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Cleaning Tips
  Carpet Cleaning Tips:

We understand the time and effort you put into selecting and purchasing your carpet. With the proper care and maintenance, carpets can be one of the most durable investments in your home. Routine cleaning and basic maintenance can extend the lifetime of your carpet up to 20 years or more.

Even with the advanced carpeting of today, dirt and soil can still get trapped deep within the fibers of the carpet if left neglected. Carpets should be vacuumed at least 2-3 times per week. This will prevent the fibers from deteriorating as well as improve the air quality and general health in your home. Regular vacuuming also prevents the carpet fibers from matting and breaking.

Removal procedures for specific stains

We gathered a list of cleaning methods are are specific to different types of stains. If your carpet is still under warranty, be sure to check recommendations for cleaning methods. Improper cleaning methods may invalidate your warranty. Be sure to pretest all solvents in an inconspicuous place.

Foodstuff, starches, sugars                    Gum                      Urine
Oily materials and grease                       Mildew                   Water
Alcohol base antiseptics and Perfume    Mud                       Wax Candle
Cigarette burns                                       Nail Polish             Unidentified Stains
Paint, oil base, wet                                  Glue, Model          Other

 

Foodstuff, starches, sugars

Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Sponge lightly with cool water and blot several times. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Oily materials and grease

Remove excess material by blotting up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scraping up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Apply either a spot cleaner or dry cleaning solvent. Make sure to follow the product directions. (Some spot cleaners dry to a powder. If this type is used, vacuum before continuing.) Apply carpet shampoo (diluted 1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Alcohol base antiseptics and perfume

Blot up liquids with a clean absorbent towel and scrape up solids with the dull edge of a knife. Sponge with alcohol (or a solution of alcohol and water) and make sure to blot quickly. Repeat several times until the towel absorbs no more of the statin. Apply diluted carpet shampoo (1 part liquid carpet shampoo to 4 parts water) with a brush or towel. Let the area dry thoroughly, then vacuum. Repeat if necessary.

Cigarette burns

For light burns, brush area lightly then carefully clip away charred part of tufts. Shampoo. Places having severe burns will need repair or replacement.

Glue, model

After removing excess, carefully apply nail polish remover, drop by drop, to soften glue. Scrape or blot away. Then shampoo. Let dry and vacuum. Pretest nail polish remover in an inconspicuous place. Do not use on acrylic fibers.

Gum

After removing as much as possible by scraping, "freeze" the residue with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Break or scrape off brittle gum. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.

Mildew

Mildew is best treated by prevention. Use a dehumidifier to help control moisture. A professional carpet cleaner may be able to give you advice about commercial products you can apply to the carpet backing that will help prevent mildew.

Mud

Scrape up as much mud as possible and allow residue to dry completely. Vacuum well, then shampoo. Let area dry and vacuum again.

Nail polish

After removing excess, apply nail polish remover, drop by drop, to soften. Then blot or scrape away. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum. Pretest nail polish remover in an inconspicuous place. Do not use on acrylic fibers.

Paint, oil base, wet

After removing excess paint, carefully apply turpentine or paint thinner and blot repeatedly. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.

Urine

Blot up excess with clean towel. Sponge with cool water and blot, then sponge with white vinegar and blot well. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum.

Water

For severe wetting, mop or blot as much as possible. Dry carpet quickly to prevent rot or mildew. Once dry, shampoo lightly, let dry, then vacuum. If the carpet is very wet, it may be necessary to take up the carpet and padding from the floor. Floor fans and dehumidifiers may be used to assist in drying the carpet and pad. It may be necessary to have the carpet relaid.

Wax, candle

Remove excess by scraping. Cover with several layers of paper toweling and press lightly with a warm (not hot) iron until all wax is removed. Be careful not to melt fibers with iron. Shampoo, let dry, then vacuum. Some colors, particularly red, may leave a dye stain that is difficult or impossible to remove.

Unidentified stains

Remove excess. Mop or blot liquids with several layers of paper toweling to absorb as much as possible. Remove semi-solid material by scraping with the dull edge of a knife. Apply a dry-cleaning fluid, blot gently and work from the stain edges to the center. Apply a detergent solution. Use a clean cloth and blot gently, working from the outer to inner area of the stain. Dry the carpet. Apply a dry cleaning fluid; work from outer to inner edge of stain and blot gently. Dry the carpet and brush gently to restore the pile.

Other

Contact a commercial carpet and rug cleaner for advice.