Carpet is a relatively low-maintenance soft flooring surface that has many beneficial qualities. Some of these benefits include: a soft surface for safety and comfort, a filter to control indoor air pollution, aesthetical qualities in color and texture, and convectional warmth.
However, some consumers perceive carpet to be difficult to maintain. By following a simple routine of care, carpeting will look great and last many years. Below are some suggestions to ensure years of beautiful carpet use.
Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!
One of the best maintenance actions a consumer can make is to vacuum their carpet often. It is important to select a vacuum that meets or exceeds the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Green Label Certification program. This Certification ensures that the vacuum has surpassed indoor air quality testing as well as safeness of use on modern carpeting. Believe it or not several popular vacuums on the market are too aggressive on carpeting and can cause premature wear. Using a vacuum approved by the CRI Green Label program alleviates this concern. To find a CRI Green Label approved vacuum, visit the CRI Website. (see end of article for link)
A popular question is how often should one vacuum? Truth be told with a CRI Green Label approved vacuum, the answer is as often as needed. Factors such as carpet use, pets, children, transitional soil (i.e. dirt driveway or walkpaths to the entry of the home), and other factors matter in the decision on how often to vacuum. A loose rule of thumb is to vacuum a couple of times a week, unless factors above come into play. It's not uncommon for some consumers to vacuum once or twice a day to control pet hair and dander. Conversely if a room of carpet receives little or no use, vacuuming only a couple of times a month may make more sense. The short answer is one can not vacuum too frequently.
Treat Spots and Stains Immediately
Modern carpet has an amazing ability to hide dry soil. Above I noted that vacuuming frequently controls much of the loose dry soil, but vacuuming does not address spills, spots, and stains caused by liquids. Combating liquid spots is a fairly easy task and the sooner a consumer addresses the fresh spot the better. Modern carpeting is made with soil-blocking chemistry, but it is not bulletproof. Over the course of time this soil-blocking chemistry wears off of the carpeting and the carpet will not resist soil as well as it did when it was new. Also, some over-the-counter spotting products and home-made spotting solutions are too harsh on the carpets' soil-blocking chemistry and will cause the chemistry to be compromised.
The best way to address spots, spills and stains is to follow this 3 step approach:
1) Determine the source - attempt to discover the source by sight and smell. Please note: If the spill is corrosive or hazardous, do NOT attempt to clean it up yourself. It's best to call a professional who is trained in specialty carpet cleaning to protect yourself, family, and pets if it's dangerous or you aren't sure how to address the spill. If you have any concerns whatsoever, call the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification for a referral of a local professional cleaner. Their toll free number is: (800) 835-4624. Consumers may also access their 24-hour referral service online at the link provided at the end of this article.
2) Scoop/blot/extract - if the spill is large, using a Shop-Vac in "wet extraction mode" will make it easier to remove the bulk. Smaller spots can be scooped or blotted up with a white cotton terry towel or microfiber cloth. It's important to use a white fabric for blotting to ensure there is no transfer of color from the cloth or towel to the carpeting.
3) Treat - All spots fall into 2 basic categories (or sometimes a combination - such as some kinds of ink): oil-based and water-based. Oil-based spots are caused by fuel, oil, some inks, grease, paint, nail polish, etc. Water-based spots are caused by urine, vomit, feces, food and beverages, fertilizer, etc. It's important to treat each according to their type. Water-based spills, spots, and stains need to be treated with water-based spotting solutions and oil-based need to be treated with oil-based spotting solutions. For a comprehensive spotting chart with instructions, please follow the spotting guide link at the end of this article.
Carpet Cleaning
Vacuuming is effective for dry soil removal, and spot cleaning is an excellent way to keep carpeting looking fantastic between cleanings. Like any textile, such as clothing, a deeper system of cleaning is needed when the carpet becomes uniformly soiled. The Environmental Protection Agency and carpet mills alike recommend frequent cleaning between 3 months and 18 months, depending on use and types of soil. As noted above, carpet has an amazing ability to hide soil. Hoover Vacuum Company commissioned a study and determined that modern carpet can completely hide 1 pound of soil in 1 square foot of carpet! Over time carpet "traffic lanes" can become permanently etched if deep soil is not removed. It's best to clean your carpeting before soil shows because once it accumulates permanent damage has likely already started.
Which Method is Best?
There are 5 recognized methods of cleaning carpet - Hot Water Extraction (steam cleaning), Foam, Shampoo, Bonnet, and Dry Powder. Each of these methods has benefits and drawbacks. Hot Water Extraction is the most popular method of cleaning and is the only method that rinses carpet fibers. However, any of the 5 methods are effective under the care of an experienced professional technician.
Do It Yourself or Choose a Pro?
For minor spots, spills, and stains, consumers can usually address them by using the spotting techniques found on the spotting website above. But when it's time to clean larger areas of carpet, either for maintenance or because of large spots, spills or stains, consumers should consider the following questions:
1) Should you do it yourself? If so,
a. Should you rent or buy a machine?
b. Which machine should you use?
c. Will you be able to clean to your satisfaction?
d. Is the perceived lower price of rental or doing it yourself worth it?
2) Should you hire a professional? If so,
a. Which method should you choose?
b. Which company should you choose?
c. Is the perceived higher cost worth it over renting or buying a machine?
Only you can answer these questions, but consider this. The typical professional carpet cleaner often attends carpet cleaning classes to keep up with new trends, methods, techniques, and chemistry; A typical professional carpet cleaner also successfully cleans thousands of square feet (or more) of carpet a year. Some professional carpet cleaners also choose to become a Certified Firm, which also means they have agreed to a Code of Ethics, possess 3rd party verification of insurance and license requirements, and also have a formal complaint policy instituted, should there be a problem.
By following this guide, your carpeting will last longer and will look great year-round.
Links found in article:
CRI Green Label Vacuums
IICRC Locate-a-Pro Cleaner/Restorer Site
Carpet Spot Cleaning Guide
About the Author - Scott F. Rendall is President of Rendall's Certified Cleaning Services, a professional cleaning and restoration company specializing in carpet, furniture/textile, tile & grout and wood floor care, as well as Water and Fire Damage restoration. Founded in 1983, Rendall's Certified Cleaning Services is an IICRC Certified Firm and Registered with the Carpet and Rug Institute as a Seal of Approval provider. Rendall's Certified Cleaning Services prides itself in unparalleled customer service. For more information on professional cleaning and restoration, visit: Rendall's Certified Cleaning Services Scott Rendall is also an IICRC-certified Master Textile Cleaner as well as a business consultant to other cleaners and restorers world-wide. He can be reached @ 810-225-2184. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Rendall |
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