Maintenance & Care

Carpet Care

  • The best way to ensure long-lasting beauty, comfort and durability in your carpet is to vacuum it regularly, as it prevents soil from becoming embedded in the carpet's pile.
  • Depending on the type of carpet you have, you'll want to use a vacuum with a rotating brush, a beater bar or suction only.
  • When vacuuming high pile or premium soft carpets look for the following features that will allow you to easily maintain your carpet:
    • - Adjustable Height - Use the highest setting where appropriate
    • - Efficient Airflow - Avoid vacuums with very concentrated or sealed suction
    • - Large Wheels allow the appliance to glide easily across the carpet
  • Consider professional cleaning every 12-18 months, depending on traffic and other use factors, frequency of vacuuming and whether the carpet is a light or dark color.
  • Use scissors to clip sprouts and snags; do not pull them or you may damage the carpet.
  • To remove a dent caused by heavy furniture, stroke carpet with the edges of a coin. You can also use a hair dryer or a steam iron to gently raise the dented area while you tug upward on the tufts. CAUTION: DO NOT LET THE IRON TOUCH THE CARPET.
  • If your carpet is burned, remove the tops of the dark, burnt fibers with curved fingernail scissors. If the burn is extensive, the carpet may require patching or replacement.
  • If a flooding occurs from a burst pipe, washing machine overflow or other leak, the carpet needs to be dried, front and back, by a professional cleaner with the proper equipment.
  • This link can provide additional tips on maintaining the beauty of your carpet: http://www.carpet-rug.org.

Hardwood Care

Do's:

  • Wipe up spills immediately.
  • Vacuum, sweep or dust mop your hardwood floor once a week, or more, if needed. The vacuum head must be brush or felt, and a wand attachment is preferable.
  • Use interior and exterior doormats at entrances to collect dirt and moisture and prevent it from being tracked onto the floor.
  • Area rugs are recommended in front of kitchen sinks, at all pivot points and within high-traffic areas. The rugs must be made of a breathable material to prevent moisture entrapment.
  • Place runners and area rugs (with slip-resistant backings) along high-traffic areas.
  • Keep animal nails trimmed to prevent finish scratches.
  • To prevent surface damage avoid rolling heavy appliances and furniture on the floor. Use plywood hardboard or appliance lifts, if necessary.
  • Use Armstrong or Bruce furniture leg protector pads under all furniture legs.
  • Replace hard, narrow furniture rollers with wide rubber rollers.
  • Keep the relative humidity in your home between 35% and 55%.
  • Protect your floor from direct sunlight.

Don'ts:

  • Use any of the following products (or products similar in nature) on your floor: ammonia based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax based products, detergents, bleach, polishes and oil soaps, abrasive cleaning soaps or acidic materials such as vinegar.
  • Allow water to stand on your floor for any length of time – wipe up immediately.
  • Walk across your floor in poorly maintained shoes with heel taps, spike heels or with any sharp object protruding from your shoe.
  • Allow furniture to rest on the floor on small metal tips or hard domes.
  • Use rubber, foam back or plastic mats as they may trap moisture and possibly discolor your floor.
  • Do not use vacuums with beater bars or hard heads.