carpet – CarpetsPlus COLORTILE

April 30, 2015January 18, 2022

Vacuum Recommendations for UltraTouch Satin Carpet

What kind of vacuum cleaner should you use on your new UltraTouch® Satin carpet made with super soft Anso® nylon? A good vacuum will be both simple and effortless in operation, and also gentle enough.

What is unique about UltraTouch Satin carpet from CarpetsPlus COLORTILE® that requires special vacuuming considerations?

Soft Anso nylon is the latest in advanced extrusion technology that make these extraordinarily soft carpets possible. Because the fibers are so soft and plush, the total surface density is much higher. This density translates to a more complete seal for a vacuum cleaner head, increasing suction at the point of contact with the carpet surface. The farther the vacuum head sinks into the carpet, the greater the suction and difficulty in maneuvering the machine.

The ultra-soft fibers also require a gentler cleaning action so as to avoid unnecessary wear. Be aware that some vacuums have overly aggressive action which may damage the surface of your carpet.

What makes a vacuum a good fit for UltraTouch Satin carpet?

The following characteristics should be considered to help identify vacuum cleaners that work most effectively on these luxurious, plush carpets:

1. Adjustable height brush roll: A manual height adjustment allows the user to accurately set the height of the brushing action to the proper level for both better cleaning and mobility.

2. Light weight: A lighter weight vacuum will exert less weight in hand, will not sink as deeply into the carpet’s surface, and will thus be easier to maneuver.

3. Adequate wheel size: A large enough wheel size will help the vacuuming head stay at the proper height and not sink into the face fibers.

4. Adjustable motor speed: An adjustable motor will often times lower the speed of the brush roll, allowing both easier operation as well as gentler on the carpet fibers.

5. Optional brush roll control: On loop products, it is recommended to disengage the brush roll action on vacuums with this feature to avoid excessive damage to the fibers. For ultra-high pile carpets, it may also be necessary to disengage the brush roll as the long fibers may entangle in the brush roll, causing damage to both the carpet and the vacuum.

Will I need to purchase a new vacuum for use on my carpet? Many vacuum cleaners perform well on UltraTouch Satin carpet, so it’s possible that you already own such a model. To verify that your vacuum will work well, test it in an inconspicuous area, such as a closet, or on a scrap piece left over from the installation. If the vacuum has any of the features mentioned above, use them as recommended and see if the machine moves easily across the carpet’s surface. Examine the test area carefully to determine if any abrasion of the fibers has occurred. If the vacuum can be maneuvered easily and no abrasive damage is seen, sprinkle some dry dirt or other small pieces of debris and see if they are efficiently removed by your vacuum.

Of course, a quality vacuum cleaner that works effectively on UltraTouch Satin carpet will only benefit you by extending the life of your carpet by keeping it looking newer, longer. Below is a list of recommended vacuum cleaners to fit any budget, and use of such cleaners is highly recommended:

$50 & Below

Bissell Powerforce 71Y7-W
Dirt Devil Windtunnel UD70115
Eureka Airspeed AS5203A
Hoover Nano UH70120

$50 – $150

Hoover Windtunnel UH70120
Hoover Windtunnel Plus UH70205
Hoover Windtunnel UH5780-950
Hoover Whole House UH71214
Bissell Total Floors Pet 61C5W

$150 – $250

Hoover Windtunnel Max UH70600
Kenmore Progressive Canister 21514
Kenmore Progressive Canister 21614
Panasonic MC-CG917 Canister
Panasonic MC-UG725
Bissell Healthy Home Vacuum 16N5
Bissell Heavy Duty Vacuum 50C9, 93Z6
Bissell Lift-Off Multi Cyclonic Vacuum 89Q9, 18Z6
Bissell Total Floors Complete 52C2

$250 & Above

Oreck Magnesium LW100
Kenmore Progressive Canister 21714
Electrolux Precision EL8807A
Panasonic MC-UG727
Oreck Quest Pro Canister
Panasonic MC-UG729
Hoover Canister S3855
Panasonic MC-GG523
Oreck Magnesium RS LW100

UltraTouch Satin carpet is available only at CarpetsPlus COLORTILE stores.

April 28, 2015January 18, 2022

How to Clean Mud Out of Your Carpet

Water and dirt make mud.

Those April showers that bring May flowers are also bringing mud that could be tracked into your home. Would you be prepared if you saw one of your kids sprint across your carpet with muddy shoes? Here’s some recommendations of what to do from the Carpet and Rug Institute. The key is to BE PATIENT WHILE CLEANING and DO NOT SCRUB! You may have to repeat some steps to fully remove the stain. You may also have to send someone to the store for white paper towels and liquid dish detergent.

Follow the instructions below to clean mud-stained carpet:

Act Quickly! Delaying may cause the spill to become a permanent stain. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels. Gently scrape up semi-solids with a rounded spoon. Break up solids and vacuum.

Pretest any spot removal solution (for color transfer to the cloth or damage to the carpet) in an inconspicuous area. If a change occurs, select another solution.

Apply a small amount of the solution to a white cloth, and work in gently – do not rub — working from the edges of the spill to the center to prevent spreading. Allow to remain on the spill a few minutes. Be patient. Blot.

Continue to use the first agent as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. Be patient. Complete removal may require repeating the same step several times. Or, you may need to move to the next solution.

When the spill is completely removed, rinse the area with cold water; blot with a dry cloth until all moisture is removed.

A dry, absorbent, cleaning compound may be used as a substitute to minimize drying time.

Detergent Solution

Mix 1/4 teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions below.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Warm Water

Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Call a Professional

Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. If you’re not sure you want to tackle the job, you can always call us regarding any spot removal question.

Residue Precautions

Many spot removal solutions leave residues in the carpet that may attract soil. Thoroughly rinse the area several times with lukewarm tap water. A mist type sprayer is recommended to prevent over-wetting. Blot with paper towels and pat dry after each rinse. Several rinses are often necessary to thoroughly remove residues. Never use any of the solutions in concentrations stronger than those recommended.

February 24, 2014January 18, 2022

Study Says Carpet No Problem for Children with Asthma

According to an old wives tale, carpet flooring can adversely impact childhood asthma.

According to science, this isn’t true.

The Study

If you have a child with asthma and you have carpet in your home, your child is not being adversely affected, according to the “Results of a Home-Based Environmental Intervention among Urban Children with Asthma” study published by The New England Journal of Medicine.

A study of inner city children with asthma confirms that clean, dry carpet is a healthy flooring choice for everyone, including children and adults with asthma and allergies. The study followed nearly 1,000 children from seven major U.S. cities over the course of a year.

The Results

The study showed that removing carpet from the bedrooms of asthmatic children made no difference to improve their symptoms. However, elimination of tobacco smoke and improved cleaning in general did make a difference, such as cleaning with a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum cleaner. Beyond that, no difference was found in the levels of allergens measured in carpeted homes compared to homes with hard surface floors.

At the outset of the study, researchers sought to remove carpet from the children’s bedrooms, but factors such as rental agreements kept them from it. Family members were still instructed to remove the carpet from their children’s bedrooms wherever possible.

Contrary to researchers’ expectations, children with carpet in their bedrooms improved as much and did just as well as children who had hard surface floors.

The study was sponsored in part by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health.

Source: http://www.floordaily.net and the Carpet and Rug Institute.