New Popemobile boasts recycled plastic bottle carpets

Fisker Inc, based in Los Angeles, has announced that it is supplying an electric vehicle to Pope Francis that features carpets made out of recycled plastic bottles that had been thrown into the ocean.

Plastic bottles thrown into the sea are harmful to marine life, so retrieving and recycling them is good for the environment. The vehicle, which is known as the Popemobile, has a retractable cupola roof and features sustainable materials.

According to Euro News, the co-founders of Fisker, Henrik Fisker and Dr Geeta Gupta-Fisker, said that they:

“Got inspired reading that Pope Francis is very considerate about the environment and the impact of climate change for future generations.”

The special vehicle is expected to be ready in 2022. In 2020, Pope Francis took delivery of a Toyota Mirai, which is hydrogen powered.

Most carpets in cars are made from nylon, but you can purchase luxury automobile deep pile wool carpets that are more sustainable.

It is difficult to find carpets made out of recycled plastic bottles, but there are eco-friendly options for carpets in North Wales and Chester homes. Pure wool carpets are a good choice. Wool is a natural, sustainable product that will last a long time. A wool carpet helps keep rooms warm and can save up to 15% on heating bills, reducing the carbon footprint of a home.

If the carpet needs an underlay, wool is a good option, or there are several types of underlay made from recycled rubber or polymer.

Why are vacuum cleaners ideal for vinyl flooring?

Vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for many property owners due to its versatile look that can efficiently impersonate both natural wood and stone at a fraction of the expense. It’s also hardwearing and can withstand plenty of footfall, making it a sound investment.

Among its many other advantages, vinyl flooring is also extremely easy to care for, a fact that makes it suitable for homes and commercial enterprises where owners prefer a well-maintained appearance.

Despite this fact, just like any other type of floor, vinyl must be regularly cleaned and cared for to ensure it enjoys the full length of its expected lifespan, and in the following sections, we’ll explore why a household vacuum cleaner is a perfect device for the job.

Dealing with larger debris

From those installed in homes to businesses, vinyl floors will always be subjected to material from outside being brought indoors. Small stones, dirt and grit can all be smuggled inside in the paws of pets or the treads of people’s shoes before being distributed across flooring.

While the topmost layer of vinyl flooring features a protective seal, this defence can be damaged when small sharp particles are dragged across the floor’s surface. This scenario is all too common when a mop or brush is used to sweep floors, while a vacuum, on the other hand, will safely suck up the unwanted debris without inflicting any harm.

Ensuring small particles are removed

Another key advantage of vacuum cleaners over other cleaning apparatus is the way they don’t cause tiny dust particles and fine pet hair to whirl up during cleaning. Unlike mops and brooms, vacuums are more likely to provide a more comprehensive clean for your vinyl floors.

A dry-cleaning method like vacuuming is always advised, as wet options will cause flooring to warp and buckle over time. This can ruin the appearance of your floor and, in extreme cases, result in the expense of replacing damaged areas.

What types of vacuum cleaner are suitable for vinyl floors?

It’s worth noting that vinyl flooring tends to have a much softer surface in comparison to laminate or tiling, and if a vacuum cleaner is not handled properly, it can result in unsightly marks and scratches.

First, make sure when purchasing a vacuum that it has no sharp edges or metal plating fitted where it will be in contact with your flooring to avoid any unwanted damage. You’ll find that vacuum cleaners that come equipped with special brush attachments are typically the best option for caring for vinyl.

These attachments allow the vacuum’s nozzle to glide gently over vinyl flooring without scratching its protective layer. Some devices will come with a variety of different attachments to suit different areas of the floor, while other have parquet nozzles designed specifically for use with wooden floors. Fitted with softer and longer bristles, these extensions can be counted on for scratch-free cleaning of your vinyl flooring.

Providing you follow this guidance, you’ll be able to clean any vinyl floor safely and effectively, enjoying years of use.

Banana silk used to make vegan carpets

Vegans do not like to use any materials sourced from animals. A strict vegan will not buy a wool or silk carpet, as they are both materials derived from animals. However, carpet manufacturer Kymo is one of the few companies that are producing carpets made from silk extracted from bananas, making them 100% vegan.

Banana silk is not made from the banana fruit – it is extracted from the wood pulp of the banana plant. It can be weaved to make carpets that feel more like velvet than the silk produced by silkworms.

The founder of Kymo, Denis Türker, along with inhouse designers Eva Langhans and Katharina Tannous, have created a banana silk carpet called Molten Metal, which has been inspired by the look of metal heated to high temperatures. Molten metal is reflective, and this effect has been reproduced in their stylish carpets.

The banana silk carpets are handwoven in India. During the coronavirus pandemic, communication with the weavers has taken place via video conferencing technology.

Banana silk carpets are expensive, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to buy attractive, high-quality carpets in the North Wales and Chester regions. Wool is often the choice for those who want a luxury carpet, but alternatives include nylon, polypropylene or polyester carpets, which are also less expensive. There are also cotton carpets available. Cotton tends to wear quicker than other types of carpet, unless it is blended with other materials to make the carpet more durable.

Do wood floors need an underlay?

From solid wood to engineered boards, wooden flooring is renowned for adding a natural warmth to homes. Part of this effect comes from the rich tones present in boards made from oak, cherry and pine, but wood will also feel much warmer beneath your feet than cool stone tiling or synthetic solutions, such as vinyl and laminate.

Underlay has long been used by property owners and floor installers to add additional insulation and comfort in homes, among other reasons. In the following sections, we’ll look at underlay as an option for wooden flooring, whether it’s required, why it’s used by property owners and floor installers and what value it can bring when you invest in it.

Why is underlay fitted beneath flooring?

We’ll start by exploring the role of underlay – a term most people will be familiar with, as it’s often seen as an essential before a carpet can be installed in homes. The first reason underlay is used is to provide a level surface, so that when your flooring choice is fitted into place, there will be no unsightly bumps or lumps present to ruin its appearance. An even surface is also less likely to become damaged, adding to the longevity of flooring, as buckled laminate or bulging carpet will take more of a hit from traffic and become worn before its time.

Additionally, underlay can provide a deep barrier between your floor and your choice of covering, which can be ideal when it is thin. The extra padding from underlay will make the floor much more comfortable to walk on or even sit on. Finally, the underlay will also provide a layer of insulation, ensuring less heat is lost via your floor. Not only will it keep your rooms at a more comfortable temperature, but it can lead to lower costs from reduced energy bills.

Does a wooden floor require underlay?

Unlike carpet and other alternative flooring types, such as vinyl or laminate, wooden floors are naturally a more substantial covering. They don’t require any additional padding beneath them to make them more comfortable, as the natural wood already provides a warm surface to step on.

In terms of using underlay to ensure your floor is level, you’ll find wood flooring installations don’t suffer from this issue, as prior to fitting, the subfloor will have been evened out in preparation.

However, while it is not an absolute must, adding underlay may still be advised when you’re installing a floor comprised of wooden boards to a wooden subfloor, as it will offer your enhanced insulation, reducing heat loss and keeping out unwanted drafts.

How does wood flooring underlay compare to the kind used for carpets?

Underlay that is used for wooden floors is not the same as the type fitted underneath carpeting. Carpet underlay is much thicker, making it more expensive than the kind used on wood floors. Underlay suitable for wood floors must be thinner, or it can make the boards uneven and lead to unwanted creaking noises and damage.

To conclude, while underlay is not essential for wooden floors, its benefits of enhancing insulation and keeping out drafts make it a worthy option for homeowners to consider.

Can you steam clean parquet flooring?

In recent years, steam cleaners have become a favoured option for many homeowners and professional floor care services as an alternative to traditional mops and buckets. Steam has proved a powerful way to remove even the most stubborn dirt from flooring without the need for cleaning solutions, but many may wonder whether steam cleaners are an option that is suitable for parquet wood floors.

In short, the answer is – in some cases – yes, but steam cleaning is not appropriate for every kind of parquet installation. In next sections, we’ll look at what type of parquet flooring can be cleaned using this innovative equipment, and when it’s best to use another option.

What kind of parquet flooring can benefit from steam cleaning?

The only parquet floors that can be refreshed using steam cleaners are installations that are fully bonded, presenting a hard-sealed surface. Any other kind of parquet floor will potentially sustain damage if steam cleaning is attempted, ruining your investment.

This is because the surface of parquet floors that are unsealed and simply waxed or oiled stay open-pored, allowing the moisture caused by the steam cleaning to permeate the floor, damaging the wood parquet flooring.

Natural wood will always react to excessive amounts of moisture with increased swelling, and the high volume of moisture involved in steam cleaning will ultimately lead to bulges and dents in the parquet.

Important considerations for steam cleaning parquet flooring

Even when parquet flooring has been professionally varnished or sealed with a protective coating, caution is advised if you decide to use a steam cleaner to care for it.

First, it is essential to check that the parquet surface is entirely intact and has not sustained any damage that could lead to unwanted moisture being absorbed. If you are unsure whether floor is fully sealed, get an expert opinion before attempting any steam cleaning.

Steps to take when steam cleaning sealed parquet floors

Prior to any cleaning, first vacuum your floors, removing any debris like particles of dust and dirt that may scratch the parquet surface. Next, check the settings of your steam cleaner. You should be using the lowest steam amount possible, and you should select the lowest pressure when cleaning parquet, so that you can wipe the floor by simply employing a damp cloth.

For this reason, only steam cleaning devices that have the capacity to be regulated continuously and are clearly labelled by their manufacturer as appropriate for floors made from natural wood are recommended.

To minimise the exposure of your floor to moisture, it’s always advised to keep the cleaning process as quick and even as possible. To ensure the amount of water creating a film on the flooring remains low, multilayer wipe covers are also a wise move.

Finally, pausing in any area for too long can lead to increased moisture. If this happens, act quickly and wipe any excess water with a dry cloth. A slight residue, however, is natural and will typically dry up on its own.

Parquet floors are an attractive option for many homeowners, and if cared for properly, they can last for many years.