Care & Maintenance
Proper Flooring care and maintenance = long life
Arming yourself with the latest knowledge of flooring care, and passing that knowledge on to your clients will bring added value to your their investment.
General care
Regular vacuuming is the key to keeping carpet beautiful. Vacuum heavy-traffic areas daily. All other carpeted areas should be vacuumed once a week. Many types of cleaners are available, including dry cleaners, spray-on foam cleaners and wet shampoo. Make sure you choose a cleaner specifically made for carpets. Always test cleaner in an inconspicuous area of the carpet before use. Avoid any products meant for hard surfaces such as wood or tile. When choosing a professional carpet cleaner, ask for a reference and/or a firm estimate.
Treating spills
The number one rule in treating spills: Act immediately! Don't let the spill set or it may never come out.
Follow these three steps to remove even the toughest stain
- Apply-a damp, white paper towel soaked in a cleaning solution to the spot (see list of solutions below); never wet the carpet through to the backing.
- Blot-press straight down with a white paper towel-DO NOT RUB; place a 1/2" thick pad of white paper towels with a weight on top and leave overnight if necessary
- Scrape-from the outside edge of the spot toward the center
Treat spills with one of the following approved cleaning solutions:
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- Detergent: Mix 1/2 tsp. clear dishwashing detergent with one cup warm water
- Pre-soak: Mix 1 tsp. enzyme laundry product (such as Axion or Biz) with one cup water
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% strength, available in drug stores) with 1 tsp. household ammonia. Use within two hours.
- Ammonia: Undiluted household ammonia
- Dry powder cleaner:
- Dry cleaning solvent: Non-oily, non-caustic type sold for garment spot removal (caution: may be flammable)
TREATING STAINS ON VARIOUS FLOORING SURFACES
Use the following charts as a general guideline for treating stains on various types of flooring.
Carpet
| Beverage |
Detergent solution, ammonia solution or white vinegar |
| Blood |
Cold spot setting solution followed by ammonia solution and warm water rinse |
| Candle Wax |
Run an iron on low setting over a clean, white towel or dried wax, , repeat with clean sections of towel until wax is gone. |
| Chocolate |
Dry-cleaning fluid, white vinegar, detergent or ammonia |
| Coffee |
Warm white vinegar or light detergent and water. |
| Crayon |
Dry-cleaning fluid or detergent solution |
| Gum |
Soften with hair dryer and use plastic glove to lift from carpet. Use dry-cleaning fluid to remove any remaining residue. |
| Ink |
Nail polish remover, dry-cleaning solution, detergent or white vinegar solution |
| Latex Paint |
Detergent or ammonia solution |
| Lipstick |
Nail polish remover, dry cleaning fluid, or a mix of detergent and water, ammonia and water or white vinegar and water |
| Nail Polish |
Detergent solution or Nail polish remover |
| Pet Stains |
Detergent solution, white vinegar or ammonia solution |
| Rust |
Mix a solution of equal parts light detergent or white vinegar and water |
| Shoe Polish |
Nail polish remover, dry-cleaning fluid or detergent solution |
Vinyl Flooring
| Candle Wax |
Allow to dry and scrape with a thin, plastic spatula |
| Crayon |
Mineral spirits or commercial cleaner |
| Grape Juice |
Undiluted Bleach. |
| Heel Marks |
Non-abrasive household cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or pencil eraser. |
| Magic Marker |
Mineral spirits, nail polish remover, or rubbing alcohol |
| Paint |
If wet, use mineral spirits. If dry, scrape with a thin, plastic spatula |
| Pen Ink |
Mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol or citrus-based cleaner, |
| Rust |
One part oxalic acid to 10 parts water (follow mfg's instructions) |
| Shoe Polish |
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits |
| Tar |
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits |
Click here for more vinyl flooring care information
Laminate Flooring
| Candle Wax |
Allow to dry and scrape with a thin, plastic spatula |
| Crayon |
Mineral spirits or commercial cleaner |
| Grape Juice |
Undiluted Bleach. |
| Heel Marks |
Non-abrasive household cleaner, rubbing alcohol, or pencil eraser. |
| Magic Marker |
Mineral spirits, nail polish remover, or rubbing alcohol |
| Paint |
If wet, use mineral spirits. If dry, scrape with a thin, plastic spatula |
| Pen Ink |
Mineral spirits, rubbing alcohol or citrus-based cleaner, |
| Rust |
One part oxalic acid to 10 parts water (follow mfg's instructions) |
| Shoe Polish |
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits |
| Tar |
Citrus-based cleaner or mineral spirits |
Ceramic Tile
| Cigarette Burns |
Gently scour with steel wool. Polish clean tile with paste wax. |
| Grease |
Commercial spot lifter |
| Gum |
Harden with ice, then remove with thin, plastic spatula |
| Ink, Blood, Juice, Coffee |
3% hydrogen peroxide or a non-bleach cleaner |
| Nail Polish |
Nail polish remover |
| Oil-Based Products |
Mild solvent followed by solution of poultice and household cleaner |
| Rust |
Commercial rust remover made for fabric. Remove any remaining residue with household cleaner. |
Hardwood Stains
| Blood |
Gently scour with steel wool. Polish clean tile with paste wax. |
| Dye |
One part chlorine bleach, two parts water |
| Grease/Oil |
Use newspaper or paper towels to remove excess, then place cloth saturated with dry cleaning fluid on stain for five minutes. Wipe area dry, wash with detergent and water. |
| Ink |
Warm water and mild detergent |
| Rust |
Commercial rust remover |
| Urine |
Hot, damp cloth and mild scouring powder. Use 10-1 solution of diluted liquid bleach |
Hardwood Surface Repairs
| Bubbles |
Gently sand and recoat light damage. For heavy bubbling, sand, stain and refinish |
| Cigarette Burns |
Rub with fine steel wool or scrape burned area. Wax or sand, stain and refinish |
| Dents |
Cover with damp cloth and press with electric iron |
| Heel Marks |
Wood cleaner or wax |
| Mold, Mildew |
Floor cleaner. Remove and refinish stained wood fibers |
| Pet Stains or Ink |
Wood cleaner followed by mild bleach or household vinegar |
| Scratches |
Wax area or use a thin coat of dusting spray rubbed into scratch |
| Seasonal Cracks |
Use a humidifier during dry seasons |
| Water Spots |
Buff lightly with finest grade steel wool, then wax. For stubborn stains, use fine sandpaper, stain and recoat |
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