General Care Instructions for Rugs & Carpets

For Rugs

1. Vacuum regularly as needed. Use a soft vacuum with no beater bar or bar at highest setting . Be gentle with thin pile rugs as sprouting may occur.
2. For most rugs, gentle soap & water solution or vinegar/water solution is ok to treat small stains. Avoid rubbing the stain harshly. Blotting is best. Or you can try extracting the stain with a wet/dry vac.
3. Solid spills&pet accidents should be scooped up & dealt with as quickly as possible.
4. Avoid putting silk, bamboo silk & viscose rugs in wet or humid areas, avoid cleaning them with water
5. Rotate the rugs often if possible to get equal wear.
6. Get rugs professionally cleaned every few years, depending on wear.
7. Always check with us or professional rug cleaners before trying any chemicals or stain removing process.

For Carpets/Broadloom

1. A proper vacuum is necessary to ensure effective carpet care. We recommend one from any of several leading manufacturers. Insure, however, that it has a beater bar with brush and is adjustable for various pile heights. Insure that the pile height adjustment is set so that the beater bar and brush are barely touching the surface of the carpet. Push the vacuum slowly (four to six strokes per area). Where heavy traffic occurs, alternate vacuum at 90° angles (two to three strokes in each direction).
2. Sometimes, a more aggressive method of soil and stain removal is necessary, such as the Hot Water Extraction method. This method is ideal when properly performed by a certified professional and allowed to dry COMPLETELY. Always test a small area in an inconspicuous location for colorfastness before using any cleaning products on your new carpet.
3. No matter how careful you and your family may be, spills on your new carpet are likely to happen. Don’t panic, but get right to the spill! If you treat these spots and stains immediately, they’ll be easier to remove. Some stains can become permanent if allowed to stand even a few hours. Ordinary household materials will usually get the job done. For more difficult spots and stains, always consult with a professional cleaner.
   If the spill is thick, remove as much as possible with a spoon or knife blade. With white paper towels or a clean white towel, try to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Continue blotting until no additional spot shows on the towel. DO NOT RUB.
   If a spot or stain remains after blotting, treat with one of the procedures from the Table (click here) Use a clean white towel and always apply the cleaning material to the towel. Avoid rubbing. Wipe the cleaning material onto the spot in single direction strokes. Blot the spill area between each cleaning agent. The letter code preceding each cleaning agent in the Table indicates the order in which the cleaning agent is used.
   If the stain has not responded to these cleaning procedures, seek professional help. Haphazard attempts at spot removal can cause permanent setting of stains, pile distortion, matting, or loss of color.

For Sisal & Jute & Seagrass

1. Vacuum regularly. Frequent vacuuming is a carpet's best friend. This will remove the fine dirt particles that can lodge between the fibers and cause additional wear. For best results, use a vacuum with suction.
2. Remove spills immediately. (see additional information below)
3. Professionally clean as needed. Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a natural fiber floor covering.
4. Keep doormats clean. Exercise preventative maintenance by placing absorbent mats at the most frequently used entrances to your home. Change or launder when these mats become soiled.
   

   Cleaning: One of the most crucial areas of carpet maintenance is removal of spots and spills. Acting quickly when anything is spilled or dropped and always having the necessary cleaning materials at hand are of the utmost importance.

   
   

   Steps for spot removal :

   
   
5. Remove spills immediately.
   • Liquid spills act as a magnet to any dirt particles that are in the carpet, causing the dirt to rise to the surface. This dirt may cause a dark stain. Immediately blot - do not rub - the spot with a clean, absorbent white cloth or paper towel. Rubbing can work the liquid deeper into the fibers, making the spill more likely to stain the carpet.
   • To remove spots caused by solid substances, first remove any remaining material. Scrape it up with a spoon, always working from the outside of the spot toward the center.
6. Pretest spot-removal in an inconspicuous area.
7. Apply the cleaning agent listed on the spot removal chart (below) to an absorbent towel and begin to blot up the spill with a blotting motion. Flip cloth to prevent reapplying soil.
8. Do not over use water.
9. Work inwards from the edge of the spot to prevent excess spreading.
10. Wait a few minutes for the cleaning agent to work on the spot. Follow recommended directions.
11. Once the cleaning agent has removed the spot, blot excessive moisture by applying pressure with paper towels or a dry absorbent cloth.

For all over cleaning

Professionally clean as needed. Never steam clean or wet-shampoo a natural fiber floor covering which cancause shrinkage, discoloration, and/or staining. Please be aware that proper maintenance on natural products calls for Dry CleanOnly.

See the definitions of "solvent," "detergent," "vinegar" and "ammonia" below :

Solvent= CAPTURE Spot Remover, or any commercial dry cleaning solvent

Detergent= 1 tsp laundry detergent (without bleach) + 1 cup lukewarm water

Vinegar= 1/4 cup white vinegar+ 1/4 cup water

Ammonia = 1 tsp clear household ammonia and 1/2 cut water

** The above recommendations are based on manufacturers guidelines. Rug Mart assumes no liability for any change in color/appearance of the rug or carpet after following these recommendations, nor do we guarantee the removal of stains completely. Please consult a professional cleaner, when in doubt.