Happy Monday! I wanted to give a few tips on stopping dirt at the door to help you keep your carpets cleaner..  Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is a great way to start keeping it clean. The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks.

• Use mats – Outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house
• Take off your shoes – You can save wear and tear on carpet by asking everyone to take off their shoes before entering your home (socks are best because of natural oils produced by feet)
• Change your air filters – Change your air filters in your furnace systems often. I personally change mine every 3-4 weeks. the more dust and particles removed by the filter, the less fall on the carpet.

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I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I am so grateful for my beautiful, thoughtful family. And I am so fond of my friends that I have and all my ‘new’ friends I have made the last couple of years. Thanks to all of you for making a huge difference in my life!

My article for this blog post is Catsup stain removal in carpets:

For the removal of Catsup you may be able to remove the majority of the stain by blotting the area with a white paper towel or perhaps even scraping excess with a dull knife. Next, blot the area with a white paper towel to reduce the moisture content. Put a small amount of soap mixture ( mix 1/4 teaspoon of dish washing soap, making sure the soap does not contain lanolin or bleach with 1 quart of water. Safe soaps can be Dawn or Joy).  Apply the soap mixture on the carpet, use a blotting motion to work it in. If the affected area is being diluted by the mixture keep applying and blotting with a white paper towel until the spot is invisible. Again, apply water , do not blot after this time of applying, instead make a pad of folded white paper towels then apply a brick or weight on top, let dry.  http://www.anchorrestoration.com

This month, March, we will all be setting our clocks to Daylight Saving Time. The time change is a good reminder to check your smoke alarms. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 66 percent of home fire deaths that occurred between 2003-2006 were in homes without a working smoke alarm. A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.
A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you are awake or asleep, working smoke alarm is constantly on alert, scanning the air for fire and smoke. Smoke alarms must be maintained!! A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all, so test your smoke alarm monthly by pushing the “test” button, if it has one. Smoke alarms are powered by either a battery or are hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Hardwired smoke alarms are usually equipped with a backup battery. If your smoke alarm is powered by battery, the battery needs to be replace annually unless it is a long-life battery (check the owner’s manual). All batteries should be maintained and replaced in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance.
Choose an annual date, such as the time change, when you will remember to maintain your smoke alarm in tip top condition. Check the manufacturer’s expiration date on the label, replace the batteries if needed, and clean dust away from the slots so that smoke can enter freely. All smoke alarms, hard-wired and battery powered should be replaced every ten years. These simple steps will ensure that you and your family will have the best chance of surviving if fire should strike.
USFA has a fire safety campaign called Install. Inspect. Protect. which provides information about home smoke alarms and fire sprinklers. Please visit the campaign website at: www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms

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