How to Remove Gravy Stains from Carpet November 25, 2010
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Care and Maintenance, Uncategorized , 2comments
On this special holiday, we thought we would share our stain removal techniques with you. Sometimes one of your friends or family members can have too much fun and accidentally drop their plate. If this happens, we have multiple stain removing techniques that you try! Happy Thanksgiving!
Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent.
Solvent - A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.
Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.
Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.
Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.
Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.
When in doubt, call a professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.
Thanksgiving Recipe: Grilled Turkey November 17, 2010
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Thanksgiving , add a comment
Here at Big Bob’s Flooring Outlet, we are always trying to find value and comfort for our customers. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, we’d like to share a cooking tip that will make your holiday with friends and family stress free and enjoyable! This is a recipe from one of our very own employees, Josh Penny. Besides not being dried out and having wonderful flavor, the biggest advantage of grilling a turkey is it frees up your oven for all those other side dishes that are so important at every Thanksgiving meal. We know how it is when you are trying to heat up your sweet potatoes, bake that new fancy casserole, and keep the pumpkin pie warm while at the same time juggling that basted butterball. With all that extra room you will have in your oven, you can come up with even a few more side dishes to amaze your family and friends. No one is leaving your table early this year!
FOR THE BRINE:
- 1 cup sea salt
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 orange, halved
- 1 onion, cut into wedges
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 bay leaves
- 1 tbsp. dried thyme
- 1 tbsp. ground black pepper
- 1 12-lb. turkey
FOR THE RUB:
- 2 cups flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp. rosemary
- 2 oranges, zested and cut into wedges
- 8 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 whole onion 3 red apples
Brine the turkey: Combine salt, lemon, orange, onions, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, and black pepper in a 12-qt. pot. Add 1 1/2 gallons cold water and stir. Squeeze lemons and oranges into the brine and add the squeezed halves. Submerge turkey in brine. (Weight the turkey down with dinner plates if necessary.) Cover pot with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Remove turkey from brine, pat dry with paper towels, and let come to room temperature.
Make the rub: Combine parsley, rosemary, chili powder, cayenne, black pepper, and orange zest in a large bowl. Using a fork or your hands, work butter into ingredients to form a paste. Rub on the inside of the turkey as well as the outside with the paste, including between the skin and the turkey – cutting small holes in the skin to insert the mixture and then massage for coverage.
Prepare for grilling: Insert one whole onion and 3 whole apples into the cavity of the turkey. Put orange wedges, onions, carrots, and 3 cups water into disposable roasting pan fitted with a rack and set turkey on top – breast side up. Cover pan with foil.
Grill approximately 13 to 15 minutes per pound. While making sure the turkey is in the middle of your grill, use indirect heat to maintain a grill temperature of 350 degrees with the lid closed (turn the burners down to the lowest setting that are under the turkey, and increase the outer burners high enough to maintain 350 degrees). Cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 170ºF or 160ºF when inserted into the breast. Carefully remove the Turkey from the pan and place directly on the grill. Set all burners to medium heat and close the lid, this will finish browning and giving your turkey the perfect color and crispy skin you desire – cooking 10-20 minutes or long enough for the meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh to read 180ºF or 170ºF when insert into the breast. When the turkey has reached this point, it is ready to be transferred to a cutting board, tent with foil and let stand 30 minutes prior to carving.
Purchase Your New Carpet with the Cherry on Top November 10, 2010
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Carpet , add a comment
By Ernie J. Nogales, CTC. (our installation manager)
How does one compare a carpet flooring purchase to a hot fudge sundae? The answer is simple – expectation and communication. The last time I went to my local Cold Stone Creamery, I walked in already knowing what I was there for; however, I needed to narrow down my selections to make the perfect sundae. I asked the young lady behind the counter, who was eager to help, a few questions about various toppings and combinations of the same. Through communication geared toward my already known expectations we built the perfect sundae together.
Here are some helpful hints to build your perfect carpet flooring remodel sundae:
The Cone
The first thing you want to determine is the style of carpet you want for your home. There are many different types of carpet styles to choose from such as plush, berber, frieze, cut loop or loop piled carpet to mention a few. Now do you want this cone with the chocolate and nuts around the rim? If so, a risk taker such as yourself might want to choose a patterned carpet with a repetitive design woven into the fibers.
The Ice Cream
Color selection is vital to display your sense of style. What’s your favorite flavor? This is where your choice of colors or even multiple colors comes into play. Choose just the right color for your certain area that would complement your decor and more importantly satisfy your taste buds.
With or Without Nuts?
Texture is important when selecting a new carpet. The textures range greatly from a tightly woven plush to a thick long haired shag that you could just melt into……the varieties abound!
Chocolate or Strawberry on Top?
Padding selection is essential for the life expectancy of your new carpet. Make sure to consult with a professional flooring consultant to choose the right padding for your project.
Whip Cream
Warranties are invaluable when it comes to the selection of the perfect carpet. What type of longevity do you want to receive out of this new flooring? There are many aspects to consider when choosing the right warranty for your new flooring purchase. Consulting with your friendly professional flooring consultant will make this choice much easier.
Cherry on Top
A great flooring experience is always topped off with a smooth, efficient and professional installation. Make sure that the flooring store you choose uses their own employees to install rather than farming it out to the lowest bidder. Well groomed, uniformed installation technicians who have been trained to walk you through your jobsite and communicate the scope of work prior to the installation is just as important than the final walk through that should be performed after the installation is completed, and vacuumed.
There is nothing better than sitting down in your living room while you gaze over your newly installed carpet and thinking, “That was a great experience!” Now that you know the basics, the sinful pleasure of creating your own “perfect sundae” is at your fingertips. And what’s even better is that there are no calories!!!
Happy Shopping!
Virtual Room Designer November 7, 2010
Posted by creatingyourspace in : Website tools , add a commentAre you ready for new floors, but have no idea where to start? If you aren’t ready to come in to see us quite yet, there are lots of tool on the My Big Bobs Website that can help you – but today we want to tell you about the one that’s the most fun. It’s called The Virtual Room Designer.
On the Virtual Room Designer you can choose your room type and then within that room you can “try on” different floors, walls, countertops and in some rooms you can even try on area rugs.
To get started, click on the Virtual Room Designer image below and HAVE FUN!
