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. |
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.
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