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Cleaning Tips for Your Rugs
Like everything else today, rugs need special care to ensure long life. Regular cleaning, using proper treatments will help extend the life of your rug.
Vacuuming:
Regardless of whether your rug is a cut pile or loop rug, vacuuming is the basic and primary step for caring for your rug. Rugs are exposed to endless mistreatment, such as treading feet, dirt, dust, oil and spills of all sorts. By frequently vacuuming, you can prevent soils from building up. Vacuums with good suction are recommended to lift surface dirt. This especially applies to looped rugs where damaging the loops is possible. Cut pile rugs on the other hand, require rougher treatment. Besides removing surface dirt it is necessary to agitate the pile to loosen the dirt which may have sunk to the core. These rugs require a vacuum with a beater or brush bar to lift the residue embedded in the rug. While vacuuming remember to never allow the soil storage bag to become too full or dirt may escape the vacuum cleaner
Cleaning:
Even though vacuuming removes a lot of soil, oily substances deposited on the rug also poses a problem. If left to pile up, these oils cause matting due to the pile sticking together. Gradually the rug starts to form ridges and the colors dim. If not removed when first noticed, it becomes hard to clean. It is therefore advised to clean your rug when dullness first starts to appear. There are many ways to clean your rug but almost all require clean clothes or paper towels, warm water and a cleaning substance. To avoid altering the rug's texture DO NOT RUB as fuzziness may result. | |
Removing Stains:
Many rugs are treated to be stain resistant which delays the stain setting in, giving you a chance to act. The key is to treat the stain or spill quickly before it is absorbed by the rug and dries. Basic cleaning steps for typical everyday stains:
1. Scoop up as much of the spill as possible
2. Absorb as much of the liquid that's left with a dry cloth/paper towel by blotting.
3. Apply warm water to the stain then blot again If the stain remains visible, mix warm water with a mild non-bleach laundry detergent.
Using a clean cloth apply some of the mixture to the stain and let it soak for 5 minutes.
Rinse the stain with warm water and blot it well to extract the residue. Repeat until there is no detergent on the rug. When satisfied and the rug is completely dry, vacuum the area.
Specific Stains:
Since different stains require different cleaning treatments, it is important to identify the source and nature of the stain. Below is a list of common stains and how they are best removed.
Stain Cleaning Treatment Stain | Cleaning Treatment | Alcohol | Warm water & detergent | Asphalt | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Blood | Warm water & detergent | Butter | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Chewing gum | Freeze using ice, shatter gum, vacuum, warm water & detergent | Most Makeup | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Shoe Polish | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Urine | Warm water & detergent then white vinegar & water (1:3) | Vomit | Warm water & detergent then dry cleaning solvent | Wax | Freeze using ice, shatter gum, vacuum, dry cleaning solvent then water & detergent | Wine | Talcum powder then warm water & detergent |
Cleaning Tips for your Carpet
To ensure a long life of your carpet it needs regular care.
Vacuuming is the basic and primary step to keep your carpet in good condition.
Carpets are exposed to endless mistreatment, such as treading feet, dirt, dust, oil and spills of all sorts. By frequently vacuuming, you can prevent soils from building up. Vacuums with good suction are recommended to lift surface dirt.
Removing Stains:
Many carpets are treated to be stain resistant which delays the stain setting in, giving you a chance to act. The key is to treat the stain or spill quickly before it is absorbed by the carpet and dries.
Basic cleaning steps for typical everyday stains:
1. Scoop up as much of the spill as possible
2. Absorb as much of the liquid that's left with a dry cloth/paper towel by blotting.
3. Apply warm water to the stain then blot again If the stain remains visible, mix warm water with a mild non-bleach laundry detergent.
Using a clean cloth apply some of the mixture to the stain and let it soak for 5 minutes.
Rinse the stain with warm water and blot it well to extract the residue. Repeat until there is no detergent left in the carpet. When satisfied and the carpet is completely dried, vacuum the area.
Specific Stains:
Since different stains require different cleaning treatments, it is important to identify the source and nature of the stain. Below is a list of common stains and how they are best removed.
Stain Cleaning Treatment
Stain | Cleaning Treatment | Alcohol | Warm water & detergent | Asphalt | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Blood | Warm water & detergent | Butter | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Chewing gum | Freeze using ice, shatter gum, vacuum, warm water & detergent | Most Makeup | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Shoe Polish | Dry cleaning solvent then warm water & detergent | Urine | Warm water & detergent then white vinegar & water (1:3) | Vomit | Warm water & detergent then dry cleaning solvent | Wax | Freeze using ice, shatter gum, vacuum, dry cleaning solvent then water & detergent | Wine | Talcum powder then warm water & detergent |
Caring Tips for your Hardwood Floor
Preventive Maintenance:
Subject | Action needed | Appliances | Be very careful moving appliances over hardwood floors.
Use a dolly or corner casters with non marking rubber wheels to move them.
Avoid plastic or iron casters!
If you're not able to do this, lay down a piece of plywood down, sliding the appliances over the plywood.
To prevent the casters or legs making an imprint while not being moved, use caster-cups. If this is not possible, place a piece of old carpet or plywood under the legs/casters. | Color Changes | All hardwood floors will oxidize in strong light, causing the wood to change color.
This is normal and can hardly be prevented.
To avoid uneven coloring, move area rugs occasionally and try to prevent direct sunlight hitting the wood via windows. | Moving
Light Furniture | To prevent furniture from scratching the hardwood floor, put fabric-faced glides on the legs of your furniture.
Clean the gliders on a regular base because dirt and sand can be trapped in them, causing scratches when moving the furniture. | Moving
Heavy Furniture | When moving heavy furniture, use a dolly or corner casters with non marking rubber wheels to move them. Avoid plastic or iron casters! |
Regular Maintenance: Subject | Action needed | Cleaning | When cleaning of your floor is needed, make a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar with 1 gallon of lukewarm water.
Dip a cloth or sponge mop into the mixture and wring it nearly dry.
Clean the floor and dry the floor directly with a clean dry cloth. Do not let it dry before you can wipe it dry!
It is recommended to do this once a month, to keep your floor clean from dirt that cannot be picked up by a vacuum cleaner.
There are also many cleaners designed for hardwood floors. Be sure to check what product is best to use for your floor.
Warning: Do not use any oil soaps or other cleaning products that mix with water. Most of them contain ammonia and will damage your surface finish of your hardwood floor. | Vacuuming | Just like with carpet, you should vacuum your floor on a regular base.
A brush vacuum or brush attachment will do a great job on a hardwood floor.
Sweep or dust you hardwood floor when needed.
Warning: Do not use any dust wipes with chemicals! This can damage your finish or even stain your hardwood floor. | Waxing | If you ever thought about waxing your floor, there's only one answer to it:
Don't wax your floor!
Most waxes will make your floor very slippery and create spots where liquid is spilled instantly.
If a wax is used on your floor there is only one way to restore this damage;
Your floor must be completely sanded down to the raw wood and refinished. |
Problems with Cracks and Squeaking:
Wood is a natural product and therefore reacts to temperature and especially moisture. When a change in moisture occurs, the wood contracts or expands, causing cracks or squeeking sounds.
Cracks:
Cracks occur when the humidity is very low. Small cracks can appear between the edges of the board.
This is not really a problem and can be easily solved by installing a humidifier.
Squeaking:
Squeaking of the floor can occur when there is a high humidity. The boards in the floor expand and rub against each other when walked on.
This is also not a problem as it will disappear when the humidity drops again.
Try ventilating your room and installing a dehumidifier.
Squeaking can also be caused if the hardwood floor is not properly fastened to the subfloor. In this case, the problem cannot be fixed with a home remedy and needs professional attention. Our experience staff members will be able to assist you with these problems.
Note: A good balance in temperature and moisture is important for good health for your floor as well as yourself and your family!
Please note that the above is provided for informational purposes only.
World of Rugs & Furniture cannot be held responsible for any damage done.
We highly recommend professional cleaning for your rugs, carpet and hardwood floors!
To read more about our cleaning service, click here
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