Carpet
How Do I Keep My Carpet Looking Good?
Preventative
Maintenance
-A three-step preventive maintenance program will go a long way in extending
the new appearance and life of your carpet.
I . VACUUM FREQUENTLY. The best way to reduce dirt accumulation and
prolong the life of your carpet is to vacuum, vacuum, vacuum! Most dirt,
even dust, is in the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet,
these gritty, sharpened particles abrade the pile as effectively as sandpaper.
How frequently should you vacuum? That depends on the amount of traffic
and soiling to which your carpet is exposed. A vacuum cleaner or attachment
with a rotating brush or beater bar to agitate the pile is more effective
than one that relies on suction only.
2. CLEAN MOST-USED AREAS. The most-used areas of the carpet -- entrances,
doorways, traffic lanes, around a favorite chair, etc. -- are going to
collect dirt much faster than the remainder of the carpet. Cleaning these
areas when they just begin to show soiling stops the dirt from spreading
to the rest of the house and can extend the time between professional
cleanings.
3. PERIODIC PROFESSIONAL CLEANING. Dust and oils in the air will eventually
leave a dulling film even on unused parts of the carpet. Periodic professional
cleaning of the overall carpet is recommended. Carpets perform best when
properly cleaned by a certified professional carpet cleaner using specially
formulated cleaners developed for your carpet. (Top)
What Can I Do About Stains?
Sometimes a lot; sometimes
there is nothing you can do.
Time and patience are the keys to stain removal. If a spill occurs,
immediately try to remove it by blotting with a slightly damp sponge
or dry paper towel, followed by repetitive cold-water sprays and further
blotting with a paper towel. If this procedure falls to remove the stain,
follow the procedures outlined below. In the event of a spill, take time
to carefully read the procedures and then follow them thoroughly. Where
two procedures are listed (example: A-M), start with the first procedure
(A), then use the second procedure (M) only if needed. Repeat procedures
as long as there is improvement. The chart that follows lists only the
most common food and beverage household stains. Many non-food household
products such as acne medication and skin products containing benzyl
peroxide, strong tile, toilet, drain and oven cleaners, bleaches, swimming
pool chemicals, pesticides, plant foods, etc., can cause permanent loss
of color in your carpet. The presence of stain resistant properties in
your carpet will not prevent certain household chemicals from damaging
or removing color from your carpet.
Cleaning Techniques
There are many different stain removal techniques depending on the type
of spill that you're treating. The information and stain removal chart
that follows is provided by one of the major fiber manufacturers and
can be used on synthetic yams such as nylon and polyester.
Remember, No Residential Carpet Is Stain-Proof ! These techniques are
recommendations and are not guaranteed to work in all cases. The following
definitions apply to the procedures that follow:
SCRAPE -- Gently scoop or scrape with the blunt edge of a spoon from
the outside of the spill toward the center.
BLOT -- Press straight down with a pad of clean white paper towels --
never rub. Rubbing alters carpet texture. Then in a final blotting, leave
1/2" of paper towels on the spot overnight with a weight.
APPLY -- Apply all liquids to a clean white (not printed) paper towel
and use to dampen carpet. Never wet a carpet through to the backing.
WEIGHT -- A weighted 1/2" pad of white paper towels, left overnight,
will absorb the last traces of liquid and foreign materials.
DETERGENT -- Mix 1/4 teaspoon clear, see-through hand dishwashing detergent
with one cup warm -- not hot water,
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE/AMMONIA -- Mix 1/2 cup (3% solution available in drug
stores) with I teaspoon undiluted, unscented, clear (not sudsy) household
ammonia. Use within 2 hours of mixing.
DRY CLEANING FLUID -- Liquid, non-oily, non-caustic type sold for spot
removal from garments (Carbona #IO, Energine, etc.). Caution, may be
flammable.
Stain Removal Procedures
PROCEDURE A: Apply dry cleaning fluid, use dry towel or cloth. Blot
-- don't rub. Repeat dry cleaning fluid application as above. Blot --
don't rub. Finish with weighted pad of towels.
PROCEDURE B: Scrape or blot up excess spill. Apply detergent (see cleaning
solutions above), use damp towel. Blot -- don't rub. Apply water -- with
damp towel. Blot -- finish with weighted pad of towels.
PROCEDURE D: Scrape or blot up excess spill. Apply detergent (see cleaning
solutions above), use damp towel. Blot -- don't rub. Apply ammonia (see
cleaning solutions above), use damp towel. Blot - don't rub. Apply water
-- with damp towel. Blot -- finish with weighted pad of towels. Apply
white vinegar (undiluted), only after stain is removed.
PROCEDURE G: Scrape or blot up excess spill. Freeze with ice cubes.
Shatter with blunt object such as the back of a spoon. Vacuum chips away
before they melt.
PROCEDURE L: Apply nail polish remover (non-oily acetone type) -- use
cotton towel to apply to the spill. Don't wet through to carpet backing.
Pick up softened material -- use clean white paper towel and push toward
center of the spot to avoid spreading material. Repeat above -- soften
and carefully remove a layer of the material each time. Haste may spread
the stain and/or damage the carpet.
PROCEDURE M: Apply detergent solution (see cleaning solutions above
use damp towel, leave 3-5 minutes. Blot -- don't rub. If stain is removed,
finish with a water rinse, blot, followed with a pad of weighted paper
towels. If stain is not removed, continue as follows. Apply hydrogen
peroxide solution (see cleaning solutions above), let stand 2 to 3 hours
under a weighted sheet of plastic wrap. Repeat application of hydrogen
peroxide and dry under weighted plastic wrap until removal is complete.
Apply water with damp towel. Blot -- finish with weighted pad of paper
towels. Apply white vinegar (undiluted), only after stain is removed.
PROCEDURE 0: Scrape off excess material. Cover with white cotton towel
or brown paper. Apply warm iron until material is absorbed. Be sure towel
is large enough to cover the stained area. Take care never to touch the
iron to the carpet as the fiber may melt. Change towel or rotate to clean
area and repeat until all material is absorbed.
PROCEDURE P: Vacuum away as much as possible. Loosen remaining material
by tapping with a scrub brush or toothbrush. Tap with brush, do not scrub.
Vacuum again, Follow with PROCEDURE B.
PROCEDURE Q: Scrape off excess material. Lightly rub area with a fresh
slice of white bread. Complete removal with PROCEDURE A.
