Maintenance For
Maximum Performance
MAINTENANCE: Proper maintenance of your carpet will extend
its lifespan and keep its fresh appearance. You should vacuum properly, remove spills, and
provide long-term care and deep cleaning.
REGULAR CLEANING: It is essential that you vacuum regularly
with a strong, well-functioning vacuum cleaner. A good vacuum cleaner features a strong
motor or dual motors; a powerful airflow; a high-efficiency filtration and internally
housed vacuum bag; and correct brush height adjustment.
PROTECTING AGAINST STAINS: Most of today's carpet is treated
with special finishes to resist soil and stains. However, no carpet is entirely
stain-proof. Many fiber manufacturers provide toll-free help for cleaning assistance
(consult your warranty). Stain-resistant finishes hold the spill on the fiber's surface,
giving you some time to absorb the liquid and use spot removal techniques before the spill
has a chance to penetrate the fibers. The longer you leave the spill unattended, the more
difficult it will be to remove. See the following chart to select a cleaning agent for
emergency stain removals for different substances and follow each step. Pretest a small,
inconspicuous area to ensure that the solution will not damage the carpet or its dyes.
With a clean, white, absorbent cloth or paper towel gently work in the cleaning agent from
the edges of the spot to the center. Blot thoroughly, and repeat until the spot no longer
transfers to the cleaning cloth. Use clean water to remove any remaining cleaning agent,
and absorb remaining moisture with paper towel layers. When completely dry, brush or
vacuum the pile to restore texture.
| Find the spot source in the first column and
read across that row for the correct spot removal method to try. Continue using the first
method until there is no longer a transfer of stain to the cleaning cloth. Try the first
method suggested, then the second, and third, etc., until the spot is successfully
removed. Key to Cleaning Methods
1. Dry Cleaning Fluid - A spot removal liquid available in
grocery and hardware stores, nonflammable if possible.
2. Nail Polish Remover - Amyl Acetate - Often has a banana fragrance. Do not use on
acetate fiber.
3. Detergent Solution - Mix 1 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon mild liquid detergent (no
lanolin, non-bleach).
4. Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water.
5. Vinegar Solution - One cup WHITE vinegar to two cups water.
6. Ammonia Solution - Two tablespoons household ammonia to one cup water.
7. Spot Removal Kit - Available from retail carpet stores or professional cleaners.
8. Call a Professional - If you cannot completely remove the spot.
9. Vacuum clean |
| Spot |
Method |
| Acne Medication |
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Alcoholic Beverage |
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Bleach |
3, 4, 8 |
| Blood |
6, 3, 4(cold), 7, 8 |
| Butter |
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Candle Wax |
2, 1, 8 |
| Catsup |
3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Charcoal |
9, 3, 8 |
Chewing Gum
Freeze with ice, chip away, then… |
1, 8 |
| Chocolate |
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Coffee/Tea with cream & sugar |
3, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Cosmetics |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Crayon
Freeze with ice, chip away, then… |
1, 3, 8 |
| Food |
3, 6, 4, 8 |
| Fruit Juice |
3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Furniture Polish (Water Base) |
3, 4, 1, 6, 7, 8 |
| Furniture Polish (Solvent Base) |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Grass |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Grease |
1, 3, 4, 8 |
| Ink-ball point pen |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Iodine |
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Kool-Aid |
9, 3, 5, 4, 7, 8, |
| Lipstick |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Medicine |
2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Milk |
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Mud |
3, 4, 8 |
| Mustard |
3, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Nail Polish |
2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 |
| Oil |
1, 3, 8 |
| Paint, latex |
3, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Plant Food |
3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Rust |
5, 3, 4, 7, 8 |
| Shoe Polish |
2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Soft Drinks |
3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Tar |
1, 7, 8 |
| Toothpaste |
3, 5, 6, 4, 8 |
| Unknown |
2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Urine, wet |
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Urine, dry |
3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
| Vomit |
3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
|
| NOTE: Some spills contain chemicals that may
discolor or even damage the carpet fibers or dyes. If you have doubts about what caused
the spot and how to remove it, contact a professional carpet cleaner. A MORE COMPREHENSIVE STAIN GUIDE IS AVAILABLE FOR A NOMINAL FEE. |
LONG-TERM CARE: To retain its luster and
beauty, your carpet should be cleaned every 12 to 18 months or before it shows soiling,
either by you or by a professional cleaning service. See the manufacturer's
recommendations in your carpet warranty to select the best cleaning method. Hints! If you
use a wet method, be sure to place plastic or aluminum foil under furniture legs to
prevent rust and stains. Do not over-wet the carpet, and allow it to dry completely before
walking on it. You can ventilate the room with fans and open windows to speed the drying
process. The most important advice is to extract all soil, moisture, and cleaning agent
residue from the carpet. Some professional cleaners are able to clean area rugs either in
your home or in their facility. Consult your local retailer for help in finding a
reputable professional cleaner. |
