Celebrate Earth Day with Installerstore! – 04/22/13

Celebrate Earth Day with Installerstore.com! This blog features just some of our environmentally friendly products offered on our site. Click the links or photos to go directly to that product on our website!

Eco-Friendly Flooring
Forbo Marmoleum Click Flooring is known for its ease of maintenance, installation, hygenic properties, extreme durability, environmentally friendly properties and lowest life cycle costings. This click flooring is made of natural raw materials including Rosin, Wood Flour, Cork Flour, Linseed Oil, Limestone and Natural Pigments. With 20 colors to choose from, this great environmentally friendly flooring will surely match your decor! Visit our site to purchase color samples of this extraordinary flooring!
Bamboo flooring by Mr. Bamboo is an eco-friendly choice for your home, office, or business. Because it is made of bamboo, it contains a large amount of fiber which makes it denser than the average hardwood flooring. Bamboo flooring is durable enough for pets and can be used in basements and radiant heating systems! This pre-finished floating (self-locking system) flooring is harvested from “moso” species of bamboo. This species of bamboo takes only 5-6 years to grow and harvest, compared to traditional oak trees which can take over 30 years to harvest! Mr. Bamboo sustainable and eco-friendly solid bamboo flooring: helping the green movement one floor panel at a time.

Environmentally friendly Floor Cleaner and Care products are offered on Installerstore.com!

“Green” Cleaners and Floor Care Products
Mr Floor’s Floor Cleaners leave a fresh scent and make a great natural choice for your floor care!	Get an environmentally friendly but effective Hardwood Floor Cleaner with the Earthwerks Floor Cleaner.	Biodegradable and eco-friendly Mirage Hardwood Cleaner leaves a fresh green apple scent.
Green Logic Core Products are Green Seal Certified. Products for tile, hardwood and more!	Stone Savior stone care products are non-toxic and eco-friendly. No-rinse formula makes them a breeze to use!	Environmentally responsible all natural WoolClean cleaner safe for upholstery, rugs and clothing.
Apex Flooraid Plus for ceramic and hard surfaces. Safe for homes with pets and children.	Easy on the wallet and the environment! Tech Tile & Vinyl Cleaner is effective and economical.	Mohawk Tile & Grout Cleaner is made of 98.5% natural ingredients. Purchase ready to use kit for easy cleaning!
Sentinel 840 All Surface Cleaner is biodegradable and has a low odor. Also check out Sentinel’s earth friendly adhesive removers.	Stop buying paper towels and replace them with reusable Kalle Cleaning Cloths. Saves you $ AND space in the landfills.	Bona brand reusable cleaning cloths are machine washable! Microfiber Floor Cloths and Scrub Cloths available.

Check out the other energy saving and earth friendly products on Installerstore!

Other Earth Friendly Products on Installerstore.com
AC Draft Shield is a revolutionary way to save money on your energy costs! This recycled plastic vent prevents drafts by creating a tight air seal on your wall and ceiling registers.	QuartzLock2 by Bostik is a ready-to-use urethane grout that is BPA free. This environmentally friendly urethane grout contributes to USGBC LEED credits EQ 4.1, MR 5.1 & 5.2, and MR 4.1 & 4.2

WoolClean Dry Spot Remover Featured in Real Simple – 02/07/13

NEW Product Fusion Pro Grout – 02/05/13

New Product added to Installerstore.com – Fusion Pro Premixed Grout

We’ve added a new grout choice for our customers: Fusion Pro Single Component Grout by Custom Building Products. This advanced acrylic plus silicone formulation provides superior color consistency and stain resistance. Unlike traditional cement grouts, there is no mixing needed to use this grout. Just pop the top of the bucket, and get to work! This acrylic silicone grout can be used for interior or exterior wall and floor surfaces. There is no worry about shrinking grout with this product, and Fusion Pro grout can be used on grout joints 1/16″ to 1/2″! Available in convenient 1 gallon pails, and any extra can easily be re-used in future applications by just re-sealing the bucket.

Choose from 21 popular standard colors:

Benefits of Fusion Pro Pre-Mixed Grout:

• Unsurpassed stain resistance
• Superior color uniformity
• Chemical resistant
• Crack-resistant
• No sealing required

This easy-to-used sanded grout can be used on counter-tops, tub surrounds, showers and high traffic areas. Fusion Pro Grout can be used on interior and exterior surfaces, but not in areas that will be completely submerged in water, such as pools and hot tubs. It is recommended that exterior applications must be protected from rain, snow and other wet conditions for at least 7 days. Do not use Fusion Pro in industrial applications or areas subjected to harsh or continuous chemicals. In areas exposed to high heat or high pressure cleaning equipment, you also do not want to use this grout.

Fusion Pro Installation Video:

Installation Tips:

• Do not install when air or tile surfaces are above 90 degrees or below 50 degrees
• Keep tile surface moist between spreading and cleaning
• Use a rubber grout float to apply the grout to 20 sq. feet
• Cleaning can begin immediately (starting at the initial spreading point)
• Use a damp grout sponge in a light, circular motion to loosen excess grout and shape joints
• For best results, once cleaning with a sponge has been completed, lightly drag a microfiber towel across tile surface for final removal of residue
• If streaks or residue remain after grout skinned over, use Aqua Mix Grout Haze Clean-Up to remove residue

The curing time of the Fusion Pro Premixed Grout will vary when exposed to lower temperatures and higher humidity. A general rule for this grout is 24 hours until light traffic, 3 days at 70 degrees and 50% relative humidity until it should be exposed to water. Covering Fusion Pro immediately after grouting will extend the cure time.

Be sure to purchase all of your grouting tools and accessories when you purchase the Fusion Pro Grout on Installerstore.com. Professional grade grouting tools including Foam Knee Pads, Rubber Grout Float, and Grouting Sponge. Your one “click” shop for everything you need for grout installation.

We carry other brands of pre-mixed grout.

The BEST Valentine’s Day of All Time! – 01/21/13

Finish the Honey-Do List

Give her the gift she REALLY wants… Finishing the “Honey-Do” List. Dry Clean Carpets, Remove Crayon from Walls, Replace Floor Registers… OH MY! Don’t Fret, all the information you need to successfully conquer that list in a timely manner is provided below…

1) Re-Caulk Tub

Removing old mildew infested caulking and replacing with bright new caulking is as easy as 1, 2, 3…..

1) Remove Old Caulk
Place 3M Caulk Softener on existing tub caulk and let stand for 2 hours. This wonder bottle can cover 24 linear feet at an 1/8″ bead, so one bottle should do the trick for your tub surround. Once the caulk softener has been sitting for at least 2 hours, remove old caulk with a putty knife or the caulk removal tool that came in the Professional Caulk Tool Kit (shown below). After removing the existing caulking, make sure to clean the area with rubbing alcohol and NOT water, to ensure that you’ve removed all traces of mildew. Let the area dry. Next, fill the bathtub with water before applying new caulk to ensure the strongest seal around the tub. Optional (and recommended): use Seal Rite Tape to keep application straight and neat.

3M Caulk Softener – Easily remove existing caulking.	Professional 8 Piece Caulk Kit Remove, Finish and MORE!
Caulk straight lines with Seal Rite Masking System!

2) Apply New Caulk
First, make sure the area is completely dry to achieve better seal. It is best to apply caulking in temperatures above 40 degrees farenheit. Load caulk tube into a caulk gun and cut tip to 45 degree angle or use tips included with the Professional Caulk Tool Kit. Start first on one of the shorter walls (usually the sides of the tub). When squeezing the trigger, keep moving and always pull the gun in opposite way the gun is pointing (see photo below). Keep constant pressure on trigger and don’t lift gun until you reach the corner.

Clean tip of caulking tube with paper towel between walls. Ease up on the trigger as you reach the end point (corner). When you are finished with all sides, run the caulk finisher (included in the kit) to smooth down and remove any access caulk. **Make sure to smooth down caulking and clean up any excess caulking within 20 min of applying**

3) Let it Dry
Let caulk to dry/set according to the label of whatever caulking you are using, or if you are using the Colorfast Brand Caulking from our site, let stand for 24-48 hours before using the tub/shower. Remove Seal Rite Tape (if applicable).

Need to find a colored caulk that matches your grout or bathroom decor? Check out our website dedicated JUST to caulking!! Click the photo below or visit THIS link.
2)Replace Floor Registers:

Replacing old dingy existing floor registers is a BREEZE with Installerstore! We have a wide selection of styles, finishes, and sizes (even hard to find 3×10!). Choose from Plastic, Classic Metal, Decorative Metal and Wood Floor Registers. With a full selection of finishes and designs, you’ll be sure to find a register to match your decor! Click any of the images below to go directly to the category on our webpage.

Classic Metal Floor Registers	Decorative Metal Floor Registers
Plastic Floor Registers	Wood Floor Registers

Don’t forget to measure the opening/hole in the floor in inches and NOT the existing faceplate. For more information on the proper way to measure and differences in floor registers and grilles, read an earlier blog published: “How to Measure Floor Registers and Grilles.”

3)Fix Loose Tiles

Finally fix those annoying tiles that move when you walk across them. Colorfast Brand Loose Tile Repair is formulated to re-adhere loose ceramic tiles by injecting elastomeric adhesive under the hollow tile. It should ONLY be used on concrete or exterior grade plywood substrates. This problem solver product can only be used in interior applications and not for use in showers. The instructions are simple, and repairing those loose tiles only requires a tube of the Loose Tile Repair, caulking gun, rubber mallet, and drill with 1/8″ masonry Drill Bit.

• Shake Loose Tile Repair well before using. Tap Tiles lightly with a rubber mallet to determine that the tile has hollow areas.
• Drill into the grout joint around the loose tile with a 1/8″ masonry drill bit. Drill down slightly deeper than the thickness of the tile. Drill 4 to 8 holes around the loose tile. Make sure NOT to drill into the tile.
  
• Use a vacuum or shop vac to clean away all dust and debris from holes and surrounding area.
• Insert Loose Tile Repair tube into a standard caulk gun. Cut the tip to allow a steady flow of adhesive. Make sure not to cut too much. Insert the tip directly into a drilled hole and inject adhesive with light pressure. Tap the tile with the rubber mallet. Rotate the caulk gun to the other holes and inject until adhesive begins to come through the holes.
  
• Clean up excess with damp sponge or rag. Place a weight (bucket of water works great) on the tile and allow 24-72 hours for adhesive to cure. Fill holes in grout with matching caulking or grout.

Loose Tile Repair by Colorfast Industries

4) Seal & Clean Granite Countertops

There are products available that make cleaning and sealing granite countertops simple! Installerstore even has products you can use daily to clean. If you think just cleaning the granite countertops religiously will keep them from ever looking bad, think again. All granite tabletops, countertops and vanities should be treated with a protective sealer before any cleaners are used. Natural stone surfaces should be sealed every 12 to 18 months.

Apex Rock Doctor Granite Sealer	Apex Rock Doctor Granite Cleaner
Shake can well before use & test on a small area Make sure your surface is clean and dry before application Hold the can 6-8 inches from the surface and spray Wipe surface dry 2-3 minutes after application using a cotton towel Allow minimum of 30 minutes to dry Test to see if surface is dry by applying water droplets to the area If water does not bead up, apply another coat of the stone sealer	Shake can well before using & test on a small area Dust off any large debris that may scratch your rock surface Holding the can 6″-8″ from surface, spay desired area Gently wipe with a clean soft cloth or clean paper towel For heavily soiled surfaces, spray area thoroughly and let cleaner saturate stain for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe clean with soft cloth or paper towel Read full directions and info on this product HERE

$2 manufacturer rebate for Apex Rock Doctor granite cleaner and sealer. BUY NOW!

5)Re-Finish Hardwood Floors

Re-finishing hardwood floors yourself tends to be an overwhelming thought to most, but it does not have to be an overwhelming experience! Installerstore has all of the products to make hardwood floor re-finishing easy!

First thing is first, these first products I will be talking about are for re-finishing, meaning you have floors that have previously been finished. Over the years, you may find that your finished floors look dull and have small scratches. Basic Hardwood Floor Refinisher and Bona Hardwood Refresher can revitalize your finished hardwood floors and can even fill in small scratches. The directions are easily for both products, simply clean your floor, apply the Basic Refinisher or Bona Refresher using a synthetic lambs wool applicator pad and let dry. It really is that simple!

Basic Hardwood Floor Refinisher
For Use On: All types of un-waxed, residential, and commercial polyurethane finished wood floors that are dull, worn, scratched, or show signs of wear. Do Not Use on floors that have been previously oiled or waxed. Always test in a small area to ensure adhesion. Coat the entire floor or room to ensure an even appearance.

If your floors have yet to be finished or you have laminate floors, don’t fret! We have products for your situation as well!

Bona Wood Oil	Laminator Plus for Laminate
Protects the natural beauty of hardwood without the appearance of a top coat or sheen. Fast application has the floor ready for use in 1 day. For use on unfinished floors only. Made from natural vegetable oils. Coverage approx. 400-500 sq ft.	Lamanator Plus laminate care products. 3 steps to bring back the shine and protect your laminate floors! Step 1– Deep Scrub to remove dirt build-up. Step 2– Restoration to bring back shine Step 3– Buff Dry Cleaner to keep your floors looking their daily best.

View our full line of floor cleaner and care products.

6) Install Zoroufy Stair Rods

You’ve purchased beautiful Zoroufy stair rods, and now it is time to install them. Below are installation tips for all Zoroufy Stair Rod Collections and detailed instructions for each collection.

Are you in the market to purchase stair rods? Read our earlier blog to help you find the collection that fits you: “What is a Stair Rod?”

Installation tips for all Zoroufy Stair Rod Collections:

• Carpet Runner must be installed prior to stair rod installation. Zoroufy stair rods are for decorative use only.
• Locate desired position of the brackets by inserting the rod into the brackets and laying one complete set on the stairs. Position both the left and right bracket an equal distance from the side edges of the runner, is the most preferable position.
• Stair rods slide into each bracket approximately 1/2″ (the reason why you order rods 1″ longer than the runner width).
• Finial measurements vary by style and collection (see directions for a specific collection below for finial lengths).

Click on the collection’s image to get a closer look at the instructions
Zoroufy Select Stair Rod Collection Instructions	Zoroufy Sovereign Stair Rod Collection Instructions
Zoroufy Dynasty Stair Rod Collection Instructions	Zoroufy Grand Dynasty Stair Rod Collection Instructions
Zoroufy Heritage Stair Rod Collection Instructions

7) Fix Squeaky Floors

Squeaky floors in your home can get irritating! Installerstore has a simple quick fix for this annoying household sound! Squeeeeek No More squeaky floor repair is a simple to use system that can be used above floors and below floors on the joists.

To read all about the different options to eliminate your squeaky floors, read a blog we published earlier: “Squeaky Floors Got You Down?” or view the awesome video below on the traditional Squeeeeek No More Kit.

8) Replace Furniture Feet

Replacing furniture feet is an inexpensive and easy way to protect your floors from damage. From square legs, to castor wheels and recliner feet, we have furniture feet to fit them all. Can’t find a size you are looking for? Use our convenient large felt pads which measure 4.5″ x 6″, which allows you to cut the felt to the sizes you need!

The furniture feet on our site are conveniently categorized for your easy searching! Simply click the image below or visit THIS LINK to go directly to the furniture feet on our site.

9) Remove Crayon off Walls

Once I left my nephew alone to color quietly in my living room. 5 minutes later it was a little TOO quiet. When I checked on him, he had ever so nicely redecorated with crayon marks on the wall. He meant well, but a panic attack slowly took over. Luckily we had a product that can easily remove pen, ink, marker and graffiti. The Motsenbocker’s Lift Off 3 stain remover can be used on walls, countertops and floors. This miracle stain remover product can even be used on washables/non-washables and carpet/tile. Motsenbockers Lift Off 3 not only removes crayon, but also permanent marker, ball point pen ink, and nail polish.Mostenbocker’s have many other quality products such as:

• Lift Off 1 Food, Beverage and Pet Stain Remover
• Lift Off 2 Adhesives, Grease and Oil Stain Remover
• Lift Off Spray Paint & Graffiti Remover
• Lift Off 5 Latex Based Paint Remover
• Lift Off Silicone, Latex Caulk & Foam Sealant Remover

Get the best of Mostenbocker’s stain removal products in the convenient kit!

10) Dry Clean Carpets

Having your carpets professionally cleaned can get expensive! And renting those carpet cleaning machines from the grocery store can be frustrating! Get professional results with capture carpet dry cleaner. Capture deep cleaning powder is a delicately scented powder which is made up of thousands of tiny, porous sponge like particles. They lock onto dirt, odor and allergen particles that become attached to the fibers on your carpet. Unlike traditional we carpet cleaning systems, this  dry carpet cleaning product is great for houses that have residents with allergies, because it absorbs indoor allergens, dander and pollens.

Installerstore – Dry Carpet Cleaning Products
Capture carpet dry cleaner available in starter kit. Purchase the individual items separately including the dry cleaning powder in 4lb and 8lb containers and 24oz pre-mist spray.	Host brand dry carpet cleaning products work great as well! Also available in a starter kit.

Cleaning with Capture is convenient, easy and VERY effective. All you need is a vacuum cleaner! To view full instructions, view our earlier blog dedicated just to this dry carpet cleaning powder: “Capture Dry Carpet Cleaning Products”.

View all the GREAT carpet cleaning products offered by Capture HERE.

While you are making her dreams come true by finishing the “Honey-Do” list, save money in the process! Use the coupon code 4blog11 to save on  your order!!

Keep Your Cleaning New Year’s Resolutions! – 01/14/13

Clean House – Keeping your New Year’s Resolution

New Year brings new hope, motivation and an overwhelming feeling of needing to get organized, and where to start. Here at Installerstore, we understand your feelings, and are here to help you complete your New Year’s Resolution to keep your home clean and organized. In this blog we will share our easy-to-use cleaning products and tools, and even tips on weekly house cleaning schedules (for all households). I have used ideas and cleaning template found on a blog article “Weekly House Cleaning Schedule” found HERE.

Keeping up with The Cleaning – “1 Room a Day”

For those of us who were not blessed with the neat gene, keeping up with cleaning can sometimes become an overwhelming to-do list or constantly playing cleaning catch-up. If readers take anything away from this blog, it should be this…. “1 Room a Day.” Even if you don’t implement the templates or weekly schedules suggested, if you concentrate on 1 room a day, you’ll considerable cut down the stress that comes along with frantic cleaning before guests arrive. I’ve found that concentrating on just room each day or every other day, it not only eliminates my stress but also helps fight my (and my husbands) procrastination.

First and foremost, determine how long you want your schedule to be: weekly, monthly, etc. Next you’ll want to make a long list of everything that you think needs cleaning. You may find it easier to make a list for each room, it is less overwhelming that grouping the house as a whole. Along with the cleaning activities for each room, you can have a complete cleaning of certain rooms weekly/monthly. You can call the less frequent cleaning activities “Deep Cleaning.” For example, you’ll clean the toilet once a week, but the bathroom will get a deep cleaning once every month. The time line for basic cleaning activities (like cleaning the toilet) will vary from household to household.  Feel free to  determine the frequency of tasks to whatever is reasonable to you.

If you have multiple people in your home, such as a college house or if you have children, you can delegate people to tasks. If you are feeling even more compulsive, you can assign specific tasks to specific days. If your son Timmy has sport practices Mon, Tue and Wed, assign his cleaning chores to later in the week. The most important part, is to put it in writing. People (yourself included) won’t remember exact tasks, or if a deep clean has been done this month unless it is documented. Get a household calendar or weekly planner, or better yet use the great excel document that I had found on the Weekly House Cleaning blog entry (there is link to download the excel file under the “How to Use My House Cleaning Schedule Template” section).

And lastly, the most important step is to stick to it. And another thing, don’t be too hard on yourself or others if you get behind on your cleaning schedule. You can always squeeze in an extra toilet scrub or scrub twice as hard on the next cycle. There are products and cleaning tools out there that can help eliminate time and energy. These include mops and kits, specific/effective cleaner for any type of flooring, and the best floor cleaning tools out there (even a brush for stubborn grout cleaning).

Best Floor Cleaning Tools and Products

Effective Carpet Cleaner
Carpet Aid rug cleaner really works and is cost-effective! Use this rug cleaner on pet stains, wine, food spills, and much more. We also carry Apex Spot Beater Aerosol Carpet Cleaner.	Capture Carpet And Rug Dry Cleaner  for cleaning small spots and  entire carpet. Significant reduction in level of  allergens, pet dander, and pollen in carpet fibers. Safe for use around children and pets.	Easily clean wool carpet with the Wool Clean Carpet Spot Removal Kit which is safe for all carpet fibers and effectively cleans spots and spills on your wool carpets.
Safely clean blood, ink spots, and more with Tech Stain Remover. Safe for use on carpet, upholstery, vinyl, and clothing.	Red stains on carpet are history with NilOdor Red-Out Kit. This stain remover kit  removes stubborn color stains where bleach cannot be used.	Motsenbocker’s Lift-Off stain removal kit treats 3 distinct types of stains. Lift Off #1: Foods Beverages, Pets. #2: Adhesives, Oil Stains. #3: Pen, Ink Marker
Multi Surface Floor Cleaner
Sentinel 810 All Surface Floor Cleaner is great for floor prep and everyday cleaning. This will clean and shine all finished flooring surfaces, such as hardwood, ceramic, stone, and vinyl.	Flooraid Plus is a biodegradable cleaner and safely cleans without leaving dulling residue behind. The hard surface floor cleaner is pre-mixed and ready to use.	Tech Floor Cleaner will get your floors looking great in no time! This tile spray cleaner is a safe choice.  Environmentally friendly, and o.k. to use around kids and pets too. Made in the USA.
Stone Savior stone cleaner safely cleans kitchen and bathroom countertops. This eco-friendly stone countertop cleaner is ideal for use around food-handling areas		Neutra-Kleen disinfectant cleaner  in commercial and residential settings. The gallon size disinfectant cleaner will kill HIV-1, Herpes Simplex 1 and 2 and more.
Wood & Laminate Flooring Care
Hardwood floor oil finish can be intimidating to take care of, but the Bona wood oil floor cleaning kit makes it easy! We carry a full line of Bona Floor Care Products.	Lamanator Coatings laminate floor cleaner, restorer and deep scrub will have your laminate floors looking new! Gallon or 32 oz sizes available.	Use a new residue free, no wax Bruce Floor Cleaner to make your floor look its best. Safely clean laminate and no wax, urethane finished hardwood floors leaving them residue free.
	Wicanders Cleaner for daily use. Power Strip removes years of dirt, and Power Polish leaves floors looking new! This floor care system is safe for all Wicanders floor surfaces and cork.	Duraseal has made a wood floor wax and hardwood floor cleaner all-in-one. Choose Neutral for light finished woods or  Coffee Brown  for darker wood surfaces.
Best Bathroom Cleaner Products
Clean dirty grout stains with Aqua Mix Grout Deep Clean Spray. Remove unwanted grease, hard water deposits, soap scum, soil, and more!	The Mohawk Floor Care Kit has all you need for cleaning grout and tile. Kit comes with 32 oz cleaner, mop, wet/dry pads, and brush. Replacement 32 oz cleaners sold too.	Tech Grout Cleaner is great to clean colored grout and other types of floor grout. There are no harsh chemicals or fumes. Tech products are proudly made in the USA.
Buy the perfect Ultimate Grout Brush to clean grout. This brush has thick, durable, nylon bristles to easily clean floor grout. Need something smaller? Try the QEP Grout Brush.	Remove mildew, grout stains, and restore original grout color with the R-Teez Stain Eraser. Clean grout without using any chemicals. Made in the USA.	Use the Sonic Scrubber on hard to clean surfaces in kitchen, bath and more! Battery-operated and water tight with four interchangeable oscillating brush head choices.
Stone Care Products
Effective multi-purpose Aqua Mix Aquakleen removes grease, dirt, and grime from grout joints/other surfaces in home. Use on stone, porcelain, ceramic, grout, glass, plastic, and metal surfaces.	Stone floor cleaner by Stone Savior, is a no-rinse, non-toxic floor cleaner for your natural stone surfaces. This non-toxic floor cleaner is also effective for shower floors and walls.	Rock Doctor Granite Cleaner is a natural stone cleaner spray safe for all stone. Granite Sealer and Polish also available. BUY NOW! $2 Manufacturer Mail-In Rebate.
To view our full line of cleaners, sealers and polish: visit our Floor Care Category link found here:http://www.installerstore.com/Floor-Cleaner-and-Care.html

Happy Cleaning!!

WoolClean Spot Remover – 10/17/12

WoolClean Spot Remover Products Featured in Nov Issue Real Simple

Wools of New Zealand brand WoolClean Spot Removal products were featured in the November issue of Real Simple Magazine. The article, “Oops, I did it again. Don’t let holiday spills mess with your spirit. Here are solutions (and soaps and sprays) for every seasonal stain” recommends using the WoolClean Spot Remover Kits on wool rugs with stains from greasy gravy to tree sap. The 3 products mentioned in the article, Wool Clean Spot Remover 1, Dry Spot Remover 2 and Absorb-It Powder are available in an all encompassed kit.

This stain buster is made specifically to clean wool rugs and carpets, but is safe for all carpet fibers.  The 3 Step cleaning process can tackle any spot and spill on your carpet.

Wool Clean Spot Remover 1 removes non-greasy water-based spots and stains	Dry Spot Remover removes greasy, oil-based spots	Use WoolClean Absorb It  to absorb spills initially or as a final step to absorb as carpet dries. Also can be purchased separately from kit.
**Use On: Pumpkin Pie, Red or White Wine, Coffee/Tea and Cranberry Sauce stains.	**Use On: Gravy, Butter or Salad Dressing, Candle Wax, Coffee/Tea, Candle Ash/Fireplace Soot and Tree Sap stains.	**Use On: Red or White Wine and Pet Accidents.
**Holiday Spill solutions recommended in Real Simple magazine. Some spills require the use of multiple kit items. Please see included step-by-step instructions before cleaning up spills.

Check out the November issue of Real Simple on stands now for a full list of Holiday Spill cleaning tips.

For our full line of carpet cleaners, browse this link: http://www.installerstore.com/Carpet-Cleaner.html.

****UPDATE 2013: If you missed the November 2012 issue and want to read the excellent stain removal recommendations, click the photo below or visit this link to read the article in its entirety: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/stain-removal/stain-removal-00100000089255/index.html.

TECH Stain Removers – 9/19/12

Just Added TECH Brand Cleaners – Stain Removers

Installerstore has recently added on to the Made in the USA TECH stain removal product line. We not only carry the popular multipurpose TECH stain remover that can be used on carpet, vinyl and clothing, but now also carry stain remover and cleaning products specifically for wood, tile, stainless steel and grout. Now you can properly tackle the ink stains on your carpet and grease stains on your countertops.

Have a smelly garbage can? Did a skunk make your yard his home, and now everything REEKS of him? Then you NEED the product TECH SKUNK-X which is an effective odor removal product. This product can also tackle odors caused by cigarettes, feces, urine, perspiration, lockers, garbage and MUCH more!

Below is a table of the new TECH product additions to our site. Click on the photo to go directly to the product page on Installerstore.

NEW TECH Stain Remover Line Available at Installerstore.com
Multi-surface Cleaner & Polish in one! Even can be used on stainless steel!	No Rinse formula makes this the BEST cleaner for wood laminate floors	Tech Tile & Vinyl Cleaner. Use on walls, floors and countertops!
THE odor removal product! Remove skunk, cigarette, urine, feces, garbage odors from carpet and more!	Made in the USA carpet cleaner spray. 100% biodegradable.	Non-toxic grout stain cleaner from TECH. No harsh fumes, so great to use in the shower!

We still carry the classic TECH stain removal products : Multipurpose TECH stain remover and the popular TECH red wine stain remover.

Classic TECH Stain Removal Products
GREAT multipurpose stain remover. Can be used for stains on carpet, upholstery, vinyl and clothing.	TECH red wine stain remover for carpet, clothing and upholstery. Convenient 2 oz spray size.

Pergo Laminate Floor Cleaner is BACK! – 08/28/12

UPDATE: As of 3/5, Pergo floor cleaner has been discontinued by the manufacturer. They now recommend the Performance Accessories Hard Surface Cleaner for the routine maintenance of Pergo Flooring.

Find this cleaner at a GREAT price HERE.

Return of the Pergo Floor Cleaner to Installerstore!

Purchase the popular and very much missed, Pergo laminate floor cleaner at Installerstore.com! This ready-to-use 32oz spray is specifically developed for cleaning Pergo laminate and other hard surfaces, making it THE best way to clean your Pergo floors.

To Purchase Pergo Laminate Floor Cleaner  –
Click the image below or HERE

This 32oz Pergo floor cleaner is ideal for daily cleaning with a Microfiber mop.
Directions are simply….

1. Sweep, dust mop, or vacuum  your Pergo laminate floors.
2. Spray the Pergo floor cleaner directly on your floors. It works best to clean smaller areas at a time.
3. Wipe clean with a soft clean white cloth or microfiber mop.

Do not allow the cleaner to puddle on your laminate floors

Pergo premium laminate and hard surface floor cleaner should not be used on  wax finished floors. This Pergo floor cleaner is made in the USA. Purchase the floor cleaner from our site Installerstore.com and save with the coupon code 4blog11,  so stock up on Pergo laminate floor cleaner.
 

Easy Home Fixes – 06/05/12

Do-it-Yourself Home Improvement Ideas

Recently ConsumerReports.org published a blog about easy home improvement ideas entitled “Five ugly home flaws that you can easily fix.” This great article included do it yourself home improvement ideas to look for when viewing a house your are interested in purchasing. These easy home fixes can also be carried over to your own home for inexpensive updates. Installerstore.com also has some great do-it-yourself products that are easy and inexpensive. Below are some excerpts from the article and some ideas we at Installerstore have as well.

“Frightening flooring. Carpeting that’s seen better days doesn’t have to trip you up, especially if the floor or subfloor is in good condition. Before settling on new flooring, spend a few dollars on two or three samples. That way you won’t wind up with flooring that looks great in a catalog or on a website but awful in your home…”

If you pull up the carpet and find hardwood that just needs a little TLC or have other hardwood/laminate floors that need repair, we have great hardwood and laminate repair products, including the brand Trade Secret. There are many different wood and laminate repair kits to choose from, and each one is easy to use and inexpensive. We even carry a product to fix the scratches and gouges in wood and leather furniture.

“Kitschy kitchen. If the layout of the kitchen works for you, many other upgrades can be done on a shoestring. You can paint the cabinets, replace the hardware or install a new facet. And if it’s the appliances that need updating, you can find many top performers…that are affordable too…”
If the kitchen ceramic tiles are loose, don’t worry about replacing the entire flooring. Try fixing the loose tiles with Colorfast Brand Loose Tile Repair. This product comes in a 10.3 ounce tube (like a caulking tube) and the only tools you need is a standard caulk gun, 1/8″ masonry drill bit and rubber mallet (it helps to have a shop vac to clean up too). This easy home fix is inexpensive and can be done on a rainy sunday afternoon. Is the tile ok but the grout unsightly with stains? Purchase grout colorant pens to easily re-color grout and prevent future mold. The solution contains both pigment and an anti-microbial sealant to prevent mold and mildew staining. There are 20 colors to choose from, and each pen is less than $10.

The article “Five ugly home flaws that you can easily fix” is a great read for those looking to purchase a new home or easy do-it-yourself home improvement ideas. Visit this link to read the article in its entirety.

Tapesty/Wall Rug Hangers – 05/24/12

How to Measure for Tapestry Wall Hanger

If you have an antique fragile rug or tapestry that you would like showcase, Zoroufy makes beautiful tapestry wall hangers that can make that happen. It can be intimidating to browse all of their collections- so many lengths, finishes, and finials OH MY! But have no fear, Installerstore Blog is here! I will try to cover the basic information you’ll need to know before browsing and helpful walk through on all of the Zoroufy Tapestry / Rug Wall Hangers, so you can find exactly what you are looking for in your price range.

What Does a Rug Wall Hanger Do?

A tapestry wall hanger usually consists of a rod cut/adjusted to the width or so of your tapestry (explained below), decorative finials for the end of the rod, a various amount of wall brackets and/or clips- all in your very own chosen finish (color). This enables you to showcase your favorite family heirloom tapestries or antique persian rugs. The most important information you can have before browsing tapestry wall hangers….

• • Width of your Rug/Tapestry
  • Estimated weight of your Rug/Tapestry
  • Does your Tapestry have a sleeve for mounting(See Below)

To find the correct rod length you’ll need, take the width of your tapestry and add 1 1/2″. For example, if your tapestry is 36″, you would want your wall hanger to be 37 1/2″. Most stair rod collections come with base sets and add-on sets, the collections will not come in exact sizes you need. You can have them custom cut to the size you need for no additional cost (they do become non-returnable) or cut them yourself with a hand saw. If you don’t want to take the chance with cutting, order the Zoroufy Legacy Collection, which has an adjustable rod so you can adjust the rod to the exact length of your tapestry. If you are worried about the weight of your rug, don’t be. Zoroufy tapestry rods and wall brackets are very sturdy and can hold about 10 pounds of rug weight per foot.

All collections but the Grand Regency come with the standard clamp clip design (see photo below). None of the Zoroufy clamp designs will harm tapestries, but if you have a very fragile rug or the thought of clips on your tapestry makes you worry, you may want to go with the Grand Regency collection, which has a rotating disc with a gentle design (see photo below).

So many choices!! Where to begin…

Zoroufy offers 4 diverse collections of tapestry wall hangers. Each collection differs in rod diameter, lengths available, finishes, finals, and clip styles. With bigger rod diameters and different clip styles, collections will differ in prices. The brilliant but basic Classic line will be less expensive than say the Grand Regency line, which has a larger rod diameter and safer clip design. It may be daunting to view all the collections at once, so below is a chart of the different Zoroufy collections, and what each has to offer.

Think you’ve found your dream Tapestry Hanger? Click the photo of your favorite collection below, to view pricing on our site.

Looking for solid cast floor registers or decorative stair rods? Or how about a beautiful wood baseboard register? The Zoroufy quality carries over into these products as well. Revamp every room in your house!

Summer Kid (and parent!) Crafts – 05/23/12

Very Easy Crafts for Kids – Waterproof Tile Transfers

Summers may seem to be full fun opportunities children, but for some parents, finding activities to fill their children’s time becomes a daunting responsibility. Below are some very easy crafts for kids using decorative waterproof tile transfers. Our site (Installerstore.com) has beautiful tile transfers that can be used on ceramic tiles, mugs, mirrors, windows and other smooth hard surfaces. This opens up endless opportunities for you and your children to spruce up their bathroom or make special personalized mugs for their very own use. Below are just some of the simple summer kid crafts you can do with your children using our waterproof tile transfers.

Simple Kid Craft – Personalized Mug & Wall Art for Kids Bathroom

We currently sell a Kids Bathroom Tile Decal that is sure to win over every kid interest, with a fish, airplane and princess decal. Each decal is 3″ x 3″ and each pack comes with the following…

One great simple kids craft activity involves making a personalized mug or cup for each of your children and their friends. Have each child pick their favorite Kids Decal Image or any Waterproof Tile Transfer, their favorite mug (must be a smooth hard surface) and a permanent marker (black usually works the best).

Directions for Personalized Mug:

1) Supplies Needed: (1) Mug or Cup (1) Your childs favorite tile transfer (1) Permanent Marker
2) Peel off the selected tile transfer from the wrapping.
3)Center the image on the mug (or wherever your child would like it placed)
4)Smooth down the transfer on the mug. Make sure to smooth out all air bubbles and bumps.
5)This is the transfer completely smoothed out.
6)Carefully peel back the plastic wrapping. The image should stay on the mug, if it doesn’t, put the plastic back down and smooth down the area once again.
7) The last step is writing the child’s name on their mug, or depending on their age – have them write their name.

Children love adding personal touches to their spaces. White tile bathrooms work perfect for our Waterproof Tile Transfers. Letting children put the Kids Bathroom Decal on tiles by the tub may make bath-time go much more smoothly (no guarantees but it can’t hurt)!

Directions for Wall Art for Kids Bathroom

1)Make sure bathroom tile is clean and free of any mildew or soap scum.
2)Peel back the chosen waterproof tile transfer.
3)Center image on tile
4)Smooth down tile transfer and make sure to smooth out all bumps and air pockets.
5) Peel off the plastic wrapping.
6)Make sure to slowly peel off the plastic. The images should stay on the tile.
7)The finished image is vibrant and waterproof! And the tub is ready for bath-time!

Installerstore.com also has many waterproof tile transfers for other areas of your house, including bird, flower and other decorative images.

What is a Stair Rod? How Do I Go About Ordering One? – 8/28/12

A “stair rod also commonly referred to as a carpet rod, is an ornamental decorative hardware item used with carpet runners (also known as [ stair runners]) on steps” (thank you Wikipedia). Stair Rods are for decorative use only, which means you’ll need to properly secure/install the carpet runner first. The first thing to think of when in the process of choosing a stair rod, is to know what length of rod you need. Measure the width of your carpet runner. Your stair rod must be at least 1.5″ longer than the width of your stair runner. For example, if your runner is 32″, you would need to order a stair rod that is 33.5″ long. Don’t be concerned if you don’t see that exact length listed, we can custom cut any stair rod for FREE (they will become non-returnable however).

Installerstore offers many different Zoroufy collections of stair rods to match any home decor. There are multiple styles, finishes, finial choices, rod diameter, rod style and lengths to choose from. All finishes will have a protective lacquer coating to resist tarnishing. Stair Rods are sold in sets. Each set has (1) rod, (2) brackets and (2) finials. All pieces will have matching finishes. Finials are decorative pieces that are screwed directly into the brackets. This gives the stair rod a more decorative, less industrial look. The overall length of the finial depends on the type, ie pineapple, round etc.

Prices of stair rods vary from collection to collection. Zoroufy Grand Regency stair rods are more expensive than say the Select Stair Rods because of the decorative brackets and larger rod diameter. It may be daunting to view all the collections at once, so below is a chart of the different collections Zoroufy offers, and what each has to offer.

Think you’ve found your dream stair rods? Click the photo of your favorite collection below, to view them on our site. Don’t forget to call your order in for special pricing! Our phone number is 866.258.1154 and we are in the office M-F 8:00-5:00 CST.

Looking for a Tapestry/Rug Hanger as well as stair rods? Or how about heavy cast decorative floor registers? The Zoroufy quality carries over into these products as well.

Squeaky Floors Got You Down? – 2/25/11

Squeaky floors can be an annoyance to everyone in a household. I grew up in a very old home, and it was impossible to sneak in past curfew. It didn’t matter if I tiptoed on the carpeted hallway or the upstairs hardwood floors. If I only knew about the squeeek no more products back then!

To use these products, you don’t need advanced knowledge in carpentry or flooring, you just need to know how to use a power drill. Easy enough right? These products work on hardwood, linoleum, vinyl and carpet floors and stairways. There is a main Sqeeek No More Kit that is used on top of the flooring and a Squeak Ender II which eliminates squeaks caused when the subfloor becomes separated from the joist.

The traditional Squeeek No More Kit requires the use of a power drill, but comes with everything else needed to stop your squeaky floors. Each kit includes a driver bit, joist finder, alignment and depth control fixture and 50 specially scored waxed screws. Below are the instructions for the main Squeek No More Kit (which can be used on carpet, vinyl/linoleum and stairs) to show you how simply the product line is to use.

Step 1: Located the floor joist, using the Joist finding screw provided. Then, push the Alignment and Depth Control Fixture firmly into the carpet.

Step 2: Place your weight around the fixture, and drive the scored screw down as far as the fixture will allow it to go.

Step 3: Place the screw gripper, on the alignment fixture over the screw head, then rock the fixture left to right snapping the head off. The screw breaks at the weak spot that is consistently just below the surface of the floor.

*the screw stops the movement and squeaks with no damage to the carpet

For use with mainly hardwood floors, try also purchasing the Hardwood Floor Adapter. This works great for hardwood floor areas where you cannot access floor joists or if you have engineered floor joists.

Think of this blog as a “sign” to fix those pesky squeaky floors. Or if you are a over-protective father who wants to ensure his daughter is home for curfew (like mine), leave the squeaks be. We do not sell squeak enhancer products :).

Best Dry Carpet Cleaner – Capture Dry Carpet Cleaner Safe on Wool Rugs

Have allergies and looking for an effective dry carpet cleaner? Looking for a safe cleaner to use on your wool rugs? Searching for a cleaner with no bleach, solvents or harsh chemicals? Capture Carpet & Rug Dry Cleaner is the answer to these, and more of these types of situations.

In sea of carpet cleaning products, Capture is your lifeboat to the Isle of Clean Carpets. Ok, a bit corny, but unlike traditional ChemDry Cleaning Systems – you won’t have to purchase/rent large machines or hire professionals. And that in itself is a life (carpet) saver.

Where to use: Carpets and Rugs (even those made of wool)
How often to use: Depends on how much traffic an area gets. Use weekly for remove spots as they occur or monthly for high traffic areas such as entryways or kitchens.
What you need: Dry Carpet Powder, Pre-Mist Soil Release Spray, Standard Cleaning Brush, Vacuum, and Sifter (purchase a simple kitchen flour sifter. Cleaning can be used without this, but it will make the process easier).
and
or purchase the complete kit:


How to use Capture Dry Carpet Cleaner:

Step 1) Lightly spray soiled area with Capture Soil Release Pre-Mist. This product loosens set-in stains. For heavily soiled areas – gently brush the Pre-Mist into the carpet before sprinkling the dry powder.

Step 2) Sprinkle the dry cleaning powder liberally to cover the stain/area. This is where the sifter comes in handy.

Step 3) Lightly brush the area with the standard cleaning brush. The powder cleans by absorbing stains and keeping them contained as it dries. You may want to use a stand up Brush for larger areas.

Step 4) Wait at least 30 minutes before vacuuming up the Capture Powder.

Tips:
-If this is your first time using Capture Dry Carpet Cleaner – purchase the Capture Carpet and Rug Dry Cleaning Kit. It comes with everything you need to get started: Pre-mist Spray, 2.5 lb powder, and carpet brush.
-Start with a fresh bag or empty chamber in your vacuum cleaner for maximum suction.
-One pound of Capture Dry Powder cleans 100 square feet of carpet.

The Capture Brand makes other great carpet cleaning products shown below:

Difference Between Grout and Caulk – 12/10/10

What is Grout? What is Caulk?

Grout and caulking are commonly used in the same household rooms and available in the same colors, but this is where the similarities end. Don’t be bashful if you have trouble deciphering between the two, most do. The following information may help push you into the right direction before you dive into a bathroom remodel or other D.I.Y.’ing.

What is grout used for???

“Grout- a thin, coarse mortar poured into various narrow cavities… to fill them and consolidate the adjoining objects into a solid mass.” In layman’s terms, grout is used to fill the spaces (tile joints, grout lines) between ceramic tiles and wall tiles. It has a cement like look to it, and helps keep the tiles in place. It should really only be used between 2 surfaces of the same type. There are two kinds of grout: sanded and unsanded. It can come pre-mixed and in a ready-to-use bucket (like the Bostik QuartzLock2 bucket shown below) or a powder form that must be mixed with water before it is used (see custom building products grout sack below).

What is caulking used for?

Caulking, unlike grout, can fill the gaps between different types of products and has a bit of flexibility to it.It is used mostly in areas where water is constantly present, to seal a crevice or area from the moisture. Areas where you will commonly see or use caulking would be the 90 degree angle where the tub meets the bathroom flooring, back-splash in bathrooms and kitchens, and where a vanity or sink meets a tile wall. Some people even use caulking on the edges of windows to waterproof. The most popular area to use caulking would be the shower/tub. Below is a picture to show you the main areas you will find caulking and grout.

The grey tiles are joined together with the black grout lines. When the tub meets the tile flooring, caulking must be used to give the area a waterproof seal (caulking shown in red). I don’t ever recommend using black grout with red caulk, but I needed to use colors that would stand out! 🙂

Caulking traditionally is available in a 10.3 ounce cylindrical tube that ia used in a caulking gun. You can also purchase them in smaller squeeze tubes (I would not recommend this for large areas of caulking that need to take place.) Caulk, like grout, comes in sanded and unsanded. Sanded caulking will literally look like sand has been mixed into the caulk, giving a textured look. Unsanded caulking, on the other hand, will have a smooth appearance.

Where can I find Grout and Colored Caulking?

Powder form grout can be found at most hardware stores from manufacturers such as Custom Building Products, Laticrete, and many more. Ready-to-use grout, such as the manufacturer Bostik, can be found here on our site.

The biggest road block people usually have when it comes to colored caulking, is matching it to their grout/tile/etc. There is a manufacturer named Colorfast Industries that we carry on our site, that matches caulking to most major grout lines. If you have Custom Building Products color Driftwood grout, we have a caulking to match! Clueless about which color you want? Request color charts so you can view the full color line of caulking. This way you can find a caulking that suits you and your room scheme.

Hopefully this was able to help you decipher between the two compounds, so you don’t end up googling “What happens if I used caulking to install tiles.”

Link to caulking on our site: http://www.installerstore.com/Colored-Caulk.html

Link to ready-to-use grout on our site: http://www.installerstore.com/Premixed-Grout.html

Grout Savers! Make your grout look brand spank’n NEW! – 11/12/10

After you put the time and money into tiling your kitchen or bath, the last thing you want to worry about are stains on the grout lines. Simple stains such as Kool-Aid or cherry juice, can seep into the grout giving you smurf blue and pink grout. There are home remedies you can try first before shelling out money for cleaners. There are also some things you absolutely do not want to try, like mixing household chemicals together, which can have a very dangerous outcome. Below are tips and products you can use to try to remove stains for grout as well as brighten or change the color of your dingy grout. As with any situation, make sure you try any of the following advice in a small inconspicuous area first to ensure you will approve of the results.

The first home remedy that people normally think of to remove stains is Chlorine Bleach. This is a powerful oxidizer that can remove stains from grout, but it can also remove color of your tile and damage rugs or any type of fabrics that accidentally touch the bleached surfaces. Bleach can also produce irritant fumes, which makes it a not-so-good option for households with children and pets. Vinegar works great as a natural floor cleaner, but is not effective on grout stains. Hydrogen peroxide proves to be the best home remedy grout cleaner, but can be a hit or miss cleaning option. To remove stains from grout lines with Hydrogen Peroxide, soak a q-tip with the peroxide and trace the lines where the stains are located. Cleaning large areas of grout with the q-tip is not the most effective option . For larger jobs, you may want to consider purchasing any one of the grout cleaners below and using them in conjunction with a grout brush.

Grout Cleaners:

Aqua Mix is definitely a leading manufacturer in cleaning products. They offer a product that is specifically made for Deep Cleaning of Grout Joints. The Grout Deep Clean Spray works great for removing unwanted grease, food stains, hard water deposits, soap scum and other tough stains from your grout. It can be used on sanded and unsanded grout, tile and stone. DO NOT Use this product over grout colorants (a product you can use to change the color of your grout). It will change or remove the coloring. This product can be used with a grout brush.

Visit this link for a full list of our grout cleaners.

If you have tried cleaners and have not had luck with them, try using a Grout Stain Eraser. It is a 4″ x 2 1/2″ pad that can remove mildew, stains, calcium and rust while restoring the natural color of your grout.

Grout Colorant:

If you are at your wit’s end with your grout and want to switch to a restore the original color or change it completely, you are in luck. The easiest grout colorant tool is in a pen/marker form, which makes it really easy to apply. The grout colorant marker is non-toxic, water-resistant, fast-drying and provides and anti-microbial sealant to prevent mold and mildew staining. There are over 20 colors available, so you have a wide range of choices available. If you have a darker colored grout and you are trying to make it lighter, you may need to put a couple of layers of the colorant on.

Whether you want to remove stains or change the color of your grout, have no fear, there are plenty of products out there to help!

Ward Off Halloween House Horrors with Installerstore – 10/29/10

After you wake from the sugar coma and throw out the pumpkins (before you forget and leave them out until spring) you may find the little trick or treaters left you a treat in your house…. Dirt. The little feet of the doctor, transformer, and batman tracked in dirt, leaves, and… GUM!!

Before you swear off Halloween and post “Trick or Treaters Prohibited” (trust me, the results are bad) here are some easy and affordable cleaning solutions for most flooring types. Also, advice for next year so the Halloween horrors do not follow you into the next day.

Carpeting:

Maybe you’ll rethink having trick or treaters step into your front door and onto your carpet next year. With a bowl full of sugar being held in front of them, no child is going to think of wiping their feet. For dirt, sucker stains, face paint and even gum, i would recommend cleaning your carpet or rugs with Host products. It’s a tough product but gentle enough to use on wool, sisal and other delicate oriental rugsThe best bet is to purchase the Host Carpet Cleaning Kit, because they contain everything you need to tackle tough stains. If the spill/stain is dry, use a bit of the included carpet cleaner. Then, you just need to sprinkle on the Dry Carpet Cleaner and brush the area in all directions. Once it is dry (I usually wait about an hour), you can just vacuum the area.

Hardwood:

I’ve seen many people brought to tears talking about damaged done to their hardwood floors. If there is gum or other really sticky hard residues on your hardwood, you’ll have to take great measures of care when cleaning. This tip below is something my mom taught me, which means it’s absolutely 100% true (just kidding). Always take care in trying this out in a small area first. Situations vary.

Take ice cubes and place them into a plastic lunch bag. Place the bag with a kitchen rag (so the ice doesn’t melt onto your floor). Place the bag on top of the chewing gum or stick mess and let it sit for a while. The main goal is the completely harden the gum.

Once the gum has hardened, take a butter knife or paint scraper and pull up the gum. You may need to re-harden the gum as you work to make sure it pulls off easy. Next, clean the area with your normal hardwood cleaner (such as Bona or other hardwood floor cleaner) to remove any residue. You may need to use a small amount of floor polish if you caused any scratches or marks in the floor.

Other Hard Surfaces:

For really sticky stains, try using an Oops product. The easiest of their products is the Multi-purpose remover in an aerosol can. This can be used on vinyl, laminate, furniture, concrete, fiberglass, metal, glass, Formica, and more. Because this is a chemical based product, please take a moment to test it in inconspicuous area first. Otherwise the Halloween Hell might continue.

Only 364 days until the next Halloween….

To prepare for the next Halloween, you may want to purchase some type of flooring protection for the inside of your door. Whether it be a vinyl carpet runner or waterproof flooring protection. Protect your flooring investment from the lil monsters.

If anyone as any Post-Halloween Horror stories or tips to share, please do so!!

Everyone have a Safe and FUN Halloween!

Cleaning Stainless Made Painless – 10/22/10

The purchase of stainless steel appliances and surfaces is on the rise. The material can be resistant to corrosion if it is kept clean of dirt and grime. Normal household kitchen cleaners will not work for cleaning the stainless steel. Many of those cleaners contain abrasive elements as well as chloride or hydrochloride, which can discolor stainless steel. Make sure to read labels on all products you are thinking of using.

The old school method of warm water and a soft cloth can be used as a routine way to clean, but you will need an alternative option for fingerprints (one of the biggest complaints with stainless steel) and tougher stains. You can also use a glass cleaner or household ammonia for the fingerprints, but make sure to rinse and towel dry.

If you are looking for a safe-yet-will-take-care-of-stains cleaner, Bona Professional Stone, Tile and Laminate Cleaner may be a great option for your household.

Bona products are waterborne, environmentally responsible cleaners. Which means this will work great if you have children or pets. They are non-toxic, nonflammable, pH neutral, and are Greenguard certified for Children and Schools.

Not only can you clean your stainless steel surfaces, but you can also use it for laminate flooring, ceramic, tile, vinyl, sealed marble, and sealed granite flooring. Making this your go to cleaner for kitchen surfaces. I can provide you with more MSDS lingo about viscosity and density, but from the over-protective-of-her-dog consumer perspective of this product, I would go with no other cleaner for bathroom and kitchen surfaces.

Always use a soft cloth when wiping down a stainless steel surface and wipe in the direction of the polish line. Microfiber cloths work well in this situation. As with any cleaner used in any situation, test in an inconspicuous spot. And you may want to rinse the surface with water and towel dry. Do not let water pool on the surfaces, it will discolor the stainless steel.

If there has been a major stain to the steel, scratching, or it needs polishing, you may want to go with an industrial cleaner made specifically for stainless steel. The will be a powerful cleaner/polish, so make sure you read the directions carefully and as always, test on an inconspicuous area. RINSE and thoroughly towel dry. Most retail locations where you buy your stainless steel appliance or surface will have great advice on what type of polish/heavy-duty cleaners to use. Don’t be afraid to give them a call. I would not use these cleaners as a routine cleaner. They usually are pretty smelly and full of chemicals. You don’t want to air out your kitchen every day.

As with every post we have, these are just suggestions. If you advice to share on this topic, please do not hesitate to share!

Johnsonite Cove Base | Pre-molded Corner Production – 10/15/10

Pre-molded corner production of Johnsonite wall base is done on location at our warehouse. We offer pre-molded inside (in) and outside (out) corners in 1ft (12 inches) lengths. This differs from most companies, who traditionally only offer 4″ lengths. The larger length of pre-molded corners allow for easier adjustment during installation so you can square up to the other sides of Johnsonite wall base.

The pre-molded corners are available in standard Johnsonite cove base heights of 4″ and 6″, thicknesses of .080″ and .125″. Unlike other companies who offer Johnsonite wall base pre-molded corners, we do not have minimum order quantity restrictions. You have the freedom to order the exact amount you need.

The videos below show how our craftsmen carefully and precisely make the pre-molded corners.

Links to Johnsonite Wall Base can be found here:

Installerstore.com- http://www.installerstore.com/Johnsonite-Vinyl-Wall-Base.html

Covebase-n-Transtions.com- http://www.covebase-n-transitions.com/Cove-Base/