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Most carpet today is made with synthetic fibers, such as nylon, polyester, or olefin, and may be cleaned with common methods such as hot water extraction. Other fibers may require special attention. Rely on the carpet manufacturer’s recommendations. Never use soap, laundry detergent, automatic dishwasher detergent, or any strong household cleaning agents intended for use on hard surfaces, such as woodwork, linoleum, or tile.
For best cleaning results, always vacuum the area to be cleaned first and apply a pre-conditioning solution, to begin loosening soil, prior to cleaning. These solutions typically require 8-10 minutes to begin loosening soil.
Natural fibers may require specialized care:
- Wool fibers - Avoid excessive agitation and excessive heat. Clean wool with neutral detergents (pH 5.0 - 8.0) and dry quickly to limit yellowing or browning. Remember, wool is easily damaged by bleaches and alkalies.
- Silk should be cleaned by professionals using a dry cleaning process. Silk fibers may be damaged by high temperatures, high pH (>9) and sunlight, and will lose strength when wet.
- Plant fibers include sisal, jute, coconut (coir), pineapple, ramie, and hemp are best cleaned by a professional.
Do-It-Yourself Cleaning
For any do-it-yourself cleaning method, these points are critical:
- Always vacuum first to remove as much dry soil as possible.
- Follow instructions carefully!
- Consider the following advice when using a wet-cleaning method:
- Remove furniture from the room before cleaning or, if impractical, place plastic film under and around the legs of chairs, tables, and other furniture to prevent rust or furniture stains from developing on the carpet.
- Use only the recommended cleaning solution strength. Stronger solutions may cause faster re-soiling. Be sure to rinse all detergent from the carpet to prevent residue and rapid re-soiling.
- Do not overwet the carpet. Overwetting may cause separation of the backing, separation of the seams, shrinkage, discoloration, and odor.
- The carpet should be dry within 12 hours. Provide proper ventilation or use fans to accelerate the drying process and exhaust any existing solution-related fragrances.
- Allow the carpet to dry completely before walking on it.
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