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MAINTAINING
THE BEAUTY OF YOUR 828 RUG
The kids…the
dog…a clumsy party guest. Accidents happen. In fact,
removal of spots and spills is one of the most crucial areas
of rug maintenance. When anything is dropped or spilled, quick
response with the proper cleaning material can save the day…and
your rug!
By maintaining a simple maintenance program that includes
regular, interim, and periodic cleanings you can keep your
rug looking its best.
Regular Maintenance
The simplest and most frequent maintenance involves vacuuming
and spot removal, as well as preventive measures.
Vacuuming
Regular and thorough vacuuming once a week (more often in
heavy traffic areas) is an economical and effective way to
remove soil and dirt particles before they become embedded
into the pile of the rug. When vacuuming, be careful not to
catch the fringe in the cleaner. This can cause separation
of the weaving behind the fringe or even damage the rug.
Spot Cleaning
No rug is stain proof. Regardless of whether your rug is made
of wool or prolypropylene, it is important to respond quickly
to spills. However, if you own a wool rug you need to make
sure the cleaning product you use is wool safe.
Wools of New Zealand,
a marketing organization that promotes the use of New Zealand
wool, provides the following expert advice on cleaning wool
rugs. These steps also work well on rugs of other fibers.
- Blot up liquids
with white paper towels or absorbent cloth; scoop up solids
with the end of a knife or spoon.
- Treat the spot
according to the cleaning instruction chart below.
- Apply spot removal
agent to clean towel or cloth, not directly to the spot.
Use small quantities at a time. Always work inwards from
the edge to prevent spreading. Do not rub, as this may cause
the spot to spread or distort the pile. Do not over-wet
the carpet pile.
- Afterwards,
blot as dry as possible with clean towel
Spot Removal
Chart
(click on the step numbers below to see instructions)
|
Spot
|
Order
of Treatment
|
|
Step
1
|
Step
2
|
Step
3
|
|
Alcoholic
Beverages
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Bleach
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Blood
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Butter
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Candle
wax **
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Chewing
Gum
|
4
|
3
|
-
|
|
Chocolate
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
Coffee
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Colas
and Soft Drinks
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Cooking
Oils
|
4
|
2
|
-
|
|
Cream
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
Egg
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
Floor
Wax
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Fruit
Juice
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Furniture
Polish
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Gravy
and Sauces
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
|
Ink
(Fountain Pen)
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Ink
(Ball Point)
|
4
|
7
|
2
|
|
Ink
(Felt Tip)
|
5
|
2
|
6
|
|
Ketchup
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
|
Lipstick
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Mercurochrome
*
|
2
|
10
|
-
|
|
Milk
|
5
|
3
|
2
|
|
Mustard
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
Nail
Polish
|
6
|
3
|
-
|
|
Oil
and Grease
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Paint
(Latex)
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Paint
(Oil)
|
9
|
3
|
2
|
|
Rust
|
3
|
2
|
8
|
|
Salad
Dressing
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
|
Shoe
Polish
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Soot
|
3
|
2
|
-
|
|
Tar
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
Tea
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Urine
(fresh)
|
1
|
2
|
-
|
|
Urine
(old)
|
1
|
2
|
10
|
|
Vomit
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
Wine
|
9
|
1
|
2
|
|
Unknown
Material
|
3
|
10
|
2
|
Cleaning
chart supplied by Wools of New Zealand
** Absorbent
paper and hot iron
* Repeat step 2
To order your individual WoolClean kit, check with your local
carpet retailer or call Wools of New Zealand at 800-367-0462
or 706-579-1484.
Warnings
Some
chemicals are hazardous (corrosive, flammable, toxic, etc.)
and should be used with great care, strictly in accordance
with their use and safety instructions.
DO
NOT apply stain repellent treatments that contain any silicone
because they tend to accelerate rug soiling.
Always
pre-test a cleaning agent in an inconspicuous place, such
as under a piece of furniture or in the corner of the room,
to insure that it does not remove color.
Type
Of Treatment
- Add
cold water and blot
- Detergent
solution created from mixing one teaspoon of clear dishwashing
liquid with a cup of warm (not hot) water or WoolClean
Dry Spot Remover #1*
- Methylated
mineral spirits, turpentine, or WoolClean Dry Spot Remover
#2*
- Chill
with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic
bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
- Warm
water
- Clean
nail polish remover (preferably acetone)
- Isopropyl
alcohol
- Rust
remover
- Absorbent
powder (e.g., salt, talc or WoolClean Absorb-ItTM*)
- Absorbent
cleaner (Host®, Capture®,
or Dri-Matic®)
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OF PAGE
Cleaning
Agents For Spot Removal
Detergent
Solution
Mix
one teaspoon of clear dish washing liquid or detergent powder
(containing no bleaches or strong alkalies) with a cup of
warm (not hot) water. This solution must be well rinsed
with clear water. WoolClean Spot Remover #1 is part of the
WoolClean Spot Removal Kit.*
Absorbent
Cleaners Host®, Capture®,
or Dri-Matic®
Ammonia
Solution
Mix one tablespoon clear ammonia (3% solution) with one
half cup water. This solution must be neutralized with vinegar
solution.
Vinegar
Solution
Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar with 2/3 cup water.
Solvent
A dry cleaning solvent (available at grocery, drug and hardware
stores) such as Carbona®, Energine®, or K2R® (chemically
known as 1.1.1 Tricloroethane preferred).
Absorbent Cleaners
Host®, Capture®, and Dri-Matic®
Interim
Maintenance
Occasionally, more comprehensive cleaning is needed to restore
color and appearance. Impregnated absorbent compound - inert
powders impregnated with a mixture of cleansing agents and
solvents - can be brushed into the carpet pile on an interim
basis to absorb dirt from the carpet fiber.
Periodic
Maintenance
Thorough cleaning is required periodically to remove the
deepest soil. We having your rug professionally cleaned
every two years to ensure the beauty and life of your wool
rug. When having your wool rug professional cleaned, use
a reputable company and check references. Or contact your
local 828 retailer for the name of a reputable cleaner.
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