-: Newsletter

Summer Tips & Ideas June 2010

During the summer season roll up your area rugs, have us clean them, then you can store them during the hot weather. Then in the fall when it gets chilly again it's a treat to see them again. As your home feels warm and cozy.

It is recommended that you rotate your rugs twice a year. This means turning the rug end for end or 180 degrees. This helps the rug to wear more evenly. Sunlight can cause fading and traffic patterns can cause uneven wear and rug cleaning just can't undo that. Make sure you rotate your rugs and avoid excessive fading or deterioration.

Did you know that an excessively soiled carpet can hold up to one pound of dirt in each square yard? This can occur especially in entry ways and heavy traffic areas that are seldom vacuumed properly and not cleaned frequently enough!

It's Skunk Season...

If your dog happens to be very unlucky this summer here are some tips on how to remove skunk odor from carpets and upholstery. Begin cleaning affected areas of furniture and carpeting as soon as possible. The longer you wait to clean the skunk oils from them the harder it will be to remove the scent. Make a solution of one quart vinegar with half a cup of baking soda and a teaspoon of regular dish washing liquid. Spray the vinegar solution onto the carpet and furniture and blot with an old dry towel. Repeat until you have used the entire solution. If some odor remains, try using febreze. If the skunk odor remains call Magic Carpet, for a professional cleaning.

Summer Area Rug Care

Area rugs should be rolled, not folded.

If a rug ends up with a crease, it will soon disappear when the rug is laid flat and the rug is walked on.

If a corner of a rug does not want to lie flat, a small stack of books placed on the corner for a few days will 'iron' it out.

For long-term storage, a rug should first be professionally cleaned and mothproofed and then wrapped in a clean, breathable (never plastic) material to help avoid mildew.

Guacamole Potato Salad

Ingredients

· 3 pounds red potatoes

· 2 tablespoons plus 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

· 1 ripe avocado, peeled

· 2 teaspoons grated lime zest

· Juice of 2 limes (about 1/2 cup)

· 2 garlic cloves, crushed

· 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

· 2 tablespoons mayonnaise

· 2 celery stalks, sliced

Directions: In a large pot, cover the potatoes with cold water. Add the 2 tablespoons of salt and bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes or until you can pierce them easily with a paring knife. Drain them in a colander and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, puree the avocado, lime zest and juice, garlic, cilantro, mayonnaise, and remaining salt in a food processor until smooth. If the dressing seems too thick, add a tablespoon or so of hot water.

Cut the potatoes into bite-size chunks (leave the skins on) and place them in a large bowl with the celery. Scrape in the dressing with a rubber spatula and gently stir it all together. Serve immediately, or cover and chill. Serves 8 to 10.

Did you know.......

Fat, oils, and grease poured down the kitchen sink can cause serious problems. Over time, grease can build up and block sewer pipes, and cause a sewage back up in your home.

Make sure you pour grease into steel cans, let it harden, then throw it away in the trash. Don't pour grease down sink drains or toilets. Don't run hot water over pans and dishes to wash oil and grease down the drain.

To remove dirt and grime wicker furniture wash with a solution of 2 tablespoons of ammonia in 1 gallon of water. Use a toothbrush in hard to reach places. Rinse well then air dry.

To remove mold and mildew from your canvas tent, or awning, first vacuum or brush soiled areas to remove any excess dirt. Wash the affected area with a solution of 1/2 cup Lysol to a gallon of hot water. Rinse with a solution of 1 cup lemon juice and 1 cup salt to a gallon of hot water. Allow the canvas to air dry in the sun.

Neighborhood News Allergies & Asthma May2010

What causes spring allergies?

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen-tiny grains released into the air by trees, grasses, and weeds for the purpose of fertilizing other plants. When pollen grains get into the nose of someone who's allergic, it sends the immune system into overdrive.

Allergy symptoms tend to be particularly high on breezy days when the wind picks up pollen and carries it through the air. Rainy days, cause a drop in the pollen count because the rain washes away the allergens.

Some authorities suspect the prevalence of wall-to-wall carpeting is a factor in the increase levels of dust mites. This hypothesis was put to the test in Sweden over 10 years ago.

At that time in Sweden it was thought that carpet contributed to the development of allergic illness. Installed carpet was banned from public buildings and its market share went from 40% to 2% today. During the same time period, allergic cases increased 600%.

Now Swedish authorities believe the increase in allergies was due to poor indoor air quality. Unfortunately, this assessment comes a little late for the Swedish carpet industry.

Without carpet, allergens would land on hard surface floors and can become air born very easily, even by having someone walk through the room.

Did you know?

Many people think that carpets and allergies are a bad combination. Even some allergists will encourage their patients to remove carpeting in favor of hardwood or tile floors. However, carpets can actually help to reduce the allergens in your home by acting as a filter or reservoir that holds indoor pollutants until they are removed by cleaning.

Other Services
We Provide

24 Hr. Emergency Water Damage Restoration

Mold Remediation

Thawing of Water & Septic Lines

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Oriental/Area rug Cleaning

Tile/Grout Cleaning & Sealing

Marble Polishing

VCT Floor Stripping & Waxing

Power Washing

Drapery Cleaning

Biohazard Cleaning

Boat Cleaning

Seasonal Allergies? A Spoonful of Honey ...

Honeybees collect pollen from the very trees that are causing all the sneezing and runny noses. By taking a spoonful of raw honey daily, approaching and during allergy season, you inoculate yourself against the offending pollen and greatly reduce your allergic reaction.

Raw honey differs from many other types of manufactured honey. Honey that has been heated or filtered may not be effective in preventing seasonal allergies. To get raw honey to treat allergies, you will likely need to contact a beekeeper in the same local area. Many alternative health care practitioners believe that local honey, ingested over time will reduce your response to the pollens in your area. Because honey bought in your local grocery store may be pasteurized or highly filtered, you should go to a beekeeper or visit your local farmer's market.

Did you know.......

If you go to www.weather.com you can click on the health tab and on the left side click Allergies and Pollen. It will ask for your zip code and then a graph will let you know the pollen count for the day, and the most active tree, grass, and weed pollens.

Grilled Sirloin Kebobs

MARINADE

· 5 garlic cloves, crushed

· 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh ginger

· 1/2 cup low-salt soy sauce

· 1/4 cup olive oil

· 1 tablespoon sugar

· 1 cup pineapple juice

· 1 teaspoon black pepper

KEBOBS

2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into cubes

Onions, Yellow,, Green and Red Peppers

Instructions:

First, prepare the marinade. In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, olive oil, sugar, pineapple juice, and black pepper. To make kebobs, score the beef cubes by piercing each side several times with a sharp knife (this allows the marinade to penetrate). Add the beef to the bowl of marinade and stir to coat well. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 8 hours), turning occasionally.

When you are ready to grill, skewer the meat, Onion, and peppers, then barbecue the kebobs over medium heat for 4 to 7 minutes per side (medium rare). Remove the skewers and serve. Serves 6.

Neighborhood News: Pet Issue

April 2010

Spring Garden Safety for Pets:

Plants That Are Reported To Be Toxic to Dogs, Cats and Rabbits

Azalea Tiger Lily

Bittersweet Tulip

Caladium Oleander

Clematis Morning Glory

Crocus Lily of the Valley

Day Lily Iris

Death Camas

Easter Lily Hyacinth

Foxglove Ferns

Remember...If you or someone you know has a water damage, call Magic Carpet. Our IICRC water restoration specialists will come to your place and have you back to pre-water damage condition before you know it. As a bonus, for every referral that you bring us that becomes a customer, we will provided you with a $50.00 check as a Thank You!

We all love our pets but sometimes they have an accident or two....here is a suggestion on how to treat pet urine-damaged areas:

Clean urine spots immediately by blotting with a white terry cloth towel or plain white paper towels until no moisture is transferred. To clean the spot, mix 1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water and massage (don't rub) into the spot with a white terry cloth.

Once you have "flushed" as much of the urine out as possible apply a half-inch layer of paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy, non-fading object. Continue to change paper towels until completely dry.

Urine can affect the dyes used in carpet, although not all occurrences will result in a permanent stain. Success is dependent upon the content of the urine, the dyes and finish used, and the time elapsed after the deposit. Some urine spots may be immediately noticeable, while others may take weeks or months for a reaction. The dyes may change color immediately after contact with urine.

Turkey Pot Hold-the-Pie-
Your dog(s) will love this!

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 pound deli-sliced turkey, chopped

1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

· In a small skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat and simmer until thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.

· Stir in the turkey, veggies and parsley and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool to almost room temperature, then serve. Get ready for some wet kisses!

Did you know?

Avocados are toxic to rabbits.

What is the difference between a dog and a cat?

A dog will drop everything and come when you call. A cat will check its schedule, and fit you in!

Other Services We Provide:

24 Hr. Emergency

Water Damage Restoration

Thawing of Water & Septic Lines

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Oriental/Area rug Cleaning

Tile/Grout Cleaning & Sealing

Marble Polishing

VCT Floor Stripping & Waxing

Power Washing

Drapery Cleaning

Boat Cleaning

Anti-Allergy Treatment Is Available....

Dust mites are found in virtually all homes regardless of how clean they are.

Also like people, dogs and cats can be allergic to house dust mites.

Dust mites are found primarily in mattresses, sheets, blankets, pillows, stuffed animals carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture.

The average bedroom can be infested by millions of microscopic dust mites with up to 20% of the weight of an old pillow being dust mites.

In fact, while dust mites can be found throughout the home, 60% of them live in mattresses, making the bedroom the number one treatment priority.

Join Our Mailing List

Neighborhood News March 2010

If you or someone you know has a Water Damage, make sure you call Magic Carpet! As a bonus, for every referral that you bring us that becomes a customer, we will provide you with a $50.00 check as a Thank you!

Don't forget ........

Daylight Savings Starts on March 14th. Be sure to turn your clock forward one hour !

The snow is gone and the mud has just begun....

Most abrasive particulate soil accumulates initially within the first few feet of a home's major entries. Once inside, this soil takes its toll on carpet fibers. It also contributes to airborne particles that affect the overall indoor environmental quality.

A walk-off mat is very important in maintaining the appearance of your carpets. Walk-off mats can greatly reduce the amount of soil entering a home by normal traffic, since a large percentage of soil is tracked in from the outside on people's feet. They are also helpful in removing moisture from shoes and preventing slip-and-fall accidents on hard surface floors during these winter months.

Are wool rugs better than synthetic rugs?

Synthetic area rugs generally resist staining and soiling better than wool area rugs, although wool provides excellent stain resistance if caught quickly. Wool fibers are available in hand and machine-made area rugs, but synthetic area rugs are usually more affordable. Wool tends to wear longer than synthetic fibers, because the natural tendency of wool fiber is to stretch rather than break. The protein core of a wool fiber absorbs dye well, which creates a softer appearance compared to synthetic fibers.

When I get my carpets cleaned why do spots sometimes reappear the next day?

Wicking

Wicking is the cause of "reappearing spots". Most of a spill is not on the fibers, but is instead in the backing. Drying time is critical to reduce the problem.

Beef Taquitos

Ingredients

· 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for brushing on the taquitos

· 1 medium onion, finely chopped

· 1 clove garlic, minced

· 3/4 pound lean ground beef

· 1 cup salsa, plus more for dipping

· 2 teaspoons chili powder

· 1/2 teaspoon salt

· 1/4 teaspoon pepper

· 10 (6-inch) flour tortillas

· 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack

Sour cream

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400º. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook them for 3 minutes, stirring often. Add the beef and use a wooden spoon or a spatula to break it up while it cooks, until it is no longer red, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of the salsa, the chili powder, and the salt and pepper. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes.

Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with damp paper towels. Microwave them until warm and pliable, about 45 seconds. Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the beef mixture, spreading it to an inch from the edges. Sprinkle cheese evenly over the beef.

Roll up the tortillas and place them on a foil-lined baking sheet with the seam sides down. Brush the taquitos lightly with vegetable oil, then bake them until the filling is heated through and the tortillas are lightly browned, about 8 to 12 minutes. Serve them hot with sour cream and/or salsa. Serves 4 to 6.