The following are basic rules for keeping your carpet looking its best.
Regular cleaning will extend the life of your carpet and maintain its good appearance.
Vacuum clean regularly and thoroughly to remove gritty dirt that can damage the fibres.
Deal with spillages as soon as possible, preferably the moment they occur.
When your carpet or rug reaches a stage where it could do with a really good cleaning, you can either do the job yourself, or you can call in a professional carpet cleaning company.
If you are considering cleaning the carpet or rug yourself make sure to use qualified products for the job.
Never use detergents such as dish washing liquids, soaps or other cleaners recommended for general household use. Although they may clean your carpet satisfactorily they will almost certainly cause problems such as rapid re-soiling, colour bleeding or other damage to the pile or backing of the carpet.
You can hire a carpet cleaning machine (these are available from different dry cleaners or hardware stores), but again make sure you get an approved cleaning product to go with it. If in doubt: check! Read the instructions for use.
So-called 3-in-1 cleaning machines can also be used, but make sure you first read the instructions for using it as a wet cleaning machine.
Before starting ANY wet cleaning ALWAYS test the carpet in an inconspicuous place for colour fastness. Also check, if possible, any maintenance leaflet that came with the carpet for the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding wet cleaning.
It is almost always best to engage the services of a professional carpet & upholstery cleaning company. This is also the recommendation from carpet manufacturers.
To get a really expert job done entrust the work to a carpet cleaning company.
General rules for spot removal
- Soak up liquids with white kitchen roll, paper tissues, toilet roll, or absorbent cloth
- Scoop up or scrape off solids
- Try to identify unknown spots prior to treatment – if unsure, use solvent first
- Always work from the edge of the spot inwards
- BLOT, do NOT rub
- Apply small quantities at a time, applied to a cloth, NOT directly to the spot; work into the spot with a small brush or sponge
- Take care with applying solvents to bitumen-backed carpet tiles
- When using solvents always ensure there is plenty of fresh air ventilation
- Always thoroughly rinse afterwards if water-based spotters have been used.
