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Robert Erickson's personal tips and help guide for the Handyman
Welcome to My HandymanPage!
This page is my attempt to gather information, links, etc for all who are interested in home improvement. Please feel free to e-mail me at: roberterickson7@hotmail.com with NEW articles, links etc. Check back with this site often as I will update it as often as I can. Enjoy the web site!
Home Improvement - RUGS - CARPET STAIN REMOVAL-GENERAL INFO
Carpets--General Care
Regular thorough vacuuming removes soil from among
fibers of carpets, thus keeping their good appearance
and extending their life. Most carpeted areas need this
vacuuming once a week, with several slow strokes. Little-
used areas need may not need as frequent vacuuming,
while areas with lots of active or messy use may need
quick daily vacuuming.
Surface Soils:
Dry soil from shoes, crumbs, etc. may stay on the
surface of the carpet a short time before working its
way down into the carpet. This, along with litter such
as paper, threads, etc. can be removed with a vacuum,
light-weight stick vacuum (or "electric broom"), or even
a carpet sweeper, if used promptly. These methods will
also remove dust from the carpet surface. Pet hairs
should be removed promptly, as the oil in them makes them
cling to carpet, and work its way down into the pile.
Deep Soil:
Gritty soil tracked on carpet by shoes, wet or dry,
will sink down in between fibers of carpet. Gritty soil
has very sharp edges capable of cutting carpet yarn
fibers. Vacuuming is the best means of removing the grit
from deep in between the carpet fibers. Moving the vacuum
over the carpet 7 times; forward and back, forward and
back, forward and back, forward on the next section,
should remove deep seated grit.
Upright vacuum cleaners generally do the best job
of removing deep-seated gritty soil from carpets. Next
are combination canisters with power-driven rug nozzle.
Steps can be vacuumed with the upholstery nozzle or brush
attachment.
Room size oriental rugs are best cleaned with an
agitator type cleaner. When approaching a fringed edge
with an upright cleaner, lift up the cleaner nozzle by
pushing down on the handle. This will allow cleaning to
the fringe, but will raise the nozzle and avoid catching
the fringe. When using a canister with a power nozzle,
stop before reaching the fringed edge. Fringe may be
cleaned with low suction, using the upholstery tool or
floor brush.
From the Georgia
Extension bulletin, How to Care for Carpets and Rugs, the
Hoover Company, Nebraska Extension bulletin Carpet Care -
Cleaning and Stain Removal, the Carpet and Rug Institute,
Allied Fibers and Plastics Inc. and DuPont Clean Up
Carpeting bulletin.
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