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Carpet Care

A facility-wide restorative carpet cleaning should take place at least twice a year to remove the accumulation of soil buildup in high traffic areas.

• Effective cleaning systems directed at maximum restorative cleaning, minimum residue, safety, and ease of use
• Cost effective cleaning strategy, plan, schedule
• Training and recognition of cleaning technicians
• Periodic inspection, assessment and management review of cleaning programs

Leading the Industry

• Partnerships in LEED-EBOM Inovation and Design credit(1 point)for individual tenant applications.
• Low moisture and specialized corrective carpet cleaning.
• Offers Advanced Encapsulate carpet cleaning solutions.
• IICRC Certified Industry Approved operator training.
• Hygienically monitored/sanitized equipment to eliminate cross contamination.
• Upholstery and fabric partition cleaning: Value added services.
• Design manufacturers specified programs to maintaining carpets and interior fabric/textiles.

Many cleaning systems are available; however, their effectiveness varies widely. When choosing the cleaning system, the important considerations are:

• Obtain the carpet manufacturer's recommendations, if possible.
• It must clean effectively.
• It must not damage the texture of the carpet.
• It must not leave excessive residues of cleaning materials.

Carpet Maintenance Guidelines

Understanding the science-based principles of effective restorative carpet cleaning will aid immensely in enhancing the long-term performance of carpet. The appreciation of the power of these principles begins by understanding the purpose and objectives of cleaning. Cleaning is the traditional activity of removing contaminants, pollutants, and undesired substances from an environment or surface to reduce damage or harm to human health or valuable materials. Carpet cleaning is the process of locating, identifying, containing, removing, and properly disposing of unwanted substances from a fibrous surface or material. A primary objective of carpet cleaning is to maximize the removal of unwanted or foreign matter from the carpet and to minimize residues in the carpet.

Basic Scientific Principles of Effective Restorative Cleaning

The basic scientific principles of effective restorative cleaning can be divided into five major steps: dry soil removal, soil suspension, soil extraction, pile setting (finishing or grooming), and drying

Dry Soil Removal (Dry Vacuuming) – Overall vacuuming with a CRI "Green Label" vacuum cleaner.

Soil Suspension – Once dry soil has been removed from the carpet, soil suspension (pre-conditioning) procedures begin. Soil suspension and removal are the most critical steps in effective carpet cleaning. The goal of soil suspension is to separate soil from fiber surfaces. Soil

• Chemical activity occurs when chemicals are mixed or metered into rinse solutions to suspend light soils that accumulate in non-traffic areas, along baseboards, or under furniture. Chemicals properly formulated, mixed and applied during pre-conditioning are essential for effective cleaning.
• Elevated Temperature (Heat) – Heat reduces the surface tension of water and enablesfaster, more efficient cleaning than cold water. It is merely a matter of thermodynamics: heat accelerates the molecular activity of chemicals employed, and thus aids in separation of unwanted matter from fibers.
• Agitation – Agitation in some form is required to accomplish uniform chemical penetration and distribution. Without agitation, soil suspension tends to be non-uniform, which is often indicated by soil streaks following the removal process. Using a common, multi-bristled brush or comb to work in pre-conditioner chemicals is most effective and time-efficient. Brush agitation refers to the fore-and-aft stroking of preconditioned carpet pile throughout traffic areas, placing particular emphasis on entry, pivot, and heavily soiled areas. Mechanical agitation involves the use of mechanized rotary or cylindrical, nylon-bristled brush action to achieve aggressive agitation and distribution of pre-conditioning chemicals into the carpet pile.
• Time – The fourth fundamental, time, is often the least considered. Soils deposited and compacted over extended periods between cleanings take time to dissolve and become suspended. Pre-conditioner chemicals require prolonged contact or "dwell time" for adequate fiber penetration and soil suspension to occur. Based on chemical formulation and application temperature, dwell time can vary, usually 10 to 15 minutes. Follow preconditioned chemical manufacturer’s label instructions.

Soil Extraction – Soil is an unwanted substance that is foreign to the construction of the carpet. In order to achieve effective cleaning, suspended soils must be removed physically (extracted or rinsed) as completely as possible from the carpet’s pile.

Pile Setting (Finishing or Grooming) – The term "finishing" refers to any procedure that enhances the appearance of carpet beyond the physical soil removal process in order to improve end-user perceptions of cleanliness. Generally, pile setting or grooming employs one of several finishing or pile-grooming tools (e.g., carpet brush or comb) specifically designed for this purpose. Most low loop pile carpet does not

• First, it is required to return the carpet to use by end-users as soon as possible.
• Second, drying carpet essentially eliminates slip-fall hazards, especially in areas where carpet transitions to hard surfaces.
• Third, rapid drying eliminates the potential for microorganism growth (bacteria)

Adequate natural or mechanical ventilation during the cleaning and drying phases of restorative cleaning will speed drying time. The use of commercial air movers (drying fans), HVAC handling systems, or dehumidifiers greatly reduces drying time.