Carpet Cleaning & Rug Care

With proper regular care, you can add years of life to your rugs and carpet and help to retain its original appearance. The most important thing you can do is to vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas.

Vacuuming helps remove dirt particles, which abrade rugs and carpet, and dull their appearance. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner with beater bars and good suction. Keep bags, filter and recovery tanks clean.

Carpet cleaning

"Soiling" is a build-up of soil particles and oily materials that cling to the rug and carpet fibers and dull their beauty. In time, foot traffic drives the soil particles deep into the carpet. When this condition cannot be corrected with vacuuming, it's time for carpet cleaning by a trained professional.

How often you'll need professional carpet cleaning depends on soil build-up, traffic, type and color of carpeting. A good rule of thumb would be to professionally clean your rug or carpet every 18 months.

A reputable professional carpet cleaner knows the latest in carpet construction, chemicals, and safe, effective cleaning methods to help maintain carpet beauty.

Most professionals use hot water extraction carpet cleaning (also known as steam cleaning). Other common carpet cleaning methods include absorbent pad or bonnet cleaning, rotary shampoo, and dry foam or powder.

Do-It-Yourself cleaning

Professional carpet cleaning is recommended for any rug or carpet, including stain-resistant carpet. However, if you decide to do it yourself, carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions. Most dry cleaning systems are satisfactory and will not affect the warranty. If other methods are used, avoid cationic or high pH (>10) chemicals which can impair stain resistance. Avoid excessive abrasive action to prevent damage to the carpet tufts.

Spotting

Basic carpet cleaning steps for common food and beverage stains is as follows:

Immediately scoop up as much of the spill as possible. Then blot, do not rub, with clean, white absorbent cloth or paper towels to remove excess moisture. Use a wet/dry vacuum if spill is large.

Douse stain with warm, not hot, water and blot with clean, white cloth or paper towels. Press down firmly to remove as much moisture as possible. Repeat until no stain is evident on cloth or towels.

If stain remains on carpet, make a solution of warm water and mild non-bleach liquid laundry, not dishwashing, detergent (1 teaspoon to 1 quart water). Apply enough solution to cover stain and let soak for about 5 minutes.

Rinse with warm water and blot thoroughly to extract water. Repeat until all detergent is removed.

Absorb remaining moisture with layers of white paper towels, weighted down overnight with non-staining glass or ceramic object.

When completely dry, vacuum or brush the pile to restore texture.

Ghost Stain: After drying, if the stain reappears, it may be because some stain remained deep in the pile and wicked up to the surface. If so, reapply warm water detergent solution, vacuum or brush when completely dry.

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