Selling your house? First impressions count!

We don't often 'see' our home as others might see it - when we return from work or with the weekly shopping, we just go through the door and get on with our lives.

If you are thinking of putting your property 'on the market' it is important to convey a good 'first impression'. People will see a photograph on a website, in an estate agents' window or on paper details. Usually, the photograph will be of the front of the house and, even if it isn't, some people will use Google Street View or check out the location in person.

If you have a front garden, keep the lawn and foliage neat so that it looks nice and seems easy to mange. Paths and driveways must be seen to be low maintenance so they should be repaired, if necessary.

Paved driveways can look tired. Remember, when you first had your driveway paved, how good it looked? Paved driveways can be restored to look as good as new. They can also be sealed to look good for longer.

Don't panic if you have a tired old tarmac driveway - you don't have to replace it as these too, can be repaired, cleaned and sealed so that your old tarmac drive looks like new at a fraction of the cost.

When you've read this article, leave your house and stand across the street to stare back at it. Are the guttering and downpipes in good order? Do your wood-framed windows and entrance door need a coat of paint or varnish? Are the curtains or blinds attractive?

Come back in and look at your entrance hall - is it bright and uncluttered?

When you are moving home, you don't want to spend a lot of money of doing it up - the likelihood is that the buyers will change things anyway - but you should consider that a well presented home will sell much faster than one that is cluttered.

Most people expect to redecorate when they buy a new home but many will not have the extra budget to renew carpets therefore it is essential that the carpets you include in the sale are an asset rather than a liability. Ensure that each room looks as good as possible by having your carpets professionally cleaned. You can often have three carpets cleaned for the price of two.

Some people do not have good imaginations, therefore décor should be neutral, where possible, unless you have recently made bold statements when upgrading your home for a contemporary look and feel. If you are selling in winter or if there is is not much natural light in certain rooms, lighting can be important, too.

Present your home as a show-home, keeping ornaments etc to a minimum, otherwise your home might seem small. Keep work surfaces clear in kitchens and de-clutter bathrooms of personal items.

Finally, keep it warm but fresh. Subtle smells, such as fresh air, baking and a cleaned floor make a better impact than last night's curry, burnt toast or scented masking sprays.

Best of luck!

Bathrooms & Wetrooms: Non Slip Floors

Safety in the home is paramount in kitchens and bathrooms. Bathrooms and wet-rooms can be a particular hazard when feet and floors are wet, therefore it is vitally important to use anti-slip flooring.

Practical Bathing has a wealth of experience installing bathrooms, shower rooms and wet rooms in private dwellings, care homes and hospitals. Flooring is an integral part of the overall solution, and careful consideration is given to the needs of elderly, infirm or disabled bathers.

Anti-slip vinyl is available in a wide range of attractive colours and styles, with specific anti-slip qualities to suit different environments. For example, in an assisted wet room environment where the carer’s shoes might also get wet, a high grade anti slip surface will be required.

Installing anti-slip vinyl requires skill and attention to detail. The room must be properly prepared and the floor level and smooth. The vinyl will be glued down and sealed, creating a water resistant solution which will last for many years.

A few more Carpet Care Tips

Sweeping, vacuuming, washing and ironing your carpets!

Now and then, your rugs and carpets can get a little smelly. It may not be noticeable during the summer but once the chilly winter kicks in and windows are tightly shut to keep in the warmth, you might notice that the air isn't so fresh!

If you have a clean broom with fine plastic fibres, use it to sweep your carpets. Just like brushing your hair, it will de-tangle the carpet fibres (not Berber loop, obviously!).

Buy a quality vacuum cleaner, ensure that you have it set at the correct height off the floor and vacuum your carpet regularly to remove dust and grit before they begin to damage the fibres.

Time to stop screaming and tackle those chocolate and mud stains! Mix some soap powder with warm water and dab it on the stain, using a clean cloth soak up the solution and, hopefully, some of the dirt. This may have to repeated a number of times. Don't vacuum the area again until thoroughly dry. We've found 1001 Carpet Stain Remover to be quite effective, too, especially with coffee and even red wine!

Of course, water doesn't mix with oil or wax or fat so this is where the iron comes in useful. Place a paper kitchen towel over the stain and iron over the stain - using a low heat setting, as a scorch mark would make matters worse! You should see the stain gradually transfer to the paper towel absorbed by the paper towel. Again, this may have to repeated a number of times.

Check out our curtain cleaning post, too!

Rain, Snow & Ice takes its toll on Tarmac Drives

Looking after your tarmac driveway - especially after winter.

Tarmac is a cost-effective solution for driveways but after a few years it can look 'tyred' :o) and can suffer from harsh winter weather. When your drive is past its best, driveway and patio cleaning services will pressure clean it, fill any gaps, then treat it with Resiblock Resimat to leave your driveway looking as good as new again for a few more years. Be sure to find an established local company, preferably one that has been recommended to you. NEVER use a company that knocks on your door or 'happens to be in the area...'

Cleaning Curtains 'in situ'

Did you realise that curtains can be cleaned without taking them down? If you have non-washable heavy drapes or wall hangings that are difficult to remove and re-hang, they can be cleaned where they are, in your own home.

When preparing for cleaning, check for holes where moths and mites may have caused damage. If there are small black specks, these could be caused by fly 'poo' which is difficult to remove.

If in doubt about trying a 'do-it-yourself' cleaning solution on expensive items, choose a professional onsite cleaning service for curtains, pelments, carpets, rugs and upholstery. Wall hangings are prone to dust-gathering too.

First of all, items are prepared with a vacuuming to remove dust, hair, fibres, etc., then pre-sprayed with Prochem (or similar) dry cleaning solution. Soft furnishings are then dry cleaned with a professional machine, designed especially for the job, operated by trained professionals. When completed, everything should be bright, clean and smelling fresh!

Check out our other tips on this blog!

Autumn 'to do' list for your Home

Carpets.
A whole summer of dusty feet coming in from the garden makes carpets look flat, grubby and tired. Clean your carpets before the winter wet makes them worse.


Driveways.
A wet summer causes havoc in Britain. Stones or Paving may have been dislodged by driving rain or tough weed growth and will certainly have ground-in dirt. A professional clean and seal will return your driveway or patio to its former glory ready for the winter weather onslaught. (Not usually necessary ever year!)

 

Gardens.
A final cut of the lawn and then clean the lawn-mower before storing it away until next March, ready for the first cut of next year. Trim dead growth from shrubs and borders. Don't undertake any serious tree surgery until late - your local experienced tree service will not only advise the best time for various tree types but their service usually includes a logging, chipping or carting service (be sure to check what's included and what isn't).

Gutters & Drains.
Also, remember to clean out your guttering. A build-up of soggy leaves will prevent rainwater from draining away. It may spill over - or worse, damage the guttering. Any clogged drains should be remedied too.

• All house-hold jobs done? Time for fun. Carve some pumpkins for the front step! 
• Naughty or nice? Start writing that Christmas list and plan for a long, cosy winter.

Allergies? Eliminate Dust Mites from your Carpets

House dust mites are mostly found in carpets and mattresses; their numbers are increasing because we provide perfect conditions - humid warm environments - in our centrally-heated, thermally-insulated, double glazed homes. They feed on dead skin that has been shed and forms part of general household dust.

They are a significant source of allergies, including: asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis and dermatitis.

There are a couple of ways to eliminate dust mites.

• Subject dust mites to extreme heat (60'C) or cold (0'C) for about an hour -  therefore hot washes or putting a pillow in a large chest freezer would be quite successful;
• Sofas, mattresses and carpets can be vacuumed with a high suction cleaner. Treat first with a mite powder.

And no, we are not going to use a magnified image of a mite, just for sensationalism. Nor are we going to use a boring photograph of a vacum cleaner. Here is a beautiful carpet of flowers instead.