Commercial Carpet Care Tips

1. Keep outside walkways and entries clean        

Sweep, blow, vacuum or rinse soil away from the entry area often.
Outside dirt and pollutants being tracked inside will create wear patterns and premature ageing to the carpet.

2. Use walk-off mats at all entrances        
This will prevent dirt form being tracked inside and soiling carpets and rugs. These mats will need to be vacuumed regularly, as well as cleaned periodically.

3. Vacuuming
Routine vacuuming with properly maintained, quality equipment is the single most important step a client can take to prolong the life and appearance of their carpet. A top-fill upright vacuum with brush agitation, or a canister vacuum with a “power head” incorporating brush agitation should be selected and used with routine frequency. Equally important, soil that is loosened and vacuumed from carpet must be collected in the vacuum’s recovery system and not allowed to re-enter the air within the structure. This otherwise contributes to indoor air pollution. For this reason, a high efficiency filtering system or bag should be used in any vacuum equipment employed. It is helpful to have a hose attachment for getting in those tight corners, edges, and furniture.

Keep in mind, that vacuuming is only one component of a maintenance program. Depending on the facility, the amount of employees and clients using the building space, and the type of business being conducted weighs in on how often the carpet, upholstery and partitions should be professionally cleaned. The care of the hard floors also will determine choice to the maintenance program. At Coast Carpet Cleaning we will come along side of you, consider many factors and then will present a maintenance program specifically for your company’s needs and standards.
 
Equally important, check your vacuum often. If it has a beater bar, make sure it turns and the brush and belt are in good condition. Change the paper bag often, even if they aren’t full. The air from the floor has to pass out of the bag to get the soil into the bag, and if the pores are clogged it won’t work.  The most expensive vacuum is not good if it isn’t being used or if it isn’t working properly.
Vacuuming is essential to maintaining the beauty of the furniture and prolonging its life. Removing dust and dirt, before it is ground into the fiber, can extend the life of your upholstery by up to 40%. The weekly maintenance will also enable you to notice new spots and stains and treat them accordingly.

Finally, don’t allow your carpet and upholstery to become excessively soiled. Soil itself is damaging and, when too long in contact with the fiber, may become “set” and impossible to remove. Sometimes, due to weather or foot traffic, unscheduled professional cleanings may be needed to retain the longevity and appearance of the carpet.
 
4.  Treat spills immediately

Begin by absorbing as much of the excess spill as possible. Using a mild cleaning solution (call us to find out what might best work on the spot), sprinkle the spotted area and then agitate. After treating spills with a mild solution, gently blot with a clean, white cloth. Do not rub; rubbing may cause damage to the carpet fibers. Continue blotting until the spill is removed or until no more color is transferred to the cloth. Mist the carpet with plain water to remove the cleaning agents, do not saturate (this may cause browning). Rinsing will prevent discoloration or rapid soiling. Finally, lay a white towel on the spotted area with a light weight, a plastic object on top. This will be to help absorb the remaining moisture out of the carpet

5.  Have carpet professionally cleaned
Light colored carpet may require even more frequent professional cleanings. The IICRC recommends hiring an IICRC-Certified Firm to clean your carpet. Deciding on your cleaning schedule can be discussed and agreed upon with you and your professional cleaning consultant. The EPA has set guidelines for what is best for your company buildings appearance and health standards. When you call Coast Carpet Cleaning just ask for the guidelines on how often your carpets should be cleaned for maintain a healthy environment and we will be more than happy to let you know.

6.  Soil Retardant
Soil retardant is designed to repel dry soils and keep them from penetrating carpet or upholstery fibers. There are several manufacturers of these products. Proper Carpet/upholstery preparation, dilution of chemical, and application are essential to obtaining the highest level of performance. Nothing will make a carpet bulletproof, but soil retardants offer extra protection. They are a preventative and make maintenance more effective. Also, if the carpet originally had a soil retardant applied by the manufacturer, know that it still will wear off due to friction of foot traffic. Having your carpet cleaner re-apply it is recommended and is based on the amount of traffic your carpets have.