Carpet Care and Cleaning

How To Remove Carpet Stains

1. Regular vacuum cleaning with an efficient dust catching bag is essential as it prevents loose dirt and grit from working its way into the carpet pile where it will damage fibres. In areas of heavy traffic, it is recommended that carpet be vacuumed three to four times per week.

To protect the appearance of your carpets, it is advisable to place barrier mats by each entrance. These will scrape any dirt, grit and moisture from the shoes. Cleaning the mats regularly will ensure their continued efficiency.

2. Rubber soled trainers, shoes and all types of heels can be hard on a carpet pile, particularly in front of chairs where heel abrasion is inevitable. From time to time move sofa chairs and prevent the wearing of sports shoes and trainers in carpeted areas. Place mats in front of chairs and settees if you know the occupant is unlikely to take of their shoes.

3. All carpet gets dirty and after a while will need a clean to bring back its appearance and colour. It is recommended that carpets be cleaned by a specialist cleaning company that use the correct solvents and cleaning agents for your carpet.

Everyday spills and stains can be cleaned using a Spot Cleaning Kit as an aid to preserving your carpets good looks. If you clean the carpet yourself, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Always pre-test a small unobtrusive area before cleaning the rest of the carpet. If a stain reappears after cleaning, it may be that not all of the spillage or cleaning agent has been removed completely. You will need to clean and rinse some more.

Guidelines for Stain and Spot Removal from carpet and rugs

• Immediately blot up as much of the liquid stain as possible using a soft, white, absorbent material like a towel or napkin. Many of the carpets produced today are treated with stain resistant treatments such as Scotchgard, but only a few carpets made with polypropylene fibres can be said to be stain-proof. The longer the stain remains in the carpet, more permanently it will 'set' into it.
  
  
• Scrape away all solids or semi-solids using a blunt spatula or spoon. Never use anything sharp, like knife, which may harm the pile fibres.
  
  
• Never scrub or brush at a stain. To do so can damage the fibres and could work the stain further into the pile.
  
  
• Vacuum away all dry solids.
  
  
• Pre-test the spot removal agent on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. Follow the product instructions carefully. Apply a few drops to each colour in the carpet. Press lightly with a clean, white towel or cloth on the stain for about 30 seconds. Inspect the towelling and the carpet for any colour transfer or colour change. Try another spot removal if you notice any change.
  
  
• To clean the spot, apply a small amount of spot removal agent to the soft, white, absorbent cloth and gently apply to the stain, working from the edges towards the centre of the spot, to prevent it from spreading. Continue as long as the stain is getting transferred onto the towel. Apply more solution to a fresh area on the towel and repeat the process as long as the stain is being removed. Patience is a virtue as far as this step is concerned!
  
  
• In cases where you need to apply more than one spot removal agent in a sequence, continue applying the first spot removal agent as long as there is any improvement; then move on to the next one.
  
  
• After the spill has been removed completely, always rinse out the affected area with water and blot dry to remove the cleaning solution completely; any residue may attract soil and cause damage to the carpet. To blot up the water, use clean, dry towels weighed down by heavy objects like books or your vacuum cleaner; continue to change the towels as they become saturated.
  
  
• Do not to over wet the area. Over wetting of carpets while cleaning may cause damage to the carpet backing.
  
  
• Leaving detergent residue in a carpet after cleaning is like shampooing your hair and not rinsing it. The residue can actually attract airborne dust and hold soiling from foot traffic. Always thoroughly rinse your carpet.

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