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Care
and Cleaning of Rugs
With proper care, a hand-made carpet will last
a long time. Protect it from dampness and direct sunlight. Avoid letting
heavy furniture stand for long periods of time on the same part of the
rug. The use of suitable underlays will prevent problems such as wear
on uneven floors or rugs "creeping" on fitted carpets.
The fringes and edges are the most vulnerable parts
of any carpet. Care must be taken particularly when vacuum cleaning. If
the edges or fringes begin to unravel, get a professional to repair them
immediately.
If spills occur, prompt action must be taken. If
mopped up immediately and thoroughly, tea and coffee will not leave a
permanent mark. For sugary liquids use a damp cloth and a detergent solution,
while for fatty liquids and wine use a solution of household ammonia (one teaspoon of ammonia to one cup of water).
Always make sure that afterwards the affected area is treated with clean
water and allowed to dry thoroughly. Every so often, and depending on
the type of wear the carpet has been getting, it will need professional
cleaning
There are a few steps that you can take at home.
We recommend that you print out this page and keep it handy for quick
reference if any spills occur
 .Printer-ready
page
SPOT
REMOVAL CHART
(see Type of Treatment Key which follows this table)
The very first step should always to be scoop
up or blot excess - Then blot and if necessary, rub only in direction
of pile keeping stain localised
|
| SPOT |
Order
of Treatment |
Other Treatments |
| |
Step
1 |
Step
2 |
Step
3 |
|
| Alcoholic beverages |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
| Bleach |
1 |
3 |
- |
|
| Blood |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
| Butter |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
| Candle wax |
- |
- |
- |
absorbent paper
and hot iron |
| Chewing gum |
5 |
4 |
- |
|
| Chocolate |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
| Coffee |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
| Colas & soft
drinks |
7 |
2 |
- |
|
| Cooking oils |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
| Cream |
2 |
4 |
- |
|
| Egg |
2 |
- |
- |
|
| Felt tip pen |
7 |
2 |
8 |
|
| Floor wax |
4 |
- |
- |
|
| Fruit juice |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
| Furniture polish |
4 |
2 |
3 |
|
| Gravy and sauces |
7 |
2 |
- |
|
| Ink (fountain pen) |
1 |
2 |
- |
|
| Ink (ball point) |
4 |
9 |
2 |
|
| Ketchup |
7 |
2 |
- |
|
| Lipstick |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
| Mercurochrome |
2 |
3 |
6 |
repeat step 2 (advanced) |
| Milk |
7 |
4 |
2 |
|
| Mustard |
2 |
- |
- |
|
| Nail polish |
8 |
4 |
- |
Advanced - care! |
| Oil &
grease |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
| Paint (laxtex) |
2 |
3 |
4 |
carefully
scrape old paint |
| Paint (oil) |
9 |
4 |
2 |
Advanced
- check colour fastness |
| Rust |
4 |
2 |
10 |
|
| Salad dressing |
2 |
4 |
- |
|
| Shoe Polish |
4 |
2 |
- |
|
| Soot |
4 |
2 |
3 |
Advanced
- check colour fastness |
| Tar |
4 |
- |
2 |
|
| Tea |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
| Urine (fresh) |
1 |
2 |
- |
may require
vinegar/water solution |
| Urine (old) |
2 |
3 |
6 |
repeat if
necessary |
| Vomit |
2 |
- |
- |
rinse with
cool water, repeat |
| Wine |
11 |
1 |
2 |
|
| Unknown
material |
4 |
12 |
2 |
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Type of Treatment
- Cool to lukewarm tap water
- Detergent solution (neutral PH shampoo)
- ammonia solution (One teaspoon of ammonia to one cup of water)
- Solvent (isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol)
- Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick
or scrape off gum.
- Vinegar solution (1/3 White Vinegar to 2/3 water)
- Warm water
- Clear nail polish remover ADVANCED! check colour fastness first
- Alcohol of methylated spirits (mineral turpentine) ADVANCED! check
colour fastness first
- Rust remover
- Salt for absorbency
- Absorbent cleaner - Powders such as "Host" or "Capture"
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