Stain Treatment

For effective spot cleaning, you’ll need the following items. Use the chart below to determine which cleaning tools to use and in what order to use them for optimum stain removal. Some stains may require professional cleaning, depending on the age of the stain.

Dry Foam and Absorbent Pad

Fluffy detergent foam is worked into pile by a variety of machines. Once dry, the residue is vacuumed out. This method uses little water, dries fast, and cleans the surface well. Limitation: Overbrushing can damage some carpets.

Dry Powder

Absorbent particles are worked into the pile with a machine and removed by vacuum. This method uses no water, little skill is required, and the carpet is ready for use immediately. This is a professional or do-it-yourself method. Limitations: It can be difficult to remove all cleaning residue from deep pile. This method also is not that effective for heavily soiled or matted areas.

Steam Cleaning (Hot Water Extraction)

Extraction of the cleaning solution and soil leaves little residue and no pile damage. Recommended for all carpet types, this method is most effective when performed by a professional using an external hot water extraction unit. Limitations: Avoid using too much detergent. Follow up with plain water, but caution is required to prevent overwetting.

Carpet pilating or grooming should be incorporated with all professional cleanings. A professional pile lifter vacuum may be effective in restoring matted or ridged carpeting.

Caution: Methods and Products to Avoid

The rotary brush wet shampoo method is not recommended for residential carpet as damage may result. Moreover, some do-it-yourself products in aerosol cans may cause rapid re-soiling due to excessive residues. Test on a scrap of carpet first. If the dried product feels sticky, don’t use it. Also avoid all cleaning agents containing an optical brightener (fluorescence) such as those found in many laundry detergents and some carpet cleaning systems.

Dry Powder

Vacuuming removes most of the dry soil, but your carpet is exposed to other tough characters: the oily soil of cooking vapors, air pollution, and grime tracked in from the street. These other types of soil can build up on carpet fibers and gradually, over time, dull the look of delicate pastel colors. The color isn’t lost; it’s just hidden under a dirty film.

But that’s not the whole story. If this type of soil is allowed to accumulate, it literally glues the pile fiber together, resulting in matting, packing, or ridges. Even more worrisome, it begins to attract and hold dry soil.

So clean your carpet regularly before the luster of your carpet becomes dull looking and built-up soil becomes gummy and difficult to remove. Keep your Karastan carpet healthy and beautiful so it can give you years of enjoyment.

Vacuuming Tips

Even in ordinary use, carpets receive a lot of abuse pounding feet and pet paws; dirt, grit, and dust tramped in from the outdoors; oily cooking vapors; and spills of all descriptions. Frequent vacuuming with a good machine is your first defense you can remove dry soils and prevent them from building up and damaging your carpet.

Here are some effective vacuuming tips:

Vacuuming Tip 1

For better equipment efficiency, never allow the soil bag to become over half full.

Vacuuming Tip 2

Vacuum across the traffic pattern occasionally, rather than in the traffic direction, to prevent matting.

Vacuuming Tip 3

For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once a week.

Vacuuming Tip 4

For areas of heavier traffic, vacuum the traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly.

Vacuuming Tip 5

When vacuuming high pile, wool blend, and premium soft carpets look for the following features that will allow you to easily maintain your carpet:

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• Adjustable Height: Use the highest setting where appropriate
• Adjustable Fan Speed: Use a Medium or Low setting where appropriate
• Large Wheels allow the appliance to glide easily across the carpet

Vacuuming Tip 6

Make sure your vacuum’s belt is in good condition and that the beater actually rotates when in contact with the carpet. Height adjustment is correct when the beater contacts the pile enough to lightly vibrate the carpet several inches away from the machine, but not enough to cause a significant slowing of the motor.

Vacuuming Tip 7

In carpets with looped textures, vacuum with suction only to avoid damaging the loops. Up to three passes of the machine work well for light soiling, while five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas.

For more information on on how to select a vacuum, please click here.

The keys to effective maintenance are:

• Preventative Maintenance
• Vacuuming
• Soft Removal
• Interim Cleaning
• Interim Cleaning
• Restorative Deep Cleaning

To learn more about an effective maintenance program, click here to download the complete care and cleaning guidelines for The Metropolitan Collection.