Steam Cleaning Your Carpet August 16, 2010
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Care and Maintenance, Carpet , add a commentBefore cleaning your carpets, you need to decide whether you want to use steam or dry cleaning. Then you need to decide whether to do it on your own or engage a professional.
Steam cleaning, when it is done properly is probably the best choice.
It is also the method most often recommended by carpet manufacturers.
“Done properly” means that the technician has training appropriate to your type of carpet, the water is hot enough and the equipment is in good working order. The vacuum is especially important; when operating correctly, a truck-mounted vacuum will remove up to 95% of the water used to clean your carpet. This has a dramatic impact on the effectiveness of the cleaning and the time it takes to dry.
It is probably best not to attempt steam cleaning on your own. Most of the tools or equipment available for personal use just don’t have the power to sufficiently heat the water or the ability to reclaim enough water from your carpets. They can be great for spot-cleaning, but for true, deep extraction cleaning, its better to invest in a professional cleaner, using a truck-mounted steam unit. Remember that water temperature has to reach around 250 degrees at the machine in order for steam to reach your carpet!
Remember too, that all cleaning materials must be rinsed and removed well; make sure also that your carpet doesn’t get too wet. Overwetting can cause backing separation or wrinkles, and cleaner residues left unrinsed can accelerate soiling in the future.
Nylon Carpet Maintenance June 28, 2010
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It is actually pretty easy to protect your new carpet. Start by checking the manufacturer’s warranty to see what they require. Some manufacturers now demand periodic, regular professional steam extraction to maintain their warranty in force.
According to maintenance studies, up to 80% of soil that reaches your floors arrives with the first 4-6 steps from outside. Equipping each entry with appropriate walkoff mats or entry rugs will dramatically reduce the amount of soil.
Everyone hates vacuuming, but it is your top line of defense in keeping carpet looking its best. Vacuuming needs to be done regularly, with high traffic areas vacuumed daily. Dirt particles have sharp edges that can cut and abrade the carpet’s fibers, ultimately leading to a crushed and matted appearance. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has strong beater bars and good suction. If it has bags, change them often.
Even with regular vacuuming, every carpet should receive a periodic, professional deep clean with hot water extraction. Home models are typically ineffective at removing enough water and cleaning solution, so use a professional!
Spills and spots must be addressed immediately. Blot the spill with a clean, absorbent cloth, working from the outside to the center. Use a neutral pH cleaner and rinse with clean water to remove all the residues. Dry well and vacuum before walking on the spill area.
Cover any oil-based stains completely with baking soda, baby powder or cornstarch, allowing it to sit overnight. Vacuum well in the morning and if there is residual staining, repeat this process and then follow the routine outlined above for water-based stains.
We hope this helps you feel more comfortable about how to maintain nylon carpet!
Polyester Carpet Fibers June 17, 2010
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There is great confusion these days about polyester fiber for carpets. When you talk about polyester carpet, do you mean just plain polyester, PET or PTT? Most of today’s polyester carpets are made from PET fibers, which are manufactured primarily from used plastic soda bottles. PET is an improved fiber over the older, original polyester, but it still comes with some of the performance baggage about which you may have heard stories.
The main positives about PET carpets are that when new, they have a great “hand,” which means a particularly soft and luxurious feel. Probably the greatest lure of PET carpets is the price, which is generally inexpensive. Another selling point is the colorfastness and resistance to water-based staining agents. The biggest complaints about this carpet are its propensity to crush and mat quickly – and that oil-based stains are at best difficult – and at worst, impossible to remove.
PTT polyester is a relatively new introduction into the fiber market (by DuPont in 2000) and sold under the trade name Sorona. It has some unique characteristics, like 37% renewable resource content (corn-based) and reports of advanced stain and wear capabilities over older generations of polyester. In fact, because of its unusual performance characteristics in carpet construction, the FTC granted in March, 2009, a new generic carpet fiber name and classification, Triexta. Smartstrand carpets from Mohawk are manufactured from this fiber.
Early reports from both DuPont and Mohawk indicate that carpets made from this fiber will perform to the expectations of nylon, and will also retain the soft feel and stain-resistance of polyester.
We hope this helps you understand more about polyester carpet fibers! To learn more about Nylon, click here!
Nylon Carpet Fibers June 10, 2010
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60 years ago, the United States was in a wartime economy. Military fabrics producers were running out of the silk they needed to make parachutes – and the scramble was on to produce a synthetic replacement for silk. The result, originally created by DuPont’s chemical and textile engineers is the nylon we now utilize in myriad industries. Because of nylon’s incredible strength and durability, it made its way into both the commercial and residential carpet manufacturing markets.
Since its debut all those years ago, very little has changed in the essential chemical construction of nylon carpet fiber. Attendant processes though, like dye methods, carpet construction and finishing technologies have undergone regular improvements. The result has been consistent, incremental increases in performance, so that today’s nylon carpets perform exceptionally well, whether in plush (cut-pile) or loop pile constructions.
One of the keys to nylon’s popularity is its dramatic colorfastness. Solution dyed nylon – where the polymer is colored prior to extrusion into filament fiber – is virtually impervious to the effects of direct sunlight or bleach! Even nylon dyed after extrusion is incredibly colorfast, because of the latest stain protection technologies.
When they are constructed, installed and maintained properly, nylon carpets retain their original shape and appearance, providing years of useful life. Besides their ability to resist stain and soiling, nylon carpets also respond well to common commercial cleaning methodologies. Today’s nylon carpets will never actually wear out – they simply get ugly at the end of their useful lives.
Tigressá SoftStyle Carpet June 2, 2010
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At Big Bob’s, we want you to be in the know with what’s new and changing in the world of carpet. Shaw Floors has introduced a product called Tigressá. This new carpet has advanced engineered yarn that produces a stong, durable and soft new carpet.
The difference between Tigressá and other carpets is its unique fiber shape. This unique fiber shape helps maintain a smoother appearance and an ultra-soft texture. It also makes it stronger than ordinary carpet.
Other advantages of Tigressá carpet:
- Dense, resilient super-strong fibers show less matting, crushing and wear.
- More filaments per square inch spread out daily abuse over more individual fibers.
- Patented color enhancement system protects each fiber and allows for deeper color and textures.
Click here and you can enter to win in the Tigressá Sweepstakes.
All About Carpet Fibers May 25, 2010
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20 years may have come and gone, but carpet fiber options remain essentially the same! Nylon and polyester have continued to remain solid choices as they’ve evolved to higher performance, quality and appearance levels. But wool retains its position as the fiber of choice for a unique, luxurious look and feel. In upcoming entries, each of the fibers will star in it’s own post.
Nylon products have continued to lead the residential market. Today’s nylon carpets are attractive, stain resistant, and high-performing at reasonable prices. Installed over a quality cushion and with basic maintenance, nylon carpet will perform well for 10 – 20 years.
Polyester has made a significant comeback after having once been known for poor performance. Polyester carpets now account for up to one-fourth of residential carpet sales. Polyester’s draw is price. Just be sure to ask for yarn with multiple plies and multiple twists.
Wool, with a rich history of distinctive beauty and charm, is still the fiber of choice for those who dream of “the best!”Nylon may “ugly out” as it ages, but wool – because it wears so gracefully, keeps looking good year after year. With only basic maintenance, wool carpets will perform wonderfully for 20 years or more. It’s not hard to find beautiful 30-year-old wool carpets – despite a threadbare spot or two at high traffic or pivot locations!
How to Remove Easter Egg Dye from Carpet March 31, 2010
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It’s almost Easter! If you love to dye Easter eggs, but hate the worry of wondering what to do if you spill the dye on the carpet, stop worrying! Below are simple and easy guidelines to follow if you have a spill with Easter egg dye. You always want to treat spills as soon as possible and follow the instructions closely.
Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) 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. Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent 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.
Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.
Not sure? Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.
Design Perspective: Patterned Carpet January 12, 2010
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When it comes to choosing patterned carpet, many questions always seems to come up. Today’s post is dedicated to the pro’s and con’s of patterned carpet.
First, ask yourself: What look am I trying to accomplish in this room? What is the function of this room? How many other fabrics and textures are in this room? Once you have thought about the answers to those questions, you are ready to think about patterned carpet.
One of the biggest misconceptions about patterned carpet is that it will make the room too busy. That can happen if there are too many focal points, fabrics and textures in the room, but if the room needs a focal point, texture or additional design element, patterned carpet can be the perfect solution.
Another reason people tend to shy away from patterned carpet all starts with the sample. It’s extremely difficult to visualize what an entire room of patterned carpet will look like from a typical carpet sample size. Most of the time, the sample isn’t even large enough to see the whole pattern. Thankfully, most have room scenes available either on the sample or the website. Our website offers a virtual room designer tool that can help you visualize what a patterned carpet will look like in a room. You can even upload a photo of your own home!
The image shown here is an example of how patterned carpet can be used successfully. In this case, it helps tie together the personality of the room and compliments the other textures in the room. This room doesn’t have a lot of patterned upholstery so the pattern on the floor is not distracting. (This is also a great example to answer the question – Will dark floors make my room look small?)
Patterned carpets can give a room depth, dimension and personality. Not all patterned carpets have objects such as the trees or leaves shown here. There are many pattern carpets that are simply abstract textures. You can use patterned carpet throughout your home if the pattern is not too distracting or defined. One way to use a patterned carpet that has a distinct pattern like the picture above is in a stand alone room such as a living room, home office or bedroom. Patterned carpets can make a guest room appear special and unique. This method will help keep you from growing tired of a distinct pattern.
Patterned carpets are not right for everyone, but if you want something unique and you want your floors to have a personality – give patterned carpet some consideration. Use the image here to help you visualize when looking at a sample in our store. Our sales staff can help talk you through specific patterns and whether they are right for your application. You may find a pattern that you want bound and made into an area rug to go over hard surfaces floors.
Mohawk’s Smart Strand Challenge Has Finished September 1, 2009
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Have you been following along with Mohawk’s SmartStrand Challenge? For those of you that have not been following along:
Mohawk Industries (Mohawk) has teamed with The Birmingham Zoo to put its SmartStrand with DuPont Sorona (SmartStrand) carpet to the mightiest of durability and stain resistance tests. Starting August 14, Mohawk installed SmartStrand triexta carpet in the indoor enclosure of The Birmingham Zoo only Eastern Black Rhinoceros, leaving it there for two weeks.
Ricko the Rhino is not your typical 12-year-old! Ricko is a bold opponent for the SmartStrand Challenge. The carpet was installed, Ricko lived as usual in his enclosure, eating, sleeping, rolling his 50-pound ball around and doing things that just come naturally to a 2,800-pound rhinoceros. All on Mohawk SmartStrand carpet!
Four day- and night-vision webcams were strategically placed throughout the enclosure to capture his life on the carpet. I diligently watched Ricko as he romped and tromped around in his enclosure, giving SmartStrand carpet a run for its money.
The challenge ended Friday. The carpet was removed and cleaned with Mohawk’s Floor Care Products. The result? The carpet was cleaned 100%. Ricko was not able to destroy the carpet as many had thought and some even hoped!
What’s next? What’s in it for you? Stay tuned to the blog, our twitter page, our Facebook page or our website for specials and promotions so that you can have SmartStrand carpet in your home because you know if it can stand up to a 2800 lb rhino, it can stand up to your wild ones!
