Carpet Maintenance | Stain Removal | "Easy as 1-2-3" Cleaning

Carpet Maintenance:

Carpet maintenance requires regular vacuuming and removal of spots for longevity. Heavy objects resting on carpet should be periodically moved to avoid matting and permanent markings. Regular vacuuming is the basic key in removing soil from the pile. You can never over-vacuum a carpet. Shedding is normal in new cut pile carpets. The amount of fiber loss is of no consequence. Regular vacuuming removes the loose fibers without harming the carpet. Hallways, family room, and stairs obviously need more frequent vacuuming, as these frequently receive the most traffic. Use a vacuum cleaner that has a "beater-bar", as well as frequently changing the direction of the vacuum strokes. This loosens soil and stimulates the pile. A vacuum which employs only "suction" does not clean as thoroughly or enhance your carpet appearance. If you will follow these simple procedures, you can keep your carpet at the appearance level you expect.

Shift the location of furniture from time to time. On the areas indented from furniture or heavy objects, brush the indented area or use a grooming tool to loosen or stand the crushed tufts upward. Holding a steam iron several inches above the carpet surface, steam the dented area lightly and brush the tufts upward with your fingertips. DO NOT LET THE IRON TOUCH THE CARPET.

All carpets will slowly lose some color due to natural and artificial forces in the environment. This can be delayed by:

1. Frequently removing dirt by vacuuming.
2. Regularly changing air filters in heating and air conditioning systems.
3. Keeping humidity and temperature from getting too high.
4. Reducing sunlight exposure with window coverings or sunlight filter materials.
   

Dust, pollen, smoke, cooking vapors and other air-transported materials will settle on any floor. Where air is forced through the carpet under doors, by air conditioning outlets, etc., soil will deposit in streaks or spots (filtration marks). A professional cleaning company who specializes in this type of cleaning needs to be contacted. However, the condition will reoccur until the airflow is corrected.

Pile becomes crushed or compacted with use. Vacuum against the lay of the tufts with a beater-bar machine or brush with a pile groomer to lift and restore the crushed pile.

Entrance mats control the spread of soil where it begins. If you place track-off mats at the entrance areas of your home and keep them clean, you will control the soil at that point, thereby not bringing it through the house. [top]

Carpet ­ Stain Prevention/Removal:

Liquid spills should be attended to quickly before they become "stains". With some exceptions, if you know what has been spilled on your carpet, and you act quickly to remove it, it will not have a chance to become a "stain". Always "blot" a spill up (working from the edge to the center). Never rub, this just spreads the liquid to other areas. Use a clean (white if possible) absorbent cloth.

Successful stain removal requires the use of enough water and detergent to lift out the staining material, but do not attempt to do it all in one step. Repeated wetting and blotting works better and avoids wetting the carpet pad. For especially stubborn stains, consult a professional carpet cleaner.

Many modern day household chemicals cause mysterious spots when they come in contact with carpet or other dyed fabrics. Depending on humidity and temperature conditions, these discolorations may not appear until several days or weeks after the carpet was exposed to the chemical. The only way to protect the carpet is to take special precautions to prevent any contact with these chemicals. Here are some of the common culprits:

• Bleaches — Chlorine bleaches, mildew killers and swimming pool chemicals (which can be tracked into the house by unknowing swimmers) will cause yellow spots.
• Acne Medicines — Most acne medicines and some skin products for humans and for pets contain benzoyl peroxide, which is a strong bleaching agent, particularly in the presence of high humidity or moisture. Hand or facial residue can be unknowingly wiped onto the carpet. After application, it is recommended that a strong soap be to make certain that no residue is left on the hands or face.
• Household Cleaners — Tile, toilet bowl, drain and oven cleaners contain strong acids or alkalis which can weaken the carpet fiber and cause color "bleeding". Exercise caution when using these cleaners around carpeted areas.
• DMSO — Dimetnysulfoxide, which is commonly used for pain relief in medicines for arthritis, back problems, athletic injuries and muscular aches, can cause rapid loss of color on carpet due to its solvent action. Insecticides and Pesticides - Products most often involved contain Malathion, Diazinon, Dursban, Vapona, and include some pet shampoos and flea and tick collars. We strongly recommend that any indoor use of pesticides be done only by a qualified Pest Control Operator.
• Plant Foods — Liquid plant food spills or leakage from flowerpots can cause discolored spots. These typically start at the carpet backing and progress to the carpet surface, sometimes not apparent for months.

TIP: READ THE WARNING LABELS on all household products before use, since many contain chemicals harmful to carpet and other fabrics.

Use dry cleaning fluid to remove the following stains:

• Butter Glue Nail Polish
• Calamine Lotion Grease (black) Ointment
• Cooking Oil Gum Oil
• Cosmetics Hand Cream Oil Paint
• Crayon Ink Rouge
• Felt Tip Marker Lipstick Salad Dressing
• Furniture Dye Margarine Tar
• Furniture Polish (oil based) Mascara Varnish
• Mayonnaise Wax

In the case of glue, gum or wax, freeze and remove solids before cleaning with dry cleaning fluid. Dry cleaning fluid (such as Carbona or Energine) is available in most hardware and grocery stores. Follow the manufacturer's directions. If stains remain after cleaning attempts, proceed to the "Easy as 1-2-3" cleaning method. [top]

Carpet ­ "Easy as 1-2-3" Cleaning Method:

Most household stains can be removed using the Scotchgard "Easy as 1-2-3" cleaning method. Oil- based stains, however, will require the use of a dry cleaning solvent prior to using the "Easy as 1-2-3" cleaning method.

Step 1:
Mix 1 teaspoon of non-bleaching dry powder laundry detergent (non-bleaching brands such as Tide or Surf) with 2 cups of water. Stir the solutions gently. Using a clean white cloth, dampen the fibers in the stained area with the detergent solution.

• If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
• Re-wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water.
• Repeat the rinsing/blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
  
• If the stains are removed, place white paper towels over the stained area.
  
• Weigh down the towels with a heavy, colorfast object such as plastic wastebasket with a weight inside.
  
• Change the paper towels as stains wick up until the area dries.
  
• If stains remain (unless they are from coffee, tea or urine), proceed to Step 2. For coffee, tea and urine stains, proceed directly to Step 3.
  

Step 2:
(Note: Do not use on coffee, tea or urine stains.)
Mix 1 tablespoon of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water. Apply this solution as outlined in Step 1, rinsing the area in the same manner, Note: Even if stains disappear after using the ammonia solution, it is necessary to use Step 3 — the vinegar solution — to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Step 3:
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Apply this solution as outlined in Steps 1 and 2. Rinse and blot. Fold paper towels and place over the stained area. Weight towels with a heavy, colorfast object such as a plastic wastebasket with a weight inside. Continue to change paper towels until the area is almost dry. Gently brush pile to lift tufts. Allow carpet to completely dry before walking on carpet surface.

Note: You must use Step 3 if you first used Step 2. It is important to neutralize the ammonia solution. If the stain persists, add the vinegar/water solution outlined in Step 3 with the detergent solution outlined in Step 1. Follow Step 1 procedures. [top]

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