Carpet Care & Maintenance

A regular maintenance program extends the life of the original appearance of your carpet. Today's carpet fibers are designed to hide dirt and reflect light and have the ability to resist soiling and stains. However, the lack of apparent soiling does not eliminate the necessity of regular cleaning.†

You will need to vacuum your heavy traffic areas, such as hallways, stairs, 

and exterior entryways at least twice a week. Vacuum less heavily used areas weekly. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar or rotating brush and with a strong enough airflow to penetrate to the carpet backing.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, and those styles with a combination thick or thin or cable yarn, a suction-only vacuum is recommended or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. A vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush can be tested for excessive fuzzing in an inconspicuous location before regular use.

Valley Flooring Carpet One of Santa Maria does not recommend a vacuum brand. There are brands that offer adjustable beater bars or even a feature to turn the beater bar off in some cases. The Carpet and Rug Institute (www.carpet-rug.org) also offers information and ratings of vacuums.

Most dry soil has razor-like edges that abrade carpet fibers, causing light to reflect differently and give carpet a dull appearance. Soil can damage the fibers permanently if allowed to remain in the pile.

No matter how often you vacuum, your carpet will still need heavy-duty cleaning from time to time. Professional cleaning is required to maintain your Carpet One Floor & Home® warranty. We would be glad to advise you about which cleaning method is best for your particular carpet. Hot water extraction, either alone or in combination with cleaning, is required to maintain most warranties.* Some styles, however, must be cleaned in other ways. Be sure to check with Carpet One Floor & Home® for the recommended cleaning method for your particular carpet. A trained professional should perform this service at least every 18-24 months to refresh the texture and rejuvenate the fibers in your carpet.† Have the cleaning professionals come to your home for a visual inspection, and obtain a written agreement before the work is started. You must retain your receipts for proof of maintenance service should a warranty claim arise.

When you and your cleaning professional choose a cleaning method, fiber content is the most important concern. Most carpet today is constructed with synthetic fibers such as nylon, polyester, or olefin and may be cleaned with most cleaning methods. Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, silk, and sisal may require specialized care. Use a cleaning method recommended by the carpet manufacturer to maintain their warranty, and if you should have any questions or concerns about your new carpet, just call us here at Valley Flooring Carpet One of Santa Maria.

 † Courtesy of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Copyright 2006.
* If you purchased the Everguard® Stain Protection Plan with your carpet, contact the 3M Service Center (1-800-352-6789) for spot removal instructions prior to using the following spot removal methods.


Spot Removal

In between professional cleanings, you may have to spot clean your carpet. If you have a spill or spot, you must act quickly to minimize staining. The longer the delay, the greater the possibility that the stain will become permanent. Complete removal of spills or spots may require a single solution applied repeatedly or the use of a combination of solutions. Follow these simple guidelines in sequence.**

NOTE: If your carpet is a Lees® carpet with the Ultra25® stain protection warranty, it is important to contact 3M at 1-800-352-6789 before you attempt any of the listed stain removal methods.

  1. Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing)paper towels. Do not scrub the area! Continue to blot until the area is completely dry. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon and vacuum. Do not add moisture.

  2. Locate the spill on the spot removal chart, click here and select the first spot removal solution recommended and follow the spot removal procedures listed.***

  3. Pretest any spot removal solution in an inconspicuous area to make certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds.

  4. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

  5. Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently. Work from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent the spill from spreading. Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible, and repeat, if necessary. Do not saturate the area as this may cause the spill to penetrate into the backing.

  6. Continue using the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. It is not necessary to use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill.

  7. Rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water after the spill has been removed. Blot with a dry cloth until all of the solution has been removed. Some cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if the solution is not completely removed.

  8. Place a 1/2 inch layer of white paper towels over the affected area to absorb all the moisture, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object.†


Spot Removal Solutions


We recommend the following solutions for removal of spots and stains. If you have these on hand, you will be able to handle most common spills. Always use solutions in the concentrations recommended. See the chart on page 10 to find the best solution for your stain. For assistance in choosing the correct solution, call your Carpet One Floor & Home® retailer and ask which is best for your particular type of carpet.


DETERGENT SOLUTION:
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a clear, non-bleach, non-lanolin, non-optical brightening dishwashing liquid per one cup of warm water. Allow the detergent to remain on the stain for eight to10 minutes. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. Never use an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that may destroy the carpet color and damage fibers. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber.

 DRY POWDER CLEANER:
Use powdered carpet cleaners such as CAPTURE®.

DRY CLEANING FLUID:
Use caution when using a dry cleaning fluid. Anon-flammable spot removal solution is preferred. Transfer solution to the spot with a damp towel–do not apply directly to the spot since direct contact may destroy the backing.

NAIL POLISH REMOVER:
Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease removers. Amyl acetate nail polish remover leaves residue that may cause rapid soiling. When using, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent, such as rubbing alcohol. Consult your warranty before using either of these products.

 

† Courtesy of the Carpet and Rug Institute, Copyright 2006.
** Carpet made of natural fibers requires special care. See methods specifically recommended for those carpets.
*** For an extensive list please reference the CRI website at www.carpet-rug.org.