Regular cleaning of carpet and laminate flooring is the best way to prevent damage and premature ageing to its surface. We have therefore put together a few useful tips in order to help customers care for their goods.
Use of Carpet Mats
Barrier mats used in certain areas of the home are an effective way of keeping your carpet clean. All types of flooring will get dirty, although some show soiling more than others. Wool rich carpets, because of the nature of the wool fibre, will hide soiling better than synthetic products and will often be easier to clean, although most modern synthetic products are bleach cleanable. However it is a good idea to use small mats or off-cuts of your new carpet in kitchen doorways or in other areas where the carpet is next to a hard floor to prevent wear and also prevent dirt spots spreading to the carpet. Doorways where there is street access will also massively benefit from a small off-cut or rug. Please remember to keep these mats clean by regular brushing or vacuuming so that soil does not spread from them to the carpet.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to keep your carpet clean and prevent damage. You cannot over-vacuum a carpet, contrary to popular belief. Cloverflooring.co.uk recommend using an upright vacuum cleaner with a cylindrical brushing action or a cylinder vacuum cleaner with a power-brush attachment, for cut-pile carpets such as patterned Axminster ranges and twist pile mixes.
Regular vacuuming will remove particles of dirt or other abrasive materials, which would normally remain in the pile causing damage to the yarn. Also removal of excess fibres and buffing of the pile will help prevent flattening later on in the life of the carpet.
Spillages and stains
Never rub or over-wet your carpet when trying to remove stains
It is very important to clean up any spillages as soon as they occur to prevent the stain from going deep into the fibres.
Solid residues should be carefully removed by scraping with a knife.
Greasy residues can be treated with an oil/grease remover which can be sprayed onto an absorbent cloth. Blot these residues frequently but do not rub.
Liquid spillages should be blotted up as much as possible with a clean, white cloth or absorbent tissue. Then use a 'wool safe' - approved shampoo solution for upholstery and carpet. Lightly moisten the area of the stain and then blot thoroughly with clean tissue or cloths. Repeat this as necessary and allow to dry completely before walking on the area. A wet suction vacuum cleaner can also be used to remove spillages and stains from a carpet. Do not use water in these machines as you do not want to over wet the carpet and cause flattening of loss of colour.
Do not rub as this will roughen & un-twist the pile
If in doubt about any of the above methods please consult a professional carpet cleaning company.
Deep cleaning
Hot Water Extraction - This system is suitable for use on all wool based carpets and wool mixes.
This is generally considered the most effective method for overall cleaning. This system is based on a spray and extract method using a weighted head tool or one with an integral cylindrical rotating brush. Shampoo solutions are sprayed into the pile of the carpet and vacuumed back into the machine by the vacuum head, which passes immediately behind the spray.
Cloverflooring.co.uk recommend the use of ‘Woolsafe’ Approved Operators and Chemicals for professional stain removal.
For more information visit: www.woolsafe.org
This advice is offered as a service to Customers, and Clover Flooring Limited will not be liable for any loss, damage or injury arising out of any action taken based on this advice.
For further information contact William Jones: please telephone 01515201630, or send an email to cloverflooring@btconnect.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
