Cleaning Your Carpet

Carpet stains are annoying, and they are sure to get you riled up. We've all been there, and I think I'm safe to assume that if you're reading this then time might be against you and you have already stained your carpet. Let's face it, not many people go online and search for carpet cleaning tips when they have a pristine, clean carpet. So we're going to continue this article with the safe assumption that you need to remove a stain from you carpet right now.

So where do you begin? Let's start by trying to absorb as much of the fluid from your carpet as possible. It's probably best to use some sort of dry cloth for this to maximize absorption. You could opt for more traditional carpet cleaning formulas, such as Vanish, but if you don't have time to run to the shop and buy a load, here's a few more ideas.

Assuming that this is a heavy stain, you could then put a touch of isopropyl on the cloth and very gently rub the affected area, blotting will help too. We stress that you do this gently, because if the alcohol from the isopropyl gets too deep into the yarn then the backing of your carpet may become affected. If this doesn't work you could try a dishwashing detergent that is bleach free and lanolin free, and mix with water. Use the same methods mentioned before where you gently rub and blot this mixture into the stain to try and remove it. We advise that you take extreme care while following these steps, as you don't want to worsen the stain or make it more permanent that it already is, some ways you can do this is by scrubbing the stain too hard for too long, leaving the stain alone completely or drowning the stain in cleaning product. If this is the case, it might be time to call a professional carpet cleaner much to your disappointment.

If the carpet you have stained is irreparable, then you may have to call in a carpet specialist, who will suggest ideas such as replacing the stained area's carpet or a patch cut from somewhere else from the carpet.

To try and avoid any of this chaos in the future, we advise that you initially follow the cleaning instructions supplied to you from the carpet manufacturer, ensure that you treat it in a specific way suited to the material and colour of the carpet, and the last tip...be careful. Just trying to do smallest things like picking your drink up off the floor, or keeping food out of carpeted rooms all help towards giving your carpet a long and happy life.

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

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

Professional Carpet Cleaning - Clean Carpets and Improved Air Quality

Unclean and dirty carpets can drastically affect the quality of indoor air and make it ten times worse than that of outdoor air. Carpets which are not cleaned regularly can harbor germs and become breeding grounds for a variety of microorganisms, all of which can affect the health of your family. Professional carpet cleaning services are thus necessary to ensure that your carpets are thoroughly cleansed which will not only improve the indoor air quality but also prolong the aesthetic appearance and life of your carpets.

Germs and bacteria embedded within the carpet fibers can cause different types of allergies; children and older people are more prone to developing problems due to these. Regular vacuuming only removes the dust from the outer layer of the carpet and not the dust and germs trapped inside. Only professional carpet cleaning methods can clean the entire carpet as they use techniques and chemicals to remove the trapped particles cleansing the carpet thoroughly.

Professional methods can also help to restore the original quality of the carpet fabric preserving its looks, softness as well as increase the lifetime of the rugs and carpet. There are several different methods that are employed by professional carpet cleaners and this depends on the type of carpet or rug that you have. It is best to seek a professional consultation as they will be able to assess the type of fiber and thus suggest the best cleaning technique for the same. Though there are many do-it-yourself cleaning kits available in the market for cleaning carpets, none of this function like the professional techniques which make use of specialized reagents and equipment for the cleaning process.

When you move into a new home or planning to purchase a new residence, it is always best to call in a professional carpet cleaning service to assess the real state of the carpets and rugs. Sometimes, the previous owner would have done a good job of cleaning the exteriors which will make the carpet appear sparkling but there could be a lot of dirt and dust trapped inside. In this case, you will have to spend extra bucks to clean the entire carpet once again. Calling in a professional carpet cleaning service will enable you to assess the real state of the carpets and negotiate your price accordingly.

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your carpets can ensure not only good looks but improve the air quality within your home.

Want to find out more great Stain Removal Secrets?

Click below for some great Carpet Cleaning Melbourne Tips.
Get the best tips and advice for all your cleaning needs. The only place for Cheap Carpet Cleaning Melbourne.

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

Carpet Cleaning: Using A Vacuum Cleaner

Most of us feel that carpet cleaning is a huge load of work but it really isn't. In fact, if one cleans and maintains it on a regular basis, the work is like a piece of cake! The carpets found in the market these days are made with new fibres and they have the ability to resist any kind of staining and soiling. So, in case you have just bought one, you're saved.

To make sure that the cleaning is correct, the vacuuming needs to be done properly. For carpet cleaning, it's important to be orderly and punctual as this will help you increase the life of your carpet and also, it enhances its appearance.

Experts recommend that carpets should be cleaned at least once a week but this is practically not enough especially if there is more than one carpet and too many rooms. Hence, it's really good if you can clean your carpets at least twice a week. In fact, there's a whole new math for carpet cleaning schedule! For instance, if you have two members in your family, the carpet should be cleaned twice, and so on.

Now, for perfect carpet cleaning, it is very important to have the right tools and cleaning equipment. If you can get a vacuum cleaner with dual motor feature, there's nothing like it. This type has both suction power and rotation brush. So, while the rotation brush is capable of de-soiling your carpet, it is also capable of sucking out all the dust and soil from the other side of the carpet. Keep in mind the length of the cleaners brush and make sure if it's adjacent to the fibres.

In order to complete the process of carpet cleaning, just 'using' a vacuum cleaner is not enough. It needs to be done appropriately. Hence, while vacuuming the carpet, slowly push the cleaner in a back and forth motion so that it effectively eliminates all traces of dirt and soil from it. In case of very dirty carpets, it's better to vacuum it at least three times by stroking it slowly in altering directions.

Tip: Here's a quick trick to keep your carpet looking as good as new. By sprinkling some salt over your carpet just before you start your carpet cleaning session, you will get a bright, shiny looking carpet instantly!

Carpet cleaning and its maintenance are equally important. But most essentially, your vacuum cleaner should be clean and stored in a proper place after each cleaning session as this assures good service each time it's used. Remember, keep its hoses, brushes and other things clean and replace the ones that wear out.

E-Dry Carpet Dry Cleaning is recognized as Sydney's most highly respected carpet cleaning companies. E-Dry provides high quality, professional carpet cleaning services in Sydney and the surrounding area.

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

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

Buying Carpet : 10 Tips That Works For You

With all the new types of carpet on the market when it comes to buying carpet it can be a bit of an overwhelming task. Be sure to check out the performance characteristics to make sure the type you are looking at will stand up to your expectations. The wrong choice will not last as long and you will disappointed. Follow these 10 tips to buying carpet that works for you.

1. Twist

Look at the twist in the individual yarn pieces. Several twists may give you good carpet. The number of twists will affect the performance and the density of the pile. Do not confuse density with the height of the pile. Pile height has nothing to do with performance.

Generally the more twists in the individual yarns the more spring in the carpet. Remember the more spring the more footprints that will be hidden. However if you are looking for vibrant carpets you will have to trade off the spring because the more vibrant carpets do not have that crimped texture.

2. Stain Protection

You should look for stain protection , soil protection and static guard. Most home owner only clean their carpet once a year so you will want a carpet to perform well over a three year period. Carpets should be cleaned at least twice a year but if you have a heavy traffic areas you may have to clean them as often as 3 or 4 times a year.

The carpet industry has introduced some amazing carpets with stain protection, soil and static protection these new products are better than ever before.

3. Reputable Dealer

Always buy your carpet from a reputable dealer. Look for a quality and customer service oriented dealer with a special carpet section. Make sure the dealer stands behind the products he sells.

4. Look then Look Some More

Look at all the different types of carpets that are available to you. Also look at the various under pads available for the carpet. Don't skimp on the under pad. Just because it's not visible doesn't mean it's not important. A cheap thin under pad will not do your new carpet any good and will shorten the life of your carpet. An under pad that is too thin will only fall apart under your carpet and damage the carpet over it.

5. Professional Install

You should have your new carpet installed by a professional installer. The dealer will either have their own installation crew or they will be able to direct you to someone they recommend.

6. Prepare The Floor

Remember the floor you place the carpet pad and carpet on will have to be prepared to protect your investment. The better grades of carpet usually need a better grade of underlay or carpet pad.

7. Choosing The Right Carpet

The color and texture will affect the look of the room and lighting conditions will affect the look of the carpet. If the carpeting is smooth or even surfaced it will have a velvety look or plush look like you would want in a formal dinning room. Use an oriental or a tapestry weave style to give a formal look to any room.

To help a room look lighter or brighter a more lustrous carpet fiber should be chosen. Remember a smooth luxurious carpets will show footprints and vacuum marks. If you like this look than ask for a luster fiber but if you do not like the look be sure to tell the sales rep that you do not want lustrous carpet pile.

You can get carpeting in a uneven surface where the looped pile is a bit uneven so it looks to be tailored. By combining different piles at different heights you will get a sculptured look. This look can also be duplicated by the color or the carpet being varied colors. You will find that some carpets get this look by carving on the surface of the carpet pile.

On the sculpted carpet the incoming light strikes the uneven surfaces of the pile at different angles. This type of carpet shows no footprints. The low densely packed carpet is the best for wear. Because the carpet loops are not cut in a low densely packed carpet it will wear longer than a cut pile carpet will. The taller the pile the more sound absorbing capabilities the carpet will be. Remember that high pile carpet is not good for high traffic areas. These fibers will be trampled and will be harder to clean.

8. High Traffic Areas

The basic pile or low loop is a good performer in a high traffic area. You will often see this type of carpet in offices. It wears like iron and cleans up easier than a pile carpet. The chunky look of Berber will have a level loops and have a chunky look. The wear factor is good but not as good as level loop carpeting but it will hide the dirt better.

9. You Get What You Pay For

Remember as like all things in life you will get what you pay for. A low quality carpet is a low quality carpet. Be aware and select the carpet you need and like. Just because it looks like a good deal at the time, you might not think that when you have to change the carpet in 3 years instead of 10 or 20 years. So shop carefully!

10. Guarantee or Warranty

Find out what the guarantee is on the carpet and what the guarantee covers. Does it just replace the carpet or does it also cover installation. What will void the warranty and what is not covered. Know before you buy.

These 10 tips will have you choosing the right carpet for the room in no time. Your room will have a brand new face lift and look awesome!

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit the carpet rugs website.

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

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Carpet Patching (But Didn't Know Who to Ask)

A patch is one of the most common types of repairs that we do. We use a carpet patch to solve several types of carpet problems where small to mid-sized portions of wall-to-wall carpet have been damaged. People usually call us to patch their carpet when other methods to restore their carpet won't work.

Common causes of carpet damage that require this type of carpet repair include carpet burns, carpet stains, carpet tears, carpet holes, pet damage (Bad Kitty!), and remodeling as well as worn traffic paths.

We remove the damaged area, and replace it with an identical piece of carpet. When done correctly, it's normally, but not always invisible to the eye. Depending on the type of carpet you may be able to see the patch, but it will almost always look far better than what we started with.

Reasons why your carpet patch may not look as good as you'd like

• The patch is a different color due to the original carpet fading.

• The patch is new and the area where it's going is old and worn.

• The patch has a gap or overlap in the seam.

• The carpet is running the wrong direction.

Start with the essentials: carpet anatomy

The greater the damage, the more complicated the repair, so it helps to understand what exactly your carpet is made of so you can assess how far the damage has gone.

Every carpet has several layers below what we can see with the eye. That top layer, which comes in various colors, weaves, heights, materials, and densities, (and which is the fun part to pick out when you go carpet shopping) is called the pile. The pile is made from many different materials: nylon is the most common encountered in both commercial and residential carpet repair, because it is relatively stain- and heat-resistant and doesn't crush easily.

Most people are familiar with the fact that padding lies below the carpet, which helps give it its comfortable feel when you walk on it. This is the bottom layer. Common types of padding include foam (cheap), rebond, frothed foam, slab rubber, waffle rubber, fiber (such as jute, recycled textiles, synthetic fibers, etc.), and in some cases special Berber padding.

Between the pile and the padding is the backing, which is made of two layers and holds the fibers together so the carpet doesn't fall apart. When the carpet is manufactured, needles are used to push the fiber through the primary backing. It's then sealed against the secondary backing with very strong adhesive to keep everything in place.

Once you're familiar with how your carpet is constructed, it's easier to envision how patching works, even if you've never done it before. These are the basics of your carpet's anatomy, and should help you in assessing how far down the damage has gone, which is an important step in carpet repair and carpet patching.

#1 Carpet Patching Requirement: Carpet Patches!

Just as important as removing the damaged carpet is replacing it with well-matched good carpet. There's a few different ways to find a fresh carpet patch:

· In ideal situations, the new carpet patches come from spare scraps left over from the original installation. Always save the scraps!

· If you don't have any leftover carpet from the installation we may be able to steal some carpet from a closet, beneath a radiator or from under a piece of furniture that you never move. (Now you'll never move it for sure.)

· If your carpet is a relatively common style, a nearby retailer may have a perfect or near-perfect match that you can purchase. (The chances of finding a perfect match are somewhere between slim and none.)

· If you need to patch a significant area that matches the rest of the house (such as several steps in a stairway or a hallway, one great carpet patching alternative is to re-appropriate matching carpet from another room, such as a bedroom. Re-carpeting just that one bedroom means the hallway/stairway still matches the rest of the house, and costs a LOT less money than replacing the carpet for whole common area.

Basic Steps of Carpet Patching for the novice.

1. Removing the damaged carpet: Start by using a straight edge and a row finder. An ice pick or a Phillips screwdriver can be used instead of a row finder. Place the straight edge on the carpet with the groove side down. Use the row finder to separate the nap. Do this by dragging the point of the row finder across the carpet up and down and against the edge of the straight edge.

2. Use a slotted blade knife with a fresh blade. You can use a slotted blade knife (butted up against the straight edge to cut through the carpet without cutting through too much of the nap if you used the row finder properly. The more nap you cut off, the worse the carpet patch will look.

3. Choose a scrap of carpet that's leftover from the original installation for the carpet patch. If you don't have any leftover scraps of carpet then you'll need to remove a piece from a closet or from under a piece of furniture. Some people try to find a piece of matching carpet at a carpet store but it's nearly impossible. On occasion we will have the customer buy some carpet from a carpet store that is very close to matching. We then take carpet from a closet to do the patch with and use the new carpet in the closet.

4. Determine the direction of the nap. Carpet lays down more when you brush your hand in one direction than in other directions. It's incredibly important for proper carpet patching that all the carpet runs the same direction. Sometimes it's really hard to tell which way the carpet nap runs. All I can say is to keep brushing your hand in different directions until you really get to know the carpet. If you keep at it, you'll figure it out.

5. Turn the carpet patch over and use the straight edge to cut a perfect patch from the back. If you are untrained, chances are that you won't be able to cut a perfect patch. (Tip, use a fresh blade in the slotted blade carpet knife) Here at Creative Carpet Repair we're carpet repair experts, we do this all the time so it's easy for us. If the patch isn't cut exactly perfect you'll see the carpet patch.

6. Now that the carpet patch is cut exactly perfect without any gaps or overlaps at the seams it's time to seal the edges. You can seal the edges with latex or with a glue gun. Just use the slightest amount of glue along both edges so that there won't be fraying in the future. Not everyone seals the edges but it is highly recommended.

7. The carpet patch is cut to perfection, the edges are sealed and now you're ready to adhere the carpet patch to the rest of the carpet. The way we do it is to use a special carpet seam tape with an iron or with a hot glue gun. For the beginner I'd recommend using the glue gun.

Cut the seam tape to the size of the carpet patch. Line up the carpet seam tape so that half of it is under the existing carpet and the other half of it will be under the patch.

Use the glue gun to apply a generous amount of hot glue under the seam of the carpet. Slowly work your way all the way around the carpet until you have glued the carpet patch into place. (hint, have a glass of water right next to you for when you get molten hot glue on your fingers. A quick dip will cool it off right away and prevent you from experiencing nearly as much pain.)

When gluing the carpet patch down using the glue gun, pay special attention to the backing. You want to glue the backing down so that it's butted up just right. Also be especially careful to avoid getting the nap of the carpet pushed down into the hot glue. It's a mess when that happens and there's no recovery.

As you glue the carpet together, push the carpet backing down into the hot glue using a carpet tractor. It's a good idea to put a flat weight on top of the seam for a few minutes as you work your way around.

If you're a novice, I wouldn't recommend that you try to use the carpet seam iron to patch a carpet. It takes a skill that doesn't come on the first try. You can get a better idea by watching the free videos that you can find on the main website.

Steve Gordon of Creative Carpet Repair has been a carpet repair expert for more than thirty years. Please visit http://www.creativecarpetrepair.com to learn all about carpet repair.

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

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

How To Effectively Clean Your Carpets

No matter how hard you try to keep your carpets clean, they will eventually need to be professionally cleaned or at least cleaned with more "industrial strength" cleaners. Taking care and cleaning your carpets on a regular basis will greatly extend the life of your carpet. Even if your carpets do not appear to be dirty, a regular carpet cleaning is required.

It is recommended that you clean your carpets once every six to twelve months. This will help to remove dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and even mold. No matter whether you are cleaning one area of carpet or several, following some simple guidelines will keep your carpet looking great.

Begin by deciding what type of carpet cleaning method you want to use. Although there are many methods of cleaning carpets, they fall into three main categories. Whenever possible, refer to your carpet warranty or ask a carpet professional which method is best for your type of carpet.

The first method is hot water extraction or steam cleaning. Extremely hot water, along with a carpet cleaning solution, is distributed over the carpet. Then, the carpet cleaner quickly sucks the water back up, along with the dirt and grime.

The next category of cleaning carpets is cold-water extraction. Cold-water extraction works along the same lines at hot water extraction, with the exception of using cold water.

The last category is dry extraction. A foam or powder is applied to the carpet. The cleaner works the dirt into a pile, where it can then be swept up by the carpet cleaner or regular vacuum sweeper.

After determining what method will work best with your carpet, either purchase a carpet cleaner or you can rent one from your local home improvement store. Whenever you rent a steam cleaner, the carpet cleaning supplies will be provided. However, if they are not, you can purchase them at most retail stores. Be sure to explain what type of carpet you have so that the right cleaning solutions can be recommended. Using the wrong solutions on the wrong carpet can produce disastrous results which may be expensive to repair.

Be sure to remove any large stains and/or odors before beginning the cleaning. When blotting up a stain use a white towel. Otherwise, a colored towel could possibly bleed through to your carpet. Apply stain remover to the cloth, rather than directly on the stain. Then, blot up the stain.

After you have the majority of the stains removed, you can begin shampooing the carpet. It is very important to follow the carpet cleaner instructions in order to avoid damage to your carpet.

Minimize the amount of water that is sprayed onto the carpet. Saturating the carpet can cause deterioration of the carpet and padding, which can create molds later on. Therefore, it is very important to quickly extract any water that is sprayed over the carpet.

After you had made several passes over the carpet with the carpet cleaner, let the carpet dry. It is recommended that you let the carpet dry overnight before walking on it. Whenever possible, place a fan on the carpet and open any windows.

Sometimes your carpet will need to be cleaned by a professional. So be sure to keep in mind, that if your carpet is too bad, call in professional help. While you may save money by doing it yourself, you could also do more damage than a professional would cost if your carpet is in extremely poor shape.

Taking care of your carpet can extend the life of your carpet. By quickly removing stains and cleaning your carpet every six to twelve months, you are ensuring that you carpet will be around for you to enjoy for many years.

Jon is a computer engineer who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about carpets and carpet cleaning at his web site at http://cleaning-carpet-tips.com/

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

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Vermont Carpet Cleaning - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.

7 Tips for Making Your Carpet Floors Last

Extending the life of your carpet floors not only keeps your home looking enticing, but it ultimately saves you money, as replacing carpeting is quite expensive. According to carpet suppliers, how well you maintain your flooring will aid in determining how often you will have to replace it.

Along with following any care recommendations from your local carpet company, here are some tips for maintaining its appearance:

1. Don't scrimp on padding. Padding not only makes carpet floors more comfortable to walk or sit on, but it also absorbs most of the abuse your carpet gets subjected to. Any time you replace your carpeting, you should also buy new padding; otherwise, you may void the warranty on your carpet floors. Ask for assistance from your carpet company when choosing the right type of pad for your carpet floors.

2. Get a quality vacuum cleaner. Make sure your vacuum has strong enough suction to collect the small grit and debris buried deep within your carpet floors. This will help prevent it from tearing due to a worn-down backing and pile.

3. Protect your flooring with carpet runners. A runner is perfect for protecting your carpeting in areas with heavy foot traffic. Runners not only add class to your home décor, but they also collect dirt as it gets tracked into your house. Your local carpet company is a great resource for finding runners to suit your home design.

4. Get regular professional cleanings. Regular visits from your local carpet cleaning professionals can also help maximize the life of your carpet floors. The pros have top-notch equipment that gets rid of all the dirt and grime missed by regular household vacuums. If you're on a budget, contact your carpet suppliers or carpet company to see if they rent out their professional equipment.

5. Ban shoes. You can help protect your carpeting by banning shoes, which contain oil and particles that can damage your flooring.

6. Do not allow bare feet. Just like shoes, bare feet can damage your carpet floors over time. When in direct contact with carpeting, the natural oils on your skin actually attract dirt and cause the fabric to deteriorate more quickly. To minimize the impact on guests, keep a shoe rack and a basket of house slippers by your front door.

7. Clean stains immediately. If you leave a stain unattended over time, it will grow larger and harder to remove. Make sure to get a stain removal guide from your carpet suppliers for the type of flooring you are getting. You can also consider using items such as commercial cleaning solutions for carpets (just make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions), household carpet shampoos for small spots, or a professional carpet cleaner for tougher stains.

Nothing ages the inside of a home faster than a worn or dirty carpet. By using the tips listed above, you can keep your carpet floors looking clean and well-maintained.

If you're looking for ways to keep your carpet floors in tip-top shape, visit the website for Area Floors, a local carpet supplier in Portland. You can find tips on how to maintain or clean your flooring, at their website, or browse their large inventory of flooring options: www.AreaFloorsOnline.com.

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

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Carpet Cleaning Vermont - provides professional Vermont carpet cleaning services at fair rates.  24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE Water, Fire, Smoke Restoration. We service the Burlington, Vermont and St. Albans, Vermont areas.