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.

Would you notice if your Carpets Smell?

Food smells from cooking, particularly oily fish, frying and roasting are easily noticeable and dealt with by washing pans and regularly cleaning the oven. Similarly, fridges are regularly emptied and cleaned. But what about the gradual build-up of general household smells?

We get used to odours in our own homes and summer is usually a great time to 'air' carpets as windows and doors are open most days - except when the British summertime is wet! In fact, wet dogs and muddy shoes leave marks, cats stay in and drop hairs, we may even have resorted to bringing barbecue food and drink inside, adding to the spills and smells.

Time to think about a freshen-up! Professional carpet cleaners are usually very busy in the first week of September when children return to school, as well as the end of July before customers set off for their annual holidays. If you want to clean your own carpets, you need to ban children and pets for a good few hours!

When we have pleasant weather, the best way to bring the fresh outdoors inside is to open windows and patio doors. Beware of dirty shoes though!