Carpet

New carpeting can be elaborate and elegant, cool and contemporary or tasteful and traditional. It's one of America's most popular floor covering choices, enhances virtually any room and it can add value to your residence. Keeping that feeling, and your carpet in beautiful condition, is a challenge if you don't know the proper steps of maintenance.

We want you to know that with the care guidelines below, your new carpet can stay attractive for many years, and many bare-foot crossings to come.

• place walk-off mats wherever there are entrances to your home
• buy a quality vacuum and use it regularly
• use a machine with a good beater bar and maximum suction
• if your vacuum uses bags, be sure to change them frequently
• carpet cushion plays an important role in preserving the look and feel of your carpet
• don't vacuum over loose yarn or try to pull out the snag
• rearrange your furniture periodically
• treat stains as soon as possible
• cleaning by a reputable, professional cleaner is suggested approximately once a year to protect your investment
• read the care and maintenance literature provided by the manufacturer because different fibers, styles and finishes can each have their own unique guidelines

Hardwood

One of the main benefits of hardwood flooring is that they are low maintenance floors that require only a little more maintenance than sweeping on a regular basis to remove dirt. Cleaners are only needed when cleaning spills, removing scuff marks or major cleanings like spring cleaning.

• place walk off mats at every door that are regularly maintained
• you can and should vacuum your floors daily
• use the correct floor cleaner
• don’t assume that any household cleaner should be safe for your hardwood floors
• cleaners should be applied with a terry cloth head mop
• less is more use only a small amount of cleaner
• only use wax on floors with a wax finish
• wipe up spills immediately
• for stubborn stains like chewing gum or candle wax try using a credit card
• use technical support

Laminate

• place doormats or walk-off mats at each entryway to collect excessive moisture and dirt
• sweep, dust-mop or vacuum (without a beater bar) your floor to remove loose dirt and grit
• periodically use a damp mop to restore your floors shine
• purchase a laminate cleaner specifically made by the manufacturer for your particular floor
• after damp mopping, use a clean, dry cloth to soak up excess moisture
• use floor protectors on the bottom of your furniture and when moving furniture, lift rather than drag it across your floor
• never use abrasive cleaners, steel wool or scouring powder
• never use soap-based detergents or “mop and shine” products
• never flood your laminate floor with water or cleaners
• never attempt to sand or refinish your laminate floor

Vinyl

Flooring, no matter how new or beautiful, is meant to be walked upon. Vinyl flooring is no exception. Time and the onslaught of foot traffic will most certainly take its toll. But take heart, keeping your vinyl flooring as beautiful and inviting as the day it was installed just requires a little knowledge. So, check out the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish vinyl flooring.

New vinyl floors are extremely durable and long lasting, but like any floor covering they still need regular maintenance to stay looking like new. Follow these general guidelines for vinyl flooring. For more detailed information always refer to the manufacturer's written floor care procedures. You can’t avoid wear on your vinyl flooring, but knowing how to care for and maintain it can keep you floor in beautiful condition and make it a source of pride for years to come.

for the first 24 hours after your new vinyl floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas

keep the room at 68° F or greater for at least 2 days after installation

• do not roll heavy objects directly on to a newly installed vinyl floor for at least 5 days
• allow 5 days before thoroughly washing your floor
• lay plywood down before moving heavy objects
• check the condition of rollers and casters before use
• protect your vinyl floor by covering the legs of furniture with felt protectors
• remove dust, sand and grit particles
• don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar
• rinse the floor thoroughly with fresh water after cleaning
• place non-staining, walk-off mats or rugs at every outside entry to your room
• be sure to avoid using rubber-backed mats or rugs
• use rugs specially designed for vinyl floors
• for spots or spills, wipe them up immediately
• make sure the floor’s manufacturer recommends the cleaner you are using
• avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools
• never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes, or solvents on your vinyl floor
• if you purchased a PVC vinyl floor you should consider placing 2-3 coats of the manufacturer’s recommended floor polish on the floor immediately
• cover open seams immediately
• if your floor gets a cut or gouge in it, cover the area immediately and call your flooring professional
• urethane floors finish can darken over time
• for more maintenance information specific to your vinyl flooring, remember to consult the manufacturers’ recommendations

LVT

Floors should never be flooded with water or be allowed to have standing water. This can loosen the adhesive.

Care should be taken with heavy furniture and appliances. Furniture protectors should be used that are at least 2” in diameter. The hard and small buttons sometimes found on the bottom of chairs and other pieces of furniture should be removed. High heeled shoes also apply here.

Protect the floors from dirt and grit that can be tracked in by using walk off mats at every entrance.

Do not use rubber backed mats. Certain rubber compounds can permanently stain vinyl.

Never use vinegar, acetone or lacquer thinner to clean these floors.

For extreme staining like nail polish , paint, dye and permanent markers try applying fingernail polish remover that contains acetone, but is not pure acetone with a soft cloth and gently rub.

Spills should be removed immediately.

The floor should be swept, dust mopped or vacuumed on a regular basis.

Stubborn rubber heel marks can be removed with a soft cloth dampened with mineral spirits.

When the floor gets build up, consult the with the manufacturer’s recommended cleaner system to see if a stripper is available.

Area Rugs

Smart, regular care and upkeep will keep your area rugs looking great and your home looking as beautiful, stylish and unique as ever. Check out the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish, colorful and captivating, area rugs.

• don’t avoid walking on your area rugs
• you should vacuum or sweep your rug as you would wall-to-wall carpeting
• rotate your rug 180 degrees every few months, or every year, depending on traffic patterns
• all parts of the rug should be exposed to an equal amount of traffic so that the pile wears evenly
• a water spill should be dried immediately with a hairdryer set on a warm temperature
• have your rug washed by a professional every 2 to 5 years depending on the amount of traffic on the rug
• do not take your rug to general carpet-cleaning companies
• consult with your retailer about the proper padding to be placed under your rug
• if the rug is to be stored for a long time in a place without exposure to light or air, first vacuum or broom it
• when considering repairing a rug, factor in the cost of repair in comparison to the value of the rug