Helpful Hints

No matter how dynamic the fiber design, how superb the construction or how exceptional the performance test results... carpet or upholstery that is not properly maintained will not age gracefully.

CARPETING

Tracked-in soil is your biggest problem because it carries throughout the house. If you can keep tracked in soil to a minimum you can reduce dirt build-up and ultimately decrease the frequency of periodic professional cleanings.

Controlling Soil

Entry mats collect or absorb soil and moisture. They should be placed adjacent to high traffic areas and entryways. But not on top of the carpet. They should be maintained by weekly vacuuming, shaking and cleaning. (ask our industry certified personnel to show you the array of effective, quality mats that are designed to suit your specific needs.

Vacuuming

Routine Vacuuming with properly maintained, quality equipment is the single most important step you can take to extend the life and appearance of carpet.

Usa a top-fill vacuum with brush agitation OR a cannister with a “powerhead” that has brush agitation.
Soil should be collected in the vacuum;s recovery system ( to avoid re-entry into the air which can contribute to indoor air pollution).
Make sure your vacuum has a high efficiency HEPA filtering system OR a bag should be used in your vacuum equipment.

UPHOLSTERY

Read labels and tags carefully and follow manufacturer's recommendations for care and maintenance.
Every time your upholstery is professionally cleaned, be sure to have Fabric protectant applied to extend its beauty and useful life.
Make sure you hire only industry certified, trained professionals who have experience with your type of upholstery (haitian cotton, leather, linen, etc.).

Stains & Spills

Before treating a wet stain, blot the area with a white cloth or paper towel; dry stain, scoop up all the loose material, and vacuum any residual particles.

Test your cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using to determine if discoloration will result from their use.

Apply cleaning agents to the stain by dampening a white, absorbent cloth or paper towel and blotting the stained area. DO NOT apply cleaning agents directly to the carpet.

Never rub, scrub or use a brush on the area being cleaned.

Work from the outside to the center of a stain to prevent spread of the stain or formation of a ring.

Always allow cleaned area to dry thoroughly.

Groom the cleaned area by hand brushing or vacuuming to restore the pile’s original appearance.

Sometimes stains persist and reappear after you think they’re gone. This is called wicking. Repeating the procedure several times usually eliminates them for good.

Absorbent towels, weighted with a heavy, colorfast object, placed over the cleaned area will help to absorb moisture and remove the remaining stain as it wicks to the surface.

Cleaning Prodocedures

Apply detergent solution (non-bleaching) sparingly. Blot to remove substance and rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove detergent residue. Blot dry.

Apply only enough dry cleaning fluid or alcohol to dampen the stain. Blot dry. Repeat as long as the stain continues to transfer. If stain is still visible, apply detergent solution (non-bleaching) sparingly. Blot to remove substance and rinse thoroughly with a clear water to remove detergent residue. Blot dry. Apply vinegar solution (equal parts white vinegar and water) to the entire area that has been cleaned. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Blot dry.

Apply detergent solution (non-bleaching) sparingly. Blot to remove substance and rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove detergent residue. Blot dry. Apply vinegar solution (equal parts white vinegar and water) to the entire area that has been cleaned. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Blot dry.

Frequently Encountered Spills or Stains
Always test your cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area on the fabric to be cleaned before using to determine if discoloration will result from their use.
Spill/Stain	Procedure		Spill/Stain	Procedure
Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaner		A	Ance Medication		B
Alkaline Drain Cleaner		C	Apple Juice		A
Apple Sauce		A	Asphalt		B
Barbeque Sauce		B	Beer		A
Bleaches		C	Blood		A
Butter		A	Candy		A
Caramel Syrup		A	Catsup		A
Cheese Spread		B	Chocolate		B
Chocolate Milk		A	Chocolate Syrup		A
Clay		A	*Coffee		C
Cola		A	Cooking Oil		B
Cough Syrup		A	Cranberry Juice		A
Crayon		B	Dirt		A
Felt Tip Marker		B	Furniture Dye		B
Gelatin		A	Grape Juice		A
Gravy		A	Grease		B
Hair Dye		C	Hand Cream		B
Ice Cream		A	Ink		B
Ink (water soluble)		A	Insecticides		B
Jelly		A	Lipstick		B
Margarine		B	Mascara		B
Mayonnaise		B	Medicines		A
Mouthwash		A	*Mustard		C
Nail Polish		B	Oil		B
Ointment		B	Orange Juice		A
Orange Soda		A	Paint (Latex)		A
Paint (Oil)		B	Pet Feces		A
Pet Urine		C	Plant Food		A
Rouge		B	Rust		A
Salad Dressing		B	Salad Oil		B
Shoe Polish		B	Soft Drinks		A
Soil		A	Soot		A
*Soup		B	Spaghetti Sauce		B
Steak Sauce		B	Syrup		A
Taco Sauce		B	Tar		B
*Tea		C	Tomato Juice		A
Vomit		A	Water Colors		A
Whiskey		A	Wine		A
* Effectiveness of this cleaning procedure depends on the type or consistency of the liquids that created the spill/stain.

Frequently Encountered Spills or Stains (Hover over the stain type)
Always test your cleaning solutions in an inconspicuous area on the fabric to be cleaned before using to determine if discoloration will result from their use.
Acid Toilet Bowl Cleaner	Ance Medication	Alkaline Drain Cleaner	Apple Juice
Apple Sauce	Asphalt	Barbeque Sauce	Beer
Bleaches	Blood	Butter	Candy
Caramel Syrup	Catsup	Cheese Spread	Chocolate
Chocolate Milk	Chocolate Syrup	Clay	*Coffee
Cola	Cooking Oil	Cough Syrup	Cranberry Juice
Crayon	Dirt	Felt Tip Marker	Furniture Dye
Gelatin	Grape Juice	Gravy	Grease
Hair Dye	Hand Cream	Ice Cream	Ink
Ink (water soluble)	Insecticides	Jelly	Lipstick
Margarine	Mascara	Mayonnaise	Medicines
Mouthwash	*Mustard	Nail Polish	Oil
Ointment	Orange Juice	Orange Soda	Paint (Latex)
Paint (Oil)	Pet Feces	Pet Urine	Plant Food
Rouge	Rust	Salad Dressing	Salad Oil
Shoe Polish	Soft Drinks	Soil	Soot
*Soup	Spaghetti Sauce	Steak Sauce	Syrup
Taco Sauce	Tar	*Tea	Tomato Juice
Vomit	Water Colors	Whiskey	Wine
* Effectiveness of this cleaning procedure depends on the type or consistency of the liquids that created the spill/stain.

How often should a carpet be vacuumed?

Proper vacuuming frequency should be planned according to traffic patterns. Here’s a guideline for establishing your own schedule.

Appropriate Vacuuming Frequency
Traffic Area	Light Traffic	Heavy Traffic
Entry Way	Twice Weekly	Daily
Hallways	Twice Weekly	Daily
Living Area	Twice Weekly	Daily