M O H A W K G R O U P. C O M COMMERCIAL CARPET CARE & MAINTENANCE GUIDE 101 CARPET CARE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE SEC. 1.0 VACUUMING SEC. 2.0 SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING SEC. 3.0 INTERIM CLEANING SEC. 4.0 DEEP CLEANING SEC. 5.
5 THE FIVE KEYS TO EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE 1.0 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE Keeping dirt off the carpet is easier and less expensive than removing it. 2.0 VACUUMING Regular vacuuming is the most important part of a successful maintenance program. 3.0 SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING Spots are inevitable, but they don’t have to be permanent. Remove a spill quickly and there is less chance it will become a stain. 4.0 INTERIM CLEANING Scheduled interim cleaning helps the carpet retain appearance, and improves performance.
CARPET CARE 101 THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING MOHAWK CARPET! We appreciate your choice and we will continually strive to earn your business through service after the sale. One of the ways we do that is by providing you with the best possible information regarding the care and maintenance of your carpet. We want you to have an enjoyable experience with your carpet throughout its life on your floor.
1.0 PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE Mohawk Group offers walk-off tiles to fit any type of entrance situation. To learn more about our walk-off tiles contact your local sales representative or you can visit our website at: mohawkgroup.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE 1.0 KEEP THE DIRT OUT An often overlooked, but vitally important part of a maintenance program is preventive maintenance, which prevents soil from being deposited into the carpet. The best way to do this is with proper and adequate walk-off systems at all entrances and other sources of soil. Adequate walk-off material should capture five or six footsteps (roughly 10-15 feet).
2.0 VACUUMING Proper vacuuming is the single most important part of any maintenance program. When selecting vacuums, a great place to start is the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval list. The vacuums listed at www.carpet-rug.org have been tested in an independent, certified laboratory and have met minimum standards for cleaning efficacy.
VACUUMING 2.0 THE MOST IMPORTANT MAINTENANCE TASK Frequent and thorough vacuuming is the single most important component of a carpet maintenance program. Studies of the soil composition in a facility show that roughly 80% is dry, insoluble soil, or what most of us refer to as dirt. The most efficient way to remove this dry, insoluble soil is with frequent and thorough vacuuming. It is important to note that carpet is a three-dimensional product.
VACUUMING EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE Just as you maintain the floor, you need to perform routine maintenance on your vacuums. The crucial parts to pay special attention to are the bags, belts and brush rollers. Bags should not get more than two-thirds full before being replaced. The vacuum loses suction significantly and will not pick up much dirt when the bag is too full. Vacuum belts stretch out over time and become loose. They need to be changed regularly to keep the vacuum in good working condition.
VACUUMING OFFICE 2.
3.0 SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING NOTE: When cleaning a spot always work from the edge toward the center of the spot. Always blot, never scrub, as it may spread the spot or distort the fibers.
SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING 3.0 SPOT CLEANING IS ESSENTIAL Dry soil often hides within the carpet pile, but spots and spills can stand out, depending upon the carpet’s color and pattern. Therefore, to keep your carpet looking as good as possible it’s essential that spot cleaning become an important part of your maintenance program.
SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING PROPER TOOLS FOR SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING We recommend you have a “spot kit” on hand to deal with your most common spots and spills. You will need the following list of materials: Absorbent towels Water General purpose spotter or absorbent compound Bone spatula or soft bristle brush Small extractor or vacuum MECHANICS OF MOST SPILL REMOVAL FOR DURACOLOR, SMARTSTRAND AND COLORSHIELD The spill removal instructions below should work for most spills. 1.
SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING 3.1 SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING 3.1 NOTE: See section 3.2 on the next page for more detailed instructions about how to remove specific types of spots. 3. Agitate with bone spatula or soft bristle brush 4.
SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING TYPES OF SPOTS & HOW TO REMOVE CATEGORY “A” SPOTS Water based spots such as catsup, fruit juice, etc. STEP 1: Blot or extract to remove substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water. Apply a mild carpet spotter cleaning solution sparingly and gently agitate the discolored area. Blot or extract to remove substance. Rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove residue. Blot or extract to remove remaining excess moisture. STEP 2: Repeat if necessary.
SPILL AND SPOT CLEANING 3.
4.0 INTERIM CLEANING CAUTION: Mohawk Group does not recommend the use of a spin bonnet, as it can damage the fibers in your carpet. When selecting chemicals and equipment, a great place to start is the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval list. The chemicals and equipment listed at www.carpet-rug.org have been tested in an independent, certified laboratory and have met minimum standards for cleaning efficacy.
INTERIM CLEANING 4.0 INTERIM CLEANING METHODS Interim cleaning is a cost effective way to keep your carpet attractive and odor free between hot water/wet extractions. Mohawk recommends two different methods of interim cleaning. The absorbent compound cleaning method, and the low moisture encapsulation cleaning method. Both methods use various chemicals to dissolve and absorb water and oil based soils, holding them until they are removed by vacuuming (dry extraction).
INTERIM CLEANING INTERIM CLEANING TIPS Operate equipment with slow, deliberate passes in length and width for maximum effectiveness. Heavy traffic areas may require multiple passes back and forth to sufficiently extract embedded soil. RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT For interim cleaning the Mohawk Group recognizes that there are many absorbent compound and low moisture cleaning brands available in the marketplace.
INTERIM CLEANING OFFICE OFFICE 4.
5.0 DEEP CLEANING CAUTION: Mohawk Group does not recommend the use of a spin bonnet, as it can damage the fibers in your carpet. When selecting chemicals and equipment, a great place to start is the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval list. The chemicals and equipment listed at www.carpet-rug.org have been tested in an independent, certified laboratory and have met minimum standards for cleaning efficacy.
DEEP CLEANING 5.0 DEEP CLEANING Deep Cleaning is restoring the carpet’s appearance by extracting soil and substances that can damage your carpet. The Mohawk Group recommends hot water extraction as the most effective method to give restorative deep cleaning results. Soil is abrasive and will cause premature wear of the fibers if it is not properly removed and hot water extraction is the only method that can remove the soil and residue from deep down in the fibers.
DEEP CLEANING HOT WATER EXTRACTION TIPS Test the cleaning agent to be sure it dries without stickiness or residue; otherwise it can cause rapid re-soiling. Use only cleaning agents that have a pH factor below 10 and contain low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When preformed properly, carpet should be dry within 4-6 hours. We recommend the use of portable or truck-mounted equipment or self-contained extractors.
DEEP CLEANING OFFICE OFFICE 5.1 OFFICE OFFICE OFFICE EXECUTIVE OFFICE HALLWAY OFFICE OFFICE OFFICE OFFICE BREAKROOM CLOSET OFFICE STAIRS OFFICE HALLWAY ENTRYWAY HALLWAY OFFICE EXECUTIVE OFFICE SUPPLY ROOM CLEANING FREQUENCIES FOR A TYPICAL CORPORATE OFFICE HEAVY COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC The classification of heavy commercial traffic refers to public spaces such as main corridors, lobby and entrance areas, vending machine areas, airports, casinos, assisted living and retail facilities.
CARPET CARE 101 BEYOND VACUUMING AND ROUTINE SPOT CLEANING In addition to preventive maintenance, proper vacuuming and spot cleaning, a planned program of both interim and deep cleaning is the best approach to maintain your carpet’s appearance by extracting soil and substances that can damage your carpet. When deciding on the right carpet for your business, it was necessary to consider many factors unique to your own needs.
CARPET CARE 101 ANNUAL INTERIM & DEEP CLEANING FREQUENCIES The table below is provided as a general reference for how often the three different types of traffic areas (Heavy, Medium & Light) should be cleaned during normal situations.
MOHAWK MAKES IT WORK NOTES
EXCEPTIONAL FLOORING FOR DEMANDING SPACES Regardless of the space, the demand for maximum flooring performance remains critical. The Mohawk Group specializes in fitting the right high performance and the longest possible life cycle. With proper routine maintenance, such as vacuuming and following simple cleaning instructions, carpet from the Mohawk Group will maintain its beauty for years.
1 . 80 0 . 8 3 3 . 6 9 54 160 SOUTH INDUSTRIAL BLVD., CALHOUN, GA 30701 TELEPHONE: 1.800.554.6637 CC101 SLT0003637 ADDRESS: M O H A W K G R O U P.
