Carpet Care
Daily Mantainence
Dry Dirt Removal
Carpets should be vacuumed daily using a commercial suction cleaner with a revolving agitator, the agitator being a bristle strip type.
Other key factors to vacuuming include the following:
Vacuum motor input of a minimum of 1000 watts
Preferred separate motors for both vacuum suction and pile agitator
Large capacity dust filling collection
Hand held suction tool attachment
The effectiveness of the cleaning is dependent upon the regular replacement of bristle strips/brushes and the emptying of the dust collection area
Spot Cleaning (Stain Removal)
To ease the process of stain removal, prompt action is required. Professional stain removal kits must be available to cleaning staff; the kits ought to include all the tools needed to tackle likely occurring spills.
Cleaning staff should be familiar with stain removal techniques and chemicals, and a daily inspection for stains is essential.
The following rules should be observed when removing stains from the carpet:
Apply the shampoo or chemicals in small quantities, avoid over wetting the carpet.
Work from the edge of the stain inwards to prevent spreading the stain.
DO not rub the pile, blot with tissues or an absorbent cloth.
Periodic Maintenance
Wet cleaning ought to be carried out in accordance with an agreed schedule, with the areas of most heavy traffic or those areas subjected to the highest level of soiling requiring more frequent cleaning. Wet cleaning is used to remove oily, greasy and other tacky substances and accumulated soiling which discolours and otherwise affects the pile of the carpet.
The most appropriate method of wet cleaning is to use spray extraction cleaning. This is also referred to as hot water extractions, hot water rinse and steam cleaning or rotary/cylindrical brush shampooing.
The frequency of wet cleaning is dependent upon the effectiveness of the daily maintenance.
Shampoo and spray extraction chemicals: because some cleaning techniques leave residues of shampoo or spray extraction chemicals in the carpet, it is essential that they confirm to certain minimum requirements.
- They should leave a dry, powdery, preferably crystalline residue
- They should have a neutral pH
- Good cleaning powder
- No added bleaches, dyes etc.