1. Lemons act as a natural bleach. To remove stains from white clothing and lines, soak the stained area in lemon juice and place the item in direct sunlight. The stain will disappear.
2. The citrus smell is refreshing in a home or office. Place a sliced lemon in attractive containers in the areas you want to freshen. Squeeze out a little juice but keep the rind on as the odor from the rind adds a nice pungent smell along with the usual citrus smell. The scent of lemons is especially pleasant in Spring and Summer as a sense of good health and the outdoors goes with these seasons.
3. Items made with copper, such as the bottom of pans, are easily cleaned with lemon juice. Dip a cut lemon in salt (any kind will do) and rub the lemon over the copper to remove stains. Lemon juice and salt can also effectively clean microwaves, thermoses, the inside of stained coffee cups, and coffee makers.
4. Lemon juice can be used as a degreaser as it cuts through grease. Use lemon juice to clean stove tops and countertops.
5. Lemon juice can be used to clean glass, such as glass table tops. It can be mixed with vinegar and water for bigger jobs like windows where the citrus smell will override the vinegar smell.
6. The acid in lemons is antiseptic and antibacterial, so its use as a cleaning agent helps clean away harmful bacteria. However, lemon juice is not a disinfectant, so it cannot be used to remove harmful microbes from cooking surfaces.
7. A good rubbing of lemon rind will remove rust stains from linoleum.
8. When cleaning, should you get stains on or dirt under your fingernails cut a lemon in half and submerge your fingertips (nails) in the cut lemon. Wiggle your fingertips firmly into the cut lemon for several minutes. The lemon juice will act as the cleaner while the pulp inside the lemon acts as the scrubber. Not only will your nails become nice and white, but your hands will also smell fresh and clean as well.

Lemons, as you can see, are much more useful in the home and office than for making lemonade. It is so vital in today’s world where the environment is constantly threatened with harsh chemicals, many of them used for cleaning, that people, whenever possible, use natural cleaners such as lemons to accomplish their cleaning tasks. We will be looking at two more natural cleaning helpers, vinegar Part 2, baking soda in Part 3, and other environmentally safe cleaning ideas in Part 4. This series is designed to give you many ideas to help you do your part in keeping our environment clean while at the same time keeping it safe for today and future generations.

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Will there be stairs?
How complex and expensive is the installation?

Are there thresholds to be worked with? (a threshold is the point where different types of flooring and carpet meet. Special consideration must be given as to the difference in height along the threshold to be sure installation is possible that will be able to give a finished look.)

Type of and cost of padding, including installation cost
Warranty
Moving of furniture
Removal of old carpet and other types of flooring

Once you have answered all the questions regarding the how’s and why’s of carpeting for your home or office, and you have decided on your carpet budget, it is time to look at carpet styles, colors, and textures:

Style: For each style considered find out about:

• Anti-static technology is necessary as without it you can short circuit an audio system or computer by merely walking on the carpet and then touching a device
• How a carpet is rated from 1 to 5, 5 being the highest rating and the best rating for heavy traffic.
• How stain and soil resistant is the carpet? Does it have a special protectant?
• How easy is it to clean and maintain?
• Will it repel mildew?
• Learn about a carpet’s fiber content (wool is the finest but the costliest) and if man-made the technology behind its creation

There are basically two types of carpet, loop pile, and cut pile. DIY explains these two styles: “In the loop-style pile, each of the ends is connected into the backing, so there is a continuous loop. If you ran a pin underneath you would actually feel the loop. In the cut-style pile the loops are actually cut so there are individual ends sticking up through the backing. If you ran the same pin through there, the pin would lift right up.” The most popular carpet styles include plush, loop or Berber, Frieze, and Patterned.

Color: Choosing the right color is vitally important. You want a color you like but also a color that will complement the room you will be carpeting. Make sure you take a sample of wallpaper, paint chips, and a swatch of furniture and window coverings with you to the carpet store. As the lighting in the store will not be the same as in your home, it is best if you can take samples of your choices home to look at in your home or office’s light. Color affects a person’s mood. Warm colors such as yellows, reds, and beige inspire energy while cool colors such as brown, blue, and grey give a sense of calm. Too, darker colors will make a room feel more contained while lighter colors will make a room seem larger.

Textures are important because that is how a carpet will look and feel as you walk on them. In most cases the tighter the looping, the easier to clean and resist stain but may not be as soft on bare feet. A plush, very comfy carpet to walk on and beautiful to look at is also high maintenance when it comes to cleaning. Vacuum and footprint tracks stay visible on the plush. Each carpet style has a list of pros and cons when it comes to how the texture affects the use, wear, and maintenance of that style. Be sure to research all the details of the styles you like to understand how the texture will affect the long-range use and care of your carpet.

Choosing a carpet can be one of the most difficult and time-consuming parts of deciding the floor covering for your home or office. It is best to get input from professional carpet personnel before making a final decision. Once your carpet is installed you will likely be using it for a long time. You want your final choice to be the right one!

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Wood floors: Wood floors have been used for many years, even centuries. As wood is susceptible to moisture, people have learned how to treat wood to keep moisture from seeping in. Wood floors in today’s homes are, for the most part, highly polished and usually used in homes where there is not a lot of sand to filter inside to act as “sandpaper” on the surface. Attractive area or throw rugs can be used to accent wood floors, but many people prefer the beauty of wood without covering accept perhaps by doors or under a dining room table where spills may occur. Wood floors are created from several trees including, oak, bamboo, hickory, cork, eucalyptus, and maple. When shopping for which type wood is best for your needs and preferences, color, grain patterns, knot patterns, water resistance, length and width of planks, hand scraped, and hardness should be considered. There are a number of well-recommended wood flooring companies who can help a customer find what is right for them.

Tile floors: Again, a popular floor for many years in many parts of the world. Recent years have seen a large interest in tile floors in America, and their use has become prevalent even in modest to lower priced homes. This recent increase in tile floors is likely due to the ease if keeping them clean. In most families, all adults work full time outside the home, and thus no one has a lot of time for housekeeping. A quick sweep or vacuum with a wet mop, when needed, is all it takes to keep the tile clean and looking nice. If grout is used to secure the tile pieces, there will be some additional upkeep to keep the tile floor looking its best, but regular sweeping and mopping will make grout care necessary only every few months. Tile floors are especially great in areas where sand and dirt will be a constant visitor into a home. Again, area rugs can be used, most frequently in front of doors, in bathrooms, and beside beds. Many area rugs can be cleaned by a good shake on a regular basis and in the washing machine as needed. Tile floors come in many colors, patterns, and types of tile. Types of tile include porcelain, ceramic, and rubber and each type can be designed to stand on its own appearance or look and feel like stone or polished wood. Tiles come in a variety of sizes from the traditional 12” by 12” to mosaic sheets, to rectangular subway tiles, to the newest inkjet flooring technology.

Laminate floors: This type of flooring is becoming very popular with those wanting the look of real hardwood but not the price. A much more economical type of flooring both from the cost of the flooring to the cost of installation, laminate floors offer both beauty and affordability. In fact, laminate floors can be installed successfully by most anyone. These floors come in a variety of colors, are waterproof or water resistant, and durable, allowing for a large amount of foot traffic. Many families with children and pets opt for laminated floors. Laundry rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and basements do well with this type of flooring.

Luxury Vinyl floors: The least expensive type of flooring, yet attractive and durable, make vinyl floors the choice for many families with pets and children but not a lot of money to spend on fixing up their home. Vinyl floors can look like wood or tile and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are easy to take care of and easy to install as a DIY project. Another helpful feature is the ability of vinyl to absorb noise, much appreciated by families with pets and children. These floors are dent resistant, comfortable to walk on, and can be waterproof. There is a note of caution, however, as vinyl must be installed over a completely smooth subfloor for any imperfection will show through as a bump or dent.

Choosing the right floor for your home takes time and knowledge. Think about your personal wants and likes and what type of budget you can use. Research online and by asking questions to qualified flooring experts. Choose wisely as the floor in your home will get a lot of use for as long as the home exists. You will want to read part 3 of this series as often, in addition to flooring, there are carpets to consider. We will look at what to think about when choosing carpet and what styles are popular.

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Type and Age of Occupants: Who will be living in the home? Will it be a single person dwelling or a home filled with children and pets? And, if children are a part of the occupant dynamic, what ages are they? As is well known, young children tend to create a lot of potential stains and damage to whatever type of flooring is used. For example, carpets, finely polished wood, and decorative tile can be ruined from spills, sharp toys, and such items as crayons, magic markers, and permanent markers. Pets too can cause havoc on the above type flooring. Puppies are especially noted for their destructive powers when it comes to chewing and the results of pre-housebreaking.

Living Habits: But, even if it is a single adult or a couple, their living habits should be looked at. Do they smoke? Are they careful to take their shoes off at the front door or likely to come in bringing the outside in with them? Do they need a quiet environment where carpet would be wise or do they prefer the type of flooring less quiet but easy to keep clean? And what about feet? If shoes are left at the door, do the occupants want the warmth and softness of carpet or do they prefer the coolness of tile or wood?

Location of the Home: While this may sound strange, it is an important consideration as some of the outside will eventually come inside. Is the home located in a city or basically cement neighborhood? If so, dirt, (mud) grass clippings, leaf debris, and water will not be much of an issue. However, If the home is located where there are lots of “outdoors” to come in on the bottom of shoes and feet the flooring should be able to withstand the incoming elements. And what about sand? There are parts of the country where sand is everywhere. Sand is notorious for coming in on a regular basis whether it is blown in or brought in. Think about what kind of flooring will best withstand the mess and eventual grinding away that sand entails.

Lifestyle of the Occupants: Are the people living in the home retired or are they working full time? Do they travel a lot, entertain a lot, or are involved in a multitude of activities? In other words, how much time do the occupants have to keep the floor and coverings clean? Do they carry food and drink around the home, allow children and pets free reign? Are they the type to pick up as they go or do they leave things lying around to spill on and sometimes damage their floors? Does anyone living there enjoy housekeeping, and if not, can they afford professional cleaners?

The above questions need to be answered honestly before deciding what type of floor and the coverings are a wise choice. To be able to truly enjoy a home, its occupants should have floors and floor coverings suited to the way they enjoy living while at the same time the type of floors and their coverings they are able to care for and able to keep in good condition. Floors and their coverings are an essential part of a home—take time to choose yours wisely.

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