Floor Maintenance

CARE & MAINTENANCE DOCUMENTATION

Flooring Care Documentation

CARPET CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Congratulations on your recent purchase of new carpet! With proper care and maintenance, you will get many, many years of enjoyment out of your investment. This information is courtesy of the Carpet and Rug Institute and more information can be found on their website at www.carpet-rug.org.

Also, Shaw (one of the large carpet manufacturers) has a great free "App" for your phone that catalogs hundreds of possible stains and their treatments. It is called "Shaw Stain Center." Feel free to always contact us with any questions; we are here to help you maintain the beauty of your new carpet!

Here Are Four Simple Steps To Keep Your Carpet Clean And Looking Great:

Vacuum high traffic areas daily, and everywhere according to a vacuuming schedule.
Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to resoil quicker.
Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.
Stop dirt at the door by using mats outside and in, taking your shoes off when you enter the house and changing your air filters to reduce airborne dust particles.

When Spills Happen: A Two-Step Solution

With today's stain-resistant carpet, treating spots and stains has never been easier. Still, no carpet is completely stain proof. The key is to act quickly! So, to knock out spots, give them a one-two punch.

Step One: Absorb The Spill

Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels (no prints or colors). Using a printed or colored material may transfer ink or dye to your damp carpet. Continue until the area is barely damp. Semisolids, like food spills, may need to be scooped up with a spoon. Solid, dried bits can be vacuumed up.

Warning: do not scrub or use a brush. Bristles and scrubbing can damage carpet. Fraying and texture change are the likely results.

Step Two: Treat The Spot Or Stain

Use a CRI Certified Seal of Approval carpet cleaning product. Though these have been laboratory tested, you should still pre-test any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet.

Follow the product's directions carefully. More is not better. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to a white cloth and work in gently, from the edges to the center. Blot; don't scrub. You may need to do this several times to remove the spot. After the spot is gone, blot the area with clear water once or more to remove any remaining product.

Special Tips For Pet Owners

Do you have a pet? You can combat pet odors and stains in many ways:

Vacuum carpet more frequently to capture pet hair and dander from your pet's fur.
Use that are specifically designed for pet stains and odors.
Clean up new messes promptly and then follow the steps for spot and stain removal.
Use small hand extractors for quick cleanups of pet accidents, but remember that these quick clean ups don't take the place of periodic deep cleaning.
Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months More frequently if necessary.
Don't use a steam cleaner when dealing with urine spots because the heat will set the stain and the smell. Extracting the spill with a wet-vacuum and rinsing with cool water will reduce the odor. If necessary, call in certified carpet cleaning firms that know how to remove pet stains and odors permanently.

HARDWOOD CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Congratulations on your recent purchase of hardwood flooring! You have made a wonderful investment in your home that will last a lifetime. Hardwood flooring is one of the easiest floors to care and maintain. We have compiled the following tips for you courtesy of Homerwood Hardwood:

Vacuum often
Dust mop to keep grit and abrasives off floor
Blot up spills immediately to protect your floor from water damage
Use felt protectors on chairs and furniture
Never pour cleaner directly on your hardwood floor
Never use abrasive cleaners or wet mop
Rearrange rugs and furniture periodically so floor ages evenly
Place mats outside and inside entrances or around sinks and dishwashers to protect your hardwood against spills, sand and abrasives
Maintain indoor humidity between 30% and 50%
Do not buff, wax, or polish
Avoid mats that prevent airflow and moisture like rubber mats or mats with dense backings
Keep pets' nails trimmed to avoid scratches to your floor
Do not walk on hardwood with spike heeled or sport shoes

We recommend the Bona line of hardwood cleaners that are readily available at most major retailers. Feel free to always contact us with any questions; we are here to help you maintain the beauty of your new hardwood!

LUXURY VINYL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Congratulations on your recent purchase of luxury vinyl plank or tiles! You have invested in a great flooring product that will durable and beautiful for years to come. We have put together the following care and maintenance instructions based on the recommendations of the one of the manufacturers, Mannington:

Use doormats outside each entrance to your home to prevent dirt, sand, grit and other substances such as oil, asphalt and driveway sealer from being tracked onto your floor. Use non-staining mats on your floor. Do not put rubber-backed, latex-backed or coco fiber mats on your floor because they will stain or damage the surface
To minimize potential staining from asphalt tracking, we suggest you use a latex-based driveway sealer on your driveway.
Close your curtains or blinds where extreme sunlight hits the floor. A combination of heat and sunlight causes most home furnishings to fade or discolor.
Support furniture with wide-bearing, non-staining floor protectors. Ideally, the protectors should be at least one inch in diameter, made of non-pigmented hard plastic, and rest flat on the floor. Non-staining felt protectors are also acceptable. Casters with a minimum 3/4" flat surface width or floor protectors are recommended for all moveable furniture. Make sure any metal protectors are rust-proof. Replace your narrow dome furniture rests with wide-bearing ones.
If you need to move heavy furniture and/or appliances across the floor, always use strips of wood or hardboard runways to protect the floor. Always use runways even if you have an appliance dolly, or even if the heavy objects are equipped with wheels or rollers. Floor Maintenance
Sweep your floor regularly (at least once per week).
Prevent stains by wiping up spills promptly.
Occasional mopping with Mannington Award Series® Rinse-Free Cleaner is recommended when dirt builds up and sweeping alone is not sufficient. Use a solution of 2 to 3 capfuls of Award Series® Cleaner (or clear, non-sudsy ammonia) in one gallon of warm water. Use of more than the recommended amount of cleaning solution may leave a dulling film. Do not use soap or detergent products as they will leave a dulling film. Rinsing is not required when using Mannington Award Series® Rinse-Free Cleaner, but if time permits, rinsing will provide the best care.
Adura® floors are low-gloss floors; use polish or "mop and shine" products only if you wish to make the floor shiny.
After several applications of polish for a high-shine floor, an occasional stripping and reapplication of polish may be necessary. We recommend the use of Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper. After thorough cleaning, rinsing and drying, apply Mannington Award Series® High-Gloss Polish to restore the shine. Do not use wax. Do not buff. High-traffic areas may require more than one application of polish. Allow polish to dry "tack-free" between coats. Adura® Floors Stain Solver The overall stain resistance of our Mannington Adura® floors is excellent and most spills will wipe off quickly and easily with a clean, white cloth. Removing certain substances may take a little extra effort, as outlined in the chart below.
Start with first step listed.
Only do steps necessary to resolve the problem
Always use a clean, white cloth for wiping up stains and turn it frequently to avoid spreading the stain.
Rinse with clean water and allow area to dry between steps.
If stain removal causes a change in gloss level, apply polish per recommended guidelines.
For items not covered by the chart, call Mannington Customer Care at 1-800-FLOOR-US (1-800-356-6787).

Stain/Problem: Food, Beverages

Cleaning Procedure: If a substance is gummy, scrape off with dull knife. Clean using Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper and a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Saturate a clean, white cloth with bleach solution, cover stain and allow to stand for no more than 1 hour.

Stain/Problem: Tar, Oil, Asphalt, Grease, Wax, Paint (Oil-Based)

Scrape excess substance off with dull knife. Clean using Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper and a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush.

Stain/Problem: Scuffs, Marks, Scratches

Wipe with a clean, white cloth dampened with lighter fluid, painter's naphtha or isopropyl alcohol.

Stain/Problem: Minor Cuts, Burns

Limit traffic over damaged area, cover with masking tape, contact your retailer or Mannington for advice.

Stain/Problem: Lipstick, Antiseptics

Scrape excess off with dull knife. Clean using Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper and a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Wipe with a clean, white cloth dampened with lighter fluid, painter's naphtha or isopropyl alcohol. Saturate a clean, white cloth with bleach* solution, cover stain and allow to stand for no more than 1 hour.

Stain/Problem: Rust

Clean using Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper and a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Saturate a clean, white cloth with bleach* solution, cover stain and allow to stand for no more than 1 hour.

Stain/Problem: Crayon, Ink, Hair Dye, Permanent Marker

Clean using Mannington Award Series® Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper and a soft nylon pad or soft bristle brush. Wipe with a clean, white cloth dampened with lighter fluid, painter's naphtha or isopropyl alcohol. **Caution Mineral spirits, lighter fluid, painter's naphtha, and isopropyl alcohol are flammable liquids. Please follow precautions listed on the container.

Feel free to always contact us with any questions; we are here to help you maintain the beauty of your new luxury vinyl!