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Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid While Traveling

Nothing can beat the joys and excitement that you can only get when you travel. Traveling lets you navigate new places, taste unique and authentic cuisines, meet new people, and explore other cultures.

But, accidents can happen anywhere. In an unfortunate event that you stain the carpet of the hotel or your rental accommodation while on travel, what would you do? Would you try cleaning the carpet yourself or let the hotel charge you for it?

Cleaning the carpet is no easy task. Are you ready to take on the hassle and waste your precious time should you decide to clean the carpet yourself?

The Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes

Make no mistake, carpet cleaning becomes extra difficult when we miss on proper carpet cleaning techniques. In most cases, it can be cheaper and more convenient for you to hire a professional carpet cleaning company like 580 Carpet Cleaning rather than doing it yourself or having the hotel bill you for it.

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Now, let us take a look at some of the common mistakes you should avoid when it comes to cleaning the carpets.

  • Waiting too Long Before Removing the Stain

Waiting before removing a stain is never a good idea. Postponing the inevitable cleaning only means you are allowing the stain to set in. The more the stain sets in, the harder it is to remove them. Carpet should be cleaned immediately after spilling or staining them.

  • Excessive Rubbing

Rubbing is part of cleaning the carpet but you should remember not to overdo it. The right technique is to blot instead of rubbing too much. Carpets are made of fibers and sensitive materials that can get damaged when exposed to too much pressure. Sometimes, when we spill something on the carpet, our instant reaction is to rub the spot vigorously, putting too much pressure while trying to rub the stain away. This forceful cleaning will almost always only end up ruining the carpet.

  • Too Much Use of Water

When cleaning the carpet, take care not to apply too much amount of water or you will end up having more problems than when it started. Excessive moisture left in the carpet can lead to foul odor and becomes a breeding area for bacteria, molds, and mildew. Too much water takes longer to dry and further contaminates the carpet. It can leave grey marks, ruin the looks of the carpet, and will cause the backing system of the carpet to degrade over time.

Better Carpet Cleaning Method with Professional Cleaning Services

There are a number of things to consider when it comes to cleaning the carpet. That’s one reason why carpet cleaning is never a fun thing to do. In addition, there are some common mistakes which a lot of us make when cleaning the carpet.

This is where the experts in carpet cleaning services play an important role. With professional carpet cleaning services, you can expect hassle-free exceptional results, all while saving your time, so you can enjoy life to the fullest.

Top 6 Festive European Markets

Christmas is a merry time of year. Full of holiday cheer, good food, quality time with family and friends, and fantastic decorations, this highly-modernized winter holiday is one of the biggest holidays in the Western world.

Christmas Market

Christmas, in many cities, is accompanied by the opening of Christmas markets. In Europe, these are particularly popular, popping up all over the country.

What are the best Christmas markets in Europe? It’s hard to decide, but here are a few of our favorites.

Estonia: Tallinn Christmas Market

With temperatures barely hitting zero, this time of year in old world Estonia is the perfect time for a market. The Tallinn Christmas Market turns this small Estonian city into a shopping haven.

Here, you can find an overwhelming selection of vendors selling traditional Estonian crafts, food, decor, clothing, and gifts. To keep goers entertained, the market also hosts a variety of live performers and choirs.

Fresh mulled apple cider and wine can be smelled from miles away – delicious!

Finland: Tuomaan Markkinat

One of the oldest events in Helsinki, the Tuomaan Markkinat is a yearly tradition.

During this market, the city is usually bathed in a blanket of fresh snow that compliments the twinkling Christmas lights that the citys eager residents hang in the streets.

At the market, tables and tables of handmade clothing, crafts, artwork, food, and jewelry can be found. Some vendors even sell local produce, fish, and meat. To end a night at the market, goers are encouraged to enjoy the Christmas merry-go-round.

Germany: Striezelmarkt

From the word “striezel” meaning long, plaited bun, comes the Striezelmarkt in Dresden, Germany.

This holiday market is one of Dresden’s oldest yearly markets, offering everything from glass blown trinkets and carved wood statues to fine jewelry and gifts, the market has something for everyone.

However, one of the markets most iconic events is the Christmas cake competition which has bakers from all over the city vying to make the biggest holiday cake. The cake that wins is paraded through town by hundreds of bakers.

Visitors who stop by should also be sure to try the handmade Stollenfest, as it’s a Dresden holiday staple.

Brussels Christmas Market

Love Belgian chocolate? You’ll love Brussels’ Christmas Market. Serving a wide variety of festive, tasty chocolates and homemade Belgian food and sweet treats, you won’t go home hungry.

Although this market is known for its food vendors, it also has a ton more to offer.

Other vendors include gifts and jewelry, while those who aren’t interested in shopping can partake in outdoor skating or stay for the annual Christmas tree lighting.

Austria: Christkindlmarkt

As if Austria wasn’t already one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, it gets better each year during the holiday season.

Each year the Christkindlmsrkt in Salzburg draws thousands of guests with its mulled wine and good food, vendor booths, reindeer rides, and ice skating.

The market also hosts sing alongs and live entertainment. Traditional wind music is played live on Thursdays and Saturdays from the square.

Sweden: Christmas Market at Skansen

An open-air festival based out of Stockholm, the Christmas Market at Skansen is as traditional as the holiday season gets.

Historic homes and farms are decorated, sugared almonds, smoked turkey, and other delicacies are sold by vendors, and traditional dances are held around a lit Christmas tree. Visitors could also choose to make their own holiday decorations in the public workshop.

Hopefully these amazing markets have sparked your interest – they sure got our imaginations going! If you’re in the area of any of these markets, we’d recommend taking a few hours to browse and enjoy the festivities.

6 Irish Castles You Need to See

If you’re looking for a castle to photograph, look no further than the hills of Ireland. Rich in history and dotted with landmarks, Ireland is littered with magnificent structures. With so many castles, it can be hard to decide which to visit. To make your decision easier, here are a few of the most beautiful Irish castles that you need to see.

Rock of Cashel

Located at the edge of Cashel in Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel is perhaps the most noticeable castle in the country. The legend surrounding the castle says that once the devil took a bite out of a mountain (Devils Bit) and in doing so, broke his tooth. He spit the tooth out and where it landed was where Rock of Cashel was built.

Athlone Castle

Situated in the county of Westmeath, Athlone Castle’s history starts in 1129. It was at this castle that the Cromwellian transplantation policy came to be and was enforced. The castle has had a brand new visitor center installed and is open year round.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle has tourists from all over the world flocking to it in order to kiss the Blarney Stone- an act that is said to give the gift of gab. Decorated with spiraling staircases and lush gardens, the castle is a pleasure to explore and home to much more than just the popular stone.

Dunluce Castle

Dunluce Castle is a treasure to behold.  Built in the 16th century, it’s situated on a stone craig and overlooking the sea. Over the years, the castle has been the stage for a number of dramatic events: the wreckage of the Girona galleass during the Spanish Armada and the collapsing of part of the structure into the sea which killed 7 servants.  It’s said that the castle in CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, the Cair Paravel, was based on this castle.

Malahide Castle

This three-story house is the only part of the original castle that still stands. Originally, the castle was built in 1185 and was added onto throughout the years. The add-ons include 18th-century drawing rooms and Gothic revival corner turrets. Visitors can go on a 45-minute tour that ends in the Great Hall where the Talbot family shared a supper before dying in the Battle of Boyne.

Dungaire Castle

This tower-house castle was built in the 16th century. It was owned by a number of families. Many Irish literaries met within the castle walls, including W.B Yeats. Years later, in the 1950’s, the building was restored by Christobel Lady Amptill. Further restoration was done by Shannon Development, who currently owns the property.

The above castles are some of the most popular, however, there are dozen more scattered around the country. Each one is full of history and rustic charm, and provides a unique experience.

10 Tasty Jordanian Dishes You Need to Try

Jordan, bordered by Syria, Israel, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia is known for its easy going nature and generosity. Travelers who visit Jordan flock to Petra for its array of street foods and culture, however, amazing food is scattered all around Jordan, hidden within its local cuisines. If you’re planning on taking a trip to Jordan, here are some of the best Jordanian foods that you should try while you’re there.

Kubbeh

Kubbeh, shaped like an American football, is made up of a series of minced meat that has been herbed and covered in a crust of bulgar (crushed wheat). The dis is then fried and served.

Falafel

Made with premium Middle Eastern spice and  chickpea flour, these bite sized ball-shaped dishes are popular all around Jordan. They are eaten on their own or with a variety of mezze. Falafal served in Jordan is typically smaller in size than those made elsewhere.

Fattoush

Fattoush is essentially a green salad made up of sliced vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and radish. The salad is then mixed with pieces of flatbread (either dry or fried). The salad is finished off by being tossed with olive oil, lemon juice, and sumac.

Fatet Batinjan

The traditional dish of the Druze people, fatet batinjan is rich, creamy, and hard to get enough of. The dish is made of thick yogurt (labneh), roasted eggplant, and minced meat.

Suniyat Dijaj

What makes this dish exceptional is its aromatic scent- cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cardamom, and allspice. The dish itself is relatively simple, consisting of baked chicken, potatoes, tomatoes, and onions. Overall, a tasty, easy to make dish that fills the kitchen with rich scents.

Knafeh

The first sweet treat on our list, knafeh is made with a gooey cheese base, The dessert has semolina bits sprinkled and baked on top. The whole dish is covered in a sweet syrup.  Knafeh is a popular dish at street markets across Jordan.

Halawa

Usually served with breakfast or by itself as a treat, halawa is made of honey or from a tahini sesame paste that has been sweetened with sugar. The dish is infused with pieces of sweet treats such as pistachio nuts.

Makloubeh

Its name meaning “upside down chicken”, makloubeh is a hearty casserole meal. Layered with rice, vegetables, and meat, this dish is a popular supper-time staple, It gets its upside down reputation because it is cooked one way, and served the other way, as in it’s flipped when cut and dished out.

Labneh

Similar in taste to sour cream, labneh is a thick and creamy yogurt that’s used as a dip and spread for a variety of sides such as vegetables and flatbreads. It’s served plain in a bowl or drizzled with olive oil and spiced with herbs.

Tabbouleh

Served as a starter salad, tabbouleh is eaten with a spoon and not scopped with bread. It’s a mixture of tomatoes, garlic, parsley, and bulgar wheat which is covered in lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.

11 Mouthwatering Egyptian Foods

Food and travel go hand in hand- especially when you’re consider taking a trip to Egypt, as Egypt is littered with great places to try new food. But what foods should you try? There are so many to choose from! To help you decide, here are a few of Egypt’s most popular and mouthwatering foods.

Ta’meya

A traditional Egyptian staple, ta’meya is cheap, simple, and tastes great! It’s made of crushed fava bean paste and then fried. It’s served as a breakfast food and for Egyptians, is the equivalent of the American hamburger.

Hawashy

Hawashy is ideal for meat lovers. Consisting of baked bread that has been stuffed with minced meat, hawashy is baked in a conventional oven and served hot. It can also be made using sausage instead of minced meat, as well as pastrami.

Muluhkia

Made of primarily plant-based ingredients, muluhkia uses jute and corcorus plants, as well as garlic. The ingredients are ground together to form a thick paste. The dish is then served as a side along rice and various meats.

Aish Baladi

Over 60% of Egyptian foods are eaten with this dish, making it the most popular Egyptian food on the list. Aish baladi is of wheat flour, salt, and water. It is baked until it reaches a crispy state and then served with a variety of dishes such as falafel and fol.

Colocasia Soup

Made from a plant called a taru, coocasio soup’s main ingredient was originally sourced from South Asia. In Egypt, the plant is peeled and boiled, and then mixed with lemon juice, coriander, and garlic. It is typically served alongside rice or flatbread.

Umm Ali

A sweet and tasty treat, umm ali is a layered dessert. It is made with layers of bread and milk, and has additives such as nuts, raisins, and cream. It is baked, and then served while it’s hot. It pairs well with ice cream.

Basbousa

A sweet semolina cake, basbousa is a popular Egyptian dessert that thrillers travelers. It’s eaten after lunch and for dessert after dinner. The treat is made of semolina that has been soaked in syrup made from fresh rose water and sometimes honey with lemon. Occasionally, coconut is added to the desert.

Fata

A traditional Christmas dish, fata is truly unique. It’s main ingredient is lamb and also includes garlic, vinegar, bread, pepper, and rice. It’s often garnished with parsley.

Ghoraiba

Commonly served as a treat for Ramadan or Christmas, these bite sized cookies are a holiday hit. They are buttery and sweet, made of purified butter, flour, vanilla, and sugar. Each cookie is topped with a whole almond.

Sayadeya

This seafood platter is a common dinner dish throughout Egypt. It includes a variety of fish including bass, mullet, and bluefish. It’s cooked and served alongside rice and then seasoned with either tomato or onion sauce.

Mahshi

Great for vegetarian travelers, mahshi is a vegetable dish. A vegetable of choice- a bell pepper, for example- is stuffed with rice filling that consists of rice, various herbs, tomato sauce, and a dash of cinnamon.

Cosmo Social Travel Guide: the coolest things to do in the most instagramed cities

Even if you’ve already been there is the perfect time to come back, this time with a travel blogger spirit: London, Paris and Barcelona are the three most photographed cities in the world according to a research conducted by Hertz Europe to celebrate its first hundred years.

London is at the top with over 90 million photos posted on Instagram, followed by Paris with 77 million and Barcelona with 35. The only Italian in the standings, in ninth place, is Rome with 16 million shots. In the top ten there are also Moscow, Berlin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Ankara and Prague . Take note for your next weekends and warm your thumbs: here we give you the pro tips to take a photo tour of the three capitals in the lead.

THE MUST HAVE FOR YOUR PHOTOSAFARI: WHAT TO PACK

In hand baggage do not forget: the lens-clean wipes (also very useful to give a pass to the screen), with which you will avoid taking pictures full of soft focus haloes, those are perfect to clean the glasses. In addition to the charger also carries an external battery or a power bank. Take with you an external fisheye lens , macro and you can zoom it out to make real guru shots. Finally do not forget your props : to customize your photos and make them recognizable in the chaos of Instagram timelines, always add a detail that speaks about you.

THE APPS TO DOWNLOAD BEFORE LEAVING

Before leaving, take advantage of the wi-fi at home to make a massive download of all the apps that can serve you during your photoweekend. Must-have the basic apps to use Instagram from a real pro . And then choose the ones that inspire you the most among the travel apps we’ve tried for you: the right apps to keep a travel diary , the smartest apps so you do not spoil your holiday from the little surprises, to the weather apps to choose where to lure you to shoot depending on whether there is sun or storm (with the overcast make photos of really spatial landscapes!).

Ok, you’re ready to check-in. Mark the most popular hashtags to enter the right feeds, flag Google Maps on places to shop away from the clichés and studied the guides to the neighborhoods of each capital, written by our Cosmoeditor.

LONDON

COURTESY HERTZ

The Brexit effect has made it much less accessible if you want to live there, but the good news is that getting there and getting away is definitely cheaper than a few years ago. Big Ben, London Eye and Tower Bridge are absolutely the favorite destinations of instagramers. Among the tops that have great potential for interesting shots are the Tate Modern , the walk along the Thames and Kensington Gardens

Holidays with friends, 5 destinations where to live the most beautiful experience to do several times in life

The holidays with friends are one of the most beautiful experiences to do over and over again in life, changing destinations. So here are 5 unusual ideas, for demanding friends and with clear ideas. Quiet not all are expensive, because what matters is undoubtedly the journey and the country you visit, but above all that you and your friends have fun madly to bring with you an indelible memory of a trip together .

1. Route 66

If you feel a bit ‘ Born To Be Wild the idea is the legendary Route 66, the legendary road that starts from Chicago and arrives in Santa Monica and that crosses the United States. Of course, before leaving for the adventure, plan the itinerary in great detail because there are so many things to see. There are 3,755 kilometers to travel by car, motorbike or camper! To sleep, the small hotels that meet on the street are perfect.

2. India, Dehli and Rajasthan

If you and your friends are a little zen, mystical or if you are passionate about yoga (born in India) or if you want a holiday a bit ‘alternative, India is the ideal destination in which to recover a little’ spirituality , what the frenetic rhythms of daily life make us forget. To breathe a little mentally and try to get in touch with cosmic energies. Unforgettable places and landscapes from the legendary Taj Mahal , an absolute must for every first trip to India, to the pink buildings of magical Jaipur.

3. Croatia, Krk

Do you want to spice up in the sun like lizards? Do you play water or water on the waterfront? The Island of Krk in Croatia is the one for you. Here you can taste the smell of maritime pines and relax in unspoilt and protected nature. And then between clubs, restaurants and pubs, life by night is assured. The perfect location, are apartments and villas to rent in the Njivice area, in the forest but 50 meters from the sea!

4. Madonna di Campiglio, Livigno, Cervini

If the sea is not even, and you are passionate about the mountains, Madonna di Campiglio, Livigno and Cervinia are for you. The offer is always wider and more diversified for everyone, with many opportunities to do outdoor activities, from walking to trekking, to rafting along the streams, to the exploration of the territory with dedicated excursions, on foot or on horseback, with stops in huts, huts and shelters to taste the local gastronomic specialties and visits to the cellars.

5. Moscow

If you do not love the sea or the mountains, Moscow is for you. You can immerse yourself in the art of the richly decorated metro stations and in the most famous places in the world for ballet, theatrical performances, music and opera, such as Bolshoi and others. Also worth a visit is the Moscow Art Theater, where the modern acting method was founded, or the Moscow International Performing Arts Center and the Moscow “Tchaikovsky” Conservatory or the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.