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50 Random Facts About Carpet

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50 Random Facts About Carpet
Source: http://facts.randomhistory.com/2009/08/03_carpet.html)

1. The Norwalk virus or Norovirus (the virus that causes the stomach flu) can survive on an uncleaned carpet for a month or more.d

2. The term “carpet” derives from the Latin carpere, “to pluck,” probably because carpets were made from unraveled “plucked” fabric. “Carpet” has the same Latin root as carpe diem, literally “pluck/seize the day.”g

3. The oldest surviving carpet is the celebrated Pazyryk carpet, which is over 2,000 years old. It was found in the 1940s in a Scythian tomb in southern Siberia.k

4. Microbiologists have identified air blown from a running vacuum cleaner as one of the five places in the home that has the highest numbers of germs. Other places include dish sponges, washing machines, bathroom toilets during a flush, and kitchen trash cans.m

5. The term “carpet bagger” is a derogatory reference to Northerners who sought to take political and economic advantage of the South’s defeat after the Civil War. The name refers to the travel bag made from carpet that many Northerners used to carry their possessions.g

6. The swastika design has been traditionally a symbol of good fortune and can be found on carpets from America, Europe, India, and China.l

7. The phrase “to sweep under the carpet” in its figurative sense was first recorded in 1963.k

8. Each year, several pounds of soil can accumulate in and under a carpet.e

9. The five-second rule is a myth: bacteria can live after four weeks on carpet. And, thanks to “microbial adhesion,” germs such as the following are immediately transferred to food: Salmonella typhimurium, Campylobacter, and Salmonella enteritis, a nasty bacterium that causes horrible diarrhea and vomiting.j

10. Bed bugs can live in carpet fibers and wooden floorboards. For their size, they are extremely fast and can crawl more than 100 feet to obtain a blood meal, usually at night from people who are sleeping. Engorgement takes about three to 10 minutes yet people rarely realize they are being bitten.e

11. A person sheds about 1.5 million skin flakes an hour, most of which becomes embedded in our carpets.m

12. Scientists believe that more than 43 million tons of dust falls over the U.S. every year. Indoor air usually contains about twice as much dust as the air outside. That’s a million microscopic particles in a cubic inch of air. About 2,000 dust mites can live happily on one ounce of carpet dust.b

13. Wall-to-wall carpeting is less healthy than smaller rugs because wall-to-wall carpets tend to be more permanent and harder-to-clean endpoints for moisture, chemicals, liquids, crumbs, and other spills that provide molds, mildew, yeasts, and bacteria (such as e-coli) with a rich and nearly continuous supply of nutrients.c

14. Naphthalene is commonly found in carpet cleaners. In concentrated form, it is dangerous to breath and can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and urinary irritation. It is a suspected carcinogen and can be toxic to children, infants, and pets.c

15. In an ABC News investigation, a black light illuminated traces of urine not only on hotel walls, bedspreads, and bathroom vanity stools, but also on the carpeting. In every room they tested, from rooms priced at $55 a night to $400 a night, lab results showed traces of urine or semen in every room. Additionally, hotel rooms that allow pets may harbor fleas or animal urine in the carpet.n

16. Some modern carpets are made from artificial plastic fiber, but other carpets are made from knotted wool, which can house beetle grubs or “woolly bears.” Special chemicals in their stomachs convert wool into sugar so they will munch through carpet like cotton candy.p

17. To make a carpet brighter, sprinkle salt onto the carpet and let it stand for an hour before vacuuming it up. Salt is also effective in removing muddy footprints.f

18. In the Middle Ages, floors were covered with rushes, which acted like a disposable carpet. If it got dirty, it was thrown away. Today, carpets are more permanent and vacuums often miss much of the dirt-and the germs.b

19. Carpet near a fireplace can get very warm, making it a perfect place for an odd little creature called a “firebrat.” It has a long, flexible body and is able to eat almost anything.p

20. The caterpillar of the palm flower moth is fond of making its home in a deep cavity in a carpet. Regardless of whether the carpet fibers are natural or man-made, the caterpillar will use the fibers to make a cocoon.p

21. Studies at Anderson Labs, international experts report that mice have dropped dead after breathing some new carpet fumes.c

22. Kawasaki Syndrome (named after a Japanese physician who first diagnosed it in the 1960s) is a rare illness that some scientists suggest may be triggered by the toxic chemicals in carpet cleaners. Actor John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston blame exposure to carpet cleaners for their son’s disability and ultimate death. Currently, evidence for a causal link between the disorder and carpet cleaning is inconclusive.a

23. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments, eating dead skin cells and nesting in dust-collecting carpet. The residue that mites leave behind can mix with dust and become airborne, which may cause allergies.p

24. All carpet should be professionally cleaned a minimum of every 12 to 18 months.n

25. The popular song “Magic Carpet Ride” by the Canadian band Steppenwolf peaked at #3 in the US and became the band’s second hit, behind “Born to Be Wild.” It has been interpreted as describing an acid trip or as representing the hippy movement of the late 1960s.o

26. Carcinogens in cigarettes may accumulate in household carpet. Because dogs and cats, not to mention children and infants, spend a great deal of time on the floor, they may be at risk for developing lung cancer in households with cigarette smokers.d

27. New carpets can be a source of chemical emissions. Customers should ask retailers about selecting lower-emitting carpet adhesive or about airing out the carpet before it is installed.c

28. When properly cleaned and maintained, carpeting may improve the quality of air through trapping allergy-inducing dust and allergens. Most people, however, do not clean their carpets correctly, which can actually exacerbate allergies.e

29. Carpets are highly effective places for mature fleas to live because fleas thrive in the carpet’s dry temperature. Conversely, flea eggs love wetter carpet that may be damp due to flooding, inadequate bathroom ventilation, or kitchen-generated moisture. Fleas can bite both people and animals.p

30. The vacuum cleaner is based on Edmund Heming’s 1699 invention of a street-sweeping machine.b

31. When Melville Bissell invented the carpet sweeper, “Bisselling” (rather than “vacuuming”) carpets became a popular term.b

32. Vacuum cleaners in the early 20th century were large, powered by coal, and required three people to operate them. Other early vacuums cleaners had to be parked outside a building and had long hoses that went through the windows. Yet another early version of the vacuum was installed in the house cellar and connected to a network of pipes that led to each room in the house.b

33. Early Hoover vacuum cleaners were hard to sell because potential customers refused to believe (and were even insulted by the suggestion) that they could have that much dirt in their carpets.b

34. Club soda is effective in getting up fresh stains in carpet. Just pour some on the spot, let it set for a few seconds, and then sponge it up.f

35. To remove candle wax from a carpet, place a brown paper bag over the spot and put a hot iron over it. The wax will be absorbed into the bag.f

36. To remove red wine from a carpet, scrub the stain with club soda or cover the stain with salt to let it absorb the wine. Vacuum the residue. If the stain remains, wipe with a solution of detergent, water, and a few drops of white vinegar.f

37. Red carpets traditionally marked the ceremonial and formal routes of leaders and politicians. The first reference to a “red carpet” is Agamemnon (458 B.C.) by Aeschylus.i

38. One family kept falling ill with gastrointestinal problems because a leaky vacuum cleaner kept redepositing Salmonella germs from the carpet into the household air.d

39. To remove gum from carpet, try pressing ice cubes against the gum until it becomes brittle and breaks off. Then use a spot remover to get rid of the remnants.f

40. Carpets in particular can become heavily infested with mites. The chemical benzyl benzoate will kill mites, but their dead carcasses can still be allergenic and will need to be vacuumed up afterward. A diluted solution of tannic acid can be sprayed onto the carpet to kill dust mites, but tannic acid can be dangerous to humans.p

41. Stachybotrys chartarum is a house mold that grows on wet carpeting. It produces mycotoxins which causes dermatitis, mucosal irritation, and immunosuppression.d

42. To raise depressions in the carpet left by heavy furniture, hold a steam iron close enough for steam to reach the carpet, but don’t let the iron touch the carpet. Lift fibers by scraping them with edge of a coin or spoon.f

43. The American floor covering industry argues that the difference between a “rug” (related to the words “rag” and rough”) and a “carpet” is strictly a matter of size. Any piece smaller than 40 square feet is considered a rug while anything larger is a carpet. According to the American carpet industry, then, the “flying carpet” or “magic carpet” is technically a rug.h

44. Muslim prayer carpets are often woven with motifs such as a mosque lamp (symbolic of Allah), the water basin (symbolic of ritual ablution), a stylized mountain (to symbolically elevate the worshipper), or even the sacred stone, the Kaaba in Mecca.k

45. Although it is not known when the first carpets were produced, they were most likely being made centuries before Christ, probably by nomads in the heart of Central Asia as an attempt to insulate their tents. Over the centuries, carpet weaving was carried across Asia and into the Middle East by invading armies, traders, and migrating nomads.k

46. The floral designs known as palmettes on oriental carpets are mostly derived from the lotus or peony. In regions of the world where water was a precious commodity, it is perhaps not surprising that flowers and fauna were the symbol of paradise.l

47. Oriental carpets are usually rich with symbolism. For example, large Persian carpets often present a small-scale plan of a part of the universe: Heaven above, with Earth below. Carpets also featured an “X,” or an eight-petaled flower, which represents the Four Directions (and, by extension, the World itself). Other symbols include a sky door leading to Heaven and combs, which served as a remainder that Allah demands high standards of cleanliness.l

48. The borders of some oriental carpets were seen to protect those sitting within its magic confines.k

49. Oriental carpets first became highly prized possessions in Europe during the Middle Ages when the crusaders likely returned home with them. The influence was very unilateral, with Europe hardly influencing the design of Oriental carpets.k

50. Some common carpet motifs include various medallions (heraldic qualities and amulets), Boteh (a paisley pattern named after a Persian village), Herati (fish in the pond), a tree of life (a symbol predating both Islam and Christianity representing the connection between this world and paradise), stars, “shou and fu” (symbolizing long life and good luck), animals, birds, plants, and cloud bands.k

References

a “Actor’s Son Jett Travolta Dies at 16.” CNN.com. January 3, 2009. Accessed: July 31, 2009.

b Alphin, Elaine Marie. 1997. Vacuum Cleaners. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.

c American Lung Association. “Your Carpet and Indoor Air Quality.” Accessed: July 30, 2009.

d Bakalar, Nicholas. 2003. Where the Germs Are: A Scientific Survey. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

e Brown, Jack. 2001. Don’t Touch that Doorknob!: How Germs Can Zap You and How You Can Zap Back. New York, NY: Warner Books, Inc.

f Bruun, Erik. 2001. How to Get Red Wine Out of a White Carpet. New York, NY: Black Dog and Leventhal Publications.

g “Carpet.” Online Etymological Dictionary. Accessed: July 30, 2009.

h “Difference between a Rug and a Carpet.” RugsDirectblog.com. August 15, 2007. Accessed: July 31, 2009.

i Goward, Barbara. 2005. Aeschylus: Agamemnon. London, UK: Duckworth.

j Maczulak, Anne E. 2007. The Five-Second Rule and Other Myths about Germs: What Everyone Should Know about Bacteria, Viruses, and Mildew. New York, NY: Thunder’s Mouth Press.

k Middleton, Andrew. 1996. Rugs and Carpets: Techniques, Traditions, and Designs. London, UK: Reed Books.

l Phillips, Barty. 1997. Carpet Style. Edison, NJ: Book Sales, Inc.

m Tierno, Philip M. 2001. The Secret Life of Germs: Observations and Lessons from a Microbe Hunter. New York, NY: Pocket Books.

n “What’s Hiding in Your Hotel Room?” ABC.com. January 15, 2006. Accessed: July 30, 2009.

o Wilk, Michael. “John Kay and Steppenwolf.” 2009. Accessed: July 31, 2009.

p Woodward, John. 2002. What Lives under the Carpet? Hauppauge, NY: Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

Red Spot Before & After – 04/23/2014

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Here is a nice review left on Google this week by a man who called us to remove a red stain from his carpeting:

“Called them (Dave The Carpet Cleaner) last minute. Had a 2 foot red spot that looked bad. Wife was going to kill me. I tried to clean it, made it way worse. Dave the Carpet Cleaner arrived and took care of the job. Extremely polite, hard working, and knows what he is doing. They had the spot out in about 15 to 20 mins. I highly recommend them. Great doing business with them thank you again…”

April 23, 2014 – Bennett H.

Beware of Bait & Switch Tactics

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Don’t Be A Victim Of Bait & Switch Carpet Cleaning Companies!

Dave The Carpet Cleaner is a local family owner operator company that operates on the principal contained in my motto “The Best Service, Every Time, Guaranteed”. With over 30 years of customer service experience it is my desire to deliver the type of professional, dependable, and personal service to each and every customer in the hopes of building a lifetime service relationship.

Estimates are always free, and I always provide a fully written estimate prior to beginning any work – no hidden pricing or charges. I typically am not the least expensive, but I will give you the best cleaning ever or the work is free.

DaveTheCarpetCleaner.com
951-907-9911

Click here to view Carpet Cleaning Bait & Switch:
http://youtu.be/Os4DGLeg0K8

A recent review from Yelp

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We found Dave the carpet cleaner here on yelp and because of his great reviews we gave him a call. After some scheduling issues on our part (that he gladly and graciously worked around) we had our appointment today. Admittedly our carpet was in need of a serious cleaning after some recent construction, and to be honest I wasn’t sure it would even come clean. Dave was on time and shampooed our 3,000+ sq ft home (7 rooms + hallway and stairs) quickly and it looks amazing! He honored his original quote which was a super deal! We will absolutely be calling Dave in the future when needed!!!

Cristina B.
Summerland, CA
5.0 star rating 2/17/2014

Earthquakes: Prepare Your Home and Family

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Create a disaster plan and family emergency kit. Practice with your family how to be safe during an earthquake and how you will let each other know you are safe when it’s over.

Identify potential hazards and earthquake-proof your home

  • Secure into wall studs the top corners of tall, top-heavy furniture, such as bookcases and entertainment centers.
  • Use flexible -mount fastners to allow furniture independent movement and reduce the strain on studs.
  • Use earthquake appliance straps to secure refrigerators and major appliances.
  • Fasten televisions, stereos, computers and microwaves with flexible nylon straps and buckles for easy removal and relocation.
  • Place latches on cabinet doors, especially those overhead, to help prevent content from falling out during the earthquake.
  • Store heavy items and breakables on lower shelves. Place only soft art on the walls above beds or sofas.
  • Have a plumber evaluate, replace and properly secure rusted or worn water and gas pipes.
  • Replace rigid gas connections to water heaters, stoves, dryers and other gas appliances with flexible (corrugated) stainless-steel gas connectors.
  • Anchor water heaters to walls studs with metal straps.

Stay Safe When The Shaking Starts

If you are indoors…
DROP, COVER and HOLD ON. If you are not near a desk or a table, drop to the floor next to an interior wall and protect your head and neck with your arms. Avoid exterior walls, windows, tall furniture, large appliances, cabinets filled with heavy items, hanging objects and mirrors.

  • In bed – hold on and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. Put on your shoes before stepping on the floor due to broken glass and debris.
  • In a high-rise building – Drop, Cover and Hold On. Avoid windows. Do not use elevators. Do not be surprised if sprinkler systems and fire alarms activate.

If you are outdoors…
Move to a clear area if you can do so safely; avoid buildings, power lines, trees and other hazards. Always assume power lines are live.

  • Near tall buildings – Windows, building surfaces and architectural details are often the first parts of buildings to collapse in a quake. Get away from this danger zone when shaking starts. Take refuge in a safe building or move to an open area.
  • Driving – When able, safely pull over to the side of the road, stop and set the parking brake. Avoid overpasses, bridges, power lines, signs, trees and other things that might collapse or fall on the vehicle. Stay inside the vehicle until the shaking ends. If a power line falls onto your vehicle, stay inside until a trained person removes the hazard.

After The Earthquake

Check for Damage and Hazardous Conditions

  • Fire – If possible, put out small fires in your home or neighborhood immediately. Call for help, but remember first responders may not be able to reach your home or neighborhood if roads and bridges are damaged by the quake.
  • Damaged Wiring – Shut off power at the main breaker switch if there is any damage to your home. Leave the power off until the damage is repaired.
  • Downed Utility Lines – Never touch downed power lines or place any objects in contact with the downed power line.
  • Falling Items – Be aware that heavy items may fall off shelves when you open closets and cabinet doors.
  • Gas Leaks – Turn off the gas only if you suspect a broken pipe or leak. Don’t turn gas back on by yourself – wait for the gas company.
  • Spills – Use Personal Protective Equipment such as safety glasses, rubber gloves and respiratory protection and extreme caution when cleaning up spilled substances. When in doubt, leave your home until the substances can be safely removed.
  • Damaged Chimneys and Walls – Stay away from brick chimneys and walls. They may be weakened and could topple during aftershocks. Don’t use a fireplace with a damaged chimney, as this could start a fire or create a carbon monoxide hazard.

If your home is damaged…

  • Do not reenter your home until you know it’s safe.
  • Be sure there are no gas leaks before using open flames or operating electrical equipment.
  • Check for chemical spills, faulty electrical wiring and broken water lines. Water contact with faulty wiring is a shock hazard.
  • Unplug broken or toppled light fixtures and appliances. These could start fires.
  • Beware of carbon monoxide hazards. Do not use camp stoves, gas or charcoal grills or kersone or gas lanterns or stoves inside your home.

Source: National Safety Council

It’s Throwback Thursday!!

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Here’s Some ‘How To Wash Carpet’ Tips from 1879:

Shake, beat, and sweep well. Tack firmly on the floor. Mix three quarts soft, cold water with one quart beef’s gall. Wash with a flannel, rub off with a clean flannel, immediately after putting it on each strip of carpet, – Mrs. R.

Carpets should be washed in spots, with a brush or flannel, one tablespoonful ox-gall in one or two quarts water. – Mrs. A.

To Remove Ink from Carpets. Take up the ink with a spoon. Pour cold water on the stained spot, take up the water with a spoon, and repeat this process frequently. Then rub on a little oxalic acid and wash off immediately with cold water. Then wet with hartshorn. – Mrs. R.

Housekeeping in Old Virginia, edited by Marion Cabell Tyree. Louisville, Ky.: John P. Morton and Company, 1879.

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