but each home is different and requires attention to detail. The best way to avoid making a mistake is to have a flooring professional come to your home and discuss your functional needs.

The post Choosing The Best Home Office Flooring appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

With the right basement floors, décor, and furniture, a remodel of your lower level can add a whole new dynamic to your home. Whether you want to create a welcoming space for guests, a fun entertainment zone, or a super comfy gathering area for the big game, here are six basement remodel ideas worth considering.

Build A Home Theater

Some basements may not have much natural light, but that’s perfect for a home movie theater! For in-home cinema, many homeowners love a thick plush carpet to add the kind of comfort that you can’t find in actual movie theaters. Kick off your shoes, recline in that over-sized theater-style seat, and enjoy your favorite show.

Some ideas to consider for your basement home theater:

• Install an actual projector and screen for a true widescreen feel.
• Use floor lighting to help you navigate the space in the dark.
• If you’re a movie collector, build a display case to show off your collection.
• Decorate the walls with classic film posters.
• Don’t forget surround sound and easy-to-control, dimmable lighting.

Your Own Private Gym

When it comes to home gyms, some people prefer that clean, minimalist look with neutral grays, whites, and blacks. Go with luxury vinyl tile for some added comfort under foot, and mix in that corner TV to keep up with the latest scores. A simple combination of resistance training, cardio equipment, and free weights doesn’t need to take up a lot of space but can create an atmosphere that’s great for a mind-clearing calorie burn any time of day.

With a home gym, you can also keep it simple and go for an industrial look by taking advantage of already exposed concrete floors and walls. Add artwork from your favorite sports teams or action movies, and roll out a commercial grade carpet for free weight and stretching areas. Some homeowners even make their basement home gyms into a yoga or dance studio with wall-length mirrors, hardwood flooring, and plenty of open space.

The Ultimate Gathering Space

In larger basements, you can create a multi-faceted entertainment room. Incorporate a bar with vintage, iconic art on the walls for mixing up the latest cocktails. Add a widescreen TV and a large sectional nearby for an ideal spot with friends and family or to host a small party. Add to the inviting vibe with a durable wood-look vinyl plank floor in a rich red or white oak color that looks great and feels comfortable.

If there’s room for it, basements are also excellent places for a billiard table and darts. With a large space, you can create entertainment zones—where one group is immersed in a television show, another competes for bragging rights in a game of darts, and others chat at nearby bar stools.

Create a Loft-Style Apartment

Basements can also make for great guest rooms, a mother-in-law quarters, or spaces where friends can relax, hang out, and spend the night. We suggest modeling your space after a loft-style apartment with light-colored hardwood or wood laminate basement flooring.

Embrace open space with some contemporary or minimalist furniture. Consider adding in futons or sleek pull-out couches that use space efficiently and have multiple uses—during the day, the bright, airy space can double as a relaxing gathering area before your guests tuck in for the night. A cute corner kitchen and small dining table for two are also perfect welcoming touches for a loft-style guest space.

Go For a Cozy Cabin Look

With exposed wood in the ceiling, a basement can naturally offer some rustic elements. Some homeowners will add decorative wood beams overhead, along with wooden wall paneling for a cozy cabin look. Add to the cabin look and vibe with a low-maintenance wood laminate basement floor to offer more warmth and texture.

Big couches with puffy pillows and a TV are essentials in a space like this. And don’t forget a corner kitchen to brew up some coffee or tea! For flooring, consider going with more of a classic look by using thin hardwood slats.

Build a Creative Space or Art Studio

Sometimes you just want that getaway space where you can create something uniquely your own. Whether you paint, record music, write poetry, dance, or sing, a safe retreat to nurture your inner artist can be found with the perfect basement remodel.

Install blinds for a window well to shed light on your canvas in the early morning to get those creative juices flowing. You can also add sophistication with a vinyl tile or vinyl plank floor that has a wood look but offers the water resistance to handle that messy art project, too.

Throw in a workbench with years of creativity scars, add a separate couch and sitting space alongside your personal creative zone, or paint the ceiling stark white or a vibrant color. The best thing about making your basement into a creative space is that it truly starts and ends with your own imagination. You make the décor rules, and can choose to follow them or not.

Considering a basement remodel? Let a professional help you find the right type of floor for you. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to see how easy the whole process can be!

The post 6 Ideas for An Epic Basement Remodel appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Flooring Type: Commercial Carpet

Product/Color: Tenbrooke II/Evening Shade

Rooms: Call Center

We’ve worked with this company in the past for some smaller flooring projects in their office space, but this time they contacted us on short notice for a big expansion project—they were looking to install floors in a new area of the building and turn it into a new call center. One of our veteran flooring professionals was quick to answer the call and help them. During their free estimate, he showed them a few flooring options before guiding them to a great choice of Tenbrooke II commercial carpet in the color Evening Shade. This is a very durable carpet used in a lot of commercial projects, and here, it just made sense. The color matches perfectly with the blue paint on the railings of the stairs and the surrounding baseboards.

Our flooring professional took his job one step further by working with the install office to confirm that we could get the largest roll possible to help reduce seams in the large open space.

The install crew obviously works well together as they were able to install over 5,800 square feet of glue-down carpet in one and a half days without missing a beat on quality. Since the flooring was installed ahead of schedule, the cubicles that were to be installed the next week for the new call center were able to be pushed up to be delivered a week earlier. This project was a complete team effort, and the customer was thrilled with the end result. Hats off to everyone involved to knock this one out of the park.

For help with your next commercial flooring project, you can count on Empire® to get the job done right. Schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate now!

The post Empire Team Goes Above & Beyond to Help This Commercial Client with New Floors appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

The great news is that you have many high-quality options when it comes to kid-friendly floors. Here are some popular options families love, along with a few tips for how you should go about choosing the right one for your home.

Before You Get Started

Before you choose a kid-friendly floor, it’s important to assess your family’s needs. Some things to consider:

• How much water, scratch, and stain resistance do you need? Make sure a sales representative explains the level of protection each flooring type offers.
• Where are your major traffic areas? Will you need two flooring types? One for high-traffic and one for lower-traffic areas?
• Do you have pets? If not, will you have them in the future?
• Consider the age of your children. With a new baby, you may be more concerned about a soft surface, but what about when the baby is older?
• How often will you have time to clean? Some floors take more effort and time to maintain their beauty.

Carpet: Comfort for Playtime

Little ones usually love a fresh, new carpet for the many soft landings it offers, especially those kids who love to wrestle, play, and roughhouse. The great news is that many of today’s plush carpets are also tough enough to handle heavy use, making it the perfect nursery or playroom flooring for your little one.

The health of your children is another thing to consider. You can also find hypoallergenic and odor-neutralizing offerings as well, such as HOME Fresh. It doesn’t trap dirt, is mold and mildew resistant, contains no VOC’s, and is 100% recyclable!

Damage Doesn’t Come Easy with Vinyl Plank

The most popular flooring choice today in pretty much every area of the home, vinyl plank flooring mimics the look of real hardwood, but is softer under the feet and very low maintenance.

A number of vinyl plank products are also built with cork or rubber backings that help block out noise. Vinyl plank, in general, laughs off large spills – there are also 100% waterproof varieties – and it’s great for wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

Vinyl plank flooring also tends to be more affordable than real hardwood, and if you’re little ones love to play with pets, it handles a dog or cat’s nails well. As far as maintenance, simple sweeps and an occasional damp mop and you’re done!

Laminate for a Low Cost, Low Maintenance Wood Look

One of the most cost-friendly options out there, today’s wood laminate comes in a variety of attractive natural wood looks. Families love how quick and easy installation crews can re-make a space, and laminate is also great for those with allergies who need to keep dust and dander at bay.

Super low maintenance, wood laminate comes in a variety of plank widths, is very scratch and fade resistant, and considered by many as one of the best for high-traffic areas. You’ll also find 100% waterproof options, so it can handle juice spills and the splashes that come with bath times. If you’re looking for something that looks just like natural hardwood but is a lot easier to maintain, laminate may be for you.

Hardwood Comes with Long-Lasting Perks

Not too sold on wood looks and want to shoot for the real deal? No worries! Hardwood flooring can still be a suitable option for a household with kids.

Engineered hardwood’s layered construction gives it a strong durability and higher water and moisture resistance than solid hardwood.

However, solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and offers plenty of durability, too. The biggest plus about this choice is that when your kiddos have been too rough over the years, you can refinish it for a fresh look that doesn’t require completely new floors.

If you don’t mind a little extra maintenance for something that’s designed to last for many years and age with character along with your family, hardwood might be for you!

Look of Tile with the Ease of Vinyl 

Combine the beauty of natural stone or wood looks with durability in today’s vinyl tile. With the emergence of improvements in different types of vinyl products, vinyl tile is no longer viewed as an old-school option.

Today’s vinyl tiles are water and stain-resistant, and excellent for busy areas. They offer a contemporary look and some are even installed with grout lines to look like real ceramic or porcelain tiles. Vinyl tile is also a warmer, softer floor than traditional porcelain or ceramic tile. Many people comment on how great it feels under their feet. At the same time, it resists scuffs, stains, and moisture and wipes up super easily!

Ceramics can Also Be Kid-Friendly Flooring

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are also popular for families because these surfaces are, hands down, the hardest out there, which means it takes a lot to stain or damage them.

The trade-off, however, is in how hard these surfaces really are. Little ones should be careful about slips and falls on these slick surfaces. And while they’re cool in the winter, some families also appreciate how cool the surface feels in the summer, too!

If your kids are older and durability is the top priority, porcelain and ceramic tiles offer unmatched scratch, stain and moisture resistance. They likely won’t scuff or dent, and an occasional sweep or mop keeps them looking great for years to come.

As we said, when it comes to kid-friendly floors, you’re always weighing comfort and durability. Let a professional help you decide. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate to find the perfect kid-friendly floor today!

The post Kid-Friendly Flooring Options You Should Consider appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

City/State: Fremont, CA

Flooring Type: Commercial Vinyl Tile (CVT) /Commercial Carpet

Product/Color: CVT/Imperial Blue Dreams, ButterCream Yellow, Imperial Grayed Blue, Velocity Classic, Cool, Antique White & Tenbrook II Carpet/Evening Shade

Rooms: Classroom

This California school was looking for a fun update, so the sales representative worked with school leadership to find the perfect mix of unique accent colors and neutral colors for a commercial vinyl tile installation that would bring some pop to this floor.

The customer also chose the Tenbrooke II commercial carpet in the Evening Shade color for one area of the room. Both flooring options are great when it comes to stain resistance and are super low maintenance, bringing a welcomed lively look while handling the wear-and-tear realities that come with young children using it daily.

Does your school or office need a flooring revamp? Schedule a FREE in-home estimate today!

The post Vinyl Tile and Carpet Add Touch of Fun to California School appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

With hundreds of suggestions out there on how to remove stains, it’s hard to understand exactly how you should care for your floors. At Empire Today®, we know a thing or two when it comes to flooring, including how to keep your floors in tip-top shape in the long run. Here are a few easy tips to keep in mind for those annoying flooring stains:

1. Use the Correct Cleaning Technique

Anyone who has needed to know how to get stains out of carpet knows how frustrating they can be. While it’s important to remove a stain as quickly as possible, make sure to follow the right technique and manufacturer recommendation for how to remove set in stains. Be careful not to scrub the area too hard—being overly aggressive can cause your carpet fibers to fuzz and stand out from the rest. It’s also important to start from the outside of the stain and work your way in (not the other way around). This helps prevent the stain from spreading further.

2. Be Careful with At-Home Chemistry Experiments

Many of the tips you hear in social media posts and blogs suggest how to get stains out of carpet, like mixing hydrogen peroxide and soap, but be careful—mixing chemicals incorrectly can damage your floors. If you’re considering trying one of these sorts of tips look at what the manufacturer recommends first, then use caution, and run a test on a small, discrete portion of the carpet before trying it out on the actual stain. If you’re not sure, call a professional for help or try a safer DIY option. We suggest a couple safer at-home DIY solutions below in #5.

3. Make Sure to Use the Right Tools for Your Floors

It may come as a surprise, but high-tech cleaning tools aren’t always a good idea for all flooring. For example, high temperatures generated from steam mops can cause irreparable damage to certain types of floors. Make sure you check the manufacturer to see if a steam mop is safe for your specific floors. And if you’re not sure, steer clear.

4. Choose Quality Cleaning Products and Follow Directions

When it comes to mystery stains on your floors, the best course of action is to use a quality, name-brand floor cleaner designed for the specific flooring type you have. Remember, when it comes to cleaners, stronger is not always better. Be sure to read the directions on the bottle of cleaner and follow them carefully, and use the applicator recommended for the cleaner being used.

5. Consider Using Supplies from Around Your House

A sticky stain like chewing gum can be a real pain. But did you know that an ice cube can do the trick to remove it on laminate flooring? Instead of reaching for a sponge and scrubbing it away, you can place an ice cube directly on the sticky spot. As it cools, the gummy substance will typically harden—making it a lot easier to remove in one go with a dull plastic scraper.

I know we said to be careful with DIY solutions (and that’s still true), but not all are created equal. There are some helpful at-home remedies that are generally regarded as safe. For example, for rust stains on your vinyl flooring, a simple tip is using lemon juice and cream of tartar to help remove the stain. Afterwards, clean up with simple rinse with water and you’re done. For more general cleaning tips and maintenance ideas for your specific type of floors, see our Product Care section.

6. To Extend the Life of Your Carpet, Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Hiring a professional carpet cleaner isn’t just about refreshing the look and feel of your carpet (though it’s helpful for this, too). Getting your carpet professionally cleaned using hot water extraction every six to 12 months can help remove set-in or fresh stains. The professional carpet cleaner can also re-apply soil and stain protectants to help avoid future carpet stains. This makes maintenance easier, as well as providing you with additional peace of mind about your carpet’s longevity.

7. Consider a Flooring that Resists Stains and Cleans Easily

What’s better than getting stains out of your flooring? Preventing them before they even happen! Flooring options from Empire that resist stains and clean effortlessly make it easy.

For a softer option, HOME Fresh is a one-of-a-kind carpet that’s not only comfy but also helps keep your home cleaner! How? Its one-of-a-kind construction with a built-in premium padding provides better airflow, allowing dirt and dust to be vacuumed up easier. HOME Fresh’s fibers don’t absorb moisture, helping prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and allergens (the most common sources of a bad carpet smell). Plus, HOME Fresh comes with Scotchguard Protector 3M with Advanced Repel Technology, providing long lasting stain protection that helps keep spills from seeping into the carpet.

For a hard surface option, look into vinyl plank flooring. Also known as luxury vinyl plank, some vinyl plank flooring options are 100% waterproof, so they can stand up to large spills, dampness, moisture, or flat-out wetness. With the look and feel of natural hardwood flooring, vinyl plank flooring will keep your mind at ease and your house looking great for years to come.

8. If It’s Time to Update Your Stained Flooring, Empire Can Help

If professional cleaning isn’t doing the trick anymore, or the old stains keep piling on, it might be time to replace your floors. Schedule a FREE In-Home Estimate with an Empire flooring professional to see all the beautiful options you can choose from. From carpet to hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and tile, Empire Today has hundreds of choices. You might be surprised by the types of flooring you can get that give you the look you want with the convenience you need to stand up to spills, messes, and stains.

Even those of us who do our very best to keep our flooring clean and without stains will likely end up with a spill or mystery spot on our floors from time to time. It happens! We hope these tips give you the confidence you need to remedy the situation when stains do show up on your floors—keeping them, and your home, looking beautiful!

The post How to Remove Stains from Your Floors: The Dreaded Mystery Stains appeared first on Empire Today Blog.

Flooring Type: Indoor-Outdoor Carpet

Product/Color: Courtyard—Harvest

Room: Pool Balcony

Summer may be over, but this Florida homeowner is still feeling the heat and wanted a new look for their pool balcony. During their consultation, their needs were considered, and we helped them select Courtyard in the Harvest color. This is an indoor-outdoor carpet that has durability and moisture and frost resistance, making it capable of withstanding various outdoor climates. During their consultation, the exterior color of their home was also considered and was perfectly complemented with this carpet color selection.

Despite the Florida humidity, the team worked extremely hard to give the customer an installation that was flawless and easy to impress their next pool party guests!

Yes, summer has left us, but you can still get a refreshing new look in your home. Get floors the easy way with Empire Today.

The post Indoor-Outdoor Carpet Gives Pool Balcony a Splash of Style appeared first on Empire Today Blog.