Carpet Maintenance Quick Tips
Why is it important to maintain your carpet? What is involved in maintaining carpet? Here are some quick tips to carpet maintenance.
Carpet that is properly maintained:
- Should last 10-15 years
- Will look great for its full lifetime
- Help improve indoor air quality
- Help adhere to your carpet warranty
- Prevents you from having to replace prematurely
Three simple steps for proper carpet care – According to the Carpet and Rug Institute:
- Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
- with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to resoil quicker.
- Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.
Preventative Maintenance:
- Take your shoes off before entering your home
- Use walk off mats at every entrance
- Change your air filters (the less dust there is in the air, the less dust that can fall on your carpet!)
Take care of your carpet and it will take care of you (and the environment!)
How to Remove Ink Stains From Carpet
To remove ink stains from carpet, use the following methods:
Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent. (See Residue Precautions.)
Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.
Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.
Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.
Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.
Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.
Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846
Green News in Flooring for Armstrong and Shaw
ARMSTRONG
Armstrong’s Center, Texas engineered hardwood manufacturing plant received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody certification.
According to Daniel Call, vice president, Wood Product Management, “FSC certification is a measure of our commitment to environmental stewardship, which includes sustainable forest management.”
Built in the early 1950s, the Center, Texas facility is Armstrong’s oldest hardwood plant. The 200-plus employees make residential and commercial flooring for the Armstrong, Bruce and Capella hardwood lines.
Now the plant can produce FSC-certified products in multiple domestic species, including oak, maple, hickory and walnut.
SHAW INDUSTRIES
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomed Shaw Industries, Inc. as its newest WasteWise partner.
WasteWise partners are organizations that voluntarily set goals to reduce municipal solid waste.
Shaw is joining EPA’s WasteWise program as it is launching a project to better track its efforts in reducing the amount of post-industrial waste produced in all of its carpet, rug, hardwood and laminate manufacturing facilities.
The total post-industrial waste produced will be compared to the amount of finished production, and Shaw intents to significantly reduce that percentage over the next three years and beyond.
EPA provides WasteWise partners with technical assistance and helps promote the achievement of its partners.
Shaw is a leading recycler of post-consumer carpet, and the comprehensive Shaw Green Edge Recycling program reclaims and recycles carpet nationwide.
Shaw also manufactures a line of wood flooring from post-industrial recycled wood that uses 50 percent less harvested wood than comparable engineered wood flooring.
Carpet scraps, along with all waste generated from laminate manufacturing at Shaw’s facility in Ringgold, Ga., is diverted from landfills and used to generate fuel. An innovative waste-to-energy technology converts carpet and wood waste to steam energy through gasification.
WasteWise is a voluntary partnership program launched by EPA in 1994 with more than 2000 partners. WasteWise partners not only reduce waste, but also are addressing global climate change. By decreasing the demand on raw materials through waste reduction and recycling, these organizations are improving operations, reducing costs, and minimizing their environmental footprints.
Disney Carpet from Shaw
Does your child’s room need a special touch? Something different and unique? Check out the Disney collection from Tuftex and Shaw Industries.
Inspired by the worlds of favorite Disney friends, The Disney Collection weaves the warmth and soft durability of Shaw carpet with the magic and fun of Disney. The collection is designed around six Disney and Disney-Pixar favorites: Hannah Montana, Cars, Toy Story, Disney Princesses, Disney Fairies and Winnie the Pooh. These beloved stories have inspired signature designs, patterns and color pallets that showcase the quality craftsmanship from Tuftex of California as well as the unique style of Disney storytelling. Each carpet can compliment other Disney home products so you can create the happiest rooms on earth.
The beautifully designed, masterfully manufactured carpets of the Disney collection from Shaw incorporate several pattented technologies to unsure products that are soil and stain resistant, long lasting and environmentally friendly:
Softness: Revolutionary carpet fibers are tough and resilient without compromising softness.
R2X stain resistance: Exclusive soil and stain repellent protects carpet fibers from dirt and spills.
SoftBac Platinum: An exclusive, patented backing system keeps carpet flexible and wrinkle free.
5 Star Shaw Warranty: 10 year limited quality assurance warranty from the worlds largest producer of carpet.
Eco Friendly: To learn more about Shaw’s eco friendly carpet and manufacturing process visit www.shaw.carpet.com.
To visit the Disney site directly, click here.
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