General Cleaning TipsWhile we are able to provide you quaility cleaning through our MaxCARE cleaning division, one of the best ways to ensure your flooring keeps looking good is through some preventative maintenance of your own.
Below are some additional cleaning tips that we recommend.
- Emergency Spot Removal
- Routine Maintenance
- Basic Vacuuming
- Soiling Around the Edges
- Fine Carpet Cleaning
- Floor Finishing & Restoration
- Preventative Maintenance
- Cautions
Emergency Spot Removal
There are many carpet spot removal guides available to help you respond to an immediate problem. Click below to go to the one we use, published by the Carpet and Rug Institute. Click here to view the spot removal guides.
Routine Maintenance
Today's carpet fibers are designed to hide soil and reflect light, and have the ability to resist soiling and stains. The effect of soil in carpet is not as visible as it is on hard surface flooring where soil remains on the surface and is easily seen. The ability of today's carpet fibers to hide soiling is a positive feature for most consumers. However, the lack of apparent soiling does not eliminate the necessity of regular cleaning.
Most dry soil has razor like edges that abrade carpet fibers causing light to reflect differently and giving carpet a dull appearance. Soil can damage the fibers permanently if allowed to remain in the pile. A regular maintenance program extends the life and the initial appearance of your carpet.
Basic Carpet Vacuuming 
Vacuum daily the areas that receive the most traffic, such as hallways, stairs, exterior entry ways, and paths in the home where there is constant wear daily. Vacuum the entire carpet once a week. Removing loose soil while it remains on the surface is important so that it is not worked into the carpet pile by foot traffic. For cut pile carpet, use a vacuum cleaner that has adjustable and rotating brushes that are able to loosen ground in soil. For loop pile carpets, use a straight suction vacuum only. A vacuum with rotating brushes can cause excessive fuzzing in loop pile constructions.
Carpet Soiling around the Edges
Air Filtration is a condition in which dark, grayish lines appear on carpet. This is not a carpet defect, but a situation in which airborne pollutants are being filtered out of a concentrated airflow by the carpet. The soiling condition can occur quickly, or it may develop over a period of months or years. The level of soiling is dependent upon the volume of airflow and the level of pollutants in the air. Filtration soiling is not a result of the quality of carpet selected. The condition will obviously appear more pronounced on lighter colorations than darker colorations. Filtration soil is most common around baseboards, but is also seen under doors, along the edges of stairs and possibly away from walls where plywood subflooring materials have been joined.
When air filtration is first detected, it is important to stop its progression because complete removal is not always possible. The carpet should be pulled back to reveal the source of the airflow, which should then be sealed up. Regular latex caulk is effective under baseboards. Seams in subflooring which are a problem can be closed with duct tape. Once the airflow has been stopped, The Square Yard will send an installer to reinstall the carpet onto the strip. (There will be a service charge.)
Filtration soil can not always be removed. The soil typically is heavily laden with hydrocarbons and synthetic carpet is hydrocarbon based. Sometimes, there is a chemical change in the fiber which can not be reversed. There are new professional chemicals available which have dramatically improved our track record. Call us It is always worth a try.
Fine Carpet Cleaning
The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that carpet be cleaned every 12 to 18 months before it shows soiling. At MaxCARE, we feature a State-of-the-Art Wet Extraction System because it because it is the method that most manufacturers recommend in order to keep their warranties intact. What is most important about cleaning is the attitude of the company and the person actually doing the cleaning. Some companies are real "rip-off" artists, only interested in making a quick buck.
At our MaxCARE Cleaning Division, we know that if we can keep your floors looking newer for a longer period of time...then you will buy from us again. We do a better job, simply because we care more. Contact us via email at maxcare@seflooringamerica.com.
Floor Finishing & Restoration
New aluminum oxide finishes are much more scratch resistant than older urethane finishes. This feature may mean that you never have to refinish your hardwood floor. In the event that you do, make sure that whomever you choose for the job is up-to-date with the latest "screening" requirements for the new finishes.
The most important factor in enjoying your hardwood floor is proper preventative maintenance, routine & periodic.
Hard Surface Preventative Maintenance
- Remove spills promptly
- Use protective walk off mats at entrances to trap soil and grit.
- Use area rugs in pivot areas and in front of kitchen sinks to keep abrasion low.
- Rugs should allow the floor to breathe so avoid rubber or vinyl backed rugs.
- Don't let grit build up; sweep or vacuum regularly.
- Install "defenders" floor protectors on all furniture that will be moved over the floor.
Never Wet Mop Wood or Laminate! Regular Maintenance With Spray Wood Floor Cleaner
- Spot cleaning - spray floor cleaner onto a clean cotton cloth and wipe spot.
- General cleaning - vacuum or sweep to remove dirt and grit. Lightly mist area with cleaner, mop the misted area with a damp sponge mop and dry with the terry cloth mop.
- Black heel marks come off with cleaner on a soft cloth.
- Be careful about using popular "Swiffer" type products. Some manufacturers recommend against them because of the excessive moisture that they can deliver to your floor. When in doubt, check with the manufacturer of your hardwood.
Cautions:
- Do not wet mop. Water ruins hardwood floors.
- Do not use Murphy's Oil Soap, Endust, wax or polish!
- Beware high heels! They can severely damage the surface of any floor covering.