Carpet Care

There's nothing like the comfort, beauty, and warmth of new carpet.  New carpet communicates the style and tone of your home.  You may notice from time to time that your carpet displays some unique characteristics.  The following unique characteristics are not manufacturing defects and do not affect the life or performance of your carpet.

• Fluffing:  Also known as "shedding" or "fuzzing".  This occurs when bits of fiber are left on the carpet surface during manufacturing.  Regular vacuuming will take care of this loose fuzz.

• Sprouting:  Occasionally, a carpet tuft may appear above the carpet pile surface.  A sharp object, such as a pet claw, high heel, or toy can also snag a carpet tuft.  Use scissors to clip the sprout or snagged tuft even with the pile surface - do not pull it out by hand.

• Pilling:  Tiny balls or "pills" of fiber may appear on your carpet's surface.  Carefully snip them with scissors and vacuum lightly.

• Depressions:  It's a good idea to routinely move furniture around on any carpeted area to relieve the pressures caused by heavy pieces.  Rubber or metal glides, placed under the furniture legs, also can help lessen the pressure.  To restore depressed areas, use a hand steamer or cover the area with a damp cloth and apply heat with an electric iron on a low setting.  Remove the cloth and lightly smooth the fiber into an upward position while it is still warm.   Keep traffic off the affected area until the carpet is dry.

• Rippling:  Excessive humidity or damp weather may cause a temporary rippling in your carpet.  Drier weather or restretching should correct this.

• Matting & Crushing:  All carpet fibers crush and mat to some extent depending upon construction, length of service, traffic, and cleaning schedules.  It is important to keep carpet fibers clean, as dirty fibers become entangled, resulting in a matted appearance.  Be sure the carpet style selected for your home can handle its estimated traffic.

• Pooling:  Also known as watermarking, this characteristic occurs in plush type constructions within a short period of time after installation.  This is not a defect, normal household traffic causes light to reflect off the carpet yarn at different angles.

• Tuft Blooming:  Individual tufts of plush carpet become untwisted, "blooming" at the tips of the surface fibers.  A 10% yarn tip bloom should be considered normal.  Since this condition is often associated with matting, professional cleaning and pile brushing should improve the carpet's appearance.

• Chevroning:  some level-loop tweed carpets may have lines or 'chevrons" to some degree to the style's pattern.   These are more evident in large carpeted areas.

• Static Electricity:  Everyone has experienced static electricity buildup varied with the type of carpet fiber.  It is usually less in carpets made of polypropylene and polyester, and more so in nylon construction.  To reduce static buildup, add moisture to the air, or treat the carpet with an anti-static chemical agent.

• Shrinkage:  If your carpet has a jute backing, use special care in cleaning it.  Such carpets may shrink if exposed to excessive moisture.

• Pile Distortion:  Your carpet may be rolled and unrolled many times during manufacturing, inspection, and handling before reaching your home.  If the surface pile is crushed during the process, vacuum the carpet immediately after installation and increase the relative humidity to 50%.   Vacuum daily, allowing two to four weeks in humid conditions, and four to eight weeks in less humid areas, to aid recovery.  If marks are still apparent, use a steam iron in the affected area, making sure not to touch the fiber with the hot iron.   Lightly brush the pile in an upright position with a clean, soft bristly brush while the fiber is still warm.

• After Installation:  Vacuum your carpet after installation to remove loose fibers.  You may notice a slight new carpet smell, which should dissipate quickly.  Ventilate the area for 48 to 72 hours.   If your are unusually sensitive to odors or allergy prone, you may want to avoid the installation area during this period.  If you have any questions about this, contact your retailer.

• Maintenance:  Proper maintenance of your carpet will extend its life-span and keep its fresh appearance.   You should vacuum properly, remove spills, and provide long-term care and deep cleaning.

• Vacuuming:  Regular vacuuming, performed with the proper equipment, is essential to keeping your carpet looking its best.   It's important to consider your carpet's construction and color, as well as your lifestyle, in setting a regular vacuuming schedule.  Light, bright and solid carpet colors show soil more readily, and smooth pile finishes show changes in pile direction more easily than textured styles.  If carpet is placed in a high-traffic hallway, it will require more frequent vacuuming than those placed in other rooms.

• Protecting Against Stains:  The majority of today's carpet is treated with a special finish to resist soil and stains.   However, no carpet is entirely stainproof.  Many fiber manufacturers provide toll-free help for cleaning assistance.

Simple Steps for Lasting Carpet Beauty

• Use walk-off mats at all entrances.

• Protect your carpet from strong sunlight by using blinds, shades, or other window treatments.

• Move furniture occasionally to prevent excessive crushing.  Use rubber or metal furniture guides under heavy furniture legs.

• Carpeted stair edges take the heaviest traffic abuse.  Have carpet shifted from time to time to distribute wear evenly.

• Small area rugs will help preserve the appearance of high-traffic areas.

• Use protective mats under chairs or furniture with rollers to protect carpets and underlying cushion.