Carpet

Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. First scrape the food spill gently with a spoon or dull knife, removing as much as possible. Always work from outer edge of the stain towards the center to avoid spreading. Blot, do not rub or scrub, as the carpet may fuzz. When using a mild detergent, use a clear, non-bleach laundry detergent. Do not use cloudy detergents as they can leave a sticky residue. Use only 1/4 teaspoon of detergent to 32 ounces of water. Follow detergent cleaning with clear water rinsing and then blot dry as much as possible. For any stain removal, use a white cloth or paper towel for cleanup. * Find further advice on stain emergencies by clicking here for Carpet One’s Stain Removal Guide.

Vacuum Regularly

Most dirt, and even dust, takes the form of hard particles. When left in the carpet these gritty, sharp particles abrade the pile of the carpet. Regular vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet, but will enhance its appearance as well. Most soiling in carpet is of the dry, particle type which can be removed with a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum high traffic lanes daily, medium to high traffic areas twice weekly, and the entire house at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often and check the beater bars for burs and gouges so as not to damage the surface of the carpet. Some thick loop pile carpets will fuzz if a rotating brush vacuum is used. In this case we recommend a suction vacuum only. We do not recommend high-suction vacuums like Dyson. Such vacuums may void your warranty.”

Preventative Maintenance

• The use of mats or runners at all home entrances and on non-carpeted areas adjacent to carpet will reduce soil and moisture in traffic areas. Clean mats and any other rugs placed over carpet regularly.

• The use of furniture coasters to distribute the weight of heavy items is also recommended, especially for furniture with wheels. Take care when moving furniture with wheels by putting a protective barrier between the wheels and the carpet.

• To extend the beauty of your carpeting, close drapes or blinds during hours of direct sunlight.

• Exercise extreme caution with all bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers and plant food. They are strong chemicals that can permanently discolor or dissolve carpet fibers.

Cleaning Recommendations

Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily dirt will cling to the carpet fibers. With foot traffic these particles and oily dirt are driven deep into the carpet. We recommend professional hot water extraction every 18 to 24 months. Periodic cleaning, using the hot water extraction method performed by a professional cleaner, will refresh carpet appearance. The most used areas, such as entrances, doorways, traffic lanes, and in front of chairs will collect dirt faster than other areas. Clean these areas as they begin to show soil. This will stop dirt from spreading, and will extend the time between professional cleaning.

We carry the manufacturer’s maintenance products so you can be sure when shopping with us to get the right floor care product for your new floor. So why not stop in and let our friendly, knowledgeable sales staff help you protect your flooring investment.

Tile

Glazed and unglazed tile, under normal residential situations, can be cleaned using clear water with a tile cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. Always follow up with a rinse of clean water to completely remove all the cleaning solution. Regular maintenance is recommended to avoid build-up of dirt, residue, grease, soap, detergents or other external contaminants. Do not use wax cleaners or oil-based detergents on ceramic tile.

The following steps are recommended for basic cleaning:

1. Sweep or vacuum surface.

2. Mix water with tile and grout cleaner per manufacturer’s instructions and apply to surface.

3. Allow solution to sit for 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Agitate with sponge or mop.

5. Mop up solution.

6. Rinse mop and change cleaning solution at least every 500 square feet.

7. Rinse thoroughly with clean water.

8. Dry mop floor to remove moisture or pick up residue with a wet-vac.

9. Wipe the floor dry.

Tile with coarse or abrasive type surfaces needs to be cleaned more often. Agitation will need to be more vigorous and water changes more frequent. Because the grout on your ceramic tile needs time to thoroughly dry after installation, we recommend you do not scrub or wash your ceramic tile for 5 days after installation.

We also recommend protecting your floor against abrasive dirt at entrances to buildings with dirt catching floor mats.

Please consult your salesperson for specifics regarding maintenance of hand-made ceramics, glass tiles, marble and other natural stone. We carry a full range of maintenance products for stone and ceramics.

Natural Stone

To insure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of aesthetics and utility, proper maintenance is crucial. Natural Stone products are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program than traditional ceramic tile. It is imperative that you seal your stone with a natural stone sealer and re-apply every 6-9 months to prevent staining.

Routine Stone Care

Natural stone requires a different maintenance routine than traditional, man-made ceramic tile. Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage, or dull stone. Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage natural stone. (Stone care products only use cleaners specifically designed for stone.) These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or wax-type coatings. A solution of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer instructions should be applied to the tile surface with a sponge or mop. On walls, kitchen counters, or vanity tops, a spray bottle can be used to apply the cleaning solution. Allow sitting for manufacturer’s specified amount of time (usually 3 to 5 minutes). Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush, or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry.

Once the stone has been cleaned, you can periodically apply a Spray-Buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the beauty and luster of polished stone (including countertops). Apply the finish with spray applicator and buff immediately with a white nylon pad. Reapply as often as needed, depending on volume of surface traffic and consistency of routine maintenance program. This product is not designed to restore the original shine, but is intended to maintain and protect the original shine.

Vinyl Flooring

Whenever possible place a non-staining door mat outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit, and other substances such as oil, asphalt, and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Do not use latex-backed, rubber-backed or coco-fiber mats on your vinyl floor. We suggest you adhere to as many of the following tips as is practical:

• Sweep your vinyl floor regularly (at least once a week).

• Vinyl manufacturers recommend the use of latex-based driveway sealers to minimize the potential staining from asphalt sealer tracking.

• Avoid sunlight causing your floor to fade or discolor by closing your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor.

• Replace all narrow furniture rests with wide-bearing ones. Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. It is recommended that all furniture protectors be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented, hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum ¾” flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture. Metal floor protectors are generally not recommended.

• Always use strips of 1/4″ ply wood or sheets of underlayment as runways to protect the floor if you need to move heavy objects, such as your refrigerator, across your vinyl floor. Runways should always be used even with furniture dollies, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers.

• Wipe up spills immediately to help prevent stains. The longer a stain sits the tougher it will be to remove from the surface.

To prevent dirt build up occasionally mop your floor with the manufacturer’s recommended floor cleaner. Follow the instructions on the bottle and does not over mix or your cleaning solution may leave a dulling film. Avoid soaps, cleaning powders and detergent products as they will leave a dulling film. Although the no-rinse cleaners do not need rinsing, rinsing will provide the better shine. If you do notice a dulling film after cleaning the floor, try a thorough rinse with warm, clean water.

To restore the hi-gloss on a urethane vinyl floor most manufacturers do recommend the use of a polish. Do not use paste wax and do not try to buff a urethane vinyl floor. Be sure the floor is thoroughly clean and completely dry before applying the manufacturer’s recommended floor polish. (If all the dirt is not removed prior to applying the polish the dirt will become trapped underneath.) Vinyl floors can become slippery when wet. Use extreme caution when walking on a wet floor. Some of the newer vinyl floors have a low-gloss finish and the use of a floor polish may make the floor shiny.

It may be necessary after several applications of polish to strip the entire floor and reapply a new coat of polish. This may also be necessary for excessive dirt and grime build-up. Use the manufacturers recommended heavy duty floor cleaner and stripper product. Once the floor is thorough cleaned, rinse, dry, and then apply a new coat of polish. High traffic areas may require more than one application of polish. Allow polish to dry “tack-free” between coats.

Hardwood and Laminate Flooring

Sweep or vacuum daily using soft attachments to remove loose dirt and soil. Make sure the wheels of your vacuum are clean. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head.

Never clean or wet mop your hardwood floors with water. Do not use any wax or cleaner that must be mixed with water such as oil soap or paste wax products or other household cleaner that contains lemon oil, tung oil or ammonia, as this may damage your floor. Water can dull the finish and permanently damage the floor. Promptly remove spills using a soft cloth and cleaning products recommended by the manufacturer.

Prevent Scratches and Dents

The most important thing you can do to minimize scratching is to regularly sweep or vacuum your floor to remove dirt. Also, placement of walk-off mats at all doors will be helpful. Removing all high heels or spiked shoes is a must. To minimize scratching be sure to keep pet nails trimmed and paws as clean as possible. Place protective pads beneath furniture legs to reduce scratches and dents. When moving furniture, use a dolly or protective sheets of plywood. Some objects may be too heavy to move across a hardwood floor under any circumstances. Certain types of casters on furniture may damage hardwood flooring. We recommend barrel-type with a minimum of 1 inch width or wide, flat glides to protect your floor. If you have an area rug, a pad will help protect your floors from scratching.

Control Humidity Levels

Expansion and contraction of wood floors can be expected as humidity levels change. In order to minimize such movement, a humidifier is recommended. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to cause very dry conditions. In damp conditions, proper humidity levels can be maintained with an air conditioner or dehumidifier, or by periodically turning on your heating system during periods of high humidity in the summer months.

Sunlight Accelerates Oxidation

Exposure to the sun and its UV rays accelerates oxidation and aging of wood. This causes the stain and/or wood to fade or to change color. This is more evident with certain types of woods, such as cherry. Such fading can be lessened by keeping shades and blinds closed. We recommend that you rotate furniture and rugs periodically so your floor ages evenly.