There are easy, basic steps you can take to care for and protect an Oriental rug.
Rotation To ensure even wear, your rug should be rotated regularly. Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from six months to two years.
Vacuuming Oriental rugs, like most carpeting, should be vacuumed on a regular basis to remove dirt and restore life to the fibers. Vacuum side to side to avoid catching the fringe with your beater bar! Use the end of a vacuum hose if using a canister vacuum.
Padding A quality pad used under your rug helps protect it from wear and slippage, as well as soil making your vacuuming more efficient. Thompson’s SteamWay carries the quality pad.
Spot & Spill Procedures make sure that you safely and immediately clean up spots and spills before they set.
Soak up the excess liquid by blotting with a clean absorbent material. Do not brush or rub the stain.
Spot-clean with a mild detergent or white vinegar. Do not over wet.
Rinse area thoroughly with water and a small amount of vinegar. Avoid wetting the rug’s backing.
Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed.
Allow to air dry. A fan or cold hair dryer directed across the surface can be used to hasten the drying process.
*For stains that do not come out using these methods, call a professional cleaner.
Carpet Spot Removal And Interim Cleaning
Immediate spot removal is key to a clean carpet. Great care must be taken in how spot cleaning is performed. When a carpet is new, or has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However, for those spots that will not move easily with water, contact us at 776-9123 for a Professional Spotter Bottle. Most spot removers that are purchased over the counter leave too much soap residue and can cause yellowing. Avoid using foam carpet cleaners or any product that is not made specifically for carpet.
Apply spot cleaner sparingly to a white terry cloth and gently massage the spot, causing it to transfer into the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to re-soil over time, discontinue use. For any spot that you are not able to remove, or for pet urine or feces, call your professional cleaner immediately.
UPHOLSTERY
All upholstered furniture will become soiled through use. Most spills and soil on fabric protection treated upholstery will clean easily and quickly, provided that the proper cleaning procedures are followed. A fabric protection application is not an absolute impenetrable barrier and improper cleaning methods can damage both the fabric and the treatment.
Blot (don’t rub) spills immediately with a clean, absorbent cloth while spill is still fresh. Dried spills and older stains are more difficult to remove.
Identify the cleaning code for your type of fabric. This is helpful to determine the type of cleaner for you to use when treating spots & spills.
Always read and follow the instructions on the cleaning agent.
Use distilled water with the cleaning agent if water is called for (W & WS Codes only).
Pretest any cleaner on any fabric in a hidden area. Check for colorfastness and fabric compatibility.
Keep a small spill small. Work lightly, blotting from center to the edges. “Feather” the edges by dampening edges irregularly & blotting quickly to avoid rings.
Quickly dry a cleaned spot using a small fan or blow dryer on low, directed across the fabric.
NATURAL STONE TILE & GROUT CARE
DO….
Dust mop floors regularly, particularly polished floor surfaces.
Clean surfaces with PH neutral cleaners.
Rinse surfaces with water after washing.
Clean up spills immediately. Blot spills rather than scrub.
Protect floor surfaces with non-slip matting rugs, and benchtops with coasters/trivets.
Use placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that may scratch your stone’s surface.
DON’T…
Clean natural stone surfaces with vinegar, lemon juice, powdered cleaners, cream cleansers or other abrasive cleaners.
Marble, Limestone, Travertine & Onyx are particularly sensitive to these products.
Use bathroom cleaners that contain acid or are citrus-based.
Use older vacuuming equipment that may scratch polished surfaces.
Use scouring pads to clean up spills.
Use alkaline cleaners not specifically formulated for stone.
Wood floor (These tips are also applicable for laminate, parquet, cork and bamboo flooring.)
Clean Spills Immediately. The longer substances (particularly liquids) left on the floor, the more likely they are to cause stains, warping or scratches in the finish.
Prepare The Floor. Start by removing all caked-on mud and other debris from the floor. Vacuum thoroughly to remove soils, paying special attention to corners.
Use The Right Products. Use only specially formulated wood floor cleaners to ensure the best results, avoid leaving a residue, and prevent damage to the floor.
Keep The Floor Dry. During the winter months in particular, floorboards tend to shrink and the gaps between them tend to widen, trapping liquid. Keep floors dry by using air movers after cleaning.
NOTE: Always utilize good solution control measures. Water is a wood floor’s worst enemy. QCBN
By Mark Thompson
THOMPSON’S STEAM WAY, INC., 928-776-9123, FREE / NO OBLIGATION ESTIMATES. Mention this column and get 20% off of all of our cleaning services.
Mark Thompson is the owner of Thompson’s SteamWay, Inc., a family- owned and operated business in the Quad Cities for over 27 years. We are an I.I.C.R.C. (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) Certified Business, specializing in Carpet, Upholstery, Tile & Grout, Area Rug cleaning, Water Damage Restoration and dedicated to customer service and integrity. For more information, call 928-776-9123 or contact thompsonsteamway.com or
Thompsonssteamway@me.com.
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