Thinking of updating your home with a new look? If you are looking for an inexpensive and long-lasting flooring option, you can’t go wrong with laminate flooring. It’s also a great choice if you have pets or children.
Laminate flooring is a type of engineered wood that is manufactured using multiple thin layers of different natural woods with the grain oriented in one direction. These layers are glued together, pressed under pressure, and finished with an acrylic layer on top to protect them from moisture and other elements. The versatility of this flooring makes it suitable for almost any room in the house—from bedrooms to living rooms and even entryways.
Installing laminate flooring is not as complicated as it seems, but here are some common mistakes you need to avoid when laying laminate flooring.
It’s important to get a sample of the laminate flooring before you install it. Doing so will tell you the exact color of the flooring, how it looks in your home, and whether it has any defects.
If you don’t sample the flooring, you won’t know what to expect when you open the boxes and start installing them. You can also use the sample to mark the layout of your flooring.
You can do this by using a black marker to mark the edges. This will help you to avoid making a mistake when installing the floor. If you are installing the flooring in a room with a lot of natural light, you may want to buy darker laminate flooring, as it will appear lighter.
Laminate flooring is designed to be an authentic replica of hardwood flooring. However, the materials used to manufacture laminate flooring are often different from the ones that are used in hardwood flooring.
While every laminate floor is different, they are most commonly made of wood fiber, cellulose, paper, and synthetic materials. If you buy laminate flooring that is made from natural wood, you need to be aware that its durability and performance will be different from that of hardwood flooring.
You need to be careful when choosing the type of laminate flooring you want for your home. You should make sure it will be able to withstand the wear and tear of your local climate. For example, laminate flooring made from hardwood is perfect for use in cold climates. On the other hand, laminate flooring made from soft woods is better for use in areas that experience high humidity.
Laminate flooring takes time to settle, especially if it is new. Depending on where you live, the humidity levels in your home will vary. If you have recently installed your laminate flooring, it will take at least a couple of months to settle down and look its best.
You can speed up the settling process by using a dehumidifier. You can also use a floor steamer to clean the floors. When you clean your laminate flooring, you should use a soft bristle brush or a laminate floor mop.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make while installing laminate flooring is applying too many layers of varnish. This will make your flooring too shiny and will make it look cheap and fake.
The number of layers of finish you should be applying is determined by the type of laminate you have bought (i.e., whether it is a hardwood or softwood). Hardwood flooring should have 3-4 coats of finish, while softwood flooring should have 2-4 coats.
You should allow each coat of varnish to dry completely before applying another coat. You can speed up the drying process by using a fan and gradually increasing the speed as the flooring dries. If you use a hairdryer to speed up the drying process, make sure you use it on a low or cool setting.
If you don’t remove the existing flooring, it will get damaged over time and you will have to replace it sooner. If you install the laminate flooring over an existing floor, the flooring will get damaged, even if it’s a new installation.
This will eventually lead to you having to replace the flooring, and the cost will be even more than if you had removed the existing flooring.
Before laying the flooring, you need to make sure that the subfloor is solid and even. If your subfloor is uneven, it will make installing the flooring even more difficult.
You can fix uneven subfloors using various products, such as self-leveling compound and foam. You also need to make sure that the subfloor is clean.If it isn’t, it will be very difficult to install the flooring.
You Didn’t Lay The Flooring In The Right Direction
It’s important to lay the flooring in the direction that it came in. If you don’t, the floor will look weird and out of place. If you’re installing hardwood flooring, the direction of the grain should be parallel to the walls.
This is usually true for softwood flooring as well. If you don’t know which way the grain is supposed to run, look on the back of the boxes. There should be an arrow that indicates the direction of the grain.
Another common mistake is measuring incorrectly. You need to make sure that you have measured the floor correctly to determine the amount of laminate you need to purchase.
If you measure incorrectly, you will end up buying more flooring than you need and spending more money, or not having enough and lengthening the project time.
Final Thoughts
Laminate flooring is a great choice if you are on a budget and if you have pets or children. If you are looking to make a major change to your home but don’t have the funds for it, then laminate flooring is a great option. It’s a cheap and easy way to update your home and make it feel fresh again.
However, it’s important to make sure you avoid these common mistakes when laying laminate flooring to make sure it lasts as long as possible and you get your money’s worth out of it.
What Is The Cost Of Installing Hardwood Flooring?
This is probably the most commonly asked question by clients. I usually ask them how long a piece of string is because numbers mean very little unless you know all the variables directly affecting your hardwood flooring installation cost.
I think it's essential to understand exactly what you should expect from your hardwood flooring installation so that the quotes you receive make sense.
I could just shoot out a number like $7 sq/ft, but that doesn't tell you anything. Is this for engineered hardwood flooring or solid? Does it include adhesive, demo, baseboards, etc.?
So to answer this question thoroughly, let me go through every item you need to look out for when getting a price on installing your hardwood flooring. That way, you have a fair way of comparing apples to apples.
Engineered or Solid Hardwood Flooring
Two completely different beasts here.
An engineered hardwood flooring installation price will generally run less than solid hardwood, mainly due to not needing plywood when installing over a concrete slab. Also, since most engineered floors are pre-factory finished, they don't need to be sanded, stained, and finished like unfinished solid wood floors.
Solid hardwood also generally runs more because of the longer time required to install. For example, an engineered hardwood flooring project can take 2-4 days, whereas a solid hardwood project generally runs two weeks due to the longer acclimation time needed for the material.
Width Of Boards
Wider boards 7" and above generally run higher to install than narrower boards due to more adhesive, extra weight, extra labor to cut boards, etc.
Please try to be specific when you ask for a quote because they will often quote you based on what they have in their mind, then get to the job site and tell you it'll be extra.
Demolition
Each company will charge differently for demoing old floors, especially when dealing with old tile or wood that's much more difficult to remove.
It is not just the demo, but hauling off and disposing of this old material costs extra, so clarify this when getting a quote.
Adhesive
The adhesive is essential when installing engineered hardwood flooring.
Does the price include the manufacturer's approved glue? If not, how much extra is this going to run? Never skip this portion because the product manufacturer won't look at it if the wrong adhesive is used.
Baseboards
The installation cost never includes removing and reinstalling baseboards and/or quarter rounds.
This is the time to decide if you wish to reuse your existing baseboards or get new ones. Please make sure to have this item listed separately.
Moisture Testing
Anyone who does not moisture test a concrete slab before putting down hardwood flooring should not be installing hardwood flooring. Period. It's not just in the National Wood Flooring Association guidelines but in every manufacturer's installation instructions.
If your slab is too wet, you cannot install wood over it before taking the necessary measures.
Put it this way - excess moisture is the leading cause of hardwood flooring installations failing. Skip this step, and you forfeit your product warranty. Testing shouldn't cost any extra, but it must be done and included in the quote.
Sealing
If your slab shows excessive moisture, you need to isolate the source of the moisture issue and mitigate it before hardwood can be installed. Once done, we recommend you seal it with a penetrating concrete sealer for an extra safety barrier, and then your wood flooring can be installed.
Depending on the sealer and company, this can run anywhere between $1 - $3 sq/ft. This is rarely included in the installation price, so please determine this beforehand to get your actual installation cost.
Plywood
Many homes today - yes, even new construction don't use plywood upstairs. Instead, the builders cheap out and put in particle board that is unsuitable for hardwood flooring installation.
Please ensure the subfloor is plywood if you want to put hardwood upstairs; otherwise, it can't happen.
Does your quote account for your upstairs area needing new plywood?
Float/Flattening
Some have heard of floating the floor, but what about flattening?
It's a term I made up because the industry term "leveling" is incorrect. When we float your concrete slab, we are not making it run like a horizontal line. This isn't possible due to the slab's pouring and natural topography. Instead, we fill the voids to eliminate low spots so your concrete is flat.
This is done by using a concrete patch compound; the amount used will depend on the condition of your slab. For example, you may only need a few bags of float compound or dozens.
Companies charge very differently regarding this aspect, so again, could you get this in writing before getting lured in by a low square-foot installation price?
Final Thoughts
I know this isn't probably what you've been told so far since it's common for industry folks to overlook these elements. However, it could make a massive difference because your installation cost could double or even triple when everything above has been accounted for.
As you can see, the cost of installing engineered or solid hardwood (in Dallas) will vary significantly.
As a general guide, engineered hardwood labor can run anywhere from $4-$8 sq. ft. depending on the product selected and the above factors, and solid hardwood between $6-$10 sq./ft.
If you see an outrageously low square foot price, I recommend you keep moving because it never ends well. There will always be extra add-ons. Feel free to reach out if you need a second opinion or have any questions - always glad to help!
If you are new to interior design, especially in the Western and Southwestern style department, then Southwestern area rugs are probably not something you’ve come across too often!
Let me help: Western Style rugs entail a specific time in our history as America. The greatest outlaws Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and the great Indian chief, Geronimo.
A time when there were cowboys, outlaws, train robberies, six-shooters, and saloons. Men and some women explored the uncharted territory of the “Wild West” on horseback. Watch any old Western movie, and you can get a glimpse of this style.
Earth tones, sheriff badges, saddles, dastardly villains, noble cowboys, cowpokes around the campfire, heroic steeds, and many more things are all considered Western.
Area rugs in this style will typically have the items mentioned above in their design. Still, only Southwestern style area rugs will focus on those earth tones on specific patterns. The Southwestern Style has been around since before exploring the Old West. The truth is, the Southwestern Style is still prevalent today and is ever-evolving. If you’ve decorated your home in either style, you can use both Western and Southwestern style rugs.
The Southwestern style area rugs are difficult to identify when it comes to their artistic aspect.
It is unique on its own, but the inspiration came from the rugs created by the Native American and the Navajo tribes and other ancient civilizations like the Mayans and Incas, both long gone. This style is mainly portrayed as a style using earthy tones, rough textures, hand-made items like pots and blankets, and bright fabrics.
This style has culminated from the work of every ancient civilization and the Native Americans’ resourcefulness, where they made every object they had from scratch without the technological advances we have today.
Almost two months and even years would go into creating just one rug from the Navajo tribes! That is a long time to wait for one rug!
When the Native Americans created this style of rug, they used them for everything, from insulating their homes in the winter to wearing them. These rugs were used as saddle blankets and dresses as well. They didn’t just decorate their homes with them, so they were pretty versatile.
As more and more people in the east began traveling west, the rugs created by those tribes became popular among the settlers and other visitors to tribal lands. Because of this, the Native Americans would trade the carpets for food and other items brought through the trade routes. More and more rugs were in higher demand as the years passed.
When the railroad companies began erecting rail lines, these rugs became even more popular and profitable for the Native American tribes. As the demand rose for these rugs, the Native Americans had to create these blankets by hand to use a loom to help in the creation of the Southwestern rugs.
While some tribes still hand-weave their rugs today, more of the next generations would learn hand-weaving as a history lesson instead of learning how to do it from their grandmothers and mothers as per family tradition.
One way to recognize and keep the natural authenticity of the Southwestern-style rug from all other rug styles is the particular colors used. These colors included the color of adobe bricks, the green of cacti, the natural earth tones of the desert, and the orange of clay, yellow sunlight, and beautiful turquoise. As trading opened up between the tribes and the rest of America, more colors were added, such as black, gray, and indigo. Those same colors exist in the Southwestern-style rugs today.
To begin your shopping experience, you must first decide what shape of an area rug you feel will be perfect in your home. While the rectangular shape is the most popular, these area rugs come in squares, ovals, circles, and runner styles. Once you have the shape in mind, calculate the size you want for the space you have in mind. Once you figure that out, you can decide if you wish the legs of your furniture entirely on the rug or just the front legs.
There are many places online where you can buy these Southwestern-style area rugs, but the two we will look at are the biggest and most well-known to carry great selections: Wayfair.com and Build.com.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Good | Very Good |
| Price Matching | No | Yes |
| Free Shipping | Yes | Yes |
| Product Selection | Excellent | Very Good |
| Service | Excellent | Very Good |
| Overall | Excellent | Very Good |
| Product Availability | Browse Options Here | Browse Options Here |
On Wayfair.com, you can choose what pile type you want for your rug. You can select from shag, high-low, medium, thin, and thick. You can even choose what material to make your southwestern area rug made from. You can choose from cotton, faux fur, leather, wool, polyester, polypropylene, silk, chenille, nylon, jute and sisal, microfiber, and hemp.
Wayfair.com also gives you other choices for selecting the perfect area rug for your home. These choices include the price range for each item, how other customers rate the rugs, the available amount of each, the shape, what special offers are available, the features, and much more.
On Build.com, much like Wayfair.com, you can sort the rugs based on price range, style, color and, customer ratings.
However, Build.com allows you to choose the exact length and width of your rug. They have an option to sort by brand, finish, and collection.
It’s hard to go wrong with either site but having used both for an extended period for my clients, Wayfair edges build.com slightly in this category. It’s just that Wayfair gives you more choices, and I also found their responsiveness a little better as well. Still, Build.com has styles Wayfair doesn’t, so it’s going to get down to which has what you like.
I hope this overview of Southwestern area rugs has been helpful.
Please reach out should you have any questions.
Thanks!
Tired of ugly carpet spots, stains, and accidents…
But don’t want the ongoing cost and hassle of hiring outside crews and machines to clean them up?
Sometimes, folks just don’t wish to invest several thousand dollars to replace their carpet. So they look for the next best thing to extend its life and make it as hygienic and hypoallergenic as possible.
I went through 10 of the very best carpet shampooers and either personally tested them or had clients put them through their paces. This will hopefully help you decide which one is best for you.
Each model’s performance across several factors was examined to give you a realistic evaluation of each carpet floor cleaner’s capabilities.
The tests covered weight, cleaning technology, suction, price, and many other important items.
Maintaining your shampooer is an important part of owning one since it can break down if not properly maintained however some models are more robust than others. Whether you need one for occasional or more frequent use, I hope this review has you covered.
Just before diving into these machines, I’ve put together this brief guide to help you with your evaluation.
Here are the top three things to look out for when buying a carpet cleaning machine:
What are your specific needs?
Do you have pet/kid accidents and just need a machine that is great at spot cleaning? Or are you regularly cleaning your home and/or rental properties and need something more heavy-duty?
The machines reviewed below all have their intended purpose so be sure to understand which machine does what so your expectations are met.
Secondly, when you have hundreds or even thousands of online and independent reviews, you will notice a general trend or consensus on a particular product.
If the overwhelming majority of them are positive, then that’s a great sign you’re onto a very high-quality product.
There will always be unsatisfied customers in any market or about any product.
Yes, the occasional lemon's surface as do competitors, damage during shipping, and fake reviewers but generally speaking, when you see reviews heavily leaning towards one direction, you’ll very likely be very happy with it.
This is the most important aspect of your machine: does it clean well? If yes, what additional value does it provide over more/less expensive machines?
Having a powerful motor is great if it’s highly effective but it’s always best to focus on the results rather than what bells and whistles each one has.
Look for a machine that gets the job done according to your needs. If you can wait the typical 24+ hours for the carpet to dry after cleaning it, then great. If not, then look for one that has a quicker drying period.
Once you’ve established its suction and power are satisfactory to you, look at its overall ratings and go with the one that ticks off the most boxes for you.
Remember to care for your shampooer because a well-looked after and maintained machine can easily last over a decade.
Be sure to be very conservative with the amount of detergent you use! I cannot stress this enough because a lot of people incorrectly believe the more shampoo, the better and cleaner the carpets will be.
In fact, the exact opposite is true because excess detergent lingers behind in the carpet fibers, becomes sticky, and draws dirt to it as honey does to bees.
Less is more.
This may come as a surprise to many reading this but a large number of machine owners end up breaking or damaging them by simply not knowing how to use them properly. Sometimes it’s their fault for not taking the few minutes to read their manufacturer’s manual but other times, the machines are just poorly designed and difficult to use.
Since most people aren’t good with technical stuff or fixing machines, look for a machine that requires little to no assembly and is relatively straightforward to operate. Remember, you paid money for it so it’s on the maker to deliver a user-friendly product.
The simpler the better.
You can minimize any issues or disappointment by doing something that surprisingly very few does and this alone can save you so much headache: read the instruction manual!
It’s downright comical seeing folks complain about a perceived fault when it could have been remedied by simply following the manufacturer’s instructions on how to operate the machine correctly.
Do that, clean it after use, and take care of it and it will last for many years.
The top spot of this entire review goes to the Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3 and is our recommendation for the best overall carpet cleaner/shampooer.
While it will run you considerably more compared to other models, it’s clearly a cut above the rest across almost all areas making it a standout for homeowners who want the best possible deep clean of their carpets, rugs, and upholstery without hiring outside crews or renting one.
If you’re looking for the very best, then here it is.
This bad boy is not cheap or lightweight coming in at 52.5 pounds but boy does it clean carpets and clean them well.
Marketed as a professional carpet cleaner, the overwhelming majority of clients who have purchased and reviewed this machine are homeowners but such is its practicality; that anyone can use it and get awesome results.
Stairs, carpet, upholstery – it does it all.
It far surpasses any carpet cleaning machine you would rent at your local store (and this was actually tested to verify) due to its powerful motor and robust, anti-tip design.
Its extra large DirtLifter PowerBrush covers a much larger area than other cleaners allowing you to deep clean your rooms very quickly. Add to this the fact it cleans on both and backward passes, it slashes your cleaning time compared to other shampooers where you need to only clean on a forward pass.
Since its water tanks are so large coming in at over a gallon, it allows you to have continuous uninterrupted cleaning sessions which is ideal if you’re in a hurry.
Not only does it clean carpets and rugs like no other, but it also has a very convenient set of accessories and kits to help you with pet accidents like vomit, urine, hairballs, etc. as well as non-floor materials like steps and upholstery.
The power button is easily located on the back of the handle and because it’s so stable, it won’t tip or lean in any direction while going at full throttle.
A very noticeable element of this machine is its build quality. It feels so robust and sturdy and the way it’s constructed just looks and feels like the real deal. It doesn’t have the hollow, plastic feel other cleaners have and when its engines rev up and start working, you can genuinely feel the deep clean it gives out.
This shampooer exceeded expectations across all fronts and for the price, you still get excellent value for money when you consider the cost of repeated professional carpet cleaning and/or equipment rental over the course of just one or two years.
Now if you don’t want to drop $400.00 on the top shampooer on the market, here’s a perfect option for you.
Second up, we have the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150 Carpet Cleaner, by far the most popular machine on the market today.
This unit is lightweight, super easy to assemble and use, and most importantly, cleans phenomenally well even if just hot water is used.
This machine has the most number of customer reviews due to its popularity and with good reason: it’s simply loaded with unique features at a very reasonable price that makes cleaning your carpets a breeze.
It’s very lightweight for such a large cleaner coming in at just under 19 pounds. This means it will be easy for you to move it around from room to room or even up and down stairs without too much trouble.
It comes with a “Smart Tank” system which makes filling, emptying, and cleaning the tank really easy with no mess at all. See, unlike other cleaners, it automatically shuts off once the dirty water tank is full so just keep going until that happens – there’s no need to constantly switch it off and check back and forth.
Best of all, you don’t need any special tools or anything like that so it’s a huge time saver as well.
One of the biggest benefits of this shampooer is its “SpinScrub Technology” which means it allows for a complete 360 degree cleaning around the actual carpet fibers. It has counter rotating brushes that give you continuous contact with the carpet providing for a more thorough clean. Coupled with this, it also has a “DualV Nozzle” that gives you equal suction for an even but fast clean and equally fast dry time via heated air.
It gives you the option to wash your carpet either with soap and water or just water in the event you wish to rinse it afterward.
I found it even more effective if you start with hot water first then go over it with the soap and water option afterward for an even deeper clean.
The main thing to be mindful of is its power cord is only 20 feet long so depending on your home, it may need to be disconnected and replugged back in when going from room to room. Yes, it’s a slight inconvenience but nothing major.
You don’t have to worry about mixing the detergent and getting the ratio right either as this is done automatically for you so you never have to mess with solutions. giving you more time to focus on cleaning your carpets.
This was as good a machine as I tested and your carpets will love you for using it.
The suction on this thing is off the charts strong to the point the handle sometimes can feel slightly flimsy even though it held up well over the entire test.
We cleaned an entire 3,400 square foot home to ready it for showing over a weekend.
Let me just say the shock and awe you get after seeing what it manages to pull out is truly amazing. It’s as good as any commercial grade machine, very well built, and comes with all the tools you need to do upholstery, furniture, and hard-to-reach areas.
The side-to-side agitating brush is unique in the sense it’s one of the very few that operate this way on the market. The main difference between this mechanism and the rotating ones is the rotating ones tend to over time, remove some of the carpet fibers due to their aggressive scrubbing and cleaning.
It’s exceptional for pet stains as well so make sure you use the included Pet Formula Carpet Cleaner and Urine Eliminator Spray for optimal results.
Like other Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machines, it only works on a backward pass.
Go slowly and deliberately over the carpet and it will remove as much grime in that single pass as other machines take to do in two or more.
Up next, we have the Bissell PowerLifter PowerBrush 1622; which is an excellent value for money unit.
This shampooer was great overall and perfect for anyone who wants an inexpensive alternative to professional cleaning but with the same results.
Packing a mighty punch for its size, you can actually feel its robust machinery going to work on the carpet as you glide it across and back and forth. Other customers, as well as us, noticed it gets rid of both stains and any accompanying smell so it literally refreshes as it goes.
It’s bulky yes but surprisingly light and easy to maneuver thanks to its quickly adaptable wheels. Super easy to assemble (takes seconds and a Phillips screwdriver) and work – just add hot water and the unit works very well to purify your carpet. I simply kept using it and refilling the water tank until the water came out clean.
All you need for this machine to work its magic is to put in as hot tap water as you can find and it will go after even the most stubborn stains.
Just be aware if you have dogs or cats that shed a lot, it’s very important you dry vacuum your carpet first to remove this surface hair, otherwise you’ll be left with wet globs of hair that you need to pick up afterward!
The biggest advantage I felt with this machine is the depth and efficiency at its cleaning power – the 4-Row DirtLifter Powerbrush system has basically had a “loosen and suck” mechanism. The brush gets deep into the carpet to loosen up dirt and stains that ordinary vacuums leave behind then the strong suction removes it for good. Since it gets to the bottom of the carpet and removes stains at their root, it leaves the area smelling better than before.
The only thing I felt could be improved is the 2-in-1 water tank size – it’s considerably smaller than other machines which means more frequent trips to empty the dirty water but apart from that, it’s a well-rounded shampooer that gets the job done very nicely. There is a positive trade-off though because the unit is very lightweight as a result so it’s ideal for anyone who struggles with heavier cleaners.
Bissell came out with this machine to specifically tackle pet problems – pee, vomit, tracked-in dirt, drool – you name it; whatever your pet can throw at it, the Professional Pet Urine Eliminator + Oxy formula combined with the pretreater will make short work of it (it’s even acclaimed to remove skunk odor).
Activated by foot, the Cleanshot pretreater goes right after problem spots and stains often caused by pets leaving them looking and smelling great. There’s another bonus here if you are looking for a machine to specifically help you with pet problems – included is also a 2-in-1 pet upholstery tool that’s specifically designed to remove pet hair, accidents, and odors from carpets and upholstery.
There are also two different modes you can set this shampooer on – “express clean” and “deep clean”.
The first provides you with a comprehensive clean without soaking your carpets or upholstery.
So for example, if you have guests coming, you can clean well beforehand and it will be dry within about an hour (give or take, depending on conditions, etc). However, if you’re looking for a deep clean, then you switch it to that mode and it will use everything in its arsenal to pull out things you would never imagine.
This pet accident blasting machine is also very versatile, easy to operate, and quite powerful. I think what really enhances it however is Bissell’s cleaning solutions for pet owners – they are very well priced and they work better than anything tested.
One thing to keep in mind is you need to clean this machine well after use because since there’s no direct access to the opening where suction occurs, it’s very easy for hair to stagnate there, dry, and really be unpleasant. Just pop the cover off and use the provided hair removal tool to ensure it’s as clean as a whistle for next use.
This entry-level cleaner is ideal if you want something basic that has excellent cleaning power, is super lightweight (12 lbs!) and the easiest unit to operate that we tested.
It worked best on areas like hallways, entryways, rugs, and smaller rooms.
Its 4-row rotating powerbrush lifts dirt allowing its strong suction to do the work. Bissell’s cleaning formulas for this machine worked very well on pet stains, coffee, and wine leaving the spots we tested as good as new.
Its collapsible handle makes it so convenient, that it neatly folds away in a small closet which is very handy.
The suction on this thing is huge which is great even though the carpet will still be damp afterward, the result when it completely dries was very impressive. It has a trigger that you hold down to release fluid as you run the machine over an area and it’ll do the rest.
The water tank although small, is easily located at the front of the machine and is airtight when clipped on so you will not get any complaints like leaks which seems to be a common thing among folks….who don’t correctly follow the instructions.
It also doesn’t have an automatic water heater to warm the water to the required temperature but states to use warm water – DO NOT use scalding hot or anything above 120 degrees as this can easily deform the materials on the unit and render it useless.
Weighing in at just 13.2 pounds, don’t let this flyweight fool you. This is the perfect machine for pet/child accidents whether on the floor or furniture.
Although not designed to do large areas of carpet, this little guy has some serious sucking power for tough spot stains like pet and child accidents and works equally well on upholstery and steps as it does on the carpet. It comes with its own stair tool that is designed for steps and other household items like couches, sofas, area rugs, and yes, even the interior of your car.
Since it’s portable, it’s very convenient to store or carry around based on your needs and since it’s not as cumbersome as the large shampooers, it’s quite the joy to simply whip it out in case of emergency, clean the area, and be done with it.
This can certainly be a lifesaver when you really need to remove small spots immediately or completely rejuvenate any sitting furniture.
The biggest advantage of this unit is how well it performs. Nothing seems to bother it be it pet urine, vomit, blood, dirty – it has a rotating brush that penetrates the carpet deeply but just keep in mind not to focus on one area too long otherwise you will get a cleaning spot there!
I also like how it automatically stops suction once the dirty water unit is full; preventing any unwanted accidents.
Quite a number of folks who bought this machine stated they would prefer it lasted a lot longer since 2-3 years seems to be the standard before it kicks the bucket.
For the price, however, it certainly saves you a whole lot of money than if you were to get a professional crew to spot treat your home.
The most noticeable thing about this machine when we tested it was..it sucks big time!
In a good way of course: it has a whopping 75% more suction power than many similar machines and not surprisingly, removes more dirt than them. It’s modeled around a professional-grade shampooer – it looks and more importantly, cleans just as good if not better than several commercial grade machines. Of course, it’s much lighter because it’s made from lighter materials for it to be easy to use for any homeowner.
I really liked the upholstery tool that comes with it – it’s absolutely sublime for harder to reach spots and great for furniture. If you have a particularly difficult spot or area that needs extra attention, then there’s the ‘Super Boost’ spray which is a handy bell to have. It’s a fairly large unit so it cleans deeply and quickly and drying time is approximately 4 hours depending on humidity and conditions but still significantly shorter than many machines that leave your carpet damp even 24 hours later.
The way this machine works is mainly via what Rug Doctor calls “Dual Cross Action Brushes” which work by deeply cleaning each carpet fiber from every angle while the grooming brushes polish them giving a stellar, plush feel.
It comes with i’s own cleaning solutions so obviously use them for the best results.
Speaking of which, I was with a client when they put this bad boy to use when cleaning a rental property we were remodeling for them. The cleaning mechanism in the Rug Doctor worked exceptionally well by loosening dirt and grime embedded deep within then sucked the dirty solution up thereby also making the carpet fibers come to life.
A couple of things to be mindful of – although its water tanks are fused into one piece, they are quite small compared to other machines. Now, this may appear to be a disadvantage at first but I found it more than compensates for this with its superior suction power. Instead of needing to do several passes, the client only did one! Of course, some areas are extremely dirty and require an additional pass but overall, you will be doing less work cleaning since it simply collects more dirt per pass.
The second thing is it only cleans going backward unlike other units that have dual but many folks have stated this actually worked better for them since it was easier to work with.
This shampooer is a good middle-of-the-road unit that offers an array of features that give you many benefits.
First, it has a very wide nozzle at around 13 inches wide giving you about 20% more surface area to clean more carpet, faster. The SpinScrub Technology characteristic of many Hoover cleaners is also in this one and a brief overview of it may give you a greater understanding of exactly how it works and why it cleans so well.
Think of the brushes on this machine similar to a rounded electrical toothbrush. The bristles are straight and neatly placed in a circular design. So when this machine is running, the rounded-shaped brushes get 360° access to your carpet fibers giving them as thorough a clean as possible. We found this machine regularly gave “after” water that resembles a murky creek or chocolate milk such was the sheer volume of grime that it sucked.
It’s got a 12-amp powerful motor with heated cleaning as well – this means you don’t have to wait too long for the carpet to dry compared to non-heated cleaners where oftentimes, you may have to wait for 24 hours or longer.
The accessory it provides is also super handy – a “SpinScrub Powered Hand Tool” as well as an upholstery tool and removable tool caddy.
When we tested it on curtains, sofas, and other furniture items, it was as good as we tested in terms of its cleaning ability but honestly, we feel this machine is heavy and not suited to smaller, tight places or small and/or older folks.
It does its best work when it has a chance to go over large slabs of carpet so if you’re looking for a product that can knock out a large carpeted area relatively quickly, this is a very good option.
One distinguishing feature about this product is the Clean Surge control where you can simply adjust the amount of detergent you like with your fingertips.
If you come across a particularly difficult stain, then simply release more detergent at will to get it out easier. It shares the SpinScrub technology of other Hoovers so it will clean the carpet and upholstery fibers in a 360° manner giving you a thorough clean as possible.
Another much sought-after benefit is it dries the carpet quite well and doesn’t leave them too damp like most other cleaners do where you have to simply wait it out for everything to completely dry. The front of the cleaner is see-through plastic so you can see if any water is still being sucked up. If you’re in a hurry to dry your carpets then simply keep the vacuum on the area until no more water can be seen being sucked up.
True to Hoover’s legacy, this unit has very strong suction via its 12-amp motor so it may only take a couple of passes or more depending on your carpet’s condition to get it properly cleaned. If you haven’t cleaned your carpets in years or like…ever – then expect it to take a few runs before your carpet is adequately clean.
The 3-speed brush roll control is excellent and works well – you simply select your speed based on how aggressively you want the machine to clean.
This shampooer would have rated higher had it not been for the misstep many clients made by not setting it up properly before use. There is a one-time setup you must do where you squeeze the trigger and push the Clean-Surge button to lock a rod into place.
Do that, and it’s good to go. Don’t do it and your unit will leak. Not the unit’s fault obviously but then again, customers can be fickle even when it’s their fault!
All of these machines excelled in their respective categories to be the best in their class so whichever you go with, you can be assured of a very high quality product.
If used correctly and looked after, they will add many more years to your carpets you once thought were unsavable.
Just be sure to select according to your needs and maintain it after each use (clean it so it doesn’t accumulate grime and harden) and most importantly, follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions.
Remember to use the machines slowly and deliberately to give them ample time to give you the deep clean you’re after.
All of these machines are backed by 2, 3, and 5-year warranties depending on the model so replacement parts and repairs are very easy to source. Finally, if you have dogs that constantly destroy your carpet, consider helping them with a solid training program like Adriene Faracelli’s Brain Training.
I really hope this review has been of help to you in choosing your own carpet cleaner.
The pros and cons of bamboo flooring are something that every prospective buyer should know before deciding if it's for them. Otherwise, this can happen --->
Don't be alarmed at the picture you see. This is to show you what will happen if things are not done correctly with this floor.
This buckling was one of several spots throughout the entire floor. It did not occur because of a flood or a burst pipe. This happened because the previous installers did not take the necessary precautions when installing this bamboo floor.
Precautions that I will highlight for you in this article to hopefully stop you from making the same mistake!
I'll then provide you with some helpful tips on what to do and not do when installing your floor.
My intention is not to scare you away from this product as I think it's one of the most beautiful and sustainable floors you can buy.
I'm merely pointing out some very crucial steps you must take to ensure you're happy with the result. So put these on your checklist, and you will not have a problem.
Bamboo flooring is stunning and exotic. It's been a choice for many people for a long time. A common question folks ask is the difference between vertical and horizontal bamboo. The difference is in the construction of the floor. Horizontal bamboo has a signature etched look about it, with random markings throughout each plank. Vertical bamboo has straight up and down striations. They come in both carbonized and natural finishes, suitable for different areas and applications. You can also get bamboo in many other stains, including red, blue, gray, brown, and I've even seen black.
Technically it's not a wood, but actually, grass and folks have been attracted to its beauty whether it's carbonized, horizontal, strand woven, hand-scraped - whatever the style, it certainly is beautiful to look at. It is environmentally friendly, so anyone with a green agenda naturally gravitates towards it.
Since this product generally glues down to your subfloor, it's very quiet to walk on. Contrary to other types of flooring like laminate or even click vinyl plank that floats, you will not get a hollow sound unless you don't pre the subfloor correctly.
Even though it's not technically a hardwood, realtors and buyers alike love the exotic look and feel of bamboo flooring. It adds instant value to your home instead of carpet or laminate flooring.
Moisture mitigation is the most critical factor to consider when buying bamboo flooring. I'm going to expand on this below, but please note, bamboo flooring is affected by moisture more than any other floor I know. The formula is straightforward: it will not be a problem if you install it correctly, but it will be if it's not. Strand woven bamboo is the flagship of the product line, in my opinion, because it's incredibly dense and hard to the point that it is much harder than a lot of conventional hardwood flooring.
The differences in manufacturing processes make non-strand woven bamboo much softer than its counterpart; hence, they can get banged up pretty easily. This doesn't mean you shouldn't install it on this factor alone. It means to select the type of bamboo depending on the use and lifestyle of the area. So if it's a small boutique store aimed at the older segment; or an apartment with just you in it, then it'll be fine. It will not be suitable for a very active household with many pets, kids, and guests.
Since bamboo flooring manufacturers almost always recommend a special adhesive and sealer, it's a little bit more labor-intensive than conventional hardwood flooring, so you pay more.
If you're not in a hurry, this won't be too inconvenient, but I strongly recommend you acclimate solid bamboo for two weeks before installation. For engineered bamboo flooring, acclimate according to the manufacturer's instructions - but add an extra day. I will explore this portion in more detail below.
Here is another angle of that bamboo floor that went horribly wrong.
It buckled so severely that it was a trip hazard, and when you walked over it, the boards had wholly separated from the concrete subfloor so you could bounce on it. Here are five quick tips to help you avoid this situation:
1. Moisture Testing
First and foremost is before even considering laying your floor down, you should take a moisture meter and test the concrete floor. Please do not confuse a cheap handheld moisture meter you can get from Lowe's or Home Depot, which measures other materials like sheetrock and wood.
Make sure it can measure concrete moisture content.
These meters are very different and considerably more expensive, but the cost savings of replacing an entire floor due to not doing this are significant.
If you or your installer don't have one, get a professional-grade one here.
I use the Ligno Scanner SDM and Tramex. Both are excellent devices that will give you accurate readings:
The Ligno Scanner SDM measures many different materials based on your input.
Since I do a lot of hardwood flooring, it was vital for me to get a two-in-one device that can give readings of both the subfloor and the material rather than juggle two different devices for different materials.
The Tramex gives both audio and visual signals when it detects excess moisture with a visible light and beeping noise:
2. Acclimation
Depending on the product, I advise clients to acclimate their bamboo for two weeks before installation. This does not mean to store it in the garage!
The material should be inside the house under normal living conditions.
If it's new construction, ensure the installation of all doors and windows is complete and the HVAC running for at least 48 hours before acclimating it. All tape and bedding, texturing, and paint should also be done.
The painting process releases a lot of moisture in the air, so it needs time to dissipate.
Once all of these are done, place the bamboo inside the home. Remember, if it's a solid product, I will not leave it in there for less than two weeks before installation.
3. Sealer
Whether it's strand woven or otherwise, Bamboo is extremely sensitive to subfloor moisture.
Installing it over a wet slab guarantees problems very quickly.
Even if the readings show the slab to be bone dry, I still take all precautions with this floor. That means to seal the slab with a concrete sealer to mitigate any possible moisture down the road.
I have been to dozens of bamboo jobs where the installer didn't do this, and the floors buckled each time.
Seal the slab with the manufacturer's recommended product, or in the case, they don't specify one, you can't go wrong with either Titebond or BoneDry.
4. Adhesive
This isn't negotiable.
Using the manufacturer's recommended adhesive protects you on many levels.
These are urethane-based adhesives, and most of them come with moisture retarding properties.
Just be sure to use the correct trowel if you're using it as a moisture barrier. Check the product's instructions since each differs but generally, you use a smaller trowel when using it as a two-in-one.
You use more product, but you get two layers of protection. I have yet to see a bamboo floor fail when the installers implemented both of these measures.
Even though these measures may sound tedious, trust me when I tell you it's going to save you a lot of headaches down the road.
Many installers are not familiar with how bamboo reacts and don't know the correct methods. So following this checklist means you have recourse should anything go wrong.
If a manufacturer sees that you did all the right things and their product fails, then they will be compelled to compensate you.
However, if you do not adhere to the installation standards or manufacturer's guidelines, they will wash their hands very quickly of the problem, and you're left with an expensive mistake.
Do the right things by your bamboo floor, get it installed correctly, and you'll enjoy it for many years to come.
You can browse a wide range of bamboo flooring here.
I hope this overview helps!
A customer asked my thoughts on Felt Right acoustic felt wall tiles, and I didn't know what they were on about.
I reviewed kitchen, wall, and backsplash tiles and thought I covered every material possible.
Wrong.
So I did some research to discover a refreshingly good, American-made product perfectly made for DIYer's. Depending on your project, you can finish it in an hour/afternoon and transform your space.
This video gives you a quick snapshot of what this product is about, and I expand on it below.
If you have a large, boring blank wall at home, studio or office, but you're unsure how to decorate it, Felt Right acoustic felt wall tiles offer a unique solution.
They're affordable, elegant, and provide sound dampening to make the interior look and feel more stylish.
The main benefits of these tiles:
These sound minimizing solutions were not so popular in the past, and no one thought this material (which I'll get to in a second) would be a sound-busting novelty. However, PET felt designers came up with acoustic wall tiles that check all the boxes.
The fundamental advantage Felt Right offers is the customization of your designs so you can change the entire look of an area whenever you like.
PET- Sustainable, Durable, and Long-lasting Felt Wall Design
As someone big on protecting the planet, this was a big check for me.
Made from recycled plastic bottles (100% PET), they're pressed and sewn together to build a lightweight, soft, and durable material. They have a soft, wool-like appearance and bring a certain warmth to a room.
There is no ceramic, porcelain, glass, marble, or any other wall tile material you're used to in this product.
Each of the Felt Right tiles contains four recycled bottles created using the sun's heat energy.
These wall tiles in different shapes and sizes last forever. PET is also recyclable and ultraviolet resistant that makes it a blessing in the era of sustainability.
You can pin and repin as many times as you want, and there will be no damage to the tiles as a result.
Effortless Installation, Minimize Noise While Retaining the Style
The tiles are effortless to install yourself. There's no mixing thinset, no grout, or special prep, and you can finish your project in hours.
PET felt panels consume sound with a .35 noise reduction coefficient. That is one of the highest absorption levels for a non-soundproofing material.
This means you get beautiful tiles that aren't only stunning to look at but operate like soundproofing materials.
Choose From Varieties Of Casual & Formal Styles
Felt Right customized wall styles are stylish and elegant that add texture, warmth, and acoustic to any wall.
The chamfered edges make the seams practically disappear. You have three options to select from:
The added flexibility ensures you will find something right for your space.
Felt Right’s felt wall panels are perfect for any occasion.
Most orders take 1 to 2 days. For large orders or customized tiles, that can extend to 5 business days. Also, if you are not 100% satisfied with the product, you can return it within 100 days after your buy it.
After going through many design options of Felt Right (they have hundreds of them), here are some popular selections to get you started.
Argyle Styles
Blue Argyle
The design of blue argyle is a classic sweater pattern.
You can get an elegant, bold design with three shades of blue colors against neutral grey.
You can customize this design anywhere in your interior design, and the 20 square feet of the tiles have a sound absorption system that is as good as it can get.
These fantastic tiles’ color patterns come in nickel, sky, and oxford.
Argyle
Want to get a classic and organized look, then the argyle design will be perfect for the process. It is ideal to set up your accessories and jewelry to your eye level to prepare you for the day.
These tiles come in two different colors: cashmere cross and the other is timber cross.
Ruby and Raspberry Argyle
Want a trendy look for your bedroom? I found a stunning argyle pattern perfect for getting a cozy reading corner or wherever close meetings or conversations happen.
The patterns come in two beautiful colors: ruby and raspberry.
Aqua Argyle
I used to love wearing argyle pattern sweaters in my old school days.
Here, Felt Right created classic patterns for you to set your home, office, or studio. The bright and funky design can go with any space, and it has all the fantastic sound absorption features.
You can find these three tiles colors aqua, cayman, and admiral.
Browse The Argyle Series Here
Artist Series
Green Screen
Give your home office or streaming area a little Hollywood magic with the green screen design. It is the best way to transform your video call background for your important meetings.
Also, it’s the perfect wall tile for video artists, social media influencers, and streamers with the added advantage of sound dampening.
The wall tile’s color pattern comes in the fresh lime blank.
Mountain and Nature
Large Shaded Mountain
The Large shaded mountain is one of the more popular designs of Felt Right.
This rich acoustic felt wall patterns could turn any room into an elegant wall design.
It is perfect for adding to your living room, meeting space, TV, and any space that requires high-level acoustics and immersive sight.
These tiles come in the following colors, nickel, mineral, cast, armor, and ebony.
Sunset Gradient
In the summer season, we all love to go to the beach to feel the sun.
So, why not make a sunset gradient wall art for your interiors design. Whether it is a decorative inspiration board or wall art, it’s perfect for giving your interior a creative, modern look.
It comes in different colors and patterns like lavender, ruby, aries, oxford, admiral, citrine, and sky.
Browse The Mountain & Nature Series Here
Pixel Art
Falling Block Art
If you want to create a decoration for the entire wall that is equally sound-absorbing and looks creative, look no further.
A Full Falling Block Art (Tetris!) is the perfect choice for you.
The color combinations enhance creativity and problem solving while creating fun and lightheartedness. The best thing about this design is you can continuously change your fell wall art.
This tile comes in eight different colors: cayman, aries, lavender, ebony, ruby, fresh lime, citrine, and kiwi.
Inspiration Board
Colorful Beach
Surfaces are bound to pop up with this cheerful design with bold colors, and most importantly, it can fit anywhere you want.
Its colors can highlight the kitchen, and you can easily pin your reminders and quality recipes on it.
It comes with six different tiles variants with three colors, citrine, kiwi, and sky, to help you decorate your desired place.
Aqua Kiwi Desk Organizer
The Aqua Kiwi Desk Organizer utilizes a two-color scheme to help you focus on your tasks and a good place to hang your upcoming tasks. It has sound-absorbing felt panels that do not require too much space.
Aqua Kiwi Desk Organizer is available in two colors: Aqua Shiplap, and the other one is Kiwi Half.
Its striking design is very suitable for sketches, calendars, reminders, and meeting notes.
Triangle
Grapefruit Triangle Art Wall
The fizzy grapefruit juice of a hot summer afternoon is the best thing you can get for chilling in the hot weather.
The grapefruit triangle art is equally refreshing to look at, and the geometric shapes give a creative look to your boring wall.
The color combination of the wall tiles is coral, moon, aries, and zinc.
Herringbone
Dark Blue Herringbone
Dark Blue Herringbone is a fresh take on the classic design of herringbone.
The herringbone design is stunning as it adds traditional richness to any workspace.
It has 45-degree angles and made from Shiplap tiles set to have a wonderful color palette. It has four color variants: cast, oxford, admiral, and sky.
Most of the orders can only take 1 to 2 days.
For large orders or customized tiles, that can extend to 5 business days. Also, if you are not 100% satisfied with the product, you can return it within 100 days after your buy it.
Easy Installation
Tape Measure
To install, you need a tape measure with a pencil and a level.
When you have aligned your first couple of tiles, the design should fall into place a lot easier. Most designs do not take more than an hour to complete but even the more elaborate ones shouldn't take more than an afternoon.
Adhesive Tabs
Every order of Felt Right tiles comes with enough adhesive tabs for installation. You do not have to worry if you lose them because there are plenty.
How To Clean Felt Right Tiles?
The wall panels of Felt Right Tiles are effortless to clean and maintain.
To remove dust, you need a hose or a vacuum wand. As for spot cleaning, you need a rag or household cleaner to spray the specific spot and wipe.
Disinfecting any high-traffic areas can be done with the usual cleaning products.
Is it Possible to Relocate Tiles?
Yes!
They put in extra adhesive tabs in every order.
You can use those additional tabs to reposition one or two tiles during the installation process. If you have to relocate more tiles, you can order extra adhesive squares.
This is one of the coolest, fun, and most novel products I've reviewed.
Folks definitely enjoy this product and its versatility gives you options not found in conventional wall tile.
They don't have large slabs or an extensive range in some categories yet, but with some imagination (get your kid's feedback) it should be a fun affair.
Felt Right acoustic tiles don't eliminate noise but reduce it significantly, so you feel a noticeable difference.
You can customize Felt Right acoustic tiles to fit your needs without messing with conventional setting materials.
There's something for everyone with these tiles - both kids and adults will find a look they love.
I hope this review has been helpful.
As a huge dog lover, I see them daily in client homes, giving me insight into just how dogs run so many people's lives.
I've dealt with just about every breed imaginable, from the tiniest cup dogs to towering Great Danes, and they can all damage your floors if running in and out of your home is typical behavior.
One of the most common things I see folks struggle with is stopping their dogs from running outside as soon as the front door opens.
Almost immediately after sensing their chance, they quickly accelerate towards the door or even zip around inside like they're possessed, tearing up the floors in the process.
So I just thought to share my personal experiences that might help you stop your dog from running outside (of course, I'm not a dog trainer but if you're looking for a fool-proof A-B-C program, then check out Adrienne Farricelli's training.)
I'm just sharing what's worked with me for both large and small dog breeds.
Chances are if your dog runs outside at its first opportunity, that's not the only behavioral problem they give you or will give you in the future.
While some may think it's funny or cute when a dog takes off with its bulging eyes locked onto the front door as Chariots of Fire plays in the background, it's a sign your dog is missing leadership.
Your dog looks to you for leadership and direction, and if you don't provide it, they'll step in and fill the void.
A dog running outside has its blinkers on and doesn't realize it could easily cross paths with vehicles like cars, scooters, bikes, etc. So it's in everyone's best interests your dog learns when they can go outside and when they can't.
Dogs are pack animals, and a member of the pack doesn't simply run away. So why do they do it?
Well, I hate to break it to you, but it's your fault.
Knowingly or unknowingly, It's ALWAYS YOUR FAULT 🙂
Remember, dogs live by instinct, live in the moment, and don't rationalize events. They act or react based on the input or environmental stimulus. A dog that runs out the front door at its first opportunity is a dog with no discipline or limitations.
More on that in a minute.
Your dog runs outside because they associate an open door with going out = fun, running, freedom...pleasure.
Combine that with the lack of leadership telling them it's not okay to do so, and in their minds, they aren't doing anything wrong. The open door should mean, "this isn't permission to go outside; it just means the door is open."
So it would be best if you enforced that - it takes practice, but each time your dog starts heading towards the door, you give them a verbal correction combined with a calm but firm physical energy (presence).
This could be any word that's short and sharp like "shh!", "hey," a combination, or simply clicking your fingers (I do both).
This tells them you disagree with their behavior. Repetition is key. Each time you notice your dog's body language change from being calm to excited once they notice the door is open, you need to let them know immediately that type of excitement isn't acceptable.
Here's how:
Sometimes what sets them off is the doorbell, and you would do the same thing here as well.
Have someone ring the bell and watch them.
As soon as you detect a change in their demeanor, you correct them right there and then. No use waiting until they've escalated into a red zone and you try to reason with them "aw cmon, Molly, hush, the man is trying to speak!".
Not so effective. 🙂
The first thing that's usually common with dogs that spontaneously run outside is they don't get enough exercise. They have so much pent-up energy; they can't wait to release and run like the wind.
Have you noticed dogs that are well exercised and walked properly behave much better?
I mean, if you drain both their physical and mental energy, they don't have the drive to act up. It helps keep them balanced and burns off excess energy they would use to act up otherwise.
Depending on the breed, you must exercise your dog daily. If you don't, then don't complain when they have excess energy they need to drain, and they randomly start sprinting inside the house, tearing up your carpet or hardwood flooring in the process.
But exercise, while very important, should be separate from the walk. If you wish to take your dog to the dog park where they can run riot and drain their energy with other dogs, that's great!
However, when you walk your dog, you're draining more mental energy than physical, and they need both. I understand this may not always be possible for all people, but I'm just telling you what a large proportion of trainers will tell you.
Master the walk.
It would help if you walked your dog/s daily and, depending on the breed, up to 45 minutes per walk for larger dogs. Have them walk beside or slightly behind you, not walking you by dragging you around the neighborhood.
I see it all the time, and I've worked with high energy dogs (like this gorgeous girl here) many times, and here's what I did: morning walk for 40-50 minutes, exercise with a ball in the middle of the day, or dog park visit then another 45-minute walk in the evening.
Best behaved German Shepherd you'll ever see.
Here's a good tip to practice that will particularly help stop your dog from running out the front door:
It's okay to make your dog wait.
You're not cruel, mean, or abusive by making your dog do what it would do if it were in a pack of other dogs. So before you walk them, have them calm and make them wait.
If they're too excited, don't put the collar on or leave the house until they begin to learn to associate being calm = going outside, rather than the opposite.
When you're ready to leave, relax and step out first. Just watch them. Remember, an open door means an open door, nothing more. It's not an invitation to bolt.
So once they can make that association, life will be much easier for both of you!
This lets them understand you are leading the way, don't let them bolt out dragging you along—the same thing when you return. Have them sit or wait until you open the door and step inside, and you invite them in.
Excitement has its place but not when you want your dog to behave in certain situations.
My sister has an adorable Italian Greyhound and complained to me he would constantly pull on the leash like a sled dog and turned psychotic when he saw other dogs. So when I observed her preparing to take him for a walk, it was pretty clear why he was like that.
She would excite him because she loves it when his little head and ears pop up when he hears the word "walk." So here's her idea of preparing her dog for a walk:
"WHOOOO WANTS TO GO FOR A......WALKK!!!"
And the dog goes bananas.
So she activated the launch sequence in the dog and expected it to walk alongside her obediently and calmly.
Repetition is essential, as is enforcement.
There is no use if only you send the message that running out the front door is not okay while the rest of the family laughs and posts videos of the dog doing it on Facebook.
You have to be on the same team for this to be permanent; otherwise, the dog will know who it can act up with and who it can't.
When your dog listens and doesn't run out, you can reward them with affection or a treat to let them know they did well.
Finally, the best part about this is dogs aim to please, so once they learn what's okay and what isn't, they automatically adopt the behavior, much like house training.
So stay patient, be consistent, and you won't have to worry again about your dog running outside when that front door opens!
If you want more details on how to train your dog well in all other areas, check out Adrienne Farricelli's training.
I hope this has been helpful!
Dogs are everywhere!
In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), 36.5% of American households have a dog.
And I've seen them all.
From the tiniest toy dogs that fit in the palm of your hand to 200lb St. Bernards whose slobber is enough to drench the cat.
One of the most common questions I get:
"So, what's the best type of flooring for dogs?"
While certain kinds of flooring are better suited to most dogs, the more accurate answer is...
It all depends on your lifestyle!
When buying flooring for your home and dog, it's essential to understand what you're getting. That way, everybody wins - your home, dog, and yourself.
I've ranked each flooring type based on my overall experiences as a flooring specialist for over 19 years.
So here's what I'd like you to do....
After I walk you through each type of flooring, apply this information to your dog. That way, you will know which floor is right for you.
Okay, every type of flooring is going to have its pros and cons no matter what anyone tells you.
Yes, some are more suited to dogs, but overall, a one size fits all floor for dogs doesn't exist. It will depend on:
This is pretty straightforward.
Larger dogs tend to be tougher on floors than smaller ones because, well - everything they do is bigger.
They are heavier, pee more (although I have seen small dogs that pee like freak fire hydrants), shed more, their nails are bigger, drool more, and get sick, then they could literally puke the size of a small dog out.
Understanding this alone can save you a lot of future frustrations.
If you have a 10lb Pomeranian and you're concerned it's going to destroy your hardwood floors, it won't.
Now, if you have a 100lb goofy Weimaraner with talons that runs around your home like Bambi on ice, then that's another story.
Although I do flooring for a living, I have a real passion for dogs.
So I get somewhat disappointed when I see owners without a clue how to handle them.
Look, you know your dog best - does it behave or not?
Will it listen when verbally corrected? Or does it stare at you like you owe it money then goes back to tearing apart your carpet?
A well-balanced dog will respect you and your home and, as a result, your floors.
One that eats, pees, sleeps, and walks whenever and wherever it wants is a dog that's probably going to give you a lot more problems than just your floors.
If you want some help correcting any of your dog's "bad" behaviors, check out Adrienne Farricelli's training.
This is just basic common sense.
Don't live like a star from the series Hoarders.
Regularly maintain your floors based on what type it is and, if possible, follow the manufacturer's specifications. Surface dirt/dust is the leading cause of dulling your floor's appearance.
Other measures you can take to protect your floors:
Only use approved floor cleaners for regular maintenance.
| Porcelain | ||||
| Vinyl | apartments, rentals & certain homes |
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| Hardwood | ||||
| Laminate | ||||
| Carpet | ||||
| Cork |
This type of floor is specifically built to take a beating.
There's a very good reason why laminate manufacturers put dogs and kids in a lot of their advertising. That's precisely who it's made for.
We're talking soccer cleats, Tonka trucks, dogs, toys, and anything else an active lifestyle can throw at it.
It's true laminate flooring is significantly louder than hardwood since it is a floating floor. However, there are now superior laminate products and upgraded acoustic-type pads, so sound absorption is better than ever.
The main advantage of laminate flooring is you do not have to worry about what your dog will do to it.
It's:
Just make sure you get a reputable brand like Mannington, Shaw, or Mohawk.
The cheap/budget brands, quite frankly, aren't worth the money paid for them.
The main disadvantage is it is noticeably louder than glue-down products. Also, your dog may find it slippery if they love to run around your home. If this is a concern for you, avoid it or look into a textured option.
Otherwise, enjoy the show! 🙂
Textured / hand-scraped products mimic natural wood and offer you and your dog better traction than the traditional smooth finish.
So today's laminate does not only look like natural wood; they act like it too.
Recommended for: Any dog alive.
I want you to completely forget about everything you have known about vinyl floors in the past. They are the fastest-growing market segment in the flooring industry today!
Why?
Because they have come a long way in terms of looks, style, technology, and overall performance.
They are now the go-to choice for many contractors and homeowners alike regarding furnishing homes, apartments, townhomes, retail stores, and many other applications.
They come in many different styles, but the most popular right now are luxury vinyl planks (LVP) and luxury vinyl tiles (LVT).
Vinyl flooring for dogs brings a lot of advantages. They are:
Water, pee, vomit, drool, or feces won't do a darn thing to them.
I have installed plenty of this stuff all over Dallas-Fort Worth in both commercial and residential settings, and it's worked out just fabulous for the client.
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, however.
While putting vinyl plank flooring in your home may be great for you and your dog, the value of your home will not increase in any way. Just do your homework first, but if this is not an issue, then this is an excellent floor for any dog.
Luxury vinyl flooring comes in two categories:
I highly recommend going for a WPC over an SPC because it has more "give" and not as hard on the joints. Stone composites are specifically made for commercial applications, so they're considerably harder underfoot.
They come in both glue down and click products, the click going in most residential homes.
Recommended for: Light dogs, dogs whose nails are regularly trimmed, and well-behaved pups who would rather dig outside than inside.
One of the biggest issues that I encounter is dogs and hardwood flooring - more specifically, large dogs who run in the house!
Homeowners often ask me if their dog will scratch their wood floors.
If they are old, calm, or casually lumber around the house, then no. It will be doubtful they are going to scratch your wood floors.
However, if they are very high energy and act like they are on crack, then yes, their nails will scratch your wood floors.
Most dogs do very well with hardwood floors so long as their nails are maintained, and they are reasonably well behaved.
Being a natural product, all hardwood will eventually scratch; it's just a matter of when.
Think of it this way - if your bundle of joy is running on your wood floor, at one point in time when it's built up enough momentum, all of its weight is resting on its front nails. That's a lot of weight digging into the floor.
There's plenty of upside, though, to wood floors.
The harder species like hickory, maple, pecan, and Brazilian family (teak, walnut, and cherry) are more resilient than most other woods.
Quick Tip: Hand-scraped/distressed wood floors tend to hide imperfections a lot better than smooth finish or glossy ones.
Since the wear layer of wood flooring, whether engineered or solid, contains a protective wear layer by way of aluminum oxide or polyurethane, they don't absorb pet accidents like carpet does, so they're super easy to clean up.
Wood floors are also hypoallergenic and do not absorb dust and dog hair like carpet does, so they're much easier to keep looking newer for longer. Plus, they add good value to your home.
Recommended for: Small-medium dogs, dogs whose claws are regularly trimmed, and well-behaved pups who would rather dig outside than inside.
4 & 5. Tile & Stone Flooring
Let me make a very clear distinction between tile and natural stone. Both of them are vastly different materials and behave very differently when it comes to dogs.
Glazed porcelain tile is the most indestructible flooring you can buy.
It wouldn't matter if you had a herd of stallions. The worst thing your dog could do to this kind of floor is stain the grout lines.
You can even minimize that by making the grout lines as small as possible. Just talk to your installer about the narrowest width for your tile. Make sure to seal them afterward or use pre-sealed grout.
Nothing goes wrong with this type of floor due to its exceptionally dense and hard properties. It's fired at a very high temperature, so the result is a product that's not only hard but impervious to moisture. Its water absorption rate is so low; some are even frostproof.
It's virtually impossible to scratch, stain, or damage.
I used to demonstrate this by running a screwdriver across the tile, and clients would see the sparks flying, yet not a scratch would appear on its surface.
Your dog will not hurt a glazed porcelain tile.
They install this type of material in shopping malls and airports, so that should give you an idea of just how resilient it is. It's also super easy to clean, providing the surface is somewhat smooth.
As visually stunning as it can be, natural stone, on the other hand, is a different story.
It's relatively soft, porous, and susceptible to damage.
It absorbs everything, so unless your floor is very well sealed, I wouldn't recommend this kind of floor for dogs with weak bladders and stomachs. They can easily scratch or stain it, and once their vomit or pee has penetrated the stone, you will need to replace that tile because it's not coming out.
We both know high-quality natural stone is not cheap!
Both materials are relatively hard on both human and dog joints. Hence, if your dog has arthritis and you get this kind of floor, be sure to furnish plenty of area rugs and give them their own allocated beds or adequately cushioned area to lay down on.
Glazed Porcelain Recommended for: Any healthy dog with no joint issues.
Natural Stone Recommended for: NOT RECOMMENDED.
6. Carpet
Ok, on the face of it, this option appears to be the very worst for dog owners, especially if their dog pees and/or vomits a lot since it absorbs pretty quickly.
A low-grade carpet is the worst possible flooring for dogs, no doubt about it. They easily stain it and chew it like a toy.
However, better quality carpets like Mohawk's stain-proof SmartStrand have no exclusion warranties on them, meaning they cover items typically not covered by lower grades.
Things such as...pet vomit, pet urine, blood, and other things you hope don't visit your carpet anytime soon. It is by far the most comprehensive pet protection warranty in the industry.
Also, never underestimate the value of a high-quality carpet shampooer.
Take a look at the very best ones and read the reviews of dog owners who managed to get every last trace of their pet accidents out with their cleaner. The accompanying pictures in those reviews are very impressive.
I can personally attest to how great these cleaners are in returning carpets to pristine condition. It just takes regular maintenance, and you'll be okay.
A good carpet cleaner will also extract all remaining remnants of impurities from the carpet backing, so it doesn't leak into the carpet pad. Once that happens, you pretty much have to replace your carpet.
When the pad gets soaked with pet urine and other contaminants, the smell can be so bad; it punches you right in the face!
If you're going down this route, get a stain-proof carpet like the one mentioned above and insist on a pet pad that contains a moisture barrier that prevents any accidents from getting into the pad.
The main advantages of carpet
The downside of carpet is it absorbs more dirt, debris, and stains than other types of flooring and is harder on those with allergies since it holds more dust.
Recommended for: Dogs that are house trained, have minimal health issues, and shed little.
7. Cork Flooring
Cork flooring for some dogs is an excellent choice - it's softer than any other floor except carpet and has more give than other surfaces. Hence, it's easy on the joints, super easy to clean, hypoallergenic, and very eco-friendly.
Because it's a softer material, it's pleasant to walk on, having a very light underfoot vibe to it. This makes it perfect for elderly folks and dogs with joint problems.
It's also suitable for any small dog since they are not heavy enough to cause any significant damage.
Its natural acoustic properties also allow it to absorb sound a lot better than other flooring types. So if peace and quiet are what you're after, you won't get a better floor.
Its properties also give it a built-in temperature control quality about it - it absorbs heat readily in the winter so it's noticeably warmer than tile or laminate but surprisingly cooler in summer.
This is due to it wanting to remain at room temperature.
The major drawback, of course, is cork is very soft and easily damaged. Not only by larger, more active dogs but from everyday wear and tear like moving furniture, equipment like wheelchairs and walking aides, high heels, and even a stone caught in the shoe can dent it.
Manufacturers have caught onto this major concern. So what you see now is a good portion of cork made today are heavily distressed and patterned to disguise imperfections in the floor once it's installed.
Overall, not the ideal floor for larger dogs, but it has its particular purpose for smaller ones.
Recommended for: Smaller dogs with relatively sedentary owners who entertain little.
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to flooring and your dog.
I've ranked them in order of what I felt was overall performance vs. value for money.
Of course, there are flooring types more suited to dogs than others, so it's going to get down to your circumstances and the kind of dog you have.
If I had to choose, I'd rank laminate flooring slightly ahead of the vinyl plank as the best flooring for dogs. Vinyl's waterproof properties, however, may put it ahead in many folk's eyes.
Stay clear of natural stone like marble and slate as these will give you a lot of problems.
Your dogs will pee, puke and shit all over them, and it'll be impossible to remove any stains. The only way to get rid of such accidents is to replace the tile, and you don't want to be constantly doing that.
Although laminate is loud and can be slippery, this can be offset by purchasing a higher quality acoustic pad and laminate product.
It also handles any dog, and household demands well, all while looking fabulous and lasting longer. Take this overall assessment based on trends and observations rather than specific recommendations.
In the end, you know your home and dog best.
Use good practice and commonsense like cleaning your floors with approved cleaners and trimming your dog's nails. Do that, and your floor will perform the way it was designed.
I hope this guide has helped you set your course for your new flooring purchase.
If you are in the Dallas / Fort Worth area and would like an estimate on your project, please connect with me here.
Your beautiful hardwood floors enhance your home so much, and you shouldn't worry about stains, taking so much time to clean them and backaches.
So why do hardwood floors challenge you when it comes to cleaning?
The harsh reality is that most vacuums clean everything well other than hardwood floors.
The beater bars that have been around since carpet went mainstream can even be downright destructive on your hardwood floors. As far as broom and a dustpan go, who needs the backache of chasing the dust?
Despite the facts, most people fight a losing battle against dust and grime on their hardwood floors because of a lack of information on the vacuums with the features required to save your back and peace of mind.
This year I thought to make some comparisons on affordable vacuums reputed to work well on hardwood floors.
Like all things in life, no two hardwood floors or homes are the same, but the features that work on my hardwood floors should also work on yours.
I tried to evaluate these with realistic real-life situations that most people would face in cleaning their hardwood floors. Each of these machines comes with different features, costs, and you should evaluate each before deciding.
The analysis my family and I made of these models covered what we believe to be the most critical items in selecting a hardwood floor vacuum cleaner. I also considered price, ease of use, efficiency in cleaning, comparing features, and the cost.
Hopefully, this review of these top hardwood floor vacuum cleaners will help you avoid throwing away money on those that fail to do what you need it to.
There is no perfect vacuum that will satisfy everyone’s needs. Some people have dogs or cats and must deal with the associated hair that goes with having them. Other people have disabilities like arthritis, a bad back, inability to bend, and the weight and ease of use must take center point in their selection.
Keeping that in mind, I feel that these three considerations are pretty universal concerns when choosing the right vacuum for your hardwood floors.
I urge you to get a pen and paper and answer these questions before you begin your search in earnest. Then make notes including model numbers of the vacuums so you can narrow the search based on the criteria most important to you.
Everyone has an opinion, and while the idea of online reviews is excellent, they often lack the practicality one needs on a day-to-day basis.
While the five-star ratings are a great reassurance when they hit triple or quadruple digits, how many of those reviewers have the same demands and needs that you do?
What do you demand from a hardwood floor vacuum?
Do you have pets and or children?
What about allergies disabilities that limit mobility or lifting?
Make a quick note of each major consideration so you can quickly rule out options that do not offer what you demand from your vacuum.
All those reviewed have their pros and cons, of course, so see what works for you.
That is another reason I took the time to create this buyer's guide. Quality, affordability, ease of use, and efficiency at the task should all be considered and help you buy the right hardwood vacuum for your floors.
 | 2. Does it get the job done? If the model fails to get the dirt, dust, and debris off the floor, there is no reason to look at any other features it might offer. Watch for the model on the vacuums reviewed. Often they will have various models, and some may perform better or worse than the one reviewed. Instead of looking at the amps or horsepower of a model and going all Tim the Tool Man, evaluate more like Al and look at how well the vacuum gets the job done. Use your list of must-haves when selecting between two vacuums. As lovely as it is to have a model that comes in the right color to accentuate your apron, it should be the last item you consider. This is an extreme example, but you get the idea. Give the most weight to the features you need. |
When evaluating the overall price, keep in mind the cost of bags and/or filters and the purchase price. While no bag is wonderful in theory, some of these vacuums require a new filter every 3 to 6 months that costs more than a years’ worth of bags for other models.
Look at the cost of ownership = purchase price plus the cost of maintaining it and not just the purchase price alone.
Does it have a warranty? While many people never cash in a warranty today, with service contracts available for everything from toasters to the kitchen sink, they can offer a glimpse into the longevity of the hardwood vacuum cleaner.
While most of us will never jump for joy when the time arrives to clean our hardwood floors, it should not cause a sense of dread either.
Some vacuums are light, easy to use, and store, while others weigh as much as a Buick and fight like a cat on bath day to change or even find standard attachments.
The difficulty is that few people leave reviews on these very things.
Most reviews come within a week or two of purchase. This is before the difficulty of use and storage has made an impression.
I have made a point to mention these very things in my evaluation.
"Some Assembly Required"
This can be misleading.
I will share my assembly experience for you to consider in your evaluations.
Many vacuum cleaners and other household appliances have damage before they are ever plugged in simply from “some assembly required
.” The main warning here is that user abuse voids the warranty at worst and is not covered by warranty at best.
The less assembly, the better.
After all, we all have better things to do than partially assemble vacuums. For the minor assembly, do take a moment to view the quick start instructions most vacuum models offer before diving in.
What makes sense to us may not to the manufacturer based on their production or parts’ costs, and a couple of minutes of reading now can save hours of frustration later.
Now that you have your key points to look for let’s dive into some hardwood vacuum cleaners!
Test Results & Rankings
1. MOOSOO Vacuum Cleaner Corded 17KPa Suction Stick Vacuum for Hard Floor With 2-Pack HEPA Filters, D600
While weighing in at 2.8 pounds, this hardwood floor vac has a high-powered built-in brush motor with a faster speed. This vac even has a much longer and more full-service life. With a bonus handheld vac, you can get into smaller spaces that the bigger vacuum cannot reach.
This vacuum comes with:
Both filters are washable so that you can clean them with ease.
This vacuum is so lightweight; it is easy for me to carry up and down the stairs. It is perfect for vacuuming up pet hair, litter, and easily missed small pieces of food.
There is nothing this vacuum won’t pick up! I would recommend this for homes with hardwood floors.
2. Compact C1 Pure Suction Canister Vacuum Cleaner
The Compact C1 is small enough to store in small spaces yet is powerful enough to do the same cleaning as an upright or stick vacuum. While it does use a bag, it is still easy to use. The floor head works for both carpets and hardwood floors well. It is an excellent buy for anyone who finds bagless vacuums lacking suction.
I have always used upright vacuums that did not require a bag but found that they did not trap all the dirt in the canister. I can get all the dirt and dust off my hardwood floors better than the uprights I have used with this bad boy.
The most significant advantage of this vacuum is not how powerful it is but how quiet it is despite its considerable sucking power.
3. MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum 10Kpa Powerful Suction 4 iI 1 Stick Handheld Vacuum Cleaner For Home Hard Floor Carpet Car Pet - XL-618A
The MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum works best on hardwood floors. Pet owners will love this vacuum because it picks up pet hair quickly. It is cordless, so very convenient. The battery lasts for up to forty-five minutes and only needs charging for five hours.
The handle is ergonomic to allow users to vacuum drapes, blinds, and stairs.
This vacuum comes with a twenty-four-month warranty. Plus, the filter is easy to clean and is recyclable. The powerhead is clear, and the vacuum will turn off if it becomes clogged to prevent wear on the belt.
This vacuum was a breeze to use. Without the pesky cord to get in the way, especially when cleaning the stairs, I was able to clean them faster. I like how it will warn you if you have a clog in it and that it will shut itself off if the clog is not taken care of right away.
It helps to prevent buying a new belt. That is my favorite feature of this vacuum.
4. Bissell Hard Floor Expert Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner
The Bissell Hard Floor Expert is an expert at getting the whole house clean, not just the hardwood floors. Its V-shaped design gets every crumb and other small debris from corners and around furniture legs.
You no longer have to worry about scratching your wood floors because of the rubber on the wheels. If it gets clogged, it is easy to clean out. A must-have vacuum if you have pets who shed.
I love the V-shaped design. I can vacuum around my pet’s food bowl and the chairs and kitchen table legs. The rubber pieces make it easier to get all the large and small debris that seem to float around my house.
I can even go around the corners of the baseboard with this beauty.
However, I have to use the attachment to get under the beds. This is an excellent bang for your buck.
5. Shark Rocket DeluxePro Ultra-Light Upright Corded Stick Vacuum, Bordeaux
This two-in-one Shark Rocket DeluxePro Ultra-Light Upright vacuum is excellent for people with pets. With the pet multi-tool, you can vacuum pet hair from any surface, not just hardwood floors.
This vac does not lose suction and is excellent for quickly picking up dust, dirt, and pet hair within minutes. The vacuum also comes with a wand, a duster crevice tool, and the aforementioned pet multi-tool.
This vacuum has worked wonders in picking up stray cat litter, hair, and dirt accumulating on my client's hardwood floors.
It is lightweight and stores easily in the closet or on a wall mount. Not only is it good to use on hardwood flooring, but also stairs and carpet. Even the kids use this vacuum because of how light it is.
This is one vacuum I'd use for years to come.
6. Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum
This vacuum is super lightweight and can go from stick to handheld in a snap.
You can remove the floor nozzle easily to become a handheld vac and use it on both the stairs and the regular floor. It is excellent if you have hardwood floors and works just as well on carpet, stairs, furniture, and much more.
The crevice tool is included and works on the handheld to make vacuuming between the couch cushions easier.
The only thing to complain about this vacuum is the short cord. I had to plug it into several outlets as I went along cleaning. Other than that, this vacuum has worked wonders on my hardwood floors.
I cleaned all the stray dust bunnies between the couch cushions and the cobwebs in the corners.
It was easy to assemble, and I could easily detach and reattach the floor nozzle to suit my cleaning needs
7. Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Dyson has done it again.
This Dyson V8 Absolute is one of their many innovative vacuums. Its V8 motor helps this well-engineered vacuum suck up dirt that has become ground-in on your hardwood floors and in your carpets.
The HEPA filter is washable, so you can continue cleaning for a long time. It comes with a soft roller cleaner head to help pick up big debris like cereal. It does have to charge for four hours before you can begin to use it. It works for about forty minutes on one full charge.
There is no cord, and it is lightweight while still being powerful to take on the hardest to clean floors It also has two modes for cleaning: Low and MAX.
I have used Dyson before and found that they are one of the easiest vacuum brands to use. The V8 is worth every penny. The extra head works great for picking up big pieces of debris.
I used the low mode to save battery life, and it works just as well as the MAX mode would be. I can easily clean the blinds and corners with how light it is.
8. Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Vacuum Cleaner, 3-in-1 Hand and Stick Vac
The Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik is an easy three-in-one vacuum to use.
It goes from a stick vac to a hand vac to an extended hand vac. It is lightweight and versatile to take care of hard-to-reach areas such as under furniture and between cabinets. It is perfect for dorm rooms and apartments without taking up floor space. The filter is easy to rinse and reuse.
This vacuum is fragile and doesn't have a big containment unit.
Is, however, very light, and taking it upstairs was a breeze.
When I have a small vacuuming job to do around the house, this vacuum does the trick. It is quiet and still picks the dirt up. I do not have to worry about too many clogs since I only use them for small dust-busting jobs.
I currently have this in a downstairs closet, but this unit can run into suction issues.
I wouldn't recommend this for heavy-duty cleaning since the suction is moderate, but it does the trick for quick dust jobs.
9. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a HEPA filter that captures all the dust and pesky allergy-causing allergens.
The dust cup lifts away to make cleaning the stairs easy without having to lug the whole vacuum with you. It gently cleanses your wood floors and picks up everything.
I like how the dust cap lifts off, so I do not have to carry the whole vacuum up the stairs and down again. It sucks up all the pet hair and dandruff that accumulates and eliminates coughing and sneezing in the summer and winter.
However, it is best to use it in big spaces, not tiny confining spaces in the summer, because the air blows out is a bit on the warm side.
10. Hoover ONEPWR Cordless Wet Vacuum
The Hoover ONEPWR is the perfect cordless vacuum to use.
This futuristic unit not only vacuums but also washes the floor simultaneously - so don't use it on your hardwood floor.
For tile, it's perfect, but you don't want to wet clean your hardwood floor under any circumstances since many hardwood floor manufacturers will void their product warranties as a result.
It comes with a tray to store and rinse the vacuum when not used.
Make sure to sweep the scattered cat litter before using it around the litter box to avoid ruing the vacuum. There is a measuring cup for the solution, and you can decide when to release the solution as you vacuum.
It has two tanks, one for clean water and the other for the dirty water as you vacuum, keeping both mixing and making a bigger mess.
I no longer have to mop after vacuuming my floors. This Hoover vacuum eliminates the hassle of dragging out the mop, mop bucket, and cleaning solution after sweeping or vacuuming all the tile flooring. I would only recommend this vacuum to folks with tile or vinyl floors.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it - the top 10 vacuums for hardwood floors based on personal use, via clients and independent reviews.
As long as you evaluate the features you need and ignore the bells and whistles, that would not be of real benefit to you or your family.
Last thing to keep in mind no matter which model you buy...
While the vacuum will get dirty every time you use it, you also get dirty daily, but you hopefully wash!
Your vacuum will perform better no matter its make or model if you wipe the dust off it before putting it away, shake out, and/or wash the filter weekly allowing it to air dry completely before reassembling it.
Most essential but often forgotten, walk to the socket and avoid unplugging the vacuum from across the house. Wind the cord, or eventually, it will be damaged. The thin copper fiber wires inside the cable can become brittle if over-flexed and become damaged.
No matter how great the parts and quality is, it won't last if neglected. Simple maintenance and care of the items will pay off in the long term.
I hope this review has helped you - feel free to check out the 10 Best Carpet Shampooers as well. Please reach out if you're in the DFW area for your flooring and bathroom remodeling needs.
The most common question received when remodeling showers is: “what is the best tile for a shower wall or floor?” Given there are so many options, it’s easy to be confused and overwhelmed.
Having remodeled showers for over 19 years now, I’m going to make it super simple for you so you can focus on getting on with your project!
Let’s start with the best tile for your shower walls, then move to the floor so everything ties in.
The first thing to consider is the material.
If you want a thorough review of all materials available, you can check that out here.
For simplicity, however, I’ll rank your best three options in order based on my experience with shower remodels:
The very best material you can put on a shower wall is a larger-sized glazed porcelain tile. Why? Well, glazed porcelain won’t stain because it’s sealed. It’s very durable, super easy to clean, and comes in any size and color.
The current technology is so good; you can get these tiles in just about any look. In addition, you don’t have to worry about the associated costs and maintenance that come with materials like natural stone.
Now I say larger size because the larger the tile, the fewer grout lines, so the easier the maintenance. The most popular sizes now are 12 x 24, and if you want to go even larger, 24 x 24 or 18 x 36.
Another advantage many folks don’t realize with porcelain tile is you can fashion bullnose out of it. If the tile you select doesn’t come with a bullnose, a skilled installer can make it from the tile.
So going with a larger porcelain tile for your shower walls covers all your bases. You get a great look, versatility, lower cost, and very little maintenance.
For those reasons, this is my number one choice for the best shower wall tile.
The only real difference between ceramic and porcelain tile they fire porcelain from more refined clays at a much higher temperature. This makes it harder as it sets. You will find porcelain tile prevalent in most tile manufacturer’s product lines. If you cannot get porcelain for some reason, this will be your next best choice.
Since many ceramics are red-bodied, you can’t make a bullnose out of the tile. So if you need one, be sure to get Schluter edging. This is a good, safe choice, particularly for redoing rental properties where resilient but economical options are required.
I realize many salespeople try to sell natural stones like marble, travertine, etc. because they cost more to buy and install. While they are stunning, they are softer, easier to crack, porous, easier to stain and need proper maintenance to preserve their pristine look.
Depending on where you live, foundation issues/shifting and/or hard water may be a problem with natural stone. They can sometimes collect mineral deposits and, if not properly sealed, can permanently stain/damage the tile.
So unless you have a very high-quality penetrating stone sealer like Aqua Mix, you’re better off with a stronger porcelain tile.
Even if well sealed, stone can ugly out over time from a very fine coating of water deposits. If this happens, you need a stone color enhancer to restore the vividness of the tile.
Quick Tip: If you go with natural stone, be sure to clean it with the recommended stone cleaners. Please DO NOT use anything with ammonia in it like Windex, as it will strip the sealer over time.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck tile for your shower walls, without a doubt, glazed porcelain tile is your best option. They are less expensive to buy, install and maintain than natural stone, and above all – they look fantastic.
Try to avoid high gloss or shiny tiles as they tend to show water spots easier than a matte finish. You can always use other materials as accents if you’re making a particular pattern like glass, stone, or metal.
If you’re doing this, be sure they are comparable in thickness, so you get an even finish.
Even more critical than the type of tile you put on a shower floor is the size of it.
The shower floor (aka shower pan) needs different tile than anywhere else, mainly due to safety. Although larger tile works perfectly for the shower walls, you want to go with a smaller format for the shower floor.
A mesh-mounted mosaic where each square ranges from 1 x 1 to 3 x 3 should be your go-to option. They come in square, rectangle, hexagon, and many other shapes, and they’re perfect for shower floors.
The reason you want grout lines on the shower floor is for traction. The larger the tile, the less footing you have particularly when it’s wet. Go for a mesh-mounted tile that comes in smaller squares. This becomes even more important for older folks or those needing assistance.
The main advantage of mesh-mounted tile (irrespective of material) is it flexes perfectly with the slant of the shower floor, making it super easy to install.
Insist on a mosaic tile in any configuration you like for the shower floor, as this is by far your best option.
The only other option you could do is have the installer cut smaller pieces from the main floor or wall tile, and that is a cumbersome, labor-intensive process that doesn’t look anywhere as good.
As far as material goes:
#1 Porcelain: Once again, a bulletproof option that’s well priced and, above all, has all the qualities you want in a tile that gets daily usage. It doesn’t need sealing, and the vast majority of tile manufacturers make coordinating mosaic tile with their field tile for shower floors.
#2 River Rocks: These have become popular over recent years. Having worked with them a lot, you will be happier with the flat rocks over the rounded ones. The flatter ones are more comfortable on the feet, easier to clean, and don’t need as much grout as the rounded ones. They come in an array of different color blends
#3 Natural Stone: Not the place you want to put a natural stone. It’s more likely to chip and stain faster on the shower floor than the wall. Since a lot of this material comes in a polished finish, you want to be careful putting this down, especially if there are wheelchairs or assistance equipment involved.
I have seen this work really well only when the mosaic is very small (1 x 1 squares on a 12 x 12 sized mesh) and it’s properly sealed. Aside from that, stick with options 1 or 2.
The options are many in terms of the best places to find shower walls and floor tile for your project.
If you want the standard, plain Jane selection, you can always go to your local Home Depot or Lowe’s. However, if you’re going to see materials not carried in these stores, these two stores are worth exploring. Their selection is vast; they have both floor, wall, and shower floor tile/mosaics, and they ship quickly all over the US, so your project won’t be delayed.
Don’t forget to order whatever you need with your wall and floor purchase like trim pieces, bullnose, accents, etc.
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|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Good | Very Good |
| Price Matching | No | Yes |
| Free Shipping | Yes | Yes |
| Product Selection | 2,000 | 2,200 |
| Service | Excellent | Excellent |
| Overall | Excellent | Very Good |
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Don’t overthink your tile selections for your shower.
Lock in a material that’s suitable for you. If you can stick with a larger format on the walls and smaller on the shower floor, you’re set. From here, you can make other important bathroom remodel decisions.
Ensure your contractor correctly waterproofs your shower before tiling to give you maximum protection.
To protect your shower, even more, be sure to get a pre-sealed grout like Mapei FlexColor CQ or Fusion Pro. This will help keep your shower looking newer for longer. It’s also a lot easier than buying grout sealer separately and sealing it.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a couple of extra boxes of material left over in case of future repairs. So order between 10-15% extra to allow for cuts and waste as well as for storage. That way, you get the exact shade/lot number.
I hope this guide has been helpful.
Please reach out if you’re in the DFW area should you need any help remodeling your shower.
