5 Ways to Care for Your Carpet

1. Regular Vacuuming

   • It is important to vacuum your carpet thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high traffic areas to prolong the life of and enhance the appearance of your carpet.

   • After your carpet is laid, vacuum lightly and frequently in the first week and then at least weekly and more frequently in high traffic areas after that.

   • Give three vacuum passes for light soiled areas and five to seven passes for heavily soiled areas.

   • Vacuum first against the pile direction to help unsettle and remove dirt and grit to reduce matting.

   • When finishing, vacuum in the direction of the pile to achieve a uniform finish.

2. Vacuum Type

   • Use only a quality vacuum.

   • Vacuums fitted with micro filter systems ensure fine particles (such as dustmite allergens ) are removed and stay in the collection bag (particularly if you are dust sensitive).

   • To prevent excess fuzzing turn the brush off, or change the head when vacuuming loop pile, cut pile or berber carpet.

   • Check and adjust the height of beaters if fitted regularly to ensure the carpet is not damaged by excessive beating.

   • For thicker carpets with a higher pile, the height of beaters may be raised and/or suction level reduced to make vacuuming easier.

   • Suction efficiency is reduced considerably when bags are half full.

   • Change or empty dust collection bags frequently and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

3. Steam Cleaning

   • Depending on usage carpet should be professionally steam cleaned every 12-18 months.

   • Steam Cleaning should only be undertaken by a professional carpet cleaner who is a member of a professional association in accordance with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 3733:1995.

   • Shampooing, do it yourself steam cleaning or dry cleaning are not recommended.

4. Spot Cleaning

   • Prompt attention to spillages or stains is paramount to avoid the penetration of a stain into the carpet fibre.

   • Liquids (particularly hot liquids) must be attended to immediately. If allowed to cool or dry, the stain will be more difficult to remove.

   • Care must be taken as haphazard attempts at spot removal can cause permanent stain setting, pile distortion and loss of colour.

   • Follow the stain removal steps as recommended.

   • Exercise extreme care with all bleaches and chemical products as the can permanently discolour or dissolve carpets.

5. Ways to Protect Your Carpet

   • Place door mats at exterior doorways.

   • Use furniture coasters and chair pads under chairs with castors and occasionally rearrange furniture to alleviate pressure marks.

   • Use rugs to protect carpet in high traffic areas.

   • Protect carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with curtains or blinds.