Carpet Care Tips
Keep your carpets looking fresh and beautiful with our expert care tips. Follow these simple steps to maintain your carpets and extend their lifespan.
Vacuum Regularly
The most important thing you can do for your carpet is to vacuum it regularly. Removing dirt particles will reduce abrasion that can dull carpet fibers. Use a vacuum with a beater-bar, which will raise the pile when it removes soil.
Use Entrance Mats
Place walk-off mats inside and outside entrances to trap soil before it can be tracked into your home. Soil is the greatest threat to your carpet’s appearance.
Blot Up Spills Immediately
Immediate attention to spills and spots will make removal easier. Always blot the area being cleaned. Never rub, scrub or use a brush.
Clean Periodically
Clean your carpet using hot-water extraction before it shows traffic patterns. Professional cleaning using hot-water extraction is the preferred method.
Easy 1-2-3-Cleaning Method
Step 1:
Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
For large stains, work from the outside of the stain to the center to prevent spreading.
Blot up liquid spills with a colorfast or white paper towel.
Mix a solution of ¼ teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.
Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with a cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.
Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently.
NEVER RUB, SCRUB OR USE A BRUSH BECAUSE IT MAY DAMAGE CARPET FIBERS. If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.
Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.
Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.
If the stain is gone, place an absorbent towel or white paper towel over the area cleaned and weigh towels down with a heavy, colorfast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.
Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.
If stain remains, proceed to step 2 (for coffee, tea or urine, skip step 2 and proceed to step 3).
Step 2:
DO NOT USE ON COFFEE, TEA OR URINE STAINS.
Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in step 1.
Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.
Step 3:
Mix ½ cup of white vinegar with 1 cup of lukewarm water.
Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outline in step 1.
Water Based Stains:
Alcohol
Blood
Chocolate Milk
Cologne
Food Stains (General)
Ice Cream
Liquor
Soil Spots
Vomit
Whisky
Beer
Cola
Fruit Punch
Latex Paint
Tomato Juice
Baby Formula
Candy
Clay
Cranberry Juice
Fruit Juice
Grape Juice
Jelly
Milk
Syrup
Water Colors
Wine
Ketchup
Felt-Tip Marker
Graphite
Soft Drinks
Watermelon
For these stains, start with step 1. If the stain remains, proceed with steps 2 and 3. Special Water-Based Stains: Coffee, Tea And Urine For these stains, start with step 1. If the stain remains, proceed with step 3. Omit step 2.
Greasy, Oil-Based Stains:
Butter
Cosmetics
Furniture Polish (oil based)
Grease (black)
Ink
Mascara
Ointment
Peanut Butter
Spaghetti
Cooking Oil
Gravy
Margarine
Oil Paint
Wax
Chocolate
Crayon
Glue
Gum
Lipstick
Mayonnaise
Oil
Rouge
Varnish
Furniture Dye
Hand Cream
Nail Polish
Salad Dressing
Have more questions? Call the experts with Shilling's Carpets & Floors at (574) 277-3110 today.
