Don't
Void Your Warranty!
The carpeting
in your home represents a substantial investment. You can protect
your investment, prolong the life of your carpet, and improve your
indoor environment by establishing a regular maintenance schedule.
The information in this report has been compiled to help you do
this.
We have drawn this information from the top experts in the field
of carpet care, carpet manufactures. Each carpet manufacturer has
requirements that you must meet to qualify for the warranty they
offer. Here we have presented some of those requirements as well
outlined a basic maintenance program that will help you protect
your investment. We hope it will be of benefit to you.
Professional
Care Warranty Requirements
(Excerpt from DuPont Carpet
Care and Warranty Brochure)
Following appropriate carpet
care guidelines on a routine basis is essential to keep a carpet
looking its best. The following sections are designed to give you
the information necessary to provide appropriate carpet care and
maintain coverage under the applicable warranties.
Over the course
of time dirt particles and other similar materials can accumulate
within the carpet pile and result in a gradual dulling of the carpet's
color. When you notice this situation is not corrected by vacuuming,
it's time to have your carpet cleaned by a trained, qualified, carpet
care professional. It's important to respond to the soiling situation
when you first notice it, since this will help make the cleaning
easier and more efficient.
We recommend carpet
be professionally cleaned at least every 12 months.
Texture Retention Warranty
...Hot water extraction to refresh carpet texture, performed
by a trained, qualified carpet care professional, is required at
least every 1 1/2 to 2 years for coverage under this warranty. Please
keep your receipts for proof of service...
Stain Resistance Warranty
...The consumer must provide written proof the affected carpet has
been cleaned by a qualified professional carpet cleaner according
to the DuPont care and cleaning instructions no more than 30 days
prior to the warranty service request. Also, the carpet must have
been properly maintained since date of installation in accordance
with those instructions...
Anti-Static Warranty
...The consumer must provide written proof the affected carpet has
been cleaned by a qualified professional carpet cleaner according
to the DuPont care and cleaning instructions no more than 30 days
prior to the warranty service request. Also, the carpet must have
been properly maintained since date of installation in accordance
with those instructions...
(Excerpt from TrustMark Carpet Care and Warranty Brochure)
"Even though vacuuming can remove most of the dry soil, it is also
necessary to clean your carpet on a regular basis to remove the
more oily or sticky soil which builds up in the pile. When cleaned
regularly it is much easier to remove this material. The carpet
in a typical household should be cleaned every 12 months depending
on the number and of residents and the presence of pets.
"A cleaning system
should clean the carpet without leaving detergent residue. TrustMark recommends the hot water extraction system, also
called "steam cleaning." The process consists of spraying
a solution of water and detergent into the pile and removing or
extracting the dirt and solution with a powerful vacuum from either
a truck-mounted or a portable unit. It is to your advantage to use
a professional cleaner because his experience enables him to do
a better job than you can do yourself. His equipment has more extraction
power than the rental units available to you, so the carpet should
dry more quickly. A true professional has also made the investment
in training to understand the equipment, to know the proper cleaning
agents for the situation at hand, and to recognize the differences
in fibers and carpet construction.
Preventive
Maintenance Tips
- Use walk-off
mats at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture. Clean mats
regularly. After cleaning mats or carpet allow both to dry completely
before replacing the mats.
- Use a quality
pad under your carpet, particularly on stairs. A good pad gives
better resilience underfoot and extends the life of your carpet.
Some carpets carry warranties with specification requirements.
Before purchasing your carpet pad, review your warranty.
- Rearrange furniture
occasionally to avoid creating wear patterns and excessive pile
crushing. Put coasters intended for use with carpet under the
legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute
the weight and prevent mashing the pile.
- Protect your
carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds,
shades, or awnings.
Regular Vacuuming Tips
The most important step in the
care of your carpet is vacuuming. As particles of dry soil work
down into the pile, they are more difficult to remove and can scratch
the fibers leading to premature wear of the carpet. Vacuum cleaner
recommendations:
- Vacuum thoroughly
and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas, to remove
the dry soil. High-traffic areas might need to be vacuumed daily.
The whole house should be vacuumed once a week.
- A good vacuum
cleaner is vital to prolonging the beauty and life of your carpet.
An inexpensive machine can remove surface dirt but will not effectively
remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile.
- TrustMark recommends
the use of vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush
bar which agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil
for removal by the vacuum. Note that carpet with thick loop pile
construction can be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile
surface and might become fuzzy. For these products, TrustMark
recommends the use of a suction-only vacuum or a vacuum with an
adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate
the pile. A vacuum with a beater/brush bar can be tested in an
inconspicuous location and used if no excessive fuzzing occurs.
- Replaceable
paper vacuum bags do a better job of trapping the very small particles
which cloth bags often allow to pass through back into the room.
High efficiency vacuum bags are now available and trap even smaller
particles such as mold, mildew, and dust mite byproducts, often
found to be a source of allergies. All vacuum bags should be checked
often and replaced when 1/2 to 2/3 full.
- Make sure the
belt is in good condition and that the brush or beater bar rotates
when in contact with the carpet. To adjust the vacuum to the correct
height setting for the carpet, raise the beater/brush bar to the
highest setting and then lower it until it contacts the pile enough
to slightly vibrate the carpet several inches away from the machine,
but not close enough to cause significant slowing of the motor.
- Change the
vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright
and help prevent matting
