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Nothing Captures the mood of a room like carpet
The
Feel...
Textures:
Carpet construction - how the yarn is "tufted" or locked into a
backing -- affects its texture and ultimately, the long-term durability and
appearance of the carpet.
| Level loop pile: Loops of equal height. Generally offers long-lasting wear for high-traffic areas. Many of today's popular Berbers are level loop. |
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Cut and loop pile: Combination of cut and looped yarns. Provides variety of surface textures, including sculptured effects. |
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Density:
Refers to the amount of pile yarn in the carpet and the closeness of the
tufts. The denser, the better. |
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Twist:
The winding of the yarn around itself. Should be neat and well-defined.
A tighter twist provides enhanced durability. |
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Heat-setting: The process that sets the twist by heat or steam, enabling yarns to hold their twist over time. Important in cut pile carpet. Most nylon, olefin and polyester cut pile carpets are heat-set. |
Area
Rugs: Area rugs accent a room's color
palette or wall design, or even set the entire mood, character, or period
of the room. Area rugs can be made of tufted or woven construction with any
of the fibers available. Cut pile carpet can be cut and bound into area rug
size and then carved to add dimension and interest.
Carpet Cushion:
A firm and resilient carpet cushion is necessary to form a good foundation
for your carpet, increasing its comfort and extending its life, by absorbing
the impact of foot traffic. Choose cushion not more than 7/16" thick.
Cushion also adds insulation and reduces noise.
Choosing a Reputable Retailer: The better
carpet retail stores will have knowledgeable staff who will answer your questions
and address your concerns. Select a carpet dealer who has a wide selection
of samples from which to choose, stands behind the installation, and can help
you with maintenance questions. A good source for finding a reputable dealer
in your area is the University
of Flooring dealer locator.
Maintenance for Maximum Performance
REGULAR CLEANING: It is essential that you vacuum regularly with a strong, well-functioning vacuum cleaner. A good vacuum cleaner features a strong motor or dual motors; a powerful airflow; a high-efficiency filtration and internally housed vacuum bag; and correct brush height adjustment.
PROTECTING
AGAINST STAINS: Most of today's carpet is treated with special finishes
to resist soil and stains. However, no carpet is entirely stain-proof. Many
fiber manufacturers provide toll-free help for cleaning assistance (consult
your warranty). Stain-resistant finishes hold the spill on the fiber's surface,
giving you some time to absorb the liquid and use spot removal techniques
before the spill has a chance to penetrate the fibers. The longer you leave
the spill unattended, the more difficult it will be to remove. See the following
chart to select a cleaning agent for emergency stain removals for different
substances and follow each step. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area to ensure
that the solution will not damage the carpet or its dyes. With a clean, white,
absorbent cloth or paper towel gently work in the cleaning agent from the
edges of the spot to the center. Blot thoroughly, and repeat until the spot
no longer transfers to the cleaning cloth. Use clean water to remove any remaining
cleaning agent, and absorb remaining moisture with paper towel layers. When
completely dry, brush or vacuum the pile to restore texture.
| Find
the spot source in the first column and read across that row for the correct
spot removal method to try. Continue using the first method until there
is no longer a transfer of stain to the cleaning cloth. Try the first
method suggested, then the second, and third, etc., until the spot is
successfully removed.
Key to Cleaning Methods 1. Dry Cleaning
Fluid - A spot removal liquid available in grocery and hardware stores,
nonflammable if possible. |
| Spot | Method |
| Acne Medication | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Alcoholic Beverage | 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Bleach | 3, 4, 8 |
| Blood | 6, 3, 4(cold), 7, 8 |
| Butter | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Candle Wax | 2, 1, 8 |
| Catsup | 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Charcoal | 9, 3, 8 |
| Chewing
Gum Freeze with ice, chip away, then… |
1, 8 |
| Chocolate | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Coffee/Tea with cream & sugar | 3, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Cosmetics | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Crayon Freeze with ice, chip away, then… |
1, 3, 8 |
| Food | 3, 6, 4, 8 |
| Fruit Juice | 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Furniture Polish (Water Base) | 3, 4, 1, 6, 7, 8 |
| Furniture Polish (Solvent Base) | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Grass | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Grease | 1, 3, 4, 8 |
| Ink-ball point pen | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Iodine | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Kool-Aid | 9, 3, 5, 4, 7, 8, |
| Lipstick | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Medicine | 2, 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Milk | 1, 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Mud | 3, 4, 8 |
| Mustard | 3, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Nail Polish | 2, 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 |
| Oil | 1, 3, 8 |
| Paint, latex | 3, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Plant Food | 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Rust | 5, 3, 4, 7, 8 |
| Shoe Polish | 2, 1, 3, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Soft Drinks | 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| Tar | 1, 7, 8 |
| Toothpaste | 3, 5, 6, 4, 8 |
| Unknown | 2, 1, 3, 5, 6, 4, 7, 8 |
| Urine, wet | 3, 6, 5, 4, 8 |
| Urine, dry | 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 |
| Vomit | 3, 6, 5, 4, 7, 8 |
| NOTE:
Some spills contain chemicals that may discolor or even damage the carpet
fibers or dyes. If you have doubts about what caused the spot and how
to remove it, contact a professional carpet cleaner.
A MORE COMPREHENSIVE STAIN GUIDE IS AVAILABLE FOR A NOMINAL FEE. |
LONG-TERM
CARE: To retain its luster and beauty, your carpet should be cleaned
every 12 to 18 months or before it shows soiling, 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.
Familiarizing
yourself with these common carpet terms will help you communicate more effectively
with your carpet retailer and installer, and make the most informed carpet
decisions possible. commonly used carpet terms.
Binding - A band or strip sewn over a carpet edge to protect, strengthen
or decorate the edge.
Berber - A carpet constructed with coarse
yarns having randomly spaced flecks of color against a background of base
color. Currently, this term has expanded to describe many level or multi-level
loop carpet styles.
Broadloom - A term used to denote carpet
produced in widths wider than six feet. Broadloom is usually twelve feet wide.
Carpet Cushion
- A term used to describe any kind of material placed under carpet to provide
softness and adequate support when it is walked upon. Carpet cushion provides
a softer feel underfoot and provides added acoustical and insulation benefits
and longer wear life for the carpet. In some cases, the carpet cushion is
attached to the carpet when it is manufactured. Also referred to as "padding"
or "underlay," although "carpet cushion" is the preferred
term. Cushion under most residential carpet should be a thickness no greater
than 7/16".
Attached Cushion - A cushioning material,
such as foam, rubber, urethane, etc. adhered to the backing fabric side of
a carpet to provide additional dimensional stability, thickness and padding.
Cut Pile - A carpet fabric in which the
face is composed of cut ends of pile yarn.
Cut and Loop Pile - A carpet fabric in
which the face is composed of a combination of cut ends of pile yarns and
loops.
Fluffing - Appearance on carpet surface
of loose fiber fragments left during manufacture; not a defect, but a characteristic
that disappears after carpet use and vacuuming. Sometimes called "fuzzing"
or "shedding."
Loop Pile - Carpet style having a pile
surface consisting of uncut loops. May be woven or tufted. Also called "round
wire" in woven carpet terminology.
Level Loop - A carpet construction in
which the yarn on the face of the carpet forms a loop with both ends anchored
into the carpet back. The pile loops are of substantially the same height
and uncut, making a smooth and level surface.
Miter Joint - A junction of two pieces
of carpet (or other material) at an angle. Most miter joints involve pieces
at right angles to one another with their ends cut at 45 degrees to form the
joint.
Pile Crush - Loss of pile thickness by
compression and blending of tufts caused by traffic and heavy furniture. The
tufts collapse into the air space between them. This may be irreversible if
the yarn has inadequate resilience and/or the pile has insufficient density
for the traffic load. Frequent vacuuming will lift the pile for longer life.
Pilling - A condition of the carpet face
(which may occur from heavy traffic) in which fibers from different tufts
become entangled with one another, forming hard masses of fibers and tangled
tufts. Pills may be cut off with scissors.
Plush Finish - A smooth textured carpet
surface in which individual tufts are only minimally visible, and the overall
visual effect is that of a single level of fiber ends. This finish is normally
achieved only on cut-pile carpet produced from non-heat-set singles spun yarns
by brushing and shearing. Sometimes called "velvet-plush."
Power Stretcher - A carpet installation
tool used to stretch carpet for installation on a tackless strip. According
to industry standards, residential carpet, installed over cushion with a tackless
strip must be power-stretched to prevent wrinkles and ripples.
Resilience - Ability of carpet pile or
cushion to recover original appearance and thickness after being subjected
to compressive forces or crushing under traffic.
Seams - In a carpet installation, the
line formed by joining the edge of two pieces of carpet by the use of various
seaming tapes, hand sewing or other techniques.
Seam Sealing - Procedure of coating the
trimmed edges of two carpet breadths to be joined with a continuous bead of
adhesive in order to prevent fraying and raveling at the seam.
Shoe Molding - Wood or plastic strip with
one corner edge rounded slightly. It is used to conceal joints between walls
and floors, or between larger moldings and floors.
Stretch-In - Installation procedure for
installing carpet over separate cushion using a tackless strip; properly performed
with a power-stretcher.
Tackless Strip - Wood or metal strips
fastened to the floor near the walls of a room containing either two or three
rows of pins angled toward the walls on which the carpet backing is stretched
and secured in a stretch-in installation.
Installation
CARPET: Comfort, beauty, warmth. No other household purchase better
communicates the style and tone of your home. Carpet is an investment that
will last a long time. Proper installation and regular maintenance are essential
in enhancing your carpet's performance. The Carpet and Rug Institute has compiled
the following useful information to help you preserve your carpet investment.
INSTALLATION: A quality installation
is critical to the performance of your carpet and will protect your indoor
air quality.
BEFORE INSTALLATION: Have a clear understanding of the services
the retailer will provide and be aware of those that you must handle. For
example, while most installers will usually move your furniture, there may
be an additional charge. Discuss with the retailer who will remove the existing
carpet and cushion and who will be responsible for disposal. Placement of
seams is important. Ask that seams be placed in less visible areas. Request
that the installer follow the instructions from the carpet manufacturer and/or
those set forth in the Standard for Installation of Residential Carpet the
accepted industry standards. Before the installers arrive, complete other
remodeling projects intended in the room, such as painting and wall-papering.
Vacuum the old carpet to avoid the possibility of airborne dust and dirt.
After the carpet and cushion are removed, vacuum the sub-floor.
DURING INSTALLATION: Upon delivery, inspect the new carpet for
proper color, texture, and style and ensure that it is free of visible defects
before it is installed. Carpet should be power stretched to minimize wrinkles
and ripples. New, thicker carpet may prevent doors from swinging clear and
free. The installer will remove the doors and re-hang them if possible. If
the doors do not clear, arrange to have them trimmed. It is your responsibility
during installation to provide an adequate supply of fresh air, as with other
renovation projects. Open windows and doors, use an exhaust fan, or operate
the fan of your heating or air conditioning system.
AFTER INSTALLATION: Vacuum your carpet
after installation to remove loose fibers. You may notice a slight new carpet
smell, which should dissipate quickly. Ventilate the area for 48 to 72 hours.
If you are unusually sensitive to odors or allergy prone, you may want to
avoid the installation area during this period. If you have any questions
about this, contact your retailer.
IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS: In the months
following installation, you may notice some of the following common carpet
characteristics. These are all normal and will not affect the carpet's life
or beauty in any way.
Shedding (loose fibers) - This is normal and subsides within a short time
with vacuuming.
Sprouting - A single tuft extending beyond the carpet surface, usually along
walls or at seams. Simply clip it off - do not pull.Pile reversal and shading
- Describes what seems to be a color change in various parts of the carpet.
The same area may appear light when viewed from one direction and dark from
another. This is caused by light being reflected in different ways as pile
fibers are bent in various directions. This is not a product defect, but rather
a characteristic of plush carpet.Buckling and wrinkling - May sometimes occur
in wall-to-wall carpet installations. If the ripples persist, call your retailer,
as it may be necessary to professionally restretch the carpet.
