Use and Care Manual

A consistent and thorough maintenance plan, plus a
plan to address unusual spills, is absolutely necessary,
regardless of the type of floor covering used. Regular
maintenance prolongs the floor covering’s life,
maintains its appearance, and makes a minimal impact
on indoor air quality. Carpet maintenance is critical to
ensure carpet wears well, keeps its good appearance,
and has a long use-life.
MAINTENANCE
AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY
The key factor to preserving appearance and
providing good IAQ in a healthy environment is
proper and regular maintenance, coupled with
controlled humidity.
Cleaning floor surfaces should not be based on
appearance alone. Health is a vital reason for an
effective cleaning and maintenance program. Modern
carpet fibers and constructions are engineered to hide
soil. Therefore, preventive, frequent vacuuming and
extraction cleaning are key factors in preserving the
appearance of the carpet and the health of the facility.
Preventive maintenance keeps out external
contaminants and works to reduce indoor
contaminants before they become a concern. Carpet
provides an extra benefit because it acts as a filter and
holds contaminants, keeping them out of the
breathing zone until they can be removed.
Even properly specified and installed carpet can
“ugly” quicker than normal or appear worn-out if
not maintained adequately. Unless carpet is vacuumed
regularly and periodically cleaned, dirt builds up,
abrades the fibers and begins to spread. The carpet
loses its initial appearance and resilience, tending to
crush and mat down, making it appear worn out,
even if there is no real pile loss.
SECTION 4
4-1
CARPET MAINTENANCE