Vacuuming Your CarpetCarpetFlooring How To's Vacuum frequently for long-term beauty Walking on soiled carpet allows the soil particles to work their way below the surface of the pile where they are far more difficult to remove and can damage the carpet fibers. Frequent vacuuming removes these particles from the surface before problems occur. For rooms with light traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes twice weekly and the entire area once weekly. In areas with heavy traffic, vacuum the carpet traffic lanes daily and the entire area twice weekly. Up to three passes of the machine will suffice for light soiling, but five to seven passes are necessary for heavily soiled areas. Change the vacuuming direction occasionally to help stand the pile upright and reduce matting. Extend the life of your carpet with a quality vacuum An inexpensive machine may remove surface dirt but will not effectively remove the hidden dirt and particles embedded in the pile. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner to get the dirt you can't see and prolong the beauty and life of your carpet.

To ensure that your vacuum will conform to the highest industry standards, make sure that your vacuum cleaner is certified through the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval/Green Label Vacuum Cleaner Program. for details and listings. Select the best vacuum for your type of carpet Shaw recommends using vacuums with a rotating brush or combination beater/brush bar that agitates the carpet pile and mechanically loosens soil for removal. Carpet with thick loop pile construction, particularly wool and wool-blend styles, may be sensitive to brushing or rubbing of the pile surface and may become fuzzy. In addition, shag (or cabled) styles with long pile yarns tend to wrap around the rotating brushes causing damage to the yarn. For these products, Shaw recommends a suction-only vacuum or a vacuum with an adjustable brush lifted away from the carpet so it does not agitate the pile. Be sure to test a vacuum with a beater/brush bar in an inconspicuous location before regular use, to make sure it doesn't produce excessive fuzzing.

Caress by Shaw Carpets Shaw has conducted extensive testing as well as coordinated with vacuum manufacturers to develop a list of appropriate vacuum cleaners for use with Caress by Shaw products. These approved vacuums have been shown to be easy to use and have proven to be gentle enough in operation for the most luxurious of plush carpets.Prom Dress Shops Northampton Shaw's Caress Vacuum Recommendation ListJcl T ShirtsJust about every week we have someone come in the shop that has been referred to us by a local carpet installer because the vacuum they used on their new carpeting caused significant damage.   How To Whiten A Yellowed Plastic Tub SurroundIn almost every case the damage is caused by one thing:  an overly hard bristle in the brush of their upright or canister vacuum cleaner.

As American tastes shift from synthetic to natural fiber materials, carpet damage or premature wear has become a more common problem. Some carpet manufacturers have even gone so far as to stipulate that the warranty is void if a certain vacuum brand is used.  Most of the time, the damage can be repaired through reweaving or de-pilling the surface, but many times the carpet is never again like new. Carpet is still one of the biggest household investments for people, and since we’ve had more than one customer come to tears over wrecking ten grand of New Zealand wool, we think it’s a good idea to start spreading the word about of which brushrolls are appropriate for which types of carpeting. The key to choosing the right brush system for your carpet is knowing the material and the weave.  It’s all about the fiber and how it’s woven. Usually carpet is made of wool or synthetic yarn (or a blend of both).  But there are many different types of weaves. The most common are loop, cut pile, twist and sisal.

First of all, if your home has a standard cut-pile carpet made of nylon or other synthetic material like Olefin, you may be excused from class.  The brushes on standard vacuums from any manufacturer will perform well and not damage your carpet. But if your carpet is made of wool, cotton, silk, seagrass or any combination of these – or if your carpet is a looped, berber, frieze twist, shag or any other unusual combination –  read on.  It could save you a big hassle and a lot of money. The natural materials above require a very soft, long bristle.  Think of it like a hair brush. At one end of the spectrum you have hair brushes that are very fine and soft and gentle.  On the other you have hair brushes that are very hard, stiff and tough, the kind you would use on a shaggy dog. When vacuuming natural fibers, you need a lot of suction and a very gentle brush action.  Brushes that are longer and softer work best on natural materials. When they sweep across the carpet, the soft bristle flexes and gently brushes up any hair or lint, letting the suction do most of the work to clean without causing any damage.

Standard vacuums do just the opposite of this.  They actually transfer very little suction down into the carpet.  Instead, they use an extra hard bristle that scrapes across the surface of the carpet and very aggressively pulls up the carpet fiber.  This aggressive scraping and pulling at 2000 rpm can cause pilling or premature wear, and may even start a snag in the thread that pulls though the whole carpet as it wraps around the spinning brush. For any cut-pile natural fiber or blended carpet, a motorized brush with a medium soft bristle is recommended.  Here are a few recommendations: For twist, shag or frieze carpet, it’s very important to have a height-adjustable brush that can be raised off the carpet to prevent pulling.   Also, if the yarn on the shag is two inches or more, a suction-only rug tool is recommended. The following vacuum cleaners all have height adjustable brushes with moderately stiff bristles:When choosing carpet, you want something that fits with your interior decor but also with your lifestyle.

Sturdy, stylish and sophisticated, loop pile carpet promises long-lasting quality with a contemporary edge that doesn’t require lots of maintenance and is perfect for busy family homes. Read this handy buying guide for help deciding if loop pile is the right type of carpet for you, it covers topics including: 1. What is a loop pile carpet? 2. Benefits of a loop pile carpet 3. How to care for a loop pile carpet Loop pile carpet is made from uncut loops of yarn which are available both flat and textured. Generally these loops have a more rugged appearance and are often favoured for use on the stairs, in hallways or in other high traffic areas. The loop pile carpet is often preferred by families as it is hard wearing, durable, practical and looks stylish and sophisticated. With its affordable price and contemporary look, this is the ideal carpet for any modern family home. Due to its flexibility and practicality, loop pile carpet is ideal for busy family households with kids.

It is really comfortable underfoot and boasts a long-lasting design that guarantees great looking flooring that is made to last. Loop pile carpets are extremely durable and well known for standing up against high traffic. This carpet is great for hallways, stairs and playrooms and is particularly suited to family homes where children are likely to cause a mess. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the loops, this carpet is not generally recommended for households with pets as their claws can catch and rip the pile, causing damage. On average a loop pile carpet can last up to 20 years with correct care and cleaning. It can withstand high traffic without showing signs of wear and tear and only requires minimal maintenance. You should still vacuum regularly on a suction only setting and clean any spillages immediately to prevent stains or marks. Placing and re-positioning furniture carefully on your carpet can also reduce the risk of tears or damage. When heavy items of furniture are placed on the loop pile carpet a small indentation can be found, however this is to be expected.

Naturally, the severity of the indentation will depend largely on the weight of the load and the duration it is placed on the carpet for but using a vacuum cleaner can smooth the indentation and tease up the pile. Re-positioning your furniture slightly at regular intervals can help to reduce the severity of any indentations left in your carpet, so try to shift any particularly heavy items a few centimetres to one side every now and again to keep your carpets looking their best. Loop pile carpet is soft to walk on and provides extreme comfort underfoot for the entire household. It offers the best durability and is still highly comfortable. Fitting with underlay can help to improve comfort but these carpets are recommended more for high traffic areas than bedrooms where you can afford to invest in a less robust, softer pile carpet. Loop pile carpets offer enhanced protection and durability in high traffic areas so are recommended for use in hallways, stairs, playrooms and basements.

For a more general overview of different carpet types, take a look at our handy Carpet Buying Guide. A durable and long-lasting flooring, loop pile carpets require minimal maintenance to stay looking their best. We do not recommend loop pile carpets in homes with pets as claws can rip and tear the loops. As with all carpets, the colour of the fibres may fade if exposed to sunlight for continued period of times. Always ensure curtains and blinds are fitted to windows and doors to help protect your carpet from this damage during sunnier months.​ Stains can be difficult to remove from loop pile carpets if left untreated as the fibres absorb liquid at a fast pace. Tackle any marks or stains immediately to remove them and always blot liquid spills to draw the stain out – do not rub as this will only spread the stain deeper into the fibres. If the stain is relatively large then professional cleaning tools may be recommended. When cleaning or washing your carpet, always check that the cleaning chemicals you use are safe to bring into your home and won’t damage the carpet or those in your home.

This is especially important if you have children or pets around the home. For general maintenance, vacuuming is all that is required for this type of carpet. Make sure your vacuum cleaner is set to a suction only setting for optimal results as the mechanical action of a beater bar can actually damage the pile of the carpet. The same also applies to brush head systems so avoid those too. All carpets available from Carpetright are fire retardant and have undergone an extensive amount of safety checks and testing. However, you should still proceed with caution to ensure maximum safety at all times. Refrain from exposing your loop pile carpet from any naked flames or extreme heat and avoid laying any wires or cables underneath your carpet . Always make sure that carpets are secured firmly when fitting them in your home to prevent accidents caused by lumps, bumps or upturned edges. Getting a professional to fit the carpet for you may be advisable to ensure a professional finish that is safe and secure.