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Carpet
offers many advantages over other flooring systems, such as
reduced fatigue, sound absorption, and lower life cycle costs.
From the start, the carpet maintenance program should be
considered part of the carpet buying decision. If proper
maintenance is neglected, the carpet’s appearance will suffer,
shortening the carpet’s useful life and raising long-term costs.
A comprehensive carpet care program* consists of four elements:
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Reduction of soil entering the building
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Removal of dry soil
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Removal of spots and spills
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Cleaning by hot water extraction
The importance of planning
Carpet maintenance must be established as a scheduled program,
rather than being a random series of reactions to soiling
conditions and infrequent cleaning. Virtually every complaint of
poor appearance, rapid soiling, and many times poor performance
has been shown to be related to a lack of planning and control
for the maintenance program.
The most important consideration when planning a maintenance
program is the budget. Like other expensive furnishings or
equipment, carpet represents a substantial investment for any
facility and deserves adequate care to prolong its effective
life. If the carpet maintenance budget is set unrealistically
low, the carpet will need to be replaced prematurely. Other
items to consider are the amount of traffic and type of soiling,
which will vary by area. Due to the higher traffic level,
entrance lobbies, elevators, and hallways will need more care
than offices. Food service areas and outside entrances will
require more effort due to the more difficult soiling
conditions.
Reduction of soiling
(Walk-Off Mats)
The use of walk-off mats at transition areas from hard surface
to carpet is important. Walk-off mats can greatly reduce the
amount of soil entering a facility by normal traffic. They are
also necessary at service entrances with direct contact to the
outside, from the hard surface area in a kitchen to the carpet
dining area in a restaurant, or at entrances from plant
facilities into the offices.
The choice of mats is important because, although cheaper mats
may initially do the job, they will not stand up to the demands
of a commercial location and are a poor investment. Walk-off
mats fall into two categories, those designed to remove and trap
gritty soil and those intended to absorb water during wet
weather.
Good soil removal mats have a coarse texture and are able to
brush soil from shoes and hold large amounts in the pile.
The water absorbent mat must be used inside, either full time or
at least during wet weather, to prevent the moisture from
getting to the carpet. A wet carpet acts like a giant shoe
cleaner, so it soils more rapidly. When both types of mats are
used in combination, they should always be placed so that
incoming traffic passes over the soil removal mat first, because
the absorbent types have very little soil holding ability.
For
mats
to continue to trap soil, they
should be cleaned on a regular basis
more frequently than the carpet. If the accumulation of soil is
not removed, the mat will become overloaded and be unable to
prevent soil from entering the building. When a building is new
or still under construction, soil may be tracked in from
unfinished grounds so that mats need to be cleaned more often.
Removal of dry soil
Vacuuming is the most significant element in the
maintenance of carpet and the overall appearance of the
facility. Research has shown that 85% of the soil tracked into a
building is dry, and the other 15% is oily. Vacuums are designed
to control this dry soil. Frequent vacuuming removes particulate
soil from the surface before it works down into the pile where
it is more difficult to remove. Walking on the carpet
accelerates the rate at which the particles get deep into the
pile. Heavily trafficked areas, such as entrances and major
corridors, should be vacuumed at least once a day. Areas with
less traffic, such as offices, should be vacuumed every other
day depending upon conditions.
Vacuum Cleaner Recommendations:
Vacuums should have dual motors,
one to drive the source of agitation or vibration which loosens
the soil, and one to drive the vacuum fan which creates the
suction which picks up the particles. This prevents the vacuum
from losing efficiency as the beater bar/brush becomes slowed by
excessive debris or as the bag fills.
Dual motor vacuums
also survive the demands of a commercial location and last
longer than single motor vacuums.
For carpet tile and carpets that are glued directly to the floor
without cushion, a vacuum with a rotating brush, rather than a
beater bar, should be used to agitate the pile and loosen the
soil. Beater bars can damage the pile of direct-glued carpet if
the machine height adjustment is set too low. This can also
damage the vacuum.
Vacuums with beater bars should be used for carpet installed
over pad, or with attached cushions. The beater bar vibrates
the carpet/pad assembly to loosen the soil. These vacuums are
also recommended for double stick installations where the
carpet is glued to the pad.
Bags
that fill from the top are preferred
over those that fill from the bottom. As the bag fills, it does
not add to the load on the vacuum motor. Bags should be checked
frequently and replaced when ½ to 2/3 full. When changing bags,
also check the belt and replace if loose or worn. Replaceable
paper bags or paper liners for cloth bags are better filters
than cloth bags alone because they can trap more of the small
particles that cloth bags allow to pass back into the air. Some
vacuums can also be used with micro-filtration or high
efficiency bags; these capture even smaller particles, which
tend to be related to allergy complaints, and can also reduce
the need for dusting.
A cheap vacuum cleaner is a poor investment,
delivering marginal performance that results in reduced carpet
life. A hundred dollars of savings in the price of a vacuum
could easily cost thousands of dollars in reduced useful life of
the carpet.
Between cleanings, regular use of a pile lifter can remove
deeply imbedded dry sand and soil, help stand up the pile, and
renew the appearance of the carpet in high traffic areas such as
traffic funnel zones, elevators, and lobbies. A pile lifter is
an upright two-motor vacuum with a large, adjustable, gentle
bristle brush with a motor, a high suction vacuum motor, and a
sand trap. Using a pile lifter in traffic lanes just prior to
cleaning will remove the deeply imbedded soil and open up the
pile so the hot water extraction can be more effective. Another
good use of a pile lifter is for post- construction cleanup.
Vacuum first to pick up the larger sized chunks of dried mud,
dirt, and construction debris. Then use a pile lifter to remove
the fine particulates, such as dry wall dust, which are deep in
the pile. After using a pile lifter, the final step—cleaning by
hot water extraction to remove the residual soil will be less
difficult.
Cleaning
Even with thorough vacuuming, cleaning is necessary to remove
the 15% of soil which is the oily type material. In order to
maintain a good appearance, the carpet must be cleaned on a
periodic basis to prevent its becoming so dirty that it can no
longer be cleaned satisfactorily. The frequency of cleaning must
be adjusted to the rate at which soil accumulates; therefore,
heavily trafficked areas typically require more frequent
cleaning , as do areas with less traffic but more soil.
When the color of the carpet begins to look dull, it is time to
clean the carpet. The traffic lanes will show this first. If the
carpet is cleaned before it becomes excessively soiled, the
cleaning will be more successful and a much easier task. This is
especially important in places oily soil is prevalent, such as
the areas near streets or asphalt parking lots, and those around
cooking or dining facilities. Oil tends to oxidize slowly,
forming a sticky material similar to varnish which traps and
holds dry soil and may become nearly impossible to remove as it
ages . Another stubborn problem is the salt or deicer from snow
melt which accumulates in the carpet over winter. Salt pulls
moisture from the air and prevents the carpet from drying as
quickly as it normally would. And remember, damp carpet cleans
shoes and collects soil faster. The resulting black
discoloration in the traffic lanes will require pretreatment
with a traffic lane cleaner to break down the soiling and the
use of hot, not warm, water to dissolve and remove the salt.
The Cleaning System
When choosing a proper cleaning system, it is necessary to
consider how effectively it cleans and how well it enhances the
appearance retention of the carpet texture without leaving a
heavy residue. The recommendations of Shaw Contract Group are
more than just a list of available cleaning methods; they are
based on much effort in the laboratory and information from the
field. Shaw recommends the hot water extraction system, which
research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning.
This system is commonly referred to as ‘steam cleaning’ although
no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying
a solution of water and cleaning agent into the pile and
recovering the used solution and soil with a powerful vacuum
into a holding tank. This can be done from a truck-mounted unit
outside the facility with only the hose and wand brought into
the facility.
Self-contained, walk-behind machines are another type of hot
water extraction equipment commonly used. They apply the
cleaning solution at a rate which is balanced with the recovery
capability of the machine, resulting in a carpet that is only
damp after cleaning. This feature prevents untrained users from
over wetting the carpet to the point that drying time is
unacceptable. This type of machine is employed largely by
hospitals and schools where there are in-house maintenance
staffs.
Recommendations For In-House Maintenance:
Thoroughly vacuum the area to be cleaned thoroughly before
beginning steam cleaning to remove as much dry soil as possible.
Use a pile lifter if necessary in high traffic areas.
Pre-treat the heavily soiled areas and traffic lane and wait the
recommended time before cleaning. Although it is advisable to
minimize the use of solvents, many traffic lane cleaners do
contain some solvents to help remove the stubborn oily dirt
often found in traffic areas. A small area should be treated and
the liquid extracted before the traffic lane cleaner dries.
On most commercial carpets, use a detergent with a pH of less
than 10, preferably near 9, and with a minimum of non-sticky
residue. However, for printed styles, use a detergent
solution that has a pH between 6 and 8. The attraction between
the detergent and the particles of soil and oil is critical to
the cleaning process. However, the detergent residue continues
to attract these particles even after drying. Increasing the
amount of detergent beyond the recommended level does not
greatly increase cleaning performance but makes the complete
removal of detergent more difficult. Because build-up of
detergent residue is the most common cause of accelerated
re-soiling complaints, do not use extra. Shaw Contract Group does
not recommend the use of cleaning agents with optical
brighteners.
Avoid over wetting
the carpet. Prolonged dampness may cause discoloration, promote
growth of mildew and bacteria in the carpet, or cause separation
of the backing. This is controlled by a combination of proper
equipment and operator training.
The only anti-soil products
approved for use as needed are formulated with either DuPont's
Teflon or 3M’s Scotchgard.
Reduce drying time
by using several fans or air movers to move air across the
carpet, in combination with a dehumidifier or air conditioner to
pull moisture out of the air. Carpet should be dry within twelve
hours; even less is better.
Bonnet Systems
The name for these systems is derived from the rotating bonnet
of terry cloth or other absorbent material used to agitate the
pile and absorb soil . A detergent solution is sprayed onto the
pile, which is then worked with a bonnet attached to a rotary
floor polisher. It is at best a temporary appearance enhancement
because it only absorbs at the surface and does no real
extraction of deep soiling.
Mickey's Sales & Service
DOES NOT advocate this system as a
primary cleaning system for carpets.
It may be used as
a supplement to hot water extraction on high density loop pile
carpets, but it is not a substitute. If bonneted more than once
or twice between cleanings by hot water extraction, multiple
passes will be necessary to remove the build-up from the
frequent bonneting, particularly in traffic lanes. It has very
limited capability for soil removal and often leaves most of the
detergent in the pile. The spinning bonnet may distort the pile
of cut pile carpets, leaving distinct swirl marks. Most
complaints of excessive soiling have been found to be related to
improper employment of this cleaning system.
Spot and spill removal
All maintenance procedures mentioned thus far have been planned;
spot and stain removal is the reaction to an unplanned incident.
Therefore, it is desirable to have the needed materials handy by
planning ahead of time.
GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently
with a spoon or dull knife.
Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting with white
paper or cloth towels.
Always blot, never scrub or rub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may
result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the
center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill and enlarging
the problem.
Always follow spot removal with a water rinse to remove the
sticky residue from the spotter, which can cause rapid
re-soiling. There are spotting extractors that work well for the
rinse and extract step.
Draw out the remaining moisture with several layers of white
towels weighted down on the spot with a heavy object that will
not transfer color (such as a plastic jug of water).
Removal Procedures
A.
WATER SOLUBLE STAINS
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Absorb as much as possible with white towels. Blot the affected
area with more towels dampened with cool water until no more
color transfers to the towels. If any of the stain remains, use
a detergent solution of ½ teaspoon (no more) of CLEAR,
NON-BLEACH liquid hand dishwashing detergent to a quart of
water in a clean spray bottle OR use a general purpose spotter
with a pH less than 10. For printed styles, do not use a
solution with a pH higher than 8. Spray lightly onto the spot
and blot repeatedly with white towels. Rinse thoroughly by
spraying with clean water, and then blot or extract. Do not use
too much detergent because the residue will contribute to rapid
re-soiling.
A-1
As
in A,
but BEFORE using the detergent, apply a solution of white
vinegar (one part white vinegar to one part water) to a white
towel and blot onto spot OR use a slightly acidic spotter made
for coffee, tea, and other tannin stains rather than the
detergent. Do not use on printed styles.
A-2
As in A, but BEFORE using the detergent, apply a solution
of household ammonia (one tablespoon ammonia to one cup water)
to a white towel and blot onto spot OR use an alkaline spotter
made for removing blood and protein stains rather than the
detergent. Do not use on printed styles.
B. GREASE
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Blot as much as possible with white towels. Apply a volatile
solvent such as 1,1,1-trichloroethane to paper or cloth towels
and repeat blotting. Use sparingly and do not pour or spray
directly on the carpet pile as damage to the backing or adhesive
underneath may result; use the towels to transport the solvent
to the carpet. Repeat as much as necessary. Protective gloves
should be worn as the solvent will quickly remove oils from the
skin and may result in irritation. Provide adequate ventilation!
Do not use flammable solvents! Rinse thoroughly by spraying with
clean water, and then blot or extract. If needed, continue with
procedures in "A."
C. FREEZE
stains such as chewing gum and candle wax with ice or
commercially available product in aerosol can. Shatter with a
blunt object and vacuum before the chips soften. Follow up with
solvent as in "B."
D.
Several commercial preparations are available to remove medical
stains such as Betadine, but they should be used with
caution. A 5% sodium thiosulfate solution (from a photography
store) may be used. For stains that are more than a few hours
old, this solution should be heated
E. RUST
can be removed in most cases with a 10% solution of oxalic acid
or "Rust Spotter". Stubborn cases require 5% hydrofluoric acid
which is difficult to obtain and dangerous to use. Both should
be used with caution by a trained professional.
F. WARNING!
If the carpet has a printed pattern, the following procedure
must not be used. Only carpets which are solution dyed are
resistant to bleaching, but do not exceed the recommended
concentration. Do not use this procedure unless you are
absolutely sure the carpet is solution dyed carpet dyed by other
systems will be damaged. Products with olefin and nylon blends
cannot be exposed to bleach without removing the color from the
nylon fibers unless the nylon component is solution dyed. If in
doubt, call 1-800-441-7429. For solution dyed carpets with
stains such as food dyes, fruit drink stains, and coffee not
removed by A-1, use a solution of one part chlorine bleach to
five parts water. Rinse several times with water to remove
excess bleach because it can affect the fiber if allowed to
remain. Do not track to other areas where there might be
conventionally dyed carpet. |
