Allergies

[vacu-finder]

People make me laugh when it comes to Carpet. Most people with allergies have bare floors that are filthy but thats OK because its not filthy carpet. Ok good point but with bare floors that filth gets stirred up like Tornado crap.

(1) As far as I'm concerned carpet captures the dirt and stays put.
(2) Carpet is much easier to vacuum.!
(3) Carpet is easily replaced unlike hardwood.
(4) Sick of the color, simply change the rug
(5) Carpet can allways be properly cleaned using (comercial wet carpet cleaner.)

The point I'm trying to make VAcuum the Stupid House...!!!!

 

[kenkart]

A-MEN,A-MEN!!!!!

I agree whole heartedly, I DESPISE wood floors, they are COLD, DUSTY,slippery when wet and I just dont like them...my motto has always been, A vacuum pushes easier than a mop!

 

[suckolux]

agree, yet stuck with hardwood floors 30 years

 

[tolivac]

Real wood floors can be sanded and refinished.I would like to have SOME wood flooring-just not the whole house.And I didn't find wood "cold" as some other hard floor materials are.

 

[sebo_fan]

Well I wouldn't say carpet is easier to vacuum - hard floors are quicker to keep clean and they can often be swept using a traditional broom. You're just made more aware of the fact that dust balls fly about since there are no porous areas for the dust to get trampled in and settle. Those with allergies may well fit hard floors but I laugh more at those who claim they have allergies but use a bagless cyclonic vacuum in the home.

Hard floors though are a nightmare for anyone who despises cleaning. The amount of times i've heard friends say "oh well, we replaced the carpet because we got fed up washing it," and then replaced it with laminate or real hard wood only then realising that it has to be swept daily if there are pets in the home, or again if the slightest dust "tumbleweed" balls start mounting up.

 

[spiraclean]

Hardwood or the dreaded laminate is OK if someone is there to dust mop it daily, otherwise you will get dust bunnies and a noticeable build up of fluff around the edges. If you work the sort of hours that dictate you can only clean a couple or three times a week (or just do a little bit here and there each day), carpet hides a multitude of sins.

After spending years cleaning houses for other people, I knew exactly what I did and did not want in my own home. I'm too practical for my own good, sometimes boringly so, and will quite happily trade aesthetics for ease of maintenance. Carpet in every room, ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. Both are easy to keep up on a day to day basis, and can handle occasional heavy-duty cleaning if needed.

 

[vinvac]

I would agree!

We have hardwood and it looks nice but is a lot of work. In order to have it look nice it needs to be vacuumed often. No swiffer or broom...all that does is scatter the dirt.

Real hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished...but only a couple of times. Depending on the type of wood and how much is needed to be sanded off.

I don't find the hardwood floors as cold as the ceramic tile. Now, there is a true problem. Cold, hard to clean, grout needs maintenance, did I mention cold. I think part of the reason I dislike ours so much is they did not seal the grout. Again, they have to be vacuumed daily.

People with allergies will blame it on many different things, but the fact of the matter is if you keep you house clean you will lower your response to most allergens. You also can't just vacuum the center of a room, just simply walking through a room moves the dust to the edges or under furniture. You also need to vacuum drapes and upholstered furniture often...even lamp shades.

In my opinion, people are lazy and don't want to work to keep things looking good. They expect it just happens. I still Spring and Fall clean, vacuum the mattress when I change the sheets...weekly, sometimes more in the summer. I have a friend who only changes sheets every other week or sometimes three weeks...YIKES!

What really make me laugh is when they complain about allergies and pull out a bagless vacuum. They have worked hard to clean and then dump that bin and concentrate all of those allergens right back up their nasal passages...

Common sense...where has it gone???

 

[vinvac]

The other problem is people open windows to let in the fresh air...or more allergens.

Once we turn on the air here, it stays on. It is rare we open windows. Especially in the Spring with trees blooming, flowers blooming, farmers stirring up dust as they work in the fields...yes, that does carry into most cities.

Your air conditioner will run more efficiently if left at one temp and not touched. It take 5 to 7 days for it to completely get the humidity levels down in your home. Especially if you have carpet and upholstered furniture. Once you open a window or windows and let the humidity back in...you have to restart the whole process.

 

[suckolux]

my hardwood is circa 1946, last refinished in 56 after a big flood. Rental unit, needs refinished, but its full of stuff after 32 years! Area rugs in every room makes edges NO fun to clean at all, well that and LONG hair Max, sucks the big one.Last cat I promise.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I personally love hardwood floors.

They were installed here in 1942 and weren't cared for properly by the precious owners. I've refinished all of them, and they are sealed. A nice bare floor brush makes quick work our of them. ?Also, a nice wipe with warm water and Murphy's oil Soap makes them glisten. There are also some parquet floors here. They are easy to keep clean. Only my room has wall to wall. It's Karastan, (snow white). My lat mother told me it will get so dirty....as if there's TRAFFIC in there!
I like all carpet, but it really wouldn't fit in a house like this.
I completely replaced both bathroom. They now have ceramic tile. They can be cold, but very easy to clean. The trick is to seal the grout.

 

[kenkart]

I Also see!!!

You left the radiator heat!!! VERY SMART, warm air heating not only dries out the air, but really makes for more dust!! also radiator heat is so much more comfortable!

 

[suckolux]

What a handsome bathroom!

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Thanks!

I love steam heat. Here's more of the room. It was a very difficult project.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

add a HOOVER steamer

and you're all set.

 

[sebo_fan]

I think in hot countries, hard floors make sense.

 

[parwaz786]

OMG a plug socket in the bathroom? So lucky

 

[gottahaveahoove]

Thanks!

I had "Bob" install one. It is very handy for Christmas lights in the window, and, the HOOVER>

 

[rainbowd4c]

When I lived in my apartmentin Chicago I had all hardwood floors and I had to put down large rugs to help muffle the echo and to help trap the allergies. Plus I didn't want the powernozzle and rug shampooer to just sit in the closet not being used. I liike carpets or at least large plush rugs. I like to sit and lay on the floor and that helps also.