TOMORROW’S CLEANING MAY 10

Maintaining your Carpet

AS HOMEOWNERS LOOK TO KEEP THINGS AROUND LONGER DURING AN ECONOMIC RECESSION, THE INSTITUTE OF INSPECTION, CLEANING AND RESTORATION CERTIFICATION (IICRC) OFFERS FIVE TIPS TO HELP MAINTAIN CARPET AND KEEP IT LOOKING NEWER FOR LONGER – SAVING BOTH TIME AND MONEY.

Keep the soil off of your carpet.

The most economical way to keep your carpet clean is to keep it from getting dirty! Walk off mats are vastly underappreciated and rarely utilized properly by homeowners.

These types of mats should be used instead of a carpet scrap or other unsuitable material that cannot function nearly as well. A small area rug may be placed inside of the home as a second line of defense. Such rugs are more aesthetically pleasing, and will hold up to such use if there is a well maintained outside entry mat.

Vacuum Regularly.

There is no step more important to preserving the appearance and long term usefulness of your carpet than regular vacuuming.

Gravity and repeated foot traffic cause abrasive soil particles to fall below the surface of the carpet pile where they will damage carpet fibers. Vacuum heavy traffic areas daily. Areas that are not heavily trafficked may be vacuumed two or three times a week.

Go to www.carpet-rug.org for more information on vacuum cleaners that meet the industry’s standard requirements.

Remove spots before they become stains!

Today’s carpet resists spills better than ever but even the best carpet isn’t truly stain proof. To prevent permanent spills or costly professional stain removal services, act quickly when spills occur.

Only use products designed for use in carpet spotting and cleaning. Avoid products that are

designed for hard surfaces, such as those that contain bleaches or harsh chemicals; they may damage the carpet fiber, and often cause color loss.

When in doubt, consult the website of the carpet manufacturer, or call a trained, certified carpet cleaner in your area.

It’s OK to clean it yourself if you can.

Professional carpet cleaners will always be able to remove more soil and stains that you can yourself. However, if budget or circumstances demand that you try to clean your own carpet, remember these important rules:

Use Products Made for Carpet: Purchase

products designed for the machine that you purchased or rented. Consult with the carpet manufacturer for product recommendations if you are uncertain as to what to use.

Don’t Use Too Much Detergent: Even if the

cleaning detergent that you purchase is designed for use on carpet, using too much product will leave a residue that will cause your carpet to become soiled very quickly.

Don’t Get the Carpet Too Wet: If you apply

more cleaning solution than you can recover, mould and bacterial growth may occur, along with related unpleasant odours.

Call a Professional.

Professional carpet cleaners who are trained and certified have the know how to remove spots and stains that would otherwise be permanent. They have also invested in equipment that is more powerful that can

FLOORCARE

52 | TOMORROW’S CLEANING | The future of our cleaning industry

remove soil that rental or consumer purchased machines cannot.

Here are some criteria to help you to choose a reliable carpet cleaner in your area:

Knowledge: The cleaning company’s representatives should be able to answer your carpet cleaning related questions. If the firm has been certified by the IICRC, you will be able to find them listed at

www.CertifiedCleaners.org

Reputation in the Community: The cleaning

company should be able to provide you with several references that you may contact so that you may ask what type of service this company provides.

Pricing Policies: Whether you receive the cleaning price on the phone or from an in home estimate, you should expect a firm, written estimate without hidden charges or excessive pressure to purchase extra products or services once work has commenced.

Sometimes the most economical choice is to avoid hours of wasted effort and dollars spent on home cleaning agents and leave the job to a professional. And, if you haven’t already found out, carpet cleaning can be hard work.

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