Month: January 2021

The Many Benefits Of Carpet Flooring

Here’s how to make your carpets look fresh in an hour

If your your carpet is looking less than fresh, you can brighten it up in around an hour with a few low-cost items you probably already have around your home. The best part? You don’t need a steam cleaner.

This process is affordable and easy, and all you need is shaving cream and baking soda.

Remove stains with a blast of foam

First, your carpet probably needs a spot-clean. An easy, low-cost solution to get rid of carpet stains is shaving cream. Spray the stain with some foam shaving cream (not the gel kind) and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Then, blot it with a clean cloth. This solution works on a wide range of stain types, including grease. Before you tackle the stain, do a test patch in an inconspicuous area of your carpet to ensure it won’t cause any discoloration.

Freshen up with some baking soda

Next, sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda on the carpet and let it sit for 10 minutes. How liberal? You’ll need around one box of baking soda per 10 by 10 feet (3 by 3 meters) room.

The baking soda will absorb odors and cling to dirt particles, making them easier to remove. After the 10 minutes is up, just vacuum like normal. Your carpet will be extra fresh and looking clean.

Bonus tip: Get rid of pet smells

Pet smells are almost impossible to get rid of, but there is a solution. Mix 16 ounces (about 500 ml) of warm water with 10 drops of peppermint essential oil (you can use two tablespoons of peppermint extract instead). Then, spray the stinky area with the solution and let it dry.

 

Carpet Maintenance Tips

Installing new carpeting in your home is an investment and a responsibility. You’ve chosen to not only make your home more beautiful and more comfortable, but you’ve also added to its value and taken steps to decrease your heating and/or cooling expense. As such, it is important that you protect your investment with proper carpet maintenance and care so it continues to add beauty and value to your home for many years.

Caring for your carpet is easy with the right tools. All you should need to keep your carpet looking beautiful on a daily basis is a vacuum, a good stain remover and a pair of scissors.

  • Vacuum weekly. Try to vacuum at least once a week to keep dirt and debris from becoming embedded in the carpet fibers. If the area sees a lot of foot traffic, you may need to vacuum more often.

Keep in mind that the type of vacuum you use, as well as how you use it makes a big difference. For instance, you’ll want to use the highest setting on the head of your vacuum to avoid damaging the ends of the fibers. Furthermore, your vacuum should have efficient airflow and large wheels as well.

  • Address spills immediately. The longer a stain sits on carpeting, the harder it is to get out. Remove as much of the spill as possible by scooping or blotting, and then add a small amount of water and blot with a towel. Only use a stain remover if necessary, and only use one that’s approved for use with your type of carpeting. Always avoid scrubbing the fibers.
  • Clip snags. Don’t pull them. When you see snags in the carpet, don’t pull them. Instead, use a pair of sharp scissors to clip the snag even with the rest of the fibers.
  • Remove furniture dents. You can remove dents caused by furniture easily by rubbing the edge of a quarter across them to encourage the fibers to stand back up.

 

Clean with baking soda and vinegar

Similar to the methods listed above, using homemade carpet cleaner made of vinegar or baking soda can help refresh your pile, and has the added benefit of spot cleaning.

Start by liberally applying baking soda to the carpet and working it in with a stiff brush.

Baking soda acts as a natural carpet cleaner, both by removing odors and killing bacteria. Make sure to rub it in more than just one direction and use a fair amount of pressure to fully saturate the carpet.

Allow the baking soda to sit overnight, and then vacuum it up.

Next, mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, and liberally coat the area. Use your brush to raise the pile, and let dry. The smell of vinegar will dissipate after a few hours, and you’ll be left with a clean, new-looking patch of carpet.

Make sure not to put the baking soda and vinegar on your carpet at the same time. The result will be a thick, foamy white substance similar to what’s produced in grade school science projects about volcanoes.

Although the cleaning efficacy won’t be reduced, dealing with the additional mess will be time consuming.

 

How to bring carpet back to life

Things like stains, snagging and a flattened pile can make a carpet look like it has seen better days, but there are plenty of things you can do to bring your carpet back to life

Go for the snip

Snagging caused by pet claws or sliding heavy furniture across the room can quickly make carpet look tatty. People often try to remedy the problem by pulling the thread, but this will just create a carpet run, making the problem look even worse. With snagging, the simple solution to bringing your carpet back to life is to trim it with sharp scissors.

We’ve even heard you can use shaving foam (yes, really!)

Stains can instantly age a carpet but help is at hand with good old shaving foam. Yep, from grease to lipstick, shaving foam can see off pretty much any stain and bring your carpet back to life. Just squirt the shaving cream on the stain, leave for 30 minutes then blot with a dry cloth.

Get raking

A carpet rake could be your new best friend in the quest to bring your carpet back to life. It’s a simple tool – basically a rake with small plastic or metal teeth – and a simple process. Just rake towards you, in the opposite direction of the pile, and marvel at your new-look carpet. Not to be used on woven carpet, though. Carpet rakes are available from Amazon, from around £15.

Fluff it up

Matted carpet can easily be brought back to life. Spritz a little warm water onto the matted area then gently blow-dry with a hairdryer as you fluff the carpet fibres back into place with your fingers, the edge of a spoon or a hairpin. Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.

Clean and freshen up

Baking soda is the go-to solution for bringing your carpet back to life. Not only does it clean, it also kills bacteria, refreshes the pile and removes odours. Apply plenty of baking soda to completely cover your carpet then use a stiff brush to work it in, rubbing it in different directions. Leave the baking soda overnight then just vacuum up the next day.

 

Tips For Cleaning And Caring For Your New Carpet

Vacuum

It will not harm your carpet if you vacuum it as soon as it has been laid, and at regular intervals after that, even if it does not look particularly dirty. A new carpet will contain some short fibres which will be removed by vacuuming. The amount of short fibre which is removed from the carpet in the first few weeks after installation can look very dramatic, but in reality it is only a very small proportion of the pile weight and will in no way affect the carpet’s performance. Regular cleaning will help to keep your carpet looking good for years!

Put down barrier mats

Barrier mats are used to help keep your carpet clean. All types of flooring get dirty but some show dirt more than others. Wool rich carpets, because of the nature of the wool fibre, will generally hide it better than synthetic products and will also be easier to clean. However, it’s a good idea to use small mats or an offcut of your new carpet in kitchen doorways or in other areas where the carpet is next to a hard floor to prevent greasy spots spreading to the carpet. Doorways where there is street access will also benefit from a small offcut or rug. Please remember to keep these mats clean so that dirt does not spread onto the carpet.

Deal with stains immediately

Important: Never rub or over wet your carpet when trying to remove marks. It is very important to clean up spillages as soon as they occur. Do not rub as this will roughen and untwist the pile. Solid residues should be gently removed by scraping with a knife, and greasy residues can be treated with an oil/grease remover sprayed onto an absorbent cloth. Blot frequently but do not rub. Liquid spillages should be blotted up as far as possible with a clean, white cloth or absorbent tissue. Then use a WoolSafe-Approved shampoo solution or trouble shooter spray for upholstery and carpet. Moisten the area of the stain and then blot thoroughly with clean tissue or cloths. Repeat as necessary and allow to dry thoroughly before walking on the area. A wet suction vacuum cleaner can also be used to remove spillages and the trouble shooter spray from the carpet. However, do not use water in the machines, as you do not want to over wet the carpet.

What Brides Should Know About Event Videographer

Reasons You Should Hire a Video Production Agency

When it comes to content, video is king. Often times though, potential clients have no clue where to start. Smartphone cameras, nephews with DSLR’s, or college kids looking for experience cloud the market with subpar content and shady client experiences. While professional video production can seem like a hefty expense for your business, the return is often greater than the investment. The result is the enhancement of your company’s brand, content that engages and informs customers, and a comfortable on-set experience. In the end, this all helps to develop a healthy relationship with professional creatives, and overall generate more clicks and conversions for your company.

YOUR BRAND

As you know, high quality, reliable products, and services are important. So why skim on your video production content? We’ve all seen bad commercials, cheesy ads, and low-quality social media content. There’s definitely a time and a place for smartphone-captured content and user-generated video. But when you’re looking to showcase who your organization is or market a new line of products or services, don’t settle for low-quality, unprofessional video content which will, in turn, reflect poorly on your product. Hiring a professional video production agency increases the likelihood of obtaining high-quality content to post on social media and your website which enhances your brand’s image in the public eye.

ENGAGING STORIES

Most professionals in the video production industry pride themselves in being storytellers. Stories hold an important place in the human heart, and what separates a good agency from a great agency is the ability to tell a story that engages an audience. Take the most mundane product or service. When crisp, beautiful imagery is combined with the perfectly crafted voiceover or interview soundbites, a story is created and an audience is informed and captivated into your brand and the services you offer. When you hire a professional video production agency, you’re hiring professional storytellers who will engage new clients through the power of your brand’s story.

COMFY SETS

Anyone who is not a professional on-screen actor or television show host will tell you that being on camera can get very awkward and uncomfortable quickly. The role of the director on-set with a professional video production agency is to create a comfortable and efficient set environment where interviewees feel natural and conversational. Running a set efficiently and making the most out of the allotted production time is a high priority for the agency as well. Capturing high-quality of high quantities of solid, usable footage and soundbites makes post-production easier and happier clients with the final cut. Hiring professionals mean hiring a relational crew who will bring an enjoyable experience to your organization during production.

BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Relational creatives may not be the easiest to come by, but developing a strong relationship with a professional video production agency gives you easy access to creatives who care about their clients. Let’s face it, despite how creative you may already be, you have a business to run and a team to manage. Partnering with trustworthy agency creatives who care about you, your brand, and your success as a company enables you to obtain higher quantities and quality of video marketing content by delegating this responsibility to your agency partner. Your video production agency works day and night to enhance your brand and tell your story which enables you to focus more on investing in your team and clients.

GENUINE CONVERSIONS

Okay, so you’ve hired the professionals who have created an engaging story through an efficient and comfortable set environment and you’ve decided that this process is pretty sweet. The result? A partnership with your creative agency.

 

How to choose a videographer – key things to look for

Not all videographers are great at producing online courses. Ideally you want to find one with some experience doing the kind of work you’re looking for. Here’s a few steps to help you find a great videographer for your online course videos:

  • Ask for sample footage that they have shot – specifically footage of someone talking right to camera as that’s likely what you’ll be doing.
  • Ask for some footage that includes voice audio with no background audio e.g. music. Music can be used to hide bad audio quality and you don’t want music running throughout your educational videos. It reduces retention and engagement by learners.
  • Review the footage
  • Look for good quality lighting on the subject – no significant shadows on the face or blurriness. Listen to the audio with the volume up loud. Raising the volume will help you pick out hum or hiss on the microphone or any background noises.
  • Ask your videographer if they will be using the same equipment (camera, microphone) on your shoot as they did in the sample footage.
  • Overall quality – if you’re happy with their sample quality it’s probably a good sign that it’s safe to proceed.
  • Confirm that they provide their own equipment – microphone(s), camera(s), lighting, backgrounds if necessary.
  • A bonus is if they have a teleprompter so you can refer to your slides

 

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Video Production Company

By asking a potential video production partner key questions before you begin working on a project together, you can ensure that they’re the right match for the job. After all, video marketing is a critical component to maximizing any strategic initiative for your company. So, it’s imperative to take your time in selecting the perfect video production company.

Key questions to ask include:

What kind of video production do you specialize in?

Some companies specialize in specific products such as weddings, live events, nonprofit videos, short films, etc. If a production company specializes in what you’re looking for, then you have a potential good fit. However, many companies specialize in a range of production abilities, so it’s okay if they don’t have any specific type of video they work with. This could mean that they have a visually stunning compilation of creative ideas that would work across a variety of spectrums.

What ideas can you offer?

Many video production companies take a passive approach. In other words, they’re there to film what you tell them to film and edit in such a way that makes you happy. At 522 Productions, on the other hand, we prefer taking a hands-on approach and working closely with you to creatively collaborate on ideas to make the best video possible. We’re passionate about helping you tell your story through the medium that video has to offer. We understand that it’s ultimately your story, so we’re here to help you showcase the qualities that make you unique.

Do you have examples of your work?

You’ll always want to ask a potential video company if you can see samples of work that they’ve completed for previous clients. This will allow you to see their professionalism and attention to detail on screen. If they’ve successfully worked with clients, then chances are that they will successfully accomplish your goals. At 522 Productions, we’re proud of the work we’ve done for previous clients and are excited to help others achieve the same results.

How to Prepare for a Consultation with a Video Production Company

As you prepare to meet with a video production company to ask these questions, it’s important to understand what you want your project to accomplish. While you obviously don’t need to have every single detail of your project determined, you should have a general vision of how you want the project to unfold. By being able to explain your goals and the purpose of the video you’re trying to create, you can better ensure that you and the video production company are on the same page.

During the consultation process, you’ll also want to make sure that your “chemistry” mixes well and that you can see yourself working with this team for the duration of the project. Because your story and marketing efforts are on the line with this video production, it’s crucial to ensure that the team is passionate and excited about the work you’re doing together.

 

Things To Consider When Hiring A Videographer

Looking to hire a videographer? Awesome! Videography is a great way to capture events such as vows, toasts, and dances on your wedding day. However, there are a few things to consider/look out for when shopping for a videographer:

  • Video Length: When you are looking for a videographer, make sure to scope out how long their final product is. Most of the time, a videography company will sell you full day coverage, but the final product is only 3 minutes. What? $3,000 for 3 minutes of final video. Don’t think so. Time to move on to the next company.
  • Day Of Hours: Let’s be real, there is a lot of stuff going on during the wedding day. Lots and lots of moving parts. It is normal for things to run a little bit behind – which is no problem, because everyone is having a great time! However, be careful to ask your videographer what happens if things run over. Make sure the videographer doesn’t split before you cut the cake!
  • High Definition: Today, all professional videographers are shooting in high definition. If you have stumbled across a videography company that is trying to convince you that SD is just as good – run.
  • Blu-Ray: Alright, so you have found the people who film in high definition – but they don’t offer Blu-Ray. What? Seriously? How are you supposed to watch your Full HD footage if it isn’t in a Full HD format? Hmmm…. If the videographer isn’t providing Blu-Rays, they are most likely squashing the format and compressing the files into a final product that is much less than full HD. They might be filming in full HD, but when they edit, the final product is not full HD.

 

The 4 Reasons You Need A Videographer For Your Wedding

I get asked all the time if hiring a wedding videographer is worth it… and I totally get it! Hiring both a wedding photographer and a wedding videographer can seem SO expensive, and some couples find it hard to justify spending such a large portion of their budget on documentation when there are So. Many. Expenses. and often a strict budget. But after years of experience I always hear the same thing from couples who opted out… “My biggest regret from my wedding was not hiring a videographer!” I promise, this is one investment you won’t regret!

Here’s 4 Reasons Why:

  1. You can relive the day over and over again. Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime event! You plan and prep and look forward to this day for months and even years, and then you blink your eyes and it is done. However your wedding film allows that day to live on forever. Many memories are bound to fade over the years, but having every moment on film is a truly priceless benefit of hiring a wedding videographer. While you may not be able to hang your wedding video on your wall and see it every day like you can with your photos, you can find special times to watch it and let the memories come flooding back. I promise ya – this is one movie you’ll never get sick of!
  1. You can share it with the world
  2. LOVE. TECHNOLOGY. Most videographers upload your video to Youtube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. and you can easily view your video a n y w h e r e (we can finally say goodbye to lugging around tapes and DVDs to grandma’s house to show off those pretty videos!). The sad truth of the matter is that there will always be some friends or family members who won’t be able to attend your special day. And if you choose to elope, very few people will get to witness your wedding! So having a film will allow your loved ones to be part of that special day, and relive the magic over and over again with you. Now everyone has a front-row seat and you can share it all over your social media channels! Yes, I understand you can share photos as well… but video helps family members and friends who were unable to attend feel like they were actually there.
  3. You will get to see all the moments that you missed. Your wedding day should be one of the happiest and best days of your life! But let me fill you in on a little secret – You will be BUSY. your wedding day is going to fly by, and I hate to break it to ya, but you’re not going to see it all… the Flower Girl walking down the aisle; your grandmother shed a tear during your first dance; your parents sneak a kiss. And that my friends is the beauty of hiring a wedding videographer – they won’t miss a thing! A videographer can capture these moments on film, and you’ll see the entire day through your guests’ eyes. You’ll see even more moments than you were able to on your wedding day!You get to capture movement and sound

A picture’s worth a 1000 words? Well a video must be worth a trillion!!! Cliche? Absolutely… but 100% truth. With a video you’ll be able to see and hear your spouse recite their vows to you; you will get to relive your first kiss as a married couple; you’ll listen to your dad’s special toast and your best friends’ jokes over and over again. You get to watch grandma kick it on the dance floor and see if you really did get the most frosting on your spouse while cutting the cake. Sure, there is nothing like witnessing these in the exact moment, but getting to see and hear that moment, over and over again, is a very close second. Obviously photos can beautifully tell a story, but they cannot capture motion or sound—which makes a wedding video a must-have.