Carpet Care Tips
KEEP YOUR CARPET LOOKING BEAUTIFUL
Vacuum Regularly:
The most important thing you can do for your carpet is to vacuum it regularly. Removing dirt particles will reduce abrasion that can dull carpet fibers. Use a vacuum with a beater-bar, which will raise the pile when it removes soil.
Use Entrance Mats:
Place walk-off mats inside and outside entrances to trap soil before it can be tracked into your home. Soil is the greatest threat to your carpet’s appearance.
Blot Up Spills Immediately:
Immediate attention to spills and spots will make removal easier. Always blot the area being cleaned. Never rub, scrub or use a brush.
Clean Periodically:
Clean your carpet using hot-water extraction before it shows traffic patterns. Professional cleaning using hot-water extraction is the preferred method.
EASY 1-2-3-CLEANING METHOD:
Step 1:
- Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials
- For large stains, work from the outside of the stain to the center to prevent spreading.
- Blot up liquid spills with a colorfast or white paper towel.
- Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
- Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with a cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
- Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently.
- NEVER RUB, SCRUB OR USE A BRUSH BECAUSE IT MAY DAMAGE CARPET FIBERS.
If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
- Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
- Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
- Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
- If the stain is gone, place an absorbent towel or white paper towel over the area cleaned and weigh towels down with a heavy, colorfast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
- Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
- If stain remains, proceed to step 2 (for coffee, tea or urine, skip step 2 and proceed to step 3).
Step 2:
- DO NOT USE ON COFFEE, TEA OR URINE STAINS.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step1.
- Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.
Step 3:
- Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
- Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outline in step 1.
EASY 1-2-3-CLEANING METHOD
Water-Based Stains:
For these stains, start with step 1. If the stain remains, proceed with steps 2 and 3. Special Water-Based Stains: Coffee, Tea And Urine For these stains, start with step 1. If the stain remains, proceed with step 3. Omit step 2.
Greasy, Oil-Based Stains:
Have more questions? Call the experts with Shilling's Carpets & Floors at (574) 277-3110
today.
