Carpet manufacturers are very specific
on cleaning recommendations. Most manufacturers require hot water extraction cleaning by a certified
company once every 18 months to maintain the warranty. Unfortunately,
uninformed, uneducated, and even down right unscrupulous franchises
have stated that steam cleaning, or water on the carpet, is not
preferred by the manufacturer.
It is true that an inexperienced, low-priced, high-volume, steam
cleaning company can over-wet the carpet. That is why the manufacturers
recommend an IICRC certified firm.
To help clear up some of the misinformation
given by the so-called “dry
cleaners”, we are providing you with the cleaning recommendations
of some of the top carpet manufacturers. All of the information
came from either their warranty pamphlet or from their web site.
Things that are not covered under the
stain warranty:
Cleaning Recommendations:
Periodic professional cleaning of the overall
carpet is recommended. Carpets perform best when properly cleaned
by a professional carpet cleaner using specially formulated cleaners
developed for your carpet.
Things that aren’t covered under the
stain warranty:
Non-approved cleaning products and topical treatments,
applied by you or by a professional carpet cleaner, will invalidate
your warranty.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the brochure and the manufacturer’s
web site, periodic professional cleaning is recommended. The frequency
of overall cleaning may vary depending on the level and type of
traffic and the conditions to which your carpet is exposed, and
may range from as little as 6 months to 24 months between cleanings.
Carpets perform best when properly cleaned by a professional carpet
cleaner using specifically formulated products developed for your
carpet. Please note that a claim cannot be filed on a carpet over
two years old without proof of professional cleaning. We support
industry standard procedures for cleaning stain resist carpet.
The preferred method is hot water extraction utilizing cleaning
products, which are non-cationic and have a pH less than 10.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per the brochure, this warranty specifically
excludes damage from such things as tears, cuts, fuzzing, pilling,
shedding, burns, pets, furniture coasters, athletic equipment,
vacuum marks, or heavy wheeled devices. Changes in appearance caused
by soiling or furniture depressions are also specifically excluded.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the brochure, hot water extraction to refresh
carpet texture, performed by a trained, qualified carpet care professional
is required at least every 12 – 24 month for coverage under
this warranty.
For assistance in locating qualified cleaning services, call:
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification
(IICRC) who maintains a registry of trained, certified specialists
at 800-835-4624.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the web site, to retain its luster and beauty,
your carpet should be deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months, either
by you or by a professional cleaning service. See the manufacturer's
recommendations in your carpet warranty to select the best cleaning
method. Hints! If you use a wet method, be sure to place plastic
or aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent rust and stains.
Do not over-wet the carpet, and allow it to dry completely before
walking on it. You can ventilate the room with fans and open windows
to speed the drying process. The most important advice is to extract
all soil, moisture, and cleaning agent residue from the carpet.
Some professional cleaners are able to clean area rugs either in
your home or in their facility. Consult your local retailer for
help in finding a reputable professional cleaner.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per their brochure, most Carpet One carpets
have been specially treated to resist stains. Stain resistance
means the ability of the carpet pile to resist (minimize or withstand)
permanent stains. No carpet is fully stain-proof. Therefore, this
limited warranty excludes stains from: non-food and non-beverage
substances, such foods and beverages that contain strongly colored
natural substantive dyes as found, for example, in mustard and
herbal teas; substances which destroy or change the color of carpets
such as bleaches, acne medications, plant fertilizers, drain cleaners,
plant food; vomit, urine and feces.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Carpet that has been
professionally cleaned at least once every 18 – 24 months
from the date of installation by a carpet cleaning technician
using hot water extraction, with
the exception of Lees? Design Natura Collection styles. Natura
products should be cleaned every 18-24 months using a dry powder
celaner method. Keep your cleaning receipts. While cleaning can
be performed by any company, we recommend that you use only approved
cleaning technicians. Improper or incorrectly performed cleaning
voids this warranty. Call the 3M Service Center at 1-800-352-6789
for recommendations on finding approved, professional cleaning
services in your area
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per their web site, no carpet is absolutely stain-proof.
The stain resistant treatment will provide for improved resistance
to food and beverage stains as compared to an untreated carpet
of similar construction. Stain resistant properties may be affected
by exposure to very hot substances. This limited warranty excludes
any residual stains, which may occur under this condition. Also
excluded are stains caused by non-food substances including, but
not limited to, pet stains, hair dyes, shoe polish, paints and
other materials which destroy or change the color of carpet such
as bleaches, caustic chemicals, fertilizers, insecticides, and
iodine. Stains from foods and beverages with strongly colored natural
disperse dyes, such as those found in some brands of mustard and
herbal tea, are also excluded.
Per the brochure carpets installed outdoors, on stairs, in bathrooms,
kitchens, or in areas subject to other than normal shoe traffic
are not covered by this warranty. Specifically excluded from this
warranty is damage caused by tears, pulls, piling, burns, improper
installation, inadequate cushion, improper cleaning, furniture,
wheel traffic, or athletic equipment. Hot beverage substances and
non-food substances that alter colors, such as bleaching agents,
acne medications, and other strong chemicals, are excluded.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per their web site, improper or inadequate care
and maintenance will accelerate carpet wear. To refresh carpet
texture, cleaning performed by a trained, qualified carpet care
professional is required at least every 24 months. Proof of this
service is required. We recommend professional hot water extraction
every 18 to 24 months. Periodic cleaning, using the hot water extraction
method performed by a professional cleaner, will refresh carpet
appearance.
Per their brochure, deep cleaning by a trained, qualified carpet
care professional using the hot water extraction (steam) method
is recommended when soiling in traffic, areas begins to appear
and is required at least once every 18 months. Proof of cleaning
in the form of a bill, invoice or statement showing type of cleaning
and equipment used will be necessary to obtain warranty service.
Failure to comply with these maintenance requirements will void
this warranty.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Cleaning Recommendations:
Professional carpet cleaners using steam extraction
and who are certified by the IICRC can help keep your carpet fresher,
brighter and newer looking longer.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per the brochures, the warranty specifically
excluded stains from substances such as hot beverages, bleaches
(including acne medication), caustic chemicals, insecticides, paints,
plant food, iodine, very strong dyes, acids, feces, urine, and
vomit.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the brochure, if carpet is cleaned before
it becomes too unsightly, the cleaning chore will be easier and
more successful. It is a myth that cleaning the carpet before it
is absolutely necessary will cause it to get dirty faster. Carpet
in a typical household should be cleaned very 12 to 18 months depending
upon the number of residents and amount and type of activity.
Choice of the proper cleaning system is important. Some systems
may leave residues, which promote re-soiling and defeat the whole
purpose of cleaning. The following recommendations represent the
best current knowledge and should help prolong the time between
cleanings.
Shaw Industries recommends the hot water extraction system, which
research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning.
It is to your advantage to use professional cleaners, because
their experience enables them to do a better job than you can do
yourself. Their equipment has more extraction power than the rental
units available to you, and the carpet should dry more quickly.
True professionals have also made the investment in training to
understand the equipment, to know the proper cleaning agents for
the situation at hand, and to recognize the differences in fibers
and carpet construction.
One way to locate a professional cleaner is to contact the Institute
of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) at
800-835-4624. This organization maintains a national directory
of independent professional cleaners who are trained and certified
in a variety of cleaning specialties.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per the brochure, this warranty specifically
excludes damage from such things as tears, pulls, cuts. pilling,
burns, pets, furniture coasters, athletic equipment, vacuum marks
or heavy wheeled devices. Changes in appearance caused by soiling,
shading or pile reversal, or furniture depressions are also specifically
excluded.
Also excluded are stains from: non-food and non-beverage substances,
such foods and beverages that contain strongly colored natural
substantive dyes as found in, for example, but not limited to mustard
and herbal tea, substances which destroy or change the color of
carpets such as bleaches, acne medications, drain cleaners, plant
food, as well as vomit, urine and feces.
Topical treatments (including fungicides,
bactericides, biocide, antistatics and stain resists, etc.) may
adversely affect the soil
resistance, stain resistance and/or other benefits of your carpet.
These warranties exclude any claim or liability for defects and
damages to your carpet caused by such topical treatments. However,
topical soil-resistant fluorochemcal treatments, such as Dupont
Teflon Advanced Carpet Protector, which do not adversely affect
the carpet are acceptable and recommended after professional cleaning.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the brochure hot water extraction to refresh
carpet texture, performed by a trained, qualified carpet care professional,
is required at least every 1 ½ to 2 years for coverage under
this warranty. Please keep your receipts for proof of service.
Things that aren’t covered under the stain warranty:
Per the brochure and the web site, no carpet
is absolutely “soil-proof” or “stain-proof.” This
warranty specifically excludes stains resulting from improper maintenance
or clean-up, or caused by materials that permanently destroy dyes
or alter color (such as bleaches, caustic chemicals, insecticides,
paints, drain and toilet bowl cleaners, corn and callous removers,
acne medication, plant food, iodine, very strong dyes, vomit, urine,
feces, etc.). Filtration soiling, wick-up and resoiling after cleaning
are excluded from coverage.
Cleaning Recommendations:
Per the brochure and the web site, before
Solutia Inc. will evaluate an inquiry about inadequate stain or
soil removal, the purchaser must first have had the carpet cleaned
by a reputable, professional carpet cleaner using the recommended
hot water extraction method.