Keep your carpet looking good

Press, 16 September 1987, Page 15

Keep your carpet looking good

Carpets are one of the most mistreated items in any home. They’re stamped on, jumped on, played on, have furniture dragged across them and things spilled on them. In fact, just being walked over can be stressful — a 57kg woman in high heels exerts around a half tonne of pressure per square inch through her heels as she walks!

• Clean up spills immediately — first remove the source of the stain by blotting up liquids, scooping up solids or brushing burn marks from the surface. Next, refer to the stain removal chart, re-

and grime is suctioned out again as the solution is removed. Steam cleaning provides the most effective method of deep-down cleaning. If you decide to clean your carpet yourself, make sure you choose a good quality shampoo. Always use a “dry form” or “dry residue” shampoo and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a good idea to pre-test the shampoo on an off-cut of carpet or on an out-of-the-way area.

membering NOT to rub the carpet surface, and removing excess moisture. • Wet clean your carpet as required — with proper maintenance and care, this should only need to be done once every year or so. If you have taken good care of your carpet, you may not need to shampoo it for a year or more, even if it is a light colour. When your carpet does start to look soiled, you have the option of doing it yourself or hiring professional carpet cleaners. The most common method used by professional cleaners is hotwater extraction, also known as steam cleaning. During hot water extraction, hot cleaning solution

Even though carpets are expected to keep their good looks year after year, in most households without a proper care routine, a carpet’s daily grind shows up on its surface. Looking after your carpet makes as much sense as looking after an investment such as your car or your clothing. Wool carpet has a naturally high resistance to soiling and stains, but the Wool Board suggests following these three golden rules to help keep your carpet in topform: • Vacuum regularly — at least once a week and more often in heavy traffic areas such as stairs or entranceways.

No matter how careful you are, a small amount of residue will usually be left on the pile after drying and a poor quality shampoo can actually accelerate soiling. The New Zealand Wool Board recommends that stain-re-pellent treatments are not used, as these also accelerate soiling.

Wool carpets need a neutral shampoo — never use alkalines. Household cleaners should not be used, nor shampoos that smell of ammonia.

is pumped into the carpet through pressure jets. Dirt

CAUTION: Before proceeding to treat stain, pre-test treatments on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to check for possible colour change. If stains fail to respond to treatments listed, call a professional carpet cleaner immediately.

The stain removal chart includes the Wool Board’s advice on methods of treating stains and the order in which they should be tried. For instance, if clean water does not remove all traces of a beverage, try a solution of biological washing powder next Most of the agents mentioned are easy to obtain, however, if you cannot get a dye stripper (e.g. Dygon) or hydrochloric acid, call a professional cleaner instead. A freezing agent is available in aerosol sprays, but you can use dry ice instead to harden chewing gum in ortier to remove it

the Wool Board accepts no responsibility for claims arising from the treatments proposed. • 1) — Solution of one teaspoon of approved wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one litre of warm water.

• 5 — Hydrogen peroxide (20 vol.) Dilute 10 to 1 with cold water. CAUTION: Do not use on dark or patterned carpet. • 6) — Dye stripper. Dilute 50 to 1 with cold water. CAUTION: As for No. 5.

• 2) — Dry-cleaning fluid, lighter fuel or mineral turpentine. CAUTION: ensure that no flame or lighted cigarette is near, and use in well-ventilated area. • 3) — Mineral tur-pentine-effectiveness is Increased if mixed with an equal quantity of drycleaning fluid. CAUTION: as for No. 2.

• 7) — Chewing gum remover (freezing agent). • 8) — Nail polish remover.

• 9) — Clean, warm (NOT HOT) water. • 10) — Cold water.

• 11) — Weak solution of white vinegar or lemon juice with cold water.

• 12) — -Absorbent powder (e.g. salt or talc). Sprinkle on spillage, leave overnight and vacuum next day.

Note: While this advice is offered in good faith,

• 4 — Methylated spirits. CAUTION: as for No. 2.

Stain removal chart Order of Order of Type of stain treatment Type of stain treatment 1st 2nd 3rd 1st 2nd 3rd Beer . . 1 Ink —Ballpoint 4 1 Beetroot 1 Ink—Fountain Pen. . . 9 1 6 Bleach . . 1 Lipstick . 2 1 Blood . . . 10 6 Metal Polish 2 1 Burn or Scorch Marks . . . . 5 Mildew 1 5 Butter . . . 2 1 Milk . 9 2 1 Candlewax . . . 3 Mustard Chewing Gum . . . 7 Nail Polish 8 2 Chocolate . . . 1 2 Oil 2 1 Cocoa . . . 2 10 1 Paint—Emulsion .... . 2 10 1 Coffee (Black or White) . . . 2 10 1 Paint—Oil Base 3 2 1 Cooking Oils . . . 2 1 Rust 2 1 11 Crayon . . . 2 1 Salad Dressing 2 1 . . . 2 1 Shoe Polish . 2 1 Egg . . . 1 Soft Drinks 9 1 5 Excrement. . . . 1 Tar 3 2 1 Fruit Juice . . . 9 1 Tea (Black or White) . . 2 10 1 Furniture Polish . . . 2 1 Urine 1 Grass . . . 4 Vomit 1 Gravy . . . 9 1 Wine—Red . 12 9 6 . . . 2 1 Wine—White 1 Ice Cream . . . 1