What to do if your child draws on your floor!

Kids might say the darndest things, but they also do the darndest things.

Case in point: drawing on your floors!

With nine nieces and nephews myself, trust me when I say that I’ve seen my fair share of little ones going wild with markers across the house.

In today’s post I want to show you that when your own prince or princess decides to go Picasso on your floors, all is not lost. There are easy ways to clean up their artistic endeavors, and it’ll differ depending on the type of floor you have.

Cleaning Stains off Floor Tiles

If your little one has decided to write you a love note on the kitchen floor, cleaning it up is a cinch. Simply grab a clean cloth, apply some diluted bleach to it and lay it over the stain. Let the cloth stay in place until it absorbs the marker off your tiles. Simple right!?

Bonus Tip: When cleaning tiled floors, opt for a chamois-type mop over your standard sponge mops. The latter tends to push water into the grout between your tiles and can make them harder to clean.

Cleaning Stains off Laminate Flooring

One of the best things about laminate is how easy it is to take care of day-to-day. It only needs a quick vac and damp mop to keep its lovely look intact. But if your little one has gone to town on it with a texta, the good news is that cleaning it up is just as simple. Just add a little vinegar to some water. Dampen a cloth with the solution, and apply a little elbow grease to the stain to lift it right off of your laminate. Too easy!

Cleaning Stains off Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Generally, texta or crayon stains from your lovely little artist are really easy to lift from Luxury Vinyl. Definitely steer clear of harsh cleaners here because they’ll do more damage than good. All you’ll need to wipe marker off the vinyl is some warm water and a little mild cleaner. Something like some dish-washing liquid will do the trick. The one thing you should ensure with Luxury Vinyl is that you don’t wet it too much. Also avoid harsh scrubbers like steel wool. A gentle approach on all fronts will work best!

Cleaning Stains off Bamboo Flooring

Bamboo is becoming a really popular flooring choice and with good reason; It’s eco-friendly and super durable! Not only is it easy to care for day-to-day, but cleaning up marker is a headache-free experience as well. To remove marker from bamboo flooring, simply make up a vinegar and water solution and apply a small amount to the floor. A spray bottle might be a good idea here to ensure you don’t dampen the bamboo too much. Spray a little onto the stain and use a cloth to lift it out. Ensure you dry the area immediately with a paper towel and you’re done!

Cleaning Stains off Carpet

It’ll depend on your carpet type, but in general cleaning marker stains out of carpet is also an easy task. Start by getting onto the stain right away. That’s the best way to ensure it comes out easily. Next, Dampen a cloth and blot, blot, blot. Avoid scrubbing the carpet as this can rub the stain in further. Instead, blot in a circular motion until the stain is lifted. Then dry with a paper towel. Keep in mind that every carpet type is different, so it’s wise to phone your local Choices Flooring store to get their advice on cleaning the specific carpet type you purchased.

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Pet Friendly Tips

My kids and I had been desperate to get a puppy for years but our old house wasn’t suitable for a dog, so we’d always told them when we got a new house we’d get a new puppy. And I admit, as soon as the frames went up on that new house I started searching for our third family member before the paint had even gone on!

The plan was to move into the house and then get the puppy. Well, that was my husbands plan at least. Little did he know I’d found the most beautiful dog who was having a litter and we’d been promised one, so all our plans went out the window. We brought home our gorgeous little ‘Bessie’ right before we moved in. Talk about piling on the pressure! A new house which I wanted to keep pristine and a new puppy that wasn’t toilet or house trained. Eeek!

I’d already been warned by well meaning people that dogs could scratch floors, chew furniture and pee on carpets, but I wasn’t fazed. I believe a house should be a home so a few scratches or spills wouldn’t be the end of the world. However, I do want my house to look as good as possible, so it’s all about how you deal with those accidents that matters.

We decided to put carpet only the main bedroom, with both messy puppy and messy children in mind, and the plan was that the dog wouldn’t go in there.

Ha!

Are you getting the sense that we don’t really stick to plans?!

That little dog well and truly ran the joint from the moment she came into it and most definitely goes in the bedroom (lets not even talk about the no sleeping on beds rule) So there have been a few spills along the way, but as long as you get to them quickly with a micro-fibre cloth and blot the stain they come out pretty easily. I am also going to steam clean the carpets every six months to get out any stains you miss along the way.

However, when it comes to the rest of the house the Plantino Engineered Oak floors have been a dream and I haven’t noticed any scratches she’s made. Spills can be quickly wiped up and now the toilet training days are over I can happily say the floorboards coped with it beautifully. Bessie does shed hair however a quick go over with the stick vacuum deals with that.

Having said that, if you have a lot of pets and are worried about scratches and spills I think your best flooring choice would be luxury vinyl. It’s so hardwearing and totally waterproof, so it would definitely be the easiest option for animal lovers. And with the range now available in luxury vinyl your home can be both stylish and durable, and who doesn’t want that?

Whichever flooring you chose, I think the love of a pet is totally worth the occasional spill and scratch. Just make sure you always have a micro-fibre cloth handy and keep those toe nails clipped!

For more information call me. I’m here to help 305-776-3584

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The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses

So you’re wanting to get into the house flipping game. Maybe a friend of yours has made money flipping houses, or maybe you’ve been watching a ton of reality television; whatever your reasons, you’re ready to test your eye for design and start flipping houses. However, what is the best flooring for flipping houses? Let’s get started!

What does “flipping houses” mean?

Hint: It’s not what happens in The Wizard of Oz. Flipping houses is when a person buys a house at (usually) an affordable as-is price and then, through remodeling, improves the overall house. The goal is to resell the property and have a high ROI, or Return on Investment.

Laminate:

The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses- Want a great ROI? Choose a flooring that looks beautiful and earns you a great return.

Laminate is very popular among experienced house-flippers. One reason being it gives houses an expensive look without the expensive investment. Laminate can also come in a variety of looks, so the choice is yours (though we would recommend more neutral colors if flipping).

Laminate is a great choice if you have a lower budget but still want a good ROI when you sell.

Luxury Vinyl:

The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses- Want a great ROI? Choose a flooring that looks beautiful and earns you a great return.

Related content –>2017 Vinyl Flooring Trends: 16 Hot New Ideas

Luxury vinyl flooring is the new flooring of choice for experienced flippers. While laminate is still popular for flipping, vinyl flooring has more perks at close to the same price. You can buy vinyl flooring in planks, tiles, or rolls, so you can control the look of your flip easily. Vinyl flooring also comes in a variety of finishes including wood look-alikes and natural stone.

Additionally, you can buy WPC vinyl flooring, which is 100% waterproof. This makes it a great choice for a continual flooring from living room to the kitchen. It can even be used in the bathroom!

Best yet: vinyl offers a great ROI.

Engineered Wood:

The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses- Want a great ROI? Choose a flooring that looks beautiful and earns you a great return.

If you have the budget for it, engineered wood is great for a house flip. It has a high-end hardwood look because it is real wood! Engineered wood is constructed in layers to offer more durability and moisture resistance. These floors won’t have potential buyers daydreaming about ripping up your floors.

It is often more expensive than say, laminate, so it might be best to choose this for higher-value houses to make sure you earn a good ROI.

Hardwood:

Does your flip already have hardwood? Is there hardwood hidden underneath the carpet? If so, you struck a gold mine! Everyone wants hardwood in their home. If you have it already, even better. Your best bet would be the sand and refinish the hardwood to make it beautiful again.

If you don’t have hardwood, is it worth it to invest in it? Maybe.

Whether or not you want to buy hardwood for your house flip depends on the answers above. The truth is, hardwood will always raise the value of your flip and will make buyers more keen to make an offer; however, hardwood flooring is expensive.

If your budget doesn’t allow for it, or if hardwood floors are uncommon in the area you are flipping, it may not be worth the investment.

Carpet:

The Best Flooring for Flipping Houses- Want a great ROI? Choose a flooring that looks beautiful and earns you a great return.

Carpet is a big no-no in the house flipping world. Adding carpet to a flipped house probably won’t increase your ROI. Truth is, not a lot of people want carpets in their houses anymore. Those buyers that are going to view your flip? Yeah, they’re just thinking about how much it will cost to rip-out your brand new carpet and replace it with something else. Pity.

However, replacing old carpet with new carpet is always better than leaving the old carpet in place. If you can’t afford to upgrade the flooring to something other than carpet, at least replace it and you’ll break even.

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Where is the best place to install laminate flooring? 

The sales blurb will tell you how laminate is the right choice for every room, but is it true?  

In this flooring guide we’re going to re-examine the advantages of laminate floors and take a look at the pros and cons of it versus other materials. 

Pros and Cons of Laminate Floors 

The main benefits of laminate over other types of home flooring and the reason it is so popular, are affordability, ease of installation and low maintenance. 

Laminate is cheap because it’s easily mass produced. It’s easy to install, you can float it over most existing subfloors. And most importantly, it’s easy to clean and care. 

So why not just use laminate throughout your home?  

Laminate is a great mid-priced flooring option but there are times when a more expensive hardwood floor or a cheaper vinyl floor could be the best choice. 

Laminate Vs Hardwood Flooring 

Two words for it price and style! Laminate floors look great, not as great as hardwood and that’s a fact. But, laminate wood flooring fits perfectly in a space where practicality is your priority. If stains and extreme weather conditions are a part of daily life then laminate flooring is the smart choice. 

 Laminate Vs Vinyl Flooring 

You should think twice about laminate in a damp basement or a bathroom that regularly experiences standing water. Vinyl however, won’t let any water getting through to your subfloor and is your ideal choice in this scenario.  

Luxury Vinyl Vs Laminate 

Luxury vinyl flooring is flexible, great looking, reasonably priced option and it matches the durability of laminate. Of course it is better to see luxury vinyl up close and personal before you decide if it’s a good choice.  

 Laminate Vs Engineered Wood Flooring 

In this comparison the pros and cons are the same, laminates tend to be more scratch and impact resistant however engineered wood has much greater longevity.  

The really interesting comparison is price. Both materials are at opposite ends of the most budgets. 

Laminate Vs Tile Flooring 

The biggest difference between these materials is installation. Laminate installation is a breeze compared to the prep, skill and time required to install tile. You can’t beat tile when it comes to durability and longevity. Tile is common in kitchens and bathrooms because it’s resistance to wet conditions.  

 Laminate Vs Carpet 

Between carpet or laminate your final decision will ultimately come down to comfort and cleanliness. In fact the biggest advantage that laminate has over carpet is ease of cleaning and keeping clean.  

 Original source.

Hardwood or laminate floor; which is best for my needs?

No matter your preference, there are pros and cons when it comes to hardwood Vs laminate wood flooring. We want to help you determine which one is best for your budget and home.  

Price 

The reality of flooring costs and what you can afford may be miles apart.  

Hardwood: CONS – Made of harvested trees it’s price depends on how exotic the trees are. In general hardwood is more expensive. 

Laminate: PROS – The material itself is cheaper and laminate wood installation cost is, on average 50 percent less than hardwood installation. 

Durability 

A durable surface will make maintenance easier and look great for years. 

Hardwood: CONS – It’s susceptible to scratching, can get damaged from moisture and will show wear. PROS – Hardwood is the real deal; it is gorgeous and can add value to your home. 

Laminate: PROS – It is more durable, it resists scratches and moisture is also easier to clean. CONS Low quality laminate can have artificial-looking texture. 

 Repair 

From minor accidents to excessive wear and tear both material have advantages and disadvantages. 

Hardwood: PROS – Can be repaired by sanding imperfections and refinishing.  

Laminate: CONS – This flooring doesn’t repair easily. To replace individual boards depending on sunlight and age, the new piece may not match properly. 

Deciding whether to use hardwood or laminate is up to you, review the pros and cons and be realistic about your lifestyle that may influence your decision. Consider the factors and know that new floors will improve your home’s aesthetic, appeal and value.

Original source.