As with any floor covering material, a few moments of care and a little common sense can go a long way in keeping your new floor looking its best. Here are a few simple suggestions to make your floor care easier.

Preventative maintenance

• Use walk-off mats at all entrances to absorb soil and moisture. Clean mats regularly so they don't become sources of soil themselves.
• Move heavy furniture occasionally to avoid excessive pile crushing. Put coasters intended for use with carpet under the legs of tables, chairs, and other furniture to help distribute the weight and prevent mashing the pile. Do not use chairs or appliances with rollers or casters on carpet without a chairpad designed for carpet. Continued use without a chair pad can cause damage to the carpet.
• When moving heavy wheeled furniture (pianos, buffets, etc.), prevent damage by placing heavy carboard or plywood between the wheels and the carpet.
• Use of area rugs with your carpet can enhance the total look of a room, but be sure to remove and clean them regularly. Also, clean and restore the pile of the carpet underneath.
• Protect your carpet from prolonged periods of direct sunlight with blinds, shades, or awnings.

Regular Vacuuming

• The most important step in the care of your carpet is vacuuming. Vacuum thoroughly and frequently, particularly in high-traffic areas, to remove the dry soil. As particles of dry soil work down into the pile, they are more difficult to remove and can scratch the fibers leading to premature wear of the carpet. High-traffic areas might need to be vacuumed daily. The whole house should be vacuumed at least once a week. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to stand the pile upright and prevent matting.

General Instructions for Removal of Spots and Spills

• Remove as much of food spills as possible by scraping gently with a spoon or dull knife.
• Absorb wet spills as quickly as possible by blotting repeatedly with white paper or cloth towels.
• Always blot; never rub or scrub abrasively, as a fuzzy area may result. When blotting, work from the outer edge in toward the center of the spot to avoid spreading the spill.
• Always follow up with water to remove detergent residue that may become sticky and cause rapid re-soiling.
• Draw out any remaining moisture by placing several layers of white towels over the spot and weighing them down with a heavy object that will not transfer color.
• Some new carpets and padding may have a noticeable odor. Such odors usually disappear within a few weeks with ventilating and frequent vacuuming.