| General
Tips |
|
| Regular,
thorough vacuuming |
In
addition to being unsightly and unhealthy, dirt and debris cause
friction to carpet fibers, and over time will cause carpeting to look
dull and prematurely worn. |
| Prompt
clean-up of spills |
If left
untended, spills can leak through the surface of the carpet to the
padding below. Once liquid has seeped through to the padding, it is
very difficult, if not impossible to remove. When cleaned, the surface
of the carpet looks great for a few days, until the stain "wicks" back
up from the padding to the carpet surface. Prevent permanent stains by
blotting immediately (See Tip #5.), followed by professional cleaning. |
| Never use
bleach, alkaline detergents or all-purpose cleaners to clean your
carpet. |
These can
cause permanent damage to your carpet by discoloring or removing the
color altogether |
| Always
test carpet cleaning solution on an obscure, out-of-the-way place first. |
Natural
fibers, such as cotton or wool, react very differently than do
manufactured fibers when subjected to certain types of cleaning
solutions. The best way to determine if a solution will be safe for
your carpet is to test it first in an area no one will see. |
| When
treating spots at home, BLOT-NEVER RUB. |
Rubbing
carpet to clean it can actually make the stain worse by spreading it
and forcing it further into the fibers. Instead, blot stains with a
white terry cloth towel, working from the outside in. |
| When
treating spots at home, NEVER OVERWET the carpet |
Getting
the carpeting too wet can actually cause the stain to set deeper into
the pad. See Tip #2 above. |
| Have your
carpet professionally cleaned at least every 12 to 18 months, even if
it doesn't look soiled. |
Professional
cleaning extracts dirt from deep within the carpeting. Even if it can't
be seen, dirt is there abrading your carpet fibers and lending to poor
indoor air quality. |
| Always
choose CERTIFIED carpet cleaning professionals |
"Consumers
know that when they hire IICRC certified technicians or firms, they
have hired experts who will ensure that work will be completed in
accordance with the Industry's highest standards" (from the IICRC FAQ
at www.iicrc.org) |
