Selection of Carpet

Proper selection of your carpet at the time of purchase will go a long way towards maintaining an attractive and highly functional floor covering.

Colour, pattern and construction combine to determine the durability of your carpet. That is why it is important to take both performance and aesthetics into account when choosing your carpet design. Simply picking the wrong colour could increase your maintenance costs and no maintenance program can overcome a poor selection.

A carpet's life and appearance are governed by many factors. Fiber, construction and proper installation all play a role in the longevity and beauty of your carpet. A great well-planned maintenance program will also ensure lasting satisfaction with your product. It can dramatically extend the life of your carpet.

Be sure to protect your investment and read through our maintenance suggestions.

Four Steps to Clean Carpets


Step 1. Preventative Maintenance

Keep dirt out of your buildings by using walk-off mats.
Use chairpads under casters to protect your carpet.

Step 2. Vacuuming

Regularly vacuum your carpets to remove any dirt and debris. This is the most important part of any maintenance plan.

Step 3. Stain & Spot Removal

Remove spills on carpets quickly to prevent stains from setting or spreading. Stains do not have to be permanent!

Step 4. Deep Cleaning

Periodic deep cleaning is needed to remove embedded and abrasive soil.

Carpets today are engineered to be stain and soil resistant. This often masks the need to vacuum, however, maintenance should be performed with systematic frequency to ensure cost effectiveness and long lasting beauty.

Preventative Maintenance


Walk-Off Mats

Walk-off mats are designed to trap dirt outside. Install mats at all entranceways into your building. You will need to vacuum or clean mats daily to ensure soil does not end up on your carpets. The proper use of walk-off mats will significantly reduce your maintenance costs. Your maintenance professional can guide you in the correct choice for each type of entrance situation.

Chairpads

Chairpads prevent casters from grinding soil into your carpet and breaking down carpet fibers.

Caution

Do not use any harsh cleaning chemicals on your carpet.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming is the best way to remove soil and debris from your carpets. Entryways, ground floors and other high traffic areas will contain the most amount of dirt and sand. How often you vacuum will be determined by traffic and soil type.

All cleaning personnel should be trained on proper vacuuming techniques:

  • A slow pass against the carpet pile is more effective than several quick strokes.
  • Heavy traffic areas may require multiple passes (forward and backward).
  • A vacuum brush will open up the tufts: Agitation loosens the soil and slow movement allows time for air to circulate through the face yarn and extract soil.

Stain & Spot Removal

  • Liquid spills should be extracted/blotted up and rinsed with water immediately.
  • Absorbent powders/spotters should then be applied and rinsed thoroughly with clear water.
  • Use the following table for stain removal procedures for common spots:

Stain removal table

 * THESE DIFFICULT STAINS MUST BE TREATED IMMEDIATELY TO ENSURE     REMOVAL OF THE STAIN.


Category "A" Stains:

  • Step 1. Blot/extract substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
  • Step 2. Apply a small amount of your cleaning equipment manufacturer's approved cleaning solution and gently agitate the stained area. Blot/extract substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove residue. Blot/extract to remove excess moisture.
  • Step 3. Repeat if necessary.

Category "B" Stains:

  • Step 1. Blot/extract substance. Try "Category A" cleaning procedure.
  • Step 2. Blot/extract substance. Apply only enough cleaning solution to dampen area and gently agitate. Blot/extract substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Repeat as long as the stain continues to transfer from the carpet to the towel. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Blot/extract to remove excess moisture.
  • Step 3. Apply a small amount of specific POG (paint, oil and grease) cleaner to the stained area and gently agitate. Blot/extract substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Blot/extract to remove excess moisture.
  • If these methods fail, contact your local carpet cleaning professionals.

Category "C" Stains:

  • Step 1. Blot/extract substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water.
  • Step 2. Apply white vinegar to the stained area. Rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove residue. Blot/extract to remove excess moisture.
  • Step 3. If these methods fail, contact your local carpet cleaning professionals.

Category "D" Stains:

  • Use caution when using a dry cleaning fluid. A non-flammable, spot removal solution is preferred.
  • Transfer to the spot with a cloth or sponge not by pouring the fluid directly onto the carpet. Direct contact may destroy the backing.

Additional Safeguards:

  • Always test for colorfastness in an inconspicuous area.
  • Always rinse thoroughly. Carpet should not have a sticky residue after spot cleaning, or it can cause rapid re-soiling.

Wool Fiber

Wool is a natural fiber and unlike synthetic man-made nylon fiber it requires cleaners with neutral pH levels. Alkaline chemicals can cause damage to the fiber, discoloration or loss of colour.

The same carpet cleaning procedures and maintenance guidelines should be used, but with a neutral pH detergent.