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Vacuuming
The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming.
Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas.
Bear in mind that walking on soiled carpet permits the soil particles
to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far
more difficult to remove. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles
from the surface before this happens.
For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes twice weekly
and the entire area once weekly. Those areas with heavier traffic
require that the traffic lanes be vacuumed daily and the entire
area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice
for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily
soiled areas.
| Vacuum Cleaner Recommendations |
- Use a vacuum with a rotating brush which agitates the
carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for the vacuum
to remove.
- Carpet with thick loop pile construction may be sensitive
to brushing, rubbing, or scraping of the pile surface which
may cause fuzz and pile distortion. It is recommended that
vacuums with suction action only be used on these styles.
If vacuums with brushes, bristle, or strips are used, test
in an inconspicuous area to make certain the carpet will
not be damaged.
- Vacuums with top-loading bags are preferred over bottom-loading
bags. The former helps to ensure that the vacuum does not
lose effectiveness as the bag fills. Replaceable paper bags
do a better job of trapping extremely small particles; cloth
bags often allow these particles to pass through the bag
and back into the air. Bags should be checked frequently
and replaced when 1/2 to 2/3 full.
- Make sure the belt is in good condition and that the beater
actually rotates when in contact with the carpet. Adjust
the height of the vacuum cleaner by raising the beater/brush
bar to the highest setting, then lower the bar until it
contacts the pile enough to vibrate the carpet slightly
several inches away from the machine, but not close enough
to cause significant slowing of the motor. Vacuuming across
the traffic pattern occasionally, rather than in the usual
direction of the traffic, will prevent matting.
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| A good vacuum cleaner is vital to prolong the life of your
carpet. An inexpensive machine will remove surface dirt but
will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded
in the pile. |
Spot and Spill Removal
All carpet care procedures mentioned thus far have been planned;
spot and stain removal is the reaction to an unplanned incident.
Therefore, it is desirable to have the materials needed to treat
stains on hand. You may have some of these on your kitchen shelf.
Do not use any household cleaners other than those listed, since
many household products contain chemicals that may permanently damage
your carpet.
PLEASE NOTE: NO CARPET IS ABSOLUTELY STAIN PROOF. SOME CARPETS
HAVE STAIN RESISTANT TREATMENTS TO IMPROVE YOUR ABILITY TO CLEAN
UP STAINS, NOT PREVENT STAINS.
General Instructions
No carpet is stain proof, although many are treated to be stain
resistant which allows you the time to act to correct the problem.
Absorb as much liquid as possible - quickly - with white paper towels,
replacing them as they become saturated. Use a blotting action,
never a scrubbing motion, to prevent fuzz on the carpet surface.
Remove as much of food spills as possible by gently scraping with
a spoon or dull knife. Always follow up with water to remove detergent
residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
The following recommendations should be used for spot cleaning.
The numbers are keyed to the stain, and all instructions should
be used in the recommended sequence. Some statins are marked PRO,
indicating that professional knowledge and equipment are necessary.
A. WATER SOLUBLE STAINS - Absorb as much as possible
with white paper towels. Apply detergent solution made of 1/2
teaspoon (no more) of a clear liquid dishwashing detergent in
a quart of water. A spray bottle is a convenient way to store
this. Blot repeatedly with the white paper towels. Rinse thoroughly
with clean water.
A-1. As above, but treat with white vinegar, one part
white vinegar to one part water, before using detergent.
A-2. As in A., but treat with household ammonia, one
tablespoon of ammonia to one cup water, before using detergent.
B. GREASE - Blot as much as possible with white paper
towels. Apply commercial solvent such as Carbona, Energine, or
K2R to towels or spotting cloth and repeat blotting. Use sparingly!
Do not pour or spray directly on the carpet pile as damage to
the backing or adhesive underneath may result; apply the solvent
to the towels to transport it to the carpet. Repeat as much as
necessary. Protective gloves should be worn, as the solvent will
quickly rmoe oils from the skin and may result in irritation.
Provide adequate ventilation! Do not use flammable solvents! Follow
with procedures in A.
C. FREEZE - Stains such as chewing gum and candle wax
with ice or commercially available products in aerosol can. Shatter
with blunt object.
PRO - Professional Cleane.
WARNING
Certain products found in most berries can cause irreparable damage
to your carpet. Bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners,
and drain openers are very strong chemicals that can discolor or
dissolve carpet fibers. Acne medications containing benoyle peroxide,
a very powerful bleach, are capable of permanently damaging your
carpet and most other fabrics as well
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