Maintenace A good quality carpet, regardless of price, can be turned into worthless investment in a very short time if not properly maintained. As with any quality merchandise your carpet will need to be carefully maintained in order to prolong its life expectancy and appearance. There are mainly four methods for deep carpet cleaning hot water extraction system, Bonnet Method, Shampoo Method and Absorbent cleaners      1. Alarwool S.L. recommends the hot water extraction system, which research indicates provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as "steam cleaning," although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of spraying a solution of water and detergent into the carpet pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum into a holding tank. This can be done by a portable, self-contained system brought into the hotel.  - When using these method the professional cleaner should have equipment advance enough to have a temperature gauge to regulate the temperature of the water, so when cleaning wool carpet the water should be at a lower temperature than when cleaning nylon, if this is not done properly the carpet can get damaged.  - Also it is very important to use a shampoo with a neutral PH (6-7) otherwise the shampoo can burn the fiber.  - And last an foremost it is very important that the vacuum that extracts the water have a powerful engine so it will remove most of the water and will not over wet it.      2. Bonnet cleaning systems employ a rotating bonnet of terry cloth or other absorbent material to agitate the carpet pile and absorb soil. A detergent solution is sprayed onto the pile and then worked with the bonnet attached to a rotary floor polisher.      NOTE: Alarwool S.L. does not recommend this cleaning system. The bonnet system has very limited capability for soil removal and leaves much of the detergent in the pile since it employs no real extraction. As a result, rapid re-soiling often occurs. Another disadvantage is that the spinning bonnet may distort the fibers of cut pile carpet, fussing the pile and leaving distinct swirl marks.           3. Shampoo Method is possibly the oldest form of carpet cleaning. The cleaning agent is a foamy chemical similar to hair shampoo. The foam is sprayed on the carpet, generally with a tank type floor machine, and agitated with a rotary brush. Because shampoos are very poor detergents the just bury the dirt, and they contain high levels of optical brighteners, which take invisible ultraviolet light and convert it to visible light. That will make the carpet appear look lighter and brighter for a wile, but it will eventually give the carpet a yellow cast that will be very difficult to remove      NOTE: Alarwool S.L. does not recommend this cleaning      system      4. Dry Powder Method - With this method a compound consisting of corncob shavings or talcum powder containing small amounts of solvent, detergent and water is sprinkled over the carpet, and agitated with a machine or brush. The soil is absorbed into the carrier and then removed with a      Vacuum cleaner. Although the process is called "dry" cleaning, water is actually involved. Because there is very little water employed the drying time is very fast. Unfortunately the solvent /detergent/water mixture is relatively ineffective. That is why the dry powder methods also incorporate a pre-spray for heavily soiled areas consisting of additional detergent and water. Because no rinsing is employed and because vacuuming does not usually completely remove the carrier from the carpet, re-soiling is often a problem. We fell that this process is ineffective on deep soiling.      NOTE: Alarwool S.L. does not recommend this cleaning system One way to locate a professional cleaner is to contact the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) at 1-800-835-4624. This is a non-profit organization that maintains a national directory of independent professional cleaners who are trained and certified in a variety of cleaning specialties. I t also very important when choosing a carpet cleaning company to make sure that it have good references and that they have the proper equipment, and in good working condition. Step - by - Step Cleaning Guide 1 - Scoop up solids with a knife or spoon. 2 - Blot up liquids by applying pressure      with white paper towels or tissues. 3 - Determine method of stain removal      from the chart. 4 - Before treating stain, test treatments on an inconspicuous part      of the carpet for possible colour change. 5 - With a blotting or dabbing motion, work inwards from the edge      of the stain to prevent its spreading. 6 - Do not rub carpet pile during the stain removal of rinsing stages. 7 - When attempting to remove stains, ensure that the carpet is    dry before proceeding to the next step in order of treatment. 8 - Rinse by applying clear, tepid water      using a clean cloth or sponge. 9 - Once the stain has been removed, blot      up moisture by applying pressure with      white paper towels or tissues. 10 - Do not walk on carpet until dry.

Cleaning Procedures In the months following installation, you may notice some of the following common carpet characteristics. These are all normal and will not affect the carpet's life or beauty in any way. Maintenance: Proper maintenance of your carpet will extend its lifespan and keep its fresh appearance. You should vacuum properly, remove spills, and provide long-term care and deep cleaning. Shedding (loose fibers): With a new wool carpet expect to see quite a lot of ¨fluff¨ being shed by the carpet, this is perfectly normal and after a few weeks this will diminish naturally. However, it is important to remove this by vacuuming. If this is not done the ¨fluff¨ will remain in the carpet and will be trodden back into the pile resulting in a flat, matted and dull looking carpet.  Pile reversal and shading: Describes what seems to be a color change in various parts of the carpet. The same area may appear light when viewed from one direction and dark from another. This is not a product defect, but rather a characteristic of plush carpet.  The degree of shading will depend on the amount of the design in the carpet together with the depth of the color. A light color carpet with a small design is more likely to show greater shading than a heavily patterned carpet with darker colors. Shading is caused because the tufts through a newly laid carpet are almost parallel to each other.  After a period time the tufts will gradually assume greater slant in areas of most use and expose their sides to the light. This is known as ¨pile pressure¨ and there are no hard and fast rules as to when this will occur or to what extent. It is a characteristics of all cut pile carpets.  Daily vacuuming, brushing against the natural lay of the pile can alleviate this pile pressure effect and bring back much of the original color. Buckling and wrinkling:  May sometimes occur in wall to wall carpet installations.  If the ripples persist, call your installer, as it may be necessary to professionally re-stretch the carpet. Regular Cleaning:  It is essential that you vacuum regularly with a strong, well functioning vacuum cleaner.  Professional carpet cleaner should clean your carpets regularly.  Protecting Against Stains: No carpet is entirely stain proof. The longer you leave the spill unattended, the more difficult it will be to remove. 1 - Dry Cleaning Fluid - A nonflammable spot removal liquid available in grocery and hardware stores. 2 - Nail Polish Remover - Amyl Acetate 3 - Detergent Solution - Mix 2 cups water and 2 teaspoons mild liquid detergent (no lanolin, non-bleach) 4 - Warm Water - Lukewarm tap water 5 - Vinegar Solution - One cup white vinegar to two cups water 6 - Ammonia Solution - 2 TBSP household ammonia to one cup water 7 - Spot Removal Kit - Available in carpet stores or professional cleaners.   8 - Call a Professional - If you cannot completely remove the spot 9 - Vacuum Clean Find the spot source in the first column and read across the row for the correct spot removal method to try.  Continue using the first method until there is no longer a transfer of stain to the cleaning cloth. Try the first method suggested, then the second, etc. until the spot is successfully removed. Spot   Method Alcoholic Beverage 3,6,5,4,8 Bleach   3,4,8 Blood  6,3,4 (cold), 7,8 Butter   1,3,6,5,4,8 Candle Wax   2,1,8 Catsup   3,6,5,4,7,8 Charcoal   9,3,8 Chewing Gum Freeze with ice 1,8 chip away Chocolate  1,3,6,5,4,8 Coffee/Tea w/cream & sugar 3,5,4,7,8 Cosmetics  2,1,3,6,5,4,7,8 Crayon Freeze w/ice chip away 1,3,8 Food   3,6,4,8 Fruit Juice  3,6,5,4,7,8 Grease   1,3,4,8 Ink ball point pen 2,1,3,6,5,4,7,8 Iodine   1,3,6,5,4,8 Lipstick   2,1,3,6,5,4,7,8 Milk   1,3,6,5,4,8 Mustard  3,5,4,7,8 Nail Polish  2,1,3,4,6,7,8 Oil  1,3,8 Paint, Latex   3,6,4,7,8 Plant Food   3,6,5,4,7,8 Rust   3,4,7,8 Shoe Polish  2,1,3,6,4,7,8 Soft Drinks  3,6,5,4,7,8 Tar  1,7,8 Toothpaste   3,5,6,4,8 Urine, wet   3,6,5,4,8 Urine, dry   3,6,5,4,7,8 Note:  Some spills contain chemicals that may discolor or even damage the carpet fibers or dyes.  If you have doubts about what caused the spot and how to remove it, contact a professional carpet cleaner. Alarwool S.L. will not be held accountable for any carpet damage due to the use of any of these products.

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