WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR CARPET
No carpet lasts forever, but with regular care you can add years to the life of your new carpet. Here are some simple guidelines to protect your investment.
Door mats – To trap dirt and moisture from shoes, place mats at all exterior doorways and entrances. Clean mats regularly.
Furniture – Use furniture cups and occasionally rearrange furniture to alleviate pressure marks. Chair pads should be used under desk chairs with castors. Furniture coasters that distribute the weight of heavy items are also recommended, especially for furniture with wheels. Take care when moving furniture by putting a protective barrier between the wheels and the carpet.
Rugs – Use scatter rugs or carpet protectors in high traffic areas and in front of chairs to protect carpet from localized and uneven wearing. Rugs should be cleaned regularly, at which time you should clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath. Check rugs for colourfastness before placing them on carpet, as the colour in some rugs may bleed through. After cleaning, allow carpet to dry completely before replacement of rugs.
Chemicals – Exercise extreme caution with all bleaches, tile cleaners, mildew removers, oven cleaners, drain openers, plant food and the like. They are strong chemicals that could permanently discolour or dissolve carpet fibres.
Direct sunlight – Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with curtains, blinds or awnings.
Regular vacuuming – It is important to vacuum your carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas. Vacuuming not only prolongs the life of the carpet, but also enhances its appearance. Three vacuum passes for lightly soiled areas will suffice while five to seven passes for heavily soiled areas are necessary. Vacuuming first against the natural pile direction lifts the pile helping to unsettle and remove dirt and grit while reducing matting. When finishing, vacuum in the direction of the pile to achieve a uniform finish.
Steam cleaning – Depending on usage, carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Steam cleaning should only be undertaken by a professional in accordance with the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 3733:1995. Shampooing, do-it-yourself steam cleaning or dry cleaning is not recommended.
