Key Components of an Effective Carpet Maintenance Program

Carpet Maintenance Makes Sense - The Longer Carpet Lasts, the Less It Costs

Carpet specification can have a dramatic effect on how readily a floor will show soil and how easily that soil can be removed. Fiber polymer, fiber engineering, soil resistance treatments, carpet construction, color and pattern all contribute to how well a carpet retains its appearance under specific traffic and soiling conditions.

After a carpet has been selected, commitment to a comprehensive program of maintenance is essential. A consistent, well-planned maintenance program extends carpet life and decreases life cycle costs by removing soil before carpet damage can occur. It is important to know the key components of an effective carpet maintenance program to ensure that the carpet performs to its full potential and delivers maximum return on investment.

Preventive Maintenance

Outside Maintenance: Minimize the immediate sources of soil around the perimeter of the building by keeping sidewalks, parking lots and garages adjacent to the building as clean as possible. Remove snow and ice instead of treating it with chemicals or sand.

Chair Pads: Place chair pads under desk chairs to prevent casters from grinding in soil over and over again.

Restricted Areas: Reserve specific areas for eating, drinking and smoking to help confine difficult sources of soil and dirt.

HVAC Maintenance: Replace and/or clean filters on a regular basis to remove as many airborne particles as possible.

Routine Maintenance

Vacuuming: The single most important part of any carpet maintenance program is vacuuming. Heavy and moderate traffic areas should be vacuumed daily. Vacuum light traffic areas regularly.

Stain and Spill Removal: Spills are inevitable, but quick removal reduces the likelihood of staining. To remove most spills, use clean, warm water or a general-purpose detergent spotter. If the stain persists, contact a Prestige Floor Care Carpet Maintenance Professional.

Professional Carpet Cleaning

Carpet should be professionally cleaned when soil is barely noticeable to eliminate soil bonding and to restore color brightness and vacuuming efficiency. When carpet is badly soiled, a restorative cleaning is necessary to revive the appearance. Carpet cleaning professionals use a wide variety of methods for cleaning, including hot water extraction, dry absorbent compound, rotary shampoo, bonnet/spin pad, and cylindrical foam shampoo. Prestige Floor Care's Commercial Carpet Maintenance Professionals are knowledgeable in the use of the best methods.

Evaluating Carpet Maintenance Effectiveness

Once a carpet care program has been developed and implemented, it is important to measure its effectiveness. The Prestige Floor Care Carpet Maintenance Index will help determine if the maintenance needs of a particular carpet are being appropriately met.
Prestige Floor Care professionals will work with you to evaluate your needs and to design and conduct a comprehensive carpet maintenance program customized to meet your needs.

Soil Barriers: Use walk-off mats, grates and removable elevator carpets to help collect soil before it can be tracked into the building. These barriers should be vacuumed daily and cleaned frequently to be effective.