The Maintenance Program
1. Understanding what you're up against
It's important to know that different soil types affect carpet in different ways. Dry soils can destroy carpet fiber, but fortunately, most can be removed by regular vacuuming. Oily soils, like resins, gums, greases and fats, are the binders that attract and hold other types of soil to the carpet. The result is a carpet with a dingy gray or brown appearance. Oily soil is the primary reason for poor carpet appearance and, because it adheres to the carpet fiber, it can't be easily removed.
2. Developing a comprehensive program
With that in mind, preventing soil from entering the environment is easier and less expensive than removing it from the carpet.
Actions you should take:
- Keep sidewalks, parking lots, garages and other outside areas clean. Remove snow and ice during winter months instead of applying with chemicals or sand.
- Use walk-off mats, grates and removable carpets. Vacuum these areas daily, clean frequently and change often for best results.
- Use chair pads to protect desk areas.
- Designate eating, drinking and smoking areas.
- Maintain HVAC system by regularly replacing or cleaning air-handling filters.
Next, a regular, scheduled maintenance program helps to remove soil before it can build up and damage carpet fiber. Restorative cleanings are too late to bring a carpet to a "like-new" appearance. Instead, it's likely that the carpet would have to be replaced prematurely causing life-cycle costs to increase.
Vacuuming
Two key elements of a successful program are knowing the frequency that vacuuming is needed and the correct type of equipment that should be used
Recommended vacuuming frequency
- Moderate to heavy traffic areas need daily vacuuming. These are areas like entrances, elevators, lobbies, reception areas, busy corridors, cafeterias, vending machine areas, or employee lounges.
- Low traffic areas, like offices or conference rooms, need vacuuming two or three times per week.
Correct vacuuming equipment
- Moderate to heavy traffic areas are best cleaned with dual-motor vacuums, which use two motors that both knock dirt loose and provide suction.
- Light traffic areas can be cleaned well with single motor vacuums that are moderately powerful and easy to maneuver around furniture.
- Detail vacuums are recommended only for confined areas or around the edges of rooms.
- Carpet sweepers may be used to quickly remove small pieces of litter but should not be used as a substitute for thorough cleaning.
C. Deep Cleaning:
Finally, there are many common methods of cleaning available. You should choose a cleaning method based on which will be the most effective and compatible with your carpet and its traffic levels. You also need to be aware that some methods use detergents that cause resoil. This happens when detergents remain on the fiber surface after cleaning. These detergents will continue to attract soil causing the carpet to look dirty.
Methods:
ResisTech® carpet maintenance treatment
ResisTech® carpet maintenance treatment is a three part system. First it contains a powerful surfactant to clean. Second, it uses a fluorochemical to surround and neutralize oily soil and inhibit the attraction of dry soil. Soil becomes very easy to remove with routine vacuuming. This advanced maintenance system reduces the surface energy of a carpet. This helps eliminate the chance of carpet resoiling. Third, it contains a broad spectrum stain blocker to repel stains and make removal easier. We recommend that ResisTech® carpet maintenance treatment be applied to the carpet as a part of a routine maintenance program that includes periodic hot water extraction.
Hot water extraction
Under pressure, hot water and detergent is sprayed into the carpet pile. Then the water, detergent and loosened soil are removed with a powerful vacuum. Hot water extraction is often used and is effective for deep cleaning carpet. Any detergent left in the carpet, however, will continue to attract soil (resoil) and cause a dingy, dirty appearance.
Dry compound
Carpet is sprinkled with dry compound to attract soil and absorb oil. A mechanical brush with a counter-rotating agitation knocks soil from carpet fibers and then is vacuumed up. Only a short drying time is required due to low amounts of moisture used. If compound is applied inconsistently, however, carpet can appear clean in areas and less clean in others.
Foam shampoo
Air compression and agitation creates dry foam with this method. A revolving cylindrical brush then combs foam through carpet pile; and only a short drying time is needed due to low amounts of moisture used. If detergent is left in the carpet, resoiling may occur, resulting in a carpet with a dingy and dirty appearance.
Rotary shampoo
A solution of detergent and water is fed through a brush into the carpet. A rotating brush agitates the solution into the pile, loosening soil particles from the carpet fiber. Rotary shampoo is usually used in conjunction with hot water extraction. Damage to carpet fiber may result if the rotating brush dries out during cleaning.
Bonnet
A solution of detergent and water is sprayed onto carpet and a rotating absorbent pad is used to agitate carpet tufts. Alternately, the absorbent pad is soaked in a detergent solution and then applied to the floor. Damage to the carpet may occur if the rotating pad dries out during cleaning, and detergent is likely to be left in the carpet causing carpet resoil.
