Carpet Care Tips

Looking for tips on how to clean carpet flooring? Our expert cleaning tips will help you tackle even the toughest messes, using simple, effective techniques and readily available cleaning products.

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High Pile & Premium Soft Carpet

Use the highest adjustable height setting where appropriate. Avoid vacuums with very concentrated or sealed suction.

Your vacuum should glide easily across the carpet, making large wheels the best choice.

Thick Loop, Casual Frieze or Long Pile Carpet

You may need to completely disengage the beater bar and vacuum with suction only.

All Other Carpet Constructions

Use a vacuum with a rotating brush or beater bar. Change the bags often, and check the beater bars for burs and gouges
to prevent damage to the surface of the carpet. If you are unsure about the proper height setting, use an inconspicuous place like a closet to test your
vacuum. Its beater bar or brush should just lightly touch your carpet surface.

Vacuum Standards

To ensure that your vacuum will conform to the highest standards, make sure that it is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program.

Below are a few vacuums we recommend.
Visit www.carpet-rug.org for details and listings of all approved vacuums.

Manufacturer

Model

Type

Zenith Technologies

Soniclean SFC-7000

Upright-bagged

Hoover

WindTunnel 3 High Performance

Upright

Kirby

Sentria

Upright-bagged

Oreck

LW1500 RS Magnesium

Upright-bagged

Riccar

Supralite Premium R10P

Upright-bagged

Riccar

Tandem Air Premium Pet

Upright

Wessel-Werk

EBK360 – softclean version only

Power Brush

Download Full Guide (PDF)

Tips & Tricks for Carpeting

Schedule Routine Carpet Cleaning

To maintain and protect your warranty coverage, professional carpet cleaning must be completed every 12-18 months.

BE SURE TO MARK ON YOUR CALENDAR!

Stain Removal

Treat stains immediately upon discovery. Locate your stain on the chart and follow these steps:

  • First, use a spoon, dull knife, or carpet cleaning key to remove as much solid material as possible.
  • Always work from the outside of the stain to the center.
  • Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel. Do not rub, scrub, or brush.
  • Try to remove the remaining stain with warm/hot water.

Regular Vacuuming

Vacuum high traffic areas daily, medium traffic areas twice a week, and the whole house weekly for best results.

Dealing With Stains

Water-Based Stains

  • Alcohol
  • Baby Formula
  • Beer/Wine
  • Blood
  • Candy
  • Chocolate Milk
  • Clay
  • Cologne
  • Feces/Vomit
  • Felt-tip marker
  • Food Stains
  • Fruit Juices/Punch
  • Furniture Polish
  • Graphite
  • Ice Cream
  • Jelly
  • Ketchup
  • Latex Paint
  • Liquor Milk
  • Soft Drinks
  • Soil Spots
  • Syrup
  • Vomit
  • Water colors
  • Watermelon
  • Whiskey

SPECIAL WATER-BASED**: Coffee, Tea, Urine

Greasy, Oil Based Stains

  • Butter/Margarine
  • Chocolate
  • Cooking Oil
  • Cosmetics
  • Furniture Dye
  • Furniture Polish
  • Glue*
  • Gravy
  • Grease (black)
  • Gum*
  • Hand cream
  • Ink
  • Mayonnaise
  • Nail Polish
  • Oil
  • Oil Paint
  • Ointment
  • Peanut Butter
  • Rouge
  • Salad Dressing
  • Spaghetti
  • Varnish
  • Wax*

*Freeze and remove solids before cleaning.

Start with Procedure A for removal

If stain remains complete Procedures B & C.
**Omit Procedure B for Coffee, Tea, & Urine.

Use Goo Gone for these stains

Follow directions on package, then complete Procedures A, B, & C.

Procedure A

  • 1. Mix a solution of 1/4 tsp. of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 c of water.
  • 2. Apply solution to cloth. Dampen stained carpet fibers with the cloth. Do not oversaturate.
  • 3. Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently.
  • 4. Never rub, scrub, or use a brush.
  • 5. Wet the stained area with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.
  • 6. Cover the spot with an absorbent towel and apply pressure to blot.
  • 7. Repeat Steps 5 & 6 until the solution is fully removed.
  • 8. Once gone, place towel over area, and weigh down with heavy item.
  • 9. If stain remains, perform next procedure.

Procedure B

  • *Do not use on coffee, tea, or urine.
  • 1. Mix 2 Tbsp of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 c of lukewarm water.
  • 2. Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Procedure A, steps 3 through 9.

  • Follow Procedure C to neutralize the ammonia solution.

Procedure C

  • 1. Mix 1/2 c of white vinegar with 1 c of lukewarm water.
  • 2. Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Procedure A, steps 3 through 9.