Maintenance

Vacuum cleaning is vital in maintaining the carpets appearance and preventing severe deterioration. In areas of high use, or where local conditions dictate, this should be done daily to remove dry soil, dust and grit, which can damage carpet fibres, and to restore flattened pile to an upright position.

An upright cleaner, with strong suction and rotating brushes, is the most effective in this, provided that the dust container is emptied frequently. Much of the efficiency is lost as these fill up. Use suction only type of cleaners on loop pile carpets.

Accidental Spillages/Spot Cleaning

It is vital that accidental spillages are dealt with both very quickly and correctly, as failure to do so can result in carpets being permanently marked and, in extreme cases, severely damaged.

Any hot liquid which contains colour, from tea and coffee through to vomit, simulates dye conditions and it is vital that the substance is removed from the carpet immediately.

Scotchgard treatments, in line with all other protective treatments, provide stain resistance only - THEY DO NOT PROVIDE STAIN PROOFING. Their effectiveness is still dependent on prompt and correct treatment of stains & spillages.

Golden Rules For Stains And Spillages

1 NEVER USE WASHING UP LIQUIDS. Scoop up solids with a knife or spoon.

2 ALWAYS blot up the spillage using white absorbent paper, until no more shows on the paper when pressure is applied.

3 Before treating stain, test treatments on an inconspicuous part of the carpet for possible colour change .

4 With a blotting or dabbing motion, work inwards from the edges of the stain to prevent it spreading. NEVER rub or scrub at the surface of the pile, this will damage the carpet surface very badly and leave a permanent mark.

5 When attempting to remove stains, ensure that the carpet is dry before proceeding to the next step in order of treatment. Once all the spillage has been removed, if necessary dab the affected area with clean tepid water, taking care not to over wet the carpet, and working inwards from the edges to prevent spreading, then blot by applying pressure to absorbent white material.

6 Once the stain is removed, allow the area to dry and at the same time, ensure that the pile is lying in the same direction as the main carpet. When thoroughly dry, brush the pile very gently to loosen any residues. The area can then be vacuum cleaned to remove all traces of both the stain and the treatment.

7 NEVER walk on or place objects on damp carpets.

Where accidental staining has taken place and not been detected for some time, the services of a professional cleaning company should be sought as the substances will have penetrated, and dried into, the fibres of the carpet.