How To Protect Your Carpet Investment
Begin to care for your carpet from the day it's "installed, and" you'll enjoy all its beauty for years to come. Proper care is quick, easy and inexpensive. Prevent soil accumulation, vacuum frequently, clean up spills promptly, and periodically clean carpet thoroughly.
Carpet Care for Better Wear
No carpet lasts forever, but you can add years to the life of a good carpet with regular care. A carpet wears out because of foot traffic and dirt particles that get trampled deep into the pile. Beyond the suction of a vacuum, they abrade the fibers like sandpaper and dull the carpet.
The most important thing you can do to protect your carpet is to vacuum it regularly. Vacuum twice each week lightly and once a week thoroughly. Heavy traffic areas may require more frequent cleaning. A light vacuuming is three passes; a thorough job may need seven passes.
Equipment Selection and Usage
A hand pushed carpet sweeper equipped with a revolving brush is a valuable tool for picking up crumbs and loose debris. An upright vacuum cleaner of the motor driven brush and beater type is essential for proper carpet care. Your vacuum must be set for height so the beater and brush just clears the carpet. Beater and Brushes that continuously (touch) comb the wool carpet will cause Fuzzing, Bearding, or Pilling. A tank type cleaner can be used for occasional touch-up work but is not recommended as the principal cleaning equipment. The combination of a tank cleaner and a separate motor driven brush and beater floor tool can be used to advantage. The tank cleaner can also be used with a vacuum wand to pick up loose surface dirt and to clean difficult to reach areas. For high traffic areas, we recommend use of a mechanical pile brush. The pile brush (hand or mechanical) reduces the tendency of the carpet surface to compact by better opening and erecting the pile. Pile brushing should always be done against the nap of the pile and is highly recommended in corridors and traffic lanes
What to do about...
Fading.
Science has yet to develop a color that will not fade with time. All carpets will slowly lose some color due to natural and artificial forces in the environment. This can be delayed by:
1) Frequently removing soil by vacuuming.
2) Regularly changing air filters in heating and air conditioning systems.
3) Keeping humidity from getting too high.
4) Reducing sunlight exposure with window coverings.
Footprints.
Most deep cut pile carpet will show shoe or foot impressions. If you find this objectionable, a carpet of lower pile, denser construction will minimize this condition. See Shading.
Fuzzing.
Fuzzing is most noticeable in older loop pile carpets. Fuzzing is caused by embedded soil and grit cutting fibers but leaving them still bound at one end. Carefully clip off the protruding fibers. Fuzzing is an indication that more frequent vacuuming is required.
Shading.
A normal characteristic of a luxurious, dense, cut pile carpet such as velvets and plush’s. This visual effect is caused by the tips of the tufts reflecting light differently than the sides of the tufts. It is an esthetic quality in the design, not a defect.
Static.
Cooler temperatures outside often contribute to static electricity inside. To avoid the problem altogether, look for carpets made with anti-static protection built in. You can also install a humidifier to help control static build-up.
Crushing.
Furniture and traffic may crush a carpet's pile fibers. Frequent vacuuming in high traffic areas and glides or cups under heavy pieces of furniture can help prevent this. Rotating your furniture to change the traffic pattern in a room can also help by promoting more even wear.
Pilling.
Pilling or small balls of fiber can appear, depending on the type of carpet fiber and the traffic it gets. Clip off the pills, but if it covers a large area, seek professional advice.
Burns.
Any kind of burn should be taken care of immediately. First, snip off the darkened fibers. Then use a soapless cleaner and sponge with water. If the burn is extensive, see a professional about replacing the damaged area.
Stains.
Spills and stains must be tended to immediately in most cases. The type of carpet fiber, color of carpet, how long the stain has set, and cause of the stain affects the severity of the stain. See stain removal chart.
Dents.
(From furniture or heavy objects.) Shift location of furniture from time to time. Brush the dented 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.
Shedding.
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.
Snags.
If tufts are pulled out of the carpet, clip off with a scissors. Never pull them. If a long "run" occurs, see your carpet dealer to have the yarn re-tufted or glued back in place. Snags occur most frequently in loop pile carpets.
Sprouts.
To remove yarn tufts that stick up higher than the carpet, clip off excess length with a scissors or a fingernail clipper. Do not use a knife. This is not a carpet-manufacturing defect.
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