Does Removing Your Shoes Really Keep Flooring Clean?

If there is one issue that tends to divide people, it is the rule about removing your shoes before entering a home. In some parts of the world, this process isn't necessarily done in order to keep a house clean; it is done as a sign of respect. In the Western world, however, shoe removal is mostly done to keep flooring from becoming exceptionally dirty. Although it may seem like a cut-and-dry issue, it is actually one that causes a lot of passionate arguments. So, which side is right: the one that says that shoes should always be removed or the one that says keeping your shoes on is fine? There's no surefire way to declare a winner either way, but shoe removal does seem to have an edge.

Isn't Wiping Your Feet Good Enough?

Those who are against shoe removal claim that flooring can be kept just as clean by encouraging people to wipe their feet before entering your home. The problem here, though, is that there is no way to enforce this request. People can easily forget to do so and can track in all sorts of unpleasant things. When people are asked to remove their shoes, they can't get around it. If they don't remove their shoes, everyone can tell. On top of that, rugs and mats don't always do very good jobs of removing mud, dirt and other debris from people's shoes.

Avoiding a Mountain of Shoes

One problem with asking people to remove their shoes before entering your home is that you are likely to end up with a huge mountain of shoes right inside your front door. That pile is absolutely unsightly and can be confusing to deal with too. Your guests will have a rough time finding their shoes when it is time for them to leave. You can avoid this aggravation by investing in a decent shoe organizer. There are shoe trees, special shelving units and options that hang from the backs of doors. Whatever you use, it is sure to make things easier to manage.

Does Shoe Removal Keep Flooring Clean?

Those who enforce the shoe removal rule claim that their floors stay a lot cleaner. This is almost certainly true during the winter, when people walk into a home with snowy, wet, icy boots. It is also probably true during rainy weather, when mud is a big concern. Otherwise, though, the difference may be negligible. At any rate, the mess stays on the shoes when they are removed at the door. It doesn't get a chance to be spread throughout the home, which is a good thing.

Enforcing the Rule

It can be awkward to ask guests to remove their shoes before entering your home. You may feel bad, but if it keeps your flooring clean, it is the right thing to do. You don't have to make a big, bold announcement to get your point across. By having an obvious place to remove shoes - and by removing your own - your guests should be able to follow your lead. You could always buy a cute sign and put it right by a bench near your home's main entryway. If you're not concerned about annoying people, you could go ahead and tell them that they need to remove their shoes.

It is nice to keep your floors as clean as possible. Even if you insist on shoe removal in your home, though, your flooring will get dirty over time. Bare feet are sometimes dirty; pets may track in dirt and debris too. Just remember to make a policy and stick with it. If you keep changing the rules, your guests will never know what to expect. If you go the shoe removal route and can't see any noticeable difference, you could always go back to allowing shoes in the home. Just don't fluctuate back and forth on the issue.

Gina Hopkins writes about different home renovation tips and interior design with flooring, out of St. Louis, MO. Always looking for the best bargain on renovation materials, she tends to end up shopping at http://www.flooringamerica.com/ more often than not.

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Tips on How to Clean Microfiber Furniture

Microfiber furniture is a wonder to behold, but it also holds some challenges when it comes time to clean it. If you've seen microfiber furniture, then you know that it can be made to look like virtually anything, including suede and leather. It is extremely soft and supple to the touch, yet very lightweight.

It only has one weakness - watermarks. The very stain resistant properties of the furniture also makes it prone to water marks. If you use the wrong cleaning products and methods, you can even break down the microfibers themselves, leaving them lackluster and even weak.

Of course, the easiest way to keep microfiber furniture in top condition is to keep it clean in the first place with regular maintenance.

If you have pets you already know that microfiber fabrics love to hold onto their hair. A brush won't work. Instead you need to use a lint roller or a cloth that is specially designed to remove pet hair. You can also use masking tape that has been looped around your hand with the sticky side facing out. This is, after all, virtually the same as a lint roller.

Body oils from pets and people can make the hair stick like glue. It's going to require more thorough cleaning. The best way to avoid this is to vacuum the furniture weekly to remove any hair and follow that up with the lint brush. This will prevent the hair and oil from having enough time to become engrained in the microfiber.

If there is a spill, use a highly absorbent cloth of white terry. Blot, don't wipe. Continue to blot until the area is as dry as possible. If there is a stain, use mild detergent. Use as little water as possible. Blot it dry and follow up with a hair dryer to completely dry any liquid that remains. Don't use a hot heat setting. A cool setting will do just fine. The goal is to evaporate the water, not make the stain permanent.

Cushions of microfiber furniture should be flipped from time to time. This will reduce the wear spots that develop as people sit in the same place on cushions. If possible you want to keep the furniture out of direct sunlight so it doesn't fade. Another good way to avoid fading in sunnier climes is to rearrange your furniture occasionally so different parts are in the sun.

One of the great things about microfiber furniture is that it's highly resistant to soiling and stains. But that doesn't mean that it doesn't need to be cleaned, however. Pollution, cooking vapors and grease will coat the fabric. To clean it you want to do a deep cleaning that uses low moisture levels. Don't use a carpet cleaner - it will cause wrinkles and the microfiber may even shrink. Also, never use acetone or any product that contains bleach or even a bleach substitute. Some chemicals can even dissolve the microfiber so don't be tempted to improvise.

Start your annual cleaning by reading the manufacturer's recommendations. Follow them closely. Vacuum the entire surface with a high powered vacuum at least once a month.

If you're not sure how to clean microfiber furniture you may want to call in professionals, a company that is used to cleaning this type of furniture.

While it may sound like a good idea to save a couple of bucks and clean it yourself, you could end up making a very costly mistake. If you don't know what you're doing, you can quickly reduce microfiber furniture from one of your most cherished possessions to a candidate for the dumpster. Microfiber furniture, any furniture really, is a big investment and you want to make sure you protect that investment by giving it the care and attention it deserves. Occasionally, that requires the pros.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is console tables for your living room or kitchen racks for you newly remodeled home, there are many tips you can use to make any spot both functional and beautiful. Click today and indulge your senses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre

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