‘Economize morth shore news 4y FIOME & GARDEN The dirt on carpet choices CHOOSING a new carpet can be a very confusing exercise. There is an abundant choice of fibre, style and price. A reputable retailer can help you sort through your many options, according to the B.C. Floor Covering Association. * Be sure to ask to take sam- ples home so that you can look at them in both daylight and artificial light ro help you judge the color accurately. The average carpet keeps its looks tor about seven years. However, a quality, well main- tained carpet may look good for more than a decade. The B.C. Floor Covering Association suggests buying the best carpet you can afford. in rooms that have less traffic. For exampie, put less expensive carpet in a guest bedroom, formal living room or dining rcom and splurge in more heavily used places such as stairs, hallways and family roums. Remember, as the “fifth wall” of any room, your fioor + unifies all other design ele- ments in the home. Your new floor covering is a system of both carpet and cushion. Therefore, it is advis- - able to replace underlay when replacing. the carpet. If you cut corners when buying the cushion, ou_could be reduc- _ ing the life of your new carpet. There are specific carpet cush- See fas4. 1420 MARINE DRIVE NORTH VANCOUVER. TEL: 980-6772 ions for different carpets. A carefully selected carpet cush- ion helps absorb the shock from foot traffic, thus pre- venting the carpet fibres trom matting and crushing which can extend the life of vour new carpet by 20%, Carpet padding also’ insulates the toom from both hear and noise. Years ago, wool was the only fitre option, Today, 98% of carpets are made from syn- ihetics. There are five fibre types: nylon, polypropolene, polyester, acrylic and wool. Nylon is strong, scuff resis- tant and easily cleaned. It retains color well and resists mildew. For price, perfor- mance and durability, it is hard to beat. Polypropolene, also called olefin, wears well and resists stains and mildew better than any other fibre, except poly- ester. It is also economical. However, it scores low on fux- ury, flattens easily and is rough to the touch. Polyester has a luxurious feel, rich color and is one of the most effective fibres for resisting stains. But it is a soft- er fibre that tends to mat and crush more easily than nylon. Acrylic has the Iook and feel of wool at a lower price. It has a flow static level and stands up well to sunlight and mildew. However, it attracts and holds oily stains. Wool is the most expensive and luxurious choice. It resists stains and burns and is easy to clean because of bulky fibres that hold dirt high in the pile. Baby-proofing the bath EVEN before a baby takes a first step, the average home is fraught with potential booby traps capable of causing injury to a young child. The bathroom can be as dangerous as it is alluring for a baby around water. “Parents can take precau- tions to minimize the possibil- ity of an accident by making changes in their bathroom,” says Frank Buck, director of marketing and communica- tions at Moen, the faucet manufacturer. Buck suggests taking the following steps in order to baby-safe the bathruom: Begin to teach water safety B CANADIAN CARPET AND TLE THE CEST SELECTION OF CARPET, HARDWOOD, CERAMIC AND VINYL ' BERBER OR TRACKLESS CARPET EITHER ONLY: 1 5. 99 SsQ/YD “INSTALLED WITH UNDERLAY We are open 7 days a week. 2576 ARBUTUS STREET VANCOUVER TEL: 721-9031 - TO DECORATE FOR THE HOLIDAYS rules. Your baby needs adult supervision every momeni of every bath, so never leave a young, child unattended near water, even for a second. Protect the faucet. Invest in a safety cover for the tub spout to prevent bumps or burns should baby fall against it. You can find this baby item in a pharmacy or the baby sec- tion of a department store. When filling the tub, always turn off the hot ‘water faucet first, so that any drips from the faucet will be cold and baby won’t be scalded. Routinely test bath water temperature. Place your elbow or wrist underneath the running water before putting baby in rhe tub. Yours hands are much more tolerant of hot water than is a baby’s sensitive skin. Avoid accidental scalding. Keep the water temperature in your home between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 52 degrees Ceisius). features, Chilkoot Trail Et Edn ras, ar contig. iva sper CD, power keyless remote entry, cruise control, roaf theft system, fog fights, compass, outside temp display, 5 spd manual transmission, carhon fibre console (AAQO) Wednesday, November 12, 1997 — North Shore News — 17 The Premium Series s by Selkirk i is very easy { to use, has great flame quality and an | @~ceptional warranty. With our everday low ; prices... 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