How to Clean and Maintain Your Carpet & Rugs
CARPET CARE & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
- Use walk-off mats at entrances and keep sidewalks clean.
- Vacuum frequently with a rotating brush or suction-only for certain styles.
- Certified vacuums conform to industry standards.
GENERAL STAIN REMOVAL INSTRUCTIONS
- Promptly attend to spots and spills to prevent staining and soiling.
- For bleach spills, blot and rinse with water. Follow up with flushing and extraction.
- No carpet is stain-proof, but many are stain-resistant.
STAIN REMOVAL PROCEDURES
- Shaw’s Total Care Stain & Soil Remover is recommended.
- Refer to shawfloors.com/care for detailed procedures.
- Avoid household cleaners not listed in the program.
- Choose pH neutral products and avoid harmful chemicals.
CLEANING TIPS
- Scrape and absorb food spills, then blot gently.
- Rinse with water and remove moisture with white towels and a heavy object.
- Clean frequently used areas promptly to prevent dirt spread.
- Periodic professional cleaning is recommended using approved methods.
- Only use certified products and equipment to avoid warranty issues.
- Rent steam cleaning machines with CRI Seal of Approval certification.
How to Clean and Maintain Your Luxury Vinyl Plank
A Care Program Includes:
POST-CONSTRUCTION MAINTENANCE
1. Dry mop using a microfiber pad or suitable floor vacuum to eliminate dust from the floor.
2. Apply a neutral pH cleaner (e.g., Encore, COREtec Cleaner) in manageable areas, mopping with a microfiber wet pad. Replace dirty pads promptly.
3. Rinse the floor with water only to remove any leftover residue.
To remove construction residue or a cloudy film from resilient flooring:
1. Dry mop with a clean microfiber pad to eliminate construction dust or external soil.
2. Apply neutral pH cleaner in manageable areas. Use a low rpm (175 rpm) buffer with a 3M red pad for smooth surfaces or a cylindrical brush scrubber (e.g., Clark MA10 12E Scrubber) for embossed or textured flooring.
3. Rinse with water using a wet microfiber mop pad, replacing dirty pads.
4. Repeat steps #2 and #3 if necessary.
Properly cleaned resilient flooring will regain its original appearance!
1For reference purposes only if printed or downloaded.
Maintenance Guidelines
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
1. When moving heavy objects, protect floors to prevent permanent scratches or tears.
2. Avoid taping the surface directly as it may damage the flooring. Instead, adhere tape to floor protection material secured to the base molding.
3. Use wide floor protectors under tables, chairs, and heavy furnishings.
4. Place walk-off mats at entrances to absorb soil and moisture, ensuring they don't have latex or rubber backings to avoid discoloration.
5. Utilize appropriate window coverings to minimize direct sunlight and color fading.
6. Refrain from using mop and shine products on resilient flooring.
7. Be cautious with disinfectants containing chemicals that can stain or discolor the floors. Choose pH neutral products only.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Daily removal of dirt and dust is crucial to prevent surface abrasion. Sweeping, dust mopping, and vacuuming are advised to eliminate soil particles that may cause scratches and wear. Avoid vacuums with rotating beater bars on hard surfaces.
Periodic wet cleaning helps maintain the floor's appearance. Always pre-vacuum or dust mop before wet cleaning. Use appropriate vinyl floor cleaning equipment and neutral pH floor cleaners. Avoid abrasive cleaners and residues by following the manufacturer's instructions. If rinsing is needed, use clean water and hasten drying with air movers or fans.
For general spotting and cleaning, use Encore, COREtec neutral pH floor cleaner, or equivalent.
Avoid mop and shine products on resilient flooring.
Steer clear of bleach-containing products and steam mops.
SPOT & SPILL REMOVAL
Our flooring products resist and minimize staining.
1. Absorb wet spills promptly by blotting with paper or cloth towels. Rinse with water if necessary, then blot dry.
2. Remove dried spots by gently agitating and rinsing with water. Blot dry.
3. Use Encore, COREtec cleaning products, or vinyl floor cleaning formulations. Do not use detergents or abrasive cleaners, as they leave a dull residue.
4. For spots requiring a solvent-type cleaner, like those unresponsive to water and cleaning agents, use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) and a white cloth.
Note: Some stains may become permanent.
Safety Caution: Surfaces change during wet cleaning and finish applications. Take appropriate safety precautions.
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How to Clean and Maintain Your Hardwood Floor
Hardwood floors are an investment for your home and now that you have selected the perfect floor for your space, you want to make sure you can protect it. You want that new floor feeling to last as long as possible. You want to know that you are doing the right thing to maintain and preserve your investment.
Cleaning
Regular cleaning of your floor is actually one of the best things you can do for it. Walking on dust and debris can actually act like sand paper causing accelerated wear and tear on you floor. We recommend the following:
Sweep and vacuum regularly
to keep the floor free of excess debris. When using a vacuum, make sure to turn off the rotating brush or beater bar to prevent scratches to your floor.
Don’t use steam mops .
Steam mops use a lot of heat and lots of water to clean. Neither of those things are good for your hardwood floor. The heat can damage your finish and excess moisture can lead to cupping and warping of the planks.
Use recommended hardwood flooring cleaner.
Hardwood flooring cleaners are designed to give you the maximum bang for your buck without causing a build up or using chemicals that can damage your finish and potentially void your warranty. Use a floor cleaning kit for Hardwood, Luxury Vinyl, and Rigid Core Waterproof flooring.
Don’t use cleaners designed for other surfaces.
Furniture polish, waxes and oil soaps will build up on your floor and trap dirt and debris. Ammonia or vinegar and water solutions will break down the finish on your floor.
In addition to cleaning your floor properly, there are a few extra precautions you can do to extend the life of your floor and preserve its value for years to come. Here are a few tips to keep your floor looking its best.
Use furniture pads.
Placing felt pads or glides on the legs of furniture can help prevent indentations, scratches, and gouges in your floor. This is especially important on heavy items or furniture that is frequently moved like chairs or stools.
Keep pets’ nails trimmed.
We all love our pets, and for good reason. However, pets’ nails can damage your floors. Keeping them well trimmed will not only preserve the life of your floor, but can keep your pet happy as well.
Use mats and rug pads.
Placing mats at entrances is an easy way to lessen dirt and debris from coming into your space. If you choose a rug, we recommend using a felt pad to protect the finish of your floor. Rubber and latex rug pads may discolor the floor.
Maintain the temperature.
Most floors last longer and perform better in the sweet spot range between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity between 30 and 50%. Closing blinds or curtains to avoid direct sunlight can help mitigate discoloration, expansion, contraction, and buckling.
Routine cleaning and proper maintenance are the keys to adding years of enjoyment of your floors.