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CARPET:
Comfort, beauty, warmth. No other household purchase better communicates
the style and tone of your home. Carpet is an investment that will last
a long time. Proper installation and regular maintenance are essential
in enhancing your carpet's performance.
INSTALLATION:
A quality installation is critical to the performance of your carpet and
will protect your indoor air quality.
BEFORE INSTALLATION:
Have a clear understanding of the services the retailer will provide and
be aware of those that you must handle. For example, while most
installers will usually move your furniture, there may be an additional
charge. Discuss with the retailer who will remove the existing carpet
and cushion and who will be responsible for disposal. Placement of seams
is important. Ask that seams be placed in less visible areas. Before the
installers arrive, complete other remodeling projects intended in the
room, such as painting and wall-papering. Vacuum the old carpet to avoid
the possibility of airborne dust and dirt. After the carpet and cushion
are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.
DURING INSTALLATION: Upon
delivery, inspect the new carpet for proper color, texture, and style
and ensure that it is free of visible defects before it is installed.
New, thicker carpet may prevent doors from swinging clear and free. The
installer will remove the doors and re-hang them if possible. If the
doors do not clear, arrange to have them trimmed. It is your
responsibility during installation to provide an adequate supply of
fresh air, as with other renovation projects. Open windows and doors,
use an exhaust fan, or operate the fan of your heating or air
conditioning system.
AFTER INSTALLATION:
Vacuum your carpet after installation to remove loose fibers. You may
notice a slight new carpet smell, which should dissipate quickly.
Ventilate the area for 48 to 72 hours. If you are unusually sensitive to
odors or allergy prone, you may want to avoid the installation area
during this period.
IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS:
In the months following installation, you may notice some of the
following common carpet characteristics. These are all normal and will
not affect the carpet's life or beauty in any way.
Shedding (loose fibers) - This is normal and subsides within a
short time with vacuuming.
Sprouting - A single tuft extending beyond the carpet surface,
usually along walls or at seams. Simply clip it off - do not pull.
Pile reversal and shading - Describes what seems to be a color
change in various parts of the carpet. The same area may appear light
when viewed from one direction and dark from another. This is caused by
light being reflected in different ways as pile fibers are bent in
various directions. This is not a product defect, but rather a
characteristic of plush carpet.
Buckling and wrinkling - May sometimes occur in wall-to-wall
carpet installations. If the ripples persist, call your retailer, as it
may be necessary to professionally restretch the carpet.
MAINTENANCE:
Proper maintenance of your carpet will extend its lifespan and keep its
fresh appearance. You should vacuum properly, remove spills, and provide
long-term care and deep cleaning.
REGULAR CLEANING:
It is essential that you vacuum regularly with a strong,
well-functioning vacuum cleaner. A good vacuum cleaner features a strong
motor or dual motors; a powerful airflow; a high-efficiency filtration
and internally housed vacuum bag; and correct brush height adjustment.
PROTECTING AGAINST
STAINS: Most of today's carpet is treated with special
finishes to resist soil and stains. However, no carpet is entirely
stain-proof. Many fiber manufacturers provide toll-free help for
cleaning assistance (consult your warranty). Stain-resistant finishes
hold the spill on the fiber's surface, giving you some time to absorb
the liquid and use spot removal techniques before the spill has a chance
to penetrate the fibers. The longer you leave the spill unattended, the
more difficult it will be to remove. See the following chart to select a
cleaning agent for emergency stain removals for different substances and
follow each step. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area to ensure that the
solution will not damage the carpet or its dyes. With a clean, white,
absorbent cloth or paper towel gently work in the cleaning agent from
the edges of the spot to the center. Blot thoroughly, and repeat until
the spot no longer transfers to the cleaning cloth. Use clean water to
remove any remaining cleaning agent, and absorb remaining moisture with
paper towel layers. When completely dry, brush or vacuum the pile to
restore texture.
| Find
the spot source in the first column and read across that row for
the correct spot removal method to try. Continue using the first
method until there is no longer a transfer of stain to the
cleaning cloth. Try the first method suggested, then the second,
and third, etc., until the spot is successfully removed.
Key to Cleaning Methods
1. Dry Cleaning Fluid - A spot
removal liquid available in grocery and hardware stores,
nonflammable if possible.
2. Nail Polish Remover - Amyl Acetate - Often has a
banana fragrance. Do not use on acetate fiber.
3. Detergent Solution - Mix 1 cup water and 1/4 teaspoon
mild liquid detergent (no lanolin, non-bleach).
4. Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water.
5. Vinegar Solution - One cup WHITE vinegar to two cups
water.
6. Ammonia Solution - Two tablespoons household ammonia
to one cup water.
7. Spot Removal Kit - Available from retail carpet stores
or professional cleaners.
8. Call a Professional - If you cannot completely remove
the spot.
9. Vacuum clean
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Spot
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Method
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Acne
Medication
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1,
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
Alcoholic
Beverage
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3,
6, 5, 4, 8 |
Bleach
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3,
4, 8 |
Blood
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6,
3, 4(cold), 7, 8 |
Butter
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1,
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
Candle
Wax
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2,
1, 8 |
Catsup
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3,
6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Charcoal
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9,
3, 8 |
Chewing
Gum
Freeze with ice, chip away, then…
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1,
8 |
Chocolate
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1,
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
Coffee/Tea
with cream & sugar
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3,
5, 4, 7, 8 |
Cosmetics
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Crayon
Freeze with ice, chip away, then…
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1,
3, 8 |
Food
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3,
6, 4, 8 |
Fruit
Juice
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3,
6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Furniture
Polish (Water Base)
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3,
4, 1, 6, 7, 8 |
Furniture
Polish (Solvent Base)
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Grass
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Grease
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1,
3, 4, 8 |
Ink-ball
point pen
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Iodine
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1,
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
Kool-Aid
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9,
3, 5, 4, 7, 8, |
Lipstick
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Medicine
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2,
1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Milk
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1,
3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
Mud
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3,
4, 8 |
Mustard
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3,
5, 4, 7, 8 |
Nail
Polish
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2,
1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 |
Oil
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1,
3, 8 |
Paint,
latex
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3,
6, 4, 7, 8 |
Plant
Food
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3,
6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Rust
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5,
3, 4, 7, 8 |
Shoe
Polish
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2,
1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
Soft
Drinks
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3,
6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
Tar
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1,
7, 8 |
Toothpaste
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3,
5, 6, 4, 8 |
Unknown
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2,
1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
Urine,
wet
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3,
6, 5, 4, 8 |
Urine,
dry
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3,
4, 5, 6, 8 |
Vomit
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3,
6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
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| NOTE:
Some spills contain chemicals that may discolor or even damage
the carpet fibers or dyes. If you have doubts about what caused
the spot and how to remove it, contact a professional carpet
cleaner.
A
MORE COMPREHENSIVE STAIN GUIDE IS AVAILABLE FOR A NOMINAL FEE.
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LONG-TERM CARE:
To retain its luster and beauty, your carpet should be cleaned every 12
to 18 months or before it shows soiling, either by you or by a
professional cleaning service. See the manufacturer's recommendations in
your carpet warranty to select the best cleaning method. Hints! If you
use a wet method, be sure to place plastic or aluminum foil under
furniture legs to prevent rust and stains. Do not over-wet the carpet,
and allow it to dry completely before walking on it. You can ventilate
the room with fans and open windows to speed the drying process. The
most important advice is to extract all soil, moisture, and cleaning
agent residue from the carpet. Some professional cleaners are able to
clean area rugs either in your home or in their facility. Consult your
local retailer for help in finding a reputable professional cleaner.
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