|
As with any floor covering
material, a few moments of care and a little common sense can go a
long way in keeping your new floor looking its best. Here are a few
simple suggestions to make your floor care easier.
Preventative maintenance
-
 Use walk-off mats at all
entrances to absorb soil and moisture. Clean mats regularly so
they don't become sources of soil themselves.
- Move heavy furniture
occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. Put coasters
intended for use with carpet under the legs of tables, chairs,
and other furniture to help distribute the weight and prevent
mashing the pile. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers
or casters on carpet without a chairpad designed for carpet.
Continued use without a chair pad can cause damage to the
carpet.
- When moving heavy wheeled
furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing
heavy carboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
- Use of area rugs with
your carpet can enhance the total look of a room, but be sure to
remove and clean them regularly. Also, clean and restore the
pile of the carpet underneath.
- Protect your carpet from
prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or
awnings.
Regular Vacuuming
- The most important step
in the care of your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and
frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas, to remove the
dry soil. As particles of dry soil work down into the pile, they
are more difficult to remove and can scratch the fibers leading
to premature wear of the carpet. High-traffic areas might need
to be vacuumed daily. The whole house should be vacuumed at
least once a week. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally
to stand the pile upright and prevent matting.
General Instructions for
Removal of Spots and Spills
-
 Remove as much of food
spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull
knife.
- Absorb wet spills as
quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or
cloth towels.
- Always blot; never rub or
scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting,
work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to
avoid spreading the spill.
- Always follow up with
water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and
cause rapid re-soiling.
- Draw out any remaining
moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot
and weighing them down with a heavy object that will not
transfer color.
- Some new carpets and
padding may have a noticeable odor. Such odors usually disappear
within a few weeks with ventilating and frequent vacuuming.
|