The most important step in caring for your carpet is vacuuming.
Vacuum carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas. Realize that walking on soiled carpet allows the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the carpet fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before problems occur.
Frequency of vacuuming
For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting.
Check the quality of your vacuum
A good vacuum cleaner is vital to prolonging the beauty and life of your carpet. An inexpensive machine can remove surface dirt but will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile. To ensure that your vacuum will conform to the highest industry standards, make sure that your vacuum cleaner is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Vacuum Cleaner Indoor Air Quality Program. Visit www.carpet-rug.com for details and listings.
Select the best vacuum for your type of carpet
Shaw recommends using vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for removal. Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. For these products, Shaw recommends a suction-only vacuum or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. A vacuum with a beater/brush bar can be tested for excessive fuzzing in an inconspicuous location before regular use.
Pay attention to vacuum bags
Replaceable paper vacuum bags do a better job of trapping small particles than cloth bags. With cloth bags, the particles pass back into the room. High efficiency vacuum bags, also called microfiltration bags, trap even smaller microscopic particles such as mold and mildew spores and dust mite by-products, which are often found to be a source of allergies. All vacuum bags should be checked often and replaced when half full.
Check the belt and the setting
Make sure the belt is in good condition and that the brush or beater bar rotates when in contact with the carpet. To adjust the vacuum to the correct height setting for the carpet, raise the beater/brush bar to the highest setting and then lower it until it contacts the pile enough to slightly vibrate the carpet several inches away from the machine, but not low enough to cause significant slowing of the motor.
Change vacuuming directions
Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and help reduce matting.
Preventative Maintenance
Place walk-off mats at all entrances
Walk-off mats should be used at the exterior of all entrances to absorb the soil and moisture. They can help trap the excessive dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, or driveway sealer that would otherwise be tracked into the home. Mats should also be cleaned on a regular basis so they don't become sources of soil themselves.
Use a quality carpet pad
You should always use a quality pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. A good carpet pad not only gives better resilience and comfort underfoot, it can extend the life of your carpet.
Occasionally move heavy furniture
Move heavy furniture occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. Use floor protectors designed for carpet under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters without a chair pad designed specifically for carpet or damage may occur.
Protect carpet when moving furniture
When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing a protective barrier of heavy cardboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
Clean your area rugs
If you use area rugs on your carpet, be sure to clean them regularly. Clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath as well. Also, be sure to check area rugs for colorfastness before placing them on carpet because the color in some rugs may bleed through. After cleaning your carpet, allow it to dry completely before replacing area rugs.
Reduce periods of direct sunlight
Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.
CARPET CARE YOU CAN'T BEAT
The following article has been provided by your local IICRC Certified carpet professional Gersh's Carpet Cleaning.
The following article has been provided by your local IICRC Certified carpet professional Gersh's Carpet Cleaning. Read on to discover the importance of vacuuming. In days gone by, carpets and rugs were cleaned by taking them outside, hanging them across a line, and beating them. Perhaps you remember this tedious Saturday afternoon chore from your childhood. Our mothers and grandmothers may not have understood the cleaning technology behind this work, but they did realize the beneficial results. The majority of soil in carpet is dry, insoluble, particulate matter.
An analysis by Proctor and Gamble Laboratories of carpet soiling samples representing a cross-section from throughout the United States reveals the following data on soil in carpet:
Tracked-in, gritty particles make up approximately 55%.
Animal fiber from people, pets and fabrics comprise about 12%.
Another 12% is vegetable matter and fiber from fabrics, indoor plants, lawn trackings and paper products. These combine to account for 79% of the soil nestled in carpet fibers. This soil composition varies with geographic location and use of the facility. This dry soil is often abrasive and can harm carpet fibers if not removed. Under the weight and movement of foot traffic, these particulate soils can scratch and cut carpet fibers, dulling the appearance of the carpet. Abrasive soil is the major cause of carpet wear.
Today most carpet is installed wall to wall, and clotheslines are becoming a thing of the past. We can't beat this particulate soil out of our soft floor coverings, but we can vacuum it out. Frequent, thorough vacuuming is the most important step in a carpet maintenance program. Routine vacuuming enhances the appearance and prolongs the useful life of carpet by lifting the fibers and removing harmful particulate soil. Proper vacuuming also helps create a healthier indoor environment by removing pollutants such as dust mites and their feces, discarded human skin cells that mites feed upon, mold spores and other biological contaminants collected in the carpet.
The equipment is the first consideration for effective vacuuming. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), Vancouver, Washington, the certifying body for professionals achieving levels of proficiency in the cleaning, restoration, and inspection industry, offers these tips on selecting a vacuum cleaner:
Upright vacuum cleaners are generally more efficient than canister models.
A top-load vacuum works more efficiently than a bottom-load.
The vacuum cleaner head should be equipped with a beater bar or revolving brush. This mechanical action separates the carpet fibers and lifts the soil for vacuum removal. This duplicates the agitation of beating the rug on the clothesline.
A dual-motor vacuum, utilizing one motor to operate the beater bar and one for the vacuum, is most efficient.
The cleaning objective is to remove as many particles and biopollutants as possible, not to redistribute them into the air to settle back into the carpet and furnishings or be absorbed into the respiratory system. Vacuum cleaners equipped with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems trap tiny particles.
Disposable paper bags are recommended over cloth bags. Cloth bags can become clogged with soil, reducing air flow through the bag.
Replace the beater bar and brushes as they become worn.
Have blower fan blades replaced as they abrade.
Replace worn or cracked belts.
Vacuuming is such a common place chore that little thought is given to how it should be done. The IICRC provides these recommendations:
With vacuuming, more is better. You cannot over vacuum a carpet. Today's carpets are designed to hide soil, so soil is not always visible. Studies conducted by Hoover Vacuum Cleaning Company show that one square foot of carpet can hold up to one pound of dirt and still appear clean.
Thorough vacuuming to remove the pile-damaging soil hidden deep in the carpet takes time. Don't just groom the surface by removing large, noticeable debris.
Adjust the brush or beater bar properly for each carpet height. The brush or bar should touch the carpet
Empty or replace the bag often. When a bag is half full, vacuum efficiency is reduced by 60 to 80%.
Overall vacuuming is needed, but knowing where to concentrate your efforts is more productive. The majority of soil in carpet is brought from outside by foot traffic, so normally the highest concentration of soil is in entrances and high traffic areas.
Hand vacuum the dust and fine particulate soil that builds up around the edges and in the corners of the rooms.
Successful vacuuming requires time, proper technique, and effective equipment. However, even the most meticulous worker with the best vacuum cleaner cannot remove all the soil in carpet. A small percentage of the soil is oil-based. This oily residue bonds the particulate soil left from vacuuming to the carpet fibers and causes the appearance of dirty traffic patterns. Vacuuming is ineffective against this oily buildup. Removal requires the periodic service of a certified professional carpet cleaner. This article has been provided by your local IICRC certified carpet professional. For further information on proper care of your carpet, call Gersh's Carpet Cleaning
Spotting
It is important to remove any stains quickly. Having your carpet protected with Scotchgard should make this task very easy if action is taken quickly.
Professional CleaningThis step is key to making your carpet last for years and looking good. Your cleaning frequency is dependent on a number of factors including a family's lifestyle, number of members living in your home, pets, carpet color choices, housekeeping habits, level of spot cleaning success, just to name a few. A good rule of thumb is to clean all carpet traffic lanes and frequently used upholstery at least once per year. Some high use areas such as family rooms, dining areas, halls, steps and baths may require cleaning more often, perhaps every 4-6 months. Don't hesitate to ask for our cleaning tech's advice during their visit.
