Carpet cleaning & Maintenance guide
Implementation of an adequate cleaning and maintenance regime from the time of installation of your commercial carpeting, makes it is possible to safeguard your carpet's appearance, enhance the image of your installation and ensure continued high performance throughout its life cycle.
To avoid premature carpet replacement we recommend the following preventative measures:
Installation of barrier matting
- As 80% of carpet soilage is footborne, positioning adequate barrier matting at main entrance points is vital - ideally 4 metres deep into the building, to function at maximum efficiency. The JHS Barrier Matting Collection has a range of suitable products including the Barriertex Entrance Matting System which combines shoe scraper and absorbent strips to form an effective defence against the ingress of dirt, grit and moisture into your facility. sorbent strips to form an effective defence against the ingress of dirt, grit and moisture into your facility.
- Secondary matting is also effective at crisis points - in lifts, where hard surfaces meet carpet, by vending machines etc.
- Matting must be vacuumed regularly and cleaned periodically or it will act as a source of soiling to adjacent areas.
Regular carpet maintenance
As carpet has the ability to conceal soilage it can appear to be clean when it is not, however, this should not result in delayed cleaning and maintenance, because when it appears dirty it can be hiding very high levels of soilage.
A Programme of Regular Carpet Maintenance should include the following elements:
- Effective Vacuuming - A vital element in any Cleaning & Maintenance Regime to reduce fibre abrasion & wear. High usage areas should be vacuumed daily to prevent the unsightly build up of dry soilage – dirt ,dust and grit. Use of an upright twin motor vacuum cleaner agitates pile, removes dry soilage & enhances carpet appearance. Tub Vacuums are not as effective, unless fitted with a turbo brush attachment to agitate the fibres and loosen soiling.
- Regular Spot Removal - Spots and spills usually form 5-10% of soiling, with beverages & food spills the most common. Failure to remove unsightly marks on a regular basis increases the chance of permanent staining & leads to a decline in appearance, For quick and easy spot removal use a specialised kit e.g. Host Spotting Kit or Spotzapper Kit. See also our Simple Spot & Spill Remover Guide below.
- Periodic Cleaning - The required frequency for appearance retention will depend on carpet colour, type of installation and traffic flow. To allow carpet to soil excessively before cleaning can lead to premature replacement. A Carpet Maintenance Programme can be tailored to your premises and budget.
Dry Extraction Carpet Cleaning is a very effective method of deep cleaning. A cleaning compound containing absorbent particles and emulsifiers e.g. HOST, is brushed into the pile where it absorbs the soilage and is then extracted. The process minimizes disruption as it requires no drying time and enables carpets to return to use immediately. Enables carpets to be cleaned as often as required without damage or rapid resoiling.
Hot Water Extraction / Steam Cleaning involves loosening soilage from the pile and extracting the soil suspended in liquid by suction. Machines for commercial cleaning must be capable of producing at least 100lbs per sq. inch pressure with a dual vacuum extraction system to enable maximum liquid recovery. On synthetic pile carpets we recommend that the machine has a heater to enable the cleaning solution to be heated to a suitable temperature.
For Advice regarding the most appropriate carpet cleaning system for your facility; supplies of Carpet Cleaning Products; Spotting Kits and Carpet Maintenance Programmes - Call our Approved Service Partner – Beaver Floorcare 01564 742095 www.beaverfloorcare.co.uk
Simple spot & spill remover guide
- Don't panic
- Deal with spills and marks as soon as possible for increased success at removal
- Never Rub or Scrub
- Always apply cleaning solution to cloth or towel, not directly to carpet
- • Work from the outer side of stain inwards to avoid spreading the spreading the mark & try not to over wet carpet.
Detergent Solution Mix
- 1 litre Lukewarm Water
- 1/4 teaspoon washing up liquid or carpet shampoo
- 4 teaspoons white vinegar
Water Based Stains - e.g. tea, coffee, fruit juices, some food stains, some water paints, blood, beer
- Scrape up any solid material using spoon or spatula
- Blot area immediately using absorbent material e.g. kitchen towel or use wet pick up to extract spillage.
- Rewet area using sponge / cloth with lukewarm water and detergent solution then blot again
- A hair dryer used after treatment can reduce marking
N.B. If spillage has dried, dampen it with detergent solution and proceed as at 2 – 4 above
Greasy Stains - e.g. butter, some oily foods , lipstick , some inks
- Scrape up any solid material using spoon or spatula
- Apply small amount of dry cleaning fluid or surgical spirit to cotton wool or cotton bud
- Work inward to centre of mark
- Blot area and repeat until stain no longer transfers
- Follow as at 3 above with detergent solution and blot
- Dry with hair dryer
N.B. If spillage has dried, dampen it with detergent solution and proceed as at 2 – 4 above
If marks still remain it may be necessary to use the services of a professional carpet cleaner.