CARPET CARE TIPS
THREE STEPS FOR PROPER CARPET CARE:
- Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
- Clean spots & spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to resoil more quickly.
- Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.
STOP DIRT AT THE DOOR:
Preventing dirt and grime from getting on the carpet in the first place is to start keeping it clean. The following helpful hints can stop dirt in its tracks:
- Use mats – Outdoor and indoor mats or runners can reduce the amount of dirt that enters the house.
- Take off your shoes – You can save wear and tear on the carpet by asking everyone to take their shoes off before entering your home.
- Change your air filters – Change air filters in your heating and air-conditioning systems as recommended by the manufacturer’s directions. The more dust and particles removed by the filter, the fewer that fall onto the carpet.
SPOT REMOVAL STEPS:
- Act Quickly – Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.
- Blot Liquids – Blot with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper towel (no printing.)
- Don’t Scrub – Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed. If the spot can be identified, locate the substance in the Spot Solver and treat as recommended.
- Pretest – Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to be certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.
- Apply – Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently.
- Work in – Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. DO NOT SCRUB! Blot in order to absorb as much as possible, and repeat if necessary.
- Continue – Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill.
- Be Patient! Complete removal of the spill may require repeating the same step several times. After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water, and blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed.
WOOL WISDOM:
One of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance is removal of spots & spills. Acting quickly when anything is dropped or spilled, and always having the necessary cleaning materials at hand are of the utmost importance. We recommend a “WoolClean Spot Removal Kit,” which can be purchased by calling 800-367-0462; or check their website woolsnz.com for the Partner Retailer nearest you.
Frequent vacuuming is a wool carpet’s best friend.
- An upright vacuum with a beater bar/brush is the best type for cut pile carpet. A suction-only vacuum may be required for loop pile Berber carpets to prevent excessive fuzzing
- Vacuum cleaner dust bag should be emptied when half full.
- Exercise prevention maintenance by placing absorbent mats at the most frequently used entrances to your home. Change or launder when these mats become dirty. Filters in your heating and air conditioning systems should be changed regularly.
- Keep absorbent cloth or paper towels and cleaning solutions on hand for quick response to spills and accidents.
- DO NOT apply stain repellent treatments which contain silicone as they tend to accelerate carpet soiling.. Some carpet manufacturers do no accept responsibility for complaints where such treatments have been used. When having your wool carpet professionally cleaned, used a “WoolCare Specialist” certified by the Restoration Industry Association.
MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDATIONS
Here you will find a list of Carpet and Rug Institute member companies and their recommended methods of cleaning carpet. If you have any questions concerning a carpet manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method, please contact the manufacturer directly:
Atlas Carpet Mills
800-372-6274
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Barrett Carpet Mills
800-241-4064
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Beaulieu Group, LLC
800-227-7211
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Bloomsburg Carpet Industries, Inc.
800-233-8773
recommended method: Dry Compound/Hot Water Extraction
Blue Ridge Industries, Inc.
800-241-5945
recommended method: visit website
Brintons U.S. Axminister, Inc.
662-332-1581
recommended method: visit website
Burtco Enterprises, Inc.
800-241-4019
recommended method: Bane-Clene
Constantine
800-308-4344
recommended method: visit website
Creston Carpet Mills, LLC
800-899-7776
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
(no website available)
Daltonian Flooring, Inc.
800-788-1408
recommended method: dry compound/dry foam/hot water extraction
Dixie Group, Inc.
866-695-2470
recommended method: visit website
Fortune Contract, Inc.
800-359-4508
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Interface, Inc.
800-336-0225
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction/Dry Compound Extraction
J&J Industries, Inc.
800-241-4585
recommended method: Dry Compound Extraction/Hot Water Extraction
Lee’s Carpet
800-523-5647
recommended method: mixture of systems based on situation
Mannington Carpets, Inc.
800-241-2262
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Merida Meridian, Inc.
800-345-2200
recommended method: Dry Compound Extraction
Milliken & Company
800-241-4826
recommended method: Dry Polymer Compound-Capture
Mohawk Industries
800-622-6227
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Monticello Carpet Mills
866-287-7847
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction/Bonnet Cleaning
no website available
Northwest Carpets, Inc.
800-367-2508
recommended method: call manufacturer
Royalty Carpet Mills, Inc.
800-854-8331
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Shaw Industries, Inc.
800-441-7429
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Tai Ping Carpets America, Inc.
800-433-2440
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
Tandus
800-248-2878
recommended method: Hot Water Extraction
