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Area Rug Cleaning Guide

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The kids... the dog... a clumsy party guest. Accidents happen. In fact, removal of spots and spills is one of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance. When anything is dropped or spilled, quick response with the proper cleaning material can save the day... and your carpet!

When Accidents Happen

  • Blot up liquids with white paper towels or absorbent cloth; scoop up solids with the end of a knife or spoon.
  • Treat the spot according to the cleaning instruction chart below.
  • Apply spot removal agent to clean towel or cloth, not directly to the spot; use small quantities at a time. Always work inwards from the edge to prevent spreading; do not rub, as this may cause the spot to spread or distort the pile. Do not over-wet the carpet pile.
  • Afterwards, blot as dry as possible with clean towel.

Spot and stain removal

Cleaning Guide
Begin with Step 1 and proceed to Step 2 or 3 if necessary

Stain

Step One

Step Two

Step Three

Alcoholic beverages

1

2

 

Bleach

1

13

 

Blood

1

2

 

Butter

4

2

 

Candle Wax

10

4

 

Chewing Gum

5

4

 

Chocolate

4

2

 

Coffee

1

2

6

Colas & soft drinks

1

2

 

Cooking oil

4

2

 

Cream

2

4

 

Egg

2

13

 

Feces

2

3

13

Floor wax

4

2

 

Fruit juice

1

2

 

Furniture polish

4

2

 

Gravy & sauces

7

2

 

Ink (ballpoint pen)

9

2

 

Ink (felt tip pen)

4

2

 

Lipstick

4

2

 

Milk

2

4

 

Mustard

2

 

 

Nail polish

8

4

 

Oil & grease

4

2

 

Paint (oil based)

12

4

 

Paint (Acrylic)

1

2

 

Rust

6

13

 

Salad dressing

2

4

 

Shoe polish

4

2

 

Soot

11

4

 

Tar

12

4

 

Tea

1

2

6

Tomato sauce

7

2

 

Urine(fresh)

1

2

3

Urine(old stain)

13

 

 

Vomit

2

3

6

Wine

1

2

6

Unknown material

4

2

 

  1. Scoop up any solid matter first.
  2. Blot up as much liquid as possible using a clean white absorbent towel or sponge.
  3. Clean with the appropriate treatment from the cleaning guide. All cleaning agents should be tested on an inconspicuous area of carpet before use. Apply the cleaning agent to a clean white cloth - not directly to the carpet. Remember that to avoid spreading the stain, start from the outside of the stained area and work towards the center. Do not rub or scrub your carpet.
  4. Rinse carefully with cold water using a clean cloth.
  5. Blot dry with an absorbent towel, or use a cold air fan to complete drying.

Cleaning Guide Legend

  1. Cold water.
  2. One teaspoon of wool detergent with one teaspoon of white vinegar and one liter of warm water.
  3. Clear household disinfectant.
  4. White spirits (available from hardware stores). Use only on dry carpet.
  5. Chill with ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
  6. Mix 1/3 cup of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of water.
  7. Warm water.
  8. Nail polish remover (should not contain lanolin).
  9. Surgical alcohol.
  10. Place absorbent paper over wax and apply hot iron to paper. Wax will melt and be absorbed by the paper.
  11. Vacuum clean.
  12. Mineral turpentine
  13. Seek assistance from a professional carpet cleaner.

Warnings:

  • Some chemicals are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc.) and should be used with great care, strictly in accordance with their use and safety instructions.
  • DO NOT apply solvent-containing products or Dry Spot Remover #2 to bonded carpets (carpets that are not tufted or woven, but where the pile is bonded to the backing). When applying Dry Spot Remover #2 or other solvent-containing products, have the work area well ventilated.
  • DO NOT apply stain repellent treatments which contain any silicone because they tend to accelerate carpet soiling. (Some carpet manufacturers do not accept responsibility for complaints where such treatments have been used.)
  • Always pre-test a cleaning agent in an inconspicuous place, such as under a piece of furniture or in the corner of the room, to insure that it does not remove color.

Natural, Easy Maintenance

To protect the investment made in a fine New Zealand wool carpet or rug, it's important to follow prescribed maintenance periodically to keep it looking and performing at its best. Cleaning at regular intervals - rather than waiting until the carpet is heavily soiled - actually extends its life. And when carpet life is increased, so is the return on your investment.

Properly maintained carpets enhance the appearance and atmosphere of interiors either contract or residential. A well-maintained New Zealand Wool residential or commercial carpet absorbs dirt, airborne dust particles, fumes and noise. It even makes the indoor environment more hygienic. Maintenance makes sense. Maintaining the beauty of wool carpet is exceptionally easy - in fact, a lot easier than most people think. You see wool's unique and complex fiber structure releases soil up to 25% more readily than synthetic carpet. Not only that, its scaly outer structure holds soil high on the pile, right where the vacuum can lift it out, quickly and easily.

 

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