Carpet Care

Chairs

Normal issues with a new carpet

Shedding - Some loose fibres are always present in every new cut pile carpet. The number is quite small compared to the total fibre content and so is of no importance. Regular vacuuming will remove them without harming the carpet. Shading - All carpets are subject to a phenomenon known as 'shading,' 'pooling,' or 'watermarking'. It's natural and hence cannot be prevented. It creates a permanent change in the carpet's appearance, usually 2-6 weeks after installation. 'Shading' is not a manufacturing defect and does not affect the durability of the carpet. The appearance is created by the way light reflects off the side and tip of the yarn. Shaded areas will appear light from one direction, and dark from the other. Loose Threads - A loose thread may occasionally appear from the pile of a carpet. This is not a defect. These threads should be cut away with a pair of scissors.

General maintenance

Keep in mind that carpets, compared to hard-surface floors, localise spills and prevent them from spreading quickly. It is wise to anticipate maintenance from the very first day the carpet is installed. Otherwise, abrasive dirt may build up faster than it can be handled. Stains and spills in food service areas will be very common. Hence, it is essential to plan daily preventive maintenance - which includes both regular vacuuming and spot cleaning. Effective daily preventive maintenance: Use stiff bristle walk-off mats at all building entrance and kitchen exit areas to collect dirt before it reaches the carpet. Mats should be vacuumed daily and must be changed at least once a week. It's best to keep two sets of walk-off mats.

Vaccuming schedules and equipment

Use a Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner without a beater bar. Brushes should be raised away from the surface of the pile, and suction reduced to the minimum amount needed. To avoid pushing dirt back into the fibres, vacuum in the direction of the pile. The frequency of vacuuming should match traffic and soil conditions. ‘Track-off’ areas at building and / or kitchen entrances must be vacuumed several times a day.
Traffic Nature Vacuuming Frequency
High traffic Vacuum daily
(extremely high traffic lanes may require vacuuming several times daily)
Medium traffic Vacuum two to three times weekly
Light traffic Vacuum weekly