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Carpet Care and Maintenance Tips
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The beauty and life of your carpet depends mostly on the type of regular care it receives. Quality carpet that is well-maintained should last 10-15 years. Proper cleaning will keep it looking great for its full lifetime. Professional cleaning will also help improve your indoor air quality. Maintaining your carpet properly will protect your investment and your environment.
Cleaning your carpet the proper way is easier than you think. All it takes is a little knowledge about how to select the right carpet cleaning products and the right way to clean your carpet — from spot and interim cleaning to knowing when to call in the professionals.
Texture Retention
Carpet in heavily traveled areas will receive the most wear. For better appearance and longer carpet life, it is important to reduce the amount of traffic on these areas by using small rugs in front of heavily used chairs or furniture. Remove and clean these rugs during your regular vacuuming of the carpet or rug. It also helps to occasionally move the furniture to change potential wear patterns. No matter how cautious you are some change is bound to occur in the overall texture of your carpet.
Crushing
Crushing occurs when there is a loss of pile thickness due to of foot traffic. Crushing is not considered a manufacturing defect unless it is specifically mentioned in the manufacturer’s printed warranty information. Regular vacuuming will help reduce crushing that results from traffic. Due to manufacturers’ written warranties, definitions of crushing can vary.
Depressions & Indentations
The weight from furniture can cause indentations in carpet. Some depressions can become permanent. It will help to use furniture glides or cups under the legs of heavy pieces to help disperse the weight. Moving your furniture a few inches backward or sideways so that the weight is not concentrated in one place will also help. To fix depressions, gently massage the carpet pile back into place with your fingertips, then, dampen the area and heat it with a hair dryer (set on low heat), while working the fibers with your fingers..
Fading & Color loss
Protect your carpet from direct sunlight in the same way that you would any colored fabric. Emissions from heating systems or household chemicals, especially pesticide and household cleaning agents, can result in color loss.
Filtration Soil
Filtration soil may appear as dark or grayish lines on carpet along walls, stairways and under doors. It is caused by airflow over and through carpet, allowing fine soils to settle on the surface. It is often caused by an improperly balanced ventilation system, when the volume of air entering a room exceeds the system’s capacity to remove air from the room. Excess air then seeks exit sources in gaps along walls and stairways. Prevent the airflow through carpet and carpet edges by sealing openings through the carpet and under doors and baseboards. Keeping the air in the area clean and using good filtration in your heating and cooling systems and vacuum cleaners can help. Filtration soils may require special cleaning treatment for removal. Contact a carpet-cleaning professional for assistance.
Fluffing & Shedding
The balls of fibers often found on carpet or in the vacuum cleaner bag are the normal result of fiber left in the carpet from the manufacturing process. The removal of these loose fibers does not affect carpet life, appearance or performance. With proper vacuuming and using a quality vacuum cleaner, most shedding gradually disappears within the first year after installation.
Matting
Matting is usually results from the untwisting of the yarn bundles and the intermingling of yarn tips caused by foot traffic. Matting can be caused by various factors, including an inadequate cushion, cushion failure, or improper maintenance. Matting is not considered a manufacturing defect unless it is specifically cited in the manufacturer’s warranty. Due to manufacturers’ written warranties, definitions of crushing can vary.
Odor
During and immediately following the installation of your new carpet, you may notice a slight odor, which may result from the removal of your existing carpet and cushion or from the new carpet, cushion, adhesives or seaming tape. Ventilation with fresh air is recommended to relieve this condition. If possible, windows and doors should be opened, and the HVAC system should be operated for 48 to 72 hours.
Soiling
Maintain the beauty of your carpet by cleaning it regularly before it becomes excessively soiled. If you wait too long, permanent damage can occur. Dirty, airborne particles can be deposited on carpet, causing dulling on the surface. Dulling is caused by the deposits of all types of soil. Oily soil may be very difficult to remove after it has been on the carpet for a long time, and it may be actually absorbed into the fiber, causing the carpet to have a yellow cast. Regular cleaning is important to avoid this problem. You can help minimize soiling by placing entry mats at doorways to trap soil. Regular cleaning and vacuuming can provide extra protection for all floor coverings.
Yarn Sprouts
Occasionally, a yarn tuft will rise above the pile surface of a carpet. This is a common occurrence. Using scissors or nail clippers, snip off these tufts to the level of the other tufts. DO NOT PULL THEM OUT. If this problem persists in a localized area or happens continually, contact your flooring retailer.
Stain-Resistant Carpet
Be aware – NO CARPET IS STAINPROOF. Almost all carpet manufactured today have chemicals applied that make it more stain- and soil-resistant. Remove spots and spills as soon as they occur. Always use a neutral cleaning product unless the manufacturer states otherwise. For stubborn spots or spills, call a professional or call the phone number normally found on the carpet warranty to obtain specific information about cleaning the carpet.
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments include soil retardants, stain repellents, antistatic treatments and deodorizers. The use of after-market, topical treatments without the express approval of the carpet manufacturer prior to application may void applicable warranties. This is best left for the professionals who have been properly trained for application of protectants.
Wrinkles, ripples and buckles
Wrinkles, ripples and buckles in carpet are most often caused by a failure to properly stretch the carpet. Manufacturers require that there carpet be installed correctly using a power stretcher. Ripples can be caused by a combination of any of the above. If ripples or buckles develop, consult your carpet retailer. Generally, the problem can be corrected by a qualified carpet installer who reinstalls the carpet with a power stretcher.
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