How to remove pine needles from carpets

Carpet experts warn against using a vacuum cleaner to try to remove fallen pine needles from carpets. Households with natural Christmas trees will be familiar with this task.

Pine needles are sharp and could damage the internal parts of the cleaner. Pine needles contain sap, a type of moisture that can clog up airways and the vacuum motor. There are safer ways to remove the needles.

Purchase a carpet scraper to loosen needles that are wedged in the carpet fibres. Using short, firm strokes, gather the needles in a pile and brush them into a dustpan.

For delicate carpets and rugs that could be damaged by a carpet scraper, use packing tape or a lint roller. Press down on sections of the carpet to gently lift the needles.

For shag and deep pile carpets, use a hair dryer set to cold or cool air. Blow across the carpet whilst combing with your fingers to bring the needles to the surface, ready for removal.

It also helps to minimise how many pine needles drop. Keep the tree away from radiators. If the tree is planted in soil, water it to prevent it from drying out. Spray with hairspray to stop needles from dropping.

If your carpets are worn, after Christmas is a good time to replace them. Ask to see the latest range of quality carpets at a carpet retailer in Chester. A good carpet will last for many Christmases to come.

Experts advise use rugs to reduce energy costs

Energy experts have advised households with hardwood, engineered wood, or laminate flooring to lay rugs on their floors during the winter months to save energy, although there are exceptions to this recommendation.

Wood is a good choice for flooring as it looks good and is easy to clean, but it can make rooms more expensive to heat. Rugs prevent heat from escaping and can reduce heating bills. John Lawless of heating supplier Best Heating recommends a faux sheepskin rug on hard surface flooring, which insulates a room by creating a thermal layer to keep the cold out. As a general rule, the thicker the rug, the more effective it is for retaining heat.

If engineered wood or laminate flooring is installed with an insulating underlay that retains heat, rugs may not be necessary. Underfloor heating is a good way to keep laminate and engineered flooring areas warm without rugs.

As well as insulating the floor, using the "low and slow” heating method is recommended, which means keeping the heat at a moderate temperature for longer periods rather than high temperatures for a shorter time. For those struggling to afford heating bills, try turning down the heating system temperature and use hot water bottles, duvets and blankets to keep warm.

A good quality thick pile carpet is also good for heat retention and has sound-insulating properties.

For advice on the best floor covering options to keep the home warm in the North Wales area, contact a local flooring company.

Recycling carpets a top priority for manufacturers

It is estimated that 1.6 million tonnes of carpets in Europe are disposed of in landfills. Less than 10% is recycled despite most carpet fibres being capable of reuse.

Though hard surface flooring, such as luxury vinyl tiles, is a dominant style trend, carpets are seen as essential in many homes and offices. Consumers love carpet in their living rooms and bedrooms for its warmth, comfort and acoustic properties.

Some consumers prefer more environmentally-friendly flooring options that are made with less carbon emissions, are easily recycled or contain recycled materials. The carpet industry is developing several initiatives to make carpets more sustainable.

Traditionally made carpets are often latex-coated using a process which is energy-intensive and uses a lot of water. Hot metal coating technology is being used, which requires less energy and produces no wastewater.

Not all worn carpets can be processed to create fibres that make new carpets, but extracted fibres are being used for less intensive uses, such as waste bins and flower pots. Artificial turf for sports grounds is being made from recycled polyethene carpet fibres and carpet backing materials.

In theory, 100% of carpets can be recycled, but the challenge is to organise the collection and sorting op old carpets to achieve a circular carpet economy. Tarkett is a flooring manufacturer that collects worn carpets for recycling.

If you still prefer carpets for your floors, you will find an extensive range at your local carpet retailer in the Chester and North Wales region.

What is the best flooring for households with dogs?

Floors in households with one dog or more need to withstand muddy paws, loose pet hair, bathroom accidents and scratches.

Most pet owners prefer hard surface flooring such as vinyl or laminate, but some types of carpet are fine for dogs.

Flooring that can withstand dogs needs to be easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and water-resistant. In addition to being practical, flooring has to look good. Having a dog in the home does not mean compromising on stylish interior decor.

Dogs can be messy, which makes it important to keep floors clean. Bathroom accidents and muddy pawprints should be cleaned up promptly.

Luxury vinyl flooring with scratch protection coating is a good flooring choice. Some are available with an antimicrobial coating that prevents mould.

For a more affordable option, choose laminate flooring that has a scratch-resistant top layer that protects against damage from dogs’ claws. Laminate flooring comes in many styles, including a realistic stone or wood look.

For dog owners who prefer the softness and warmth of carpets, look for stain-resistant quality carpets that are designed to last a long time. Short-pile carpets are easier to keep clean. Carpets need to be regularly vacuumed and deep cleaned at least once a year. Use a vacuum that is designed to pick up pet hair.

If you have a dog and want to install new floor coverings, talk to your local flooring services in Wrexham. They can advise you on the best pet-friendly flooring options.

Should you install flooring before or after kitchen units?

Consulting flooring services in Chester and other North West communities on whether to install floor finishes before or after kitchen units can turn up different results. Ultimately, which approach you take depends on multiple factors. Here we explore both options and their benefits and some questions to ask yourself when making a final decision.

Flooring before kitchen units

There are multiple gains to installing flooring before kitchen units. With no fixtures and fittings to work around, installations are smoother and simpler to complete. Choosing flooring first also offers design flexibility, as you can alter the layout of your kitchen at any point without needing to fit a new floor.

Laying your floor before units is best when you want to keep a seamless appearance for your kitchen. Running continuously beneath cabinets, complete flooring offers a flawless look with no gaps on show. This approach is especially suited to home installing permanent flooring like tiles and hardwood boards.

A final benefit is that flooring that extends to your exterior walls can reduce issues of damp and excess moisture in your kitchen.

Kitchen units before flooring

When you want to protect glue-down flooring from scratches and scuffs, fitting kitchen units first makes sense. As less flooring material is required, there are also cost savings involved in getting your units in earlier. Ease of future replacement is also an advantage as you can install fresh flooring without needing to disassemble your kitchen units. Some freestanding appliances like washing machines and refrigerators are better suited to installation on the subfloor rather than new flooring, as they are easier to pull out when repair or replacement is required.

Which option should you choose?

Before planning your kitchen refurbishment consider your needs and aims. If you want a permanent refurbishment and seamless aesthetic installing your floor first is a smart move but if you need to save money and protect the flooring your purchase, start by fitting units and add flooring afterwards. Finally, consider your future needs. If you’re likely to change your kitchen layout, install flooring before units, but if you want to update your flooring more, put your counters, cabinets and appliances in ahead of the floor installation.