Wall-to-wall carpet
Whether you are an existing carpet or a newly purchased carpet, you can now take care of the textiles under your feet. Most people think all they need is a vacuum cleaner, and they are. It’s amazing how many people have vacuum cleaners but rarely use or abuse them when using them. Believe it or not, once the dust starts to clog the filter, most vacuum cleaners operate at around 14% efficiency. The right carpet vacuum should have a stir bar or brush, which pulses the dirt to the surface for the vacuum to remove. The most important part of a vacuum cleaner is the person who actually uses it.
Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum!
Did you know that your carpet is a huge filter? The air in your home is constantly circulating, going in and out of the carpet fibers. The air in your home is either filtered through the carpet, or dirt from the air is deposited on the carpet. If you have carpet, you need a vacuum cleaner. If you bought the most powerful vacuum cleaner and never used it, it is useless. If the filter (carpet) is kept clean, a carpeted house is actually healthier. Carpets produced by carpet manufacturers can hide dirt. They want their products to perform and look good. “Hoover Vacuum says a 9×12 carpet can hold 90 pounds of dirt, and the surface still looks clean!” Therefore, vacuum the entrance 2, 3 or 4 times a week, and vacuum 1 or 2 times throughout the process, even if it seems unnecessary.
Wipe your feet!
Especially in the northeast, the mat outside the main entrance helps to trap sand, salt and dirt before entering your home. Once sand gets into the carpet, the fibers become dull and cut off at the bottom, which is highly destructive. Keep the mats clean or replace them. If the mats are full of sand, the next place sand will enter your home.
Clean it up… professionally
Only 30% of carpet owners have cleaned the carpet… Oops!
If the filter (carpet) is never clean, it is not very healthy. Most manufacturers insist that a certified professional clean the carpet every 12 to 18 months to ensure the warranty. EPA recommends cleaning the carpet every 6 to 12 months. These guidelines are shortened depending on the number of people, dogs, cats or animals living there. In 2008 Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer, required that only IICRC certified professionals clean your carpets, otherwise the warranty will be voided! Some companies and individuals will commit to the cleaning industry and its ethics as their life’s work. Distinguishing yourself from stereotypical or unethical carpet cleaners is a lengthy battle. You can find ethical and well-trained cleaners in your area by logging onto IICRC.org (Certified Society for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration). You will find that the Ziegler Preservation Cleaning Specialists have some of the highest certifications possible.
oriental carpet
The oldest carpet found is the Pazyryk carpet woven from wool in the 5th century BC! There are many different types of carpets, hand knotted, hand tufted, plain weave, kilem’s, hooked, etc. Some come from Iran, China, India, Pakistan, Tibet or are simply installed from the wall to the carpet left on the wall. Most people will spend time choosing carpets that match their personality and the color of the room they will live in. A good quality Oriental can cost thousands of dollars. For this type of textile you only need qualified professional cleaners to maintain it. The only maintenance Eastern owners should try for themselves is vacuuming, removing dust and doing some inspections after professional inspections. There is a complete decontamination guide on the Ziegler website, but please contact us before attempting to remove stains.
Dust the carpet
We’ve all heard the story of Grandma taking out her carpet in the spring and patting the clothesline. This is the best thing you can do for your carpet. Of course, you can vacuum the carpet in the normal way at home for most of the year. Please do not vacuum the brushes, you will remove them from the carpet beforehand. Most brushes are extensions of the carpet and should be kept. Once a year, depending on where the carpet is in the house, take it out from the side and turn it upside down in the garage or driveway (make sure it’s a clean area). Grab a beater and brush the vacuum cleaner and start vacuuming the back of the carpet. Take your time and make many overlapping strokes. Don’t be afraid if you look under the carpet.