Choose the right carpet
There are as many types of carpet as there are types of people, and choosing which one to live with can be a daunting process. Discuss your living situation and your carpet needs with your supplier in depth prior to making any purchase.
Almost all carpet samples are now labeled as to their suitability for use in different areas of the home, .Before finally deciding on which material is to be installed, check carefully that it is suitable for the location for which it is intended.
In general, long piled carpets are not suitable for use on stairs. Secondary backed carpets, fitted over a good underlay, will give a better performance in heavy wear areas such as living or dining rooms, hall, stairs & landings. Plain carpets, especially velour's, will always show marking of any kind much more than a heavily patterned material.
First Steps
Carpet care and protection goes beyond
vacuuming and cleaning. The first steps that a visitor makes on to your property are usually via an external walkway or path.
Keeping the exterior areas of your building, especially those that are walked on prior to entering your home or business, clean, can make a huge difference to the amount of debris that is tracked on to your carpets and flooring.
It should be remembered that 85% of the dirt and dust that exists within a building is carried in, on the feet of the buildings inhabitants.
Mats
Laying mats down at the buildings entrances can greatly reduce the amount of dirt tracked in,.
Maintenance
Air pollution within the home or workplace has assumed greater significance as buildings became more airtight to improve energy efficiency. Carpets, by nature, trap dust, dirt, fumes, and other contaminants.
The best way to prolong the life of your carpet is to vacuum on a regular basis, at least once a week for areas that receive minimal use and daily for high traffic areas such as hall, living and dining rooms and door ways. Ensure that you pay adequate attention to the corners and edges.
Pollen, dust and particulates invisible to the naked eye can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms and lead to a host of other ailments that compromise building occupants' health.
Daily vacuuming can contribute to better indoor air quality but using the wrong vacuum cleaner - or failing to maintain it properly - can actually do more harm than good.
One of the most important differences between a traditional vacuum and a healthy one is the level of filtration. Make sure your vacuum has an adequate filtration system; this will ensure that you are picking up the dirt and dust, and not blowing it back into the atmosphere.
When it comes to maintaining a vacuum cleaner, distributors say common sense prevails. The main thing is to change the vacuum bag on a regular basis. Don't wait until it's full. Three-quarters is as full as you want them to get...changing at half is better still.
In addition to changing vacuum bags, distributors recommend cleaning or changing the filters frequently. Some vacuum cleaners will let you know when the filter needs to be changed. Other vacuums, you'll notice it's not picking up properly, which means the bag needs to be changed.
Spot Removal Tips
Food, beverage and animal stains are a part of a carpets life, but the impact they have can be greatly reduced by following these simple steps.
Act Quickly!
The longer the delay, the higher the probability of a spill becoming a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.
Always test any detergent on an inconspicuous area of carpet prior to treating a stain.
Use natural detergents at recommended dilution ratios.
Gently scrape up or blot up any access prior to treatment.
Never rub or scrub, this will make the stain worse.
Do not over wet into the carpets backing materials, this can cause water stains.
Do not use inappropriate detergents on carpets or upholstery i.e. washing up liquid, wash powders, household bleach, disinfectants etc
Always work from the out side of the stain inward to avoid spreading
Always apply the cleaning fluid to the absorbent spotting material, not directly onto the carpet or fabric
Keep the fabric or carpet as dry as possible to prevent water stains.
Greasy Stains
Chocolate, Butter, Lipstick, some Oily Food stains, some Ink
Apply small quantity of Surgical spirit to some cotton wool or Q-tip.
Using the lightly soaked cotton wool apply to the edges of the stain working inwards to the centre.
Gently press (Blot) either Terry towel, or plain white kitchen towel, and repeat as necessary until the stain no longer transfers. Do not allow penetration into the back of carpeting or foam filling materials! Some fabrics may darken initially during this process.
Using a detergent solution on cotton wool, dampen the area and follow up by blotting with kitchen roll or terry towel.
Dry, using hair dryer, continually moving over the damp area. This will help to prevent water marking
Water Based Stains
Tea, Coffee, Fruit juices, Wine, some Basic Food stains
Soak up immediately using absorbent material or suck up with a wet pick up vacuum.
Rewet the area using tepid water on a small piece of sponge or cotton wool.
Blot with dry absorbent material Terry towel, kitchen roll, Repeat as necessary
Dry with hair dryer keeping the dryer moving all the time, this will help to prevent watermarking.
Dried In Stains
Detergent Solution: Two liters of tepid water + a quarter of a teaspoon of carpet shampoo + one eggcup of white vinegar
Rewet the stained area using the detergent solution applied on a piece of cotton wool.
Blot using kitchen roll or terry towel as above.
The final procedure for carpets following the wetting and blotting procedures should be as follows: -
Place 5-6 layers of kitchen roll on the affected area and place on top a telephone directory. Allow to dry over 24 hours, this will absorb any stain in the base of the fiber's that are likely to wick up to the surface during the drying process.
Whilst the stain removal guide may be simple and basic, it will assist in the professional's chances of success should you find expert assistance required. If followed it should help prevent some quite common and expensive DIY stain removal damage.
