By Lauren Flanagan, About.com Guide

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A part of The New York Times Company.

Never heard of the hot water extraction method of carpet cleaning? That’s not surprising. Companies such as Stanley Steemer have propagated the more popular term of “steam cleaning” to describe this method instead. To be honest, it doesn’t matter what you call it. What you need to know as a homeowner is that hot water extraction is by far the best carpet cleaning method on the market.

Don’t Take Our Word for It
If you have any doubts, just look to the carpet industry itself for clues as to which method is the best for your carpets and upholstery. There is a reason that almost every major carpet manufacturer recommends (and more increasingly requires for warranty reasons) that you use hot water extraction to maintain the cleanliness of your home carpeting. And there is also a reason that almost every major carpet cleaning company, from Stanley Steemer on down the line, chooses hot water extraction as their method of choice.

How It Works
The term “steam cleaning” is really a misnomer when it comes to describing how hot water extraction works. In truth, there is little or no steam involved as a primary cleaning material. Instead, hot water and cleaning agents are propelled into your carpet pile at high pressure, where they loosen up dirt, soil, and grime. In almost the same motion a high-powered vacuum removes the hot water, and all the dirt and stains in your carpet along with it.

Bigger Is Better
As you shop around for steam cleaners to clean your carpet, keep in mind that there are a variety of systems available to you as a homeowner to choose from. Portable household units are popular and can be rented at most grocery or hardware stores. They do a decent job of cleaning your carpets, and are cheaper than hiring a professional, but aren’t as efficient as more powerful truck mounted units. Stanley Steemer is a testament to the superiority of this second type of set-up with their fleet of familiar cleaning vans. Truck-mounted units inject the water and cleaning agents into your carpet at a much higher pressure, meaning they clean deeper than other systems. And their vacuum systems for removing the water and dirt are equally superior, doing a better job of removing both moisture and cleaning agents from your carpet pile. All this adds up to cleaner carpets and less frequent cleanings when you’re all said and done.

When to Call in the Cleaners
To be honest, this is where most homeowners make their biggest mistake when it comes to carpet maintenance. It’s common practice to wait several years until your carpet barely resembles the original product before you call in the big dogs. If you want to maintain clean carpets, and extend the life of your carpets, you really ought to bring in a professional carpet cleaner on an annual basis. The daily beating your carpet takes includes tracked in dirt, spills and stains, pet traffic, and even the presence of pest infestations such as fleas and mites. The more often you clean with hot water extraction, the less you’ll have to worry about the presence of all these things as you watch your family spend time on your well maintained, and beautifully clean carpet.

Getting Started

Start off with an empty bookshelf so you’ve got a clean slate. Depending on what kind of unit you have you might want to consider painting or wallpapering the back of it to add some interest.

Decorating Bookshelves with Books

Obviously, bookshelves are usually used for storing and displaying books. But there’s more to decorating bookshelves than just throwing books on them haphazardly.

• Use both horizontal and vertical stacks of books to create some diversity in the shelving unit.

• Consider sorting them by color and/or size to create a cohesive look.

• If the spines of your books are damaged or unattractive consider covering them in paper or fabric to make them look cleaner and prettier.

• Use a mix of hardcover, paperbacks and magazines.

Decorate Bookshelves with Accessories

Bookshelves are great for displaying all sorts of items.

• Use interesting items like small statues, vases and candlesticks to add interest to displays. Lean them against stacks of books or place them on top. An item with an interesting shape placed on top of a stack of books can create visual interest.

• Layer items in front of one another to create depth in your display.

• Think outside the box. A small mirror can look terrific when mixed in with books and other items. There are no rules as to what you can use when decorating bookshelves.

Fill Empty Space

Bookshelves tend to look best when they’re really full of stuff. But rather than filling them with a bunch of bitsy items that can look cluttered try adding some larger items like baskets and boxes. Not only do they look good but you can fill them with all sorts of things like remotes, manuals, and other unsightly items.

The most important thing to remember when decorating bookshelves is to fill them with items that have meaning. Don’t just fill them with a bunch of impersonal items for the sake of filling them. Just like the works of literature they’re usually filled with, your bookshelves should tell a story.

One of the downsides of pet ownership is the wear and tear they incur on your home, and no aspect of your home takes a bigger beating than your flooring. If you’ve noticed that your hardwood or tile floors are looking dull and scuffed, or that your carpet is a few shades darker than when you had it installed, there’s a good chance Fido is at least partially to blame. The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take as a pet owner to help localize and prevent pet damage. And even better, there are number of flooring products and maintenance solutions out there that make it possible to enjoy man’s best friend and beautiful floors at the same time.

The Single Most Effective Solution (And It’s the Easiest!)
If you’re concerned about the damage your pets might be doing to your flooring, the best thing you can do is limit their access and activity when indoors. Make certain rooms (especially those with at-risk flooring) off-limits to your pets with baby gates or closed doors. Also, designate “pet areas” in the rooms where they are allowed so that the damage they cause is localized. If you’ve got doubts your dog will buy into the idea, keep in mind that if you make the space cozy enough your dog will gravitate to that spot on their own.

Invest in a Dog Bed
A dog bed is a good first step to take. You can buy a dog bed in just about any size, shape or style you can imagine. There are designer dog beds, basic floor pillows, memory foam mattresses, simple mats and blankets, and just about everything in between. Style isn’t nearly as important, however, as buying a dog bed that your canine will spend time on. Some of the burdens do sits with you, however. It’s important you make it clear to your pooch that when he’s inside, the dog bed is where he needs to be. Doing so will drastically cut down on just about every form of damage your dog does to your flooring.

Dog Proof Floors Do Exist—Look into Laminate
If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, take a peek at laminate flooring. It’s virtually scratch and scuff proof, making it a perfect flooring for pet owners. Laminate is available in a huge range of styles that mimic everything from hardwood to bamboo to stone flooring, so you’ll be hard-pressed not to find a product that will match your home. And even better, it is very easy to install and one of the most cost effective flooring materials on the market. Talk to a flooring supplier or contractor about the best options for your home and situation.

All Is Not Lost—Refinish and Clean Damaged Floors
If you like the flooring you do have, remember that there are refinishing techniques that can make a pet-damaged floor look new again. Hardwood can always be refinished, while tile, cork, and stone flooring can be protected with a sealant that can also be stripped and re-applied later when it loses its shine. Finally, remember that regular cleanings are the best way to prevent pet damage. Sweep hard surfaces on a daily basis since the presence of dirt, sand, and grit are their biggest enemies, and vacuum carpets regularly. Finally, be sure to schedule an annual professional carpet cleaning. Doing so will keep your carpets looking brand new year after year, even if your pooch does leave a trail of paw prints every once in a while.