As with any quality product your carpet will need to be carefully maintained in order to prolong its life expectancy and retain its appearance. This can only be effectively carried out by following these suggestions:-

1. Vacuum thoroughly on a daily basis to remove dirt and grit.
2. Prompt remedial action should be taken to clean any area affected by spillage before it dries in. A stain treatment chart has been provided for your guidance.
3. Professional cleaning advice should be sought in the event of heavy soiling.

Vacuuming

Without doubt the most important aspect of carpet care is vacuuming. This should commence from the very moment the carpet is fitted. Daily vacuuming with a well serviced cleaner which incorporates a beater bar/brush head is high recommended.

Daily vacuuming is also essential to remove any dirt and grit, preventing it from collecting at the base of the tufts where it would act as an abrasive contributing to premature wear.

It is important not to rush when vacuuming but to go slowly, allowing the beater bar/brush mechanism to do its job properly. Concentrate on the areas that are subject to the most wear, such as in front of chairs, in corridors and on stairs. Try to ensure that the carpet gets a thorough clean to the base of the tufts where it is most needed.

Please note that loop pile carpets should be cleaned with a suction type cleaner or one with a gentle beater bar action. A machine with an aggressive beater bar may catch the fibres giving the carpet a hairy appearance.

Wear Prevention

There are a number of precautions that can be taken to reduce wear and tear to your new carpet.

1. If the shape of your room allows, changing the position of furniture will equalise the wear on the carpet instead of concentrating on those areas of most use.
2. Shifting of stair carpets can compensate for heavy wear that occurs, particularly on the nosings. Wherever possible an extra length should be provided at the top and bottom of the carpet for shifting whenever necessary. As an alternative to this why not order a little extra carpet for replacement purposes.
3. Where carpet is to be fitted up to external doors the use of a rug or mat is recommended to catch any dirt and grit.
4. Outdoor shoes with special griping qualities, such as trainers, should be worn with great care to avoid the soles pulling and tearing at the pile, particularly in turning areas and on stairs.

The following are examples of characteristics that you may notice in your new carpet:-

Sprouting Tufts

In order to give our cut pile carpets their smooth, level surface we put them through a shearing process. This action can be likened to that of mowing a lawn. Each roll is made up of millions of tufts and there is a likelihood that some of them may have been missed during shearing. After a time these work their way to the surface and appear as sprouting or shooting yarns. Pets with claws may also snag or pull the tufts causing the same effect. NEVER pull the tuft, simply cut it off level with a sharp pair of scissors.

Shredding

All newly fitted carpets will tend to shed of fluff which is perfectly normal and will diminish naturally in time. The only efficient way to remove this is by vacuuming. If this is not done the fluff remains on the carpet and will be trodden back into the pile resulting in a flat, matted and dull look to the carpet.

Shading and Pile Pressure

Through use and in time all carpets will flatten to a certain degree and as a result cut pile carpets will tend to shade in the same way that velvet curtains do. The degree of noticeable shading will depend on the amount of design in the carpet together with the depth of colour. A light open ground or plain carpet is more likely to show greater shading than a darker heavily patterned carpet.

Shading is caused because the tufts in a new carpet are almost parallel with each other; any inclination being regular and in the same direction. After a period of time the tufts will gradually assume a greater slant in the areas of most use and thus expose their sides to the light. The sides of the tufts are now reflecting more light than the tops and will appear lighter in colour. This is known as pile pressure and there is no hard and fast rules as to when this will occur and to what extent, it is simply a natural characteristic of all cut pile fabrics.

Daily vacuuming may help to alleviate this and restore a more uniform colour. It is important to vacuum against the natural lay of the pile which will lift the tufts upright again. The use of caster cups under heavy furniture will spread the weight over a larger area and minimise dents in the carpets surface.

Visible Bands

Known as roll pressure marks, these result from the manufacturing of large heavy rolls of carpet, that when resting in the warehouse racks are subject to considerable sustained pressure. As a result crush lines may be visible when first unrolled and may be more noticeable in light, open ground shades. This is quite normal and the lines will disappear within a few weeks of normal use particularly where aided by thorough and regular vacuuming.

Fading

Although every care is taken to ensure our dyes meet strict requirements, carpets, as with other natural textiles cannot by dyed absolutely fast to light. With the increase in UV rays, carpets will fade when subjected to daylight. Normal wear and light soiling will also give the appearance of fading and both effects are obviously beyond the control of the manufacturer.

Moth Treatment

The moth resisting agent used to treat our carpet has to be ingested by the moth larvae before it becomes effective. In the case of infestation, damage can be extensive, therefore, it is essential to carefully clean areas near skirting boards (favourite breeding areas for moths) cupboards, heavy furniture etc.

Carpet First Aid

Carpets in everyday use may become marked or stained as a result of a mishap. Prompt remedial action could limit or reduce any damage, but wrong treatment may only make the problem worse. Listed overleaf w3e provide some general information on methods of stain removal for common household emergencies.

In a case where there is doubt or where damage is severe it is wise to seek professional advice from a reputable carpet cleaning company,.

For many spills use a clean absorbent cloth or kitchen towel to soak up as much of the liquid as possible. Prompt action may prevent the spilled substance from penetrating the pile of the carpet. If this is the case then a final wiping with a damp cloth, leaving the pile sloping correctly may be sufficient.

Never rub too vigorously or you could damage the texture of the yarn. Always work from the outside of the stain towards the centre, this will help to limit the affected area.

The following three methods are recommended for dealing with stains. A chart is also supplied showing which method is best for a particular type of stain, and should the first attempt not be successful a follow up method is suggested. Always blot excess liquid and allow to dry between steps.

CARPET CLEANING SOLUTIONS!

IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT ALWAYS CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL CLEANER

 

Method A

Blot with clean, white absorbent materials. When excess liquid is removed use a solution made of one teaspoon of detergent for washing woollens to half a pint of warm water, sponge gently and then rise in clean, warm water, blot thoroughly and gently brush the pile to its natural direction.

Method B

Sponge the stain with a household dry-cleaning fluid in accordance with the makers instructions

DO NOT SOAK. OPEN WINDOWS AND LET ROOM AIR THOROUGHLY

Method C

Sponge gently with a solution of one part white vinegar to three parts of clean warm water. Leave for 15 minutes and then sponge with clean, warm water, blot thoroughly and gently brush the pile to its natural direction.

Animal & Baby Accidents	Method A
Ball Point Pen	Sponge with Methylated Spirits followed by Method A
Beers, Wines & Spirits	Method A
Bleach	Method A
Blood	Method B, followed by Method A
Butter	Method B, followed by Method A
Chewing Gum	Apply a freezing agent & break away gum when hard, followed by Method B
Chocolate	Scrape off excess, followed by Method A
Cola (Soft Drinks)	Method C, followed by Method A
Cooking Oil	Method B
Cosmetics & Lipstick	Method B, if unsuccessful try Method A
Cream	Method B, followed by Method A
Egg	Method A
Floor Wax	Method B
Fruit Juice	Method C, followed by Method A
Furniture & Shoe Polish	Method B, followed by Method A
Gravy & Sauces	Method C, followed by Method A
Grease & Oil	Method B, followed by Method A
Ink (fountain Pen)	Method C, followed by Method A
Mineral & Tonic Water	Method A
Milk	Method C, followed by Method A
Mustard	Method A
Metal Polish	Method B, followed by Method A
Nail Polish	Dab with nail polish remover, followed by Method B
Paint (emulsion)	Blot excess, apply Method C, followed by Method A
Paint (Oil Based)	Dab with White Spirit or Turpentine followed by Method B
Rust	Method B, followed by Method A
Salad Dressing	Method A, followed by Method B
Soot	Vacuum thoroughly, followed by Method A
Tar	Method B, if necessary follow by dabbing with eucalyptus oil
Tea & Coffee	Method C, followed by Method A
Tomato Juice	Method A
Urine	Method A
Vomit	Method A
Wax	Scrape off excess, iron at a low temperature over brown paper, finally apply Method B