Carpet Care

Vacuum at least once a week!

You can't vacuum too often. When dirt and dust are left in a carpet, they become gritty, sharp particles that grind down the pile of the carpet. Using a vacuum with a beater bar or rotating brush will loosen the dirt making it easier for the vacuum to remove soil. Vacuums with top-loading bags are preferred over bottom-loading bags.

Change the disposable bag or empty the vacuum often.

Carpet with thick loop pile construction (Berber) may be sensitive to brushing, rubbing, or scrapping of the pile surface which may cause fuzzing and pile distortion. It is recommended that vacuums with suction action only be used on these styles.

Carpet sweepers and electric brooms are useful for picking up crumbs and surface soil, but it's important to know that they will not deep clean.

Use preventative maintenance

It's important to use runners at each door entrance. This will greatly reduce the accumulation of dirt.

Clean spots and spills immediately

• For best results, give prompt attention to spots and spills.
• Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.
• Blot up liquid spills with a white towel.
• Never rub, scrub, or use a brush. This may cause damage to carpet fibers.
• Use a cleaning agent and procedure appropriate for the type of stain being removed.
• Apply all cleaning agents to the cloth rather than directly to the stained area to avoid saturating the carpet when spot cleaning.
• Clean the fibers, not the backing.
• Do not rush. Deep stains might require repeat cleanings because they can "wick" back up after initial cleaning.
• Work from the outside to the center of large stains. This prevents spreading.

Hardwood

• Take good care of your hardwood floors and they'll last a lifetime.
• Water and hardwood floors don't mix! Use only the manufacturer's recommended cleaning products on your hardwood floor.
• Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in from outside can scratch the finish of your wood floor's finish. To help combat this, use long bristle welcome mats placed at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors. Also, vacuum using a soft bristle brush attachment.
• Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs or metal furniture legs can scratch and dent hardwood floors. Any furniture that rests directly on top of a hardwood floor should have felt protectors, or furniture coasters under all its feet.
• There are many over the counter oil-based soaps and wax based cleaning products that may damage or dull the finish of your wood floor. The best suggestion is to only use the manufacturers recommended cleaning products on your hardwood flooring.
• If your hardwood floor has a polyurethane finish never use a paste wax on the floor's surface. A paste wax may form a sticky film on your floor and allow tracked in dirt to stick to your wood finish. Polyurethane finishes will not adhere to any wax and adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to your floor will be very difficult.
• When accidents happen and some liquid gets spilled on your hardwood floor, you should use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the affected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturer's recommended cleaning procedures.

Laminate

• Although Laminate floors are tough, you should follow these directions to keep them in good shape.
• Remove loose dirt by using a non-beater bar vacuum or a dust mop.
• Use recommended laminate floor cleaner.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners, steel wool, soap-based detergents, waxes, polishes, or scouring powder as they may scratch or dull the flooring surface.
  
• Wipe up spills immediately. Avoid allowing liquids to stand on your flooring.
• A more frequent dust mopping or vacuuming schedule may be required in high traffic or sandy areas.
• For tough spots, such as candle wax or chewing gum, harden the spot with ice and then gently scrape the spot with a plastic scraper. Even a credit card will do. Be careful not to scratch the flooring surface. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Do not use any type of buffing machine.
• Use protective mats at the entry and exits to help collect the dirt and moisture that could damage the laminate floor.
• Use floor protectors or glides under furniture legs.
• Frequent vacuuming using a non-beater bar will pick up dirt and grime.

Glazed Ceramic Tile

• Glazed ceramic tile requires less floor care than most of the other flooring types. However, there are things you need to do to maintain the beauty of your ceramic tile floor.
• Wash the floor regularly to remove any dirt or grit. Use a mild, diluted detergent solution.
• Sweep, or vacuum your glazed tile regularly.
• Ammonia based cleaners may discolor some types of colored grout.
• After washing with a mild detergent you should thoroughly rinse the floor with clean, warm water.
• The glazed ceramic finish should never be waxed.
• Liquids spills may be wiped up with an all-purpose cleaner, such as Fantastic or Top Job. This will also help the grout joints from becoming discolored from spilled liquids.
• Non-epoxy grout joints should be treated with a silicone grout sealer twice a year to help preserve the grout color and to prevent discoloration from spilled liquids.

Vinyl

• Vacuum regularly to remove grit and sand. Wash your floor occasionally with the recommended floor cleaner.
• Wipe up spills immediately. If necessary, clean with the recommended cleaner. You can also clean with lukewarm water and clear ammonia.
• If your floor becomes dull looking you may need to add the recommended floor polish to restore the original gloss level. First, try cleaning with lukewarm water and clear ammonia to see if there is a film on your floor causing the dullness.
• Never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes, or solvents on your vinyl floor.
• Place non-staining, walk-off mats or carpet runners at every outside entry to your room. This will help keep sand and grit from being tracked on to your floor.

Area Rugs

Regular vacuuming will help rugs retain their beauty and will extend the life of the rug. Clean spills immediately with the following method: blot with a clean cloth, spot clean with a solution of clear dish washing detergent (non-bleach) and water, rinse with water, and blot dry.

Have your area rug professionally cleaned when needed using the hot water extraction method.