Hardwood Care & Maintenance
Like any floor covering, real wood floors will show signs of wear over time, depending on the size and lifestyle of your family. But by observing a few precautions, and using the cleaning and maintenance program recommended by the manufacturer, you can expect years of beauty from your wood floor.
One thing you can do to help maintain and increase the life of your hardwood floor is to place area rugs in strategic locations like heavily trafficked areas, underneath tables, in front of couches, etc.
Never clean or mop your hardwood floor with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil, soap, or paste wax products; or other household cleaners that contain lemon oil, tung oil, or ammonia as this may damage your floor and result in a loss of warranty.
Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. To help eliminate fine particles of dirt and grit that act like sandpaper and will scratch any floor, vacuum or sweep daily. The vacuum head must be a felt or brush type. Be certain that the wheels of the vacuum are clean and do not damage the finish. DO NOT USE A VACUUM WITH A BEATER BARHEAD.
Remove spills promptly using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer. Be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws clean and free of dirt, gravel, grease, oil, and stains. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. Use a dolly and protective sheets of plywood when moving heavy objects, furniture, or appliances. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances.
Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring. Barrel-type wheels (a minimum 1" continuous width is recommended) or wide, flat glides are best for protecting your hardwood floor.
A humidifier is recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage of wood floors due to low humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity like summer.
Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates the oxidation and aging of wood and fabrics. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade and/or change color. It is recommended that you rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so the floor ages evenly.
Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build.
As added protection, use dirt-trapping walk-off mats at all exterior doors to keep sand, dirt, grit, grease, and oil off your hardwood floor.
General Terms and Conditions may apply, see warranty section for details.
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.
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.
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.***
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.