Carpet, Hardwood, Waterproof Vinyl
Carpet & Flooring Care
Helpful Tips to Maintaining your Flooring and Carpet
Preventative Maintenance
- walk-off mats placed at doorways prevent a majority of staining and soiling
Spot and Spill Removal
- prompt attention to spills will prevent a stain from setting
Vacuuming
- vacuum high-traffic areas to prevent matting
Hot water Extraction or steam cleaning
- every 18 months or more depending on the traffic in your home, will remove oils and particulates that accelerate soiling.
Use a quality carpet pad- A good carpet pad not only gives better resilience and comfort underfoot, but it can also extend the life of your carpet, especially on stairs. Because some carpets carry warranties with specific density and thickness requirements, be sure and review your warranty before purchasing your pad. Explore varieties of carpet pad.
Hardwood Cleaning
Dos
- Use a soft cloth to blot spills and spots as soon as they happen. Always avoid allowing liquids to stand on your hardwood floor.
- Sweep, dust or vacuum the floor regularly. If vacuuming, use a hard floor attachment to avoid scratching or dulling your floor’s finish
Dont's
- Don't use oil-based, wax, polish or strong ammoniated products, which can dull your floor’s finish.
- Don't use steel wool, scouring powders or other abrasive cleaners, which can scratch or damage your floor’s finish.
- Don't wash or wet-mop the floor with soap, water, oil-soap detergent, or any other liquid cleaning material. This could cause swelling, warping, delamination and joint-line separation, and void the warranty.
- Don't use any type of buffing machine.
- Maintain a normal indoor relative humidity level between 35% and 55% throughout the year to minimize the natural expansion and contraction of wood. Follow these tips for winter and summer months:
- Heating Season (Dry): A humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage due to low humidity levels. Wood-stove and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions.
- Non-Heating Season (Wet): An air conditioner, dehumidifier or periodically turning on your heating system can maintain humidity during the summer months. Avoid excessive exposure to water during periods of inclement weather.
- Use care with sharp objects.
- Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on your hardwood floor; they can leave scratches or indentations in hardwood.
- Trim pets’ nails regularly.
- Rearrange your rugs and furniture periodically to allow the flooring to age evenly.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can soften the tone of different species of hardwood to varying degrees and accelerate the oxidation and aging of wood.
- Protect the floor when moving by using a dolly for heavy furniture or appliances. Never try to slide or roll heavy objects across your hardwood floor
Carpet Maintenance
Everyone would agree you should not wear the same outfit every day without cleaning it. The same philosophy is true for your carpet because keeping it soft and looking great will take some work. A few tips for keeping your carpet clean include:
- Vacuum Regularly
- Clean Spills Quickly
- Have a Professional Deep Clean every 12 to 18 Months
- Use Floor Mats to Prevent Dirt From Getting on the Carpet
- Take Off Your Shoes Before Entering the Carpet
Waterproof Vinyl Maintenance
Cleaning your vinyl floor properly will keep your surface looking brand new. Using a routine and preventative maintenance plan is the key to keeping your vinyl floors long lasting. Use the following tips:
- Protect Your Floors When Moving Heavy Objects to Prevent Scratches
- Use Floor Protectors Under Tables, Chairs and Other Heavy Objects
- Use Mats at All Entrances to Absorb Moisture and Dirt
- Do Not Use Steam Mops, They Can Damage the Plank
- Daily Sweeping of Your Floor to Remove Dirt and Dust to Prevent Particle Build Up
- Don't Use Vacuums With Rotating Beater Bars
- Periodic Wet Cleaning-Always pre-dust sweep before wet cleaning
- Avoid Using Shine Products